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In case you haven't heard, there has been an executive shake-up at Apple. In addition to one other exec that doesn't matter, Scott Forstall: the SVP in charge of iOS, is out. By all indications, he was shown the door, and shoved out. There were no sad farewells or glorious write-ups on the Apple homepage. Tim Cook did not publicly acknowledge and thank Scott for his many years of faithful service to the company. This is extremely significant because Scott came from NEXT with Steve Jobs to Apple. Scott and Steve were close friends. It has been bandied about that Forstall was going to be Steve's successor. As we all know, it didn't turn out that way. Still, He was the heir apparent to the throne of Steve Jobs. Now, he's out the door. That is a very big deal. OK, he is not out the door just yet, at least, not officially. He will be staying on for a few months as an advisor to Tim Cook. That's how executives get fired. That just means he is on a beach somewhere brushing off his resume. Someone needs a CEO, and Forstall is probably the most eligible, unemployed exec in the world right now. There is a great deal of drama and corporate intrigue leading up to this point, and it would make a fine article. But that is not what I want to write about. That is what every other blog is banging on about. If you want the inside dirt, read theirs. I am more interested in what this all means for the future of iOS, and maybe the Mac. The implications of this ouster are far reaching. First, many aspects of iOS were directly influenced by Scott Forstall. Some of those aspects were not much appreciated by others in the company. I am referring to the gratuitous skeuomorphism that has become a hallmark of iOS. It has even crept into Mac OS. Skeuomorphism is carrying over a design feature from the original version of a product in order to make people feel comfortable with a new product. A good example of this is the page turning in iBooks. There is no good reason to turn a page in a digital book. It is necessary for physical books, but is merely ornamental in the digital version. Yet, people love it. It makes us feel comfortable with the new format, wrapping us in the familiar while ushering us into the new. This controversial element is not the only aspect of iOS likely to get a makeover in the coming months. The Springboard UI may be on the chopping block. This is mostly the familiar home screen of launchable app icons. Arguably, the simplicity of the interface is what makes iDevices so usable and intuitive by non-techies. To spice things up, competitors have embraced battery sucking elements such as widgets and live backgrounds. It is hard to know if Forstall was the one holding the line of simplicity, or pushing the envelope for more complex UI elements. Since the introduction of the iPhone, a lot of complexity has been added to the operating system. The very future of the OS is up for grabs. I, for one, believe these to be exciting times for both Apple and the people who enjoy the products they deliver. But a new direction for iOS does not happen in a vacuum. It has dramatic implications for the Mac platform as well. The new head of iOS will be the old head of Mac OS. The development of both platforms is now under one roof. If you thought that iOS and Mac OS were starting to share a few elements, I've got a feeling you haven't seen anything yet. As the operating systems merge, will we see touchscreen MacBooks and iMacs? I hope not. One thing is for certain, nothing will be the same going forward. Scott Forstall was close to Steve Jobs. Many say that Jobs provided cover for Forstall, who was a polarizing figure within the company. Well, Steve Jobs is gone, and now, so is Scott Forstall. In some ways, this is the biggest step that has yet been taken to make this Tim Cook's Apple. Both Steve Jobs and his heir apparent are gone. So too, are some of their ideas that brought us iOS in the first place. Change and new blood are good for a company like Apple. A little uncertainty will keep things fresh. For the first time, we will not know what to expect for the next few OS releases of either platform. Neither, I suspect, does Apple. And that's a very good thing as far as I'm concerned.

For any South Park fan the title of this story is a flashback to an awesome trilogy episode created by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. A quick summary for anyone who missed that episode, the infamous Eric Cartman and Kyle Broflovski have a bet that Cartman can prove that leprechauns are real. Cartman succeeds in proving Kyle wrong, and at the same time, people's imaginations have been taken over by terrorists and imaginations are running wild. Like most South Park episodes there is always a message, the message is this "who are we to judge whats real or not?" Characters like "Popeye" are fictional but we learn a lot from them, sometimes a lot more than from real people. I don't think eating spinach would have been an option in my life if it wasn't for Popeye. For those not familiar with Popeye, the character always gained incredible strength to defeat his enemy and save the girl by eating a can of spinach. I was amazed by this cartoon as a kid and today I can genuinely say "Thank you Popeye" for helping me eat spinach! Today it's one of my favorite dishes. As a cartoon junky I started to think about the different characters I've been watching in the past years and how each one of them taught me something really valuable. So I decided to share some of my "Imagination" learning journey by introducing some "fictional" characters from a different perspective. Not tight costumes and super powers, but more of how their struggles were more real than ever and how they dealt with issues and the lessons learned. I shall choose some of my favorites to show you. "Spiderman and Batman" are the ones I will cover. Chapter 1 The Amazing Spider Man "Amazing Spiderman" indeed, not just because he can walk on walls and shoot webbing, but because with all that he faces he always finds a way to stay on top. For people not familiar with the character created by the awesomest human alive Stan "the man" Lee, here's a quick synopsis. Peter Parker is a teenage science genius who faces normal teenage problems like getting the girl he wants and getting picked on by a bully. After getting bit by a radioactive spider, he turned into the "Amazing Spiderman". He gained super human strength,"amazing" agility, sticking ability and a spider sense that warns him when danger is coming. But Peter's secret weapon was always his intellect. Peter decided to lead the life of a superhero after the death of his Uncle Ben who taught him that "with great power comes great responsibility". His life was torn in half when he had to maintain his high school life while maintaining his secret identity. The lesson Uncle Ben taught Peter is the hidden message of almost each and every spiderman story. The power of being an extremely intelligent student and the responsibility to use that blessing to help enrich your life and others. The power of being able to lift a car and throw it 10 meters away and the responsibility of saving the world from villains that are constantly trying to destroy it. So what can we learn from our web headed friend? Well honestly this character is an encyclopedia of lessons, but Ill choose my favorite Spiderman lesson "Perseverance". You can see this character struggling every day from trying to keep his grades up, to a part time job taking pictures for a newspaper, to taking care of his aunt May and saving the world. The level of responsibility and perseverance is a lesson that everyone should follow. Never give up even if you are trying to the save the world; or if you can't start exercising because you're lazy or you can't get yourself the house you want, never give up. Plan, put a strategy and fight to reach your goal. "Your dreams are your responsibility, channel the power of your mind to accomplish those dreams"... From your friendly neighborhood Spiderman. Chapter 2 Batman I think everyone is familiar with the character "Sherlock Holmes", a fictional detective created by author and physician Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887. The character used logical reasoning and forensic science to solve difficult cases. Batman, is the enhanced Sherlock Holmes in the comic book world created by Artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. He is the number one detective in the entire universe, armed with an infinite number of gadgets (designed by him), a black belt in almost every martial art and a monopoly of almost every single industrial sector in Gotham City and some parts of the world... Not to mention he is also loved by the ladies as Bruce Wayne. So in general he is the guy that almost every kid wants to become because he is the easiest to achieve his status (theoretically). Im not going to go into details and brief the Dark Knight's story because I think everybody is familiar with it, but the origin of this character enlightens us with one of life's most valuable lessons.."You have to face your fears to overcome them". Bruce Wayne's life was shattered when his parents got shot in an alley and at home he fell into a cave that was filled with bats which made him suffer from "chiroptophobia" (fear of bats). After a journey of self discovery and martial arts trainings he returns to fulfill his duty as the hero of Gotham City, but first he must overcome his own fear to become a symbol of terror in the hearts of his enemies... BATMAN!. Some of my personal favorite Batman traits is his "attention to details and strategic thinking. This is one of my favorite practices of the world's best detective, and a very useful habit to pick up, it will come in real handy when going into any new experience or when handling conundrums created by the devious "Riddler"? So, take your time, analyze the problem from every single aspect, do the research, consider the options, do the required tests and formulate a result. Finally, after revealing Batman and Spiderman from a different perspective, I leave you with a word from Kyle Broflovski in the same south park episode that started all this "It's all real. Think about it. Haven't Luke Skywalker and Santa Claus affected your lives more than most real people in this room? I mean, whether Jesus is real or not, he's had a bigger impact on the world than any of us have. And the same can be said for Bugs Bunny and Superman and Harry Potter. They've changed my life, changed the way I act on the earth. Doesn't that make them kind of real? They might be imaginary, but they're more important than most of us here. And they're all gonna be around here long after we're dead. So, in a way, those things are more realer than any of us."

If you want to get out on the street and revel in the celebrations in style, you'll need to consider picking up a Mardi Gras costume. Since this probably isn't something you're going to wear more than once, many people decide to rent, rather than buy, their outfit. But even renting an outfit comes with a lot of considerations. After all, if you're going to go through the trouble and expense of dressing up for the occasion, you might as well make sure you're going to look your best. Here are some of the things you need to know before patronizing a shop. Accessories Part of the fun of a Mardi Gras costume is all of the accessories that go along with it. No one shows up on the streets of New Orleans without a few bead necklaces hanging around their neck at the very least. But beads are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to fun accessories. Masks, feather boas, and even fans can make sure that you stand out from a very strange and eclectic crowd. Some shops will have all of the accessories you need to complement your outfit, while others stop at the outfits themselves. You may want to find a shop that can meet all of your needs if you don't want to hit several places in an attempt to cobble together an ensemble. Customization If you've ever visited a Halloween store, you know that there are two types of people that dress up on the 31st of October: those who are happy with an outfit off the rack and those who want to put a lot of thought and creativity into their look. The same is true when it comes to putting together a Mardi Gras costume. Obviously, the mere fact that you are renting and not buying means your options will be limited when it comes to customization. But that doesn't mean you have to go out looking just like the catalog, by any means. A helpful shop owner will help you find ways to add your own touch to the outfit, whether it means using a different hairstyle or adorning yourself with interesting accessories. Reservations Don't make the mistake of waiting until the last week of January to pick out your Mardi Gras costume. While you may have no problem finding something suitable at this late date, you could just as easily find yourself completely out of luck. Don't take the chance. Find a good shop early and reserve your outfit well in advance. Not only can you have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you're all squared away, but you also won't have to fight the crowds to find your outfit closer to the event.

One of the great things about Mardi Gras costumes is that, in choosing one, you can be as conservative or wild as you want to be. There are no rules you must follow to dress up and have a good time. If you want to reuse your crazy outfit from Halloween, there's nothing saying that you can't. That said, most people like to choose an outfit and mask that hearkens to some of the traditions surrounding the celebration. These traditions are rich and steeped in history, which adds another dimension to the revelry. One of the most obvious aspects of these traditions is the prominent colors. Here's a look at these colors, any or all of which you can incorporate into your outfit. The Colors Gold, green, and purple are the dominant colors of the yearly celebration, which has its roots in ancient Rome and has been a New Orleans staple for many years. Of course, not just any versions of those colors will do. A very metallic gold color is needed, along with a bright green and a rich, royal purple. Why these colors? They were designated as the symbolic colors of power, faith, and justice back in 1892 by the king of the carnival. Some take this symbolism as is, while others look deeper and see a link between the colors and the Catholic church. The Church For those who want to believe that the first Rex of the carnival (Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff) pulled on Catholicism to choose the prominent colors that have adorned Mardi Gras costumes since the turn of the century, the evidence is ample. While there is certainly nothing wrong with taking his words as face value, it's impossible to deny the fact that the Catholic church has a strong connection with the carnival. It is, after all, meant to be a final blowout before Lent begins, a season in which practitioners abstain from their favorite pleasures and enter into deep meditation. Certainly, the concepts of faith and justice are among those traits believers feel they can achieve through their savior. Today Of course, you don't have to be a Catholic or a Christian at all to take place in the festivities, and most people will tell you that church is the last thing on anyone's mind in those days of celebration and excitement. The tradition of colors in Mardi Gras costumes is just that- a way to provide a theme for the carnival and a chance to hold true to its roots.

This is the time of year people come back into our lives for a reason. Some you don't want to see. They show up with drama and they teach you something about yourself and life. Others you are thrilled to see because they come back with love. I had not seen actress Betty White in person for nearly thirty years, when I got a chance to hug her recently. We met when she was starring in "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," and I was the publicist on the show for CBS Television Network. Over the years I had seen Betty on TV, and I wanted to tell her how she influenced my path in later years. She's a great animal lover, and on the board of the Los Angeles Zoo. When an opportunity came around for me to volunteer with the zoo and take animals to children's hospitals, I jumped on it because I remembered a special day in Betty's life that influenced me. Betty had just finished an interview with TV Guide. It was moments before she was going to make her debut on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," a classic now in television history. She was about to act her way into the hearts of millions around the world. I was in Betty's dressing room with her, the TV Guide reporter, and a studio publicist when there was a knock on her door. It was the assistant director. "Time to go on stage Betty!" This was it, an exciting time for the show and for Betty. The producers were looking for a Betty White type to play Sue Ann Nivens, a saucy, over-sexed host of a cooking show on the fictional network. Mary Tyler Moore, a good friend of Betty's said, "Why not just get Betty herself." They did and the ratings went through the roof. When Betty opened the door for the assistant director, he told her she had to hurry to get on set. We all started walking briskly with Betty to the stage, when a make-up artist on the show was passing us carrying a shoe box with care. Betty asked what was in the box and the woman said, "A baby bird fell out a nest." Betty stopped dead in her tracks, and the assistant director almost had a heart attack. A studio audience was waiting, and thousands of dollars would be ticking away with crew time if Betty didn't get on stage immediately and deliver her lines. She peered into the box and melted. She wanted to nurture the poor nestling, when the nervous assistant reminded her it was time to go. Betty began walking again, but she looked back over her shoulders telling the makeup artist to get a dropper to feed the bird. Her mind was on the bird, not on the upcoming biggest moment of her life. Throughout the years whenever I saw Betty on a show, I thought about that moment. I thought about the love she has not only for animals, but for people. Her assistant who has been with Betty for years said, she has never heard her say a bad word about anyone. When someone was out of line, Betty made excuses for them. I also thought that her resurgence back on television at her age, was a phenomenal achievement compared to thousands of actors like her, who have disappeared into the sunset. Besides her obvious talent, I have always felt that there was a spiritual reason. Thirty years later, on a rainy afternoon at the Wildlife Learning Center where I also volunteer, Betty had come to shoot a documentary. Only one man with a camera, a few people, and the founders of the Center were there. Before I was able to say hello, I watched her greet everyone with love. They all were touched by her kindness, especially Walt, my husband who has always adored her. It reminded me of the saying, "The bigger the star, the nicer they are." After greeting and embracing Betty, we held hands and chatted about the old days on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." I felt like I was talking to a long-lost aunt. At 90 years young, Betty is radiantly beautiful and has the spirit and the quick-wit faculties of a 50 year-old or younger. But, she's not like some of our elderly relatives who ramble endlessly, and make us want to run away. There is something magical in Betty's eyes. So what did Betty teach me coming back into my life? I now know why she has had this crazy success for decades. The spiritual reason is love. She also reminded me that physical beauty is radiant love. And that love is ageless and changeless. Love will not only give you everlasting success, but your love will touch and heal the lives of everyone in your path, especially those you haven't seen in years.

You would be hard pressed to find a bigger celebration in the United States than the one that occurs every week prior to lent in New Orleans. While the celebrations have taken various forms in various states, the New Orleans version is still the one people will travel from far away to be a part of. Mardi Gras costumes are a must for those who want to get into the carnival spirit, and you won't see a more motley assortment of crazy outfits outside of Halloween. For those in the know, this tradition of dressing up for the occasion is called "masking", and it is as much a part of the festivities as beads and floats. Here's a look at the history behind this proud tradition. Pierre Le Moyne Like almost everything with strong historical roots in New Orleans, Mardi Gras costumes have strong ties to France. Brought to America by the Canadian explorer Pierre Le Moyne, the carnival was an instant success, carrying on the masking traditions beloved in Paris at the time. When New Orleans was under French rule in the 1700s, costumed balls were as common as they were in the city that made them so famous. Towards the end of the century, however, the Spanish took control of the territory and put an end to the masked parties, considering them pagan in nature. They remained outlawed until the early 1800s. The Parades While Mardi Gras costumes were commonplace as soon as the prohibition on masking was lifted, the organized parades the carnival is so known for today did not begin until 1837. They were short lived, however, not because the authorities sought to ban them, but because they became an easy target for robbery. Bringing the tradition back was left to a group known as the Comus Krewe, which pulled off a complete organization of the carnival in 1857, introducing elaborate parades, decorated floats and characters who wore complete Mardi Gras costumes in addition to the traditional masks. Characters such as King Rex and the Zulu King were introduced and quickly became long term staples of the celebration. Indians and Tramps Anyone with the slightest knowledge of Mardi Gras costumes and their history knows all about the Indians. While not true Native Americans, but rather individuals often comprising African Americans and various mixed race people dressed as such, they are intended not to mock the original people of the country, but rather shine a light on their plight. The Tramps are just as important to the history, comprised of African Americans in exaggerated blackface in protest of white actors of the time doing the same in movies and on stage. The group, known as the Zulu Social Aid and Pleasure Club, still makes their appearance in blackface today.