Memories of My First Computer
Yardena Arar writes about a sentimental fav–like me, his first computer was a 1982 vintage Kaypro. When first released, the Kaypro II cost $1795 and, like the Osborne, came with all the productivity software (word processor, spreadsheet) most people would need. Encased in grey and blue metal, the Kaypro was […]
Watching the Big TV with the Laptop on your Lap
Paul Boutin writes in slate about how convergence, this vaunted soon to be here concept, has stalled out on the runway. It’s all about 2 feet and 10 feet, the respective space allotted to the PC and the TV. “I asked Harry McCracken, the gadget hound who edits PC World, […]
To Fight Craig’s List, Publish Something Unique
Anil Dash responded a few months back to a long editorial criticizing Craig’s list published by Tim Redmond in the San Francisco Bay Guardian. “And live up to the standard you’ve set, Tim. You say “And he puts nothing back into the community: He doesn’t, for example, hire reporters or […]
Arabs Guilty Only of Making a Living
Niraj Warikoo, of the Detroit Free Press, writes about another rush to judgement against American Arabs. “It may seem unusual for someone to buy hundreds of cell phones at a time, but metro Detroiters of Middle Eastern descent say that practice is part of a long tradition of entrepreneurship in […]
"Nobody Works as Hard as We Do"
Today’s a wonderfully cool August day, as Steph works her first morning shift. “I like working mornings,” she said brightly. “It’s nice being so busy.” The Recorder had a story about my favorite lunch spot in town: the BBA Deli and Market, on Thayer Street, South Deerfield. The BBA is […]
Talking with Kevin about Cyprus on St. Louis Radio
A long, long day is finally coming to an end. Relaxing at 9 Mountain Rd. after a day working at the cafe and doing all kinds of things. I got a call at about 4 from Kevin McCarthy, he does a travel radio show in St. Louis. We traveled together […]
Friday’s a Day to Make Someone’s Day
I made Larry Parnass‘ day today when I called him with a plum assignment: travel to Switzerland and write a story for GoNOMAD. I think he’s going to enjoy the trip, and the tourism board was pleased to hear we could send a writer and publish a story on GoNOMAD. […]
I Swear to Do the Right Thing for the Energy Committee
This cool weather has brought in so many new customers at the cafe. Our business has never been so great since we opened in March. We still see many folks who set foot in the cafe for the first time. One senior citizen came by with a local theater program […]
The Short Leader of Iran Speaks to Mike
Mike Wallace, 88, has retired but just scored an interview with Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Here’s some of what he noticed about this villianized leader. “He’s actually, in a strange way, he’s a rather attractive man, very smart, savvy, self-assured, good looking in a strange way,” Wallace said. “He’s very, […]
Bombs on Planes, Root Canals, and Sweden Awaits
Cindy came and alerted me while I was in the shower this morning, urgent news about another travel bummer….but this time fortunately, not a tragedy. It seems that we all must now remove all liquid items from our carry-ons, because some wackos in the UK tried to blow up 21 […]
Have You Ever Been Experienced?
I was at a meeting of travel writers last November in Niagara Falls, and there was a man at lunch who was talking about being at Burning Man. This festival of weirdness, drugs, sex and nudity takes place a week before Labor day in Nevada’s Black Rock desert. I wanted […]
The Lives of Dwarfs are Different
Little People were on TV tonight, on PBS. One dwarf recalls being taken to the hospital when he was 18, and told by the doctors, ‘sorry there’s nothing we can do…you’ll always be a dwarf.’ He said he decided then and there ‘to be the best dwarf I could be.” […]
Homesteading in Downtown Springfield, MA
Today’s Springfield Republican included a story about a family that’s urban homesteading in the heart of Springfield, MA. Many people like me have thought about how nice it would be to simplify right down to growing one’s own food, and spending no money on cars, clothes or gadgets. That’s what […]
"Yes Chef! Yes Chef!" –Trying to Keep Him Happy
Last night was cooler so it was easier to sleep. Still, I stayed up way too late and part of the night was spent watching “Hell’s Kitchen”on Fox where the mean chef tortures his wannabe chefs while diners wait for entrees in the fancy dining room. This guy is so […]
If You Want Your Passport without a Chip–Act Now
Wired news reports today that passports are changing–big time–in the US. “After much ado, the United States has begun or will begin issuing passports with RFID chips in them. The passports now have some anti-skimming features, including Basic Access Control and some sort of internal tin-foil hat. But the chips […]
Passing the Baby Around
Mark Helprin’s 1983 novel, Winter’s Tale was voted the single best work of American fiction published in the last 25 years by readers of the NY Times Book Review. He sat down with Doublethink’s Kelly Jane Torrance, here is an excerpt about why he doesn’t like parties. At all. “What […]
Sex in a Gondola above France
ETurbo News usually sends puffy press releases about Dubai and some meeting in another Arab land. Today they send this little ditty about a chance encounter in a ski gondola above France. “Andy Sinclair reached his peak while dangling high above the Alps. The gondola podule things took four people […]
Who Goes There, Who Would Stone My Vessel!?
Last night we got dressed up and walked down the venerable, wood paneled Navigator, on the Edgartown Harbor. The hostess was from Russia, blond and very thin. She laughed since we had barged all the way in without a table. “I put you on the list,” she told us. Later […]