Windows 10, not Windows 9, will be the successor to Windows 8

Microsoft announced on Tuesday that the next version of the Windows operating system will not be called Windows 9, as it has been widely speculated since the last two versions are Windows 7 and Windows 8, but rather Windows 10. They are quoted as saying that calling it Windows 9 "just wouldn't be right." Microsoft also says that the successor to Windows 8, which many people had a hard time getting used to due to its new smartphone/tablet-inspired graphical interface, will mark the beginning of an all-new generation of Windows, like earlier versions with dramatic changes have been marketed as. Windows 10 is tentatively expected to drop in late 2015.

Google celebrates 16th birthday

Google celebrated 16 years on Saturday with a special doodle on their homepage depicting a birthday party with the Google letters. Google was a relative latecomer to the commercial Internet, not going online until September 27, 1998, a few years after most of today's major websites. Some argue, though, that Google's real birthday is September 7, the date it was incorporated as a company. But aside from that, it has developed a powerful online influence. What started as a simple search engine has gone on to become an Internet giant with features such as maps and news, along with its own email provider, social network and Web browser.

Atlantic hurricane season less active than in previous years

The Atlantic tropical cyclone basin has only seen five named storms so far this year, a departure from recent years which have seen periods of high activity. The season usually has its peak during the month of September, but it didn't seem to happen this year. At this point in 2008, the last time the current Atlantic naming list was used, we were up to the K storm, Kyle. This year, we are only up to Edouard, which formed in early August in 2008. This decrease in tropical activity is probably due to changing weather patterns, which are known to cycle through every few years. Meanwhile, the eastern Pacific basin is up to the R storm, Rachel, and it looks like the Pacific is more active, as it usually is.

My dad's birthday

Today is my dad's birthday and he is 56 years old. On Sunday, we went to a Japanese steakhouse for dinner (which I've been to countless times) and then ate an ice cream cake. He's never been very open about celebrating his birthday though, at least not in recent years. But he still made sure we remembered it today.

Autumn is starting

The season of autumn will start with the September equinox at 10:29 pm Eastern time this evening, and the first full day of autumn will be tomorrow. In the area where I live, most of the corn and other plants have been harvested, and the leaves on the deciduous trees are starting to change from green to red, yellow, orange and brown. Also, the temperatures are getting cooler (although it did briefly hit 80 degrees yesterday) and sunset will soon come before 7:00. This will all lead to the cold months of winter.

iOS 8 released to Apple mobile devices

Apple has released iOS 8, the successor to iOS 7, to the iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch. The mobile operating system was first announced a week and a half ago along with the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. iOS 8 contains many improvements, including new camera features that are said to enhance the quality of pictures and videos, better hacking protection and network sharing, and better management of text and voice messages. There are also new features like QuickType and a more adaptive user interface. Of course, some people are unhappy with these changes, just like all previous versions of iOS. But others think it's another great improvement to Apple's mobile software.

A Baltimore-Washington World Series?

The Baltimore Orioles of the American League and the Washington Nationals of the National League have both clinched their respective Major League Baseball divisions, AL East and NL East, putting them in the playoffs. This is the Orioles' first division title since 1997, their last playoff berth for 15 years. The Nationals also won the NL East title two years ago, when they made the playoffs for the first time since their move from Montreal in the 2004-05 offseason. The Orioles and Nationals are both better than they were in 2012, when they both suffered divisional round losses. Some fans are even predicting that they might end up playing each other in the World Series. It would be the Orioles' first since their 1983 championship and the Nationals' first ever.

Although I live closer to Baltimore, I have been a Nationals fan since they came to Washington (but I did root for the Orioles before that). I have to go through Baltimore on my way to Washington, which involves passing by Camden Yards, home of the Orioles and football Baltimore Ravens. So it could feel awkward to me if the Nationals face the Orioles in the World Series. But I wouldn't really care who won, since I would get to be part of a championship celebration no matter what.

Hurricane Odile hits Baja California peninsula

Hurricane Odile, an eastern Pacific basin storm, struck the Mexican state of Baja California Sur Sunday night into Monday morning, bringing high winds and flooding rains to cities in the area such as the resort town of Cabo San Lucas. Vacationers in the area were forced to move to makeshift shelters set up in hotels, many of which were at higher levels in attempts to escape flooding. Odile made landfall on the southern part of the Baja California peninsula as a category 3 major hurricane, the strongest in the region's history. The eastern Pacific has unusually received a lot more attention than the Atlantic basin for its tropical cyclones this year. The Atlantic usually sees more landfalling storms, although the Pacific basins often have more activity with fewer impacts on land due to different conditions.

My teeth are going to fall out

I really like candy, soda and other sweets and I eat and drink them a lot. I also have a tendency to forget to brush my teeth. This is bad because it can and has caused major effects to my teeth. I have had three cavities in the past two years, two of which occurred simultaneously last summer. I have also been told during my last two visits to the dentist that I had gingivitis, although the last time I went it was less serious. I've been trying to remember to brush my teeth and rinse with mouthwash but I just don't do it most days. And today I ate some candy, and also drank most of a 1-liter bottle of soda. I did brush my teeth this evening, though. So I'm treating this situation like I want my teeth to fall out, but I don't want that to happen, so I need to get better with my dental hygiene.

One year working at ShopRite

On this day last year, I had my very first shift at the ShopRite grocery store somewhat close to my house. I started out as a cashier but now I am a porter (the guys who take the carts back). I also do other things like taking trash to the back and returning items that people don't want and the cashiers take back to customer service. Lately I've been working weekends (Sundays only for the past three weeks) in the morning and early afternoon, and getting about $40 per week. I could use some work on doing things properly in my job and I can't say I always enjoy it. Also there's a possibility that I could get moved to yet another department but that's another story. I don't know yet if I'll be working at ShopRite and I don't expect to, but it just might turn out that way.