PortaPocket Notebook

Serena and Jack... just like us.

Did you see that SuperGirl post Serena made on facebook? She'd been in a restaurant and some dude stole her cell while it was sitting on a chair. Not to be denied, our heroine rushed out, confronted the perp and got her property back. Phew! Even got a standing O when she returned to the eatery. But oh my...why? Not why about the ovation...that was totally deserved! Good for her not to be victimized... But why did it happen at all? Because her cell was ....over...... there. Ripe for the pickings ;/

And then...there was the Jack attack. Not a physical one, but the rant on clothing designers singer Jack Johnson made via twitter:
Jack JohnsonVerified account‏@JackJackJohnson
WHAT IS WRONG WITH PANTS DESIGNERS IM SO FRUSTRATED OPEN YOUR EYES TO THE CHANGING WORLD DAMNIT
Jack JohnsonVerified account‏@JackJackJohnson
SHALLOW POCKETS SHOULDN'T EVEN EXIST ANYMORE 99% OF PHONE OWNERS HAVE PHONES TALLER THAN 4 INCHES WHY'S HALF MY PHONE STICKING OUT MY POCKET

Just like you and I. 
We're all just people.
With all the same problems.

Meanwhile, we think we might know a way to give Serena and Jack some relief.

What do you think? 

Scary pop news on TV, this week before Halloween...

BOO!!

So maybe you heard Kelly Ripa from LIVE with Kelly and Michael talk about money all covered with boob sweat, or Tyra Banks of The Fab Life dishing about all those germs that are on your purse...

So many creepy crawly things out there that can give you pause...

at least minimization of these problems is possible.  thankfully!! 

No bones about it. ;)

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!