ME VS. THE IPAD

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ADVERTISING PH/214.560.4203 advertising coordinator: JUDY LILES

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I’m using it because I have to, to I’m writing this column on my new Apple iPad.

Only, the first time I wrote that sentence, it looked like this instead:

IM etitingjthis column on j Apihp,rSnrei Ad.

You see, the iPad has a virtual keyboard — it’s a bunch of letters projected on a piece of glass. So when I type, I can’t feel the keys and don’t sense the feedback I’ve felt for most of my typewriter- and keyboard-filled life.

And because typing on the iPad feels so different — it doesn’t feel like anything at all, really — I can’t do what I normally do, which is type along with my thoughts. This new technology actually isn’t better than what I already have; at least, it isn’t better today.

So why am I telling you all of this, along with giving you an example of my notably lacking skill with the latest in technology?

I’m in a business that requires keeping up with, even keeping ahead of (if that’s possible), new technology. If I don’t, I might not have a job in a few years. Or so it seems today.

And I’m probably not alone. How many of our businesses, and how many of our jobs, are “safe” these days? Perhaps there was a time when we could punch the clock all the way to retirement, and perhaps there’s still a job or two out there that allows that mentality. But for most of us, feeling uncomfortable using the latest technology is the least of our employment challenges. Even the people at Burger King and McDonald’s have to know a little something about technology to run the cash register and fry the fries, it seems.

And changing technology doesn’t stop with our jobs. The cameras we use now can tell where we’re taking the pictures, and some of them can even send photos off wirelessly without a computer. The televisions we watch generate video so crisp and sharp that you can see the acne beneath actors’ makeup. And cars we drive are so filled with computer chips and software programs that a Lexus can actually parallel-park itself — seriously — with no help from the driver.

So here I sit with an iPad in my lap, telling myself that learning this particular new technology is worth the time and effort I’ll need to invest in it, knowing full well that in a year (or maybe even just in time for the 2010 holidays) what I’m learning today will have to be learned all over again on a newer piece of plastic, alu-

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214.560.4201 / bbeavers@advocatemag.com senior advertising consultant: AMY DURANT

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CATHERINE PATE

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NORA JONES

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MADELYN RYBCZYK

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BRANDI STRINGER

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PATTI MILLER

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JENNIFER THOMAS VOSS

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LISA ALTHAUS

214.223.3403 /lalthaus @advocatemag.com classified manager: PRIO BERGER

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SALLY ACKERMAN

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EDITORIAL PH/ 214.292.2053 publisher: RICK WAMRE

214.560.4212 / rwamre@advocatemag.com managing editor: CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB 214.560.4204 / chughes@advocatemag.com minum and wires that works differently but still promises the same thing. Which is always independence, intelligence, success and wealth. editors RACHEL STONE 214.292.0490 / rstone@advocatemag.com

Or, as that last sentence shows up on my iPad when I switch from hunt-and-peck typing to my normal multi-finger typing skills: Which isa,wayisindd Encencd, inxgdllivdncd,xj. DzNdcsddlHg.

Hope I figure out how to do this before it’s too late.

EMILY TOMAN 214.292.2053 / etoman@advocatemag.com

KERI MITCHELL 214.292.0487 / kmitchell@advocatemag.com senior art director: JYNNETTE NEAL 214.560.4206 / jneal@advocatemag.com art director: JULIANNE RICE

214.292.0493 / jrice@advocatemag.com designers: JEANINE MICHNA-BALES, SANDRA EVANS, JENNIFER HOESTEREY, LARRYOLIVER contributing editors: JEFFSIEGEL, SALLY WAMRE contributors: SEAN CHAFFIN, SANDY GREYSON, BILL KEFFER,GAYLAKOKEL,ERIN MOYER, GEORGE MASON, BLAIR MONIE, ELLEN RAFF photo editor: CANTÜRKYILMAZ

214.560.4200 / cturkyilmaz@advocatemag.com photographers: ROBERT BUNCH,MARKDAVIS, MOLLYDICKSON, CAITYCOLVARD interns: CAITLIN BURNS, ASHLEYCORDELL,ELIZABETH

MILLER, RACHEL RICE, AMY STROTH, BRITNEY YANCEY

Spillway Praise

I rode the newly opened section on Saturday and it is very nice [Advocate Back Talk blog, “Spillway dedication set”, June 10]. Definitely worth checking out. Nice that they moved the parking lot on Garland over to a bigger lot on Winsted. This type of project (parks improvement, etc.) is always a good use of city money, in my opinion.

—JASON, VIA

CRIME AVOIDANCE 101

Our minivan was recently broken into and apparently they also attempted to steal the whole car [“True Crime”, June Advocate]. We had items in the van, of course. CDs and other inexpensive but costly-to-replace things. Unfortunately, we’d just returned from a trip and had left one piece of luggage in the car. I’m sure the crooks didn’t find any of my clothes useful, yet I find it very inconvenient to be without them. They went in the door by popping the lock rather than smashing a window but they also dismantled and damaged our ignition trying to steal the van. Jerks!

—KIM,

Via

We have had several cars in our neighborhood broken into. My question is, just how many times do we have to tell people, leave nothing in view in your car regardless of where it is parked outside of your closed garage — nothing, not even a few pennies.

—GLEE, VIA

A Delicious Piece

Have been to the Burger Spot several times and love the mural [“Artist in Restaurant”, June Advocate]. Watched as it developed. I think it is exceptional, but I guess I would since the artist is my nephew. Oh, the food at the Burger Spot is great. Haven’t found anything I haven’t liked.

—BRENDA LAKE, VIA

WE LOVE YOUR BACK TALK.

Visit advocatemag.com to read and comment on this month’s stories and daily Back Talk blog updates. Comments may be printed in the magazine.

CHEW ON THIS// We write about a lot of stuff each month on our site (city hall, schools, crime, etc. ...), but perhaps nothing generates more discussion than our restaurant posts. Below, a sampling of the latest in neighborhood eatery news (and a taste of what you’re missing if you’re not visiting advocatemag.com regularly):

From RESTAURANT TALK: AGGIE’S IS OPEN

Yams, groundnuts and black-eyed peas, chicken, pork, fish with garlic, cloves nutmeg and sometimes curry — that’s about the extent of what I know about common ingredients in African cuisine (thanks Google), but I now have a new opportunity to learn more since Aggie’s African Restaurant is open in Lake Highlands at 9205 Skillman So far, every time I’ve driven by during lunch or dinner hours, it’s been bustling.

CHRISTINA HUGHES BABB MORE// To read the whole post, search Aggie’s

From RESTAURANT TALK: BARBEC’S Classy environment? No. Competent wait-staff? Hit or miss. Fantastic biscuits and gravy? Heck yes.

My husband and I learned early on that the Barbec’s menu (although massive) isn’t always quality. Therefore, we order the beer biscuits with a bowl of sausage gravy, and two eggs each. And being the “Junk Foodie” that I am, an extra dash of salt and a king-size Dr. Pepper are both a must. —CANDANCETHARP MORE// Search Barbec’s

INYOUR FACE(BOOK)!

Every month we profile our Facebook Fans on advocatemag. com. Go to our site and search “Facebook Fan”. To become a fan, go to facebook.com/AdvocateMagazines.

From ORGANIC GLUTENFREE BAKERY OPENS IN LAKE HIGHLANDS

Wholesome Foods Bakery, featuring gluten-free, all-natural, organic goodies, has just opened in Lake Highlands on Audelia near Walnut Hill. Owners are Anne Hoyt and Taylor Nicholson, “a mother-daughter gluten- and lactose-intolerant duo”, according to the website, who figured they could make gluten- and lactosefree foods taste way better than the papery options they had sampled.

—CHRISTINAHUGHES BABB

You Said It

Question Of The Month

It’s hot to trot out there, no? We asked, you answered what’s the best way to stay cool (or at least not insanely overheated) in your neighborhood?

KC (Knights of Columbus)

Pool and a pitcher of margaritas! —KRISTA COUCH

CURNUTT

Have the BEST shaved ice in town at a little known place near Meadow and Central inside of Doc’s convenience store. Just one clapboard sign with a snow cone and an arrow on Meadow indicates it’s there it’s worth venturing in for a cool treat. More flavors than you could ever want —KRISTIN

BUEHLER

Turn up the A/C for the day and go visit family, hang at NorthPark, Walmart or (any) other indoor facility.

—GLENN BOLTON

“Here’s a tip:, go [to Barbec’s] in the evenings, near closing time. I’ve walked out with paper bags full if there are leftovers that won’t get served. They are spectacular the next morning toasted with some apricot jam.” —JASON

ADVOCATERADIO: YOU CAN ALSO HEAR THE ADVOCATE EDITORS DISCUSS neighborhood bars on a recent monthly podcast. Go to lakehighlands.advocatemag.com. Search radio bar talk

Media Key: where to find us on the world wide web

facebook.com/AdvocateMagazines twitter.com/Advocate_LH advocatemag.com/newsletter lakehighlands.advocatemag.com/blog lakehighlands.advocatemag.com/podcast

Blogger Profile

You’ve seen our bylines, our blog posts, our tweets and our Facebook posts. But who are we, really?

r ache L Stone

Job titLe // Editor for Oak Cliff and East Dallas/ Lakewood magazines advocate Servitude // I started as a freelance blogger in March 2009. anything eLSe? // Yeah. Talk to me. Follow me on Twitter. Comment on my blogs. Email me. Call my phone. “Holla”, as the kids say.

Favorite quote // “Words, once they are printed, have a life of their own.” —Carol Burnett MoSt prized deSk obJect or ornaMent // I have a photograph of Ivan Rodriguez, when he played for the Rangers in the ’90s, celebrating a double play against the Yankees. Chili Davis struck out, and Pudge got the runner at second.

Favorite part oF your Job // Hearing people tell their stories. I feel fortunate that I get to meet some of the most innovative, hardest-working people in Dallas.

Most popular laKe highlands blog posts:

1. WalT er Kelly aCC ep T s joB as HigH land par K prinCipal search Kelly //

2. r es Tauran T TalK : Fuzzy’s and pizzeria Ven Ti search Fuzzy’s // 3. lHHs ’ j oe Copeland Hired as prinCipal in CarrollTon search Copeland // 4. riCK y zorn plays in oil BoW l all-s Tar game search z orn // 5. l a K e HigH lands residen T aT C en T er oF Big 12

T urmoil search Beebe we Love your back taLk. Visit advocatemag.com to read and comment on this month’s stories and daily Back Talk blog updates. Comments may be printed in the magazine.