Hi Lori & Everyone else, I must say that when we travel we really go out of our way to avoid "posh." Neither of us likes going somewhere where many people live in very basic homes but then finding all our places to be "all the comforts of home." If that's what we liked we'd probably just stay in the US and get rooms in the Marriotts and Hiltons. No, we prefer to be somewhat immersed in the true culture. We eat at local markets and restaraunts intended for "locals." Example: At one market in Bali we were served rice with chicken, veggies and spices packed in a banana leaf by hand (bare hands!) We definitely took the roads less traveled (especially in Thailand!).
At one time, early in our marriage, I thought I wouldn't be traveling like this if I hadn't married Sherry but then realized I had it backwards... I doubt Sherry and I would have been together if she didn't like traveling like this. It's great that she can help and loves exotic places "on the cheap." But then I think back to when I moved to AZ... it was just as much a challenging adventure. I had things set up such that someone I never met would be doing my PCA care (at least at first). I packed up in PA, had my parents drive me out and unload. They stayed for 4 days and left on schedule even though the guy I had arranged had been arrested and was in jail for some non-violent offense by the time I got here. I never did meet him but I managed to scramble to find somebody else. I've always had that daring and adventurous spirit. That's how I talked Sherry into taking Scuba classes and getting our certifications. We can scuba anywhere in the world now! (And after her first time, she LOVES IT. She's been looking for new places to vacation AND dive ever since we got home!) I think it's that spirit that gave me the ability to survive after my accident when I lived in such a "closed" community and wsas rarely able to go anywhere due to cold and weather issues. (Thank God I had a computer and 2400 baud modem!! Haha!) *Now, as for the Kindle* -- It looks like they aren't a good option. That's probably why I didn't get many responses. On the other hand, the *Nook* (*from Barnes & Noble*) looks more promising with its touch screen rather than tiny buttons. Plus it has a web browser. I'm going out to check them out today. But then, if the Nook looks like a good option, I have to decide between WiFi vs. WiFi+3G. And how much are Nook eBooks compared to Kindle's? I'm also wondering how much the 3G will be of use. Can I use its WiFi when I'm out of the country to browse the web and newspapers back home? Or do I need the 3G for that. In fact, I have to find out if the 3G for a Nook even will connect outside of the US (out of AT&T's main Nook market). And finally, I know the 3G connection for Kindle has no monthly fee but I haven't heard the same --or had it verified-- about Nook's 3G connectivity. Oh so many things to consider. And I thought shopping for computers was difficult! Best to All. And a Merry Christmas to everyone I don't connect with before then! Sincerely, -- Tod On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 5:40 PM, Lori Michaelson <lorilivin...@gmail.com>wrote: > Hey Tod! > > Holy crap! I had no idea that you had/have been able to travel to so many > distant faraway lands! In the 1994/1995 school year my ex and I hosted a > foreign exchange student from Indonesia. He mentioned Bali and said it was > a really, really nice area for vacationers, etc.! And how "posh" it was, > etc.! > > And you're so lucky to have Sherry to be able to be so healthy to help you > in all of your travels especially involving flying and personal care, etc. > Just by you having a little bit lower injury than mine... it is *just > enough* to allow you to move around easier and do a little bit more (or > quite a bit more) that I am able to do. Not to mention me acquiring > Posttraumatic Syringomyelia and just the simplest little wrong movements put > me in pain for days and days. > > Anyway, consider yourself so fortunate!!! Gosh, especially traveling to > the exotic places... what a wonderful, relaxing getaway to feel and be more > EROTIC! :-). > > Well, regarding a Kindle... not too long ago I was wondering the exact same > things about it that you are. And I simply couldn't imagine WHO would want > to read a book on the screen of the little gadget INSTEAD OF just reading a > hardcover or paperback. Because, yes, it's only for book reading. > > I have a passion for the printed page (reading a regular book the regular > way) and really do not like to read things online or on a screen. But even > though my wound has completely healed (and I am back to sitting up in the > chair for 5 or 6 hours a day now without repercussions) I am still in bed > for quite a bit of the rest of the day... mostly the very late afternoon and > evening. And when I used to read a regular book... it was always more > comfortable to read it sitting up in my hospital bed. But after I get in > bed to purposefully get pressure off my butt ... sitting back up (even then) > kind of defeats the whole purpose of staying/getting off of my butt. > > Besides that, over the years it has been more of an inconvenience to do > that anyway for both my husband and myself. So.. > > I found out there was/is a Kindle application that can be downloaded for > free off the net and I (or anyone) can read books on it using my computer in > the bedroom while *still laying back* with my head elevated around 30°. A > relaxing position. > > Back in April when I found out I was going to be bedridden 24/7 for several > months ... audio books and movies just were not enough and so in May of this > year my husband purchased me a tablet kiosk computer (Sahara Slate PC) that > is 12" x 12". And I can use it in this very reclined position USING ALL > VOICE. And, of course, have access to the net by wireless networking. > > I really wanted to start reading again and when I came upon the information > that Kindle can be used on a PC (and therefore bigger print) we downloaded > the free application and I am actually enjoying reading books this way! > Although, because I did not download the application until semi-recently I > am still on my first book. But the font is such a perfect size and so > comfortable to read... that it is *really like reading* *the printed page* > . > > Friends can share downloaded books (by e-mailing them) also so I actually > have two other books already downloaded (for free from other friends) to > begin reading next. So I haven't spent a penny of my own yet on it. > Although I have noticed that Kindle downloads are not expensive at all. > Most often, cheaper than the book itself! > > You are also correct by saying that a person has to already have the book > downloaded into memory to read it. > > So *for my personal reasons* of not being able to read the usual way > anymore... it actually has benefited me and my life! And I would have never > dreamed I would be saying that more than a couple months ago!!! But for > other people, I don't know if they have a fascination with the gadgetry or > what but if it were not for my situation I think it is a silly product > overall. > > Did you retire from teaching before the school year started or why did you > stop teaching? Please don't leave me hanging on that! > > Lori > > On Sat, Dec 18, 2010 at 11:31 AM, Tod Santee <mr.san...@gmail.com>wrote: > >> Hi Everybody out in the Land of Q's! >> >> Many of the old-timers here probably remember me. I kept getting kicked >> out by eskimo.com because my email was listed as a spammer (?? NO Idea >> why!) so I decided to re-join a while back using Gmail. So far-So good >> (fingers crossed). >> >> My info... My name's Tod, age 43, C5-6, 27yrs post from falling from a >> tree. I moved to Tucson, AZ, after 6 unhealthy years in the cold PA >> climate. AZ's warm, dry weather helped a lot but as I get older it seems to >> be getting cooler here (just getting spoiled, mostly). LOVE to travel! >> Been to Costa Rica 4-5 times, took public busses and ferrys to get from >> Seattle to the Olympic Penninsula to Victoria and Vancouver and an >> accessible Amtrak back to Seattle (interesting with no scheduled >> transports), and this summer I got my *SCUBA certification* and used >> frequent flyer miles/points (mostly from strategic credit card spending) to >> go to Thailand and Indonesia for my first ocean dives while touring around >> Bali for 3 weeks!! DAMN COOL! >> >> I taught high school biology from '96 to 2010. (Curently deciding whether >> to continue or change course.) >> >> Now I'm thinking abouta Kindle and decided to come out of lurking mode to >> get the advice of those I consider Experts... You All. >> >> I'm wondering how many of you use them. Are they useful for anything >> besides just "book reading" without the book? Also, I notice they have Wifi >> or Wifi/3G... is there a major benefit to the 3G if al you can do is load >> books and/or newspapers? Wouldn't you already have what you're reading >> loaded to memory? Or is there a web surfing capability I haven't heard >> about? >> >> So... It's good to see so many friends still hanging around! And I'm >> happy to say Hi to the "new" folks in the past year/year-point-five I >> haven't yet met. >> >> And Thanks A Bunch to anyone who might be able to offer Kindle insights or >> answers! >> >> Best wishes & Happy Holidays, friends! >> --Tod Santee >> > > > > -- > Lori > Age - 46 > C4/5 complete quad, 31 years post > Tucson, AZ >
