Saturday, June 27, 2015

Finishing my 2nd Harry Potter book! Jeah!!

In the past two years, Harry Potter has entered my life. Yep!! Reading about Harry, Ron Weasley, and Hermione is a fun part of G. Ripley's literal experience. Finishing my 2nd book about the boy wizard is a good thing. Last year, "Harry Potter and the sorcerer's stone" was one of my summer reads. Today, "Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets" is another book finished. Hence, what is the next story after "Harry Potter and the chamber of secrets"? The third novel by J.K. Rowling is titled "Harry Potter and the prisoner of azkaban", but that one will be read later in my life. The magical characters depicted in J.K. Rowling's books are human, with a twist of witches or sorcery added. For example, there is Tom Riddle. Tom is Lord Voldemort, yet Riddle is introduced first as a simple creature. Towards the end of 'chamber of secrets', the character turns into Lord Voldemort. Riddle is not an alias of Voldemort (the evil enemy of Harry Potter), instead Riddle could be an avatar. Furthermore, the reader should realize that seven Harry Potter novels became eight blockbuster box office movies. The final Harry Potter book was turned into two movies, since Hollywood likes to ameliorate the movie going experience. Even though G.Ripley has seen all eight movies, it may be great to read the seven novels too. Time will tell if a couple of more HP novels can be read, by this excessive weblogger. Hope you enjoy the picture above of Daniel Radcliffe, aka Harry Potter. Good night from Diagon Alley!

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Samsung mocking selfie stick users, and major businesses ban tech. gadget

Back in April, Puerto Penasco was my vacation destination for a weekend getaway. Yet, an eccentric person lured me into a few pictures with them during the trip. This strange individual used a "selfie stick" to take the pictures. Why?? Because the wacky guy wanted to use the latest gadget to look cool. Tech. gadgets can be hazardous, and should be used with caution. No joke here!! Now, let's fast forward to two months later as selfie sticks are banned at Disneyland and Churchill Downs. Disneyland theme park has banned selfie sticks, so attendants cannot take them on rides. Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, banned selfie sticks for this year's "Derby Day" event. A few days ago, Samsung's new ad for its galaxy s6 and s6 edge labeled selfie stick users as "cave people." If one of the world's biggest cellphone makers calls selfie stick users as "cave people," would it prevent you from buying a selfie stick? Hope your answer is a resounding yes. In closing, see the flowchart picture above for why shoppers buy a selfie stick. The flowchart has questions, and the diagram shows some interesting reasons for buying/not buying a selfie stick. Did you know the selfie stick was patented almost ten years ago, in 2005? Time magazine listed the selfie stick, as one of the best inventions of 2014. By the way, a decent selfie stick can cost $15-$100. Let's hope you don't make that $15 mistake. Caveat emptor!!

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Using Snapchannels, Snapchat Discover; and other file sharing (messaging) apps.

Ok, Snapchat took over my weblog at the end of May. Now, Snapchat Discover is an file sharing and messaging app. for millennials. The tool lets you send news clips to your friends. The news clips can be from CNN, Discovery Channel; or ESPN. The Los Angeles-based social messaging company is hoping ESPN and CNN; become permanent business partners for using snapchat discover. Furthermore, there is a new update for Discover app. If you are a regular Snapchat user, then you should have a "snapchannel." The snapchannel is located in the middle of the Discover screen. The channel acts, as a way for people to "snap" clips from different news websites. Then, the user can send their newsclips to friends. Finally, CNN and ESPN have the app. on their websites. Users of ESPN mobile and CNN mobile editions, are using it too. All of this traffic to snapchat discover will help the tech. startup, to gain market share. Since "snapchatting" is the in thing to do, maybe using snapchat discover will help you in the friends & information world. Good looking out, R$G.

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Drinking vino and brews in Verde Valley, Arizona's green region

Yesterday, Verde Valley was the place to be for me and my coterie. Oak Creek Winery was a fun time, as we enjoyed good Fume Blanc. Red and white wines were consumed, and the weather in Verde Valley was spectacular. Oak Creek had a limited selection of white wine, with Fume Blanc; Chardonnay; and Grenache Blanc being the only three whites. The winery is on Page Springs Road, a street that has four to five wineries surrounding it. If you don't like one winery, then you can try the other one. Page Springs Cellars was the better winery, of the two in Cornville. Next, Oak Creek Brewery and Grill was the restaurant for brews; and good "pub grub." The Pullman Porter was the beer of choice, for me. It was a good, dark beer blended with brown malt; and fine savory hops. Other friends tried the oak creek amber ale, oak creek nut brown ale; or other fine brews made by Oak Creek Brewery. The restaurant is nestled in the popular Tlaquepaque shopping district, of Sedona. There are many renowned art galleries, rug galleries, and shops in the Tlaquepaque enclave. If you haven't tried the wines in Verde Valley, make it a point to check out Arizona's wine country. The oak creek brewery was a good lunch spot, and the environs of Tlaquepaque is a romantic setting too. Arrivederci!!