"I don't know anything about you."

I've always been electronically-challenged. I occasionally need help if my wii game console gets unplugged and I have never figured out how how to program the living room police scanner.

I only recently learned how to turn on my bedroom television without help - and only because my daughter printed step-by-step instructions. I still struggle with the main television in the house - too many remotes - surround-sound system, etc.) I prefer to escape to my little private room and watch my "simple" television.

On the plus side, I have had a blog for years and I am immersed in social media - Facebook and Twitter - at home and work. I've also had an iPhone for years (Blackberry prior.)

But just when I thought I was getting the upper hand on all this, something new came along - for me, anyway. My new work iPhone 4S.

We (news reporters) got them last Tuesday - but I hadn't actually done much with it. I sent one text to a colleague on day one and that was it. On Thursday, I "Tweeted" from a school board meeting I was covering. And Thursday night, I finally tested the Siri feature.

This phone talks to you! I knew that from the commercials but never imagined how interesting it really was.

"Can you help me?" I asked it.

"I'd like to but I don't know who you are. In fact, I don't know anything about you," it answered me.

I started laughing.

Smart-alec phone...but I love it.

I'm still waiting for my first call. The phone has never rang.

There's a first time for everything

I cast my first rod today - at least, that's what I think I did.

Since I am not a fisherman - um, fisherperson - and prior to today had never fished - I really have no idea of the correct term to use....but I attempted to fish and I had fun. Along the way, I learned a bit about lures and bait, worms and bobble thingies.

I couldn't have asked for a prettier day -- warm, blue skies, a clear lake, a blanket of yellow - wild mustard-seed flowers surrounding us, purple wild flowers seen on some of the foothills and the

beautiful Sierra Nevada mountains in the background.

And nope - didn't catch a fish. Not a single one.

But that's ok. I did experience a few other firsts. I saw two large white pelicans on the water. I had no idea we had these anywhere near Porterville. At least, that's what they looked like. They were

definitely not cranes and definitely not egrets, I've seen plenty of

those. These were pelicans. White pelicans. I had one other first but I'll

keep that to myself. :)

Spending the day out there - enjoying the sun, hearing the birds, drinking coffee and later, diet coke, learning to cast and simply enjoying nature - was relaxing. I really loved it - plus, it didn't hurt to have some really nice company.

It was a fun day.