Patent Pending

Is there anything worse than mandatory attendance at a work meeting that is void of agenda items directly impacting any of your assignments, projects or work responsibilities?

Today, as I was groaning about attending another dreaded, obligatory work meeting I had a revelation. "If only I could sit in the back of the room, feign interest and wear my iPod without anyone noticing. I could be listening to Keane or Postal Service or my way cool play list of Obscure 80s Songs. I could be transported out of that meeting. Nodding my head to music, while other meeting attendees would be thinking that I'm actually agreeing to everything that they're saying."

The problem, of course is that the headphones do stand out a bit... which lead me to this idea: Wireless iPod headphones which actually look like hearing aids!

What a great idea. You could cleverly wear them without anyone knowing that you're not really listening to them or paying them any attention at all. The possibilities are endless: work meetings, weddings, most political gatherings, bad movies which your partner drags you to, social events without any redeeming qualities.

So how does one get a patent? How much technical detail does a patent concept and design need to contain in order for the patent office clerks to actually read it thoughtfully, and not laugh at it maniacally and throw away instantly? Because of this requires any real knowledge of circuitry, or wireless technology forget it.

Actually now that I think about, this idea also needs to be developed with some degree of sensitivity toward the hearing impaired. It probably couldn't or shouldn't look TOO much like a real hearing aid... just enough like one to confuse people.

I'm sending a letter to Apple as we speak. How much of an advance for this product idea should I request?

What's in a Name?

I've delayed launching a blog of mine for quite some time now. I view several on a regular basis and they have become part of my daily rituals. Once I decided to really do this I had a very difficult time developing a name that clicked. I agonized over choices like: Not in Kansas Anymore (blech!), Ramblings of a Bitter Old Queen, Spice World, White Noise, and endless other silly choices.

Finally got to this one, the description says it all. Hopefully this will be the successful endeavor I've failed to launch in the past. My great friend at H&F has provided lots of encouragement.

So that's it. Here's to the launch! [visualize a crashing bottle of very expensive champagne against my computer screen here]