We have friends who live near Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres in Montecito, California. They have been evacuated twice in a month, first by the Thomas Fires, then by the mudslides.

They sent me these photos to show the before and after of the area. They wanted us to get the picture of how badly their area has been devastated. The good news is that their new home has been sparred, but the area is currently unlivable. They have to stay away for at least a few weeks, perhaps more.

We are grateful that they are very upbeat people and can tough it out.but enough is enough. We pray that they can return home very soon and this is the last of the natural disasters forever.

I know that I promised more innovative gadgets for this post today, but I had a gut- wrenching experience last night that I am still recovering from. I stupidly left my laptop and iPad on the shuttle train from the American Airlines terminal in the Las Vegas airport to the gates. I was with my good friend, TV personality, Steve Greenberg, who witnessed my meltdown when I realized my huge mistake.

David Pickett

I started screaming. I couldn’t believe how irresponsible and distraught I was. Like you, I have my entire life on those machines. I also had two amazing projects coming up and all of my files that I need for the next few weeks were now taken away from me. Yes, everything was backed up but my personal access tools were gone.

Steve watched me completely freak out. In my moment of despair, Steve knew he had to be the sensible one. I followed him as we rode and checked several trains. My moans were so loud that folks around us were trying to calm me down. One charming woman, with a very spiritual look, approached me on the train and said a few words of positive inspiration. I knew all along that losing my laptop and iPad was not tragic, but nevertheless I felt out-of-control.

I thanked her and then left the train to run back with Steve to the security checkpoints to let airport staff know that I probably left my laptop and iPad on the train. Everyone was very nice, but one security guard came forward to help us. He spoke into his mic on his shoulder which communicated with all airport personnel. He informed them of my situation and told everyone I was heading home to Miami from Gate 11.

We thanked him, and for the second time, headed for the gates. We were on an escalator taking us to the second level, when a voice came over the public address system announcing that a laptop computer was found and it was being delivered to Gate 11. I screamed for joy, and then witnessed the people on the escalator below us cheering with big smiles on their faces.

Steve and I dashed to the gate where we found the ticket agent holding my computer bag in the air as if it was a relief food box for a starving victim.. He then pointed out the man who found the case, far off in the distance. There were too many people in the way for me to identify which one he was, but Steve and I ran after him anyway after we retrieved the equipment.

We passed a few gates when we saw the security guard we first spoke to coming towards us. He wanted to be sure that I got everything returned to me. That was so nice and I appreciated it. I quickly hugged him when he he suddenly said, “and there is the man who found your bag.” I turned around and there was the complete stranger who went out of his way for me.

He turned out to be David Pickett of Jacksonville, Florida, a long time consumer electronics executive associated with TDK. He hopped on the same train we were on to get to the gates and noticed my bag which I left behind. He said he spent the next 15 minutes carrying around my computer bag until he found the proper airport agent who he felt was trustworthy. The four of us stayed with each other for a few minutes to reflect on the joyous outcome.

David then joined Steve and I in the Centurion Club where we waited for our flights. While Steve did work for an hour, I spent time with David thanking him for his good deed. We compared careers in the CE business and found out that we knew a few of the same people. We both shared what we were currently working on, and now we may collaborate on some projects together.

Even while we were talking, my brain was still focused on the events that took place earlier. I was very lucky that Steve led the way to look for my computer, and a honest stranger found it.

I felt so fortunate. Thank you.

I’m at a Lenny Kravitz and Sheryl Crow concert in the Hard Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, when I should be writing my blog post. I’m going to write a few sentences and then publish this copy so I don’t miss the 3am East Coast deadline. Then when I get back to my room, I will finish today’s entry. Be sure to read the entire post. Some wacky stuff going on.

Tonight’s concert was sponsored by Harman International, a major electronics manufacturer which was recently purchased by Samsung. My friend Steve Greenberg was invited by Harman so he asked me to join him. Both Sheryl and Lenny were terrific. This was a standing room only concert so Steve and I shoved our way to the front. Most of the audience was somewhat drunk because beer and other alcohol were free.

One guy from Indiegogo was standing next to me and wouldn’t shut up when Sheryl was singing. I decided to post his photo here just in case someone who knows him sees it.He kept introducing himself to others.”I’m Rob from Indiegogo.” I felt like saying “Be quiet Rob and listen to the concert.”

I’m doing it here and that’s good enough.

Does anyone know who this guy is? He didn’t stop talking all night.

Thank you Steve Greenberg. It was a great night.

By now, many of you heard that there was a blackout at the Las Vegas Convention Center yesterday during the prime time show hours. The official word was that heavy rain caused the outage, which lasted about two hours. I arrived at the convention center just as the lights went back on. No one was hurt and it gave the press something to write about.

One of the craziest things I saw today was from Samsung. The company was demonstrating its virtual reality cameras by tossing people upside down crazy contraptions. I was getting sick to my stomach just watching the Flying Dino.

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I will tell you about some new innovative products tomorrow.

I wanted to show you what CES looks like in Las Vegas.

I didn’t even make it to the main hall. That is where the huge exhibits are, This is the start up company area. It was filled with crowds of showgoers anxious to see the latest innovations.

France has the largest area of exhibitors for a foreign country. The French tech area just keeps growing. There was also a big representation from Holland, Israel, Singapore, United Kingdom and Germany. It’s just so wonderful seeing all of these countries exhibiting together. You feel like anything is possible.

Tomorrow, I will show you the Las Vegas Convention Center, the main hall. Some of the exhibits are football field sizes. I’m used to seeing these sights. You will be amazed.

Short demo of Interchangeable Plates

Smartphone cases are now entering the world of couture. HandL just announced a new collection of highly designed smartphone cases with unique interchangeable plates, many embellished with crystals from Swarovski®. For the first time ever, smartphone cases will be considered a treasured piece of jewelry.

Full disclosure: Eliot and I represent HandL These revolutionary units will not be available until March. If you are at all interested in them, let me know. We expect them to become collectibles.

HandL’s designer and inventor is New York fine artist Allen Hirsch. “These phone jewelry designed plates twist on and off, allowing you to easily switch them to match your mood, clothing or occasion. HandL plates act as a new kind of jewelry for your hand and fingers while our patented elastic/brace system integrates phone use seamlessly into your lifestyle.”

These plates are all finely crafted and available in 24 carat gold, palladium, gun metal and rose gold finishes and about half the collection is embellished with crystals from Swarovski®. The price will be right.

I’m on my way to CES. I have to be up at 5am to be at the airport at 6:15am. The night before I leave on a trip, I always get the hebbie -jebbies. I’ve got them now. Then I received these silly jokes from my friend Richard. My hebbie-jebbies disappeared quickly.

Lovemaking Tips For Seniors

1. Wear your glasses to make sure your partner is actually in the bed.

2. Set timer for 3 minutes, in case you doze off in the middle.

3. Set the mood with lighting.. (Turn them ALL OFF!)

4. Make sure you put 911 on your speed dial before you begin.

5. Write partner’s name on your hand in case you can’t remember..

6. Use extra polygrip so your teeth don’t end up under the bed.

7. Have Tylenol ready in case you actually complete the act…

8.. Make all the noise you want….the neighbours are deaf, too.

9. If it works, call everyone you know with the good news!!

10. Don’t even think about trying it twice.