Yearly Archives: 2012

Editing The Baby Makers

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I know 10 gals who are having babies over the next six months. I recently took iPhone pictures of five of them. One I lifted from Facebook. I had trouble getting some of them to be right side up because I took vertical and horizontal photos.

I played around with them for a long time until I realized that if I went into “Camera Roll,” clicked on edit, then clicked on the semi-circle in the lower left hand corner, I could rotate the photos any way I wanted.

It was that easy. I wanted to share that with you. Here my photos.

The first gal is having twins any minute. The next two are sisters delivering a few weeks apart next month. The final two are sister-in-laws having babies in February and March.

My mother used to say “Babies Bring Good Luck.”

Happy New Year To All

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If Andy Warhol Had Been Alive Today

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It has been 25 years since Andy Warhol died. I often wonder what influence he would have had on the tech world. He believed in the visual art movement known as pop art so you can imagine the design creations he would have digitally produced.

Eliot and I went to see “Regarding Warhol, Sixty Artists, Fifty Years” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC, Friday night. We also got to see his permanent exhibit in Pittsburgh, PA when our daughter attended Carnegie Mellon University 10 years ago.

We marveled at some of the quotes Warhol was famous for and how they apply to our digital lives.

Here we go:

Don’t pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches.

Being good in business is the most fascinating kind of art. Making money is art and working is art and good business is the best art.

Everyone will be famous for 15 minutes.

An artist is somebody who produces things that people don’t need to have.

They always say time changes things, but you actually have to change them yourself.

I’m afraid that if you look at a thing long enough, it loses all of its meaning.

I suppose I have a really loose interpretation of “work,” because I think that just being alive is so much work at something you don’t always want to do. The machinery is always going. Even when you sleep.

Isn’t life a series of images that change as they repeat themselves?

I think having land and not ruining it is the most beautiful art that anybody could ever want to own.

It’s the movies that have really been running things in America ever since they were invented. They show you what to do, how to do it, when to do it, how to feel about it, and how to look how you feel about it.

I’m the type who’d be happy not going anywhere as long as I was sure I knew exactly what was happening at the places I wasn’t going to. I’m the type who’d like to sit home and watch every party that I’m invited to on a monitor in my bedroom.

When I got my first television set, I stopped caring so much about having close relationships.

My idea of a good picture is one that’s in focus and of a famous person.

Since people are going to be living longer and getting older, they’ll just have to learn how to be babies longer.

Once you ‘got’ Pop, you could never see a sign again the same way again. And once you thought Pop, you could never see America the same way again.

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Bring Back Steve Jobs

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Forgive me for saying this, but someone has to have a heart-to-heart with Tim Cook, CEO of Apple. This is the guy who Steve Jobs put in place when he knew his days were numbered. I just watched a video (I posted it below) of the press conference this Wednesday where the iPhone 5 was introduced. I immediately could hear Steve bellowing from above, “Those idiots. I left them in charge and they are acting like they are constipated. There is no magic in the presentation. Haven’t they learned a thing from me? What a waste! After all my years of showing them the excitement of a strong stage presence, this is the best they can do? Nothing like taking a miracle product and bringing it down to a ho hum yawn. Go after them, Lois!”

I read the Steve Jobs book by Walter Isaacson. I understood Steve’s passion when I read it and I also understand it now. People faulted him for his arrogance, his impulsiveness, his odd behavior and his insults. He spared no one. He even belittled and betrayed Steve Wozniak. Woz understood him the best and told everyone that while he did not condone Jobs’ behavior, he also knew that it took this kind of ruthless leadership to create the greatness of Apple. Woz was the antithesis of Jobs. He wanted to take a back seat. He did all of the coding and product creation, but it was Jobs who kept pushing Woz and teams of developers to do the impossible. They accomplished that but many were wounded warriors.

There are people who I speak to that say he could have been nicer, more tolerant, more accepting. I believe that these folks truly don’t understand what it takes to produce something so extraordinary. There is no time for pampering your team. They should know how to take care of themselves. Steve Jobs had to get people to open their minds to new thinking and become innovative. In my 46 years in the workforce, I can say that most people do not like to think. They want to punch a clock and do what they consider is the best they can do.

Well, that is just not good enough in the world of technology. Steve proved it and now Apple better watch themselves. They don’t have Steve to keep them in shape. This press conference was as dull and unenthusiastic as you can get. Unless I am missing something, there was no showmanship, no accent on the positive, no dramatic pauses to let silence speak for itself, which Jobs did so well after he said something profound.

Tim Cook has to learn theater. If he can’t do it, he better find others who can. Going to an Apple press conference used to be like going to a great Broadway play, full of suspense, captivation and euphoria.

Watch the video. Click on the arrow in the middle of the screen. It is great for insomniacs. It will put you to right to sleep. Thank goodness the iPhone5 can speak for itself, because this just doesn’t cut it.

Go Away, You Are Boring Me To Death

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My business life is filled with networking parties, new product introductions, press conferences, business meetings and meetups.  After so many years, I see the same tech people over and over.  It doesn’t matter what the event is, everyone just wants to talk about themselves. They want you to know the assignments they are working on, how well their last story was received, who asked them to speak at what engagement, who is dying to hire them, how well their children are doing, and do I have any work for them. Yawn !!!

Same people, same stories, same Yada, Yada, Yada. The other night I went to Showstoppers at the Manhattan Suites on Fifth Avenue and 14th Street.  It was an exhibition for innovative product introductions. There was a lot to see plus the views were amazing and the food and liquor were staged like a wedding. The entire setting was a class act.

I could barely make it to the exhibits. The same usual suspects were inching closer to say hello. I had to listen to – “We just sold our condo!” “Let me show you pictures of the grandkids!” “Did you see my new car?” “What flight did you get for CES?” and “Let me show you my scar from my last surgery.”

Then Rob Calem came to the rescue.  Rob and I have been industry friends for years. He is a good looking, very smart, mellow guy who has never been married. (Attention Julie Lesser! I want to fix you up with him. Perfect age, but wrong coast. I will do it anyway). Rob immediately told me about a product that he thought I would be interested in that was a few steps away from where we were standing.

Ironically, the product could cure my boring crowd syndrome.  What a coincidence!  It is called Necomini, Brainwave Cat Ears that move according to your mood. The Cat Ears use three emotional states to create cat-like reactive movements that show how interested or relaxed you are. When something catches your attention, the ears shoot straight up. When the wearer is relaxed, the ears droop down. When you are highly-focused, the ears wiggle back and forth. Powered by NeuroSky ThinkGear Technology, it sells for $99.95.

I must get a pair to wear to the next industry event. Can you imagine speaking to someone and the ears go down? Will they get the hint? Never!

I am told the Necomini Brainwave Cat Ears are a big hit at parties, sporting events, and bars.

Click on the arrow in the middle of the video below to see how the Brainwave Car Ears work.

Out From Under The Covers

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While the whole world is focused on the introduction of the iPhone 5 today, I have a different offer that will you give far more satisfaction than a smartphone, tablet or portable audio player. It is called a personal massager. I am looking for Digidame readers to tell me why you deserve one for free. I need you to select one and then post your explanation in the comment section.

All you have to do is click on the cloud above this copy and type away. The reason why this is so important, is because personal massagers are slowly but surely becoming very popular. I am a part of a team of marketers who are revitalizing the category. Those of you who want to join this journey over the next few months are welcomed to chime in.

What was once considered to be a taboo gadget hidden some place in your closet under a pile of clothes, is now becoming a much more accepted portable accessory, and for good reason. Baby boomers are discovering that if they massage certain areas of their body ever few hours, they relieve tension and stiffness.

How many times have you been bent over and waddled when you have been sitting for too long?  Or how about those first steps in the morning. It takes five to 10 minutes to get your legs and back fully-functioning.  Admit it, we are not as limber as we once were.

Many baby boomers are really into health and wellness.  Use me as the excuse to own one of these cute little devices. This line is called Body Innovations.  Be an innovator yourself and live life to the fullest.  By the way, the next time you go to lunch with friends and they all whip out their phone, tablet,  MP3 player and personal massagers, think of where you read about this first.

Personal Mini Massager  #1

The Personal Mini Massager #1 is available in assorted colors, features a quiet and powerful massage motor with three interchangeable attachments (Dual Node, Multi-node and smooth head).  Its compact size makes it the perfect travel companion.  Includes one AA battery and travel pouch.

Personal Mini Massager #2

The Personal Mini Massager #2 features multiple variable massage speeds from low to high.  The rubberized massage head focuses gentle massage on body curves and contours and is waterproof, perfect for use in the shower or bath.  It includes two AAA batteries and is available in three  assorted colors. .

Rechargeable Personal Massager #3

The Rechargeable Personal Massager #3 features a quiet and powerful massage motor with two speed intensities.  The small size allows it to easily slip into a purse and includes a storage pouch.

Personal Mini Massager #4

The compact, battery operated (includes one AA battery) Personal Mini Massager #4 is perfect for on the go use.  Its quiet and powerful massage  motor and interchangeable attachments will help you relax on stressful trips. It is available in three colors and includes a convenient travel pouch.

If you are too shy to post, you can send me an email: lois@digidame.com. Your secret is good with me.

The Next Best Thing To Being There

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Eliot and I were invited to a Bar Mitzvah in Miami Beach last Saturday.  We really wanted to attend but we had to be in New York for a work-related event. We made that commitment months ago so there was little we could do to change it. The Bar Mitzvah was for Dawson, the grandson of Judge Philip Bloom, a former Circuit Court Judge for the State of Florida (18 years on the Bench and now a consultant to Squire Sanders) and Elaine Bloom, a former State Rep for 18 ½ years and a Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Florida House of Representatives. We became friends with them almost 10 years ago when we joined the Miami Chamber of Commerce. We see them frequently, especially when Joe’s Stone Crab is open for business. When we join the Bloom’s there for dinner, we are escorted past a 100 hungry people waiting to get in and wonder who we are.

While I would love to talk more about Elaine and Philip, the royal couple of Miami Beach, this post is really about the unique experience Eliot and I had when we  watched Dawson’s entire Bar Mitzvah via a webcam.  G-d bless technology. I first witnessed a webcam in progress years ago when my nephew Sam showed me how he monitored a law class. I was amazed then and I’m still amazed today even though I have watched hundreds of webcam events.

The entire set up is very easy thanks to digital camera technology.  Sometimes the cameras are stationary and only shoot one scene, and other times a cameraman directs the camera or cameras to different settings, so you really feel you are a part of the audience. Temple Beth Sholom in Miami Beach uses webcams for all their services, so we are talking a much better production. The webcam service is really a “mitzvah”  (Yiddish for human kindness) because no one is left out. Everyone can join in no matter where they are located.

I have to say they know what they are doing. Dawson’s Bar Mitzvah was like watching a major stage production. Eliot and I had the best seat in the house (okay, being there would have been better) as we sat in our NY apartment witnessing Dawson’s big day. He did a marvelous job and we will forever feel a part of this joyous occasion. The cameras did close ups of his parents, his younger brother, the Bema,, the Torah, the congregation, the Rabbi, the Cantor, and of course Dawson. We even got to see a lot of Dawson’s friends.  The entire family looked so happy I kept tearing.

Because of our travels, like so many others, we sometimes miss major events.  Our first choice is to be right next to family and friends at milestone events, but when we can’t, this is a wonderful alternative.

Elaine, Philip, David, Damian, Dawson and Donovan

11 Years Later

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I almost didn’t write a blog post to appear on 9/11. I thought I should remain silent. Every year on this day I feel so sad for all my fellow New Yorkers who lost loved ones in the World Trade Center. I also feel terrible for the first responders who are sick and suffering. As a diehard New Yorker, I still can’t comprehend what happened to my city.

I remember the hours, days, weeks, months that followed the attacks. Everyone in New York was polite and gracious. People hugged in the streets and blessed you as they passed by. We thanked every policeman and fireman we laid eyes on. People helped each other cross the street, get taxis, carry groceries and cut in lines. I used to get choked up when I saw how nice everyone was to each other. I often thought why couldn’t this kind of peaceful co-existence last forever?

I would say it lasted almost a year. Then things started to go back to the normal state of rudeness and selfishness. When the economy got worse, New Yorkers started to act out. Former peaceful neighborhoods have become battlegrounds. People are losing patience with each other and many more verbal arguments are breaking out.

I worked a little late today and once again had a feeling of despair when I was leaving my office building. I realized it was 11 years later. It’s a terrible feeling when you can’t change a thing. You have no choice but to go with the flow and make the best of it. Then I got a huge surprise. Just when I thought New Yorkers lost their camaraderie forever, I opened the door to my office building and discovered hundreds of people marching on my block, showing support for the striking teachers in Chicago.

I felt very lucky to shoot a video of the march just to show you what I am talking about. I encourage you to watch. All you have to do is click on the arrow in the middle of the picture. When you watch the demonstration, think of New York as the one place on earth where its inhabitants change their attitudes pretty quickly. We can’t turn our back on those who need us the most. It doesn’t matter how near or how far. We are ready to serve.

So from this New Yorker, to all those hurting as I am on this anniversary day, I say, let’s hope for a better tomorrow.

Email Wars

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I no longer talk to a person that I don’t talk to. If that sentence doesn’t make sense, let me explain. This can only happen on the Internet.

I was sitting at my desk a few weeks ago when I received an email from a 66-year old friend I grew up with. I’ve known him since he was 10 and I was 9. I saw him a few times a week till we were 20 and 21. He was one of 80 who attended my Sweet 16 on the same day JFK was murdered in Dallas. I have only seen him three times in the last decade, and before that not for 30-plus years.

The email he sent instantly pissed me off on two counts. First, it was a forwarded email and I had to scroll down three pages of headers and addresses to find his message. Memo to seniors: When you forward emails, please delete all former email addresses before sending to new recipients. It is considered rude and lazy by Internet standards to expose people’s addresses to strangers who can then use them for future spam.

Secondly, when I finally got to the message, I was absolutely astonished that he had forwarded some rhetoric against the Presidential candidate of my choice. He hasn’t spoken to me in years, has no idea who I prefer, and as a result insulted everything that I stand for.

Now, I am not saying that I don’t campaign for my choice on Facebook and to people that I have had long discussions with many times. But, this guy didn’t have any idea where I stood politically. It was extremely presumptuous. I told him so in a response and then the war of words broke out over email. We had never had an argument before, but this one was meant to forever cut our ties.

So I did something I never did before. I let him get the last word. His final email was so ridiculous that I decided not to answer it. He probably thinks he insulted me. For some reason, that gives me great satisfaction.

I don’t recommend email wars if you are the sensitive type. Be careful what you say before you press “send.”

46 Years Working And Still Counting

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Lois at 18

I was 18 years old my first day on the job as a copy girl at Women’s Wear Daily. That meant I was a messenger. The date was September 9, 1966.That was one of the most exciting days of my life.

A few weeks earlier, I experienced one of the worst days when I was fired from a job I had at an insurance agency in Hempstead, Long Island. I was only there for a week when the manager fired me. I was clueless what the place was really all about, so maybe that was the reason for my dismissal. Or perhaps it was because I yakked too much to the girl next to me.

It didn’t matter. I was so upset I went straight to bed and cried my eyes out. My older brother, already in the work force and living on his own, came to see me. He stood at the side of my bed and said a few words that changed my life. “Go find a job that you can do better than anyone else.”

I wasn’t quite sure I knew what he meant, so I asked for clarification. He told me to find a job that I felt qualified to do and be the best at.

Strange how someone’s words can change your life. The possibility of finding a job with my name on it gave me so much hope that I bounced out of bed to search the “Help Wanted” ads in the New York Times, print edition. Ha,ha!

It didn’t take long for me to find my dream job as a messenger. I applied for the job, got an interview, and a man named Frank Tricarico hired me. I was a kid from Queens, lived in a predominately Jewish neighborhood, and my universe was probably a 15-square mile radius. I vividly remember walking into WWD’s city room for the first time on Fifth Avenue and 12th St, Greenwich Village. The room was filled with bohemians, ingenues, fashion-plates, suits, men that looked like women, women that looked like men, and kids that looked like me.

I knew instantly that I had found the one job I could do better than most. I picked up editorial copy from one reporter’s desk after a bell that beckoned me rang out and delivered it to the proof reader. If you think about it, I am still doing the same thing today. I am distributing copy from one person to another. Nowadays, I just click a spot on the screen that says “send.”

It has been quite a journey. Thank you SZS.

An Emergency Text Message From AT&T-

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I don’t know why this story amazes me as much as it does. I live in the world of technology, yet I keep getting goose bumps when I hear of new twists and turns that only the digital world provides. This is a story of a 26-year old male who works in our office in New York with a girlfriend who lives in Dallas. A few days ago, he received a text message from AT&T that his girlfriend was in an auto accident and unconscious in a hospital. She was in the passenger seat next to her friend when someone under the influence smacked directly into her side of the car.

That was all the details that were given. He immediately called her mother, no answer. Then he called an aunt, who finally got in touch with the girlfriend’s mother, and together they rushed to the hospital where she was still unconscious. She woke an hour or two later with parts of her head swollen. She was given all kinds of head trauma tests and all the results thankfully came back normal. A few days later she was back to work.

The young male told me this story via a telephone conversation while I was in Miami earlier this week. I have never heard of a carrier calling or texting someone with such private information. Of course, when he related this story to me, I told him he was crazy. How would a carrier get involved, and wasn’t it illegal to give out private information like this? What if the girlfriend was in a place where she was not supposed to be? What if she was with someone she wasn’t supposed to be with?

I asked the young male to check out how and why he had been notified by AT&T. He contacted his girlfriend and asked if his number was stored somewhere that listed, “In case of emergency.” She said “no.” After much investigation, the only conclusion they could come to was that they were on the same cell service plan. One of the paramedics or police who reported the accident must have given AT&T the girlfriend’s phone number and the carrier did a trace.

I always thought information like that was kept private but someone else recently told me that if a person is in an accident and can’t mentally function, then the first responders have the right to contact the carrier, or someone who is listed as an emergency contact. They are also allowed to dial the last number called to see if they can reach a family member or a friend.

So the moral of the story is “Don’t get caught where you are not supposed to be,” or have an emergency number clearly listed that is a safety net.

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