PortaPocket Notebook

Who'd have thought?!

After a century of futility, is 2015 finally the year? Chicago's north side has long been known for bleeding blue over baseball, but are the Cubbies finally heading to the World Series? Only time will tell.

The Cubs just topped their arch rivals the St. Louis Cardinals to advance to the NLCS championship series....starting this weekend. They just discovered they'll be taking on the New York Mets, starting in the Big Apple. I really don't think it matters much which team they'll play...the momentum and excitement they're feeling is off the charts! We can't wait to see what happens next.

Bring it ON!!

Lets go sing in Vegas, Baby...

in a week or so we're heading to Las Vegas to participate in our first Sweet Adelines International Convention and Competition!  So exited to be part of this very exciting event and are looking forward to sharing how PortaPocket can make performance life easier for singers who need microphone packs or just their ID and cards so they won't have to leave them somewhere backstage.

This all brings back memories for me as I used to sing as a youngster. I was a member of what then was called the Glen Ellyn Children's Chorus (now known as Anima) and we were fortunate to participate in many concerts on such revered stages as those at Orchestra Hall, Chicago, and Carnegie Hall, New York. We even got to travel to England and sang at Ely Cathedral and some other incredible venues. Such a treat!

Looking back, I remember how us kids used to think how much work it was to go to 3 hour rehearsals several times a week, but boy am I grateful. How many people can have the joy of knowing they were on stage in glorious concert halls and under the direction of master maestros as Sir Georg Solti, Daniel Barenboim, and James Levine? No...now I know how lucky I was to have those experiences and wouldn't trade them for anything.

Here's to the artists of the world! Long may their voices light up our lives with song.

xoxo

we will never forget...

Big. Apple.

Took the little one (or, not so little!) to New York... and saw the same kind of problems that grace the sidewalks here in sweet home Chicago. It's a global situation...and it's not going away.

Cell phones sticking out...

ready to fall.

or get lost or stolen...

get cracked or broken.

Ah yes...the beat goes on...!

How often to you see cell phones sticking of people's pockets, too?

Don't do this

It seems to go without saying we shouldn't jump a fence to go into a restricted area by a roller coaster while it's in operation, but at times even smart people can lose their good judgment in a moment of panic. So tragic a story that a good-hearted special education teacher is no longer with us due to one poor decision. Our thoughts go out to his family.

It can't be overstated... losing your cell phone (and / or your wallet) is not worth risking one's life. Please stop and think. Don't let the heat of the moment cloud your eyes to reality. ;(

May he rest in peace.

Pride in the decision

Everyone deserves acceptance. That's the truth. Grateful the court has decided to get with the 21st century and share that view. There are many beautiful rainbows, everywhere in the world. So many colors that make up the whole.

Let's appreciate them all.

Ticket to Lolla?

Lollapalooza is on the horizon and if you have a ticket to the annual music shindig in Chicago's Grant Park, you're in luck! Such fun scheduled for this year's festival...  

Who wouldn't want to see (and hear ;) rockin' artists Metallica, Paul McCartney, and Florence & the Machine? Oh yes... and that new young Englishman Sam Smith, among others. Ahhhh....such a full menu of treats, yet so little time. But why not? Decadence is the word!

One small suggestion if you're heading to this concert extravanganza...
just plan ahead. If you're going to brave the roads, get ready for gridlock, but make it easy on yourself and use Spot Hero to find (way better priced) parking ahead of time.

I use this smart service whenever I plan a trek into the city. It saves me so much stress about finding a place to leave the car and worry about how much they'll take me for when I get there. See how it works at www.spothero.com

Though it's been a little cool in Chicago this year, you're sure to see some hot outfits in the mix. Rather goes with the territory, doesn't it? ;) 

So...go down there, have a blast and enjoy!! The only thing I ask?

Just take 'me' with with you ;)

Roller Coasting

It's almost summer!  Time for the annual run to the local amusement park.:)  Did you happen to see when The Tonight Show posted this classic (and hilarious) video starring Jimmy Fallon and Kevin Hart on a roller coaster? I'll give 'em credit for having guts... and even beyond those of that bug that smacked Jimmy in the face midway through. lol! 

Have you ever had anything fly off a roller coaster when you were on one?
Do share!

What's Your Transition?

There's so much happening on this topic...whether you're a newly-minted high school or college grad, or even Caitlyn Jenner :)  Everyone goes through different and sometimes unique life stages; whatever direction you take, we applaud your efforts to getting to wherever you want to be!

The saying that life is a journey is most definitely true. Sometimes we go down a certain path only to discover it's not for us, or make choices that we might someday regret. But in the grand scheme, it's not these individual detours that really matter, but the sum total of all the little steps you make on this road called life.

This is not only true for people, but for new products, too.

We discovered that putting our problem-solvers into bricks & mortar retail stores, no matter how perfect the fit, was not doing us a service as most people don't even know what PortaPocket is, let alone ever heard of it. To that end, we decided to focus on channels where we'll have more impact and appeal to people who appreciate our mission. It was a conscious effort to disengage with retailers, but we feel it will be a better avenue for us, in the big picture. So if you DON'T see us "out there" ...that's actually by design ;) 

How about you?
What's your current life transition and how's it working out?

photo credit: here.

Fare thee well, David Letterman

Today is the ending of an era... David Letterman is hanging up his mike after decades holding court on Late Night television. While it's sad to see him go, it's a new beginning for him to enjoy the many fruits of his labors and spend some quality time with his wife and son. So well deserved!

One of my husband's friends had his dog do a stupid pet trick with a ball and a frisbee on David's show back in the late 80's. Oh, such fun! But I have to say one of my favorite episodes was the one with David in the full body Velcro suit. Ha!! now THAT would be great with PortaPocket as you really COULD have a pocket absolutely ANYwhere... lol! Too bad we don't have one of those suits here ourselves...

now that's entertainment!

 What was your favorite Letterman moment? Do share!