Technological

There's definitely some technological differences I'm still discovering and getting used to. I'm also rediscovering gadgets and tools I knew about but didn't see a use for, like Spotify. Even the freebie site is awesome but I've finally upgraded to premium and making some real musical finds.

You can stream pretty much any music you want on your computer. And with your tablet or smart phone, spotify will create a 'radio station' based on the songs you've liked while listen (you have to press a 'like' button. It doesn't read your mind). But it's actually better than a normal station because you don't have to listen to the inane banter a normal station tries to force down your throat.

I've been an iPhone baby for about two years now but I've been wanting a phone with a physical keyboard for a while so moving here was the perfect opportunity to get one. I went for an Android phone and I've gotta say, I much prefer my new Samsung. The iPhone is great for browsing and emails but for everything else, I prefer the android phone.

I also had to get a new laptop and can highly recommend Best Buy. Very helpful staff, a huge range of products and I got a new touch screen Windows 8 Toshiba laptop, printer (with scanner, copier and fax), ink, paper and laptop case for under $500. Sweet!

A new thing which I haven't seen at home, is the gel highlighter. Instead of water based ink, the highlighter is like a crayon. Much better. Doesn't dry out.

Parking meters haven't graduated to the text system we have in London. Here it's all credit card and coins.  Another small difference, in terms of card usage generally is, instead of inserting your card, completing your transaction then removing it, here, you insert and remove it quickly then conduct your transaction.

It's a small thing but knowing that stops you looking like a tool at a cash machine wondering why it's spat your card back out.

Another banking thing is that to deposit a cheque you can take a photo of it using the bank's app. Apparently Americans still like being paid by cheque and this is a simpler way for them to deposit them. Somebody needs to tell these people about BACS.

This isn't new technology, but it's new to me, In-car Blutooth. Bloody love it! Now that I've got premium Spotify, I can have the music I want in the car instead of listening to Commericals FM or KW Sell Sell Sell or whatever radio stations they have here.

And finally, I've already written about how weird I find it that you can get oil in spray can but conversely, it's practically impossible to buy a can of deodorant. If the stores have them at all, their hidden on the bottom shelf like they're an embarrassment. Even feminine wipes are higher up than spray deodorant. It's kind of funny that in a city where everyone drives, spray deodorants are the thing they consider a problem.

Anyhoo, onwards and upwards. The learning continues