I am writing this post from my new netbook, an ASUS Eee 1005HA with Windows 7 Starter. I got it last night, and have been looking forward to doing some typing with it, as I want to see how the keyboard it. So far, seems good, though I definitely notice that it's only 92% size. Not a bother though, considering I am petite too. The netbook and I are on the same page with that.

So far, I have been very pleased. The netbook does just what I expected it to do well well. It is lightening fast on the internet. If one only has a couple of programs open, it's speedy as can be. It seems to go as fast as my approximately one-year-old Dell PC at work, which is great. I did optimize the netbook a little bit, taking items off the start up and that really seemed to help.

The computer boots in about 45 seconds which is great. The only annoying this is how long it takes to open and delete programs in the control panel. It's then that one remembers that one is only using one gig of ram, but I couldn't care less about this. I probably won't open the control panel again for a long while - I'll just be checking my e-mail and using the web. The netbook does both of those things way faster than the poor old IBM, which, as I have said, I still love dearly.

Windows 7 took a bit of initial getting used to. At first I couldn't figure out where you did run commands or where things were located on the control panel - but it's basically your same Windows. I am not, in general, a Windows hater. I thought XP was perfect for my needs and like 95 fine before that. I anticipate a similar experience with Windows 7. Yes, I know that my netbook would go much faster with Linux, but I am used to Windows and that makes me happy. Plus, I think that the aero is nice. Yes, it slows down the works a bit, but not for the basics, so no problem.

Perhaps you have heard how Windows 7 Starter doesn't let you change the wallpaper on your computer. This is true, and totally crazy - the people at Microsoft and I are not of one mind on this. Fortunately, the people at ASUS think that this is crazy too and make a system tool that allows you to change your wallpaper to whatever you want. Now I am happy to have my picture of Lily as my wallpaper.

The netbook advertises that it has 10.5 hours of battery life. I am sure that this is true if you completely compromise system performance, don't run aero, et cetera. If you don't do any customizing to optimize battery life - as I have done - they you get just under seven hours, which is way more battery than most people would need most of the time. I am very glad to have a computer with a new battery. The IBM, which used to have awesome battery life for its day, now can only go half an hour ultimate max without being plugged in. Additionally, the battery monitor is totally faulty and thinks the computer is without battery after fifteen minutes and then it's a gamble from there if the computer will keep going or not.

In sum, so far, so good. I am enjoying my little netbook.

Things are moving right along with work, wedding prep, and my hobbies. Lily has been working hard too.



First, the Phonathon is almost 2/3 over. We were actually featured on the Smith College news page, The Gate. You can read about the Phonathon (and see a picture of the Phonathon Center) here.

For the wedding, Seth and I finished with writing the ceremony. Seth did most of it, and did a great job. Now we have to disseminate the finished product to the officiants. Also, I have plans to go shopping with my bridesmaids around Thanksgiving. I've been looking at dresses that look like this.



And this.



Actually for the second one, I was looking at this dress (click) in teal because it's closer to the first one. For some reason the website wouldn't let me download a jpg for it though.

Seth has also been working on the invitations, starting with the save the dates. He has done a wonderful mock up. The invites are going to be in teal as well - teal is the color we're using. The invites will be modern and with a geometric feel. We talked briefly about having the pattern on the cake echo the invites but no plans have been made yet, and the cake and invites are Seth's area of expertise.

I've also been doing some spinning.



I am thinking of spinning this yarn and donating it for the charity auction that happens for our office in December. It's very cool yarn, so it might be good for that. The yarn I donated last year was popular and got knit into a baby sweater. So cute!

Whew! It's been busy, and I have not posted in a while. The past few weeks have been extremely busy at work as the Fall Phonathon has been taking place. So far, so good though.

Yesterday, Seth and I took a break from the busy schedule I have and went to Sunderland to Mike's Maze, an eight acre corn maze at Warner Farm.



This year's maze was Darwin.


(Image from Mike's Maze website)

One gets a map and the game is to locate certain points in the maze.



At these points there are information placards pertaining to the theme of the maze. One gets points for finding all the locations in the maze and gets a sugar pumpkin as a prize.



Seth and I had loads of fun and found all the locations in the maze and even some of the bonus ones.



At home, Lily has been chilling out with us a lot. The couch, where she never used to sit, is now her new favorite spot. She's also fancying the linen closet. Here, Lily does her best "I am a blanket" impression.



Also, perhaps the next time I blog, I will be doing so from my new computer. My dear, dear, IBM, I love you so, but after seven years, things are starting to become difficult for you. Some days are good, some days, not so much.

To help take the strain off the IBM, I am getting a netbook - an Asus eee 1005HA with Windows 7 Starter Edition in blue.



I am eagerly anticipating it's arrival. It's a simple computer, designed only to surf the web, read e-mail and create the occasional Word document, but that's all I really use my computer for now anyway since I am no longer a student. My much beloved IBM will still be my favorite before all other computers, and I will definitely still keep it, just more in an inactive role. It has earned its retirement.

Seth and I have been busy crafting.

Seth made this 3D model for his Dungeons and Dragons game. I think the guys will like it when they play their game on Friday - it's very cool and much more interactive than the 2D maps they normally draw on their grids for playing.



Lily observed to make sure that everything went to plan.



Meanwhile, I did some spinning. I have been spinning up a batt with neps in it.



The singles are very fun looking, however I think that the yarn will be even better when plied as there will be neps everywhere! It should also be a very fun yarn to knit with. Now what to make with only 3 oz...

Today, Seth took me to The Big E for my first-ever time. It was huge, hugely crowded, and hugely fun! I ate a lot of bad-for-me food: fried dough, cream puff, blue slurpy, a bite of Seth's 7" corn dog, and a bit of Seth's awesome blossom.

We saw lots of animals.


(Cow)


(Piglets)


(Mother of the piglets)


(Zebu, who I fed!)

We saw some oddities.


(Made of butter)


(Deep fried mushrooms!?)


(Cool dino)


(Map of Connecticut and what things are made in each town - of debatable accuracy)

We saw lots of cars (which I am posting for Greg, even though I am not sure he has ever read the blog). The first two are from the James Bond movies.







There were also building for all of the New England states which had things from the states inside.


(Rhode Island)


(Massachusetts)


(Maine, which had a line that you must have had to stand in for over an hour to get a baked potato. Seth says they are the best ever, but we didn't want to wait.)


(Vermont)


(Connecticut)


(New Hampshire)

All and all a great trip. Thanks, Seth, for taking me!

The new wine rack Mom got me at Yankee Candle is finally up!



There was a failed attempt and failed hardware purchases but, with the help of Seth's dad, we are finally set to go. Lily also helped.



I got some cool wine to put in the rack back when I originally got it a few weeks ago.



I have a couple bottles in the rack now, but might add more later once I am sure Lily won't be all over the rack.



(I think she is a good girl. I am not worried.)



I've also been spinning.



A closer view.



This yarn started off life as this very neat roving.



I am enjoying it and trying to spin up the rest soon so that I can move on to this new roving Seth got me.



I can't wait to spin it up!