Author: Joey Ciaramitaro

OK, so about a month ago I bought a new laptop.  The hardware on this bad boy is sexy and well built and awesomely spec’d out. This is the Laptop-

Samsung Chronos 7

I Love it hardware wise.

But.

I bought it with Windows 8 on it.  I’ve documented my love of Windows 7 and the windows live essentials suite of Windows Live Writer and Windows Live Movie Maker which are just flat out powerhouse efficient blogging tools for me.

Windows 8 it has become apparent to me is a dumbing down of an operating system to make the windows desktop, windows phone and windows tablet all perform seamlessly together.  To get this to happen though I feel like they stripped down a lot of the power features to the lowest common denominator  so they would all be compatible.  This may be better for a tablet user but not IMO for a power content creator like me.

I’ve tried Windows 8 for a month now but I’m ready to wipe this computer and do a fresh install with Windows 7.

Windows 8 even with the installed aftermarket start button which Microsoft stripped out is a huge disappointment for me.

So she’s gonna get a refresh (if you can call going backwards a generation on an operating system a refresh) to Windows 7.

It’s been about 2-3 weeks with the new Cell phone and this Samsung Galaxy S3 I can unequivocally recommend.  I’d recommend this to anyone iPhone fan boy, or android user.  Every little niggle that my first generation HTC EVO 4G android phone had has been worked out in the Samsung galaxy S3.  Sprint has great coverage around here. 

Right now if you’re gonna get a cell phone I wouldn’t hesitate you pick up one of these.

Vickie Van Ness got one and Donna Ardizzoni too.  How you liking it guys?

Really like mine.

Hi Joe,
My sale of 20% off all my pottery continues until the 24th. Big and small
mugs in different glazes – something for everyone. Come visit!
Marty Morgan Pottery 428 Washington St

Dear Joey,
I want people to know that I am still having multiple sales in the Sarah Elizabeth Shop this weekend. Could you please post these sale flyers for me?
Thank you very much. I appreciate your help in getting people to shop local!
Julia
The Sarah Elizabeth Shop
5 Whistlestop Mall
Rockport, MA

www.sarah-elizabeth-shop.com

Joey,

Dan Driscoll here from http:VisitCapeAnn.net and Facebook’s Capeann Ma. I am hoping you could spread the word about a Fun contest for local Cape Ann Residents to participate in, as well as for any Local Merchants that might want to get involved in as well (For prizes and Merchant Exposure. )

We are having a contest for people to post their Outside Christmas Decorations and the photo with the most likes by Midnight on Christmas Eve will be the Winner. Currently we have a $100 dollar Prize from Driscoll’s Jewelry & Gifts (local merchant that uses Amazon) as well as a $25 Gift certificate from Sunbanque of Gloucester. If we get allot more prizes from local merchants we will expand the winner’s list as well.

the Facebook contest is here:

http://www.facebook.com/WhoHasTheBestOutsideChristmasDecorationsInCapeAnn

We at VisitCapeAnn.net Value Local Residents, Local Events, and Local Shopping within our Community, and like you in Gloucester (whom we have emulated!) want to show the world how great it is here! Our Main site’s traffic fluctuates during the year between Tourists looking to find out more about visiting Cape Ann and the things to do and visit, as well as many local residents thru our Facebook page.

Thanks for sharing this, and We love and Support Good Morning Gloucester and try to promote it at any chance we get!

Dan

PS for Merchants interested in adding a prize to this contest:

We are having a Local Cape Ann Christmas Photo Contest of Local Cape Ann Residents outside decorations. We are looking for Local Merchants who would like the Opportunity to donate a small prize that the winner/winners could pick up at YOUR location, as well as show our 1200 plus followers some of the local merchants who are committed to the Local Community. We are planning a few contests thru-out the year as well. The contest Facebook Page is here: http://www.facebook.com/WhoHasTheBestOutsideChristmasDecorationsInCapeAnn

Love to be able to support all of our Local Businesses!

SEACOAST NURSING AND REHABILITATION CENTER ‘S HO-HO HOTLINE

This holiday season, children of Cape Ann have a direct line to Santa’s workshop through Seacoast Nursing and Rehabilitation Center ‘s Ho-Ho Hotline.  From

December 17 through December 21, from 3-5 p.m., children’s calls will be answered by Santa, Mrs. Claus or one of their elves.

While Santa, Mrs. Claus and their helpers won’t make any promises to the children, they

will listen to the children’s wishes and encourage them to be on their very best behavior.

The phone number for Seacoast’s Ho-Ho Hotline is 978-281-3086.

Carol Mckenna writes-

You might like my new poetry book ~ Pass the word please ~ Thanks ~ Happy Holidays

namaste, Carol

Here is the link in case link below doesn’t work ~ http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/3858176

for more info- http://www.cynthiacurtispottery.com

A review-

With all the book talk lately, I thought I would share one of my favs from Ron Gilson.

Readers of An Island No More will immediately recognize this memoir as no routine historical account of Gloucester. It is a deeply moving essay of an author’s experience of the fishing industry as it affected the everyday life of its citizens. Gilson transports the reader into decades that cover depression, war, prosperity and, finally, decline. Gilson’s story is a poignant personal insight into many vignettes of the characters which fill his historical account. Using the fishing industry as a metaphor for life, Gilson reveals the life of a city over four decades. This historical approach is the strength of his work. Only a native of Gloucester could have written such a memoir.

As I read Gilson’s history, having been away from my home- town over fifty years, I was immediately taken back into time. Gilson’s account rings with such an authenticity, a virtual new experience of that time and place came back to me. In short, this history will engage the reader at all levels of emotion.

Dr. Richard J. Elliott 
Professor Emeritus 
University of New Orleans