Long Live Geeks

I still heart my Kindle

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:39:00 +0000

I know. It's been forever. I hope I haven't lost my touch :)

I love books. Particularly a good fantasy novel, but I'll read just about anything that tells a good story or teaches me something new and fascinating. When the Kindle first came out, it seemed like a natural fit. But I delayed. E-books don't have the wonderful feel and smell of paper! E-books won't fill up my bookshelves! Until finally, I had so many books that there was no more space. I could always go back and read my favorites on the old fashioned medium, but it was clear that I needed a more compact solution moving forward, so I bought a Kindle.

It was love at first sentence. The ability to download books in seconds, and take a whole library of reading material any where I go won me over in a heartbeat. I was a Kindle aficionado. When rumors flew that a color Kindle was going to be released, I immediately started a "new Kindle fund". With my Fire pre-ordered the first day, I not so patiently awaited its delivery. And finally the day arrived. My Kindle Fire was born. I named it Sam.

Having read a dozen books on Sam, and read a small army of disparaging Kindle Fire reviews, I want to put my $0.02 out there.

The hardware:
I really enjoy the LCD screen compared to e-ink. I don't have to fuss with a book light to read at night, and turning pages is noticeably faster. Carrying Sam around is no more difficult that any paperback. The 7" size works for me. I don't miss a camera or any other high-end tablet features. Yes the Fire is less powerful than my smartphone. It also cost less than half the price.

The software:
Amazon's locked down version of Android has left me between a rock and a hard place. Half my life is organized around Google: gmail, google docs, gtalk, the list goes on and on. To make Sam really useful as a tablet, I need access to those apps. I don't have it.

About 2 minutes after realizing this, I looked into rooting Sam. I was all set to go for it until I read one critical sentence: Rooting a Fire removes access to Amazon Prime functionality. Sigh. Here's my not so guilty, not so secret: I buy tons of stuff from Amazon. I got a Prime membership the first year they were available. The $80 more than pays for itself in "free" 2-day shipping. I see the library of downloads as an added bonus. One that doesn't justify the Prime membership, but also one I don't want to lose on Sam.

So, Sam remains unrooted. I use him to read books, very happily. He is not a fully functioning tablet though, and that may prompt me to look into Android tablets more in the future. Cause, you know, I always *need* more technology :)

Christmas Eve at Last

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 18:34:00 +0000

As the people of Castleville gather around their new fondue pot, a special visitor, straight from Santa's Workshop teleports in to deliver presents.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Fondue Anyone?

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 19:32:00 +0000

"I have been saving a special surprise," announces the Queen. "Gather round, and we shall have fondue! Look at that yummy cheese melting over the flame!"

Peace at Last

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:29:00 +0000

"Boys! Boys!" says the Queen, "I will have none of your fighting this time of year. I have brought the Owl of Peace. Greet him gently, and apologize to your friends."
"Your Majesty! We will stop at once!" says Sir Edgar, "But please know, we would not have hurt anyone. The missiles raining down from above, they were marshmallows! And the arrows, pretzel sticks!"
The Queen and her men at arms have a good laugh over the food fight.

A Little Retialiation

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 21:17:00 +0000

Sir Edgar has friends with long range armaments, and he asks on of them, the crossbowman Steve, to send back a little return fire. Things are getting dangerous around here!

Look Out Belooooooow!

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 22:26:00 +0000

Someone has decided to use Sir Edgar as target practice himself! Watch out!

Sir Edgar

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 19:24:00 +0000

While the practice dummy is free, Sir Edgar decides to practice his spear work. You can learn a lot from a dummy! :)

Oink Oink 2!

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 20:23:00 +0000

Even Petunia gets in on the snack time action, with her favorite food, apples!

Hot Cider!

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 22:20:00 +0000

Nothing quite like a hot mug of cider after a long day of practice. Beth, the serving wench and admirer, serves it up to the men at arms.

Oooooh. Ahhhhh.

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Fri, 17 Dec 2010 01:39:00 +0000

Practice time brings out all the ladies :)

Only 9 days til Christmas!!!

Practice Time

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 03:45:00 +0000

(This post is brought to you by my new camera. OMG it's so cool!)
Before the guards can take on the sword in the stone, they must get some practice in. Luckily a new practice dummy appears just in time! Swing that sword :)

Santa's Early Delivery

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 02:51:00 +0000

Santa's come early this year, and he's left a very special delivery! A sword in a stone!

Contest Finale

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 01:43:00 +0000

The last contestant to come forward is the great Stefan, the sword juggler. He throws his swords up with glee, without ever missing a mark.

The Queen at last must make a decision.
"Dear contestants! Thank you all for coming forward to share your skills with us during this season of magic. I fear that I could never choose just one winner among you. So therefore, I bestow the Queen's Prize on... everyone!"
And the Queen descends from her throne and gifts each contest with a beautiful jewel.

Oink Oink!

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 02:57:00 +0000

Next archer Tom comes before the Queen with his trained pig, Petunia.

Tom has no fears that Petunia will appear on the Christmas dinner menu. Petunia can stand on two legs! Look at that!

Performers Continue

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Sun, 12 Dec 2010 04:53:00 +0000

The guardsman chooses to go next. What is his trick? Balancing on a wall while wearing handcuffs! What a talented guy!

The First Performer

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 01:15:00 +0000

The first performer is ... a skeleton? He crawled out of the closet to do his skull and crossbones dance!

Announcing a Contest

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Sat, 11 Dec 2010 01:10:00 +0000

(This post is a day late - brought to you by final exam grading time!)
Queen Merry has her men at arms bring out a chest.
"Hear me merry-makers! Come one come all! Tell me a joke! Perform a song! Stand on your head! Or dance a jig. The best of all of the performers will receive a token of my favor from this chest."

Time with the People

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 02:31:00 +0000

Queen Merry can think of no better way to enjoy the Christmas season than to spend it among everyone in Castleville. Like all queens though, her delicate feet cannot stand in her delicate shoes all day! Her throne is promptly fetched and the Queen sits daintily upon it.

Fanfare! Fanfare!

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 01:20:00 +0000

Queen Merry steps out on to the turret and surveys her people. Graduate they notice her presence and grow quiet.
"Good evening all! I declare today the official start of the holiday merrymaking season!" Announces the queen. "Let us suspend work for the day, and gather about to dance and play!"
So the blacksmith put down his hammer, and the archers their bows. Everyone gathered together and did first official holiday dance of the season.

A New Suit of Armor

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 04:21:00 +0000

More gear is appearing. I wonder if all of this could be prelude to a joust? The mystery of the holiday season is yet to unfold :)

Spear Ho!

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 00:23:00 +0000

As the haggling continues over at the blacksmith's shop, a cart of spears rolls up towards the castle. It's as if the cart has a mind of its own! Maybe tomorrow we'll find out what it's up to :)

Visitors

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Sun, 05 Dec 2010 03:11:00 +0000

Word travels fast of the blacksmith's visit, and many people pass through to see his wares. The local maceman is looking for new bling to compliment his armor.
"I wear the emblem of the roaring lion. Have you any pendants with this sign?" He asks.
"Aye. Here is a pendant for a warrior such as yourself. Hand stamped out of the finest iron. It will both frighten your enemies and stop the fastest arrow," offers the blacksmith.
The maceman eyes the pendant warily. "Stop arrows you say? I have never seen such a thing." And thus the haggling begins in earnest.

Shop is Open!

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 00:44:00 +0000

The two archers waste no time in bringing down the rack of unkempt weapons. Having a blacksmith in town is a lucky site indeed. Let us hope however that they do not have cause to use those weapons anytime during the holiday season!

Swords for Sale!

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 00:06:00 +0000

All was so quiet that the guardsman on patrol had dozed off. His horse on the other hand was not so inattentive. He got a whiff of the stranger from a distance and trotted up to him. You can imagine how started the guard was to see his horse being fed a handful of sugar by this nefarious looking stranger.
"Ho there," said the guard.
"How do ye do?" said the stranger. "I be a blacksmith. Knives I sharpen, and swords I sell. I also have one or two things in me pack that your sweetheart would find delightful on Christmas morning."
"Welcome to Castleville!" the guard said. Then yelling up to the archers on the turrets, "Spread the word, there is a blacksmith at our gates. Should anyone need a sword sharpened, or a new knife, invite him to come out."
The archer passed the word along and several residents of the castle came to inquire about his wares.
"Quite a friendly castle you have here." The blacksmith remarked to the guard. "Ye have welcomed me well, and I will stay the season and ply my trade."

Thus the holiday shopping season begins.

All is Quiet

noreply@blogger.com (Anastasia) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 23:42:00 +0000

I'm baaaack, a least for the holidays :) This year's Lego holiday adventure comes courtesy of the Kingdoms Advent calendar.

Christmas 2010 brings us to the royal castle. It has been a quiet time in the land of Castleville. Once there were tremendous dragons and huge giants attacking the castle. The valiant knights fought back however, and all has been quiet for quite some time.

The guards continue to patrol the grounds, as much to exercise their horses as for any fear of danger. Perhaps they should be afraid, that looks like a nefarious character approaching the castle!