Tear Gas, Holiday Shopping and the T-Mobile Girl

Two Tuesdays ago, a priest, a pregnant teen and an old lady all get pepper sprayed. Sounds like the start of a bad joke, doesn't it. Well, though its mostly true (some of the initial headlines included a priest, but I can't find it now), I wasn't there. I was braving the crowds, cops and chemical agents to go see Carly Foukes.  If you don't recognize the name, maybe the picture will help.

If the pink and white dress doesn't help, she's the T-Mobile girl. T-Mobile and Kristin from Our Ordinary Life was hosting bloggers at a Holiday Tips and Tricks event at the downtown Seattle store.

Unfortunately, Carly must not know how to avoid tear gas exposure, as she wasn't there. And she's probably not as hot with streams of mucus running from her cute little nose, crying and gasping for air through those red lips.

While nibbling on snacks from a veggie tray, I learned about some of the mobile hot spot devices that T-Mobile sells and some great tips when purchasing a new phone or carrier.

• What does my rate plan cover?
• What kind of speeds/data am I getting?
• How much will my monthly payments be and/or other charges?
• What’s the exchange/return policy?
• Is my/my recipient’s home and workplace covered by your network?
• What are roaming charges?
• What are your warranty/insurance policies

There were some fun activities, it wasn't just all about tips.  It was a good thing I paid attention, because I did pretty well in the quiz and got a few HTC coupons.  T-Mobile has increased smart phone users 40% not 60% (I used my family as an example, our usage increased 60% over the last year, so I guess we're not normal).

Another Android user and I went head to head against two iPhone users on a MyTouch phone.  The iPhone users did pretty well with the T-Mobile customized Android version, the Android users prevailed, way to go Tara (I couldn't remember my Facebook password which I had changed the day before).  But really, you can switch easily from iPhone to Android.

My sexy wife, Heather, won a shiny new Android phone. I don't think she'll switch to it (we're locked into AT&T) and until there is an Android Instagram app, she's not interested in switching. And as long as she keeps on taking pictures of her cool shoes, I'm happy that she's got Instagram, too!

Though the likelihood of me switching to T-Mobile is low, it was a fun event. It was good to catch up with Carol and meet The Happy Girl. Even if Carly wasn't there.

Though I didn't get compensated, I did get a bag of swag. I have a flying, squealing, slingshot T-Mobile monkey now!

A great weekend

Its been quite awhile since I've last posted but this was a great weekend that I should share about. And for those of you who follow my wife on Twitter, there was no Sir Mix A Lot in my life this weekend.

It started out like just about any other weekend, waking at 4:45 AM to take the kids to swim practice. But kid 1 went to watch the Girls State Swim Meet, so he didn't need a ride back afterwards.  Kid 2 and I stopped at a ski swap and after we checked it out, we went back with Heather and Kid 3, who had been at home.

We got some snow pants for kid 2 (yes, the one who had been there with me, but I'm no good for clothing selection, evidently).

Kid 2 got her ears pierced twice more in each ear (read: 4 more holes in her head) and contrary to how it was when they were first pierced, no tears.

After that we hung out and got lunch at a sushi place and then did some more clothes shopping for kid 2. It really was a lot of clothes shopping, but it was great to be out with a part of my family.

After hanging out at the library (where I read back issues of Backpacker magazine), we linked up with Kid 1 and got dinner at La Costa, the Mexican restaurant in Issaquah.

For some reason (kids these days) moccasins are popular, worn with sweat pants, both of which we shopped for for Kid1.

We probably spent too much money, but I knew what Sunday held. Free cupcakes and a Williams-Sonoma techniques class (Thanksgiving side dishes).

After explaining to Kid3 all of the things we'd have to eat today, we set out into the world. After some good side dishes, the rest of the family caught up with us and we went to Trophy Cupcakes for a Google Places party. For the low price of writing a few reviews on some Chromebooks, we got cupcakes and t-shirts, Google Places tattoos and pens. It was yummy and filling.

On the way out, Heather saw the Skillet truck and we made a 3 point turn (u-turns are not legal in Washington) and got chicken and waffles. With five of us, we could try almost all the different topping options. And boy, was it good!

I can't recall the last time I had tbat much good food all in one day!

When I got home, I got the bug to cook myself. So, dinner was biscuits and gravy, bruschetta, and Brussels sprouts with pancetta. None of these things go together but they were all individually very good. Weird combination but good.

All in all, a busy weekend but one that we did a lot of stuff in. It was really nice to be able to spend some time with my family, relaxing and having fun!