Back to School!
Labor Day honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers make to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of this country. That is all well and good, but for me (and many others) it is the unofficial end to summer (boo hoo). It's back to work and, for my kids, it means back to school. As depressing as this thought may be, the idea of back to school ironically puts a smile on my face because of Rodney Dangerfield in his role as Thornton Melon in the 80's classic movie Back to School. Who doesn't remember the Triple Lindy? One of the most salient underlying themes was that a rich, powerful, creative and practical CEO applies his street smarts to his education. Sure he cut some corners, but at the end of the day he was intelligent, passionate, goal oriented, and got the job done!
This week's Find helps prepare you for wherever you are going back to (work or school) with the efficiency and productivity of Thornton Melon.
Diane: How would you characterize "The Great Gatsby"?
Thornton Melon: He was... uh... great!
A perfect place to start thinking about back to school/work is your desk. Everyone is spending more time on their laptops, whether it is doing work or watching Netflix. I can only imagine how many young kids will develop Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! Therefore, for the sake of your arms, your posture, and your health, you should consider a stand-up desk. If you have the room and money, the adjustable ones are great, but can run upwards of $500. This one is $25 and accomplishes the same thing, allowing the user to stand up and comfortably do their work. When you want to sit down, this easily folds up flat (is easily transportable) and stores away. It serves as a way to test the trend of stand up desk-ing and see if it's your thing. Oh, and while you're trendsetting, you are purportedly reducing your risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, not bad!
Diane: Don't you ever read?
Thornton Melon: Read. Who has time? I see the movie. I'm in and out in two hours.
Whether you are going back to work or heading back to school, sometimes you need additional places to write things down. It may be your biggest ideas, your smallest ideas, your calendar, your grocery list or any old thing. Think Board is a clear dry erase sheet that turns anything or everything into a creative workspace! No more losing lists written on scrap paper --- no more opening your iPhone to make a new note. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, so now it's up to you to come up with the next great idea!
Thornton Melon: When's our first class?
Jason Melon: Uh, we got Economics tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
Thornton Melon: 11 o'clock? No good. I got a massage 11 o'clock. Tell 'em to make it 2 o'clock.
Who remembers the PalmPilot? It revolutionized the mobile phone market and ushered in the era of the smartphone. One thing that it had (that I came to miss) was the stylus that helped to ease the transition from pen to the almighty finger. However, there are times I am looking/longing for a stylus to do certain tasks. So, I've reintroduced the stylus to my life vis a vis 53 Paper and I'm now, again, a happy man. 53 Paper looks like a pencil and acts like a stylus on steroids. They have even developed an app with amazing functionality including notes, sketching, and doodling on pictures. Check it out ....
Strictly for the Student, Parent of Student, Tutor or Math Geek
Thornton Melon: When's our first class?
Jason Melon: Uh, we got Economics tomorrow at 11 o'clock.
Thornton Melon: 11 o'clock? No good. I got a massage 11 o'clock. Tell 'em to make it2 o'clock.
What would you (Thornton Melon) do if you (or your loved one) are faced with a math problem that you don't understand? Take a picture and boom, photomath to the rescue. It not only shows you the answer, but also the path for getting there. To be clear, when used properly this is a path to better understanding, not a source of cheating. But, let's keep this entre nous!
I have only one thing to say to you today …
It’s a jungle out there.
You gotta look out for number one.
But don’t step in number two.
And so, to all you graduates, as you go out into the world, my advice to you is …
Don’t go! It’s rough out there! Stay in school!
Back to School is here and there is nothing you can do about it. So, make your life easier and consider Oristand, Think Board, 53Paper, and Photomath Found!