Google has some pretty cool new features for blogs. One of them is the ability to add specific news feeds from Google News, so I'm having some fun with it. Scroll down and look on the right to see the latest news on the Spears family (You can select either Britney or Jamie Lynn) as well as the Lindsay Lohan news ticker. All links open a new window.
Any ideas for others, let me know.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Reindeer Games
The building I work in has video screens in the elevators that provide news updates and trivia side-by-side with advertisements (because God knows we need to be entertained for the 45 seconds we're trapped in there . . .).
This morning, one of the trivia items it displayed was that reindeer are the only species of deer in which the females grow antlers. Consequently, Rudolph (and all of Santa's other reindeer) could be girls.
I'll bet it makes for interesting encounters in reindeer bars.
This morning, one of the trivia items it displayed was that reindeer are the only species of deer in which the females grow antlers. Consequently, Rudolph (and all of Santa's other reindeer) could be girls.
I'll bet it makes for interesting encounters in reindeer bars.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
The Downside of the Holidays
Now I don't mean to sound Scrooge-like, but hear me out.
I love the holidays.
I love the holidays in New York.
I love tourists because I enjoy sharing the city I adore with others and appreciate what they do for our economy.
I don't like tourists during the holidays.
It's not that I don't like them. It's just that as someone who has to walk through the theater district going to and from work, the heavy influx of tourists at this time of year who don't understand how to navigate our streets frustrates the crap out of me as I'm trying to make my way. I have, therefore, come up with the following tips for tourists in New York at the holidays:
1. Unless you're from the UK, a current or former British colony, or Japan - stay to the right. I can understand if you're from one of the previously mentioned locales and your natural instinct is to stay left, but for the other 96% of you - stay to the right! It will make walking on busy streets much easier.
2. Unless you're dressed like Marilyn Monroe (which you're not) or wearing spike heels (most of you are in sneakers), it's okay to walk on subway and transformer grates.
3. Eyes front while walking. This means:
4. Don't walk more than two or three abreast on the sidewalk. Otherwise, we will think of you as bowling pins and go for the strike. Or at least a 7 - 10 split.
5. If you must pose for a picture and are shooting across a crowded busy sidewalk, most people will stop or walk around you - ONLY if you don't take too long to pose or set up the camera. Otherwise your portrait will be marred by several passing faces in profile, some again giving your lens the bird.
6. The Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and TGI Fridays do NOT represent New York cuisine. You will never find New Yorkers there as patrons. These establishments exist in New York purely for your convenience should you get homesick.
7. We understand that you don't jay-walk, but please don't huddle up at the corner waiting for the light to change, blocking all access to the street. Jay-walking is a New Yorker's God-given right. Unless you too have the innate ability to triangulate the velocity of an oncoming taxi with the proximity to your kneecaps, move aside so we can finish crossing safely.
8. Just because you bought an NYPD or FDNY hat, doesn't mean we will assume you're a cop or firefighter. This is especially true when your buddy is wearing a shirt that says "FBI (Female Body Inspector)."
We don't mean to be rude. We know you're here to soak it all in, to enjoy the many sights and activities our fair city has to offer. We're happy to have you here. We also understand that you walk slowly.
It's just that we don't.
When you see someone walking purposefully with no hint of map or camera in hand and seemingly un-phased by all the bright lights, PLEASE just move out of the way so we can get about our business. Everyone will have a better holiday.
I love the holidays.
I love the holidays in New York.
I love tourists because I enjoy sharing the city I adore with others and appreciate what they do for our economy.
I don't like tourists during the holidays.
It's not that I don't like them. It's just that as someone who has to walk through the theater district going to and from work, the heavy influx of tourists at this time of year who don't understand how to navigate our streets frustrates the crap out of me as I'm trying to make my way. I have, therefore, come up with the following tips for tourists in New York at the holidays:
1. Unless you're from the UK, a current or former British colony, or Japan - stay to the right. I can understand if you're from one of the previously mentioned locales and your natural instinct is to stay left, but for the other 96% of you - stay to the right! It will make walking on busy streets much easier.
2. Unless you're dressed like Marilyn Monroe (which you're not) or wearing spike heels (most of you are in sneakers), it's okay to walk on subway and transformer grates.
3. Eyes front while walking. This means:
- Don't look at your map while walking;
- Don't look up at the lights or tall buildings while you're walking;
- Don't use your camera while walking. You will end up with someone giving your lens the bird.
4. Don't walk more than two or three abreast on the sidewalk. Otherwise, we will think of you as bowling pins and go for the strike. Or at least a 7 - 10 split.
5. If you must pose for a picture and are shooting across a crowded busy sidewalk, most people will stop or walk around you - ONLY if you don't take too long to pose or set up the camera. Otherwise your portrait will be marred by several passing faces in profile, some again giving your lens the bird.
6. The Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and TGI Fridays do NOT represent New York cuisine. You will never find New Yorkers there as patrons. These establishments exist in New York purely for your convenience should you get homesick.
7. We understand that you don't jay-walk, but please don't huddle up at the corner waiting for the light to change, blocking all access to the street. Jay-walking is a New Yorker's God-given right. Unless you too have the innate ability to triangulate the velocity of an oncoming taxi with the proximity to your kneecaps, move aside so we can finish crossing safely.
8. Just because you bought an NYPD or FDNY hat, doesn't mean we will assume you're a cop or firefighter. This is especially true when your buddy is wearing a shirt that says "FBI (Female Body Inspector)."
We don't mean to be rude. We know you're here to soak it all in, to enjoy the many sights and activities our fair city has to offer. We're happy to have you here. We also understand that you walk slowly.
It's just that we don't.
When you see someone walking purposefully with no hint of map or camera in hand and seemingly un-phased by all the bright lights, PLEASE just move out of the way so we can get about our business. Everyone will have a better holiday.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Vote Early, Vote Often
Just a reminder that there are now only 12 days left to help Sumter Regional Hospital in Americus, Georgia win a free MRI (See my original post here). Please try and cast your vote once per day through the end of the year by going here and selecting Sumter Regional (should be the first to appear in the list).
I hope Santa has a Siemens Magnetom Essenza 1.5T in his bag for them . . .
I hope Santa has a Siemens Magnetom Essenza 1.5T in his bag for them . . .
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Santa Matt or Matt Claus?
A couple of weeks ago, I was approached by one of my clients - a community health center on the Upper West Side - because they needed a Santa for the annual kids holiday party. Since it is every nice Jewish boy's dream to play Santa (that, and to date a shiksa) I leapt at the opportunity.
I showed up on Saturday morning a week and a half ago and the first thing I noticed was the phenomenal job they had done creating a winter wonderland of the facility. There was a whole process whereby kids checked in while being serenaded by a choir, then proceeded through the halls to the first stop which was a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. They then proceeded down another hall to a second Santa and Mrs. Claus who gave them wrapped age and gender-appropriate gifts.
I was given my costume which was complete from the wig, beard and hat down to the big black fur-trimmed boots. A pillow added to my tummy and the transformation was complete. People there who know me didn't even recognize me.
For the first 2 hours, I was photo Santa, and the second 2 hours was gift Santa. Over 600 kids came through in those 4 hours!
A community health center serves Medicaid populations and the uninsured. More than a medical facility, it is a safe home for many of its patients. A place where they come and are treated not only for their conditions, but also with the utmost respect. That the entire staff turns out to put on this party for the kids is a tribute to the passion and compassion of those that work there. I was very proud to be a part of it.
I expected a lot of things. I expected some of the younger kids to be scared of me (I won many of them over). I expected some interesting questions ("Are you the real Santa?") and requests ("Santa, can please bring me a baby?" My response - "Well, it depends on what your mother looks like . . ." Yes, I'm kidding about my response). What I did not expect was the number of kids who, when it was their turn to approach me, just ran into my arms and gave me a great big hug.
I was honored and proud to serve in this capacity and have already been invited back for next year. In the meantime, the local ABC station covered the event (my client and this event are very prominent in NYC) and you can see the news clip here.
It was definitely the highlight of my holiday season. Hope yours is as rewarding and fulfilling.
I showed up on Saturday morning a week and a half ago and the first thing I noticed was the phenomenal job they had done creating a winter wonderland of the facility. There was a whole process whereby kids checked in while being serenaded by a choir, then proceeded through the halls to the first stop which was a picture with Santa and Mrs. Claus. They then proceeded down another hall to a second Santa and Mrs. Claus who gave them wrapped age and gender-appropriate gifts.
I was given my costume which was complete from the wig, beard and hat down to the big black fur-trimmed boots. A pillow added to my tummy and the transformation was complete. People there who know me didn't even recognize me.
For the first 2 hours, I was photo Santa, and the second 2 hours was gift Santa. Over 600 kids came through in those 4 hours!
A community health center serves Medicaid populations and the uninsured. More than a medical facility, it is a safe home for many of its patients. A place where they come and are treated not only for their conditions, but also with the utmost respect. That the entire staff turns out to put on this party for the kids is a tribute to the passion and compassion of those that work there. I was very proud to be a part of it.
I expected a lot of things. I expected some of the younger kids to be scared of me (I won many of them over). I expected some interesting questions ("Are you the real Santa?") and requests ("Santa, can please bring me a baby?" My response - "Well, it depends on what your mother looks like . . ." Yes, I'm kidding about my response). What I did not expect was the number of kids who, when it was their turn to approach me, just ran into my arms and gave me a great big hug.
I was honored and proud to serve in this capacity and have already been invited back for next year. In the meantime, the local ABC station covered the event (my client and this event are very prominent in NYC) and you can see the news clip here.
It was definitely the highlight of my holiday season. Hope yours is as rewarding and fulfilling.
Friday, December 14, 2007
New Playground
It used to be that if you wanted to find me in my neighborhood (i.e. if I wasn't at home), you usually would have to look no further than Tower Records or Barnes & Noble, both a block and a half away.
A year ago Tower Records closed and I was terribly depressed. Spent more time at Barnes & Noble, though their excuse for a music department and complete lack of knowledgeable staff rubbed salt in the wound.
Thanksgiving week, Best Buy opened a few blocks away. Slightly bigger music selection than B&N and same lack of educated staff, but oh the gadgets!
If you know me, you know I like gadgets and I now get to wander wide-eyed through the aisles thinking up my wish list. I carry napkins for the drool that occasionally escapes the corner of my mouth. I bump into people a lot.
It's fun to see what's out and what's new, but it is also a sad reminder that as much as I am a gadget guy, my current stock of goodies are a bit behind the times. (Warning: Only gadget people may likely understand and/or appreciate the following!) I have a 4G iPod (though may have to go 6G as my measly 20GB drive is almost full and I want video), my GPS doesn't have integrated bluetooth, my digital SLR shoots only 6MP and my DVD player does not upconvert to 1080i (only have a 720p TV but who cares . . . gotta have it).
I know, I know - poor, poor boy . . . But you don't understand. Walking through Best Buy makes me want to be the best gadget guy I can be.
Maybe the Easter Bunny - ahem - I mean the Passover Porcupine will bring me goodies.
A year ago Tower Records closed and I was terribly depressed. Spent more time at Barnes & Noble, though their excuse for a music department and complete lack of knowledgeable staff rubbed salt in the wound.
Thanksgiving week, Best Buy opened a few blocks away. Slightly bigger music selection than B&N and same lack of educated staff, but oh the gadgets!
If you know me, you know I like gadgets and I now get to wander wide-eyed through the aisles thinking up my wish list. I carry napkins for the drool that occasionally escapes the corner of my mouth. I bump into people a lot.
It's fun to see what's out and what's new, but it is also a sad reminder that as much as I am a gadget guy, my current stock of goodies are a bit behind the times. (Warning: Only gadget people may likely understand and/or appreciate the following!) I have a 4G iPod (though may have to go 6G as my measly 20GB drive is almost full and I want video), my GPS doesn't have integrated bluetooth, my digital SLR shoots only 6MP and my DVD player does not upconvert to 1080i (only have a 720p TV but who cares . . . gotta have it).
I know, I know - poor, poor boy . . . But you don't understand. Walking through Best Buy makes me want to be the best gadget guy I can be.
Maybe the Easter Bunny - ahem - I mean the Passover Porcupine will bring me goodies.
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Molly's Instinct
I believe I have mentioned in the past that my daughter has a trait that is not exactly socially friendly. She is quite gaseous. Since breaking wind is still very funny to a 7 year old, we are treated to her gastrointestinal feats of wonder on a regular basis even though we admonish her to control it if possible.
Last night Molly provided what can only be described as an explosive example of this condition. I responded with a very stern "MOLLY!!" Once she stopped laughing, she said "Dad, I can't help it. It's my instinct."
Only problem is that when Molly said that last word, she left off the "t" at the end. She was quite right. It is her "instink."
Last night Molly provided what can only be described as an explosive example of this condition. I responded with a very stern "MOLLY!!" Once she stopped laughing, she said "Dad, I can't help it. It's my instinct."
Only problem is that when Molly said that last word, she left off the "t" at the end. She was quite right. It is her "instink."
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