I love my new Apple Watch series 3 so much ……UPDATED

 

 

My new Apple Watch series 3 was delivered yesterday.  I wasn’t expecting to love it.  That may seem like an odd statement coming from an apple fan boy like me, whose owned EVERY iPhone every iPad every Apple Watch and several macs.  But bear with me ill explain……

As I said I’ve owned every Apple Watch since the original

I’m sorry I had the original

I skipped series 1 and went straight to series 2

now I have series 3. The cellular version Not that I ever have a desire to make phone calls on it but I wanted to be able to receive notifications messages etc.  when my phone wasn’t with me.

Now that being said the Apple Watch is the only Apple product that I didn’t totally love….and here’s why.

I have tattoos, lots of tattoos, including on both my wrists.  Now its no secret its been we’ll publicized on the web.  You may have heard the phrase tattoogate.

Anyone who knows anything about Apple Watch knows that it will automatically lock if it thinks its off your wrist Apple did that for security reasons due to Apple Pay  I wouldn’t want anyone to be able to use my stored Apple Pay card and neither did apple

So they made the watch require a passcode and wrist detection in order to use Apple Pay

So until now I had to make a choice.  I could use Apple Pay on my watch BUT I had to put up with not getting my notifications because my watch would keep locking itself OR….

I could receive all of my notifications but I couldn’t use Apple Pay because turning off the passcode requirement or wrist detection automatically removed my card.

Now what I discovered,by accident, yesterday is that turning off wrist detection on the series 3 watch does NOT remove my card from Apple Pay. I still have the option to use it

I double click the side button to activate Apple Pay just like everyone else but it will ask for my 4 digit passcode for security reasons. It’s not perfect not as fast and probably isn’t the way Apple intended it to work, I say that because as far as I know no one has reported on it.  BUT IT DOES WORK!!!!!

After talking to Adam from the maccast yesterday and having a friend of mine with a series 2 ⌚️ run a little test for me I realized that its due to watch os4 not exclusive to the series 3 watch

So now anyone with an Apple Watch capable of running os4, that has a problem using Apple Pay because of tattoos DOES NOT have that problem anymore

So that was my discovery and that’s why I now totally love my Apple Watch !!

Ok now that I’ve let you in on that secret.  If you were paying attention to the screenshots at the top of this post You already know that I have an iPhone X and I’m amused with the animoji

its a stupid little fun gimmick and the pig seems to be the favorite of my friend Todd McCann who produces the Trucker dump podcast.

Ive had my iPhone X since I got off the road Monday. I actually received it on launch day (since I was up at 0301 on October 27th, the moment preordering went live.)

but because of my job as a truck driver I wasn’t here to receive it until monday

My buddies in the itruckers slack group have already heard all of this (if you’re a trucker with a love for apple you should consider joining us send an email to itruckers@icloud.com)

but for the rest of you ill share my favorite features and thoughts about it here.

I was really bummed that the black color option on the iPhone 7 was no longer available

so I had to order the space gray…to my surprise and delight the space gray model looks black I attribute that to the glass on the back It’s not alu minium anymore😜😜 However the color doesn’t really matter because I immediately put it in a black case so I wouldn’t risk breaking the glass.

Physically its a lot smaller than the iPhone plus It’s more like the size of the iPhone 7 or 8 however because apple ditched the home button and was able to all but completely get rid of the bezels The OLED screen is actually the same size as I was used to on the plus

According to apple it’s actually bigger (5.8” as opposed to 5.7”) & that OLED screen is amazing You just have to see it

The only downside so far is that I want to keep trying to press the home button but like I said its not there I’m sure ill get used to that.

I was really concerned about giving up Touch ID in my home button I’m over it

Face ID works amazingly well & its extremely fast All of my applications that allowed me to log in with Touch ID now work with face ID, just like Apple promised they would.

Another big concern I had is that I would hate the notch at the top of the screen but that turned out to be a non issue I hardly ever notice it.

Initial setup was amazingly fast and easy It works similar to the way you pair an Apple Watch to your iPhone

You still have the raise to wake function or now you can tap the screen to wake it up(like Apple Watch)

The speakers are louder, not that I would listen to it that way I normally use my AirPods. But I could

Control center is no longer a swipe up from the bottom of the screen Apple had to move it because a swipe up from the bottom of the screen is the replacement for the home button It is now accessed by swiping down from the top on the right horn🤘🏻

Speaking of the bottom of the home screen there is now a shortcut for the flashlight and the camera at the bottom of the screen they are accessible using 3D Touch.

In conclusion as has already been said by rene Ritchie over at imore.com

The iPhone X is the best damn product apple has ever made

 

 

@toddmccann trucker dump podcast

Rene Ritchie from imore

For more information go to imore.com

Adam at the maccast

 

 

I bitch more than a woman lol

I bitch more than a woman, or so I’ve been told. Maybe that’s true. I’m also an asshole & I know it! lol BUT some things need to be brought to the attention of certain people, complaining or “bitching” about something maybe the only way to get something done

Maybe it will or maybe it will just fall on deaf ears. But I think this needs to be said, it needs to be brought to the attention of my readers (all three of you lol)

i know I don’t have to tell any of you, but just in case someone reading this isn’t a truck driver I must say; Truck drivers don’t make as much money as everyone thinks we do.

Or so it would seem that all these truck stops think we are made of money. That’s why they charge us such outrageous prices on things we need.  Right!?

WE drivers are forced to pay for a lot out here on the road, too much IMO.  We pay for our meals, either by the groceries we buy to keep in our trucks, or eating out every day at these truck stop restaurants or fast food joints (which will be the subject of my rant today)

Sometimes we have to pay for parking and even showers

Ok I guess maybe I can see the point of where most people “think” we make a lot of money maybe we do compared to what someone who stays at home and works 40 hours a week makes. BUT if you consider how much more it costs us to live out on the road 85% of the time, and consider the 70 hours every 8 days we are expected to work. We really don’t make any more money, certainly not as much as we deserve 

But I’m not going to even get started on that soap box(that’s a whole other blog)

The point I wanted to get to today was regarding a situation that I’ve come across before but when it happened to me today it really pissed me off and I thought I would write a blog about if for no other reason than to make me feel better.

I stopped today for my mandatory 30 minute break in Knightstown IN at the Loves(exit 115 off of I70)

Now normally,lately I should say, I would fix my lunch in the truck. But since I knew I had almost $18 in points on my Loves card  I figured I could eat free at McDonalds. I was wrong 

Now let me say it’s not that I didn’t have the money to pay for my food, if that had been my intention But it wasn’t

 

In fact one of the only reasons I still eat at McDonalds, aside from growing up on it thanks to my sorry ass too lazy to cook mother. But I won’t go there That wasn’t my point

I eat there because I can pay with Apple Pay on my watch, in case someone is reading this that doesn’t already know I am a self confessed super obsessed Apple fanatic and the only place I get to use Apple Pay out on the road at truck stops is McDonalds.

But my intent today wasn’t to pay for my food instead I was going to eat free thanks to the points on my loves card

Well folks that didn’t work out.  After I ordered I was told that this McDonalds inside the truck stop didn’t accept their card..

To say the least I was pissed, so pissed as a matter of fact I went right next door to order from Subway, which I hate anyone that knows me can tell you that BUT I could pay for my sandwich there with points!!!

Now I’m not hating on subway intentionally In fact their food is better than McD’s certainly healthier if you worry about that kind of thing.  It’s just that I got so burnt out on them EVERY truck stop you go into has one and sometimes that is the only choice you have there besides the hot dogs on rollers. Yuck!

Now this isnt the the first time I’ve encountered this problem and this issue isn’t limited to loves.

From what I’ve been told at these truck stops (Pilot,Loves&Flying Js mainly)  the problem is that McDonalds or whatever fast food joint is there is usually leasing the space whereas subway is usually owned by the truck stops Subways are all franchised and pilot&loves each own their own franchise

Now surely I’m not the only driver who has ever encountered this issue or been pissed off by a similar situation (or maybe I’m just an asshole that likes to hear myself bitch lol)

Seriously though if you other drivers feel like I do please email their corporate offices like I’m going to do to let  them know how unfair we think this is to us IF THEYRE LOCATED IN THE TRUCKSTOP THEY SHOULD HAVE TO ACCEPT THEIR POINTS PERIOD I DONT CARE WHO OWNS IT OR DOESNT

Contacts:

@pilottravel 1-800-562-6210 Knoxville TN

1-800 OK LOVES or loves.com

ta-petro.com

Feel free to copy&spate to use this in your email or compose your own  thanks for your support 

To Whom it may concern:

We the truck drivers of America who keep you in business by buying fuel, food & supplies at your truck stops feel strongly that we are already being overcharged for more than enough(parking,showers food etc.)

Although we do appreciate your rewards card program We feel that it should be mandatory for a fast food establishment located inside your TRUCKSTOP whether it be McDonalds,Wendy’s,Subway etc.  to accept your points regardless,of whether or not they are owned by or just leasing space from you

 

 

 

@driverchrismc on twitter

iPhone6s minus

---

Hello again driverchrismc back once again.

First i would like to start off by explaining to you the title of this blog post.  No theres not actually an   device called iPhone6s minus.

This years newest iPhone models are, as we all expected, the iPhone6s and 6s+

The reason i gave this post the name “iPhone6s minus” is because for me this could be considered a step backwards.  Reason being I used to i have the iPhone6+, of course i also had the 6 but after about a month with it I gave it to my girlfriend so that i could get the 6+.

If you know me at all you’ll understand because you already know that I’m indecisive, compulsive, and obsessive. Especially when it comes to new apple products. I blame all of it on my ADD.  Thats my story and I’m sticking Oh shit squirrel LOL

Now the reason i decided to go back to the smaller 4.7″ screen instead of sticking with the plus size 5.5″ screen is safety or more to the point convenience. I can’t effectively comfortably do everything with one hand.

This is something that never would’ve happened, if Steve Jobs were still alive.  One of his famous unwavering commitments to apples line of iPhones was that he was determined that “his” iPhone should remain easy for us to use one handed.

However he also would’ve never made the iPad any smaller(iPad mini).  So sadly a lot has really changed at apple since his passing

Of course if i was seriously worried about safety i wouldn’t use it while driving so not being able to one hand it wouldn’t be a problem. But i think everyone already knows that I and i suspect most if not all of you drivers that are reading this, whether you care to admit or not We ALL use our phones while driving and not everything can be done handsfree

Now I’m not advocating doing anything illegal or unsafe. Using your phone while driving is both.  Im simply being honest.

So there you have it folks thats it in a nutshell The reason that i got the 6s instead of the 6s+.  Bigger isn’t always better.  My girlfriend thought that was funny for some reason.LMFAO For the record I went with a 64gb iPhone6s to replace my 128gb iPhone6+Not only have I realized the bigger screen made it more difficult to use I now know that i didn’t need that extra 64gb of space.  64 is just fine it seems to be the sweet spot for most iPhone users

So now that you’re all bored to tears.  Like any of you really cared about the size of my new iPhone(i know you could all careless)Now the disclaimer :

Perhaps i should’ve put this disclaimer in right up front.  But i am by NO means a professional writer, So my blogs maybe hard to follow.  Sorry ill blame that on my ADD again

Neither am I a professional reviewer or an expert on the subject of apple products.

Although i am obsessed with and have owned or currently own all of apples iOS devices since the iPhone 4 came to verizon wireless back in February 2011

(iPhones 4,4s,5,5s,5c,6,6+,6s iPad,iPad2,air mini mini with retina and air2)

Additionally I’ve got a mac book pro I’m using to write this.

 Ive purchased a 21″iMac Ive got apple tv’s a mac mini as well as many accessories like the smart keyboard and trackpad and numerous smart covers smart cases etc. And The apple watch.

Does that qualify me as an expert? I don’t know maybe it should

But at least i feel it makes me qualified to write this review.

I won’t even claim to be in the same league with the people i consider to be the real experts

Like Leander Kahney from Cult of Mac, Leo LaPorte from twit.tv, Renee Ritchie&Serinity from imore

just to name a few.

I respect all of them for what they do and i follow them and listen to all their podcasts as well as read most of their blogs

All of the above was aligned the way it is on purpose So if it looks funny Sorry its my blog and i did it that way because I CAN

I can start my review now.  I say start,thats because I’ve only had it two days and wouldn’t be comfortable completing a review at this time, so i may hold off awhile on posting this blog or i may post it and update it later,that remains to be seen

1. The force touch or more correctly 3D touch,I’m used to saying force touch because of my apple watch.  I love it. nothing else needs to be said about that
2. Much improved super scary fast, almost too fast, touch ID sensor.  This is I think a much needed and appreciated improvement. Only problem is it is so fast that you’ll never see your lock screen when you press the home button.  So if you’re like me and want to see your notifications on the lock screen, DONT touch the home button! Click the power button on the side instead.
3. Live photos; this is a feature that has me intrigued as well as perplexed.  Ive not quite figured out how to use them effectively, so ill have to wait till later to review that feature.
4. Peek&Pop on texts webpages or emails
5. “Hey Siri” Although this actually isn’t exclusive You could do this before in iOS8 and forward but your iPhone had to be plugged in and locked. Now it is always on and makes Siri much more useful in my opinion.
6. You can search in settings.  Which is very handy I think Saves me a lot of time and confusion
7. Better cameras!!!!! That may not excite most of you but it does me Im a photographer So the new and improved 12mp rear and 5mp front facing camera as well as the various other software improvements apple has made to the cameras are well worth it…did i forget to mention it shoots 4K video(i forgot to mention it because its useless as far as I’m concerned because unless someone else has a 6s or 6s+ or an extremely expensive 4k TV they can’t see it in 4K)

So there you have it folks my review of the iPhone6s As i said i don’t claim to be a pro but if you’re reading this you either followed a link in one of my tweets or saw my Facebook post So i thank you for taking the interest and spending your time to read my ramblings

Till next time drivers Be safe out there

My new apple watch

WOW its been a really long time since i posted on here.  i almost couldn’t remember how to log in

This blog post will be about my new apple watch, which i really do think is awesome, but before i get to that I want to update every1 on why I’ve been gone so long and let you know about things going on in my life and why i decided to write a new blog post now.  Maybe noone cares to hear my whining maybe some of you will but either way it will make me feel better to get it all out here and also occupy my time to get my mind off of things

Now all that being said here we go:

The reason i decided to dust off my trusty old mac book pro and write this blog today is that i need to get my mind off things and try to be happy about the decisions i have made.  I really hoped that being busy back out here on the road would help, but right now I’m sitting at a shipper,been here for over 5 hours and that gave me way too much time to think and start to get depressed again.

Okay my long absence from this blog First of all for those of you that don’t know I just divorced my third wife, Tammy and coincidentally enough also broke up with my girlfriend, that I’ve been with since last November By the way her name is Tammy as well lol  Didn’t have to change the tattoo on my back

And since I’m bearing it all out here In case any of you were wondering my wife and i were separated a couple months before i met my girlfriend So one has nothing to do with the other.

It was my decision to break up with Tammy.  The reasons are nobodys business but ours.  However i was hoping to remain friends with her.  Well happy day folks she added me back on Facebook today and text me to say i was right maybe we were better off as friends and that she was ok with the breakup now.

But since i started to talk to her again today, as a friend.  I started to wonder if i would be able to handle being friends with my X.  Ive never done that before and I’m not sure how ill handle her being with someone new.  Only time will tell

Alright now that I’m through whining On with the blog:

As most of you know I’m a BIG time apple geek.  Normally i get a new apple product as soon as its released.  that wasn’t the case with the iwatch,oops knew id do that.  The apple watch was released in April of this year and i didn’t purchase one until about a month ago.

I wasn’t at all sure when i first saw apple announce it that i would even want one. After all i haven’t worn a watch in many years Ever since cell phones with clocks. I WAS WRONG I absolutely love it.

It is so much more than a watch It is a great watch by the way but its so much more.  My main reason for finally deciding to get one is safety.  As you all know i drive an 18 wheeler for a living and I have a terribly bad habit of using my iPhone while I’m driving.  Thats both highly dangerous and highly illegal.  Now with my apple watch on my wrist. When it stays unlocked,but ill get to that later(its my fault not apples)

As i said when it stays unlocked I get all my notifications on my wrist,(texts emails Facebook twitter even our Prime mobile app) so therefore i can just look at my watch while driving instead of reaching over to pick up my iPhone. It even lets me reply to messages by voice which is extremely cool in my opinion. So thats why i feel its safer.

Now as far as only getting notifications when it stays unlocked.  The reason is this and I’m sure some of you have heard of it As with all scandals involving apple products it was well publicized and given the name #tattoogate.

Now initially the reports of wrist tattoos causing the sensors on the back of the watch to not be able to read that its on your wrist were officially denied by apple, but they have sense publicly admitted that yes indeed wrist tattoos do interfere with the proper operation of the apple watch. I could’ve told them that after two days of wearing it lol

Now it will stay unlocked all the time if you disable the 4 digit passcode but doing so keeps you from being able to use apple pay, which is my absolute favorite function of the watch.  Its awesome i think to walk into McDonalds or anywhere else that accepts apple pay and pay without even taking my iPhone out of my pocket. Or for that matter my absolute favorite Starbucks, although they don’t accept apple pay they have an iPhone and now an apple watch app that allows you to pay at their registers by simply holding your watch in front of their scanner

So thats why i deal with it locking up sometimes & having to enter my passcode. If i disable the passcode i lose the ability to use apple pay.

So thats it folks i don’t use it for much else besides controlling the music on my iPhone, receiving and replying to text messages apple pay and of course since it is a watch i also check it regularly to see what time it is. Although there are a number of great apps available for it and I’m sure in time ill get more functionality out of it

On a side note I wasn’t actually all that impressed with the new iPhone 6s & 6s+ they announced almost two weeks ago I was however extremely intrigued by the iPad pro and can’t wait to actually see one Who knows with the smart cover/keyboard and apple pencil It could actually suffice as my new laptop replacement

My comment on TD97: A Trucker’s Worst Nemesis: Complacency

My comment on a

We’ll ok I guess I would be wrong here to call my twitter bud @toddmccann a lazy slacker, because well I gotta face the facts. I haven’t posted a  blog here since before the last time he recorded a podcast !!

And as I do more often than not I got the idea for this blog from his podcast. When I say that what I’m meaning to say is that:

After listening to the latest installment of his Trucker Dump podcast,  I felt compelled to comment and give him my thoughts on the subject. But since this is probably going to be rather long. I figured I might as well, do what I did last time and make my comment in response to his blog post, a blog post of my own. So here goes.

Thanks for the inspiration, Todd. As usual it was another well articulated podcast/blog. Although I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as usual. Not that it wasn’t as good as usual but I didn’t hear my name mentioned as usual. Even though you pronounce it wrong. It’s driver Chris Mac. Not M C. I’m no rapper. But I suppose that’s my fault for not correcting you sooner

Heck you even made my wife laugh when you talked about possibly squirting your……I’m not gonna give that away. Everybody will just have to listen to your podcast to hear the rest.

But seriously back to my comment. You asked us to write in if we had thoughts about how to avoid becoming complacent.

I suppose I should point out here that I’ve been in that exact situation. Although I don’t believe I had as hard a time with the landing gear. Something about blood in your mouth I believe you mentioned.

So there’s my disclaimer or admission. Don’t want you to think that I’m any better. As I always tell my students or my co-driver(my wife Tammy). It’s ok to make mistakes. You just need to know how to fix them.

I also still to this day keep in mind something my original trainer told me, and I’ve also heard it said in truck stops by more experienced drivers. Then either you or I

If the day ever comes that you think you know it all. That’s the day you need to turn your keys in and get out of trucking!

Ive heard that said in a variety of ways but I think that pretty much sums it up. What it means to me is this:  If you think you know it all, can do it all, or “I got this”

You have lost your edge, you are dangerous, you are no longer being vigilant enough to keep yourself from being involved in an accident,  you have slipped into “complacency”

Which brings me to my point finally. The best way that I’ve found to avoid complacency every day is to be an instructor and force myself to practice the skills that I teach my students. Now I understand that instructing/training is not an option for everyone. But it works for me.

As as far as the  specific situation that Todd was talking about. And again I’ve been there myself. I’ve also seen the result of drivers not catching their mistake. It’s not pretty.

One of my set in stone rules for myself or anyone else who is driving my truck. Is that you always always without fail perform a tug test on the trailer before pulling away from the dock or parking space or wherever it is that you stopped the truck, set the brakes, and exited the drivers door.

I’ve found over the 4 and 1/2 almost 5 years now that I’ve been with Prime, most of that time spent either instructing, training or team driving, mainly with my wife. If I assume that I don’t know it all every morning when I start to drive. I’ll remain sharp focused and alert. Always keeping in mind the 5 keys learned from the Smith system. Therefore making it less likely that I’ll be involved in a mishap situation I.e. Dropping a trailer, traffic accident, running over something with the trailer etc.  You get the point.

I hope this was the kind of feedback you were looking for Todd and maybe some of your readers could find it helpful. Stay safe out there

Is ADN>twitter: 256>140 (that’s obvious)& comment on abouttruckdriving.com @toddmccann podcast

DISCLAIMER:>>>
I SOMETIMES USE FOUL LANGUAGE IN MY BLOG SO IF THAT OFFENDS YOU IM REAL FUCKING SORRY. LMFAO OH…WAIT THERE GOES ANOTHER SQUIRREL. HaHa! THERE GOES MY ADD AGAIN

BUT SERIOUSLY IF THE OCCASIONAL 4 LETTER WORD DOESN’T OFFEND YOU AND YOU CAN FOLLOW ALONG WITH MY MINDLESS RAMBLINGS. PLEASE CONTINUE READING AND BE SURE TO LEAVE ME A COMMENT, SUGGESTION, CORRECTION OR INSULT DOWN BELOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. THANKS @driverchrismc

Allow me to start off here with my comment, in its entirety, that I wrote last night on @toddmccann ‘s latest Trucker Dump podcast on abouttruckdriving.com. I originally thought I would have to just leave a link to it in his comment section. Because I thought it would be too long winded and would cause his website to go into self destruct mode. He’d be more than a little upset with me if that happened. He worked way too long & hard on it. So please folks if you haven’t checked it out yet. I would recommend you do so Trucker Dump on abouttruckdring.com

First off let me say, before I forget as far as your reply to the 19 year old(from your feedback section). I’m not sure where you are getting that you have to be 23 to drive interstate OTR. The company that you know I drive for, as well as instruct for hires 21 year olds on a weekly basis. I’ve instructed some of them. I’d hate 2 think my company and I were illegally training drivers.

I could’ve written a whole blog instead of commenting here and I’ve even had thoughts of turning my blog into a podcast just like you did.

But here’s the reason I won’t do that( ill just leave the comment here. Perhaps you’ll read it in a future feedback session and ill have achieved the same end result). I don’t mind people hearing what I write, actually I think it would be cool! Just not in my voice. Yours or anyone else’s would be fine. You’ve met me, Todd, you know what I sound like.

Well I hate the way I speak. As a kid I took a lot of kidding(psychological abuse) because of it. I’ve just never gotten over being self conscious about the way I talk

Now enough said about that. If I can remember what I wanted to say now. Oh yes your “drivers seat phenomenon” blog/ podcast

Ill have to admit to being one of those drivers sitting in the seat you were talking about. I can tell you most of the time, when I’m in the seat, I’ve either got my iPhone in my hand(usually on twitter) or sometimes, like right now I have my iPad mini resting on the steering wheel writing this comment. After I finish this I will likely do something I don’t often do. Ill get the MBP out and work on my blog post.

And yes I’ll set it up on the steering wheel. It makes a handy little laptop stand IMO.
And yes the bright white glowing apple will be visible to anyone that passes by my truck and looks. I’m proud to let others know I got an apple MBP. Can’t say that I’ve ever had the fear of someone breaking into my truck. I’m usually in it when it’s parked unless I go in for a quick shower or to grab something to eat. I rarely eat in the restraunt anymore.

Or sometimes maybe I do look like I’m staring into space or watching people walk by or watching the guy next to me park and hope that I can trust him to do so without touching my truck or trailer. I’ve Been a “people watcher” ever since I was a kid. When I’d go to the mall on Saturday nights with my grandparents. Grandad and I would sit on a bench and watch people while my Grammy was in one of the stores.

Or maybe I’m doing my paperwork so I can get paid for the loads I deliver.

Or maybe, and I’ve never thought about it this way, till I listened to your podcast. I just maybe a tad bit clostraphobic. Being in my sleeper area with the curtain closed while I’m awake just feels wrong to me. It’s like I’m shut off from the rest of the world. Unless I’m sleeping or eating, normally the curtains open while I’m eating.

I guess basically what I’m saying is I see no good reason to be in the sleeper with the curtains closed unless I’m actually in bed sleeping.

That should about cover it. I think I’ve confirmed some of your thoughts on this subject and hopefully enlightened you on a few others

And in addition one more reason for sitting in the drivers seat that I didn’t even think of until after I had already left my comment on his website.
I’m sure this wouldn’t have occurred to him since he doesn’t share the habit. Perhaps the driver is, like me, a smoker who doesn’t normally smoke in bed. I only do this twice a day. The first one in the morning when I wake up and the last one at night before I go to sleep. All my other daily cigarettes are smoked while I’m sitting in the drivers seat. Whether I’m driving or parked at a customer or a truckstop.

Ok now that I’ve shared all that with you, just in case your not a subscriber to his blog, I wanted to make sure all of you had the chance to read my words of wisdom LMFAO

On with the blog;

Is ADN>Twitter?(if the shoe fits lace that bitch up and wear it)

Before I get started with this blog post. I feel I should give it a little introduction or more specifically let you know how it came about…

One day last week, I believe it was Thursday , as I was driving towards my 90, that’s how Prime refers to my receiver, I was driving west on I74 in Illinois fixing to have to get on I57 to get to I72. I had been thinking about writing this blog and the things I wanted to say in it, and how I would say them and why…

That was my first mistake. As I’m sure some of you other drivers know, whether or not you want to admit it. Thinking and driving, or daydreaming as its sometimes referred to. Is more distracting IMO than either texting, tweeting, posting or being on the phone.

They should probably write me a ticket for that. Instead of the HUGE fines for texting and driving. I do use Siri most of the time so I’m not actually having to type but I still have my phone in my hand. So I think I should probably invest in a good Bluetooth b4 I get in trouble.
See there I go off track again. Where was I ?

So anyway I exited onto I57 but missed the exit for I72 and had to go down to the next exit and flip around to get to where I was going.

What I had been thinking about as I was driving that day was ADN or App.net. Some of you may have heard of it already or may already be on it. Or you might be asking your self what is ADN and why I should I give two shits about it…

Well ill have to do some more research on it before I publish this blog but for now let me introduce it to you. Let you know how i came to be @driverchrismc on App.net(you can follow me there as well just like you do on twitter) and give you my first impressions. As if you care. LOL. Of course you do if you didn’t you you wouldn’t be reading this….You are still reading aren’t you?

Ok great since I haven’t lost you yet. Here goes the blog:
A few weeks ago I started noticing one of my friends on twitter mention that he was on app.net. Then another of my twitter friends got on there. So I was to say the least curious at this point. So when that first friend I mentioned retweeted someone else’s tweet that gave a link to get on this app.net. I jumped on it. Yes I admit I’m a follower. No shame here.

This is not the same tweet that I was referring to but it will get you there if your interested in going there.

@filmfreak75 Sign up and pay for App dot net on their website, or get a free account via their app:

https://t.co/Nmxp9L2t8b

Yep that’s right the basic idea behind it is a paid social network, like twitter, but not-exactly

Let me say upfront here that you can get on it for free as of this time. That’s how my 2 twitter friends got on it and that’s how I got on. I think we all know my first friend is too much of a cheapskate to pay for something like that,even though I haven’t mentioned his name.

As I said two of my twitter friends were already using it, and by their own admission they plan on using it for a different more techy or photographic purpose something altogether different than the friendly twitter conversations we have on a daily basis. I think that’s a great idea. More power to them, I say.
But here’s what I’ve got in mind as my way of using ADN in addition to twitter
Now as you all know I live on twitter and wouldn’t even think of giving it up or replacing it with ADN

But here’s what I find to be most useful to me about ADN, instead of twitters arbitrarary, or at least I thought that they pulled that 140 character limit out of the blue. I now know after a google search that it indeed makes some sence. http:/limit/www.mediabistro.com/alltwitter/twitter-basics-why-140-characters-and-how-to-write-more_b1124

ADN allows your “posts” to be up to 256 characters, almost doubling the length of your “tweet” which is limited to 140.
Also they allow you to cross post your post to your twitter account. In the Netbot app I use for it that option can be found under the retweet…excuse me…I meant repost button.

If your post is too long for twitter. It will be appropriately shortened and a link added to your complete original post. Now I know there are other alternatives to get around the 140 tweet limit. I’ve even used some of them myself. TMI.me is one option, twitlonger is another. I really never liked either one personally. Although they do serve the purpose. Another option if you’re interested is a twitter app I used to use occasionally called “Tweetcaster”. That app automatically splits a long tweet into two parts not exceeding the 140 character limit. But I was disappointed. It sometimes tweeted them backwards or retweeted your old tweets the next time you open the app.

So basically that’s all I want is to not be kept in a strangle hold by that 140 character limit. From now on when I have more to say than 140 characters. Ill simply post it on ADN and then repost or actually cross post it to my twitter account.

So y’all are more than welcome to follow me @driverchrismc on ADN, after all to borrow a phrase from @darkstaff I am an Attention whore. So just like on twitter the more followers I have the more content I will be. However since like I said most of my posts on ADN will be cross posted to @driverchrismc on twitter. It’s not absolutely necessary that you follow me on ADN as long as your follow me on twitter you’ll be seeing retweets of what I’ve posted there.

In addition I have since found out that my initial fascination with ADNs 256 character limit. It’s not all good, there do seem to be some limitations. First of all you have to either recieve an invitation from a paid subscriber or get the app.net app on your iphone. https://join.app.net/I havent a clue if its available on android. Maybe one of you robot phone users will read this and find out. If you do please let me know in the comments section. If you are on a free account like I am, you are limited to 40 people you can follow. So I’m guessing here that your number of followers will be limited as well. I can’t prove that yet because at this time I only have one follower.
Here’s a link if you’d like more information on a free app.net account    limitations link

Well that’s about all I can think of to say here. I’m sure you were all ready and waiting for me to conclude this thing. So until next time. Be safe out there drivers.

https://posts.app.net/5988006

Moonshine in Bethlehem PA

the moon was shining bright in Bethlehem PA where I picked up my load Friday night. So of course I had to pull out the new Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 or “fzed”(as its lovingly known now thanks to Alan) haha

Kinda made me think of the “Christmas star”. That appeared in Bethlehem and led the shepards to his birthplace.

The clouds were also a nice touch to the shot as well as the plume of smoke/steam from some kind of factory in the distance.

the weeds added a nice element in the photos above. Then lastly I had to try out the fzeds “super zoom 24x” and get this awesome close up of the moon. If you would like to see the originals of these photos go to my Flickr page

My love for photography rekindled. I now realize where it all began

Ok so now I officially have a new obsession, I say it’s new but really as I’m about to explain to you. It all started 26 years ago when I was a freshman in high school.

Anyway I’m calling it an obsession because for the time being its overriding my desire to buy a new iPad mini. It’s ok everybody take a deep breath. Hard to believe. I know but just keep reading. Ill explain it all in great detail(it will also become clear to you why that pictures at the top)

I went back and forth with this idea, wasn’t sure I was going to make it a blog, thought maybe since Alan and Eric are the only two of my twitter friends that would give two shits about this subject, that I would just email them. So the rest of you wouldn’t be subjected to it. But. Sorry changed my mind I’m not emailing them separate I’m just posting it here for everyone’s amusement. 😉

The subject I’m referring to is of course photography.

You see this new obsession I mentioned is that I want a new DSLR camera or a ‘bridge’ as Eric told me it was called, that’s darkstaff for those of you that are not on a first name basis with him.

I actually gave this one a little thought, and had a whole lot of helpful advice from both Eric and Alan . That’s unusual for me normally I’m an impulse buyer. But that wasn’t the case here. However the decision has been made now, I’ve ordered a Panasonic lumix FZ200 from amazon.com. That’s also unusual for me I’m usually a ‘hands on’ purchaser. But anyway since I’ve let the cat out of the bag now(you ever wonder what a cat was doing in the bag in the first place?)

Here is the background story I wanted to share with all of you and as I said especially to Alan and Eric. I would like to publically here THANK both of them for their helpful advice.

26 years ago in 1986 when I was just a freshman in high school(Byrd high in Shreveport LA). Haley’s comet came by. If you don’t know. Haley’s comet only comes by earth close enough for us to see(with the naked eye) every 75 years. I believe that’s correct. So it is for most of us probably a once in a lifetime event to behold.

I had a science teacher, Hal Meekins, what a perfectly geeky name. I mean no offense to my former teacher after all its not like he’ll ever read my crappy little blog lol. But seriously Todd, Eric and i are proud of calling ourselves geeks.

He had arranged to take a group of students out to the LSU observatory south of town on the night when it could be best viewed.

So that explains the picture(although I found that image on the web it closely resembles the way I remember my picture. That’s right I said my picture. Let me explain.

Mr. Meekins had a camera I’m pretty sure it was a Nikon 35mm. I’m guessing it was top of the line all those years ago. He agreed to bring his camera on this field trip and allow any of us that wanted to bring some film and he would show us how to take a picture of Haley’s comet with his camera.

He had an attachment with a button you could press and hold to increase the length of the exposure rather than just snapping a picture. And as he had explained to us the best way to photograph the comet and its tail was to hold this button down for an extended period of time.

Well I won’t bore you with any of the details of that night that I don’t remember. Ill just get to the point. I had brought along a roll of film for his camera to take my picture. I don’t remember exactly the specifics on the film so I can’t tell you but that really doesn’t matter.

The point is when it came my turn. Mr Meekins loaded my film into his camera,that he had already set up on a tripod and aimed at the comet. I stepped up looked through the viewfinder and pressed and held and held and held that button. How long did I hold it. That like a lot of the other details I can’t even guess at after all it was 26 years ago and I’m only 41 years old so that makes it over half my lifetime ago.

So after the field trip that weekend, I believe this was a Saturday night if memory serves me correctly. I took the film to a drugstore and had it developed. So Monday when I went back to school I had my picture to share with Mr. Meekins and the rest of my class.

Well it was good to say the least. So good in fact that Mr. Meekins submitted it to our yearbook staff and it was indeed published in the yearbook!

As I said the picture you see here is not mine. I had a framed copy but where it’s gone over the years escapes me. That’s a real shame because I’d love to be able to share it with you here and on twitter.

But wait. I know somebody’s saying what about the yearbook? Sadly I have no clue what happened to that either. So unfortunately I am unable to share my spectacular published photo with you 😦

So there it is that’s what started my love of photography all those years ago. So the obsession isn’t really new it’s just been laying dormant for 26 years. Anyway ill let you go now and get back to your family and friends,who I hope you are with, cause that’s when this blog will be published(I’ve scheduled it for Christmas Eve)

Hopefully Tammy and I will also be home celebrating with our family. I say hopefully because right now we are sitting at a truckstop in Wisconsin waiting to deliver this load in the morning. I here they are expecting a blizzard to come through here tonight, but that’s another story. Hopefully we won’t get snowed in here and I won’t have to blog about it.

So MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all of you friends.

Ok folks here’s my dilemma what do you think?

Ok folks here’s my dilemma. What do you think?

Ok so that title maybe a tad bit self deceiving. I know what I want. I’ve been saying I wanted it for 3 generations of iPads now. I’ve always felt that it(this iPad that I’m blogging on )was just a little too big to be really useful as a portable device.

Now don’t get me wrong I love it. As I loved the original as well as the ipad2.

My point is the same now as its always been-it was too big. But now that the iPad mini is a reality. What do I do?

I would’ve loved to jump on it and get one when it was launched. But. Unfortunately the mini that apple released is inferior to the new iPad with retina that I currently own.

It’s basically an iPad 2 that shrunk.

Come on apple. Really now. I’m sure it was a good move business wise, but it has left me And I’m sure many other of your fans, disgruntled to say the least. I’m sure they’ll improve and eventually perfect it(retina,superior processor etc). That’s what apple does best

But in the mean while, while I wait patiently, I hope

Here’s the other part of the dilemma

Do I buy a Verizon 4g model or do I go with. Wifi only version for $130 less????

The new iPad that I currently on is a 4g LTE version. Previously I had only owned the wifi only versions.

It is nice to have the always present connection instead of having to rely on wifi, or the unreliable signal from my verizon hotspot

But the issue with that is that syncing between devices. Photo stream etc. won’t work between my iPad and iPhone as long as I’m using the ‘personal hotspot’ on my iPad as the 4g wifi hotspot.

I understand that verizon has a new 4g hotspot out called ‘jet pack’. So if any1 has any experience with that device please let me know.

Or here’s the kicker. Should I buy a wifi only ipad mini. Keep my new iPad and continue to use it as my wifi signal via its personal hotspot.

I’m starting to think that might be the winning combination. So if I can stand it. Ill wait till March of next year when hopefully the iPhone 5s comes out and see if they are bringing out an improved iPad mini. 😉