We’re in Southampton for a long weekend, and can I just say how amazing it is to live like the 1% for a few days? This place is basically an incredible alternate version of reality. The houses, the clubs, the restaurants, even the LANDSCAPING for goodness’ sake. All amazing. But at the same time, it’s hard to believe that real people actually live like this. My post next week will cover the reason behind our visit, and why I’ve been lucky enough to be coming up here for one weekend every summer for the past 14 years. Until then, we’re going to enjoy the cool(er) weather and the beautiful scenery, and I hope YOU guys enjoy this week’s/last week’s Tech Bytes since I’m posting it a little later than usual (and of course any other fun stuff you were up to this weekend!).
1. Sooo, it’s hard to ignore the news about what’s happening on Monday, August 21. But in case you don’t get out much (or turn on a TV, open a newspaper, or surf the internet), Monday will bring us the first solar eclipse that will be visible across the entire contiguous United States since June 8, 1918. The path of totality (where you’ll be able to see a total solar eclipse) will cover a 70-mile wide band that will touch 14 states and 16% of the area of the U.S. The rest of us will see a partial eclipse (wah wah). It will begin on the Oregon Coast as a partial eclipse at 10:16 am PST Monday morning and end on Monday afternoon at 2:48 pm EST as a partial eclipse along the South Carolina Coast. While this is all very cool, don’t tell Bill Nye, but I think people are freaking out about it a BIT too much? Maybe I think that because I am in NY and slightly bitter that I won’t be able to see much. Or maybe it’s because I’m scared to look at the eclipse even with the special glasses you can buy. Either way, while I am excited it’s happening, social media and the 24-hour news cycle have definitely made this event bigger than it needs to be. On the flip side, social media and the 24-hour news cycle will allow me to view all the highlights and beautiful photos from the comfort of my own home where I can’t destroy my retinas like this guy did in 1962. Be careful out there, kids. Here are some additional resources if you’re interested in watching, learning, or relieving your FOMO if you’re as far away from the center of the big event as I am.
Offical NASA Eclipse Site, 6 Best Apps for the Eclipse, See How the Solar Eclipse Will Look From Anywhere in the U.S., Another “Official” Eclipse Site, The Procrastinator’s Guide to Viewing the Eclipse
2. I have mixed emotions about this photo. On one hand, I’m so excited about the evolution of technology and the speed at which everything changes. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it really is an amazing time to be alive. But on the OTHER hand, I feel a twinge of depression that I’m old enough to have owned over 50% of these. Yikes! Special shout out to #9, #16, and #17…miss you guys!
3. Cody and I have a small obsession with pillows. As I’m sure many of you out there also do. We use no less than four pillows each when we sleep. We have a couple for the head + neck, snuggle pillows, under-the-knee pillows, and extra ones just in case we find another body part that needs some attention. He isn’t too particular about the brand or type of pillow he uses, but I’m a huge sucker for all of the new trendy options out there. My Pillow (cue annoying cheesy inventor guy), the bamboo pillows that Costco sells, hypoallergenic pillows — you name it. Enter the latest pillow to catch my eye — the Hullo Pillow. It’s filled with organic buckwheat. Sounds weird, I know. I’m so intrigued by the idea of what exactly buckwheat feels like pressed up against my face, that I almost can’t stop myself from ordering one. Cody’s exact words were, “absolutely not,” but I pretended not to hear him. If I do order one, I’ll update you guys!
4. New chocolate bar alert. Go out and get your hands on this one immediately. I’m usually more of a dark chocolate fan myself, but the Milk Chocolate Caramel Sea Salt version by Tony Chocolonely is insanely good. Thick. Creamy. Rich. Delicious. You can thank me later!
5. Over time you’ll learn that one of my other loves in life besides tech and chocolate, is Trader Joe’s. Truly obsessed. I had to think hard about moving to New Orleans because there wasn’t one here at the time! When a location finally opened in Baton Rouge (75 miles from NOLA), I purposely scheduled work trips around the need to replenish my favorite TJ’s products. Some people still don’t understand its greatness. I say, just give it time. The key to embracing Trader Joe’s is finding your faves. And that doesn’t happen after one trip. From time to time I may post about a new gem I’ve discovered (and please do the same if you have something(s) you love!), but until then, a friend send me this article about where Trader Joe’s gets its products, and I thought it was an interesting read.
I realize that by the time most of you see this, your weekend will be over, but I hope it was a good one. I’m heading into the home stretch of my summer travels, but if you’ve got any good trips planned, please share!
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