I have a blog. Remind me to tie my Twitter feed to this page going forward, readers. Sorry it looks like I died!

I own a Microsoft Zune. In fact, it’s a Zune30, which was the first model they put out. Every computer I have ever owned has been a PC. I was always reticent to use the Apple G4 in the recording studio at my university.

But I love my iPhone.

Granted, I wouldn’t dream of putting that little, half-eaten apple bumper sticker on my car. I find all of Apple’s attempts at personal computing to be limited in their customizability, much like many felt about AOL as an internet service provider. “It’s great that it’s user-friendly, but can’t I just work around some of this smiley crap?”

The iPhone is different.

So what if Apple blocked Google Voice so that you have to sign with AT&T to use your iPhone?

So what if it turns out the device may be as vulnerable as a deer on an L.A. freeway?

So what if their corporate trade secrets policy is so guilt-inducing that leaky developers are jumping from buildings?

The iPhone is a thing of beauty. With it, I find texting, emailing, scheduling, surfing, gaming, and photography all incredibly easy and convenient. If I need directions, I am 15 seconds away from knowing where to go. If I need a restaurant, click, shake, done.

Like I said earlier, when I want to use a computer, I want to be able to left-click or right-click and alter some background settings and really make my interface what I want it to be. But when it comes to micro-computing on a handheld device, I really want ease of use and simplicity.

For those qualities, I am more pleased with my iPhone purchase than any other single purchase in my entire life. Thought I’d share.

The first year of law school is over and I’ve finally been able to catch my breath. Now it’s time to put the pedal to the metal and scour the globe for fun.

Beginning this weekend, I’m joining the ‘rents + nephew in Massachusetts for a week. I haven’t seen my grandmother in two years and I miss her, so I’m really looking forward to it. While I’m up there, I plan on hanging out with my friend Jaime from middle/high school whom I serendipitously found out lives in the same small town. Not sure what will be on the agenda while I’m out of town, but I do plan to get some work done while I’m there everyday. There’s going to be a lot to do at work next week and I hate being out of town, but mom booked this trip six months ago and it’s not easy for my parents to get time off and get away from the house.

Then I’m back in DC for a full week of work plus one day. That Monday night, we board a plane to London. I can’t wait for Stonehenge, Big Ben, Hyde Park, Harrod’s, Piccadilly, Apple Records, Abbey Road, Heathrow (it counts!), Paris, the Chunnel, Normandy, the food, and M-I-C-H-A-E-L J-A-C-K-S-O-N L-I-V-E.

Thenceforth, all others shall pale in comparison (mind the pun). Okay, well not ALL others. But I’m going to have to recalibrate my goals, for sure.

“Land of the Lost”
Forget what the critics are saying; I actually enjoyed this movie. Most of the reviews include some variation of the phrase “I didn’t get it.” Well I did. Kudos!

Twitter
For some reason, Jamie Lynn Spears has just started following me on Twitter. I’m not sure what drew her to me, but welcome aboard the RayRay Express!

Summer TV
Newsflash: it sucks.

Grades
I have only gotten two of my grades for this semester. Still waiting on the last two, which are supposed to get posted by Wednesday of this week. Then I will finally have a complete GPA!

An Atlanta developer has just given a $100 million gift to Habitat for Humanity, which will be used to build 60,000 homes for people in need, per MSNBC.

MSNBC says she died of cancer at home in peace. Thank you for being a friend…

I’m so wrapped up in property law right now that I’m having a hard time seeing real life questions without thinking about them in terms of title hypos.

For example, President Obama gains ground after a strong public relations showing overseas. The Republican opposition claims ground based on the failure of President Obama to obtain NATO support for his Afghanistan proposal. Who takes?

How about another?

Prince releases a double album (plus a third CD by one of his new female proteges) exclusively at Target for $11.98 and, despite being available at only one store, it is on track to debut at either #1 or #2. Michael Jackson announces 10 shows in London that sell out so quickly promoters ultimately add 40 additional dates to meet demand, all of which sell out. Who takes?

WARNING: Foul, NSFW language. That being said, she creatively continues to earn my respect.

That’s our rule for restaurant meals. And I think it holds up. Wendy’s? Delicious. Applebees? Not so much.

Fast food can be satisfying and fulfilling if you’re basing your meal experience solely on taste. It’s flavorful, savory, and the menu is loaded with just enough options (although Wendy’s does push it to “Paradox of Choice” levels at times). You’re also not falsely hyped up about being adequately serviced by some bitter, underemployed twenty-something–just give me my cardboard boxes and get my order right! Low expectations equals high satisfaction.

Casual dining, on the other hand, is often bland, poorly presented and comes with the added misguided expectation of quality service (though it’s basically fast food with plates and waiters). Since the food is cheap, the service typically sucks and the cooks are not all that interested in their jobs; moreover, the management is so quickly turned over that there are no institutional checks on quality.

Go to any Applebees, Chillis, IHOP, TGI Fridays, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Chevy’s, Hops, Bob Evans, Denny’s, Shoney’s, CPK, Famous Dave’s, O’Charley’s, or Ruby Tuesday (basically any place that hands you a pager when you give them your name). Done? Okay, so were you moved by the experience? Or did you complain about not getting appetizer plates, silverware, a table within 25 minutes, drink refills, your substitutions, your meat cooked properly, etc?

I am of the mind that the only restaurants that provide the full-service experience and the quality food to back it up are going to charge you at least $12.95 for a mid-size dinner, which by the way does not consist of a 2200 calorie bloomin’ onion. Sure, we’re in the middle of The Great Recession, but that just means the only comforts we can really afford are edible by nature.

Set a weekly date night and go out to eat someplace nicer than any of the restaurants listed above. Have an appetizer (it’s a good opportunity to try new foods), get some salad and see if you like a different dressing than good ol’ reliable ranch, drink water instead of soda to save room for the food, maybe order the cheapest glass of wine on the menu, try out a dish you’ve never had, and appreciate having an attentive waiter and an actual chef concern themselves with how much you are enjoying the recreational experience of dining in their establishment. These folks are like amusement park managers and they want desperately for you to keep coming back for the ride.

The bonus of fine dining versus an actual amusement park? No kids menus!

Why!?!?!