Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Okay, but why was I in Chicago in the first place?

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Voices Boomers program and have been provided with a device and six months of service in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.


The Verizon Voices Boomers

On Wednesday, I shared my experience traveling to Chicago and on Friday, my experience returning home. But I never shared the reason why I was in Chicago in the first place. It turns out, I was selected to be one of sixteen other mom bloggers over the age of 50 to participate in the Verizon Voices Boomer program. Verizon provided for my travel expenses to and from Chicago and showed me a really good time! 

I arrived on Sunday and met my cousin, Kelly, and her friend for dinner at a really wonderful place on E. Delaware Street called Little Market. Kelly lives in my hometown of Manheim, PA and just happened to be vacationing in Chicago at the same time I was there. How fun is that?!


Verizon put the Boomers up at the fabulous Allerton Hotel on Magnificent Mile. After a restful sleep, I met my fellow bloggers and the directors of the program in the the lobby of the hotel on Monday morning. We then walked to the John Hancock building for a day of instruction. We received the first of two devices -- the Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX HD. For me, I was learning a new language! Up to this point, I've always had a "dumb phone." It was for calls and text messages and that was it. I never felt a need to be connected 24 hours a day. If I was home, I was on my desktop or laptop. If I was out and about, I felt everything Internet-wise could wait. I pretty much still feel the same way.

However, I am enjoying the convenience of not having to log on to a computer, even when I'm at home, to check my emails and Facebook updates. Yes, it is convenient. Plus, with the unlimited data plan Verizon is providing me with for the next several months, I do like being able to tether my laptop to my own mobile hotspot wherever I go. Nice feature!

I'm sure I'll be sharing more about what I like about the smart phone as the months go on, as well as the apps I discover. But I wanted to tell you a bit more about my time in Chicago.

On Monday afternoon, we boarded a trolley for an hour-and-a-half tour of the city. I took full advantage of my new smart phone camera, snapping picture after picture of the sights. I've never been the touristy type, so this was a rather new experience for me. I must admit I was disappointed that the originally planned architectural boat tour was canceled, but found the trolley tour to be interesting and fun.








A nasty storm blew in as we were nearing our final destination and we all got a bit wet running from the trolley into the John Hancock building where we crowded into the elevator for our trip up to the 100th floor (my poor ears) for a magnificent dinner and even more magnificent view! Verizon didn't skimp on wining and dining us! The food was incredible.



Shrimp appetizer

Main course

View from the restaurant on the 100th floor of the John Hancock Building



On Tuesday, we met again for another info-packed morning learning all about some of the wonderful products available through Verizon. Then it was time for lunch and goodbyes. 

I can't tell you how privileged I feel to be part of the Verizon Voices Boomers program. The only problem for me right now is my ears, particularly my left one. Ever since my flight home, I cannot hear at all on that side. So, when those famous words, "Can you hear me now?" are spoken, I have no choice but to say, "No, as a matter of fact I can't." It has nothing to do with the phone, however, which I'm still getting used to.






15 comments:

  1. Lovely pics - especially from the Signature Restaurant.

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  2. We were a couple floors higher, in the Willis Tower (103rd floor) just two days before you. I had gum with me knowing that our ears would be popping. It's quite an experience. I have pictures of our view from "The Ledge" and the Sears/Willis Tower up on my blog. It was so high!

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    1. So were we in Chicago at the same time, Wanda?! I would have loved to have seen you.

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    2. I just checked out your post and pictures, Wanda. Sounds like you had an amazing vacation!

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  3. That's so cool! Sounds like you had a good time :) Wish I could have met up with you, I'm only 2 hours out of the city.

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    1. That would have been lovely, Alena. Maybe next time.

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  4. It was so nice to meet you and everyone else in Chicago! Great photos! I am still trying out all the features of the phone. Congrats for being the featured post on Vibrant Nation today!

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    1. Thanks! I didn't even know I was! Nice meeting you as well.

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    2. I'm not finding the featured post. Can you post a link?

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  5. What disturbs me about this is the fact that NO blacks were represented. If you do the research (which I'm guessing you haven't) you will find, blacks are THE LARGEST consumers of cell phones. Not sure how you found out about it but I'm guessing the info may have only been circulated where the "rest of us" might not see it.

    Why would Verizon want to waste money on us anyway?

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    1. Insulting ME for something I had no control over is pointless. I was contacted to participate without knowing who the other bloggers would be. And there are black bloggers represented in some of the other groups. So, maybe you should do your research.

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  6. Oh an in case you didn't know......Half (51%) of African-American cell internet users do most of their online browsing on their phone, double the proportion for whites (24%). Two in five Latino cell internet users (42%) also fall into the “cell-mostly” category.

    Additionally, those with an annual household income of less than $50,000 per year and those who have not graduated college are more likely than those with higher levels of income and education to use their phones for most of their online browsing.

    So please explain the whole Verizon Voices Boomers consisting of only white women????????

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    1. Beverly, I cannot answer for Verizon on this. I was one of 16 bloggers chosen for this program, but like I said, I had nothing to do with deciding on which midwest bloggers were chosen.

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  7. I am so glad that a big company is reaching out to baby boomers! Go Green Grandma!

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