I do. I've never had another smart phone I liked half so much. I liked the size and shape, I liked the aesthetics, I freaking loved that qwerty keyboard. I just loved it.
I still have it. I want a newer, smarter version. One with better graphics, better icons--stepped forward to compete with the iphone, androids, etc.
And that version should be the q10. But what just doesn't work for me is the size. That thing's nearly the same size as my old HTC. And that sucker was a brick. The main reason I moved away from the HTC to the phone (4)--was size! But that damn virtual keyboard—and the fat-fingering. The iphone was smaller, easier for me to live with. I'm petite; the larger the phone, the less I'm able to handle it (literally). It's cumbersome and difficult to hold and use one-handed. The HTC didn't fit in my pockets. Women's pants suffer from asinine pockets that are ridiculously and insultingly small and non-functional. That HTC was like jamming an old-school scientific calculator down my pants.
Is that a current smart phone in your pocket or are you just happy to see me? Or are you growing a small, multi-story housing unit in your pants?
In this light, how will the Q10 be any better? I don't want the sled-sized body that it comes with. Dudes, you got it good. Enjoy your man-sized, useful pockets and your large mitts. I guess I could use my Q10 to enjoy the slopes. Look out below! ROSEBUD!
There's a famous poem by Bashō:
Even in Kyōto—
hearing the cuckoo's cry—
I long for Kyōto
I feel that way about my old 8900.
Even with iPhone—
small beauty, aesthetic ease—
I long for BB
Not quiiite right, but you get the gist.
#1st world pain
Often, this is called fluorescent yellow. But I think it's actually Emergency Vehicle Lime-Yellow. Oh my god, I simply adore the complete artificiality of this color. It's perfectly bizarre and I adore it. When my local Fire Department switched over from red trucks to this fluorescent lime yellow ones, it was jarring. I associate fire trucks with that traditional red. But gosh, how I loved that new crazy glowing lime-yellow! Just YUM. I think they've since transitioned back to red.
I've been trying to definitively ID this watch for a while. The issue is that it's a very subtle watch, with few good, clear screen caps that I can find.
My initial gut reaction was that it's a Skagen mesh bracelet watch--the versions with a separate lug that attaches the band to the case, rather than the all-in-one case that morphs into the mesh band.
I thought it was Skagen, because it's such a classic design, very Danish and has been around for quite some time. It's an affordable watch that is designerly and clean--it crosses 'money' lines & is less obvious than a Movado, say.
But the lugs are the thing that's killing me. I have found some Skagens that seem to have the correct lug width--but then the case seems too thick. There are a ton of mesh bracelet watches out there. It could just as possibly be a Timex--another classic, affordable watch-maker with some very nice watches--or a Maurice Lacroix, Hillfiger--just so many brands do this type of watch now. But Skagan was the original.
So, thus far, the parts I'm using as fingerprint factors are:
- white dial, or stainless--but I think white
- mesh bracelet
- separate lugs that attach the mesh band to the case
- some kind of numbers or hash marks on the face
- clean, flat buckle
But beyond Skagen watches, there are so many similar styles:
Hamlin, Hilfiger, Marice Lacroix, Timex (X2)...the list can go on and on...
Here's a really lovely Calvin Klein watch. Sharon's isn't this one at all, but the CK watch is just so gorgeous and simple:
Those engraved numbers are freaking beautiful. I can hardly stand how sublime this watch is.
But, back to the issue at hand: what watch is Sharon sporting? I want to say it's a Skagen for all the reasons, but if it's a prop watch (?) it could be nearly any knock-off brand. I keep hoping one of these days I'll find a great reference shot & solve it. Until then, I'm trending toward Skagen, but keeping an open mind.
I'm thinking that strap end is a give-away. Nearly positive we've got a Skagen goin' on.
So, left to my own devices, after midnight, no good comes from access to the Interweb and my credit card. It leads to impulsive purchases for things that I find amusing. Like the above, pink, "tactical" pen, with stylus.
All the boys at work have these masculine, tacticool pens that are made out of damasteel and titanium and kryponite and adamantium. They come in colors like gunmetal, stealth black, carbon grey, sniper grey, olive drab, radiant red and "raw" (?). They have names like Orion or Draco, Sniper or Enforcer, Tuffwriter, Investigator--Double Trouble. It's like Double-Mint or Hubba-Bubba, but tastes like copper and mean. And no bubbles.
Granted, some of these pens are very cool. But there comes a point when it's just Gear Junkie Syndrome. The boys who have these pens will never use them for anything other than writing--and making each other jealous. Perfectly fine reasons, but nothing to do with needing to be tactical.
Also, many of these manly pens look a little...well...butt-pluggy. For real. Go look some up. Just go spend about 10 minutes looking at tactical pens--and tell me that quite a few of them don't totally read "sex toy." I'm just sayin. And sure, my pocket whiskey flask could totally pass for a silver dildo--so I'm just as guilty as the next person. But it's a flask, dammit!
I picked up my pen off amazon for cheap; thought it was a funny riff on the standard tactical pen. It will also irritate my work BFF. She reviles all things pink or feminine, or me. Saw her lose her shit one day because I'd left my pink-camo ear-pro on the corner of a shared desk. She snatched them up and either pantomimeded slamming them down onto the desk--or actually almost did and then caught herself & stopped. I wasn't supposed to see it, but I did. In the end she simply chucked the offending item into a shelf. Thanks, girlfriend!
It sure is a super fun treat working that one. In the words of another female colleague "someone's tampon is on fire."
So when I'm not opening all the rolls of coins in the cash drawers, or wearing my incredibly offensive pink-camo ear-pro, or writing with my tacky and childish PINK tactical pen, or parading my Domokun morale patch about--on my Mini-Me Eberlestock backpack, I'll be thinking of other ways I can gently subvert the testosterone-laden, and tampon-flaming environment in which I presently work.
Several months ago I picked up a slim-fitting laptop sleeve made by Golla/Genmob ("Generation Mobile"). The sleeve is called "Sydney" and I purchased the gray version.
The bag has worn well, is solidly constructed and simple to use--one external pocket on the front, & all zippers have smooth-action. The exterior material is quite stain resistant and easy to clean.
On to Cons and Pros:
Cons:
1. I understand that the carry handle is off-set, to better balance weight when a laptop is inside, and off-setting a handle saves material since only one flap of the sleeve requires a grip. But it always feels awkward. Handles on both sides would help the bag hang straight down and negate the side of leg bump that happens when carrying it. A couple d-rings on either end would enable the attachment of a shoulder strap--and that might be a nice addition--even if no strap were provided. I know this is a sleeve and not a 'bag' per se, but I like options.
2. The small pocket up front will hold a mouse (Microsoft Arc Touch is perfect) and a few other small items. But for travelers on the go--I'd have preferred a slightly larger pocket that would easily contain my battery/charge cord. When I travel now, I can curl up the cord in the pocket and squeeze in a flat-folding mouse, the battery + cord I curl up inside the main compartment with the laptop. It works, but makes the case lumpy, and I worry about pressure points on laptop as I travel. Again, I understand this is a sleeve--but adding 2 extra inches of pocket would have held both cords & battery, without having to have one or the other rubbing against the laptop. I really do believe that clean-lines and pared down, less bulky designs don't have to ditch a few thoughtfully placed storage areas. The fewer bags I have have to tote, the better--and when too slim = extra carry items, I feel there's been a lost opportunity.
3. Limited organization: see above.
PROS:
1. Both the exterior and interior fabrics seem well-chosen. The external fabric is water-resistant & wears well. Dirt marks have been easy to clean off with a damp cloth. The gray exterior color choice is low-profile. In black/dark interiors such as backpacks/messenger bags--the gray color isn't hard to find, and the slight sheen from the "Golla" logo overprint picks up reflective light subtly.
The soft, orange corduroy interior protects your laptop from scratches and helps cushion the device slightly. Do not expect this cushioning to keep the laptop safe from falls--but for usual transportation it will work fine. The bright orange interior makes it easy to find your laptop--or any small items you may have put in the front pocket. Not that you need this help since the case is so slim-fitting and provides no room for clutter--but it's a nice, visual touch.
2. Aesthetics are pleasing. The simple color combinations aren't too loud or showy--more appropriate for work/business, but still edgy enough to be cool and sleek. It's nice to have options that aren't hot pink, zebra stripe, etc. The case is classy and simple, no superfluous details. The soft interior fabric is pleasant to touch & the bright color pops--it's a fun touch that's practical too: protective and provides high visibility. If lost in the outback, you could turn this case inside out and have a nice flame orange signal device.
3. Slim design keeps it simple. This is not a pack to stuff and overfill: you cannot. While I'd have enjoyed a bit more leeway here, the case is designed to be slim, sleek and simple: it achieves these goals. While providing a bit of padded protection, this case is easy to fit into messenger bags and medium-large sized packs. While slightly thicker than a slipcase, it takes up as little room as possible, a very small footprint.
Overall, I'm happy with the case. The cons haven't outweighed the pros for me--though I do really wish that exterior pocket were deeper for cord carry. If the intended purpose is light day use/travel, charge cords probably aren't necessary & cords would be left at home. But I've never trusted battery-life on anything enough not to travel with charge capability!
I'm not actively looking for a replacement case--this speaks to it's usefulness. However, if Golla made this same style, sleek, simple and not too flashy looking--and added a couple of the storage options I outlined above, I'd swap out in a second. The trick is to keep the case as flat as possible, while adding a tiny bit more practical carry options.
I'd give the case a solid B to B+.