The first thing I check in the morning and the last thing I check at night before I fall asleep is my iPhone. If I leave the house, it’s always with me. There is a good chance I might forget my keys, I might forget my wallet, and most days when I need it most, I’ll forget my umbrella — but you can bet your bottom dollar that I won’t forget my frickin’ phone. I’m attached…literally and figuratively. Isn’t it scary how dependent we are on our smartphones?

 

 

It is quite difficult to imagine how utterly horrible and complicated our lives suddenly become when we lose a phone…or in my case break one. Recently I had to go three days without my iPhone. #dontask I lost touch with everyone — friends, family, and coworkers. I didn’t even have Siri to talk too. I couldn’t find my keys in the dark and I couldn’t find directions to the meeting I was going to and of course, I was late because my mobile phone wasn’t there to alert me for the appointment. It was like an episode of Naked and Afraid, except I had pants on and there was no camera crew. 

 

 

For years I made fun of people who had their faces stuck in a phone and literally ignored the world around them. In the last year, I’m afraid I have become one of them. A pseudo-zombie, unaware of the world around me and following the small blue light, measuring a measly 5.65 x 2.79 inches. 

 

 

In the Golden Age of Radio, advertisers struck gold because 82 percent of Americans listened to the radio. In the Golden Age of Television, the Texaco Star Theatre starring Milton “Mr. Television” Berle once earned 80 percent of the viewing audience. Since that time, nothing has ever come close to achieving that sort of market share for attention. However today, it’s estimated that 96 percent of Americans have a smartphone. If you want to reach an audience effectively, find out what they’re focussed on and then put your message in front of them. Makes sense, right? I’ve been meaning to ask you…how’s that new mobile marketing campaign going?

The Madison+Main-iacs had the day off for Labor Day and we heard stories this week of our folks celebrating the last gasps of summer 2019. I decided to take my dog Gertie on a long hike down through Belle Isle and over to Browns Island. It was 96 degrees and by the time we returned, we both had our tongues hanging out of our mouths. It’s cute when a dog does that. Me? Not so much.

Science Museum of Virginia | Richmond, VA

 

September 22, 2019 | 12:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Meet representatives from schools and community colleges, tutoring services, financial aid resources, and much more. Attend break-out sessions and learn more about topics such as computer science in schools, saving for higher education, and single-gender education. Explore the Science Museum for free and also enter to win a 2-night stay at Gaylord National Resort & Conference Center, including tickets to ICE! Plus hear Huntington Learning Center franchise owner Larry Frank’s discussion on “A Parent’s Survival Guide” and how today’s busy parents can be empowered to help their struggling child improve homework performance.

A. Smith Bowman Distillery | Fredericksburg, VA

 

September 28, 2019 | 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Westchester Commons | Midlothian, VA

 

October 12, 2019 | 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.