Done yesterday (20090630)

[mdlbear]

0630 Tu
  * up 8:30; W=193.6; drugs; coffee; nose; C; teeth
  & Colleen found a bear bell while sorting through the stuff from her desk
    this morning.  I wasn't aware of the fact that I needed a bell. 
  * Drop $40 off for Ali on the way to work
  * YD needs cash for blast pass ($60 or 70)
  & My watch battery seems to have died.  
    Do I join the ranks of people using their phone for a pocket-watch?
  * walk: hills both ways; twice around the pond
    No meditation, but stood a while and tried to observe mindfully.
  @ http://www.annexia.org/freeware/ical/
  x 5:00pm Mindfulness group
  & Fry's had USB webcams for $15.  At that price I can afford to find out
    whether they have Linux drivers.
  & Bed ~11:30pm

Colleen decided to sort through some of the boxes of stuff from her (former) desk in the bedroom, and ran across a Bear Bell. It says so on the tag. I wasn't aware of the fact that I needed one.

My watch battery died. I'm wondering whether to replace the battery, replace the watch, or join the growing multitude of people who use their cell phone as a pocket-watch.

I finished configuring my work desktop computer, but it's not talking to me this morning. So much for working from home, not that I was planning to anyway. I did, however, find the website with the source code for my favorite calendar program, complete with instructions for building it in Lenny. I win.

Comments

[wyld-dandelyon.livejournal.com]

As I've gotten older, things snug to my wrists have become less and less comfortable, so I was delighted to be able to use my cell phone as a pocket watch and dispense with the wrist-irritation.

But if the cell phone is out of power, or I'm doing something where I have to worry about getting it wet, this can be awkward. Also awkward is looking at it while in a meeting or talking to people. It's not a perfect solution.

To know what you will be happier with, you need to think about when you need to see the time, and what makes you comfortable or uncomfortable.

[mdlbear]

I've been wearing the watch on my belt for a couple of years now; it's less convenient than on the wrist, but far more comfortable. I'll try doing without it for a while, but suspect that I'll need something watch-like again. :(

[catsittingstill.livejournal.com]

On the off chance you're not familiar with them, a "bear bell" is a bell that hikers in bear country wear to be sure they won't go hurrying around a blind curve and surprise Ursus americanus. On account of some bears get irritable when surprised or cornered and it's a good idea to give them plenty of time to get out of the way.

Regarding watches; I had to give up wearing one on my wrist because Tennesee is hot and humid and the watchbands would start to stink after a few months (and washing them never worked out well.) For a while I buckled my watch to a belt loop, then I found a watch for sale that hangs off a carabiner, which worked much more conveniently with the belt loop (hangs nice and straight).

Now I have the iPod I could just use that, but it's a little harder to fish it out of a pocket and turn it on. Also it occurred to me a couple of days ago that sometimes it's kind of ostentatious. I mean, to the point of being unkind. I was volunteering at a local clinic for the uninsured, and I had to check the time (hadn't brought my watch), and I felt really self conscious pulling out this expensive frivolous toy in front of someone who will probably never be able to afford one.

So I'm not planning to abandon my watch.

[mdlbear]

I do know what a bear bell is for -- I've done a little hiking myself, though not recently -- but can never resist a joke at my own expense.

I found a little webbing watchfob that hangs from a carabiner and holds an ordinary wristwatch -- best of both worlds. Had a leather one before that, but it died from sweat and humidity after a couple of years. Both came from REI.

[elemirion]

I have stopped wearing my watch, mostly because I was carrying a cell phone, iPod and wearing a watch, all three tell time and the date. The band on my watch needs to be replaced and it now needs a new battery, but I have the cell so I don't need to worry about it any time soon.