Five Years??

While posting around here has slowed down a bit, it is still worth noting that this blog has now passed FIVE YEARS online...it was "born" September 3, 2004.

Wow.

New Mac and Snow Leopard

For about the last 6 months, I have been debating when and if to get a new laptop. See, my laptop is a huge tool for me...I am on it at least a couple of hours daily, usually more, surfing the web, writing email, reading news, chatting, and all kinds of other things. And I will be back in class this week, which means more papers, web assisted discussions and the like.

The week before last, I had to take a cab home from CSP one afternoon, and I decided to detour to the mall because I needed some pants. While I was there, I decided to pop in the Apple Store for the second time in a month to look at new MacBook Pros...and I finally caved. The combination of a free iPod Touch and interest free financing got me and I walked out with a new 13 inch, 2.53 Ghz MB Pro...and I love it.

My one complaint though, has been with Snow Leopard. I was sent an upgrade for $10 through their "Up to Date" program, and while there are some improvements, there are also flaws:

1. I spent over 45 minutes on the phone with AppleCare on Friday to solve a problem with my screen going black and the computer becoming unresponsive during installation. Turns out the install disc is designed to run with factory presets, and because I had dimmed my screen slightly it didn't properly respond.

2. My HP DeskJet will not work with the new OS. HP claims the model is supported, but Apple doesn't have the drivers available yet and rumor is it could be weeks or months before they are. Completely maddening, stupid, and may make it necessary for me to buy a new printer because I refuse to be without for that long.

So...verdict is:

MacBook Pro rules, but if your machine is not preloaded with Snow Leopard it may be to one's benefit to wait a month or two to upgrade...let them get the bugs out.

Where Did Summer Go?

Apparently, I have not blogged since July 11th. It has become a pattern that I just do not have as much time or desire to update this as I once did. Although as I enter the next stage of my personal, academic and professional life I can't bring myself to pull the plug entirely.

The last couple months have been good and things have begun to fall into place. I have been busy preparing for my first semester in the Leadership in Student Affairs Program at the University of St Thomas, and recently began an internship in Student Services at Concordia University in St. Paul. It is a challenging, fun and exciting time as I begin this new journey.

Many people have asked me recently if I am ready to be back in school. The answer to that question is really a multi-faceted one. Yes, I am ready to learn, to be taking steps to move forward on my chosen path, and to be back in the higher education environment I love. I know, however, that the rigorous schedule of work, internship, classes, studying, and attempting to maintain a personal life will take some time to get used to again. But I am ready and I embrace it.

Wish me luck!