Kirk To Enterprise... Come In. Over.

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Well look at me and my big, bad, high-tech self with my Mac laptop, iPhone, and iPad. My shoulder bag now beeps and vibrates as I walk. I feel so sci-fi I can't stand it. 

I owe a debt of eternal gratitude to my friend Christopher Laney for sitting down with me for almost two hours today and getting all the Apple doo-dads in sync and showing me shortcuts and how everything works. I am having MUCH more fun with these devices now that I have some small clue what to do with them.

In fact, I think I'm getting too comfortable with them. At one point, I had all three devices spread out and was tapping on the iPhone then tapping on the iPad and when I turned to my laptop, I started tapping on the screen and wondering why it wasn't responding. Oh yeah... keyboard. How quaint. 

I've also made the quantum leap and given up my paper calendar. (GULP.) I break into a bit of a flop sweat thinking about it. But I'm sure within a month I'll be engaged in mocking those who are, like, sooooooo lame and behind the times with their little paper calendars. ☺

The trust is not yet entirely there though. I leave tomorrow for Ohio for my cousin's baby shower and while I'll be using the GPS app in my iPhone, I've already printed out the directions from MapQuest.

You know, just in case this Star Trek stuff isn't all it's cut out to be. 

My First iPhone

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I did it. Made the leap and bought an iPhone. I bought the old model three days before the new model came out, which freaked out all my techie friends. To make it worse, I bought a refurbished model. I don't need the latest and greatest technology. I just need it to work. 

I warned Blair before I opened the phone that while I was sure within a month I would be attached at the hip to my phone and wondering how I had ever lived without it, the first 2-3 weeks would be full of complaints and regret. Why? Even intuitive technology is not intuitive to me. And I get really, really frustrated really, really fast when things don't work the way I think they should. 

Sure enough, within 30 minutes of playing with the phone on Saturday, I was in a foul mood. "Just turn the stupid thing off," I told Blair. I didn't touch it again for over 24 hours. Luckily, I had dinner with friends on Sunday and they showed me a few tricks that made me think maybe this whole phone thing wouldn't be a total disaster. (I LOVE the "Bump" app.) 

However, I'm worried that my addictive tendencies have already kicked in. I had an eye doctor's appointment this morning and instead of reading a magazine, journaling, or just sitting still and paying attention to my thoughts, I whipped out my little rectangle entertainment center and started pushing buttons. So long, moments of quiet introspection. You are my past. My future is rearranging the order of my apps and deleting e-mails whenever I have down time. 

For those of you eager to start texting me, DON'T. One step at a time. I'm still trying to figure out ringtone options. And for those of you who keep asking me what plan I signed up for and did I get in on the old plan or the new tech-something plan, shut up. Just. shut. up. 

I know I'll grow to love my phone and its myriad of options. And that I'll soon be using it like a pro. But for the moment, if you need to reach me, just send smoke signals or something simple. 

Thanks,

Dena

Writing A Short Story

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I've spent the last week immersed in writing a short story. I'm at about 3,000 words in and the first draft is almost finished. Sci-fi. An idea I've had for years as a novel that I'm testing out first as a short.

What I've discovered is that while my head is in the world of story, I don't feel much like doing other writing and my blog is taking a hit. 

Just to throw something new on the page, here's a quick list of highlights and lessons from this past week: 

  • Lesson #1: All soy chicken is not made equal. Last week I made "chicken" burritos that had us salivating for more. I made them again last night with a different brand of soy chicken. Absolutely gross. Who knew?
  • There be squash! Our square garden has LARGE LEAFY GREEN THINGS growing in at least half the squares. I told Blair I hoped we harvested a lot of squash. His reply: "This is further than we've ever come before so everything could die tomorrow and I'd still count it as a win." Love that man of mine. 
  • Lesson #2: I CAN and WILL kill most plants under my care. One of three of the rose plants I planted is already dead. Pretty sure Iris Sutcliffe owes me some money on that bet. 
  • Lucy has taken to hiding in the back of my office closet. Hurt feelings? Not feeling well? Needs a quiet, restful place to plot my demise? Hard to tell...
  • My editor sent me the back cover copy for my book. Can't wait to see the whole thing put together. 
  • Lesson #3: I have GOT to figure out a way to get more yoga back in my routine. I bent at the waist the other day and hamstrings were so tight I couldn't touch the floor. NOT GOOD. 
  • Lesson #4: It's time to stop fooling myself that I'm going to prepare a large salad for lunch each day with gourmet greens and a wide assortment of vegetables. Food is rotting in my fridge as I pour myself a second bowl of cereal each day at noon and vow to do better tomorrow. 
  • Watching the Biggest Loser finale last night was great, but it seems like 90% of the former contestants they bring back have regained some serious weight. So what's the point of the show? 

You're now pretty much up to speed on the exciting life and times of Dena. Stay tuned for our next episode where Dena shares how she did some laundry and more than likely killed yet another plant. 

Cat Paperclips

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Okay... new nomination for coolest gift, ever. Cat paperclips! My writer friend Laine Cunningham ran across a huge bin of cat and dog paperclips in a craft store and stood there and separated out all the cat paperclips so she could present me with a huge bag of them.

That's a good friend. 

I'm not one to expect (or give) presents on birthdays, anniversaries, or major holidays, but I absolutely love the "random gift." I think it means more when you offer someone something because you saw it and immediately thought of them, versus buying a present because the date on the calendar tells you that you have to.

And how cute will it be to hand out copies of my card at book signings with a paperclip cat attached to it? Awesome gift, Laine. Thanks!!