Hello, my name is Andrea and I'm an Insomniac.

Hello, my name is Andrea and I'm an Insomniac. 

 

(that's where you say "Hello, Andrea")

 

You know how they say opposites attract.  That couldn't be more true for my husband and I.  I believe we are alike in many ways... however I am convinced that my husband suffers from narcolepsy, and I suffer form Insomnia. My husband falls asleep anytime he shuts his eyes.   I on the other hand just lay there, tossing, turning, thinking, tossing and turning.

For years now I've had trouble sleeping-- falling asleep and staying asleep.  It usually lasts one or two nights and then I'm fine for a few weeks and then I'll have another rough one or two nights and repeat.  About two years ago my 1-2 nights turned into one or two weeks.   After a few weeks with minimal (if any) sleep. it was taking a toll on my life...my focus, patience and my happiness.  After a visit to my doctor and a 2 week prescription for ambien I started to find my regular sleep cycles again.

 

I still suffer from occasional insomnia however I've learned there are several causes that trigger my insomniatic episodes. (is that a thing? if not it sounds nice so I'll keep it)  I've found that my sleep cycle was disturbed by various triggers. If there is one thing I've learned from studying my own sleep cycles (and visits with my doctor)-- is that insomnia is usually (but not always easily) treatable.

 

The reason is that the key to treating insomniac periods lies in changes to your daily and/or nighttime routine.  Many of these are connected which is why I've had to try to do them all.  Here are a few pointers that I've received from doctors, friends, the Internet and my experiences.

 

1. Make your bedroom comfortable for sleep. Close your window, blinds,  bedroom door for darkness and quite.  If that doesn't work try to create a subtle background noise, such as a running fan, or light music to help drown out other noises.  Don't keep a computer or TV in your bedroom.

This photo isn't mine. I borrowed it from the Internet.

2. Hide the bedroom clocks. Set your alarm so that you know when to get up, but then hide all clocks in your bedroom, including your wristwatch and cell phone. The less you know what time it is at night, the better you'll sleep. Thankfully my ihome has a dimmer with various shades including basically "off".


3. Stick to a sleep schedule. Keep your bedtime and wake time consistent from day to day, including on weekends.  This is extremely difficult but made the biggest difference for me.

4.Avoid trying to sleep. The harder you try, the more awake you'll become.  Get out of bed when you're not sleeping. Read or watch television in another room until you become very drowsy, then go to bed to sleep.

5.Find ways to relax. A warm bath before bedtime can help prepare you for sleep. Having your partner give you a massage also may help relax you. Create a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as reading, soft music, breathing exercises, yoga or prayer.

6. Use your bed only for sleeping (or sex.) Don't read, watch TV, work or eat in bed.

7. Limit or Avoid caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and food before bed.  These things can make you restless or cause frequent awakenings or urge to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

8. Exercise regularly.  Even if its just a ten minute walk around the block.  Releasing built up energy or stress from the day will help you relax at night.

9. Check your medications. If you take medications regularly, check with your doctor to see if they may be contributing to your insomnia. Also check the labels of over-the-counter products to see if they contain caffeine or other stimulants.

10. See your Doctor.  You could have a medical condition such as sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome where insomnia is actually an effect.   Your doctor may recommend other types of treatment or therapy or maybe even some type of sleep aid.

By the way in case you were curious this blog was written at 2am last week.  I was afraid to publish it in its "raw" state although I am sure I still have misspellings and grammatical errors. But its the Internet so who cares. Oh and if you were wondering what this blog has to do with technology... I plan on purchasing a device that will monitor my sleep quality.   More to follow on that at a later time....

Technology @ Work: Impact on Productivity

There’s no denying that technology has become an integral part of our lives. We use technology for both business and pleasure.  Sometimes the lines between those blur.   On one hand, cellphones and the Internet have revolutionized the way companies across the globe do business, and employees are more accessible than ever before and therefore more productive-- at least in theory.

The reality is that the majority of companies are experiencing as many of its drawbacks as its benefits. One major drawback is the impact of employees’ social networking, private phone use, and personal emailing at work.   But are these technologies really the productivity drain that many in management positions believe them to be, or is that just outdated thinking?

The question of employee productivity, and the challenges of these distractions is a familiar problem.  There have always been distractions in the work place:

•  The telephone…
• The water cooler…(not really technology, I know, but just making a point)
• Desktop PCs and eventually personal notebooks...
• Email… (work email, and personal web email)
• Minesweeper and Solitaire…
• Instant Messenger ... (AIM, yahoo etc)
• Cell phones…
• Telecommuting…

As management has in the past they will continue to try to minimize these distractions by setting up policies, and looking for new ways to monitor usage.  So, is technology the problem or is it the people?   How do you spend your time at work???  Time to fess up to your technology usage -- email, phone, text, facebook, games etc...

How much time do you spend using technology for personal use during work hours?
	never
	less than 15 minutes
	more than 1 hour
	more than 3 hours
	more than 6 hours
pollcode.com free polls

Technology = healthy + happy ??

There are many things I know I must do for myself in order to keep me healthy and happy.   I know I need to-- spend more time with family, continue to educate myself, read more books, save money, work out, buy a house, start a family, eat healthy, lose weight, reconnect with old friends, make new friends, find work / life balance... the list goes on...     Fortunately most of these are easy especially with the assistance of technology.  Facebook connects us with friends instantly, good reads gives us lists of books for both education and pleasure.

The more difficult area for me has been health and fitness.  Thankfully with the assistance of technology even these areas are much more manageable.  I have found that by keeping myself organized and scheduling time for each of these things I can achieve more in my day.   I have also found some great apps that that help me out.


1. My fitness pal-  I love this app.  It helps you be more cautious with food consumption by tracking calories.   You set your current weight, goal weight and the app calculates your recommend calories.  You then enter your food each day.  There is even an entry for cardiovascular activity as well as weights/ strengthening    The thing I wish the app had was a a timer, gps tracking and heart rate monitor to get a more accurate input of the activities. Nonetheless its one of my favorite health apps.

2.  Runtastic-- this app isn't only for running.  There are lists of exercises and workout routines.  You can even schedule a reminder.  I noticed last week that a notification with a praise about my progress popped up.   I then also noticed this week that a notification with encouragement popped up.

3. Fooducate- I really do not use this app too much but I found it interesting. It is a bar code scanner and it grades food.  Fruits and vegetables receive A's while sodas receive D's-  even diet soda due to the artificial sweeteners.   If you scan a food that has a D grade you can search other similar healthy alternatives.   Its great for someone like me who things just because it says "diet" means its good for me.

4. Pinterest-  Pinterst has been a great resource.  There are various types of motivational posts, health receipts, copy cat restaurant receipts with healthy twists, alternative options and blogs for encouragement and support.  My favorite blog right now is Mama Laughlin   She is a fowl mouth, fun loving, weight losen, Texan that reminds me A LOT of my friend April.  She blogs about her journey, her struggle, motivation and life.   There are many other inspiring finds on pinterst and tips and tricks for starting and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.  Thank you Pinterest for all of these amazing resources.

There are a bunch of other apps that I've downloaded on my iPhone.  There really does seem to be an App for everything.    I have not had the opportunity to explore them all but I always welcome new suggestions.

What are some of your favorite health/fitness apps?

Technology for the cause

Today social networking is effortless. We are able to connect to hundreds even thousands of people instantly. It's no wonder that charity's and other awareness groups have turned to social networking.  Technology enables charities to easily and quickly distribute information regarding events, collect donations, conduct sales and spread awareness.
There is one charity that is very dear to my heart. The Michelle Cares Melanoma foundation. This foundation was started in memory of my best friend who passed away from Melanoma skin cancer. The charity was started by her husband and two friends.

The website has recently launched which is why I want to share it. They will be sharing information regarding melanoma, protection and prevention as well as events to raise money and awareness.


In memory of Michelle Renee Simonson
12/22/1983 to 09/27/2010

Please check out the site and be sure to wear your sunscreen!!

http://www.michellecaresfoundation.com/

Technology and Traveling-- the good, the bad and the ugly.

Technology is great until it isn't. I'm not sure where I heard that phrase before but it couldn't ring more true for me personally right now. My husband and I just checked in for our flight on a PC at our hotel to print our boarding passes for our flight from Toronto into NYC. Even though we clicked check in both passenger and selected both passes to print, his pass printed but mine did not. We thought that maybe I had to sign in with my own ID but no luck. So now here I am without a boarding pass on my way to the airport and no iPhone tickets since its international.

Update:
We got to the airport to print our passes from the kiosk. Once I went through security I noticed that my pass was marked "SSSS"  my husband didn't have those same markings.  Of course I was randomly selected for extra screening.  My husband said SSSS stands for "Super Secret Security Scan" where of course I got hand wand-ed twice, I went through the new high power scanner, and got patted down twice by two different women.   The positive side I got through security much quicker than my husband.

Update 2:
On the way home going JFK to LAX we were able to use the iPhone passes which was nice, but unfortunately we had to go through the same security scanners.  There was no warning or alternative option it was just there.  I recently read an article that says studies are still trying to verify if they are safe.  That's twice in one trip for me...so I really hope they are safe.

All in all I really do think technology is great even when it may violate us or frustrate us. It is great because it empowers us.  It also allow us to explore and capture life and share our adventures and memories with others.

What are some of your adventures with technology and traveling?

Some random thoughts about hockey and technology...

During the playoffs the amount of hockey watching always increases in our home.  This season it is nearly 24/7.   The Los Angeles Kings are in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time in 19 years and my husband is enjoying every minute of it-- some of those minutes more than once.    I've never seen so many classics,  replays, documentaries, interviews, commentary, analysis, pregame, game game, post game you name it....I've seen it.

A few weeks ago my husband and I were watching the 1993 Western Conference Finals and I was amazed at how many differences I could easily, and quickly identify.    The players were sporting their mullets, and handlebar mustaches.  They were not protecting their heads or faces with helmets and shields.     The boards were shorter, and there were no protective netting to protect the fans.   The goalies were not limited to the trapezoid, and had very little padding. It was fun to look back but it really got me thinking about how hockey had changed in the last 20 years, and how technology may have helped shape those changes.

For the players their equipment, and safety has been impacted by technology.  Equipment today is meant to make the players move quicker with more precision. It also provides more protection for the players. Sports medicine has improved greatly.  The trainers are able to "patch up" players much quicker and get them back out on the ice.  They know more about head injuries and  how to treat them, they have even changed some of the rules on hits to help reduce these types of injuries.   They are able to perform microscopic surgery to repair injuries that were once career ending and have the players back on the ice within months.    

The players, and coaches have both benefited from advances with film, and video.    They are able to slow down the video to study every moment.   They even created a study on the "science of a slap shot".     These videos of the games, practices, and players have been crucial to studying and training to take their play to the next level.

A lot has changed for the fans as well.    Tickets to games can be purchased online (no more waiting at the box office)   The stadium has been enhanced for a better fan experience.  There are giant HD jumbo trans , surround sound and animated score boards.   There are advertisements and promos during the TV breaks and intermissions to keep the fans excitement up.      There are ways for the fans to stay engaged with the sport after the game or season has ended through fantasy sports teams, video games that  have real life players and statistics of those players.    Fans are even able to stay engaged with their team through various media outlets.

For the media they are able to take advantage of of Internet and wireless devices to be the first to report, respond or comment.   Their coverage takes form in radio, TV, podcasts, blogs, and social media.   There are apps such as NHL Game Center, ESPN Scorecenter, and The Hockey news.  These apps send real time alerts, even show shot marks if you have to watch from your phone.   Media, and fans are able to interact with players through Facebook, and Twitter.  A few days ago I even noticed that NHL has a Pinterest  page and has been partnering with Draw Something for hockey related terms.   I've read that the drawings may even be used in NHL advertising.  It is amazing how technology lets fans connect to the game,  their teams and favorite players.

As technology innovations continue to evolve so will the game of hockey, and the fans experience.

Game no 2 is today!  Go Kings!!!!

A look at how technology has shifted Life & work...

As I touched on in previous blogs, technology is constantly shifting the way we live and work. I found this infographic the other day and thought it was interesting and wanted to share.  Through the last 10-15 years how has technology shifted your life?

Click to Enlarge

Via PGI

View Other Infographics

technology and the world as we know it

After my blog entry last night I've been thinking more about technology and the world as we know it.  People have been consuming technology rapidly since the early 1980s transforming how we communicate, entertain, work and learn.

Here is a list of consumer electronics since the 80s

• IMB  introduces the first Personal computer (1991)
• "hand held" camcorder (1981) 
• compact disck aka CD (1982)
• mobile phone "brick phone" (1983)  
• Apple Macintosh (1984)
• discman (1984)  
• Nintendo NES (1985)
• Nintendo Gamyboy (1989)
• laptop (1989)
• Internet (1991)
• Super Nintendo (1991)
• Sony Playstation (1995)
• HDTV (1996)
• Kodack point and shoot digital camera (1996)
• Apple iMac (1998)
• Napster (1999)
• iPod (2001)
• X box (2002)
• Nintedno DS (2004)
• Blue Ray Disc (2006)
• iPhone (2007)
• iPad (2010)

I'm sure I missed a few important ones somewhere in there.   But you can see how quickly technology reinvents its self.  As I go through this list I am starting to feel old.  My grandma use to share stories about black and white television or having to get up to turn the channel.  As a child I couldn't imaging life without color TV, a TV in every room, and my trusty remote control.   I now know that I someday will be talking to my kids about being "older" than the first playstation, iPhone or iPad.

Looking over my list of consumer electronics I cannot help but remember.....  I remember my first Walkman, and secretly listening to rap or R&B so my dad couldn't hear.  I remember computer games to learn how to spell, type and add.  I remember using my grandparents Macintosh to do homework. I remember my first PC, and using "paint" for hours just so I could be on the computer. I remember America online (AOL) and getting upset when someone picked up the phone and I lost my connection to the Internet. I remember the brick cell phones that only business people, rich people or Zack Morris's used.  I remember playing Nintendo games for hours and hours that I'd get blisters on my thumb, and when changing games if it didn't start we'd have to blow into the cartridge. I remember my first pager, and learning pager code so I could "text" with my friends. ( 22+143+637+833)  I remember my first cell phone a free Nokia from Pacbell.  I remember my first trip to an apple store.  I remember my first iPod. I remember Myspace.  I remember thinking what is this Twitter thing all about??  These are memories that I have, and I am lucky to have experienced. I am very excited to add to the list.   I'm not sure why I've always been so mesmerized with technology but I have....

What are some of your memories of technology?

will technology kill vintage collections?

During a recent discussion with friends we were talking about memories, and keepsakes. One friend was talking about her vinyl record collection, another mentioned that his kids loved looking through his collection of cassette tapes.  He even had a cassette player that still worked! It made me wonder... what collection of mine that my kids (the kids I'll have someday) would look back on and think of as vintage. Maybe CDs, Dvds, board games, or maybe even books, magazines, or newspapers?   With technology today we have all of these things run from one device! Will future generations even care to have these "originals"?  Will I keep mine and they'll one day become vintage?

My generation (generation Y) has had technology most of our lives, but the next generation (generation Z) will have had technology their entire lives!  Our generations have been spoiled with the innovations of some of the greatest technological minds.We are living in the mists of the technological age. Our generation is embracing rapid integration of newer technologies which are completely reshaping how we communicate, socialize, conduct business, make purchases, and entertain ourselves.   Everyday we use technology-- telephones, cell phones, televisions, radios, tablets, and personal computers. We even use some of these things while driving --whether its against the law or not. We are constantly multi-tasking and cramming as much as we can.

"I think it's fair to say that personal computers have become the most empowering tool we've ever created. They're tools of communication, they're tools of creativity, and they can be shaped by their user." -Bill Gates

We love our techy gadgets, our generation is becoming naturally tech savvy, and able to quicky adapt to technology.  We make our prior generation look like dinosaurs with their vinyl records, eight tracks, and cassette tapes.   What will our kids, or kids kids have that make our use of technology today make us look like dinosaurs?  Will technology kill these vintage collections?

Can women succeed in the tech sector?

I stumbled upon this on Pinterest. I thought it was fitting after my blog yesterday.

Like this infographic? Get more business technology news from IT Manager Daily.

To be an IT girl

I've been asking myself the question, "What does it mean to be an IT girl". I do not mean it as in how Kim Kardashian has what it takes to be successful in the fashion industry. I mean I.T. as in Information Technology.

As a women in the field, I know it can be a lonely, challenging world. The industry has held more men than women since its birth! Do the names Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Sean Parker, Sergey Brin, Mark Zetterberg ring a bell? Of course they do!

So why are these technical gurus and innovators all men? Some theories say that this is due to our social construct of gender. Men are expected to learn about machines tools and how things work. Their world emphasizes objectivity, rationality, control over nature and emotions. Women on the other hand are not expected to know much about these technical matters. They are to be good at interpersonal and social relationships that focus on people and emotions. Of course women also use tools-- everyone these days uses telephones, computers and TVs but you can see the important differences in the focus and the various behaviors and skill sets that are embraced early in our lives.



Thankfully this pattern is breaking. Almost as quickly as your new smart phone becomes yesterdays old gadget... views in technology are changing as well. Today more women are the decision makers. Women are taking over notable positions at big tech companies. The Chief Operating Officer at Facebook is Sheryl Standber, the Chief Executive Officer of Hewlett-Packard is Meg Whitman. Although these are the exception to the rule in the technology industry today-- it is a start.

So, now how can we get more women curious in technology? How can we make it appeal to more women? I am not talking about feminizing technology as in turning all things pink. Women possess critical problem solving skills, analytical abilities, communication skills, team oriented, and teaching capabilities all required to be successfully in technology. So why are they still shying away?   We have to realize that this day in age, it doesn't matter your age, sex, race, culture, politics, or religion. If your innovation is accepted so are you, and you can be successful.

We need to empower our future innovators and leaders. We should be inspiring our youth (boys & girls) to pursue their passions for technology. Will technology move from "geek to chic"?

Yes! In the words of John C Maxwell, “Change is inevitable. Growth is optional." the change will occur how we grow with it is up to us.