Keith Ward's Blog - Posts Tagged "technology"
iPads, Netflix and Diets
After years of frustration, I’ve found the perfect use for Neflix: education while dieting. About five months ago, my doctor said one of my sugar readings during a physical was too high, and near diabetic levels. She suggested losing 10-15 pounds, then re-testing. Diabetes is a scary disease, so I took her advice and started a serious diet. I also picked my exercise back up. I used to be a cycler, and still consider that my first love, but it just takes too long for me to get a good workout. So for years, I’ve run with my wife; running is a much more efficient way for me to lose weight.
But I also have some sort of pinched nerve in my neck, which is causing some arm/shoulder problems (ah, the joys of nearing 50). Running seems to exacerbate that issue. But I still need to lose the weight, so I’ve re-discovered our elliptical machine. It burns lots of calories quickly, like running; but like my bike, it’s completely non-impact. Best of both worlds, right? The problem is that it’s incredibly boring to use.
Enter Netflix and iPad. My particular elliptical has a little space at the top that perfectly — and I do mean perfectly — fits my iPad (generation 4 — I must have Retina Display). So now I set my iPad on the space, put on headphones, and fire up Netflix. No more boring.
But what to watch? Well, I’ve found a good solution to that, too. I’ve tried lots of TV shows my kids recommend, and haven’t liked any of them (more on that in a future post). After much consideration, I’m starting on an education kick. I’ll begin with the Ken Burns documentaries. I’m going through the “Civil War” now, and will move on to “Jazz”, then “The West,” then his others. After that’s done, I’ll start watching other documentaries on Netflix. I’ve always loved documentaries — to me, they’re just journalism with a camera. And I don’t think anyone captures America like Burns.
Now my body’s happy (I’ve lost 21 pounds since the fall), and I’m learning more about the world around me. My $8/month is being well spent.
But I also have some sort of pinched nerve in my neck, which is causing some arm/shoulder problems (ah, the joys of nearing 50). Running seems to exacerbate that issue. But I still need to lose the weight, so I’ve re-discovered our elliptical machine. It burns lots of calories quickly, like running; but like my bike, it’s completely non-impact. Best of both worlds, right? The problem is that it’s incredibly boring to use.
Enter Netflix and iPad. My particular elliptical has a little space at the top that perfectly — and I do mean perfectly — fits my iPad (generation 4 — I must have Retina Display). So now I set my iPad on the space, put on headphones, and fire up Netflix. No more boring.
But what to watch? Well, I’ve found a good solution to that, too. I’ve tried lots of TV shows my kids recommend, and haven’t liked any of them (more on that in a future post). After much consideration, I’m starting on an education kick. I’ll begin with the Ken Burns documentaries. I’m going through the “Civil War” now, and will move on to “Jazz”, then “The West,” then his others. After that’s done, I’ll start watching other documentaries on Netflix. I’ve always loved documentaries — to me, they’re just journalism with a camera. And I don’t think anyone captures America like Burns.
Now my body’s happy (I’ve lost 21 pounds since the fall), and I’m learning more about the world around me. My $8/month is being well spent.
Has Twitter Plateaued?
I read an article yesterday that said new Twitter accounts have started to slow. It's inevitable that this was going to happen; Twitter seemed to reach critical mass so quickly, faster even than Facebook, it seemed to me. It couldn't maintain the pace of growth.
That doesn't mean Twitter is going away, though. For the record, I'm a fan. I have multiple Twitter accounts, and in many ways, it's become my breaking news feed. But, like most of us I suspect, I've become a lot more discerning on who I follow and what I tweet.
Twitter is now finding its level, much like Facebook, and I expect it'll maintain, or maybe grow slowly, for at least several more years. It fills a niche in the information age, and a valuable one. Not everyone can write long, nor should everyone; 140 characters is the perfect length for some stuff (and some people), believe it or not.
By the way, if you want to follow me on Twitter, hit me up: @KeithWardWrite. I don't tweet a whole lot (I save my nonfiction writing for this blog, for the most part), but I do try and tweet regularly.
That doesn't mean Twitter is going away, though. For the record, I'm a fan. I have multiple Twitter accounts, and in many ways, it's become my breaking news feed. But, like most of us I suspect, I've become a lot more discerning on who I follow and what I tweet.
Twitter is now finding its level, much like Facebook, and I expect it'll maintain, or maybe grow slowly, for at least several more years. It fills a niche in the information age, and a valuable one. Not everyone can write long, nor should everyone; 140 characters is the perfect length for some stuff (and some people), believe it or not.
By the way, if you want to follow me on Twitter, hit me up: @KeithWardWrite. I don't tweet a whole lot (I save my nonfiction writing for this blog, for the most part), but I do try and tweet regularly.
