Favorite Apps

Google Maps – Yes, it’s a pretty standard map, but the geo-location feature is awesome (my gigantic shoe phone aka, Treo didn’t have the locating bit, and took about 5 hours to load). So example of awesomeness… yesterday I decided to ride my bike to Chipotle for lunch, so instead of trying to remember exactly where the downtown location was, I just started riding and then after I passed the Hawthorne bridge, I stopped to look at my phone… and ta da… I was only a few blocks away.

Foursquare – I’m the king of town. And no, I don’t Tweet “I’m at blah blah blah” every 5 minutes. I do enjoy ousting people as mayor and collecting badges though. Also, if you shout “Zzzzzzzzzzzzzz” (a vuvuzela) or “Goooooooooal” you get a nifty World Cup badge. :)

Mint – If you know me in real life then you know I’m a huge Mint fan. I’ve probably asked you more than once if you’ve signed up yet. If only it was a pyramid scheme of some kind…

Groupon – Speaking of pyramid schemes and totally awesome apps… we’ve discussed my Groupon obsession, yes? Yes. So the deal part of the app isn’t that special, as I get the morning email anyway, but being able to use your Groupon from your iPhone is brilliant (I don’t own a printer). Also, I like being able to see all the Groupons I’ve already bought on a map, to see which is closest to me… exactly now. Give me $10 k thx bai

Pandora - I like.

Match.com – man shopping from your iPhone? Awesomeness.

Trivial Pursuit – I bought this app during the EA 1/2 off sale last week — totally worth 99 cents.

Words with Friends – I have 8 Scrabble games going right now.

Shazam – What is this song? Oh. This app makes me squeal and clap my hands.

Rue La La – another squeal-worthy app. Rue is my favorite sample sale site (Gilt is my 2nd fav and they also have an app, although the dept structure isn’t as nice as their website).  I especially love the picture flipping feature. Rue La La invite

RedLaser – it’s a frickin’ laser beam. So I was at the store buying food for my kitteh, and I couldn’t tell if it was outrageously expensive or not. RedLaser said it was a deal. Score.

Chipotle – I like the idea for this app, but in practicality I prefer to actually go through line and ask for extra everything.

My24 – love being able to check class schedules from my phone.

Zipcar – I can now unlock my zipcar — and HONK THE HORN! — with my lovely iPhone. You can also reserve with the app, but really, the appeal to me is honking.

Sleep Cycle – it appears that I fall straight into a coma at night. My charts and graphs don’t look too much like the examples. Not sure if I’m doing it wrong or just an insanely heavy sleeper.

P Tracker Lite – TMI? Probably, but still a pretty cool app.

DailyBurn – I used the web-based version previously, so it was fun to be able to login and test it out. I’d like to try the barcode scanner feature, but surprise, surprise: I don’t want to pay for it.

iHandy Level – now that I own my place, I’m a little more concerned about getting nails in right the first time.

IKEA UK – I found the UK catalog app for when I just have to look at IKEA magic.

As you may have noticed, I’m kind of a fan of free apps. I think I will set up a new category in Mint, titled “Apps” and my budget shall be $1.98/month.

Brief complaints: #1: Remember the Milk app I am not interested in paying for with so many stellar free options. #fail. #2: ESPN World Cup app asks me if I want to pay every time I open it. #ithoughtitwouldbebetter

What’s your favorite iPhone app? What am I missing out on?

• I have a block of tofu, now what? Best question, evah! I like this recipe for Tofu Stir Fry
• How to make the restaurant guest happy Priceless.
• Has anyone traveled with there kids to Vietnam Where? Oh, there! No, but I’m sure some have traveled with their kids to Vietnam.
• Hello Kitty toilet Unfortunately, I have not seen a Hello Kitty toilet, but I’m sure you can find one in Japan — they even have Hello Kitty condoms.
• Hispanic countries that eat rice and beans Is this a trick question?
• How to make Germans happy #1. Be on time. #2. Make lists. #3. Don’t make stupid jokes about making Germans happy.
• How to convince someone to go scuba diving Tell them it’s fun. If fun doesn’t appeal to them, just tell them it will be an adventure. If amazing adventures don’t appeal to them, just tell them to save their money and go snorkeling instead.
• How to run a crepe business Mmm crepes… I would have hundreds of questions for this one, but I do have mighty fine Nutella & Banana Crepes to share.
• How to travel to another continent #1 Get a passport. #2 Go by boat or plane.
• Phoning it in at the gym – I’m glad to see that Jillian Michaels is annoying other people with her overuse of this saying.
• public transport ikea sunrise Yes, yes, and yes. All things that make me smile.
• Salvia trellis from IKEA where to buy? I don’t think you need my help with this one. Hint: start with the place after “from” in your search.
• Should I contribute to my 401k from my bonus? Decidedly so, it lowers your effective tax rate… just do it.
• things that come from cows I feel like 1st graders are reading my blog.
• what is the going price for a 48′ long finished shipping container I don’t know, but I’m intrigued!
• what to eat after 30 day shred workout? lots of food
• “a canadian” “mark h” spain You’re so vain — Mark H from Canada who was traveling in Spain… you probably think this blog is about you. For the record, I didn’t meet a Mark H from Canada when I was in Spain, probably because he was too busy Googling himself.
• Expedit bookcase fit taxi singapore Hmmm… if I remember correctly, most of their taxis were Corollas, so I would say yes, but only if they let you fold the seats down. :P
• A new machine that can shred your own food under 45 or 30 seconds I’m filing a patent for this new blender/shredder machine as I type this.
• couldn’t finish day 1 level 1 of 30 day shred Sorry, but there’s no excuse for that — try harder!
• How will i look after 30 day shred Well that depends on a lot of things… what you look like now, what you eat, your body type, how hard you try etc
  
• how to pronounce chefchaouen Chef (“a cook”) sh ow (as in “cow”) in.
• McMenamins ruby’s spa coupons Wait, what? I want! If you find one, do share!
• Obama having a beer with lunch “before work” Hello there, Republicans. Dad, is that you? I’m loving the quotes around “work”
• oregan reading progams – Hmm… sounds like we need to start some Oregon spelling programs. (photo by: laurakgibbs)

Any questions?

• You should read about bears that like to go shopping Thank you for the lovely tip. Where might these bears shop? Maybe at Build-A-Bear workshops!
• I’m tired of eating frozen vegan food I would be too! Might I suggest Brazilian Black Beans, Beets & Rice?
• Things that makes Santa happy For risk of you thinking I’m a horrible person, I’ll just say hot chocolate and lists? (I wasn’t the kind of child who believed in Santa. The logistics just never worked out for my realist mind. I’m officially “unfun” now.)
• Things to beware of in Greece 1. That you might fall in love with the country and not want to leave. 2. That the food will be too delicious, the beaches too grand, the ouzo too strong, and the people too friendly. 3. That Mykonos is over-rated and damn expensive!
• Asking forgiveness, not permission? Yes, I highly recommend it. After a lifelong struggle with authority, it’s a fairly safe method to live by. ;)
• 10 things you must have on a yacht Hmmm… a sail, buoys, rope, life jackets, beer… well there are five things to start with anyway.
• White water rafting in Spain with Royal Caribbean cruise? Only if you’re interested in paying 5x the regular price and hanging out with boring seniors (Hi Grandma, no you’re not boring, but you also wouldn’t go white water rafting, eh?)
• Accidentally ate bugs in rice Unfortunate. I ate a bug on purpose.
• Best Halloween rock songs Well, I did make an alternative/rock Halloween mix a few years ago.
• As you continue to not answer me Well at least you’re not passive-aggressive, yeah? I am answering, dear Internet. That’s why this post is called “Answer me this!”
• Cole Haan shoes in Bangkok Word to the wise: they’re probably not really Cole Haan.
• How do I know what pictures to hang in what room? May I suggest Apartment Therapy – the eight-step home cure.
• Powered by tofu unemployed Easy now, no need to rub it in!
• How to pack a scarf Option 1: wear it. Option 2: stuff it in your bag.
• Is Palinka strong? Decidedly so.

Have a question, that wasn’t covered in the above list? Shocking! Leave a comment or email me!

Answer me this!

More “Answer Me This!” fun…

• Is Greece expensive to visit? That depends! As long as you stay clear of Mykonos, you’ll find budget options all through the Cyclades islands. I paid 20 Euros/night for a single room with a balcony and A/C in Naxos, add in your 3 Euro bike rental, 2 Euro gyro, 2 Euro gelato… and you’re on a budget path to luxury living!
• What is it in rhubarb that makes me happy? I have pondered the same thing on occasion… maybe it’s the mix of sweet and sour or just how yummy it is in a turnover.
• Can saliva make you live someone else’s life? This totally seems like something Tom Cruise would know…
• Do metros run on Bastille Day? In France? Yes, unless they’re on strike! (Marseilles & Paris, anyway)
• Does IKEA sell ladders? Probably just for rickety bunk beds.
• How many people does the McMenamins Edgefield concert on the lawn hold? I’m not sure, maybe you should ask them.
• How to make a ladder? It’s probably safer to buy one…
• How to make tofu in Vietnam? The same way the Japanese do?
• On Intrepid tours can couples room together? Only if they’re married… I’m kidding! Of course, that’d just be creepy otherwise.
• Is Bastille day like the 4th of July? In the sense that it’s like an Independence Day, yes. However it commemorates the storming of the Bastille in Paris on July 14, 1789.
• Is GAP Adventures a good way to pick up chicks? Statistically speaking… probably — since there are more females than males on GAP trips.
• Is there a Starbucks in Veliko Tarnovo? Nope, but I’m pretty sure there was one in Sofia.
• For margherita pizza do you bake the basil? Yes, but I put the tomatoes on top, so it doesn’t burn the basil.
• A massage girl in Malaysia? Oh dear…
• What’s the safest place to watch fireworks on Bastille day? Under the Eiffel Tower with millions of people?
• Is Seth Godin a vegan? I don’t know… ask him.
• Should I live in Bend, Oregon? Decidedly so! They get 300 days of sun a year!
• Traveling to Greece and Turkey this fall – should i buy olive oils in Turkey or Greece? Either! Which ever country you’re going to last, so you don’t have to carry it around.
• What are the things that makes me happy? I couldn’t tell you, but here are some things that make me happy!
  
• What happens on the fourth of July in France in every year? Absolutely nothing…
• What to wear for a concert at Edgefield? shorts, tank & flippy floppies!
• People eat tarantulas in Vietnam? Usually Cambodia.
• I’ve been to Malaysia. Yep, so have I!
• I listen to the Economist while cooking. Thanks for the tip!
• Things that make me unique? That you Googled that question! Hmmm… Probably not something you can learn on the Interwebs.
• 10 Reasons to be Greek. I can help you with 10 Reasons to Visit Greece…
• Where are my tomatoes? I was wondering that a few weeks ago too, but it looks like they’re finally growing!
• Where to travel when you are 55 year old woman for adventure? Everywhere! New Zealand and Japan would be a good starting point, but for the more adventurous try Cambodia, Morocco or Central America.
• Zip loc bags instead of compression bags for packing? I concur! Check out my Packing List
• What to wear to Bulgaria & Romania? Lime green mini skirts were fairly popular among the local lasses, but you might be more comfortable in jeans/long shorts and tank tops.
• Baking your way through a quarter-life crisis? That sounds like a brilliant idea!
• Going to the Whitsundays by myself? Yes! Sailing the Whitsundays was one of my favorite experiences in Australia.
• How do I stop saying “yeah”? Try traveling somewhere that you don’t speak the language…

OK, this geeked out post is done!  :)

The List:
Europe
North America
South America
Asia
Africa
Australasia

*UPDATE: I found a flash version, Purpose Games, that includes all the little un-countries like Monaco & Andorra. There went my great scores!

 *UPDATE AGAIN: TripAdvisor started a Games section of their site that has really fun map games, well fun if you’re a nerd anyway.