Back in skinny jeans

I call shenanigans: Apple says Steve Jobs looked skinny sick because of "common bug"

So, sure enough, an Apple spokesperson has made an official statement about Steve Jobs un-well looking appearance at the Stevenote on Monday. From the Wall Street Journal, an Apple spokeswoman said "Jobs was hit with a “common bug” in recent weeks but he still felt it was important to participate in the Apple conference. The spokeswoman said he’s now on the mend with the aid of antibiotics."

[pause to soak up the non-sense]

Ok, do they honestly expect us to believe that Steve's gaunt appearance and dramatic weight loss is due to a "common bug", a cold, a flu. What kind of super bug does he have that can cause that kind of weight loss? That answer just reeks of BS because yes, you can drop like 5-10 lbs from having the flu, but you don't end up worrying people that you've lost enough weight to make people think your cancer has come back.

Personally, I would have said something like, "Steve appreciates everyone's well wishes and concern for his health. He is under the guidance of good medical care." Period. Done. Steve's health is his business and as long as he's under a doctor's care then end of story. But please, don't tell us the man looks that skinny and un-well from a "common bug."

And for those who say that Steve looked fine and that we're just so used to looking at overweight people, I respectfully disagree with you. Here's a pictoral timeline of Steve Jobs from 1998 to June 9, 2008, and you can clearly see that he goes from yes a bit soft in the middle to gaunt. I think he looks the best and healthiest in 2005. His look has changed significantly in 3 years, and besides looking gaunt, he now looks older than his 53 years. Yes, there is major concern for his health because he is not only the CEO of Apple but he is their spirit more so than any other CEO out there related to their company.

Again, I hope to see a vibrantly healthy Steve Jobs real soon.

[pic]

Forget the new iPhone. Why does Steve Jobs look sickly skinny?

Steve Jobs stepped on the stage yesterday in SF at the Apple Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC 08), and besides the new iPhone the other big talk was all about Steve's rail thin appearance. He looked too thin almost like he's literally bought into the MacBook Air Thinspiration, or Thinnovation as Apple calls it.

I wasn't at the keynote live but from all the pictures I've seen, Steve is not looking well, like his usual self, and his weight loss is pretty significant and not in a good way. You can see video of the whole Stevenote at the Apple website.

Theories around the net on Steve Jobs' dramatic weight loss:

• He has cancer again
• He's gone over board on his progressively restrictive diet going from vegetarian to vegan to raw
• He's got manorexia

The majority are wondering if the pancreatic cancer has come back. Steve was diagnosed back in 2003 but that info was not released to the public until 2004 when he had surgery. Before getting the surgery, word has it that Steve was trying alternative health modalities which included changing his diet to more vegan/raw foods.

His surgery was successful, and I'm sure he made some signifcant lifestyle changes in order to stay healthy and not get cancer again which most likely included continuing with the vegan/raw eating. His wife Laurene is very much into organics and natural foods, and even had a business called Terravera that produced organic/natural foods.

Who knows what's going on with Steve's health but with all the buzz, I'm sure there will be some kind of official announcement from Apple because there was serious discussion about him not revealing his health issues sooner back in 2003 mainly because he is the CEO of a public traded company and if he died or was incapcitated for any reason, that would affect Apple's business and stock price. I'm writing about this because I find it interesting that we have a story here about a celebrity CEO where his thinness is called into question. You don't normally see tech or business stories about one's weight.

I find it a slippery slope. As a person, Steve has every right to his privacy about his health, but on the other hand, Steve is such a HUGE part of Apple that if he had to abruptly leave it would affect the business signifcantly. If that were to happen, it would be interesting to see what the shareholders would care more about Steve, the human being, or the price of their stock.

I sincerely hope that Steve is cancer free and that he has just over done it a bit with the vegan/raw eating, not that that is good either, but it's not as life threatening or involves surgery like cancer. I think everyone can agree that we're worried, and wish him the best in vibrant health.

On a side note, because of Steve's food preferences, Apple seriously has one of the most amazing cafeterias particularly for vegetarians, vegans, and those who like organics. The food  there is way better than many veg restaurants I've eaten at, and if you have a chance to eat at the Apple cafeteria, you MUST go. It's fabulous.

more pics [CNET]

"Two Tiny Changes": 5 'failure' pick me up tips + update

Yesterday, the theme for this week's tiny inspiring signs was about failure. Today, I thought it would be a fantastic opportunity to offer tips on ways to pick yourself up during those times when you feel like a failure. Your Inner Resistance Monster  just thrives on those "failure" periods as a way to keep you in the smallness of your comfort zone. We want you to achieve your goals and dreams, so here's some tiny tips to help you on your way.

• You may feel like there is a huge letter L tattooed on your head for "Loser" but I can assure you that it's only imaginary .The only person who can see that Loser L is you because you put it there via your own harsh judgment of yourself or because someone called you a Loser and you agreed with them. As easily as you put that Loser L on your head, you can easily throw it away. You control how you feel about yourself, no one else does.

• The failure feeling is blown up because you are focused on only a small part of the picture where yes relative to size, your mistake or inability to achieve something seems huge. Step back and now take a 10,000ft view of your journey and you will see that this mistake is really only a blip in the big picture. In fact, that blip which you label "failure" could actually be the major stepping stone to moving you out of the wrong direction and into the right one.

• For every successful person we see on those "Most Successful" lists, that same person could equally be put on "Big Mistakes ever Made" lists. People who achieve greatness also experience great loss and great mistakes because they are taking risks that most of us would never do. You have to risk great to achieve great which also means a path that is not easy. What made these people great successes is that they learned from their errors and did not let the mistakes or feelings of failure stop them from achieving their dreams.

• It's okay to be imperfect. Those suffering from "Perfect girl" syndrome who are afraid to make mistakes or risk feeling failure need to let go of that perfect image and lighten up because that drive to be perfect is in reality limiting to your growth, way more work than one needs to do, and lastly, no one really buys it. Trust me on this because I spent nearly 20 years trying to be "perfect." Perfect girls are boring and always tired. Women with flaws are interesting because flaws help to develop character and wisdom.

• On the bright side, if you're on the bottom, the only way you can go is up. This notion always works in getting me to find humor in the awful situation because I always try to find an upside. It does pick me up whenever I feel I have hit a bottom point because laughter can help bring relief to almost any dark moment.

What I did last week:

• Seeing the story about JK Rowling and her Harvard speech was timely and I believe my guardian angels sent it to me because I was in a serious funky panic last week about money. I saw the story as a reminder to pull myself out of my duldrums. I had to take my car to the shop because I had to get it serviced and the gear shift was sticking too much. Turns out there was way more my car needed fixing and the bill came to a month's rent which on my tuna and mac & cheese entrepreneur budget sparked some distraught feelings of failure and worry because like I mentioned above I was so immersed in only seeing the small picture. When I look at the grand scheme of things, I know and believe that these "limited budget" times are temporary. Financial prosperity is on its way. I'm also reminded of how rich I am already in so many other ways beyond cash.
  

Tiny inspiring signs: It's only failure if you give up

JK Rowling recently gave the commencement speech at Harvard and the theme she spoke of was failure. (Harvard Magazine has the whole speech.) I thought that pretty ironic (yet a wise choice) considering that image-wise the words "failure" don't ever seem to come in the same breath as "Harvard."

JK's speech reminds us all that no matter how broke, down, and depressed you may be, you can climb out of it. She talks specifically about how your own imagination is the thing that can help catapult you to your dreams. I just LOVED that she focused on that because creativity and imagination are right-brain qualities often kaboshed in school.

I can relate very much to JK's "broke days" while working on her creative dreams because I'm right in the midst of that myself. Seriously, there are days when you wonder why you are sacrificing so much to make your dreams come true when it would be so much easier and more pleasant to just get a regular job and have a steady paycheck like everyone else. As time goes on, you do start feeling like a total failure especially when you see other people achieving their life goals making you feel like everything is passing you by. Yes, we all have our own paths and things come to us when it is due time. I like to think that it's kind of a test the universe puts you through to see just how committed you are, and to see what you'll bring out in yourself to get to your vision. And in the end, the victory is so much sweeter.

But one thing that I personally believe about failure which JK didn't mention was that it is only truly failure when you give up. Yes, you can screw up and make mistakes on your way to becoming that published author, PhD holder, CEO, parent, or whatever you dream of, but if you grow and learn from those mistakes and it gets you closer and closer to your dream than it is not failure in my book. It is "growth opportunity." I remember this every time I feel like giving up before seeing my dreams become reality.

$83 to fill a gas tank

This picture was taken at a gas pump yesterday. I was with a friend who filled up the tank of his SUV at a gas station in San Mateo county CA. Imagine filling your gas tank and seeing an $83 bill. Uh yeah, mind boggling.

I need a sugar daddy for gas now. Seriously, forget Friends with Benefits, I need Friends with Gas(oline).

Utterly amazing 12 year-old girl makes U.N. stop and listen

Severn Cullis-Suzuki was 12 years old when she gave this speech at the United Nations in 1992 fighting for  the future of her generation and generations to come. Yes, this speech is old, but wow! Even today, Severn's words still ring loud. I was really moved by what came out of this young woman. So, so wise beyond her years.

But sadly, the changes she seeks for all are not even close yet to be had. It's amazing to see the world today 16 years after her presence at the U.N. Not only do I show this video because of its powerful message, but to show that young women are incredibly capable of making huge meaning in the world even to the point of making world leaders silent and at attention even for a moment.

There is more to the life of every young woman beyond clothes, the mall, and makeup. Severn is an amazing role model, as she continues her environmental activism today at the age of 29. Show this video to every girl and young woman you know and show her what is possible.

Ladies, if turning into an ugly dude won't get you to stop boozing what will?

May I body/gender image rant for a sec? This has got to be one of the most asanine ads I've ever seen to get women to stop boozing it up: "If you drink like a man, you might end up looking like one." WTF is that supposed to mean? Excuse me, what is this clown image? And hello, maybe some people are binge drinking because they are already filled with self loathing, so how is reminding them of that going to solve anything?

In this context, threatening us with the ugly stick is just stupid. Yeah, stupid because I can't think of anything else deeper to say to match this 3rd grade campaign. 5th graders are definitely smarter than these folks. To up the ante, they include this ugly-imaginator where you upload your pic, insert how much you drink a week, and then voila they show you how hideous you'll end up looking.

And compounding the insult, what the hell difference does it make if you're a man or a woman? Drinking too much is not good for any gender. So, I ask where's the dude's becoming ugly dudes campaign?

[pause to contemplate]

Oh yeah, there is none because men don't care if they get whacked by the ugly broom. *ugh*

[via adrants]

BlogHer08 conference hotel reservation and parking tip

Here's some tips from a local (moi) about hotels & parking for BlogHer08 in SF.

For those of you attending the Blogher 08 conference in July,  and have not booked your hotel room yet, the Westin St. Francis BlogHer block is practically sold out. I hear they are are trying to get more rooms. You can book at the Westin through their online site, but the BlogHer rate includes Internet access which if you book outside the block costs an additional $15/ 24-hour use. BlogHer also has offered a hostel option which is pretty cheap at $29/night for a "dorm" room or $90/night for your own.

Nice hotel option besides Westin St. Francis

If you're not a hostel person, or would like a cheaper hotel rate at a nice hotel near the Westin (because you're picky like me ;-), the Parc 55 hotel is a short walk, .4 miles, from the Westin where the conference is being held, and the cheapest rooms as of today are $139/night for one room with a King bed, or $159 for one room with two double beds. The Westin is $199/night.

I'm staying at the Parc55 Friday night (7/18). I've stayed at the Parc 55 several times, and it is a nice hotel, not classic SF style like the Westin, but nice like a Hyatt or Marriott. I checked at other hotels within walking distance of the Westin that are "Steph" nice, and you are going to pay in the same range or more as the Westin. The Parc 55 is the best option, in my opinion.

Parking will cost you about a pair of Old Navy jeans

Heads up too, parking in downtown SF is pricey. You can end up paying more than the hostel/night. Overnight parking in the hotels near the Westin and including the Westin will put a dent in your pocket anywhere between $30-$45/night plus tipping the valet. No joke. That's like buying a pair of jeans at Old Navy with a t-shirt on sale.

For day only parking during the event, in parking garages not in hotels but stand alone parking garages can be in the $25-$30 range for 7 or more hours. Here are the four big parking garages near the Westin. The Union Square Garage is directly across the street from the Westin and is the closest of all the garages but it's pricey at $31 over 7 hours. There are also some smaller garages that will have an early in special for all day parking if you get there before 9am, but usually, you have to look around for those. I'll see what I can find before hand and give you all a heads up.

My parking recommendation

If you're cost conscious and don't mind a little stroll, I recommend parking in the 5th & Mission garage because 7-12 hours is $25, the cheapest of all 4 garages and is the easiest to get in and out of (this is a big deal for me, ease of in-n-out.) The garage though is about 1/2 a mile away but does go past the Westfield Shopping mall which is a FABULOUS shopping time. I love my Bloomingdales!

The Ellis O'Farrell garage is closer to the Westin and is only a few bucks more than the 5th & Mission, but if you get there when it's busy, they sometimes make you valet which means giving them your car keys, and I don't know about you, but I like having my keys. Also, if you have an SUV or large vehicle, the garage is very tight. I get clausti in that garage, but I'm an odd bird that way. Whenever I visit downtown SF, I almost always park in the 5th & Mission garage because it is just the best overall experience, and the walk is nice almost anywhere you need to go. Walking is good for you ;-)

So, as you can see parking in downtown SF is kinda ridiculous not to mention our gas is currently about $4.25/ gallon for 87 (basic unleaded) gas. If you can seek other alternatives to get to the BlogHer 08 conference or car pool, I would seriously look into it.

The conference is going to be fun. I'm sooo looking forward to it. And remember, I am speaking on Day #2 at the panel "Coming Out via Blog" about my bulimia relapse confession this past New Year's, and will be offering my tips and insights on making your own confessions about a deeply personal issue on your blog.

Dear Steph: What about "Friends with Benefits"

Welcome to the first edition of "Dear Steph" where you my lovely readers get to ask a question, and I will give you my wise sisterly perspective. This is for entertainment purposes only, and you should always seek legal or medical help for serious advice.

Today's question is about "Friends with Benefits." What a perfect inaugural question! The video is 7min because I have a two part answer based on if you are single or are in a committed relationship as I have two different view points on the subject.

Comments are open so please, I'm happy to hear your two cents, just keep it clean and PG-17 friendly ;)

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