So, as an avid blogger who is on the brink of leaving civilization for a good portion of 2008, I'm investing a great deal of time trying to take civilization with me.

JC and I are still looking for the perfect tool to take it all with us. We"re looking for a Camera, Phone, Wi-Fi, and GPS in one device, and at first glance, the Nokia N82 seemed like a good bet.

We didn't go straight for the iPhone because it didn't give us the opportunity to leverage the local SIM cards that will enable us to truly use the device Globally. Screw ATT and iPhone on their carrier monoply.

So back to the review. Overall, the device is pretty cool. It's got 2GB micro SD card and a super cool 5 Megapixel camera.

Back at work for 29 more days. Admittedly, it's really hard to get into work mode after the Holidays. It's even harder when I know that a month from now I'll be unemployed, but planning my adventure.

Picked up a copy of CondeNast Traveler, and there's a section on South America. Yay... that will help out with planning the anatomy of our trip.

Tasks for the next few weeks:
- Find a suitable mobile solution. Would love to have Wifi, Phone, GPS,  Qwerty keyboard, and 3Mp camera... all in one.
- Clean and vacation-ready the apartment: Get rid of all perishables and pack everything away.
- Start living out of my backpack... sans work clothes.
- Research destinations.

Anyone have any pointers on South America?

What I need in a portable device is a camera, GPS, email, web browser, and SIM agnostic phone. I'm running around the globe, and the last thing I need is to have to deal with is being slammed with international roaming charges. Prepaid SIM cards are definitely the way to go, and with Grand Central, I could have my calls forwarded to any number at no Long Distance charge.

I'll need a camera that does about 3megapixels, since my camera phone would just be good enough for web. not sure if I would print anything. We can leave the printing for the SLR that is going to be dragged with us like a ton of bricks.

I saw VK with the HTC Touch, and it seems like it would do the trick. The iPhone doesn't make sense, since I'd totally void the warranty with unlocking it and swapping a SIM. Unless there's another way I'm not aware of.

Any ideas out there?

Off to go shopping!

Every now and again, while driving, the car window gets foggy. I've damn near killed myself speeding down Woodhaven Boulevard in the rain when my windows fogged up and a I was rendered blind. Of course, I should have slowed down, then defogged my windows... but as long as I got home safely!

What I ended up doing was blasting the AC and I made my way back in record time to save my freezing butt. Of course, if I knew how to defog a window, I might not have risked frostbite and a possible catastrophe. I've done some research, and I've come up with two links that have helped me with how to defog.

1. Get the heat on full blast, making sure that you've got the defroster vents on
2. Enable air from the outside, NOT circulating internal air.

I figured out #1, but for the longest time, I couldn't figure out how to keep the windows defogged without having the car feel like a sauna. It didn't make sense to have the outside air into the car, since it seemed more humid outside (rain and the like). But since the air outside is colder, it holds less moisture than the hot sauna air inside.

Sometimes it's the little discoveries that make a profound impact.

http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1993/July/01.html
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/1997-12/875731541.Ph.r.html

There was a TV show in the 90's called "Thirty-Something." It didn't last very long on the air because it really wasn't that interesting. And the same is true in my social circles... it's not that interesting. No one is shunned, there are no secret parties were people are conveniently left off the list. The social networks we have are stronger than ever, built on years of good times and bad, but they're not rigid. We're friends who've known each other for decades, and feel the same ties to those we see once a week, as those we see once or twice a year.

Sitting around, we were talking about the old days, and we'd love to relive all the good times. It's become harder and harder to make the time for people who aren't in the same paths. So and so works with X, this person lives near Y. It seems as though friendships are reinforced through convenience... but that's not to say that the friends we don't see as regularly are any less dear.

... separately, when you see JC, ask him how he hurt his shoulder.

Would you rather have a profound impact on a few people who are closest to you, or a superficial impact on a greater population? Is it more important to have been there for your family, and close friends? Or to forge your path independently? In two months, I'll be in Brazil, with no obligations except for the ones that I impose on myself. The plan was to be totally selfish and indulgent and return to start a family and refocus on careers.

To what end? Would we be happy with the American Dream? With the children and house on Long Island? Or do we want to push harder and get more? Do we put our family on hold while we work harder? Do we spend less quality time with family and friends to be more productive professionally? Can you really have a career and a family?

These past 6 months have been a whirlwind...from engagement to holidays, I haven't been doing much of anything, except spending time with my family. I wouldn't give up my time with them for the world, but then again, I don't know what I've given up.

JC: I think its funny that we're both fartie. What the hell did we eat.
Misi: Bears. We ate bears.
JC: BEARS?!? What the hell is wrong with you?
Misi: People eat bears.
JC: Yes, people eat bears, but we definitely didn't eat any tonight
Misi: How do you know?
JC: ...
Misi: Exactly... BEARS.

1.  The OLPC XO laptop caome in and I would have to say that it takes a little to get used to. Since it was developed for little kids, the full keyboard isn't raelly a full keyboard.  it's pretty hard to type  so it's not meeting my need for a blogging  machine just  yet. 

2.  I passed my PMI certification!

okay,   this keyboar is not going to work, but this is really cute!

Bloggingfrom my new XO laptop. i should be studying... but it's too cute!

JC didn't take any pictures of me with my eyes open. I guess he's trying to make me more asian. DH did a better job of taking a picture of me.