Monday, March 2, 2009

Game Changer



I remember the very first original 128k Macintosh I ever saw. At that time, even though I had been using an Apple Lisa at work for a little while, I had this internal reaction that before my eyes, the future was unfolding. Looking back, the internet itself was such a gradual blur that I can't really put my finger on many more epiphanic moments where such a great "Ah Ha!" occurred. I do remember discussing the concept of email with my former boss who was a bit more of a geek than I at the time and who was familiar with the DARPAnet and its meanderings into the public realm. The World Wide Web at the time seemed like a diffuse concept little related to my day-to-day business.

Times have changed. I now think I'm at the precipice of another one of those defining moments that I will look backwards to and recognize as pivotal.

iPhone

After only a week with this new marvel, I can begin to see the difference this (and probably more than many smartphones) will make on the way I go about my day. Micro-blog from my kayak during a break? Did it. Google a telephone number en route. Been there. Look up the current gauge reading for the Little River streamside. OMG!. Rather than looking at my watch when I wake up. I tap a couple of buttons and have checked my email, Facebook and the day's weather before I'm out of bed.

I have to admit that the newness hasn't yet worn off. I've been anticipating this arrival long before the day arrived (the day AFTER my Verizon contract expired, which was unfortunately a Sunday). I had already downloaded over 60 free iPhone apps to my iTunes before the phone was even in my hot little hands (Is that sick?). Since, I've put about $30 more into paid apps, like Riverguide for Kayakers.

I'll probably be returning to this topic in future posts, but I figured this had to be one of those moments that warranted a full blog post. Those seem to be rare this winter. Winter= a peep (or more likely a Tweet) out of the cave and into the sunshine.

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Into the depths of Winter

Wilson 1_11_09


We had a cold and dreary day here today with highs (probably for the week) in the 40's. It looks like there is a real humdinger of a cold front heading this way. Though it's been hard to get motivated on a few days so far this winter, it really hasn't totally blotted out the will or the ability to get out and paddle pretty often. The amount of rain we've had has really kept the options open. I had two days on the Haw last week and last Saturday at Wilson Creek. Falls Dam started releasing over the weekend and I sucked it up and went out there today, despite the bleak. It actually was very enjoyable, if not little too warm (note to self- take plenty of water to drink.)

Better be sure the kerosene supply is topped off for the weekend. Maybe I'll make it through another winter.