Innovation
I thrive on innovation and only one thing keeps me from adopting all sorts of new technology into my life: money. That’s why it is so much fun to work for an employer who provides ever-better technology and gadgets. My longtime employer, TVFR was like that. We were cutting-edge in the emergency services industry and leading the way in many areas. Because of that I was able to try out all sorts of new products and gadgets. It was fun.
This article, which I spotted in the New York Times today, really caught my attention:
The Risk of Innovation: Will Anyone Embrace It?
Whether humans will embrace or resist an innovation is the billion-dollar question facing designers of novel products and services. Why do people adapt to some new technologies and not to others? Fortunes are made and lost on the answer.
This is the “billion-dollar” question in my life. I love new ideas and I”m constantly looking for new ways to improve things. The average joe says, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” I say, “break it, let’s see what makes it tick and see if we can do it better.” People hate me.
As an emergency services innovator, many of my ideas were embraced and many were rejected. As the above article states, there was sometimes no rhyme or reason to why people accepted or rejected the ideas. The hardest part for me was when people rejected an idea without 
explanation. I figured, if they understood it, great – now they have the right to reject it. But if they don’t understand it, and still reject it – well, that confused me.
This is one reason I’m so looking forward to Ignite Portland 2 on February 5th. I love new ideas.
The Power Of The Internet Now In Your Car
Ok, I’ve managed to make the Internet the most vital resource in my life. More important than the phone, the yellow pages, or any reference source based on dead trees. I rely more on e-mail and IM than I do most voice services. TV is out, radio is dead, and when I really want to know something I just Google it.
For some time I’ve wondered why I don’t have an Internet mobile PC in my car? There have been a few times that I’ve sat outside some remote motel in some strange town with a “free” wi-fi connection and thought, “life is good.” Acquiring a GPS device has helped. For a mere $300 I can now find places in strange areas of town. But, even this has limits, for certain retail establishments (read: Fred Meyer) are not listed. I suppose TomTom (and other GPS makers?) tries to extort fees from the retailers?
Then tonight I stumbled upon a great article from PC World that led me to this new product.
The Power Of The Internet Now In Your Car
Imagine going on a long road trip with your family. Sitting in the passenger’s seat with your laptop open, you are able to…
With Autonet Mobile, every passenger can now harness the power and entertainment value of the internet within your car.
- Connect Everyone in The Car at the same time
- Get in the Car, Surf the Web, IM, Chat, E-Mail
- Easy for the Whole Family to use
- No software needed
Now, this is what I’m talking about! No word on pricing (Probably a bleeding edge luxury I can’t afford…yet), but this means a time is coming when pricing or availability will be in the range for the pedestrian masses.
The FAQs page says the range will be about 100 feet. Suddenly, I foresee anyplace within 100 feet of my car as a hotspot. Imagine blogging from a park bench at Mt. Tabor, or a sidewalk cafe in the Pearl?
As you can see, it doesn’t take much to make me happy.
Hurley
Hurley’s closes, but not without parting shot
But Hurley’s business suffered for other reasons: A reputation as Portland’s most expensive restaurant; and a stiff, old-school formality in a city that favors either freewheeling, casual attitudes or fun-loving urban glam. And despite some impressive and elaborate cooking unlike anything offered in Portland, Hurley’s never seemed in sync here.
We all used to have a lot of fun, “back in the day” (I can’t believe I actually used that phrase: with a straight face no less). Tom is the one who first introduced me to fine wines and great food. We were all firefighters, single, and making enough money to work out our stresses several days a week.
We felt like we “owned” Portland. We were legends in our own minds.Tom had a friends in most of the nicer restaurants in Portland and we often received special service because of his connections. The night of his brother’s 30th birthday comes to mind. Steak, sturgeon, and $300 wine. It was a fun night – just four over-cocky guys on the town.
A few years later I quit hanging out with the boys and decided to find sobriety through serenity (but of course that’s another story). Because of our employment connections, we occasionally ran into each other. Tom was injured in a firefighting operation and soon after began to more actively pursue his culinary skills and occupation. I resigned from my position at Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue to complete my education.
A few years after I left Portland (yeah, I’m back!) my Mom sent me a news-clipping detailing the opening of Hurley’s.It is always fun to see your old friends do well. I hate to see him leave PDX, but I’m sure he’ll do well whatever he does. Tom is a very creative and passionate person. It was always a pleasure to see his drive for success.
Take care friend!
(PS: Bill, Tom, Mike, Sarge – hope you’re all doing well!)
Confessing my Dad Attitude 