My dilemma was that I own an I-Pod Touch that I use to keep organized.  I have it synced to my Mac and use it for e-mail, contacts, calendar and everything else that cool gadget can do.  The touch screen capabilities on the I-Pod Touch are far superior over anything that Verizon offers.

Now since I have the I-Pod Touch, I really did not need a Blackberry.  What I need is a phone that can text easily, and make phone calls.  All the other stuff that smart-phones can do, I get with my I-Pod Touch. 

Since I am not a fan of the Verizon Touch Screen phones it left me with the LG Env 3 as my choice.  This phone was released on May 29,2009.  I new about it on April 3, 2009 because leaked photos of the Env 3  started to appear on the web.

Let me start by saying I love this phone.  So far it is the best phone I have ever owned.  It is small, thin and easy to use.  The Env 3 is a flip phone to access the the keyboard. On the outside it has a number keypad.  It also has a send, end, contacts, and clear buttons.  A navigation wheel is positioned in the middle of the phone.

The qwerty keyboard is large enough that you rarely hit the wrong key.  It has a favorites button in the left corner where you can put up to ten contacts you can access quickly  for texting.  Below the favorites button is a new text message button.  Below the text message button is the shift key and a symbol key. 

One of the cool things you can do with this phone while texting is use threaded messaging.  Basically it is like instant messaging.  It sorts your text by contact and threads them.  It makes it easy to see a text conversation, especially if you are texting multiple people simultaneously.  When you read a text for the first time time, all you have to do to respond is start typing.  Very convenient feature.

The Env 3 comes with a 3.0 mega pixel camera with a flash.  It works pretty well.  Has some special features that I am not sure if they work or not.  To be fair, I have only had this phone for three days and have not had enough time to really explore all the phone features.

Finally, the Env 3 has a html web browser.  You can view mobile websites, as well as regular websites that are not formatted for mobile phones.  This is a great upgrade from the Env 2.  I use the web browser to check sport scores, weather, news, facebook, twitter, and basically anything else, when I am away from my computer. 

I paid $29.00 for my phone.  It is priced at $179.00 with a new two year contract, $100.00 off for the new every two deal, and a $50.00 mail in rebate.  This phone is well worth $29.00.

So if you are looking for a great texting phone, with some useful extras, a decent camera, and very simple and user friendly, and you are a Verizon customer, I fully recommend the LG Env 3.

This past weekend, the Yankees were in Boston playing the Sox, and got swept.  After each of the three games, as soon as the Sox beat the Yankees, my cell phone was going nuts with text messages  from everyone in Red Sox Nation reminding me how much the Yankees suck.

I grew up in New Jersey and have been a Yankee fan my whole life.  I have lived in New England for 18 years. (Longer then I have ever lived in New Jersey) Everyone who knows me, knows that I love the Yankees and I hear about it all the time how the Red Sox are supposedly a better team.

It is all in good fun, and work is where I hear it the most.  And trust me when I can I give it to Red Sox Nation, I do.  It is tough to come into work on a Monday morning and have everyone e-mailing me, texting me, visiting me, all to remind me that the Yankees got swept this weekend.  And to make things worse, Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox outfielder stole home in game three.

I will not give up on my team.  They will get over this slump.  To be positive, it is only April!

My son, Tyler, and I were out doing our normal Saturday routine.  First to get some Kona coffee at our favorite coffee shop, A&E Roastery. Then to the dump to get rid of our trash, and then home for a nap.  Today, prior to the nap, we had a detour, and needed to go to pick up two chain saw chains that were dropped off earlier in the week to be sharpened.

We went Chappell Tractor, our local tractor, chain saw, lawn mower, and big boy toy store.  Tyler was in heaven.  Lots of tractors, riding mowers to climb and sit on.  The line to get the chains was long so I decided to let Tyler explore for a while.  He sat on some riding mowers and ran through the clothing department.

The line shortened and there was only one guy before us.  This guy was the type that had 1001 questions, and took forever to make his mind up.  Tyler was not happy and started crying, and was fighting me holding him.  The line grew longer, and I could see people were getting annoyed.

Then someone from upstairs came and said, “Let me help you.”  I was just glad that someone came over to help relieve the line, but I know it was because they were tired of hearing Tyler scream.  I must have been in that line for 15 minutes.  

That guy in front of me was the typical idiot that needs to ask every question about buying some oil filter.  I was actually in the wrong line.  So I went upstairs, got my chains, paid the bill, came back downstairs, and that guy was still there and the line was even longer.

As I was leaving, a guy in line said, “Hey man, could I borrow your kid, he seems to be able to get some service around here.” I laughed and went home.  As soon as I put Tyler in the car, he was fine.

So you see, a temper tantrum by a two year old, can be a good thing!

What gets me is the head pirate makes a statement that the US tricked them and owes them an so apology. The pirate also stated that the US broke off peace talks. Now that is funny!

These pathetic pirates think that they are calling the shots. NEWS FLASH, you are not! We should treat these pirates as terrorist and have a no tolerance policy. We should find there mother ship and send a torpedo through the hull and sink the damn thing. And these companies paying ransom is absolutely the wrong thing to do. Paying ransom is just encouraging more attacks.

There are two things that need to be done. First, the ship crews need to be proactive and shoot the pirates as they try to board the ship. I have heard that there is international law that says these transport cargo ships are not allowed to arm themselves.  This is absolutely ridiculous, considering the increase in pirate activity.  If international law cannot stop these pirates, then the law should be protect your ship, cargo and crew at all cost.

Second, the reason there is so much pirate activity off the coast of Somalia, is that that country has no government or economy.  The people of Somalia are supporting the pirates because they give them money and help their non-existent economy.  If we want to put these pirates out of business, the world need to come together and help the Somalians’ create a government with laws, and build an economy that will support their people.

I think the Navy Seals, and US government did the right thing by sending a message that we will go after you and kill you, if you attack our ships.  I am glad to see the Captain Phillips and the crew of the Maersk Alabama are safe and back home in the States.

This pirate issue will continue until ransoms stop being paid, and the world looks at Somalia, and cares enough to help their citizens, which would lead to the safety and protection of our cargo ships and their crews.  The question now is, will we do the right thing, or deal with these pirates on a case by case basis.

Nothing can prepare you about becoming a dad. I wasn’t sure what to expect. When we went to pick my son up for the first time I had knots in my stomach.  The anxiety was insane.  My legs were weak and I was nervous and scared.  My wife and I were told to meet the social worker at a restaurant, and she would give us our son.  That was it, they just hand him over.

All my anxiety, fear went away when my wife held him for the first time.  The look on her face, was the happiest, most peaceful, I had ever seen her.  Right then and there, our lives had changed, and changed for the better.  Immediately, I felt like I was truly a father and that was my son. Then I held him.

I was so nervous to hold him the first time.  I was so worried I was going to some how hurt him. But once he was in my arms, everything was alright.  It was like I had been holding him for years. I was his father, and I was going to protect him, care for him, and love him forever. 

The three of us needed to stay in Arizona until the the legal paperwork was completed, then it was back home with our little guy. We carried him in an infant sling on the plane and he slept the whole time, all six pounds of him.  

My son is now two and everyday he amazes me.  Today he went in the closet and came out wearing my shoes.  He then said, “Daddy, Out”.  That is his way of saying that he wants to go outside.

The best part of my day is when I pick my son up from daycare.  When he sees me, He drops what he is doing and runs over to me yelling “Daddy”.  Then he gives me a huge hug.  What could be better then that?

I am looking forward for the future years, but am truly enjoying the current ones. My son makes me laugh, feel loved and needed.  And I in return, make him laugh, love him, and tend to his needs.

Here is the e-mail I received:

JOB – URINE TEST
(Whoever wrote this one deserves a HUGE pat on the back!)

Joe, the average worker says;

Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me. I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit. In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem. What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don’t have to pass a urine test. Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their lazy butts, doing drugs, while I work…  Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check? Pass this along if you agree or simply delete if you don’t. Hope you all will pass it along, though…  It is a needed change in this country — and soon!!!!!

Guess we could title that program, ‘Urine or You’re Out’.

I remember when Sony came out with the Walkman. I was a kid, and thought it was the coolest thing. Portable music . How cool. The same time the Walkman came out, I was going to the computer lab once a week at school to play around on the first Apple Computers, The Macintosh.

I am a gadget guy. I do not really care how it works, just that it works. I own a GPS, two I-Pods, a cell phone, Sirius Satelite Radio, and a Mac Book Pro notebook computer. I left the PC a year and a half ago and have become a strong advocate for the Apple Products. They are so far advanced compared to their competitors.

With this mobile technology, I can blog basically anywhere, anytime I want. I can start something on the road and then finish it when I get home. This is very cool. I wonder what will be next.

My suggestion is a 15% flat tax on all income over $25,ooo.  Your first earned $25,ooo is tax free.  After that everything earned, including interest, dividends, and salary is taxed at 15%.  No deductions.  Just a flat tax.

Think of how much money our country could save.  You would not need accountants to do your taxes anymore. (Not good for the Tax Accountants out there) The Tax Code could fit on one page, not hundreds.  The IRS could be downsized, and it would almost be impossible to cheat the system. 

I would create a law enforcement agency to go after people who do not pay their taxes or work under the table and do not report their income.  The tax cheaters would have severe  consequences.  Cheating on taxes will not be tolerated under my plan.

I believe that the government would bring in more money.  Everyone pays the same percentage.  For all you liberal socialist out there, and think the rich should pay all the taxes and take care of the poor, this is to satisfy your way of thinking.  The more money you make, the more you pay.  The only difference is everyone except the extremely poor, pay their share, 15% of their earned income.  If you work and made less then $25,000 a year, you have no taxes to pay. 

Now what about taxing businesses?  It is simple; after expenses, all profit is taxed at 15%.  Think of how much money the United States would have  made from Exxon Mobile last year.  If your business lost money or broke even, no taxes are to be paid.  The businesses that loose money or break even do not get to deduct anything.  Their advantage is they would not have to pay taxes that year.  This plan would help small and new businesses succeed when they are just starting out.  Businesses would have to be closely monitored to assure that they do not cook their books and hide their  profits. The businesses who cheat on taxes would be fined heavily and the people responsible for the deception would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

A Flat tax is the fairest and simplest way to do taxes.  Unfortunately, I do not think it will ever be a reality.  There are too many lobbyist out there to fight against it.  Why make things simple, when they can be complex?

I always ask myself why we do not hear from Al Gore in New England on this topic of global warming?  Probably because all New Englanders would laugh at him.  I know that there is more to global warming then just having cold winters in New England.   I also understand that there could be drastic changes to the earth if the earth does warm, but I am not convinced.  Plus most people who are fanatics about this issue, fly around in their private jets, and basically ask all the rest of us to do what they say, not what they do.

What I do not understand is why the media never talks about all the scientist who think global warming is not real.  There are just as many scientist that do not believe in the concept Global Warming 

I know basically two points on this topic. First, we humans have only been keeping track of global temperature for a short period of time compared to the earth’s age.  Who is to say that a warmer degree or two is not the perfect temperature for our earth. 

 Second, If the earth did get a little warmer, all you would need to cool it down is to have a major volcanic eruption occur.   I think nature will adjust and keep our global temperature right where it needs to be.

As for being a New Englander, I am all for global warming.  Enough is a enough.  The winters are just a little too long.  Bring on the warmer temperatures!!  It can not be any worse.