Survivalist, not just for nuts anymore

I found a great site with a well thought out podcast about preparedness for any kind of disruption in your life. The Survival Podcast is a great listen on many subjects from financial to survival. It may not all relate, but it gets you thinking, and in today's world, that's not a bad thing!

Wow an iPad

I received some interesting news today. I've evidently won an iPad in a drawing. It is legit, I checked. Even though there were typos in the email (made me suspicious). I checked with the company and they confirmed it was true. They are shipping it to me within the week. They only asked for my prefered shipping address.
I guess I am going to be dragged into the Apple world whether I like it or not. The debate now is whether to keep it or return it for cash. I am not sure what version it is, but based on the "value" of the prize of $500 I assume it is the 16GB WiFi. I need to decide if I want to keep it and if I do, should I return it somewhere, pay the extra $100 and get the 32GB version. Another option would be to get the 3G version (probably not, I don't want to pay a monthly fee).
I like the iPod touch and I've played with an iPad but wouldn't buy one. Since it is free, I'll see if we like it. My wife will play with it as well. We can always sell it if we don't feel we'll make good use of it. One good thing is that it will stream Netflix, that would be fun.

iPod Touch 3G

I went over to the dark side and purchased a iPod Touch 3G as it appears to do most of what I need. I can read ebooks and play music and Audible books. It does other things as well if you're in range of a wifi connection, but those are not as important.
So far it is nice except that it is a slippery little thing. It is small enough that is can slide out of your hand easily. I'll have to find a case or sleeve of some kind to contain it.

Why the Kindle is going back to Amazon

I used to have a Palm device. Actually several over time. I could do a lot of things on it including reading books. It was small, around the size of a cell phone and easy to use. It died about 4 years ago.
Recently I've been eyeing the Kindle as an easy way to read books and carry some general reference material with me. After several months of reading reviews and looking at the capabilities I took the plunge. It arrived the next day with AmazonPrime shipping.
Out of the box it looked very good. It feels good in the hand/s and has an easy to read screen. I charged it and played with it the first day.
The second day a bit of dissillusion began to set in. First it was having another device besides my Blackberry and Creative Zen Vision M to carry around. The Kindle is small, but not really small. It is about the size of large format paperback. It isn't pocket sized.
Then there was the lack of scrolling. The Palm device did this well. You could scroll the book and vary the speed. With the Kindle you have to press a button to turn the page. It isn't a quiet button either.
Then there was the lack of support for all the documents I did have. All the Palm books had to be converted in a two step process to the mobi format of the Kindle. PDF file display, but they are hard to read.
The ease of downloading books is fun, but really not essential. I found it just as easy to find books and transfer them from my computer to the Kindle.
I purchased a few books (less than $10 worth), but can ready them via the Kindle for PC app. I could read on my Blackberry, but my company locks down the apps so I can't install the Kindle for Blackberry.
What it boils down to is that I can't justify carrying another device around that is inconvenient to carry that only does one thing. It does that one thing fairly well, but it isn't perfect. Things like an auto rotate option, touch screen and lack of color really are not acceptable with current technology. If it had been $150, I might be able to justify it, but at $250, I think I can do better.
So it looks like the Kindle will return to the mothership and I'll keep up my search for a more versatile device. Maybe a Netbook or a Zune. Maybe I'll wait and see what the new tablets deliver. The iPad looks to big and expensive.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Take pictures of Signs, Plaques and Maps. Irish signs can be both interesting as photo subjects and helpful in reconstructing your trip. Some of the town names and locations can be difficult to remember and spell. Having a photo will make it easy to remember and be in sequence with your other images. Take pictures of the site signage as well with the details of the site. These are often quite wordy and having a picture makes it easy to read at your leisure. I've also taken a picture of an area map that shows several sites and reviewed on the camera throughout the day. Close up of plaques will give you the detail of the full statue image you just took.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

If you check the box that says you've been on a farm or in a pasture on your return trip paperwork, you'll have to pull out the shoes you were wearing and have them sanitized. There is usually a separate line at the airport that you have to go through that is marked Agricultural. Either wear the shoes on the plane or have them easily accessible in your luggage. It isn't easy to be in Ireland without being in a pasture at some point. Allow some cushion if you can as this process can take some time.

Thoughts about Liberty

While reading/listening to the Audible book "Slouching Towards Gomorrah" this passage struck me as important.

Our modern, virtually unqualified, enthusiasm for liberty forgets that liberty can only be "the space between the walls," the walls of morality and law based upon morality. It is sensible to argue about how far apart the walls should be set, but it is cultural suicide to demand all space and no walls.

You may or may not agree with the book and have your own interpretation of what liberalism is, but I think most people would agree with the statement above. The challenge is to clearly define those walls in your own mind and then resist compromise when their stability is threatened. Party affiliations like liberal, moderate or conservative shouldn't impact or compromise those definitions.

To Zune or not to Zune

  It is about time for a new media device. I am currently using the Creative Zen Vision M which is getting a bit long in the tooth. It works fine, but cannot play mp4 or enhanced podcasts. Since I listen to a lot of photography related podcasts, I'm missing out on the images and have to use the mp3 version (if available).
  I don't want to go the iPod route as I don't like iTunes (OK I admit it, I don't want to jump on the Apple bandwagon either). I am not to excited about the latest Creative offerings either.
  The Zune HD 32 GB looks nice, gets great reviews and does everything I need it to do. I can get by with what I have, but hmmmmm..... Stay tuned.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

When you arrive at the airport, don't be cheap. Rent a cart (one or two Euro) for your luggage, you'll usually get it back when you return the cart. It will lower your stress, and make looking for a rental car or other transportation easier. You'll probably have a long walk to the car and carrying all your luggage will be tiring. This is especially true in Dublin Airport but applicable to Shannon as well. Many grocery stores charge for the carts as well, but return the money when you return the cart.

Grandchildren

Who would have thought there is so much milage in a grandchild. They are a good resource for entertainment, new reading material and getting things done around the house.
For instance, if you encourage the love of dirt and gardening implements, they are a good excuse to get out in the yard and do some spring cleaning and planting.
Just think of all the newe literature you're being exposed to... Dr. Seuess and Shel Silverstein of nothing else.
It is a great reason to get out the camera and take pictures. You really have to hone your skills to get images that are not a blur or back of the head.
Finally, they are just plain fun to have around. I've taught my Granddaughter all about opposable thumbs as in the tiger saying I can't hold an umbrella because I don't have opposable thumbs. (see the now politically incorrect book "Little Black Sambo" who is actually Indian. We just call him little Sambo). She goes around telling people about her "poposable thumbs" and giving them the thumbs up sign.

Photography Confessions

OK, might as well get it out of the way right now. I shoot Nikon and currently only have Nikon lenses. I am using the Nikon D90 body with the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR and Nikon 50mm f/1.8. I am not a professional, just a avid amateure. The features on the D90 are everything I need without the bulk and cost of the Nikon D300 or D3 (although I do like the high ISO options). I tend towards landscape photography of which we have many opportunities around the Portland area.
I find the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR great for general travel, but I am strongly considering the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 for landscape work.
The Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR works fine for general people photography, but the Nikon 50mm f/1.8 is outstanding when you have time to switch and use it.
I am also considering the older Nikkor 75-300 instead of the Nikon 70-300mm VR to get a little more reach when shooting birds in the nearby Whittaker Ponds preserve. I don't need VR as I'll be using a tripod and it will save some money.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Rent your car online prior to leaving, it is cheaper and easier than negotiating at the airport. Use Irish Car Rentals as they have the best prices. Get a manual if you can drive one, they are a lot cheaper than an automatic. Make sure you allow for people and luggage in your vehicle choice. Get the smallest car possible, the roads are narrow, but make sure you are comfortable and have room for your luggage. We found the Opel Zefira to be a good choice when traveling with older people. It is easy to get in and out of and holds a good deal of luggage. It sits up a bit higher than a car allowing for better visibility.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Take travel adapters for your electronics when traveling from the US to Ireland. Irelands electricity supply is 220 volts at 50hz, whereas the United States uses 120 volts at 60hz.
Make sure that your electronic device can switch to accommodate 220 otherwise you'll need a travel converter (most include one each of the different adapters).
The plugs in Ireland look like the first two images below. Your normal plug goes into the back. I usually carry about 3 or 4. The second image is a good travel converter with different plugs. Don't forget your battery chargers for your phone, camera and GPS! (see the Digital Ireland Travel checklist)

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

How to purchase and drink a pint of Guinness. The first key is to go to the bar to place your order. If you get a seat at a table, it would be a good while until someone comes over to take an order. Place your order with the bartender, pay if he asks or if you're only having one pint and then go sit down. Guinness takes awhile to pour properly and unless there is one partially poured, it will take a few minutes. Keep an eye out for the bartender to signal you that your pint is ready. Go back up to the bar and collect it and return carefully to your table. You don't want to spill it after all this time.
At this point techniques will vary. I've heard you can tell by the rings of foam on the inside of the glass you can tell the nationality of the drinker. If there are 12-15 rings, you're American. If there are 8-12 rings, you're English. If there are 5-8 rings, you're Irish. If there is 2 or less, you're Australian. In any event, you can choose your method and enjoy your pint.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Scampi can have a different meaning in parts of Ireland. Most people would assume that scampi refers to shrimp cooked in butter and herbs. We saw scampi on the menu in a restaurant and asked for it, they were out. We returned a few nights later and, oh joy, they had it. When it arrived it was shaped more like a pack of gum than a shrimp. On further investigation it proved to be a fish stick. They were fine as fish sticks go, just not an adequate substitute for shrimp when your mouth is set on it. The waitress confirmed that scampi meant "fish fingers" there. The Irish couple next to us said that they always thought it meant shrimp too. The lesson is to look for "shrimp scampi" or ask what the waiter believes scampi to be.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Sign distances posted could be in miles or kilometers, and are often not labeled with either one, just a number. Most are in kilometers now, but some signs in miles still linger. Distance also depends on the route. There is more than one way to get anywhere on the back roads.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Take reusable grocery bags to the grocery stores. You will be charged for shopping bags (as much as a Euro each), and it is easier to bring your own (sturdier) ones. We brought a couple nylon mesh grocery bags from home and kept them in the car. The bags at IKEA that sell for .59 are great as well. Dunnes Storeshave bags you can purchase for about 2 Euro that are large and reusable and make a good souvenir.

Photo Tips

Do your homework - Research the areas you intend to travel through. Look up scenic sites and areas. Make a list and mark the locations on your travel atlas. Read blogs and travel journals. Do image searches of Counties and towns to see recommended sites and areas you'd like to visit.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Sit at the bar if you want to talk to people. If you sit at a table they will assume you want to be left alone. You'll get service and not much else. If you sit at the bar, you're fair game. Buy a round or a pint for people at the bar, and you're sure to be popular.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

I take a good many pictures when I travel to Ireland. I've used point and shootto larger fixed lens cameras to DSLRs.
My mileage varies as will yours. The trade off is portability vs. image quality. The point and shoot fits in your pocket or small bag, but you won't get the nice interior shots in low light that you can with a DSLR.
Of course you could be a tourist and use the flash, blinding everyone in the pub and disturbing the poor musician causing him to drop the family fiddle onto the flagstone floor. OK, you don't want to be that guy (or gal). Learn how to use your camera, turn off the flash and bump up the ISO setting.

Photo Tips

Consider staying in cottages for a week at a time instead of traveling constantly. This allows you time to scout photo locations and return in the morning or evening. It is also easier to only unload your luggage once a week rather than every night. If you're staying in B&Bs or cottages, ask your hosts about sites in the area that you can visit either that day or the following day while you're in the area. We stayed in a B&B called Moher Lodge (highly recommended) near the Cliffs of Moher. Our hostess told us to go there after hours near sunset and we wouldn't have to pay and we'd be pretty much the only ones there. On the Dingle peninsula we received some good tips from our hostess Phil at the Suan Tra Cottages (highly recommended as a central location in Co. Kerry).

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Stop and "smell the roses," you may not go by this place again. Give yourself some extra time when driving between locations and don't overplan your day.
Unless of course, you are near a pig farm, then keep those wheels moving.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Get a map of Ireland, city maps are helpful too, especially in Dublin.
It may not always help, but at least you'll see where you should be. We live and die by our multi-paged atlas and make notes and highlight locations we want to visit. It doesn't show all roads, but enough to get around the back ways and figure out where you are. Combine this with the GPS features on your phone or GPS unit and life is good!

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Guinness is better in Ireland. No, it is not because you're there or on vacation. It does taste better, has less preservatives, and you'll have less after effects. Do not try to keep pace with the gentleman at the bar who's matching you drinks, he'll win.

Irish Travel Tip of the Day

Directions from a local should be taken with a grain of salt. Getting a second opinion will probably make it worse.