Jae Sweeny-Lardner 2001 – 2018

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This is Jae.

These words below come from our friends Cris Sweeny and Claire Lardner of Miami who lost their youngest daughter Jae last Wednesday. Eliot and I are are proud owners of paintings from older sister Sage. We know this beautiful family because Sage and Jae, are goddaughters of our close friends Gail and Dawn.

Some of my readers are probably cringing that I am posting Jae’s story on my blog. Her mothers posted it on Facebook today. They are anxious to share their story with others and for everyone to always remember Jae. Their candor is to be admired and respected.

Jae’s godparents , Randy, Dawn, Gail and Ron.

This is an essay Jae wrote earlier this year.

Desire

I just want to escape

this physical world and blend

into the universe

Flow through the abyss

of space as pure energy

And experience what it is like

to finally live

Where everything is blurry

Filled with feelings you can’t describe

But they have a certain feel to them

they’re like ink

dropped in a glass of water

Or the color of a sunset

similar to an exhale

coming from your mouth

and blind smiles into the dark

I want to become

whispered promises to the stars

From those longing another

I don’t want to be someone

or something

I just want to be

The Rev. Martha Shiverick of the Riviera Presbyterian Church, Miami, told the hundreds of folks who showed up this past Sunday to honor Jae at the Celebration of Life service, “Don’t Ask, ‘What If?’ There are no ‘What Ifs’ in a situation like this.”

The World We Live In

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Chuck Todd, host of Meet The Press, brought up a topic this morning that we are all somewhat aware of, but don’t do much about.

There are four plus companies who now control our lives. Google, Apple, Facebook, and Amazon definitely dictate how we get online, how we shop, how we communicate, and how we get our information.

Amazon alone is worth more than 15 of the best known retailers combined. Two thirds of adults in the United States have Facebook accounts . Half of those folks get their world and local information from that platform.

If you watch the video that I have attached, you will learn more about the current state of affairs. Ten years ago, life was very different. I don’t think any of us could have predicted the way the world now works.

Where are we going in the next 10?

You Will Soon Be Able To Leave Your Shoes And Coats On

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Getty Image

I have good news for people who hate taking their shoes and coats off when passing through airport security checks. Several British technology companies are working on dedicated shoe and coat scanners that specifically scan for explosive materials. Hopefully, these machines will find their way to airports everywhere.

Security Screen Technologies in Derbyshire and Scanna MSc in London have computers that analyze scan images and can immediately pick up hazardous components. Other British initiatives include screening cargo and super sensitive for explosives by filtering gas from containers.

Some airports need this technology more than others. Not every airport has the Transportation Security Administration, TSA. Security lines take 30 to 60 minutes. This takes the joy out of travel.

Read more about this on MSN.com.

Amazon Alexa Plays Board Games

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This is going to be fun. Alexa is going to be capable of playing board games with you.

The first one is a geography game, called “When In Rome,” from  Sensible Objects.

It’s going to be very “futuristic” playing with a robot. Alexa will teach us the rules, keep track of the score, and guide us through the game.

Everyone sits around a world map. Each player has a “home city” where he or she starts. As you enter each new city, Alexa asks you questions about the area: food, people, topography, weather, customs, etc.

The person with the highest points wins. The game will be available this summer at $29.95. Stay tuned for many more voice-augmented tabletop games.

The future is now.

Audi Takes The Lead On Making Toll Payments

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Image: Audi

One of the strangest things I had to get used to when we moved to Miami from New York City was calling the electronic toll collection program, the SunPass. In New York it’s known as E-Z Pass.

Now I may not have to remember any name at all if car makers follow Audi’s lead. Audi is integrating a toll payment system on some of its models so that the devices automatically pay the road tolls.

Audi explains that “the Integrated Toll Module (ITM) is a toll transponder built into the vehicle’s rearview mirror. The technology is compatible with existing tolling agencies nationwide, which can be linked with a driver’s new or current account.”

I think this is all pretty cool.

If You Had All The Money In The World

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What would you wish for?

Ellen DeGeneres obviously makes a lot of money. She can buy anything she wants. I recently read a story that she still felt like there was something missing. Her wife, Portia de Rossi, figured out what was causing Ellen’s aching heart and then found a cure. She presented it to her on her birthday. Please watch the video.

In Other News …………..

The new three story slide at Aventura Mall.

If you love Ceviche, eat here at Aventura Mall.

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In the last few days, three different friends sent me photos of our home on Miami Beach.

Steve Greenberg took this photo with his IPhone X when his flight took off from MIA to NY.

Steve Greenberg took this photo with his IPhone X when his flight took off from MIA to NY

Richie Grand found this photo at the Coconut Grove Art Festival

Andrew Preston took this photo from his boat.

Thank you to all three.

The Students Take Over

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I’m in a much better mood today. For the first time in over a year, I think this country may actually have a chance to get out of the mess it has been in under the Trump administration. The students are going to save us.

I very much want to be a part of the March 24th nationwide demonstration. I want to be there when every politician, who gets funded by the NRA, gets called out, then kicked out.

I am so sick of certain people, on the other side of the aisle, telling me guns don’t kill people, people do. These now former friends make me feel like I’m living in the twilight zone. Trump now says he is willing to talk about instituting gun background checks. What a phony. Just weeks ago, he removed more than $12 million from the budget that was designated to improve the screening of people who buy guns.

He wanted that money for his wall and tax cuts. The rich get richer, and nothing gets trickled down to the masses. It never does. Thankfully, some sanity will be restored. I have great faith in the youth of America to save us.

I will do my best to support the students. I hope you will join me. Thank you.

My recent Facebook posts.

Bios For All Ages

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Two years ago, my niece Mara told me that her then five year old was reading biographies. I was immediately fascinated. I love biographies, but it usually takes me weeks, or months, to finish a book. I learned that my grand nephew, Ari, was reading a book in one night, or a few days. I was amazed.

Mara is a librarian so I knew this was something I wanted to know more about. She gave me the information, but I tucked it away someplace and then forgot about it. Two days ago, I was at Books & Books, in Coral Gables, and noticed a section of the children’s area devoted to biographies. I realized I was staring at the biography books Mara told me about.

I know I’m not five years, old but I couldn’t help myself. I bought five books. While they are written very simply, they are filled with facts that I didn’t know about. These books are a quick read for you, and perfect to share with young ones. There are hundreds of them. I plan to read the five I bought, and keep ordering more from Amazon, or make more trips to Books & Books.

I am fascinated by biographies. They teach us so much about life. After I finish each one, I plan to send my copy to any parent or grandparent who expresses an interest in sharing it with a child.

Memo to Mara. Thank you for the heads up. These are terrific. I am so happy you shared this with me.

When Your Cell Phone Doesn’t Work

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Rob Reis, creator of Satpaq.

For the last few years, HWH PR, has been helping a client work on a texting technology that will one day be a major feature in smartphones. Called Satpaq, the accessory connects to satellites in the sky so that you will always be able to communicate with others when cells go down. This is a common occurrence during hurricanes, fires. earthquakes, floods, and mudslides.

We also experience dead zones where there are no cell towers in many parts of the world. There are even many places in Silicon Valley and the Hamptons where cells don’t work. The Satpaq is desperately needed to keep you in communication with loved ones or first responders, if you are in trouble.

The creator of SatPaq, Rob Reis, CEO of Higher Ground, visited me in Miami Beach, last Thursday. We spent the day checking out the Satpaq connection from the balcony of my 36th floor condo to the board walk on the first floor of the side of my building. Rob even checked the communications skills of the Satpaq from inside my living room windows. We scored 100 per cent connectivity.

We are almost ready to launch. Bravo!