Hey. I got a new backpack. It is the Marmot Kompressor Plus. I also got this groovy Sea to Summit Lightweight Drysack. The concept is to take them hiking, and then stash everything into the Drysack so I can more easily jump into rivers and stuff. I am kind of a chicken when it comes to swimming in unknown places or crossing weird bodies of water, but maybe since I won’t have to worry about my stuff getting wet, I’ll be less scared? I will be sure to report back to you with the results. 🙂
Periscope keeps getting cooler, and I get more and more addicted to the App. I can hardly fall asleep now without watching an episode of “Sock Cop” to see Tug Boat, Popsicles, Mills Motors, some Doo Doots, Parkours, and Dr. Peppers. The best new feature (on iOS only for now) is the Map View. I have provided a few screenshots to give you an idea of how it works. You click on the globe icon, and you are presented with a world map and choices for some periscopes you can watch that are originating in that specific part of the world. I can go to Miami, Amsterdam, Cancun, Rome, Honolulu, or anywhere else at the touch of the screen, and see what someone is doing and broadcasting at that moment. If I am planning a trip, I can maybe find a friendly local and ask them for advice about their city. The second screenshot is an example of zooming in on the current activity in Austin. I can even choose geographical areas of the city to see what people are broadcasting from the North side, for example. Keep innovating, Periscope People, and I’m sure I will return each evening to see what’s new in the world.
Well, old hiking boots, you have gotten a little bit uncomfortable with the slight pinching at the toes and my right heel has been hurting for some time. Enter new hiking boots. The Moab Mid Waterproof from Merrell is my new style. After a day of wearing these, my poor feet are feeling a bit better. I think my old boots just weren’t sized the best for my feet. I have high hopes for the new ones which were gotten for a deal at the new Round Rock Bass Pro Shops last night. I’m sure we will get along fine and share some cool adventures together. 🙂
Remember that time, not so long ago, when I hiked the Canyon Overlook Trail at Zion National Park in Utah and took some crazy awesome pictures with my cell phone? Now, thanks to Google Photos, I do. This new App was recently introduced for Android, iOS, and desktop computers, and I have been having some fun with it. Give it a try if you need to backup, organize, search, edit or store some of your photos. You can thank me later… 🙂
I am sure by now that you, my Internet Friends, are tired of me proclaiming the magical wonders of Periscope. However, there is a big announcement – Periscope on Android is LIVE. I now can use my unlimited data plan (as sketchy as the signal can be at times) to create my own broadcasts. I have tried a few local broadcasts (without cats or other cute viewer nabbing critters), and my heart count is up to a whopping 2 hearts. My heart getting skills need a little bit of tender loving care. Don’t worry, I am determined to get the hang of this Android-based Periscoping thing. I am sure to double my heart count in no time. I suggest that you get out there and start some broadcasts of your own, with or without tiny, cute, cuddly, fluffy animals in tow. If you stay focused, you may soon have 2 hearts of your own. 🙂
The highlight of my day so far was installing Meerkat on my phone. It is the App that gathered a ton of publicity at SXSW this year. It is similar to the App I am most addicted to (Periscope), but Meerkat is now available on Android platforms, whereas Periscope is still limited to iOS platforms. So now that the video sharing App is on my phone, I can share some of my adventures (like yesterday’s most awesome sunset) with anyone in real time as long as I have a phone connection. The App is free, so give it a try if you are interested.
I am experimenting with a new App today called “Medium“. It is an App that allows you to read stories and articles, similar to Reddit, but without the baked in naughtiness. I installed the App and then glanced through the top stories (as voted upon by fellow readers). The story that caught my eye was in the eleventh spot – about traveling alone. Since I am thinking about taking a trip soon, I wanted to pick up some sage advice. I found out about “Whatever The Fuck Time”, which is that time when you just do what you want. Simple enough. It is defined in the screen shots below. I don’t know if I can recommend the App yet or not, but it is free, so feel free to check it out if you like. 🙂
Yes, my Periscope addiction is ongoing. So now on the Periscope App where you can see the videos from individuals you are following, the Periscope people have begun posting recommended videos that remain for viewing for about 24 hours. I watched one of the best this morning. It was from journalist Nick Kristof, who had invited Eunice Akoth (a sixth grade student from the settlement of Kibera in Kenya, Africa) to visit him in New York. The short, live video showed a brief interview and a performance of a poem by Eunice. The poem is extremely moving, and can be found here along with several other stories about day to day life in Kibera. Kibera is Africa’s largest slum where daily challenges can include basic needs like food, water, and shelter. Shining Hope for Communities is an organization working to help this settlement, and their mission statement can be seen below in a screenshot from their website. At the very least, you should check out the poem from Eunice. If you are like me, it will inspire you to learn more about her story and the people who have reached out to assist her and the community she lives in.
Anyone remember my blog post from back in February when I shared my nerdy iPad game called “Star Wars: Commander”? Well, I am still playing. I know you were kind of excited when I first started my tiny little base with an initial base rating of 75. As of today, my base rating is 1085, and this helps determine what kind of battles I get into with other players. So far, I have won 309 attacks on other unsuspecting people’s bases, and 43 defenses of my own spectacular impregnable fortress of a base. Now I am assuming that you are totally excited? Don’t worry, I will continue to neglect my chores and other important things like reading books for example just so I can update you with my gaming progress. Yay!
My favorite App for the iPad, iPhone, or iPad Touch lately is Periscope. It allows you to travel the world, see new things, and hang out with different people. So far today, I have seen places in Italy, France, Australia, and the UK by watching other user’s live feeds. From their website,
I’ve added a few random screenshots to give you an idea of the endless possibilities you can experience live, including a Venice Beach sunset and a nice storm cloud in Arizona. Has anyone else tried Periscope, and if so, are you enjoying it?
earthrobert 