What 9/11 means to me
Let’s be honest: When we talk about “the meaning of 9/11,” we really mean “the meaning of 9/11 to me.” Even if you didn’t lose anyone on 9/11, even if don’t know any of the first responders, even if you had never set foot in the World Trade Center in your life, even if you hadn’t been born yet when 9/11 happened, 9/11 has affected you directly, deeply, and personally. Read more »
Thank you, Steve
Updated October 5, 2011: Steve Jobs has died. Rest in peace and thank you once again.
Why say “thank you” to a CEO, especially when so many corporate executives these days deserve scorn instead of praise? Outgoing Apple CEO Steve Jobs gets my thanks because he has helped me in a number of ways.
My first job out of college was for an Apple software developer called Haba Systems. They produced one of the first independently developed programs for the Macintosh called Habadex. Haba was my first purely technical writing job, and it was my first experience with point-and-click interfaces and desktop publishing. It also began a career that has lasted 26 years. Although my first computer experience was with the Commodore 64, the Apple Macintosh 512 was the computer that made me a full-time technical writer.
From Haba, I went to AST, a PC board maker that went on to make its own PC-compatible computers. So, my Mac days ended. But Apple came back into my life 21 years later when I got my first iPod. It was a gift I got from my current employer for completing software that we developed on (of all things) Microsoft Windows. My iPod made many a long walk and a commute to work more pleasant. It also provided the soundtrack as I announced Little League games.
Apple products continue to help me today. My iPod Touch is helping me lose weight and get healthy with an app called LoseIt. My first novel is on sale on iTunes, and I look forward to having my next novel there soon.
All of these good things became available to me and millions of other Apple customers because of Steve Jobs’ vision, creativity, and leadership. So, thank you, Steve.
The “Rudeness” continues
“Cell Phone Rudeness” is my most popular speech. It has received more hits than any other speech on my site. It has been published in books and recommended by others. Thanks to all of you who have enjoyed the speech over the years.
The speech’s continued popularity shows that cell phone rudeness is still an annoying problem. It’s a problem that has gotten worse as the technology has gotten better. Here are some other ways that people are still acting rude with cell phones… Read more »
Me Minus Appendix (Conclusion)
After coming home from the hospital, I still needed time to recover. This too was a step-by-step process. Each day, I was able to do a bit more. Catching up with work emails. Entering receipts. Driving to do errands. When my body told me to take a break, I stopped. As the week went on, the stops became shorter and less frequent.
Today, I went to the doctor for my post-op checkup. She said my incisions are healing well, and I could go back to work. I needed to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous exercise for the next six weeks. She also told me that I could expect to feel pain and fatigue at times, but these are natural parts of the healing process. My body will get back to normal in time, but I need to allow the time to let it happen. Read more »
Me Minus Appendix (Part 2)
After my surgery, I spent the next three and a half days in the hospital. It would be a greater ordeal than the operation itself. Read more »
