Why I would use the Google Wallet Card

Hey there,

So this post is somewhat of a cheat. A friend of mind posted about +Google Wallet card.

And so I went ahead and ordered my own.

After a quick identity verification, of course.

So I did some research, aka Google'ing, and came across this Forbes article about it, which I then posted to Facebook.

"The card, dubbed the Google Wallet Card, will be tied to a user's Google Wallet account, will have no monthly or annual fees and will be available free of charge." 

But obviously anything that's free comes at a price, in this case yet another set of data for Google to mine. The question is, do the pro's outweigh the con's? 

And yes, I already ordered mine. Not because I have an answer to the question, but I want to find out my own answer first hand :-)

To which a friend of mind still stated that he didn't know why anyone would use it, and just use your actual debit or credit card. Now I don't have it yet, so any answer to that is just speculation, and any reasons are personal. So I replied with this:

Honestly, the only answers I could give you...would be the same reason I use square's wallet at the coffee place right by my work, the three main reasons being: 

-I'd personally like to get to a point where I'm not carrying my credit card around at all, not that I'm prone to loosing my wallet, but in case it ever gets lost or stolen, there's a lot less work to deactivate a third-party card like this, than replacing your card as well as any payment accounts you have set up with it (for bills, utilities, etc.) 

-Less wear and tear on my actual card, which lets me use it longer, and prolongs having to get a new one, requiring going through the process of updating payment accounts
& last 

-fewer people are handling and have access to my actual credit and debit cards
So those are my personal reasons. Not major, life-changing ones, but enough to make me consider using something like this.

And those were just the ones I could think of, off the top of my head. Another benefit is an easier way of checking in on your purchase habits.

And being able to remotely disable the card or the app, which I already mentioned in my reply.

But I'm also really biased, and a bit of a Google fanboy/early adapter. Not as early as others, but for a casual user, I'd say I'm relatively on top of things.

So yeah, there's my reasons for being curious enough to check out using Google Wallet Card. What do you think?

- JR

"Bondage" #ThroughGlass

Hey there,

First off, this might not be what you think!!  I do want to thank +Pinky Swear Productions for being part of a WONDERFUL Production.

And it's the first time I got to check out exactly how I would use Google Glass as a performer in a show.  That show was Bondage, and here's what had happened.

I documented the last night before the first show.

Post by JR Nexus Russ.

I used it to take viewers on a trip entering the space.

I introduced my partner in crime, French Maid Boy, in 140 characters or less.

Just shared a photo #throughglass pic.twitter.com/xwgrIAe3FV
— JR Russ (@AWayofLife0) November 7, 2013

Here's a video of Jon Jon, gettin' his hair ready

And here is a peak into the "Peep Show" room.

backstage for bondage #throughglass pic.twitter.com/gDcKGkzQz0
— JR Russ (@AWayofLife0) November 7, 2013

Here I am getting into costume.

After a wonderful week 1, I shared the beginning of week 2 of performances.

And then before we knew it, week 3.

And then the next to last show!!

I decided to record part of a conversation about a guy who kicked my cage.

And on the final night, for fun, thought we'd show what happened to audience members who took photos or videos of the "Observation Session".

And after our last Parlour trick, some final thoughts from +Jon Jon Johnson

Definitely resorted to more vlogging via G+ towards the end. But still, got a chance to play with Glass as a means to share the process and some of the behind the scenes stuff.

Again, very grateful to the Pinky Swear Productions family, and curious to see what you think, especially other theatre professionals, bloggers, those who walk in both worlds, and folks who just enjoy seeing theatre in general. So leave a comment,

JR

Amazon Smile: Online shopping for Nonprofits

Amazon is giving folks another reason to smile. Haven't heard about AmazonSmile yet?

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization. You can choose from nearly one million organizations to support.

You might have noticed if you looked closely that in the screenshot above, it says that 0.5% of my purchases will go to the Foundation Center. This is because a Foundation Center post is how I found out about it.

Post by Foundation Center.

So, if you want, you can select another charitable organization.

You can even search by name, location, or keyword, which I did for "Washington, DC".

It gave me over 8,000 results in the DC area.

And if you're an organization, you can register here.

To do so, the site first asks you to find your charitable organization. It also states, "you must be an authorized representative of the organization."

There've already been a number of articles written about this, offering different bits of context and insight.

The high-level message is clear: Amazon wants people to know it cares about people and communities. But there’s an underlying message that seems just as apparent: we’ll keep giving as long as you keep buying. (read more at TechCrunch)

 "AmazonSmile allows us to reach millions of existing and new supporters who can help us find cures for cancer and save children," said Richard Shadyac Jr., CEO of ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "At St. Jude, we're leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer while ensuring no family ever receives a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food. Working with AmazonSmile gives us a new way to support our mission that's simple for both us and our supporters." (read more at the Wall Street Journal)

So...what do you think? For those who use Amazon regularly, do you think you will take advantage of this
philanthropic option as a consumer?

Leave your thoughts in a comment below!!