Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Why Haven't You Posted?

Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
(YES, that is one of many glaciers)

Dear Friends,


Last night two dear friends asked why I hadn't posted in awhile.   Well, I guess several reasons - it takes me longer these days to do anything (including think).  Then last week there were a couple of days that I could barely type because my hands were bouncing around all over the place.  I was also going through a "dumps" period for a week or two.   You know the kind - "poor me" - "why me"  - pity weeks.  No, I don't want anyone else to feel sorry for me - I did enough of that myself last week.  As I have said, there are many  young people in this big wide world with worse problems.   I really feel that way 99.9% of the time.  But I guess a case of the "poor me blues"  was bound to creep up on me.  It has been a year since I was diagnosed with PD, and this is the first time I've gone through it.      


My self-pity period may have been blessing in disguise as it forced me into doing something proactive.   I've purchased a computer program called "Dragon Nuance Naturally Speaking."    Several good friends on Twitter have been encouraging me for about 6 months to look into it.   After having a bad couple of weeks of not being able to type much, I decided it was TIME to at least check into it.


My big concern was that it might not be compatible with Twitter and Blogger, as those are my two big social outlets.   A call to the company representative assured me it was compatable.   And, it just so happened they had a little special going on whereby there would be $50 off the Blue Tooth head set.   My son-in-law (SIL) told me the Dragon has been around for years - they kind of come on strong for awhile, then fade away for awhile, then come back strong again after improving things.   He said there was no concern with my computer not being able to handle it.    After talking it over with Don, I decided to order it.


What is Dragon?   It's a system that will allow me to dictate the words to be typed and the program will type for me.   Beats me as to how this is possible. But I've always said (especially when there are problems with the computer) that there are little tiny gremlins running around inside the computer and every now and then they say "gotcha."   So maybe now the little gremlins are the ones who will be typing for me.   he he.    


I'm excited for it to come, which will probably be one day this week.  Unfortunately, there will be a learning curve for both me and the software.   Dang, I swear this computer stuff is smarter than humans sometimes.   I had to laugh when she said the program would have a learning curve too.  I wonder if it gets an A, B or a C and who will rate it.   


Oh, and does that mean I'll be pacing the floor while dictating.  ha ha - every boss I ever had that dictated paced the floor!!   Stay tuned for more news on this one.


Mary

9 comments:

  1. Oh that sounds catastic! I wonder if you can teach it lol speak. I sure hope smooch is in its dictionary! Did you know that the iphone has great speech recognition? It was set up to help the blind. When it is turned on, (sorry I don't know the program name) a person can touch the different icons on the phone screen and it tells them what it is before tapping on it to make it work. My hubby loves that silly siri thing that you can talk to that helps do stuff to. So if you don't have a new iphone, stash your pennies and get one of those next. purrrr I can't wait till your program comes.

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  2. That DOES sound catastic! I can't wait for it to come and you to learn it and then...heaven help! We'll never get you off-line. xoxoxo

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  3. It sounds wonderful! I hope it works out for you. I will be looking forward to lots of posts from you.

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  4. Yay! You finally went for it. Good for you. Once you get the hang of it, you'll be glad you did. Woo hoo!

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  5. You know we are happy you ordered Dragon. Very happy! Glad to see you posted today. We all get into the self-pity thing sometimes, illness or not. Some last longer than others. Glad you are doing better with that. Love U
    Penny & Tippy
    Meow_Girls
    & Human Kathy

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  6. Oh, I sure hope it's everything you need it to be. I know I've heard of it but never thought to look into it.

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  7. Fan-bluddy-tastic! Az I started readin yur blog I thought: Mario shd save up some treat munny & buy hiz mom some voice rekognisshun sofware.... & whaddayaknow!? It's gonna be lurnin yur voice/accent so it don't type like an aussie downunder. Speakin a downunder... don't go down in the dumps, come down here to Straylia! I fink U & Don wood luv it.
    Take care Mary, I'll be backta chek up on ya anutha day,
    Cheers, Wallas xox

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  8. OH this is fabulous! We hope that this software makes it easy peasy for you. WE just know it's the answer.

    (((hugs)))

    xoxoxox

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  9. I am so glad you got that software. It really is a fabulous program, I have a lot of friends and relatives who SWEAR by it. The piggies wish you luck in using it!

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