When mornings come and I wake up alive, I give thanks to whoever has allowed me to live another day. Ready to face another set of 24 hours, eager to do whatever tasks may be at hand, I look forward to the day and all the things that it brings, including whatever surprises.

And then I turn on my TV.

Oh, God. Can I crawl back to my bed instead?

Catching Up Online

Online social networking sites are remarkable creations. They allow people to meet new friends, even though most online pals are mere bits and bytes and are not of the flesh-and-blood variety. But more remarkably, these online meeting places let us touch base once more with friends we might have lost along the way.

People we met in the earlier parts of our lives, those who played a part, significant or otherwise, in the process that has made us what we are right now – these online “tambayans” can sometimes be too enticing and make us forget about the bitter past, and long merely for the joys and happy moments of yesterday.

But as with anything else that compels us to look back and remember, careful and wary we should always be. After all, meeting old friends and former associates, even if on virtual modes, can bring in some nasty surprises.

Cars Are Computers on Wheels

Last year’s rain-heavy storms and the recent product recalls by car makers Honda and Toyota have each highlighted the risks of relying on electronics to control and maintain cars and other motor vehicles. With the late-model cars we have right now, gone are the rods and cables that our fathers and grandfathers used to steer, accelerate, and control their automobiles and trucks.

Today, our most expensive electronic possession is not the widescreen LCD TV, laptop, or video game console. For most consumers, it is their automobiles. Automobiles today can have as much as 50 microprocessors to control almost all aspects of car operations including fuel management, acceleration, and antilock braking systems.

Making those flooded and soaked cars run again is quite an expensive proposition most of the times. Unlike their older carburetor-bearing siblings, today’s cars come with computer boxes that usually cost more than high-end laptops.

My dentist friend, for example, spent so much on repairing his two family cars. He could have bought a third car with the money he has spent so far.

Green Brown Mouse

If being made from recycled and biodegradable materials was not green enough, its being self-powered should make it one of the most environment-friendly devices ever. The Corky computer mouse requires no batteries as most other wireless computer mice do. It creates its own kinetic energy by scrolling, clicking, and rolling – typical operations that conventional mice are expected to perform.

Made from recycled and biodegradable cork and recycled plastic parts, this brown mouse is indeed quite green.

That’s all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.