The Pnebleu Blog

So I just installed WordPress for Android; it took about one minute to install both this self-host blog and my WordPress.com hosted blog.  Since I bought my Motorola Xoom I’ve been having a blast with Android.  To be honest, I wasn’t sure how much I’d use a tablet, but now that I have one I use it more than my phone.  For me, the 10 inch screen is just about right and I definitely like it being widescreen rather than 4:3.  I like having the 3G, soon to be 4G.  I just bought the car charger and I’m anticipating the next opportunity to use the tablet as a GPS.

The Android platform has so much potential even with its weaknesses.  If they could component-ize and make available on the Market every part of the OS, Google would be able to get around the update issues caused by the manufacturers and mobile carriers (customized UI, additional apps, etc).  Then the user of the phone would be able to swap out the Samsung TouchWiz interface or HTC Sense camera app for the stock Android interface and application.  Users could also easily upgrade most parts of the phone (keyboard, UI, apps) even if they were on an older OS version.

I think the Market is Android’s greatest strength, but it has plenty of room to improve.  The ability to create lists of  installed apps and easily separate them by device would be wonderful for me.  I have the Xoom and I have the Samsung Galaxy S Captivate.  Each has different sets of applications installed with some apps overlapping on both devices.  The Market is great at keeping track of my purchased apps, but it didn’t remember my free apps when I installed a new ROM on my phone.  On the bright side, having single marketplace to install apps on phones and tablets from many different vendors with a few clicks of the mouse on a browser is a really powerful advantage.  I think we’re going to have a long future with the Android OS.

The Moon has a special place in my heart.  It inspires serenity and tranquility.  Because of its silvery appearance, it evokes neutral feelings.  In my opinion, it  is the most beautiful object in the sky.  I even think it far surpasses sunrise or sunsets.  It is the only other gravity-inducing body that we have visited.  My dream is to retire on the Moon, or at least visit it before I die.  The 1/6th gravity and the “magnificent desolation” are the biggest draws for me.

I took this picture from my parent’s house to get a clear shot of it without light pollution.  Smugmug and Flickr.  I want to get better lens to zoom in further and get a clearer shot, but until then this is the best photo I’ve taken of the Moon.

Lately, I’ve been struggling to find motivation to do things when I’m at home. I have no problems with this at work. I have plenty to do and I enjoy most of it. Maybe that’s why I’m lazy at home. I just haven’t wanted cook, read, play games, organize, clean, or just about anything.

But, today (2/22/2010) I am making a stand.  I am forcing myself to do things.  I’m going to clean the apartment, make a grocery list, make a non-grocery shopping list, and then go about carrying out my tasks.  I want to make a permanent change and remove this procrastination from my life.

So the month is almost out and I’ve been busy for the past couple weeks.  There’s also a new member of the family.  My sister had her son at the beginning of the month, Layton.

Click for larger picture.

Wow, it’s already November.  Time is flying.  So to elaborate on my October post, the last few months have been quite crazy!  I’ve gotten settled in to my 2-bed, 2-bath apartment that I share with me, myself, and I.  I’ve taken my first business trip that lasted 6 days (I worked in Beaverton, OR, near Portland).  I’ve gone on a two month spending spree to fill out my apartment.  I discovered the gender of my soon-to-be nephew.  I’ve installed Windows 7 on my PC and I’m loving it!  And I’m planning my schedule for the hectic holiday season.

I love my new Canon EOS Rebel T1i.  I’ve got a lot to learn, but ever since I got my first digital camera in 2002 photography has been a passion.  These two photos are a few of the things I’ve bought to fill out my apartment.  Most of the dishes are dirty at the moment, so the cabinet seems a bit empty.  It’s normally full to the brim.  I have enough settings for 8 people.

I’m looking forward to the coming months.  I’m planning a holiday party for some of my coworkers.  This will be a good début of the dishware, my cooking skills, and my hosting abilities.  Amanda, my sister is due in January.  I’m very excited about the addition to our family.  Plus, babies can be used as chick-magnets .  I’ve also started planning for the purchase of a house.  It probably won’t happen until after 2010, but I want to get a fixer-upper.  I don’t want it to be falling apart, but it could be in need of a remodel.

I’m almost settled into my new apartment.  I still have a lot to do in the second bedroom (my office), but I’ll have to get some shelves to get it completely finished.  I’m getting my list together of things that I need to buy to fill out my apartment.  Dishes, glasses, silverware, and an HDTV are at the top of my list.

Cable and Internet was connected last Tuesday.  I am currently watching the History Channel in HD.  The program is about robot warriors.  I’m a little creeped out by how the military is using robots.  World domination by the machines will be here soon enough.

I definitely like having the whole place to myself.  I can just relax and do what I want in my new place.  Once I get the dishes, I’m going to plan a dinner party to have people over.  That should be fun!

I’m starting the apartment search all over again.  I’m looking forward to having my own place (one bed/one bath), but I’m not looking forward to the hunt.  I’m trying to find something in College Station with a more mature, i.e. non-student, population.  $600 per month is my maximum.  I am making washer/dryer connections a requirement, if not the appliances.  Kitchen size is a major consideration, as well.  I’d prefer not to have a studio apartment, but if I can’t find anything else that will do.  Well, I’ve talked enough about looking, now I’m actually going to do some hunting.