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M.I.T. park benches
Not the MIT park benches referred to below
MIT-designed park benches can also connect to Net
The Boston Globe reported earlier this week that two simple park benches turned up recently on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. However, there is nothing all that simple about these seats built at MIT. These park benches can charge your smartphones, connect to the Internet, and light up after 5 p.m. all thanks to their solar-powered batteries. The designers intend to add sensors to the seats to detect for air pollution and even whether someone nearby is smoking.
The Boston Globe story is here.
Need to get my butt to the gym
The fact that I’m going to be on the beach in Rio de Janeiro in just a few weeks is starting to give me cause to panic. I’ve been preoccupied with work and not been going to the gym; save for my sessions with my trainer, Kris.
Mental note: must stop buying a cookie when I get my afternoon coffee.
Ryan Landry returns with It’s A Horrible Life
Earlier this week, Ryan Landry and his Gold Dust Orpans announced that this year’s Holiday show will be a new production, It’s a Horrible Life.
The show opens on December 5th and runs through December 29th; playing every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night at 8pm and every Sunday afternoon at 5pm.
Tickets cost $35 for general admission and $45 V.I.P. seating and can be purchased online HERE.
Furry Friday
“Flirt”
You can be fired for being gay
Did you know that half of all Americans support a law banning job discrimination against gays and lesbians, according to a recent HuffPost/YouGov poll? Interestingly, that same poll also found that even more Americans falsely believe it is already illegal nationally to fire somebody for being gay. Sadly that isn’t true. Only 16 states (those in yellow above) make it illegal to fire someone because they are gay.
Today the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA) came one step closer to becoming law when the US Senate voted 64 to 32 in its favor. House Republicans, including Speaker John Boehner continue to oppose this legislation. Is it any wonder that LGBT voters disproportionately support Democrats? It is self-preservation.
Bravo Jesse
Facebook photo that banned Jesse Jackman
My friend Jesse made some news last month when a photo of him kissing his partner was removed by Facebook, citing it violated their community standards. Long story short, the situation was rectified by Facebook rather quickly, but Jesse has penned an article that is on the Huffington Post today, We Must (Not) Surrender that addresses a rather ugly side to last month’s story.
“…Dirk and I certainly feel that the definition and enforcement of their Community Standards policy needs significant refinement. However, we do not believe that Facebook is the enemy here. Our true adversaries are those who posted the hate-filled comments in the first place.”
I think we can agree that there needs to be a modicum of respect when we interact with each other via social media. The threats and bullying Jesse and his partner had directed at them on Facebook is the real story. I’d encourage you to read Jesse’s full article on Huffington Post here.
Tweet of the Day
Yes, flattery can definitely get you a shout out from my blog, although that is not what my handsome friend, Jesse, expected when he surprised me with a shout out on Twitter yesterday. I didn’t even know he was on Twittah.
I wanted to return the favor by giving this newbie to Twitter a shout out. Check out this handsome guy and follow @JLApaCorreia.
Muito obrigado Jesse. Beijos pra voce.
Brazil ranked #1 by Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet has named Brazil the most exciting place to visit in 2014, and I totally agree. Brazil is preparing for two of the world’s premiere sporting events, 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Summer Olympics.
In a little more than three weeks I will be flying back down to Brazil where I’ll spend a few days in Belo Horizonte to visit family. I’ll then fly over to Rio de Janeiro where Sergio and I will spend a week with a couple we’ve become friendly with over the past 18 months then just the two of us will drive down to Paraty; a Portuguese colonial village on the water three hours south of Rio for some rest and relaxation before heading home.
My trip to Florianopolis Brazil in 2012
Want to see what other destinations rounded out Lonely Planet’s top ten destinations to visit in 2014? Link here: Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2014.
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Chris Craves
NOW THAT I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION…
Chris Craves is an undergrad student who emailed me the other day, asking (ever so nicely) if I would to share his brief, anonymous survey on recycling that he created for his undergraduate class with my readers.
I just took the survey and it took me a less than 2 minutes (including the time I took to type an extra bit explaining my opinion). Won’t you help this student out with his survey project about recycling?
SpeakEasy Stage Co. presents Kurt Vonnegut’s Make Up Your Mind
This past week I was able to see The SpeakEasy Stage Company world premiere of a the new comedy, KURT VONNEGUT’S MAKE UP YOUR MIND. The play was assembled by Broadway playwright Nicky Silver from eleven different versions of the script penned by Mr. Vonnegut before his passing in 2007.
The show opens in New York City in 1986. The 90-minute performance without intermission is filled with fast paced, witty dialog interspersed by occasional breaks where Richard Snee pulls double duty, also playing the role of Kurt Vonnegut talking to the audience. I preferred the powerful drama TRIBES that opened the SpeakEasy Stage Company 2013 / 2014 season, but fans of Mr. Vonnegut’s cutting wit will like this performance and enjoy the repartee.
KURT VONNEGUT’S MAKE UP YOUR MIND runs thru Nov-30. You may purchase tickets at the Calderwood Pavilion box office or online here.
Post-DOMA financial summit
Two weeks from today Boston Spirit Magazine will be hosting a Post-DOMA financial summit to review and discuss tax implications, family and estate questions, and offer important investment advice.
This free summit has proven to be so popular that it is completely full, but they are looking to add a second night. If you would be interested in attending this free program, you are encouraged to add your name to the registration page and Boston Spirit Magazine will follow up to provide you meeting details and logistics for their second summit.
Interested in learning more? Link here to add your name.
Gatorade’s New Performance Suppository: G Push
I love the Onion. Did you happen to read this hilarious story about G Push, a performance-enhancing suppository?
My favorite part of the article:
“The product’s new commercial reportedly features a smiling LeBron James holding a G Push suppository in his palm before the screen suddenly goes dark and text appears reading, “G Push: Is it in you?”
OMG!
You can read the full (fake) article here.
The morning after
This was an off year election for most people but there were two notable elections that took place in the United States yesterday. Neither election played out the way the Tea Party would have liked.
NJ: Incumbent Republican Governor Chris Christie was re-elected despite the fact he is loathed by the Tea Party because of his willingness to work with President Obama last year after Hurricane Sandy devastated the NJ coastline as well as a false perception (that’s my opinion) he is a moderate.
VA: The nasty gubernatorial race between (former Democratic Party Chair) Terry McAuliffe, and the Tea Party backed candidate, Ken Cuccinelli (Virginia’s current A.G.), has resulted in a McAuliffe win, meaning the Democratic Party has won back a Governor’s seat. Thank you Tea Party 🙂
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