Thoughts, sights and opinions of a foreigner in America

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Some months ago, Apple rejected Google’s app for Google Voice, apparently nudged by AT&T to stop customers using Google’s free VOIP phone service, thus forcing them to continue to use their wireless phone plans.

Google then abandoned plans to make a specific iPhone app, instead opting to produce a web app, which can be accessed from any mobile device.

They released the updated web app a couple of weeks ago and they truly have done a fantastic job.

The recent news of the “crotchbomber” trying to blow up a Trans-Atlantic flight bound for the States has reignited my grievances with the Transportation Security Administration.

TSA was formed after the atrocities of September 11, 2001. It was an action that forever changed how air travel operated. We’ve seen our identification requirements bolstered, the carriage of liquids onboard is very limited and you have to take off half your clothes before you’ll ever be allowed within half a mile of an aeroplane.

For movie fans and couch potatoes, there has been one online location that has always been the first place to look when looking for film information such as cast, plot and photos – IMDB (Internet Movie Database).

Up until now, there has been little in the way of an iPhone offering that could provide the same level of information as imdb.com. I had previously used the Movie Star app which pulled select data from
IMDB, but it wasn’t well presented and there was a lot missing.

This coming Christmas will be my fourth Christmas here in Florida. As we move into December, I can’t help but notice that despite Radio 1 DJs starting to churn out a couple of Christmas songs, it just does not feel like Christmas to me.

I’ve decided there may be several reasons: the first of which is just that I’ve been working so hard lately, that I’ve next to no time to do anything but work and sleep.

The second reason is that for the very reason Florida is such a popular winter destination, it takes away somewhat from the Christmas feel. The traditional Christmas scene features snow, not sun and sand.

This posted was written for Blog Action Day 2009.

There are many issues which society tends to agree on one way or another – for example, murder is wrong and charity is good. However, there are also a few controversial issues which have divided families, communities, nations, religions and friends for hundreds of years and will continue to divide people. Issues falling under this category that come to mind are euthanasia, abortion and government welfare. Climate change is another such issue.