Here Comes Mark Cuban

Anyone who reads this site regularly will recall my somewhat odd admiration for Mark Cuban -- but why? While it is true he is one good looking Texan, married with children, he showed the world he could do more then make money when he kicked up his heels on "Dancing With the Stars." I watched it faithfully and voted religiously for Mark. He was voted off.

Tonight Mark Cuban visits Chicago to discuss his desire to add the beloved Chicago Cubs to his list of "Teams I Own." Apparently he prefers the bleachers, but for tonight's game against the Brewers, look for him sitting next to one of the top brass of Tribune Company Broadcasting as they discuss his desire to own the franchise. If only fans could vote for who they want to purchase the Cubs. . .

Though the Cubs are anything but a "start-up," read what Mark has to say about spending money when starting a company, at " A Couple of My Rules For Start Ups." One of his thoughts includes: "10. NEVER EVER EVER buy swag. A sure sign of failure for a start up is when someone sends me logo polo shirts. If your people are at shows and in public, its ok to buy for your own folks, but if you really think someone is going to wear your Yobaby.com polo you sent them in public, you are mistaken and have no idea how to spend your money."

Very interesting thoughts from a guy who usually appears in a tight fitting long sleeved finely knit sweater with no writing on it. Just saw him at the game -- sitting next to the head of broadcasting. Am I a psychic?
Photo Attribution: somewhat frank

Food Allergy Cards

Being allergic to several foods presents a problem easily handled at home, but creates a life threatening situation when eating out. On a recent visit to an older child who resides in a far away land, food allergies were confronted at every meal when ordering in any restaurant. As waiter after waiter meticulously wrote down each allergy, one wondered if there was a better way, and there is.

Food allergy cards arrived last week that confront the problem head on. One side blatantly states the situation, and the other side lists all food allergies. Once seated in a restaurant, the plan is to hand one of the double-sided cards to the waiter, question him or her about food contents and food preparation methods, and then carefully order a meal. While this plan sounds good, only time will tell if it works better then the previous method: verbalizing the list of food allergies to a waiter looking at me in dismay, and hoping for the best.

On more then one occasion food was served that did indeed contain one of the allergen's the waiter had previously stated would not be in the food or in one case, in the restaurant. For example, olive oil is expensive so some restaurants cut it with sesame oil, which I learned in the emergency room of the local hospital from the ER nurse. It must be a common enough practice that nurses are aware of it, so now careful questions regarding the purity of the olive oil are added to the list of food allergies. Food servers don't know whether their olive oil is pure or a mixture and must ask the cook. With the food allergy card in hand, the chef will be more accurate in his or her reporting of food contents. Note: several restaurants do mix their olive oil with sesame oil or canola oil. Wouldn't it be good to know that before eating the salad? Hence, the food allergy card. Restaurants of America -- consider yourself put on notice.
Note: Yes, we always tip at least 20 percent, sometimes more.

TC DC 2

Congratulations to Frank Gruber and Eric Olson for yet another successful TECH cocktail production in DC! In May of 2007 TECH cocktail answered the call and held the first TC DC and had such a good turn out, another one was due. Over 400 guests made their way to TC DC2 and watched the demos, met new friends, and chatted about anything TECH -- or not.

TC DC 2 rocked without me Thursday night as I stayed behind in Chicagoland after three days of fever, sore throat, and hunky cough, way too sick to board a plane or even make it through O'Hare. Never one to miss a party, this time was way different. When one is too ill to take a shower, unable to speak three consecutive words without coughing fits, and doesn't eat anything that is not frozen or on a wooden stick, one is far too ill to leave the 'hood. But the boys carried on, had a wonderful time and even twittered me with the good turnout. I've said it before many times, and here it comes again: Frank and Eric, your mothers would be proud. Congratulations on yet another "TECH cocktail takes the nation" and thank you to all those who stepped up and helped out. I'll be at the next TECH cocktail Chicago May 29th at John Barleycorn-Wrigleyville, after the day long TECH cocktail CONFERENCE at Loyola University, Water Tower Campus, Chicago. Not registered yet? What's the matter with you?

Paint Selection Tools

Built in bookcases add value and charm to any room, but finding a skilled carpenter to build them can be a challenge. Luck stepped in and after living in the guest room for the past fifteen days, the master bedroom is almost completed. Stripped, primed, painted and updated, finally, the bookcases are almost finished, and the large room has gone from a tired tan wallpaper the previous owner loved, to a rich dark blue, Sherwin Williams Dignity. Always a lover of color, the spring green silk drapes look regal against the deep blue walls. The full wall of built in bookcases is over ten feet long and ten feet high. Crown molding at the top and bottom add formality to the room. The remaining soft finishes include cranberry, fuchsia, yellow and green, and a deep blue and spring green silk duvet cover. Once the room is back together and suitable for living, a finished room will be displayed for your viewing pleasure.

Sherwin Williams offers an interesting site that allows the viewer to select a room and then see it painted with the desired color to visualize how it will look. Called the Color Visualizer, complimentary colors are also displayed to help the at-home decorator pull interesting colors together before painting. An amazing tool, this verified dark blue was the color for the master bedroom. Benjamin Moore Paints also offers a personal color viewer but the colors are "off" from the actual paint samples and colors actually selected and mixed. Sherwin Williams paint visualizer is far more accurate.

In a few days life will return to normal as the bookshelves begin to fill with important personal memorabilia and books. As for the bottom closed shelves -- those will hold files that have been hidden for far too long.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus+

Salon Buzz -- Good Choice

If you're looking for a hip place in Chicagoland to get your hair cut or styled, give Erin at Salon Buzz at 1 East Delaware a call. My previously thick and extremely heavy head of curly hair has been somewhat tamed by pretty and perky Erin. What did she do? She only cut 1/4 inch off the length, but she did magic with the style -- oh wait, I didn't have a style, only a huge head of healthy out of control hair.

Erin and I talked and she went in and added multiple long layers to provide "swing." Then she added some short top layers to provide "height." Every hair on my head was changed in a good way before Erin added Bumble and Bumble Thickener (only to the roots on top) and magic potent for what would be called the "pony-tail" hair in the back. A few flicks of her wrist with heat from the hair dryer and poof: better hair, younger hair, and certainly more "with it" hair, a lot like Jessica's hair in the photo. No longer is this somewhatfortyplus gal a curly out of control gob of hair. Thanks Erin -- I'll see you again in a few weeks.

Photo attribution: somewhat frank

Hair Questions

Today's the day Erin at Salon Buzz in Chicago decides what to do with naturally curly hair that is blown straight every day. Will she cut it? My identity is long hair -- if it were cut I wouldn't know myself. Will it be curly? Maybe. Will it remain straight? Who knows. The goal is a great haircut that swings, shines and always looks good. Shoulder length is the shortest I would go -- ever. Stay tuned.

Acceptance Speeches

When one is up for a major award, one often prepares a speech one would give, just in case all the stars are in alignment and one actually wins the coveted prize. But not always. At the recent Illinois Technology Association's cityLIGHTS Awards Gala, winners were spontaneous and genuine, not prepared or rehearsed. When Frank Gruber and Eric Olson won the big one, the cityLIGHTS Award for TECH cocktail, all seated at their table were stunned, especially Frank and Eric. Making their way to the stage to receive the prize was probably a long and thought provoking journey. Arriving on stage, photos were taken and Frank stepped up to the plate, er, microphone.

"All my life I'd been hoping to stand in front of a crowd like this for winning an award as a Chicago Cub, but that didn't work out so well. This is a pretty good substitute, however," and he went on to thank the organization, the crowd, Eric, and especially the Chicago technology community for attending all of the TECH cocktail mixer events. Clever guy -- who doesn't love the Cubs? A video of the acceptance speech can be seen at the popular somewhat frank TV, or at somewhatfrank.com

Frank and Eric were genuine in their gratitude and graciousness at the event and in all things they do. Congratulations on the win --- next time do what the nominees for the Oscar's appear to do: jot down a few notes, just in case.
Photo attribution: somewhatfrank

Black-tie Perfect

What to wear is always a dilemma, and the short black skirt, black opaque tights, black heels, and gorgeous pink silk fitted jacket were perfect attire for a recent black-tie optional event in Chicago. Youthful and not OL (old lady), the outfit provided color in a room of tuxedos and black dresses, gowns and pants. As for added bling: studs, heart, Mary Francis bag, and good looking dude on the right.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

TECH cocktail Wins Chicago CityLIGHTS Award

Oh what a night! Congratulations to TECH cocktail founders Frank Gruber and Eric Olson who were honored last night (April 3, 2008) with the 2008 Chicago cityLIGHTS Award, given to individuals who have made a significant impact on the Illinois technology community. At the annual Illinois Technology Association's black-tie gala at Union Station in Chicago, seven hundred fifty guests applauded as stunned Frank and Eric made their way to the stage to humbly accept their award.

And they deserved it. For the past two years TECH cocktail has been true to their mission: help amplify the technology signal in under served markets and have fun doing it. They have provided a relaxing venue to help start-up companies demonstrate their innovative ideas to others in the technology field at several community mixers in Chicago, Boston, Boulder and DC. Always willing to help others, Frank (of somewhat frank) and Eric (of olsonsobservations) are the true LIGHT in technology not only in Chicago, but in Illinois. With the success of TECH cocktail, Frank and Eric will sponsor the first TECH cocktail CONFERENCE on Thursday, May 29 at Loyola University, Water Tower Campus, followed by TECH cocktail Chicago 8 at John Barleycorn that evening. Congratulations to Frank and Eric. Your mothers would be proud. The one on the right sure is.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus

Tonight's the Night

Don't have time for a long post today --- girl things need to be done in preparation of the black-tie Chicagoland event tonight. Frank Gruber and Eric Olson are up for the Illinois Technology Association CityLIGHTS Award in recognition of their successful TECH cocktail events in Chicago, Boston, Boulder and DC. Seven-hundred people will be attending the Gala at Union Station; cocktails at 6 and dinner at 7. So much to do: shower, wash and dry hair, a real feat when it is long and curly, like mine. Dress in a favorite outfit, NYD jeans and sweater, pack and get on down to daughter Jessica's place. Why not stay at home, you ask? Staying two miles away is much easier than staying in the burbs.

Tomorrow you will hear who won the CityLIGHTS award; being nominated for it is a huge unexpected honor for Frank and Eric, winning it would be totally remarkable. One more thing: I'm taking both the black lace jacket and the pink silk jacket with me so I can decide at the last minute which one better answers that famous female question: does this make me look fat? The good news here is as bad as the stomach flu was, I have now lost 9.5 pounds as a result. Every cloud has a silver lining. Gotta go, so much to do......

Photo Attribution: somewhat frank

Magnolia Magic

The delicate magnolia blossom is too pretty to pass up. The Washington Tidal Basin magnolia trees recently caught my eye as a reminder spring is on the way to Chicagoland, as well, and soon my magnificent magnolia will also bloom. I'm counting the days.
Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus+

National Cathedral Fish Pond

Backyard ponds add an interesting unexpected element of surprise to any yard. The fish pond located in the center of the stately garden at the Washington National Cathedral was just that: surprising and intriguing. Approximately three feet deep and filled with gold fish, the pond draws the viewer in as one appreciates the pleasure of rocks and water. Ponds create a much needed calmness in the middle of one's rushed life, forcing reflection. A former home had a large pond complete with water falls and adjacent smaller ponds. The children's boats dotted the water and a child could often be seen sitting in the small pond playing with his fleet. The family beagle splashed in the water and was known to lay in the pond he so often fished. Raccoons and chipmunks visited and dined at our expense.

Watching the gold fish maneuver in unison behind the National Cathedral brought to mind earlier days, smaller children, and warm summer nights in the family swimming pool. Every yard needs a water element and the current yard has only a small fountain.....running water, true, but not the same. Time to start digging.

Photo attribution: somewhatfortyplus