Phonak microPower

Technology is always evolving. The latest technology from Phonak separates the transmitter (output of sound) from the receiver (microphone) putting the transmitter inside the ear. Previously the transmitter and receiver were a single unit resting outside the ear and sound was then piped into your ear through a plastic tube. What makes this new technology so desirable is that wearing hearing aids can be done much more discretely now. The BTE (behind-the-ear) case is much smaller and lighter making it less noticeable and more comfortable and instead of a 'large' tube going over and into the ear there is a small wire. The new design also helps minimize "feedback" (the squealing noise) because the sound is produced in the ear instead of outside and piped through the tube. Internally there are several other new features (compared to my Supero 413 AZ at least). Among them are an increase in the number of manual modes allowed from 3 to 5, hands-free automatic mode (automatic switching between the different modes depending on surroundings), and Easy Phone's hassle-free telephone use (auto-Tcoil mode).

All comes at a price though ... best I can tell from the web is roughly $2,400 each. I'll have to wear the life out of my current ones before I can justify new ones ..... =(

Read more about the microPower on Phonak's site.

Google Picasa

I've finally gotten around to setting up Google Picasa. It's powerful and really easy to use! Makes it easy to organize photos, setup web albums, do simple image processing and post quick blog entries using images. Check out my public album! Check back often or subscribe to its RSS feed!

Public Album

Plasma or Diamonds?

"Diamonds are no longer a girl's best friend, according to a new U.S. study that found three of four women would prefer a new plasma TV to a diamond necklace. "

Full Story...

Now if only I could return the diamonds I already bought!!

Eagle Cam

As you may have guessed from previous posts, I really like eagles! Here's a high-quality webcam that somone pointed at an eagle's nest. I would prefer people enjoy these birds from a distance and not disrupt their environment! Here's the link anyway:

Eagle Camera - Daylight Hours Only

Banking at Walmart

Walmart wants to open banks??? All they need now is medical care (more than the blood pressure booth) and apartments adjacent or on the second floor. Future generations could live their entire lives all within the confines of the Walmart superstructure! They already have restaurants (Subway), nail care, hair care, eye care, groceries, furniture, housewares, electronics, and car maintenance (one wouldn't even need a car at this point).

Read the article here:

Wal-Mart Gains Allies for Bank Plan

Wilmar
Almaty
Palmate
Waldemar
Walt
Edit...
Ignore all
Add to dictionary

Wilmar
Almaty
Palmate
Waldemar
Walt
Edit...
Ignore all
Add to dictionary

Fascination with Eagles

One of the few things I get enjoyment from on a daily basis during the winter/spring season is watching the eagles along the Black River on my way to work. Every morning I see them perched along the ice edges or in trees looking for food and every once in a great while I bring my camera with me for a few shots. A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to park under a tree where a bald eagle was perched looking out over the river. I didn't even realize he was sitting there until I got out of the truck to take some pictures of a pair sitting down on the ice. Last week I saw 16 bald eagles standing side-by-side along the ice, now that would have made a great picture! Here are two from earlier this month.

Brain Power

You may have seen this next paragraph in SPAM but I found it really interestirng! It demonstrates the power of the human brain to recognize patterns. Amazing!

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Can you read this?? Olny srmat poelpe can.? I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!? If you can raed tihs psas it on

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Eye's Blindspot

I saw this link on digg today and thought it was interesting. It's even a bit freaky!

"Close your left eye and stare at the cross mark in the diagram with your right eye. Off to the right you should be able to see the spot. Don't LOOK at it; just notice that it is there off to the right (if its not, move farther away from the computer screen; you should be able to see the dot if you're a couple of feet away). Now slowly move toward the computer screen. Keep looking at the cross mark while you move. At a particular distance (probably a foot or so), the spot will disappear (it will reappear again if you move even closer). The spot disappears because it falls on the optic nerve head, the hole in the photoreceptor sheet."



Check out the full article here:
http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/bb/blindspot1.html