Dear Thomas the Tank Engine, I miss you.

I was checking out the daily deal at Woot yesterday and ran into a familiar face.

Oh, Thomas the Tank Engine, how I've missed you!

The sturdy wooden bodies, the fun magnetic connection and even the creepy little faces...

they were once a staple in my household.

My boys played with trains for years.

I used to have trains in my car and in my purse...

and always on standby for a boring moment or a necessary distraction.

 

Every night before bedtime, my boys used to watch an episode or two

set on the Island of Sodor with a cheery little moral.

 

So wholesome to play with and easy to share.

 

Now my boys play video games where they get to be soldiers in a war zone...

or prefer shooting at targets with air soft guns...

They've grown up.

But I've held on to those little trains,

and the memories that cling to them long after their paint fades.

Thank you, Thomas, for all the good times.

These are a few of my favorite apps.

I wanted an iPhone for a long time, and then I finally got one for Christmas 2009.

I've found some strange apps for the phone,

but these are the following FIVE applications that I use every single day on my iPhone

(not in any particular order):

1. Facebook - It's so easy to update my status while waiting in line somewhere. Most my family and friends are on Facebook and it's so fun to keep up with people when I'm too busy to talk.

2. We Rule - This game is so much fun! You own a castle and build houses and businesses (a tavern, a bookstore) and grow crops (magic aspargus!).

3. We Farm - Very similar to We Rule, but you own a farm, raise animals (cows, chickens, ostrich) and grow stuff (lettuce, tomatoes, eggplant).

4. Words With Friends - It's similar to Scrabble and you can play anyone who has an iPhone! I have 7 games going right now with friends and family.

5. Email - I have my gmail account connected to my phone and can check mail wherever I am.

6. Maps - Ok, I don't use this every day but the times I do use it, indespensible!!!

7. The Weather Channel - I need to check the 10 day forecast regularly.

8. Messages - This is where I text everyone, and it formats the texts like a conversation. Unlimited and extremely useful.

What are your favorite apps?

Do you have an iPhone?

Do you want an iPhone?

Really Racetrac? Not the best ad campaign.

Racetrac is one of my favorite gas-convenience stores.

However, the most recent ad campaign I've seen in their stores has been a strange one.

They have signs up in their stores saying,

"Beer because you never got that pony." 

(Or something along those lines.)

Who buys the most beer?

Men or women?

Because to me, that kind of advertising leans towards women.

Men don't want ponies when they are little boys, do they?

Or do they?

It's an odd ad campaign.
Does it inspire you to want to buy beer?

Or a pony?

I'm perplexed.




On a side note: Racetrac = Best frozen (Numbskull) Dr. Pepper drinks ever!

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We've been saying it wrong

Did you know that we've been pronouncing Dr. Seuss's name wrong?

The correct prnunciation actually rhymes with "voice."

"You’re wrong as the deuce

And you shouldn’t rejoice

If you’re calling him Seuss.

He pronounces it Soice."

I recently discovered he has a lot of great quotes:

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind.

Some come from ahead and some come from behind.

But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see.

Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”

I love his art.

And, this is one of my favorite quotes:

“The more that you read, the more things you will know.

The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.”

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes.

You can steer yourself in any direction you choose.

You're on your own. And you know what you know.

You are the guy who'll decide where to go.”

Further-proof-California-is-going-to-break-off-into-the-Ocean #215

Turns out, they still have the Bubonic Plague.

I'm not kidding.

I wouldn't want to be a squirrel in California right now.

China's "Straddling" Bus

Every now and then, someone comes up with a successful, yet zany idea to solve a problem.

This time, it's China.

Apparently traffic in China is just awful.

This bus, called the 3d Fast Bus, actually straddles regular traffic and glides above it.  

It can carry around 1200-1400 passengers and helps reduce congestion.

Ingenuity!! 

Yes, it looks more like a train, since it will glide on a track.

And it will be solar and electrical powered,

(which means zero carbon emissions).

It costs a LOT less than building a subway system.

I love it!