3 really annoying things.

I tried reading that exercise_every_day group here on DW. ( Read more... )

We have reached a decision to cancel cable.
( more about this cable stuff )

I need a remote control for my laptop. For whatever reasons the laptop intended for media use seems to have been chosen without a mute button. It has a mute button, but it doesn't work. The volume control buttons also do not work. But if you hit alt-shift some-function-key, the volume is changed. Of course the keyboard isn't backlit. There's no function key for toggling between built-in screen and external monitor either--- or rather, there is, but it doesn't actually accept that an HDMI connection is a valid "monitor". I'm not sure who designs these things but the person is clearly stupid.

Most laptops need an external monitor, mouse, and keyboard to be even vaguely useful. They should sell things like that. Laptop size but bring your own peripherals. But of course, this is the same industry that still has CAPSLOCK keys which are double-wide. As if the 3 people in the world who need the CAPSLOCK key couldn't be made to hit Alt-shift-control scroll-lock and save everyone else the aggravation of accidentally hitting it. It's critically stupid to have CAPSLOCK on a laptop keyboard, especially a laptop lacking a mute button. Obviously those things should have been swapped.

ŠOh. Damn. I bought a computer without CAPSLOCK but look, here's this enormous mute button wasting the space I need for CAPSLOCK! Since I'm going to be typing so very much on this machine I bought just to stream video content in my living room, I'm completely crushed by the lack of CAPSLOCK. Now when the phone rings, I won't be able to type in capital letters at the caller. *wrings hands* š

The world is full of morons.

Can't choose. Don't care. : the biggest obstacles to vacation planning

I want to vacation somewhere sunny and uncrowded. I would prefer if it wasn't also hot and did also have good food (taco stands, delis, diners are all okay, it doesn't have to be a Michelin-rated place. In fact since most Michelin-rated places require reservations weeks or months in advance, I'd prefer something more casual.)

I want a really nice hotel room that includes a real breakfast. Absolutely no boats, ships, cruises.

Ideally I'd like not to have to drive to dinner so I could have wine or cocktails. But still: Absolutely no boats, ships, cruises.

Then there has to be something to do there so I actually go outside in the sun to enjoy it instead of holing up in the room with my SO who is mostly looking for good wifi.

I don't care when we go. I don't need there to be a beach or pool. Within the realm of rationality, I don't care what it costs either.

My current top choice is still the Four Seasons on Maui. Which is hot, crowded, expensive, and doesn't include breakfast or wifi. I'm starting to think it might be too posh for us. Especially since mid-grade "family" hotels usually have breakfast and wifi included. And my SO won't want to to any of the Hawaiian activities anyway, so we'd be better off looking for a $99 weekend rate at an Embassy Suites in the 'burbs. *sigh*

If I promise not to insist you tie it up with raffia, let me tell you about my good things?

Sometimes I talk myself out of buying things. I question whether I would really want that thing. I ask myself what else I would have to give up in order to have it. Space and organization are currently the biggest costs now that there is sufficient money for impulse purchases.

  However, there are some things that have worked out vastly better than expected. I have a silicone whisk. It was expensive. But it's the perfect whisk. It inserts into mugs. The loops will whip a tablespoon of cream in a cereal bowl without splattering it everywhere. And it can be used in a non-stick skillet without harming the skillet or having the heat harm the whisk. The shape enables it to stand on the whisky end so when the phone rings or a pot boils over, I simply stand it up.

About a year and a half ago, I bought a tote bag. It was on clearance for $5 and is a patchwork of blue and purple fabrics. But what makes it one of the best bags I've ever owned is that the handles are the perfect length. If I put the straps on my shoulder, the bag doesn't rub in my armpit. If I hold the bag dangling from my hand, it doesn't touch the ground. It's perfect. And it was on sale.

Another thing that really worked out well was my phone. I have a Palm Pre with Sprint. I hate Sprint, whenever I have to deal with them. (But honestly, once you've got things set up, who calls the phone company that often?) They have some of the best prices going for service, especially now that Verizon and AT&T no longer have unlimited data plans. I also really like my phone. The only problems I have with my phone are that not enough other people have it, so there aren't quite as many apps that do cool things. I love how easy it was to integrate all my email and contacts and calendar and everything.

Not everything I buy is a waste of money. I might even be able to choose a superior laptop--- or at least find one where the mute button works.

dandy apple yogurt

I came up with a really easy solution to something.

For a while I've been trying to eat more yogurt. However I don't like most of the flavored yogurts because I'm unkeen on fruit-yogurt. I also dislike the single-serving containers because they're never the right amount.

I've been buying the quarts of plain yogurt. (Organic whole milk.) But it's easy to choose something else because I have to try to stir in something to make it palatable for each bowl. I don't really like plain sugar because it doesn't dissolve right and really doesn't mitigate the tang. Honey is impossible--- it freezes up upon contact with the cold yogurt and will never homogenize. However. Apple juice and sugar together are almost miraculous. The juice can be microwaved, then the sugar dissolves easily. It's easy enough and consistent enough that I can make my own single servings.

1 quart whole milk yogurt.
1 C spiced apple cider (Trader Joe's brand is what I used.)
1/2 C sugar
pinch salt
pinch black pepper.

Heat juice in microwave. Stir in sugar until well dissolved, add yogurt, season as needed with the salt and pepper.

I poured a cup into each container and froze four of them. I'm eating the fifth one now (there were only 4 lids.)