Aftermath (aka “Friday Fun”)

Howdy Folks, hope you’re doing swell, and Life is the cat’s pajamas for you today.

As you may know, the Big News in my area is a drenching storm, and you may also know that “San Fransisco was the hardest hit”.

Well, for those who might care,I am pleased to report ‘ole Tech Paul has, so far, (knock on wood) only suffered a very brief power outage during the worst of it.

Shopping Season: I did take advantage of the “Black Friday”, Cyber Monday”, “Green Monday” (when did that start?? And what’s next?), etc., sales, as there are some too-good-to-pass-up bargains out there for the eagle-eyed (for example, I got a 128 GB USB 3.0 thumb drive free after rebate). And I want to let you know that the bargain season is not over. Far from it. If you have some tech gear you’re thinking of replacing/”upgrading”, keep your eye (or sign up for their ‘bargain alert’ emails) on Tiger Direct and Newegg.

More Tech: I have been giving a tryout to a new (to me) web browser. It’s Comodo’s “Ice Dragon”. So far, I am quite impressed (but I was a “Firefox guy”. Chrome people will prefer their “Comodo Dragon”).

“Comodo IceDragon is a secure Web browser based on the same open-source browser engine that powers Mozilla’s Firefox. Like the Chrome-based Comodo Dragon, IceDragon offers a variety of security and performance enhancements to the browser core, such as improved social media integration, fast page loading via Comodo’s integrated secure DNS service, and SiteInspector, which scans Web pages for malware directly from the browser. IceDragon is fully compatible with all Firefox plug-ins and add-ons, too.” From CNet’s review.

Unrelated to Tech: Cheer up. Take deep breaths.
I know folks get a little stressed out this time of year. Rude, even.
And holiday travel can be a challenge to the psyche (even if you’re lucky enough to not to have your flight canceled..)
And I know all about crass commercialism, and how advertisements make watching TV nigh on impossible… (do you REALLY think I am going to buy a new car as a Xmas gift??) and remind us there are such things as electric razors, but..
Just breath.
Count your blessings.
Chant “ohm… ohm… ohm…” if that’s what works for you.

I have a policy: if I encounter rudeness and stress? I counter it with a double-dose of civility, courtesy, and charm. Yes! Go ahead and take that parking space I’ve been waiting 10 minutes for! Godspeed to you! Another’ll open in a jiffy!
Lead by example.

Don’t forget/lose sight of what’s important (hint: it ain’t getting that FitBit gift-wrapped and to the Post Office..)

And even though my timing is a wee bit early, allow this grouchy curmudgeon to wish you the very happiest of holidays.

Today’s quote: “The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.” ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Copyright 2007-2014 © “Tech Paul” (Paul Eckstrom). All Rights Reserved.

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All we really have, in the end, are our stories.
Make yours great ones. Ones to be proud of.
And please, never forget – one person can make a difference.
Find a way to make someone’s day today.
(Best advice I ever heard? Don’t sweat the small stuff.)