apple – Mitchell's thoughts, photos, etc.

Nothing Works

Does Old School Still Work and Do We Want It to Continue?

We have apps and online platforms for everything. I love them. They are helpful and make many things easier. Is that always the case? Absolutely not. Time and time again, these extraordinary technical advances slow me down.

A few weeks ago, I tried to order deli sandwiches for delivery to my grandmother’s house for our traditional Chanukah celebration. The app wouldn’t let me pre-order more than a day in advance. It wouldn’t let me pick a delivery window. Funny thing is a week before it let me do exactly what I wanted. I had to cancel when she got sick. A year ago, I sat in her place and tried to do pretty much the same order. The wi-fi wasn’t working well.

Did I give up? No, I went old school. Both times I called the deli; I got a delivery or pickup window within 5 minutes. Years ago, she was able to travel to my place. The family came to me. I used to walk down the block to the deli and sit with the manager for 2 minutes. He scribbled what I needed on an order slip, took my credit card, thanked me, and gave me a hot dog. The deli’s manager called to confirm a day before the delivery. Unfortunately, that store closed. I carried on. I emailed a store a little further away. They called me to confirm and double-check everything. Like the other place, the day before, they called and confirmed. In all instances, the proper order arrived as planned.

A month ago, I ordered my favorite Dead Sea skin care products from the site that I have been using for over a decade. I am still waiting for it to arrive. The stuff usually arrived two or three days after I ordered. They’ve had my address since day one. I followed up. They told me the shipper returned it because the address was insufficient. They asked me to resend it. At one point, they had a simpler online ordering system. These days, it seems to go through who knows what? I am hopeful my products arrive soon.

A few weeks ago, my network-attached storage (NAS) drive died. I worked with the maker’s customer care department. They were helpful. They said I needed a new one. I suspected this and was only moderately upset. I knew the device was over eleven years old. It had a good run. I ordered the upgraded device. I asked how to transfer my data to the new one.

Customer care said to turn on the old one and do a data transfer. They had noted in the notes that the old device did not turn on. It flatlined. It was as dead as could be. They sent several more emails insisting that I need to connect the defunct NAS drive to the new one. Per their notes, the old NAS was done. I repeatedly sent back their notes. I called a data recovery service. They said drop off the old drives, and we should be able to recover everything and send it back on an external storage drive. I did that and, as advised, bought new drives.

I got the new drives and connected them to my MacBook. I had a few issues. I reached out to customer care. They told how to set it up on a Windows-based PC. The process is different for Apple. They had in their notes, that I was using a Mac.

The data recovery service emailed to let me know they recovered everything and that they are shipping the external drive so I can connect it to my computer and transfer the data. They shipped it with a PC-based cable. I emailed and they said we told shipping it needed to send a Mac cable. They said they’d mail the right one immediately. A week later, I emailed to see where it was. They forgot to send it. It arrived, and of course, the device would not power up. I tried connecting it to multiple electrical outlets. Nothing. I told them exactly what I did. Their advice was to try to connect to various electrical outlets. I finally got it through their heads that it did not work. They asked me to send it back and ship a new device. They claimed they tested the original. The power on it wasn’t working. The new one came, and all was well.

I could go on for hundreds of pages about situations like this, whether in finance, retail, or other tech products. Don’t get me started on when your internet or TV service goes down.

I miss the old days when it was simpler, you spoke to a human and got clearly written emails. I have been working to fix a few issues with bots. I’d give them a C grade. As we try to make things easier, we must remember that keeping it simple creates loyalty and repeat business.

New York, New York, or the Middle of the Desert

You can be Isolated and in the Midst of It All – Get the Balance Right

By Mitchell Slepian

World’s Fair Globe, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park

No, I am not writing about Ol’ Blue Eyes. Or quoting from Depeche Mode. (But I do want to hear his version of “New York, New York” played after every game at Yankee Stadium during 2026). The Big Apple is one of the world’s most photogenic cities. Yes, there are plenty of others, for example, Belfast, Jerusalem, Moscow, Milan, Reykjavik and Tel Aviv. What I love about New York City is that nowhere else can you find Broadway, the Brooklyn Bridge, Coney Island, the East and Hudson Rivers, the Staten Island Ferry, Yankee Stadium, and the World’s Fair Globe. And more. Much more.

Cell Tower Outside Brooklyn Botanic Garden

New York offers places where you can feel the big-city madness. Or areas where you can feel the quiet and almost feel isolation. When I say isolation, I do not mean the Joy Division tune. I am thinking about being at the Brooklyn (BBG) or New York Botanic Gardens, William H. Pouch Scout Camp, or just being in your own world while cruising along Museum Mile. NYC offers isolation and madness.

The joy of being in the “isolation”(Joy Division was running through my head) of NYC, or let’s be honest, any other major city, is the things that pop up on your travels. As I was walking through the Fall Harbor Fest at BBG, I looked up and saw a cell tower. A few feet away, I watched a squirrel around some dying flowers. It’s that time of year. Next to the flowers was a trash can. I remember seeing cell towers driving through Death Valley and along the Italian lakes.

Let’s face they are everywhere. We cannot survive without our Wi-Fi. In many ways, seeing them and the trash cans keeps it in perspective. You can enjoy your isolation or privacy. But know you are when you are in the middle of beautiful gardens or national parks and communing with nature, you can easily text your friends, check the baseball scores, or listen to Depeche Mode on Apple Music on your iPhone. And toss out your trash. NYC provides the perfect place to do it all. It’s just important to remember to stay balanced in your adventures and take it all in.

The Drop on the Cyclone, Luna Park, Brooklyn, NY

Set Up Time: 15 Minutes After Taking Out of Box

Yeah Right

How often have we seen the ad on Amazon or elsewhere for a product that says, “Easy Set Up. 15 Minutes or Less Right Out-of-the-Box?” How many times has that been the case for you?

Let’s see. It usually takes about 10 minutes to get a new monitor, fan, printer, lens, etc. out of the box. I respect that e-tailers try to pack merchandise carefully. No one wants a scratched lens or monitor. We’ve all received products ordered online that came damaged. The same can be said for products we purchased in the store and threw in the back of our cars or shlepped home on the subway.

My New Printer

About two weeks ago, my new HP printer arrived from Amazon. It replaced an HP printer I had for over a decade. It has the standard Wi-Fi or USB connection. After yanking it out of the box, I tried to do the Wi-Fi connection. I had the same problem its predecessor had. It tried to connect. But didn’t fully want to join. Thankfully, I plugged the USB cable in, and it worked. It prints fine. Did it take fifteen minutes? Hell no.

Monitors

For the record, I miss the Apple Thunderbolt monitors. I beg Apple to bring them back. Yes, BenQ makes a nice monitor. I had one for years. Dell makes an okay monitor. But it does not sync well with Apple. Anyway, both monitors are fantastic when they work correctly. BenQ rarely had issues. Dell always does. The graphics look great. But sometimes, the device doesn’t accept the updates as quickly as it should. I have Dell laptop for my job. I do not like it. It should take five minutes to connect the stand to the monitor. If only that were the case.

Photography Equipment and Speakers

Fortunately, I get Nikon equipment and Bluetooth speakers for my TV or MacBook from B&H. First, that store is the best. The prices are great, and the customer service leagues above other retailers. The lenses and filters are easy to remove from the box and connect to my camera. The speakers, whether they be Sony or Bose immediately recognize the Bluetooth connect instantly and U2 or the Yankees sound and/or look great over Apple Music or the YES network.

The bottom line is, don’t say it is a quick set-up—it never is. Talk about how great you will feel once your new toy is put together.

Marc and Alana at Times Square

While Kari was weeping on a bench at Hudson River Park, Marc and Alana emerged from Times Square Station. Marc got Alana front one orchestra seats for Sweeney Todd. The two weren’t sure where they’d go for dinner after. They weren’t sure if they would go anywhere.

They probably had the relationship Kari dreamed of. They treated each other to things. They liked the same music. Marc was obsessed with the Yankees. Alana could care less about sports. She did favor the Yankees and occasionally accompanied Marc to the Stadium. Of course, they stopped in Stan’s pregame for a couple of Yankee Pilsners and excellent company and music.

Jay was still sitting there. Kari decided she had enough and got up and walked back toward Times Square. Kari knew she would probably meet Jay for another exciting date in a day or so. She wondered which bench he would choose to meet her at. Oh well.

Marc and Alana went into the theater and began the show. The curtain closed, and happy theatergoers exited. Alana and Marc headed toward the east side to a bar for beer. As they walked, they noticed a group of people hanging around. They looked distressed. Marc and Alana looked at each other. They decided they would see what was happening and if they could help.

They saw a crazy lady screaming and throwing things. The two looked at each other. They whispered this is sadly part of the norm in NYC now. They assessed the situation. Marc and Alana didn’t want anyone to get hurt. Of course, they also wanted their Sierra Nevada Pale Ale or Stella Artois. They decided to handle this quickly. Alana shot some apples from a slight distance out of her eyes while Marc set a few pomegranates in flight. All were a direct hit at the woman, causing the ruckus. She went down. The crowd drifted away, and the two lovebirds continued to the bar and got their beer.

Technology On Vacation – Love It or Leave It?

This topic has been discussed before. I may add a new twist. Perhaps not. Hopefully, we all go on enjoyable vacations.

I’ve been to Israel, Ireland, Italy, and Iceland. You can see I like “I” countries. Toss in Austria, Czech Republic, England, Hungary, Germany, Russia, Spain, and a few islands. Most of the time, I travel solo. Last year, I went to Israel with my mom—her first time. I was the tour guide.

The first solo trip I took was to Aruba. As far as technology, I had my office’s BlackBerry. Remember those? The iPhone wasn’t invented yet. I only had a US connection. So, if I wanted to reach out to people at home in the States, I needed to go to hotel’s business center. I only went to it to check in for my return flight. It was great. I hung out on the beach, did a few dive trips, and sipped rum. I had no contact with the outside world. The only thing I ever really wanted to know was the Yankee scores. During my early travel days, they were winning it all. Please note I always blocked out October on my calendar to be home to watch post-season games at the Stadium or home.

I went to Italy with my mom and sister. I talk to my mom most. My sister, that’s another story. But she’s great. I had my trusted BlackBerry with only a US connection. In those days, international connections were pricey, and my office probably would not allow it. I went to Spain with mom. The bank in Barcelona ate her debit card. We needed to call the bank. Somehow, we got through. Other than that, we made no calls, texts, etc. It was a more civil time – social media just started, and people were not yet adapting.

Jump to Russia. I asked my boss if I could have an international connection. He said yes. They were worried about me being in Moscow. It is beautiful. The food sucked. I contacted no one.

Usually, when I travel, I make a small travel kit. I include my itinerary, receipts of all pre-paid fees and my flight information. When I went to Iceland, I made this kit. However, I forgot to include the flight information. So, I logged into my email account at the hotel’s business center and found it. Of course, I saw dozens of emails. I was dumb enough to open them and respond. That’s when it started. If I had my proper travel kit, I just would have gone to the airline’s website and checked in. That’s what I usually do. Once, when I was in Israel, I saw my email or Facebook account when I was checking into my return El Al flight. I was pleased when I had a message and friend request from someone. We chatted for a few minutes.

As my travels continued, I had my iPhone, and the international fees were reasonable. Add in WhatsApp and you could text and call at no cost. With my mom in Israel, we used it to keep in touch. We had plenty of time together. Thankfully, we had plenty of time to be independent. My mom had to call her elderly mom a few times. We used technology correctly. It was used when needed. I did similar on other trips to the Holy Land. I only used to make a few calls or texts to people I was meeting for dinner.

Of course, currently, social media is in full use by all. Sad. I took a few shots with my iPhone. I took most with my Nikon and had to wait for any posts until I got home and Photoshopped. I never post to any accounts while I am away. I’d rather stay quiet.

I spent my recent birthday in Ireland. Many called and texted to send birthday wishes. I thanked all. I got tons of greetings on social media. Like all places, I took a few iPhone shots. I sent those around via the various apps to my friends and family. I still checked the Yankees scores. It made no difference what they did. Friends were sending messages making fun of how poorly we were playing. I sat in Peadar O’Donnell’s, Derry, UK and sipped Smithwick’s or Baileys Irish Cream and heard great music. Using my iPhone; I was recapping my adventures with friends. I did similar at other pubs and other spots in Ireland.

I am exploring going to the safari in South Africa. If I go, I will have my 600mm zoom lens to take shots of Simba, Dumbo, and most importantly, giraffes. Will I chat and call friends and family? I don’t know. I would guess, probably, while simultaneously sending them a few snapshots. My phone won’t take the best images of the giraffes and lions. But a tease is ok.

Do I love technology on vacations? Or do I dream of the days when I had no connection to the outside world and just lived in the location I was touring? I do not know.

Alana to the rescue

Jake was sifting through Jen’s phone. He couldn’t believe he had to call his wife’s ex to save her. However, the circumstances were unusual. He texted Marc. No answer. He was being pelted with prunes, raisins and apricots. Many landed on Jen’s tummy. Hospital security was knocked out by the dried fruit.

All of a sudden, Alana and Tzipora were walking by. Alana met Tzipora at the hospital to go over Tzipora’s wedding. Eran and she were going to wed. Every now and then Tzipora still convinced Alana to jump into bed.

They heard people screaming. Tzipora said the yells were probably an accident victim. Alana didn’t think so. She heard these screams before. They were different. She saw Anat attacking Jen. Jake was down for the count. Alana looked at Tzipora and smiled.

“Anat leave her alone. Let bygones be bygones. We were all messed up when we were young.”

Anat sneered. “I’d love to. But I can’t. She should know what it felt like.”

Alana had enough. She unleashed red wine. It splattered all over Anat. She hit her right in the eyes. Some went up her nose. Funny thing is it didn’t do anything to remove her dirt. It just caked on. But it did slow her down.

Jen was raced into the delivery room. Jake followed. His box of cigars was destroyed. But he could care less.

Anat got up and pelted Alana with cannonball sized raisins. Alana ducked. This time with Anat, she was clearly in control. She sprayed Anat again and again. White and red.

Anat jumped back. She started to walk away. But Alana unleashed her full arsenal. She hadn’t fought with apples and figs for a while. But knew you can’t count Anat out. Alana was going for the kill.

All of a sudden all stopped to the sound of a babies’ first cry.

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