marley book

marleybook,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Big News! Hank's book, Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright: The Bob Marley Reader is going to be making royalties! This is the first (hopefully of many) book to make royalties. Marley's been in the news a lot lately. The nod in YM didn't hurt, either.
Check out Hank's books on Amazon

billy joel

billy_joel,
originally uploaded by carenb.

Hank just got the proofs for his latest book, Billy Joel: The Life & Times of an Angry Young Man.

I glanced through the proofs, and I got to say I'm very impressed.

Mini Mac Thumbs Up

Things I like about the new Mini:
1. Easy integration of my old files
2. Easy transition to upgraded software
3. Faster internet
4. Faster Apple software: Mail, iTunes, iCal, iMovie
5. Quietest Mac I've ever owned
6. iSync finally syncs with my Palm

Mini Mac Thumbs Down

Some problems with the new Mini:
1. Monitor has been flickering, I may need a new one (hmm...flat screen?)
2. Doesn't burn DVDs.
3. Not compatible with my new digital video camera...I may have to take it back for a replacement
4. sssssloooooow starting up MS Word, PhotoShop, Excel.

My Mac Mini

Oh, my Mac Mini is fabulous! So compact, yet so fast. I went to the Apple store for help moving all my files over from the G3. Seems I had the last blue & white that wouldn't let you remote access, so Josh, the genius bar guy, started up my G3 and remote accessed my mini. It worked, but it took forever.

I should have stopped in on my friend S, who works next door to the Apple store at a bridal shop, but I forgot until it was too late.

I loaded up the mini with all my favorite programs, Adobe CS, Office, Palm, etc. It's not as good as my G5 at work when working on big PhotoShop files, but I may pump up the ram.

Now what to do with the old G3? sell? donate?

I've got to finish the RockMug website this weekend. That's my goal. Now that I've commited it to writing, I have to follow through. (I'll keep you posted on my progress.)

Superbowl weekend

I had a very sociable weekend.

Saturday Morning: Pet StoreSaturday, after doing my housework chores, we went out to lunch to celebrate DS17 & DS12's great report card, then to the pet store & looked at adoptable pets, there was a pit bull bitch named Brandy, that a cop got at a drug bust, but she was such a mushy, kissy girl, he couldn't put her in a shelter so he adopted her, but his wife left, & he works longs days & ultimately couldn't keep her. Anyway, she's just about everything we could want in a dog...under 50 lbs, very submissive, not wild, or a nipper (OK she does have silent but deadly farts), will sit on command, about a year old, so she's done with puppy shots, soon to be spayed. But we don't know how she'll do with the cat. I'm not even sure if I want to upset the balance of the household by adding to the mix.

JewelersBack home, DH had run out for an errand, calls me up "I need your finger." So off we go to see M & E, jeweler friends of ours. It's a little uncomfortable to be with people so rich, rich, rich. The in-laws, who live with them, are double digit millionaires. But DH is cool with it, a mean, he's got friends who are going to introduce us to a prince. Anyway, the backstory is: DH has lost so much weight, his wedding ring fell off, so he want to get a replacement, but then thinks, why not get something fancier, and get one for me, too. So our friend M specializes in custom jewelry, beautiful stuff, real artistry. His wife, E is a real sweetheart. They have 5 kids. So I go over there with DS12 & DS6, they can play with the kids, while we do adult stuff. So, M shows me the catalog he's using just a reference, and it's one I designed when I was working at RLA. Coulda knocked me over with a feather! It looks awesome! I'm so good! M measures my finger, we talk diamonds. Yada yada. This house... everywhere you look, it shouts money. Plasma TVs, pool table, art-real art, in ground pool, etc. I'm so uncomfortable because they're obviously prospering, and we're just, well, on a good track, but not like all that.

Mac Mini en route

I got an email from Apple saying my Mac Mini shipped. The FedEx tracking number indicated it's left California, arrived in Newark, and will be delivered Monday at 4:30. Woo Hoo! I can't wait!

I also heard from FAFSA, it's been processed & it's ready to be viewed online. But I'm waiting 'til Michael is here with me to view it. This is going to tell us how much the family contribution to his college costs will have to be, with the gap to be filled by various & sundry financial aid, hopefully more grants than loans.

RockMug Meeting

At the last minute I was called on to do a presentation, as our presenter had a family matter to attend to. I decided to show the website, because it hasn't been viewed, outside the officers.

Richard, our president didn't particularly like the aqua-style logo (see blog entry below) as it was too dated. Bob, our former president suggested a brushed aluminum look. And some people wanted more tabs. I don't have time for these major changes, so with some minor tweeking, we'll get it up and running as is in the next two weeks.

Also discussed were a separate FileMaker Pro group, and finally...the future of RockMug: dues will once more be collected, efforts will be made to reach out to expand our group, socializing (like bowling), and charity work.