Are You Comfortable with Technology? I’m No Luddite, but My iPhone’s Autocorrect Feature Drives Me Nuts Daily. And I’m Not Alone

by Anne Holmes on October 13, 2014

When it comes to technology, I am not what marketers call an “Innovator.” I’m probably not even an “Early Adopter,” though I wish I were, because that’s where my husband fits into the bell curve of technology adoption.

If you refer to the chart below, I suspect I’m part of the leading edge of the “Early Majority.” Though maybe it’d be more accurate to say I’ve been hanging on tight — kicking and screaming — as I ride the “trailing edge” of those confident Early Adopters. (It’s not necessarily a natural position, but one I’ve adopted, due to hanging around my technology trailblazing husband all these years!)

It was HIS avid interest in “All Things Tech” that led to the two of us attending the very first Internet World conference, held in San Francisco. That event took place about a decade ago, in late 1994, if memory serves. Internet World was a conference dedicated to Innovators, those brave people who are willing to trial new products/services. And we just may have been two of about five people from Iowa who attended that landmark event.

My husband had a blast there! He enjoyed hearing what was happening on the “bleeding edge” of technology — not to mention all the the fun he had walking through the trade show talking to all the vendors. We literally stopped at every booth, to check out the merchandise and collect literature. This totally made sense for him, as he was the IT director for a university system at this time. For me, this conference represented something of a paradigm shift. And eventually led to my decision to change careers.

At the time, I was the marketing director for a regional advertising agency, where we used traditional tools like print ads, radio and television commercials, to deliver our clients’ messages to the world. No business entity had yet figured out how to direct customers to their web sites. Or even why they might want to!

Post Internet World, I — and a few other innovative marketers — realized that the advent of the World Wide Web had the potential to turn the Internet into a HUGE marketing tool. I recognized that it wouldn’t be long before the Internet — via the Web — would quickly become a lot more than a way for scientists to communicate globally via dial-up modems! And my husband and I stood ready to help businesses open their doors to the world, via the development of marketing-focused web sites…

Now, given that bit of background, let’s get back to my discussion of technology adoption.

It’s my suspicion that Innovators typically begin using a new product or service primarily for the excitement and personal satisfaction of being one of the few to be actually using it. Not to mention just knowing what it is… (And equally importantly, innovators accept that new products/services often contain bugs/problems/hickups, but they view these issues as an acceptable part of the process.)

Which is why technology-based companies target innovators and early adopters when they release their earliest versions of their product. And why my husband installed cell phones in our cars back in the days when they actually had to be INSTALLED. Anyone else remember those big “brick” cell phones?

Not everyone saw a reason to adopt one of those behemoths. But technology evolved, society adapted, and now it seems that anyone who doesn’t have a tiny little cell phone in their pocket these days is a confirmed Luddite.

These days, I try to keep this Early Adopter/Luddite concept front and center in my mind whenever my iPhone’s autocorrect feature challenges me. Which seems to be just about every day. But gosh-darn it, I have accidentally texted some really bizarre messages to family and friends. (You know how thris goes, don’t you? You type it into your phone correctly,So many that I wouldn’t be surprised to find out that someone has been collecting them and someday they’ll be published as a joke book!

So I knew I’d found a kindred spirit a few months ago, when I came across a column by Amy Gilligan in my local daily newspaper, the Dubuque Telegraph Herald. In it, she addresses her frustration with her phone’s autocorrect feature.

There’s really no better way to share her entertaining article than to just post the whole darn thing. So here it is. Enjoy!

And feel free to post a message below, sharing any (printable) Autocorrect messages YOUR phone may have generated!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Days of texting Taliban might be over

By Amy Gilligan, Managing Editor
Dubuque Telegraph Herald

Dear Autocorrect:

I think it’s time we had a little chat. Technology has become so personalized, I have become blasé when I see the brand of shoes I love pop up in ads on my Facebook page. It’s not just a coincidence when I get emailed book recommendations for the book I’m reading. I’ve come to expect to get coupons for the stores I’m planning to go to.

But you, Autocorrect, despite having a constant diet of my data, you really don’t know me. You’re right there on my smartphone, which has managed to figure out who I call the most and put them at my fingertips. But Autocorrect, we just don’t seem to be speaking the same language.

I’m not talking about, “I say potato, you say po-tah-to.” When I say potato, you say” Plato” or “presto” or “Play-doh” or any number of words I wouldn’t typically text. I don’t know where you live, Autocorrect, but where I come from, Plato Salad isn’t a thing. Neither is baked Play-doh. Or presto chips.

What is it with you and the word “thanks”? I would wager that a good 40 percent of the texts I send are just a simple thank you. And, yet, you cannot seem to get this. As a rule of thumb, I am never going to send anyone a one-word text that says simply, “tusks” or “tasks” or “Thalia” or “Tesla” or “Ghana.”

I didn’t even know what Thalia was until one of the smart alecks I was trying to thank asked why I was referencing the ancient Greek muse of poetry. You see, Autocorrect, I’m not pontificating about Greek poetry here, I just want to say thanks. Is that so difficult?

I think if you tried, Autocorrect, you could learn a little more about me. For instance, I am more likely to describe a person as “awesome” than as an “arsonist.” If I were going to convey to a friend that another friend or acquaintance is an arsonist, that kind of news would probably warrant a phone call rather than a text.

When I am discussing cooking, it is far more likely that I am using the adjective “Italian” than “Taliban.” No one likes Taliban meatballs or Taliban dressing. In fact, not being a terrorist or a foreign diplomat, the word Taliban rarely makes it into my conversation via text.

Another tip: If I am having a big party, I might want to borrow a crockpot from a friend, but things generally don’t reach the point of desperation that I would be looking for a crackpipe.
Also: I might refer to something simple to eat as an “easy dinner.” How you construe “easy” as “warty,” and “dinner” as, well, something inappropriate … gosh, Autocorrect, what do you think I’m having for dinner?

Can we just agree to leave some words in the vault, and I’ll learn to live without them in my smartphone vocabulary? You can keep your “Taliban” and your “crackpipe” and all things “warty.” I’ll muddle through without those key phrases and you work on getting to know me a little better. I think we’ll both be happier.

My texts will make more sense and I can stop cursing you on a daily basis.
Thalia, Amy.
Ugh. You know what I mean.

NOTE: This article was originally published in the Dubuque Telegraph Herald on June 1, 2014.

The Unstoppable — Not Even Death or Tornadoes Have Constrained Her — Ann Leach Named NABBW’s New Associate for Grief Relief

by Anne Holmes on July 29, 2014

A very joyful, delighted NABBW welcome to Ann Leach. Your first impression, on meeting Ann is that she is a bubbly, high energy woman, a woman of infinite cheer, resilience and spirit, or joie de vivre.

Glancing at her photo, you might guess that Ann might be an ambassador, an executive, perhaps a public spokesperson. And you would not necessarily be wrong. But it’s not likely you would guess that this high achiever, is a spokesperson — more precisely an ambassador and coach — for grief relief. She’s an expert on overcoming adversity.

And does she have the credentials! As her website explains, Ann has lived through the experience of losing, “all the men in my family by the time I was 21. And then all the women in my family by the time I was 31. Not to mention the deaths of my 2 cats, the ending of 2 significant relationships, the loss of a best friend to a location change and the demise of my home of 14 years to a tornado!

“But after a lifetime of loss something happened when my mother died and I, an only child, saw the spiritual and practical implications of moving into true adulthood without a significant supporter in my life. I had to find a way to cope because it was suddenly just me relying on me when handling all that life had to offer.”

At first, she explains, this meant she was solely in charge of her immediate need to close out her mother’s estate, including conversing with insurance companies, bankers and the social security office. Her estate executor duties then moved on to closing out condos and claiming a new location to live and work.

While these are major life changes, there was more: Even Ann’s work changed: As a result of this experience, she left an exciting position as publicist to the stars of stage and screen to launch a non profit organization dedicated to helping cancer survivors and their caregivers redefine the lives they wanted to live while managing a life-changing illness.

Asked about whether or not this time period was stressful, she says, “Through that time I learned more about truly living than I had ever thought possible and learned from my clients what’s really important in life.”

These days Ann lives in Joplin, Missouri, where she has made a business out of helping others learn to cope with — and even overcome — grief. Websites related to Ann’s work include Your Grief Relief Solution and Life Preservers Grief Support. We’re delighted that she has also found time to work with the NABBW as our new Associate for Grief Relief. Ann’s first columns on this topic will be posted early in August. Meanwhile, she took a bit of time away from business to answer our favorite NABBW blog questions.

Welcome Ann. With all the grief and suffering in the world, we need more people like you!

Using one paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m living in Joplin, Missouri and love having access to area lakes and beautiful hiking trails.

I have my own business and get to work from my Creative Cottage, an historic home where I live downstairs and the second story apartment is rented for VIP days, personal retreats and to travelers driving Route 66.

I am supported by a loving circle of friends and enjoy swimming, jewelry making, writing and walking. I live with a great guy and we have been adopted by 3 feral cats.

Tell us about your family; married, divorced, children, grands, boomerangs or parents living with you, etc.

I am just ‘me’. My dad died when I was eight and my mom died when I was thirty-two and I was an only child. I am currently living with a man who is creative, loving and supportive. I knew in high school that I didn’t want children and I have to say that I have never regretted that decision. I so admire my friends who did, but it was just not meant to be my path.

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s?

I have really fond memories of my mom taking me and my grandmother out to the Steak ‘n Shake drive-in. I loved being able to place our order for an Orange Freeze and 2 chocolate milkshakes at the original place in Normal, Illinois. Those drinks seemed huge to a small child like me at the time.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women?

I’m certainly resilient. I’m resourceful and strong. And I still believe that kindness gets you where you want to go in life.

What inspires you?

Sunrises over the ocean. Color. The amazing power of the human body. People who have used the power of their minds to overcome unthinkable odds. Nature.

What brings you the most pleasure in midlife?

Just knowing all that we know now and being secure in my thinking and the choices that I make for my life.

Do you have any interesting hobbies?

It’s not a hobby but I in addition to being a grief relief coach, I am also a graphic recorder. That’s’ someone who captures key concepts from speeches, conversations, etc. in a visual way using familiar icons with markers and paper. I actually create a visual map of my clients’ next steps. I love color and this is a powerful way to show people what they’ve said they want.

Do you have a favorite book or movie? If so, tell us why it’s your favorite.

I read a lot and enjoy so many books that I can’t name just one. I don’t see that many movies, but I loved the imagery and message of What Dreams May Come.

Do you travel and if so, who are your favorite travel partners and where do you like to go?

I frequently travel to Myrtle Beach for business. I’m always adding on days to stay at the beach for pleasure. I usually travel alone, but meet up with friends when I get to my destination.

Do you practice preventive medicine? Please elaborate.

I’m pretty fortunate that I don’t really get sick, but when I do I always use natural remedies. If it’s a cold or sore throat I will just sleep and sleep until the body heals itself. If it’s a stomach ache, I’ll sip on hot tea and use a heating pad. I’m grateful to be low maintenance in this way!

What do you stress about?

Relationship issues mostly. I’m such an independent person that sharing my space with someone can get touchy! I’m working on giving up stress though, especially after reading Marc David’s book, The Slow Down Diet: Eating for Pleasure, Energy, and Weight Loss. If that doesn’t make a case for releasing stress, I don’t know what will do it!

Is it important for you to retain your youthful looks, and if so, to what degree are you willing to go?

I do my time in the gym and my hairdresser has a few tricks up her sleeve that I utilize every six weeks or so.

Have you re-invented yourself, and if so, how?

The beginning of my grief-focused work was all about helping people cope with death. But then the Joplin, Mo. tornado of 2011 came and I realized that my grief coping process is applicable for any kind of life-altering event: divorce, empty nest syndrome, job downsizing, planning for retirement and so forth. I was able to expand my work focus and help more people get back to living and truly loving life again.

Do you plan to retire?

I can’t imagine retiring as long as I am still mentally able to continue working. I have designed my life to assure that I have flexibility in my work schedule and can manage time well for work and pleasure. I can talk on the phone and write on my laptop from anywhere in the world, so I’m prepared to keep going!

Are you doing anything to GO Green?

I recycle regularly, garden and eat organically and clean without chemicals of any kind. I’m also using energy efficient appliances as much as possible. I want to do more and have just met an interesting woman who is spearheading a ‘green’ movement in our area that helps businesses build back after the tornado using ‘green’ best practices. I think I will learn a lot from her.

Can you pinpoint major turning points in your life that led to your life’s work/play at midlife?

Absolutely! My work as a grief relief coach came from the fact that by the time I was 21 every man in my life was dead and by the time I was 32, every woman in my life was dead. And I’m an only child! I’ve also lost beloved pets, a best friend to a location change, two serious romantic relationships and a house to a tornado. I know, this reads like a bad Movie of the Week, but the losses helped me transform my life in amazing ways and that’s what I help my clients do too.

Do you still have unfulfilled dreams, and are you doing anything to accomplish them?

I used to have the dream of owning a beach house, but these days I’ve learned that there are many ways to have one without the hassle of ownership and upkeep, so that dream has changed a bit.

I do dream of being at a lesser weight than I have been and I am doing something about it: working with a trainer, watching what I eat and doing the work on the psychology of eating that is getting to my core issues around body image. I am proud of myself for taking this on and know that its not too late.

How do you make a difference in the lives of others, your community, your world?

When I was growing up I heard my mom talking about being a room mother at my school and I realized that I was learning about volunteering. It’s important for me to give back and the Arts have been my passion. I’m also a big recycler and help out with education campaigns in my city.

Who has had the biggest influence on your life and why?

My spiritual mentor, Dr. Michael Beckwith. This man walks his talk and there is no doubt that when he speaks, he is simply allowing God to work through him. I am so inspired by his clear wisdom and his teaching of Truth that encourages me to just be the loving child of God that I am and to trust the process of life. Michael’s teachings have changed my life in very deep and profound ways.

If you were to have a personal mission statement, what would it be? Feel free to be as serious or fun as you choose.

Desire it, envision it, act on it and achieve it

Women’s Travel Group Founder Phyllis Stoller, Specialist in Women’s Travel, Named NABBW’s New Group Travel Associate

by Anne Holmes on June 20, 2014

Bienvenue, Con Gusto, Willkommen, Kangei, — and even स्वागत है

In other words, a big NABBW Welcome to Phyllis Stoller, who has just agreed to become NABBW’s new Group Travel Associate.

(This new Group Travel section is not to be confused with our other new travel-focused section, Independent Travel, helmed by Carolee Duckworth, who is our new Independent Travel Associate.)

Phyllis loves to travel and has organized women’s tours for over 20 years. She specializes in unusual and trend setting destinations, and was recently named One of the Most Influential Women in Group Travel.

Among her honors, Phyllis has received is the designation “Top in Women’s Travel” from Travel & Leisure Magazine. Her company, The Women’s Travel Group, is based in New York while its strategic partner, SITA World Tours, is in Encino, California.

Phyllis is proud that the WTG is on every list of quality tour operators for women and is certified by IATAN. SITA World Tours is a USTOA industry leader and award winner for luxury exotic destinations.

She’s recently returned from a recent trip to Crimea and the Black Sea, and will personally be guiding two more trips for The Womens Travel Group yet this year. But we managed to snag a little bit of her time recently, to ask Phyllis our favorite blog questions, and her answers are below. In addition to learning more about Phyllis, we hope you will be sure to check out her new NABBW columns.

Using one paragraph, tell us a bit about yourself?

I grew up in Manhattan and fell in love with travel at the Amsterdam Avenue Public Library on the Upper West Side of New York, where I first read books by Rumer Godden, who grew up in India. After that I always wanted to live overseas, travel to unusual places and speak other languages.

My dream came true when my sedentary parents (for some still unknown reason) allowed me to go to a French speaking school in Switzerland and later to the Université de Poitiers in Tours, France.

I graduated from Tufts University in History and French, and NYU Graduate School in Politics. Met my husband during college when he was at Harvard.

We chose to live and work in England, where we made our home for ten years and had our two ‘Anglo-American’ boys.

After that, we moved to Miami, and Spanish became our next language. I was employed by an international bank for ten years until getting the idea for a women’s travel club and deciding to begin a life in travel for women.

I started The Women’s Travel Club in 1992 for women who loved to travel, like myself. The Club became a forerunner in women’s travel opportunities. It was acquired by a large tour company.

My husband and I left the South and moved to New York City when our children grew up. These days we split our time between Manhattan and in a 200 year old farmhouse in Upstate New York. When we’re not working, we enjoy spending time with an international group of pals.

I am a parent of two grown men, (one a political strategist and one a movie director), mother in law of one great daughter in law, and a grandmother of two fabulous little girls.

Today, I float internationally due to The Women’s Travel Group tours, the company that evolved from the original Club. Still love traveling. Still willing to sit in the back of the bus to get there. Shortly we’ll be leaving for India and parts beyond.

What is your favorite childhood memory that is reminiscent of growing up in the 50s, 60s or 70s?

We went to Summer Camp to get out of large cities, which had polio epidemics.

That meant weeks away from parents where we could play sports, get dirty and learn to love the outdoors.

In the 50’s polio was a great fear in New York and parents found ways to remove their children during the hottest months.

Our first grade class was one of those in the Salk vaccine trials; however sadly some of our classmates did suffer from polio.

For me, the memory is of going away, living in the woods in a log cabin and loving the lake and all that the forest offered. I would go back to camp if there was one for oldies, but one with a better bathroom.

What qualities do you have that speak of our generation of women?

I was born just after WWII, making me a Boomer Woman. Have worked with women for over 25 years, and have only women as travelers, clients and employees.

Being on group tours with women has opened my eyes to many lifestyles, both fulfilling and disappointing. And conversations over the years have instilled a true respect for women and what we can do when unfettered and/or encouraged by female friends.