OUT with earbuds!! In with OPEN earbuds

As you know, I was very frustrated yesterday by the earbud situation. My voice kept cutting out on calls, the earbud mic dropped, and I could not move around and chat. 

I mentioned that frustration on my first call yesterday morning. I think there were ten people on that call, and can you believe that THREE of the people on that call have something different than earbuds? They are using what's called open-ear technology from a company called Shokz. Three people—that was amazing! 

Here's a picture of what they look like. 

Open earbuds

They really emphasize the fact that they are based on bone conduction. But aren't earbuds based on the same technology since earbuds have mics in them, but they're not visible? Anyway, that's not the point. 

Apparently, open earbuds have been around for a while, and there are MANY brands if you check them out online. I see that in the top five picks from one source, they don't even mention this brand—SHOKZ. 

I figured if THREE people were extremely happy with them, I needed to check them out. So, the minute I was finished with my calls, I opened the Virtual Retreat and headed out to Best Buy. 

And look what followed me home. 

My new open earbuds

I wanted a pair of orange ones, but they were available only in the swimming version, and I didn't need that. I got them paired up to my computer, and I was good to go. I put them on, and OH MY --- what a change from having earbuds in. Earbuds fit into your ears and can be uncomfortable, but the worst for me was that they almost made me unable to hear myself talk. I felt closed in, but I could still hear all kinds of stuff happening in the house. Mine are noise-canceling earbuds, yet you can still hear lots of stuff. But I didn't like talking with them. I will still call the company to see if they can be replaced or fixed. HA!!

Well, these are like comfy slippers. If you buy them, buy the MINI; otherwise, that cord is long. You can even buy them separately so you have two pieces, not one. But they didn't have much variety in that style. Since they do not fit tightly to your head, at least this brand, I'm guessing the wire provides some stability. I see from other brands that they fit much tighter around your ear. 

What a game-changer these are. I LOVE THEM. And, of course, I bought other things while I was in the store. DH needed a new keyboard and mouse, so I got that. I bought a new laptop, but it's being set up, so I will get it on Tuesday. I decided to buy a new monitor, which I've wanted for a long time. I brought it in and set it up later in the day, which was easy! I plugged it in and turned it on, and the second screen popped up. Now, if only that would happen when I do presentations. I have to fight with the connection sometimes. And can you believe this monitor is 1/4" thick!!! Except for a narrow strip along the back where the components are. It's insane!!! 

OK—that is amazing. Now I can have two screens of a decent size to work on. I might do more computer work downstairs than upstairs, as I do not have room on this small desk for a second monitor. 

My second monitor

When I worked for the fabric company years ago, I had dual monitors, and it took just a little bit of finagling to get used to the mouse on two screens. I'm good with it!

When I got back, I was a little more productive, but then I needed a long walk to get in my KMs for the day, so I was in and out of that Virtual Retreat. But they managed just fine without me, and we got to see some people we hadn't seen in a while. It's always good to catch up on what's happening with people, and you learn so much from others—like earbuds are out! 

It's hard to believe, but I have NO EVENTS or appointments for an entire week! How the heck did that happen after the chaos of this past weekend? Now, I need to be very smart about those seven days because there is a lot of work to be done, and there is no time to waste. 

I have a lot of writing to do, quilts to quilt, Studio B to be tidied up, some samples to finish, and the next round of homework to prep. And I get to work around my schedule—it's going to be heavenly! 

Once we closed the call last night, it was time to head to bed. I was heading for the stairs when I showed DH the new headset (hmm—what do I call that?). OH -- open earbuds. When I finally got to the stairs, look who was waiting. She knew I was headed to the stairs, and she had to be in front! 

MOM -- hurry up - it's bedtime!

But when I stopped and headed in a new direction, she sat down and waited for me. That girl is silly! 

DH went to the surgeon for a follow-up last week and can take the sling/destabilizer off on Wednesday. I imagine he'll set his alarm for midnight, and at 12:01 AM on Wednesday, that thing will be gone! But all seems to be healing nicely. He is a good patient and has become pretty self-sufficient; other than when he takes the thing off, he can't put it back on himself, so I'll be glad when he doesn't need to wear it. No lifting is about the only restraint he'll have after Wednesday. He's been off the pain meds for many days and didn't even finish them. 

All in all, I can't complain!

I'm so looking forward to this quiet week or a week without deadlines of any kind. The weather is going to be nice, so I might be outside. The outdoor furniture is still outside, but I should pack that up by the weekend. 

And FYI - the next retreat is scheduled for November 23 and 24th. So put that in your calendars. It's so much fun! If you're home sewing alone, it's an excellent way to chat and sew, and I learn so much from everyone! No packing up the sewing machine or the projects. If you can only come for 10 minutes, that's OK!!! Or stay all day. That's the beauty of virtual - you would never drop into an in-person retreat just to say HI. 

Well, I'm off to spin class. Later today, I have to send the rest of the homework to the groups. 

Have a super day!!!

Ciao!!!!