Doing another video project for my Grandfather brought me back to the beach house yet again today. Mom tagged along as well so she could take Grandma shopping.
Activities for the day complete, Mom and I make dinner. Grilled Halibut with corn on the cob plus some watercress lighty dressed with my vinegrette. Yes, it was good.
Anyway, the conversation turned to my Grandmother talking about one of their friends having Alzheimers.
G’ma: I heard so and so has Alzheimers.
G’pa: Who did you hear that from?
G’ma: I don’t remember
Everyone: ROFL
We know that Alzheimers isn’t funny, but in this particular context it was.
I’ve got video coming later in the week that I think you might enjoy as well. Watch for it!
In case you missed it on Facebook, my tumblr or my YouTube channel, here is teh lad smokin’ in the 100m breast stroke at his first swim meet.
[video deleted]
Found out today, that time is only 15 seconds off of what the guys are on the Varsity squad are swimming. Not bad for a kid who has only seen about 2 weeks of pool time!
And, make it worthwhile. Click the HD button. Exactly why I bought the Canon HF100 right there friends.
It’s almost the New Year so I think now would be a good time to check in.
The Technology Challenge
You remember this from late ‘07, right?
And, while you are making your new years resolutions this year, pick someone close to you and introduce them to something new to use the internet for. If they got a digital camera for Christmas, help them with a flickr account. Show them how RSS works and help them set up a Google account. Introduce them to Podcasting. Show them the wonders of Craiglist. Anything. Just pick one and try to make it happen. It’s time these people find out that the web is more than email and banking!
How’d you do?
Wait! Before you tell me how well you did, let’s see if you can beat me.
- Mom got a new digital camera (like mine) and flickr account. Ok, so there are only 2 photos, but it’s there and I will be getting her to use it more this coming year.
- Mom is an MMS sending fool. Sounds and photos from her camera to anyone in her contacts list on her phone. Oh, and she is even emailing them to herself on her phone.
- Grandad is now rockin’ a hot new computer with Office ‘07 and Vista. Sure this counts. Have you seen the changes from XP to Vista? From Office 2K to ‘07? From Outlook Express to Windows Live Mail? I totally get credit for this.
- I got Jeannie to turn her new laptop on!
- I got someone to switch from Windows to Mac. Verified.
- Fireball Tim started a blog.
So, I think I did pretty good.
I believe that 2009 is going to be the year for RSS for my users. I thought it might be the year of Twitter, but I think I’m going to continue to keep that to myself. Besides, Mom gets really frustrated when trying to send a text message.
Ok, your turn. Belly up. How did you get your users to use technology? Or did you fail? It’s ok, you can tell us, we are all friends here. Besides, someone might have a suggestion to get you started!
Christmas was pretty uneventful around these parts this year. But there was family stuff and good eats!
Me, doing what I do on Christmas, Thanksgiving and any other large family gathering.
Today is her funeral and as I have mentioned before, we weren’t that close.
She was 99 years old, would have been 100 if she made it to her birthday in March. Not many people around that were born before 1910 anymore, so I would call this a remarkable feat.
How did she get that old? Clean living my friends. She didn’t smoke, didn’t drink (besides the occassional glass of wine or brandy), didn’t cuss and went to church on a regular basis. Oh yea, plus time at the ‘Y’ doing water aerobics. I’m pretty sure Grandma Mac would get Chuck Norris shakin’ in his beard.
I say didn’t cuss, but that’s not 100% true. There was this time at the g’rents for her 95th birthday that I got her to cuss, and it was awesome.
Grandma Mac was tiny, weighed 90lbs dripping wet and had a bit of a drawl, which I think was the default accent in the United States prior to 1930.
Anyway.
Were are having a good time trying to teach Mom a clever way to tell people how old she is. It goes something like this.
Person So, how old are you?
Mom I am 19 years older than my oldest son.
Person How hold is he?
Mom (laughing so hard it’s not making any noise) Fuck if I know!
Cute right? Sure, from Mom almost 5 years ago. Better, and, if I might add, totally deadpan with perfect timing?
Grandma Mac.
I almost fell down laughing so hard. I would have done a spit take for sure, or passed beverage through my nose if I had one. Fantastically awesome.
As you read this, we are celebrating her life. I think I will have a glass of wine and cuss just for her.
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