Meryl's Notes Blog

Think you can’t move faster around a computer? Think again. I received my Just the Tips, Man: Word 2000 book for winning the NerdyBooks newsletter contest. These tips include keyboard shortcuts to quickly move around a software program. Of course, the first I learned were CTRL-C and CTRL-V for copy and paste and ALT-TAB to move between open applications. They have saved me a lot of time and the book is an opportunity to learn more timesavers.

Already, I learned new shortcuts! Pressing ALT-F and then 1 2 3 or 4 is a speedier way to open a recently opened file in Word. The book is set up like those desk calendars that stand up like an easel. Instead of ripping out pages, you flip ‘em over since it is nicely bound with a wire-o bound. My goal is to try to learn a few shortcuts per week so it will become a habit and not something I forget in two minutes.

The tips series characters are cute and make it fun to use. Kenneth, the young kid, represents very easy tips. Shagg, the hippy, shows you some easy ones, dude. Guy Martini, Vegas-lounge singer wanna-be, shares the cool tips. Tomboy Shelli, who reminds me of me as a kid hooked on sports, passes you some funky tips. Grumpy Mr. Nester prepares for you the long and annoying tips. Finally, the Harvard School of Tipology graduate, Professor Lester, walks through the complicated tips.

Yes, the book is worth every cent. OK, so I didn’t buy it, but whenever a family member has a birthday — this will make a good gift! No, the authors didn’t bribe me. I am just a happy winner who actually likes and uses the tips!

Thanks to Ezine-Tips editor, Janet Roberts for leading me back to the famous iVillage quizzes by asking, “Are you a kitchen slut?” in her foodblog (Warning: do not go there on an empty stomach!). When I got there, I saw a Halloween costume personality quiz. Since I haven’t decided what I want to be or if I even want to bother, I took it for the heck of it. Results:

“You never do things on the spur of the moment and are extremely organized and meticulous. You refuse to take chances and analyze each possible scenario before acting. You lean towards perfectionism. When it comes to Halloween parties and costumes, you love classic costumes and more than likely will wear the same one you have worn for years!”

OK, I admit it. I am organized and meticulous (think Monica on Friends). I’m not spontaneous mainly because I have two kids that can’t stay home by themselves. Refusing to take chances… not so sure about that. Perfectionist? Yep. Classic costumes? Well, do you call a cell phone a classic costume? That’s what I was last year. Here’s what the quiz suggested I wear for a costume and my comments:

• Witch - been there, done that, no more.
• Frankenstein’s Bride - overdone.
• Indian Princess - yeah, right. Me, princess? Ha.
• Medusa - Hmm… do I want to turn everyone into stone?
• Southern Belle - Frankly, my deah, I dahn’t give ah dahmn!
• Any Disney Princess (Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella) - Yeah right. I was begging my daughter not to be a princess AGAIN. This year, she is Hermione from Harry Potter.

In cartoons, we see a character banging himself into a ceiling or falling off a cliff (Wile E. Coyote, who else?) and then seeing stars, birdies, and whatnot. Now, you can see them for real if you’re a Cowboys or Cardinals fan. NextDraft reported this newsbyte, “A company in NY is coming out with designer, non-prescription contact lenses that feature the logos of your favorite NFL teams. While the lenses are non-prescription, anyone who buys these things may want to see a doctor.” Interesting that the Dallas Cowboys didn’t even make the list of the top 3. Boy, does that tell you how bad they are these days with the 1-4 record and their one win coming from a 0-5 Redskins.