Microblogging with BrightKite Part II

May 22nd, 2008

So why do I find BrightKite so useful?

I like to use Twitter when I am traveling, so that family and friends on both ends of the journey can keep an eye on us. It is a small thing, but surprisingly, I take comfort in knowing that if the worst happens, at least there will be a last tweet from which to send out a search party.

With BrightKite, my roadtrip updates look like this:

and this:

I also like BrightKite’s mapping capability, especially when using BK via SMS on the iPhone. Once you check-in to a city text @City, State, you can then search for local businesses text ?Business Name. You will then receive a list of addresses and you can select which one you want. Don’t tell BK, but I use this SMS option frequently, even when I’m not updating, as it is faster than waiting for my iPhone’s Google Map to load.

So does BrightKite make Twitter obsolete?
No, Twitter’s frequent downtime makes Twitter obsolete not by any means. If I just want to share a random thought that isn’t specific to my location, I still use Twitter.

I’m also careful not to perturb my TwitterBuds with boring check-ins. Unless I’m using BK to post a note or a picture, my basic check-ins stay on the BK platform. I have witnessed other users send their check-ins to Twitter and it quickly becomes spam-like. How interesting is it to just see an address?

BK does have a few areas that need tweaking:

It would really add to the sense of community if users were able to comment on each note or photo directly. I’m hoping this is another goody that BK has in the works, as it will make their microblogging platform more like a true blog, in that each note or photo can become a conversation with comments from other users.

Last but not least, ocasionally BK’s mapping fails, which can be pretty darn irritating. Twice I have tried checking in to Never, Neverland but BK’s map just can’t seem to find it. Again, BK is only in the Beta, so I’m sure that when they work out all the bugs, it will have no problem locating Never, Neverland, Point of No Return, or Denial.

Posted in Twitter, Technology, Travel, How to Blog, iPhone | 3 Comments »

Mama’s Got A Brand New Bag

September 22nd, 2007

Good shopping today.
Bought a fancy ass bag
to get a life for.
Did I Wake You?: Haikus for Modern Living

Well, actually, I didn’t buy the bag. It was a gift.

This weekend we took a road trip to handle some necessary, “pre-wabisabime” business and stayed with some dear friends who own a couture baby boutique. Some of their new products were in her home office, and what immediately caught my eye were the half-dozen lush, tapestry bags. I gasped. I pointed. I flailed my arms wildly.

“You like those diaper bags?”

“Diaper bags! Those aren’t diaper bags!”

After years of drooling on my keyboard, I was finally up close and personal with Offhand Designs’ Ursula. If you knit, you may have also lusted after these gorgeous $240 creations, as they are also marketed to fiber enthusiasts for their fashion and function. Wow. They are even more delicious in person.

And now I have my very own Ursula, which according to the website is “Luxurious and functional, Ursula is the ultimate tote for stylish knitters.” And I agree. It is very spacious and holds my MacBook, wallet, my sock in progress and Tomoko, my iPhone has his own special pocket, right up front.

Thanks L. This totally makes up for the scary police raid down the street

Posted in Technology, Travel, Knitting, iPhone | No Comments »

One Last Hurrah!

September 8th, 2007

On Tuesday, we returned from our end of summer vacation — 6 glorious days heralding the end of summer, and a last ditch effort to recharge for the Fall. I wasn’t expecting a lot, but something magical did happen. There was a shift in my Spirit and I will never be the same.

Usually it is only with hindsight, that I can pinpoint a life defining moment. Which is why I say it was “magical.” I could actually sense that a switch had been turned on. I knew immediately that the gates were now open and I was in the flow.

Some of the out of the ordinary things that occurred:

• I hugged more. I am not typically comfortable hugging people outside of my family, and yet I spontaneously hugged and was hugged without flinching.
• I knit a lot. Off and on throughout each day. It was wonderful and easy, and there were lots of knitters around for inspiration.
• I was physically active. I moved when I wanted to move. I picked up my first pair of lunastix and never put them down. And the knitting and late night drum circle counts as movement as well…
• I made several new friends that surprisingly were not hard to say good bye to. Typically, I would miss such kindred spirits, but I somehow felt like it was the beginning and not the end of my friendship with my new friends/entrepreneur mentors/solo parenting role models.

The trip was not without some effort and discomfort, as early morning flights always require some sacrifice. But it was magical still. How very wabi sabi

Posted in Unschool, Travel, Wabi Sabi, Knitting, Mothering | No Comments »