Category: General

Why I Turned In My BlackBerry and Went Android, and I love it

So for those that know me, you all know that I have been a long time BlackBerry user. I’ve been through four devices in the last 5+ years and I have loved my BlackBerrys over the years. Last month, I left all of that behind and deiced to jump on the Android wagon and got a T-Mobile MyTouch 3G Slide. This so far has been a big change for me but, one that I am still very happy with. So why did I leave my BlackBerry behind and move to Android? I wanted something new. My BlackBerry Curve 8900 was over a year and a half old and was due to be replaced. I loved the device and very much considered upgrading to the Bold 9700. The main reason I didn’t stay with BlackBerry was the lack of what I saw of innovation for the future. The BlackBerry is a great platform but, it hasn’t changed much in the 5 years I’ve used it. Sure there have been system updates but, the OS still very much is the same as it was. That’s where Android interests me. Android is 100% Open Source and thanks to the new App Inventor launched today by Google, anyone can write their own Android App. This is what makes me feel that Android is where the mobile phone platform is moving.

Several of my friends have already asked me why I didn’t get the iPhone 4 which came out roughly the same time I got my MyTouch 3G Slide. There are several reasons why I didn’t get it. 1.) It’s only on AT&T. I’ve had T-Mobile for almost 10 years. AT&T doesn’t come close to offering the same service I have now. 2.) iOS is a closed platform. You are locked to only getting your apps from the App Store and only those apps approved by Apple. 3.) The device in my mind is restrictive. There is only one model to pick from and all you can choose is the size. Don’t get my wrong, the iPhone is a nice phone but, it’s not what I am looking for.

I read an interesting article today on All Things Digital by Louis Gray entitle,  Why I Turned In My iPhone and Went Android. Though I left BlackBerry behind instead of an iPhone, I think the comparison is still very similar. I want something that will continue to grow and be developed. Something that even I could create my own app to do what ever I need it to do. I need a phone that I can truly make mine. So for those looking for a new phone, get an Android. You won’t be disappointed.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/07/why-i-turned-in-my-blackberry-and-went-android-and-i-love-it/

Almost home, finally

Well, I’m finally on my way back home to Orlando (as I write this on the plane). As I said in my last post, it’s been a whirlwind of a week. I was home for about 18 hours on Thursday before hoping on a plane to Minnesota to visit home. I’m going to need to recover still from the cruise.

Trip home was short, only three nights, but was a full weekend. I was about to see a few friends but was mostly home for Mom. For those that don’t know, Mom has been working on her Doctorate in Education and had her graduation this past Saturday. So needless to say, it’s been a busy weekend with family and celebrating Mom.

Tomorrow will be my first day back to office after being off for ten days. Here’s to 200+ emails. Yes, that is after I’ve already cleaned out some while I was on the cruise and home. No other major plans coming up in the near future so it will be nice to get back in to my routine and get back to going to the Y.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/05/almost-home-finally/

Whirlwind of a Day

Well today has been a productive day despite being a complete whirlwind. I debarked from the Disney Wonder around 9 this morning and took Mom and Dad to the airport. Since coming home, I have done all of my laundry and repacked my suitcase for flying out first thing in the morning to Minneapolis. I also got a chance to hit the YMCA today to help burn off some of the great meals I’ve had over the last four days. Just about to go get some dinner now before crashing early but, my latest photos from this past cruise are now up and can be found here or check out the slide show below.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/05/whirlwind-of-a-day/

A Model Vacation on Disney Cruise Line – Exclusive Tilt-Shift Video

Check out this amazing Tilt-Shift video from Disney Cruise Line. It’s almost as good as being on the real thing. Video is from the Disney Parks Blog

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/04/907/

February 2010 Cruise Photos

My cruise photos are now up from my 4 day cruise on the Disney Wonder this weekend.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/02/february-2010-cruise-photos/

Cruise Photos

Cruise photos are now up on Picasa from my first Disney Cruise on the Disney Wonder this December with Mom and Dad. See the slide show below or visit my Photos page for a link.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2010/01/cruise-photos/

Disney Parks Unveils ‘It’s Small World’ Holiday Spot

So I know that ‘Small World’ is a song that can get stuck in your head and I, like many others, tend to avoid the ride for fear of the song, this is actually a pretty cute new advert from Disney Parks.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2009/11/disney-parks-unveils-%e2%80%98small-world%e2%80%99-holiday-spot/

Best Vacation, Ever

Well, it’s been about two weeks since I came back from probably one of the best vacations I have taken in a long time.  I had the unique experience of enjoying the 100th anniversary of Camp Lincoln for Boys in Lake Hubert, MN. It was like taking a trip back and reliving the summers I had as a kid along the shores of Lake Hubert. For those that don’t know, Camp Lincoln is where I spent the summers from 1991 – 1999 as a camper and CIT. At camp I learned to love meeting new people from around the world and fostered a love for sailing. Camp is also one of the reasons why I am here now in Florida and at Walt Disney World. Through the connections I had at camp, I learned about a small school in St. Petersburg, FL called Eckerd College. Thanks to Eckerd, I met some good friends who helped me get a role here at Disney. Camp is also important to my family as it is where Mom and Dad met. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Camp Reunion was a great time reliving old memories and reminiscing with old friends along with meeting many new ones. Justin, Mandy, Sarah and Courtney, thanks for a great time and Mandy, it was great to be out on the water again together. It was also fun to just relive the experience of being at Camp and living in Eagles cabin again after 14 years and singing some of the best songs I remember from the summers growing up! The 100th Dinner was amazing too with great music and a great message from Governer Tim Pawlenty. Thanks again to everyone who made the weekend a blast and to those at Camp that planned such a great event. I hope that I can return to Camp again soon and do another Alumni weekend or summer again soon! Check out below for my pictures from the weekend.

Back in the real world, things are slow around the office these days and I am just doing my thing to keep busy. More vacation coming this weekend when Dad and I will be going to Anaheim and visiting Disneyland . I haven’t been since 2006 but this will be Dad’s first time. I’m sure it will be a great weekend and as an added bonus, I will get to meet up with my friend Julien from Disneyland Paris as well. Look for more updates soon.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2009/09/best-vacation-ever/

NYC for the Weekend

Well, I am blogging from 10,000 feet up (even though this will post when I land) on my way back to Orlando from a 3 day weekend trip to New York City with the family. My brother Tim is currently working on his Masters of Fine Arts at Hunter College so Mom, Dad and I took the weekend to go visit.

Despite some rain, the trip was a lot of fun visiting several museums free of charge thanks to working for TWDC (American Museum of Natural History and the Museum of Modern Art) in addition to the Metropolitan Museum of art. In addition to museums, we also met up with my cousin Stephanie, who also lives in NYC. Overall, it was a great trip but, it reminded me of how much I missed London and how much I want to get back over there even for a short visit.

One more day off then back to work on Tuesday. Finally getting used to having Sunday/Monday off. My next mini vacation will be a quick overnight in St. Pete for a lifeguarding class at Eckerd College next weekend then its Orlando until September.

Well, time to sign off for now.

This message was sent from my T-Mobile BlackBerry wireless handheld. Kindly excuse any brevity, abbreviations or typos.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2009/05/nyc-for-the-weekend/

Web 2.0 hits the blogs

So I have been looking back over my Google Reader feeds and have noticed how my site is not the only one that has been lacking in updates for a while. With the big push of social networking, it seems that mico-blog updates are becoming the norm these days. I know myself, I tend to post regular updates to my Twitter and Facebook accounts not only with my currnet status but also interesting articles/videos that I have read or watched on the net.

With the push of 3G and Smart-Phone mobile devices the on-the-go drive for updates only increases. I can’t say how many times I have pulled out my BlackBerry to post a picture or quick note about something on the fly via Twitter. President Obama showed in his campaign what the power of Twitter and Social Networking can do to orgainize people for a common cause. With Twitter and sites like Digg encouraging sharing and interacting, it just makes sense for getting people with common interests together.

So, if you aren’t on the Twitter or Facebook bandwaggon, check them out and feel free to follow me for even more updates.

Permanent link to this article: https://www.webbyaquatics.com/archives/2009/03/web-20-hits-the-blogs/