A Geek's Cogitations, Conjectures and other Cortical Experiences

Tag: General Cogitation Page 9 of 11

Why I’m Getting The New iPhone

applesamsungIt’s not a secret that I predominately prefer Apple mobile devices. I’ve been using an iPhone since the 4 and prior to that I’ve been using an iPod since the first version. I’m not an Apple fanboy, though many have teased me that I am. I do not think the iPhone is a superior product over any comparable Android device. If I had to absolutely stop using the iPhone I would have no qualms about picking up an Android.

Windows Phone … well, that’s a different story. I would probably prefer two cans on a string next to a Windows Phone.

My contract is up; actually its been up since May. I knew a new Apple phone would be released this year so I’ve been holding off on renewing my contract until Apple decided to launch it. Obviously that wait is over. This Friday I will make a brazen attempt to get the iPhone 5S as part of my contract renewal. I’m getting the new iPhone because the iPhone is what I’m most comfortable with; that and I don’t want to spend the time reformatting all my music. I don’t bash any Android device because I’ve played around with one and they are really slick devices (unlike a Windows Phone where I was done using it within 30 seconds).

Generally I’ve been trying to only update my phone every-other-version of the iPhone. It saves on money and it feels like a more noticeable upgrade. My advice, if you are deciding which phone to get, don’t ask anyone that strongly prefers one or the other, just go to your carrier’s store and try out each phone. Choose the one that feels most comfortable and less likely to cause you any confusion when trying to complete all of your normal tasks.There are plenty of guru’s out there for Android and Apple phones to help you with any support issues you might encounter. Granted Apple has a bigger advantage with brick-and-mortar locations for quick, hands-on service and support but my understanding is most service techs at carrier stores are fairly knowledgeable of Android devices.

/cheers

So I Saw A Chiropractor

My back has been bothering me for a while now. It usually happened when I’ve been moving around a lot for instance after having completed my exercises and I start doing some housework. I would start to feel a sharp pinch in the middle of my back. I had never seen a Chiropractor before and I know there are some folks that don’t really buy into professional as medicinal. Considering how much my back was bothering me, I decided to keep an open mind.

I set up an appointment with a chiropractor just up the street per a suggestion by a co-worker. I wasn’t sure what to expect but after two visits my back is already feeling amazing. I had a muscle that was so tense it had pulled one of my vertebrae out of alignment with my spine. The doctor that I visited explained to me what was happening, what he would do to fix it and what kind of exercises I can do to help keep that muscle from tensing up again.

I have to say, based on how I’m feeling I don’t think there is any doubt as to the legitimacy of a chiropractor’s medical ability to diagnose and fix back issues.

If you live in the Cincinnati area and want to know the chiropractor I used, his name is Dr. Allan Byrne and he is located on the corner of Salem and Sutton in Anderson/Mt Washington.

Learning Opportunities

IMG_0633If you didn’t know, I work for a consulting firm as a software developer. I’ve never consulted prior to starting at Cardinal and I have to say that I do really enjoy it. It is kind of weird when you switch clients because it feels like you are always starting a new job but you get use to it after five years. Granted I have only had three clients, all of which were always extending my contract until I was no longer needed. I have to say, when you are at a client for a year+, its almost like leaving a full time job. I often try to ingrain myself into their office culture because it becomes easier to work with all the folks when you feel like you’re part of the team. I think that’s really the kind of thing Cardinal likes to encourage. We don’t want to be staff augmentation, we want to be a solutions provider.

All of that aside, the really rewarding thing about consulting and changing clients is it really does create a great environment for new learning opportunities. Obviously my primary goal at every assignment is to maintain a good rapport between Cardinal and the client. However, what I really enjoy taking away from all my clients are learning new skills and improving my skills. My bookmarks grow quite a bit as I’m always adding new tools and tips that folks from my clients share with me. You really start to develop quite an arsenal to take with you from client to client and its a great way not only to share what you have learned but really helps to build that positive rapport.

Today is my last day at my third client and while it is a little sad to be leaving these great folks I’ve been working with for 16 months, it is exciting to look forward to the next opportunity. The common cause of turnover at my firm are consultants leaving to work for a client, but I find that might be a difficult thing for me to do. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t because my clients are bad places to work, its because Cardinal Solutions is such an extraordinary place to work! I’m not saying that it could never happen, but Cardinal has raised the bar pretty high!

/cheers

For the Love of Movies

film_reelI’m among a fairly large group of folks that really enjoy movies. Though, I’m not talking about just watching a movie for its entertainment value, I really get into the movie making process. When I watch a movie, I’m watching it for the plot, the script, the score, sometimes even the cinematography. In some films I even try to image how they accomplished some special effects. I’m the guy that actually watches the special features on all the blu-ray or DVD discs, especially if there are behind-the-scenes and/or “the making of …” featurettes.

When I was in college I actually tried to apply for internships with Lucasfilm. I was pretty adamant about it; I would resubmit my resume for even the slightest change. I knew I didn’t have a hope in hell but my chances were better than if I hadn’t submitted at all. Obviously I was never contacted, but that’s OK.

It might seem a little childish and/or a silly pipe dream, but I still wonder what it would be like to work on a movie. I often wonder what it’s like to be there when the magic happens. I know its not a glamorous career regardless of what your role is in the process. I know there are a lot more happening with green screens and computerized special effects these days but, being in the computer industry myself, I would still find that extremely fascinating. I’m not an actor by any means, so that is definitely not something I would be any good at; however I did have a professor in college tell me that I might have a knack for directing.

I’m reluctant to say it would be a dream job because would I still consider it a dream after working in the industry for a few years. Be that as it may, I will continue to live vicariously through the performances of some of my favorite actors, blu-ray special features and HBO behind-the-scenes. Is that show Movie Magic still on? I use to watch that all the time in my teenage years!

/cheers

Why So Much Ewok Hate?

tumblr_static_7I’ve been a fan of the Star Wars franchise since I was 10 years old. I’ll always love the original trilogy first but I honestly don’t mind the prequels. I get the fact that there are some folks (so-called “fans”) that don’t like the prequel movies, but hey that’s their deal. The Empire Strikes Back is by far my favorite of the six but I had no idea that people hated Ewoks so much.

Again, I don’t mind the Ewoks. I thought it was great when 3PO stood up and they all freaked out and started bowing to him as if he were some kind of god; that was awesome. I suppose I get that people have a hard time swallowing the fact that all the power and might of the Empire was thwarted by fuzzy creatures using sticks and stones, but I think that’s the point. I think its the dichotomy of the two sides that makes the fight interesting and entertaining. The Empire’s overconfidence in their advanced technology was the character flaw and thus why the Ewoks were successful in their assault.

An arrogant enemy isn’t always a victorious enemy.

I liked the Ewoks. I’ll take a thousand Ewoks over one Jar-Jar any day! So why is there so much Ewok hate?? (oh, and the other thing that makes Return of the Jedi great … Speeder Bikes … I want one!)

Why I’m A Cubs Fan

me_gpav_wrigley-smGranted, I don’t think its necessary to explain why anyone chooses whatever team they choose to root for but I feel that my choices for being a Cubs fan are pretty sentimental. The picture you see attached to this post is a photo of me when I was 2 years old. I am seated with my grandfather in Wrigley Field. Documented proof that I have been a Cubs fan since I was 2 years old.

It’s more then just a 30 year old picture. I grew up in South Bend, Indiana but I fondly remember my grandfather showing up at our house in his 1986 red Mustang to pick up me and my dad and we drove to Chicago to watch the Cubs play. He did this quite often. He was a die-hard Cubs fan and he passed that on to my dad and me. He passed away never having seen the Cubs win a World Series. I hope that doesn’t happen to me or my dad.

I hope to instill this love for a baseball team in my kids one day and I know my dad will do all he can to perpetuate the love for the Cubbies. I think to be a Cubs fan is like a good marriage. You must endure the bad times and savor the good times no matter how abundant and/or few there may be. I will never give up on the Cubs because I know my grandfather never would have.

So now you know why when someone asks me “why am I a Cubs fan” that I respond with “because I’ve been a fan since I was 2 years old.”

Go Cubs!

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