It will come as no news to anyone with an iPhone -- or the significant other of anyone with one -- that this slim, useful device does lots of things well. What it does best, it seems, is make time disappear.
Yesterday, I got my first iPhone. This hand-me-down is from the previous generation, which means it's pretty much the same as the latest version except that it doesn't shoot video.
I'm a believer and even more so because two hours after I got it, I called on it to correct my wrong impression of where the dentist's office was located. In its earliest moments in my hands the iPhone allowed me to not miss an important appointment.
As was the case with my cell phone, I imagine that it won't be long before I wonder how I ever lived without an iPhone.
But this morning as I work to clear out the previous owner's photos, music, apps, mail and the like, and replace them with my own, I've learned that the iPhone is a massive time-suck.
While I'm thrilled that I can check my e-mail, MLB scores, international news, weather, Facebook and other things at the touch of a button, I am conscious of the fact that if I don't tread carefully, I'll be on call 24-7.
But, one thing is for sure, I'm exiting the iTunes app store now so I can move on with my day. Well, right after I answer two e-mails, update my Facebook status and send an instant message.
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
