Buffy The iPhone Slayer

Is Buffy, Facebook's New iPhone & Android  Slayer?

I know I was scheduled to continue with my Internet Defamation & Serial Cyber Stalkers/Bullies this week, but I am tired of thinking about that for now. I will continue the series later this month.

Other News has captured my interest.

Have your heard? 

The newly public company, Facebook is rumored to launch their very own smart phone. It was inevitable that Facebook would enter the smart phone industry.  After the tempestuous initial stock offering, it won't come as a big surprise that Facebook will need to generate as many new sources of revenue as possible. Experts speculate that Facebook cannot survive indefinitely  on income derived from advertising.  Another possible source of income is the possibility of charging membership fees or continuing to offer the basic account membership free of charge, but adding a premium service with all the added bells and whistles with a monthly fee.  Would you pay to have a Facebook account?

With Smart phones dominating the technological industry it actually surprises me that it has taken Mark Zuckerberg this long to recognize the potential and join the nimble, mounting market.

This won't be face book's first attempt to create a smart phone, but this time the story has substance as reported by The New York Times. in their story : Facebook Tries, Tries Again on a Smartphone.  Their first attempt to launch a smart phone in 2010, was leaked by TechCrunch.  In 2011, another attempt was made, but Buffy never materialized as reported on by Daily Tech.

  Can a software company build their own smart phone?

Why not? They've built everything else. According to the NY Times report, Facebook has joined ranks with Taiwan's HTC Corp. TPE: 2498 to develop the hardware while Facebook will develop the software.   

Facebook says it has 350 Million active mobile users and relationships with 475 global mobile operators. Although it is one of the most popular applications on nearly every phone for which it is available, Zuckerberg is not content watching his monumental social network play a supporting role as a mere app. 

In many cases, Facebook is a free application that can be added by phone owners and used to update their own status, view friends' feeds and upload photos. Some applications that can be purchased for a small fee allow users to upload photos and videos directly from the photo taking app. A variety of other apps offer upgrades and options such as integrating a phone users address book contacts with their Facebook contacts, but none of the current applications give Facebook complete mobile control.

As the fight for mobile control intensifies, Facebook will continue to play a supporting role to the industries two smart phone operating system leaders, Google and Apple.

Facebook is rumored to take center stage with the new open source powered, Buffy smart phone which is reportedly being built by HTC, turning Facebook into a phone rather than just another app offered on a smart phone.  The Buffy is rumored to run on an open source operating system like the Android, making it similar to the Kindle Fire by Amazon.

With many former Apple employees now working for Facebook on the design and creation of the new smart phone, Buffy, it will be interesting to see exactly what the new phone will look like.  The modified Android version is said to look entirely different than any other handsets we are accustomed to seeing.

Would Buffy change or impact Apple's iPhone by entering the smart phone marketplace? Probably not. I have been spending some time comparing the pros and cons of Facebook and Google Plus trying to decide if Google Plus is worth the amount of time I initially devoted to Facebook.  I see Buffy, as just another notch in the plus column for Facebook in the fiercely growing Facebook Vs. Google competition.

 Google. which makes the Android operating system currently has the smart phone edge.

?

Will you become a devoted Buffy the Slayer fan? Buffy the Smart phone Slayer fan that is.  I like the name. I suppose I am partial because I loved Buffy the Vampire Slayer and the actress Sarah Michelle Gellar who played Buffy in the television series. 

Top 10 Things I Can't Live Without

10 Things I cannot Live Without (well, would rather not)

What prompted this post?

 As I reached inside the refrigerator and grabbed my tenth diet coke for the day , as an afterthought I also snagged a bottle of water. I was on my way outside to swim or sit by the pool with the kids and their friends. I armed myself with my usual poolside necessities, e.g. diet coke, a book , notepad and pen, cigarettes and lighter (I know....I know.., I'm working on it), a beach towel, my iPhone, Kindle Fire and the home phone. Yes, it took more than one trip.

Our teenage girls  and their  friends also had an array of necessities: Fingernail polish, magazines, cell phones and towels. Now my ten year old and his three friends just shot out the door like rockets armed with, well..nothing. They did not have a single towel between the four of them. They cannonballed into the pool with such ease and without distraction. Why waste time setting up residency next to a pool lounger with with a bunch of stuff that requires two or more trips back inside the house? As soon as they realize the chlorine will sting their eyes, I will undoubtedly hear them holler in unison for someone to bring them  goggles. That someone will be me. I am sure to be asked to take a few more trips inside or to the garage to gather the pool toys, water guns, rafts, balls and other devices they didn't think of until the exact moment they wanted that exact item.  When they have tired of pool fun  all they have to do is shout, "Mom" or "Ms. Melissa, we need a towel."

So, back to the refrigerator. As I added the bottle of water to my armload of other items, my son, Bennett asked me why I needed both water and diet coke. It is hard to explain really. I like, I mean I love diet coke and I need water. I especially need water if I am going to sit out in the sun and dehydrate my body. That goes double if my hubbie is making his famous vodka freezes (Yummy).  But, then my son stumped me with one of his additional questions.

"Mom, are you addicted to cigarettes?" Damn, here comes the do as I say not as I do speech. But, before I could even answer, his friend said:

"Ms. Melissa, I think you are addicted to diet coke, too." Wow, observant point for the pint sized dude.

"Ms. Melissa, you're addicted to books too, aren't you?" Now there is a wise observation. I always knew my kids had smart friends. Then my son wanted to play a game. Not the usual Marco Polo or water volleyball. He asked me to name ten things I could not  live without.  Before I could even spew his name and glowingly say , my kids, he added a rule. 

"And don't say us, or the dog or, money or family or all those usual things grown ups say. I mean the things like diet coke that I know you can't live without."  

Okay, kid here goes:

Top Ten Things I Can't Live Without:

10.  Diet Coke

 

9. Bookstores~ Actual bookstores where I can walk around and view books. I need to hold them, touch them & smell them.

 8. Southern Cooking

 Jambalaya, Fried Chicken, Gumbo, Grits, Hot Tamalas, Ribs, and Crawfish to name a few.

7. My Spring Flower Garden

Gardening is like therapy for me.

No, that's not my flower garden. Mine is a work in progress right now. Much like my novel, it needs a tad more nurturuing, feeding, TLC and most of all-time...more time...and even more time.

6. Swimming Pool

Visit this site for unbelievably cool pools.   Again, not my pool, but a girl can dream.

                                                              5. Beaches

I am partial to the white sand beaches  of the gulf coast.

                                                                          4. Family Vacations to  Destin & Seaside Florida. 

Seaside Florida is about 30 miles east of Destin. It is a picturesque town. The quaint, pastel cottages have porches, baclonies and white picket fences. The town square is filled with chic boutiques, art galleries and an open air market. The cobblestone street leads to a half mile stretch of a beautiful white sand beach. You feel like you have stepped onto a movie set. Seaside has been the setting for quite a few films including The Truman Show.

I have the best childhood memories of family vacations to Destin, Florida. My brothers, sisters and I have continued the tradition annd vacation to the Gulf Coast with all of our children and our parents each summer.

3. A good book, a notebook and a pen.

 I have to be able to read and write or I will go crazy. Yup, I said go crazy. So, if you are thinking I was already a little cuckoo, I will say go more crazy. How's that? Can I add another semi-related item to this number? My blog!! It has to be on this list. I know I am kind of cheating, but hey I am grouping like items that can kind of be counted as sort of a  bundle???

2.  Laughter-Laughing. Is that a thing? Well, whatever it is, I simply could not live without it.

 I love to laugh. I love people who make me laugh. That is one of the first things that attracted me to my husband; he always made me laugh and still does.  I can be in the worst mood or incredibly sad or steaming mad and if you can make me laugh my mood will change.  Kids are the best at making me laugh. They say and do the funniest things and the best part is that they don't try and they don't even realize they are being humorous.

1. Photos- Photo Albums-Memory Books

I love making photo books about everything, but I don't do it as often  as I used to. I was really into scapbooking when my kids were little and I am so glad that I have all their firsts and major milestones forever recorded.  I take a million photos.  After my scrapbook phase I started making digital photo memory books using Shutterfly, an on-line place to store photos and purchase photo gifts. and  I treasure them.

 I don't seem to have the time I used to, but I am so blessed to have the world's best ex-in-laws and they are awesome grandparents. They live in Chicago, but they visit several times a year and for all birthdays and every major holiday. Granny always sends me a photo book of their trip and time with our family and the kids within like a week or two of leaving. I really look forward to receiving it.  People always ask what would you grab if you could only grab one material item from your house if it was burning down?

That's a no brainer- Photo albums, memory books and photos. Luckily, most photographic memories I have are now stored digitally so they will never be lost.

So, that's my list. How about you? Do you have anything you just can't live without?

 

The Other Side of the Story: The Best Advice on Plotting I've Ever Heard: Two Tips That Will Make Plotting Easier

The Other Side of the Story: The Best Advice on Plotting I've Ever Heard: Two Tips That Will Make Plotting Easier

You may have heard these before, but this time outline a scene using this advice and it will click with you as well. Excellent tips share by Janice Hardy. Thanks Janice.

Seeing Creative: Cool Links Friday

Seeing Creative: Cool Links Friday

There are some awesome links here that you don't want to miss. If you are a fan of Larry Brook,  then you will definitely want to read his post on deconstructing The Hunger Games. If you are not familiar with his work then you should check him out. He explains the whole story structure in a way that opened my eyes.

May Contain Nuts: BLOOD TEARS announcement for those who live far, far away ...

May Contain Nuts: BLOOD TEARS announcement for those who live far, far away ...

The Kreativ Blogger Award

Don't You Just Love Blog Awards? I Do.

A few days ago I received Kreativ Blogger Award from Alyssa over at Life is Good  Thanks!! :)  If you have not visited her blog you really need to. This is one teenager who really has it going on. The rules are:

1. Thank and link back to the person who presented you with the award

1. Answer the ten questions below

1. Share eleven random facts/thoughts about yourself

1. Nominate seven worthy blogs for the Kreativ Blogger Award

What is your favorite song?

This is really a hard one, I have so many songs that I really like, but if I have to choose one I guess I would choose "Louisiana 1927" by Aaron Neville, just watching this video gives me chills.

What is your favorite dessert?

I am not really a dessert eater, but I love diet coke floats.

What ticks you off?

Bullies, liars and people who create drama wherever they go. They are usually the very people who are always saying, "I hate drama"

When you're upset what do you do?

Work in my flower garden. It is better than therapy!!

Which is/was your favorite pet?

I really miss our daschund mix, named Weenie. We found him on the side of the road and he lived to be 18 years old. I miss our Bassett Hound, Barnaby. We have another daschund who is getting really old and I am already sad, her name is Willow. I am really attached to our new puppy/dog. She is a beagle mix that my daughter found a year ago. She was just really sick and nearly died from  a pancreatic infection, but is doing much better. I am a huge dog lover if you can't tell.

Which do you prefer to wear, black or white?

Black & White with one accent color. I love Pink!!!!

What is your biggest fear?

Something happening to my children.

What is your attitude mostly?

Happy & outgoing.

What is perfection?

Holidays and beach vacations with my entire family.

What is your guilty pleasure?

I still smoke. I know I have to quite, My husband did so now I know I have to.

OK, Here are the 11 random things about me!

1. I love peanut butter & I eat it on everything including my diet coke floats.

2. I hate talking on the phone.

3. I'm terrified of spiders.

4. I am the most unorganized person in the world.

5. I spend hours working in my flower garden.

6. I am addicted to Hazelnut iced coffee.

7.  I like to skinny dip in our pool when no one is home.

8. I love to paint, I am just not very good at it.

9.  I wanted to be a lawyer from the time I was ten years old. 

10. I am not a very good cook. I have about four meals that I can actually make (that people want to eat), but I experiment a lot-and I do mean experiment.

11. I have lived (usually while going to school) in Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Hawaii, Texas, Florida and Greece.

OK!  Hope you enjoyed reading my random facts about me!

Here are the seven people I'm nominating to get this award!

If you have already received it, I apologize and don't worry about answering again or passing it on. I have been away from my computer most of the month of May so I am not really caught up with everyone.

1. Chuck at apackalips now


2. Cassie Mae at Reading Writing and Lovin it- I figured if Cassie Mae already received it, we would love to here more about her life. So Spew some more randomness, dear Cassie Mae.


3. Mark Koopmans at Hi from Hi


4. Laura Barnes at Laura B Writer


5. Jamie Burch at Dancing Down Serendipity Street


6. Susanne Drazic at Putting Down Words on Paper


7. Carrie Butler at So, You're a Writer

Mother's Day: On Fire

Firetruck to my mom's rescue

Happy Mother's Day to all of you who are Mothers, step-moms, god mothers , aunts, grandmothers or in some way connected to another person in a mom kind of way.

I wish I could say this has been the best day of my life. but a little explosive mishap nearly ruined the party. I smelled gas ( no not that kind) and so I did what I always do - I screamed for
my hubbie to confirm my fear. Now he
is the logical partner in our marriage ( the one who usually tells me I am
overreacting or am way off base) . So he strolls over to the area I need inspecting and , I'll be damned if he doesn't smell it as well. Being the proactive type, Daryl thinks he
will just nip this
little problem in the bud. Before I can scream, "Are you crazy?", Daryl has lowered his head into the grill of our swimming pool heater.

I used to think that the characters getting blown from an explosion in a film were just acting a part. I never believed an explosion really propelled you forward with a blast . At least not until today.

As Daryl reached down to turn off the heater I watched in shock as a ball of fire ignited above the heater. The flames seemed to disappear as quickly as they appeared and with a force I have not felt since being sandwiched at age 5 on the tilt-o-whirl between two human enforcers , Daryl flew toward me and the speed and force of his movement carried us both another ten feet where we landed on the underside of a glass patio table. I landed on bottom.

It happened so quickly. Most of the details are actually what my surrounding family members told me as they observed in horror . With the exception of some cuts, scrapes and minor abrasions , we are both okay.

So another lesson learned on Mother's day and another opportunity to be thankful that I am alive and healthy and surrounded by people I love who are also healthy and in good spirits.

I thank god everyday for my beautiful family and rather than complain about what is wrong or the things I don't have , I am immensely grateful for
all that I do have .

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Zealous Advocate

Lawyer has a duty to zealously advocate for his client.

 

 

Could you Zealously advocate for a client you knew was guilty? This is a question I get all the time. If the system is to work for the innocent, it must also work for the guilty. What do you think?