Are you sure you want to Shut Down?

I think I’m going to try a new personal rule.

Unless there’s a specific task I must complete: No computers after 8:00pm.

My vacation was so wonderful and part of the reason for this was the complete absence of internet, e-mail, and news. So I’m going to try and turn off my computer at 8:00pm. This will, hopefully, keep me reading, moving, cooking, and expanding my mind more than I would with a monitor or television.

It’s such a strange balance. I love the internet… but I find it draining as well.

I think I’d much prefer a simple life. These computer goals stay right in line with dreams to rid myself of excess possessions. I’d love to get rid of all those things I just never use. Organization, cleanliness, and escape from technology fit well together. Maybe not ‘escape from technology’ as much as a lack of dependency on it.

How would you rate yourself on organization, cleanliness, and computer/television usage?

InfoAnytime

A short while back Shaun left a comment on my website that made reference to the Liebeck vs. McDonald’s case where a woman burned by coffee sued McDonalds. This is a case that is often referred to when the topic of frivolous lawsuits comes up. I’ve always been hesitant to throw my opinion into the hat on that case because I think it’s possible that not all the facts are understood by the average American. I’m pretty sure it was a Jury trial, and a jury is bound to include at least one rational individual. If everyone is so sure that the lawsuit was stupid why did the Jury come to the conclusion that it did?

So I decided that I should read a book on it and get as many facts as possible. Then I could write a synopsis from a non-biased perspective so that people could read a brief description of the case that helped explain the case in full.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any books. Amazon.com proved near useless. The library’s online card catalog gave me nothing. Even general google searches were providing weak results. I didn’t know what to do.

Eventually, I decided to try InfoAnytime.

InfoAnytime is a library source in which the general public can chat 1 on 1 with a librarian at any hour of any day. The Librarian, with his or her intense research experience, can assist you in finding answers to your questions.

My librarian was Melissa H. In less than 3 minutes she provided me with seven different books about the Liebeck vs. McDonald’s case.

Color me impressed.

It’s Just that Journey Puts Me in a Good Mood.

My time in Cape Cod was extremely relaxing. While I only spent 2 full days there, I felt like I was able to fully escape the ties to home. I didn’t use a computer and didn’t feel the need to. There were no e-mails or phone calls. It was bliss.

I drove out on Thursday night. Friday was spent on the beach: flying kites, bicycling, reading like crazy, and swimming. Alicia, Theresa, and Alicia’s fiance Dwane were down there too and we were enjoying our bonding time.

Friday night we had fried fish, watched a movie, and then despite Dwane and my general feelings of laziness we were convinced by Theresa and Alicia to hit up Karaoke.

Theresa started our group off with a thrilling version of Son of a Preacher Man. She was classy and reserved. I had forgotten how nice her voice is and I think the local crowd at the Sea Dog was impressed. Alicia followed her with Call me by Blondie. It was full of energy. She mixed her emotions with angst and the result was a firey explosion of umph.

Then I was called up. I had, obviously, decided to perform Journey. I went with ‘Lights’ my personal favorite and a song with which I feel very comfortable. Despite being tired, when Journey starts playing I have a hard time not rocking out. I put everything I had into it and was told afterwards that my air guitar was wild.

Who were these DiDonato kids who took the local karaoke bar by storm? “Are you some sort of theater troop?” asked the Karaoke DJ.

A few more groups went up as we went through the book. Alicia would do Straight Up, Theresa would do some Cher. I got a tap on the shoulder.

A group of girls wanted to sing Summer Lovin’ but needed a guy’s voice. I gladly participated. And if I do say so myself, I think we did a pretty bang-up job. One of the girls, Cherise, was actually a back up singer for a band. She knew all the harmonies and it stepped the performance up a level.

After that, Tree did ‘Busta Move’ while I danced backup. And Alicia did another. The song escapes me for a moment… which is unfortunate because it was the best of her three. Alicia, determined to get me to spend time with Cherise (I must admit my sisters have good taste, she was cute and had a beautiful voice), signed the two of us up for Sonny and Cher’s “I got you babe.”

Unfortunately, neither Cherise or I knew the tune well, but we got up there anyway and did our best.

Outside of that obscure Karaoke experience in China, this was my first real Karaoke attempt. It was a blast and I hope to be able to get out in CT sometime. Apparently there’s a Rock and Roll Karaoke place in Hartford. I’ll keep you updated.

Anyway, the vacation finished smoothly. We ate smores and played Scrabble on the beach. I came back Sunday for some rock climbing with Pete and Irene. It couldn’t have worked out better.

And last night, as we sat on top of Wet Wall, a 5.6 with a dangerous start, the sun setting made the sky look like Orange Sherbet. It was beautiful and a great conclusion to a sweet break.