Friend Letters - Heard It From A Friend

Finally, A Place for You…May 2019

Dear Friends,

In this recently published survey, only 3% of people could accurately name a female tech executive (10 people actually cited Siri or Alexa!). In contrast, 57% could correctly identify a male leader with Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg mentioned most frequently.

Technology To The Rescue…?

Dear Friends,

While we all have those moments when we wonder about our parenting decisions, I had a major cause for pause earlier this week. I’d happily sent my 9 and 12 year olds off to their grandparents, and while I did have some trepidation that a connecting flight was involved, I’d reasoned it was going to be an adventure of a lifetime.

Is This Our Wake-Up Call?

Dear Friends,

I realize this may not be popular, but really I don’t understand this trend. Wait Until 8th (grade) to give your kids a smartphone is a campaign that launched a year ago and continues to gain traction. They recently published this piece on Facebook extolling the benefits of the new LightPhone2, calling it a “basic phone with a cool design without all the garbage that comes with smartphones.”

Why ‘Wait Until 8th’?

Dear Friends,

I realize this may not be popular, but really I don’t understand this trend. ‘Wait Until 8th’ (grade) to give your kids a smartphone is a campaign that launched last August and continues to gain traction. They recently published this piece on Facebook extolling the benefits of the new LightPhone2, calling it a “basic phone with a cool design without all the garbage that comes with smartphones.”

Should We Cancel Summer?

Dear Friends,

After discovering we could use Echo Dots around the house like an intercom system, I was sold. My 9-year-old had done a spectacular job setting them up–it’s that easy–but one thing was inexplicably still not working, so I called Amazon.

When talking with the technician, he kept laughing. I had many questions and was giving him some feedback on the Alexa app user interface. I also wanted to find out how I could broadcast “Dinner Time!” over our Echo Dot system.

Where Do You Fall On the Technology Adoption Curve?

Are You Laughing at Me?

Dear Friends,

After discovering we could use Echo Dots around the house like an intercom system, I was sold. My 9-year-old had done a spectacular job setting them up–it’s that easy–but one thing was inexplicably still not working, so I called Amazon.

When talking with the technician, he kept laughing. I had many questions and was giving him some feedback on the Alexa app user interface. I also wanted to find out how I could broadcast “Dinner Time!” over our Echo Dot system.

What’s the Secret to Happiness?

Do You Suffer From Self-Sufficiency Syndrome?

Why Is It So Difficult to Ask For Help?

Dear Friends,

It finally clicked for me why it’s so hard to ask for help. Not only do we live in a society that celebrates independence and self-sufficiency, but also culturally, we laud the virtue of hard work. Now in our 24/7 world, accessibility can trump family time, even on the Dumbo ride. And the new norm among the retired set is vying for “Who’s Busier?” bragging rights.

Why Does This Keep Happening?

Dear Friends,

Clearly, there is a resounding chord that continues to strike a nerve deeply at our core. Every few months or so another post goes viral on the same subject. From Women Aren’t Nags, We’re Just Fed Up to Dear Husband, I. Need. More. Help., women are sharing collectively in the challenges of caring for house and home, kids, a husband, and the family pet, while also attempting to maintain some semblance of self-identity and sanity.

Are You In The 3%?

Dear Friends,

In this recently published survey, only 3% of people could accurately name a female tech executive (10 people actually cited Siri or Alexa!). In contrast, 57% could correctly identify a male leader with Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg mentioned most frequently.

Let’s Talk Travel!

Dear Friends,

I was at it again–I spent nearly the entire day last Sunday planning for summer. Every year as it approaches there is both excitement and dread. The excitement part is clear–longer days, more relaxed schedules, vacation, more family time. But the dread part is in the logistics (which is ironic considering that one summer I interned as a hotel concierge at the Broadmoor).