Best Let Me Assess this Upgrade

If you know me, you probably know that I've had a Samsung Flip Phone as my constant cellular companion since 2007.  In recent years I said that I wouldn't be upgrading to a smart phone until the iPhone 7 came out.  But on Saturday morning I woke up and the spirit moved me to visit the Soho Apple store.  Arriving at roughly 10:30 am, I soon found myself thirtieth-ish in line for an iPhone 5.  A few hours later, I owned an iPhone.

Here is my initial review of the features that attracted me to the iPhone.

The Big Jambox -- I'd seen this thing and become tremendously curious.  It's a wireless speaker of quite decent strength and loudness that you use Bluetooth technology to beam your music to from your iPhone.  Feeling much in need for something small but powerful that I could move from room to room and have as my friend while cooking or cleaning in the kitchen, wanting the Jambox was a primary reason I found myself needing an iPhone.  And now that I own the Jambox, what do I think?  I think it's dope.  Fully satisfied.

Phantasy Star II -- When I found out this classic Sega Genesis RPG was available for $3 to play on the iPhone my fate as an iPhone owner was sealed.  It was the first app I downloaded.  Upon installation, I discover that it crashes every time I try to launch it.  I send my letters of complaint to Sega.  By Sunday afternoon the Phantasy Star II page in the app store states that the game is incompatible with iOS6 but Sega is working hard at rectifying that situation.  Current Emotional State: Crestfallen, but looking towards the future.

Instagram -- Grew quite curious about this app, looked like I was missing a lot of fun.  Began to imagine what a successful Instagrammer (Instagrammar?) I could be, with the proper tool.  When a proper Instagram name came to me, "Brigstagram", my anticipation to jump on this bandwagon was nearly uncontainable.

Yeah.  As you can see above, it turns out  that"Brigstagram" is taken.
And so is "Briggie."
So my Instagram handle is "steadilymobbing", same as my three year old twitter account.  You are welcome and encouraged to follow me at either.  Right now, as I'm brand new on the scene, it's very exciting to get new followers.  It's like each of my friends are coming up to me and giving me a big digital hug, welcoming me to the world I had been missing out on.

Here ends my review of the things that made me want an iPhone.  Soon I will review the iPhone's traditional selling points.  The reasons Apple and my neighbors told me I wanted one.

Best And To Think I Saw It On Mulberry Street

This year's Feast of San Gennaro wrapped up on Sunday.  It came and went so quickly that I barely noticed, so I figured I ought to give this grand festival that occurs right outside my house one full walkthrough, just to see what was up.  To see what I could see.  I brought my M8 and the light was on my side and I took a few pictures I'd like to share.

From a distance everything looks so calm and peaceful.

And up close, not so bad either.

But once you cross Prince, things get crowded.  

There's so much you can do at San Gennaro, you can look at plastic fruit

Buy a fancy pizza,

Or a ridiculously spicy pickle (Which I did last year.  And they're right.  One was enough.)

Meet a handsome policeman,

Win a big pig,

Take a walk with your sister, or friend?

Watch a man do a flip over a lady,

Win a giant banana,

Eat a couple of lobsters,

Take a picture,

Get stuck in the crowd,

Wonder if you're going to make it out alive,

Buy a flag,

Or a sausage,

Maybe look at some skywriting?

Wait at the crosswalk,

Make a new friend,

Meet a princess,

Buy a wrestling mask,

Win a kitty,

Visit the nut house,

Pop some balloons,

Take a walk with your brother . . . or friend?

Negotiate a good price on a fine cashmere pashmina, 

Buy a margarita,

Wear your best outfit and look fresh to death,

Have your poor aching feet cared for,

Get something for your grandkid,

Enjoy a fine treat,

Wear your army hat,

Eat sausage and peppers with your dad,

Meet a giant cannoli, 

Enjoy a sandwich,

Wear your fancy hat,

Or eat something breaded and deep fried.

Really, there's so much you can do at San Gennaro.  Or at any street fair in the city.  

Goodbye for now, San Gennaro.  I can't say I'll miss you, but really I didn't mind having you outside my window the past 10 days that bad.

Best If You Pretend This is Like a Picture Book

Believe it or not, but this week is Sea Otter Awareness Week!

Oh man I love Sea Otters, they're so cute!

Look at that fellow!

Awwwwww . . . is somebody sleepy?

So cute!

Awwwwwwwwwww . . . 

So cuu . . .

Wait.

You're not a Sea Otter!  You're a River Otter!  Oh gross.  Get out of here, River Otter.  No one likes you.  It's Sea Otter week!

Okay.  Sorry about that.  Back to Sea Otters.

Awwwww . . . holding hands?  Come on!  Too Cute!

And sharing dinner?  Mmmmm, crab.  Sounds delish.  Can I have some?

RIVER OTTER!  I wasn't talking to you!  Get out of here!  And take that gross crab with you!

Ok.  Back to Sea Otters!

Hugging!

Waving!

River Otter, No!  Get out of here!  No one likes you!  Stop waving at me!  I don't even know you!

Okay, sorry about that.  River Otters are terribly rude, they don't understand when they're not welcome.

Back to SEA OTTERS!!!!!!

Saying prayers? Too much!

Awww, who's a hungry guy?   What's that you're eating?  I can't tell, but it bet it's great.  And look at your cute little savage Sea Otter fang!

Oh!  More Sea Otter cuddling!  Cuuuuuute!  Love it!

RIVER OTTER!  WHAT?!  GET YOUR GROSS PDA OUT OF HERE!  This is a family blog!

So sorry about those two, it's like, "get a river", right?

Anyway.

Hey Sea Otter!

Oh here's a yawny guy!

Who's a sleepy bear, little Sea Otter?

RIVER OTTER!  Now you bring a catfish?!  Don't you know you're gross?  You're grosser than a muskrat!  No one likes you, you slippery oily grody oversized river rat! Get lost!

Now this is what I'm talking about!  Fluffy and Cuddly!  That's how I like my otters to be!

Oh, geeze.  River Otter.  You again.  Crawling out of your dank little log hole?

Wait . . .what are you doing?  You're standing up to me, River Otter?  What?  You've had enough of my attitude?  You think I haven't been very respectful?  You think I should give River Otters a chance?

Well . . . I guess . . . I guess you're kinda cute.  Your little eyes, your long whiskers . . . maaybeee . . . 

JUST KIDDING!  Sea Otters are the best forever and ever!  And ever!  And ever! Sea Otters!  Sea Otters!

Okay.

Even if this post was a little jokey it really is Sea Otter Awareness Week . . . the 10th Annua Sea Otter Awareness Week, and even though that makes Sea Otters sound like a disease, we should all take some time this week to honor these marvelous little jesters of the sea.





And River Otters can go jump in a lake.