It’s all the rage

Kindle, it’s everywhere. E-readers are inescapable and aren’t going anywhere.

As a matter of fact they’re multiplying, like bunnies.

Barnes and Noble announced that they’re jumping into the fray and effectively sucker punching Amazon and Sony with their increase in e-book titles. The advocate watch groups are heralding this turn of events.  Increases in competition, lower prices and insures more e-readers all kinds of new toys.

But really, is this a good thing?

Amazon came under fire this week for an Orwellian action, they removed copies of 1984 from owners devices. Without prior notice.  Which brings into question ownership rights.

This would never happen with the old fashion models! it’s illegal to come into a readers sanctuary and remove their prized property.

Along with legal ramifications, what about the cultural ramifications?

James Walcott muses in this months Vanity Fair on ‘cultural snobbery’ and how the up-ward mobility of digitizing is working to erase it.

He comments on the audacity of a women reading a Kindle on the subway, the subway being the natural cultural highway, ” An anonymous block of pixels on a screen, making it impossible to surmise the state of her inner being, erotic proclivities and intellectual caliber.”

On the other-side of the argument, Walcott asks “How can I impress strangers with the gem-like flame of my literary passion if it’s a digitized slate that I am carrying around trying not to get all thumbprinty?”

As a passionate reader and an owner of 426 books, including 1984 and  ( yes I counted and no this doesn’t include all the loaned out copies which could be any where from 20 to 50) all I can say is that it will be a long, long time before you see me without a shiny, hefty book cradled in my arms.

And if you think this makes me a cultural snob, thank you!

It’s Bonafide

Millions of people visit the  Sephora stores across the globe and hundreds of thousands have signed up for their Beauty Insider program, yet how many of them actually log into their beauty banks?

I have no answer.

But, if they don’t they are missing out on a host of neat-o things.

The Beauty Insider program is designed as a points system, as with everything these days, ( I am becoming on of those people) the more money you spend, the more points you get. You can trade these points in for super deluxe samples. And by super deluxe, that can mean a quarter of an ounce right on up to an ounce. Which to most means nothing but to beauty addicts that can be amazing.

This one time, they gave away ounce samples of dr. brandt microdermabrasion, they only sell it in two once jars, for like $85 bucks or something.  Sometimes, it’s worth it and sometimes it’s not. But, It’s not the only perk!

The on-line beauty bank, keeps track of your total points, of course, but it also keeps a history of every purchase you have ever made with them, including samples. So can’t remember what it was you bought, or when you bought, just look it up. Which is always helpful when you have five tubes of mascara and they all have a little scent to them. And a little hint here guys, this is the easy way to surprise her with what she likes!

The next thing this nifty little bank keeps track off is your favorite brands and will inform you when there is something special happening with them. They send out email alerts and not the annoying ones you get all the time, just the select few.

Another aspect that is accounted for is the personal beauty profile.  It keeps track of just what would be expected, skin type and tone, eye color, and hair color. There are even a few stores that have gone high tech and can do an instore consult on colors, skin care, application techniques and upload it all to your beauty profile.

And of course, the final benefit, they save you money. they send email coupons frequently, just received one today. 15% entire purchase in store or online.

Can’t beat that!

How To- Sephora Style

How to accept change and learn to love the new facebook

Change is good. Our President promotes it. The coke machine still takes it and it’s what makes the world go ‘round.

Adapting to change is one of the most sought after skills today and something no one likes to do. However, everyday things change. Most recently, Facebook, the world’s most popular social networking site came under fire for its newest face-lift. Before that, it was the Pepsi Co.

 

So. How does one go against nature and accept change?

Throw a light on it like the monster in the closet. How do you do that?

Define it. Here we come Wikipedia:  Change 

Ok. It’s defined. Now, what is it?

 

Well it’s different for everyone. According to Dr. James J Messina, on the Live Strong website ( Yes, that live strong) it involves a loss, a break or an altercation to ones lifestyle that challenges, requires or motivates one to reshape, redefine or revalue a relationship, lifestyle or reaction.

 

By now you are either grumbling, “changes sucks, stay the course!” which would suggest one head back over to Wikipedia and search caveman

 

Those still here, its time to examine why. Because lets be honest, changes sucks. It’s scary, exhilarating, confusing, and causes sudden outburst of anger anxiety, avoidance, dread, disappointment and strange excitement.

 

Why in Jesus’ name would anyone chose to jump off the cliff? Change is not easy stuff. People write books and articles about how hard it is. Books, whole books! That just shows how hard it is, so avoid it, right.

WRONG! Unless of course you think, the only good changes were the wheel and fire. Because there are far more benefits than irrational fears for accepting change.

 

The first being growth. Who doesn’t want to be the smartest, know it all, done it first in their group? Not only do you get the distinction of being smart, adventurous, and wise but you also have stronger relationships, personal, social and emotional.  

 

Second, you will have more order and purpose to your life. You’ll have found resources and strengths that you didn’t know were there. Lastly, you will find more energy for desirable activities once you stop plotting against change.

 

But before you go jumping off the cliff of change, lets start small. How about you unjoin the “I hate the new Facebook group” and start to accept the new Facebook and here is how.

 

 

 

Step1: Face book has changed

           

            -Accept it.

Push aside all the emotion about your past relationship and see this change as a chance to move forward the relationship.  The new Facebook is all about you! Remember that, it’s the super significant other. It does all the work, so you don’t have to.

 

That friends, is a positive change.

 

Step 2: Explore the change   

 

The Facebook team has a blog, in the blog they share all the important info pertaining to Facebook.

 

Imagine that.

 

Now part of your accepting and moving on is to read about the redesign. Learn how it was designed for you and your needs. Learn how to use it, and love it.

 

Step 3: Six months later

 

Do you truly see that there has been any major life altering change to your everyday because of this?

 

Now, try this with something that really matters.