Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Happy National Camera Day!

Pretty sure this is the first camera I had. 
Gosh, have I always been a shutterbug?
Did you know that today is National Camera Day? However, I pretty much celebrate my camera EVERY day.  My camera(s) is an integral part of my daily life.  Thanks to my new iphone, I take quick snaps here and there to capture precious moments (and a lot of general every day silliness).  I  never have to miss a moment and there's no shortage of snapshots to go around.  I wonder...might I be getting a little over exposed?  Naw.

So today, take a moment and celebrate any kind of camera you have close by.  Marvel for just a moment at the technology.  Give thanks for the special memories that each picture gives to you.  Go ahead and give your camera or smartphone camera a kiss today.  Better yet...get out there and snap a picture -- or two.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Completely Obsessed!

Okay.  So I blogged about the new iphone (birthday present), right?  Well, can I just say that I am completely obsessed over the Words with Friends game?

I had heard about the game and couldn't wait to give it a try.  It was my third download from the App Store (free!).  Words is nearly an exact replica of Scrabble.  Not only that, but after a quick sign up process using my email, I was playing “scrabble” together with some unknown opponent.  I was pleasantly surprised.

You see, this stirs a favorite childhoold memory.  As soon as I was old enough to spell, we played Scrabble.  As soon as I was old enough to hold cards, I learned to play Hearts.  Cards and Board games were a mainstay at our house.  I have still have many, many board games in the closet.  (OMG, I'm a closet board gamer!)  I even have the Deluxe edition of Scrabble.  Trouble is, I can NEVER get anyone to sit down and actually play any of them.

That's why Words is so great.  You can play it anywhere and you don't have to be in the same room together.  And, you don't need a dictionary.  You don't have to challenge a word played.  It either works or it doesn't.  Simple really.  Not only do you play the game in near real time, you have the option to chat with your opponent (perfect for talking trash so you don’t have to switch from your game to the message center).

I'm still learning about my phone.  It amazes me!  My favorite feature has to be the push notifications. They work like a champ. If I am doing something else (like reading a book on my Kindle app -- another blog entry?) and forget that I am playing, it beeps and reminds me that it is my turn!

Overall, the game play is enjoyable, only having to wait 30 seconds to a minute between turns.  However, I have run across several players who take hours, if not days, to take their turn.  Infuriating!

For not costing me anything, this is a pretty sweet game app that has definitely found a place on my new phone.  I have gotten my friends and family members hooked as well (and some of them don't have iphones).  Winning?  About 90%!

Up for a game?