G1 - Reflections On My Google Life

Oh wow. I got a T-Mobile G1 cell phone for work. Best thing ever. I've never been much of a gadget person, but this transcends mere gizmo worship. This is the last piece of my google life. What started as searching the internet, soon spread to a gmail account, then a igoogle homepage, and finally google reader for all my feeds.


Now this little phone integrates all these things plus my work email, with the convenience of a touch screen and a full keyboard. Perma-connection to everything electronic I love.

I know it must sound like I'm preaching the gospel of google, but I don't care. I give credit where credit is due. I've only had it a few days and I can't imagine not having it.


Dare I say that this could be an iPhone killer? Though it hurts me to say it as a Mac user it might be true. I've really only had the phone since Friday, so I have to wait to see if it really has staying power.


I think beyond just the spiffy functionality, the G1's applications really make the whole phone into an extension of the users lifestyle. I was talking with my co-worker Amy, who also just got the phone. Amy and I are in completely different life stages but love the G1. Her two small kids are curious about her cell phones and technology but hard on it, mashing buttons and putting things in their mouthes. So she has what she called "toddler apps." One is this visualizer that responds to the kids touching the buttons and the touch screen by producing dynamic colors and shapes, much to the kids' delight. The other toddle app that Amy told me about turns the G1 into a baby monitor that automatically call another phone number (like your home phone number) when the baby's noises reach a certain loudness. Pretty clever, but not the apps for me.

Here are few of the apps that have caught my attention thus far.


This one is called Bartender and has an encyclopedia of drink recipes at your finger tips at all times. You can search the list and mark your favorites for next time. Bonus, I finally learned what is in a Gimlet.


The next app is pretty practical but satisfies my yearning to both make lists and cross the items off in a satisfying fashion when I have completed the task. I have actually written things on lists that I have already done so that I could cross it off. The thrill of checking something off my list has actually kept me away from other list sites like Don't Forget The Milk. This is way better.

The next app is called MyCloset. It allows you to take pictures of your clothes with the G1's camera and use the pictures to coordinate complete ensembles. This one totally reminds my of Cher's closet from Clueless and, as a result, satisfies the awkward 11 year old in me.


I haven't had time to log all my clothes (you can do tops, bottoms, outer wear, other, shoes and accessories!) but it is already so fun. I've already been inspired to try some different combinations .
My apps suit my work self and my fun self. They work perfectly to aid me in my young professional life. Sigh. I love it so. I feel like I've hardly scratched the surface with this device. I'm sure there will be more about G1 here soon.

A week of intense hues

I've had a couple times since last Friday when I've been able to stop and really the moment. All of them have had to do with colors. There has to be something to this.

It all started Friday night at Elisabeth and Ian's house. There was this blue/green punch:



The magic ingredients?

2 cups Dark Rum
8 cups Light Rum
2 cups Blue Caracao
Whole cans of the following kinds of frozen juice concentrate: pineapple, orange, lemonade and limade
Lots of ice - bags and bags

Holy cow.

This punch lead directly to a fantastic night of dancing with an unbelievable group of young swingers and professionals. A colorful moment.

Then this weekend I roasted and then pickled beets. I'm all about the beet. But even if you aren't a fan, it would be impossible to dislike these beets. I got the recipe from Alton Brown's tv show "Good Eats" (He reminds me of my friend Ford).

The beets are sweet, tangy and salty. And magenta. Another colorful moment.

• Roasted Beets, recipe follows
• 1 large red onion, frenched
• 1 cup tarragon wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water

Directions

Remove the skin from the Roasted Beets and slice thinly. Arrange in 1-quart jars alternating layers with the onion. In a small pot boil the rest of the ingredients and pour over the beets. Tightly lid the jars and place in the refrigerator for 3 to 7 days before serving.

Roasted Beets:

• 6 medium beets, cleaned with 1-inch stem remaining
• 2 large shallots, peeled
• 2 sprigs rosemary
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
  

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

In a large bowl toss all of the ingredients. Place into a foil pouch and roast in the oven for 40 minutes.

These vivid things were the tonic I needed to get me through this week.

Hats

I've been thinking about hats for years. My theory is that everything cycles and that my parents' generation didn't buy into the idea that men and women had to wear hats in public to be polite. Thus, hats look very fresh to me and people my age. I'm convinced there is more to this hat thing than the generational divide.

There is there is something very whimsical about hats. They are telling about a person's personality.

I've dabbled with a few hats of my own.


But lately, perhaps due in part to watching Mad Men, I've been considering more feminine hats.



I don't really think I can rock cool hats at work. Wacky accessories might not say - "promote me." But I think something like this would jazz up a simple dress or jeans for the weekend or evening.



There are zillions of options on the internet. The selection on eBay alone boggles the mind. The only problem is that people used to be way tinier than we are now. I'm wary of making such purchases without trying them on.

Sigh. I'll just have to go on the hunt to find just the right ladylike hat.

Chicago is my kind of town

I just came back from a surprisingly fun business trip to Chicago. Surprising not because I had anything against Chicago, but because work trips can often be grueling. The work was interesting and new, plus largely in the evening hours. This allowed me time to actually explore the city.

We stayed at this lovely hotel downtown called the Sofitel, which is just neat.

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The weather was hot and humid, reminding me that fall has not entirely left us behind. I walked around Lake Michigan. I also had a chance to spend the morning wondering around in the Wicker Park neighborhood, which was positively the tops.

I hit Myopic Books at Stephanie's recommendation.


I didn't get a chance to have a cup of coffee there but the selection was enough to make me drool.


After our focus groups were finished we got a chance to go to Rick Bayless's restaurant, Frontera Grill. A-mazing clean and contemporary Mexican food. I had Civiche with scallops, crab, jicama, mangoes and papaya, served with plantain chips. We shared orders chips and guacamole and fried plantains with soar cream. For dessert we had this unbelievable pecan and chocolate tart. It really should not be missed.

All in all, I came away loving Chicago. I will have to go back again in the winter time to know if I can really live there, but I will happily go back again as soon as I can.

Vampires, so hot right now.

I'll admit it: I love Buffy The Vampire Slayer. Always have.

But I kind of always thought that this one vampire themed television show was an anomaly. I wasn't the type of person who really liked vampires. These days I'm wondering if I really am a little too attached to these creatures of the night.

While I'm no goth, I am enjoying this vampire themed trend for two reasons: Twilight and True Blood. There are some common themes in both stories. Both are essentially romances that feature male vampires and human females. They also feature mind reading, oddly enough. But these similarities can't possibly explain the success these stories are experiencing. Both are critically acclaimed and getting more popular by the day.

I'm as surprised as anyone by how in vogue vampire stuff is. But here is what I've worked out so far:

-Stephenie Meyer's Twilight - I don't think it is a great book, but it sure is enthralling. It is snack reading, but I kind of like getting involved in another series of books (now that Harry Potter is no longer keeping me wanting more). I read the first book in about a week and I've devouring the second now. That being said, it is a little heavy on the mellow-drama and teen angst.

-I can't put these books down because somehow the synthesis of brooding vampires, high school and lusty first love just works. It has a similar magic formula to Buffy in that way (at least, from what I can tell from how much I've read).


-HBO's True Blood - This show has only had two episodes so far, but I think the characters are really intriguing. Somehow the show's bayou setting and premise (vampires have "come out of the closet" and can now "live" among the living due to the invention of simulated blood. High jinx and passion ensue) provide a nice twist on a vampire story.

-Since this show is on HBO it can really take advantage of the sexiness is always associated with the myth of the vampire. Stealth, lust for human flesh and blood, and hypnotic powers (glamoring) make for lusty and violent entertainment.

-True Blood has the added interest of turning the tale of Vampire's strength on its ear. Vampires are vulnerable to silver and their blood is in danger of being harvested by junkies who get stronger, more alive, and high off drinking it. Plus if a human drinks a vampire's blood it makes them forever connected with heightened senses towards one and other.

-This is another excellent blend to make an enthralling final product.

-My theory is that vampires are the new pirates.

That's all the insight I've got into this whole thing at the moment. I think I will read some other vampire stories and see if I really am a vampire person or simply someone who is enjoying this recent vampire trend.