Shawn Smith’s web ninja life

You didn’t think you’d ever see the day when I joined the ranks of smart phone users, did you? Well, maybe you did, but I’ve really been holding out for quite a long time.

I wanted a phone that did streaming video straight to the web, but I didn’t see it from the Blackberry storm and not the new Nokia N97 either. So, I bit the bullet.

After getting the error message on my old clamshell saying it wouldn’t charge, I decided to just go buy the iPhone. So here it is:

It seems pretty nice so far. But I’m stil looking for someway to get video on the web quicker.

It’s been about three years since I’ve worn glasses, but I’ve needed them for a long time. After doing some Google searching and reading reviews about Ann Arbor optometrists, I decided to visit Ann Arbor Optometry, headed by doctors Christina L. Curcione and Jennifer M. Sortor.

Nikki and I booked Dr. Curcione because of her web reviews, and we were really happy we did. Curcione allowed us to be seen together and was very friendly. She had a great story about how the practice came together that is truly inspiring for anyone looking to start out in business.

Without further adieu, here’s my new specs:

I have to admit, my eyes hurt for the first day of wearing my new glasses. The change to being able to actually see was straining. I adjusted in about a day and my vision makes me feel like I’m seeing things in HD

I’m not going for contacts since I’m scared to touch my eyeballs, plus, I look pretty good don’t I?

While walking to my co-worker’s car yesterday, we were nearly blinded by the huge fluffy snow that was falling. While this wasn’t the first snow, it was one of the more picturesque snowfalls I’ve been able to capture. Check it:

We were working pretty hard on Election Day when we heard screaming emanating from the streets. Chants of “USA! USA!” bounced around the office, sneaking in through our open windows.

So I ran to the street to get some video so you could see it

Isn’t that so awesome?! Check it out:

Another video:

See more of my Election Day videos.

I voted, everyone! Kyle (brother), Andrew (roommate) and I got in line at Ann Arbor Pioneer High School at about 6:30 a.m. The polls didn’t open until 7 a.m., but the line snaked through Pioneeer’s halls with about 200 people by the time we arrived.

Many people were sitting in chairs, and the guy at the front of the line got there at 5:30 a.m. because he had to work at 7:30 a.m.

The lines inside the school’s gym were a mess and I thought ‘if this is what it’s like in Ann Arbor, today’s voting is going to be a catastrophe.’ But luckily I was suprised by relatively smooth voting on Election Day.

Here’s a video report of me after voting. More videos of Election Day and me!

Hope you all had a great Election Day. Go Future!

When I saw Mashable was sharing invites to the new TheKarokeChannel.com website, I knew I had to get on it immediately or face the wrath of Nikki.

It’s a pretty cool site. If you’re really into singing in front of your computer and spend too much time searching for lyrics and instrumentals, then this is the place for you.

Check it out

Nikki, Amanda, Kyle and I visited Wiards Orchard for the first time on Saturday. We were really surprised at how big the place is.

Wiards Orchard is more like an amusement park than your standard U-pick farm. They have games, rides, apple-cannons, a corn maze, haunted houses, things to climb on and PONY RIDES!

We didn’t get to ride any ponies, and frankly after one raced right by me, I don’t think I wanted to get near any of them:

During the Halloween season, Wiards features a number of haunted attractions, including a haunted hay ride. I’ve been on a number of haunted hayrides in the Michigan area, and most of them are unsurprisingly underwhelming.

Although we only saw the Wiards Orchard hayride during the day, from the looks of it, this one might break the mold.

See more photos and videos from our trip to Wiards

I took my brother recently to the Washtenaw County, Michigan Obama campaign office in Ann Arbor to register to vote. Kyle has never voted in an election before and I urged him to finally accept this glorious civic duty and get registered. Here’s the video of Kyle getting registered: You might be hoping for a better look at the Ann Arbor Obama. Well you’re in luck. Here’s a quick scan of the room:

Nikki and I got our hair cut at Above Ground in Ann Arbor for the second consecutive time, and we came away pretty pleased! Take a look:

We got a new stylist this time – Ash, one of the coolest stylists I’ve ever had the pleasure of meeting. She originally apprenticed under Above Ground’s owner, before heading to Colorado for school. Now she’s back!

Make sure you check the reviews of the Above Ground on Yelp. You’ll see that Above Ground ranks among the best hair studios in Ann Arbor.

What I really like about Above Ground is it’s funky style completely void of pretentiousness that I sometimes have felt at other salons. Everyone is really cool, and a sign says they are actually looking for male hair models. If you’re up for it, you might get a discount.

Nikki attended her first University of Michigan football game when the Wolverines took on the visiting Miami of Ohio Red Hawks.

My landlord gave us a couple of tickets they weren’t using and we sat in the 14th row in the north east corner of Michigan stadium – right near the cheerleaders!

The stadium really is an incredible site. Check out more Michigan Football Stadium pics and videos at http://www.michigan-football-parking.com/

The last game I attended was the Ohio St. Vs. Michigan game in 2005, where Ohio State kept the crowd quiet the whole game. I thought it was the most dead crowd I ever saw, and that’s what I expected from this game. But instead, I was pleasantly surprised.

Check out more of our Michigan Football pictures and videos at http://www.michigan-football-parking.com/