Category Archives: senior lifestyle

Picture Perfect

Posted on by
Reply

20140718-232403-84243492.jpg

20140718-232403-84243634.jpg
If you like taking pictures on your iPhone, please consider using the Afterlight app to edit your images. Most of the photos I receive from family and friends have great subjects but they are either too dark or too light. I want to appreciate what they sent, but if I have to carefully study the photo to capture the essence of the picture, then I just want to delete.

All I want to suggest is that we follow the lead of the younger generation. Take the time to make your photos the best they can be. My 15-year old cousin Hanna introduced me to Afterlight, a photo-editing app for the iPhone and iPad.

It’s worth the 99 cents.

The first great thing about Afterlight is that it lets you snap a shot or load one from your camera roll or photo stream.

There are five edit buttons. That’s all you have to remember. From left to right–the undo button, (lets you undo each change you’ve made), the adjustments button (features 15 different tools — exposure, brightness, tones, temperature, etc), the 40 filters button, the film button, and the Instant film pack button.

I can’t use anything too complicated. This is simple to use and the results make a huge difference in your presentation.

You will love the creativity.

I Don’t Want To Be Normal

Posted on by
Reply

20140717-231309-83589642.jpg
Illustration: Gapingvoid.

I am hypermanic. A doctor friend diagnosed me a few years ago. It means that I see things large. For example, if someone tells me he or she just bought a boat, I immediately picture big Hollywood parties, lots of girls in bikinis, drinks galore, and lots of air-blown kisses.

If someone tells me he or she got a new job, I picture all kinds of great opportunities for that person. Or if someone says they are buying a new house, I picture a mansion. I get overly excited about how things can positively influence my life.

This is very strange thinking for a person who is very negative. The sky is always falling and I have to do my darnedest not to get hit in the head. It’s difficult to believe that someone so negative can be hypermanic. Yep, that’s me. I see that in myself. A lot of people think I exaggerate at times. I am just explaining how I see a situation through my hypermanic lens.

For the last week or so . I tried being normal. It doesn’t work for me. It even made me fall asleep last night without posting. I have written over 1000 posts, and I never forgot to publish. This whole new routine of trying to be normal and getting to bed at a reasonable hour, is killing me. I am sleeping seven hour nights now and I am more exhausted than ever. I used to only got three or four hours a sleep every night and that suited me fine.

Be sure to read yesterday’s DigiDame about an extraordinary toaster. As for me, I am going back to not being normal. It just a more comfortable place to be.

My Greasy Face

Posted on by
1

20140716-211238-76358904.jpg

20140716-211301-76381596.jpg
Lance Ulanoff at Mashable, tested the toaster.

You are going to hear about this from someone, so it might as well be me. You can now burn an image of your selfie on to a piece of toast. Just imagine, you can now smear butter all over your face every morning,

I have no idea why anyone would want this image-burner toaster that costs $75.00, but the Vermont Novelty Toaster Corp. reports brisk sales. I guess if you want a novel gift for someone, this is it.

You have to upload the portrait you want to use to the Vermont Novelty Toaster website. Then a rather tedious process takes place. Lance Ulanoff, editor-at-large at Mashable, actually outlined every detail. Click here to get a more detailed explanation,

This is a selfie my daughter Whitney took of all of us this morning. I am not putting it on a piece of toast. This blog is ego enough.

20140716-212226-76946355.jpg

These Roller Skates Are For Me

Posted on by
Reply

I am currently in LA. When we arrived at LAX, I saw a young gal whiz by me on a pair of roller skates like we used to wear when we were pre-teens. I am talking about the skates with four wheels on each foot.

A second later, I had a flashback to my life in Queens, NY, 55 years ago when I used to spend hours each day pounding the pavement on my skates. It was one of those times when you preferred to be alone so you could fantasize about being a sports super star while you skated.

Today, I heard about Action Rocketskates that look like they are for sports enthusiasts but probably are suited for our age group as well. They look somewhat safe and sturdy. See if you agree. Look at the above video.

Rocketskates are electric, motorized skates that strap over your shoes. The company explains that “each skate has two hub motors controlled by an on-board microprocessor. They are powered by a lithium-ion battery pack. The skates also communicate with each other so they maintain the same speed and behavior.”

Rocketskates are now featured on Kickstarter because the developers need money to produce enough inventory to fill their ever-increasing orders.

Unlike the roller skates of our time, Rocketskates have an app. You can monitor your skates and their performance. You can also track skating routes, skate diagnosis, battery status, games, and social interactivity. The app keeps you in touch with other Rocketskaters.

Times have certainly changed, This just might be a new pastime for our crowd.
20140715-223646-81406768.jpg

Maker Bot Teams Up With Home Depot

Posted on by
2

20140714-231906-83946163.jpg

20140714-231906-83946433.jpg
Photo provided by Home Depot

Five years ago, no one ever heard of Maker Bot. Today, the 3D printer company announced that its printers are being sold in Home Depot.

That is a huge coup for both Maker Bot and Home Depot. Both companies “help people make things” so it’s only natural that they should work together.

The Maker Bot replicator line is available at both the Home Depot and a countless number of stores around the country.

The astonishing part of this story for me is that I first saw Maker Bot at a trade show five or six years ago. Bre Pettis, the CEO then, and still today, was a young man with a dream to bring 3D printing technology into the mainstream. He has done a miraculous job to make this happen.
Maker Bot is now a leader in this business. 3D print technology is now an integral part of design and building work for businesses and personal use.

Maker Bot has their own stores throughout the United States where you can learn more about this technology and how you can use it for future projects.

.

Photo Prints In Vogue Again

Posted on by
2

20140713-224314-81794120.jpg
Hanna and her FujiFilm lnstax Mini 8

You can be a hero to any youngster for just about $70.00. All you have to do is buy the FujiFilm Instax Mini 8, a Polaroid-type camera, for any young person of your choice. The FujiFilm Instax Mini 8 is quickly becoming a popular novelty item among young folks because it is a non-digital product. Go figure.

Teenagers love this product but really anyone can use it. Our 15-year old cousin Hanna just got one for her birthday. She explains, “There are times when you just want a print of a photograph you have taken. It’s so much fun. You become more selective and the photos are true keepsakes.”

The FujiFilm Instax Mini 8 is being sold in Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Amazon, etc. Make sure you compare prices because some retailers want $100.00. Also shop around for the film. That can get expensive too.

20140713-224729-82049943.jpg

20140713-225733-82653216.jpg

Celebration

Posted on by
Reply

It’s Sunday and many of you have a hangover from last night. We do. Eliot and I are in Los Angeles for Emilie Lesser’s Bat Mitzvah. We partied too hearty.

I am seeing double so here is something you will enjoy without too much interpretation from me.

21 Secret Things You Didn’t Know Your iPhone Could Do

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/AGn0Au/aplus.com/a/iphone-tricks-you-didnt-know?ref_src=email

Now back to the party.

20140712-234733-85653218.jpg

20140712-234733-85653006.jpg

20140712-234735-85655870.jpg

20140712-234732-85652545.jpg

20140713-000319-199686.jpg

20140713-000321-201165.jpg

20140713-000317-197762.jpg

20140713-000323-203637.jpg

20140713-000613-373380.jpg

Dear American Airlines

Posted on by
4

20140711-220144.jpg20140711-220132.jpg
You have got to be kidding me American Airlines. I can’t believe you designed the arm rests on the 777’s to house the remote control for the entertainment system, lights, and to call the flight attendant.

What were you thinking?

Everytime I leaned on the arm rest, the flight attendant showed up at my seat. After the fourth call, the attendants knew to ignore me. I was so crazed and uncomfortable. Every time we hit a little turbulence, I jabbed myself trying to hold on to the arm rests.

I’m sure you are aware that there is such a thing called “human computer interaction.” You couldn’t have possibly asked someone in that field to bless the design of this arm rest. It just doesn’t make any sense.

Breakthrough Miami

Posted on by
Reply


Eliot and I were invited earlier this week to visit and learn more about Breakthrough Miami, a six-week Summer Institute and Saturday school-year program. It is an eight-year program, starting with middle-grade students from economically disadvantage backgrounds. The main purpose is to promote a love of learning and commitment to the community.

The reason why Elissa Vanaver, CEO, of Breakthrough Miami, asked us to visit one of the many campuses where the program is being held (Ransom Everglades School) was to discuss the possibly of helping to promote the program in traditional publications and through social media. We both agree that direct campaigns via email is far more effective than social media, but that is another discussion.

I’m writing about this program today because I want to urge people in our age group to get involved in programs like this or any community opportunity where you can give back. Too many of my friends have narrowed their scope of the universe and basically focus on the same list of things to do each day. It bothers me that they are a lot smarter than I am yet they don’t explore new opportunities.

It’s as if someone had told us, as we entered our 60s, that we had done enough and to just spend the rest of our days on a golf course or in front of the TV. I am no different. I really have to push myself to take on a new challenges.

I am grateful to Alissa for inviting us to see what she is working on. I met her at our July 4th party. She is the wife of the photo editor at the Miami Herald.

I already told you how we met him. Alissa came to this event armed with brochures and business cards so that she could get the word out about Breakthrough Miami.

Alissa used to be managing editor of the Miami Herald and now is totally devoted to changing lives and creating leaders. Wow, what a wonderful second career.

20140710-214510-78310562.jpg
Lauren Kellner, site director and CEO Alissa Vanaver.

20140710-214827-78507100.jpg

20140710-215332-78812737.jpg

20140710-215330-78810064.jpg

Shark Tank’s Daymond John Looking For Innovative Mobile Devices

Posted on by
Reply

20140710-001558-958339.jpg

20140710-001558-958156.jpg
Daymond John and his Bluetooth keyboard.

I would ordinarily say that Daymond John, founder of the FUBU clothing line, and one of the original investors on Shark Tank, was out of his mind for jumping into the mobile device business. However, smart is always smart.

I just reviewed some of the products his new company, called Moguls Mobile, is planning to introduce. They are quite unique compared to the so-called competition.

The first one I was impressed with was a Bluetooth keyboard for the iPhone. It hooks on the iPhone with magnets called Magneti. I predict that this keyboard is going to be huge. It just makes sense for typing. It looks like the Blackberry keyboard.

The other device I thought was clever, was a lost and found tag service. I have no idea why someone else didn’t think of this before. It’s a natural. If one of the Moguls Mobile devices get lost, the finder calls the service phone number on the unit. Moguls Mobile sends a courier to pickup the unit and then delivers it to the owner. The finder gets a reward but those details were not spelled out.

In order to offer the most unique mobile products ever, Moguls Mobile is partnering with Edison Nation, a company that solicits ideas from inventors. So now you know where to call with that inventive idea you wanted to pursue

Go for it.

To pitch an idea read Venture Beat here.