It's just the power of....

... what, exactly?


Today I got to use a Canon PowerShot SX540 Digital Camera w/ 50x Optical Zoom - Wi-Fi & NFC Enabled at work. Along with that, I used Vivitar USB 2.0 Digital SD Card Reader to transfer the photos onto my computer.

I must say, the camera is nice. I took a video with it too, as I wanted to test out the quality - see if it was as good as the still photos. The video came out really good, too. I got up to the complete zoom, when it started getting grainy.

Sure, I tested it all out in the Church, but I had to be in there anyway, taking pictures of the stage and scenery for a department project.

If I could take the camera around campus, I would have. I probably will have the opportunity at some point, but I can't be greedy and use it for my own devices. I have to use it for work purposes, and can't always go willy nilly with it. This is the one exception, where I had to be some place with it, to begin with, but I'm sure my boss won't let me go crazy and do my own thing. Although, if I continue using it for department projects, it may be my next "on the go" camera. Especially since it's WiFi enabled!

No, I didn't test the WiFi part out, though I was tempted.


Putting the photos in Photoshop to put my name on them, I can't get over the level of "pop" with them. I didn't do any editing, so WYSIWYG, but still... everything seems so crisp and new. It's hard to believe the photos are untouched! So rad!

Like I said, I'm sure in due time, I'll get to play with the camera more. Until that happens, I'm submitting photos for approval of The Midnight Society (or just Emily, because I told her I'd post something).



Aka, "pictures or it didn't happen".




Photos of the camera itself, via my iPhone 6s:

Photos from the Canon:

Video taken from the Canon:

Until next time.


Cheers;

The philosophical sticker

"The leader has to be practical and a realist, yet must talk the language of the visionary and the idealist."

- Eric Hoffer

(1950's blue collar philosopher)

I found that quote online several weeks ago, and it makes sense, if you don't overly think about it. There are so many types of people in this world; all it takes is one person to walk into a group with enough knowledge to speak to the masses, and make themselves able to reach the simplest of the mind. You have to be able to converse in such a way, that everyone gets excited for you to be their guide. Using the correct verbiage means a lot, but also a "little can go a long way".

I could be wrong, given all the information about this guy. Everyone understands things differently, and this writing is just a brief synopsis of what I think Hoffer is talking about. It's not something to create long winded posts about, because I do not want to get political (and too philosophical) in my blog, as I understand I may tread too hard on some toes. I'd like to keep what readership I have and not create a lot of haters. You're welcome to search around the Internet on your own about Hoffer and make your own conclusions. I'll link to an Amazon page, in case you want to start there.

Thanks for the understanding.


Anyway, I wanted to post about two new decals I put on my car.


One of the (main) causes I support is Autism Awareness. I've always been curiously intrigued on how Autism is one of those neurological disorders that seem to cause such random chaos in humans. Because there's such a range of functionality in people with Autism, it makes matters more concerning because you just don't know if your child will have a touch of it, or have it be full blown madness. The genetic markers are in all of us, but it takes someone special to have it shown. Autistic people aren't bad people; they just have a different style of learning and talking. It's not bad by any means, but sometimes the ones who have it worst, can be scary to deal with. Trust me, I know from experience. As long as you give the person a chance, I'm sure you can learn a lot about them. The same goes with the ones who keep to themselves ... they seem to be the ones who are harder to "read" because you feel like you can't get to know them. They too, need opportunity to be understood.

So to get back to the decals. I keep alternating between wanting an Autism Awareness Magnet or some other decal, but I decided on the ones I put on my car today.

Autism Awareness Heart Puzzle Car Window Vinyl Decal Sticker 4" Wide (Color: White)

Autism Awareness Puzzle Oval Car Window Vinyl Decal Sticker 4" Wide.

They're nice, and I hope the Florida sun doesn't destroy them too badly.

Yes, they were fairly easy to put on, given the fact I had to search online for the directions (the mailer only comes with the decal). Apparently there are two types of decals from the main company, so it's a matter of figuring out which sticker I have (easy enough). I should have taken pictures of the whole sticker on my car before I peeled off the transfer tape, to show what it looks like pre-nice-and-clean. Eh, it is what it is. Maybe I'll buy another one some day and put it on.

Both stickers pop and look fresh, even though the second one is shaded in the picture. I read reviews saying they are both backwards when they are put on, and the oval one is lousy because the outer ring doesn't secure itself enough. I didn't find that the case; if you follow the directions on using "a squeegee or credit card" to secure the decal to the car, the transfer tape comes off nicely and the white decal stays in place. I ended up rubbing the whole sticker on the window and bumper with a credit card, in several directions and let it sit for 30 seconds so everything has a chance to gel (especially since it's 95 degrees out). Peeling the transfer tape off, I was left with a clean and crisp sticker. It works if you take your time with it and follow the instructions (that you find elsewhere). Truth be told, the secret is that the mailing envelope says "for instructions, visit our website". 😁😜



I guess that's the news for now. I'll post updates on the stickers as time progresses.



Take care of yourselves.


Cheers;




Hey Emily - "Life Isn't Fair". Although, you need this for your Mustang. 😏


See Also (aka the Hoffer page):
Keyword Search "Eric Hoffer"



See Also (aka information on Autism):

• Keyword Search "Books on Autism"
• Keyword Search "Autism Awareness Decals"
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Fact Sheet via  National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke website
• "autism neurological disorder" via Google

Wow, what a cost!

I guess someone has to make their money somehow?

Back in August, when I went to Connecticut for a wedding, part of the "bathroom basket of necessities" was an interesting mouthwash. It is a couple dozen little tabs where you only chew on one with some water in your mouth. It's by a company called Lush, and seems to be a more "travel conscientious" version of the liquid we all know about.

According to the Lush website, the Crème De Menthe tabs are a "solid mouthwash tab" that "fizzes like a mini bath bomb on the tip of your tongue—simply put one in your mouth, take a sip of water, nibble the tab, and swish before spitting out. Its stimulating double-shot of peppermint powder and peppermint oil leaves mouths tingly-fresh and invigorated.

How to use: Whenever you'd like a little oral refreshment, pop one tab into your mouth and take a sip of water to start the fizz. Nibble and swish before spitting out. Alternatively, dissolve one tab in a small amount of water and use for swishing."

I had tried a tab when I saw them in the bathroom, and because the basket of needs was picked through enough that people left the mint makers (gum, floss, etc), I took what was left at the end of the weekend. Luckily, the basket sat outside my room (I was staying at the house my last 2 days there). So, I took the mouthwash tabs home, and am actually using them at work. I keep the bottle in my backpack, and the days I eat something crazy strong in scent, I can pop one of these tabs and not worry about trying to spit gum out somewhere an hour later. The freshness of the tab lasts long enough that I can get by for a couple hours before I go home for the day (or start drinking more water).

It's nice that the bottle states the tabs are vegan and lists natural elements (oils). The interesting part is where it says "NOT VIRGIN. Bottle made from 100% recycled  plastic. Reuse it or recycle it at home". It also has a "packaged by" sticker that says when it was made and the expiry date. Good to know, but I'm sure that the tabs will be used way before their sell by date. And, it's "not tested on animals". The company is cruelty free.

Outside of that, it certainly does what it is described to do: it is a burst of fizz for your mouth. I think, however, for the price Amazon sells it as ($24.99 for a 1.5oz bottle), should I ever feel the need to try this (or any of the tab products) again, I may end up sticking to the Lush website itself, as the same bottle is $15.04 less ($9.95 on the branded site). All the more reason that if you see something and like it, do your research because it'll be less expensive somewhere else.



Proof or this didn't happen:

Go fresh or go home! 😃



Cheers;






See also:
Lush Ugai Mouthwash Tab

I guess *that* works...

I have the Capital One Visa Signature card. It's the only thing "in my wallet". I've had a Capital One account for 17 years already and (knock on wood) it hasn't failed me yet.

That being said, I have a security alert attached to the card. At any given time, if there is a purchase of $100 or more to the card, I get an automatic email and text message. It goes to both my Yahoo and Gmail email addresses and my (Massachusetts based) cell phone.

I never thought anything about the alert. Until today.

I was at a local Books A Million store because I wanted to get out of the house and see if they had some specific Funko Pop figurines. As tempted as I was to buy the Rugrats, I kept my greedy paws off of it. Instead, I found two box sets: David Bowie's Bowie At The Beeb recording as well as A Reality Tour.

Yes, I could have found them on Amazon and saved myself the gas going across town, sales tax, and price difference (not a game changing lot, however, it's significant enough on one of them to make me question returning it, but I'd be spending the time in getting back there... it's a wash). I just don't feel like trying to explain "Amazon has it lower", as I did that with a Barnes and Noble purchase a couple years ago and I felt guilty about the return and then online purchase. Yes, I feel awful about not having seen the price prior to getting over to the mall, but it proves once again, "do your research". Truth be told, being a BAM member, I saved money for the purchase. So more reason it's a wash in the end.


Anyway, buying both, regardless of savings, put me over the $150 mark. It secured an immediate text from Capital One stating the following:

Upon getting home, I checked my Yahoo email to get this:

It's really nice that they're so quick on the draw to send me notifications. It makes me feel better for when the random hijack happens and there's over a set amount charged to me that I never laid eyes on. It's happened to friends of mine, and I'm always careful about what I do. You just never know when you'll get hit and for how much. All the more reason I have the alert notification. Sure, I could set the bar lower to $50, but that's pushing the limit because I could buy a concert ticket for $70 and I'll get a ding on my phone. 

Which happened - I bought a concert ticket for November last week, and it cost me $70. I can't wait to go, but if I had set the notification really low, I'd be getting alerts every other week. I know it's "better to be safe than sorry", but I think I can handle my accounts okay. 

Unfortunately with buying Bowie records, I tend to not open them. I used to display them in various metal and plastic album frames on my wall in Massachusetts, but I haven't been "of sound mind" to pull them out and display them in Florida. Mainly because the walls don't take to nails or other sharp hanging materials so greatly, so anything I had back home is stuck in storage right now. And probably will stay there until I scrounge enough greenbacks to move. Therefore, the two new albums I got today, went into a bin in my closet. Even more dumb on my part for not going back to return the one that was cheaper online. It's okay... you can call me dumb. I'll take it. I have my ways about things. Trust me. 

I'll have to find a picture of what my room used to look like with all the albums hanging. **

But.. it wasn't until I was putting away the Reality Tour album, when I saw this:

Obviously someone resurfaced it within the last 2 years to make the Jones family more slosh. Seeing how the tour was in 2003, the record should have been dropped in 2004/2005. Like everything in life, it just takes a little longer for something to come out right, I guess. 

** On second thought, there's a few pictures that came out nasty. I don't like them enough to be put on my blog. Sorry!

I think I'm getting too lost in my online photo storage account, so if I find something of substance, I'll post it.

Stay groovy.

Cheers;

See Also (aka the vinyl I bought):

• Bowie At The Beeb: The Best Of The BBC Radio Sessions '68-'72
• A Reality Tour

See Also (aka other things I looked at):

• Funko Rugrats Pop! Vinyl - Tommy and Chuckie 2 Pack (BAM Exclusive)
• Funko POP TV: Golden Girls Dorothy Action Figure