eReaders IV: Reader

Long time no see! I'm really bad at this whole 'not being lazy' thing. Actually, really, really bad at being productive. But I started this comparison series, so dammit, I'm going to finish it! At this point, it's less to help myself decide which one to get, because I don't see that happening unless I win one or something. Which would be awesome.

So now, let's look at Sony's Reader

eReaders III: nook

• 

Sorry for the brief hiatus! I'm really trying to work on not being lazy...but it's taking some time. OK the other day I introduced info about the Kindle products, and a little blurb about what I think of it. Today, I'm gonna look at Barnes and Noble's Nook.

Note: As of right now, this is the only eBook reader that I have ACTUALLY tried myself...although only briefly browsing at the bookstore.

eReaders II: Kindle

Today, I will be continuing my research and discussion of eReaders and begin offering my opinions and comparisons of the big-name readers: Kindle, Nook, Reader, and Kobo (I may add more as I begin exploring the products more). Now I'm going to look at Amazon.com's Kindle.

eReaders Exploring

For the first few years of the rise of the Kindle, followed by eReaders from the other big guys out there, I had no interest. But I think I've become a Johnny Come-lately on this one.

I. want. an. eReader. so. bad.

My original view: I LOVE books. I love reading them, buying them and shopping for them, and most importantly, displaying them. I think having books out is more important than pictures. In a way, they do the same thing: tell a story, reveal something about yourself, and bring back memories. I've never even liked taking books out from the library or borrowing books from people, because I don't like the idea of not being able to have it around when I finish. Same goes with DVDs and (once upon a time) CDs...which explains my excessive amount of crap stuffed into my room the past 2 years at college.

But now I REALLY want one; mostly because I'm turning into such a nerd and want more gadgets :P but also because they've added so many features that I'm finally realizing how convenient it will be.

The only time I really become a bookworm is over the summer. Every summer. I've started and finished two 3oo+ page books in the past 10 days. But I never seem to read at school. I try, I ALWAYS keep a book next to my bed, but it doesn't happen. Between television, a busy schedule, and the fact that I already have to read tons of textbook chapters every week.

But the reason a Kindle or Nook or Sony Reader would be so awesome: I have a serious problem with just sitting. I can never not be doing something, and normally need to do a few things at a time, usually TV, computer, and food or drink. But between my laptop, notebooks, textbooks, and my gym stuff, there would never be room for a novel in my bag. But chilling on campus during the day is when a book is most needed. The shuttle bus rides to class, especially. I usually have a magazine or some novel for an English class, but magazines have a lot less content, and books for classes are usually boring.

I just wish I could afford one. But, of course, I still want to do all the research so I can pretend that an eReader is in my future (I mean...you never know...)

So this week, and possibly next, I'm going to do a series of posts about the different readers out there: Kindle, Nook, Reader, Kobo, etc.

Hopefully, I can help someone make a decision to buy one of the featured products and if I can't buy one myself, the next best thing is knowing that I help someone else!

The Carrie Diaries...not what I thought it would be

When I got a "care package" from my mom at school (which has never happened before since I see my fam all the time) I couldn't imagine what was so urgent it couldn't wait until I went home the next weekend. As I opened the envelope on the bus on the way to class, I completely understood why she wanted me to see this ASAP.

She bought me The Carrie Diaries!!!

Since I had already gone into "finals mode" (where I basically fall off the face of the earth except for complaining on FB about living in the library), she knew I would have no idea Candace Bushnell was even writing a prequel to Carrie Bradshaw's fabulous adult life.

Betty White: Thank you for being a friend

Betty White seems to be the attention of everyone on the internet after her AMAZING performance hosting Saturday Night Live this weekend. I almost missed it because for the most part, I could care less about SNL at this point unless its a rerun from the old days...when it was actually funny.

If it's not extremely apparent already, our generation can have really bad taste sometime. Is Andy Samberg really a better sketch comedian than Adam Sandler? Or is he just cuter?

Betty White was the funniest person, and by far the oldest, on the cast and stole the show.

Five for Friday: Misc.

I'm trying to start this thing back up. Please let me be successful this time!
I'm going to keep this brief since I'm home for the weekend to unwind and am ready to get in bed already :)

With finals coming up (if you're not already done the semester...see this rant), maybe I should come up with 5 useful things to do this time of year.

Summer? Why are you already here, but only for some?

One friend of mine is anxiously waiting his semester grades.  Another has moved into her campus's library for the week, after which she will be moving home.  A third is already in Israel!  But me?  I'll be here for almost another month. A MONTH!

Why do schools differ so much in schedules?  There's quarters, trimesters, winter sessions, some of which I don't even understand!  I like semesters...nice and simple.  And you know then when you're home that you're friends are too instead of being by yourself and bored out of your mind!

I'm one of those bored, lonely girls on my breaks.  My school has a "winter session"/mimi-mester for the month of January where you can take 1 or 2 classes...or have a winter break that lasts until February 8.  That sounded pretty nice to me at first, so freshman year it's what I planned to do.  But by New Years, I came to my senses.  What was I going to do for a whole month?!  I signed up for a class at community college to transfer over, and I still had WAY too much free time.  This year, I stayed at school to take one class (which I can't afford to do again) and worked 20 hours a week.  I liked it.  I was still by myself because even though a lot of students stay on campus for the session, none of my friends did.  But I LOVED the independence and "me"-time.  I actually went to the gym EVERY day, studied a lot, and kept my apartment clean.  NONE of that happens during regular semesters.

For a month, I was really happy with my school's unique schedule.  That is over now.

I want to be done!  These last weeks are dragging by like molasses (sorry for talking like an 80-year-0ld).  Summer is like a mirage...it looks close but when I think I'm there it's gone!  Like that Rugrats episode where they're stranded in the "dessert" (a playground basketball court)

Five for Friday: Misc.

Sorry about the lack of posts this week; between my work schedule changing every day, preparing my apartment for a new roommate, and studying for a very important final exam (I got an A in the class!), I couldn't spend much time doing things for myself, or you! At least I can relax a little now.

At my school, the Communication major operates strangely. You are first a COMM Interest major, and have to take these 4 classes. Then after you take them, you are eligible to get into the major. But only the students with the top 100 GPAs get in. Getting an A in this class was the only chance I had left! After it's factored into my GPA, I will have the lowest GPA they are expecting to accept. Now I can relax a little, but I still have to wait until June to find out. Ahhh! Anyways, I couldn't come up with a unique idea for a Friday list this week, so I'm just going to suggest to you a few of the websites I've been interested in lately.

1. College Candy -- Ever since I discovered this blog, I haven't been able to get enough! The website is perfect to browse on for hours; sometimes I lose track of time at work! Many different college (and a few post-college) girls contribute posts, giving it a variety of outlooks. All types of views, interests, and fashions are blogged about, so you are sure to find a lot of articles that you can relate to perfectly! Today, they posted 2 articles that I love: one about being a sober girl in college, and another about the wonder that is chick flicks! After I read each of them, I just had to go, 'Wow,' this article was made for me to read!

2. Mr. Beer --my boyfriend's roommate has a Mr. Beer home-brewing kit brewin' in the kitchenette, and it looks really cool. I had never heard of it and had no clue what it was at first, but now I want to make beer! It's right up my alley. It's sort of like crafting cause you're making something, cooking where there isn't much room for you to mess it up, and the product can be enjoyed by all! :P I love just browsing their website at all of the different kits and products they offer. I've always been interested in fermentation and stuff, and they have a wine kit too! It's like 200 dollars, though, and is probably a lot more complex. They have beer kits starting at 30 bucks, and can buy refills after you've used up the ingredients included.

3. Farmville -- Yes, I'm one of those people. I can't get enough farming. I realize how pathetic it has made my life, and that now that I've realized you can play on Farmville.com with the same account as Facebook, it will get worse. Playing directly on their site gives you more reward and gifting options, the screen is bigger, and it runs a little bit faster, for me at least. What I also like is that I haven't noticed my activity from the site on my Facebook feed, so it's not annoying my Facebook friends and broadcasting how much procrastinating I do. Hello, hiding an addiction.

4. Weather Forecast -- Usually, I hate talking about or reading about the weather. I don't really care about weather that does not affect my immediate plans unless it's a big deal sort of thing. I just wanna know how I should dress, if I should walk or take my car, and if any of my plans will be affected. But right now, it's a big deal sort of thing, and the forecasters are not exaggerating. The first weekend of winter break, we got like 20 inches at home in Maryland. When 18 inches was predicted. It has snowed a few other times there and at school, usually the same amount since there's only 80 miles in between. But everyone was so confident in the predictions that my home county declared that school would be let out 3 hours early. The last time I spoke to my parents, there were a few inches. There's a few inches here now, too. And the university has cancelled all Saturday activities and finals, moving them to Monday, and now the semester doesn't start until Tuesday! Awesomeeee. The weather forecast says 100% chance of snow, so I'm very excited!

5. StudyBlue -- StudyBlue randomly followed me on Twitter, most likely automatically based on who and what I follow. I decided on a whim to check it out but was getting ready to block them from my Tweets, cause I get paranoid, ya never know. It's a study resource site. There are a bunch on Facebook and campuses each have their own, but this one has a huge network. Not many at my school know about it, so resources are scarce, but I can still find help. You can upload your own study materials, and get rewards based on how many other people use it and give it a good rating. You can also get materials from people at other schools by entering what textbooks you use. That way, you can get chapter notes and stuff from other schools with similar classes. If you sign up please select that you were referred by a friend on the sign up page, and use my referral code: 732246. I admit that referrals will increase my standing on the site, but with my school's specific reward system I do not get money from getting people to sign up. I am telling you about this because I think it's exciting! Add me as a contact, too, and be my study buddy!

No More Flossing!

R.I.P. Thongs. I will not miss you. I always hated you, no matter how popular you were. You were uncomfortable, painful, and in my personal case, didn't even do anything for me. You can't even be considered a real piece of underwear; I own headbands with more fabric than you! Boy shorts are everything you are not: comfortable, sensible, and actually a garment.

According to my Bible (aka Cosmo!), the multi-decade trend of thongs has now bitten the dust, and I will be the one dancing at the wake.