Google Earth app for iPhone

It's no secret I've loved my iPhone from the second I got it, and then again from the second after I got a new one. When Apple rolled out the Software Developers Kit for the "gifted" to write stand alone programs for the phone I was sure it would make the phone more enjoyable. I had no idea how much it would improve the experience.

When the 2.0 Apple software update was launched earlier this year and applications came online at iTunes it truly did transform my phone, and the way I use it. While the initial fun factor for my "2G" iPhone lasted much longer than expected, I had grown used to having what I still consider to be the best phone out there. I was ready for an upgrade!

The ability to download new applications, many of which are free from the iTunes store has turned my phone in to an entertainment hub. Games, news, web browsing, entertainment utilities are all fun and easy...oh yea and its a phone too!

Last night while perusing the top 50 free apps I came across and downloaded the Google Earth application. I use Google Earth on an almost daily basis, so the opportunity to have it, or something resembling it on my iPhone excited me. After a full day of using it, I can say that it far exceeded my expectations. Even on the Edge network it loads fast enough to be practical and this is no scaled down version, its the whole world-in your hand. Google has proven it is a master of writing programs for Apple's OS X. Within the app you can tilt the phone to change your vantage point, view terrain and quickly access Panoramio pictures. It immerses you in your surroundings arguably more than the real thing. While I'm on the subject of Google Earth, next time you are using it (not on your iPhone) type ctrl+alt+a...and enjoy!

Speaking of Google, it wasn't long after I bought my phone that I started hearing a lot about the upcoming Google phone and not long after that when the first Android compatible prototypes were being reviewed. From what I've seen and read about the G1 phone, I wasn't blown away, which is what I've come to expect for anything that Google touches. However, just like the app store has transformed the iPhone, Google's open source model will certainly transform the way we use our...well, we used to call them phones.

Lastly, I would be remiss if I did not mention the other free app I stumbled upon which has been extremely useful. The app is called Wikiamo and it is a utility that makes Wikipedia pages easy to read on the iPhone. As a daily user of Wikipedia, this is also something to be excited about.

140 days

The wait for my trip to Tanzania is half way over. It's close enough now that I need to start actually DOING things to get ready as opposed to just talk and think about what needs to be done.

I'm regularly tracking the costs of the flights. I realize I'm probably not going to see a significant drop in the airfare but I do want to be on alert in case there is a significant increase.

One of the reasons I have been so excited about this trip is the challenge of doing something totally on my own. It appears that a likely first test will be a very short layover in Amsterdam - a place I, of course, have never been. Assuming all goes well with that transfer, I'll arrive the night before I'm scheduled to meet someone in the former Tanzania capital. That means I'll either have to walk around the Dar es Salaam airport for 10 hours while trying not to look suspicious (not even sure that is possible) or trying to find transportation to a hotel.

I'm going to try to go in next Monday for shots and then perhaps begin the slow accumulation of the insane amount of supplies I'll need and start to think about how I'm going to fit it all in two bags.

Lynsi, the fantastic person that has been helping me from Global Volunteers sent me the link to a set of pictures from a previous team. It's certainly enough to make me think these next 140 days will pass by very slowly.

Every Coed's Dream Job

For most people, and, I'm convinced, every female with an undeclared major, at some point in time they decide that they are going to be a photographer. For guys it's to impress the girls by being different and for girls it's to think of themselves as creative. Regardless of the reasons, I too, at several points in my life, thought that photography was the thing for me.

For a time, the only thing separating me from a career as an astrophotgrapher, marrying my passion for astronomy with an interest in photography, was the lack of funds to purchase a CCD imager - something that, at the time, was a little hard to come by (like plutonium in 1955).

Prior to that I, like many other kids, loved to take pictures. I thought my pictures through and tried to compose meaningful images. When I was about 14 or so I came up with an idea for a series of pictures that to this day I still think, if done correctly, would make any art lover proud.

The idea is simple, really, and undoubtedly has been done before. I would go around and take pictures of old barns, particularly ones in disrepair or that had been damaged by storms or fires. I see these images in my head, high in contrast, gently rolling hills of harvested fields in the background, a rusty fence in the foreground to add some depth. I've composed so many of these images in my head and driven past so many great opportunities but I've never just gone out and TAKEN a series of pictures, I've never just DONE IT.

I've had my share of lame excuses. When I was 14 I was totally convinced that one of the first things I would do with my drivers license was to take my 35 mm Canon camera out to take the pics, but somehow, an interest in the fairer sex ended up taking precedence.

Once again I am going to go for it. I might not end up with the greatest images but at some point this weekend I am gonna go out, enjoy a nice drive around Washtenaw and Monroe Counties, visualize some images and take a roll or two of pictures.

Sounds like a nice way to welcome in the season.

The good old days

Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of WXYZ Channel 7 news in Detroit. To celebrate the event, what is widely regarded as the best newscast team in Detroit history; Bill Bonds (pictured), John Kelly and Marilyn Turner, were invited back to do the 7 o'clock news.

Now, I'm not old enough to remember John Kelly and Marilyn Turner on the news, but rather on their morning show, Kelly & Company. Seeing the two of them gave me one of those pseudo-deja vu moments where you suddenly have vivid memories of something you wouldn't have remembered had you not been reminded. I was reminded of mornings home from school or in the summer watching with my mom. Not because I liked the show, but because I watched whatever my mom watched.

But Bill Bonds, he, I've never forgotten. As a fan of voice actors and distinctive voices, his was one of the first that really struck me. Particularly in news broadcasts there is something very comforting about a familiar voice.

The three showed their age, and it was clear they weren't totally comfortable with everything that has changed since they were last together at broadcast house, but it was a very intriguing newscast.

Local news broadcasts have certainly changed in the last 15-20 years and that point was illustrated when the producers allowed the news to be broadcast just like the good old days, where the anchor could have an opinion and the news was brought to you in depth. It was in stark contrast to the broadcasts of today where unless it's a breaking news crisis, stories only take a minute, sometimes even less.

I heard a few interviews with Bill Bonds and he made it clear he wishes he'd made some different decisions in life and also hopes someone will give him another shot in the big chair. While I don't think that is very likely it sure was nice to be reunited with the "gang" I never even saw broadcast together.

Favorite Colors

You know, I've never been a big fan of red.

It's eerily close to the scarlet the buckeyes don on gameday.

Allegiances aside, it's an interesting experience to be a late 20's not-so-young anymore, not-so-urban anymore professional in this economic turbulence. Checking on the once robust retirement accounts dwindle 5% per day and trying to convince oneself that this is a long term buying opportunity is just the sort of counter intuitive learning experience somebody my age needs.

Money is really looking for something to do. As appealing as mattress stuffing might be, I'm convinced there's something better.

The question becomes, are we nearing the bottom in the market? Does any faith in equities remain or are we destined for a decade of gaining 2.6% on cd's and .2% in a savings account?

Eh screw it, buy some stock.