Spring 2014 April 17 Thursday

37 degrees this morning.  

Learned more about iMovie yesterday at the Apple Store.  It is a fascinating program and can really do a lot.  I learned aspects of it I didn't have any idea even existed.  Of course, I don't take video that often, (except by accident), but I do have fun with it and it will be entertaining.  Probably use it more for work.  

The special effects, the music, maps etc. you can put with it is relatively easy, just a matter of time and learning.  My problem is I get stuck on something minor and there I am.  The Apple Store has a good answer for this with their "Open Session" where you work on a project and ask for help when needed.  (The 1 to 1 is literally a single teacher instructing you in the subject, which is wonderful.)

Probably will accept a contract on our  house today (or at least a counter-offer).  We love the house and hate to think of leaving it.  It is a wonderful house in a wonderful location.   On the other hand, we've only had it on the market for two weeks, so we may wait.  We are in no hurry to move, unless I get a job somewhere outside of this area.

Picked up my beloved MacBook Air yesterday.  It is nice to have it back. I got along fairly good without it, but I am glad to have it back.  It is so much more convenient, and actually a lot faster than other computers.  (Something to do with the flash drive, I think.)  I worked on iMovie on it and it is  very fast. I think the problem with my iMac is that iPhoto ran amok with "faces"  (I ended up with almost 60,000 pictures and got rid of 20,000, but I still have 40,000 pictures) and I think it is using up all of the processing power.

Evernote sounds like such a good idea, I just can't seem to get used to using it.  I used to to keep my car mileage and things like that on it, and the books I wanted to read, but that is hardly using it at it'll highest capacity.  Kind of like using a computer as a glorified typewriter, although I don't even know if they make typewriters anymore.

By the way, I need to praise Staples Office Supply.  After becoming throughly frustrated at FedEx Office trying to make up a business card with two sides (one English, one Chinese) and being stymied by FedEx bureaucratic requirements to use their templets, colors etc. and the inability to insert the Chinese Language, and wasting several hours on this, I went to the Staples web site and ordered a double-sided business card in exactly what I wanted in a matter of minutes!  A wonderful representative (I wish I had gotten her name) helped me when I realized my order wouldn't get to me before a meeting, she even redirected my order so I would get it prior to the meeting!  THAT is customer service!  

We're still thinking about the contract on the house. It is for less than we really want for the house, but there is some other factors which would increase the value of the offer to us.  A hard decision to make.

That's it for now.

Spring 2014 April 16 Wednesday

35 degrees this morning..... all time low is 30 degrees in 1950!  I went ahead and did my exercises routine, not too bad.  Sunny day this morning.

Working on "iMovie" on the Mac, have another instruction period at the Apple Store today.  While I  rarely watch videos, I think I need to learn how to compose smoother and better quality videos. It is amazing what you  can do with just the basic "iMovie" structure.  (Notice, I said "you" not "I", at least yet.  I actually got pretty good with Keynote (Apple's PowerPoint) and enjoyed doing it, but there wasn't a lot of demand for slide presentations!  I do use it for business and sometimes just for fun for myself.  It is like a lot of things, the more you learn the more you know you don't know.

I have probably mentioned this before, but the app "WeChat" is truly amazing. The main restriction (like Apple messaging and FaceTime) is the other person needs the program, but the app is available for any cellphone platform.  You can message, call, walkie talkie, video etc.  I am still learning it.  So many apps promise a lot more than they deliver (or there is really no purpose to the app, or other apps or programs simply do it better), it is always fun to find an app that delivers and actually has a purpose.  

Tax day is past.  Computer programs have really saved time on taxes . Plus the fact that Aliene is so will organized, I spend very little time on fling taxes.  I always enjoyed preparing tax returns, and the computer takes away a lot of the paid.(still don't help on the pain of paying the taxes!)

The Tennessee City Managers Association (TCMA) is having a session on "Lincoln's Leadership Lessons" at its Spring Conference.  I am looking forward to these sessions.  The Conferences have become a lot more informative and valuable since the current Executive Director (a retired City Manager) took over.  

It is so nice to look out my back window and see the "forest" greening up again.  It seems like forever since they were last green.  This has truly been the "Winter of our Discontent" and a long, hard winter, both in actuality and in spirit.  Spring is coming!

That's it for now.

Spring 2014 April 11 Friday

66 degrees this morning.  A "cool"  66, but it's getting there. The sun is shining and the trees and grass are greening up.

Starting to take pictures of some of my "things" that it it time to get rid of.  I am starting on some hats which have long seen their useful life.  I wear them for exercise etc., but I have many more than I will ever need.  So a picture will maintain the "event" status of the hat (and in the future t-shirts, even books etc.) but I won't have to lug it around anymore and hopefully someone else can use it!  I haven't decided where to post them yet, I will keep them in a folder on iPhoto until I decide.  

Had a physical this morning.  It was interesting, a technician actually came to my house and did the physical.  Overall it was good.  

I am considering starting a "writing" business, if I can decide how to market it and if there is even a demand for it.  I enjoy writing letters etc., and I can (I'll brag on myself a little here) can whip out a letter or document in several minutes that takes others hours.  Maybe there is a niche I can fill someplace and supplement my income also.  It would take a while to build a clientele, but it may be worth a try. 

Preparing for the China trip has been fun.  I even downloaded some Chinese language lessons for my iPod and I will listen to them while I walk instead of my usual books and maybe in the car etc.  I have also read several books about the Chinese culture (including "On China" by Henry Kissinger, which have been fascinating.  As part of the conference and pre-tour, I will get to visit with Chinese officials of several cities etc. which ought to really be interesting.  We are also taking some side tours, assuming this will be our one and only trip to China, although you never know!   We area also meeting with a Chinese native who will review the culture and language with us.  We are also eating at the only "true" Chinese restaurant in the Memphis area to get familiar with the food, especially with Aliene's eating restrictions.

Strange how chance plays such a major role in life.  I was mulling over the China Conference when I went to a "breakfast" sponsored by the Memphis Chamber.  There, I happened to sit with a person who owned a business that worked with local companies on helping international workers become familiar with the US culture, English language etc.  I mentioned to her we were considering going to China and she encouraged me to do so.  When I decided to go, I contacted her company, which advised me of the restaurant and the person who could help us adjust to the culture.  

We have probably spent more time planning the trip than the trip will take, but it has been a lot of fun!  We completed most of the details yesterday at AAA as far as tours and in country flight.  (We are going to Shanghai, XI'an, Beijing, Wangzhou and then Shanghai before we depart!  

Going to the Apple Store this afternoon for follow up work on iMovie.

(Later):  In my "third place"  (the Apple Store) doing open training (meaning I work on my own until I get stuck, and then there is an expert there to unsnag me.  I do love this place!

That's it for now.