Month: November 2007

Using my voice to get things done

I’ve had Jott on my speed-dial list for a while, but I haven’t made extensive use of it. And I’ve been using Remember the Milk to manage a few of my tasks…but again, not seriously.

But that may change, now that the two services are integrated. I like the idea of being able to dictate a quick voice note to myself and have it show up in my task management system. And having more of my tasks in RTM will encourage me to use it for even more of my tasks — or at least that’s my theory.

And, as the previous entry in this blog shows, I can now even use Jott to blog — short blog entries, to be sure, but sometimes I only have a little bit to say.

Hmmm, if brevity is the soul of wit, does enforced brevity guarantee I’ll be wittier?

Another paper cut at the Merc

When I brought in this morning’s Merc, I noticed that the Sunday comics looked a little different. But I don’t read tomorrow’s paper until I’ve finished today’s, so I thought no more about it.

But there was a front-page box and a full-page announcement in today’s paper telling readers that, to conserve paper, the Sunday comics were being cut to four pages and many comics (including several of our favorites) were being relegated to online-only as of now.

I think it’s time for the Merc to consider changing its business model and reconstituting itself as “Public Merc”, supported by donations from readers, augmented by major sponsors like Fry’s, Macy’s, and Western Appliance. It can’t be much less effective than what’s happening now, can it?

Book in progress

Many of my friends are engaged in their annual write of passage this month, and will emerge with a novel in their hands. Or at least on their computers.

I’ve chosen, yet again, not to join them. Instead, I’m spending this month reading (OK, that’s not really all that unusual). And when I found myself at book’s end last night, I decided to borrow one of the books on Diane’s night table, The Modern Jewish Girl’s Guide to Guilt. Sure, the title was a little off-putting, but at least one of the adjectives applied to me…and the book had the all-important property of being at hand when I needed it.

I’m glad I picked it up — I’ve just finished the first section, Chai Anxiety. I was especially taken by Dara Horn’s essay, “The Last Jewish American Nerd”, particularly when she wrote about “teacher love”. I’ve been spending time at work in official and unofficial mentoring, which is the closest I’ve come to being a teacher, and Dara’s essay helps me understand why it’s a great thing to do — for myself and, I hope, for the people I mentor.

The other essays I’ve read so far have been worth the time, too. I’m happy that there have been a good number of grins mixed in, too, because a solid course of guilt would be unpleasant. And if I wanted unpleasant, I could be looking at the stock price. Oy!

Hark, the Herald Tribune Sings

I stopped, as usual, at the Starbucks in Almaden Plaza on my way into work yesterday and noticed two signs of the impending season:

  • Circuit City has installed their neon rooftop display (though I don’t think they’ve started using it yet)
  • Starbucks has Christmas Blend coffee and other winter goodies in stock again

I haven’t heard any holiday ads or music yet, but it can only be a matter of days.