Verizon Fios TV App Scam

I never like to spend any time resolving issues, but it is inevitable. I noticed that the Verizon Fios TV app was acting up - it seemed to have a new format. I like to use it on my phone when I want to pre schedule certain programs and also use it to delete programs that we have seen - rather than use the TV/remote. I would like to stop using Verizon all together, but there still is too much we use it for - especially for internet and the DVR. So I made sure I had all of the Verizon apps up to date before I started a chat that took much to long to finally get connected. After explaining the problem a few times I was told that the function that I used was no longer available. If I wanted it though I could pay an additional eight dollars a month to upgrade the DVR - since the one we have is “basic.” I wasn’t interested in upgrading the DVR. The only recourse is to use the tv/remote control to schedule and cancel programs. I really like the way you get screwed every time an improvement is made to the service. And it really doesn’t pay to be a loyal customer because that feature just isn’t important anymore. Since watching tv is one of the most important things that we do given our circumstances, we are not going to change anything - yet. Our Apple TV has apps for acorn, BritBox, prime, HBO, Netflix and paramount. We also add others on a monthly basis depending on the program. You would think that would be enough but it isn’t. It’s always a disappointment whenever I have to contact Verizon. I don’t think that will ever change. 

The New Yorker Digital App Technical Glitch

My only connection to the New Yorker Magazine was an entry to the Eustace Tilley cover contest several years ago. Astonishingly, I actually won with my digital art image of our Borzoi that was created with the help of my husband’s idea. He actually found the contest rules the day before it ended. So I had to work quick and it paid off. My husband has been reading the New Yorker since before we moved to Capitol Hill - probably 25 years ago? Back then the hard copy was mailed to us, now it’s all digital on an app through iTunes. His subscription was just renewed last week, but he was not able to download the latest issue. We requested help through the app via three different emails. Getting no where, we finally called the New Yorker and they said they couldn’t help us because it was iTunes/Apple’s problem. They gave us the number for Apple. The first number was a miss again, and they gave us another number. In the meantime my husband kept insisting that the password be changed. So I did. After having the subscription checked via the second Apple person, she couldn’t figure out why we kept getting the screen to pay for the latest edition vs being able to download it, so she forwarded us to the technical person. In the meantime I deleted and downloaded the app again. That didn’t work either, and the technical guy was trying just about everything he could to fix it. I then realized that the app I downloaded had a red background rather than a white background. There is a subtle difference between the two because they both say New Yorker. So I told him I would delete the app with the red background and download the app with the white background. And wouldn’t you know, after about two hours of phone calls and such, that did the trick. He was complimenting me on my perseverance and even noticing that option, happy it was finally resolved. My husband was ready to cancel the subscription and call it a day. I never give up so quickly, especially since I know how much he looks forward to reading it each week. And, I am very acquainted with using help desks during my career and home experiences. I still don’t know why the issue came up to begin with. I guess it doesn’t matter, but it chewed up a lot of our time getting it resolved. 

A Tiny Fish Tale Children’s Book

My first children’s book “A Tiny Fish Tale” was published about eight years ago. It was about a Betta fish called GW, short for George Washington. Aside from writing the story, I painted all the illustrations using my iPad. It was first available as a StoryChimes app through the iTunes Store and sold for ninety-nine cents! But the app didn’t include my illustrations and was never updated. It can’t be viewed on the latest operating system. So I dug out an old iPhone and took some photos of the app pages, and listened to the tale. Since that time I self published the book on Amazon using my paintings, and it is available as a Kindle download, or as a hard copy children’s book. Since then two other books were written and illustrated. “The Four Promises” and “My Trip to Washington DC” both were about my grandsons - one who lived in Washington, DC and the other in California. When I look back at how it all happened it surprises me. I always liked to draw since I can remember. I was an editor of our high school newspaper and contemplated a career in journalism. Neither of those options came to fruition. I opted for nursing instead just to ensure I could find a job. The writing and the art were always helpful during my career wherever it took me. Now I spend a lot of time doing both. 

Slice - the Pizza App

Last week we ordered food from Assaggi through Grubhub. As it turned out, the restaurant wasn’t open on Memorial Day and when the driver went to pick the food up, he called to say it was closed. The app processed the order as usual and gave no indication about the place being closed. Anyway, it turned out ok as the charges were reversed. Yesterday I went to Assaggi’s website - to make sure it was open - and saw that they recommended using the “slice” app for ordering. What I read about it was that all the proceeds go to the shop, rather than the go between, so we thought to give it a try. We still prefer delivery to pick up as we are in the “at risk” age group and still prefer to play it safe. The app worked just fine and when the order was complete we got an email about it, and then a second one that the restaurant would be processing it. We didn’t get any more updates - like tracking the driver, etc - until the order arrived at exactly 6:15. We usually order more than just one meal so we can have some leftovers during the week and get away from having to think about what to prepare every night. That’s more like what our routine was before March 13. Anyway, the app worked well, the order was exactly on time, the food was prepared and packaged nicely, and we would do it again. It’s nice to be able to order from our favorite places, but it’s no fun messing around with the packaging and containers to avoid the “cooties.” I’m sure we are doing overkill, but we just don’t want to take any chances. Now we have enough lasagna, pizza, salad, and meatballs to last another couple of meals. It was worth it. 

Next Door App

At our monthly lunch the other day with my sister, brother and sister in law, My sister in law was talking about the “Next Door” app. She said she found it useful and interesting - especially when it came to lost pets or just learning things about the neighborhood. You can be as active as you like with it based on your interests. So I decided to give it a try and see what it might do. You need to create an account to sign in, along with your email. Once in, a thread is updated and emails are sent to you with highlights from the day. You can also see the names of the people in the neighborhood and forward the app to someone you know who may want to get involved. You can also select areas that you are most interested in being contacted about. The most frequent items seem to be requests for recommendations for trusted available services, items for sale, tickets for events, offering services, and housing options. One entry was locating a loved one with Alzheimer’s who was eventually found. There is also an area for favorites - restaurants, dentists, etc. The funny thing is that having never heard of this app, I saw it mentioned yesterday on a Facebook thread that I follow in Lynchburg, Virginia. Someone was recommending it for the same reasons my sister in law did. Maybe I’ll advertise custom pet portraits. Who knows? Someone may just be interested. It’s good to know what goes on in the neighborhood. This month is the anniversary of when we moved to DC from the Midwest twelve years ago. It’s hard to believe - and we are still here. 

Fresco News Reporter

I heard about Periscope, but didn't think it was very applicable for my use. But when we were in Florida this week, I was introduced to Fresco News. I usually post a few items daily on Instagram. Several entries were of tropical storm Colin, including a video of ducks in a puddle beside the pond they normally flap around in. I received a message from Fresco News asking to use the video on their feed. So I found out more about it, and it may be an interesting proposition. I agreed that they could use it, and it was on their feed in short order. It's funny how the things I liked to do before going to college and finding myself in a health care career, have been rekindled in both art and now journalism. I've been painting for the last four years on my iPad, and now I can participate in current affairs photojournalism via this app. I haven't put it to use yet, but if there is a story someone would like a video feed or photo images for, you get notified. If your images are used, you get credit for them and possible payouts. Living in DC may or may not be a helpful environment. But yesterday on our morning walk I didn't take photos of the activity in the city around the prime minister of India at the Capitol building, and that was a listed feature on Fresco News. So who knows? I'm ready to participate and waiting to see what happens. In the meantime, I'll keep posting whatever I do on Instagram. Maybe they will like something else I am completely unaware of! 

Instagram App Layout

I've always loved taking photographs for as long as I can remember. And having an iPhone makes it all so easy. Oftentimes I like to group a few photos together. Picture It! was a software program I used in what seems to be such a long time ago when desk top computers were the only option. I now use Sketchbook pro on my iPad to not only draw digital art, but to piece several items together from different places to create more horizontal projects. But the easiest app by far to use for combining related images together is Instagram's Layout app. I've been fooling around with it for a few months now and continue to stumble upon new features all the time. The options are practically limitless and it is fun to use - for art, photos, or creating collages for whatever reason. If you are in to this sort of thing, it is highly recommended. I could spend all day creating layouts for so many different reasons. It's nice to have experienced a lot of this evolution. Most often I just stumble upon it and am self taught. It's amazing that things like this don't take me long to figure my way around it. As for work related projects... It may have something to do with really liking the subject matter! 

Shadow Art on the Streets of DC Using the Instagram Layout App

The options are limitless. I love creating things and stumbled upon the Instagram app that allows you to combine several photos in to one portrait. I was organizing my photos on my iPad and noticed I had collected several shadow shots of my husband and myself over the years, in all seasons, walking along the streets of DC. So I started playing around with the options - and they are limitless. You can flip, mirror, widen, shorten, extend, and manipulate the images - essentially creating a work of art out of photos taken off the cuff. I have also used this app to show the progression of portraits I paint from sketch to final product and show the same image in four different ways. The technology is great and it allows your imagination to swirl with possibilities. I often think about how things have changed so much even within the last five years. I always loved taking photos - starting with my swinger Polaroid  - and now exclusively depend on my iPhone for all things artsy. I just wish I had more time in the day to play around with it. 

 

A Tiny Fish Tale Israel

Back in November, one of my children's books - The Four Promises- was published through StoryChimes as an application in the Apple store, and then later as an Android App. Then in March of this year, my second book called A Tiny Fish Tale, was published the same way through StoryChimes. One is able to track the progress and daily ranks of the books on the App Annie website. I don't check the website that often, but yesterday I was nosing around to see if anything showed up. To my delight A Tiny Fish Tale was ranked in the Israel Apple Store. Sometimes it coincides with when iPads are launched in various countries. Regardless, it is nice to know that two little books I wrote are available in the App Store, and that someone has enough interest to see what they are all about. I'm not sure if it matters that this whole thing happened because we moved to DC from Milwaukee. But the stories were inspired by events that happened while living in DC. I've got a few more stories in the queue, and hope they have the same outcome.

The iPhone 4S

We got our first iPhones a little over two years ago. I got the 3GS, and my husband got the 3G. I remember it well because it was February and we had 2 snow storms within a couple days that left 2 feet of snow. Wisconsin NEVER had that much at one time! The Federal government was shut down for a week. With my new iPhone, I played a really neat interactive adventure game app called Broken Sword that got me hooked from that point. Since then, the iPad has literally changed my hobby life. I've written two children's books apps published through StoryChimes, started this blog, created a website called LIT Digital Art and Such, was a winner in The New Yorker Eustace Tilley contest, and have 2 digital art pieces on display at the Library of Congress. I'm waiting for the iPhone 5 to replace my phone, but thought the 4S would work well for my husband. It really has amazing functionality - reminds me of all the futuristic gizmos that were tauted at the World's Fair in New York back in the 60's. It's even more interesting to hear Siri actually respond to an accented command. I have always loved gadgets. And when we are together, I use his phone to get even better photos for my blog. I really wonder what the future holds - is there really a need to learn to spell and type? I'm beginning to wonder.


Converting over to the new phone

It really is amazing

Waiting for the iPhone 5