Driving - Tip #3 The Phone

Geez, this is a tough one for me because I'm so guilty of it. That's right, I'm claiming to be one of the idiots I'm trying to help. Even though I spend 90% of my week in the car, that is NO excuse to text, check email, check facebook and make phone calls while driving.

Tip #3 - Put it down

Oprah recently started a campaign to keep phones out of the car. Kind of like the rule "no phones at the dinner table" we should also bring that to our cars. I have avoided signing on to her campaign because it is really difficult for me to put my phone down. I don't want to miss a sale, or even worse, have a client be pissed because their schedule didn't start when originally scheduled.

And when my pretty iPhone dings, blings and rings, I can't help but look. Someone needs me, and that feels good.

How many of you are guilty of this? So here is what I propose. Put it down. I am going to put it out there today, right now, holding myself liable. Because a text isn't worth it if I can't even read it because I'm dead. Or even worse, if you hit my car with me, my husband and my little Emily because of a phone. So here goes....I am going to sign Oprah's No Texting Campaign. Will you?

The Theatre - Tip #2 Cell Phones

This tip actually applies to more places than just the theatre, and actually, it is this tip that got my husband and I talking about how I needed to start this blog in the first place. This one really amazes me, especially since cell phones have been around for umpteen years.

Tip #2 - Cell Phones

Okay, here it is, every time you go to the theatre, some booming voice comes over the sound system and tells you to turn off your cell phones, pagers and anything else that makes noise and to also open your candies, cough drops and wrapped goodies now so it doesn't disturb those around you during the show.

This is what happens: no body does anything.

This is the result: a cell phone, pager or other beeping device ALWAYS goes off and there is always some prick sitting in the orchestra section who needs to text at all times of the day.

So here are my cell phone tips.

• I get that you don't want to turn it off (I never do, GASP!!). I turn my phone to silent. I place my phone face down in my purse, so if someone does try to contact me, the bright light on my lovely iPhone does not shine like a beacon or second spot light. iPhone users - flip that little switch on the upper left of your phone so the red dot is showing. Old flip phone users, hold down the # key (in most models this works). For all others, please google "turning my phone to silent" and follow the directions.

• The volume buttons (up or down) on the side of your phone do quite a bit more than help you control the sound.

If someone is calling and you don't want to answer, but you don't want it to go straight to voice mail, hit the up or down volume button. This stops the ringing or buzzing and the chance of the person next to you from hitting you in the face (make sure I'm not standing near by).

If you have one of those phones who's vibrate is more like an earthquake or extremely loud hummmmm, push the volume button and voila, no more silent train.

• Don't text during the performance. Make it known to the world that revolves around you that you will be out of commission for Act I. Feel free to catch up during Intermission, but put that thing back down during Act II (please see first bullet as to how to put down correctly)

• Video or picture taking. I'm not going to tell you to do this because it is totally wrong, however I help promote it by going to Youtube.com and watching Idina Menzel as Elphaba or my great friend Mara Davi perform in her next big gig. However, if this is something that you have no conscience about, then please note: DO NOT USE FLASH! Ugh, the only people who use flash are asses who have no idea what it is like to be on stage, so please understand that when they say "flash photography not permitted" its not because they just want to be mean, it's for the safety of the performers on the stage that you paid money to see.

Questions comments or concerns? I can't wait to hear what you have to say.