The Munks Den

Monday, June 15, 2009

RIP to my trusty iPhone...

Alas...my trusty 1st Gen iPhone has finally bit the bullet. It's not completely busted though...there's just about an inch wide section of the screen that no longer works. Well, correction...the display is fine...it's just the touch screen that no longer works in that area. The worst part is that the section of the screen that is now touch challenged just happens to be in a part of the screen that is pretty much needed for just about everything. For example, I can't update ANY of my current apps or download new apps from the App Store. I can select the stuff I want, but when it asks for my iTunes password, the "OK" button just happens to be in the now defunct section of the screen. So, can't complete the transaction. Aargh!!!
I also can't dial phone numbers...especially ones here in LA since 1, 2 and 3 are all in the defunct area of the screen as well. That rules out the ability to dial 310 for the area code. AARGH!!! It's been a good run Mr. 1st Gen...but it's almost time for us to part ways...

Despite the current state, I have to admit that this phone has been pretty damn resilient. I've dropped and banged it around fairly constantly since I first got it....especially since my days are spent in an auto shop with concrete floors. It's been covered in grease and oil and never really skipped a beat. Even had a time where I went to answer my phone, had oil on my hands and when I raised it up to my ear it slipped out, flew about ten feet and smashed onto the aforementioned concrete floor and slid another 10 feet before grinding to a screen-down halt. Went to go pick it up and I was sure it would be somehow unusable after, but to my amazement it got though that incident with nothing more than a good sized dent in the upper right corner (where the initial impact was). Impressive...most impressive.
I guess all the beating that this phone has taken at my hands has finally caught up with it. C'est La vie...

I guess this couldn't come at a better time though, with the new 3G (S) version of the iPhone being released on the 19th. I'm not saying I want it bad enough where I would wait in line for hours for one, but it's still reassuring to know that I can replace it with the latest and greatest. Speaking of latest and greatest, I must admit that the iPhone definitely has me NEEDING another one. I can't imagine replacing it with anything else. Funny thing is, before having the 1st Gen, I was pretty much through with having the "latest and greatest"....didn't really care about having a high-tech phone. If it weren't for the fact that my bro bought me one as a B-day gift (Thanks again, Kuya!), I honestly probably never would have gotten one. I just didn't feel the need. But now...having had the 1st Gen for 2 years, I don't think I could now live WITHOUT one.
So, farewell my trusty 1st Gen friend....i'll miss you, but hopefully will enjoy the company of your new and improved sibling...=D

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

The Morning After...

The speeches made last night, both by President Elect Barak Obama and by Senator John McCain left me feeling hopeful for the country that we call home. However, the more that I think about it, the more that one part of McCain's speech bothers me.

McCain made a point to say that Obama's election as President is a great achievement for African-Americans. WTF? It's not just a great achievement for African-Americans. It's a great achievement for ALL Americans! While the robes and hoods may have been turned in for suits and ties, Obama getting elected proves that we, as a country have come a long way. The American people have come a long way.

Honestly, when this whole election began, as much as I thought it would be great to see Obama as president, I didn't think the country was ready. Racism is so deep rooted in many people's psyches that I didn't think that i'd see a black president in my lifetime. I thought that i'd see a white woman as president long before i'd see a black president. Wow. I'm glad that the American People have proved me wrong. And to that, I applaud you. I applaud us all. Again, I say, I have never felt prouder to be an American. Rock on!

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Ooh...Say...Can...you...SEEEE!!!

Wow. I've never felt so proud to be an American. The election of the first African-American president really is a historic, monumental occasion! While there is still a LOOONG way to go, this historic event fills me with such hope for the future of this great nation!

To top it off, McCain's concession speech IMHO has been his best speech yet. Had the man that made that speech been the one that ran his campaign, he might have pulled it off and won. However, he lost and lost very graciously...there can be no shame whatsoever in that. In fact, his concession speech has gained him a new-found respect from me. While the boos from his supporters in regard to President Obama and Vice-president Biden are a shameful refection of the American people, McCain's pleas to his supporters to now support, as he will, our new president gave me hope for a stronger, better America...one that we can all be proud of. Let's hope that tonight's historic events are the start of a new chapter in the history of this great nation that we call home.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Happy 1st Birfday Ian!

Today is officially Ian's first Birthday. We, however, celebrated it yesterday with him for "convenience" sake. It was a day of fun in the sun, water fountains, food (of course!) and cake. Can't forget the (mini)Cake! He even got to do as he pleased with said mini-cake (which was REALLY good BTW, sherpa!) Unfortunately however, that mostly entailed a lot of mashing and smashing and not so much eating. Oh well, there's always next year Ian!

The day also gave me a little bit of time to play some more with the new camera and try to dig up the old photographer in me(trying to convince myself that I didn't take 4 years of photography in high school for nothing, dammit!). There's definitely much to re-learn and learn in the Digital Photography world! Anyway, here's some of my favorites of Ian from the day (some are also from the other weekend when Beefcake and The German were here). Happy 1st Birthday Ian!