Hey Tommy! Hope you and all the critters are doing well!

What's the difference between Ilasik and PRK Lasik? I always thought lasik was lasik.

Good morning, Gurus!

Long time, no chat! So glad to see everyone here!

My health is better, but now work is slow. I guess those are the trade offs.

Already roasted some pepper beef filets and made some creamy farfalle - the house smells yummy. Not sure if that will be lunch or dinner, or maybe both!

I know several people who have gone for work purposes. I'd love to go, too.

Thinking happy thoughts for you guys!

Just got this in my email inbox from Amazon. Have you seen it yet?

All New Kingle 3G

I think the Sony Daily Edition has some type of WiFi or 3G connection because it's designed for newspapers etc. Kindle is WiFi - they have this big deal about being able to order your book and start reading in seconds. But you can do that tethered, too.

Being connected wasn't essential to me at all. I bought it for books, and I can plan ahead and load 30 books on my Reader and decide later. I use my phone (smartphone) for my other needs.

Question from above - different devices have different memory sizes, but I think most of them can store hundreds of books at a minimum (the Sony Reader is estimated at 1200 books), plus mine (and some of the others) have additonal slots for memory cards.

eBooks range in price from free to up to over $30, however I cannot imagine downloading a book costing that much at all!

There are a lot of eReaders out there now. Does anyone have experience with using any of the others?

Totally - the neoprene sleeve that it comes with does a great job of protection, too. That's what I always have it wrapped in unless I know I need the extra light case. Even with the neoprene sleve, it fits perfectly in the side pocket on my purse. And fits better in the pocket on the plane seat than a book does.

From a totally aesthetic perspective, I love the the shiney red color of my Reader Touch Edition.

Jon - I got mine on sale at Best Buy, so do a little shopping before buying - whichever model you decide on.

Hey Erin - odd, cuz the link actually works, it's just cropped strangely so it can't be pasted.

How's this: NM Monk Beer

This story is cool cuz it talks about how the brew business pays for their monastic life, and they have a waiting list to get in!

Happy vette-ing!

It was a great evening. Jacqueline Bisset still looked fabulous, and Robert Vaugh was so funny!

It was my first time seeing the whole movie, and it was quite a good little cop drama. The chase scene reminded my why I hate driving in San Fran.

Has anyone had the beer from these monks?

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationwor ... hometown-abiquiu-20101107,0,2470980.story

Oh, battery life - I haven't had any trouble with mine. The one things that was annoying was that it came with a miniUSB to download and power via my PC, but no AC plug. Not a problem, though, I bought an aftermarket kit that include AC wall and car chargers, protective case, and an extra PC USB cable.

I've also bought ebooks from Borders.com and the Sony Reader Store, easy peasy.

I think all of them have adjustable font sizes, so she can set it to what's best for her. I have found that different books have slightly different settings (based on the publisher), so I might read a Medium in one, and then a Large in another.

Oh, back to my hands, I also bought a simple $2 decorative plate stand-thing from Jo-Anns to serve as a stand for my Reader.

If your mom isn't super tech savvy, you may need to get started with setting up her digital library. If you go Kindle, I think all of that is handled via Amazon's website and they have the push feature via WiFi, which is also why they can take it away.

I did quite a bit of research when looking for mine.

Your question about lighting, yes, they are not backlit and that's on purpose. It actually allows for longer reading like you can with a book. The eInk technology is more similar to reading a book than reading something on screen so you have less eye strain. Kevin's hairy lightbulb is a good idea on plane, or I have a protective cover with a light built in. For regular use, whatever light I would need to read a regular book is fine for reading the Sony Reader. I'm curious about the technology used on the Nook if it's backlit - I wonder how eyestrain would be. Folks who are using iPads as eReaders (being multifunctional and all) are finding that eyestrain is an issue for continuous reading.

My negatives about the Kindle. It's an Amazon product, and they are using a special format. All of the other e-readers use the more generic PDF or ePub formats. I can check out ebooks from the library for free, at the time I was shopping (this spring), you could only use Kindle ebooks on the Kindle. This caused problems for some Kindle owners who upgraded devices but could no longer player prior version of their books that they already paid for. Also, the kindle has a much bigger footprint than the Sony Reader, B&N Nook, and kobo. I wanted something small that I could easily carry in my purse, and still have a fairly large screen. The kindle has a keyboard. My purpose is to buy it to read, not type, so I thought that was a waste of space. BUT, the biggest reason I did not get a Kindle...okay, so you buy a regular book, and it goes out of print. Doesn't matter, it's already on your bookshelf. If you buy a Kindle-book, it's on your ebookshelf. If the publisher takes it out of print, they pull it from your ebookshelf - even though you've paid for it! I think that's seriously wrong.

I have not handled a Nook so don't know what they're like, but the kobo at Borders is made of plastic and feels really cheap. I'm super happy with my Sony Reader. I also use it to transport work reference documents since I can read PDFs super easy on it.

The main reason I got an eReader is that my hands are prone to cramping so holding a book open got to be painful. Just a thought if you know anyone who is arthritic - this might be a great solution for them. I've got tons of free classics, and as mentioned, have read several ebooks from the library (all found and downloaded via the internet).

Any other questions?

Word of the Day for Wednesday, June 30, 2010

macabre
\muh-KAH-bruh\, adjective:

1. Gruesome and horrifying.
2. Pertaining to or representing death, esp. its grimmer or uglier aspect.

Word of the Day for Monday, June 28, 2010

yen
\YEN\

noun:
1. A desire or craving.
2. An aluminum coin and monetary unit of Japan, equal to 100 sen or 1000 rin.

verb:
1. To have a craving; yearn.

Quote:

My first thought when I saw the word of the day was of Mr Helio as well! =)

Word of the Day for Monday, June 21, 2010

heliolatry
\hee-lee-OL-uh-tree\, noun:

Worship of the sun.

Greetings, Gurus!

Had a nice weekend - got to do a little cooking. Finalized some plans for next weekend to have dinner with some friends.

I've got the Laker Championship Parade on TV in the background.

Word of the Day for Sunday, June 20, 2010

couvade
\koo-VAHD\, noun:

A practice in certain cultures in which the husband of a woman in labor takes to his bed as though he were bearing the child.

Word of the Day for Saturday, June 19, 2010

amok
\uh-MUHK\

adjective:
1. In or into a jumbled or confused state.
2. In or into an uncontrolled state or a state of extreme activity.
3. In a frenzy to do violence or kill.

noun:
1. A psychic disturbance characterized by depression followed by a manic urge to murder.

Greetings, Gurus!

I got my temporary disabled parking placard yesterday after my visit with the rheumatologist. I'll only use if I really need to, and last night at Staples Center, I'm SOOOO glad that I had it. We had a fairly long walk (at least for me) as it was, walking from the farther parking structure would have been a bit much.

They've been giving away $50 Sears gift cards on Sirius NASCAR radio - imagine that plus the sale? Nice. =)

Not really much info yet. He was always fun to watch.
--T


Former NBA star Manute Bol dead at 47

CNN) -- Manute Bol, one of the tallest players in NBA history, died Saturday at the age of 47, a spokeswoman with the University of Virginia Medical Center confirmed to CNN.

The hospital did not disclose the cause of death.

Bol, who was listed at 7-feet-7 inches tall and 225 pounds, played for the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers and Miami Heat in his 12-year career.

The native of Sudan was known during and after his career for his charity work for his home country.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/06/19/obit.manute.bol/index.html

Word of the Day for Friday, June 18, 2010

hegira
\he-JAY-ruh\, noun:

1. A journey to a more desirable or congenial place.
2. The flight of Muhammad from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution a.d. 622: regarded as the beginning of the Muslim Era.

Good morning, Gurus!

Very happy that the Lakers won last night, despite it being a very poorly played game on both sides.

Also just watched the end of the US-Slovenia World Cup match, which has just ended with a tie, which is a whole lot better than losing and keeps them alive.

I need to do a little work this morning to submit for a proposal, some other work scheduling trainings, and then I have an appt with my rheumatologist. I sure feel for your wife, Tommy, but she is such a trooper - nothing will keep her down!

We've got June gloom this mornning, but should burn off nice and sunny by lunchtime.

Happy Friday!

Andy has already tried a number of solutions yesterday, and we've pretty much determined that it's toast. Fortunately, I have my laptop, and did a recent backup so I haven't lost much.

Word of the Day for Wednesday, June 16, 2010

indemnity
\in-DEM-ni-tee\, noun:

1. Protection or security against damage or loss.
2. Compensation for damage or loss sustained.
3. Something paid by way of such compensation.
4. Legal exemption from penalties attaching to unconstitutional or illegal actions, granted to public officers and other persons.

Good morning, Gurus!

Well, it looks like my desktop computer's hard drive is caput, and that really sucks. Fortunately, I have my data backup from Friday, but I'm still missing a few work things from Sunday and Monday.

It's dark and gloomy right now - typical for June Gloom.

Word of the Day for Tuesday, June 15, 2010

festoon
\fe-STOON\

verb:
1. To adorn with hanging chains or strands of any material.
2. Dentistry. To reproduce natural gum patterns around the teeth or a denture.

noun:
1. A string or chain of flowers, foliage, ribbon, etc., suspended in a curve between two points.
2. A decorative representation of this, as in architectural work or on pottery.
3. A fabric suspended, draped, and bound at intervals to form graceful loops or scalloped folds.
4. Dentistry. The garlandlike area of the gums surrounding the necks of the teeth.

Greetings, Gurus!

My condolences, Rick.

I'm having computer troubles today, and that just deranged my day and original intentions.

Brad - sounds like a fun show. Can't wait to hear about it!

RICHMOND, Va. — Jimmy Dean, a country music legend for his smash hit about a workingman hero, "Big Bad John," and an entrepreneur known for his sausage brand, died on Sunday. He was 81.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-mew-jimmy-dean-20100614,0,2651407.story

We went to watch a replay of the race at a local bar, but from the baseball game and the music playing overhead, we couldn't hear any of the details. Gonna have to watch it again on DVR!

Word of the Day for Monday, June 14, 2010

quintessential
\kwin-te-SEN-shel\, adjective:

Being the most typical manifestation of a quality or a thing.

Greetings, Gurus!

More birthday greeting to Matthew and Pete. And best wishes to you, Rick.

Had a nice weekend, and got to do a little baking - trying out new recipes. I'm having lunch with an old friend today, so that should be fun!

Word of the Day for Saturday, June 12, 2010

juggernaut
\JUHG-er-nawt\, noun:

1. Any large, overpowering, destructive force.
2. Something, such as a belief or institution, that elicits blind and destructive devotion.
3. An idol of Krishna, at Puri in Orissa, India, annually drawn on an enormous cart under whose wheels devotees are said to have thrown themselves to be crushed.

OMG, I love that!

Word of the Day for Friday, June 11, 2010

kowtow
\KOU-TOU\

verb:
1. To act in a subservient manner.
2. To kneel and touch the forehead to the ground in expression of deep respect, worship, or submission, as formerly done in China.

noun:
1. An act of servile deference.

Welcome to the site!

Terrible, terrible, and funny!

Word of the Day for Thursday, June 10, 2010

ruth
\ROOTH\, noun:

1. Compassion or pity for another.
2. Sorrow or misery about one's own misdeeds or flaws.
3. In the Bible, a Moabite woman who married Boaz and became an ancestor of David: the daughter-in-law of Naomi.
4. Book of the Bible bearing her name.
5. A female given name.

Word of the Day for Wednesday, June 9, 2010

noctivagant
\noc-tiv-A-gant\, adjective:

Pertaining to going about in the night; night-wandering.

Happy Birthday, Matthew!

Word of the Day for Tuesday, June 8, 2010

Occidental
\ok-si-DEN-tl\, adjective:

1. Western.
2. (Usually initial capital letter) of, pertaining to, or characteristic of the Occident or its natives and inhabitants.

noun:
1. A native or inhabitant of the Occident.

Word of the Day for Sunday, June 6, 2010

bathos
\BEY-thos\, noun:

1. Triteness or triviality in style.
2. A ludicrous descent from the exalted or lofty to the commonplace; anticlimax.
3. Insincere pathos; sentimentality; mawkishness.

'Golden Girl' Rue McClanahan dead at 76

NEW YORK - Rue McClanahan, the Emmy-winning actress who brought the sexually liberated Southern belle Blanche Devereaux to life on the hit TV series "The Golden Girls," has died. She was 76.

Her manager Barbara Lawrence said McClanahan died Thursday at 1 a.m. of a stroke.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-na-rue-mcclanahan,0,3228841.story

I have an accountant do my taxes so that I don't have to worry about it.

I also recommend using a payroll service to manage wages, even if it's just you. They calculate and submit your taxes. I use www.SurePayroll.com. Super easy, I highly recommend them. I don't mind paying the service fee for the peace of mind that it's done right.

Word of the Day for Thursday, June 3, 2010

swain
\SWEYN\, noun:

1. A male admirer or lover.
2. A country lad.
3. A country gallant.

'Easy Rider' actor Dennis Hopper dies

(CNN) -- Dennis Hopper, the one-time Hollywood enfant terrible who portrayed such indelible characters as "Easy Rider's" biker Billy, "Blue Velvet's" huffing villain Frank Booth and "Hoosiers' " forlorn Shooter Flatch, died of prostate cancer Saturday morning at his home in Venice, California, his wife said. He was 74.

There was Dennis Hopper before "Easy Rider," generally known as a clean-cut, if rebellious, character actor who had built a career of supporting roles in Westerns, youth-oriented films and TV shows.

There was Dennis Hopper after "Easy Rider," for years one of Hollywood's wild men, an actor with a penchant for alcohol, drugs and outlandish behavior, and later a go-to performer to play villains and commanding misfits.

And then there was "Easy Rider," the 1969 film that he directed and co-wrote, and in which he played a dissolute, countercultural biker named Billy. Thanks to the film, Hopper helped blaze a trail for the young, aggressive filmmakers who would take Hollywood by storm in the 1970s.


http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/05/29 ... dennis.hopper1/index.html

In Nov 2007, the younger brother of a friend of mine was killed in action in Afghanistan. It was a very striking memorial service; one that I will never forget. I thought I had posted the news story here, but I can't seem to find it.

Anyhow, their younger brother is graduating from West Point and will be competing in his last track meet over this Memorial Day weekend.

There's an article in this week's Sports Illustrated about Andy Ferrara and his family. I'm friends with the oldest sibling, Marcus. I thought you might like to read about this great family.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vaul ... ne/MAG1169994/1/index.htm

Happy Memorial Day!

'Diff'rent Strokes' actor Gary Coleman dies at 42

(CNN) -- Former child star Gary Coleman, who rose to fame as the wisecracking youngster Arnold Jackson on the TV sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes" but grew up to grapple with a troubled adulthood, has died. He was 42.

Coleman died of a brain hemorrhage at a Provo, Utah, hospital, according to a hospital spokeswoman. The actor fell ill at his Santaquin, Utah, home Wednesday evening and was rushed by ambulance to a hospital, Coleman's spokesman had said earlier Friday.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/SHOWBIZ/TV/05 ... t.gary.coleman/index.html

Word of the Day for Friday, May 28, 2010

ethereal
\ih-THEER-ee-uhl\, adjective:

1. Light, airy, or tenuous.
2. Extremely delicate or refined.
3. Heavenly or celestial.
4. Pertaining to the upper regions of space.
5. Chemistry. Pertaining to, containing, or resembling ethyl ether.