For me, the attraction was using it as a Phone as well as the free apps that you can get for it. Being an Android phone, you can get some impressive Google apps such as Google Maps (and Navigation!), Google Voice, and my personal favorite Google Skymap.

Skymap is very cool as I’ve been interested in Astronomy since my father 1st got a telescope when I was in grade school.

More after the break.

Lets break this into sections:

Battery life: I use this phone on the bus, work, home (wifii), street, etc so I pretty much have to charge it daily.  For me this is not a problem as I have an extra USB cable and it’s able to be charged via Window PC, Linux PC, and MAC. Basically, I can plug it into and computer for charging.

EMail Client: My EMail is hosted on GMail and I’ve used the SSL IMAP client on the phone, the GMAIL app and the Gmail Web page.  All have advantages, but mostly I use the GMail app. I’m allegedly able to connect it to work email via IMAP and/or Exchange client but I have not tried that yet. I’ll try and report back here.

Applications: This is the major strength of smart phones. Screen grabs below taken via Android SDK. I’ve used the Google Navigator, the FIOS remote control and various other apps too. So far all the apps I’ve loaded are free apps. If I feel like buying one, I would but so far there has been no need.

Build of phone: It’s a pretty solid phone over all. I have a case on it and a film screen protector as well. I actually dropped it while waiting for the bus (case on) and luckily, no damage.

Verizon Wireless: I have the Speedtest app so I can take a reading of the wireless speed of Verizon Wireless network. That speedtest below was while in Manhattan. I’d be curious what the ATT wireless speed looks like in the same location.

Over all: I like it.  It’s pricey, but if you can get it, do so.  Also, it looks like it will get 720P video soon.

She’s adorable, healthy and keeps us on our toes full time! My advice to any couple thinking of having a baby: Do it.

• My wife and I are getting a lot less sleep (getting better)
• We have absolutely no free time
• My work is affected a bit
• My hobbies are now non existent (Photography?!?)
• We don’t see any of our friends socially anymore.
• You won’t believe how much we spend in Diapers and formula!

Sounds just awful, right? It’s not.

Seriously, being a parent is worth all this effort/cost and more.  We’re really lucky to have our daughter and we know it. I could go on and on with all the things I learn from our daughter daily but I can summarize it simply: My wife and daughter are what I look forward to everyday.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Bulletproof” by La Roux from the “La Roux” Album on the radio.

I have NOT been able to do many Photo Walk abouts in the last 6 months but I have joined a Camera Club at work. It’s fun and I have a chance to meet and network with new people. The Club covers events for work and is a lot of fun.

Major:
My Wife and I are expecting a Baby. Needless to say, we are happy to add to our Family!

Kris de Curtis was nice enough to point people to my site for the solution that I came up with.  On top of lending people a helping hand, he’s a good Photographer too, check out his flickr site.

Probably the Sony Store at Tanger outlet has them for a similar price and I was thinking of getting a Sony photo printer (old one won’t work with Vista 64)…

Decisions, decisions…

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment

Ok, It’s been quite a while since I updated my blog, so here is a rundown:

• I’ve been working on my little backyard garden every weekend since it’s been warm enough. As a result, the lawn looks good, the vegetable garden is growing and our flower beds are weed free and has cedar mulch.  The Iris that our neighbor, Mrs. Chiu, gave us is really taking off. She planted that Iris in every house she owned, but finally moved to an apartment so she gave it to us. I have to call her son to let them know that it continues to grow (30-40 years!). It’s hard work, but it’s enjoyable as WE benefit from it.
• Related, I striped apart our Weber Genesis BBQ cleaned it, replaced the gas line (old quick connect is not used anymore), and we are good to go. That grill is a hand me down from over 10 years ago. The good thing about Weber grills: it will last forever if you keep it clean. I can’t wait for our small July 4th BBQ.
• We have so much Mint and Sage that we’re giving it away (Luckily our neighbor likes Sage). Since we have so much mint, we’ve learned to make an occasional mojito too.
• Thanks to Janny, I’m finally learning how to cook. I’m starting with simple meals like Tilapia fish marinated with coconut curry and collard greens. I also can safely cook chicken and pork chops too. Anyone that knows me, knows what an accomplishment this is. Having a good Zojirushi rice cooker also helps.
• Our home computer had a very persistent computer virus. The virus scaner (Two!) would ID the files but could not clean it as their was a persistent lock on them. As my brother suggested, I downloaded Ubuntu, burned a boot CD, booted up in LINUX and removed the infected files.  That was so easy that it was a bit ridiculous. Booting up in LINUX completely disables the threat.
• After using our PC since 2000/2001, we decided now was a good time. So, Janny and I got a Dell XPS 630 and pretty much optioned it out (8gb RAM, 1TB RAID 0, Intel® Core 2 Q8300 (4MB,2.5GHz, 1333FSB), 24 inch Flat screen monitor, etc. ). To put it mildly, I’m really looking forward to getting it.

In summary, life is pretty good.

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing at the moment.

• Our new President issued an order to close Guantanamo prison within one year.
• House Republicans are proud that they can’t possibly compromise in the name of “Bi-partisanship”.  Hardly surprising as they seem think acting like the extreme “Right Wing” will get them back into the majority. IMO, They should let the adults get some work done. I bet the Senate Republicans also vote against any stimulus package.
• I went on a photo walk practicing long exposure photography. It was fun and I hope to do it again.
• My Lasik Surgery was a complete success. I’m still getting used to not wearing glasses or contact lens.  Other than an occasional dry eye, I’m fine.
• Work still keeps me busy. In this economy, that is a good thing,  but I’ve noticed that things tend to break in the middle of the night.  I suppose that’s better than during the day, but it is tiring.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Better Days” by Supertramp from the “Brother Where You Bound” Album. You can see the video here.

I was a little nervous (By far, this was NOT the hardest procedure I’ve had) but looking forward to it. Janny and I got there early, checked in and waited in the room outside the procedure area. First off, they give you a hair net and booties. This is too keep the room with the equipment completely clean.

Prior to the surgery, a nurse explained the procedure to each of us. There were several people queued up and we had different procedures so the nurse explained the procedures to the two groups.  Then we were to be seen by the Doctor and checked out one last time.

The doctor picked me first, so I went to the examination room, reviewed my file with the doctor, and got one more eye exam. After that, I was taken to the procedure room where they again explained exactly what was going to happen. After lying down,  they put drops in my eye that numbed the eye. It must of numbed the eyelids too since they next put in clips to keep my eye lids open and I only felt a mild pressure.

Before anything was about to occur, the Doctor spoke to me and explained what step was about to happen. For the entire procedure, I was told to stay focused on the blinking light in the middle of a lighted circle.  They did my right eye first followed by my left eye.

Other than a slight motor noise (for the blade I think) and the clicking of the laser (sounds like a relay clicking on and off), that pretty much was it. I was so focused on paying attention to the blinking light and the Doctor’s voice, that it seemed to be over really quick. It seemed to me that it only took a few minutes and my first thought after wards was “That’s it?”

After it was done, I was taken to a separate waiting room and told to keep my eyes shut.  The room was kept dark and the chair was an recliner and the nurse told me that I could take a nap if I liked.

After 15 minutes, I was asked to keep a pair of goggles on all day and not go to sleep until after 9:00pm (to give the eye proper exposure to Oxygen). I was also given eye drops and a schedule to apply the eye drops for the next several days. For the next several days, when I sleep, I have to wear a pair of face hugging goggles and I can’t touch my eyes.

Immediately after the procedure my vision was improved.  It didn’t really hit me until I woke up in the middle of the night and can see the clock clearly. Today, other than occasional dry eye and a slight halo around lights, my vision is even better. I went back this morning for a check up and everything is fine. I also met the other people who had the surgery after me and they were fine too.

Now If I can only find my pair of Ray Ban sunglasses…

Music I’m listening to now:
Nothing, I’m watching Ghost Rider on cable.

The initial appointment is very comprehensive. The staff at the eye doctor’s office takes various measurements using different tools. It took a while, but when it was all over, we met with a counselor to discuss our options and any questions that we had.  Janny and I had a big list of questions that they answered without any issue.

Wikipedia has a very good write up about the procedure. To be honest, I’m a little nervous as it basically involves using a sharp blade in my eyes.  If I didn’t know so many people who had the procedure, I’ve be even more hesitant.  I’ve been wearing glasses since the third grade and it will be very odd not having a pair of glasses on my face. I’m sure I won’t miss them.

Music I’m listening to right Now:
“Let it Rock” by Kevin Rudolf & Lil Wayne from the “In The City” Album. You can see the video on VH1.