Romie has been dancing around the house for 30 minutes insisting she is actually Lady GaGa. Check her out with her little Monster Claw and head gear.

Wow! I’ve recently been assigned to a new project where the customer does not provide the ability to connect to my corporate VPN. As a result, I needed to find a device to connect to my laptop over a cellular network. I figured a mobile WiFi hotspot could kill two birds with one stone so to speak.

In May, I purchased the WiFi version of the Apple iPad. I find my iPad quite useful, but I felt somewhat remorseful for not having purchased a 3G enabled iPad so that I could use it wherever I might want to. With a mobile WiFi hotspot, I could provide Internet connectivity for my laptop / corporate needs AND provide connectivity for my iPad.

Not knowing much about mobile hotspots, I had concerns about the speeds these devices could achieve and deliver to multiple devices. And, would attaching multiple devices to the hotspot degrade the quality of the connectivity to the other devices? Since speed was a primary concern, I decided I would need a device that connects to a 4G network. Add to that the fact that Sprint is the preferred data provider for the company I work for, the Overdrive 3G/4G seemed like a logical choice. It’s Sprint’s newest, most affordable mobile hotspot device.

The spending limit through my corporate account was $150. With a two year contract, I was able to purchase the Overdrive 3G/4G mobile hotspot for $99. The data plan allows for unlimited data when connected to the 4G network, 5 Gigabytes when connected to the 3G network, and 300 Megabytes when roaming – all for $59.99 a month.

I ordered and received the device via UPS within two business days. The device was very easy to setup with a short and simple “Getting Started” guide. There was no difficult activation process and setting up the WAN settings to allow up to 4 devices to connect to the hotspot was quite easy. The device has an easy-to-read display and a slot for a microSD memory card, up to 32 Gigabytes. This storage can be shared between the 4 devices you allow to connect to your hotspot. The battery life is about 2.5 hours on the 4G network, but you can keep the device plugged into an AC outlet or connected to a USB port on your computer to keep the unit charged.

I have to tell you – the download speeds I’ve received while using the device are amazing. I have only had one or two devices connected at any one time, but both devices receive outstanding data rates. I just used the device to download SQL Server 2005 SP2, a 282 Megabyte file. It completed download in 13 minutes and 20 seconds! While it’s not as fast as a cable modem, it’s pretty fast considering it’s working over a cellular network.

If you’re looking for a data device, I suggest you look into the mobile hotspot route. Why provide connectivity to only one device when you can have multiple devices connected? But don’t forget to check the functionality of your cell phone. There are several cell phones that use the Droid operating system that will allow the phones to work as mobile hotspots, just like the Overdrive 3G/4G. I can’t attest to their functionality and productivity – I’m quite happy with what I’ve got.

I know “Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer” isn’t a new song, but it’s one I wasn’t familiar with until recently. I’ve actually heard the beats and the melody the Freemasons use in this remix in another recently discovered remix. DJ Billy Waters used the same background music when he remixed “After All” by Delirium. I take pride in my ability to name that remixed tune in three notes or less, so you could imagine my confusion when I thought I would be hearing “After All” but heard this song instead.

Knowing nothing about “Heartbreak Make Me a Dancer” or Sophie Ellis-Bextor, I ran to my computer to find out as much as possible and to download the song. I think I’ve already driven several of my friends a little nutty by repeating this song over and over.

Leave me a few comments – tell me what you think of the song, the Freemasons, or of sexy Sophie!

I know I’ve been gone far too long and I wanted to make a lot of noise when I finally did come back. What better way to make some noise than with a redesigned site. I think the newspaper / magazine layout lends itself much better to my A.D.D. inspired topics.

Please be patient – I am working out a few of the kinks and adjusting some of the layout over the next couple of weeks. I promise there are good things to come, though.

Leave comments, let me know what you think!

I’ve been traveling back and forth between Germany and France since the end of July 2009. Most of my time has been spent in Paris, France. In two weeks, I finally get to fly home to NYC to resume my American life. While I have definitely enjoyed my time in Europe, I am ready to come home. Some of you are obviously aware of this I’m sure. You’ve seen the videos on my blog, you’ve read my status updates on Facebook, and a select few of you have had the pleasure of listening to me whine and complain over the telephone about how horrible it is to have a job that affords me the luxury of travel to one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

Therefore, this is my last video blog entry about being homesick or about Europe. I may have other video blog entries to create and post before I return home to NYC, but the theme will be unrelated to my geographical location or my desire to sit in my own apartment in Harlem.

One thing my video fails to convey is the deep gratitude I have for the support system I have had in place, but at home and abroad. I have had a wonderful friend in France who has always made me feel welcome and has made sure I knew where the good places were to hang out. Equally, I have had a rock to lean on back in the U.S. He has taken  my calls and tolerated my nonsensical bitchiness. To the both of you – YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE – I say THANK YOU!

11 DAYS BITCHES! WOO HOO!