Brigit BitarJust another WordPress weblog

OK, I don’t have anything to blog about today!

Random, I know, but I don’t. So why am I actually blogging you ask? Well, why not? I don’t have much else to be doing at this exact moment, plus I haven’t blogged in a few days (*smack*)… But the thing about writing a blog post when you haven’t set out to write about anything in particular is that it may come out a little haphazard and random. Oh well.

I am taking a few days (semi) away from the computer… I’ve had a big couple of weeks and just need to walk away before I sort my shiz out again… The computer has consumed so much of my life for a while now (much to do with work) and since I have no work and no forums at the moment, I don’t have much keeping me here 12 hours per day so it’s nice to so something else for a change. I have been cleaning the house, reading books and most of all, feeling no obligation to sit in front of my best friend “Mr. Putey” for endless hours. I’m loving the break!!

I guess you’re expecting me to tell you why I am no longer with Pink Vanilla Network (PVN for future ref.) … But I’m not going to tell you. Simply because I can’t be assed to explain it all and because its sort of private. (But this is a BLOGGGG! I’m supposed to spill private stuff!!!!) Yeah, well, too bad. But I’d love to hear you’re superhero stories on why YOU think I left PVN lol! (if any of you actually bother, send to brigit@lifeoutloud.com.au and I’ll publish it haha!)

I am considering cutting my hair. I have been thinking about it on and off for around a month now but just cant make a decision. (by “off” I mean to just past my shoulders). My hair is loooong… Not bum length, but over boob length which is pretty long. The last time I cut my hair to my shoulders I was 14 years old. It’s literally taken me this long to grow it out. My hair grows at an inhumanely SLOW rate so cutting my hair off is a big decision as it will probably take the better part of ten years to grow it out again… Eeeek! The usual “it’s just hair, it will grow back” statement does NOT apply to me. I have a lot of thinking and considering to do!!

Anyway, my foot hurts from sitting on it and I have three dogs sitting on my lap so I am going to go and clean my kitchen and read for a while now…

“For my part I know nothing with any certainly, but the sight of the stars always makes me dream…” – Vincent Van Gogh

Brige xx

Soooo… As some of you may have noticed, we have made some changes around here! Or, rather, I have… But whatevs.

As I am no longer a part of the pink vanilla network, I’ve moved the blog over here to my own domain. If you’ve opened up the PVN address, you’ve probably still ended up here because there has been a re-direct put in place… BUT you should bookmark the new address (www.lifeoutloud.com.au in case you are too lazy to lift your head and look at the address bar).

This is just a quick post to say hi, welcome to the new domain, the new(ish) look and also apologise for the half complete new blog layout/design/changes/squirrel/whatever and little changes which keep happening. I’ve had a big day and am running late tonight for the friends we have coming around so probably wont be able to finish up the whole new look tonight… But it will all be done tomorrow and be all shiny and new! So if you’ve come here tonight – sorry… If you’re reading this any time in the future I am guessing you’re thinking “she’s MAD!” … And yes, maybe you’re correct… But that’s a whole different story… !!

Anyhoo, have people yelling at me to come out and play so better runzo…

“You don’t need eyes to see – you need vision…” – Faithless

Brige xx

OK… Um totally, TOTALLY am loving Cory Monteith at the moment!

I mean, come on… Can sing? Check. Can dance? Check? Totally smoking? Check.

Yowwwwza.

Not even usually my type – but seriously – love him!

I don’t even have anythig else to say – literally, nothing…

Totally lame? Well, my husband thinks so!

Brige xx

I got a few Kindle decals sent over to me from DecalGirl and I’ve had a play around with them… My first thought is that I don’t love the idea of decals – I’m more of a ‘naked’ Kindle, iPhone, iPad, laptop etc type gal…

BUT

If you are a decal lover, there are super top quality. I see so many people match all of their decals together with their iPhones/Blackberrys, Kindles etc and its pretty cute… Honestly, I got sort of lost on the DecalGirl site as there are just SO many skins for SO many different gadgets, but that’s not exactly the worst thing in the world. The selection there is just insane! Not only can you choose from a bazillion different skins on their site, but you can also create your own custom skins.

DecalGirl’s skins come in a high gloss as stock, but you can pay a little extra ($5 from memory) to have them made in matte. Since I am not a glossy lover in general, I got two matte skins – the brushed steel and black cat. They arrived quite fast and were not damaged in the mail at all…

Brushed Steel Front (click for larger view)

Brushed Steel Back (click for larger view)

Out of the two skins I received, I liked the brushed steel one better than the black cat… Though it is very drab. I like that it is quite plain and nothing much is really going on with it, but essentially it is just grey with some streaks. When my eLuminator light is shined directly onto it you can JUST see there is a faint sparkle/sheen/shimmer to it, but I feel there should be a LOT more to take away from the boring ‘grey-ness’ of it all…

Black Cat Front (click for larger view)

Black Cat Back (click for larger view)

I think the design of the black cat skin is super cute and I actually like it a lot… But I don’t love it on the Kindle, I just think it is a cute picture! (man I’m boring!) It looks so close to the photo of it on the DecalGirl website which I really like – I hate getting things which look totally different to their picture. I just feel it is a little busy for my Kindle (but there are MUCH busier skins around and I hear it is quite easy to read with one on)…

One downfall is that I hear a lot of people aren’t too confident in actually applying their Kindle skin and there are absolutely no directions that come with it. It may seem pretty straight forward (and it is), but you don’t know that until you have tried it. Trust me, it’s not like trying to put contact on a school book! I think it would be better if it came with some form of instruction – even the simplest 1, 2, 3 step… Instead it says “For additional install tips, visit us @ www.decalgirl.com” … Additional? I think not… There are none to begin with! Plus, can’t seem to find anything on the website either… (maybe I’m just blonde? … Oh wait, yeah that could be it!)

Anyway, I think these decals are brilliant if skins and dressing up your gadgets is for you… Me? I like naked electronics, but hey…

OK that was the LAST Kindle/Kindle accessories review- I promise! (I think…)

Brige xx

PS- The blog is going to be moving to a new location soon so make sure you check back for updates!

I know I have been posting a lot of reviews lately, especially Kindle reviews, but I have some really cool products I want to share so you’re just going to have to put up with me!

I lovvveeee all of the M-Edge products (as you may know by now!) and to many Kindle owners it is important for them to be ‘dressed’ well!

Today I’m reviewing the Prodigy jacket – both the synthetic and leather variations. Over Easter I ordered my black leather M-Edge Prodigy cover over the internet. Unfortunately when I received it, it was the synthetic version and not the leather one… I emailed their customer support who were very prompt to reply to the situation. I have to seriously applaud M-Edge and their team as their customer support was FANTASTIC! They were super kind, super apologetic and super prompt. Was really a great experience as they were so easy to deal with… After about three or four emails I was dispatched a new, leather cover, this time in pebbled purple as I asked for this rather than be sent another black as I now already had the synthetic black variety and didn’t want two of the same colour.

(click image for larger view)

It arrived in only a few days (sent from the US to country Australia) and I LOVE it! There is a clear difference between the synthetic and leather and they really both are quality covers!

The synthetic version is a little lighter to hold than the leather version but is more static and feels much more artificial… It feels a tad ‘plasticy’ but it nice nonetheless.

The leather version (for only around $10 extra) is the clear winner. It is soft, flexible and gorgeous. The colour range available is brilliant and no matter your taste you can definitely find something for you.

(click image for larger view)

Most of the M-Edge covers also include a pocket to house their e-Luminator Light which I see as a huge plus as it stores the light safely away with your Kindle. Having the extra space for the light inside your cover only adds a small amount of width to the cover so it’s not a big deal, but it really keeps everything neatly together which I just love.

M-Edge uses Amazons hinge system in their hinged book-like covers (such as the prodigy and go! jackets) which I love. My kindle always feels safe and secure within the hinges and with the addition of the extra straps, it feels extra safe! Not only do they use the same system as the simple Amazon cover, but they also use the same hinges so you don’t need to worry about damaging your Kindle at all – the Amazon cover and the M-Edge cover uses not only the same system but the exact same hinges.

All in all the covers are seriously gorgeous to look at, protect your kindle, have a pocket your your M-Edge e-Luminator Light. I would buy them in every single colour if I could and use them when my moods change!!

If you’re considering purchasing a cover for your Amazon Kindle, look no further than M-Edge… Check out their entire range at www.medgestore.com

Until next time!

Brige xx

I love the M-Edge product range and the e-Luminator2 light for Kindle is perfect as it fits snugly into the jacket and looks great. If you don’t have am M-Edge jacket for your Kindle, though, this product may not be for you as it only fits with the M-Edge custom covers. There is no clip which clips it onto your device, but rather, the cover has a pocket which the light slips into.

Although the first picture I have posted here shown the light shine on the screen of my Kindle, that is just the photo – I get absolutely no glare from it what so ever.

The light is advertised as being super bright with 20 hours bright light without dimming from 1 AAA battery. I have had mine for around two months now and have gone through five batteries with mine thus far so I am not sure how accurate that is… Mine starts to fade very quickly after changing the batteries and a lot of the time the one dot setting (the dimmer of the two settings) is brighter than what is meant to be the brightest setting, though the colour is a little more yellow.

Even though my e-Luminator burns our rather quickly, I still love this light. It is small, compact, lights the entire screen and fits perfectly with my M-Edge case.

Until next time…

Brige xx

I’ve had my Kindle (K2) for over a month now so I figured it was time to do a proper review, rather than just the happy “I got it, I luurvvveee it” squeals I did before…

I think the most amazing thing about the Kindle is the paper-like display is uses. They call it “e-paper technology” and its just brilliant! It really is like reading from actual paper and is very easily read in bright sunlight without the typical glare you’d get usually. The technology, put very simply is much like an etch-a-sketch… When you ‘turn the page’ the screen very briefly flashes black, clearing away the previous page and replacing it with the next… Much like shaking off your etch-a-sketch.

The Kindle is so light and so thin, weighing around 280 grams and feels very natural and easy to hold in your hands.

I think one of the major pluses about having an e-reader like the Kindle is the money and space you save on books! A typical novel is anywhere from $16-$40 (AU), whereas a Kindle e-book is usually from around $0-$9.95… There are literally millions of out of copyright books available for free at the Kindle store also (pre 1923) with titles such as Treasure Island, Sherlock Holmes and many, many more.

Space is a huge issue with books and seeing as the Kindle can hold up to 1,500 titles in your pocket there will be no more bookshelves with books stacked haphazardly inside them and falling to the floor because there is simply no more space!

The battery life is phenomenal. I haven’t charged my Kindle in over a week and in that time I have read every day and completed three books. My battery STILL hasn’t even reached its half way point.

OK, so as I’ve mentioned above there are GREAT things about the Kindle and I really do love it, but it does have some cons in my opinion…

Firstly, and this is my biggest issue with the Kindle, there is no real ordering system inside the device itself. You can only order your titles by author, title or in order of purchase within your home screen. To me, with what this device is capable of, that’s just not good enough. I really feel that Amazon should include software with the Kindle, or at least have some form of internal system within the K2 where you can sort and order your books in order of your own preference.

It is frustrating that when you order them by author (what I typically do), that within some books, the meta data is incorrect meaning that (on my Kindle) I have Alexandre Dumas up there next to Maggie Alderson (what a difference in authors, hey?!)… There are third party programs such as Calibre which can search and edit your alt tags and meta data but it’s not exactly what I am after, nor is it created by Amazon. Also, if you have a series within your Kindle and choose to sort by author so they are all next to each other and not scattered over 80 pages haphazardly, the order of the books is not correct. Rather than being (for example) ordered 1-8, it can appear 5,1,3,8,4 etc in your home screen which is very, very frustrating.

So within my Kindle I have no way of sorting books I have read from those I haven’t (short of removing them from my device) which I think is – or should be – a very important feature. It would be SO nice to order them in order of 1. what I have read and/or 2. in order of what I want to read. I think that is something the iPad and iPhone’s “Classics” has over the Kindle – the ability to easily order your books and the beautiful home screen you get with it… The good news it, I heard on Kindle Boards that Amazon is currently working on something to fix this ‘issue’!

The second (and very minor) thing which could have been SO easy for Amazon to include is font and screen saver changes. There are loads of hacks for these two things (which I wont do as it makes it very hard if not impossible to install official Amazon updates after this, plus it’s not that important to me), but I see many people who do. It’s actually not important to me to have the ability to change my screen savers as I find the Amazon ones quite nice, but it would be good to have the option, especially as customising and personalising your Kindle is super popular! As far as fonts go, I am more than happy with the default, but then again, many people aren’t.

Due to international publishing law and the copyright of publishers internationally, not all books are available in all countries. For example, a certain publishing house in the US may own the rights to a specific book and give permission for the book to be published digitally. A different publishing house in (for example) Australia may own the rights to that book within this country and has NOT given permission for it to be published digitally. Therefore, even if a certain book is available in the Amazon Kindle Store, it does not mean it is necessarily available to you in your country… This is not an Amazon or Kindle 2 issue – but definitely worth noting.

There are two MUST BUYS with your Amazon Kindle! One being a cover or ‘jacket’ for it (as your Kindle doesn’t come with one) and a light. The jacket is obviously for protection (and of course style!) and the light in my opinion is a necessity. The screen isn’t back-lit (as your eyes respond much better to a paper like screen and never begin to hurt as they would reading a back-lit screen) and is a little darker than the bright white of regular paper. With lights starting at around $15 for your Kindle it’s not a huge expense, but DEFINITELY worth it.

Anyhow, those are my pros and cons for the Amazon Kindle and I’d like to end this review by mentioning a few things… No matter what frustrates me about this device or the things I wish it included, I still absolutely love it and would recommend it to anyone… I thought I would miss holding a book and loving a book but at the end of the day, I haven’t even noticed it. The way I see it, if you’re engrossed in a story, it’s all the same, no matter if you’re reading it on paper or e-paper. I LOVE my Kindle and I don’t think I’ll ever be without one now.

Next week I’ll be reviweing the M-Edge Prodigy Jacket for Kindle, the M-Edge e-Luminator2 Booklight and Kindle skins from Decalgirl

Until next time…

Brige xx

When I got my Project Life in the mail Jen and I were speaking and she told me I “must” take the typical/official project life picture smiling and holding up the box… Here is my (almost) standard P.L picture. Please excuse the quality of the photo – hubby isn’t the best photographer in the world!

On an exciting note, I took some really fun HDR images today which I will be posting this week and also began looking and planning for a new blog layout! FUN!

Until next time…

Brige xx

I have been sitting here pondering and thought I should share the story of how my husband Michael and I met… It’s sort of a weird one but it suits us to a tee!

When I was 12 years old I moved from Sydney to the Snowies with my mum. I did NOT want to move, but obviously had no choice. One winter morning not long after I moved, it was snowing wildly so I was sitting inside by the fire reading and feeling sorry for myself when I hear a voice behind me… “Oi.. Um, where’s your brother?” (by the way, he’s referring to my step brother). I was so shocked and I just looked at him and said “who are you and why are you in my living room?!”

At that moment my step brother walked in with another (similar looking) boy and introduced us all. “Michael and Michael, this is my new sister Brige”. (To make it easier, I’ll call them Mic and Michael – Mic being my (now) husband.)

That day we all had a blast! After the initial shock of meeting them very randomly they asked me if I wanted to go tobogganing with them… I had no way of knowing that they meant EXTREME tobogganing (off our roof and down a giant hill) but I went along. It was seriously fun and that day I made a few great friends.

Over the next few years Mic and I became unreal friends and hung out often. We secretly always sort of liked each other but were always seeing other people and never did anything about it.

When I was 16 I moved back to Sydney and lost contact with Mic completely…

At 19 years old I was sitting in my apartment going through old boxes of photo albums and came across a few pictures of Mic… I was thinking to myself “gee I wonder how I could get in contact with him again?”… It was a small and passing thought as I had to get ready to go out… That was 10th January…

Out in the city with my friends later that night we see a very large bunch of men walking toward us… My mouth absolutely dropped to the floor when I was that Mic was one of them! It was only earlier that I had been thinking of getting in contact with him! Well, that was it… We spoke all night (leaving our friends somewhat unimpressed with us) and eventually parted ways. He said “call me the second you wake up and I’ll come over to hang out”… And I did. And he did. And he never left…

We knew within the first two weeks that this was forever… We fell in love so fast and were talking about our future together almost right away…

We were married on the 23rd August 2008…

In the 5 years we have been together and the 12+ years we have known each other our friendship only gets stronger. We make each other laugh constantly and although we’re supposed to be ‘grown ups’ now, we still act like kids together and occasionally even go back to our roots, doing some form of “extreme” activity…

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams..” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Brige xx

Happy Birthday to my little Ruby Roo!

I seriously cant believe Ruby is one year old today… She was just the BEST present I have ever received in my entire life and she’s such a huge part of our lives. It’s so hard to believe that so much time has passed and she’s celebrating her first birthday! On the other hand its SO hard to believe that Lilie is five this year and Frankie four! All of our babies are growing up!!!

Ruby is an amazingly smart, happy and funny dog. She has personality plus in a teeny tiney 2kg package! She suffers from “little man syndrome” and ‘yells’ at people often… But the second you pick her up and bring her to their level she hushes right up! She’s so friendly and loving and I just can’t imagine my life without her.

Must run, have a heap more work to do and the weather has gone terrible again (worried about Mic camping tonight!!) and my Iinternet keeps going in and out (grr) Here are some pics from today… And she got a red emu and pink donkey as pressies!

“An animals eyes have the power to speak a great language…” – Martin Buber

Brige xx