Fix My Phone

I did not think I needed or even wanted a smart phone.  Since I have had the IPhone 6, I have become addicted to it.  I really appreciate the access to everything it offers me:  phone service, text, access to the Internet, maps, directions, applications for news, weather, sports, booklists, and games to name many of the things for which I use the IPhone. It was working just fine on Thursday.  Friday afternoon, it was not working right. I do not recall dropping the phone, or putting it in harm's way. I do not recall updating the operating system Thursday night, although I could have.  I think that last time I updated the system was some time ago ( a couple of weeks or more.) This afternoon, I saw an advertisement that the IOS 10  http://www.apple.com/ios/ios-10/ update affected IPhones in very much the way mine was affected, but it came out after mine was not working properly. However, in retrospect, I wonder if something else may have occurred.  I first noticed that my phone was not working when I was in Wal-Mart https://www.walmart.com.  The really unusual thing was that it was opened to the Wal-Mart application.  But, I do not know. I could have hit the Wal-Mart application accidentally. Anyway, I thought that was strange, because I did not recall opening the Wal-Mart application.  And then, the phone did not work perfectly, although I could still get Facebook notifications and texts.

I decided not to take it into Sprint to be repaired over the weekend. I have been at the Sprint service center on Saturday before: even with an appointment I had to wait about 2 hours.  I thought I might have the chance to go during the work day this week.  I dragged out my insurance papers, and went this afternoon. 

The young man who checked me in was very nice. He complimented the condition of the phone.  I have a Lifeproof cover, which is expensive, but obviously worth the price.  As the techician said, the Lifeproof cover is doing its job. He checked me in, took the Lifeproof cover off, had me sign off  Icloud, and told me to come back in about 2 and a half hours. He told me they would guarantee to save my contacts, videos and something else, but not photos or apps.  I was happy to know my contacts would be saved.  I do not have many photos on the phone, and I could reload the apps.

I did return as told. The phone was ready.  It had required a software reset, and everything was saved! A different technician signed me out.  And replaced the Lifeproof cover for me. And told me I would get a survey on customer service, and 9s and 10s were the level they were striving for.  I told him they would get a 10! 

Picante's

So, I went to one of my favorite restaurants Sunday.  Picante's http://www.picantestexas.com/ serves good Mexican food at a good price with good service. This time I had a "Daily Deal" from Lubbock Online http://lubbockonline.nimbledeals.com/deal/lubbock/.  I ordered "the usual" which is a shrimp relleno.  I also ordered a watermelon drink. That is very refreshing.

It was a good meal.  It satisfied my craving for chips and salsa, and for Mexican food.

Sully - The Movie

I went to see the movie Sully http://www.sully-movie.com/#home today. It is a story many if not most of us will remember:  A US Air plane from La Guardia Airport http://laguardiaairport.com/ is disabled by birds shortly after take off, and lands in the Hudson River. All 155 aboard, passengers and crew, were saved with serious injuries and hypothermia to just a few, even though this occurred in January 2009.

The movie focuses on the PTSD reaction of the pilot Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger who has nightmares about crashing the plane into buildings in New York City.  He and his co-pilot Jeff Skiles, who is similarly affected, by his reports, are questioned by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) http://www.ntsb.gov/Pages/default.aspx about their decisions.  It turns out the computer simulations indicated they could have safely return to La Guardia airport, or gone on to the Teterboro Airport http://www.teterboro-online.com/airport/. The suspense in the movie is about the conflict between the NTSB and the pilot and co-pilot. 

I cried during most of the movie. Sad, happy, relieved, honored, grateful.

This is a good movie to see. And teaches us a lesson about human beings. 

Jury Duty Cancelled!

Last June, I was served notice that I was scheduled for jury duty in July  https://www.co.lubbock.tx.us/department/division.php?fDD=11-59. The timing conflicted with a planned vacation so I took advantage of the opportunity to reschedule with no questions asked. I requested jury duty for the week of August 29.  I was assigned jury duty for the week of September 12.  I signed up on line.  Friday afternoon, I received an email and text message that the case was settled, and I do not need to report for jury duty.  I like the way Lubbock County has taken advantage of technology to run the jury pool.  This is good.

9/11

Tomorrow is the 15th anniversary of 9/11.  Ten years ago, I convinced one of my book clubs at the time to read The Day the World Came to Town https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/148775.The_Day_the_World_Came_to_Town.  This is the story of the plane people who were diverted from New York City to Gander, Newfoundland, when the twin towers were demolished. If you have not read it, please do. It is a good story.

In Lubbock, flags are flown in Kastman Park http://www.kcbd.com/slideshow?widgetid188602 every year to commemorate those lost and the first responders who worked and lost their lives, too.

This year, we have been asked to do another commemoration:  To honor the first responders, and all military who serve to protect this country, an ex-Marine, Benny Guerrero is asking us to turn on our porch lights Saturday sunset to Monday morning as a show of support http://www.kcbd.com/story/33061984/turn-on-your-porch-light-to-honor-first-responders-this-weekend. 

I plan to do this. What are you going to do?

A Nice Trip to Albuquerque

A friend and I went to Albuquerque for a quick Labor Day weekend trip. It was a nice trip. We had lunch at http://www.clinescorners.com/index.html.  It was a good, greasy spoon diner lunch. Yummm.

We stayed at the Nativo Lodge http://www.nativolodge.com/.  It was on the one hand, just another hotel. On the other hand, it was decorated with Native American art, had a beautiful lobby, and staff who were dedicated to ensuring the guests were well tended to. It was a nice place to stay, and not inconvenient to the museums and activities we planned to attend. And the price was right.

We went to the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center http://www.indianpueblo.org/.  This was an amazing experience that explained about the Pueblo Culture, the interference of the Anglo Culture, and how the Pueblos are working to reclaim their culture. This was really fascinating to me.

We went to Old Town http://www.visitalbuquerque.org/travel-tools/neighborhoods/historic-old-town/, and went shopping and had dinner at the Church Street Café https://www.churchstreetcafe.com/. The food was good. 

We also went to the Biopark Zoo, Aquarium, and took the train rides through the Botanical Gardens http://www.cabq.gov/culturalservices/biopark.  This was an all day event, and was so interesting and enjoyable.

It was a good weekend trip. My travel companion was easy to be with. The activities were great.  It was a nice Labor Day Weekend trip.

The Community Engagement Task Force

I went to the Community Engagement Task Force meeting tonight http://lubbockonline.com/filed-online/2016-09-01/lubbock-mayor-police-chief-face-tough-questions-community-forum#.V8j19o-cFxI.  I met some nice people, saw a few people I know, and listened to the comments of others. I made no comment.  I was just honored to be able to participate in such a forum. I want to watch for more.