app of the week v1

AppsGoneFree

I would like to start off my app of the week with the AppsGoneFree app.  I am starting with this app as a representation of what I would like reviewing apps to help with: people finding apps that work well and fulfill a need.  AppsGoneFree suggests normally paid apps that are currently free.  And I would like my reviews to suggest apps for people that are looking for great apps (as I am someone who likes to find an app made well that helps me on a day-to-day basis).  In addition to that I think a lot of time people underestimate apps and how they can enrich/help/make easy their lives daily.  So to start this review off I am listing pros and cons to AppsGoneFree.  Then listed below is a section that breaks down UI (user interface), functionality, and a few other aspects of the app.  There are multiple screen shots and then towards the end there is an app rating and a price (if any) of the app.

+Pros:
- Suggests free apps that normally are paid.
- Lists screen shots, reviews, and info about each app.
- Apps are listed for iPhones, iPads, and universal apps that work for both devices.
- App will notify you daily when a new issue of free apps is in.

+Cons:
- App is funded by ads so it is not ad-free. It contains header ads.
- I would say that really is the only con to this app.

+UI, Functionality, and other aspects
I think AppsGoneFree has a great interface and is set up in a way that makes sense.  It lists an index of the apps free for that day on the main page.  Each free app section has a picture, title, app developer name, star rating, short description, and how much it would have cost if you bought it. (See pic below)

If you are interested in downloading one of the free apps then all you have to do is select on any part of the app section: icon, title, short description, etc, and it will take you to a page that will give you screen shots, an extended description, and extended reviews.  You can then click on the "Free" button and it will launch the App Store on your iPhone/iPad where you can actually download the app.  

On the page where you see the screen shots there is also a share button in the top right hand corner that allows you to email the info about the free app and share the info on Facebook or Twitter.  

You can also view past issues of AppsGoneFree by scrolling to the bottom of the main page of the app and selecting, "That's it for today folks! Want more? View previous issues." 

I think this app is very intuitive and a great resource for a person causally looking for great new apps or an avid/power user that is looking for apps  that will improve day-today functions they would normally have to pay for.  All in all I would give it:

+Rating: 8.5 out of 10 points

The only reason I did not give it a 10 was because of the cons listed above.  Additionally, the app itself is free.

+Price: Free

I hope you have enjoyed this review and will continue to read my reviews and be on the lookout for great apps.  If you would like me to review any specific apps let me know, email me at themiddleicardi@me.com or connect at twitter @themiddleicardi

Here is the app developer's website and the link to the app in iTunes where you can download it, see more reviews, etc.

Developer's site: http://appchronicles.com/category/apps-gone-free/

iTunes app link: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/appsgonefree/id470693788?mt=8

app of the week intro:

     To start off this “app of the week” thing I would like to give you an idea of how I am going to do this.  The review will consist of a few different aspects/facets.  I want to give an overall pro/con list of each app.  This will include what it is good and what it is bad/missing from the app.  Then I want to go over a few key aspects of apps that I care about: UI, functionality, etc.  And finally based off of all of the above criteria I have discussed about an app, I'll give it a 1-10 rating and give you a direct link to that app in the app store so you can check it out, check other reviews people are giving it, and buy/download it if you want.  And as I said before, let me know any apps you would like for me to check out and I'll review them.  As a preview the first app for review is AppsGoneFree.  In the review I'll share why I'm starting with that one specifically.

idea: app per week

Hi Internet world,

So, I had a dream and thought last night/this morning and as I was waking up.  I really like finding and using apps that work well and have amazing UI's (user interface).  As a result, I am always online looking for new apps, on the app store, and on other apps that suggest other apps.

You get get the idea.  So I thought I should take an app a week and review it.  I know this is not a new idea, but I hope it is helpful in finding apps that could benefit you as I share something I love: awesome apps.

You can expect to see a new review every Monday or Tuesday.  Feel free to send ideas for apps you'd like reviewed.

something new

hey all,
so it's been awhile, since march actually since i posted.  so this is a catch up...
without actually being a catch up.  hm.  it's a catch up in that it's a new post...
but there really is no new info.  at least not for now.  i wish i was constantly posting on this...
it's hard though at times to keep up with this.  why?  well i don't easily write about myself, how i'm feeling, etc. so this is already hard.  and i do not often see people look at this site so it's even less reason to write.
hm...
well that's all for now.

st. patty's day

Today was pretty good.  It was my first Saturday that I have had off completely in a really, really long time.  I am so thankful for it.  It was from an interest standpoint, fairly uneventful and boring.  But I am ok  with that.  I slept in, chilled, watched a fair amount of Star Trek, made some great corned beef and cabbage, and will probably be getting an early start to sleep tonight.  It is interesting to consider how big of a day this is for some.  Green, drinking, heritage, etc. are just a few words to describe the day.  Also brisket burger with corned beef (which I wish I had gone to 4Rivers to get).  Anyway, for a lot of people today they will get completely drunk/wasted and "celebrate" in that way and have a crazy night.  I'll pass on that and take a more quiet and calm night.  Call me unexciting and boring.  I am ok with that for today :)

neglectful

I have been of late very neglectful of my blog.  I guess with work keeping me busy, thinking of the near future (this next fall), and a few other things I have not been keeping up with this dialogue.  And this (http://themiddleicardi.tumblr.com/) has pulled some attention away form my blog (I am sorry blogger.com you are not the only fish in the pond).  But I am back and just wanted to leave a quick note here.

Overall, life is good.  Nothing too exciting has occurred.  I am just trying to figure out (well and procrastinating) what this next Fall will hold.  I definitely want to continue my education and get "back in the game".  I have had this semester (and really last semester as I only took one online class) off of school and I want back in.  I am currently trying to decide mainly between FSU and UCF.  I would love to attend a school out of state, but financially that will not happen (unless I am beyond blessed with a bunch of money).  I would like to attend FSU so that I can go somewhere else (no offense O-town), but they do not have an Apple store and I really want my current job to transfer.  We'll see.  Well, there's a quick update.  Hopefully I will not be neglecting this conversation in the near future as much as I had been.

remember those smells

You know when you smell something that reminds you of a previous time, place, person, or thing?  The funny thing is that awhile back (well when I was younger) I did not think that things would cause a reminiscence of past times.

But they do (and sometimes they happen quite often).

The other day I was at work (4Rivers) and got the whiff of a bucket of water and instantly I was transported back to being in the pool and it being a rainy day.  It was one of those comforting smells that takes you back to your childhood, ya know?  I really like remembering those summer days when it would rain all day and you could smell the rain in the air.  And I did not have that many responsibilities.  Playing in the mud and throwing water balloons.  I am definitely glad I had the childhood that I did.

Early starts

I don't often get a really early start to my day.  You know where you get up an hour or two before you need to and just jump start your day?

Yep, this morning definitely wasn't that.  But I really like to have an early start to my day.  I feel so accomplished then by mid-morning.  It is hard because even when I have to get up "early" (8ish) I usually only wake up with enough time to shower and get dressed.  But that's not enough time to really get the day going.  I really like what a friend blogged about taking breakfast (see post).  It's such an important thing to do in getting an early start to your day.

Maturity

I am very excited to say that I will have a nephew at the end of June this year.  I am so happy for my brother, sis-in-law, and niece.  Adding another one to the family.

As I've been thinking about them and my own life it is weird to think that I will also have kids sometime in the future (at least I hope I do... I think I hope so anyway haha).  I have been thinking about what it means to grow up and what becoming an adult looks like.  I am realizing as I get older and new children are born that time continues to move forward despite how I've sometime viewed life.  And what I mean is that time, the earth, life, etc. does not revolved around me (crazy, right?)    I know that sounds ridiculous but I have definitely looked at life like this before.  I have had this selfish/egotistical/ideal view that as my life progresses time moves right in step.  But that is not at all the case.

As I see my brother have children I see that a new generation is being born and growing up.  In a decade or so I will be the uncle (I am one already, but I mean the uncle that my niece and nephew will recognize as their uncle).  Those figures (my uncles) that I had as a child and as I grew up... I will be that guy.  Time is a weird thing.  And so is growing up (I just hope that growing up is accompanied by maturity as well).

Not a big deal.

I finally got around to updating and changing up my blog a little bit.  Hope it's better than it was previously.

new years eve anecdote

Today started off as an alright day, worked a 4-hour shift at Apple.  Then I went to 4 Rivers.  I knew we were going to close a little earlier because of New Years.  Little did I know what I was about to get myself into at 3pm.  To-gos hit the ground running when I was there and for two straight hours (3-5pm) we were non-stop.  All of that was well and good when I heard we were closing at 5pm.  Haha, that was not at all the case.  Turns out we actually did not stop serving people until about 7pm.  And then we got out by 9pm.  Glad we were able to get out before midnight.

Crazy day.  Happy New Year's ya'll!

It's two thousand twelve!

Christmas time.

It's already December 29th.  I cannot believe Christmas has come and gone so fast.  Having two jobs now I feel like my schedule goes like this: wake up, work, maybe my other work then, come home, eat, sleep, wake up, and do everything all over again.  But I am thankful for both of them.  This Christmas, while quick, was a great one.  Mike, Laura, and Ella came down from VA and Stephen came in from Tally.  We had a few days with M, L, and E before they went to Tally to be with Laura's family for Christmas.  We went to my cousin's in Clearwater for our Christmas.  And after Christmas M, L, and E came back to Orlando and we celebrated all together.  It has been a weird fall semester/holiday but I am thankful for all the time that my whole family has had together!

Playing catch up

So it's been so long since I have posted.  In a few short lines:
- Apple is awesome.  My work experience up until now has pretty much all been great.
- 4Rivers.  I am still waiting to really get started with this job.  I've had training, now I am just waiting for the opening of the new location.
- Life has been crazy busy with those two jobs and with Christmas coming up and Thanksgiving just past.
- I hope to write more soon.

Take care all!

Quick Update

I know I have been so remiss in updating this.

I just want to give you a quick update on my job situation. Well God has blessed me with two great opportunities.


Yep, He provided two part time jobs: Apple, Inc. and 4Rivers Smokehouse.

I am quite excited to start working for both of these great companies.  I have already had Apple core training (this past weekend: all day Fri., Sat., and Sun.) and will have more training this week as well as training for 4Rivers this week.  I actually received a call from Apple two Fridays ago while I was at 4Rivers for an interview.  So within an hour I had two part time jobs.  Huge, huge answer to prayers and blessings!  Thanks all for your encouragement and prayers with and for me along this journey.

Blessed... Further news

Hi all,

I'm sorry I have not updated this sooner in regards to my previous note (Blessed).  Well, there are two things that happened not this past Friday, but the previous one.  I got a call from a restaurant in VA/DC area asking me to come in to talk to a manager, which is crazy, and I received an email-invite to an Apple hiring event that happened this past Tuesday.   So, this past Monday I talked to the restaurant and am now waiting to talk over the phone with a manager, which is a lot nicer than going to VA and then maybe being told, "Sorry, you have have come all the way up here but we actually don't want to hire you."  This saves that embarrassing possibility.

Then on Tuesday I went to the Apple hiring event, which was cool.   I was asked back for an afternoon interview, after the morning "group interview".  The afternoon interview went fine and I was sent that day a background form to fill out.  Now I am waiting for a final in-store interview to see if I am hired or not!  PTL!

So that's what I wanted to share.  God truly has blessed me so far with these potential jobs.  Thank you all for all your prayers!

Deeper

Listening to this song today.  Great lyrics.
(Here's a video version: Deeper by Hillsong UNITED)

Deeper

Light of men
Love of God
Healing for the wounded heart
Like a child I quiet my soul
Hear Your voice surround me Lord

Jesus, hold me into Your heart
Into Your heart
Lord my soul delights
And I know You hear my prayer
Take me deeper Lord
Glorious Son to You I shall bow
Bow my knee, bow my will
Cherished by the strong and the weak
Humble hearts shall hear You speak

By Your love Lord You opened my heart
Now Your light will shine always
By Your Word Lord Your promise secure
And my soul will live always

Take me deeper Lord

Blessed

I am very blessed.  God has been providing in different ways and really glad to see where He might take me.

More details to come in the next week or so.

Weird day.

It's been a weird day today.

This past Sunday I headed to Tally to see my brother and go to the Passion 2012 University Tour stop at FSU.  I left late afternoon on Sunday and got in that evening.  It was great time with my bro and his friends up there.  He is interning at a ministry (CCF) this year and is living in one of their houses.  It's a cool set-up.  He lives there with two other interns and a resident guy.  So I was there for Monday and Tuesday.  We grabbed coffee on Monday and caught up some, I was able to share more about my processing India with him.  It was good; I always like when people are willing to hear out where I am at and actually want to hear what I have to say.  Then on Monday I got to attend CCF's campus gathering.  This is there weekly night with worship songs and a message from their director, Michael.  It is awesome to see what he is apart of up there and what Stephen has had his hand in.  He truly is an awesome brother and over-flowing with creativity.  CCF marketing, graphics, media, etc. can attest to this.

Then on Tuesday, I slept in, which was nice.  I went to Panera for awhile, around three hours, while he had a meeting that was longer than the time I was at Panera(!).  And that night we went to Passion 2012 University Tour.  Charlie Hall and Kristian Stanfill led everyone in an awesome worship time.  And we had a simulcasted talk from Louie Giglio.  It was a great night.  I also got to see and sit with my friends from Jax that are apart of Campus to City Wesley (CCW).

So I decided because I needed to get back Wed. (today) morning and it was advised that I sleep before I head back to Otown from Tally, I left Stephen's place around 3:45am and made it back to Orlando around 8am.  That is why its been a weird day today.

Goodbye Washington, DC

I headed home today from my brother's and sister-in-laws in Arlington, VA.  It was a great trip to spend taking care of my niece with my mom.  See below post for pictures.

I enjoyed the weather as it started out probably in the 80s when I first arrived and got down to the 60s and 50s.  Great weather.  That is one huge perk of VA/DC.  A possible down side is that it becomes unbearably cold in the winter, for a FL boy anyway.

We had some hard times and some great times.  The hard times include Ella breaking down, screaming, fitful-screaming tantrums.  You know, what 14 month olds do.  But we would got through those times.  Either she would realize we were no longer paying attention to her and that the fits were not getting her anyway or that whatever was bothering her passed.  Than we got back to normal.  In fact, the mood swings were such that one moment she would be screaming like she was dying and the next she would be smiles and laughing.  It was a little bit crazy.

But the fun/good times were well worth the hard ones.  To be able to spend time with this little one who is the daughter of by brother.  Still a weird idea.  But awesome nonetheless.  We played with blocks, old cell phones, push car/things, food, etc.  Mainly I was just glad to be there.  I know for so many people often, especially if they are separated by long distances with family, they do not get to share in the growing up years of their nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.  I want to be there for Ella and be family even with were separated by hundreds of miles.  She really is the cutest kids ever (ok, ok one of the cutest ever).  It's not really worth arguing over ;)

#documentlife: Ella in Sept-Oct '11

Here are some pics of my mom, Ella, and me from my trip to VA/DC.  Ella makes some crazy faces sometimes.