Google Archive

I started cleaning up my desktop today and ran across this list of Google sites from the wonderful (and now gone) Google Labs. Some of these may have been incorporated into other Google creations, some of them will stay around and some of them will of course be dead links. I archived the list before Google Labs moved into Cyberspace so I'll share them here in all their glory (all links worked today):

• http://www.googleartproject.com/
• http://correlate.googlelabs.com/
• http://www.google.com/transliterate/
• http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#text
• http://eyes-free.blogspot.com/2010/10/walking-about-with-talking-android.html
• http://earthengine.googlelabs.com/#intro
• http://www.google.com/publicdata/home
• http://browsersize.googlelabs.com/
• https://storegadgetwizard.appspot.com/storegadgetwizard/index.html
• http://google-gruyere.appspot.com/
• http://www.google.com/mobile/shopper/
• http://www.google.com/moderator/#0
• http://www.google.com/webmasters/
• http://www.google.org/flutrends/
• http://www.google.com/mars/

I didn't list Google's Advanced Search - which is my all time favorite way to sift out "stuff" I don't want when seriously researching (like .com and .net). I can "sift"t the results by those from .edu first, then other reputable domains.To get to it I search "google advanced search" and the first result is the link - I think I'll make it one of my favorites/bookmark it to make it easier.

The body browser link (it isn't listed) was really a great site so I did some research (Hooray) and you might want to try it at this new link:
     http://www.chromeexperiments.com/detail/body-browser/

Medical Information Sites

This one is to remind me - and you - of decent places to find health/medical information. I warned you that one reason for this Blog was to give me a place to archive info I'll need.

I've always used the databases from my library's home page. However, I won't be able to do that from home once I've retired (so sad.) I'll continue to use library resources, but I'll miss the convenience of doing research at 2am or Sunday. Sigh...

I tell students to go to med schools or "experts" first - find trusted information! And remember doctors don't always agree on the "right" treatment. You need to do the research, discuss your findings with your doctor, and be a partner in your health care. I have a great doctor who approves of my method - if I come across one who doesn't, I'm running away from them as fast as I can.

Here are some decent sites (by means not all complete, so I'll continue to update) - the links will open in a new window for me & you:

Health/Medical Information Websites

www.mayoclinic.com

http://healthfinder.gov

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

http://www.cdc.gov/

http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary

http://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care

http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm?id=477

MD/Hospital Rating Sites:

http://www.patientslikeme.com

http://www.healthgrades.com/

Getting Ready to Retire

It's that time of life - retirement. And I'm looking forward to reinventing myself.. What a golden opportunity. I know many people don't consider retirement an opportunity and that's OK. I may decide to go back to work, but it'll be in a completely different field and that's what exciting. I'll play a while with gusto and then and see what comes.

I've had an advantage over many contemplating retirement - when I was in my 20s (that's age, not 1920s) I was a Social Worker for clients in Rest Homes.  That got me thinking about how I would handle things when I got "old." Well, time moved quickly, didn't it and here I am. I'm ready - complete with plans in mind for when I'm 20 years older and need help.

No one never knows what "life" throws their way, so I've enjoyed mine & continued to think about what I'd do..IF. For example, I used IF as an excuse to buy souvenirs or things that reminded me of a certain trip or event - that way should I became physically incapacitated, I could look at that object and mentally travel again. Yes, I've had to pare down collections but that's been fun too. My family will tell you that I've collected more than enough memories but I don't think so.

So I'm on the eve of retirement. I'm establishing this Blog as a way to communicate with old and new friends, to give myself an archive of things I want to remember (and would probably loose or misplace if it's paper), to let people know about new things I find or experience, and to be out there in Cyber Space.

So who am I? Besides being a Social Worker, I'm the wife of a retired Army Warrant Officer and newly retired federal employee, a Mom (2), a Grandmother (almost 6), a library technician, an Information Researcher/embedded-librarian on a research team (one of the Navy's Federally Funded Research & Development Centers), and I'll retire from being supervisor of a Community College library. I also worked in gift shops at Movieland Wax Museum/Palace of Living Arts & Disneyland Hotel, at a fast food restaurant, in my college's cafeteria, as a maid maid, as a teacher in an Army Education Center - and many numerous volunteer activities.

I have a Bachelor of Music Degree (opera performance) and did lots of singing in churches and concerts. I've done weaving and felting (I know, you can buy felt, but it's so much more fun creating it), jewelry making, photography, and sewing.  Now I have time to go back to all of them and see what happens.

I'm researching my family genealogy and will be spending lots of time proving who I am and where I came from - I'm hoping to find that I'm really related to Daniel Boone and that one of my relatives was a Lady in Waiting to Mary Queen of Scots; I'm working on my husband's too. So watch out Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and California (and that's just where I know so far.) You may see me at conferences or archives or libraries or graveyards - stop and say HI.

I love researching. And I love training (it's almost as good performing.) I love food, travel and plan to do lots of that. Oh so much to do - and if I win the lottery I can expand my horizons even further.

So here goes.... I can hardly wait. Join me if you like - I'll try to make it interesting or informative.