The Lewis Show

From the Mailbag

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:18:00 PST

I don't really have a mailbag, but I've made it very easy for people that want to ask me questions to do so. My email is located on top of my blog. I even have a voice mail tab over on the right sidebar. That goes to my Google Voice mail which is connected directly to me. You'll see how below.

From Twitter, @snerk asks: @mlewis106 I have an android phone coming either tomorrow or thurs. what apps do you recommend? (by the way, follow snerk on Twitter)

First of all, congrats on getting an Android phone and joining this now massive hoard of people that like having an open platform for their phone and a great community of enthusiasts online. (I also asked, he's getting a CLIQ, I've pictured it.)

That's a very nice phone! The CLIQ is made for 'social network' minded people. The integration with Motorola's BLUR platform is very neat and I'm jealous that I don't have it on my phone. Be that as it may, to best answer this question is for me to list a few apps that are worth the price, or even better, are free.

I've already sort of mentioned the Google Voice app above. Google Voice gives a user a phone number. When one gives that number to friends or family and they call, it's then forwarded as needed. So when my Mom, Dad or Janine calls, everything rings, when Unavailable calls, it goes straight to voice mail.

Voice allows me to see my messages via transcription if I do miss a call. Now their transcription isn't the best in the world, they mess up a lot of words, but I get the gist of the message and it saves me from always having to call my voice mail to hear my messages.

What makes it a winner on my phone is that it completely takes over having to use T Mobile's voice mail and allows me to carry over anything done on Voice to my desktop. I also don't have a texting plan, but with Google Voice, I can send SMS's like all the cool kids do! So that is my first and above all must app for Android if you are willing to tell everyone that new number.

Along with Google Voice, I recommend checking out the rest of Google's own developed applications. I use Google Listen for podcasts, Google Shopping, Translation, Goggles, and Sky Map. They don't have an app for Tasks yet, but I use gTasks which syncs up with my Tasks list on my desktop and that works to remind me to run certain errands or makes shopping lists. These all complement well with the stock application such as Gmail, Maps, and Calender.

If you've gotten this far you're probably thinking, gosh he loves Google. Eh, I just like having everything that we do in the cloud in one place. It does me no good to have this stuff all over the internet, it's exhausting enough as it is. With the question at hand though, I'd have to know specifically what personal likes and dislikes are. My Android phone keeps all of this together for me in ways that I'm still trying to grasp.

I don't have many paid apps, but there are a couple of value that I decided to invest in. The three that I have and enjoy more than anything are Beautiful Widgets, Pure Calender, and Twidroid Pro. All three of these are or use widgets on my phone which puts this platform on a huge advantage of the very plain, sleepy design of the iPhone. The CLIQ runs a lot of great stock widgets too. So the key is to find out what's missing, and I think these paid applications fill that void.

Pure Calender syncs up with Google Calender and allows me to dedicate some screen real estate to show me my calender daily. Beautiful Widgets gives me a fully customizable clock, weather forecast, and access to a few other toggle widgets for my phone. Twidroid Pro is my preferred Twitter client. It has more functionality on it than any other Android Twitter app that I'm yet to run across. There are several nice alternatives out there, but this one has been the best so far.

There are a few games that are worthwhile, but most game developing has been swallowed up by the iPhone. I do enjoy Robo Defense, Bonsai Blast, and Frozen Bubble. Honestly though, after a few minutes playing Android games, you're going to want to install any Linux distro on your desktop at home and play their stock games. In time, developers will come around, but for right now, I'm yet to find anything worth playing.

For music, the stock music application is dull but practical. Being huge fans of Last FM and Pandora, I prefer using their apps to bring me music rather than filling my SD card with songs. Stream Furious is a great way to stream local channels, and Iheartradio is handy as well for those that still find room in their hearts to listen to over the air radio still, there are times....occasionally.

Of course just about all of the location based apps are on Android. Foursquare, Brightkite, and now Gowalla has an application (in beta). They're more basic than their iPhone sisters, but they work just as well and have good functionality. I never thought I'd be mayor of anything until I tried those apps. Now I'm the mayor of my local Lowe's, Mall, and Target!

I can post and post and post and post about great Android apps, but it's up to the user to determine how he wants to interact with his or her smart phone. If you're using Android, feel free to tell me what apps I forgot in the comments. I know I've forgotten several!

Around and Around

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 16:45:00 PST

Now that the blizzards are over, it's time for a picture post.

We've been busy. A fresh coat of paint makes everything new!

Janine even modded a bookshelf into an entertainment center.

The living room even has crown molding now. We're very happy with it.

Baltimore Freak Out Forecast

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 12:58:00 PST

EMBED-Meteorologist Freaks Out Over Blizzard - Watch more free videos

My brother has a much cooler meteorologist than I do. This weather has us all on the brink of panic, much like this guy's over dramatization of it.

Super Bowl Pick 2010

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 08:11:00 PST

I ask the oldest, and wisest of the house cats every year which team will prevail in the Super Bowl. Topaz, despite said age and wisdom has gotten the prediction wrong every year. OK, it's really me that's gotten it wrong every year. But true to form I asked her again to take the fall for me.

When asking which team would win this year she meowed for the Saints. Granted, she probably just wanted more milk, but I'll call that her prediction. Sorry, Saints fans, looks like the Colts will be winning another Super Bowl this year. Either way, I'm hoping for a fun game. We'll be hanging out at Kelly and Jeff's (mostly to see their new digs).

Be safe out there, cops will be everywhere, so no drinkey drivey!

More Snow, Great

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:48:00 PST

Blah blah blah snow. Blah blah blah more snow. Blah.

Holy Snow, Batman

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:04:00 PST

A quick look at the satellite tells me that we are due for nearly a foot of snow in the Richmond area this weekend. Guess it's time to prepare for the end of things.

The South is unique when it comes to preparation for this cataclysmic event. My Northern readers have all been slowed down by snow, but never completely shut down by the white stuff. In fact, most are lucky to miss a morning's activities with rarely a cancellation of school, work, church, or other social events. These Northern readers also find how we deal with the four letter S word to be completely humorous.

At the first mention of snow, people begin to stock up with milk and bread in fear of this apocalyptic frozen precipitation. Why milk and bread? I've always wondered that. I can understand the need for bread, but if one loses power for a week, water may last longer in that refrigerator. The dairy industry thanks you, I guess.

Many buy (I prefer the word waste) at least a week's worth of extra supplies in case they are trapped for days, much like the preparation one would take before being struck by a nuclear attack. I find that funny especially when during the height of the storm and cleanup, those same people are found outside, wandering these so called undriveable streets looking for a place to eat.

It really should be said that we should all have emergency supplies for any event, not just a blanket of snow. I'm sad to even say that would even have to be said, but it does.

Oh, Virginia, the four letter S word has you in it's grip. I would think as I check this forecast it's pretty safe to close schools on Monday too. Maybe to be safe we should also just close them on Tuesday as well. There's no way 48 hours is enough time to clear the roads, it will be too slick from all the people that were out wandering around on the roads looking for something to eat despite being stocked up for an entire season of bad weather for this one small weather event.

May my days be long on this earth to continue to mock this sad sad behavior because it merits it. Yes, it merits it. My tune only changes when it snows like this during the week!

Time for Charity

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 14:51:00 PST

We've all seen the devastation in Haiti which is still reeling from a massive earthquake earlier this month. The loss of life has been unimaginable and the lack of basic needs for the survivors is still an urgent priority.

There are several charities that are helping the people and infrastructure in Haiti, but with any crisis, I always suggest people to donate through the Red Cross. They have means through their website and even by texting now to donate and help out.

Regardless, help out anyway you can. We are reminded in this time to help our neighbors out whether they live down the road, on the other side of the country, and even small decimated islands in the Caribbean.

Death Metal Rooster

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 15:26:00 PST

Rock a Doodle Do!

2010 A Mike Oddessy

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 10:57:00 PST

The new year greeted us last week with a dusting of snow.

Meanwhile, we're still waiting for the glaciers created by snow plows to melt away.

So until it warms up, I'll be perfecting my tequila lime chicken recipe.

While helping Janine with our house projects. (our awesome new lamp)

Last Pick of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 12:32:00 PST

I couldn't close out the year without one more plug. I know I haven't waxed nostaligic this year either, but that's because this year has gone too fast and it won't sink in that this year much less this decade is already gone.

So I leave 2009 with Anti Duck Face. You probably already know what duckface is. It usually involves orange girls around the NJ Turnpike, but it's spreading like a bad rash.

As we go into a new year, I can only ask us all this one favor. Stop making that stupid, stupid, STUPID face. Happy New Years everyone!

Worst Customer Service 2009 - Richmond, VA

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:22:00 PST

I have done some quick best of posts, now for a worst of post. This relates to my customer service posts recently as well.

Here's a short list of local establishments that have rude customer service:

Ukrops - Across from Va Center Commons. One of their managers finds no problem of wrongly accusing someone of writing bad checks. Is it any wonder Ukrops will be no more? They did themselves in. I would consider shopping there again when the management at that store offers an apology for falsely accusing someone dear to me of wrongdoing. It would just be more the same at Giant or whatever they will become.
Sears Outlet - Despite every attempt of regional managers trying to make things right with me, I will never do business there again. The manager at the store would not even give me his name when I needed to address a serious problem with my lawnmower. Until he apologizes to me personally, I recommend no one shop at that store. Other Sears stores are fine, but I've been wronged by that outlet and their manager needs to be reminded daily what a rude sorry excuse for a man he really is.
Applebee's - I'm yet to have a decent experience at any store in Richmond. I don't even want an apology. I feel stupid enough for eating at their establishments in the first place. Their reputation of sorry service will continue to proceed them. It's a shame too.
Kroger - Brook Road. Today. Cashier declared loudly that she was working the 15 item aisle. I purchased 16 items, and it even states that on the receipt. I've already filed three high level complaints with the regional manager of that store and await to see if they own up to their rude and bigoted cashier.

So the biggest losers this year goes to most anyone working customer service in Richmond, Virginia. I don't even have any reservations of saying most people either. This has become a rude town. I honestly have always dealt with people here who act as if they would rather stab out their own eyes than provide me a service they get paid to preform. It's rare and almost a cause for celebration anytime we do get decent service around here. I can't even count the times on one hand I've received decent service, and as a life long customer service rep, I notice!

So, to the lady that works 3rd shift at the WalMart on Brook Road. Thank you. You are a rare phenomenon in this town indeed. Again, I say thank you.

It's not all bad, but come on, Richmond, try to be nice. And be aware because now I'm going to make the life of any rude customer service rep in town a walking hell. I'm going to talk to managers, then their managers and then their managers. I'm going to use the leverage I have in social media. I will blog, I will mention names, I'll even take their pictures.

I'm going to encourage others in town to use their leverage as well. If you don't want to work and deal with people, fine, the sanitation industry is for you. If you don't have a choice, don't make that my problem, just ring me up and shut the hell up.

Richmond, you lose. I'm not asking that you even pretend to be happy to see me, but check your sorry attitude at the door.

Happy Jolly Merry

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 19:13:00 PST

I wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Merry Christmas.

Despite the stress and extra travel, it's good to take hold of some good and simple traditions. I always enjoy simple things like catching The Christmas Story, or tearing into one of those tins of popcorn. You know, the tin that serves up some buttered, cheese, and caramel popcorn. I know Janine and I will start new traditions, but without that routine, I've found it's very hard to get enjoyment out of the season.

I'll be spending next week trying to find out what happened over the last ten years. That was a fast decade! I'm hoping the solution can be found in fruitcake. Or fudge.

Customer Service Vay Ner Style

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:03:00 PST

(language warning, my readers can handle it though) I was very inspired by Gary's talk at Le Web in Paris recently. He focuses on customer service, word of mouth, touch, and dedication to customers. I agree that this is a wake up call to companies to focus and sweat to maintain a relationship with their customers. Most of his talk encourages all of us too to put some elbow grease into the things that we're passionate about and in the end get more enjoyment out of life.

Best of 2009 - Pics

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:01:00 PST

I went through my Flickr uploads for this year. This one stands out among the others. This year marks the time when Mike finally got it right.

One Ring

Best of 2009 - Commercials

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:24:00 PST

Several posts are going to be dedicated to random highlights of this past year. They will be short sweet and worth the time, I promise.

I start with my pick for commercial of the year. Heineken's walk in closet ad.

Phone Menu Angst

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:39:00 PST

I wanted to touch on another topic in my customer service series. Time time I'm directing my attention to companies.

Recently a company and major partner changed their phone menus to a complete voice activated system. Many of you have experienced these new phone prompts that do not involve pushing a button for an option, but forces you to speak your option. Those spoken options teach the phone menu the direction for your call and on paper are supposed to get you to the right place.

I understand the need for this process. Especially in companies that have a department for everything, nothing can be more frustrating than sitting on hold for a long time just to end up in the wrong department. It's just not so easy to hit a button and be in the right place, I understand the need to specify departments, just so that's known.

Companies are convinced this is something that will benefit customers and it's something that customers want. I don't know where they're getting this information. I've been vocal (pardon the pun) about these voice systems. I can't stand them. I even will polish off the word hate, and I really try not to hate anything, to voice (again with the puns) my poor opinion on these systems.

I went out to Twitter to poll my friends asking if they liked or disliked phone systems. I got a universal and expected response. My surprise came at the strong dislike for voice prompts that came back from this informal and non scientific survey:

What I hate is the voice operated menus that make you give them info only to have an operator ask again for the same info later..
I hate them with the heat of a thousand, fiery suns.
Like menus when: 1. < 3 questions, 2. < 30 secs, 3. reduces the transfer-to-other-dept to 0.
i hesitate to admit this since i used to design them, but i do dislike voice operated phone menus.
I hate it but I see the need for such a thing.
I'd rather push buttons and be understood the first time than have to repeat myself.
I really really really don't like them. They don't understand me half the time and the confirmation prompts are annoying.
dislike! They're a nusance and yet another way this world has turned away from great customer service.
Real people please! I'd pay more for a service if they promised to employee people who actually answered the phone when I called.
I usually just hit 0 until I get a customer service rep
I see you've failed to list "absolutely hate" on the list. I don't speak garbled(ly?), but they never understand me.

So there's an understanding from some about the need for phone menus, but a very strong dislike for having to deal with them on a needed basis. So what are my thoughts? I have a few and companies need to hear these thoughts because I am very obviously echoed by many.

I do not like to use voice prompts at all. I much prefer to be able to push buttons not because I'm used to such a system, but because it does not involve talking to an inanimate object. I'm not talking verbally to a person, I'm speaking to a recording. I feel very much uncomfortable speaking out loud basically to myself.

So not only do I feel uneasy about speaking to the air, but I'm quickly annoyed by repeating myself. It happens on every call and my patience for repeating myself is already very low. It's almost intolerable to repeat myself to a dumb recording. I, like many begin to curse and speak gibberish on purpose just to finally hear the recording pass me on to a live person.

So let this be my plea and let it be heard by companies that use this stupid menu system or companies that are thinking about implementing one. Stop. Now.

I will go elsewhere. I promise. I have a feeling I'm not alone too.

Winter Blah Blah Land

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:34:00 PST

Probably not the best weekend to get buried in global warming glitter, but it's still pretty.

Festive too!

Desired Sponsor

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:00:00 PST

It was unanimous, we found a product we can support here at The Lewis Show. Hold on to your...hats.

Christmas Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 15:46:00 PST

No one's really feeling that spirit this year. Then again, I can't remember the last time anyone really felt anything exciting about this time of year. There's no pressure to be festive, but it takes such little effort not to be a total scrooge and wet blanket. Super little. Who knows, getting over yourselves for a couple weeks might become contagious and you might get five minutes of Christmas spirit this year.

So while we're getting over ourselves, enjoy a video. Do Muppets have more holiday cheer than we do? Obviously!

New Again?

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 15:40:00 PST

As we all know last week at this time I was in the hospital. Since my release, I seem to have re-discovered some of the simpler joys in life. Here's some I've run into recently or hope to re encounter again soon:

Turning up the radio and singing that crappy Lit or Blink 182 song that's always playing.
Smiling at people for no particular reason.
Laughing at memories.
Planning on making new memories.
Learning and telling jokes.
Long distance sock sliding.
Jazz hands.
Headbanging to classic Testament.
Reconnecting with KoRn.
Belching. Really belching.
Admitting fault.
Cheering for the Packers!
Cooking.
Driving below the speed limit. Below. Yes, below.
Crayons.
Sleeping in.
Laughing hysterically at the news.
Air drums.
Doing the "WHAAAAAAT'S UUUUUP?" thing with my brother on the phone.
Trying to out geek my Dad (which has become darn near impossible).
Extra long hugs with my girl (love you, Janine).

Remember the simple stuff, kids. Life is so wonderful, but so short. I know I say it a million times. Part of me recommends almost near to a near death experience so people can reconnect too. It really shouldn't have to come to that though. Maybe a gentle nudge from someone who did fearlessly stare into the eyes of death and scoffed.

If you find that person, let me know.

It Only Hurts When I Laugh

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:44:00 PST

Needless to say, this made me hurt quite a bit.

Classic hat tip to Ben and Kristopher at Facebook for posting this.

What I Learned This Weekend

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 12:36:00 PST

In random format:

Hospital food still tastes terrible.
The gallbladder is a small non vital organ that stores bile.
Removing said non vital organ is a pain.
Removing said non vital organ suddenly without warning is more painful.
Vicodin helps with the pain.
Janine is a godsend.
I'm fortunate to have such a loving family and good friends.
I am mortal.
I will make better use of the time I have.

So Saturday morning I woke up with what I thought was some crazy gas pain. I tried to treat that with the usual measures, but that only made me nauseous. As the pain continued to get worse, I finally let Janine take me to Patient First to get checked out. After all, I was just anticipating some kind of shot for gas or something...

Once I got to the doctor, and after a quick poke of my stomach, he immediately knew I needed to get checked into a hospital right away and get my gall bladder scanned. So I checked into the hospital and sure enough after a cat scan, I had an enlarged gall bladder that needed to go right away.

The rest is kind of hazy, I just mostly remember going to bed that night, prepping for surgery, and waking up with a really sore throat. I can remember being in pretty rough shape and having Janine there the whole time. I kept thinking this whole time that it's not fair to her if I don't start taking care of myself. I owe her many years as I can give her.

And I will pay up.

I got home this afternoon. Now to recover from my first surgery since my appendix was removed some 25 years ago. Hopefully that fulfills my surgery quota for one lifetime.

Thankitude

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 08:07:00 PST

It's funny, in a way. I look back through my blog and my social networks and I've only really posted once about Thanksgiving. It's not that I'm an ungrateful sap, I just fear that one burns out on saying thanks. One would be very, very wrong. No pie for Mike.

I only have one thought for everyone today, but most of all I direct this at me. Out of everyone it seems that I am the most hardheaded of them all. Gratitude and thankfulness is not just an expression, it's an attitude. Sometimes a simple thank you can mean the world to someone, but following through with continued praise and positivity can change lives. It can change communities, it can change the world we live in. One active thank you at a time. Let's put aside an ounce of selfishness and take on an ounce of charity. It can make a difference.

Let's not just say thank you for now on, let's be that thank you.

Enjoy your feast, count your blessings, love one another, and go Packers!

Yeah, Nerd Alert

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:04:00 PST

Between the leaf blowing and the house cleaning and the Super Mario Wii (which is awesome, you should get it), I've been playing with the new Google OS.

Here's a screenshot of me running it on a virtual machine:

And here's a video from Google explaining the need for a new direction in operating systems:

Very thoughtful and worth the watch; plus you can kind of feel the direction of computing going more and more into the cloud and virtual space.

Happy Pick of the Week

noreply@blogger.com (The Lewis Show) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:17:00 PST

With everything being so dreary this week as Ida slowly makes her way across the east coast, I figured my pick this week for a picture blog that always gives me the warm fuzzies anytime there's a new post.

My Milk Toof was created by Inhae Lee and features the adventures of two teeth (it's not as weird as it sounds) named ickle and Lardee. It's become a very popular blog and now these two famous molars have a book out which has already sold out of it's first publication. This just goes to show you can find success in the strangest places.

Or maybe the tooth fairy does exist.

This is a fun and sweet distraction from the every day and that is why this is my pick of the week.