Flickr

http://www.flickr.com/photos/26731998@N04/

Got this done. This has been interesting. Very gorgeous photos---and incredible talent out there. And fun to surf. And not hard to get the photo uploaded from disc.

Pandora, streaming music and just plain music

I like music---a lot!!! Different kinds-country, 60's, disco, classic-all have a claim on my ears and time. I'm learning to use my Ipod (a Christmas gift 2 years ago), which should tell you all that I'm technically challenged. I can't seem to touch the Ipod in the right place to get it turned on, and then can't find the playlists once I get it to play. I keep working on it, and it's less frustrating now than when I started, but still not a first choice for music. So, I tried Pandora and Sno-Isle's streaming music. Pandora was OK---but when I listed a favorite song, I got a "sounds like" song, not the one I wanted. I know, I read the FAQ's and I completely agree that artists must be paid for their work. I have no problem with that---just that the song I requested was the very one I wanted to listen to at that time. So---I want to pay the artist and listen to the music when I want to---not when Pandora puts it on the playlist, or doesn't because the artist isn't available to them. I also had a little issue with clicking on a video and hearing both the music I'd been listening to and the video at the same time, and then being unable to stop the video. I told you I 'm technically challenged! So, on to Sno-Isle's streaming music. I really like being able to listen to spoken word and have books-on-tape for times when I'm sewing, gardening even washing dishes, because they're great for those "mindless" tasks, when I can focus on something other than the task. And I love to listen to poetry!! So this is my place, but not at work, because I'm not doing "mindless" tasks at work.

Instant Messaging

Well, I deliberately skipped the Instant message lesson, in terms of trying it. (I did read the instructions and followed them to the point of conversation.) I tried IM several years ago with my daughter, when she was in school at Pullman. We thought we'd save money on the phone bill, so made elaborate preparations by email to try IM. It was terrible!!! It didn't flow the way conversation between us did. Writing a statement or question, then waiting for a response, while thinking of all the other things I should have added to the original message was too frustrating. And, we had none of the nuances and connectedness of voice. After about 10 minutes, I messaged that I was calling her, and we abandoned IM. And in some ways this is funny, because I use snail mail regularly to family and friends and enjoy that very much. For me, writing a letter involves focusing on the recepient, relating the little things about life, and the tactile connection to paper and pen. I can also include photos, newspaper clippings or other little things in that envelope. So IM seems to be the worst of email and phones, with none of the redeeming qualities of either.