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Post image for Wake Up! Mother’s Day is Almost Here!

In case you didn’t know it already, Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Heads up to daughters and sons everywhere, it’s time to think about the person who hopefully nurtured you through the developing stages of your life and has provided you with ongoing support and unwavering love. However, I think it is important to not just think about moms, but also those female figures in your life who have given you guidance, a helpful hand, companionship and protection. These could be moms or mother-in-laws or mother figures or step mothers or foster mothers or simply mentors who are women.

Happy Mother's Day 2013 - From HighTechDad

Happy Mother’s Day 2013 – From HighTechDad

Mother’s Day may be a commercial day, great for cards and flowers, but it is important to take a little bit of time to honor these women, all gifts aside. The mother or mother figure pretty much across the human (and animal kingdom) is the protector. In my family, my wife is the “mama bear” – the one that will throw herself in the way of any type of physical or psychological danger to protect her offspring. The mother takes on various forms in our society, and I must admit, I don’t know each and every mom personality-type out there. Heck, there are probably dads or other caregivers who assume the “mom” role. Regardless, this is their day, and you should thank them for their efforts, love and encouragement.

I do have to mention the dads out there (but obviously we have a day as well). Without dads, there would be no moms. But those moms are really great reality checks for us dads. They keep us in line. Heck, my wife calls me her fourth kid…perhaps because I act like one so often? Who knows. What I’m trying to say here is that it is important for dads to recognize their family counterparts as well on Mother’s Day. (Hey dads, did you buy your wife a card yet?)

I’m not sure if Father’s Day gets the same type of treatment. But that is fine in my book. On Mother’s Day, mom gets to be queen for a day, instead of indentured servant, slave, project manager, cook, chauffeur, cleaner, organizer, tutor, doctor, psychiatrist, fashion consultant, mentor, entertainer, social coordinator…need I go on? Of course there are professional moms who add “day time bread winner” to the mix as well. Back in 2007, I figured out that if my wife, a “stay at home mom,” were to earn a salary based on the “jobs” that she does running the household, she would pull in over $240,000!

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Post image for How To Easily Remove, Install & Replace an Apple iPhone 4S Battery (Video)

I’m such a heavy user of my Apple iPhones that it really seems like about a year after I get one, I’m doing a how-to article on replacing the iPhone’s battery. I now have an iPhone 4S and this past weekend, I replaced the battery. Other smartphone users may scoff at the fact that Apple has made their hardware quite proprietary (e.g., a closed design). Actually, it seems to me that Apple has actually now made it much easier to replace the iPhone 4S battery, especially in comparison to the iPhone 4 and iPhone 3GS process. This article (and video) shows you how to replace an Apple iPhone 4S Battery.

iPhone 4S Back Case Off

iPhone 4S Back Case Off

WARNING: Before I go into this How-to, I do need to emphasize that this processes is risky. For starters, it WILL void your warranty, especially if you mess something up in the process. Also, there are lots and lots of tiny screws and pieces that are incredibly easy to lose, break or knock loose. If you don’t take time reviewing the installation process, you could seriously damage to your iPhone 4S. You should only undertake this process if you feel like you know what you are doing and promise to not hold me responsible for anything bad that may happen to your device. Anything good that does happen, I’m happy to be responsible for that! And don’t drink any coffee before trying any repairs!

With all the disclaimers aside now, let’s take a look at the process. It is, actually, quite easy but be sure to watch the video below as I did actually almost screw something up. But as of this writing, my iPhone 4S is quite happy with its replacement battery.

The Tools

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Post image for Comfortable, No-Frills, Good Performing, Family SUV – 2013 GMC Acadia Review

The 2013 GMC Acadia is an SUV turned crossover (I still think of it as an SUV) which I believe is a bit of a sleeper. Probably the most aggressive features of it is the bold front grill with the GMC logo on it. It’s strong, as if to say, get out of my way, I’m a GMC and I’m coming through here. But the rest of the vehicle is pretty nondescript. There are no super innovative design or technology features that come out and clobber you right over the head quite the way the GMC emblem grill does. It is, in all aspects, your run of the mill SUV. Read on for my 2013 GMC Acadia Review.

2013 GMC Acadia Front Grill

2013 GMC Acadia Front Grill

I call it the way I see it…an SUV, despite what is stated on the GMC description. It’s roomy, holds plenty of cargo, and the one that I test drove for 10 days, seats 7 quite comfortably, although we only had 5 people and one small dog and lots of luggage. But it was perfect for us. For the size and the power (boasting 288 horsepower from the 3.6 liter V6), coupled with the packaged features in the SLT-1 trimline, it was a pleasure to drive. We set off from San Francisco on a road trip down to Los Angeles, with the cabin packed full of luggage and food. The Acadia is, in my opinion, perfectly crafted for that purpose. The one I tested did have a towing package (capable of pulling 5200 lbs), an Entertainment system and dual moonroofs. There was plenty of intuitive technology within the cabin and the Acadia did not feel heavy or sluggish on the road. In fact, I was actually surprised at the gas mileage, rated at 17 City and 24 Highway. We averaged 18.8 MPG in our mixed driving experience.

2013 GMC Acadia Side View

2013 GMC Acadia Side View

The leather seating was comfortable and there was plenty of leg room in the middle row (which were 2 separated captains chairs – perfect to keep kids separated). The rear bench row seats 3, although it is probably better for 2. We opted to fold down part of the rear bench to allow for luggage to be piled in. I liked the fact that the Acadia rides high, more like an SUV (as I said) and less like a crossover (which I have found to be somewhat in between a sedan and an SUV). Yes, you probably would get better mileage in a lighter crossover, but driving the Acadia inspired some confidence that you could go off road or camping quite easily. The version that I test drove was a FWD. There is an AWD version that probably would be better for more rugged experiences.

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Hollywood is a magical place. It has a 24-hour buzz of excitement, creativity and activity. Most people never get to really understand it unless you “work in the industry.” It’s the place where actors make it (or don’t), where writing comes to life on the screen and where people flock from around the world to experience stardom. Universal Studios Hollywood has captured this excitement and magic and has bottled it up in a theme park – Universal Studios Hollywood. My family just spent an entire day there, and we were treated like movie stars, being able to cut to the front of the line and get reserved seating on every ride and show that is there. But believe it or not, this experience can be had by all, with a Front of the Line pass.

Universal Studios Hollywood Globe

Universal Studios Hollywood Globe

My family and I traveled down to Los Angeles during Spring Break, a time when other families and friends head out en mass to see the attractions. Honestly, it is one of the worst times to visit any type of theme park. Be prepared for long lines, lots of people, and spending most of your time simply waiting to do things. If you are headed to Universal Studios Hollywood during the peak season, be prepared to wait – some of the new rides can have wait times of over 60 minutes. And when the park is in full swing, you probably need 2 days to see all of the shows and get all all of the rides as well as do the back lot tour. But let me tell you this secret, if you can afford it, the Front of the Line pass (which is either $129 or $149 depending on the season) is well worth it in that you can actually see everything in the park in one day (and even do a few things a couple of times).

The Front of the Line pass gives you 1-time “cutting” abilities in lines for each ride and show. You are directed to “Gate A” which is a different line than what normal ticket holders follow. And it gives you reserved seating at all of the shows so that you can wait until the last minute to head to a show – you still get prime seats. Your pass is scanned each time and if you try to use it again on the same ride, you are told that it only is good for one time through using Gate A on each ride, however we found that we could come back to a ride later in the day and use it again. We experienced the new Transformers 3D ride twice, Jurassic Park three times and the Mummy ride twice, all on the same day, and still were able to enjoy everything else at the park. Bottom line, if you can swing it, the Front of the Line pass is definitely worth it.

Front of Line Pass

Front of Line Pass

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Hitting the Bull’s Eye – Review of the 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye Compact Sports Sedan

March 8, 2013
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When I test drove the 2013 Dodge Dart Rallye, I turned a few heads. In fact, in a parking lot, I answered a bunch of questions about this new vehicle from Dodge. While compact in size, it was roomy in performance. This isn’t the first time the Dart has spun its wheels around the block. [...]

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The Ford Fiesta Movement is Back! And Here’s My Entry! #FiestaMovement

February 25, 2013
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Piggybacking on the success of the previous Ford Fiesta Movement a few years ago, Ford is re-launching the Fiesta Movement (www.fiestamovement.com) to showcase the 2014 Ford Fiesta. Ford is currently looking for “the most vibrant voices and talented storytellers to be agents in the Fiesta Movement.” So, I figured that I would throw my hat [...]

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The 10 Best (and Worst) “Cloud Computing Explained” Videos on YouTube

February 14, 2013
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Cloud Computing has been around for many, many years now. Ok, at least 5 years using the name “cloud computing.” Ever since this new way of consuming compute, networking, storage and other infrastructure resources got off the ground, no pun intended…well, sort of…people and companies have tried to explain what exactly it is. From the [...]

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Passionate about Volvo? The 2013 XC60 and S60 Won’t Let You Down!

January 30, 2013
Thumbnail image for Passionate about Volvo? The 2013 XC60 and S60 Won’t Let You Down!

My family seems to be quite passionate about the Volvo’s that I test drive. My wife always asks as to when we might get another one and my kids really had a great time when we went “top down” in the 2012 Volvo C70 convertible. And, a few months ago, I spent some time behind [...]

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