Spending all day online

Here's an interesting article from the NY Times about the amount of time that kids spend online.  It describes a new study from the Kaiser Foundation that finds today's kids, aged 8 to 18, spend an average of 7 1/2 hours a day using electronic devices (phones, tvs, computers, etc.).

One amazing fact jumped out at me - by multitasking, they actually manage to obtain 11 hours of media content in that 7 1/2 time period.

And I thought I was on the computer too much.

Quite disappointing

I thought this new tablet from Apple might really be something:

But it just looks like a big version of my iPod Touch:

Why would anyone spend $500 to get a bigger version of the Touch, when the Touch is so perfect as it is? 

I am surprised and disappointed.  C'mon, Apple.  You can do better than that.

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A really nice tribute to another artist who died too young

As the father of teenage daughters, this tribute to filmmaker John Hughes, who died last year, struck a chord with me:

Sincerely, John Hughes

You might not know his name right away, but you know many of the movies that he wrote and/or directed (in particular, Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Home Alone).  I thought this was a very interesting perspective on the man, and there is some really nice writing by the author of the blog post.

Worth reading.

Where to stay in Hana

If you find yourself headed for the island of Maui, you might want to consider staying at the Hotel Hana Maui:

It's a bit of a drive - if you've never taken the road to Hana, you should, at least once.  But I have it on good authority that this is quite the place to stay.  And if you can, choose to stay in the Sea Ranch Cottages.

Advice to the unwary motorist

I saw this at a local gas station:

Good advice - put the nozzle back in the pump.

Music for Haiti

Here's a very simple way to help.  If you saw the telethon last Friday, you know how beautiful was the music that was presented.  If you didn't see it, you can hear it for yourself.


Just go to iTunes right now and, for a simple $7.99, you can download all the songs that were sung by the musicians who donated their time and their art.  For only $2.99, you can download the show itself.


100% of the proceeds will be sent to Haiti relief organizations.


A simple gesture that will make a difference.

Jean Simmons

Jean Simmons passed away on Friday, at the age of 80.  She was one of my favorite actresses, but really for a single role.  She played Sarah Brown in the movie of Guys and Dolls, alongside Marlon Brando.  Here they are, with a wonderful song:





(Note how badly Brando sings, yet how he still commands the screen.)


In large part because of Jean Simmons' performance in that movie, I always loved the name Sarah, which became the name of my oldest daughter.


Farewell, Jean.