Wednesday, December 04, 2024

Change: I Switched From Verizon To T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

 Internet Service Backstory -

The apartment building I live in is exclusively wired for Comcast. And since I loathe Comcast because of their INSANE prices and the way they think they RULE the world, I refused to use their service. Therefore, the only other option I had was Verizon. However, since Fios was unavailable in my building, I succumbed to Verizon DSL. 

That's right, you heard me correctly.

For the past 23 years, I've been using DSL, which is only half a step up from Dial-up service. I felt like Meg Ryan in You've Got Mail. It was so bad that many times while watching a movie, it would buffer. Not only that, the service would knock me offline constantly, so I had to reboot the modem which was a royal pain in my arse.

But I put up with it because I didn't think I had any other options. 

Also, guess what I was paying for DSL service each month. Are you ready for this?

$100.98!

And that was because I was paying for not only internet service but a landline phone as well. And for a phone that I NEVER used. DSL requires that you be connected to a phone line.  

My New Internet Service Search - 

For the past several months, I've been searching for a different option and decided to look into the possibility of going with Wi-Fi internet. And I wanted one that was reliable, fast, and available in my area. But most importantly, much less expensive. 

I looked into Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. 

After watching a bazillion YouTube videos on each one, I chose T-Mobile 5G Home Internet.

I purchased the service (which included a gateway) online rather than in-store because if I did so, they would waive the $25.00 activation fee. In addition, it qualified me for a $150 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard promotion.

Signing up online went smoothly. The gentleman who helped me (Jonathan) could not have been more patient, kind, and efficient. He informed me that I would receive the gateway in 3-5 business days. It only took TWO days!

Setting It Up -

I had heard over and over again how easy and quick it was to set up service. They all said, "It will only take 15 minutes to set it up." One YouTuber even claimed,"It was so easy to set up that my 98-year-old grandmother completed it in less than 5 minutes!"

Yeah....RIGHT. 

After trying to connect my desktop computer to the Wi-Fi for over 45 minutes, I decided to call customer service. But before doing that, I did everything I was instructed to do, via the app.

I got a technical support guy who kept saying to me, "Oh it's so easy to set it up. You simply plug it in and it will AUTOMATICALLY connect your devices."

Oh, really?!?!

By the way, don't you love how IT people talk to you like you're an IT person as well? They seem to have little patience for anyone who doesn't understand IT. And I'm thinking, "Why would I call you if I understood IT?!?!"

Anyway, after trying everything on his end to correct the issue, he came up with another way to go at it. Now mind you, my cellphone device had no problem connecting to the Wi-Fi, it was my desktop that had the issue. 

Come to find out that my desktop Wi-Fi would not accept the name and password that was printed on the back of the gateway. Therefore, I had to go in and create a new name and password. Oy vey!

But that seemed to do the trick. It connected!

My Feedback On The 5G Home Internet - 

I have to say, besides the issue in getting my computer to connect to the gateway, the process was not bad. As soon as I got online and started visiting various websites, I could immediately tell how much FASTER the service was compaired to my DSL. It felt like I was flying over the internet. And no buffering while watching a movie. 

And guess what? It's only $55.00 per month. It would have only been $50.00 had I signed up for auto-pay, which I never do. The gateway was included. Unlimited data. No contract. And no price increase. 

Here are a few photos.

The box...

I placed the gateway right next to a window. I'm on a very high floor, so I get a strong signal...

And here it is on my desktop computer...

So far, so good! I'm VERY happy!😁

Goodbye DSL! Hello 5G Home Internet!

Have a faaaaaaabulous rest of your week, everyone! 💕

Read More

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Experimenting With AI Photography

What is AI Photography?

"AI photography refers to a form of photography that utilizes artificial intelligence to either generate new images or enhance existing ones that mimic real photographs."

--------------------------------

For the past two weeks, I've been experimenting with AI.

I enjoy trying new technology, although AI is not exactly new, it's been around for a while. However, lately, it is something I'm seeing more and more people using (especially on Instagram), so I was curious to try it myself. But I've got to be honest, my initial response was unfavorable because the photographs I saw on Instagram looked too perfect and unreal. 

I often edit my photographs before publishing by cropping them, sharpening them, and even enhancing the color at times. I think of editing as an artist using brushes and paints when they create a piece of art. So, I'm not against using AI for editing as long as it looks natural.

After searching online, I found a free AI-generating website to experiment on.

Here are the images I created (and please look at them closely)...

---------------------------------

When creating an image using AI, you type in what it is you would like to see. You can be as specific or as general as you wish.

(AI - spooky castle on a hill at night, moon, cloudy sky) *I like this one because of its Gothic imagery. It reminds me of Dracula's castle! 

(AI - winter, cozy house covered in snow) *I love the house, but I think the snow on the ground and the trees look fake. 

(Original photo I took myself) 

(AI Edit) *personally, I prefer the orginal. It's got more texture. 

(AI - male angel with wings and a robe hovering over a city) I LOVE this one because of its mystical imagery. 

(AI - sacred temple in kyoto, japan, cherry blossom trees) *I really like how the temple generated, but the people standing on the stairs and the cherry blossom tree in the background look "off".

(Original photo I took myself)

(AI edit) *I prefer the original. In the AI edit, it eliminated the William Penn statue atop City Hall. It also changed the cloud formations. 

(AI - One World Trade Center, New York City) *I like how this was generated because, unlike the others, it is the closest one to looking real. 

One of my favorite musicals is Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim. It's a brilliant dark musical satire - a tale of love, murder. and revenge, set against the backdrop of 19th-century London. And although it sounds like something you might initially think, "Why on earth would I ever want to see a musical with a storyline like that?", it's actually quite funny. The two main characters are Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd. So, I decided to create an AI-generated image of each character.

(AI - musical sweeney todd, mrs. lovett, sweeney todd) *this one I LOVE!

My final AI-generated image attempt was to create my idea of an attractive man. I created one with dark hair and the other with gray hair, both of them with brown eyes, facial hair, and light to medium skin. 

Here is what AI generated for me - *I think they are both quite attractive. However to me, they don't look real. Particularly the hair and skin. 

And this is the issue I have with AI-generated photos. There is something artificial about them. But I suppose that's why it's referred to as Artificial Intelligence. 

My Final Thoughts: I think the only time I will use AI in the future will be if I want to create an image that is intentional imaginary. But for editing my photographs? No. But I'm glad I tried it. 

Any thoughts on AI?

In case you're interested, here is the AI image generator website I used: CGDream. You can either upload your photos and edit them, or you can generate a completely new photo/image by allowing AI to do it for you. 

Thanks so much for stopping by, folks! Have a great rest of your week! 💕

*Great article about AI Photography: What is AI Photography, and is it Photography?

Read More

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Skincare Recommendations & Tips

*This is not a sponsored post

----------------------------------

Today, I would like to share a few skincare recommendations and tips that I've discovered throughout my time in the beauty industry and found them very useful.

Hope you will too!

Washing Your Face -

Always use lukewarm water when washing your face. Extreme hot or cold water expands and contracts the capillaries, and over time, will break them, causing redness - particularly around the nose and cheek areas. People with rosacea or eczema should especially know this.

Wash your face twice a day - once in the morning before applying any skincare and makeup, and then again at night before your nighttime skincare routine. A lot of my clients ask, "Why do I need to wash my face in the morning when it's clean?" And I tell them, "Your bed pillow breeds bacteria as you sleep. So, it's important to give your face one quick wash, preparing it for your skincare products." 

Some of my favorite face washes are here, here, here, and here. 

Using Face Exfoliants -

Do not use physical exfoliants on your face. They are too abrasive and can cause damage. Use only AHA/BHA or enzymatic exfoliants. They are much more controlled and gentle. The two exfoliants I linked to are my absolute favorites. They are highly effective, yet very gentle. 

Do not over-exfoliate. Once or twice a week is more than enough. Most clients exfoliant way too much. They assume more is better. And it's not. Over-exfoliation it can strip away your skin's natural barrier responsible for keeping the bad stuff out (pollution, irritants) and the good stuff in (water, oils). 

Pain Means Gain -

I kid you not, many clients I assist tell me, "Whatever you recommend, I want it to BURN and HURT, because that way I know it's working!" And I tell them, "No, that does not mean it's working. It means it's too much." And yet, do you know what they always say? "I don't care. Give me the most severe product you have. I can take it. I'm tough!"

It continually blows me away how clients psychologically believe that something has to hurt to be effective. 

I used to work with a woman who believed that pain means gain. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her, but she and I had a completely different approach to skincare. Therefore, I would refer all those "hurt to work" clients to her. When I was first trained in cosmetology school, I was taught skincare in the European way, that you treat your facial skin as if it's a delicate piece of tissue paper and be GENTLE. The woman I worked with believed that skincare had to feel as though you got hit by a Mack truck and dragged 10 blocks. Then, and only then, did she believe something worked. 

I used to call her The Dominatrix.

Sunscreens: Physical Versus Chemical - 

Having lived in Florida for 20 years, I've tried both chemical and physical sunscreens, and I much prefer physical. 

The chemical sunscreens not only irritated my skin but also my eyes. I perspire a lot when I'm hot, so the chemical sunscreens would sweat their way into my eyes and burn like HELL. 

Physical sunscreens have come a long way. They no longer feel heavy on your skin or cause a white cast. They are now much more sheer, but still very effective. 

They're also better for people with sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, and acne-prone skin.

The bottom line is that physical sunscreens are better because they act as a wall between you and the sun. 

Some of my favorite mineral sunscreens are here, here, here, and here.

Skin Bruises -

One thing I noticed as I reached my 60s was how easily my skin bruises. And I don't have to bruise my skin hard for it to create a mark like this (not a photo of my arm):

Why Does This Happen?

As we age, our skin gets thinner and we lose some of the layer of fat that cushions our blood vessels and protects us from injury. Also, our blood vessels become more fragile. Both things mean we may get more bruises, even from a minor bump.

So, in case anyone reading is experiencing this, I would like to share what works for me to speed up the healing process. 

I use a homeopathic cream from the company Boiron that is quite effective. It's not only great for bruises but also cuts, scrapes, chafing, minor burns, sunburn, and dry skin. 

This light cream soothes and moisturizes, while the active ingredient, made from fresh Calendula, heals. 

I always keep a tube in my backpack so that if I'm out and about and bruise my skin, I can immediately apply it. I will often apply it to my cuticles and lips during the colder, winter months. It's one of those things that I always have handy, just in case I need it. 

It has a light, natural scent I find calming. 

How to use: I apply it 3-4 times a day and usually see a reduction in the bruise within a few days. Be consistent. You can't just use it once and expect the bruise to be gone. 

I've seen nothing work as well as this cream. I highly recommend it. And be sure to get the cream, not the ointment or gel. 

Extra tip: Before applying the cream, apply a cold compress on the bruise. This helps with any inflammation and swelling. 

In Conclusion -

Don't Believe Everything You Read And See On TikTok and Instagram - 

Be very careful when reading things on Instagram and TikTok, promoting skincare, makeup, and haircare. Understand that these people are receiving free products and/or getting paid to promote those products. That is why they're called influencers. Do your own research and don't believe everything that's plastered all over social media.

When looking for a product in-store, find a beauty advisor you fully trust before making a purchase. Get a sense of whether they are genuinely assisting you to find a product to match your need, or just selling you something to meet their daily goal.

FYI -

Here is an article and video from CBS News Boston about how kids all over TikTok and Instagram are sharing their skincare routines, and while many of these brightly packaged creams, lotions, and serums are harmless, dermatologists say most of these expensive products just aren't necessary. Influencers as young as 9 years old are promoting products. 

Trust me, I see this every day that I work. And what surprises me is why the parents allow it. 

Just remember, social media is both positive and negative. Use discernment before purchasing. 

+++++++++++++

Hope you found this helpful and informative!

*Please feel free to ask me any questions you might have about skincare in your comments. I will be more than happy to respond. Thank you! 💕

 

Read More

Thursday, May 23, 2024

Tipping in America Has Gotten So Out of Control

Do you remember the good old days when the tipping protocol was only for waiters, waitresses, and bartenders? And that was because they got paid (and still do) a measly hourly wage, requiring them to rely on tips to make a living.

Today, however, have you noticed that wherever you go and whatever you purchase, a "tip option" is forced in your face, shaming you into adding a percentage to even a place like Starbucks, where they receive an average wage of nearly $17.50 per hour and feel as though they deserve something extra for simply pouring a cup of coffee and handing it to you? - 

NOPE, sorry, I don't buy it. 

Therefore, whenever the tip option comes up on the POS screen, I tap the No Tip button. I've even had several coffee shop employees come right out and ask me, "Would you like to leave me a tip?" And I don't have a problem saying, "No, but thank you anyway."  

Have you also noticed how the percentage of tipping has escalated over the years? - 

 

If this keeps up, we will all have to take out a personal bank loan just for tipping!

And do you know what's crazy? In a country like Japan, where the cost of living is WAY higher than it is in this country, the Japanese have a no-tipping policy. They don't feel the need to accept tips to feel appreciated. To them, giving outstanding customer service is all part of the job. They believe that they are there to serve you in the best possible way. Yet, in this country, many people feel entitled to a tip for merely dragging themselves out of bed in the morning and showing up for work.

One time in Japan, I tried to give the gentleman who cut my hair a $10.00 tip (in Yen) because his customer service was beyond outstanding, but he politely declined it. 

Being that I work with the public, which also includes people from other countries, I experience a lot of clients asking me, "Wow...why is it that wherever I go in America, I feel pressured to tip everyone?" And I usually tell them, "Don't feel pressured to tip anyone in this country unless they are a waiter, waitress, or bartender because they rely on gratuity. Other than that, there is no need to tip." 

What I'm curious about is how all these other occupations in America became included in our tipping policy. Hell, why don't we just start tipping surgeons, anesthesiologists, dentists, lawyers, and engineers for doing their jobs?

Here is a United States tipping guide I found online (personally, I tip only two on the list) I refuse to tip the others just because it's expected of me. - 

What's next? Tipping for self-checkout? - 

Wishing you a tip-free weekend, everyone! 💕

Read More

Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Our Job Is To Make Music

This post was inspired by something actress, Helena Bonham Carter shared in a podcast I found on YouTube over the weekend. 

First, allow me to say that a HUGE percentage of my favorite actors/actresses hail from the UK - Helena Bonham Carter is one of them. 

Not only is she one of my faves because of her incredible talent as an actress, but there is also something about her as a person I've always found attractive. She has a light that shines from within that comes through in every interview I've watched. I admire how real, down-to-earth, and comfortable she is being herself. She's also very funny. I find myself listening closely to whatever she's saying, not wanting to miss a single word. 

I find her captivating. 

And after watching this podcast, even more so. There were so many things she shared about how she views acting, which was so in sync with my own views when I was a stage actor. I also strongly identified with her outlook on life, using difficult experiences to learn and grow, staying optimistic, and not seeing yourself as a victim. And parts of her childhood were very similar to my own. One thing she said that struck a cord was - "I was born an old soul" - I too felt that as a child. 

At one point in the podcast, she talked about something that happened when she was 13 years old, concerning her father. She said, "It's up to us what we make of those experiences, not allowing them to defeat us". Which is exactly what I have always told myself. Even as a child I instinctively sensed that.

Something I thought was brilliant is a quote she has posted above her desk in her home office so that anytime she looks up, she'll be reminded. The quote comes from Itzhak Perlman, who was a polio survivor and a wheelchair-bound violin virtuoso.

"Our job is to make music with what remains." 

I found that quote incredibly inspiring. It's the people who have had tremendous obstacles placed before them and overrode them I tend to follow because I want to learn from what they learned. And I also want to learn from the people who don't always get what they want. Because let's face it, we are not always going to get what we want. We're going to get what we need. And getting what we need is not always easy. 

Hard times are unavoidable. We will all have to deal with them throughout our lives. They seem to come in waves. But it's what we make of them that determines what they do to us. They can harden us and make us fearful and paralyzed. Or they can soften us and make us all the wiser and richer. 

For me, I find that embracing hard times gives me an awareness of their purpose in my life. The more I resist them, the more pain I feel. The closer I bring them to me, the easier it gets because I receive clarity and can move through them. 

Anyhoo, I wanted to share this post today not only because I found the quote (and Helena Bonham Carter) so inspiring. But for anyone who might be going through a tough time and feels the need for some inspiration. 

Right now, all over the world, things seem to have reached a crescendo of chaos. And I intend to do the opposite by not adding anything to that chaos. But rather making music with what remains. 

Thank you, Itzhak!

  

Play on, everyone!

And make music...🎵

Links:

*About Itzhak Perlman

*Podcast featuring Helena Bonham-Carter

Several other UK favorites are: 

Men - Colin Firth, Ewan McGregor, Anthony Hopkins, Steve Coogan, and Bill Nighy. 

Women - Judi Dench, Maggie Smith, Emily Blunt, Olivia Colman, and Helen Mirren. 

I could probably name 50 more!

Read More

Monday, November 20, 2023

A Sunday Afternoon With Kelly And Me - (Pizza Margherita, Farmers Market, Bodhi Coffee, And A Cemetery)

I don't know why, but the first thing that popped into my head when giving this post a title was the painting - A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by artist Georges Seurat. Which was the primary focus in a Broadway musical masterpiece entitled, Sunday in the Park with George. 

I know, it makes no sense because as you will see, Kelly and I did not spend a Sunday afternoon in a park. Hardly. But we did spend last Sunday afternoon doing all kinds of fun stuff. 

The weather could not have been more perfect - sunny and crispy cold. We finally got my kind of weather. And it's about time. I was getting sick and tired of sweating in November. 

Please enjoy our Sunday afternoon...

---------------------------------------

First stop: Pizzeria Stella

As you all know from my pizza post, I worship it. Especially Pizza Margherita. So, that's what we ordered at Pizzeria Stella. We also split the most delicious romaine salad...

Sorry I didn't take a picture of the pizza and salad when the waiter initially brought them to our table. But we were both so hungry, we just dove into them - chewing and talking the whole time. What was extra special about the romaine salad was that they added a sprinkle of chopped mint leaves, which gave the salad a minty burst of flavor. I will be trying that when I make a romaine salad in the future. Here is what remained of our delicious lunch...

 

This is me having a foodgasm while eating the pizza. My tastebuds literally reached a climax! The only thing missing was Donna Summer singing Love To Love You Baby...

Next stop: Headhouse Farmers Market

Here are some of the tables filled with fresh produce...

As you can tell from the crowd, everyone was enamored by the little boy in the stroller. Isn't he adorable? What a cute little face! I LOVE💚babies...

I almost fainted when I spotted the table with freshly baked BREAD. If I could live on carbs for the rest of my life, I would...

Kelly gets around the city on her very own electric scooter. She even let me try it, as I almost crashed into the brick pillar...

Next: Caffe' Americano's at Bodhi Coffee (Notice the dog. It looks like he's reading the menu, deciding what he wants)

This place had such a great ambiance. I loved the stools, which were handmade. And the Americano's were excellent. I really liked how they served them in mason jars. So unique...

  

Local artwork on the walls..

And lastly, a visit to our favorite cemetery. Yes, we both love hanging out in cemeteries, reading the tombstones, and saying hello to all the dead people...

These yellow things were all over the cemetery. We finally figured out they were seeds (HUGE seeds) that had fallen from the trees. At one point, we could hear them falling. It was at that moment I wished I had worn a hard hat...

Beautiful sunlight...

Thanks so much for coming along with Kelly and me. Hope you enjoyed it!

Have a fantastic rest of your week. 

 🍂🍁 And Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! 🍁🍂

Read More