Do You Need the Latest Cell Phone?

Let’s talk about cell phones.  Today’s generation take them for granted, they've never been without one.  If you’re older you’ll probably agree it’s the greatest invention of our time.  Get your mail, text your friends, get on the Internet, ask Siri or Google anything and you have an answer instantly!  The whole thing is utterly awesome.  And don’t forget the camera.  Some of the latest phones take amazing photos and thank goodness the teens have their selfies!

After starting with several iPhones, I switched to Samsung and have had 4 of them, all Notes.  I believe the Samsung is a much better phone than the Apple.  That’s my opinion and it’s kind of like “Ford or Chevy.”

Now let’s talk some common sense.  Do we need the latest version every year?  I’m the first to admit that for years I’ve been one of those people, cause I love technology.  There were major advancements during those growing years, but it seems that has leveled off.  The days of camping all night around the block at Best Buy to purchase the latest and greatest iPhone are dwindling down.  People are keeping their phones longer.  Apple has been the all time marketing king!  You were nobody unless you had the latest release.

My current phone is a Samsung Note 8.  My first interest in a phone is the camera as I’m a photographer.  I passed the Note 9 and waited for this years Note 10+ as many improvements in the camera are being touted.  Since I’m currently laid up from a total knee replacement I’ve had plenty of time to research and watch reviews from experts on this latest from Samsung.  They are raving about the vivid screen, better battery life, and the versatility of many camera lenses. 

Now is when you have to use some common sense.  The price tag for the phone I’ve waited for is $1,100!  So, I started asking myself some questions.  Are these improvements worth this high dollar?  One of the selling features this year is the ability of using the stylus to activate the camera.  Big deal!  They changed the command button to the other side, some getting used to.  They did away with the headphone jack,  which eliminates the use of my push button selfie stick.

Research has shown that people are keeping their phones longer and getting off the “must have upgrade train.”  I’ve changed. Count me in!

Here’s a thought.  If you’re thinking it would be nice to have a new phone but at the same time thinking the one you have is doing a good job, why not just buy a new case?  Treat yourself to one for $20-$40.  It will have a whole new look and you just saved yourself lot’s of money, and the headache of setting up a new phone! 

So you purchase a new case, your phone has a brand new look, now here’s a few Hints to maximize your phone's efficiency! 

Texas Roadhouse

It’s been a long time since we visited a Texas Roadhouse.  We recently moved to a new area and one of those is close to our home.  Since our move we have visited there a few times with friends and I can”t say enough about the food and the outstanding service.

I have never written about a restaurant before but we’ve been so impressed that I just have to mention it.

On our last visit we ordered from the “Early Bird” menu.  It takes place from 3 to 5 pm.  For $9.99 you have a choice of some delectable dishes plus two sides.  I ordered a sirloin steak, with a baked potato, a salad and a glass of wine.

The waitresses that we’ve had have been more than friendly and that’s what makes a great atmosphere.  Before dinner eat up on a bucket full of peanuts and throw the shells on the floor!  Fun place and every half hour or so the servers do a line dance.

What would be a negative for most people is that my steak was not tender and even hard to cut.  I wasn’t going to say anything because I was already full.  One of my friends mentioned it to our waitress and soon I was delivered a new steak, roll with butter, baked potato with the trimmings, all boxed up to take home.  That really surprised me and what  I call exceptional service!

Texas Roadhouse Corporation is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky. The chain operates about 563 (June 2018) locations in 49 U.S. states (no location in Hawaii) and in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, the Philippines, Mexico, and Taiwan.

Now that’s a lot of restaurants, so there’s bound to be one near you.  Next time you feel like eating out, give Texas Roadhouse a try.  I think you’ll love the experience!

Side dish:  I am not in any way associated or being compensated by this corporation for this post.

Keep Your Spirits High & Your Attitude Positive!

For years everywhere I go and to the people I meet my standard line is “Are you doing good today?”  It’s amazing how many answers I get!  All kinds of people whether it’s at McDonald’s, Walmart, the grocery store, gas station, or any other place that you can think of, give all kinds of answers.

What prompted me to write about this was a trip to McDonald’s today to get a couple of egg McMuffins and two Mocha Frappe coffees for breakfast.  When I got to the pay window I said what I always say and the young ladies' answer was, “Oh, I’m okay I guess.”  Sure we might be having a bad day, but don’t broadcast it!

Before I get to what I replied to her, let me say that McDonald’s Mocha Frappe coffees are out of this world.  Better than Starbucks at a lower price.   Got to admit it’s a high temptation not to have one every day!

So I looked at her and said, “You know what?  You have a nice job for a great company, get a weekly pay check, you’re not in a hospital, and it’s an awesome day!”  She smiled and said “Thank you for that.”  I hope maybe she felt just a little bit better.

I’ve often wished I could go into companies and give seminars to the front line employees.  You see, it’s the first person you meet when you walk into any establishment that determines the atmosphere.  Most front line employees don’t realize that they represent the entire company from the CEO on down!

Here’s an example.  You might visit a restaurant with really good food and mediocre to poor service or choose a restaurant with decent food and outstanding service.  Which one would you prefer? I’ll choose the best service. I love when I meet an enthusiastic waiter or waitress. It makes the whole experience so much more fun!

How about a sports bar.  You go in, sit down at the bar and the bartender is energetic, and say’s “Would you like what you had last time?”  Would you go back?  Sure you would, it’s like Cheers, where “Everybody knows your name!”

Today we live in a predominantly negative society.  People are in a hurry to get nowhere!  People are constantly on their cell phones.  We need to bring souls back from cyberspace and into reality!  Put down that phone!  Engage in healthy conversation and enjoy the people around you!

When you woke up this morning, whether you’re the Pope, a King, a Queen, rich or poor, God gave each one of us 24 hours.  How will you live each minute of today? Do you really want to be negative?

If each one of us would greet every person with a smile today we will have created a happier corner of our world!

Hints & Tips for Everyday Life

We are living in an age of “High Tech!”  Computers, laptops, smart phones, smart watches, smart
homes, smart cars, and the list goes on.  With all this wonderful technology sometimes it can be a
little frustrating as problems present themselves.

I’ll pass along some hints and tips to help you keep your life running with a little less stress!

Computers have been around for years but we still have problems keeping them from hiccupping!

• Download & install the free version of CCleaner.  https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download
  Run this program everyday to delete unused and no longer needed files.  Just click “Run Cleaner”
  in  the lower right corner.  It will find these files and delete them automatically, then close the program.  It is suggested to uncheck “Cookies” before you run the program.

• Download & install the free version of Malwarebytes.  https://www.malwarebytes.com/mwb-download/ This program searches for Malware and Spyware that can infect your machine.  This stuff is “picked up” by visiting certain web sites. After installing and opening the app, click on Settings, then My Account, and click on “Deactivate Premium Trial” then click OK.  Now click on the scan button. Hibernate any files that it finds.  Do this every two weeks, or more often, if you have the free version.  The paid version gives you 24/7 protection and warns you immediately if you visited a harmful web site.

• Defragment the C: drive once a month.  Desktops can be set to run automatically once a month, but your computer must be on at that time.  Laptops must be defragmented manually.  This operation is a must! A lot of people are not even aware of it and it is the biggest reason why computers run very slow.

• If nothing happens when you open your browser to get on the Internet, unplug your modem and router, wait 30 seconds, then plug them back in.  Wait 1 minute, then try again.  If you’re still having problems call your tech person, or your ISP provider.

• Back up you email contacts, pictures, and documents to an external device, such as a pocket drive or external hard drive.  If you don’t do this and your computer crashes all will be lost!

• If you see a message on your screen that says you have a virus and to call an 800 number, DON’T DO IT, because this is a scam.  Simply X out and reboot your computer.

• If someone calls on the phone and says he’s from Microsoft and that you have a dangerous virus, HANG UP, THIS IS ALSO A SCAM!  If you continue the conversation he will talk you into letting him in your computer.  He’ll tell you that he’s looking for the solution, but what’s really happening is your personal information is being stolen!  Then you’ll be asked for your credit card so he can fix your supposed dangerous virus.  Now you’ve been had! 

• Don’t let anyone take remote control of your computer over the telephone!

• If you don’t recognize a person’s name in an email, don’t open it, just delete it!

• Be careful what you post on social media and beware of ads on Facebook some ads are scams.

• The Internet sees and records everywhere you go and everything you click on, so use discretion, and stay away from nasty stuff!

• If you are purchasing a product on the Internet be sure the web address begins with https.  The “s” means it is a secure site.

Smartphones have been around for a few years now, are getting more sophisticated by the day, and
most of us can’t live without them!

• Think twice about purchasing insurance for your phone.  If you drop it and break the glass most insurance have a $200 deductible. There are many places that will replace the glass and other damage for only $99.  (See “A Hot Cell Phone Tip” in my Blog post below.)

• Use a protective case on your phone.

• Most people have hundreds, perhaps thousands of photos on their phone and if your phone crashes, there goes all your photos and personal data.  Use a back up method!  If you don’t know how, ask your carrier for help.

• All phone apps are not created equal.  Use caution in downloading apps as some can be scams.

• Use caution about giving out your cell phone number!  Social media will try to entice you in giving them your number for reason of increased security.  Not a good idea!  Keep in mind that Microsoft, Google, and Facebook want to know everything  about you!

• DON’T TEXT & DRIVE!  Is texting while driving worth a trip to the morgue? Thousands are losing their lives or being seriously injured because of their cell phone addiction. That text or a visit to Facebook can wait until you are parked!  Listen up…If you’re driving at 70mph and look at your phone for only 5 seconds, it is the equivalent of driving the length of a football field blindfolded! 

General Tips:  In addition to the things we’ve discussed, a person must be constantly diligent
regarding personal safety every day.

• Personal safety means protecting yourself from “Identity Theft.”  It’s better to use a credit card rather than a debit card.  Fraudulent use of a credit card can be easily be rectified by your bank, as fraudulent use of a debit card can wipe your account dry and take much longer to get settled.

• Don’t advertise on social media that you are on vacation unless you have a good home security system, as thieves monitor these conversations.  It’s better to talk about your vacation when you get back home.

• Be at home and watch closely for packages to be delivered as thieves will follow delivery trucks.  This is especially true during holidays.

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.  Women are more vulnerable than men.  When leaving a store or the mall be aware when walking to your car.  If you see a man sitting in a truck or car next to where you’re parked use caution or return to the store.  Use caution when returning home after dark.

• Tailgating while driving seems to be prevalent in our society.  For most people it is very aggravating to look in the rearview mirror and see someone right on your bumper.  Refrain from hitting the brake or using some kind of gesture because of “road rage.”  Let the moron go around!

I hope these “Tips and Hints” will make your life a little more comfortable.  Enjoy this day!

More About America

What is the future of our Country?   Hatred, violence, road rage, the  list of negatives is endless, and a government that’s completely out of control!  Protestors are protesting everything.  Join the crowd, carry a sign and yell profanity. Let’s throw rocks, destroy property, because we want everything for free! That seems to be the norm.  Every day since Donald Trump has been in office, the media has had a frenzy over Russian collusion.  Stop it already!

The Government has been shut down because of the horrific number of people entering America illegally.  This isn't the first time for a shutdown as this has happened before under other administrations. When is Congress going to stop fighting like cats and dogs and get something accomplished?  We elected them to be responsible, ethical, disciplined, and to represent the American people, but that's not happening.  Today's Congress should be ashamed for acting like a bunch of pre-schoolers!  Certain people in Congress are bringing America down and individual citizens feel that don’t have a voice.

Now here’s the latest fiasco.  New York has passed a law that a full term pregnancy can be aborted!  If you were born at 5:05 am they can kill you at 5:04 am.  This is pure craziness, and it’s murder!  New York does not allow the death penalty but it’s okay to kill babies.  Remember a man named Adolf Hitler?

College professors today are brainwashing our young people with the ideology of socialism.  They are graduating and then turning against their parents and the rest of us who have been engrained all our lives with conservatism and free enterprise.

May I quote something that I read on social media.  “All across America a quiet rage is building against the assault upon American values.  More so than ever in the history of America, the concerns and patience of its people are being tested, tried, and attacked by a group of elitists that are hell-bent on the destruction of this Country.  REFUSE TO REMAIN SILENT!”

Your Cell Phone

Can you refrain from texting while driving?  Or how about in church, during a meal at home or in a restaurant?  It's a fact that more people today are killed, or severely injured, by driving while intexticated than while intoxicated!  Currently 47 States have "No texting while driving" laws but that doesn't seem to stop most people.  No text is worth a funeral!   Are you one of those souls that your cell phone is chained to your hand 24/7?  If so, it is highly suggested by psychologists that you spend more time in the real world than in the cyber world.  When you spend more time on your phone than conversing with friends, you're telling them that whoever you're texting is more important than who you're with. Technology is wonderful, but we must not become a society of zombies!