Friday Links

Today, I had one of those moments that just make you appreciate the internet. Make you appreciate the blogs you follow. And make you appreciate the simplicity of technology. Here are two of the reasons:

1) CLOUD–an art installation made from 6,000+ bulbs where you pull on a chain to light (and darken) the cloud. Via This is Colossal 

2) World Alzheimer’s Day–To better connect with those who don’t live with the disease, they developed this Facebook app to put you physically in the shoes of sufferers. Very powerful, moving and of course, I did it. Via AdFreak

Still Flippin’

I tweet like crazy. I blog (obviously). I keep Facebook up-to-date. I get excited about the new possibilities about social media campaigns.

And I own a flip phone. Or rather, I don’t own a flip phone, I refuse to use anything but a flip phone. I realize it dates me. It’s clunky (yea, it’s not even a Razor). And I’m sure my friends, and Mom, are probably tired of me calling them to look up an address because I’m lost and can’t remember where I’m supposed to go (they have become my Google Maps). But I still have no desire to power off my flip.

I’ve been throwing around a bunch of excuses over the years: It holds a great charge! If I lose it, my life’s not over! I get great service! But I’ve finally figured out the real reason I haven’t.

After reading Why I Refuse to Use a Smartphone on The Grindstone, I have finally learned that I don’t want one because I like my life and work balance. I check my work email far too much outside of the green/orange walls. But I do it on a computer. If I’m away from my place all day and you’re sending me emails, I’m not responding.

And it’s awesome.

It’s awesome to only have people calling you or texting you. And that’s it. It’s awesome to carry a phone that has limited capabilities ensuring I don’t spend my days with my head pointed down staring at a screen. And it’s awesome to see people’s faces and hear their comments upon finding out I still flip.

Sometimes I do feel like I’m missing out with the apps and what not, but then I think about how much I enjoy life by experiencing it, soaking it in, reading books on the way to work and not constantly freaking out that I left my phone at home.

The 1990s can keep calling, I’m not giving it up.

30 on 30

Another great one from The Frisky…

Meet Brian. He just moved to NYC from Milwaukee and instead of the typical dating path, he’s doing something to stand out as the alpha male in the largest U.S. city. He’s going on 30 dates in 30 days. He set up a Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and website. Basically, EDtv just birthed on the dating scene. 

Here’s why I want to date this kid:

1) Clearly, he thinks in a whole different realm. If he’s putting this much thought in the strategy of dating, can you even imagine what his dates would be like?

2) I can get pointers for my new documentary/book “30 job interviews in 30 years”

3) I’ve been hesitant about traditional online dating. I’m glad Brian upped the ante on this one.

4) You know someone’s going to make a movie off this kid. Maybe a TV show? He seems like he would still be grounded in the glitz of it all. Another reason he’s sane.

5) I always loved those Coca-Cola commercials with people running with their friends on the train to a song. I’m sure we could get Brian’s friends to tape on our dates (yes, I would totally be asked back for more), edit in Final Cut and lay a fantastic track down.

Thoughts on Brian? And Chicago, step it up! Brian starts his dates on July 19. I can only imagine more commentary on the matter later this month.