New Cicada :: Music + Technology

>Girls Trip to the Winter Classic: Food, Friends and a Sea of Red

newcicada — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 23:14:00 +0000

I’ve always had a fondness for Pittsburgh. Some of my really good friends are from PGH, I bought my first “almost new” car from there. It’s also home to Mean Joe Greene, the only football player I ever had a football card for — his birthday is a day before mine. I remember in the late 1970s how much I was dying for one of those Pittsburgh Pirates hard hats. They were really cool.

The 2011 Winter Classic adventure began a long time ago when my friend Becki and Alison (super Caps fans) schemed of going and Becki, being a former PGH native, orchestrated the whole weekend. The plan was to head up to Pittsburgh for New Years Eve and catch the Winter Classic somewhere close to the stadium. Thus, the 2011 Winter Classic all-girls roadtrip was born. I was happy to join along for the ride. I told them that I was “in” and to save me a seat in the car.

I’ll be pretty honest with you, I don’t know too much about ice hockey. Guys who I have dated have brought me to a few Caps games over the years. A bunch of my good friends have season tickets so I tag along to a few games that way too.

You could say I didn’t know too much about what I was getting into with the 2011 Winter Classic. I was outfitted for success though. I had a Caps jersey (thanks Mike!) and good friends who wanted me to love the game as much as they did. We had reservations for good eats on New Years Eve and had a running game plan on where to watch the game in Pittsburgh. The rest we would figure out as we went along. Here is a recap of our adventure in Steel City.

The Hockey Song

Emails went out last week talking about what we should bring with us and the priority were for each of us to make a playlist. Within the first hour, iPods were being whipped out from Becki and Kerin who had carefully selected tunes for the ride up – both with “finale” songs which turned out to be The Hockey Song. Not sure how many roadtrips to the Winter Classic had The Hockey Song AND the Indigo Girls and Madonna on the same playlists. There was a lot of singing along, a few games of “Whose your favorite actor?” and a wish for Madlibs.

You can check out my playlist on @rdio. The last four songs are new stories which were added today.

Eleven on the Eve of 2011

Like a lot of people, we relied on recommendations from our friends and Yelp to figure out where to go. It was decided that Eleven looked good. On Yelp it was 4 out of 5 stars with 67 reviews. Similar on Urban Spoon with 4 out of 5 stars with 37 reviews and highlights in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review and the New York Times Travel Section (at the end) was a “Where to Eat” highlight.

Besides the big win for the Caps at the Winter Classic, Eleven was the second best treat of the trip. Very modern, yet a cozy place with wood and exposed brick. A glass wine cellar, low lights with candle in every corner. Each of us had a bit of sparkle on to celebrate New Years Eve. We got there a little early to toast our friendship, a new year and a great game ahead.

As we were about to get up to go to our table from the lounge, we were playing name that tune. We really noticed the eclectic taste of the music at Eleven. Remember, I’m a music person. My ear perked up when The Smith’s came on, then Arcade Fire’s Wake Up came on (formerly known as, “What’s that song U2 used to open their 360 show?”). My mates “Shazamed” the song on the spot. The server exclaimed, “Oh, I love Arcade Fire!” I knew we were in the right place.

We walked upstairs for dinner and our table overlooked the lounge area. We started to get excited to see what was on the wine menu from the glass wine case along the stairs. When we sat down, I shared with the girls that last week I was in Manhattan picking out a few bottles of wine for a friend and Steve at Chelsea Wine Vault delighted me the stories the 1976 Judgement of Paris (you can see this in Bottle Shock) and I bought 2008 Chateau Montelena 2008 Chardonney, Meursault 2008 Burgundy White Wine and a Grgich Hill Fume Blanc. At Christmas, I bought my parents another Grgich Hills this time a Zinfandel and Spellbound 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon. I’m new at the wine thing. Like most things, I am learning.

We started to get settled in and Craig introduced himself as our server. We knew right away we were going to have a great time at dinner. First Craig handled our quizzes of the wine list and was great fun to talk to. Alison ended up with a delightful 2008 Frank Family Cabernet Sauvignon — the pick of the night. I found a 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon from Freemark Abbey.

There were lots of options for the picky eaters at the table. Two of us (Kerin and I) don’t eat seafood. There were price fixe dinners with wine pairings which looked tempting, especially the vegetarian selection of Gnocci. In the end, I ordered the Beef Tenderloin with potato-goat cheese pierogi, caramelized onions and veal jus with a mushroom soup as a starter. I’m not much of a soup person, but I couldn’t resist. It was creamy and rich. Then we took a little break and wondered if we should get dessert. First came the traditional, “who wants to share?” then came the “well it is New Years Eve” justification. So we all picked a different dessert.

Before coming to Eleven we read that the Banana Cream Pie was a dessert favorite. I was sold. In DC at the Little Fountain Cafe in Adams Morgan was my first experience with truly spectacular dessert within the banana family, Bananas Foster. Ever since then, I will always pick any dessert which might be associated with that dessert family. The closest I have found around town is the Carlyle Grand’s Old Fashioned Banana Pudding (not a foster, but really good).

If you get a chance to eat at Eleven in Pittsburgh, its well worth the reservation and a few extra dollars. Try to have Craig as your server, he’s great a recommendations and wine pairings. And definitely take the time to enjoy the environment. We had a few laughs at a few songs on the Eleven background music playlist. We weren’t sure how “She works hard for the money” by Donna Summer and “Y.M.C.A” by the Village People got on there. They became good fun dinner topics. The only recommendation I would give to Eleven would be to stick with Arcade Fire or if you want, try my friend T.H. White’s album More than Before. Seems more like “Eleven” music to me.

Jerome Bettis

I’m pretty lucky that I have planners as friends. We stayed at the Wyndham Grand (Downtown) which is conveniently located at the point of the three rivers which converge in Pittsburgh. One of the walking trivia contests was which rivers converged. I got the confluence right – the Ohio River. The two rivers that feed the Ohio are the Allegheny and Monongahela. From the Grand we could walk across Fort Duquesne Bridge over to Heinz Stadium.

Just over the bridge is Jerome “The Bus” Bettis restaurant, “Jerome Bettis’ Grille 36″ the location of where we could see the stadium in the background but watched the Winter Classic in HD. Okay, so we weren’t in the stadium, but we had a great time with others who, just like us, came up to cheer the Caps on. We were glad we came to the Bettis 36. We got there so early, we practically staked out a “Caps” section for the entire day.

Perhaps because we were four girls with Caps gear we were approached by Pens fans who were very curious to see if we “we were being treated well” in Pittsburgh. Interestingly enough by the end of the trip this question came up several times. It was in fact one of the first questions a Pens fan would ask us besides what part of DC we were from. Many of the Pens fans actually lived in DC too. Just home rooting for their team. We were really happy to report to everyone who asked if we were okay that we were having a great time and Pittsburgh was very kind to us.

For those who wondered, “Why would you drive to a game you didn’t have tickets for?” Well, I’m not sure what the answer was, but my answer would be, it was warm and dry at Bettis 36 and we had a great time with all the folks who were there. There was Pens and Caps chants, we had a consistent Caps section going strong at Bettis and we even could see the fireworks just a block a way. The bonus was that we were just as happy there and didn’t have to drop $400 for a ticket.

We wanted to give Missy a quick shout out. She was our fabulous bartender/server who was so much fun to talk to and took good care of us all day on Saturday. The food at Bettis was pretty good and the atmosphere was fun for a modernish sports bar. We had a great time all day long.

#FailWhale

I will report one big fat #fail and that was, predictably, regarding cell phone service around the stadium. This has been a topic of mine for a very long time. I’ll be writing another blog on this later, but the bottomline is that carriers, stadiums and event production companies SIMPLY MUST provide reliable mobile service coverage for large events. Just because an event is three hours should a customer have no service coverage? In fact, at large events it is imperative that service is provided. What if someone had a heart attack in the parking lot? Or in the stadium itself? People need to be able to communicate during a live event. Live events like the Winter Classic are planned and have plenty of resources which carriers can tap. Local governments should require in the permitting for large events that mobile service be able to be provided. Live event promoters and local emergency management could look at mobile as an additional safety tool for large public events and encouraging the public to share information and to direct them to numbers to call if they need help (not every call is a 911 call). Marketers can tap this connectivity to provide enhanced content and connectivity to their audience. Its a win-win all the way around. Service needs to be consistent, available and reliable even if there are 100,000 people in one place at one time.

Out of the phones that we had three iPhones and a Sprint HTC, only Sprint worked. We were able to connect to the internet via the Bettis Wi-Fi. Even though in our group AT&T failed again, all of the major carriers need to provide service for their customers at large events.

A Sea of Red

I’m such an “everyone win” kind of person. I wanted to see the Caps have a good game but was a little apprehensive about the home field advantage. Remember, I don’t know too much about ice hockey. I don’t know the stats, all I knew was that we were playing in Pittsburgh in their house. We were excited (and a bit nervous) as we settled in at Bettis 36 for the game.

Early on the Caps Sea of Red that was almost half of the bar dwindled down to a tight group of us and about 500 Pens fans. Okay. I’ll admit, I had a few doubts. Then there was the first Caps goal. Then the second. When the third goal was scored. Our little group went nuts and were in a bit of shock. How could this be? We went with it. Lots of nervous energy in our pocket of red at the Bettis 36. As the clock wore down, it didn’t look good for the Pens. It was really quiet in Bettis for those last 10 minutes. I felt really bad for the Pens. At the end, we said “good game” to our new Pens friends who were standing around us. We hugged it out.

As we walked the bridge back to the hotel, we were all taken with how quiet the bridge was – both Caps and Pens fans. There was some serious respect happening on that bridge between the fans. Everyone was happy to see a great game, tho, I felt for the Pens fans. Everyone was really respectful as they walked home. It was a game I would have brought my kids to (if I had kids).

As soon as we stepped into the Wyndam Grand, it was a Sea of Red again. Caps fans were bustling about the hotel, some cheering, more high fives, lots of “what a great game!” I was happy to see our kinfolk at the hotel. It reminded me of Clydes after a game. Though, would have been super cool to have a Cap or two come by the hotel, the fans would have been delirious over that.

At the end it was a great game. Happy the Caps won. Have to give the love to the Black and Yellow for their hospitality and Bettis 36 for having us.

The Day After: Last Stop – Primanti Brothers

You have to give us some props, we rallied for some Primanti Brothers at Market Square at 11AM this morning for our brunch of a sandwich made of meat, vinegar-based cole slow, tomato slices and french fries (yes, in the sandwich) between two pieces of italian bread.

Interestingly, the sandwich only required a bit of hot sauce. There isn’t any spice (aside from the cole slow favor) on the sandwich. It was massive. It’s something you just have to have when you go to Pittsburgh. Kinda like when you come to DC you have to get a half smoke from Ben’s Chili Bowl. Now that would have been a great foodie match – Primanti Bros vs. Ben’s Chili Bowl.

According to Wikipedia, the story of this amazing sandwich goes something like this,

“The original shop is located in Pittsburgh’s Strip District, a narrow strip of land where the warehouses and produce yards are located. In the 1930s, the Strip was a very busy place. Truckers delivered their goods in the middle of the night and had to get back on the road quickly. So Primanti’s designed their sandwich to be eaten with one hand, while the driver drove the truck with the other. By combining the sides with the sandwich, a Pittsburgh staple was born. Of course, the restaurant offers a slightly humorous take on it, offering the explanation that the Primanti brothers simply forgot the plates and forks one day. According to the restaurant, Joe Primanti, born in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania, invented the sandwich during the Great Depression. His brothers, Dick and Stanley, later joined him. The Primantis opened their hole-in-the-wall restaurant at Smallman Street and 18th Street in the Strip District and served the late-night and early-morning workers who were unloading fish, fruits, and vegetables.^[2]”

The Home Team

You often hear folks in DC saying, “Nobody is actually from DC.” Meaning that because of the political and transient nature of the city, there are more “out of towners” than most cities would have. Perhaps this urban myth can be finally put to bed. Washington DC has a community that has been and will be here for a long time. Yes, it can shift with administrations, but its not unlike any other city.

As we drove home today we talked about “being from” a place and what that meant. We tossed around the literal sense: where you are from where you grew up or spent the most time. Then we tossed in perhaps you are “from” where you live now and support the community or that you once used to live in a place and hold fondness of being once “from there.” Then we said, “does it really matter?” This is coming from a car with 2 New Yorkers, 1 former PGH resident and me, someone who spend most of her years in Tidewater region of Virginia. What we came up with that where, yes, there are rivalries between cities, that in the end we all have similar qualities. Because at the end of the day, all cities are a collective of people, each area with a diverse set of characteristics, culture and hometown comforts. Some folks are lucky to have a sports team close, but in the 80s when I grew up, most of the people that I knew supported DC teams. In fact, there is a picture of me somewhere with a Redskins bib.

Our Winter Classic adventure was a blast. It was the people who made it fun – my girl friends and all the fans (on both sides). Many thanks to Pittsburgh for welcoming us with open arms. As we drove down the PA Turnpike, one car said it all:

When’s the next Caps game?

I’m in.

>Big Heart

newcicada — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 12:12:00 +0000

Amazing times.

My very favorite picture of CrisisCommons.

A community that is all heart.

>NASA Tweetup: Day 1 at Kennedy Space Center

newcicada — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 18:22:00 +0000

Leave it to me to figure out its impossible to tweet, video, photograph and write at the same time. I’m trying to figure out what would be my unique contribution to the NASA Tweetup. I’m such a long form writer (er, and talker). I’m not quick as everyone here to point, shoot and Tweet. There is a lot of Memorex-ing going on here.

As I drove up to Kennedy I was feeling increasing like my iPhone camera would not be adequate. So I picked up a Canon SLR on the way. I justified that I needed it. Turns out you really don’t. Someone at these events always has a bigger lens and will share their pics online. So in essence you don’t need that SLR too much.

Right off the bat you can tell the whole event was well organized. It was fantastic to be part of something (that I didn’t organize) and to appreciate all the effort that goes into an event like this. Was really impressive. Nice little schwag bags to boot.

So as I drove up to the area where the famous countdown clock overlooks the tidal basin. There was a little controversy that the clock wasn’t on because the countdown had already started. Apparently the official clock only startes T-minus 24 hours before. Seeing as we are two full days before the launch, its doing what is supposed to do right now.

NASA really went all out for this Tweetup. We are in an air conditioned tent. We have tables with power and Wi-Fi. There are actual floors to this tent. The lighting is perfect for photos and they have the classic NASA backdrop by the podium.

I walked in and saw a table right up front where it was all girls. I took a seat and immediately felt right at home. So there was @silverrocks @natachac @mswz at the table. @mzwz immediately came up to me and loved my pink case for my MacBook, I equally envied her pink iPad cover. Then @silverrocks pulled out her 1980s retro Astro Barbie doll. I was in heaven! Sometimes is really fun to hang with the girls.

During the first hour I was there I learned that the the proper term for the tent of a tweetup is a “twent.” Of course, would it be anything else?

We didn’t have to wait too long for the program to start. Beginning at 1pm we started with briefings and significant Q&A from the Tweetup participants.

1:00 p.m. – Welcome and introductions by @NASA team member John Yembrick

1:05 p.m. – Welcome video from Nicole Stott (@Astro_Nicole)

1:10 p.m. – Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

+ Video Pending

1:30 p.m. – Stephanie Stilson, NASA Discovery flow director, Launch Vehicle Processing Directorate, Kennedy Space Center

+ Video Pending

2:00 p.m. – Jason Goldman (@goldman), vice president of Product, Twitter

@goldman talked gave examples of uses of Twitter such as the 200 Atlanta gas shortage and the LA earthquake. He mentioned that information took about 15/20 minutes before it was on the local media. Earthquakes are good examples of how to see information in real time. Another example @emergency_in_sf twitter account. Gave accounting of traffic on the bay bridge part of it collapsed. He talked about how “I don’t need to immediately get cable news (I can get it) from people who are there.”

(Photo: @tivogirl)

Tweet Summary

@dens: “Don’t worry about only joining Twitter 3mos ago – you didn’t miss anything. It’s not like you’re jumping in at Season 6 of Lost” -@Goldman

@digiphile: Number of followers is “a red herring and not the scoreboard you should measure yourself on” -@Goldman

@ED: @Goldman Here’s the awesome tweet from @MarsPhoenix after it ‘retired’ http://twitter.com/#!/MarsPhoenix/status/982706861

2:20 p.m. – Astronaut Ron Garan (@Astro_Ron)

@Astro_Ron: I think its realistic to anyone to follow their dreams. When I’m asked what is take to be an astronaut – the most important thing is to find something that you truly love to do. We have astronauts from every walk of life. No dream is too big to dream. The younger generation doesn’t know the world impossible.

Q: What is on your bucket list?

@Astro_Ron: I want to use that orbital perspective to inspire people to improve our planet. If I could check that off my bucket list during my 6 month mission, that would be success. I enjoy coaching football and teaching.

Q: Also having to wait are the astronauts? What are they going through?

@Astro_Ron: I was fortunate not to have to do this. Right up to the moment of launch. I didn’t know for sure. that I was going up. Right now they are just keeping their skills sharp. The other crew members are looking at their skills. There are last minute classes. They are relaxing. One of the most important things to do. Russians actually plan a week of rest. So you aren’t launched fatigued.

BMS Science Guy: Body effects in space?

@Astro_Ron: Its a very violent change of environment. It is a noticable difference. My body at some point thought it would stop (zero gravity). There was a period on the first day that is was difficult for my body to adjust. I would have a period where I would get a little natious.

Andrew from Chicago: You have been on a Russian capsule? What is is like?

@Astro_Ron: Its a lot smaller. You are much more cramped in there. The biggest challenge for me was the language. To do that in a second language takes a lot of work.

Q: We are coming to a point in history where we we will have a lull. How can we keep this active in the kids minds

Astro_Ron: I wanted to be an astronaut when I saw the first moon landing. It was a dream until I was high school. I didn’t know what I wanted to do. I went to college and did general studies. When STS-1 happened, the lightbulb when off. I signed up for math and science courses. There will still be astronauts in space. One of the challenges is to say to the young people help us do that. We need all the help we can get.

Q: Can you tweet upside down?

@Astro_Ron: You can tweet upside down, right side up.

Q: Steve Ressler from GovLoop: Why do you use twitter?

@Astro_Ron: I started using twitter as I saw it as a way to do education outreach. I am using it for education outreach, now I am using it for much more. I can send thing like I am doing this experiment and there is a link. Its another way to help people experience being in space. I feel a big responsibility to do this. Especially being able to send pictures and movies from space. I am going to have some Twitter sites that I can follow. We have the internet onboard the Space Station. We are still reliant on mail syncs. I am going to use Twitter to get some of the news on board.

2:45 p.m. – Demonstrations: Robonaut 2

4:15 p.m. – Tour of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

>A Madhatter Thank You

newcicada — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 02:36:00 +0000

>
CrisisComm ons has some serious talent – in pumpkin carving that is! Noel Dickover one of the co founders of CrisisCamp and CrisisCommons is also serious master pumpkin carver!

I mentioned to him that my Mom goes all out for Halloween and she is really into the Madhatter from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. So he carved her a rabbit to add to his incredible pumpkin carving feat this year – check it out!

She was so thrilled with the pumpkin! Here is her video thank you!

>If We Were All Digital Nomads, Would There Be Halloween?

newcicada — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 20:41:00 +0000

Ah. The simple life…

I would have to admit the buzz around simplification and the idea that if I sold everything I own I could live free from “stuff.” That my life would be better because I didn’t have a bunch of clutter and things to keep up and maintain. The notion that consumerism is what plagues us in America where we want everything extra large. Our houses, our jobs, our cars and especially our french fries. Digital nomads (I’m not talking about co-working) reject the concept of place for a world that is free of roam. A life free of an address. Where a person can travel and live simply but be connected through the interwebs. Because when things are simple that means people are happier, right?

I’m not so sure that this is completely true. When I was first introduced to the digital nomad concept thought, “Super cool – I should do that! (Long pause) Hummm…what would I do with my Christmas decorations?” Maybe that is a very “girly” to say, but its was my honest reaction. Don’t get me wrong, I am completely down with leaving and traveling for months. I could definitely rent out my house and pretty much sell/giveaway/toss everything I own (besides my laptop). When I thought about the holidays my resolve started to topple. The idea of being away for the holidays. No tree. No handmade German wooden ornaments from my godmother. No Yankee Candles. I started to twitch.

I’m home this weekend getting ready for the NASA Tweetup happening this week in Florida at the Kennedy Space Center. As it happens the launch was moved back a few days and I was able to spend the weekend at my parents house. As soon as walked in door last night, the articles I have read began to resurface. Then I imagined what it would be like if I came home and my parents sold everything they own and became digital nomads themselves. Perhaps a retirement strategy. Yikes.

It was hard to imagine my parents without a home or throwing away my old report cards. Or the idea that my great grandfather’s only two possessions when he immigrated to the United States from Italy – a wooden rolling pin and a oil painting of Saint Francis of Assisi would be sold or given away. Should they scan in and trash my Grandfather’s letters from World War II and Korea? Who needs paper? Or a painting? I can just see them online, right?

Then there are my Mom’s things. It’s what makes her my fun mom. She’s really into rabbits. Not just any old rabbits, handmade, local one-of-a-kind artsy-type of rabbits. She’s also a big fan of Alice and Wonderland.

There are degrees on the wall and comfy blankets on the bed where my Grandmother spent her last days. She spent those days at home. She was in her room with memories of her life with her family surrounding her. She was comfortable.

The whole idea of being a digital nomad is fantastic. I’d love to do that for a sabbatical one day. There is nothing like living in new cultures and having new experiences to broaden your perspectives and to live with more of a understanding of the world around you. I really believe that when you leave high school or even college, you need to spend time abroad. It took me five years after college working full time to be able to afford to take off for a month and backpack throughout Europe. I was so jazzed. But I remember after a month, I was ready to come home.

I’m not knocking being a digital nomad. Really, I do think that is pretty cool gig if you can do it. But I think you can’t do it forever. I love the idea of technology and how it can do so many things. It’s great for bringing people together and finding finding information. You can even earn living on the Internet. But perhaps I would argue, it can be limited.

(Me Skyping my sister-in-law, my niece and nephew)

Living in a home of any shape or size or even having the ability to own your home is a dream come true for many people. I’ll raise my hand to say that owning my own home is a dream come true. I’m into making my space as cozy as possible. Yes, cozy means I have some stuff. Not tons, and nothing I own hardly is bought in a furniture store. Its all family hand me downs and thrift store finds.

You could say I grew up in a home that was cozy. We didn’t have a lot but we had a roof and things around us that reflected people who were important us, our friends and family. Even today as I look up from my laptop, my Mom has old photos on the walls of her parents. I too have them in my home. It makes me happy to see my Grandparents each day even if they are not here on earth anymore.

I’ll say it. I like my things. My art that I’ve collected during my travels. Old pictures of my family and even a ratty mohair Esprit sweater that I’ve had since I was 18. Do I need this stuff, maybe not? But does it make my living space more comfortable? Does it make those bare walls seems more homey? Maybe so.

I’ll admit that I do have times of doubt. Sometimes I think because I own a home that I might be held back in some way. That I don’t travel enough. I mean, I haven’t even been to Asia yet. To be honest, couldn’t we say there a time for everything? Can’t I have a home and travel too? Can’t I enjoy the freedom of working anywhere without being everywhere? Does it make me less cool that I have issues of Coastal Living beside my bed and lavender in the window? That’s not really too tech of me, but sometimes when you are home you just want to be off the grid.

As I sit here watching my mom answer the door in her witches hat on hear the cheers of “Trick or Treat” it gets harder to think that being a digital nomad (over the long term) is all that much fun. Maybe for me it wouldn’t be that much fun. I can say from my own experience that the first Halloween in my own house – a home I bought with money that I earned – was one of the proudest moments I have had as an adult. It felt great to give away candy to the kids. It was fun to wave to the neighbors and say hi. I would pick my pumpkin each year. Maybe I’m a cheese-ball but everytime I pull up to my house and see my flag on the front porch and pumpkins on my stoop, it makes me happy. Maybe that’s just me. But if I had to choose between a life of travel and no home, and limited travel and a home. I’ll choose my home hands down.

Home is where I host my family and friends for the holidays. Home is where my parents live. It’s where I am reminded of my family and where I come from. It’s where all of our special memories are made. Like that one time my Grandma stood next to the singing Santa (they were the same height) and rocked her hips like the rocking Santa. She brought down the house.

So all you digital nomads, I’m happy to share my house when you’re in town. I know I will envy your adventures of travels, crazy stories and all your new friends. I’ll be okay. I’ll get to travel to all these fantastic places you are headed soon enough. I think I’ll pace myself. I think I will help others who might not have a home of their own. That’s why Habitat for Humanity is so important.

Back to the question at hand: “If we were all digital nomads, would there be Halloween?” Well, it would be hard to make Halloween an online experience. Perhaps it would be something different all together. That would be sad.

If you remember the movie ET, I had Halloweens like that growing up in a small town in Waynesboro, Virginia. We didn’t have too much but we did up Halloween. It was bigger than life there (reminder – I was little, I guess everything then was really big) The neighbors went all out creating haunted houses and using dry ice everywhere. You saw Darth Vader walking around with a killer lightsaber. This was in the times of Star Wars. Where Dad walked us around for hours on end with costumes that fell apart by the end of the night because they were original but handmade. At the end of the night you went home. Home to count your loot.

So let’s hear it for Halloween! The get-out-from-infront-of-the-internet-or-television holiday. The get-creative-with-your-costume holiday. The one where if you don’t like your neighborhood you can go to one where you do. The one where everyone can play, but no one can digitally replace.

>NASA Tweetup PreGame Show: 24 Hour Delay

newcicada — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 01:16:00 +0000

Lots of fun watching the twitter stream on #NASATweetup today. The big news was that the STS-133 launch has been delay due to “two leaking helium and nitrogen seals on a pressurized portion of the shuttle” according to Computerworld.

http://video.fastcompany.com/plugins/player.swf?v=0d5f71e63e317&p=fc_social

It’s really interesting to see pictures of the R2 robot that was built not only by NASA but withGeneral Motors. Who knew they were into robots? Well aside from the robots who build cars…

Apparently the robot, oh I mean R2, will be a permanent fixture on the International Space Station. Just looking at him, I guess its a him right? It looks more like a C3(PO) than anR2(D2). I wonder what George Lucas has to say about a it.

I’m leaving on a jet plane tomorrow to Florida. If you are headed to the Cape, hit me up on twitter at @poplifegirl

>It’s 1AM on Friday: Gearing up for Geekery for the NASA STS-133 TweetUp

newcicada — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 05:25:00 +0000

>Its late! I just finished my first video blog for the STS-133 NASA Space Shuttle Launch Tweet-Up. I can’t wait to meet everyone! I’ll write more about my love for space geekery.

>Talent is Timeless: My #9892 Indigo Girls Show

newcicada — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 04:04:00 +0000

Okay, I haven’t really seen the Indigo Girls 9,892 times. Probably more like 20 times since 1988. Tonight you can add a +1 to that number by catching their show at the Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia.

The thing about the Indigo Girls is that they have been with me since I was 16. It’s almost like a blanket you just don’t give up. They’ve been through a lot with me. We’ve done a lot together.

The first time I met the Indigo Girls was in 1988 when they played the Boathouse opening up for the Violent Femmes. I never really liked the Femmes. I’m not much for party bands. Anyways, that night as I recall the audience, filled with a bunch of young guys wanting to Add It Up didn’t know what to do with the Indigo Girls. It felt really bad for Emily and Amy and hoped they would come back without the Femmes. They did about a year later to a packed audience.

Like all my favorite things, the Indigo Girls went with me to college. I remember distinctly the one tape I had in my Walkman as I walked across campus during my first two months in college was the Indigo Girls. I wore that tape out. I probably bought that album about 10 times in various forms. Their self-titled album will always remind me of feeling a little lost but also my first taste of independence. It was intoxicating. I guess looking back the Indigo Girls reminds me of those days. New freedoms, new adventures.

While in college the Indigo Girls were a staple. They were always on rotation. My friends and I spent countless hours probably wasting time, listening to music than studying. (Shocker) The Indigo Girls went camping with us. They were shotgun in the car during roadtrips. They were played on my radio show at WUVT. If I had a co-pilot in college, it was the Indigo Girls.

As the years have gone on, the Indigo Girls seem to get more insightful. They talk about love lost and the funny side of life. They talk to us about being better people and to not worry so much about everything. There is a whole generation of us who have been raised by the Tao of Indigo.

Indigo Girls Sing “Watershed” at the Birchmere:

Ever since college the Indigo Girls always represented getting together with my friends. The shows at Wolf Trap are always fun. Its the only show where my friends who have children of their own get baby sitters or tell their husband to cook at TV dinner because they have “plans with the girls” tonight. Emily and Amy always put on a perfect show. Their voices sound like they are made to sing together. Really, the thing about the Indigo Girls is that their talent is so timeless.

Indigo Girls sing “Closer to Fine” with their opening act, Mount Moriah from Durham, NC

[Note: Sorry its sideways...]

So tonight, again, I find myself at an Indigo Girls concert. I’m surrounded by good friends. Every song creates those “recall” moments bringing me back to the wonderful memories of my life thus far and the amazing people that I have shared all of my Indigo Girls moments with.

Thanks Emily and Amy for continuing to make music.

To check out music by the Indigo Girls visit their website at: www.indigogirls.com

http://rd.io/e/QKCTLxF1

>Guster Makes Waves and Delivers Jesus on the Radio in the Round

newcicada — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 04:17:00 +0000

>Photo Credit: @robharalson

Tonight was a beautiful fall evening in our nation’s capital. Crisp air and the incandescent monuments aglow as Guster took the stage at DAR Constitution Hall. For someone who has been following Guster for a very long time, it was a change of pace to be at a “seated” Guster show. But what was really strange what it wasn’t just me and a couple hundred people, it was more like a couple thousand. Guster is all grown up now.

I’m pretty biased when it comes to Guster. They rank up there with U2 and Bob Schneider as some of my favorite shows to see live. As usual, Guster did not disappoint tonight. Here’s a few highlights:

Guster hopped on stage to Hail to the Chief. That was funny.
This perhaps was the largest show Guster ever played in DC. Second time playing at DAR.
When the audience greets the new Guster bandmate Luke, it sounds like a big booo…but we are really saying Luuuuukkkkeee.
Ryan instigated the crowd wave which went on for 5 minutes at least!
Hang On had a little Billy Joel shout out
They played Airport Song apparently for the first time in over a year. I find that hard to believe as its always pretty much a staple show song. With Halloween next week, I was surprised they didn’t reprise the Vincent Price remix version for the crowd.

The best was the close of the show. They always play Jesus on the Radio, acoustic without mics, but tonight Guster took it to a new level in such a large arena. See for yourself below. They played in the middle of the floor in DAR and you can hear Ryan pretty clearly. That’s really impressive.

Quick Snapshot from the field seats (Thanks Dojotony for the link!)

From my view:

What’s always awesome about Guster is they are really relatable. I mean you can friend Thundergod himself on Facebook. That’s pretty cool.

He is Thundergod after all…Great show guys – see you on Friday at the Beacon Theater in NYC!

Photo Credit: @washingtonnydc

Photo Credit: @Ardvaark

Photo Credit: @pglatfel

Just in case you can’t get enough of Guster. Check out my interview with Ryan and Brian last time they came to town. Maybe next show we can get another scavenger hunt going!

>Ten Snaps: Rdio Launches Player Embed Codes for Playlists

newcicada — Thu, 21 Oct 2010 03:41:00 +0000

I think I need to curb my enthusiasm for Rdio. They are totally getting it as right!

They just launched a new feature which can embed players in your blog. I’m trying it out based on music I’m picking up here and there from other folks playlists.

Follow me on Rdio you know, just like Twitter.

http://rd.io/e/QKCTLw5U