I’ve been planning this for a while now, and finally its ready. My blog has been moved to its own domain! I’ve always wanted my own, and now I’ve done it. Hope everyone visits the new blog now! I’ve copied all the current contents of this blog, too.

Hurry and bookmark http://www.bluewaveted.com now!

Right now, in this day and age, the internet encompasses many aspects our lives, crossing many categories that are not even related in the slightest. Research work? Not a problem. Want to buy groceries? Order online. Music? We have download sites everywhere. Planning your overseas honeymoon in a luxurious hotel? Open a browser and find a deal. Moving to another country? Look up requirements in Google, and forums on that country while you’re at it. Need to know the weather? Check out weather sites to zap that info directly on your desktop.

In this world of such convenience, sometimes we have to look back to see what started it all. So here are, for me, the most important moments of the internet, ones that changed the lives of people everywhere.

1. Invention of the Telegraph and Telephone. Samuel Morse invented the telegraph that was quickly adopted by America for practical use. Alexander Graham Bell officially invented the telephone as we know it today, successfully testing it in March 10, 1876. Why is this a defining moment? These two devices were the first ones ever to send information over a distance quickly. The phone lines and cables that resulted still form an important backbone to the internet today. Phones also convert an electronic signal to an analog one, the basis of modems.

2. Launch of Sputnik 1. This USSR craft launched on October 4, 1957, the first artificial satellite. It was the dawn of global telecommunications. Satellites today transmit all kinds of data all over the world, including the internet!

3. Creation of ARPANET. Known as the predecessor of the internet, ARPANET was developed for the military to exchange information. It sent data in packets, much like what the current internet does! Four nodes in different universities formed this primitive network. If ARPANET had not worked, the internet could have been set back another decade.

4. E-mail is invented. 1971 marked an important year for the internet, with the creation of e-mail, sending letters across the internet. It is still a mainstay in internet communications, and will probably be used throughout a person’s internet life.

5. International networks. 1973 saw the first international internet connection. At around this time, Ethernet, gateway protocols, and FTP are invented. It became apparent that you can connect computers on a global scale! 1976 further cemented this, as networking spread to more and more computers.

6. Internet boom. At around 1983-1984, a large number of nodes were created because of name servers and DNS, using names instead of numbers which made it easier to remember and communicate with. Another reason for the boom was the spread of desktop computers, enabling more people to connect.

7. World Wide Web. Tim Berners-Lee released the WWW as we know it, which provided easy information to anywhere in the world with much simpler methods. Browsers came out. Multimedia is released a year later.

The internet took almost a century to finally morph into what we know today. It’s amazing how progress works, indeed.

Whoever can find a way to extend life without much effort will have the world at his feet and millions in the bank. Sadly, no instant cure for aging exists. We do have other ways, though, as certified by the centenarians of the world, with these traits being common among them.

1. A loving family. In this day and age, families are a lot farther apart, physically and emotionally. Most centenarians have close family ties! Surveys also show that people with a happy family live longer. Coincidence? I think not.

2. A purpose. These centenarians also share a common trait of being driven people, their life with a clear goal. It may be something as simple as caring for a garden, or writing a book. A purpose gives life more meaning, they say. It may be a good time to think about yours!

3. Healthy eating habits. Smoking and obesity are said to be taking ten years off the average American’s lifespan. These oldies tend to eat simply and healthily, or even eat whatever they want but not worry about it!

Personally, I wouldn’t want to stick around for more than a hundred years. What other tips do you have? Share them!

The airline industry is taking a turn for the worst. It’s something we probably all know by now, with the increasing oil prices and the shutting down of many an airline company. It’s not just the company that’s feeling the heat, but also the people who work for it. They’re no longer guaranteed to have a job six months from now. Maybe that’s why the flight attendants are getting a little loopy these days.

There’s a recent story about a flight attendant who, angry with his work, started a fire in the plane’s bathroom. Nobody was hurt, and the man is likely to be sentenced for 20 years. He said that he was mad at his current route, and originally planned to light up the paper towels in passenger’s faces.

Another tale I know, from a long way back, is where a poor passenger almost died. The attendant was in a bad mood and had put certain over-the-counter drugs she had snuck aboard in a rather cranky passenger’s food. The passenger reacted very badly to the drugs and went into shock. It was quick thinking from the other attendants that saved his life.

Maybe the airlines should invest in a shrink for these guys. We can’t have employees as possible threats to the passengers now, can we?

I love surfing, I really do. The entire experience is truly exciting, from getting into the water to riding that big wave, giving that heart-pounding thrill. I’ve been to plenty of beaches and pools to practice my surfing skills, and I relish each and every wave I get on. However, sometimes there are just too many people in those places, and this could mess up your training. Have no fear! I’ll tell you about the little places people don’t go to most of the time, the places where you can surf in relative seclusion. Some of these places are just starting to get attention, so ride the waves there while you can! Note that I won’t list the exact spots, because then it wouldn’t be a secret.

1. Honolulu, Hawaii – Yeah, I know, Hawaii has been surfed to death. You’d be hard-pressed to find a secluded beach at any point in the day! Don’t be discouraged, though. Why would I put this here if there wasn’t a surf spot? A little ways off from downtown, you can find this beach if you look a bit. You have to trek a bit of dangerous path to get there. The waves aren’t packing all the time, but when they do pick up, it’s a great place to get some surfing done. Hardly knows about this place, so no asking the locals!

2. Lanuza, Surigao del Sur, Philippines – This spot in this island country is a well-kept secret. And for good reason! Despite a popular spot for surfing competitions, it’s hard to even get there, with the trip being five or so hours from the nearest airport. Siargao also overshadows this spot, being the country’s top surf destination. The place should be relatively empty of people. There are ten surfing grounds there, so you can change destinations if the spot you are in is too crowded for you. The locals are also very friendly and hospitable. Go there from November to January for the best waves. Just don’t expect a five-star hotel to stay in. This is a remote town after all.

3. Oahu, Hawaii – Yeah, another Hawaii place. East of Oahu is a beach with great, clean waves, and is hardly inhabited! Like the others, getting there can be challenge but should not deter the determined surfer. You are awarded with regular waves upon arrival, and should give you quite a workout. Summer is the best time to surf here because of the improved waves, and also because everyone else is going to the crowded spots!

4. Lake Michigan, Sheboygan, Wisconsin – Specifically, “The Elbow”. Only the bravest surfers dare come here. The water is freezing cold! Ice is also in the water, plus there needs to be a storm nearby to create the best waves. Dangerous, yes, but this stops normal people from surfing here. Are you a real man? Take the challenge!

Personally, I prefer to surf with a good amount of people, but if flying solo is your thing, these spots will hit the spot! What other surf places can you recommend to us?

Ah, yes, mother’s day. The day where we show our (more than usual) love to the lovely lady who raised us. This raises a question, though. How do we? The good old fashioned present with a greeting, of course! But what do we get her? Skip the handbags and flowers, technology is the new thing! What’s best to get?

1. A digital camera. Remember the mom that always takes pictures of your birthday parties? Chances are, she still loves to do that! Why not give her a new digital camera? That way, she can take as many shots as she wants! If she already has one, maybe it’s time for an upgrade.

2. A booklight. I don’t know about you, but my mom loves to read romance novels and cheap pocketbooks. Play on her love for reading and get this! It’s cheap, too. Just don’t tell her that.

3. A satellite phone! Some moms always want to know where you are. Swallow your fear and give her something that can call you anytime, anywhere! Just remember, she nags you because she loves you!

There are my recommendations. What did you give your mom this Mothers Day? Wait, you’re asking me? Well, that’s a secret.