Most readers of this blog know that I am a BlackBerry fanatic. I love my BlackBerry Curve and have it with me nearly 24/7 (much to my wife’s dismay). There are a couple of cool apps that I have that have really been impressive while I’m in New York (as I frequently am). These apps are maturing, as the title notes, because they are becoming useful outside of New York/San Francisco/Seattle and are really making headway in the great Middle West (ie, with me). Granted, I am an early adopter but if an app can get traction outside of the echo chamber (ie New York/San Francisco/Seattle) then it really has a chance to be huge.
The first app that I am really in love with is New York specific but I can see how it could be expanded to other localities with mass transit. It’s called Exit Strategy NYC and it makes the NYC subway system a breeze to navigate. For a whopping $2.99, it will tell you where to exit (and by extension what car to be in) depending on where you want to exit (hence the name). For instance, I took the F train tonight from 2nd Avenue to Rockefeller Center. At the stop I got off, you can exit anywhere from 47th Street to 50th Street depending on where you get out and what car you’re in. Because my hotel is on 50th Street, I knew to be in the first car when I got on at 2nd Avenue. This may sound elementary but if you’ve ever been to New York City you know how easy it is to get turned around. This small application on my BlackBerry has made navigating the subway so much easier. Also, because you download it onto your device you don’t need internet access to use the app which would be problematic as there is no service in the subway. This app is also available for the iPhoneand Google Android powered phones.
The other app I use a ton not just in NYC but everywhere is Google Maps. Specifically, you can get turn by turn driving, walking, and cycling directions from where you are (GPS enabled) to where you’re going. I went to dinner tonight at DBGB Kitchen and Bar on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. From the subway stop, I simply had Google maps find me and then requested walking direction to the restaurant’s address. It was turn by turn and gave the number of feet to the destination. Since New York is such a pedestrian friendly city, I requested walking directions and was there in no time. I’ve done this before here in New York and it’s most helpful. If also done it in Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and a number of other cities. It’s huge.
I am a firm believer that mobile is the next platform that’s going to explode. These applications are just the start of seeing the promise of mobile computing fulfilled.
Last night we headed out to Akron to see the Akron Aeros and Bowie Bay Sox in some AA baseball action. I actually really like minor league baseball. While the talent (obviously) is shy of the majors, the settings and stadiums (stadia?) being built for these teams are incredible. There are four minor league times in Ohio (Toledo, Dayton, Akron, Columbus) and all of them have new gorgeous stadiums. Canal Park Stadium is in downtown Akron and is constructed with brick for an old-fashioned look with modern amenities (including dropping significant sums of case when you go to the concession stand). We had a great time at the game (Aeros won!) and enjoyed some serious fireworks post-game. We also caught some of the Rock the Lock concert from the parking garage while we waited for traffic to clear up.
Baseball-palooza continues for me on Monday in New York. I’m going with a client and friend of mine to see the Yankees and Orioles at the new Yankee Stadium. I’m interested to see what a $1,5 billion facility looks like. More later.
I have heard people talk about be burned out before. I have experienced it. In fact, I’m experiencing it right now. I have been tired for the last month. I’m sure this is in no small part due to the seismic changes that have gone on in our family dynamic in addition to the fact that I’ve been working a lot. And by a lot I mean a whole lot (with considerable travel mileage as well). I know of folks who have burned out and train wrecked their lives. I have no intention of doing that.
What I do intend to do is take some time off. I’m going to take a few days off this week from work. Not go anywhere (which would be a lot like work) but slouch around my house and be annoying to my wife. As you might guess, this is not difficult to do. I have to travel next week to New York which is high intensity anyway so I want to be rested and refreshed before I go. I also want to do a whole lot of nothing.
There likely won’t be many (or any) posts here but my Tumble log will still get updates. I consider that therapeutic which is why I post there everyday religiously. Otherwise, see you next week.
I put this on my Tumble log this morning but it was worth of going to the regular blog. The quote is from Michael Hyatt who is the CEO of Thomas Nelson, Inc., one of the leading publishers of Christian media. He also has a rock-solid Twitter stream.
Leadership is not about position, a title, or status. It is about influence. Plain and simple
Take a moment and let that sink into your brain. Leadership is about people following you, not the title on your business card. In John Maxwell‘s excellent book, the 360 Degree Leader, he devotes and entire section to leading from the middle. This is influencing peers, as well as those above you and below you on the corporate ladder. Anyone can be a leader as long as they are exerting influence (and it can be good or bad). Title is something we use to denote pay grade, not leadership.
That reminds me of another great quote:
If you think you’re leading and no one is following; you’re just taking a walk.
This morning, I reported to Knox County Common Pleas court (the picture to the right is the beautiful Knox County Courthouse). Oddly enough, it’s the first time I’ve been to court and not working in the longest time. After some 23 years as a registered voter, I got called for jury duty. I was kind of looking forward to it.
There were 75 of us in the jury pool this morning. Because of the nature of my work (I testify quite a bit in personal injury cases and expenditure petitions), I was quite certain I would get bounced. Unfortunately, I didn’t make it that far and my number didn’t come up. Today’s case was a civil trial regarding a dispute over possible fraudulent transfer of assets. It was going to be a short trial (a day max) so it would have been perfect for me (not in my practice area). Alas, it was not to be. It took 15 people to seat the nine jurors. Very interesting to watch the process. I loved it and have considered going to law school at some point. Just not today.
We’ll try it again next week and see what happens.
I don’t mind change. In fact, frequently I welcome it. What I really can’t deal with though is disorder. That drives me nuts. This week has thrown order out the window. Monday Becky went to Paraguay. Tuesday I spent most of the day tracking her plane. Wednesday through Friday I was in Pennsylvania for work and family time. We got back last night and watched the Mount Vernon fireworks from our roof (it’s a two-tiered roof so it wasn’t that high). I actually had VIP passes offered to me for Red, White and Boom but turned them down because my personal chai is so out of whack.
This morning, I am attempting to restore some order. The first step in this having my coffee and sitting in front of my computer. There will be reading (news, sports, the Bible) and writing (blog, Tumblr, journaling) and hopefully I can get myself centered again and restore some order. I am also speaking at a church in Columbus tomorrow so I am going to take advantage of this quiet time and get my thoughts together for that as well.
Okay, here’s the last Becky update for now. She has arrived safe and sound in Paraguay and is currently at the missionaries’ house. It was a great relief to see/talk to her again after her long journey. It sounds like she’s doing much better now that the long journey is behind her.
The picture is of a McDonald’s in the Buenos Aires airport. It’s good to know you can have a touch of home no matter where in the world you are.
I know this blog is turning into Becky Central but she’s on my brain. What can I say? Anyway, she got to Argentina just fine. Went through customs and called us and traded emails and such. Her flight to Parguay leaves in about an hour and a half. Continue to pray for her safe travels and peace of mind as she embarks on this trip.
If you feel the need to pray for mom and dad too, that would be fine. We really miss our kid.
It’s 7:15 AM as I write this and I am full of anticipation. The first thing I checked this morning was Continental Airlines‘ flight status page. It showed me exactly where Flight 51 (and, by extension, my child) is at. If you’re wondering, it’s at 33,000 feet with a groundspeed of 563 MPH and there is an hour and six minutes left until it land in Buenos Aires. I hit refresh about every five minutes (okay, about every two minutes) to see what’s happening. Why? Because I know that the first think Becky is to do after she clears customs is to call me. I am anticipating her call. So much in fact that I’m not getting much done this morning. And I don’t even care.
What are you anticipating today? Shouldn’t we live with a great sense of anticipation as well? What if everyday was filled with an air of expectancy that I feel waiting for my daughter to call? Think about it.
Okay, here’s the last Becky update for now. She has arrived safe and sound in Paraguay and is currently at the missionaries’ house. It was a great relief to see/talk to her again after her long journey. It sounds like she’s doing much better now that the long journey is behind her.
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