Today is the release day of the iPhone 3G. The Apple store touts the phone as “Twice as fast, half the price.” Now I am an Apple fanboy and we now have 3 Macs in our house (I’ll let Amanda share her news). I do know that having an affinity for things Apple comes at a price. Entry level for a Mac is considerably higher than for a Windows machine. This being the case, when Apple proclaims “half the price” the frugal gland in me starts spasming (sorry for that mental image).
Half the price? Really? If you remember the phrase, “There is no free lunch” you will go far. Whether it’s that “free” TV you get for going to see a condo, airline miles, brownie points, or whatever it is, nothing is free.
The same is true with the iPhone. Although the entry point for the 3G is $199 where the first-gen iPhone was $399, there is no pricing renaissance happening here. As Gizmodo points out, the new iPhone is really more expensive than it’s predecessor:
For us, we would have to go with the cheapest family plan, which would raise our monthly mobile phone budget from $100 per month, to $160 per month! Plus, we would loose our unlimited text messaging. Where did all that savings go?
The Joy of Tech came out with a humorous yet thought provoking comic about this topic (click to see it):
The financial adviser in the comic points out the power of compound interest and the effect that seemingly small amounts of money have over time. The numbers in the comic are a little far fetched, but the message is still solid.
The point of all of this isn’t to bash the iPhone. (Our contract with T-Mobile is up in a month, and we will consider switching when we have our August budget meeting.)
The point is that we shouldn’t get caught up in marketing hype or gadget envy. Your thing may not be tech gadgets, but what about clothes, housewares, or things with a motor?
Before making big purchases we should not think “how much a month”, but we should think “how much”.
Since Netflix knows we love documentaries, it put this documentary, “The Future We Will Create: Inside the World of TED” on our queue. We haven’t had a good run of movies lately with “Into the Wild” and “Rocket Science” being total duds. This, however, was a nice change.
The documentary is hosted by Daphne Zuniga (you may remember her from Melrose place or Princess Vespa in Spaceballs) who attends the 2006 TED conference and reports on what it’s all about and who is there. TED.org states “The annual conference now brings together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers, who are challenged to give the talk of their lives (in 18 minutes).” I can’t even begin to list who attended, but if you’re a techie/geek you’ll know all of them and be wowed.
When I was in GT class in elementary school we were given an assignment that was something along the lines of: Design a “future city” complete with housing, public services, transportation, recreation, and work areas and describe how the people will live in your city. We didn’t have to worry about being graded or fulfilling a checklist, but simply think and be creative without bounds. I remember this assignment because I had a blast brainstorming my city and building a model of it. My classmates and I had a sense of excitement and motivation that was unencumbered by those hurdles we place around ourselves as adults - being practical or realistic. Just make the future as you see fit.
As I watched this documentary, I recalled those childhood feelings in a sort of vicarious way through the lecturers and attendees as they envisioned what the future would be. But these are not children making models, they are adults with the talent, resources and drive to make their visions reality.
Amanda pointed out that to the viewer, this documentary is encouraging because it empowers you with the truth that one person can make a difference.
Here’s one of the talks on the DVD, and a superb example of the conference content. Sir Ken Robinson talks about the current public school system. There are many things in the talk that could be discussed and debated (If you watch it and are intrigued I’d love to hear from you).
Go checkout more of the talks at TED.org.
Come on Washington! Get your act together. Forget global warming, this is a SERIOUS problem.
Annabelle got to see her good buddy, Brielle, last Friday. They have practically grown up together, even though Brielle is 5 months older. Now that Annabelle is walking they are having the best time together. Brielle taught Annabelle how to twirl while dancing and how to color. Annabelle colored her first picture! Here are a few photos from our visit. I thought it was hilarious that they both individually came right up to my camera and gave me a smile.
I lost my vote after picking ‘Into the Wild’ in our netflix queue. We watched it last night and we didn’t agree with anything in the movie. I knew it was a story of guy going to the Alaskan wilderness and his journey along the way, but it moved far slower than I imagined it would. The protagonist ‘Alex Supertramp’ said he had ideals, but ultimately the movie is about rebellion, stubbornness and unforgiveness. He gives a substantial sum of money to a charity and burns money, but he should have spent it on some counseling.
It was nice seeing Jena Malone in the movie, but I wish we could have seen more of her character. I have liked her as an actress ever since I saw her in ‘Saved.’ Vince Vaughn is in the movie and he plays the usual laid back character he always plays. Even with the good acting, this Sean Penn project could not be saved from the selfishness of the main character. The movie gets a thumbs down from us.
It is Tuesday and time for another writing prompt from San Diego Momma.
Here are PROMPTuesday’s rules:
You must write your entry in 10 minutes. This encourages top-of-mind, primal thinking before the ego and judgmental brain kicks in. Just set a timer, make your kid count to 600 slowly, whatever. It’s an honor system. And I trust you.
- Keep to 250 words or less.
- Please have fun. Don’t put pressure on yourself. Together, let’s rediscover the simple joy in the writing process.
- Post your submission in the comments OR post in your blog and leave a link to your blog in the comments.
The Prompt:
You’re in a bookstore. You see stacks and stacks of books, but one in particular catches your eye. Something about the title. You’re intrigued. You pick the book up, open it, and read the first paragraph. Now you’re hooked. What is the title of the book and what did the first paragraph say?
My Response:
The Roman Indiscretion
Jane asked her cousin Catherine, “Did you pack the new ribbons we bought at Hennesy’s this morning? I don’t know if they will be in fashion in Rome but Mr. Hennesy did say that they were Italian ribbons. ”
“The Italians are so far behind the London times. I am sure we will be looking to us for the latest in silks and taffetas. I did pack the ribbons and the new green silk gown for all the balls we will be attending.”
“Really? Do you think that we will be invited to balls? I can’t wait to dance with the Italian boys.”
“Yes, Jane, of course we will be asked to balls and dinners. My mother’s old friend, Countess Girotto lives there. And don’t be in such a hurry to meet Italian boys. You have heard what they do to us nice English girls. Keep your eyes on the English men, is what I say.”
The cousins boarded the ship to Italy early the next morning with Catherine’s mother, Mrs. Adams.
Mrs. Adam’s warned them on the boat ride, “Be careful not to fall in love with an Italian men. It is not respectable in our little English corner of society. Do keep your propriety and modesty in check ladies or I will be forced to send you back to London.”
Link worm hole for the day: I was looking at the new tees at SnorgTees.com and remembered that Inc. magazine had an article a month or so back about the guys over at Threadless.com. They have some great t-shirts (and a kick-butt business model) at that site. I then clicked through their parent company’s site to their other sites and came across this gem: iparklikeanidiot.com.
Starting at $10, you can get a 20-pack of bumper stickers with, you guessed it, the words “I Park Like An Idiot.com” to gently suggest to a fellow human being that they need to work on their parking skills. That is of course because girls like guys with skills. Nun chuck skills. Computer hacking skills. Parking skills.
And once you do the deed with the sticker you can take a picture and submit it to be posted on their site. I especially like the various airplane pics.
I’m not sure I would actually go through with slapping one of these puppies on a car, but if I have one in-hand the next time I see a Hummer straddling the parking stripe… watch out.
Here is the prompt from Deb at San Diego Momma:
Today’s PROMPTuesday keeps it simple.
Read this poem (one of my favorites):
Disillusionment of Ten O’Clock
by Wallace Stevens
The houses are haunted
By white night-gowns.
None are green,
Or purple with green rings,
Or green with yellow rings,
Or yellow with blue rings.
None of them are strange,
With socks of lace
And beaded ceintures.
People are not going
To dream of baboons and periwinkles.
Only, here and there, an old sailor,
Drunk and asleep in his boots,
Catches Tigers
In red weather.
Meditate on it for a minute. Then write whatever comes to mind.
My response:
Dreams
What dreams do you have when you are stressed?
I dream of waiting tables at Salt Grass Steakhouse. I always have too many tables and too many orders. Or I forgot my bolo tie. Anytime, I dream of Salt Grass I know I am stressed.
I also dream of college. I see myself on the University of Texas at San Antonio campus. Running in between classes. Cramming for a test.
I don’t have dreams of being naked in public. Only stressful situations.
I have dreamt of Daniel passing. A co-worker told me not to tell my husband. I did anyway. That is the scariest dream I have ever had.
In one dream I was being attacked and I yelled at the attacker “In Jesus name go away!” like they were magical words. It worked in the dream, so I feel like it would work in real life.
My friend Natalie had a dream about me a few weeks before I gave birth. In the dream an angel came to me and said “Fear not” like Mary in the Bible. I remembered what my friend told me the day before I went into labor and I had enormous peace throughout the entire process, because God had spoken to me through my friend to not be afraid.
I like to dream, but usually they are scary or stressful. If I could choose my own dreams I would dream of eating brownie and ice cream all day and not getting fat. My daughter to grow up and be a Humanitarian that changes the world. To be on vacation alone with my husband wearing a bikini on my perfect body. Ha! Maybe one day.
Two Saturdays ago I drove three hours to Katy, TX for my friend Amy’s Baby Shower. It was the best baby shower I have ever been to. There were about 10 ladies and we didn’t play any games. Instead we took turns reading Scripture over Amy and her baby, James. One of the ladies had written them out in a scrapbook. Also, another one of Amy’s friend that couldn’t be there had written a song for her and recorded it. So we listened to the beautiful song and I think we all had tears in our eyes. Finally, we all circled Amy and prayed over her. God’s presence was certainly there! Then we got to opening presents. Did I mention the chocolate fountain and goodies? Only chocolate could make the party even more AWESOME.
Every lady there was so nice and sweet. I also got to see all three of my oldest friends in one room. Amy has tons of old friends as far back as Kindergarten. I have only known her since I was in seventh grade. I don’t really keep up with friends and I tend to just move on, but Amy and I have kept in touch. I am so thankful for Amy. She is one of the most organized, sweetest, and strong women you would ever meet. She is a great cheerleader and encourager. Amy, I know you are going to be a FABULOUS mom to baby James. I am so proud of you and excited for you!
Look! No baby in the back seat. No tensing of my neck muscles when I hear her cry. Oh glorious quiet.
Six hours by myself. SO. MUCH. FUN. I had a book on cd, two podcasts, and some new music. The roads were clear and it was an easy drive.
Me, and three of my oldest friends. Charllot, Amy, and Kay-Kay. Charllot was my youth group leader. She taught me how to eat and drive. Can you believe she has two kids in college? She looks AMAZING.
Kay-Kay is on the far left. Kay-Kay and I met when I was in high school at a Newsboys concert at Astroworld. We seriously met in the crowd and exchanged phone numbers. I then told Amy about Kay-Kay, because they lived near each other. Somehow we have managed to keep up with each over the last thirteen years. Kay-Kay is on her way to the Florida revival and then a mission trip to Haiti. Can’t wait to hear about your trip!
Congratulations, Amy! I am so proud to be counted as one of your friends. Amy and I met at church youth group. We were camp counselors together. She lived 45 minutes away from me, but I would drive my old Berretta there anyway. Hey remember - Do I have have any friends or enemies? HAhha! Thank you for your support of me over the years. I can’t wait to meet baby James!