I've looked at Clouds from both sides now

These days, I'm up in the clouds. Internet clouds, that is. With both an iPad and iPhone, iCloud makes it easy to manage my apps, photographs, music and more on my iDevices. And with Adobe Creative Cloud, I can download and install as many Adobe software programs as I want without incurring additional fees. One monthly payment covers it all.

I have iCloud installed on my iPhone, iPad and my HP laptop. For me, iCloud takes away all the drudgery I used to endure with my old iPhone. No more plugging anything into my computer, no more synching. Yay! When I plug my iPhone or iPad in to charge, it does an automatic backup into my Cloud. As well, I can go in and direct it to do a backup to the Cloud at any time.

The Cloud proved particularly beneficial when I moved up to an iPhone 5 earlier this year. In the old days, I would have had to open up iTunes on my computer, then attach the phone to my computer with a USB cable, wait for iTunes to recognize the new phone, have it synch, etc. Instead, I just initialized iCloud on my new phone, logged in with my Apple ID, and I was basically good to go.

With iCloud, installing an app on my iPad means the app also appears on my iPhone, and vice versa (unless, obviously, it's an app that is not meant to be installed on either; there are many iPad-only apps, for example). If I don't want it on the second device, I can just go onto that device and locate the new addition, press down on the app's icon until it hovers, tap the X, and it's gone. Gone, but not forgotten. I can go into the iTunes app on my devices any ol' time to have a look at what I've purchased and then reinstall anything there I'd deleted, if I want.

A good example of a practical use of iCloud is the storage of large media files like movies, television episodes and music videos. Last February, for example, the captain and I bought the February 14th episode of The Big Bang Theory in iTunes, as we had missed it that night and wanted to watch it. So now, when I go into my iTunes account and look at TV Shows I've purchased, there it is. If I want, I can download it onto my iPad or iPhone and watch it again. But it's a large file that I don't want taking up permanent space, so I can just delete it off my device after I've watched it. Should I fancy another look, I can just go download it again. It's mine, I bought it; it lives in my Cloud. It can also live on my device too, but in my opinion that's a waste of storage space, unless it's something I want to watch over and over again.

Apple's iCloud doesn't seem to have generated much negative feedback that I can find, but not so with Adobe's new Cloud offering. Adobe's Creative Cloud has caused a lot of controversy among Photoshop users, who balk at the idea of paying a monthly fee rather than an outright purchase price. The topic became even more controversial when Adobe announced that CS6 would be the last version of Photoshop it would sell as a standalone product. Going down the road, users will have to sign up for the Cloud if they want to use a newer version of any of Adobe's professional products, or switch to the more friendly Photoshop Elements, which is still being sold (for now) and is not part of the Cloud.

As Joni Mitchell wrote and Judy Collins sang, I see this issue from both sides now. I signed up for the Cloud and am happy with it. But, full disclosure dictates that I let you know I got it for a reduced price, as NAPP members were offered a discount on the monthly charge. If I hadn't been able to get it for a lower monthly price, I don't know if I would have signed up, as $50/month is way too much money for just Photoshop. To be fair, that fifty bucks per month also allows for the downloading of all the other Adobe professional products too -- Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere Pro, Dreamweaver, Acrobat, etc. -- so it quickly can become a value. Just try adding up the purchase price of all those products and fifty bucks a month starts to look like a bargain!

For those who are definitely Photoshop-only users, a much lower monthly fee is available when subscribing to just one product, so folks who only want Photoshop can have it without shelling out a lot of money each month. Until July 31st, the Single App Plan can be had for existing CS users for as little as $9.99 US/month. That certainly seems fair to me and I think it shows that Adobe is listening to its existing user base and trying to accommodate the financial concerns of all its customers.

However, I still am uneasy with the idea that I don't "own" the actual products I download and should I choose to opt out of Adobe Creative Cloud, I've lost my programs completely, but I hope Adobe will address that sometime in the future. For now, I'm happy with the Cloud and plan to download Lightroom 5 soon and give it a spin. I've always been curious about it but never wanted to shell out the bucks to buy it. Now, I don't have to buy it; it's mine for the taking. Maybe not mine forever, but mine as long as I have my own Cloud.

And we're rollin'

First, before I get to the point of the post, a little musical interlude for your viewing -- and listening! -- enjoyment. Let's get rolling. I dare you to stay in your seat!



All righty then. I trust you're sufficiently sweaty after your dance workout (you were dancing along, weren't you?) to appreciate a break. Perhaps a snack? Perhaps some.....homemade dinner rolls?

Yup, homemade rolls. I've been busy today.

And you know what? They're SO easy. You can make them too. Really. If you're not a regular baker you'll probably need to go to the store for some yeast (I had bought a brand new jar just to make these rolls), but I bet you already have everything else you need.

I found this recipe because of my new addiction: Pinterest. I had shunned it for a long time but finally decided to see what all the fuss was about. I was immediately hooked. It's a wonderful way to "bookmark" all those recipes and art projects you find as you're surfing around the web. You can find me HERE -- I hope you'll have a look!

While browsing pins from other Pinterest users, I found a recipe that really intrigued me, One Hour Rolls. The original can be found from Jenny on What Is On Your Menu This Week -- where there's more than 100 comments on the blog post, showing that many others besides me have been intrigued. Please have a look, especially for the wonderful series of photographs Jenny provided for her readers. And, of course, for the recipe. I could have copied it here, but that seemed disrespectful -- it's her family recipe and I just think she should get the "clicks" for it.

I followed the recipe almost as written. I used an instant-read thermometer to ensure my warm water was at 110 degrees (F) and in Step 2, I did not add the salt directly into the yeast but added the salt after I had added two cups of flour. Call me a Nervous Nellie but I preferred not to take the chance, as I know salt can occasionally kill regular yeast.

I also think I made my rolls too big, as I only had 18, not 24. They needed 12 minutes in the oven, not 10, but that is likely due to their girth.

I had one as soon as they came out of the oven, ignoring my burning fingertips. Then I had another. Heaven! One of life's greatest pleasures is definitely fresh baked bread.

(I forgot to mention, when I posted this, that I also brushed the tops of the rolls with beaten egg just before they went into the oven....gives them great colour!)

RENT

What a wonderful Mother's Day surprise.....Rob and Jo are taking me to see Rent later this month!

 

 

 

I'm so excited! What a GREAT gift!

He stopped loving her today

 

 

George Jones, September 12, 1931 - April 26, 2013

 

R.I.P. George, you were one of a kind

Fred Astaire, Smooth Criminal

Fred Astaire - Smooth Criminal by djsammyjunior

Back in February, I was intrigued by a book Leslie was reading. Lunch in Paris: a love story with recipes, written by Elizabeth Bard, is a classic fish-out-of-water tale -- an American who finds herself living in Paris. The library had quite a long waiting list but my turn finally arrived earlier this month. I finished reading it last week and definitely recommend it. It's a charming tale with passages that made me laugh out loud as well as ones that brought tears to my eyes. Bard makes a life-altering choice to leave behind her familiar North American lifestyle and move to Europe, where life is indeed quite different in so many ways. I particularly appreciated her honesty about this transition.

I'm sure you'll love the story as well and will, of course, be tempted by all the recipes included. Trust me, you'll be hungry. In the book, I found a link to the author's blog, Lunch in Paris, a delightful offering where Bard essentially continues chronicling her adventures in France. The blog is a must for fans of the book. While reading the blog's older posts, I came across a fascinating snippet of information that has nothing to do with food whatsoever. Instead, it's about one of my favourite entertainers, Fred Astaire.

Bard writes:
Instead of doing our budget last night, G. and I spent the evening comparing Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal to “The Bandwagon” with Fred Astaire, the 1950s musical comedy that inspired MJ's choreography. Leave it to my French, tap dancing, cinema buff of a husband to know such a thing.

Bard's husband found this video online and she shares the link in her post; I just had to share it as well. MJ and Astaire? You bet. Amazing. It's a long clip, but do watch all the way to the very end. It just gets better and better and better.

And do try to get your hands on a copy of Lunch in Paris. I had to return the book before I got a chance to copy out the recipes I want to try, so I think a trip to the bookstore is in my immediate future; this book is a keeper.

Home

HOME.
We are home.
I am adjusting to the return to normalcy, but it hasn't been easy. We have been back for several days but I have yet to unpack every suitcase, empty every bag. I have downloaded the photographs from only one of my three cameras. Familiar routines are returning, albeit slowly. As always, the small things delight...my own pillow, my own kitchen, my own easy chair. Such are the comforts of home.

We are no longer "homeward bound" but yet, this song always pops into my mind when I think of "home". Turn up your speakers and play this loud; it's a wonderful live performance by one of the best duos ever, singing one of their best songs ever.
Enjoy.

Hats Off to Larry

Larry, this is for you.

Wienermobile

So.........the captain and I headed out this morning, turned around the corner, and what did we see?This! It's the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile!

C'mon now .... you know you want to sing!

Michael and Sam

So Nancy and I are in Best Buy this afternoon. We stop to admire a gorgeous monitor and Nancy notices it's a touch-screen. Cool. I start tapping on the screen and, sure enough, the touch-screen works like a charm.

Now, Nancy and I both like Michael Buble -- so I tap on a Buble Youtube offering I see on the screen. Next thing we both know, we're watching what you see above -- an eager mother, a British teenage boy, and ... well ... just watch it.

Animated excellence

Danny & Annie from StoryCorps on Vimeo.

I found this online as I was blog-surfing around and wanted to share.
WARNING: Have a box of tissue handy!

Smell Like a Monster

You know those Old Spice commercials that have been airing for several months? Here's the Sesame Street version. I love it!

Must-Watch TV: Work of Art

Back in early June, I was quite excited to learn of a new reality show on Bravo called Work of Art: The Next Great Artist. Fashioned after programs like Top Chef and Project Runway, Work of Art brings together 14 diverse artists who compete in a series of elimination challenges over many weeks. My excitement turned to disappointment when I checked Bravo Canada's listings and couldn't even find a mention of the program.

My excitement has returned. The show debuted last night. It airs Saturday evenings at 8 p.m. (at least, that's when it's on here in Toronto) but if you missed it, a repeat of the premiere episode is on again tonight (Sunday) at 6 p.m. on Bravo and also Wednesday evening at 10 p.m. As so often happens, we Canadians are now about three weeks behind in episodes, so for my American friends who are watching ....please.... no spoilers! Thanks!

The art world can be a very pretentious environment, as many of us know. Does this show dispel that? Nope. I did find myself rolling my eyes at some of the comments made, both from the judges and the artists involved.

Art is very personal and also very subjective. The judging of art in this manner leaves me a bit uneasy, but I will say that I was surprised that I mostly agreed with the judges' comments to the artists they deemed the most successful and unsuccessful in the show's first challenge. It will be fascinating to watch this all play out over the next several weeks.

And without giving away too much, I am very pleased to see a "photoshop artist" among the 14 artists and also happy he did well in the show's first episode. Did he win the challenge, though? I'm not telling. You'll just have to watch. Program your PVR!

The soldier's return

Take 38 seconds and give this a look. Even if you're not "a dog person", this should warm your heart. I could watch this over and over again.

Greetings from Ohio

Yes, as Willie sings, the captain and I are on the road...again. Sunshine state, here we come!

Bohemian Rhapsody, with The Muppets

Enjoy!

Suryia and Roscoe

Thanks to my uncle in Vancouver for sending me an email about Suryia and Roscoe. This is sure to give you warm fuzzies!

Speaking with conviction

Typography from Ronnie Bruce on Vimeo.

I don't often do blog posts like this -- presenting you with a little video to watch -- but today I make an exception. The typographical layout/animation is amazing; the message needs to be heard. Speaking with authority ... you HAVE to watch this.

Grab a tissue, part two

A big shout-out of thanks to Krysta for her tip on embedding a YouTube video here in my blog. I learn something new every day! Please check out Evil Chef Mom, Krysta's wonderful blog -- I know you'll love it.

This video is about an important softball game between two rival teams that suddenly takes quite a turn. As I state in my previous entry, it is just so heartwarming. Youth sports has been a big part of our life since our son's first t-ball game, and he went on to play baseball, football and rugby at a high level. And even though our son is now all grown up, my hubby still finds time to coach sports at our local high school. I have experienced first-hand how competitive it all can be, and for these young athletes to set aside that attitude is just such a hopeful and positive sign. A real feel-good story.

Grab a tissue, you'll need it

I wish I knew how to post a YouTube video here. I have seen YouTube videos embedded at other people's blogs, but I don't know how they did it. And since I can't figure it out, the link is going to have to do.

The video clip is about sports, yes, but it's really about so much more than that. Sportsmanship. About young women who, for a brief shining moment, put aside the overwhelming focus on win!win!win! that afflicts sports today and simply did what was right. As athletes and as human beings.

I have a vague recollection of seeing a bit of this on the news, but I confess I wasn't really paying attention. U.S. women's college softball doesn't typically grab my attention. But as I was blogging around, I found a link to the YouTube video about this very event, and decided to watch. I am so glad I did. The video is very moving, hence the need for kleenex. If this doesn't illustrate sportsmanship at its best, I don't know what would.

Please watch the video. It'll make you feel good, I promise.