Go to The Impossibility Of Knowing
- Add a comment
- Go to Writers' Poll - Please Answer Me This?
Modem to satellite phone.
No, wait, you'll call in an airstrike.
Hope you won't have to wear a burkha.
posted by
majroj
on February 27, 2006 at 6:06 PM
| link to this | reply
Azur, you'll miss the plane if you're not careful! Be sure to find an internet cafe to minister to your minions.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on February 27, 2006 at 9:38 AM
| link to this | reply
Thanks all for taking part in the poll
A new computer could be good but I'll be careful what I wish for
Majroj, I would if there was email where I'm going.
That sounds good MerryAnne. I always meant to get a palm pilot
I use my i-POd like that
, I already record into an MP3 player and transcribed from it when I get back to "base." I did this for my recent magazine cover piece.
, dear friend, I agree the rewards outweigh the risk emphasis on weighs Excellent plan I will be hiking here.
I can make little scrawls on a map but I too have mostly illegible handwriting.S
I always know what's best after the event ;-)
BillyCargo
I tend to agree because if you do a little day it is not so arduous
you sum up my feelings exactly
I won't be walking around a city, well only for a day, so a laptop will seem OTT during the day but in my room it should bn OK
Bud-Oracle, good point
Passionflower, I know several writers who only travel with a notebook and pen and a camera. Yes I will be copying documents.
posted by
Azur
on February 27, 2006 at 9:31 AM
| link to this | reply
Dave, I'm not leaving blogit today but I will take heed
when I do.
posted by
Azur
on February 27, 2006 at 9:11 AM
| link to this | reply
Azur, I am leaving Blogit today, but I will give you some thoughts before I leave
Take the laptop and just forget about being afraid of leaving it in the hotel. It's insured I would hope - you'll get a top of the range new one if some oik nicks it. Back up all your files before you go. Take a disc to copy any new ones you write.
Oh, and here are those leaves I promised you. Have a great time, work hard and enjoy the gig and drop into an internet cafe or something so you can let us all know how you're getting on.
posted by
_dave_says_ack_
on February 27, 2006 at 3:12 AM
| link to this | reply
Rent a computer or borrow one to send your notes home via email.
Bring a camera instead.
posted by
majroj
on February 26, 2006 at 10:06 PM
| link to this | reply
I used to take my palm pilot and a folding keyboard
with me - that way I could download my notes and still have something that I could easily carry in my purse or backpack with no fuss.
posted by
MerryAnne
on February 26, 2006 at 5:05 PM
| link to this | reply
I would use a digital recorder, they are small and can hold, so much!
posted by
anglofinspirtion
on February 26, 2006 at 11:04 AM
| link to this | reply
Could you use a tape recorder?
A small mini-recorder would fit in a decent-sized purse. You could take notes as well, just to back up the technology. I read somewhere that someone recorded into an MP3 player and transcribed from it when they got back to "base."
posted by
Pat_B
on February 26, 2006 at 10:18 AM
| link to this | reply
I'm with the laptop crowd.
the rewards way outweigh the risks and disadvantages. Good luck.
posted by
CunningLinguist
on February 26, 2006 at 8:51 AM
| link to this | reply
I tend to go on long hikes and trips
that don't allow for computer use, but I compose exclusively on computers. On my adventure down the Mississippi in a canoe, I took notes on my maps. Those scribbles proved utterly invaluable (and ultimately adequate). Problems happened only when I'd failed to write down anything at all... Next time I'm taking notes... on anything available to me.
posted by
thirtysomething
on February 26, 2006 at 7:56 AM
| link to this | reply
I can only write on the computer..
I've been typing since I was 9 and my handwriting is often illegible, even to me. I'd take the laptop.
posted by
brettnik
on February 26, 2006 at 6:49 AM
| link to this | reply
Well I would take my laptop...as I always lose note books or bits of paper.
I am sure you will know whats best for you.....take care
posted by
_Symphony_
on February 26, 2006 at 5:58 AM
| link to this | reply
Azur, I am on it. Have ten hours in already (about 50lbs dogshit).
I started last wednesday 5hrs, thurs only 1 (back was killing me), friday 2.5, and today 1.5. My back is now in fair to middling shape. Still needs to get better. This is the perfect exercise for an old plumper like me. Lots of walking (like an aircraft flying a search pattern) then the dive to capture that wayward turd. I guarantee I'll be slim with abs by the summer. And with a hint of dog shit hanging around me, I'll be irresistible to a lovely single dog owner. I could focus and time my evening cleanup to be in the wealthy west end of town when the widows pull up in their Mercedes.
posted by
Bud-Oracle
on February 25, 2006 at 10:40 PM
| link to this | reply
BillyCargo
I tend to agree because if you do a little day it is not so arduous
posted by
Azur
on February 25, 2006 at 10:12 PM
| link to this | reply
Bud_Oracle
Why wait for validation from the authorities? Just get on with it then when they can see that it works and people support it then they will be under pressure to implement. Most positive things come about by people power. I remember an old lady who started a voluntary roster for people to call in on elderly people and make sure they were eating and bathing and not living in squalor. It was a force to be reckoned with . Eventually the authorities saw that they had to fund it. If my friend had asked the authorities but done nothing it would not have happened until a lot later.
posted by
Azur
on February 25, 2006 at 10:08 PM
| link to this | reply
Azur, I'd take the laptop to format paragraphs on when the mood or
opportunity strikes. Notes are good in the field but I couldn't imagine typing in entire drafts from longhand copy.
posted by
FreeManWalking
on February 25, 2006 at 10:07 PM
| link to this | reply
Azur, that was the exact motivation which made me think of this useful
service. I know that often people don't mean to leave their dog's crap, it's night and you want to give the guy some freedom and you don't see him crapping or can't find it. I know that when I haven't used a bag all day because have has been somewhere out of site and I've been yapping with a nice dog owner that it's my fault. I try to pick up other crap to make up for it.
Much of this is not intentional. Shit happens! There is a need to supplement for pilot and snoopy's error.
I couldn't deal with the politicians legalistic, punishment approach. This type of myopic idiot bugs me, bringing law into the picture, when a little proactive picking would do more to encourage a better response, I think. Plus I would be the perfect role model, to encourage people. Think how guilty the offenders might become seeing a decrepid old slouch doing their job.
Do you ever get into something where one person starts to say, this should be this way, and that guy should have done that, and maybe I'll call the authorities, when a simple five minutes help is all that is required?
posted by
Bud-Oracle
on February 25, 2006 at 8:51 PM
| link to this | reply
Azur
I will be interested to see what you decide and hear how it works out. For myself, I would prefer to not carry the laptop around (I like as much freedom as possible) but then I would probably regret not having it with me when it was too late.
posted by
TAPS.
on February 25, 2006 at 8:47 PM
| link to this | reply
I'd rather type, but if I'm walking around a city, booting up a laptop
every time I want to jot down some thoughts is going to be cumbersome. I suppose it depends where you are and what you'll be doing each day. I'd probably take it on the trip, but most likely leave it in the room and type up my thoughts each night.
posted by
-blackcat
on February 25, 2006 at 8:36 PM
| link to this | reply
It also depends on how people best work
I know some who can function with notebook and pen
posted by
Azur
on February 25, 2006 at 8:32 PM
| link to this | reply
Passionflower, I know what you mean
I won't have a vehicle and will he hopping on an off so many things that security is an issue so I am only thinking about having less to worry about.
Blackcat30, you are right about the idea of typing up at the end of the day.
Bud-Oracle, good point
posted by
Azur
on February 25, 2006 at 8:27 PM
| link to this | reply
Bud_Oracle, I responded on your blog.
posted by
Azur
on February 25, 2006 at 8:23 PM
| link to this | reply
Azur, that was the exact comment I got from one of my City's Councillor
and I wrote this answer in response. I should really not write things so quickly, eh!
But you'll see that I am consistent with my abrasive nature. I'm actually embarrassed by my response, but one thing I try to show people here is that I am far from promoting myself as perfect or infallible. What this person did was voice their honest opinion which I THEN TURNED INTO A DIATRIBE. What can I say, I'm a fool who does foolish things. Although I sure hope that many have written in and do have visions of visiting in this fool's paradise.
Thank you for your email and the service you offer. I appreciate your proposal but am not inclined to agree with you. While I think it is generous that you offer the service you do (I routinely pick up litter in our neighborhood park), I do not believe that we should set the expectation that this service is provided, as people may then be less inclined to pick up after themselves. Rather, I believe we should foster responsible behavior by encouraging people to pick up after their animals and not litter. Moreover, I believe that those who violate the bylaws do need to experience consequences, so that they will conduct themselves responsibly.
First of all I see that you are a believer, in punishment rather than enlightenment, in laws, as opposed to getting the job done, in the hiring of expensive law enforcement rather than a cheap practical solution. I see that you don't respect or trust those citizens who pick up their dog crap now, because you believe that they will shirk their duty as soon as they me. You are the kind of politician for whom everything is a stand of us against them, them being the citizenry who need to have more enforcement. You would rather kick someone when they are down, or perhaps hire a cop to do so, than help some earn an honest living.
What your myopic understanding doesn't see is that I am a widely read blogger, whose readership is international and whose promotion of the city of Vancouver will garner many tourist dollars for the businesses here. By Monday there should be many letters of support for me, from all over the world awaiting city council. These are people whose impression of the city I helped form and are thinking of traveling to such an enlightened city which keeps its parks clean. As well when the press here in Vancouver interviews me, (I have an appointment) I will be happy to forward your viewpoints in order that the people of Vancouver will get a good look at your beliefs and help them judge for themselves which approach has merit.
posted by
Bud-Oracle
on February 25, 2006 at 8:10 PM
| link to this | reply
Two contrasting answers - see my dilemma. I'm away 1 week
and much of the time will have no internet access.
posted by
Azur
on February 25, 2006 at 7:53 PM
| link to this | reply
I don't see how you, a writer, could think of going
Anywhere without your laptop. I never leave home without mine. Be sure to make a copy of all your documents first though.
{When I'm deployed, I carry a Panasonic Toughbook - a pretty thick, heavy, but smallish laptop-- with me all day every day. You get used to it.}
posted by
Passionflower
on February 25, 2006 at 7:52 PM
| link to this | reply
it sounds like the laptop will be a burden for you to carry around...
I'd probably take it on the trip, but leave it in the hotel room during the day. Use a notebook to jot your thoughts and type it up later. If it's an unsafe place to leave it in your room (even locked up in your suitcase), then I'd probably just leave it at home and go the notebook/ipod route.
How long is your trip?
posted by
-blackcat
on February 25, 2006 at 7:48 PM
| link to this | reply
Go with the Laptop, the whole shebang. That way you won't regret......
a choice you made which will cause you to wallow in inaction.
posted by
Bud-Oracle
on February 25, 2006 at 7:47 PM
| link to this | reply