Demon Diallers

I know those things don't exist anymore but telemarketers still have the technology to call you up, at least they call me up, and some recorded message comes on asking you to support a candidate or buy some "free" vacation!

But today I was pretty stunned to answer an "unknown" but local call that turned out to be the Millionaire Lottery reminding me that I only have hours left to purchase my Early Bird ticket!

WTF?

Granted, I did not add my name to the federal Do Not Call List as I didn't want my name to be on yet another "list" the government can gain information on me with, but come ON?! Has this become the norm?

I felt like I'd been hornswaggled (not sure if the spellchecker even recognizes that word) Typically if I don't recognize the number I don't pick up. Plain and simple. I was snaffued today!!!

I have to admit, I have been very disillusioned by charities in the past. Having worked a few radio "telethons" in my day, my heart sank when the "wall of volunteers" that used to answer the phones for the pledges, was contracted out to an "800" line in India. Yep, it really make me sick, it lost something for me.

I know it's become big business to compete for those charity dollars but seriously, shouldn't there still be some personal involvement?

I probably would have purchased a lottery ticket if someone at the other end of the phone had a personal story or was kind enough to explain where the money goes. I'm old school like that. I was probably born too late.

I know it's tough for some of you to solicit friends and family just for fundraising and your children's school. Some people have a knack for it and some don't.

For me I guess the compassion is lost. They just want my money. There's not even an opportunity to feel empathetic.

So while I'm sure the Millionaire Lottery needs my support, I'm not sure I share the same "connection" about what they do now. I've heard the stories, met the staff, the families, heard them share their extreme lows and joyous highs.

This year, it doesn't wash. I hope I don't feel this way forever or about many other charities, but today, I am disappointed.

Problem solved - motivation - check!

After researching and asking around the past couple of days, I decided on a free iPhone app called Run Keeper. You can upgrade to a better version for like $10 but I didn't feel like I was missing anything on my first run with it.

Plus, I can track my distance, pace and time AND listen to my music on the same device as well as catch a call or text! FOR FREE!!!

It absolutely pushed me to run farther. When you take a look at your distance (the upgrade actually announces in a male or female voice, your choice) you think, I can go just a little farther. I really like that aspect of it since I may not have a running buddy most of the time.

I mentioned that I don't like to "carry" anything when running, don't know why, makes me feel restricted. But I didn't mind digging out an old school "fanny pack" and starting up the iPod on the phone and the Run Keeper app and zipping it safely in.

During my online research, a friend (thanks Alicia) posted a blog on Facebook that was pretty cool. Have no idea who the guy is, and I know there are literally thousands of fitness and running blogs, but this one I found motivating.

cool blog

Oh, and here's the link to the online portion of the RunKeeper app... it keeps track of your runs, pace, and shows your graphs of your progress.

RunKeeper app

Nike +

After the last post, I found out about a nifty gadget that could save me a bundle!

Now that I have an iPhone and a Nano, I don't have to spend more than like $40 to get a Nike + kit to track my runs!

I don't know why I didn't do more research before thinking I had to shell out almost $200 for a Garmin!

I found this link really helpful!

Nike + review

And I prefer not to purchase a new pair of Nike shoes as I recently bought a comfy pair of Sauconys.

This link shows you how to insert the sensor into a non-Nike pair of running shoes!

will save you money!

So... there's an Apple outlet store just down the street from me. I'm off tomorrow to purchase my new and less expensive toy!

How much technology do I need?

One thing I've  been trying to avoid is "technology clutter".

When I was a kid, my dad was a "gadget guy". He always had to have the latest Casio watch with the tiny calculator on it, etc... You get the picture.

Although I have inherited a bit of a curiosity about gadgets, I don't want my place overrun with remotes and frankly stuff I don't need.

My problem is that it's taken me to get to this age to recognize, in some cases, that you get what you pay for.

After purchasing a cheap dog clipper set at your local big box store and practically tearing out my poor pooch's hair by the root, I decided it may be better to leave it up to the professionals.

I decided recently to commit to running again.

I know, every sport has gadgets and accessories that companies try and convince you, enhance your performance, etc. Running though seems to be so universal, because really, you can do it literally anywhere, and so many more people are taking it up than ever before, it's become a booming business. There's even a renewed movement for barefoot running and some cool new toed shoes.

The last time I was running on a regular basis, I got tired of mapping out my route with the car to figure out how far I'd run, and bought an inexpensive pedometer from a certain store that is similar in name to Cannuck Rubber. It was a piece of crap and waste of my money. I should never have bought it.

Now, with smart phones, iPods, and technological wizardry coming out the ying yang, there's likely 100 ways I can track my runs. I know there is, I've seen them in blogs like this one, on Facebook, Twitter, etc.

My problem is, I want it convenient for ME.

I want to turn it on when I start and when I'm done, it's all right there in nice big numbers so I don't have to feel like a decrepit old person and get a magnifying glass just to read it!

I don't want to have to carry it, because I don't even like having one of those hydration belts on me when I'm running. I don't even like having to carry an iPod.

I have heard and read that the Garmin watch is the cream of the crop.

Here's the link to the one at Costco

I'm cheap, or frugal as my mom would say, so putting out roughly $175 for something I wear on my arm seems insane to me. I currently sport a men's Timex with giant numbers and "Indiglo" so I can tell what time it is when I wake up in the middle of the night without my glasses on. I've had it for likely 4 years or more and have only had to change the battery once. It really is indestructible.

So I guess my quandry is do I really NEED a Garmin watch? I have only myself to answer to for the expense so it's not like my kids will go without boots this winter if I do purchase one.

I go back to the tech clutter. I now have an iPhone, a laptop (which currently is a piece of crap), an iPod, four remotes, cordless phones, iPod/iPhone alarm clock/docking station and a whole bunch of free weights. Wait. I guess they aren't gadgets. Maybe that's why I was surprised when they didn't lift themselves!

I WANT a cool new toy/gadget. I think it will help and encourage me to run farther. So why am I holding back?

I don't imagine most people rationalize things this way, but I have to.

I think also I feel funny sporting one because I am not an elite athlete, training for the race of my life. I'm going to run a 10k New Years Eve and then, I'm not sure what's next.

I do my best thinking when I am running. I will sort it out then.

Would be nice at the end of it though to see the progress.

Stay tuned.

Traffic lights

One of the most frustrating things people always seem to have something to say about, from every walk of life, is traffic.

Ask anyone where the longest red light is in their town and they can come up with at least two examples (providing they drive of course).

Now that we have a brand new city council, it wants to prove a few things to you. One of which is that it can change the traffic congestion. Light synchronization has been attempted. Most people just think that system is an urban legend.

Check this out!

So increasing the left turn signals will at least relieve the problem, right?

Sounds reasonable but sadly, motorists are not.

You see, it doesn't matter what you do to try and tackle extra traffic, stale green lights, construction, the list goes on and on. It doesn't matter what you do because it's not the traffic that's the problem. It's the operators of the vehicles.

Look around you. Most people behind the wheel have a furled brow and are all ready late thank you very much. They are in a hurry and they are important! So much so that their time takes instant precedence over yours. Too slow, too bad, too late.

Sure you still see a few people letting folks in or merge in front of them, but it's the exception, not even close to the rule.

A man once got out of a car in a parking lot and ran over to me because he thought I was purposely trying to cut him off at a traffic light. He was a muscle guy, he shouted at me and I simply responded that if this was the worst part of his day, he was lucky. Of course I did apologize and say that I didn't SEE him or I would not have cut him off.

My story is in no way unique. People shoot the bird to one another routinely, with the kids in the car! Fabulous lesson to be teaching the next generation.

Driving is a privilege and it can be taken away.

If waiting in traffic is going to give you an aneurysm, maybe you should switch to a more recreational mode of transport, one that doesn't weigh roughly 2 tonnes and can become a dangerous weapon.

Unfortunately, increasing the left turn signals will not solve the deeper issue.

Too bad you couldn't put a helping of "consideration" in the Koolaid.

Surprise?

Should anyone be surprised that a 15 year old "self described" hacker managed to breach the security feature of his school board's website and expose over 27,000 high school students' passwords?

Here's the story

Apparently, it's the largest security breach in the board's history.

The kid is charged on four counts and according to the article that would normally carry up to 10 years in prison.

But the reason he gave makes sense, even if it's not true.

He said he did it to show how vulnerable the system was.

Let's face it, kids know more about computers, unless of course you are a programmer or that's your career, than most parents and in some cases, teachers.

I have always maintained that the Internet in general, was a cart before a horse, there is now no way of really policing it, and the kids hold the key to that! I can't be the only person who sees this!

Businesses are at the mercy of people that know how to build websites. Sure, many people can figure it out now, but what about building a network for your company? Creating a social networking marketing scheme? More and more of these are emerging, but even if you are a journalist, you've got to be computer and technology savvy in pretty much any media medium.

Back to the hacker.

At first I thought, why not hire the kid as a consultant, make him/her sign a confidentiality agreement, and keep them on staff till they move on. But what kind of message does that send to the other students? That if they break the rules, they get a free pass and a pay cheque?

This isn't new and it will continue to occur. Wasn't it Matthew Broderick who starred in that old film War Games?

There are video game development companies that hire some kids right out of high school although there are specialized college programs offered here in Canada now.

So should the student get jail time? You know they won't and the punishment will depend on the kid's attitude, whether they are remorseful, good student, etc.

It sure is a blemish though on the school board, an embarrassment actually. Hard to believe that the system was so rudimentary that it didn't even have encryption.

Someone recently reminded me of that old adage, "Those that know - do. Those that don't - teach,"

Maybe it's time to go back into the pool and pull out another fish!

Isn't Air Free?

Closing out the cycling season... here's another piece of baffling technological genius. I'm SURE you've seen these before!

What?! You're trying to do your part for the environment and for your health, and you have to PAY to fill your tires with AIR?! Now, I know this isn't new and has been happening for alot of years but when I looked closer, I found it hysterical the explanation!

First it says to insert two quarters, it costs 50 cents... then it goes through the instructions how to utilize the machine. BUT look at the line right under the "Air"...

Yep, you can actually go in and ask the attendant to turn it on for you... in other words... if you're in a hurry, your eyesight's bad or you just never read the fine print... you're SOL!!! Another case of, "We give you the choice and make a clear statement, it's your responsibility to take notice."

I looked into this a bit and asked around. Apparently the cost is in the compression... another suggested that there is a large company that owns alot of these and there is a charge for them to install and service the machines.

But surely to God there's some stations out there, Mom and Pop outfits, that offer FREE air as a service... just like they still have attendants that pump your gas in the pouring rain (God love them, or at least my mom loves them!)

Sadly, those small family business type stations are typically in the heart of your average small town, not smack dab in the middle of London, on a busy street for commuters.

I know we can't turn back the hands of time but isn't it time to rethink where we are going???