Thing #4: Will this really help me keep up?

I've used Flipboard for a number of years. I like it. I spent a lot of time loading it up with all the topics I'm interested in. I only look at it when I'm bored.

I'm not sure if that's because I just haven't developed the habit of opening it when I want my news...or if it's just too overwhelming (even aggregated). I understand that RSS readers are meant to "curate" us away from information overload, but I think it does just the opposite for me. Now I feel guilty if I don't look at all the stuff I've called into my feed. It's like I'll always be behind, never know all the things I want to know, and not understand half of the things that come to me anyway.

OK. Neurosis aside.

Since I've used Flipboard before, I thought I'd try Feedly for this THING. I've heard of Feedly for years. I know it was used as the backup plan for many who were devoted to the famous Google Reader. Gosh, some folks were rabid when Google Reader shut down. For many library folks I know, it was their umbilical cord to the world of information. I used it, but...well, I didn't really notice it was gone.

I guess I'm fighting with myself. I am very intrigued by new technologies. I might even describe myself as a 'gadget lover' (albeit a lightweight). And yet, I also like picking up the New York Times and getting ink on my fingers. I can't seem to let the width and breadth of the Internet wash over me like so many younger people. I feel it as a burden, instead. I feel like it's my job to know all I can. The volume of information available now--quite frankly--freaks me out. I guess I come from a world where most things can be tamed if just understood. Not so in the modern world...and it makes me feel old. And behind the 8 ball.

Well, I guess I added a bit more neurosis. Back to Feedly.

I've loaded it up on my phone. I've plugged in some blogs I know I like to keep up on. Discovered a few new ones based on my searches of "library", "librarian", etc. And there they are.

I'll try to remember that I put Feedly there. That I made an effort to be informed in my field. That, in order to do so, I need to actually read it. And if it becomes another guilt-inducing excercise, well...so be it. I did my THING. And then I'll delete it.

Thing #22 : Games are Stupid

If you asked me outright, I'd quickly say that I am not a gamer. I think there may be 2 games on my computer at home...and they came with the computer. I tried Wii and XBox....I just never got into it. But then I got an iPad (it's gone now). Looking for all the cool things you could do with this new technology, I tried a number of games. Still...nothing stuck. Until: Angry Birds. (Cue dramatic space odyssey music.)

I loved Angry Birds...probably for a year or so. While I was under its spell, I loved challenging myself to do better. I loved learning new little tricks. I got SO frustrated when I was having a hard time getting that 3rd star. I didn't play it all the time...usually at night when it was quiet and I could just lose myself in the concentration.

And then I was just finished with it.

So now I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 3. Nice big screen. I thought I'd put a couple of games on it...just in case I'm waiting for an appointment or something. I got a Mahjong game and, of course, solitaire (everyone has solitaire, right?). I found a couple of fun little games: Smash Hit (virtual reality pong-like thing) and Quiz Up (this is a really cool game).

Being the 'non-gaming snob' that I am, I have (quietly and secretly) always looked down my nose at those stupid farm games. You know the ones that randomly attack your Facebook account with messages like "Susie has offered you a pig"? Stupid stupid stupid

And then I found Hay Day. OMG. I have become one of them! I am presently dangerously addicted to this FREE game.This game is SO free that I've probably spent 40 or 50 dollars on in-app purchases. But, oh, it is so beautifully diverting.

You're given a small farm, some currency (coins and diamonds) and off you go to develop and run this farm. It is NOT instant gratification. You have to wait for things to grow or chickens to lay eggs. You have to save up resources to purchase a new animal or building. You have to keep it all balanced. And it is perpetual. It goes on and on and on.

It's probably dangerous that my family knows that if I go to 'milk my cows', I shouldn't be interupted. It's my time for me...totally absorbing...mind numbing...an enormous waste of time. I just love it.

So, I'll probably get tired of it eventually (hopefully before I buy too many more diamonds) and will move on to something else. I'll find one silly thing that amuses me....and milk it for all it's worth (pun intended).

Until then, I'm not in the market for a new game, thank you. I have my cows and chickens and sheep and goats and cows (and 2 specially purchased dogs) to keep me entertained.

Thing #3: It's a Utility, but Will I Use It?

This THING isn't as big a challenge to me as some others. I'm a big user of "utilities" on both my desktop at home and on my mobile device. However, I'll write here about the ones I like and maybe, I'll try a new one.

I use my mobile calculator all the time. I don't have any significant computational needs, so I just stick with the one that came with the phone.

I have a QR Reader: QR Droid Private. I've hardly ever used it, but when I did it performed well. I guess I just haven't clued in to the QR movement.

I have a weather app on my phone. I've tried many different ones. I just want to know if it's raining or not, so I probably COULD look out the window. It's great to check weather at my destination when I'm travelling and it's useful for work if we're planning something for outside.

I am a HUGE fan of Dashlane. I installed it on my home desktop computer a year or two ago. I was starting to get worried that I might forget the plethora of passwords I have online...for bills, frequently visited sites, organizational memberships, etc. I did a lot of research and chose this. Now that I have the app on my phone, I can use all the features--and most importantly--the security of Dashlane while on the move. It saves time entering passwords and keeps everything locked up tight until I need it.

Yellow Pages is a great app. I like fiddling with it. But if there's a browser on your phone, you could just bookmark Canada 411 I guess.

I'm already a Dropbox user on my desktop, but it's great to have the mobile app as well. I can access photos, music, files...from anywhere...even when there's not a computer nearby. The only problem I have with these cloud storage apps is that I never THINK to use them. It's a matter of getting into the habit and reminding myself that this is an option. If I could master that concept, I could throw my USB Flash Drive away.

Thing #2: It Can Do THAT?

I searched for tips and tricks for my specific device: Samsung Galaxy Note 3. I found a good article on CNET: "Ten Killer Tips for Your Samsung Galaxy Note 3".

I knew the first tip: you can make the screen easier for one-handed operation. That isn't really relevant to my needs. Besides, the darn thing is too big to hold with one hand!

I liked learning that I can turn off the pop-up window when I remove the pen. That was helpful.

I LOVE that you can increase the sensitivity of the touch screen so that it responds even when you're wearing gloves. Good to know for winter.

Cool thing that I'm playing with now, but don't know if I'll use: the Note3 allows you to have 2 apps open at the same time...and in 2 different windows. Don't know if I'll use it, but it's great to know that it's an option.

I'm also playing with the hands-free option I learned about in this article: you can have texts READ to you if you're driving. Wow. I feel like I'm on Star Trek!

I'm going hunting for more tips and tricks. It makes the phone feel fresh and new and some of the tips make the device more and more useful.

Thing #1: In the beginning...

I thought I'd try Blogger because I've used WordPress before (when I was putting together the Library Live and On Tour website/blog). I wanted to experience something new.

I've never considered personal blogging because I figure I don't have anything interesting to say (that others would want to read). So I'll just try this to begin participating in FVRL's 23MT.

Another reason I chose Blogger is because I already have a Google account. Anticipated problem: I don't use Google+ (I tried it when it was new, but didn't see the point....too many social sites to keep track of). I see that when the blog was generated, it automatically placed my Google+ account on it. I'm going to have to see if I can change that.