Web Secret #377: Venmo

What do you do when you owe someone money?

Do you write them a check?

Go to the ATM to give them cash?

Buy a money order?

Purchase a gift card?

Millenials don't do any of the above - they use Venmo.

Venmo is a free app that enables you to send money from person to person through the web. Like PayPal (which owns Venmo), the Internet and mobile device-linked service connects to your major U.S.-based bank account or debit card, so it can pull funds from and make deposits into your checking or savings accounts.

Typically used for paying friends back for a bar tab, splitting up the rent check, or settling with the babysitter at the end of the night, it’s designed to take the place of any instance where you would normally use cash or a check to give someone money.

Setting up Venmo is simple, but not intuitive, so I recommend viewing this video to help you with that process.

Once you are set up, using Venmo is quick and easy.

And useful.

Web Secret 376: The Void

As I have written before, most tech and social media innovations are first used for gaming and consumer purposes.

Virtual reality helmets just recently became mainstream tools for cutting edge clinicians. A typical use will allow the wearer to experience the sights and sounds of a bar so they can learn to handle abstinence in a challenging setting.

So it is unsurprising that a monumental advance in virtual reality is being marketed for its gaming potential.

Let me introduce THE VOID:



It's the holodeck of the starship Enterprise come to life in 2015.

The therapeutic possibilities are mind blowing.

Web Secret #375: the most outrageous blog in America

This is a blog post about an X rated blog.

You have been warned.

The blog is about

a woman

of a certain age

enjoying herself

with men

under 50 - some way under 50.

It is also witty, literate, and subversive.

It will explode all of your conventional ideas about

women

of a certain age

enjoying themselves

with men

under 50 - some way under 50.

Honestly, I consider myself to be a worldly, edgy human being and I was shaken.

I realized that we (I) don't bat (much of) an eyelash when hearing/reading about older men enjoying themselves or even marrying younger, sometimes much younger women. But we (I) have a long, long way to go in applying that standard to women.

I know, because I was afraid to write this blog post, even though I think  it is a very important blog.

You see in addition to raw and Rabelaisian tales of her carnal adventures, the author writes about ageism, self love, and physical transformation.

Sure, others have written about ageism and dating apps, the importance of self care and the rationale for plastic surgery, and the challenges of dating when you are no longer chronologically young.

But no one, NO ONE, has come close to the honesty of this blog.

Reading it will force you to confront your own ageism and sexism.

One day our double standard for women will be long forgotten.

Until then, there is MrsHot.com. 

PS. The photo is a shot of Sophie Tucker (1887-1966,) a celebrated singer, comedian, actress, and radio personality whose hay day was in the first half of the 20th century. When I saw this picture, I racked my brain to remember when I had last seen a woman over 40, and over a size 6, strike such a confident, powerful and sexy, pose. Mae West. 1932.

Web Secret #374: 4 things you can do on the Internet for free

Thank you Rohit Bhattacharya for your inspirational post "15 Cool Things You Can Do On The Internet For Free."

1. Send files up to 1GB (that's HUGE) for free from Pando

2. Get free tech support at Techguy

3. Find free wifi spots worldwide at WifiFreeSpot

4. Watch from hundreds of documentaries at DocumentaryHeaven

Enjoy!