Jott - the integration of cellphone, e-mail, and calendar

Have you ever thought of an event or something you would like to put on a to-do list while in some really obscure location or time? Ever remember random things you need to do while lying in bed trying to go to sleep? Ever need a pencil and paper to remember something but come up empty-handed?

NEVER FEAR, JOTT IS HERE. I have recently been using a free internet service recommended by Andrew Fry on his blog. I tried it out and at this point it has been a wonderful device for me to use! Very convenient, always handy, and I will never again forget an appointment.

Simply visit www.jott.com and set-up a free account. It will run through a series of requirements such as entering an e-mail address and a phone number to link to that e-mail, and verifying that the two belong to you. After the account is set up, set the Jott phone number to a speed dial. I am not even kidding, I use it so much that it is near the top of my list. Here is what I do:

I walk out of my orthodontic appointment with another appointment set for the following month. I immediately pull out my cell phone and call Jott. I hear the female voice ask, "Who do you want to jott?" At this point I only have myself as a contact, which works fine, so I reply, "Me." Then comes the time to say whatever you will, such as "Orthodontist Appointment July 18th, 1:00 PM" After hearing a lengthy pause, the female asks, "Would you like a reminder?" "Yes" "When?" "July 16th" "What time?" "12:00" "AM or PM?" "PM" It is as simple as that. Then what happens? On the date and time of your reminder you will receive a text message as well as an e-mail reminding you of the appointment. It is so convenient that I often plan my days just before I go to bed by saying it all into the phone and setting a reminder up for the following morning.

It's a great help to me and I highly recommend it!!

Utah Jazz 2008-2009 Lineup

Without knowing who the Jazz draft in June of 2008, here are the lineups for the next year. Some of the sqauds are my own ideas, but I really think that they could work. Oh, and it revolves around the idea that Jarron Collins is history, Jason Hart leaves on his free agency, and CJ Miles stays to play for the Jazz for at least one more season.

1st Unit
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Ronnie Brewer
Small: Andrei Kirilenko
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

2nd Unit
Point: Ronnie Price
Shooting: Morris Almond
Small: Kyle Korver
Power: Paul Millsap
Center: Kyrylo Fesenko

Shooting Team
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Morris Almond
Small: Kyle Korver
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Big Squad
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Andrei Kirilenko
Small: Paul Millsap
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Defense
Point: Deron Williams
Shooting: Kyle Korver
Small: Paul Millsap or Andrei Kirilenko
Power: Carlos Boozer
Center: Mehmet Okur

Energetic Squad
Point: Ronnie Price
Shooting: CJ Miles
Small: Ronnie Brewer
Power: Paul Millsap

Center: Kyrylo Fesenko

With Kyrylo being as young as he is, I would hope that the jazz could draft a big man to breed competition and make either one better. Roy Hibbert from Georgetown will probably still be around by the 22nd pick. I mean, we snagged Almond with a 25 so we could get lucky and get another steal at 22. Good summer Jazz!

The Great Debate

CP3 vs DWILL

The two best young point guards are still perennial rivals.

Being a biased but still correct Utah Jazz fan, Deron is easily better (Just Kidding)

Entering this year's playoffs with the possibility of the Jazz meeting the Hornets in the Conference Finals was just too much to fathom. It was fate that set them in the seeds they were. Neither had it easy: Utah had to go through the top-seeded LA Lakers and New Orleans had to go through the defending Champion San Antonio Spurs. With a Utah v NO conference final, both point guards would be able to showcase their talent in a one-on-one dual that would include some of the best highlights of all the playoffs.

There was one snag though: They both ran into teams they couldn't handle. Teams with more experience. Teams that wanted it more.

After cleaning out their respective lockers for the summer, both stand on equal ground. Their respective teams lost close second round series to veteran teams and coaching staffs. Both have much to look forward to as well, with the opportunity to represent their country around the corner. Deron Williams was selected to play in the FIBA Americas tournament last summer with Coach K and team USA, a team that easily swept the competition. With the numbers Chris Paul put up this season there is little wonder whether he will get another shot at impressing the coaching staff. The roster from those 2007 summer games will be expanded to include many players and again be cut down until it reaches 12. My bet is that DWILL and CP3 will both get an invite to the Olympic games and both will play exemplary.

But if one makes it and the other doesn't, it only adds to a debate that will never end: Who is better?

Personally, I would take Deron. He's bigger. He has been put into a system where he doesn't have free range to do as he pleases like Paul. There is no way he is as quick or as good of a penetrater or driver as Paul, but he has an air about him. Playing the Mavericks in the Post Season, Paul was seen pounding his chest and yelling "he can't guard me! He can't guard me!" referring to veteran Jason Kidd. It was true, but the arrogance and cockiness that Chris Paul showed on National Television is just another reason that Deron Williams is a better fit for the Jazz who have had a long history of taking cleaner, more humble players than most teams. My pick is Deron, but so many say otherwise.

The only common ground is this: Paul and Williams are utterly amazing to watch. They have completely different styles, but both excel in their own systems. Their teams will meet in the playoffs next year for sure, mark my words.

PREDICTIONS

Conference Finals

Spurs in 7

Celtics in 7

NBA Finals

Celtics in 7

As far as I know, that would make the Celtics the only team to have every series go 7 games and win the title. Strange, huh?

Getting to the Hart of the Matter

Jan 08 2008
Just when all hopes were lost, the Jazz pulled off a shorthanded victory at Energy Solutions Arena. Anything to be excited about? Well, not exactly.
Ronnie Price joined Andrei Kirilenko on the Injured list after last week's game in Portland, leaving Utah with one less hand to help out off the bench.
It could have been for the better. In last week's game against the Trailblazers, Ronnie Price played 4 minutes and Jason Hart was limited to 12. In tonights game, Jason Hart played 23 productive minutes, with 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.
After the starters put down the hurt on the Pacers, leading 40-19 after the first quarter, the minutes were shared all around. No Jazz player surpassed 26 minutes for the first time this season.
They were all productive minutes too. In 24 minutes of play, Carlos Boozer scored 22 points and grabbed 4 boards. In the 25 that Deron Williams played, he scored 10 points and dished 9 dimes.
Indiana felt bench woes as Utah's outscored them 54-35 and recorded 4 less turnovers.
The curse of the thrid quarter seemed to dissapate as the Jazz outscored the Pacers by 7.
Morris Almond made his first NBA debut since being sent down to the D-League. He went 1-5 from the field, scoring his first career points with 56 seconds left in the game.
The Jazz play Phoenix on Thursday.

Jazz Find Kirilenko's Shoes Hard to Fill

During practice earlier in the week, Utah's small forward Andrei Kirilenko was injured (reportedly back inflammation) and did not travel with the team to Portland for a much anticipated rematch against the Trailblazers. This marked the fourth duel between the teams in 25 days, and the second in three games.

Portland entered the game on a two-game winning streak, and had won fifteen of their last sixteen (the only loss coming in Utah).

With many options to fill Kirilenko's starting position, Coach Jerry Sloan went with sophomore CJ Miles. Perhaps the 6 points in 23 minutes was not the productivity he had in mind.

Who else could he have started? A popular among fans, Kyle Korver, would be the logical choice. Korver scored 4 points and went 0-2 from downtown in 22 minutes tonight. Another choice would be Matt Harpring, who shot a productive 7-11 from the field and pulled down 5 boards in just 18 minutes of play.

Jazz starters committed 14 turnovers compared to Portland's 5. The Jazz were outrebounded 31-43. The Jazz bench, led by Matt Harpring with 14, was outscored 28-43 by Portland.
Carlos Boozer was placed under a microscope playing against Portland's sophomore LeMarcus Aldridge. The last time these two met Aldridge scored a career high 36 compared to Boozer's 19. Tonight, Carlos was held to 6 points on 3-16 shooting while Aldridge scored 20 and swatted 4 shots.

Deron Williams led the Jazz with 23 points while Martell Webster led Portland with 26 (a career high with 24 in the third quarter).

Fan-hated Jarron Collins scored 5 points on 2-2 shooting from the field and 1-2 from the free throw line in 8 minutes of play.

Portland's leading scorer, Brandon Roy, played 9 minutes in the first quarter, but watched the blow-out from the bench for the rest of the game.

Utah plays Indiana at home on Tuesday (01/08/08)

Tip #2 -Commuting

Thinking about choosing a school that includes a commute in the route? Whether it be a community college or a four-year college, the workload can be rough. Do you really want to add a half-hour drive into the mix each way? However, thinking economically, do you have the option of free housing (e.g. with family or friends)? because the cost of gas to drive to school and the parking pass may be less than the cost of on campus housing. In my situation, going to a university without housing of any kind, I had no choice but to commute. There is no university parking either, so getting a pass is out of the question. I had to fight for a parking space a mile from the campus every day. These are things to think about...

If you are considering commuting, you aren't alone. 87% of all college students live off-campus.

So, here are the options:
1) Pay for the car (insurance, purchasing cost, etc...), gas, and parking.
2) Live on campus
3) Public transportation

1) Pros:

• Perfect for that trip into town or late night pranks a little ways away
• face it: anybody who has a car in college is cool -Ergo you'll make friends
• Ever need to get away? Now you can.

Cons:

• A car accident could really ruin your plans even if you didn't cause it
• sometimes (like me) parking is not available so get ready to do walking
• People always ask for rides, but these poor college students can never seem to pay for gas
• adding more empty time to your schedule might break it!

2) Pros:

• You can experience the college atmosphere
• friends are next door
• the campus is a two minute walk--always.
• Wake up two minutes before class? No time, no problem

Cons:

• Can't see your family and friends back home
• Economic Cost
• You might not be ready to "live" with someone

3) Pros:

• Last minute assignment need polishing, and the commute allows for hands-free
• Cheap--cost of gas is more than the bus ticket
• Many colleges offer transportation discounts for students. Mine was $45 flat rate no matter how often I traveled.

Cons:

• Stops: the commute can be much longer when the bus stops at every street corner
• If you miss the bus, thats all there is. Wait for the next one and suck up being late to class
• Tricky to figure out at first. A few calls home with "Mom, Im lost" whipped me into bus-chart-reading shape

Sorry to be so long-winded! There it is. Any of the three choices work for any college student. Just make sure that the one you pick works well for you! Until next tip...

Tip #1 -Starbucks

To kick off my new calling as a college blogger, I have decided to address the most familiar topic to all college students: Coffee. Well, not just any coffee. Starbucks.

See, the problem is that college students are poor, but that coffee fix needs to be filled right? Do you find yourself unable to wake up without it? Here are some tips to keep Starbucks from being your alarm clock, biggest investment, but still keep drinking the liquid you love.

1. Drink your coffee at least three hours after waking up in the morning. Why? because as you use the coffee religiously to get you out of bed, your body relies more and more on it. After a tough all-nighter, coffee may not be able to give you any boost at all. To ensure that coffee will be there when you need it, dont think you need it when you dont.

2. Look for alternatives. Have you ever priced a coffee maker? How about bags of coffee beans? They may seem expensive now, but how much do you spend on coffee at Starbucks? I would guess that if you need your coffee enough, an investment like a coffee maker is right for you!!

3. Use natural substances for everyday wake-up. (Save the coffee for the tough ones) One liquid that I have found works well is Gatorade AM, which replenishes the liquids lost while asleep. Other non-caffeinated beverages include apple ciders, hot chocolates, even a cold glass of milk can do wonders in the morning. Also try Instant Breakfast.

4. Get a schedule to utilize free time (rid yourself of unnecessary late nights and the subsequent coffee dependency!) Even sticky notes left on your bed post to remind you of upcoming assignments, due dates, events, and commitments can keep them fresh on your mind so that when you have a second, you get ahead leaving the all-nighters out to dry.

Remember, coffee is good. Its not good enough for me to spend a quarter's tuition on over the course of my four-year degree. Just think about that and drink responsibly!