“Going” Modern

Okay, I am reading the paper this morning and an ad from a local cemetary catches my eye:

“Buy one plot for $1000 and get a second one at no cost”.

That’s a BOGO!

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that modern issues involving the economy, environment and increased technology influence the way businesses react….even the business of death…..and, like it or not, death is a business.

In order to preserve space, Japan offers an urn in which you can put the ashes of two people.  Kinda dispels the vow of  “til death us do part”.

Then there are Green Funerals…..literally.  Cremated remains are placed in biodegradable containers and buried in nature.  The decomposition gives nutrients to the soil that make grasses greener.

Not sure I want my resting place to be on the 9th Hole…..the 19th Hole maybe.

Some cemetaries are going high-tech and mapping the graves with GPS.  That should create some interesting new aps for the iPhone.

I’m sure Google Earth will be in on the action soon!

Satisfying My “App”-etite

Well, I am back at Embassy.  (New audiobook for the drive, Barack Obama’s “Dreams from My Father”)

Had a meeting at five at the hotel which just happened to coincide with Manager’s Special.

It was a great meeting!

Anyway, we started talking about apps we have on our phones and I learned about some really cool ones that I had not heard of before and shared some that I already had.

Key Ring is a free app that allows you to scan in all those loyalty cards you are now carrying on your key ring or in your wallet.  Once you have scanned and stored them (only takes seconds to do) all you have to do is bring it up on your phone at the check out line.  No more digging around for the right card.

Aroundme automatically detects your current location and provides one-click access to lists of the nearest: banks, bars, cafes, gas stations, hospitals, hotels, movie theaters, parking, pharmacies, pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, etc.

Shazam is amazing!  If you ever hear a song on the radio and don’t know what it is, all you have to do is hold your iphone up to the radio and within seconds you will have the song, title, artist and album art.

 Red Lazer allows you to scan an item, and instantly have access to a bunch of online prices and information. Scan movies at the store and beam them to your TiVo. Scan a book and check for online reviews. Scan a food item and add it to your grocery list. 

 Runkeeper Pro uses your iPhone’s built in GPS to capture a whole slew of useful pedometer information about your runs and walks, including keeping track of your speed, the time spent running, calories burned, time per mile, and it’ll even automatically map your jogging routes on Google Maps and graph your progress so you can watch how your fitness is improving.

With new apps coming out everyday, I don’t think my “App”-etite will ever be satisfied!

Cyber-traveling

It is Sunday.  Day of rest before a big week of traveling (back to Chucktown this week).  It is a good time to do some cyber-traveling.  I learned how to cyber-travel from my friend Lindsey who is the Queen of Cyber-travel.  So, the first thing you need to do is go to the command center.

My Command Center

Whenever I am planning a trip, I get a folder so I have a place to organize all my cyber-travel finds.  Pretty OCD, but it works for me.  My next big “for pleasure” trip is in March to Florida.  So far in my Florida Folder I have my Reward Confirmations from Hilton Honors, Google directions from Google Maps, receipt for Daytona 200 tickets, and directions and a review from Fodor’s for Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island, GA.

It is amazing what you can find out when cyber-traveling.  Here is where I will be staying my first night.

Embassy Suites, Brunswick, GA

I toured the hotel using the interactive 3D tour.  I confirmed they are a smoking hotel :). I retrieved a list of nearby restaurants and viewed their menus (Cargo Portside Grill will not be part of my itinerary unless I win the lotto in the next month).  I got on Google Earth and viewed the hotel at street level view.  Again on Google Earth, I scanned until I found the ocean to see how far it was from the hotel.  I then started looking at pictures people had cached using Panoramio by Google and found this one:

Driftwood Beach

And I knew I had to visit this place!

I went to Daytona International Speedway Website and viewed their 3D seating chart. 

I will be in the Sprint Tower.  An interactive feature allows you to see the track from your seat so you know what your view of the race will be.

I don’t want to let out any more secrets about my upcoming trip, but I hope you see what I mean about cyber-traveling.  If it weren’t for missing out on the feel of the sun on my face and the smell of the sea air, I could save myself some money and just sit in front of my Command Center.

Do you have any cool internet resources you use when you are planning a trip?