tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90028763189663192922024-03-04T22:33:49.923-08:00Never Too Old To Talk TechElaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-38822580727146664302016-01-25T05:31:00.000-08:002016-01-25T05:31:44.472-08:00Tech For Rookies: Your place or mine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">On Wednesdays,
from 9:30-10:30 a.m., I teach <i>Tech For Rookies</i> at the Chicago Cultural
Center (formerly the Chicago Public Library), 78 E. Randolph. Drop in any time;
fee is $3. You'll learn how to receive and send e-mail and text messages; set
up the address book and calendar; use the camera; take, save, and e-mail
photos; download apps; and more. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Private lessons
are also available at your place or mine.<i> </i>Hourly rates start at
$25, and may increase depending on the location. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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And, if you're
contemplating a purchase of an Apple product, but are anxious about its use, I
will accompany you to a store in Chicago or a nearby suburb. I'll translate the
instructions given by the specialist, and assure that you don't exit until you
are confident you can access key programs and applications. Again, hourly rates
start at $25, and may increase depending on location. </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-70582008094581345702014-03-20T03:52:00.000-07:002014-03-20T05:33:54.783-07:00Crowdfunding a Challenge For My Senior Set<div class="MsoNormal">
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"Please let me write you a check," Leah said. This
was the third such plea I received from friends who got my email soliciting
funds for my <a href="http://tinyurl.com/knmu6g7">Kickstarter campaign</a>. I'm using that crowdfunding platform to pay
for the publishing and marketing of my upcoming memoir, "Green Nails, And
Other Acts of Rebellion: Life After Loss."</div>
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"No, it doesn't work that way," I said to Leah.
"First of all, I can't deposit your check in my bank and then contribute
to my own campaign. Second, all donations on <a href="http://tinyurl.com/knmu6g7">Kickstarter</a> must go through Amazon
with a credit card." <o:p></o:p></div>
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"I want to help," said Harriet, another of the group
of refuseniks, "but I'm not going to put my personal information on the
Internet."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"But if you're not part of the campaign," I said,
"you won't get my updates. You won't know what's going on
day-to-day."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"So, you'll call and tell me. What's the big
deal?"<o:p></o:p></div>
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I tried a different tack. "You win prizes on
<a href="http://tinyurl.com/knmu6g7">Kickstarter</a>. If you donate a certain amount, you get the new book as a reward.
And, at different levels..."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Who needs a prize?" she interrupted. "I'll
send you a check for the Kick thing, and I'll still buy the damn book, in a
bookstore, like a normal person. "<o:p></o:p></div>
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I dug in, patient as a parent trying to explain the birds-and-bees:
"You see, <a href="http://tinyurl.com/knmu6g7">Kickstarter</a> works sort of like a matching grant. If I don't
reach my campaign's funding goal, all of the money already in the pot
disappears. I won't get anything."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Listen, if you're such a smarty to write the book and
do this crowd thing, you can figure out how to get my money in the pot." <o:p></o:p></div>
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Still pushing, I said: "How about we go on Skype and
I'll walk you through the process? You use that to talk to your grandchildren,
right? Or, I'll come over and we'll tackle the donation together."<o:p></o:p></div>
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"I'm sending a check," she said.<o:p></o:p></div>
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"Okay; just send the check." I felt guilty for the
tussle, and for acting like a spoiled teen gifted a Ford for graduation rather
than a Lexus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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While my younger friends on Facebook had no problem viewing
my <a href="http://tinyurl.com/knmu6g7">Kickstarter</a> announcement, clicking the link, and boosting my bottom line,
members of my own age group (I'm 75) are balking. This creates a dilemma because
my peers are my target audience.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My memoir is based is on my blogs, <a href="http://therookiecaregiver.blogspot.com/">The Rookie Caregiver</a> and <a href="http://therookiewidow.blogspot.com/">The Rookie Widow.</a> Through honest, humorous, and
wry essays, I give readers a view of what everyday life is like when caring for
a loved one with an incurable illness. In my case, my husband Tommy's affliction
was a little-known dementia called <a href="http://www.theaftd.org/frontotemporal-degeneration">Frontotemporal degeneration</a> that eventually
robbed him of speech.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When Tommy died November 2, 2012, my posts switched to the
experiences of widowhood and my efforts - still honest and humorous - to forge
a new life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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These universal themes - supporting a loved one with
dementia, and demonstrating resilience<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>-
should be appealing to those in my cohort. Surely they want to guarantee that
my memoir sees life as a paperback and eBook.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But alas, some aspects of technology -- particularly crowdfunding -- appear to have sailed over the grey-haired heads of my contemporaries,
and instead find them wedded to pen and checkbook.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'll stop kvetching and bullying, and just be grateful for
their support and generosity, and figure out a way to, um, launder their money
into <a href="http://tinyurl.com/knmu6g7">Kickstarter</a>. (Let's keep it between ourselves. Okay?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-44201767122617962262014-01-30T06:12:00.000-08:002014-01-30T06:12:07.486-08:00Happy Birthday To Min, Who Today Has Decided She Is 65
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1THDCNqEaeew8_XoNcSNm5YGZbgcmS-n2LigzCPpPebuyNqhGZR2SQ5YEuvrtJS_k6TaetEFSYJeVSC5A67Q1dvjLHJ_Y-iK_6AKjRLJJd7Z1YslTx5HYbAo9xdHwdgCrxqrANOemncQr/s1600/imgres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1THDCNqEaeew8_XoNcSNm5YGZbgcmS-n2LigzCPpPebuyNqhGZR2SQ5YEuvrtJS_k6TaetEFSYJeVSC5A67Q1dvjLHJ_Y-iK_6AKjRLJJd7Z1YslTx5HYbAo9xdHwdgCrxqrANOemncQr/s1600/imgres.jpg" height="200" width="199" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Today
is my mother Min Shapiro’s birthday. If she were celebrating at an earthly
venue, she’d be 102. But since Mom is in her heavenly high rise, with ocean
views on all sides, she has elected to be 65.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Any
age?” I asked as we Face Time-ed on our iPads. (I have the 2. She has 3. They
get them first up there.) “If you get to choose any age, why 65? Why not some
time in your 20’s when you were a hot chick?”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">Mother
frowned; I had erred for I knew she had always considered herself a glamour
girl. A Dorothy Lamour look-alike I had written in </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Division-Street-Princess-Memoir/dp/0929636635/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327388178&sr=1-1"><span style="color: #45749a; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">my memoir</span></a><span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“I
didn’t mean that, Mom,” I said quickly. “You were gorgeous your whole life,
and, um, afterlife. I’m just wondering what was so special about that age.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">With
that, she held a photo up to the screen. “Remember?” she asked. “The 40th
birthday party I threw for you? I was so proud I could pay for it myself. You
were skinny then. Your hair was long. A beauty.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“So
you loved 65 because I looked good?” I asked. Another familiar theme: Mom
concerned that pudginess could thwart chances at my happiness. I changed the
subject. “What about you, Mom? Other than the party, was that a good year for
you?”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Well,
your father had been dead -- by the way, he says ‘hello’ -- for 20 years so I
was free of worrying about his health and when he would drop dead and make me a
widow. And to be honest, widowhood wasn’t so bad. I should have stuck to it
rather than...”</span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Oh
yes, your awful second marriage.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“That’s
been deleted from my file,” she said. “Like it never happened.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Boy,
you’ve got it good up there,” I said. “You get to choose your age, erase bad
experiences, not so bad. Of course, there’s the part about missing us down here
on earth, and not being in on the good things that happen here.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“What
are you talking?” she asked. “I’ve got a ringside seat. Nothing gets by me.
I’ve seen every show my granddaughters put on. And, you can tell them for me,
I’d prefer a little more decent language. I see my great grandchildren. In
fact, I keep an eye on them when your girls turn their backs. If I see
something important, I give </span><a href="http://faithsoloway.com/"><span style="color: #45749a; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Faith</span></a><span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> and </span><a href="http://jillsoloway.com/"><span style="color: #45749a; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Jill</span></a><span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;"> a knock in the head that makes them turn around.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Wow,
thanks, Mom! So, I don’t have to worry about them every minute of the day?”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“I’ve
got you covered,” she said. She laughed; the iPad shook. It was great to see
her happy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“So,
listen Mom, I called to wish you a Happy Birthday -- 65, 102, whatever...”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Shush,”
she said. “102, never. That’s for very, very, old people.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Oh
yes, I remember your telling me you would never want to grow old. Couldn’t
stand seeing people in walkers, shrinking, wrinkles. You said it wasn’t for
you. And when you did, um, die at 68, you had none of those infirmities. You
went out gorgeous as ever.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">I
continued. “Before I hang up, I need to know what you’d like as a present.
It’ll be virtual, but I want it to be something you’d enjoy.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Hmm,
I’m thinking,” she said. She closed her eyes, put her manicured fingernail to
her red lips, and continued with “hmm.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“I’ve
got it,” she said. “An Apple gift card. Steve gave me a tip that the iPhone6 is
coming out soon, and I can use it for that.”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Steve?
Jobs? You’re friends with him?” I asked.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“I’ve
still got the looks,” she said. She was offended again. But then she waved a
hand to dismiss my question. “Steve’s impressed I know the lingo.” </span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“OK,
Mom, no problem. In a few minutes look in your iCloud, and the gift card will
be there,” I said. “Happy Birthday! Love you!”</span></div>
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<span style="color: #262626; mso-bidi-font-family: Georgia;">“Love
you, too!” she said. Then our screens went dark.</span></div>
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Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-55004239009636406872013-06-28T07:40:00.000-07:002013-06-28T08:08:42.808-07:00How To Add A Website To Your Home Screen<div class="p1">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby_Kl21YFogEzBfL-Gxqg6OeH6emk1HwKXUDe3d_rXF_OW_a7lgBMNrxaJh6VoUljDOJk57-of1iSxAoYwxKEtEed85tsnJ3CN4KplXNCLFdnBpTpjnIAgxIJA-m0m4rO-wSXom0nhYbd/s320/ElainePhone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjby_Kl21YFogEzBfL-Gxqg6OeH6emk1HwKXUDe3d_rXF_OW_a7lgBMNrxaJh6VoUljDOJk57-of1iSxAoYwxKEtEed85tsnJ3CN4KplXNCLFdnBpTpjnIAgxIJA-m0m4rO-wSXom0nhYbd/s200/ElainePhone.jpg" width="98" /></a></div>
<span class="s1">If you’re reading this blog post on your iPhone or iPad, you may wish to capture the website address so that next time you want to visit, it’ll be an easier journey.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Apple’s Safari browser makes that simple. This tip will work not only for any of my websites that I hope you frequent, but for all of your favorites.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Here’s how to add a website to your Home screen. But wait, perhaps a definition is in order: the Home Screen on your iPhone or iPad actually starts on the the second page of your device. The first page is what I have named, the global search page. You use that when you can’t find, or remember where an email, document, or app is on your phone. Just type the description into the horizontal blank space, and a list of suggestions should appear.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The Home Screen is the page where all of your Apple apps (applications), as well as those you’ve added, sit. This screen can actually go on for several pages, depending upon the number of apps you’ve placed on our phone or pad.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">So, when you visit a page in Safari that you want easy access to -- perhaps your own website -- just tap the Share button at the bottom of the Safari window on the iPhone and at the top of the iPad. (Share looks like an arrow that points to the right and is coming out of a box.) Several rows of options for how you’d like to Share this website are available. </span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">You choose and tap Add to Home Screen. Another box will open with a title Apple believes should be attached to the chosen website. You can pick this and click the Add button at the right hand top of the screen, or you can type in a name which you believes fit better.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
Once you’ve hit the Add button, swipe to the last page of all of your screens and you’ll see the website added. It will look like your other apps. Test it out. Click on it and it should take you directly to the website without going on your Safari browser first.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-56069213542464988762013-01-26T05:22:00.000-08:002013-01-26T05:34:48.681-08:00Tech for Rookies: private lessons for iPhones and IPads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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iPhones and iPads are likely the most popular mobile devices purchased for personal use or holiday gifts. But sadly, too many people find themselves flummoxed when trying to use them. They’ve discovered that the rudimentary lessons given at the cellular phone stores leave them scratching their heads instead of adoring them as promised.<br />
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Private lessons at <i>Tech for Rookies</i> will take students step-by-step through the basics, including these How To’s: turn them on and off, receive and send mail, populate the address book, use the calendar, download the most useful applications, create documents using the Pages word processing program, keep the device updated, and answer other questions that can turn rookies to fans.<br />
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The lesson may also appeal to those contemplating a purchase of one of these mobile devices, but need some assurance they won’t feel like a klutz after shelling out the purchase price.<br />
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For more information, contact: elainesoloway@gmail.com, or call 773-320-5681.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-26805881780950823772012-09-01T06:32:00.000-07:002012-11-28T04:25:35.717-08:00A Taste of the Apple<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDpSDHtRFGcf3E2ovbRJn0X4iQkcO-pGZuP6ohvPFY9W7nfwxXdOx1gZ_zip51WG2chAZpa3cTuQvgwMJqDkrCKBHDhUyr1UPrulaK0l4PxzKe1q4VlqtFMdRqFW5Zg-a0F5eUiBQI5nM/s1600/photo_oldorchard.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5701206651316358482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDpSDHtRFGcf3E2ovbRJn0X4iQkcO-pGZuP6ohvPFY9W7nfwxXdOx1gZ_zip51WG2chAZpa3cTuQvgwMJqDkrCKBHDhUyr1UPrulaK0l4PxzKe1q4VlqtFMdRqFW5Zg-a0F5eUiBQI5nM/s320/photo_oldorchard.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 230px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
It was my last day. My letter of resignation had been accepted by the store manager. I had already removed my name tag from the cord I wore around my neck. The blue t-shirts with white logo were on a pile in the recycling box. I emptied my locker of business cards no longer valid. Now, it was time to say goodbye to a job I had coveted for more than 6 years, a dream job I felt incredibly fortunate to have won. <br />
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I opened the door that led from “back of the house” to retail and found myself staring at staffers lined up on either side of the product displays. An Apple tradition for all departing members, my coworkers were clapping and smiling as I slowly inched down the gauntlet. Customers, who had never before witnessed this leave-taking, looked to each other to figure out what this older woman had done to deserve such treatment. Those that had previously seen an Apple goodbye, joined in the applause.<br />
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As for me, I cried. From the rear to the front, I cried. I paused to hug team members who had welcomed this woman -- old enough to be their mother or grandmother -- to the Apple store in Old Orchard. These “kids” who had listened patiently whenever I raced to their side, pulled on an elbow, and asked, "How do we...? What do you suggest..." or other questions.<br />
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Now, rewind the scene to three months earlier when I first learned my application, audition at a recruitment event, and responses during three interviews, won me a spot. When I received that phone call, I believed I was the luckiest woman alive. Imagine, to work in a wonderland of iMacs, iPods, iPhones, iPads; to learn the credo and policies, to understand the lingo; to wear the blue t-shirt. <br />
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Mind you, I have had impressive jobs in the past. I was a press aide to a Chicago mayor (Jane Byrne), a communications director for a Chicago school superintendent (Ruth Love), an account exec at a prestigious public affairs firm (Jasculca/Terman), and owner of my own public relations business until I retired to write a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Division-Street-Princess-Memoir/dp/0929636635/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327388178&sr=1-1">memoir</a>. But none of those posts filled me with the awe I felt at becoming an Apple Specialist.<br />
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And as I suspected, I loved the job. Selling was easy because I truly believed (still do) that Apple products are superior to its peers. I relished taking customers on "test drives" and showing them how to operate the computers and mobile devices. Older customers were my specialty because I was able to say, "if I can do it, you can, too." They would stare at my grey hair and be willing to listen to my enthusiastic spiel.<br />
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So, why did I leave Apple? Because when talking to business customers, I found myself asking, “so, how are you promoting your company?” I couldn’t stop my PR background from leaking out. I realized I missed being my own boss, and decided I wanted to take another stab.<br />
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So, after exiting Apple, I re-entered entrepreneurship. I printed business cards, announced the launching of Elaine Soloway Public Relations, built my own simple web site, wrote blogs, and became active on Facebook. I hired myself to promote my business, and used the hook, “Is It Risky to Reveal My Age.” Amazingly, that pitch garnered an almost immediate story in the <a href="http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2010-10-13/features/ct-met-schmich-1013-20101013_1_pr-move-apple-store-hook">Chicago Tribune</a>.<br />
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While the column brought me attention and business (PR works!), more importantly, it proved I did know a good story when I saw it, I could write an effective pitch letter, and that relationships cultivated through social media could help get my e-mails opened.<br />
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ESPR is over a year old now and I’m proud to say I manage a handful of clients -- just enough for this small shop to handle, and enough to supplement income drained away when the economy did a nose dive.<br />
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But, coupled with the satisfaction I had made the right decision in leaving Apple, is the feeling of nostalgia whenever I enter its stores. When I visit North Michigan Avenue or North Avenue, it takes me a minute to reveal, “you know, I once worked at Apple.” And, if I’m in the Old Orchard mall, my visit isn’t complete until I head to my old home, pull on the elbows of former coworkers, and win hugs. <br />
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Happily, the kids haven’t forgotten me. As for this former Apple Specialist, I’ll never forget them, my blue logo t-shirt, and the best job I ever had.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-53876610615744263212012-06-21T05:19:00.000-07:002012-06-21T05:31:26.334-07:00Time To Get Your Stuff Out of MobileMe<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTVRtdWZ40pxmHaGG9gp7Jvhbnr3ToFiO0IuHbUzqlEotaWw_YLCsC7b1pB_0WsV0khi_o6KGU68ibWZ2zTLX2OkGGhaNFEiD6A9UnlfFXOuHoKN2HhvXDAQX01BEW0NnKVcXqhMOctuQ/s1600/moving_truck-300x251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkTVRtdWZ40pxmHaGG9gp7Jvhbnr3ToFiO0IuHbUzqlEotaWw_YLCsC7b1pB_0WsV0khi_o6KGU68ibWZ2zTLX2OkGGhaNFEiD6A9UnlfFXOuHoKN2HhvXDAQX01BEW0NnKVcXqhMOctuQ/s200/moving_truck-300x251.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Imagine your folks are selling the old homestead and downsizing. You’ve been ordered to clear out all the stuff you’ve stored with them over the years. There are cartons in the attic, basement, garage -- all must find another home.<br />
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Something sort of similar is occurring now if you've been a user of Apple’s MobileMe. Our “folks” have warned that come June 30, 2012, they’re tossing out our stuff. So, many of us are scrambling to find suitable storage for all the documents we thought safely tucked away over the years on MobileMe’s iDisk.<br />
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Fortunately, by now -- as opposed to when the iDisk was first born --there exist many other storage options. Some offer mega space for those who require acres, and others offer a more modest amount for people like me who don’t have the same giant needs<br />
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The <a href="http://www.tuaw.com/">Unofficial Apple Website</a> (TUAW) is the place to start if your stuff has a hearty appetite. Remote FTP, SFTP, WebDAV, or Amazon S3 servers, none of which I understand, are there for the big boys.<br />
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But, if your demand is petite, like mine, David Pogue of the<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_395603357"> </a><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/technology/personaltech/goodbye-mobileme-hello-smugmug-dropbox-and-jimdo-state-of-the-art.html?pagewanted=all">New York Times</a><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/07/technology/personaltech/goodbye-mobileme-hello-smugmug-dropbox-and-jimdo-state-of-the-art.html?pagewanted=all"> </a>speaks our language. He explains, “MobileMe’s most original feature was synchronization: wireless, automatic, seamless auto-updating of data among your gadgets. Your address book, calendars, e-mail, notes, Web bookmarks and other information were always up to date on all your machines ... and always backed up. That’s all part of iCloud now. But when MobileMe dies, three other useful features will die with it: iDisk, iWeb Publishing ... and Gallery.... Apparently, Apple wants to get out of the storage business.”<br />
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Pogue offers replacements for “those three orphaned services, that are not quite as slick, clean and well integrated into your Apple gadgets, but ...offer a lot of choice and a lot of power.”<br />
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For the former Gallery online photo storage, he picks SmugMug out of competitors like Flickr, Shutterfly, PhotoBucket, Snapfish, 5oopx, dphoto, Fotki, Picasa, PhotoShelter. As for me, I’ve been a <a href="http://picasa.com/">Picasa</a> user all along and will just stick with that service.<br />
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For the iDisk, which served as an online “hard drive” and sat on the desktop of my iMac, it was a great way to transfer and save files between computers. Pogue suggests Dropbox or SkyDrive. I’ve been a Dropbox user, along with iDisk, because I’m obsessed with saving documents in the cloud, rather than on thumb drives or CD’s. Thus, I’ll stick with Dropbox.<br />
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iWeb Publishing was a simple way to create Web pages. After June 30, you can still use iWeb to design Web pages; you’ll just have to find a new company to host them. Another route is replacement web publishers. Pogue suggests Jimdo and Weebly. But, I’m already a Google Blogger <a href="http://blogger.com/"></a> and website user, and here I shall remain.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-12930334834225942762011-12-20T05:56:00.000-08:002011-12-20T06:05:04.910-08:00One-Man Band: How Apple helps this solo player keep up the rhythm<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNT0JJa0EviJNDMJP0-FU-MzlSR4pOIcSrXyIU5hxVNlJ_kV-l9F2TfaAW1ds50x0JEWip2JJHcOSm3jsx0-abass4nD-I7U4a2nsR2Gy4h0kUQk1fsVUugWsMPDONBPTl0LiQyRKIeQfH/s1600/band.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 232px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNT0JJa0EviJNDMJP0-FU-MzlSR4pOIcSrXyIU5hxVNlJ_kV-l9F2TfaAW1ds50x0JEWip2JJHcOSm3jsx0-abass4nD-I7U4a2nsR2Gy4h0kUQk1fsVUugWsMPDONBPTl0LiQyRKIeQfH/s320/band.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5688209503797188754" border="0" /></a><br />Although I don't simultaneously use my hands, feet, limbs, and various mechanical contraptions to play music, I do like the imagery of a one-man band to help explain how my Apple devices boost my ability to get a lot of stuff done no matter my locale.<br /><br />First, let me define "stuff," lest you think I spend my time watching videos or playing Angry Birds, which by the way, I still haven't figured out how to do.<br /><br />My stuff falls into three categories: work related, social media, and personal.<br /><br />Let's start with the one that pays my bills and allows me to purchase the aforementioned Apples.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Work</span><br /><br />Since Apple and Microsoft are rivals, Apple prefers that its users turn to its iWork suite of programs, rather than Office. I'm aware you can use Office for Mac, but if you have "drunk the Koolaid" - a reference to loyalists' adherence to all things Apple -- like me, you'll want to embrace the whole megillah.<br /><br />If you do, you can draft a news release, feature story or pitch letter (that's my business) using the Pages word processing program on your desktop Mac. Then open iCloud on Safari or Firefox (my favorite browsers) and drag the file onto the iWork website. Miraculously, when you open Pages on your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, your draft will appear right there.<br /><br />The process is even easier on the mobile devices because when you create or edit that piece on your iPad (my preferred mobile), it automatically travels to iCloud; no dragging needed.<br /><br />Now, before you interrupt to tell me Microsoft Word is demanded by your correspondents, let me put your mind at ease: While in Pages, you have the option to send documents as Word files. And you also can open documents that have been sent to you in Word by converting them to Pages.<br /><br />So although Apple and Microsoft seem to turn their backs on one another, in truth, they swivel, shake hands, and play nice.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Social Media</span><br /><br />While I have many friends who vow they'd never use Facebook and can't fathom why anyone would we interested in what they ate for dinner, those of us faithful to the site, feel otherwise, particularly if you're in Public Relations like I am.<br /><br />Apple's mobile devices enable me to update Facebook (Twitter and LinkedIn, too) whenever I have a spare moment. Either through it's App or via its page on Safari, I can update or link while I'm waiting for any number of tardy appointments, spouse pickups, or during TV commercials.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Personal</span><br /><br />Because I check my email on my iPhone or iPad, I'm alerted to upcoming bills or sales at my favorite shops. I did all of my holiday shopping online (Zappos, J. Crew, Amazon, Harry Potter merchandise) prone on my couch. Believe me, I wanted to do all of this gift buying at local stores, but $10 shipping fees discouraged me. Be assured, if the item is staying in the city, I buy local, small business all the way.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Go for a test drive.</span><br /><br />If you're still not persuaded Apple can help you perform like a one-man band, take a test drive at one of their brick-and-mortar stores. Also, sit in on the free workshops offered at all locations. Once equipped with your own rhythm section, play on!Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-72728783980224535362011-09-23T13:28:00.000-07:002011-09-25T08:06:25.789-07:00Turning to Tech to Explain the High Holidays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwnYHpyRjSjuaFaMXryMScTAtUKAebW6rvGHozvGGDkY-Dj1m-EfJm9fwpzbv1LUnRLcc9C5mfMTvtJmGCjPEY5phhyF0dk85NQ-r635SEhZcjtBT5MS_5_w3N3fypu06-t37HjQT_MYB/s1600/Shofar.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNwnYHpyRjSjuaFaMXryMScTAtUKAebW6rvGHozvGGDkY-Dj1m-EfJm9fwpzbv1LUnRLcc9C5mfMTvtJmGCjPEY5phhyF0dk85NQ-r635SEhZcjtBT5MS_5_w3N3fypu06-t37HjQT_MYB/s320/Shofar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655655012286170594" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family:Times;font-size:10.0pt;"></span><span style="font-family:Times;font-size:13.5pt;"><b> </b></span> <p class="MsoNormal">If you're Jewish like me (more cultural than religious), or are a non-Jew who wonders why your Jewish coworkers disappear on various September and October days, today's post turns to technology for enlightenment.<br /><br />iPhone users can download a $0.99 App titled, "Jewish Days." This application can help you remember when the Jewish holidays occur and what each one means.<br /><br />Here's their quickie explanation of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipper, which are commonly referred to as the High Holidays or the Jewish New Year.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Rosh Hashanah, which begins the evening of September 28, is the start of the civil year in the Hebrew calendar. It is a new year for people, animals, and legal contracts and it commemorates the creation of man.<br /><br />Yom Kippur, which begins the evening of October 7, is also known as the Day of Atonement. According to the Jewish Days app, it is the most solemn and important of the Jewish holidays. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">For many children, the most beloved portion of the synagogue service during the High Holidays is the blowing of the Shofar, a ram's horn. An iPhone App, also priced at $0.99, called "Shofar Hero" contains the four kinds of ritual blasts. FYI: The blowing of the Shofar is the only specific commandment for Rosh Hashanah. Just as trumpeters announced the presence of their mortal king, the Shofar is used by Jews to proclaim the coronation of the King of Kings.<br /><br />Another $0.99 App, called "Synagogues Finder" uses your current location to identify houses of worship nearest your home. So if you haven't gotten a seat lined up for the High Holidays, check out this helpful listing.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Not to worry if you're sans iPhone. You can turn to the Internet for even more information about the High Holidays. <a href="http://www.holidays.net/">Holidays.net</a> outlines "entertainment and some fun Holiday things for you and your family." The site includes stories of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a Shofar to blow, some holiday recipes, and even pictures for the kids to print and color.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/prayer/roshhash.htm">JewishFaq</a> provides instructions (when to light the candles and when to drink the wine, for instance) and prayers for the holidays. The website includes both the Hebrew and English wording for each prayer.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://myjewishlearning.com/">My Jewish Learning</a> is a great site for All Things Jewish. Here, you can explore more about the High Holidays and read an article, "Jewish Husbands, Jewish Wives, and Jewish Partners." You may feel compelled to comment. </p><strong><span style="font-weight:normal"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif">The Jewish iPhone Community's</a> </span></strong>goal it to make easy to find Jewish mobile applications. It creates a virtual community of users of mobile device; i.e. iPhone, Android, and Blackberry. <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>I hope all of the above clears up some of the mystery about the High Holidays. But, if you're still fuzzy, and want a deeper investigation, you could point your mouse to amazon.com where you'll find a thorough listing of Jewish books.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal">And while you're on that site, don't forget to check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929636635/103-9753079-7692606?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">"The Division Street Princess,"</a> a sweet memoir about growing up in Jewish Chicago during the 1940's.<br /><br />You didn't think you'd get away without a commercial, did you?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p>Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-31862490856611001142011-08-18T08:51:00.000-07:002011-08-18T08:55:52.741-07:00iJealousy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCfEaJ4rDlj7YVnRFx8M7l3sK2Ujiu2JB3a2UJXHRq2FX7ZRzJwRV5gi2JJbLR7mwrQ5xachTEPxvLN4nRCIXojU65vn8oC87L9jNZM6AbKqTmucRcnWBUbaB9LSxSKe-SBaWbHHUSECU/s1600/ElaineiPhone.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 302px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvCfEaJ4rDlj7YVnRFx8M7l3sK2Ujiu2JB3a2UJXHRq2FX7ZRzJwRV5gi2JJbLR7mwrQ5xachTEPxvLN4nRCIXojU65vn8oC87L9jNZM6AbKqTmucRcnWBUbaB9LSxSKe-SBaWbHHUSECU/s320/ElaineiPhone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642224472999227250" border="0" /></a>
<br />I was awoken by the sound of sobbing.
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<br />I reached for my eyeglasses and looked around the bedroom to find the source of the disturbance. Husband was on his side, fast asleep. Not him. Dog was at the draped windows. Flat. Not him.
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<br />Then, I looked to my left, to the bedside table where my Apple devices were plugged into their chargers. A tiny pool of water, likely caused by tears, surrounded the iPhone 3G.
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<br />“Sweetheart,” I said, as I unplugged the old phone. “What’s the problem?”
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<br />“You love her more than me,” she said. It wasn't true; the phone’s service was disconnected, but she was perfectly serviceable as an iPod and sleep timer. I made sure I frequently let her know of my appreciation. 3G was listing to the left, hinting to where my iPad was tucked under its lime green cover.
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<br />“No, no, you’re wrong,” I said to her. “It’s new, that’s why....”
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<br />“What’s all this racket?” It was the iPad who suddenly flung open its magnetic shield.
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<br />“Oh, it’s that baby again,” he said. “All night long, sniffing and crying. I can’t believe you can sleep through all that mishegas.”
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<br />3G did have a whiny tone. “I used to be your favorite,” she stammered between sobs. “Remember when you first got me? No one could pry me from your hands. Oh, we had wonderful times together. Then, you had to go and replace me with the 4 and left me up here by myself. Did I complain? Now...”
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<br />3G was interrupted by PowerBook G4 who previously sat quietly on the makeshift desk in the bedroom. Its cover stood upright, the screen lit. “For christ sake, a computer can’t get a decent sleep in this place. Green lights, red lights, and now all that blubbering.”
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<br />“Just because you’re a computer, don’t think you’re such a smarty.” It was the iPad who now sidled up next to the 3G. “We can do most of the stuff you do. And you’re an old fart; don’t even have Intel. Why should we listen to you?”
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<br />It was time to mollify this crowd. “Listen everyone,” I said. “I love you all. Even though I may not use you all day, that doesn’t mean my affection has waned in any way. But I promise to be more sensitive to your feelings.”
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<br />Unable to fall back asleep, despite dear 3G offering to lull me with my playlist, I plugged all back into their chargers and went downstairs to the kitchen to see if a glass of milk could knock me out.
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<br />A tumult was underway on the first floor. Desktop iMac in my home office had been eavesdropping (we have a network) and was attempting to loosen its cords to join the fray upstairs. iPhone4 was doing her best to restrain him.
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<br />“You want to talk about abandonment,” iMac shouted. The router shook. “I’m stuck inside the house 12 months of the year, 24/7. At least the rest of you are mobile! You get out; you see things. You’re not forced to stare at four walls, window blinds, and these stupid reproductions she calls art.”
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<br />Now it was iPhone4’s turn: “Just because I’m mobile it doesn’t mean she pays any attention to me. Ever since she got that, ugh, iPad, she’s been complaining her fingers are too thick for my keyboard.”
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<br />“Enough already!” I said. “I can’t take it. All day long I move from one Apple to another just to keep all of you happy, yet you’re still complaining. Please, let me get some peace.”
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<br />I crept from my home office and flopped on the living room couch. Once everyone quieted down, I fell back asleep. Sometime in the middle of the night, a vision appeared. It was the 13” Mac Air -- saucy, winking at me, cooing, “Oh darling, ....”
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<br />Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-13373337496934617452011-07-25T13:01:00.001-07:002011-07-25T13:03:45.165-07:00Ah yes, I remember it well<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8bEIa49h4nby07ZS68imdbyUAv5tCunXCTAgAU6MEorEe_PQAxLLQaj1SkdJoxW2iqNvdS3U-X7mzsYDCS9IQ3wdQl-tJ8uqYHLJ3KhCZc0D3SgEoRslpS-rYhiXakIEQu3wB-At7goL/s1600/remember2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho8bEIa49h4nby07ZS68imdbyUAv5tCunXCTAgAU6MEorEe_PQAxLLQaj1SkdJoxW2iqNvdS3U-X7mzsYDCS9IQ3wdQl-tJ8uqYHLJ3KhCZc0D3SgEoRslpS-rYhiXakIEQu3wB-At7goL/s320/remember2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633382768739546818" /></a><br />In my previous life – BSJ – my office desk, computer, bathroom mirror, and other surfaces were covered with Post-It Notes.<br /><br />Some To-Do’s were vital; i.e. Send invoice to client. Others, mundane, as in Laundry. And still others, pathetic: No ice cream!<br /><br />Then, the sky opened, sunlight filled the continent, and Steve Jobs ordered, "Thou shalt have Macs." Suddenly, ancient tree products and writing instruments were old hat, and programs or applications available on Apple computers, iPhones, iPods, and iPads replaced all of those Pitman-penmanship stickies.<br /><br />Because #1 on my current To Do list reads, Play nice and share, I've decided to offer you a few apps and web sites that might come to your rescue. They’re likely available on non-Apple devices, but why go there?<br /><br />1) <span style="font-style:italic;">Awesome Note Lite</span> is a free Apple app that reviewers consider "ten times better" than Notes, Apple‘s default program. The same critic sniffs that the Notes application is very limited, and "Awesome Notes is a worthy solution and replacement for it."<br /><br />He (oh, I'm sure it's a "he") says the biggest difference between Apple's Notes and Awesome Notes is that the latter allows you to organize your notes into folders. He says a bunch of other stuff, which you can find on the app's own page in the App store.<br /><br />2) <span style="font-style:italic;">Evernote</span> is my current favorite in this productivity category. Like the above, it's free and it's heralded for "turning the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad into an extension of your brain, helping you remember anything and everything that happens in your life." You can save notes, ideas, snapshots, and recordings and the material instantly synchronizes across your devices. I like its ability to send yourself an e-mail, which I do to further remind me that I have a reminder. Oy,<br /><br />3) <span style="font-style:italic;">Remember the Milk</span> is a long-time free app that also travels between Apple products. It has an online service that syncs, and it can send reminders via email, SMS (Short Message Service), and instant messenger. <br /><br />4) <span style="font-style:italic;">ReQall</span> is free and useful when you don’t have time to write down an idea or reminder. Just tap the ReQall app and speak or type whatever you want to remember. ReQall can send you a reminder via voice, text message, instant message, email, or calendar alert.<br /><br />5) Despite what the defamer said in Option 1, I still think <span style="font-style:italic;">Apple's Notes</span>, which lives on the Home page of your iPhone, iPod, or iPad, is a useful list-maker. It automatically syncs to your Mobile Me mail account, and you can manually e-mail your lists (you can make as many as you want) to your other e-mail services. Naturally, it's free.<br /><br />Now, with my publication of this post, I can perform a step that is the beauty part of every reminder and list-making service. I can check off, "Write blog on remembering." Done!Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-88466470206382992692011-04-12T06:10:00.001-07:002011-04-13T05:56:46.918-07:00Urge Stakeholders to Climb Aboard Social Media<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhDWLR2uJuDTMIM3QDtQWYoNxWOfG-gMnpcYMb7BZ0eN6Fk4xVAKX-wqUmHt5U-IkaMy0wl0xb_gDyYTINMmMfnh6NJR_zBnSJGhLtR5UvACFPaE0XLAQvU-XmqANyL8OMJ905PtRGNN0/s1600/all_aboard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 296px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQhDWLR2uJuDTMIM3QDtQWYoNxWOfG-gMnpcYMb7BZ0eN6Fk4xVAKX-wqUmHt5U-IkaMy0wl0xb_gDyYTINMmMfnh6NJR_zBnSJGhLtR5UvACFPaE0XLAQvU-XmqANyL8OMJ905PtRGNN0/s320/all_aboard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5594683891799873026" /></a><br />Every non-profit organization believes it’s the World’s Best Kept Secret. And in many cases, that’s true. You’ve been around for more than a decade, accomplished amazing and beneficial results, and is a blessing in the do-good community. Yet, beyond your stakeholders (staff, board of directors, members, and volunteers), too few in the general public know you exist.<br /><br />However, many nonprofits neglect a major asset that if tapped, could help spread the word and lift it from shadow to spotlight. Best of all, this asset is close at hand and likely eager to help out -- it’s those stakeholders introduced in the opening paragraph.<br /><br />We’re all aware print media is becoming an endangered species, with newspapers dropping weight as quickly as a Jenny Craig commercial. And the competition to tell your story on radio or TV gets more difficult with programming budget cuts. Instead of wringing hands at these depressing developments, turn to Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn (free social media sites) --and your stakeholders -- to bring more attention to your nonprofit. Here are 10 suggestions:<br /><br />1. Take a survey of your stakeholders to learn how many have accounts on these sites.<br /><br />2. Encourage those who are not on to sign up.<br /><br />3. Host a workshop where interested stakeholders can learn tips on getting the most out of social media for themselves and your organization. <br /><br />4. If your nonprofit doesn’t already have a Fan Page on Facebook, set one up. A techie on board, or a hired consultant, can accomplish this easily. <br /><br />5. Post relevant information at least once daily to your social media pages, i.e. upcoming events, campaigns, links to your blog, newsworthy items, recent organizational or individual accomplishments.<br /><br />6. With your stakeholders now in the social media game, urge them to “Like” your Fan page. This relationship will now be published on their Profile pages with a link their friends can explore.<br /><br />7. Suggest stakeholders invite Facebook friends to “Like” your organization’s page. Also, their friends can “Follow” it on Twitter, and join your LinkedIn network, thus spreading your name further into the social media world.<br /><br />8. If you’re hosting an event, be sure to create it on your Facebook Fan and LinkedIn pages. Remember to post Save-The-Date updates to all of your social media sites. Your stakeholders can then link to the event alerting their own friends and attracting additional attention and guests.<br /><br />9. Urge stakeholders to use the private message options in Facebook and LinkedIn to invite their friends to the event.<br /><br />10. Provide your stakeholders with the name, cell phone number, and e-mail address of your techie. Thus, if frustration or bewilderment arises, the techie can immediately mollify and get your valuable assets back on board.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-13459205921733198082011-03-21T12:49:00.000-07:002011-03-22T06:18:08.803-07:00Cup Holders Before It’s Too Late<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElclF1o-o8rk09SNINRjjpiDXpyc4QB5wwHLFT_PhjnlrVyRZxrJk7InwJxYPO8R7hzL1EHs4LlQAZys6mdAwGyGGmfhN29-ocsv1raVdYwE1EqSM5unO7mmMBmks7JON7Kv4xjyZHTqx/s1600/Civic1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhElclF1o-o8rk09SNINRjjpiDXpyc4QB5wwHLFT_PhjnlrVyRZxrJk7InwJxYPO8R7hzL1EHs4LlQAZys6mdAwGyGGmfhN29-ocsv1raVdYwE1EqSM5unO7mmMBmks7JON7Kv4xjyZHTqx/s320/Civic1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586623021440110018" /></a><br />Is it wrong to want cup holders before I die? Hold your tears; my demise is not imminent -- as far as I know -- but I could wear out before my 1990 Honda Civic with 65,000 miles ever meets her foundry. Thus, if I continue to drive Sweetie Pie, I will never know the joy of cup holders. Instead, I’ll forever wedge my travelling mug betwixt gear shift and driver's seat.<br /><br />Need I mention airbags? A CD player? Windows that slither down with a tap of the finger? A steering wheel unaccompanied by grunting? Doors that open without placing a key in a lock? An iPod plug in? Daytime running lights? I've never known these.<br /><br />Now, you may ask, why have I held onto Sweetie Pie so long? A valid question if you are the sort who does not believe automobiles have feelings. (You may even be the type that doesn’t kiss her iPhone before tucking her into the charger each night. Or, doesn’t wish her home office good morning with the On light switch.)<br /><br />Despite my attempt to convince you I am an Anthropomorphicer with a capital A, you may still wonder at my allegiance to this vehicle. Cue the violins. Sweetie Pie was purchased one month after separating from my first husband. <br /><br />That marital relationship lasted 30 years, so I was naturally in a vulnerable state. The purchase of the Civic, with my name on the title, felt like a mark of independence. I had my own wheels. The two of us could travel together to the ends of the earth. More likely to Trader Joe’s. (Actually, Trader Joe’s didn’t enter the Chicago market until 2000, but I think it works better than Jewel, don't you?)<br /><br />And during my singlehood, when I was ready to date again, and a personal ad in The Chicago Reader brought me interested swains from the suburbs, it was Sweetie Pie who drove me to meet them -- a Chicagoland map unfolded in the passenger seat. Oh, there’s lots of tales I could tell in our long automotive relationship, but I’m skidding off topic, so I’ll leave them to your imagination. <br /><br />This is what finally convinced me I should sell the Civic: I conceded there could come a time when arthritis, dimmed vision, or sluggish reaction time might rob me of ever experiencing the features listed in graph #2. And, for a self-described techie like me, I was embarrassed by my lack of experience with the latest motor car thingamajigs. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9TJywKwYZs28_0tSoHt9f9SCXjKT5SERUvAc0ZgPW_1zJ8a5vQWeucQSg_lhI94mAUc71tluvXoBfnnaZogznSfKFhcWiFAHnxHBVLI3TN4fIQHzAKGmiqAd_2o3wJISBpkNxtUu-84S/s1600/Fit.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC9TJywKwYZs28_0tSoHt9f9SCXjKT5SERUvAc0ZgPW_1zJ8a5vQWeucQSg_lhI94mAUc71tluvXoBfnnaZogznSfKFhcWiFAHnxHBVLI3TN4fIQHzAKGmiqAd_2o3wJISBpkNxtUu-84S/s320/Fit.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586623143633465746" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Update</span><br /><br />So, I sold the Civic to a good family and bought a 2011 Honda Fit. While I’m head over heels for Gorgeous (quickly named to speed bonding), I weep for Sweetie Pie. I know she’s happy being driven by younger people who energize her chassis. I know she prefers being outdoors, rather than sealed in a cold, dark garage. But, I worry: is she angry with me? Jealous of my new acqusition? <br /><br />In time, I know I will grow as attached to Gorgeous as I was to Sweetie Pie. Wait, is that a horn I imagine I hear? Yes, it’s Gorgeous coaxing me to grab my key fob to unlatch her doors. Come, she croons, to the power windows that await my digit. To the CD and iPod players eager to share my jazz collection. And yes, to the cup holders (four!) that promise to cuddle my mug of Black Cat Espresso.<br /><br />I can feel the pain easing.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-51768320796269844042011-02-09T03:03:00.001-08:002011-02-09T03:06:30.948-08:00Apps for Valentine's Day<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIXXh6A3uyMW6UO8j8vI09ozSt8IbyB-wea5VgwAPcMbH_avUXG17nGCB3FlW-iBqnCjjXfrHIi_UPF4HQ31fY80IUztQbKHNgvDX-csIsxPrLhq-OcS68wNIVrZ3A2-vV-YppdXonkoa/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 224px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlIXXh6A3uyMW6UO8j8vI09ozSt8IbyB-wea5VgwAPcMbH_avUXG17nGCB3FlW-iBqnCjjXfrHIi_UPF4HQ31fY80IUztQbKHNgvDX-csIsxPrLhq-OcS68wNIVrZ3A2-vV-YppdXonkoa/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5571643872523892466" /></a><br />While shopping at Target on Sunday, my husband and I paused before entering the checkout lane. We looked at each other then split in opposite directions. Upon returning to our goods, Tommy dropped into the cart -- among the Diet Coke, No Caffeine and Vanity Fair Everyday Napkins -- a heart-shaped box of Russell Stover candies. I tossed in a glittery card, "To My Wonderful Husband, Happy Valentine's Day." With no attempt to hide our purchases, we headed toward the shortest line. Who says romance is dead?<br /><br />That's us, maybe not you. So, as a favor to those who mush about the upcoming holiday, I've gathered some apps to help make hearts flutter.<br /><br />1.<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Be Mine Lite</span> is a free Valentine's Day Card Creator. It comes loaded with backgrounds, hearts, cupids, kisses and more. You can save your cards, send them through email, or share on Facebook. It's universal, which means you can use it on an iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. <br /><br />2.<span style="font-weight:bold;"> iCelebrate ~ Valentine's Day</span> app costs $0.99, but that's not much to pay to set a romantic tone for the night. It streams love-inspired Smooth Jazz, Easy Listening, and Soul/R&B music. It can display either candlelit tables, a big red heart, or a New York City balcony at night.<br /><br />3. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Flower Coach by Teleflora</span> is free and helps you write the perfect romantic greeting, including sweet, sexy, silly, traditional, Shakespeare-ish and hip-hop. And, you'll save 10% on your next bouquet.<br /><br />4.<span style="font-weight:bold;"> Instant Poetry HD</span> is a bit pricier at $1.99. But think of the fun you'll have as you create beautiful, passionate, and romantic poetry. Use your own pictures as backgrounds, tap a button to pop up some words, then drag them around the screen to design your masterpiece. <br /><br />5. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Open Table</span> is free and uses your current location to provide a list of available restaurants. Search by city, neighborhood, cuisine or price. Valentine's Day is notoriously busy and expensive, but if you're undeterred, use this app to find a description, photos and reviews. Bon appetit! <br /><br />6. <span style="font-weight:bold;">Kiss N Blow</span> costs $0.99. You blow a kiss into your iPhone, and have it sent to your Valentine via email or text messaging. Select from a variety of themes: Green Kiss (environmentally friendly), Eskimo Kiss (with your nose) Romantic Kiss, and Scuba Kiss, (from Underwater).<br /><br />7. Now, if all of the above leaves you nauseous rather than excited, here's an app you might prefer: <span style="font-weight:bold;">Love Sucks</span>, a $0.99 app that recognizes Valentine’s Day isn’t for all. It displays anti-Valentine’s Day candy heart images of Love Sux, You Suck, and I'm Cheating. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Happy Valentine's Day! </span>Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-90365834461464687972010-10-29T06:53:00.001-07:002010-10-29T06:57:54.217-07:00Shorten, please<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_75q-TRcaiwfnxi_SBwYoikQodE5jrlcCLEypt4NaO1q_vhIHef9MtZCkm_1Xow3_Er9CgPavKXvtF6oagY7Xu2FW2-oHuKDHCyLN8nWGAHyM0lLLy6mT0-YmlsePc1FLYodvFIzQnZ5r/s1600/short.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 167px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_75q-TRcaiwfnxi_SBwYoikQodE5jrlcCLEypt4NaO1q_vhIHef9MtZCkm_1Xow3_Er9CgPavKXvtF6oagY7Xu2FW2-oHuKDHCyLN8nWGAHyM0lLLy6mT0-YmlsePc1FLYodvFIzQnZ5r/s320/short.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5533465939240174978" /></a><br />As someone who stands under five feet and wears her hair as clipped as a fresh recruit, I’m smitten with “short.” Others may not feel likewise. Those of us who bear that adjective are sometimes mocked for our, um, shortcomings.<br /><br />To the rescue comes technology where it frequently helps to be short. Many Web sites, such as Twitter, prefer links to be tiny so that inputted sentences don't exceed its 140-word limit. <br /><br />Applications, like tiny.url or bit.ly, which can be added to your Mac toolbar (sorry, I only speak <a href="http://apple.com">Apple</a>), do the slicing for you. On an iPhone, using a free app called Shortener, you can copy a lengthy Web address, get it neatly hemmed, and then upload it to Twitter, Facebook, or into an e-mail message.<br /><br />Here’s how to do all of the above:<br /><br /> 1. On your Mac, open your browser -- Firefox and Safari are my choices -- (Okay, I know Safari is part of my religion; but sometimes, I like variety.). Go to tinyurl.com. Find the option, “Make Toolbar button.” Drag that selection to the toolbar at the top of the page. <br /><br />After the button is tucked in, travel to a <a href="http://elainesolowaypr.com">site you’d like to share</a>. Remain on the desired site as you click on the new button, TinyURL! A short URL will have been created. Copy the abbreviated version. Open Twitter or Facebook; implant the tiny URL into your status update. Add you own special wording. And you're good to go.<br /><br />2. Bit.ly works similarly. Go to its Web page and find the bit.ly Bookmarket option. Drag it to the toolbar. This site has a Sidebar that shows Traffic, Conversations, and History; i.e. how many other users have tweeted this particular Web site. A neat feature. Perform the same steps as above.<br /><br />3. Open your iPhone, go to the App store, and search for Shortener. You’ll find other apps that purport to do similar carving. Read the reviews; there’s more than a dozen. Some free, others $.99. I tested Shortener and it worked perfectly. <br /><br />Go to the iPhone’s Safari Web browser. Find the site you want to share. Copy its Web address by touching the screen and holding until a magnifying glass appears. Use your finger to drag the magnifying glass to an insertion point on the address. Tap to display the selection buttons. Touch and hold to bring up the Copy option. No fear, the shortened address has been safely sent to Appleland where it awaits your next step.<br /><br />Leave the Web site. Open Shortener. Paste the copied address into the space provided. Select TinyURL as the shortening service. Snip. Copy the shortened Web address. Open Twitter, Facebook, or your e-mail message. Touch and hold the spot where you want your link to go, select Paste. Then, as above, add your own special wording to your status update or message.<br /><br />Now, don't you feel differently about us shorties?Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-28395840430455574772010-10-12T04:00:00.000-07:002010-10-12T05:32:00.727-07:00iPhone IPad iSnob<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIE30S5pNhT2MeIg7CYQncx5cyHnqwakd06VWnAHI-7cDGeHrQh2cbhoczFIuWfArRHAN2sB-XSyVUq1x1bytmZ_xa2crgUD9kuB04VmnY57LM3XY4xid2b64sxsw0cBE2xJW9TIaIVUV/s1600/Target.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 161px; height: 299px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCIE30S5pNhT2MeIg7CYQncx5cyHnqwakd06VWnAHI-7cDGeHrQh2cbhoczFIuWfArRHAN2sB-XSyVUq1x1bytmZ_xa2crgUD9kuB04VmnY57LM3XY4xid2b64sxsw0cBE2xJW9TIaIVUV/s320/Target.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526897316882228562"></a><br />Alas, Target is carrying the iPad and it's rumored that Walmart will be next. I don’t mean to be a snob, but I think customers will miss some of the <a href="http://apple.com/retail/oldorchard">Apple store</a> experience if they purchase the device from one of those two megastores.<br /><br />I haven’t seen Walmart’s supposed display, but at my local Target, although accessories were in plain view, the iPads themselves were stored in their boxes and locked in a cabinet. No ability to ooh aah or test drive.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6I2zwMXgXwqG4b3INoGO69CSEUop8Jud_Oq1ksMDxA02xN6Am1SQKhappfXuxBioZ5VYjSDtv7Vjcnv8aSg_jWUw00OfuytWuWCAd7xpacbq5SgOtJH1iZh0_ieZeyORA9TcPAbG3H8x/s1600/iPadUser.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6I2zwMXgXwqG4b3INoGO69CSEUop8Jud_Oq1ksMDxA02xN6Am1SQKhappfXuxBioZ5VYjSDtv7Vjcnv8aSg_jWUw00OfuytWuWCAd7xpacbq5SgOtJH1iZh0_ieZeyORA9TcPAbG3H8x/s320/iPadUser.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526898557856009026"></a><br />But, I understand the demands of marketing to wider audiences. As a favor to those buyers of iPads who go the non-Apple route, and to all of the new iPhone users who may have missed my earlier How-to column, I’m going to repeat some jewels and add a few new tips. A caveat, this column is wholly the opinion of its author; it’s not vetted or endorsed by Apple. Having said that (I love that phrase, but have few chances to use it, so humor me.), here we go:<br /><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">1. Download the User Guide.</font> This works for both the iPhone and iPad. Go to Safari, Apple’s browser. Look for the tiny image that looks like an open book. That’s Safari’s Bookmark. Click on that and on the option menu you’ll see User Guide. Next, hit the plus () sign. When asked what you want to do with this page, select Add to Home Screen. Voilà, the guide is now on your Home Screen where you can refer to it as needed.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6EFjr_8gkGbGorXMbNY-bOfVKmDJlajSqw_dLhWH7LfuqVpuuZE4rH8NyaavC2afEd61Yjg-bsRJpjJB5v8trtZ-o5G9RbCzgWC-yZqz2yp9sftZMFMacbCIZ8UnK91JcyCHi6X2XMnu/s1600/safari.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG6EFjr_8gkGbGorXMbNY-bOfVKmDJlajSqw_dLhWH7LfuqVpuuZE4rH8NyaavC2afEd61Yjg-bsRJpjJB5v8trtZ-o5G9RbCzgWC-yZqz2yp9sftZMFMacbCIZ8UnK91JcyCHi6X2XMnu/s320/safari.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526897736713970850"></a><br /><font style="font-weight: bold;">2. Safari’s plus and Home Screen trick</font> works for any other web sites you’d like downloaded. Let’s say you’re reading this blog on either Apple device and you want to save it for later reading, or you want to do the same for my website, <a href="http://elainesolowaypr.com/">Elaine Soloway Public Relations</a>. Hit the plus sign and down either site will go to your Home Screen. No need to go back to your browser, I’ll, um, I mean “they” will pop up with one touch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-YDtoQqoyBK2y6MlJc-IzlgcrvG82JhEtz5KScPNAC7rlzjp7ftIPlTjtspyAr5D5R1Ye6bR_3Be30XBcNrOYOqCQCr-se6xJAtD0GYGefssij-srPQHezxrdHfrKcuWJCi9hHoM1CUu/s1600/facebook.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 120px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz-YDtoQqoyBK2y6MlJc-IzlgcrvG82JhEtz5KScPNAC7rlzjp7ftIPlTjtspyAr5D5R1Ye6bR_3Be30XBcNrOYOqCQCr-se6xJAtD0GYGefssij-srPQHezxrdHfrKcuWJCi9hHoM1CUu/s320/facebook.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526897966157811970"></a><br />3. This is a frequent question asked by iPhone users. <font style="font-weight: bold;">How do I upload photos to Facebook?</font> Take the photo with your iPhone camera, and save it in your Camera Roll. Then, open Facebook (let’s assume you’ve already downloaded the app and have kept it updated), and look for the little camera to the left of the horizontal space called, What’s on your mind? (Don’t write anything in that space.) After you’ve clicked on that tiny camera and you are given the option of Take Photo or Video, or Choose From Library, select the latter. When the desired photo appears, add a caption, upload, and it will soon appear on your Facebook page.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Fkay0b3SY9kS61i7uYEesFvKLgpw-q2aAzl9zeb6w9TgdY83GOn4Xqc-vSDghh3JYO0902reYlvCE0Sp4e-UjP4RmpIudsvyfRtdTXIKKZT2tuiHiqu0ldA-fHKKG6VEkljTBjUa8EzI/s1600/MagGlass.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9Fkay0b3SY9kS61i7uYEesFvKLgpw-q2aAzl9zeb6w9TgdY83GOn4Xqc-vSDghh3JYO0902reYlvCE0Sp4e-UjP4RmpIudsvyfRtdTXIKKZT2tuiHiqu0ldA-fHKKG6VEkljTBjUa8EzI/s320/MagGlass.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526898170433224418"></a><br />4. This works for the iPhone and iPad. <font style="font-weight: bold;">When writing text on an email</font>, and you’ve made an error in the middle of a word, it’s not necessary to use the “x” to go backwards and erase all you’ve already written. Simply place your finger on the error (think of your finger as a cursor) and a magnifying glass will appear. Guide the cursor to the spot and make the correction. Now move your finger/cursor back to the end of the line to complete your email.<br /><br />5. This is another text tip. If you want to make some of <font style="font-weight: bold;">letters on your iPhone accented</font>, tap the letter, pause, and a trio of accented letters appears. Select your choice and it will be in the text. (Thanks to friend <a href="http://francesarcher.com/">Frances Archer</a> for reminding me of this trick.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8HYxsnNCOLPB86oJ5LtOya32pjhCCg1tLAvT5QDiptoAO5t8x5Wewq4GmfVqQ9ZyFH6xbs6KCCNH9wTCRdTTzAX4gX46l7HXZORTTlRsEk8A239RQVtWFAh8dbN8ytxC1kL9AlwtB-4Y/s1600/UserGuide.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV8HYxsnNCOLPB86oJ5LtOya32pjhCCg1tLAvT5QDiptoAO5t8x5Wewq4GmfVqQ9ZyFH6xbs6KCCNH9wTCRdTTzAX4gX46l7HXZORTTlRsEk8A239RQVtWFAh8dbN8ytxC1kL9AlwtB-4Y/s320/UserGuide.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5526897506308166658"></a><br />If I haven’t answered <font style="font-style: italic;">your</font> questions, here’s an idea: check out the <font style="font-weight: bold;">User Guide</font>. You’ll find it on your Home Screen.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-50076971400568133362010-10-01T07:19:00.001-07:002011-09-25T14:11:09.063-07:00Boo! Apps and Links for Halloween<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUTF1gqW0em37hJbaAv55zGgPOZr6j0Y_LxYZGxXDGL55vcIj55VhEsWoX8XVoe1qB8F1RGdh3et6cEm_wYn9737aUtN37lINPEg3R-i9IxaecHtkfQ-xNedv-hUlX8O-8lZ8g6aomBi7/s1600/Pirate.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 212px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUTF1gqW0em37hJbaAv55zGgPOZr6j0Y_LxYZGxXDGL55vcIj55VhEsWoX8XVoe1qB8F1RGdh3et6cEm_wYn9737aUtN37lINPEg3R-i9IxaecHtkfQ-xNedv-hUlX8O-8lZ8g6aomBi7/s320/Pirate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523082237281050610" border="0" /></a><br />When I asked my daughters, <a href="http://faithsoloway.com/">Faith</a> and <a href="http://jillsoloway.com/">Jill</a>, what they remembered of Halloween costumes of their youth, their answers were “Pirate” and “Hobo.” Ah yes, now I recall the frantic evening before the holiday that found me thrashing through my husband’s closet to grab his clothing (hobo) and through my bathroom shelves for makeup (pirate).<br /><br />Because of that pathetic memory, I’m starting early by identifying for you Apps and websites that will not only help to put together garb, but also create ghoulish sound effects and purchase candy you remember from your own childhood.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">iPhone and iPad Apps</span><br /><br />Not surprisingly, app developers have gone wild for Halloween and created dozens that pop up when you search for the holiday. You can go on your own hunt, but I’ve gathered a few to start you out.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zexdx2BZu_2TdJ5HmuQxxHp5IpFBYpb_AqRUI_znwUVt6RcWSZXX5hkSrTI2MNbl11BMNXmdt_bHVzx4RhkePAl1t-fKWtog2m-JoV6H8ArMbO0ngJpTtL509OICqW2MjVl-CLL1m3BC/s1600/skull.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 195px; height: 258px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5zexdx2BZu_2TdJ5HmuQxxHp5IpFBYpb_AqRUI_znwUVt6RcWSZXX5hkSrTI2MNbl11BMNXmdt_bHVzx4RhkePAl1t-fKWtog2m-JoV6H8ArMbO0ngJpTtL509OICqW2MjVl-CLL1m3BC/s320/skull.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523082587905990914" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Halloween Countdown</span> is free on the iPhone and an iPad version that adds an "i" to its title, costs $2.99. While listening to haunting music, you’ll see the number of days counting down until the big day. You’ll watch as the animated transparent skull gets bigger. The app includes five background musical soundtracks and if you wish to see the skull’s eyes flash red, just shake.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">DressUp Lite</span> is a free iPhone app. If you’re not one of my kids, you may have wondered what you’d look like as a pirate. This app encourages you to put costumes on photos of you or your friends and then publish them on your favorite social media site.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">zGhost2 </span><span>is a $0.99 iPhone app</span> lets you see ghosts in the real world. According to the application description, "The iPhone camera is actually sensitive enough to pick up the low-glow ectoplasm radiated by Ghosts." Check it out, But don’t click when alone.<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">iHalloween</span> is a free iPhone app that creates spooky, creepy sound effects, such as a cat screaming, ghoul laughing, or a simple boo.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Web Sites</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">Parents.com</span> offers 21 Halloween Costumes Made by Real Moms, Best Pregnant Halloween Costumes, and Quick and Easy DIY Halloween Costumes. What are you waiting for? Fetch the felt, scissors, and feathers!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MpP2D5LLq4n-E13SblnLcPf_wR0s2L2tqGo7fQKLc71D_PU9seavBh2caacCkmlKi8UqWJyjgN22SdAELqjedzXJJSBBAGp4_ENKt-yKUpsUTKqWoyu-KDezJcw99G42I-M1Tkta8djd/s1600/ghost.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 191px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_MpP2D5LLq4n-E13SblnLcPf_wR0s2L2tqGo7fQKLc71D_PU9seavBh2caacCkmlKi8UqWJyjgN22SdAELqjedzXJJSBBAGp4_ENKt-yKUpsUTKqWoyu-KDezJcw99G42I-M1Tkta8djd/s320/ghost.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523083190392457650" border="0" /></a><br />If you’re a do-it-yourself-er like you know whom, you might want to turn to <span style="font-style:italic;">ehow.com</span> for ideas. Among their Homemade Halloween Costumes are Cyndi Lauper, a Nun, Jellyfish, David Bowie, and Greek Goddess. Unusual selection I'd say.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwVla6-Pu4xKhSsc7qSbu1lImFicxcJuT3jNPrdklFxzZd910ZCKafVbXobTpowja1uVHq6sE1_J4rrhPiMxufFgFJsAuEEUVql1OMnmtkU1I5x2pJoVChWzmZUqEVRRsDL44JJaN0uD2/s1600/sexy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 251px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwVla6-Pu4xKhSsc7qSbu1lImFicxcJuT3jNPrdklFxzZd910ZCKafVbXobTpowja1uVHq6sE1_J4rrhPiMxufFgFJsAuEEUVql1OMnmtkU1I5x2pJoVChWzmZUqEVRRsDL44JJaN0uD2/s320/sexy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523084105370149570" border="0" /></a><br />You might want to opt for an easier route and just buy the damn stuff. At <span style="font-style:italic;">halloweencostumes.com</span>, you can choose your fantasy. Their claim, “We are one of the largest retailers of Halloween costumes on the web. Not only do we carry a wide array of costumes, but we also have all of the accessories you need to make your Halloween costume stand out from the rest.” Categories include: Kids, Adult, Couples, Sexy, Group. (Have the courtesy to wait until I finish before you seek Sexy.)<br /><br />If it just isn’t Halloween without a visit to a haunted house, check out <span style="font-style:italic;">hauntedhousechicago.com</span>. That’s where I found a dozen haunted houses that were voted "Official Top 13" and the 2010 People's Choice. "Disturbia-Torment of Fears" won first place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbY9eHaTcjdcddR_t_qoCXmEaR7EmyAIRc6sDuAsmjMfYIjzHWsf_hs7n61ap3SkThNPGYLngYzDFCu6_J-VXNsvoJutthk8RMuS3EF36qgmWaiCrt_0gTZLBgJ_M2fQj3MDtv_QKAzR1n/s1600/candy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 188px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbY9eHaTcjdcddR_t_qoCXmEaR7EmyAIRc6sDuAsmjMfYIjzHWsf_hs7n61ap3SkThNPGYLngYzDFCu6_J-VXNsvoJutthk8RMuS3EF36qgmWaiCrt_0gTZLBgJ_M2fQj3MDtv_QKAzR1n/s320/candy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523083730171859010" border="0" /></a><br />I promised candy, and here it is at <span style="font-style:italic;">retrocandyonline.com</span> “Our Halloween Candy includes gummy body parts, candy corn, gummy bones, bat dots, ghost dots, gummy eyeballs and pumpkin seeds are just a few treats that are perfect Halloween treats.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd47rsOBxKfYkxCvwRCLVyAR5_9zE-O3bRfNIP1wQYYeGoxFguEgwXIyU-t1cqFaOJ6wULSOP2cxT-fNGqJczCaHahsqZ03zPLW-jzUJkhb9nE5ZBNINwj-BbOwTIO2XqUaotxJg96kRFV/s1600/andy.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd47rsOBxKfYkxCvwRCLVyAR5_9zE-O3bRfNIP1wQYYeGoxFguEgwXIyU-t1cqFaOJ6wULSOP2cxT-fNGqJczCaHahsqZ03zPLW-jzUJkhb9nE5ZBNINwj-BbOwTIO2XqUaotxJg96kRFV/s320/andy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523084346685457410" border="0" /></a><br />Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t include in this Halloween blog post daughter <a href="http://jillsoloway.com">Jill’s</a> production of Hollywood Hell House in 2004. “HOLLYWOOD HELL HOUSE ran from August through October of 2004. Here's what she had to say about it, "My sometimes writing partner, Maggie Rowe, called famed Colorado minister Pastor Keenan, the man who created Hell Houses -- Christian conversion haunted houses -- and ordered the entire kit -- scripts and set design and marketing materials, so we could put on our very own Real Live Hell House. You'd recognize some of these prominent participants: Andy Richter as Jesus, Bill Maher as the Devil and Sarah Silverman as Abortion Girl."<br /><br />Now go out and scare somebody!Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-90019338966273996912010-09-21T05:05:00.000-07:002011-04-16T12:12:14.392-07:00Habla Español Con Tech<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHqq2FtnWHMfi1bbn2if7KYf_iK2sYge5o7y__FqVCoJLVFWVtKYs6ClbIZh2GWMBULS06rKILD-ms7rd0WJMuWNvJHlL0pGiyiDuLQUjCSMDVT9YI6W9bAde3dr3qTiD71n5hTxuRKKA/s1600/Hola.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 279px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisHqq2FtnWHMfi1bbn2if7KYf_iK2sYge5o7y__FqVCoJLVFWVtKYs6ClbIZh2GWMBULS06rKILD-ms7rd0WJMuWNvJHlL0pGiyiDuLQUjCSMDVT9YI6W9bAde3dr3qTiD71n5hTxuRKKA/s320/Hola.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519363421181458194" /></a><br />Since I'm in the <a href="http://elainesolowaypr.com">public relations business</a>, it makes good business sense to brush up on my Spanish. After all, Latinos are a fast-growing population here and many of my prospective clients serve this community.<br /><br />But first, a confession, “brush up” is inaccurate as that implies my language skills simply need refreshing. Alas, I’ve got un largo viaje ahead.<br /><br />Thanks to technology, I can turn to a number of iTunes podcasts, iPhone apps and Websites to guide me as I learn. The advantages of tech-study appeal because I can do it in the comfort of my home and at low or minimum cost. Care to join me as I immerse?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EpYj2sORgjlcSa-gtEVCDb-kO7JC4HN9hyU-N9NOEOFxSo6VytbQEaou85Lsui1QXebr_9oSwYHF2sLE2BdvN0GlpHD1ad_mifk2IbcK-Jb9Y9sTO6FCfwWeRg5eT6JjuFrJDE_tRcel/s1600/ipod.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_EpYj2sORgjlcSa-gtEVCDb-kO7JC4HN9hyU-N9NOEOFxSo6VytbQEaou85Lsui1QXebr_9oSwYHF2sLE2BdvN0GlpHD1ad_mifk2IbcK-Jb9Y9sTO6FCfwWeRg5eT6JjuFrJDE_tRcel/s320/ipod.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519364437839355714" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">iTunes Podcasts</span><br />More than two dozen podcasts, priced at free to $19.95, are offered. My favorite is <span style="font-style: italic;">Coffee Break Spanish</span> distributed by Radio Lingua Network. Instructor Mark and his student Kara, are native Scots, so their conversations have an interesting twist. According to their site, Coffee Break Spanish “brings language-learning with your latte. Aimed at total beginners, it will help you get to grips with the Spanish language.”<br /><br />Another podcast, <span style="font-style: italic;">SpanishDict.com</span> “guides you step-by-step to speaking and understanding Spanish. Each lesson uses images and charts to visually introduce new vocabulary and concepts."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishodGObYyN2Y4zplbxCiQLFWzgUmzSWVqDwidm56EHjqqg1uKM-YLozxpmnjVO2WEZxKwAm6vfUXAQ7365KyTf0uo5TJvQYR_JDcxbkfjkpumfQsHk6576k3Oe_XbN9epsNqOuPIkx4Fw/s1600/feliz.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEishodGObYyN2Y4zplbxCiQLFWzgUmzSWVqDwidm56EHjqqg1uKM-YLozxpmnjVO2WEZxKwAm6vfUXAQ7365KyTf0uo5TJvQYR_JDcxbkfjkpumfQsHk6576k3Oe_XbN9epsNqOuPIkx4Fw/s320/feliz.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519365333618682338" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">iPhone Apps</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Spanish!</span> is a $0.99 app that offers “A learning tool similar to flashcards, but with audio and an intelligent progress tracking system that helps you learn faster. After you 'flip' to the answer, you pick if you were Right or Wrong."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">iSpeak</span> Spanish is priced at $1.99 and bills itself as "the best selling translation solution on the App Store."<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Spanish Anywhere</span> is pricier at $9.99, but I've enjoyed this app since I purchased it several years ago. Its description touts, "Learn and communicate in Spanish anytime. It's perfect for travelers, students, business people, and anyone who wants to speak, read, study, pronounce, or translate Spanish."<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNCQa-gVATAVPRz4M2_ee69xLRTAOH88EBoPHevxSzDUV1Kx7nXYH4OTZBg9X-w4TdL9HZzJprZZ33ShJK25gzm0wG0rbbAFkAvXz9-veohq-PhXY51ta2NH5J32aHpaY4PEGrUR9wMWJ/s1600/aqui.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRNCQa-gVATAVPRz4M2_ee69xLRTAOH88EBoPHevxSzDUV1Kx7nXYH4OTZBg9X-w4TdL9HZzJprZZ33ShJK25gzm0wG0rbbAFkAvXz9-veohq-PhXY51ta2NH5J32aHpaY4PEGrUR9wMWJ/s320/aqui.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519363595031051906" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Websites</span><br />Many Spanish language websites claim they are free, but often there is a subscription service attached. That's why I like <span style="font-style: italic;">About.com's</span> Spanish for beginners despite an abundance of ads on its site. Here's their commercial, "This series of lessons is designed to help beginning Spanish students or any one else learning the language with the fundamentals needed for further learning and study. It requires no supplementary material other than perhaps a dictionary for reinforcing vocabulary."<br /><br />At <span style="font-style: italic;">Studyspanish.com</span>, the Chicago link points you to several brick-and-mortar schools, including two I've attended. And although I’m currently focusing on home-based study on my tech toys, I recommend both places.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Dígame</span> is located at 2504 N. California in Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood. According to its web site, "Dígame Language Instruction is a private, student-focused language learning center offering Spanish, French and German classes for adults. Our recipe for success combines a friendly, safe atmosphere with serious learning goals." Call 773-235-1499 or write to: info@digamechicago.net.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Instituto Cervantes de Chicago </span>is downtown at 31 W. Ohio St. between State and Dearborn Streets. It's a worldwide non-profit organization created by the Spanish government in 1991 and the largest organization in the world concerned with the teaching of Spanish. Call 312-335-1996 or write to chicago@cervantes1.org for information.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaw7hSbNNoS_prm0_SfM-CfQCTaw5ca-cIynxVsxbPb4MaNoYDQ5WV2w6AbCA2ayEmdBIbe3MLDR50gs2ZW37Fw6Wjthd37Laxs-z95_0rBmYMzUuP0Ph65uBSU60c7d7FmnrlYepvtaiI/s1600/Flamenco.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 168px; height: 168px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaw7hSbNNoS_prm0_SfM-CfQCTaw5ca-cIynxVsxbPb4MaNoYDQ5WV2w6AbCA2ayEmdBIbe3MLDR50gs2ZW37Fw6Wjthd37Laxs-z95_0rBmYMzUuP0Ph65uBSU60c7d7FmnrlYepvtaiI/s320/Flamenco.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519365827644752018" /></a><br />Now that I've got you interested in the language, you might also want to combine vocabulary with footwork. Check out <span style="font-style: italic;">Flamenco Chicago</span> at 2914 W. Belmont. It's owned by my friend, Rosetta Magdalen and "offers a fun, but serious, learning environment with the Chicago area's greatest number of flamenco dance classes under one roof."<br /><br />Rosetta adds "You will meet a friendly, welcoming, and very interesting group of students here, ranging in age from teens through 60s, with most students in their 20s and 30s. Class sizes are limited to ensure supportive, personal attention to each student.” To begin, contact rosetta@flamencochicago.com<br /><br />Usted es muy agradable por estos consejos.<br /><br />I think.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-18749401397450107422010-09-14T07:32:00.000-07:002010-09-14T07:49:24.657-07:00Tech Tools Take the Tension Out of Travel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfERimO3s-WxiTcMKXLdfFs5VoZ65ZkplvbZ9MU0G04hbX8LZSfia1XwbqT0x8xv_af2VZCO76tNgdZ-PVxtzD3eixq9wdxMHpa-cG77RCyr4LFN6BXvQvhGaapD531DkK0ZVGL_tZEA8/s1600/RedPlane.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbfERimO3s-WxiTcMKXLdfFs5VoZ65ZkplvbZ9MU0G04hbX8LZSfia1XwbqT0x8xv_af2VZCO76tNgdZ-PVxtzD3eixq9wdxMHpa-cG77RCyr4LFN6BXvQvhGaapD531DkK0ZVGL_tZEA8/s320/RedPlane.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516777454355443570" border="0" /></a><br />Annoyed by the alliteration? Sorry, but I’m trying to create the typical state of irritation many of us experience when traveling.<br /><br />Before you transfer your mood to me, be my seatmate (I’ll take the aisle) while we explore some iPhone apps and websites designed to lesson anxiety.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />iPhone and other Smarties</span><br />For fliers, <span style="font-style: italic;">Airfare Pro</span> at $4.99 searches nearly 10,000 airports, hundreds of airlines and over 200 travel sites around the world to find the cheapest flights possible.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">TripIt</span> Travel Organizer is a free app that puts your travel plans on your iPhone. To use the app, you email your flight, hotel and rental confirmation to plans@tripit.com. The website will then create itineraries for each trip.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijG72or9ouh2-uZpzsKST21DzjKnVjNL4LsgmjFqVV7RHBImr0IO7vzzb-q5RhDXmqMBE4NkzJzvLkOq7GLOa-tzQm0Zc6oPjYcWfLk4Y8Ejig0R4JmbL9AP4HGhpcJ8dGR4chOLTyGNXp/s1600/currency.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijG72or9ouh2-uZpzsKST21DzjKnVjNL4LsgmjFqVV7RHBImr0IO7vzzb-q5RhDXmqMBE4NkzJzvLkOq7GLOa-tzQm0Zc6oPjYcWfLk4Y8Ejig0R4JmbL9AP4HGhpcJ8dGR4chOLTyGNXp/s320/currency.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516777877685526066" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Currency</span> is a free app that provides up-to-date exchange rates for over 100 currencies and countries.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">FlightTrack Pro</span>, at $9.99 imports flight data automatically and sends alerts with real-time changes to your flight.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Next Flight</span> provides a list of available nonstop flights from all airlines for the day. Its great if you miss a flight, get bumped or decide to leave early. The $2.99 app tracks scheduled departures from more than 4,200 airports and 1,100 airlines.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4gKD8JGgrKumppdv0VLv6XeKKUbN54oKeGuQIgYtvZyxTLMUD6UCyxucQcYsu75SZxmfz1QEA5OpY7Ckm-L184mY6o87x5Axl_XrZugKSOANxg5UmH03V7wWP1z9aZTm3A09qcDIMoWz/s1600/restaurant.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 144px; height: 144px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn4gKD8JGgrKumppdv0VLv6XeKKUbN54oKeGuQIgYtvZyxTLMUD6UCyxucQcYsu75SZxmfz1QEA5OpY7Ckm-L184mY6o87x5Axl_XrZugKSOANxg5UmH03V7wWP1z9aZTm3A09qcDIMoWz/s320/restaurant.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516778399178614034" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Urbanspoon</span> is a free restaurant finder that uses GPS to locate a restaurant near you. You can filter by neighborhood, cuisine, or price. Ratings and reviews are available, too.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yelp</span> is a free app that helps you find nearby bars, restaurants, and other businesses. You can read reviews from Yelp’s community of locals.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Websites</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Kayak.com</span> is considered the best resource for finding the cheapest air, hotel, cruise and car-rental prices. Sites such as Travelocity.com and Hotwire.com search only their own databases, but Kayak.com includes more than 400 airline websites, online travel agencies and other travel sites, including some international ones, in its search for the best fares and fees.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Yapta.com</span> tracks your itinerary and alerts you when the price drops. Better than that, Yapta.com tracks flights after the tickets have been purchased. If a price drops enough to cover any re-ticketing or cancellation fees, Yapta.com sends out an alert.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbKq1mZa0zyzJVo6xP1R88mFjgO5eVEcZnGAcJJniCrlTWQ7lrD_IFH_7lgjTn5YKtenBKXvHeWEjlP4WXTEOnoWrqsblCyoJ7c0n9pry_0hhUD8qFdzyRFcf6Yi2xqpdFmPXYvT3E4mB/s1600/taxi.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbKq1mZa0zyzJVo6xP1R88mFjgO5eVEcZnGAcJJniCrlTWQ7lrD_IFH_7lgjTn5YKtenBKXvHeWEjlP4WXTEOnoWrqsblCyoJ7c0n9pry_0hhUD8qFdzyRFcf6Yi2xqpdFmPXYvT3E4mB/s320/taxi.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516778763346139922" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">TaxiWiz.com</span> figures out the price of a cab ride in cities throughout the U.S. For example, if I declined your plea to pick you up at O’Hare, the 10.9 mile cab ride to my house would cost about $24.46 or $28 with a 15% tip, plus a $1.00 surcharge for trips from O'Hare Airport.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Transitchicago.com</span> provides a cheaper alternative to my place. $2.25 for a 44 minute door-to-door trip via the CTA's Blue Line.<br /><br />What’s that I hear? You’ve canceled plans to visit because I’m too lazy to pick you up at the airport? Oh well. Remember, though, this post is about reducing tension related to traveling. And since I’m its author, my serenity trumps yours.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-23150231905811169702010-09-07T03:44:00.001-07:002010-09-07T05:06:42.395-07:00Turning to Tech for Homework Help<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5XaKoR_tSNUwCHj9FBcAJM5PWQ00WHW06wrPXc-FhmW20Npy9TIz9XDngvENpNNNaxjp7GQfjHU2Tk3PAJjWA0mfFgrnNE785Mt9h-QpUAqanuPiOJLY6ppJD69v3CnLURbs_KJb7UQC/s1600/EB.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 275px; height: 183px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig5XaKoR_tSNUwCHj9FBcAJM5PWQ00WHW06wrPXc-FhmW20Npy9TIz9XDngvENpNNNaxjp7GQfjHU2Tk3PAJjWA0mfFgrnNE785Mt9h-QpUAqanuPiOJLY6ppJD69v3CnLURbs_KJb7UQC/s320/EB.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514120765480976866" border="0" /></a><br />Have you seen my Encyclopedia Britannica, Volume EVA to FRA? I’ve been searching for that reference book since 1948.<br /><br />Back-to-school stories have sparked my memory of those glossy pages and the frantic hunts that took place the night before a homework assignment was due.<br /><br />Nowadays, missing volumes, or your lack of calculus acumen needn't challenge. To the rescue, come Google References, Mac OS X, iPhones, and the Internet.<br /><br />Turn to your <span style="font-weight: bold;">Google</span> search button for these aides:<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpRADKXFjp4C5GvwtNfLlzRLD8a-RCDmSgyPzaHqiNHjm6C-eh9L5lZSn7pDeS4nQc8FC6XlvXiomMo77I1urWVmRbNNU_frPaTQMf5ChPWB0pdEMChD45hgZRdAnlXhNXeyR4-AOO162/s1600/calculator.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTpRADKXFjp4C5GvwtNfLlzRLD8a-RCDmSgyPzaHqiNHjm6C-eh9L5lZSn7pDeS4nQc8FC6XlvXiomMo77I1urWVmRbNNU_frPaTQMf5ChPWB0pdEMChD45hgZRdAnlXhNXeyR4-AOO162/s320/calculator.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514120885882897778" border="0" /></a><br />1. Calculator. To use Google's built-in calculator, enter the calculation you'd like done into the search box. Let's say, $2.87 (my last gas price) x 5.13 (gallons purchased). Do the math and you'll learn how much I paid for a half a tank. (1990 Honda Civic)<br /><br />2. Unit Conversion. You can use Google to convert between many different units of measurement of height, weight, and volume among many others. Just enter your desired conversion into the search box and the site will do the rest. Their example, 10.5 cm in inches. (Answer: 4.13385827 inches. See how easy that was?)<br /><br />3. Public Data. This feature is more useful for high school and college students. It provides trends for population and unemployment rates of U.S. states and counties. Type "population" or "unemployment rate" followed by a state or county, and you’ll get your answer.<br /><br />4. Fill in the Blank. Sometimes the best way to ask a question is to get Google to ‘fill in the blank.’ Add an asterisk (*) at the part of the sentence or question that you want finished into the Google search box. (FYI. George Clooney was born May 6, 1961.)<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Mac OS X</span><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3w3Yf-GwGNUTsfmVS2qRb8owufq9rsYjGw9aKIhzX1000oRwhSorsDLL11Tokz0WG8oA3PmQ0d8EsjQVXWSOoRLfuJpHfM9259iMzI6Pb9mKzvSj1lZnYtBvZUE3Hb3F59UN1W4rwnWud/s1600/Dictionary.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 188px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3w3Yf-GwGNUTsfmVS2qRb8owufq9rsYjGw9aKIhzX1000oRwhSorsDLL11Tokz0WG8oA3PmQ0d8EsjQVXWSOoRLfuJpHfM9259iMzI6Pb9mKzvSj1lZnYtBvZUE3Hb3F59UN1W4rwnWud/s320/Dictionary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514121053140047010" border="0" /></a><br />1. Dictionary Definitions. To see a definition for a word or phrase, type the word into the Spotlight at the very upper right hand corner of your screen. A definition, as well as Mac's built-in Dictionary application, pops up. You'll find the word's meaning, as well as a Thesaurus. (My example, since I used "searching" in paragraph one, I wanted to avoid a repeat in two. Hence: "hunts.")<br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRyQ3AS7bk13vD-Ye_jna3A8H5Du811y7HcOgobonfBzHX4vqVXBaDKM7XeQ5t02EXJxYIRw7rctvt4NwgdhmRvmZ9z70VdIPzBzS0-Tc5NFnZEuBaywd-Dauijoom11JLm2dhkdi4A5f/s1600/iPhone.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRyQ3AS7bk13vD-Ye_jna3A8H5Du811y7HcOgobonfBzHX4vqVXBaDKM7XeQ5t02EXJxYIRw7rctvt4NwgdhmRvmZ9z70VdIPzBzS0-Tc5NFnZEuBaywd-Dauijoom11JLm2dhkdi4A5f/s320/iPhone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514121152723072290" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">iPhone</span> users can turn to a variety of free apps for their homework buddy. <br /><br />1. The free app, My Homework, is one popular example and it's currently the no. 2 most downloaded education app in the App Store. It lets students keep track of their classes, homework assignments, projects, and tests, with a simple (the developer's description) user interface.<br /><br />2. College students may be interested in iStudiez Pro, which is more tailored to university studies. This app helps you keep track of lecture and lab sessions, tasks, homework, scheduling, etc. At $2.99, it's currently the no. 1 most popular paid education app in the App Store.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8pzGwSQqQpcuy0q8S8525Zw2iRe6B0dYtDL_r77RQ3TsJz_o4ROpH6NmhWkDYZDac2bn5A3CSvzVs1tiEKtiVSTGSBuhdd7kGNqGxss0g-DYVxwT-rdjyJ4223ny4vSOCbkTQBgDmfxC/s1600/homework.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8pzGwSQqQpcuy0q8S8525Zw2iRe6B0dYtDL_r77RQ3TsJz_o4ROpH6NmhWkDYZDac2bn5A3CSvzVs1tiEKtiVSTGSBuhdd7kGNqGxss0g-DYVxwT-rdjyJ4223ny4vSOCbkTQBgDmfxC/s320/homework.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514121382074874018" border="0" /></a><br />No smart phone? No problem. Go to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Internet</span> and check out these websites:<br /><br />1. Math.com provides everything a student or parent needs to know about Basic Math, Everyday Math, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Statistics, and Calculus. It even offers math tutoring.<br />2. At Homeworkhelp.com, students are taught how to learn. This site’s curriculum developers "are experienced classroom teachers who help students understand concepts, not just memorize them."<br /><br />3. Point your mouse to Studentquestions.com, submit a question and offer an optional commission. The question will be automatically emailed to all the tutors, instantly alerting and giving them an incentive to give you homework help (non-commissioned questions are only posted).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApBcXajcmndKOrAfaFaZJ4gHZ6bmZ1yYasWdg0VGlbx__dUmzuHIonS9lQ6mFKTa73crV_N7e3BMbK9KoSLkdFPAIX184jAOdTVjxHJ184VGmVKkPkiMYBudZK_S-Mq704SdLa2Oeenqg/s1600/question+mark.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 211px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgApBcXajcmndKOrAfaFaZJ4gHZ6bmZ1yYasWdg0VGlbx__dUmzuHIonS9lQ6mFKTa73crV_N7e3BMbK9KoSLkdFPAIX184jAOdTVjxHJ184VGmVKkPkiMYBudZK_S-Mq704SdLa2Oeenqg/s320/question+mark.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5514121482234807218" border="0" /></a><br />Now that I’ve helped you out, you can do me a favor. Check your closet, bookshelf, and under the sofa cushions. Did I happen to leave my EVA to FRA at your house?Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-87453182453412752962010-08-31T04:00:00.000-07:002010-08-31T05:57:11.628-07:00Turning to Tech to Explain the High Holidays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_L6-2jdCaAsIkRhMxmYQqs3nHrMpfqDAyGy8qN7qtjf9g2VEAH_sT3IKlV9awwwL700yI40aXdUyoR98nrxADnAuMMIYQ1tyucA4RVy4wx7BAtNrHTH2RQlhTaGkk01pxRlG9BK7jEkx/s1600/Challah.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_L6-2jdCaAsIkRhMxmYQqs3nHrMpfqDAyGy8qN7qtjf9g2VEAH_sT3IKlV9awwwL700yI40aXdUyoR98nrxADnAuMMIYQ1tyucA4RVy4wx7BAtNrHTH2RQlhTaGkk01pxRlG9BK7jEkx/s320/Challah.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511209518219596706" /></a><br />If you're Jewish like me (more cultural than religious), or are a non-Jew who wonders why your Jewish coworkers disappear on various September days, today's post turns to technology for enlightenment.<br /><br />iPhone users can download a $0.99 App titled, "Jewish Days." This application can help you remember when the Jewish holidays occur and what each one means.<br /><br />Here's their quickie explanation of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kipper, which are commonly referred to as the High Holidays or the Jewish New Year.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxlPC-HQCiHp_8T3XEbozSY4zVbncU3git5hJ_GeKyrrx78sae_2VnxSQCyP7Not9VTiZqMSars0TkHkVl9riktbTNguFxMEBYFGIoCd4Zj26rxIbh9NJSWRpFI5n4fkADjbtq-lcDtnV/s1600/JewishCalendar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnxlPC-HQCiHp_8T3XEbozSY4zVbncU3git5hJ_GeKyrrx78sae_2VnxSQCyP7Not9VTiZqMSars0TkHkVl9riktbTNguFxMEBYFGIoCd4Zj26rxIbh9NJSWRpFI5n4fkADjbtq-lcDtnV/s320/JewishCalendar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511209701610346002" /></a><br />Rosh Hashanah, which begins the evening of Sept. 8, is the start of the civil year in the Hebrew calendar. It is a new year for people, animals, and legal contracts and it commemorates the creation of man.<br /><br />Yom Kippur, which begins the evening of Sept. 17, is also known as the Day of Atonement. According to the Jewish Days app, it is the most solemn and important of the Jewish holidays. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a 25-hour period of fasting and intensive prayer, often spending most of the day in synagogue services.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYPj8oQaWGK1QmCeZv3GqoQhnSBTNd-i00BivZtp-cBjATEzodBgzvJ756mZbGmjcU_k9rjUcPs1_yJGQSCUmVkHxASkHcMOYq3GDglMN244YiSzS0BYnQBlZ-r1UcUMFnK1lBOXc1M5X/s1600/Shofar.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYPj8oQaWGK1QmCeZv3GqoQhnSBTNd-i00BivZtp-cBjATEzodBgzvJ756mZbGmjcU_k9rjUcPs1_yJGQSCUmVkHxASkHcMOYq3GDglMN244YiSzS0BYnQBlZ-r1UcUMFnK1lBOXc1M5X/s320/Shofar.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511209924556419394" /></a><br />For many children, the most beloved portion of the synagogue service during the High Holidays is the blowing of the Shofar, a ram's horn. An iPhone App, also priced at $0.99, called "Shofar Hero" contains the four kinds of ritual blasts. FYI: The blowing of the Shofar is the only specific commandment for Rosh Hashanah. Just as trumpeters announced the presence of their mortal king, the Shofar is used by Jews to proclaim the coronation of the King of Kings.<br /><br />Another $0.99 App, called "Synagogues Finder" uses your current location to identify houses of worship nearest your home. So if you haven't gotten a seat lined up for the High Holidays, check out this helpful listing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSf6f5FGjZCl1hNUp-m8N-5gljWRvDjp-PvAZNBhLv8tC5eHZy_AE0r4n2-eJrGdDMoNXl0_xpejSO5aLbd2jAGWJBVSKMXMg9FRnSA6dLRlTxcWEmxkbWbo47kBk2Avm3hvFruSqm9MDW/s1600/HolidayCard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSf6f5FGjZCl1hNUp-m8N-5gljWRvDjp-PvAZNBhLv8tC5eHZy_AE0r4n2-eJrGdDMoNXl0_xpejSO5aLbd2jAGWJBVSKMXMg9FRnSA6dLRlTxcWEmxkbWbo47kBk2Avm3hvFruSqm9MDW/s320/HolidayCard.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511210179890234386" /></a><br />Not to worry if you're sans iPhone. You can turn to the Internet for even more information about the High Holidays. <a href="http://www.holidays.net/">Holidays.net</a> outlines "entertainment and some fun Holiday things for you and your family." The site includes stories of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a Shofar to blow, some holiday recipes, and even pictures for the kids to print and color.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jewfaq.org/prayer/roshhash.htm">JewishFaq</a> provides instructions (when to light the candles and when to drink the wine, for instance) and prayers for the holidays. The website includes both the Hebrew and English wording for each prayer.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.myjewishlearning.com/">MyJewishLearning</a> is a great site for All Things Jewish. Here, you can explore more about the High Holidays and read an article written by Rabbi Shimon Apisdor, called "Making Synagogue Meaningful Or, How to survive High Holiday services."<br /><br />I hope all of the above clears up some of the mystery about the High Holidays. But, if you're still fuzzy, and want a deeper investigation, you could point your mouse to amazon.com where you'll find a thorough listing of Jewish books.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckd8hfgdA5xRIgC6CF8QRyguqWNEYr3V-AjN7qG1ii1NSw3G6LTzDyk6wMjT_QUzG7dX11aFw6JnKcbTqesCw0qjDHQF_kKvwMhP2_dpPa3jhf43Q1JljHu08fS_N2YG3TicuQ2U6BZtK/s1600/TDSPCover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhckd8hfgdA5xRIgC6CF8QRyguqWNEYr3V-AjN7qG1ii1NSw3G6LTzDyk6wMjT_QUzG7dX11aFw6JnKcbTqesCw0qjDHQF_kKvwMhP2_dpPa3jhf43Q1JljHu08fS_N2YG3TicuQ2U6BZtK/s320/TDSPCover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511210395613120210" /></a><br />And while you're on that site, don't forget to check out <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929636635/103-9753079-7692606?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">"The Division Street Princess,"</a> a sweet memoir about growing up in Jewish Chicago during the 1940's.<br /><br />You didn't think you'd get away without a commercial, did you?Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-75111975053556721372010-08-10T04:00:00.000-07:002010-08-10T05:44:06.605-07:00A Very Long Distance Birthday Greeting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBN1jrc16tIEHVnQs82_dyx3BGxH4yFfU9yM4vc84n4wux4FvcnFeQ78McBXRdaMhi0M67YqY5J7FeHPoxj0YLdCGoLLnRZNj4DSUiBdzcTebbZqcUOuhgFXmy14x9MJ7gtuMq7oAV1sH/s1600/birthday+cake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 193px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBN1jrc16tIEHVnQs82_dyx3BGxH4yFfU9yM4vc84n4wux4FvcnFeQ78McBXRdaMhi0M67YqY5J7FeHPoxj0YLdCGoLLnRZNj4DSUiBdzcTebbZqcUOuhgFXmy14x9MJ7gtuMq7oAV1sH/s320/birthday+cake.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503411039768450034" /></a><br />It was an unfamiliar ringtone. I was expecting two early morning phone calls. From my daughters, Boston and Los Angeles. I knew when I picked up the phone, instead of “hello,” I’d be treated to choruses of “Happy Birthday To You.”<br /><br />But this ringtone announced neither my daughter Faith (Piano Riff) or Jill (Pinball). It sounded familiar; something heard long ago. From my childhood?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyNnzX44e7ygtjj-B5w-j2pNPga1gdSO9ZpR9HF4liIhDBSzvGZsZJ5yU-uodcoL8PFaShgPUBo6d8Ir5fLqhYOLJ_kZK-8Pv72aEuIQk7ARJUgnQkjpyXz9GYqwwkQb-a83zo1O_Dkz9/s1600/andrews.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 245px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXyNnzX44e7ygtjj-B5w-j2pNPga1gdSO9ZpR9HF4liIhDBSzvGZsZJ5yU-uodcoL8PFaShgPUBo6d8Ir5fLqhYOLJ_kZK-8Pv72aEuIQk7ARJUgnQkjpyXz9GYqwwkQb-a83zo1O_Dkz9/s320/andrews.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503408404165333410" /></a><br />Yes, that was it! “Bei Mir Bist Du Schon” being sung in Yiddish by the Andrew Sisters. A 1940s hit for Jews. I certainly hadn’t assigned that ring to any in my contact list. It wasn’t an option on my iPhone and the tune wasn’t listed in my iTunes library, so how could it attach itself to a caller?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxTNmjj2TLhYHpJgzvOkZSc_Sbp9xkMX8MNqXdvoMvrLyxIbR4OCXMSFvfjuoh8YKGcrEJg35Hm3jhxqQLZaP4917inWFckVk6M1wm2SQ9XzvsvIlxSlEA4yYcZ53yj_OKhXCYy8xti0T/s1600/cover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 220px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicxTNmjj2TLhYHpJgzvOkZSc_Sbp9xkMX8MNqXdvoMvrLyxIbR4OCXMSFvfjuoh8YKGcrEJg35Hm3jhxqQLZaP4917inWFckVk6M1wm2SQ9XzvsvIlxSlEA4yYcZ53yj_OKhXCYy8xti0T/s320/cover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503408595782120946" /></a><br />And then I remembered my iPhone’s special abilities. It could relay phone calls between Heaven and Earth. Sure enough, calling me on my phone’s Conference Call feature, were my long-deceased parents, Irv and Min Shapiro, major characters in my memoir, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929636635/103-9753079-7692606?%5Fencoding=UTF8&s=books">“The Division Street Princess.”</a><br /><br />I put my ear to the phone and as the Andrew Sisters wound up, I heard my mother and father belting out, “Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you.” They weren’t half bad.<br /><br />Before I could respond, my mother jumped in, “We knew you’d be up early, so we wanted to be the first to call.”<br /><br />“Hi Princess,” it was my dad. “Surprised?’<br /><br />“That’s hardly the word,” I said. My delight prevented tears.<br /><br />“We’re so proud of you,” they said in unison. To myself I thought, how nice to hear them agreeable. When alive, their frequent tiffs made the child I was quite unhappy.<br /><br />“First it was the memoir,” Dad said. “And now your retail job. Just like at Irv’s Finer Foods. Remember your cigar box register?”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBATiR6pB2jJLIYBMELuC9U_pFn15Hy7Rc2jLlSpjn7SepIbDkRARo5dHGQ7wsxEzoL3zUgxOvKoeKjUP41Jo-IQ3RSqbksETyXk7Hfh2Yzp6PUjjP8GNwW-JN4WLlY5LRIRkWDhKDHua/s1600/CigarBox.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 256px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieBATiR6pB2jJLIYBMELuC9U_pFn15Hy7Rc2jLlSpjn7SepIbDkRARo5dHGQ7wsxEzoL3zUgxOvKoeKjUP41Jo-IQ3RSqbksETyXk7Hfh2Yzp6PUjjP8GNwW-JN4WLlY5LRIRkWDhKDHua/s320/CigarBox.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503409002984536914" /></a><br />“How could I forget?” I answered. “I was so full of myself waiting on customers in my sundries section. I can still see little me holding that box as if it were a treasure chest.”<br /><br />“I wish you didn’t have to stand on your feet all day.” It was Mother. I recalled she hadn’t been that crazy about wearing an apron or standing behind a counter in our grocery store. She believed the stained cloth disguised her glamour. But that could never happen. Not with her blue eyes, raven hair, costume jewelry, and high-heeled shoes.<br /><br />“It’s not so bad,” I said. “I can wear my running shoes.”<br /><br />“Hmmph,” from Mother. “You look like a kid in that outfit,” she said. “They couldn’t let you wear a dress? Why a t-shirt?”<br /><br />“It’s all about the logo and a feeling of casual and comfort in the store,” I explained.<br /><br />I couldn’t see her expression (FaceTime was still being worked on up there), but I imagined a roll of those beautiful blues.<br /><br />“I see how you ring things up on that gadget you keep in your pocket,” Dad said. “Quite impressive.”<br /><br />From Mom, “It wasn’t impressive I could pencil a customer’s order on a brown paper bag? Add it up in my head? That wasn’t impressive?”<br /><br />“Sweetheart,” Dad started.<br /><br />I interrupted. “No, no, of course. You were amazing, Mom. I remember standing at the counter next to you, wondering if I’d ever be as smart as you.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3_tc5j5ZxwWU5KsHioA2jjFzeQZTlPtZ_kESaeOLHOozLlfuAKbyWfzKiNogiIngDc5oGNykddWHMe_LlADR6wuc_HzGcjkB4zTbUh6gBGsnQAuwC1oWzJwPv_p_NiQ6GmAkmcOtHc_q/s1600/Tuley.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm3_tc5j5ZxwWU5KsHioA2jjFzeQZTlPtZ_kESaeOLHOozLlfuAKbyWfzKiNogiIngDc5oGNykddWHMe_LlADR6wuc_HzGcjkB4zTbUh6gBGsnQAuwC1oWzJwPv_p_NiQ6GmAkmcOtHc_q/s320/Tuley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503409292078713106" /></a><br />“And I never went beyond Tuley High School,” Mother said. “Imagine if I had your education, Elaine.”<br /><br />“What about me?” Dad asked. “Grammar school was it. I had to go to work…”<br /><br />I felt those old vibrations and jumped in. “You were both spectacular,” I said. Now came the tears. “I can’t thank you enough for all you've given me. You made me who I am today.”<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNhOZr8vC-anf18rj4Ym2CJltwbQb1c1Bn6cNyno26HtmwIdbDEwadOmgT602h7eBX6s0ZEc-IF4qMZ-vlywDyI_Wj2abbw9zqDZhNeMU_Z-LV4qxwXOfaEQdeqE1e05_687p0WMhCBuN/s1600/TimesSquare.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNhOZr8vC-anf18rj4Ym2CJltwbQb1c1Bn6cNyno26HtmwIdbDEwadOmgT602h7eBX6s0ZEc-IF4qMZ-vlywDyI_Wj2abbw9zqDZhNeMU_Z-LV4qxwXOfaEQdeqE1e05_687p0WMhCBuN/s320/TimesSquare.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503410043756069538" /></a><br />Calm on the other end. Then, together, “And, it wouldn’t hurt your daughters to give us a call now and then. They’ve got iPhones.”<br /><br />“Are you kidding?” I said. “The minute I hang up, I’ll let them know the lines are open. Expect their calls.”<br /><br />“Don’t forget Princess,” Dad said. “Have a Happy Birthday.”<br /><br />“Of course,” Mom added. “Why does she think we called?”Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-67039968398440985602010-07-11T12:24:00.000-07:002012-11-28T04:19:12.103-08:00Still working, after all these years<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lcy0VUBLPF2ay3wjczkzE2hc58Z9EasNZuVCMScOdVrfJoWiHHp_XdLxmIGFxBxlt_iN5HM84HXBlaEgVp9E1gbmd4WH-Tyd2-S1nivEAXmSkGkQoJM7zlM1ZJ0kUsRqb4d0KFbAmzR7/s1600/Store_2.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5628179777075253666" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Lcy0VUBLPF2ay3wjczkzE2hc58Z9EasNZuVCMScOdVrfJoWiHHp_XdLxmIGFxBxlt_iN5HM84HXBlaEgVp9E1gbmd4WH-Tyd2-S1nivEAXmSkGkQoJM7zlM1ZJ0kUsRqb4d0KFbAmzR7/s320/Store_2.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 257px; margin: 0 10px 10px 0; width: 320px;" /></a><br />
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">Startled, I woke to find my iPad lighting up and levitating. That could only mean one thing. One of my parents, in their 24/7 heavenly abodes, was trying to reach me.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">I sat up, unplugged the device from its charger, rested it on my knees, and opened its lime green magnetic cover. Sure enough, via FaceTime, it was my father. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">“I tried to reach <a href="http://ronnieisms.blogspot.com/">Ronnie</a> first to congratulate him,” Dad said, “but I don’t think he’s got his WiFi connected yet.” </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">How I love FaceTime and its ability to display visages of callers -- no matter their celestial locale.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">“Did you hear? Ronnie’s sold seven<a href="http://superiortoyota.com/"> Toyota's</a>, and he’s been working at the dealership less than a month,” Dad said. My father’s face was beaming nearly as much as my Apple device.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">For this morning’s phone call, Dad elected to show his circa 1950’s face. That’s the one he wore after he sold the grocery store and was working as a salesman for a meat company. He wore three-piece suits to work -- no more bloody aprons -- a classic Stetson, and his black hair and mustache were slick and neat.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">I was about to agree with Dad’s enthusiasm over my brother’s feat, when the FaceTime screen suddenly split in two and up popped Mom’s face.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">“What’s so great about him still working in his 70’s?” Mom said. She looked as pretty as ever and like Dad, she had shucked her <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0929636635/103-9753079-7692606?_encoding=UTF8&s=books">store apron</a> and was garbed in a shirtwaist dress and high heels -- her attire post-store when she was a switchboard operator at American Linen Supply.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">“He should be relaxing on some beach, playing golf, enjoying life, not working 9 to 5," she said. Now, the smile and screen dimmed.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">I heard Dad sigh, so I took over. “Hi, Mom,” I said. “I’m still working in my 70’s, too. Both Ronnie and I have been forced to keep going because the economy hurt both of us.”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">A laugh from Dad. “Hah, knowing you two, I don’t see a beach in your future. Admit it, you and your brother like working. You like keeping busy, earning a paycheck, kibitzing with coworkers and customers. Don’t tell me different,” he said. “I remember you two in the store. You loved helping out.”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">Now it was Mom’s turn to sigh. “Loved? What was there to love? Slaving all day behind a counter. Watching our customers go across the street to the supermarket while they had debts with us? What was fun about that?”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">“Look at all the odd jobs our kids had,” Dad said in profile to Mom. “That proves they were hard workers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Remember Sammy’s Red Hots for Ronnie, and his Hawaiian photography business?”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">Mom gave a harrumph. “Don’t forget your daughter’s Gap and Apple sidetracks,” she said. “Although I do like these goodies she sent us from the Apple store.” My iPad momentarily rose as I imagined my mother holding it aloft for emphasis.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">“Can I speak?” I interrupted. “You’re right. Ronnie and I did inherit some of your <a href="http://elainesolowaypr.com/">entrepreneurial</a> spirit. So maybe we do like working rather than relaxing.”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">I saw Dad shake his head. “Oy,” he said, putting a palm to his face. “Even though you say you enjoy working, it’s hard to see you two hit by a rotten economy, just like we were in the ‘40s. Outside forces...”</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">Mom interrupted. “Outside forces, shmoutside forces. Irv, you're forever blaming supermarkets for our store's collapse. Sure, some of the problems we can blame on them, but give it up already. Admit it - you were a lousy manager."</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">Dad looked sheepish. He was likely recalling the time spent in the pool hall rather than in the back of the store paying bills.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">"And the bookies?" she continued. I stopped her there. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">"Listen you two, you're wasting battery life bickering. Let's just call it a draw. You're both right; forces beyond our control bounced Ronnie and me back to the workplace. But, I'm sure he'll admit nothing feels better than making a sale. And I'll own up to delight in scoring a new client. Satisfied?"</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: black;">Smiles from both. And with that, my iPad's screen faded and my parents disappeared. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white;">Lying back on the pillow, I fell quickly back to sleep. Or…</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-7465825373129167772010-06-02T05:09:00.000-07:002010-06-02T06:00:50.467-07:00To Sleep, Perhaps to Dream<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBxManYbHw_cE-G4jCNqUjK0MKnNhQUmvcIosi4qa7Z7sn5YfiIgNPGZA1MWeNK-QXOP0OVFStAZZb9vP3cZPjfziXTkU4sFWLhnEKK6-T4MtwtR9p6SQIt7XYlhyyWDh4kKzRZ0fLEUS/s1600/woman-sleeping11.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrBxManYbHw_cE-G4jCNqUjK0MKnNhQUmvcIosi4qa7Z7sn5YfiIgNPGZA1MWeNK-QXOP0OVFStAZZb9vP3cZPjfziXTkU4sFWLhnEKK6-T4MtwtR9p6SQIt7XYlhyyWDh4kKzRZ0fLEUS/s320/woman-sleeping11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478149360797790754" border="0" /></a><br />Music is my preferred method of quieting my mind as I settle into sleep. It takes only a few songs by Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Billie Holliday, Nancy Wilson, or Sarah Vaughn to release my brain from its continuous loop of To-Do and Worry Lists.<br /><br />For years, I would tuck my iPod into a Memorex clock radio and wait to be sent dreamwards. I especially liked the feature that allowed me to designate 10-minute increments before the audio would automatically shut itself off. I would consider it a successful drop off if I couldn’t remember hearing the shift from music to silence. And the opposite, if the sudden quiet found me still starring at the ceiling.<br /><br />Alas, poor iPod eventually died. (It was elderly, first generation, not worth repairing.) So, I used the FM radio portion of the Memorex to serve as my sedative. But often, WFMT’S classical music, which began softly, would soon rouse me with the crash of cymbals and drums.<br /><br />My iPhone now contains all of the playlists formerly housed on the deceased iPod. I longed for the female jazz singers who once were my bedtime companions. I was aware I could replicate my previous method by purchasing a $99 iHome clock radio and audio system for the iPhone. But, I was reluctant to shell out the dough for what is often 10 minutes.<br /><br />I searched iPhone apps for a solution that would turn its iPod into a sleep/music player. But, I came up empty. Then, I threw my quest into the <a href="http://discussions.apple.com/login%21default.jspa;jsessionid=8A04BFDD1DD4FD7D2C27A284C7453453.node0">Apple Forums</a>. One of its experts came up with the answer. Here ‘tis:<br /><br />1. Place your iPhone into the charger that is attached to an electrical outlet. This way, you’ll get juice while you sleep.<br /><br />2. Turn on your iPhone's Airplane Mode to avoid being wakened by phone calls, text messages, or other alerts.<br /><br />3. Go to your iPhone’s iPod app and select Playlists, Artists, or Songs. Get it started.<br /><br />4. Click on the Clock app on your iPhone.<br /><br />5. Select Timer.<br /><br />6. Scroll to set the number of minutes you want the iPod on your iPhone to play before it shuts itself off.<br /><br />7. For “When Timer Ends”, choose “Sleep iPod.” (Be careful not to leave your default ringtone selected or you will be roused rather than lulled.)<br /><br />8. The iPhone will stop playing music when the timer ends.<br /><br />9. In the morning, after your restful sleep, induced by your favorite music, remember to undo the Airplane Mode. Otherwise, you’ll miss incoming calls or texts.<br /><br />10. After you’ve had your coffee, and realize this blog has saved you $99 and provided an Ambien-free method of falling asleep, Share the post with your Facebook friends.<br /><br />Thanks!Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9002876318966319292.post-47829390789810753952010-05-26T05:24:00.000-07:002010-05-26T05:51:47.374-07:00Thanks for the email, but…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAI_X13BCwU59gBjHTbOOQRQm9REBy3WQj85zslg3So8EivcYNpk5l-0X5RfBcRjBMR2qbk9T44ONc-OPOJQjMaxuObS1mwezPD4DClOA5ZT96UTVOagBLxYyIQUMgh5xPgQPXTD1_hJm/s1600/email.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 102px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAI_X13BCwU59gBjHTbOOQRQm9REBy3WQj85zslg3So8EivcYNpk5l-0X5RfBcRjBMR2qbk9T44ONc-OPOJQjMaxuObS1mwezPD4DClOA5ZT96UTVOagBLxYyIQUMgh5xPgQPXTD1_hJm/s320/email.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475555289023989362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />It was really sweet of you to write, Really, really sweet. However, you’ve made a series of gaffes in your message, and I feel it’s my duty to call them to your attention. Listening? Take notes.<br /><br />1. If you are sending an email to a quantity of people, please do not put all of the addresses in the TO: field. Besides compromising my security by posting my address to people I don’t know (I’m sure they’re lovely, but still..), it’s a bloody mess.<br /><br />Another problem is this: some email programs automatically add to their address books any incoming email addresses. Worse yet, if one of their computers on your mass mail list is infected with a virus that silently sends out spam emails, you’ll have just caused the entire list to get spammed.<br /><br />To avoid those horrors, do the following: in the TO: field, enter your own email address. Then, plop your posse in the Bcc field, otherwise known as Blind Carbon Copy. If the Bcc option isn’t apparent, you should find the option for adding it when you compose a new email message.<br /><br />2. Never, ever, send me a chain email advising me of the wonderful/bad things that will happen to me if I fail to forward it to my nearest and dearest.<br /><br />3. While you’re a funny guy, and I agree you missed your calling as a stand-up, do not forward me dumb jokes.<br /><br />4. Please add something to the subject line. It makes no sense to send me a message that reads “no subject.” Come on! A clue.<br /><br />5. On the same topic, don’t just use “Hi” or “Hello.” I’ll think its spam and delete it before reading.<br /><br />6. Consider changing the subject line to match where we are in our conversation. For example, we may have started out deciding on a lunch date, and then segued into your upcoming trip. If we’ve done a few back and forths, remove “Lunch Wednesday” from the subject line and replace it with “Seville in September.”<br /><br />7. As your friend or relative, I’ll forgive misspelling, grammar boo-boos, and similar errors. But get in the habit of re-reading your email before hitting the send button. Another recipient might not be so forgiving.<br /><br />8. I have a short attention span. That’s why I’m becoming enamored with text messaging. Just give me the facts. Email allows more words than texting, but it is meant to be brief. Please keep your message short. A few paragraphs and a few sentences per paragraph will do nicely.<br /><br />9. If I send you an email that is obviously meant for your eyes only, and although my writing might be so stunning it demands more readers, please do not forward it without my permission.<br /><br />10. Take the time to add a permanent signature to your mail message. Look in Preferences, or Mail Options, and you’ll find a way to add a signature to all outgoing mail. It should include contact information such as your home or mobile phone, or some way I can reach you other than the email. (If you’re loathe to add those numbers, you shouldn’t be writing to me in the first place.)<br /><br />11. Watch out for the email’s auto-fill feature. Often, after a few letters, it guesses who the recipient is. If you’re distracted, you might select the wrong person. Say, Tim Burton for Tim Curry. (Okay, you come up with a better example.) Double check before you hit "send."<br /><br />12. If you claim you’re sending me an attachment, be certain the photo or document is actually attached. Otherwise, you’ll have to send a second email apologizing for the omission and then resend the missing piece. Save both of us the trouble by, oh you know by now, Re-read. Double-check. Pay attention. Now, compose and send. I look forward to hearing from you. That is, if we’re still friends.Elaine Solowayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00188124165205604782noreply@blogger.com1