Ready For Orbit? Space Nation Seeks to Unearth Your Full Potential

Having your head in the clouds isn't such a bad thing. In fact, Helsinki-based startup Space Nation wants everyone in the world to be shooting for the stars, literally!

As it says on their recently launched website, "The Space Nation Astronaut Program turns your smartphone into a ticket to the stars. It’s the first free global astronaut training program. Anyone with a mobile device can take part."

The Space Nation app is currently in beta testing and is due to be released to the general public in February 2018. I have been lucky enough to get a sneak peek behind the scenes and it is going to be a gamechanger for everyday people who dream of one day traveling beyond Earth. The app will encourage users to build skills in science, teamwork, self-awareness, and other fields that will help them in their quest to become astronauts. Top app users will be recruited from all over the world to attend a real-life astronaut camp to train for a final competition, with the ultimate winner actually getting to participate in a trip to space!

Skills essential to life in the 21st century - teamwork, problem-solving, physical and mental excellence. #OrbitLaunch pic.twitter.com/1QtTf7FZQx

— Space Nation Orbit (@spacenationorb) November 9, 2017

Since its founding in 2013, Space Nation has broken crowdfunding records, acquired lab space on the International Space Station (ISS) and become the first space member of the United Nation’s World Tourism Organization (UNWTO. This is no fly-by-night operation. Space Nation is making the dream of space very real, indeed.

With this week's launch of Space Nation Orbit, a lifestyle magazine for hopeful future astronauts, Space Nation is looking to build a community of content creators and social media influencers to help share their mission. My longtime blog friends Katja and Candice are currently mining the talent pools of New York City, but they are always on the lookout for good recruits:

In search of universal media badassery. #orbitlaunch recruiting week in NYC Nov 6-10. Connect w/ @AmazingCanCan & @katjapresnal #Influencer pic.twitter.com/HgDbOSyhIe

— Space Nation Orbit (@spacenationorb) November 4, 2017

Not quite orbiting the world... but something like it. Katja and Salla of @spacenationorg from the Helsinki headquarters flew to NYC yesterday. This week will be all about #orbitlaunch and we are hoping to find more awesome content creators and social media ninjas who want to be part of @spacenationorbit. Ps. Head Instagrammer spot is already taken, but we are in such early stages that she has not even started yet!

A post shared by Space Nation Orbit (@spacenationorbit) on Nov 6, 2017 at 1:47am PST

I will be signing on to Space Nation's maiden voyage and I hope you will join me in Space Nation Orbit. I'll be contributing over there as a team member, too!

Go Further with Ford - Day Three

Day Three was all about driving. There were six events for us to experience on the Ford test track, each showcasing the 2013 vehicle line. While most of the other attendees were thrilled about this, I was apprehensive. After all, I didn't get my license until I was 23 and I still drive like a little old lady. I like a swanky ride as much as anyone but my need for speed is pretty close to nil. Still, I was pretty excited to see how the interiors looked with all the tech we'd been learning about and check out the, uh, safety features. Lame, I know! 

Me with Cathy Herard and Lori Cunningham from Well Connected Mom.

I basically followed these two around, since they're crazy speed demons. I mean, awesome drivers. 

Lori let me be her ride-along for the Police Interceptor. I must admit we dorked out, especially when we realized we chose the car without a working siren. Boo! We had to make our own siren sounds, naturally, and witty banter about catching the bad guys.

The new Mustangs are pretty. As if you didn't know that! 

The view from waiting in line for the F-150 SVT Raptor Offroad drive was a bit daunting. We don't have hills in Kansas! I'm always laughing about the incline features on 4WD vehicles here. 

Also daunting: having to wear a weird balaclava like thing and helmets. Oh, yikes.

Having survived the offroad test, I drove the totally-more-my-speed Focus Electric. Someday I'll have an electric vehicle. Someday…

I took way more photos but my computer seemed to eat them. The most hilarious event was the relay race on the Technology Midway where you had to parallel park hands-free using Park Assist and open the trunk with the hands-free liftgate, all while handing off a baton and running. I even came close to winning a speed test in the 2013 Escape but was beaten by Lori, of all people, by a split second. Rats! I've got to practice.

All in all, seeing Ford's new product line and getting to drive the cars is awesome but what I really love about this event is learning about the thought process and innovation that runs through the company. Seriously, every Ford employee I spoke to was excited about the direction the company was headed in, and not in an obsequious way at all. They seem genuinely vested in making Ford a company that continues to be ahead of the curve, not just in earnings, but intellectually. Impressive.

See more about Go Further with Ford: Day One, Day Two and Day Two (TechShop Detroit).

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that Ford paid for my travel and lodging.. No other compensation was provided. All opinions are, as usual, entirely my own.

Last Minute Gifts: Speck CandyShell Cases for iPhone and iPad

If you're out scurrying about, trying to dig up something that will wow your family and friends tomorrow morning, here's a little hint: everyone loves candy. Tech geeks especially love CandyShells, the iPhone and iPad cases by Speck that feature a thin, lightweight outer shell and a rubbery, shock-absorbent center. They're shiny and pretty with easy access to ports and controls. And they come in extra-festive holiday styles:

I received the blue snowman Speck CandyShell for iPhone 4 and GoGo White iPad CandyShell for iPad. I've gotten about a zillion compliments on the snowman case, possibly because it's the only real sign of holiday cheer I've bought into this year. (Bah, humbug!) My kids looooove it. I like the iPad case a lot, too, because it reminds me of stormtroopers, with its glossy white finish, black trim, and subtle badassness.

I think the pierced rubber interior of CandyShells are super cool, don't you? It's almost a shame to put a device inside and cover that up!

Here's a better look at the cuteness of the snowman motif. So cheerful.

The sturdy exterior of "the stormtrooper" installed:

I'm also a big fan of Speck Fitted cases, having received one from Apple when the iPhone 4 signal issues were in the news. Lo and behold, there are holiday versions of those, too! I think the Holiday SweaterBest case would look pretty stylish when you're checking your messages Après-ski, non?

Disclosure: In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that I received the two cases shown above for review purposes. My opinion is not swayed by that, nor by adorable snowmen.

Shopping for a Hard Drive

I am predictably rotten at keeping my data safe. This might be because the last external hard drive I had fried my iMac! Seriously. I was lucky enough to get all my info back but it scared me into thinking that investing in a more dependable memory solution would be smart. As luck would have it, I was asked to shop for a Seagate GoFlex Hard Drive. Here's my story:

More check-ins at walmart

Powered by Whrrl

Disclosure: I shopped for and purchased a Seagate GoFlex Hard Drive as part of the #GoFlexMemories campaign and was reimbursed by Collective Bias.

Monster Cable CleanTouch and Outlets to Go

Know what I really like? Things that make my life easier and/or better. Monster Cable makes a bunch of things that can do both, from cables for everything you own (the bane of my existence as an RTF major, pre-digital technology; I totally flunked the patch bay tests…) to headphones and accessories for all of your electronics.

Jasper uses my iPhone about as much as I do, so its lovely touch screen is frequently mired by sticky fingerprints. Monster CleanTouch  for iPhone/iPad/iPod is a spray cleaner in a small, flat container that fits into a pouch with its accompanying microfiber cloth. Yes, travelers, it is TSA-approved. The solution is ammonia and alcohol-free so it is safe to use on touchscreens but it also leaves an invisible coating that  helps to prevent smudges and fingerprints. The microfiber Monster Clean Cloth is imbued with antimicrobial AEGIS to control the spread of germs and bacteria. You know, the kind you get from a three year old picking his nose and then playing with your phone. Shudder.

I tested it on our iPhones, our iMacs, our TV. It really does reduce smudging and fingerprints! Impressive. I wish I had an iPad to test this out on, since that's its obvious focus, but c'est la vie…

The Monster Outlets to Go Power Strip features 3 AC outlets and a USB port so you can charge your iPod or iPhone and your laptop at the same time. It has a really smart design, plugging into itself to store, making it very slim and portable. I love this little guy for travel– it is a lifesaver in airports and at conferences where outlets are sparse. I had a 4-port Outlets to Go Power Strip (without the USB port) that my husband stole to use in his studio. He says the small profile makes it really useful to fit into awkward spaces where he wants to use power tools without a huge extension cord or power strip.

Disclosure: I received complimentary samples of Monster CleanTouch  for iPhone/iPad/iPod and Monster Outlets to Go Power Strip to facilitate this review. My opinions were not coerced in any way.

Kodak K-Zone at CES (giveaway!)

***WINNER PICKED 1/21 WITH RANDOM.ORG***

***CONGRATULATIONS, #127 Vanessa!!!***

her comment...
I like, You've Come Along Way Baby.



I'm feeling kind of misty that I didn't have the cash or wherewithal to attend The Consumer Electronics Show 2010 (CES) in Las Vegas this week. It's the largest trade show of its kind, featuring a mind-boggling array of international consumer products presented by the companies who have brought them to life and I hear it is an absolute blast. For those of us who are twiddling our thumbs at home, Kodak will be live streaming panel discussions from the CES online at the K-Zone. You can even join in the discussion by submitting questions to the panelists via Twitter and using the hashtag #kzone. It's the next best thing to being there, minus the swag… (hey, wait a minute- Kodak is also providing a D830 Digital Frame to one of my lucky readers! Scroll down for details!)



For a comprehensive listing of panels to view live or recorded, visit the K-Zone. Here are a few selected panel topics and speakers to whet your appetite:

The New CMO: Chief Memory Officer
Thursday, January 7, at 11:00 a.m. PST
A look at today’s CMO’s and how they create, share and relive moments in their lives.
Speakers include: Tina Sharkey (Chairman and Global President, Baby Center), Jill Zarin (The Real Housewives of NYC), and Jen Drexler (Director of Brand Insights, Just Ask A Woman)

It’s All About KISS
Thursday, January 7 at 12:00 p.m. PST
And we’re not talking about the rock band. Hear from leading women in technology about why simpler is better in today’s fast-paced world.
Speakers include: Linda Tischler (Senior Writer, FastCompany), Tina Sharkey (Chairman and Global President, Baby Center), Pam Sherman (author and public speaker known as The Suburban Outlaw), and Jen Drexler (Director of Brand Insights, Just Ask a Woman)

The M-Suite
Friday, January 8 at 3:00 p.m. PST
How momtreprenuers and stay at home moms are building successful businesses.
Speakers include: Amanda Robinson (NaturalMommies.com), Sharon Napier (founder, Partners & Napier), Susan Tousi (Kodak), Soleil Moon Frye (actress), and Stacie Haight Connerty (blogger, Thedivinemissmommy.com)

Help, My Mom Friended Me on Facebook
Friday, January 8 at 11:00 a.m. PST
Kids eight and under will never know what life was like before Google. Learn how technology is changing their lives – and their parent’s lives in the process.
Speakers include: Pam Sherman (author and public speaker known as The Suburban Outlaw), Susan Getgood (Blogwithintegrity.com), Jill Zarin (the Real Housewives of NYC), Linda Sawyer (CEO of Deutch), Christy Matte (editor of the Family Computing Guide, About.com)

Father Knows Best
Friday, January 8 at 5:00 p.m. PST
It’s time to hear from the dads! Hear from these tech savvy dads on how they use technology with their kids, and the lessons learned.
Speakers include: Michael Ferrara (TechnoDad), Jeff Hayzlett (CMO, Kodak), Fred Fishkin (technology reporter, Bloomberg Radio), Jackson Lynch (WIRED)



To enter and win a D830 Digital Frame (shown above), please comment on this post with your favorite panel discusion topic from the K-Zone.


Entries will be accepted through January 20th and I'll pick the winner using Random.org. US readers are eligible.


For an additional entry, post my button on your blog (see code on sidebar), follow my blog, follow me on Twitter, fave me on Technorati or subscribe via email or subscribe via reader. Leave an extra comment letting me know what you did for each additional entry.


Make sure you leave an email address in your comment or that you have one accessible on your blog so you can be contacted if you win!


***Click Giveaways on my sidebar to see what else you could win!***

Recharged, Revitalized

Energizer's crazy pink drumming bunny hopped into our psyches in the '80s and he's still going strong, but it's nice to know that the brand's technology isn't stuck in the past. Energizer has a whole range of batteries that are specifically engineered for optimal performance in high tech devices. We've used their Lithium batteries for years but now that both kids are old enough to have battery-powered toys, it seemed wise to switch to rechargeables.



Energizer offers a whole slew of Rechargeable Batteries and Chargers. We have a zillion AA and AAA rechargeables floating around our home, since those are what we use most, but what about that new toy grandma brought over that requires D batteries? Oh, yikes. When I was little, it seemed like most battery-operated toys took Cs or Ds. And a lot of them. These days, not so much. Still, it happens. Jasper loves robots and it seems like they're all foreign and require gigantic batteries, which I don't tend to keep in the house. Luckily, there's a fantastic solution: the Energizer® Family Charger.



The Energizer® Family Charger charges up to 8 AA, 8 AAA, 4C, 4D or 2 9V NiMH rechargeable batteries. I didn't even realize they made rechargeable Cs, Ds or 9 volts! I was so excited. The Energizer® Family Charger is Energy Star-certified, will only charge when the door is securely closed (safe for kids!) and can recharge batteries quickly- in about 2 hours for 4 AA batteries and 7 hours for 2 9V batteries! Better still, it features an LCD screen that shows the charging status of the batteries so you know what to expect. I think this is a great item to keep in the house, but how handy would it be to throw in your suitcase on family vacations? It seems like you could recharge your batteries overnight and never have to make pit stops to buy batteries for your cameras and DVD players.



Thanks to Linsey (an official online advocate for Energizer) for hooking me up with the Energizer® Family Charger. I am sure we will get a lot of use out of it in the future.

Get Smartphones!

I used to stick to the "free" phones from my cellular provider but lo and behold, while I wasn't paying attention, a whole new world of technology has taken over. Phones can not only double as digital cameras and text messaging tools but as personal organizers and even micro-mini computers. I can't believe I was hobbling along with an archaic flip phone, when smartphones could have made my life so much simpler!

Windows Mobile smartphones share the most popular OS around, so your phone can seamlessly integrate with your home PC, transferring your important information automatically and making you an organizational dynamo! (These newfangled phones are a match made in heaven for Cozi, the online organizational hub I reviewed the other day, by the way.)



The newest and perhaps most awesome Windows Mobile-equipped smartphone is the Samsung Omnia. It features a slick touchscreen interface, 5 MP camera, FM-capable music player, and full HTML web browser along with drag and drop widgets and the convenience of Windows Mobile. Slick.



Thanks, as usual, to Mom Central, for showing me the error in my antiquated phone service…

Into the 21st Century…

Woo-hoo! I bought my domain name months and months ago but hadn't managed to get my blog assigned to it... because all that code and IP address nonsense freaks me out.

Anyway, the big news is you can now type superdumbsupervillain.com and come directly here! No more need to type .blogspot in there, although I think the old URL works, too. (Do any of you know if I have to add the new domain to my Technorati/Site Meter/Stat Counter accounts?)

Again, Woo-hoo!

Hmm. It looks like you need to type the www before the new blogspot-free URL. Any ideas on how to fix that, people?