Archive for Play

The Skyrim Dilemma

skyrim

First, a Recap

This was a great week, for many reasons.  For one thing, it was my first full week with the new iPhone 4S.  I managed to eke out a quick review within hours of its unboxing, then went on to review the Splash Masque screen protectors I decided to use on it, which I snagged for a real bargain at Amazon.com. I also recovered rather rapidly from what I thought was going to be one of the worst colds I’d ever come down with, and lived to see my 43rd birthday on Thursday.

Oh, and I can’t forget to mention the 8gb memory upgrade I put into my mid-2009 Macbook Pro (Unibody 15″, 2.53ghz Intel Core 2 Duo, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M, 250 gb Fujitsu SATA disk) — still a formidable machine by all current standards.  Save one. Read more

Boxwave Capacitive Stylus for iPad

boxwavepenultimate

Actually, the Boxwave stylus will work on any device with a capacitive touch screen.  This includes iPhone, iPod Touch, and a whole slew of gadgets not Made in Cupertino as well.  But since I ordered mine for use with iPad, that’s what I’ll be talking about here.

First, here’s a shot of some handwritten notes, using the Penultimate app:


As you can see, I’m able to draw and jot at will.  It isn’t quite my “real” handwriting, but it’s very close.  Don’t get too happy though, as I’m sure that signature won’t get you anywhere at my bank.  (Come to think of it, neither would my account number…) but alas, ’tis neat to be able to write notes by hand on my beloved iPad.

Generally speaking, stylus writing on iOS touch devices is pointless (meaning, the styluses don’t have pointed tips, but rounded ones.)  This results in a broader line, even though you still write at a pleasant and natural angle.  When it comes to pens, I am a fine nibber.  Sometimes extra fine.  So the stylus writing will take some getting used to for me.  If you’re more of a broad nibber, you may or may not find this experience to be much different.

 

 

Doodling is a complete joy.  The next picture is of an eye I made using the ArtStudio app after completing the eye-drawing tutorial.  Not too shabby, if I do say so myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Boxwave stylus is nice.  Here is a picture of it reclining on my iPad, with my favorite grid paper in Penultimate.  The “paper” rather reminds me of my treasured Moleskine and Rhodia papers.  The stylus has the handsome profile of a sleek fountain pen.  You just have to imagine.  You have to suspend your disbelief and let yourself dissolve into the pixeless landscape of the virtual page.

 

That’s all for now.  I might write a few follow-up notes after I’ve put my new stylus through the paces.  In the meantime, I’ll be packing my gear in the CaseLogic mini netbook case I ordered from Amazon and just received this afternoon.  The main zippered compartment holds my iPad securely (not snugly) in its Apple iPad case.  The other large zipped area has a couple of pen holder straps inside for my stylus and a regular pen, an inner pouch for my MiFi2200 mobile broadband hotspot from Virgin Mobile, another little pouch area specifically for a USB drive, and plenty of room for charging cables and my new reporter-style Moleskine (courtesy of my BFF.  Thank you, Sherry.)  There is one final, outside slot that is too small for the Moleskine, but will hold a tiny, square wallet for the cards I need to have with me, and some pocket money.  I don’t like to carry two of anything, so I’m ditching my purse for this bag.  I’ll be using the shoulder strap it came with, rather than carrying it by it’s handle.  I’ll let you know how that goes later, too.

Vineyard Tour

On Saturday my cousin and I were finally able to visit a vineyard we’d originally planned to meander around in summer.  Getting there was a landmark occasion for us, since we’d made a number of earnest, yet unsuccessful attempts and had begun to consider the endeavor accursed.  As you will note in the photos, nothing could be further from the truth.  This is Cypress Bend Vineyards, in Wagram, North Carolina.

Pictures from Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

I spent yesterday with my cousin at Brookgreen Gardens, and Atalaya at Huntington Beach State Park.  We took a lot of pictures.

(link:  Gallery)

Bento

Vegetable sushi roll, ginger salad, edamame, and fresh orange wedges.

Hiking at Hinson Lake

Today is the first Fourth of July I can remember that didn’t involve a cast of numerous and dearly loved guests, practically a day-long party, followed by a night swim beneath fireworks that rival any city lake spectacular — and it was actually quite nice, anyway. My cousin did come over and she and I went to hike on the trails around Hinson Lake. Here are some pictures:

Happy Fourth of July. I hope yours has been most enjoyable.