Ahasae Tharu . net

  VS. 
Link: Apple's iPad vs. Kindle, Eee PC, PSP Go

With our upcoming travels and baby and all things considered - I was thinking to get myself an Apple iPad as a lightweight companion tool for use on the bus during my long commute as well as for when I eventually take the baby out for walks and the like.  Our household has a ton of computers (most of which are in the domain of my Geek husband) but I am constantly on the look out for something that will allow me to spend time with my scribbles (and the occasional game of Bedazzled Jems/Scrabble).  

The downside to the Asus Eee Pc is that it runs Windows7, and I am firmly in the Mac/Linux bias at the moment.  That said, when developing sites - it's always good to check out how the site runs on IE (which I would never have on the aforementioned operating systems).  Most of my interactions are from websites and so it shouldn't slow me down any when it comes to blog posts and the like.

The second downside is that it only has a 0.3MP camera.  But wait, the ipad doesn't even have a camera!  So in that case, it's a point for the EEE.  

In terms of battery life - 1 hour difference isn't significant - if you're buying the EEE model that holds a charge for 8-9 hours.  In terms of speed, all the reviews on bestbuy.com suggest upgrading the 1GB to 2GB to speed things up.  Also, at some point I may just have UBUNTU running off the little PC which again would speed things up. (Still not sold on the Windows7, but I will give it a shot and rant or review on it!)

The BIG upside to getting the Asus and not getting the iPad is in having a keyboard (so I can bang away at emails, scribbles, and rambling blogs).  I added the ipad to a cart, added the case, added a keyboard, etc etc... and realised the price has suddenly gone up by more than $200!  I'll digress a moment - a long time ago I had a palm pilot (2MB!) and I invested in the foldable keyboard.  I still found that it was more trouble than worth and I never did end up using it to the extent that I originally wanted to - I'd leave the keyboard behind and then realize I wanted it.. or be carrying it around needlessly.

I'm also a clutz and seeing the state of my beaten down Blackberry of not even a year - I'm wondering how well the screen will take a beating.  In comparison, a smaller laptop that closes and that I could keep in a neoprene sleeve... 

Admittedly, I would get the ipad regardless were the price significantly lower.  But when it comes down to it - the netbook is half the price and I can get it on the same day I want it.

Finally - weight.  The ipad wins in this department - but what if I'm carrying it in a case, with a keyboard... suddenly it's bulky beyond belief!  So even if the netbook is a bit heavier (2.9lbs, 1+kg).. at least it's compact.

So Asus EEE PC Netbook... you are my future.  Reviews & Rants to follow!

Its been a while - granted, the tiredness of the first three months of being pregnant has finally worn off and I'm back to the usual waking up early, doing the chores, enjoying being alert, and blogging.

The question always is - how much is it worth to blog?  These are random thoughts, or interesting things that crop up - but it does end up consuming a lot of time when done regularly.  I was sent a quote from a personal website stating how family would only be mentioned in the most abstract sense and how the person in question preferred to let their child eventually develop their own online relationship without having their parent's do it for them!  I quite agree.

And so, there have been no ultra sound pictures posted - and of course at the time the baby comes - we will post some pictures for friends and family to be kept up to date (saves me a ton in not having to send out announcement cards to the whole world!).  But that said, how much should I blog?  How much is too much?

I've been pretty quiet on the pregnancy front as well - is it right or wrong to know or disclose the gender of your child prior to its birth?  These are questions that I wonder at times.  Sometimes I feel like telling people "Its really none of your business".  Same goes to the nosy person who asked me how long we were trying to conceive and whether we had any trouble.  "It's none of your business."  And yet, countless websites are so helpful with people expressing their experiences with pregnancy symptoms, the occasional leg cramps and what to do about them.  So is it right or is it wrong to blog so much detailed information?

In this information riddled age, its nice to have a secret.  It's nice to keep something just between yourself and perhaps your loved ones.  So not all information will be disclosed here.  But I promise to report on the randomness that passes, as it happens.  For that in itself is interesting - and more likely to be forgotten!*

*Once upon a time I posted a blog entry about a bird that had flown into my parked car and how I went about getting it out.  Having long since forgotten the tale, when I was perusing some old blog posts looking for a recipe - I stumbled upon it and had a good laugh.  I'd completely forgotten the episode!

Just had to post this - we'll see if my husband notices.

Planning to be in Copenhagen for the event though whether or not I attend has yet to be seen!

We found out several months ago that we were pregnant!  Actually, Steph was at a conference at the time and I remember sending the picture of the pee-stick during a skype conversation.  The look of happiness on his face was priceless.  Unfortunately his roomate had just walked in because he couldn't blurt out what was in his thoughts. 

Later, when he was back we celebrated privately and our lifestyle changed for a time.  I'm extremely happy for having a job and work to distract me during the days and I would return home exhausted only to pass out on the bed and sleep for 12 or more hours straight.  Somehow it worked and the feelings of nausea and the usual bloatedness had little effect on my day time performance.  But we did become reclusive - not going out to dinners and spontaneous parties as we otherwise would or could have.

Steph is a wonderful husband, attending to my every beck and call.  He really empathized and could see that when I could carry on no further from exhaustion or when I was frustrated from being randomly turned off or on from foods (which could happen at a moment's notice), he would patiently take the offensive bit and put it on his own plate.  Mornings, I was allowed to sleep in an extra hour while he prepared tea and breakfast.

Life as an ogre isn't too much fun and as we came to the begining of 12 weeks it was with great relief that I could feel my energy levels returning.  I could finally make that 20 minute walk to Davis Square and back (which I was bypassing with a bus on a regular basis).  My body also feels a bit less bloated though I've long since been unable to wear my jeans and other pants due to a slightly expanded waistline. 

I cheat with maternity pants (though I'm hardly showing!) because it's like wearing track pants - but nobody knows!

We've had a few scans to confirm the baby's heart beat and health - unfortunately none of the pictures are more than a blob on a black and white screen - so I'll hold off on pictures to give this baby some due respect.  You'll see her or him when he or she is good and ready to come out!

Thanks for all the supportive wishes and I look forward to hearing good advice from all the mums out there.  My parents are thrilled to be having a second grandchild and for Steph's parents it will be their first!

Welcome to the new addition to Eun-Ah and Andrew's life - Little Gloria Hunter!  There have been quite a few babies appearing on the horizon - who knows who will be next!

Blog entries have stalled and stopped altogether due to being occupied by work during the day and enjoying my evenings at night.  So many weekends have passed since I've started and the paychecks are not something to complain about!  The only thing I don't like as much is the amount of time I commute (to which most people would say my 40-60 min commute is more than average!).  What I need is a good book to pass the time away.  

I haven't finished "Guns, Germs & Steel" yet - but I find the author repeats previously published material from his other books.  This way, it's not so exciting to read this book as I find myself skipping over paragraphs and pages when I find myself in familiar territory.