Vacation Day
2
People Who Need People
I think someone was reading my mind. As we get older, I worry that many of us are going to need a lot more assistance in doing household chores, visiting doctors, and preparing meals.
Obviously, I was not alone in my thoughts. A start-up in Miami has dedicated itself to pairing up college students with seniors who need help. I think this is such a wonderful idea.
Go to http://www.joinpapa.com if you need assistance. Encourage a college student that you know to get involved. Pricing is outlined on the website. I am told that every student goes through intense training and is completely vetted. I have included a phone number so you can call and ask all kinds of questions.
Looking Back On Our Lives
It’s probably my age, but I love listening to podcasts where baby boomers, or even older people, reflect on their lives. I find out that many of us, rich or poor, famous or unknown, all end up trying to figure out what our lives were all about.
Alec Baldwin, the actor you know so well from his portrayals of Trump on Saturday Night Live, (he desperately wants to be remembered for more serious roles), hosts a podcast called, “Here’s The Thing.” He interviewed Jenn Wenner, the founder of Rolling Stone Magazine, just before he sold it last February. I just got around to listening to the interview now.
I wanted to share it with you because it talks about the music we grew up on and how that stays our favorite forever. Most of the interview focuses on his ownership of Rolling Stone, what it was like knowing so many rock stars, and why he decided to start a second family in his 60’s.
Click here to listen to the podcast. (The podcast starts with a quick commercial, then you will hear Alec introducing the interview.)
Eliot’s Photos From Manhatta
As promised, here are the photos Eliot took from the 60th floor of Manhatta, Danny Meyer’s newest restaurant at 28 Liberty St., formerly the Chase Manhattan office building.
The view is absolutely the most spectacular and romantic you can get in the most magnificent city in the world. This is the way to celebrate your good fortune of being here.
Shower Power
I promised myself that I would write this blog post one day before someone I know gets killed. That someone could be me.
As I mentioned a few days ago, I probably sleep in more hotel rooms than I do in my own bed. I have seen every type of hotel shower that is possibly available. Most of are so hazardous that I often wonder who is designing them? It’s amazing that guests aren’t complaining. More and more older folks are traveling these days. Someone has to take a stand.
There are times I almost need a ladder to climb in the tub to get to the shower. You can break a leg before reaching the controls to turn on the water. The chances of slipping increase every time. I have trained myself to go slow. I am very conscious of each step I take, but there is no guarantee that I won’t fall.
Then there are the showers that feature half glass walls, instead of curtains, so the water doesn’t spray on the floor. It always does anyway. The water controls are all the way in the shower so you get soaked when you turn on the water.
If that’s not bad enough, most of the time you have to be an engineer to know how to use the controls. The shower handles are not marked, hot or cold, or off or on, so it’s a complete guessing game. The fancy ones are impossible. You can stand in the shower for 20 minutes trying to figure out the system.
I could go on forever, but you get my point. I want to urge all of you to demand handle bars in all hotel showers. There is no reason why young, or older guests, have nothing to hold on to. The floors are slippery, especially when filled with soap suds. For those hotels who feel handle bars make a shower look like they are designed for the handicapped, I say “so what?” This is not a fashion show. This is “smart thinking.”
Help me spread the word to independent hotel managements, or chains. Either fill out the online comment forms, or just verbally tell the front desk how you feel. The more we do this, the quicker changes will take place.
Remember, the life you save may be your own.
New York City’s Most Unbelievable Restaurant—Manhatta
I thought after living in Manhattan for over 40 years, nothing could impress me. That was the case until last night. Whitney and Fredrick arranged for all of us to celebrate Eliot’s birthday at Manhatta, Danny Meyer’s newest restaurant on the 60th floor of 28 Liberty St., formerly the Chase Manhattan office building.
It just took our breath away. We have all seen the sights from the World Trade Center, but that was nothing compared to this 360 degree advantage point. It’s just the right height to see every detail of what a map of the city looks like in real life. You see all airports, bridges, rivers, highways, roads, and every major building NYC is known for.
The food doesn’t take second place to the view. Every dish was remarkable, and much different from what you have ever experienced. Our BFF, Bonnie, was amazed about how delicious each course tasted. The service was also impeccable and the decor was in excellent classic design. By now you must be questioning the prices. All I can say is that it was extremely reasonable. No tipping allowed. That was tough to deal with because you always want to show your appreciation.
Trust me, when I tell you that this is an experience you don’t want to miss. A big thank you to Whitney and Fredrick for discovering this restaurant and nailing the reservation.
And a big happy birthday to Eliot who went home totally exhausted from eating one of the best meals ever, and snapping away more photos in an evening than most people take on a vacation. The photos posted here were taken on an iPhone by Whitney and Lois. Tomorrow we will get to see Eliot’s photographic eye.
YouTube Addicts! Here’s A Cure
For all you YouTube addicts, here is a new feature that can remind you just how long you have been watching your favorite videos. Facebook and Instagram will be offering monitor services as well.
I don’t know why anyone would want this service, but apparently social media platforms have been getting complaints from users that they are addicted to their programs. I guess the solution is to show users, in black-and-white, just how much time they are spending on their screens. This new feature helps folks develop a sense of digital well being.
Click here to learn more.
Hope This Gives You The Chuckles
Blarney Stone
I extend my complete admiration for anyone who has ever kissed the Blarney Stone. I could barely make it to the top. The narrow, winding, uneven surface staircase, was a challenge and then getting down was even worse. I just couldn’t stand looking straight down. Then on top it was so scary to have to walk around the narrow path. Mission accomplished. I will do anything for a DigiDame post.
Eliot’s turn
The route we took over the last 12 days
Wearable Technology
For $25, you can give a child, or even an adult, an augmented reality T/shirt that reveals what’s going on inside the body. It’s really awesome because very few people have ever seen anything like this before.
It also makes a very powerful gift. All you have to do is point a smartphone, or a tablet at the Virtuali-Tee shirt when it is being worn, and you see the heart and digestive system. It works with a companion app. It was first introduced on Indiegogo.
Yes, it’s a little scary but it’s very educational. Watch the video. You are going to remember this forever.
Scenes from the town of Dingle, and the Dingle Peninsula, which are as far west as you can get in Europe. We could practically see the United States.
Tomorrow is our last day in Ireland. We fly to NY on Tuesday. It was a terrific trip. My eyes are smiling. Landscapes by Eliot Hess.
DigiDame 