Monday, December 1, 2014

My Week with an iPhone 6 Plus

For my bithday I decided to get a shiny new iPhone 6. I could not decide between the big 6 and the bigger 6 plus. The 6 plus looks like a clown shoe. On the other hand, the 6 plus had a better battery, a better camera, and the screen is glorious.
I stode in the store for an hour touching them both; I compared how they felt in my hand; I tried reading things on both; I played Clumsy Ninja on both. I had already polled the people I knew, and some I didn’t, about their new phones. Everyone I asked liked the phone they purchased regardless of size. The 6ers thought the 6 plus was too big; the plusers thought the extra size was the best. I obsessively read all the reviews I could find. The 6 is perfect; the 6 plus is perfect; the 6 plus is too big….
After all the hemming and hawing, I pulled the plug on a 6 plus. I could manage it one handed. It fit in my pocket. As in all things screened, bigger is better. The landscape mode tricks were impressive too. If the phone made use of the extra real estate would be killer.
It didn’t take long for me to adjust to the size of the phone. I immediately adjusted my grip so that I could use it one handed. The weight was a bit of an issue and my hands did tire faster.
The landscape keyboard was a blessing and a curse. The extra keys were nice. Bunching the most useful keys in the middle not so nice. Instead of having a little more romm for my fat fingers, I still had to tap on tiny keys. Now I had to stretch to tap on them. My typing actually got slower. Because of the increased size, the portrait keyboard, which I found easier for typing, was not great either. I found the 6 plus too top heavy for extended use.
For reading the big screen was better. There was more text on the screen and I could adjust the text size up if I was tired. Pictures were better too. This is where the 6 plus really shined.
Like many others, I did have bluetooth issues. I had to manually reconnect the phone to my  everytime I wanted to use it. While not a deal breaker, this was annoying.
Touch ID was great. I wasn’t flawless, but most of the times it didn’t work properly were user error. I didn’t get my thimb on the sensor properly.
Apple Pay was brilliant in it boringness. Every time I used it I marveled at how easy and utterly unremarkable it was. Paying for things should always be as fast and easy.
The camera was nice. I took some good pictures. The big screen made reviewing the pictures much easier.
Carrying the iPhone 6 Plus around was not much of an issue. It fit in my pants pocket without much trouble. It was a little awkward in some of my pants. Fitting it into other spots was more troublesome. It was too long for the any of the spots in my car. It didn’t fit in the waterproof pouch I use for kayaking and biking. It didn’t fit in the large touring saddle bag I have on my bike.
The biggest problem with the 6 plus was that it made my hand tired. While I could manage it one handed and carry it around withut trouble, my hands always hurt. I never felt like I had a solid grip on the phone. I never dropped it or really felt like I was bobbling it.
In the end, there was nothing wrong with the 6 plus. There was just a bunch of little things all related to its size. If the size was worth the accumilation of troubles, I would have kept the phone. However, it wasn’t. The extra size was nice, but not game changing. The landscape tricks on some of the apps hinted at how the size could be useful. At this point, there are not enough of them to make it worth the issue.
I found that if I really wanted the extra size, the iPad was better.


Saturday, October 11, 2014

Boxtrolls

Bug and I needed something to do on a rainy Saturday. The movies, while still staring at a screen, at least require getting out of the house.
Bug saw an advert for Boxtrolls weeks ago. Using our generic iDevice, we also watched the trailers. Bug and I thought it looked fun. H wasn't so sure. The BBC's flagship movie program gave Boxtrolls a positive nod. The only issue was that it was PG and a little scrungy.
H was gone for the weekend; it was rainy; Bug handles scrunge with aplomb. The plan was set. Off to one of the local independent theaters for an afternoon of scrungy, stop motion movie fun.
We got to the theater with plenty of time. I checked if Bug needed to use the potty. "No." Then we rushed past the vending area to get some choice seating.
Bug wanted to sit in the front row. In a newer theater I would have weathered the storm of saying no, but this theater is set up to make front row viewing pleasantish. The screen is big, but not crazy big. It is also close to eye-level. You don't need to sit in astronaut position for the whole show or worry about only seeing part of the screen.
We got settled in and starting watching the few previews when a family sits next to us and they all have treats. "Daddy, I really wish I had popcorn." "We'll miss some of the movie." "I want popcorn more than missing some of the movie." So, we go get popcorn. Again I ask about the potty. "No."
Once we settle in with our popcorn, "Daddy, I need to go potty. I cannot hold it." The bathroom is right outside the door to the theater and is not occupied.
We settle in for the final time having missed about ten minutes of the movie. The bits we missed didn't hinder us from enjoying the movie or following the story. I'm sure it was fun stuff, but not terribly important.
The movie was great. The animation was beautifully scrungy. The story was cute. The characters were very well done. It is pretty amazing how much character a box can have. The humor worked for both Bug and I.
Kenzie had a good time and reported that she like it. She sat for the whole time without much fidgeting. The few scary bits didn't bother her much. She was appropriately tense. Bug doesn't like loud noises and nothing bothered her.
I'd give it a definite thumbs up as a family movie. It works on several levels. Fans of Beckett will enjoy the end credits.

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

Tiny

Being a person who doesn't like having too much stuff, I have been interested in the tiny house thing for a while. H put Tiny on her Netflix queue and we watched it this past week. The film was interesting, but flawed.
The central story, the film makers building a tiny house, felt more like a distraction than anything else. It was the interviews with people living in tiny houses that was the meat of the piece. I wanted more of the interviews and the issues about living in a tiny house.
The central story could have been more interesting if it was given more depth. There are mentions about money troubles and issues with not knowing construction, but they lacked details. It could also be that, in the end, I didn't find the film maker's compelling characters. They came off a bit like privileged lost ones.
The interview subjects presented a more diverse and compelling slice of humanity. They all had experience living in houses and made their decisions based on real world concerns. None of them did it simply to see what it was like. The interview subjects also lived their convictions. They lived in tiny houses.
The film makers never actually lived in a tiny house during the movie. From what we see of their lives, they are pretty typical. In the end, I wish they had actually had some experience living in the house.
SPOILER
My review may be tainted by my discovery that since building the house, the film makers have spent very little time in the house. The man did spend some time living in the house, but eventually quit it for LA. The woman lives in New York. While it is generally unrealistic to expect a film maker to "live" the life depicted in a documentary, this case felt disingenuous. They made it seem as if this was a life at least one of them planned on living and not just a stunt for a film project.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

The Best Ride Ever

Last fall Bug decided that going on a bike ride meant "me on me bike, daddy on daddy bike." The trailer was no longer a first class citizen. Family bike rides became a little more difficult. Bug insisted on using her coaster bike. We still brought the trailer along in case she got tired, but getting her in it was a struggle.
I started looking at trailer bikes for those longer family rides. After a bunch of research, I decided that the Burley trailer bikes were the best. They were a little more expensive, but the hook up seemed a lot more secure. I liked the way it hooked up the bike like a fifth wheel. The seat hitches seemed flimsy in comparison.
All of this was purely theoretical. When I tried to buy one, the sales guys (they were all guys) told me that Bug wasn't tall enough. Trailer bikes are 20" bikes. There are not alot of good solutions for kids between four and five. They out grow the trailer, but don't quite grow into a trailer bike. They also don't have the stamina to do long rides on their own.
A few weekends back we met a family that had one of the Burley trailer bikes and loved it. Their boy was the same height as Bug, so we figured she had to be tall enough for it. Still it was a big money commitment, so we didn't rush out to buy it. It could wait until later in the summer when the opportunities for long bike rides was greater. Waiting also gave Bug more time to get used to riding her two wheel peddle bike. She has the balance part down and the peddle part down, but she hasn't quite put it all together yet.
The following week, I was sitting around and H said I should go to the bike store.... I bought the Piccolo which has gears. I know that at this stage the gears are superfluous, but over time they may prove to be useful. Bug and I were thrilled.
The bike shop put the required rack on my bike and showed me how to hook it to the rack. The attachment is like a 5th wheel on a pick-up truck. It vertically mounts to a heavy-duty rack and has a single pivot joint. The attachment has a level of redundancy. First is a quick release latch that provides a basic connection between the trailer and the rack. To fully attach the trailer, you screw the trailer into the rack. It is a sturdy connection.
I got it home and adjusted it to fit Bug. There are two adjustment points: the seat goes up and down and the handle bars slide up and down the tube. The seat adjustment has a quick release and the handle bars are hex bolts. It was pretty easy to do. It took a few minutes to get it adjusted and for us to get on the road.
Before heading out we had the safety talk. Bug must keep her hands on the handle bars, her bum on the seat, and her feet on the peddles. If she wants to stop, she needs to tell me and wait until I tell her it is OK to put her feet down. We are a team. Daddy is the pilot; Bug is the co-pilot.
We started out slow by doing a few short rides up and down our street. Then we branched out to a trip around the block. Bug did a great job and was utterly thrilled. She squealed with glee almost the entire time.
For a true test, the family went down to the Minuteman Trail for a Sunday afternoon ice cream run. From the parking lot we use to Lexington Center is about three miles. It was a good distance for a road test. Pulling the trailer bike is different than pulling the Chariot trailer. The trailer bike is more active. I can feel when Bug moves around and when she peddles. If she leans, it can be a little destabilizing. When she peddles it is a nice boost. The boost is particularly nice on hills.
Since getting the trailer, Bug and I have expanded our horizons. We have taken two trips from our house to the library. It is about five miles each way and involves some back roads. Taking the trailer bike on the road is a little nerve wracking because you never know what the cars are going to do, but I feel more comfortable with the trailer bike than I would have with the Chariot trailer. Bug is positioned where a car would expect a bike rider and she can see around better. Still I would not take it on a anything other than a quiet back road.
Bug loves the rides. She sings and laughs most of the way there and back. I love the rides too. I get a little bit of exercise and get to spend time with my daughter. I also get a chance to teach her some road safety first hand without worrying about her doing something too impulsive.
It is an expensive toy. The Burley version is about $100 more expensive than other models. I think it is worth it. The interface is substantially more solid. The addition of the gears also helps adjust the amount of assistance the child provides and gives them a chance to learn about shifting. Longer term, the Burley also has a conversion kit that turns the trailer into a regular bike.
Regardless of the money, it has been worth it for the sheer joy it has brought Bug. It gives us a fun, healthy way to spend time together outdoors. You cannot put a price on hearing your child happily singing "I love biking with Daddy. Playing with Daddy is great."

Friday, May 23, 2014

Godzilla

I grew up watching the Creature Double Feature every Saturday, so I am unlikely to miss a Godzilla movie. The last attempt at a Godzilla movie was so terrible, it made me more excited about a new one. That it was being directed by the same guy who made Monsters made upped the anticipation. I fully expected that the new movie would harken back to the classic Japanese Godzilla movies where Godzilla was a force of nature battling other forces of nature. Humans were the catalyst for the crisis or just unfortunate bystanders to the conflict. They are monster movies, but they are also reflections of the anxieties of their time.
I saw Godzilla in full IMAX 3D with Dolby DTS sound. If one is going to see a movie about a giant monster, one should see it in the largest format possible. Even if the story is terrible, the spectacle can save the experience.
Godzilla didn't need the extra size. The story is solid. The first part of the movie gets you invested in the characters. You want them to make it through the coming crisis. The story also invests the monsters with a bit of character. The story also has plenty of social commentary. There is the play on conspiracy nuts, the over confident military, the questions about the safety of nuclear power, the fear of nature unleashed. I even found a little bit of reflection on climate change.
By the time the spectacle happens, the movie has earned it. The spectacle is spectacular. The monsters are HUGE. The cityscapes are gorgeous as they are being crushed. The soundscape of the movie is lush and makes the scale feel even bigger. The 3D was unobtrusive. I don't recall even noticing it.
Is this Godzilla perfect? No. The story is a little weak in places. I'm not sure I like the stoutness of the new Godzilla. Compared to the last Godzilla movie it is a masterpiece.
If you like monster movies, Godzilla is a must see. Go see it on a BIG screen for the full effect.

Friday, April 18, 2014

Deep Freeze

Bug has been watching Frozen a lot lately. Every time I see it, I am impressed with the movies depth and complexity. Frozen subverts almost all of the princess movie conventions while at its heart retaining the power of the coming of age/heroic journey tale. It also pulls off the delicate trick of portraying deep sadness without becoming a deeply sad movie.
Two obvious conventions that it subverts are the central villain an the need for a Prince Charming. Frozen has a number of characters who can be seen as villains: the Duke of Weasletown, Hans, and even Elsa. None, however, are the central cause of the conflict in the tale. Hans and the Duke are certainly catalysts. Elsa's power is the proximate cause of the central conflict. However, it is deep sadness and fear that is the true cause of the conflict. The solution is not as simple as getting home or getting kissed or falling in love. It requires a recognition that feelings cannot be suppressed and that trust and love can balance fear and sadness.
Two characters present themselves as Prince Charming, but neither fulfill the role. Hans is the obvious choice. He and Anna appear to have true love. He is dutiful and loyal. His actions, in the beginning, never betray anything but Prince Charming. Hans, however, turns out to be a liar and a schemer. Kristoff, on the other hand, starts off as an oafish bit of comic relief. It is not until late in the movie that Kristoff becomes a stand in for Prince Charming. He may turn out to be Anna's true love and he does strive to deliver the true love kiss that will end the conflict. He is not allowed to succeed and doesn't get the kiss until the conflict is resolved.
The journey at the heart of the movie, while superficially Anna's, is truly Elsa's. She must learn to accept her powers, trust herself, trust her sister, and allow herself to feel: joy, fear, and love. The story shows Anna's journey because it has a physical manifestation. Elsa's journey is more subtle. Ultimately, it is Anna's sacrifice that shows Elsa how to take the final step out of the dark, but it is Elsa who must take the step. At each point in the movie the crisis is driven by Elsa's state of mind. By opening the gates, she is, grudgingly, accepting that the world cannot be shut out forever. Hiding in the mountains gives her the space to experience her inner strength, but only when separate from the world. The final resolution is her accepting both her powers and the world.
Frozen is a masterpiece.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Butter

Butter is one of the craziest movies I've seen in a long while. The plot is preposterous. The characters are over the top. The whole thing is whacked. Yet, it all works to make a bitting, dark, sweet social comedy.
The cast is littered with near-A list talent including Jennifer Gardner, Olivia Wild, Ty Burrell, and Alicia Silverstone. Many other cast members have familiar faces. They all do a great a job being overblown caricatures of stereotypes. Garner's ambitious house wife is crazed and in most hands would be completely unlikable. Instead she comes off as mildly sympathetic. Wild's stripper is deliciously depraved. Silverstone plays the liberal adoptive Mom with sensitivity without allowing the audience to forget why there is a stereotype.
The subplots twist and turn and at times I doubted that the movie would resolve things in a satisfactory manner. Then the movie ends and it all sort of makes sense.
I highly recommend Butter.