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My 10, Most Used, Android Apps
I haven’t had my Android phone for that long (4 months and counting), and since buying my Android phone (Samsung Moment) I have been going app crazy. I download, and uninstall, a few of apps a day, but there are only ten that I use regularly. Here are my 10, most used, Android apps (they aren’t in any particular order). All these apps can be found in the Android Marketplace by searching for them:
Urbanspoon
I find myself using this app when I’m out with friends. If you can’t decide where to eat then Urbanspoon can help. Shake your phone and Urbanspoon will suggest restaurants near you. You can keep on shaking until you find a restaurant you’d like to try.
Price: FREE
Barcode Scanner
You can scan barcodes on CDs, books, and other products, then look up prices and reviews, or search for a word in a book and find where it occurs. You can also scan QR Codes containing URLs, contact info, calendar events, etc. I find myself using this all the time when I’m in Best Buy and/or Target.
Price: FREE
AppBrain
It’s finally possible to install Android apps from a web interface. One can browse the app market on AppBrain’s website, from any desktop computer. You can even use this app to install and uninstall apps with a sync. AppBrain’s interface is better than the office Android Marketplace, and I find myself using AppBrain to search for and download apps. Here are a few of the apps’ features:
- app recommendations
- share apps (eg twitter / facebook)
- hot apps
- use “Fast Web Installer” for one-click install from webPrice: FREE
Movies
Movies is my favorite movie app. You can get local showtimes, reviews, trailers, and even manage your Netflix queue.
Price: FREE
Twicca
I’m a Twitter maniac, so I need a Twitter app that does everything fast and easy. Twicca does just that. It’s still in beta but it works like a charm. The best thing of all is that it doesn’t have any ads! Here are some features:
-Notification
-Search
-Post with photos/video upload
-Geotag
-Recent hashtags
-View ConversationPrice: FREE
The Weather Channel
This is the first app I launch when I wake-up. This app grabs your location by using GPS and shows you weather in that area. You can also get weather alerts and much more. Give it a try.
Price: FREE
LauncherPro-Beta
Give your Android phone a little more style. LauncherPro gives your phone a super-smooth scrolling, animated screen previews (like Exposé or HTC Sense), up to 7 home screens, app drawer (2D and 3D!) with a fly-in effect and smooth scrolling, and scrollable shortcut dock. Since this app is in beta it does intend to crash (only happens to me a couple of times a week), but it isn’t a huge problem. The program just closes and starts right back-up.
Price: FREE
Wikimobile
You can now be a walking encyclopedia. With WikiMobile, you carry 2+ million Wikipedia article, including pictures. Uses just a fraction of the network data vs. the Android browser. Very good, and easy to use.
Price: FREE
MyBackUp
I backup my phone once a week, just in case, and this app is the easiest way to do it. You can backup to MyBackUp’s online secure servers or your SD card. You can backup your applications, contacts, call log, bookmarks, SMS\MMS, calendar, settings, home shortcuts, alarms, dictionary, music playlists, and much more.
Pirce: $4.99 (You can try it, for free, for 30-days).
Ride Hopper
Ride Hopper tells you the wait times for rides in over the 260+ theme parks around the United States. You can even help by submitting wait times while you at a theme park. I’m a huge Disney nut, so this app comes in handle when I take a trip to Disneyland.
Price: $.99
What are some of your most/favorite Android apps.?
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Here are several pictures from last night’s Crazy4Cult art show. You can see the rest of my photos on my flickr page:
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Is having regret a good or bad thing? For the past couple of months I have talked to a handful of friends that have told me that they don’t have any regrets and I shouldn’t have any in my life either. At first, I was all gung-ho, but then I thought about it and realized that without regret in my life I would repeat the same mistakes. Life is too short to keep on making the same mistakes.
Oxford English Dictionary explains that regret is “[t]he expression of grief, distress, or sorrow; lamentation; an instance of this”. So, for an individual to not have any regret is for them not to feel disappointment or sorrow. It would seem that an individual that doesn’t have any regret is bound to make the same mistakes. Without regret how can one grow and change as a person? Having regret should be a personal learning experience, and not something to turn away from.
One regret I have is that I took my time graduating from college. I took the minimum amount of units (12) and didn’t study as hard as I should have. I relaxed and let things come to me. Doing this made things a lot harder on me to get my career going. Since realizing this (which was the last year of my college career; a bit too late) I have started to take destiny into my own hands, which is something I should have done a long time ago. Without my regret, or rather disappointment in myself, I would still be that same individual I once was.
People view regret as a negative factor because they see it a weakness, but in reality it isn’t a weakness at all. It’s a tool to help create a better you. I’m not saying to dwell on a regret, because that would just turn out to be a bad thing, but one should have some in their life. By being disappointed in myself has changed me into a better person, and it’s something I will never live without. Maybe, you shouldn’t either.
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TR: My 1st Visit to Disney World
I have been a Disney fanatic since I got my premiere Disneyland pass back in 2001, and it has always been a dream of mine to go to Disney World. Well, my dream came true last week (May 30th-June 5th) because I took my very first trip to The World. The best thing of all is that I took the trip with several friends. There is no better way to spend a week in Disney World than with some of your best friends.
Day 1: LAX to Orlando
Playing Street Fighter before boarding.
Landed in Orlando at 6:30ish a.m.
Took the Magical Express to our resort. I’m so happy that I didn’t have to drive while in Orlando (Thanks Blaine!).
Only three other people are in the bus with us.
Got to our resort, Port Orleans Riverside, around 7ish. Didn’t have trouble at all checking in.
Here are a few pictures taken from around the resort.
Since our room wasn’t ready yet we decided to hit the pool, at 8 a.m.
Once our room was ready, at around 9 a.m., we all decided to get some sleep before heading out to dinner. We had reservations at Citricos, which is located in the Grand Floridan Resort. Next time I come, I’m staying there.
Entrance to Citricos.
Even the napkins are fancy.
I ordered the swordfish for dinner. So yummy!
Inside of the Grand Floridan Resort.
After dinner, we all headed over to Downtown Disney.
It was midnight and my friend went hogg-wild and got this huge ice cream.
Day 2: Hollywood Studios
Entrance to Hollywood Studios. This is what DCA’s entrance is going to look like after it gets remodled.
We weren’t there while Star Wars weekend was going on , but it was still cool to see all the decorations up.
Mickey’s magical hat.
Beauty and the Beast musical was terrible. I will never sit through it again.
Hollywood Studios’ backlot wasn’t much fun as well. There was nothing really to see.
The Hollywood Ride was okay; very cheesy.
One, if not the, best thing at Hollywood Studios.
Rock N’ Roller Coaster was fun but the Aerosmith soundtrack, which is played during the ride, sucks.
The Little Mermaid show was awesome. A must see if you visit Studios.
The best ride at Studios, and it’s so much better than DCA’s.
Day 3: Animal Kingdom
Time to see some animals.
Gotta love Gorilla butt.
This tree is located at the center of Animal Kingdom.
Expedition Everest is the best ride at any Disney theme park. Such an amazing experience which is why we went on it three times.
Yak & Yeti had some of the best food I have ever eaten.
I had the duck, but don’t ask me where they got the duck from.
The Finding Nemo musical was awesome. There are two songs, from the show, that I still have stuck in my head.
“Just keep swimming…”
Dinosaur Ride took me by surprise. I didn’t know it was going to be so enjoyable.
Day 4: Magic Kingdom
Magic Kingdom’s castle was so nice to look at.
Pineapple whip, on a hot day, taste so good.
Why can’t Disneyland get the People Mover back?
Robots + Presidents= awesome.
The gang.
The second best 3D show to Captain Eo.
Magic Kingdom’s Haunted Mansion is much better than Disneyland’s.
So is their Big Thunder.
All you can eat dessert! FTW!
“Wishes” is such a great firework show. I always get a bit emotional while watching it.
Day 5: Time to Recharge
We didn’t do much on day 5. We went out to eat, a lot, and got trapped in the rain.
Day 6: Epcot
It looks like a huge gold ball to me.
Sort of like the Jungle Cruise but about Earth.
One of the best rides at Epcot.
Ellen, Bill Nye, and dinosaurs FTW!
It started to rain really hard while we were riding Test Track, so we didn’t get to experience the ride’s full potential. I guess I’ll have to come back next year.
Sodas from around the world. The best one was from China, which I believe was pineapple.
Got to eat a nice lunch in Japan.
This might sound crazy but I had better rolls in So. Cal.
Epcot at twilight. Such a nice and peaceful time.
Grey Goose Slushie. A must have for any visitor of Epcot.
I never knew that beer and pretzel go so well together. Just like apple pie and ice cream.
Can never have too many firework shows while at the World.
Goodbye Epcot and Disney World. I hope to see you next year.
P.S. Here are a couple of awesome videos my friend created of our trip to the World. It’s in 2 parts; enjoy!
Part 1
Part 2
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Audio
[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
I was just going through my external HD and found this song. I forgot how much I love Frou Frou.
Frou Frou- Must be Dreaming
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My very first reaction to the finale of LOST was anger. I didn’t get the answers that I wanted, but after reviewing the finale a few more times (3 more to be exact) my feelings towards the finale have done a complete 180. I have come to love the finale. The finale didn’t answer any of my questions, but I came to the conclusion that LOST was never about the questions. The unexplained mysterious were just there to make the viewers come back again and again. LOST has always been about the characters and their journeys of letting go. Our characters were “lost” is so many different ways, and when it was all said and done, they all found their way to the promise land. Here are a few things that I took notice of from “The End”:
“No one can tell you why you’re here Kate.”
The flash-sideways have been a mystery all season long, which is why there are so many theories on what the flash-sideways represent. I didn’t comprehend it at first but after taking my time with this episode, and listening very carefully, the flash-sideways are (takes a deep breath) purgatory. Yes, Yes, I know, but let’s look at a couple of facts: everyone’s life in the flash-sideways is perfect (Claire has her baby and is united with Jack, Jack has a son and has a stable relationship with is ex, Desmond has the respect of Charles Widmore, etc.). I could keep going on and on but I think you get the point.
Another fact on why the flash-sideways is purgatory is because all of the dead characters are back (Boone, Shannon, Charley, Christian, etc.). They all have their own lives, and they all have to come together in the church before they move on into the “afterlife”.
The only reason that our Losties haven’t moved on into “afterlife” is because each of them have forgotten what they had been through together. They all needed to reconnect with each other so they could, finally, move on.
“Welcome to the club.”
Miles tells Albert this after Albert receives his first grey hair. This might be the worst thing in the world for a normal man but for Albert it’s a sign that Jacob’s gift, or cruse, is gone. Albert can now age and die but he doesn’t want to die. Coming to peace with his wife, earlier this season, has made him see the light and appreciates his life. This is the reason why Albert isn’t in the church with the other Losties at the end because Albert has gone through his own purgatory, living on the island for 150 years. It is his life on the island where Albert came to terms with himself and his wife’s death.
“I just gave them [tickets] to your mother.”
Juliet is Jack’s ex-wife. What a shocker (not really). But the shocking thing is that Jack and Juliet seem to have a respectful relationship with one another. That is something Jack and Juliet have never had with their ex’s while they were alive.
”..a place where we can be with the ones we love…”
Desmond has always been special. That is something that we have known for awhile now, but Desmond doesn’t realize that until Widmore shocks the daylights out of him in “Happily Ever After”. In the flash-sideways Desmond doesn’t realize his purpose until Charlie drives Desmond’s car into the water, earlier in the season. Desmond has doubted himself throughout the whole series of LOST, but he finally expects his purpose when he sees the promise land through his flashes, both on the island and the flash-sideways. He realizes that he must use his special gift to help his friends and loved ones move on into the great beyond.
“Who’s rules?”
This is what Sayid asks Hurley, and Hurley replies, “Don’t worry about it; just trust me okay?”. The person that makes the rules, in the flash-sideways, is God. The reason Hurley doesn’t tell Sayid that is it God’s rules is because Hurley needs Sayid to make his own decision. Sayid needs to comprehend that you aren’t what people tell you. Once Sayid comes to terms with this is when he rescues and touches Shannon in front of the bar.
“What happened to your neck?”
The reason why Jack’s neck was bleeding in the flash-sideways is because the real world (island time) was bleeding into the flash-sideways world. If Flock (fake Locke) would have sunk the island, the flash-sideways and real world would be been destroyed. It isn’t until Jack saves the island is when everything is positioned back to normal.
“You don’t have a son Jack.”
This is a line that threw me for a loop the first time, but after watching it a few times I finally realized that it is true. Jack, in the flash-sideways world, doesn’t have a son at all. It’s a figure of his imagination so he can deal with is own Daddy issues. David could even be Aaron (insert dramatic groundhog here). This is the reason why David isn’t in the church when everyone else moves on, because he was never real.
The real Adam and Eve
It was always meant to be Jack and Kate. Jators FTW!
“It worked.”
This is what Juliet tells Sawyer when Sawyer unplugs the candy bar machine so he can get his Apollo bar that gets stuck in the vending machine. Doesn’t that line sound familiar? Think all the way back to the first episode of season 6 when Juliet tells Sawyer the same exact thing. She tells him, right before she dies, that “it worked”. “It” being the a-bomb going off and placing the island back in its proper place/time. This whole “candy bar getting stuck in a vending machine” is a metaphor for the a-bomb situation at the end of season 5.
“I have something’s I still need to workout…I think I’ll stay here awhile.”
The reason why Ben wasn’t in the church with the rest of the Losties is because he still has conflicts and people to reconnect with before he can move on. Ben has killed, manipulated, and back-stabbed many individuals. John forgiving Ben, at the church, is the first step in the right direction.
“And you were a great number one Hugo.”
This is another line that threw me off when I first heard it, but after thinking about it, it becomes clear that Hugo and Ben were together on the island, protecting it, for many years together. I bet whoever landed or crashed on the island, while Hugo was in charge, got a warmer welcome than our Losties did.
”I died too.”
Another reason why the Losties haven’t moved on the “afterlife” is because the flash-sideways Jack still doesn’t recognize what is going on. Flash-sideways Jack is being as thick headed as he was in the previous seasons. It is not until Jack touches Christian’s (his father’s) coffin and has an extremely significant conversation with his Dad that makes Jack comprehend where they are and what’s the next step. Their next step is to move into the light and finally let go.
The End
When Jack finally sees the Ajira plane flying across the sky is when he knows that he can rest and close his eyes for good. Jack knows that he has saved his friends, which is why he smiles/laughs before he closes his eyes for the last time.
The overall meaning to LOST is about life. It’s all about the journey, not the end point. If we never let go of the past then it will always control us and hold us down from what is in front of us. By never getting go we are creating our own hell on earth, which is something our characters have learned through their journeys. I realize that this is the perfect ending to an amazing show.
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“The Mysterious Beauty of Life”
One of my classmates wrote and shared this poem with us in class the other week. I can totally relate to some of the things in this particular poem.
“The Mysterious Beauty of Life”
Every day with her is speical,
But on Monday, I give Gretchen a card that reads:
“Happy Zombie Presidents Day.
Abe Lincoln died for our sins.”
Every thing crumbles when she laughs,
But I absolutely hate it
when she says,
“You’re too sweet.”
I confess everything;
of cops and robbers
of girls and bands
of gummy bears and moutain dew.
I tell her that I hate Poetry
But being poetic, like pro rasslin,’ is pretty cool.
That moon jellies dance, that P.E. is always in the house,
And that Shakespeare was just a confused as everyone else.
I admit that I’ve always wanted to be about
sunshine, flowers, and good feelings
But I’ve been asked way too many times if I’m a foo who knows how to kung-fu
Beckoning my feet to constantly fail Anger Management 101.
I tell her that I’ll always be my father’s stubborn child
And my mummy’s innocent saint.
That I’ll always have my best friends,
and that they will always have my back to stab, to eat, and to feast.
In a world full of big talk and bigger silence,
I rat myself out.
I tell her that we’re a billion things
and the illusion is that we’re all nothing.
Gretchen smiles. She is into tarot.
Her cat eyes shimmers and glows.
And she say, “You’re the devil;
Cunning, unexpected, and horribly charismatic.”
I’ve never felt more lost and hurt before in my life, but she pulls me in.
We kiss, Twenty. Three. Skidoo…I guess I’m over it.
Rain pours, and I’ll never know what’s going on in this world,
But I absolutely wouldn’t want it any other way.
-Kevin Ng
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I cannot believe it has been 26 years since the first Nightmare on Elm St. was released. My first encounter with Freddy was when I was about 9 years old and my cousins, thought it would be funny, if they showed me A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors. I really did not feel like watching it but I wanted to prove to my older cousins that I was brave enough, but little to my dismay I could not handle it. I remember staying wake that entire night. This was the first time I stayed up for 24-hours. This is what the Nightmare on Elm St. movie is suppose to do, and not make you want to go to sleep, which is what the remake did to me (for about 5 minutes or so.
I do not mind remakes at all as long as they are done well and expand on the original, but that is few and far between. I am sorry to report that A Nightmare on Elm St. is no exception. There are shots from this film that are just carbon copies from the first movie. I did not mind that all that much but when many, and I mean a majority, of the shots are exactly the same it is a disappointing and lacks originality. But I guess there is nothing original about a remake in the first place. If I see a remake I want it to add more to the original. I do not just want a copy and paste verison of the first film. If I wanted that I would just rent the first movie and watch it at home.
Another mistake that this film makes is the editing. There are so many cuts in this film. This is what happens when you have a music video director direct a featured length film. Music videos contain hundreds of cuts in just a matter of minutes, and for a music video director it is hard for them to change their fast cutting ways. The amount of cuts made during this film make it feel undeveloped and sloppy. This made me unable get into the film and truly experience it.
It is disappointing to see this remake end up to be just “blah”. I did not hate the film but I did not enjoy it either. It is just another forgetable remake. However, I did “enjoy” this movie more than the Friday the 13th remake from last year. I guess that is a plus.
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Video
Is it bad that I want to see this?
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ASHER ROTH - SHE DON’T WANNA MAN (YES GIANTESS REMIX)
I have never been a fan of Asher Roth but I am a fan of remixes. This remix of Roth’s song “She Don’t Wanna Man” (thanks RCRDLBL) is pretty awesome. Give it a try, and don’t forget to put on your dancing shoes before giving it a listen.
