Several weeks ago on the day the iPad was announced, we (dalnet’s #coldfusion IRC channel) had a lively little discussion about it’s name and why a lot of us thought it was ridiculous. The alignment with other pads out there of the non-tech type and the jokes that would be made, were just too silly. How could Apple do that? Were there no females in that meeting the day they discussed potential product names?

One of the dissenters said, to paraphrase, that no, it was a good choice. That Apple did right by not just releasing another “tablet named” device, that the name made sense. OK. Whatever.

No, I’m sorry, but after all these weeks have passed, I still believe it’s a stupid name, and it will forever conjure up images of feminine hygiene for me. And apparently, those images haunted someone’s dreams, because lo and behold, we now have the first iMaxi. With Wings. <sigh>

From the creator’s mouth (er, website) to our ears:

“Introducing Hip Handmaids’ exclusive iMaxi—the only Apple iPad case made with protective wings! With its durable vinyl outer layer and plush, quilted-cotton sleeve, the iMaxi helps keep your iPad clean and dry. Plus, the iMaxi’s Velcro-latched, advanced wing design wraps snugly around your device, so your iPad always stays where it should.”

I have to admit, if they were going for this connection from the beginning, to add humor and a constant laugh track to be aligned with a several hundred dollar purchase, then kudos to Apple. They pulled it off nicely. I’m just glad the name didn’t rhyme with tampon.

I don’t have a lot to say today, because I’m going to let Danny Brown say it all. He posted a great ebook on his blog today about “simple” and some examples of where thinking, being, living, leading, being “simple” is better. I loved it. I hope you do too.

Danny Brown:

“Sometimes, as marketers and/or business owners, we over-complicate matters and offer so many facts on ideas and products that none of them stick. Sometimes, the simplest of ideas work.

This ebook is a collection of simple ideas that may work for you. Enjoy.”

Why Simple Works by Danny Brown

“There’s nothing like a Monday morning. A new day, looking forward to a new week. A week in which everyday you can be thankful to experience life and the opportunity to live and be the best you can. Aspire to be positive, accomplish your goals, and spread good cheer to make someone else’s day just as bright!” – Erika L Walker Rich

I didn’t think I’d hear any more “pants” stories after the hubbub of General Larry Platt’s ditty from American Idol’s Season 9, “Pants on the Ground”, but I was wrong. That happens sometimes.

Today’s “pants” story comes to us from, of all places, Norway’s 2010 Olympic Curling Team. Yep. The Norwegian Curling Team has the news-lines buzzing and the morning TV shows laughing. Never mind how big the crowd is, or how many gold medals have been won. Never mind the news about China’s first gold medal in figure skating. Today, it’s all about pants. Crazy pants.

Apparently, Thomas Ulsrud and his curling teammates from Oslo thought that shopping at Loudmouth Golf was the hip and cool thing to do these days. After all, that’s where John Daly shops, so how could it be bad? The company refers to the trousers as “the first argyle pants for men in the world.”  Teammate Christoffer Svae was the driving force behind the final decision, saying “Hey guys — we’ve got to play in them. They’re cool. Come on, you’ll get used to them, you know?”

Norway has added pizzazz to an otherwise, staid, mostly misunderstood, wallflower sport. With their country cheering them on, and mixed reviews from other teams and spectators, the Norwegian Curling team has certainly brought curling into the limelight.

Whilst many people would think they were just clowning around in their red, white and blue argyle, they beat the American team, 6-5. Maybe the Americans were too busy being distracted by the swirling of colors before their eyes.

It did not stop the top-ranked Canadians however (go figure). Norway faced Canada on the first day of competition on Tuesday, losing a close game 7-6 in extra ends. Perhaps those Canadians are just too cool to be done in by crazy pants.

Ok. Ok. Sorry about that headline. The one thing that grabbed me real quick about Google Buzz was it’s name. I think it’s “cute” and easily remembered, but also easily made fun of or fit into different tongue twisters, variations, jokes, etc, etc. So when I have the opportunity I simply cannot resist see how many ways I can buzz around with the name Buzz. For the record: I am scared of bees. That however is another story.

Google Buzz has been making a very fast splash this past week creating a huge buzz around the interwebs. I jumped right in there on launch day and tried it out. Was easy enough to use but I didn’t like having to sign into my gmail account to use it. It was not, and still isn’t as of this writing, available on my Google Hosted account. I do not believe it ever will be. Strike one. (more…)

Short and sweet today:

God, grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things that I can;
And the wisdom to know the difference.

— Reinhold Niebuhr

I received a very weird email today from someone who’s marketing list I belong to. I shall not name names because I have replied to them and have not gotten a response yet. I also think it’s nicer this way because all I am trying to do is share an opinion on the matter for future reference to everyone that does email marketing. If they read *MY* blog, they will know who they are. (more…)