iStupid 0GB (2014 edition)

Today I'm going to talk about the elusive electronic world.

Oooh...
Ahh...

I happen to be one of those people who once interested in a subject, must know every single thing about it and do as much research as I can. This aspect of my personalty has become particularly stressful during this time as I get ready to leave for Europe. 

I need a backpack, so I have researched every single adequate forum, blog, vlog, article, and sales ads on women's and unisex travel backpack packs. Each word a necessary component of my search. I looked up all the sizes, fittings, what each size has to offer, what to pack for each size pack, and what size is best for which length of time. 

Then I needed a carry-on bag. Not normally an issue but then I found out about anti-theft products for travel. Thus, another study was conducted in which I had to know all the possible threats, research all various sized and styled: bags, purses, backpacks, bra wallets, pant wallets, hidden pockets, fanny packs, suitcases, briefcases, money belts, over-the-shoulder bags, and handbags. Then, I needed to know which each item had to offer--most importantly how much of risk reduction they offered. Then I had to know what would fit in each one. Just money? Credit cards? Gum? Laptop? Phone? Book? Umbrella? Water bottle? Map? Shoes? What did I even want to put in my bag? Where would I take my bag? What did the bag look like?

These questions lead me to ask myself what I wanted to take on my trip.
Which lead me to videos, blogs, forums, and articles on what to pack and what to leave behind. 
Which lead me to blogs, vlogs, articles, and forums on safety, money exchange, shoes to wear, etc... 

Eventually, all this deductive research lead me to tablets. I was originally going to take my laptop (so I can keep writing) but in trying to be as much of a minimalist as possible, I decided that it would be too heavy and take up too much space. That, and my computer is 1.1 inches bigger than Mac computers. Mac computers can fit into most anti-theft bags and backpacks. Mine, however, would not. The small backpacks that could fit my laptop were larger, more expensive, and heavier. I needed inexpensive, slightly smaller, and as light as possible. Even with these attributes, my computer would have logged me down. 

So then, thanks to a very generous tax refund, I thought, maybe I should invest in a tablet. Calculations also told me that the cost of a larger bag to hold my laptop vs. buying a tablet to use in smaller, less expensive bag would be about the same cost if only a tad more. Less weight, smaller, more compact, easier to travel with, and less expensive to replace if stolen. Plus, it would fit into an anti-theft shoulder bag I found on sale. 

Did I mention all my research also had to be done with a budget in mind? EVERYTHING had to be on sale or at a some sort of discounted price or I would not be having it!

This is difficult because it lead me on a wild research-infested ride comparing products, brands, their worth, quality, and deals. When I found a product I liked (after hours of comparison), I had to then see who had the best deal, their customer ratings, and return policies. And so on, and so on. 

Mind you, I don't have all this time on my hands. I have less than 30 days to figure all of this out including planning for the actual trip. I also have to order/buy with enough time for it to be shipped to my home and to return if needed. I've been on this crazy binge for about 2 1/2 days now, forcing myself to take breaks from the madness and I don't know, live a little. 

But back to the tablet, you can imagine what I did and what I found. 
i0S 6
i0S 7
Android
4.1
4.2
4.3
Jelly Beans
Asus
Nesus
Lenovo
Google
Microsoft
Samsung
GB
Galaxies
HD
HDX
Fire
Wind
Earth

I'm not a tech person by any means. This was all starting to sound silly. Jelly beans? Fire? Did I want something called Fire? HD? That sounds like an astronomical bra size?

Ooo--that reminds me, bra wallets!

Then I contacted friends on Facebook. Wouldn't you know, everyone had something different?

So then I contacted my predominately geeky friends and asked them where I could find "the Wizard." 

"So you can have someone make something just for you?" Asked the girl at Best Buy. 

"No. So someone can just tell me what to do." I said.

Then I asked her to take me to the "Log-i-tech" keyboard. I pronounced it, "log," as in timber. I got gigabytes correct but admitted to her how silly I feel saying, "gigabytes." Don't ask. It's just a very awkward word for me to say.

The thing is, I'm not completely devoid of knowledge on these things. I think, if anything, I choose to act this clueless because I don't want to know about these things. I have plenty of hobbies and random things I'd like to have extensive knowledge on like Civil War history, Greek Mythology, and archery. 

But I do all this research because I don't really trust anyone or anything involved in sales. Having been ripped off and lied to in order to "make a sale," I'm weary about these things. That, and I've been in sales. I know what the mentality is. That's why I use everything until it's absolutely useless. Like my car--she may croak any day now and may flash indoor lights at random but I'm going to keep on trucking while she still has kick in her step. Don't throw it away if it ain't broken right?

Also, I don't want to have to depend on anyone, particularly men, to help me with my technological queries and concerns. With time and today's technology, we can figure out most things and do most things ourselves. As long as we're not stubborn like yours truly who still throws tiny little tantrums when she's alone and her computer or phone is "not working."

Lastly, I do research because of money. Money I'll be spending which is, ironically, mine. If I'm going to waste it, invest it, or spend it--I better know where it's going, why, and for what. I want the best bang for my buck. 

I ended up with a very nice tablet at a pretty decent deal. I say "decent" because I'm still iffy about the deal. I think it was pretty good but then again a good deal in my opinion is free. This is why we can't have nice things. 

On a good note, did you know people price-match??? 

Wow! My research came in handy after all. 

Thanks for reading!