Back in April, my laptop seemed to be on its last legs. I made an emergency purchase of a new netbook, 10" laptop for $400 and set about doing what I thought would be simple -- transferring my iTunes collection from my old computer to my new computer. Neither of my iPods were big enough to do the transfer, and I was unable to follow the instructions in the Apple support store or other online help to the point where my old playlists were in my new iTunes.
I could go through everything I tried that did not work, but suffice to say for the past six months I had all the songs in my new computer, and I bought all my music on the new computer, but I charged my iPod on my old computer because I wanted access to my playlists and play counts. I would manually transfer the songs back to my old computer, and I sat on a huge external hard drive that didn't seem to be able to handle this simple transfer of digital songs.
Yesterday I was told I needed to copy the entire "My Music" playlist from my old PC to my new PC. I tried that, but kept ending up adding a new folder to My Music called My Music. Finally I was able to move folder to folder, and the play counts are there. Big props to Rob Peroraro at the Wa Post for making it happen.
Unfortunately, I seem to have deleted all the new music I bought. Stay tuned...
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
2 Ways You Think Yourself Unhappy (and 10 Things to Do About It) « tinybuddha.com
by Lori Deschene, SeeingGood.com
I’ve been reading the Do Happy tips, and I’ve found them very insightful. Simple. Action-oriented. Effective in improving my mood. It’s true that a simple change in behavior can create a significant shift in thinking and feeling.
But I’ve noticed I run into problems when I slip back into my old ways or doing or thinking.
It all starts so innocently. I get outside and hop on a swing—spend a good 20 minutes acting my shoe size. Then BAM. I fall out of the present moment and start worrying about the work I have to do when I get home.
Or I decide to un-strange a stranger—really open up to someone new, and take the risk of being rejected. Then BAM. I start thinking about that friendship that ended in drama, and retreat back into my shell.
I decided today that doing happy is actually two-fold: it’s about doing things that will bring you joy, and not doing things that sap it up. I’ve identified a long list of these things–so long it will take me at least 5 posts to explore it all. I’m honored to share this series here over the next several weeks.
Today I’ll start with two types of thinking the get in the way of happiness:
1. Dwelling on things that happened in the past.
You’re eating dinner with friends, enjoying your favorite meal, two sips into your first drink of the night. BAM. Your mind wanders. I shouldn’t have said those things to my mother. That look on her face—I’ll never forget it. What I should have done was… Like rehashing the past will somehow change the way you feel about it. Maybe even change what happened.
2. Obsessing over things that might happen in the future.
You’re watching a movie, cuddling close to the person you love. You feel warm under a blanket. Your popcorn has just the right amount of salt and butter. BAM. Your mind wanders. I hope I do well in that interview on Monday. I really need to make more money. If I don’t get that job… As if you could find a way to shape the future by thinking really hard right now.
If you can relate to either of these, the good news is you’re human. Everyone thinks about the past and the future at some point. Even the most enlightened person reflects and imagines on occasion.
Since I’m not willing to spring for that lobotomy, I’ve accepted that part of life is learning how to use my mind well.
Which means learning to let go. To release the past once it’s over. To do all you can to shape your future, and then accept that on some level the future will always be unknown. To open your eyes to what’s right in front of you, and allow yourself to fully experience it.
I’ve found these 10 steps helpful in keeping me in the now:
1. Schedule time to dwell or worry. Give yourself specific windows of time when it’s perfectly OK to worry about the past or stress about the future–a half-hour in the afternoon for example. If you start doing it at another time, write down the thought and put it away for later. This won’t be easy at first–but even a little time gained makes the practice worthwhile.
2. Replace your thoughts. Get in the habit of observing the way you think. When you start dwelling on the past or worrying about the future, change your thought to something helpful. As soon as you think, I shouldn’t have said that… think, Stop. I said what I said. From this experience I learned…In the future I will…. I’ve written change that thought on a rubber band that I wear on my wrist when I’m having a hard time being present. Seeing the reminder helps. Seriously.
3. Focus on what’s in front of you. I have a mantra I tell myself when I start slipping away from now: “All that exists is what I can see.” Of course this isn’t true, but it heightens my sense of awareness within the present. The flowers look brighter. The birds sound prettier. My breakfast tastes sweeter. Then I remember nothing’s certain but this moment. Everything can change in an instant.
4. Bring it all back to you–and right now. Most of the time when we’re living in the past or future, it has to do with other people. What they said or did, what they may say or do. Personal responsibility roots you in the present. If you didn’t get a promotion and start blaming your boss, think, I’ll get the next one if I improve my communication skills. I can work on that today by…
5. Ask yourself What can I control right now? Not only is it draining and potentially depressing, it’s an unproductive use of time to dwell on things you can’t do anything about. Focus on things you can control, and back them up with actions right now. I wrote a list of 50 things you can control for my own blog if you need some ideas.
6. Forgive. Most of the time, when we’re clinging to the past, we’re holding onto anger or bitterness. You see how much better things could be if only he did this, or she didn’t do that. But he didn’t. Or she did. We’re all human. We all make mistakes. Sometimes without remorse. Holding onto anger doesn’t punish the person who hurt you. It just prolongs your pain. Let go of that pain.
7. Appreciate. When we pin our happiness to future gains it’s often because we feel we don’t have enough. So maybe things would be easier if you had a more reliable car or a home that didn’t need any work. But you have a car and don’t have to wait for the bus—woohoo! You have a home and don’t need to crash with your parents—woohoo! It feels good to look around and notice things you take for granted.
8. Focus on your breathing. The best way to get out of your head is to focus on your breathing and ground yourself back in your body. A simple method is to count breaths. As you inhale and exhale, think and one, then on your second breath think and two. Breathe in—and—breathe out—one. Breathe in—and—breathe out—two. The goal is to get through a set without letting your thoughts wander. Work in sets of 4, 6, 8, or even 10 if you’re able.
9. Get in the zone. Meditation doesn’t have to involve sitting Indian style, chanting or anything like that. You just need to get in the zone, at least once a day for a half-hour. Read a book. Play an instrument. Get on the elliptical machine. Allow your mind to focus completely on one thing for at least a half-hour a day and your thoughts will start to slow down.
10. Override your thoughts with action. It all started with the Do Happy ideas, so it feels appropriate to end this way. It’s hard to do things in the past or the future. Go ahead and try it. Can you hug your kids in 1998? Ride your bike in 2015? OK, that one’s a little more doable—but it’s a long way off! If you get caught up in your thinking, stop. Tell your thoughts you’ll get back to them later. And do something that makes you feel good. Like tinybuddha says: Do happy. It’s something you’re due.
We’re pleased to welcome Lori Deschene as a weekly contributor, and to support her in the “Good Mood” blogger contest. If you’ve enjoyed her contributions, vote here in one click. Follow her on Twitter @lori_deschene or @goodmoodblogger.
Other posts by Lori Deschene:
Photos by srboisvert, kelvin255
via tinybuddha.com
This is an incredibly useful article. Some of these tips I already use in my daily life, but the ones I don't will make an enormous difference in my life.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
EXCLUSIVE: Nancy Tellem Discussing Stepping Down At CBS; How Will Les Cope? – Deadline.com
My sources are telling me that Nancy Tellem has gone to her boss Les Moonves to discuss stepping down from her longtime post at CBS as Les' right hand exec. "No final decision will be made until she returns from MIPCom in Europe," an insider informs me. But I'm told what's contemplated by the 55-year-old president of the CBS Television Studios Entertainment Group is to move into a consultancy role sometime within the next 3 weeks. Nobody would take her place, but president of CBS Entertainment Nina Tassler would take on more responsibilities. About why Tellem wants out, I'm told: "She's just done. She's thinking about what the next chapter is for her life." If she's not replaced, then this leaves questions about succession for the 60-year-old Moonves because Wall Street doesn't like for its publicly traded corporations to not have an heir apparent in place.
Along with ABC's Anne Sweeney, Tellem has long been at the top among female executives in the television community and one of the best. And throughout her more than 25 years in the small screen biz, she has worked with Les Moonves and now reports to him directly. Relationships like that just don't happen very often in Hollywood. Moonves and Tellem may talk by phone two or three times a day, and after so many years together, they don't hold back. "We yell and we scream at each other, but when that's over, she's family," Moonves once told BusinessWeek.
via deadline.com
Unexpected turn of events.
Monday, October 5, 2009
A Winter Jacket That Charges Your Gadgets - Gadgetwise Blog - NYTimes.com
A Winter Jacket That Charges Your Gadgets
By Rik Fairlie
Mountain Hardware has developed a winter jacket with a heating element that will keep you toasty while it charges your gadgets.
Yep, that’s right. Reach into the front left pocket and you’ll find a power adapter that enables you to charge your iPod, digital camera, GPS device, or cell phone—no matter if you’re riding a mountain bike or roaming snowy city streets. The heating and power capabilities are made possible by the addition of rechargeable lithium-ion battery and heating system developed by Ardica Technology.
The $240 jackets, branded Refugium for men and Radiance for women, are sold separately. You can add Ardica’s Moshi heating system for $145; the tech connector kit will set you back another $50.
The Moshi system comprises three heating elements–one in the mid-back and two one the front midsection of the jacket—that together weigh less than one pound. Users can adjust the temperature setting via a toggle switch on the left breast of the jacket to deliver up to 100-degree heat. The heating elements can be fully charged in less than three hours, and a charge should last up to eight hours on the lowest heat setting, according to Mountain Hardware spokeswoman Paige Boucher.
I tried on the men’s jacket with the heating element recently. I could feel the heating elements but they’re constructed in a flexible, modular block and covered with neoprene, so they’re pretty soft. (As a not-so-graceful skier, I do wonder how soft the heating elements would feel if I fell on them.) They produced quite noticeable heat that felt concentrated in the areas where the heating elements are located. I mentioned this to Ms. Boucher, and she said your body would evenly distribute the heat when you’re out and about in cold weather.
The thermic micro-insulated jackets are designed as a mid-layer coat, to be worn under a ski jacket or alone in warmer climes. While they are for outdoor sports enthusiasts, the jackets are also nice looking for city wear, thanks to a slim profile that lacks the puffiness of down jackets.
The jackets and Moshi heating/power system will be available Oct. 15.
This is kind of a funny idea. Is there a big demand for a jacket that can charge your gadgets?
Friday, October 2, 2009
October 1, 2009 « tinybuddha.com
“Remembering a wrong is like carrying a burden on the mind.” -Buddha
Take Action:
When someone hurts you, you may feel obligated to hold onto the pain. As if revisiting the event and going over your feelings about it will somehow change what happened.
This actually creates more pain for you.
Imagine it like this: you’re walking on a hike, and you trip over a heavy rock, so you pick it up and put it in your backpack. You’re not spiting the rock; you’re just sapping your energy, making you more vulnerable when you encounter the next one.
Whatever wrong you’re carrying around–whether it’s something another person did, or even something you did that you’re ashamed of–let it go. Once you’ve learned what you can from the experience it doesn’t serve you anymore.
via tinybuddha.com
Picking up the rock and carrying it around is an apt metaphor for holding on to mistakes of the past.
Eating Candy in Childhood Linked to Adult Crime - TIME
In other words, regardless of other environmental and lifestyle factors, like family-income level, parenting style or children's level of education, the data suggested it was only the frequency of confectionery consumption in childhood that strongly predicted adult violence. "The key message is that this study really raises more questions than answers," says Moore.
via time.com
Eating a lot of candy = eating candy everyday. Diet affects everything, but this is crazy.
October 1 Tweets
Ken Burns Natl Park special just mentioned the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, which I saw this summer in #WY Beautiful hike Gephardt sucks, still: http://bit.ly/2574N7 #politics Loser #dc gunners next to me on #circulator trying to quietly rant about work. They work at the Gates Foundation and SUCK. I really wish there was a mobile app where I could put in my location, where I'm going, and #wmata could tell me the fastest way home. #dc Really should not have looked at @teampurplehouse's twitpic of dinner while I'm starving & waiting for the bus. Esp bc my dinner is oatmeal WH blogs the days talking points: http://tinyurl.com/ydl5ngh Dems being Dems, it's a lot of text. Hope they have secret bite size quotes RT @GoogleWaveNow Invites R going super fast! @GoogleWaveNow ! RT & Follow! Last invites 2be randomly given to followers. #googlewave #wave RT @katie_thomas RT @HowardBeck NYT All 62 replacement referees R men. The NBA has not hired a female ref since 1997-98 (Kanter and Palmer) Let's do this: RT @FakeHowardDean Hell Yes http://bit.ly/2hgI8z There's no point in having 60 democrats if they rn't going2lead as such. #p2 The Daily Show With Jon Stewart|Democratic Super Majority http://bit.ly/5EuAX "2 live on in the hearts of those we leave behind is not2 die" -- on what would've been ur 23rd bday, Adam, 143 always. #heliveson
via twitter.com
The Happiness Project: Eighteen Tips that Aren't, It Turns Out, From a Churchyard.
I always thought Desiderata was an inscription in an old churchyard, but it was actually written by Max Ehrmann in 1927. This bit of information detracts from its mystique somewhat, but it's still an interesting list.
1. Go placidly amid the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.
2. As far as possible without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
3. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
4. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; for they are vexations to the spirit.
5. If you compare yourself with others you may become bitter or vain, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
6. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
7. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
8. Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery; but let this not blind you to what virtue there is.
9. Be yourself. [There it is, yet again, my First Commandment: Be Gretchen]
10. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
11. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
12. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune, but do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
13. Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself.
14. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here, and whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
15. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
16. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, be at peace with your soul. With all its shame, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.
17. Be cheerful.
18. Strive to be happy.
Reading something like this reminds you that the same problems and doubts plague man no matter when he is born.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
September 11-13 Weekend Tweets
Great Sunday night at Ben's Chili Bowl after Sunday football with @teampurplehouse and their third spouse. #dc Wtf #suc seriously!? This is not a strong Ohio St team. #pac10 #stopmakingamockeryofourconference As I'm talking to people in #dc and seeing pictures supposedly from today's tea party, its clear the tea baggers are lying about turnout. Looks like all my trash talking about SC killing Ohio St was... A little premature. Go #Pac10 Being tortured by talk of how great #usc is..SUC SUC SUC #pac10 I just did an eight clap by myself. Go Bruins!!! #ucla We won on the road!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Notre Dame out of top 25? I'm sweating #ucla still. Not over until clock expires. #cfb @gaysergio has convinced me I wanted us to have them tackle our qb in the endzone and score a safety. Boooooooooooooo. #ucla #cfb Finally back in #ventnor. The patio is awesome. #dc To all the people who told me I should be happy with a tie at half: this is where #ucla falls apart. 4th quarter. #cfb This is what I hoped would not happen #ucla #fumble Go blue. Fuuuuggggg Notre Dame. #cfb Wow, Wisconsin actually pulled that out. #ucla lost to Fresno St last year in a horrible fumble craptacular. #cfb Love this bar. #ventnor is the best. #dc Teabaggers were hiding their signs on the Metro and refused to talk to outsiders. However, just heard a "everybody tea bag" cheer. #dc #dumb Surrounded by teabaggers. Clearly I'm dying for one of them to sense by Dem-ness and insult me so I can tell them to go tea bag someone. #dc Sitting in the Metro station, minus data abt when trains R coming online &in station. Oh & I just missed my train. Guess I'm waiting? #wmata #espn just said #ucla is going down, hard, today. Hope we beat that expectation. Love that #espn is already debating #byu and why they won't make the national title game. This is why ppl watch Game Day, but still. #cfb Glad the teabaggers got 12 racists 2come2 #dc and show pictures of our President depicted as an African tribesman. Consider them done. #over USC is going to beat Ohio State. Why are we even pretending the game will be close? #cfb Does anyone else ever have a moment of panic when imagining a friend who doesn't like football watching a game with u? Go Bruins!! #ucla I'm not going to lie. I've had more than a few goodnight kisses in front of my building. Always by the door. Why kiss in middle of sidewalk? So we waited over an hour for our food and it sucked. Boycott Havana Village! #progressivesfortimelyfood #dc @gaysergio thinks he'd rather the US host the World Cup than the Olympics. I just want food. #dc Havana Village in Adams Morgan has made us wait an hour for our food. Starving!!! #saveme #dc Everyone in the world should buy Leopold's Peach Whiskey. Everyone. #dc At tasting given by @spitelin. Random person in crowd: "I've never seen so many people at a tasting." Obviously doesn't kno Lindsey. #dc
via twitter.com
September 5 College Football Kick Off Tweets
Really glad #ucla pulled out the win today. Was nervous in the first half. Always good to see coaches making in game adjustments. #cfb I'm too old to be out this late. And I'm not old and its not that late, but darn west coast football games on east coast time. #ucla in #dc Does #ucla's O line make our QBs throw up so many interceptions with its utter uselessness? Or do we recruit QBs prone to be picked off? First pass TD #ucla Looking like I might lose my voice by the end of the game. Go Bruins!!! #ucla I managed to not pound the bar on that SDSU fumble recovery. Frikkin #ucla #cfb Champion just ran a commercial during #ucla game with our old coach running out with the team. Nice work. #fools This 3-3-5 defense is going to be the death of me. And Prince, the QB, is going to get roughed up too much. #ucla Prince is really good -- too bad our O line doesn't give him a chance to get off a pass. #ucla Randyisms: after Auburn scores "yeah, we're going to the Toilet Bowl!!!" #cfb Surrounded by usc fans...gross. #cfb Serious fail on the part of #va bus system. Randy and I are walking 10+ blocks to the sports bar bc the road was randomly closed, bus no go. Hard Times Cafe in Clarendon got fancy all of a sudden. Still the perfect place to pre-game. #ucla And what do u know, old dude on bus coughing on me. #getaway This is how the swine flu spreads. 2000 students at #wsu have swine flu??!! They've been back in school a week. #cantgetvaccinesooneenuf #minn is reminding me of the time stupid Brady Quinn came back with one minute left to beat #ucla -- let's see if #syracuse can score #cfb What is going on with 'cuse v #minn?? #cfb Just sat down to mindlessly watch college football for hours on end. Hoping that #ucla is ready to win tonight. #gobruins I can't believe the #GOP wants kids to drop out of school. They really are crazy. #politics #p2
via twitter.com
Capitol Police Officer Passes Out in Stranger's Bed in Va. - washingtonpost.com
A U.S. Capitol Police officer was arrested Sunday morning in Arlington County when a woman came home and found him passed out drunk in her bed, police said. The two had never met.
The officer, Thomas Patrick McMahon, 34, was charged with unlawful entry. Police say they are perplexed as to why McMahon picked the apartment, in the 1000 block of North Randolph Street, to sleep. He lives in Reston.
"I don't know if it looks similar to his apartment in Reston or what," said Arlington police spokeswoman Crystal Nosal. "Thankfully, nobody was hurt."
When officers arrived at 1 a.m., McMahon was still sleeping, Nosal said. Police think he walked into the apartment through the front door.
McMahon, a Capitol Police officer since 1998, is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal charges, said Kimberly Schneider, a Capitol Police spokeswoman. Schneider said the agency will also conduct an investigation.
I can think of two possibilities - 1. He used to live in that apartment or 2. He used to date someone who lived in that apartment. WaPo needs to give more detail on these important stories.
Principals Mum About Report of Comcast Deal to Buy NBC Universal - washingtonpost.com
NBC Universal executives declined to deny a report Wednesday night that Comcast, the cable giant, is in talks to buy the television and movie company from General Electric.
Comcast also did not deny the report that bankers for the two sides discussed a possible deal Tuesday in New York.
Such talks often lead nowhere, but rumors have circulated for months that GE might be looking to unload the news and entertainment company. NBC is stuck in fourth place among broadcast networks, and Universal Studios is enduring a rough movie season.
"We have no comment," NBC Executive Vice President Allison Gollust said.
Comcast spokeswoman D'Arcy Rudnay also would not address the reported talks. "While we don't comment on M&A [mergers and acquisitions] rumors, the report that Comcast has a deal to purchase NBC Universal is inaccurate," Rudnay told Bloomberg News.
That, however, was not what was reported by TheWrap.com, a Hollywood-based Web site founded by former Washington Post and New York Times reporter Sharon Waxman. That account cited sources who have knowledge of the talks.
Waxman noted that Comcast has a greater market value, at $48.4 billion, than NBC Universal, which has fallen to an estimated $35 billion in value, from about $55 billion a year ago. Comcast also held nearly $4 billion in cash at the end of the second quarter.
Recent reports indicate that Vivendi, a minority stakeholder in NBC, is preparing to sell its 20 percent share of the company, which would make it easier for GE to sell the network.
Very interesting. Wonder how long it will take for this to become a reality.
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