Diversions • (6) Comments • Permalink

It’s always interesting when the media analyzes thyself, and even more interesting when itself is the news.

I was watching the 10 pm news on WLS-TV, ABC7 in Chicago last night. The anchor, Ravi Baichwal, was segueing to a field reporter when I heard a loud bang and Baichwal looked to the side in shock. And so the field reporter began her segment. When it came back to the news desk, we the viewers were told an SUV had crashed through one of the windows of the street-level studio on State Street, across from the famed Chicago Theatre.

As of this writing no reason has been given for the crash, which eyewitnesses said was deliberate. There were no barriers on the sidewalk in front of the studio to prevent such an incident, though temporary jersey barriers were put in place today. Though this could have been a much worse crime, nobody was injured and the driver was arrested on the scene. Baichwal handled the situation like a professional, though he was mere feet from it happening. He advised viewers that the newscast going forward would be “fluid” and you couldn’t expect anything better despite the circumstances.

You can see the replay of the incident on ABC7’s Web site and photos of the boarded-up studio window I took tonight, one with Baichwal behind the desk once again. I am sure more permanent barriers will be put into place, and they will also be in place when WBBM-TV CBS2 moves into its own street-level studio just a block away next year.

Diversions • (1) Comments • Permalink

After getting an invite from a friend to follow him on Twitter, I decided to dust off and start using the account for the service I created a long time ago. My Twitter Id is thehotiron and you can view my page and subscribe to its feed at twitter.com/thehotiron. Or just look for the Twitter widget on the side of The Hot Iron.

Twitter is a social networking service where people can log any text at anytime you want. It can be used to share information with others as well as applications for group dynamics and business.

Do you use Twitter or not, and why?

Technology • (0) Comments • Permalink

There’s less than 24 hours left until Christmas arrives, and you still need to get someone a gift. As they use the Internet, why not get an Amazon Gift Certificate?

Amazon Gift Certificates can be redeemed for anything from Amazon.com. The recipient enters the code when they check out to apply the gift certificate value. They make a great gift for anyone – including yourself for doing more of your shopping online.

Merry Christmas!

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This is from The Hot Iron, a journal on business and technology by Mike Maddaloni.

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Business • Diversions • (0) Comments • Permalink

On a recent trip I flew United Airlines out of Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. When I checked in online, a message on my boarding pass said I could use a dedicated bag check counter to skip the normal e-ticket check-in. Sweet! When I did so, I asked the attendant at the counter how long this service has been in place, and she said almost 2 years.

Then it hit me – I had not flown in or out of O’Hare for well over a year, if not longer. All of my flying had been out of Midway Airport, Chicago’s second, smaller airport.

And let me add more convenient, which was the real reason. With reconstruction of the Blue Line subway to the airport slowing down service, the further distance outside of the city plus how ginormous O’Hare is, Midway’s small size, 20 minute trip from downtown Chicago by the Orange Line subway not to mention streamlined security and better food and retail offerings makes Midway my preferred choice.

So why then was I flying out of O’Hare? AirTran Airlines “discontinued” for several months a direct flight I took many times in the last few years, and as there was no other direct flight from Midway, I was forced to fly through O’Hare, where I could get a direct flight. Maybe forced is too harsh of a term, as my experience with United was all-around good and the staff and crew were all pleasant, and the extra legroom in Economy Plus was more than worth the extra $29.

This is something I will observe more as I make more purchasing decisions, and as I offer my own products and services to clients and potential clients.

Business • (2) Comments • Permalink