iPhone 4s . . . a lot to learn . . . . .

I activated my new iPhone 4s last night.  Still a ton to learn, but it’s pretty neat.  Now we have to get Holly one.  ■  The pictures are of a much higher quality – that I can tell you.  And it takes movies – haven’t tried that out yet.  ■  The Alpha recording interface I ordered came in today.  I’ve got it, but now need time to use it.  I’ll record something this weekend and put it on this blog.  Should be interesting.  ■  I have a 16 track digital recorder I’m going to get rid of.  Anyone interested?  I can record 8 tracks at the same time – great for recording a band.  ■  Took Abby to the Vet today to get her second shot of heartworm medicine.  It’s painful for her.  The shot hurts and then she’s in pain for quite a few hours after.  The bad thing is that I have to take her for her third shot tomorrow.  I hope she can forgive me – all of the pain and I’m taking her to it.  ■  Tonight she’ll (and Zoe) sleep with us.  I feel so bad for her.  Lots of pain and nothing to relieve it with.  And, yes, the Vet gave me pain pills for her, but it still really hurts.  Sorry, Abby.  ■  Hope the weather is good tomorrow.  I can run over the lawn and mulch up the leaves.  ■  ‘Night.

Got the new iPhone 4S.

Still getting it synced.  This could take a little while.  I’ll let you know how Siri performs.  It should be interesting.  ■  Abby goes in today, Thursday, for her second heartworm shot – and then the third one on Friday.  Two shots in two days.  She’s going to be sore – that’s the side effect of the shots.  ■  I remember having to get 7 shots in two days when I went on active duty in the Navy.  Three one day and four the next.  My arms were sore.  ■

First things first and second things second . . .

I wonder who said that?  The earliest reference I can find is C.S. Lewis.  C.S. Lewis wrote “The Chronicles of Narnia” series. “. . . If you put first things first and second things second, both flourish”.  Makes sense.  ■  So the thing I should be putting first here is sleep!  I keep staying up too late – working and writing these blog posts.  ■  I’ve been trying this “painting” thing and so far I’m fairly happy with the results.  I’d show you our Christmas card painting, but you’ll have to wait for me to unveil that in December.  What I’m considering now is whether, or not to offer these paintings as a product in addition to my pen & ink drawings.  What do you think?  All input is appreciated.  ■  At any rate it is time for bed ‘cause I have to get up early for my weekly chamber networking meeting.  ■  ‘Night. 

New “paintings” and iPhone 4S arrives!

I’ve been experimenting a little more seriously with “painting” on my iPad.  The “paintings” on the left are two of the current ones.  The top one is finished while the one on the bottom still has a little more to be done. I put “painting” in quotes because I’m not using physical paints, but am doing this digitally.  It’s a lot easier.  If you make a mistake you can easily erase it and redo.  The hardest part about it is that you’re painting with your fingers.  It makes it very had to put your lines exactly where you want them.  I’ve even done the Christmas card we’ll be sending out via this program.  The two above could well be Christmas cards for the people that own those houses.  ■  My new iPhone arrived today.  Now I’ve just got to activate it.  ■ 

It’s on it’s way . . . . .

I ordered the new iPhone a week, or so ago.  It’s on its way!  I should get it Monday afternoon.  ■  I have the original iphone – bought it almost 5 years ago.  It’s been a steady companion, but I’ve noticed in the past couple/few months that it’s been slowly fading.  Time for a new one!  ■  I’ve decided to sell my 16 track digital recorder.  It’s very good, but I never record more than one track at a time.  It’s capable of recording 8 tracks at once.  Yamaha AW16G – if you want it let me know.  ■  Work tomorrow and then next Thursday and Friday Abby gets her last 2 heartworm shots.  It’s painful for her and I’m probably dreading it more than she is – ‘speciall ‘cause she doesn’t know about it.  ■  Yeah, TFB.

Bacon makes everything better . . . . ..

No s?&t.  Seriously – bacon makes everything better.  I fried scallops and shrimp in bacon grease tonight (along with some Slap ‘Yo’ Mama spice) and it was the best.  ■  Shipped a drawing of a beautiful home in MA today.  I’m sure they’ll love it.  ■  Car is in for repair tomorrow, so I’m stuck at home all day.  But, I’ve got a drawing to do of a beautiful home in Cary to work on.  ■  TFB.

Still the most beautiful woman around . . .

. . . my wife.  ■  Went out to see the Wiggleo’s play at a local restaurant.  That’s where this picture was taken.  I thought I had taken one of Holly and Ellyn (who was there with us) – and I did, but it was with Ellyn’s phone.  ■  Tomorrow I’ve got to take the plunge and buy a printer.  I’m looking for one that will print my note cards, but can’t find any printer that specifically documents that it will.  It’s a crap shoot, but I only get one roll. Don’t know it that’s an appropriate gambling statement, but I can’t afford to go out and buy printer after printer until I either run out of money, or printers.  ■  And leaves – I’ve got to mow the lawn tomorrow and mulch up the leaves.  Easier than raking and better for the lawn.  ■  TFB.

We’ve all done it . . . . . .

. . . left the house for work with mismatched something.  My wife did it today . . . and no one notices until you, yourself, points it out.  ■  I’ve done it twice – both times were mismatched suits.  The first time someone at the Cary train station pointed it out.  I called Holly and said I had the blue suit coat and gray suit pants – she asked it she should bring the matching coat, or pants – funny.  The second time I didn’t notice it until I had been on the train for awhile.  Nothing to do but arrive at work looking like a schmuck.  After arriving at work I hung the suit coat in a closet after my boss noticed that the coat on the back of my chair didn’t match my pants (she always dressed very well).  Later that morning she and I had to go to a meeting and I went and got my suit coat.  Yes, I put it back.  She wouldn’t let me wear it to the meeting.  At least it was better then when I ripped my suit pants installing pcs.  I caught those pants on something underneath a desks when routing some wiring – a story for another day.  ■  My boss fired and hired me back today.  Nothing serious, but if he has employees it will cost him a few thousand in insurance, or something like that.  I was re-hired as a independent contractor.  ■  I may go out and get the iPhone 4S tomorrow.  We’ll see.  My iPhone is the original iPhone – it’s over 4½ years old and has been giving me connection problems for the last few months.  Got to check out the costs, etc.  ■  Wow – this is a long post.  I haven’t written this much in a long, long time.  ■  At any rate it’s time for bed.  Up early tomorrow for our Chamber of Commerce’s networking meeting.  ■

Good, healthy, cooking . . . . .

. . . I think.  I smoked ribs and cooked chili (smoked, of course) today.  Put 2 habaneros and 1 jalapeno in – it’s got some bite – most likely too much for most folks – but not for me!  ■  Also worked on a drawing and watched some football.  Not a bad Sunday.  The only bummer was that it rained, so I had to brave that when cooking the ribs.  At least it didn’t pour.  ■  Aaron called and he’s doing well.  Not going over to Iraq and his job seems better.  ■  I see my gutters are getting full of leaves.  I probably should get up there and clean them out, but there are still tons of leaves left on the trees.  ■  And while my garden hose is disconnected (has been for a couple of weeks), I do need to wrap it up and put it away for the winter.  ■ 

Spooky . . . . .

Wooooooo . . . . . it’s the time of ghosts and goblins, raking leaves, making chili, and smoking ribs.  ■  Our Cribbage group got together tonight.  The group has been together for roughly 20 years.  That’s a long time.  We don’t play cribbage anymore, but just get together for the fun of it – catching up on news from everyone's families.  It’s a nice group.  ■  More tomorrow.  TFB. 

A short break from drawing . . . . .

Sometimes I think I should just sketch in pencil.  It’s more relaxing ‘cause you can always erase your mistakes – unlike pen & ink.  At any rate this is a very quick sketch of the new home of Holly’s cousin Lori.  We wish her well.  ■  I have a couple of new things on my to-do list.  One is grab the data from a survey on the Kalo site and put it into a cohesive, readable format.  Another is to set up a mailing list for Kalo.  And those are just two of the items on my ever expanding list.  ■  Chamber networking meeting in the morning and the rest of the day to try and get things done!  ■  Yup, time-for-bed.  ‘Night!

The drawings continue . . . . .

I have a couple of orders that I need to finish.  That’s a sketch of one that’s on my board right now.  I'd like to finish that one in the next couple of days.  ■  Abby is doing fine.  Unfortunately she’ll have two more shots in November.  I’m not looking forward to that for her sake.  ■  My across-the-street neighbor has started a blog – “Leading In 4 Directions" – ( http://li4d.blogspot.com/)  I’ll be reading it daily.  It should be interesting.  ■  Recording:  I’ve got a couple of songs I need to record – before I forget them.  And, as usual, I need lyrics for them.  That, I think, is always the toughest part of song writing.  This time I think I’ll try recording them on my iPad.  It certainly is more convenient than my 16 track recorder.  ■  TFB.

Poor Abby . . . . .

Abby has heartworm.  It’s a serious thing and today we had our first of three shots for curing it.  The shots are apparently somewhat painful – they’re given in her back – and she’ll have soreness in her back for at least a couple of days.  The pain started soon after the shot.  She just can’t get comfortable.  I’ve got some pain pills for her – which I gave her 1 today and will give her 1 tomorrow.  She’s such a sweet dog.  I think she’ll end up sleeping with us tonight.  Sort of like when one of our kids was ill.  Sleeping with Mom & Dad made things better.  ■   Tomorrow (actually today since I’m up so late) the weather should be better – no rain, I hope – and I’ll be able to get the grass cut.  ■  Holly’s off to a girl’s weekend, so the girls and I will be together – all sleeping on our bed, I’m sure.  ■  Send some hugs and kisses for Abby.  She needs them.  ■  Off to bed.  ‘Night.

Rain, rain go away . . . . .

It’s been raining on and off all day long – a bleary, fall day.  It looks like it’ll rain tomorrow too.  Friday looks like it might be dry – I can get the lawn cut.  ■  Got my flu shot today.  It took longer to drive to the doctor’s office than it did to wait and get the shot.  ■  Our vet called and told me that the medicine for Abby’s heartworm was in.  I take her in tomorrow (Thursday) for the shot.  ■   I have a couple of drawings to work on and get done.  I do, however, wish business was better.  This economy has definitely had an effect on orders.  ■  TFB.

Stopped for gas

Just a short stop. A couple of hours to go yet.