My 6-week FMLA: Facebook Mental Leave Act

When I welcomed my daughter into the world this April her photo and stats were posted on Facebook a mere 7 hours after her birth.  There were 83 "likes" 73 "comments" and multiple other posts on my wall.  In the days and weeks following her birth I was touched by the cards and gifts that came in the mail.  Even more touching were the visitors who came to meet her.  I started to think, "If I net out the number of physical acts from the likes and comments, of the 310 "friends" on my Facebook page, the majority are mere acquaintances."

I came to two conclusions:  1) the way I was keeping in touch with my friends and family wasn't adequate, and 2) the amount of time spent posting updates and reading and responding to acquaintances' posts would be better spent with my baby.  I decided to take my leave from work one step further and quit Facebook cold turkey.  I posted a quick note to inform my "friends" of my hiatus and to email or call me to reach me over the next 8 weeks.  The most liberating thing I did was delete the Facebook app from my iPhone. 

Initially it felt strange.  What would I do with my downtime and what was I missing?  According to a recent report by Statistica*, of the 167 million unique Facebook U.S. visitors per month, the average time spent on the social network is 6 hours and 33 minutes.  Collectively it adds up to over 100,000 years each month. While I can't quantify the amount of time I reclaimed in my day or month, I can say that even while caring for a newborn I had time for things I normally wouldn't. My house is more organized, I cooked more meals for my family, planned more visits with friends, actually mailed cards and letters, updated my tech gadgets (new OS, new apps to keep me organized), read a book, planned and took a family vacation, started exercising, enrolled in mobile banking services (finally!), and scheduled home maintenance.  Oh, and I came back to blogging.  Again.

The irony that I will announce this blog post through the very time-sucking social media outlet I cut the cord from is not lost on me.  I returned to Facebook 2 weeks before I had planned.  The site's pervasiveness does have a place in my personal and professional life.  What my Facebook Mental Leave of Absence has taught me, however, is just like most things in life my use of social media is best in moderation.  I will enjoy the experiences and people in my life while it is happening, instead of worrying about telling all of my 310 "friends" about it.  There are things I will refrain from posting that I probably would have taken straight to Facebook in the past.  My true friends will hear about them from me directly and my acquaintances don't really care anyway. 

What could you do with an extra 6 hours and 33 minutes this month?  I encourage you to try this, whether you've just had a baby or not!

*Source:  http://venturebeat.com/2012/02/17/facebook-engagement/
Image:  http://www.recruitingblogs.com/profiles/blog/show?id=502551%3ABlogPost%3A1567043&commentId=502551%3AComment%3A1569306&xg_source=activity

Have tech, will travel

My last post was almost a year ago.  Makes sense as about this time last year I began the hunt for a career move.  Countless phone interviews later (the strangest was with a popcorn seasoning company) I was newly employed as a National Account Manager for a world-renowned data storage company.  Day 1 on the job I flew from Chicago O'Hare to San Diego and my frequent-flier miles have been adding up ever since. 

Aside from the numerous travel tips I have acquired in the past 8 months (carry on, don't check - pick up  sample jars from department store cosmetic counters for all your toiletries to fit in to a quart-sized baggie) I have also learned how to maximize flight time and productivity while on the road.  
Here are some of my tips:

1. A smartphone is key.  With my iPhone I am almost always accessible (damn it).  The Mail function is great.  Sure, I can't open and view spreadsheets easily, but I can address important issues while waiting in the TSA security line.  (I can address several issues during that time.)  I love the Mail feature on iPhone because it consolidates message trails so I can go back to all related messages and see the path it has taken since it started.  I also love the tap to dial feature within Mail.  No fumbling for a piece of paper to write the number down and then dial it, just tap and call.  Last but not least, when going to the airport starts to feel like the movie Groundhog Day I use the camera on my iPhone to snap a pic of my parking location so I can always find my way to my car in the lot.  Wasn't I on the Bears floor, row 17?  No, that was last week!
2. Flight time is not nap time.  I cannot sleep on planes, no matter how tired I am.  So, I plan ahead and have productive things to do when "all electronic devices must be turned off" and when "it is now safe to use approved electronic devices".  During take-off and landing good old printed documents come in handy, it's a great time to review industry reports, price list and roadmap updates, etc.  As soon as I get the green light though, my 13" MacBook Pro is up and running.  It fits nicely on the tray table in coach, although if the person in front of me wants to recline it's not so great (note to self: write business case for iPad and submit to corporate).  The magsafe airline adapter is great to keep me charged, though not all planes have the feature.  Some flights also have go-go in-flight wireless now, which, let me tell you is not as great as it seems.  I prefer to use the time to catch up on my inbox by drafting responses to send as soon as I land.  I can knock out so many without the interruption of more messages coming in.
3. Prioritization has never been more important.  Sure my Out of Office reply says I am not available, but, people still think I am.  Replying to every little thing while on the road sets an expectation that I am accessible at all times.  Instead, I handle the most important issues and respond to only my key constituents while on the road.  Everything else is handled on the flight home (draft, save, send when home!) or when I'm back to the office.  As my manager says, "There is no way you can get everything done in one day." so I pick and choose to feel accomplished and let others know I am responsive when really needed.
4. Be aware of your surroundings.  Ever talk about someone in the bathroom only to have that person walk out of a stall and glare at you?  Fortunately I've never had to learn that lesson.  You never know who is around you, especially when traveling.  There are many roadwarriors in my industry and it is not uncommon for us to be on the same plane or sitting next to one another.  (Great networking opportunity!)  I am careful of what is on my MacBook screen while I'm in flight.  I haven't picked up a privacy screen as the glare on my glossy finish works well, but maybe I should.  One can never be too careful!  I also don't wear anything with a company logo on it or offer up information on what I do to chatty travelers.  "I'm in sales for a tech company." suffices and protects my identity as well as that of my company.

What tips, tricks, and "can't live without" tech to you use when on the road for business?


Photo All rights reserved by CubaGallery http://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/

5 basic but priceless Apple tech features.

Last Thursday I left for work and realized I left my iPhone on the bedroom dresser.  I felt completely lost all day, like a piece of me was missing.  In a way it was - for as much as I use my iPhone it may as well be permanently attached to my hand. (Notice I said hand, not ear!)  Every day I seem to find new and creative uses for Apple products, but there are a few good old standbys I simply cannot do without:

1.  iPhone Clock Alarm.  I never worry I won't wake up because I set my alarm wrong or the power went out overnight.  Open the Clock app (standard on every iPhone/iPod touch) and click Alarm.  Click the + button to add a new alarm.  Choose the frequency by individually choosing days, sound (I like Marimba or Strum for a 5:30 wake-up versus Bark or Old Car Horn!), if you want a snooze option (yes, please!), and name the alarm if you'd like (in case you set up multiple ones).  Click Save, and just turn it on!

2.  iTunes Radio.  Although my music library is pretty diverse and I have over 1400 songs and 9 Genuis mixes, I still get tired of listening to my own music when I need to "plug in and tune out" at the office.  iTunes streaming radio is amazing - I can quickly find a genre beffiting of my mood du juor and choose from hundreds of stations.  I know Pandora is supposed to be streaming radio to the nth degree, yet I like to stay within the cozy, familiar confines of iTunes.

3.  Spotlight.  Oh, where do I begin?  I use Spotlight to find files, find and launch applications, and easily navigate my hundreds of daily email messages.  The level of intelligence this little, unassuming app has is mind-blowing.  I love that it can search the complete record or just title.  Last week I used a Windows-based PC for about 45 mins. and wanted to scream because I couldn't find a thing!  Little tip - when using the system-wide search use shortcut "Command + spacebar" to launch Spotlight.  Type in your search, navigate to your desired result and hit return.  Your wish is Spotlight's command!

4.  Two-finger scrolling.  Another function I simply can't live without.  How much time to PC users spend dragging their cursor to the upper right hand corner of their browser or file window and click/dragging the side scroll down?  When I help someone on their PC or have to use one myself (like last week) I instinctively two-finger scroll... the desired result does not occur.  Infuriating!  For setting/exploring one, two, and three finger trackpad "finger gestures" - click on System Preferences, Trackpad.  Turn features on and off and customize them as you wish, and view a video of how to use them.  Genius.  With the Apple Magic Mouse and now Magic Trackpad this is getting even better!

5.  Exposé.  Last but not least, this has got to be one of my all time faves.  The ability to clear all windows and find my desktop by dragging to a corner is such a time saver.  I'm one of those users who has about 8-10 applications and about 15-20 windows open at any given time during the day.  My newer to Mac husband likes to close down every window before moving to the next and "can't understand how I work like that".  How do you not?!?  Again, to view current settings and customize them visit System Preferences and click on Exposé and Spaces.  Configure away, or use the default settings.  To use the special functions on the function keys, click on Keyboard under System Prefs and check the "Use all F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys" to turn them "on".  You'll need to press the Function (fn) key to use the features printed on the keys.

What are your favorite iPhone, iPod, Mac, or iPad features and functions?  How do you use them in your daily life?

Boogers and iPods don't mix.

If your iPhone and your child were hanging over a cliff and you could only save one, which would you choose?  Okay, that’s an easy one (hopefully).  Every day your gear comes dangerously close to its demise at the hands of the ones you love the most; your kids.  Kids are drawn to the glow of the iPod and iPhone screen like a moth to light.  They are mesmerized and must touch the magical devices.  Unfortunately, their sweet little digits are usually covered in some sort of food, boogers, or other unsavory substance that will inevitably leave a smear of goo across your screen.  Gives new meaning to finger gestures.  Ewww.  Kids don’t come with instruction manuals, but your Apple toys do and they do not recommend that type of screen treatment.  With Apple stores no longer carrying film-based protection it appears the company believes their screens don’t require a barrier.  Jimmy’s post-PB&J hands beg to differ.

With a shiny new iPad in your posession or sadly on back-order, you are likely devising a plan for how to keep the sacred device under lock and key for fear of Jim-Jim using it as a coloring book - not a cool coloring app, with actual crayons and markers. Just like any other lesson in life, children will learn what they are shown.  When was the last time you carelessly tossed your iPod/iPhone on the counter?  (gulp) Dropped it on the floor?   Accidents happen of course, but that’s what AppleCare and third party accidental damage protection (ADP) plans are for (and when will Apple offer ADP as an extension to their Protection Plans?)  Don’t set the bar too low for your kids by thinking they can’t handle the responsibility.  Explain proper use and care, and show them how to do it.  Limit use and supervise them.  If you let your three year old carry your iPod into the bathroom chances are pretty good it will end up in the toilet.  Can you really blame your little darling?  He just wanted to see the bowl light up.  Thankfully, it doesn’t look like protective screen manufacturers will go away quietly.  When your best parenting efforts fail, shop the web and invest in some really good gear-friendly shields and cleaning wipes like those from ZAGG.  If invisibleSHIELD (available for iPod, iPhone, and iPad too) is strong enough to protect military helicopter blades it had better withstand your boogery offspring.

Celebrating life through digital slideshow

“Dad, I’m losing you, I think we have a bad connection.”  No, my dad-in-law Terry was having a hard time talking because he was crying.  “Grandpa is dying.”  We all knew this was coming and soon, but death, even when expected, delivers a powerful blow. 

As a child, I once picked flowers from our wooded lot and walked two miles to deliver them to Leona Helms, an elderly woman who lived across from my elementary school.  I don’t know what sparked the trip that day, but I remember she was so happy to have a young person visit.  She gave me chocolate.  In my innocent mind she was immediately my friend.  Shortly after, she passed away.  I went to the funeral and completely fell apart.  I wasn’t sure how to handle her passing, but I knew what I felt - helpless.

No matter how many friends, family members, or acquaintances pass away I always have the same feeling.  Sometimes I feel helpless because I know with death’s finality my chance to have a relationship with that person has also passed away.  Sometimes I feel helpless because I can’t help those most closely affected by the loss.

Today, however, Terry took my helplessness away.  He wants me to honor his father with a digital slideshow at the wake.   An easy task for me, but it’s a task.  I can help!  This will give my dad-in-law and the rest of our family a joyful way to honor Grandpa’s life.  Setting the slideshow to music creates a moving and personal homage. 

I will be using Apple’s iDVD “Magic DVD” (http://www.apple.com/ilife/idvd/#create) option which is by far the easiest way to create a photo slideshow set to music.  If you do not own a Mac, here is a recent review of the Top 10 photo slideshow applications (http://photo-slideshow-software-review.toptenreviews.com/) The next time you feel helpless in the wake of a loved one’s passing, consider taking the reigns and honoring their life through a digital slideshow.

When you care enough to disconnect.

Put down the computer, slowly... easy now.  Hand over the iPhone, come on, you can do it... now, carefully log out of Facebook. 

Usually I praise technology for all the ways it enhances my life and empowers me.  Lately, I am feeling guilty about my love - and overuse - of tech.  My dependence on staying connected is eroding the real connections in my life.  (I write this on my computer of course, but my family is sound asleep!)  While I know that staying connected is important to keeping on top of my industry and furthering my career, I need to care enough about my family to disconnect.  I work on my MacBook Pro all day, and I bring it home with me most nights.  After we put James to bed, I sit on one side of the couch on my computer while Shaun is on the other on his.  Logging on is the first thing we do each morning and the last thing we do at night. 

There’s no way I can go cold turkey and let's be honest it's just not practical.  Limits are good though.  We do it for our kids, and I need to put some limits in place for myself before I completely alienate the real people in my life.  

Goal #1: No more surfing the web or logging in to social network sites while James is up and about in the morning/evening.  If I feel the need to connect, I need to get up before him, have my coffee, check in on the world and then close the computer.   Anything between the time I leave work at night and the time he goes to bed can wait. The world will carry on without me.

Goal #2 I need to talk to my husband each night to discuss our day and any family concerns before we turn the TV or computers on. 

Goal #3 Driving and checking email don’t mix.  It’s even illegal in Illinois now which should help me avoid doing this.  Ignoring the “ding” of an incoming message will be difficult... I think it’s time to tweak that setting.

Goal #4 Make a phone call.  I pledge to pick up the phone and call someone the next time I feel the urge to write on their “wall”, IM them, text them, or email them.  I miss actually talking to my friends and family.

If you have any limits in place for time spent on tech in your house - whether for yourself or your kids - please share! 

Keeping up with the KidTECHians

“Santa brought me an iPod!” exclaimed my two and a half year old son James on Christmas morning.  Either Santa’s toy shop has become increasingly advanced over the years, or I splurged a little.  Some might question giving technology to a toddler, however I’ve only delayed giving it to him in order to wait for the holidays.  Truth is, he was ready for it at two.  Technology is as much a part of my child’s life as his daddy and me.

I am a Gen Xer who considers myself an honorary member of Gen Y (given my very late in the year birthday in, gulp, 1978).  I vividly remember playing Reader Rabbit on our first computer, a Commodor 64 with cartridges and 5 1/2-inch floppy disks.  We had a “Go Phone”, a microwave, and remote controls.  As I went through my education, my use of technology extended to a dial-up connection in my dorm room to download music from Napster.  Revolutionary!  I remember getting my first cell phone like it was my first time at prom.

Fast forward to the world my child is living in.  He knows how to open the DVD player and insert a disc, turn on the TV and phone, play on the computer, listen to music on an iPod - all before he’s fully potty trained!  Tech is completely engrained into the world around him and it scares the crap out of me.  Sure there are parental controls and being involved is the best prevention, but therein lies the problem - the rate at which new technologies enter our world and become ubiquitous seems overwhelming even for a “technophile” like me. 

How is it possible to keep up on technology and protect our children when we don’t know what to protect them from?  As parents we have to do our best to embrace technology ourselves and leverage it to ensure our kids’ safety.  Stay informed, and stay connected.  There are several sites available - get an RSS reader  and subscribe to them.  Do some research and do it daily.  Check out Safe Kids.com - a site dedicated to internet safety and civility and, if you’re considering a Mac for your home computer have your local Apple Store employee show you the built-in parental controls, or watch a short video online.


While it seems overwhelming, know that the President is working to ensure our kids' safety online too - the Online Safety and Technology Group (OSTG) was established in April, 2009 as part of the Protecting Children in the 21st Century Act.  However, you have to be an active participant too.  What steps do you take to ensure you’re kids’ safety online and while using other technologies?