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99 THINGS

Dec 24th, 2008
by pollyalida.
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I love reading those “10 things you probably didn’t know about me” sort of lists about friends and colleagues.  But I always have a hard time coming up with my own lists.  This ’99 things’ list takes care of that.  I saw this  on several other blogs and thought it would be fun. And besides, I’m procrastinating!  (No tagging! But do share your 99 things if you like.)

THE 99 THINGS MEME

Things you’ve already done: bold
Things you want to do: italicize
Things you haven’t done and don’t want to – leave in plain font

1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars.
3. Played in a band. (High school, clarinet, embarrassingly bad)
4. Visited Hawaii. (and would go back in a minute)
5. Watched a meteor shower. (Bundled up and got out the lawn chairs one freezing November night for the Leonids. Great fun)
6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
7. Been to Disneyland/world. (Disneyland opened the day I was born. On their 25th anniversary, they were letting anyone born on that day in for free. I was on an island off the coast of Maine that summer.)
8. Climbed a mountain. (Define mountain? small mountains, yes!)
9. Held a praying mantis.
10. Sang a solo. (At age 5, at summer camp, never again)
11. Bungee jumped. (I wish I were brave enough to want to do this)
12. Visited Paris. (more…)

Voting for Obama

Nov 3rd, 2008
by pollyalida.
4 comments

I’ve been waffling about sharing my political thoughts here, though no one who knows me has any doubts who I’m voting for. And even though I don’t think I’ll change any undecided minds, I decided I wanted to put it down ‘on paper’, so to speak, before the election.

There are so many issues to consider in this election, and even if we have strong opinions about many (all!) of them, our decisions often come down to one or two that strike us most personally. For me, one of the top issues is health care and who I believe has the best ideas about how to fix a system that doesn’t work for many people. I know that many ideas won’t get implemented exactly as the campaigns suggest they will, but I still have to vote for the candidate who gives me the most hope.

I have a chronic disease, though you wouldn’t know it. Thanks to terrific doctors and really good health insurance, I’m just fine, thank you. (more…)

Green House Homes – Elder Care Reinvented

Jun 30th, 2008
by pollyalida.
4 comments

I’ve been spending a lot of time looking at nursing homes, assisted living centers and senior living centers lately. I’ve seen some wonderful places and some not so wonderful ones. Today, I came across a new concept for skilled nursing homes that blew me away. Green House® homes, skilled nursing homes with a heart.

THE GREEN HOUSE® model creates a small intentional community for a group of elders and staff. It is a place that focuses on life, and its heart is found in the relationships that flourish there…. Its primary purpose is to serve as a place where elders can receive assistance and support with activities of daily living and clinical care, without the assistance and care becoming the focus of their existence… The Green House model is intended to de-institutionalize long-term care by eliminating large nursing facilities and creating habilitative, social settings.

Looking through the photo albums on their web site, these homes really do look like homes and are the polar opposite of what I’ve seen in some nursing homes. Here’s hoping this and similar concepts prove successful and become affordable for all. Dignity in aging. A simple wish.

Don’t drop your computer

Jun 4th, 2008
by pollyalida.
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very dead computer
This is what happens when you drop your computer and try to fix it with help from phone support. I have to say, Dell has been good about this. They are replacing everything that broke in the fall. And everything that broke as a result of the “surgery”.So this is why I haven’t been online much this week. I’m traveling and this is my travel laptop. Ouch. Good things come from such events though, I’m going to relax tonight, drink a glass of wine and read a book. Now that’s really a treat!

Great service from T-mobile

Feb 19th, 2008
by pollyalida.
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I’m sorry I had to cancel my T-mobile hotspot account today (and no it had nothing to do with Starbucks canceling their contract with tmobile!). I’ve used T-mobile for nearly 4 years now. Never had any reason to call customer service or support. The service always worked as promised and billing was never a problem. In an attempt to consolidate some of my communications services, I’ve opted for a Verizon broadband card for my laptop, simply because that’s who I have for my cell phone service. Though I did reconsider during the multi week hassle of activating the Verizon card.

Back to T-mobile. When I called them today, I really expected to spend ages canceling the service and to get a barrage of questions and pressure to stay with them. Though they did suggest that I could have used their broadband card for my laptop, the service agent was most pleasant and did not pressure me. The whole process was, in fact, painless! No long phone tree menu of choice after confusing choice to get to the right person. The first person I spoke to was able to help, was friendly and efficient. If ever I need to change services again, T-mobile will be top of the list.

Thank you!

An unusual and surprising day

Nov 29th, 2007
by pollyalida.
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This has a been a surprisingly unusual day.

Things started with 2 half-day training sessions for staff at the New York State Library. About 50 people came out to hear me bombard them (and I do mean bombard!) with web2.0/library2.0 ‘stuff’. They then got some projects going and had lots of good discussions. Best of all, they’re getting support from folks ‘at the top’. Jeff Cannell, Deputy Commissioner for Cultural Education, (more…)

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