the Soapbox

Abandoning Ship

2010-01-29T10:43:00.007-05:00

I began my exploration of the blogosphere, and my contribution to its clatter, with Blogger, so this decision does not come easily to me. However, I have decided that effective immediately I will no longer be providing updates to this space.

You see, my heart has been stolen by the instantaneous gratification & ease of use provided by Posterous – and to a degree Tumblr to which I auto-post occasionally – and it just seems silly to maintain this extraneous outlet.

That said, I have spent a good amount of time fiddling with this site – more hours than I care to admit actually – so I will be leaving it open for the time being as a back-up.

The Internet, its inhabitants, and myself included, are a fickle bunch. Who knows, maybe in a year I will be writing a post just like this one on my Posterous page.

the apple Tablet | Nearly as Mysterious as a Unicorn

2010-01-26T11:26:00.001-05:00

via engadget.com

What an image. A perfect merging of apple fanboy with the ubiquitous unicorn present in nearly every geeked out Lite-Brite image. Steve Jobs has us in the palm of his hand -- right where he wants -- and much like the elusive unicorn, we are all trawling the internet looking for scraps of evidence of the oft mentioned, but never confirmed, apple tablet.

Only a couple of days now. Also, highly recommend you read the article on engadget that the picture links to; a good read.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

epic Breakfast | Eggs Benedict Bash

2010-01-23T22:41:00.001-05:00

Not sure how we all landed on this idea, but sometime between Tanya mentioning her recently received egg poaching pan as a belated Christmas gift and waking up this morning we hatched the delicious concept of a massive eggs benedict pig-out fest. I took these pictures around 1:00 pm this afternoon -- it has taken until now for my brain to de-hollandaise itself. So tasty, but man was it a hit to the stomach. Watching Dave make the hollandaise sauce was particularly intense, all those egg yolks, all that butter.

Can't wait to do it again.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

meat meetup | Stuff White People Like

2010-01-23T12:52:00.001-05:00

Had a very "Stuff White People Like" moment this morning when I went to the Meat Meet at a random parking lot off central square. Read about it here -- http://www.cuisineenlocale.com/2010/01/meat-meet-january-23rd-10am.html -- so despite the cold wind & the call of a warm bed I trudged out this morning to get my meat on. Bit pricey, and I haven't cooked anything up yet, but if the gushing praise I heard from everyone assembled can be trusted, I am in for quite a treat. Love a bit of locally raised, grass fed beef.

Guten Appetit!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

Unknown

2010-01-22T23:44:00.001-05:00

What can you buy in a CVS? Some schamwow, pills, and that masterbating
machine that Conan showed off. Don't forget Beenie-Babies. What a
store.

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

design | Fail Whale & Peacock

2010-01-22T14:15:00.001-05:00

via mashable.com

Snagged this gem off Mashable this afternoon. A graphical blending of two iconic images that hail from completely different realms of media -- the 'fail whale' of Twitter & NBC's peacock. Such a simple way to illustrate the internet's mounting discontent of NBC. Had to share

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

extra Income | Market Research Particpant

2010-01-21T15:23:00.001-05:00

Hey every little bit counts -- maybe I can pick up a couple of extra shekels doing some online surveys or, even better, in person focus groups. Always do enjoy sharing my opinions. If you are interested, registration is a breeze, although completing all of the Demographic information (so that they can best match you to a client) is a slightly more involved process.

Thanks to @Tanyavell (http://twitter.com/tanyavell) for turning me on to this!

Greetings from Focus Pointe Global,

Forward this email to your friends and family so they can register with us too.
All they have to do is click this link!

www.focusgroup.com

Please do not reply to this email. The mailbox 'focus@focuspointeglobal.com' is no longer managed.

Email question@focuspointeglobal.com or visit http://www.focusgroup.com/help for questions or comments.

Thank you, and all the best,

Focus Pointe Global

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

well that was Disappointing | Massachusetts Senate Race

2010-01-20T09:15:00.001-05:00

Suppose we shouldn't be too shocked. Martha ran an awful campaign, was uncharismatic, and according to one NY Times article, "dissed the Red Sox". Serious no-no's in any political undertaking, much less a Senate race, wherein unlike the Presidential campaign, there are no vagaries of the electoral college to fall back upon when you start to be seen as just plain unlikeable. That said, I found myself feeling a bit ill when reading through my facebook newsfeed last night -- some of the comments from conservative friends left me just incredulous. Nor am I really sure that all of the Independents and ticked off Democrats that voted for Brown to "send a message to Washington" really took into consideration what a social conservative representing Massachusetts for six years really means. Should be interesting anyways. And aren't you glad we didn't waste all last year listening to health care reform debate just to have it squashed in the final minutes...of wait, we did.

I suppose we can all take solace, however, in the knowledge that our new senator is sure to capture that elusive honor of 'hottest freshman senator'

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

myVote | Morning Started off with a Vote for @MarthaCoakley

2010-01-19T08:34:00.001-05:00

This election is important. Get out there. Cast your vote. Don't allow a Republican to win a senate race in Mass for the first time since the '70s. And don't let the snow storm deter you from this mission.

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

This could have saved me a lot of heartache...

2010-01-16T13:12:00.001-05:00

Stumbled upon this while browsing the stacks at Schoenhof's Intl'l book store in Harvard Square. Many a time in Reutlingen when this would have come in handy

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

development | the 'Burbs from Above

2010-01-15T11:10:00.001-05:00

via metropolismag.com

Great photo journal of pictures taken from a helicopter over american suburbs. Amazing just how symmetrical it all is; how sterile. Only time I have ever spent time in such a place is while visiting my grandfather in Boca Raton Florida -- I have always found the experience of walking a mile in his development yet feeling as though you've been walking in place due to the only minor variations in house design to be an eerie one. But perhaps that is just me.

Make sure you click through to page and open the whole slide show.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

Sometimes, the Innovative Amongst Us find an alternative use for these Monolithic Tomes | Spotted in Cambridge, MA

2010-01-14T19:44:00.001-05:00

More @ www.sebastiancoss.com

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Yellow Page Waste

Yellow Waste Pulling Its Weight

2010-01-14T10:05:00.001-05:00

I've been following the recent campaign by @daverad & @michaelrad of @HOLSTEE to rid our world of the Yellow Pages (and by a lesser extent, the White Pages) blight that has so long plagued us. Their site, http://stopyellowwaste.com/, serves as both a gallery of the discarded Yellow Pages so common on any city street along with a jump off point for ways we can all take action.

As any urban dweller can tell you, the Yellow Pages arrive without fail and are summarily thrown back into the street -- or in the best case scenario -- into a recycling bin to start their carbon intensive journey all over again. Sometimes, the innovative amongst us find an alternative use for these monolithic tomes; these pictures stand testament to that much. However, taken as a whole, the Yellow Pages is running an outdated business model that is not only an annoyance, but a genuine threat to our environment's health.

Time to do something about it

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

wouldnt that be Wild? | Bring the World Cup to Boston

2010-01-12T16:56:00.001-05:00

via gousabid.com

I signed the petition. Second one I have signed today in fact, after I lent support to @YellowWaste [http://twitter.com/YellowWaste]. Productive day of Internet advocacy!

In all seriousness, if you only have time for one thing, check out the latter petition. The yellow pages has plagued us for long enough. I for one can attest to finding a stack of them at the bottom of a melting snow bank outside my house this week. Frozen solid to the ground. What a waste.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

snagged from Gizmodo | Why I Believe Printers Were Sent From Hell to Make Us Miserable

2010-01-12T11:45:00.001-05:00

via gizmodo.com

I recommend you click through to see the rest of this hilarious graphical representation why printers suck. Personally I am happiest when the only printers I use are owned, maintained and troubleshot by either my place of employment, Kinkos or a generous friend. 'nuff said.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

film for sharing | Sony Make.Believe

2010-01-11T16:03:00.001-05:00

via vimeo.com

Check out this Sony spot from their new Make.Believe campaign -- was directed and shot by two good friends of mine from high school. Ever the marketer, I can't help but make a shameless plug: if you like what you see make sure to check them out at http://elistonberg.com/ & http://enkistudios.com/ respectively. Enjoy.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

BC vs. BU Hockey in Fenway Park

2010-01-10T14:32:00.001-05:00

Ice was already there from the Winter Classic game, and ticket demand had far outstripped supply, so I suppose a follow-up college double header was spot on. Loads of fun evrb if it was very cold. Snow was swirling around in mini tornados and everyone was hopping about to stay warm but the spirit was overwhelmingly positive. I hope they do this again, it's an experience I would like to relive.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

the Whole Album | a Christmas EP by Ian Coss

2009-12-30T10:51:00.001-05:00

Thought I might as well just upload the whole album -- if nothing else than for posterities sake. I think I might just listen to the whole thing right now...

A New Child Is Born by Ian Coss
Download now or listen on posterous

01 A New Child Is Born.mp3 (3825 KB)

Come This Christmas by Ian Coss
Download now or listen on posterous

02 Come This Christmas.mp3 (5620 KB)

Holiday Rain by Ian Coss
Download now or listen on posterous

03 Holiday Rain.mp3 (5623 KB)

Believe by Ian Coss
Download now or listen on posterous

04 Believe.mp3 (5643 KB)

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

holidayTreat | Annual Christmas Album by my Brother

2009-12-27T21:42:00.002-05:00

Download now or listen on posterous

01 The Reformer.m4a (6334 KB)

Each year my brother makes a Christmas album to give as his gift to friends & family. They have always been relatively complex affairs, with him layering numerous tracks to simulate the sound of a full band when in fact each track consists solely of sounds & vocals produced by him. Each year they get a bit more sophisticated -- the track included with this post is my personal favorite from the record. Enjoy!

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

a Belated Family Christmas

2009-12-26T13:04:00.001-05:00

The slice of meat was named Owen. It was delicious.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

One More Flickr User

2009-12-22T16:04:00.001-05:00

So I went with Flickr in the end. Gave them my hard earned 25 bucks and have started uploading like a fiend (going to use all the free bandwidth I can). Could of things finally sold me...

Interface of Flickr just clicked with me more -- colors looked nicer, images popped out more, etc
Flickr Community -- can't underestimate the importance of person-to-person marketing through word-of-mouth endorsements
Pay version ultimately made more sense -- Google will give you 20 GB for $5/year, while Flickr will charge you ~$25/year for unlimited storage, etc. Where Flickr comes out on top, however, is when you consider what happens should I stop paying the yearly fee on Flickr...my account reverts to 100 mb a month and original images are no longer viewable. Start pay again though and everything reverts to what it was. Pretty slick.
All of the stats are pretty neat too. The analyst within me is strangely excited by such seemingly mundane tracking statistics.

So there it ends, another happy (for the moment) customer of Flickr. And now a first time owner of a @yahoo email address. Not that I will ever open it.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Excerpt of a Seven Hour Documentary | Bergensbanen

2009-12-21T13:43:00.001-05:00

via nrkbeta.no

This is amazing footage from a seven hour documentary on the 'Bergensbanen' -- the highest running rail line in Europe -- which travels between Bergen & Oslo in Norway. Produced by the national broadcaster of Norway, it was an Internet sensation and is now available in full (compressed at 22 GB) via a Creative Commons license. (Available here: http://nrkbeta.no/2009/12/18/bergensbanen-eng/) Not everyone is either able or willing to download the entire 22 GB (was originally 165 GB), so enjoy the clip above.

As a bonus, the landscape in the video above is Finse, otherwise known as the place where George Lucas filmed the Hoth portions of Empire Strikes Back.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

America as seen by David Simon, Creator of HBO's the Wire

2009-12-18T15:56:00.001-05:00

...It’s one thing to recognize capitalism for the powerful economic tool it is and to acknowledge that, for better or for worse, we’re stuck with it and, hey, thank God we have it. There’s not a lot else that can produce mass wealth with the dexterity that capitalism can. But to mistake it for a social framework is an incredible intellectual corruption and it’s one that the West has accepted as a given since 1980—since Reagan. Human beings—in this country in particular—are worth less and less. When capitalism triumphs unequivocally, labor is diminished. It’s a zero-sum game. People paid a much higher tax rate when Eisenhower was president, a much higher tax rate for the benefit of society, and all of us had more of a sense that we were included. But this is not what you really want to talk about, I know.

Interviewer: Well, no, I do want to talk about this. It isn’t technically about writing, but it’s very relevant to your writing.
I guess what I’m saying is that the overall theme was: We’ve given ourselves over to the Olympian god that is capitalism and now we’re reaping the whirlwind. This is the America that unencumbered capitalism has built. It’s the America that we deserve because we let it happen. We don’t deserve anything better. The Wire was trying to take the scales from people’s eyes and say, “This is what you’ve built. Take a look at it.” It’s an accurate portrayal of the problems inherent in American cities.

Interviewer: Absolutely.
Are there other parts of those cities that are economically viable? Of course. You can climb higher up on the pyramid that is capitalism and find the upper-middle-class neighborhoods and the private schools. You can find where the money went. ButThe Wire was dissent because of its choice to center itself on the other America, the one that got left behind. That was the overall theme and that worked for all five seasons. So that’s the institution versus the individual.

What a statement on the state of the American experience, Urban or otherwise. Was reminded of this fact just last night when I had to go through three private lending corporations switch boards to find out who now owned 35% of my student loans that Sallie Mae recently flipped for a tidy profit...I am literally a walking, breathing sub-prime asset.

You can find the full interview here -- http://www.viceland.com/int/v16n12/htdocs/david-simon-280.php?page=1 -- its a good, if long read. And a must for any fan of the show.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

a Battle Royale

2009-12-18T11:39:00.001-05:00

Struggling with this decision right now as I eye a move to the cloud for my photos. As background, I recently cooked my hard drive and effectively lost everything that was not backed up somewhere else. In going through the process of restoration I noticed that only two areas of my digital footprint remain tied to hardware; my iTunes & my iPhoto libraries. Thankfully I had had the foresight at some unknown point in time to back both up in their entirety on an external hard disk, however, as I look forward I can't help but wonder why I am going through the trouble of reformatting all my photos -- why, indeed, are they even living on my personal machine?

Thus began my exploration into expanding my presence in the cloud and getting my photos into the ether. The music can stay behind for now, frankly I wouldn't even be all that upset if I had lost it all anyways, and my iPhone needs iTunes for its sustenance, so stay on the ground it shall.

Which leaves me facing the following decision:

Flickr is the media darling & love of the masses, so it made the short list. But Google already has it's tentacles wrapped around the majority of my online presence, and with me effectively already owning a Picasa account by default, it has also made a compelling case. Flickr talks nicer with iPhoto. Google's storage is cheaper. Back and forth the pendulum swings. Ultimately though, who am I kidding, Google already owns my email, my documents, my blog, my video platform, my collaboration platform, and so on, so my chances of wading into the relative unknowns of the Flickr / Yahoo environment is slim. Come to think of it, I've never even had an @yahoo account -- I had Hotmail and then I switched to Gmail as soon as I got an invite.

Nothing, however, is set in stone yet...thoughts?

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Google Chrome in the Most Beautiful Way Possible

2009-12-14T14:24:00.001-05:00

via youtube.com

What an amazing effort. Apple has been king of the hill in recent years with it's sparsely shot instructional videos. Their template has always been a person in a black turtleneck, in a white-out room, with a wooden desk and a shiny Mac. Very clear, very clean, very easy to understand...and perhaps just a bit boring. Then again, can't imagine explaining the new features of an operating system in this method. But it would be very cool.

Now lets see if this effort can be replicated for Google Wave. The challenge has been issued...

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

christmasList | Wurstkoffer

2009-12-11T16:41:00.001-05:00

via gizmodo.com

For the truly well-heeled traveler. One of a refined pallet & a discerning eye. And who, most importantly, can never be too far between a good Wurst. Ah the delights that such a case could bring to my life. I can only imagine what sort of street-cred this thing would have garnered me if I had ever whipped it out in the Mensa at my office in Germany. Probably would have been CEO overnight.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Wow this is annoying

2009-12-02T16:50:00.001-05:00

Tried this out, it works alright, but its bound to induce a seizure any minute now. Follow the below steps while on any facebook page...

THE FACEBOOK TRICK: press up,up, down, down, left, right, left, right, b, a, enter key, then left click and magic circles will appear. Refresh the page to make it stop. Enjoy!

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Wanderings

2009-11-29T14:47:00.001-05:00

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

What Comes Next?

2009-11-26T00:08:00.001-05:00

Midnight is a funny time; it's now early, nor is it late. Like I
said...funny. As I've got nothing, I hope you enjoy. And, let's not
forget, have a happy thanksgiving.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Google Makeover

2009-11-25T14:35:00.001-05:00

Download now or preview on posterous

Presentation1.pdf (49 KB)

It's coming. Revoluationary? No, but that's not really Google's style far as I can gather. Want to play around with it yourself, just follow the easy directions Gizmodo posted earlier:

1. Go to Google.com.
2. Once it loads, enter this code into your web browser's URL address field:

javascript:void(document.cookie="PREF=ID=20b6e4c2f44943bb:U=4bf292d46faad806:TM=1249677602:LM=1257919388:S=odm0Ys-53ZueXfZG;path=/; domain=.google.com");

There shouldn't be any http://google.com in front of that. Just that code.

3. Hit enter.
4. Reload or open a new Google.com page and you will have access to the new user interface.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Where Did We Go Wrong?

2009-11-25T14:01:00.001-05:00

via infrastructurist.com

Feeling bittersweet as I watch this video. Where did we go wrong if San Francisco in 1905 appears in many ways more vibrant & transit friendly than its modern day iteration. To see what happened: watch "Who Framed Roger Rabbit". Its a surprisingly insightful piece. In the meantime, enjoy the video; Air can always be counted on for a good tune.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

myMusic | Skanksgiving-eve with Toussaint and Buru at the Middle East in Cambridge

2009-11-24T14:24:00.001-05:00

via facebook.com

Band my brother has been playing in for a while is tearing through Cambridge tomorrow night (Wednesday 25.Nov), with a show at the Middle East Upstairs in Central Square. Promises to be a highly charged dance party. Be there!

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

fashionFail | 100% Matching, Not a Good Idea

2009-11-21T18:24:00.001-05:00

Just spotted this on Mass Ave -- not a good call. Should be a law
against this degree of coordination.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Advertising Fail

2009-11-20T16:04:00.001-05:00

via adrants.com

Someone should lose their job over this. What an epic fail.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

myMusic | Vampire Weekend - Cousins

2009-11-19T16:01:00.001-05:00

via youtube.com

The greatest music videos always combine simple concepts with fanciful camera work. This, is a great video.

Can't help but think back to the late 90's, when MTV's 'Making the Video' was basically a show about Directors trying to out-spend each other on lavish mini-movies. Made for some fun films perhaps, but I would argue they were awful conveyances for music -- the song wasn't what you remembered, and in the end, it's the music that is driving sales. Or maybe not. Either way, enjoy the video.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

myPolitics | David Plouffe on Tour

2009-11-19T12:54:00.001-05:00

Had the pleasure to catch David Plouffe live & in the flesh last night at First Parish Church in Cambridge courtesy of the Harvard Book Store. Obviously he was there to promote his book, a story of the Obama campaign from the inside, but he did not shy away from speaking to either Obama's or the Democratic Party's agenda. It was a great talk, and I left somehow reassured that the same methodical nature that got Plouffe & Obama through the worst of the campaign is that same force that will now drive through health care & energy reform. In particular Plouffe alluded to multiple times in the campaign when (and I paraphrase here) 'all the talking heads, all the pundits, all of our supporters said we were going about something the wrong way -- but we knew that if we stuck to our strategy, and followed our data, that we would come out on top'. Interesting talk, good read: get it.

Also, there were numerous hilarious references to "my friend Sarah [Palin]" -- he was not impressed that she kicked off her book tour in Michigan.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

snarky | Blockbuster Employee of the Month

2009-11-17T17:13:00.001-05:00

via 27bslash6.com

What an amazing exchange. Left me nearly in tears. Mr. Thorne should almost feel bad for unleashing such a torrent of literary oddness upon the poor Blockbuster Store manager. Probably should just get a netflix account.

Just in case the link on the picture is acting up, read the whole post here: http://www.27bslash6.com/blockbuster.html

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

creative | Barcodes need not be boring

2009-11-16T15:20:00.001-05:00

via gizmodo.com

Saw this post on Gizmodo today. Really got me thinking -- how many other staid, boring everyday things in our lives could get spruced up with some innovative design? This concept is so simple, and yet, when applied correctly could completely revolutionize your perception of a product, company or brand. In some cases, form must follow function, but at least in the case of barcodes, it no longer must.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Hey @dkruta -- sounds about right

2009-11-13T14:11:00.001-05:00

Just grabbed this excerpt from a genius article published by Ad Age [http://adage.com/article?article_id=140106 ] Reminded me of someone...

HEINEKEN

There's a slang term that could sum up Heineken drinkers: posers. These self-assured people believe they are exceptional, get low scores on modesty and high scores on self-esteem. They love their brand badges—a role the distinctive green glass bottle may play—and in fact, this group is attracted to luxury products in general. They are also energetic and dynamic and enjoy being both the center of attention and in the middle of the action.

People who choose Heineken as their favorite beer are 58% more likely to have American Express cards, 45% more likely to be early adopters of new mobile phones, and 29% more likely to drive sports cars.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

myMusic | Miike Snow 'Animal' Music Video

2009-11-11T14:21:00.001-05:00

via youtube.com

Read a tweet by @tanyavell -- Animal by Miike Snow is a song that has really grown on me. Fun tune... http://bit.ly/AQefF -- went to go check out the video, and now I am posting it. Amazing tune indeed. Very catchy. And like much of the music I rock out to at work its got a nice mix of beat & calm rhythms. Can't rock too hard at my desk.

Doesn't hurt that the video is a visual treat either.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Twitter Finally Launching Retweeting Feature on Web App

2009-11-10T16:09:00.001-05:00

via twitter.com

Just had this box pop up on my Twitter feed -- pretty pumped that I can finally retweet (well in some cases) from the web app.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

internetAwesomeness | AirBnB

2009-11-10T11:21:00.001-05:00

via airbnb.com

Was down in NYC this weekend and in the course of conversation over dinner with @michaelrad and @daverad they brought up AirBnB, which of late has been serving as a supplemental income during the get-up-and-go phase of their start-up. First time I had heard of this site -- similar in many respects to couchsurfing.com, of which I can only give the highest praise, but which differs in one crucial way: AirBnB is free while couchsurfing is meant to be free. The result is a more hotel-esque experience, at, as the picture suggests, as low as $25 dollars a night. Mike and Dave had actually been featured in a Washington Post article...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/24/AR2009072401763.html?sid=ST2009072402126

I didn't use the service this time -- happen to have some good friends in NYC already -- but should I ever make a trip to DC or Chicago as I keep meaning to do then I plan to at least give this site a fair shake. Best way to visit any city is from the perspective of a local, and no concierge, no matter how good, can really replicate that.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

@HOLSTEE photo shoot

2009-11-08T14:43:00.001-05:00

New line is launchig soon. Company is the brainchild of Dave Radparvar (@daverad) -- fellow grad of ESB.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Location Aware Advertising

2009-11-07T07:20:00.001-05:00

I have read about how Foursquare plans to work with an increasing
number of businesses (read: bars) to roll out location aware
advertising. Being an App whose sole funtion is to track your
whereabouts (and have some fun too) it seems uniquely suited to be at
the vangaurd of what's sure to become the norm soon enough.

Well in NYC this weekend -- the birthplace of Foursquare -- and have
been noticing loads of the "Special Nearby" notifications pop-up on my
homescreen. Most are things like "show the staff that you have checked
in and the first drink is on us" followed by some qualifier along the
lines of a time frame, food prerequisite, etc. My hometown, Boston,
just ain't this fancy yet. To be sure, it's just around the corner.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Ritter Sport House | Quadratisch. Praktisch. Gut.

2009-11-03T16:40:00.001-05:00

via seriouseats.com

Amazing chocolate, and as the statement that adorns every package might suggest: square, practical, good. Quadratisch. Praktisch. Gut. Good enough for house construction anyways.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Just Another Halloween

2009-11-01T00:33:00.003-04:00

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Just Another Halloween

2009-11-01T00:33:00.001-04:00

See the full gallery on posterous

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Maestro on the Red Line

2009-10-30T20:38:00.001-04:00

This man is awesomeness embodied. Bursting at the seams really. And
why I love living in a city.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

'World's Tallest Tree house'

2009-10-30T17:20:00.001-04:00

via inhabitat.com

Gallery on the page where I snagged this shot is awful -- visit at your own risk. But apparently the guy -- an ordained minister in Tennessee -- built this who thing himself from reclaimed wood. Did I mention its 10 stories tall? Considered a Tree house because its foundation is a white oak.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

I don't think I will ever look at Carbon Fiber the same way again

2009-10-30T14:31:00.001-04:00

via gizmodo.com

Amazing clip of the carbon fiber weave coming into existence.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Discourse Debrief w/ @gp_tweet

2009-10-29T18:46:00.001-04:00

Meeting of the Political Affairs committee to hash out what worked, what we'd change, and how we are moving forward.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Discourse by @gp_tweet

2009-10-27T20:37:00.001-04:00

See the full gallery on posterous

A conversation of what it means to be American...with free wings!

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Why? Why would they do this?

2009-10-24T19:59:00.001-04:00

Stumbled across this while reading my 401k information packet. Personally I think it's a sign that the end is near. It's all starting to unravel...

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Seems Like Just Yesterday

2009-10-23T14:06:00.001-04:00

via youtube.com

Apple + Jeff Goldblum. Need I say more?

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

incredible Advertising | Balloon animals having sex

2009-10-21T15:54:00.001-04:00

via youtube.com

I know its an older one, but someone posted this on Facebook today and it got me laughing all over again. Just had to share. Too bad Trojans are way better.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

myMusic | Secrets

2009-10-21T13:53:00.001-04:00

SECRETS is OCT 21 @ Good Life by persuasion

via soundcloud.com

I enjoyed finding a mix that can serve as both move-around inspiration & get-through-the-work day motivation. Take a gander; you won't regret it.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Beer Tower @ the CBC!

2009-10-17T22:53:00.001-04:00

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Random Yard Sale Finds

2009-10-17T18:49:00.001-04:00

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Way Better Than Balloon Boy...Its Miracle Train Baby

2009-10-16T16:37:00.001-04:00

via infrastructurist.com

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

They Don't Make 'em Like They Used To | Witness Ron "Typewriter" Mingo In Action

2009-10-16T07:44:00.001-04:00

via gizmodo.com

This video left me speechless -- the dress, the production quality, the commentary -- then there is the actual feet. Worth the watch.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

newVideo | Noah And The Whale - Blue Skies

2009-10-15T09:30:00.001-04:00

via youtube.com

See how long this lasts before being yanked by a label -- but got really into Noah & the Whale last year. Perfect music for a rainy day -- a musical personification of English weather. Anyways, their new video; enjoy.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Kiva.org: Live Love Lend - Party in Boston!

2009-10-14T22:33:00.001-04:00

via kivanews.blogspot.com

Cool organization is throwing a shindig in Boston tomorrow. If you are in the area you should check it out.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Yelp's Passport to Kendall

2009-10-14T20:17:00.001-04:00

See the full gallery on posterous

Amazing event full of freebies at the stunning Microsoft Research Center. Check it out : #p2ks

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Google Maps for Bikes!

2009-10-14T16:01:00.001-04:00

via infrastructurist.com

I've been a heavy user of the Public Transit feature for Google Maps ever since it launched. Same goes for the walking. But more than once I have found myself wondering if foot or car directions would best serve me when motoring about on my bicycle. More often than not it tends to be a mixture of the two. Supposedly such a feature -- 'Bike to There' -- is in the works. Should be interesting.

On a related note, how miserable does this guy look?

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

What's That Doing There?

2009-10-13T20:25:00.001-04:00

Couldn't help but snap this photo when I was helping my uncle and cousin move the broken fridge from the Beach House. A storm blew a hole in the beach a couple of years ago, so now a boat is the only way to get anything -- including people -- to and from the house. And thus a fridge found itself being lapped by a gentle tide. Thought it was worth documenting.

Funny thing is that Google Maps still doesn't reflect the break in Nauset beach (although Google Earth does)...

<br /><small>View Larger Map</small>

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Mini Golf -- Pirates Cove, Cape Cod

2009-10-10T18:00:00.001-04:00

Why we were playing mini golf in 50 degrees? Who knows. Crazy course though.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Men vs. Women: Financial Planning

2009-10-09T13:31:00.001-04:00

via billshrink.com

What a genius graphic. Do I agree with it? Probably not, then again, its really all about who you surround yourself with in the end. Perhaps I am unconsciously drawn to fiscally educated females.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

myPolitics | Discourse: The American Identity Series

2009-10-09T12:37:00.001-04:00

via discourse.eventbrite.com

I've been doing some work with Generation Progress recently -- stay tuned for some exciting announcements soon -- but for the meantime I've got to call out the superb Discourse series. Basically its a chance for a bunch of people to get together and discuss, disagree, and explore an idea. Coming up, its on the American Identity. Be there!

"Join us for a two-part discussion on our generation's perception of American identity. The labels "American" and "un-American" -- not to mention symbols like the flag -- are commonly manipulated for political ends. We'll try to step back and consider just what defines us as a nation, and how we can alter the ways others perceive us.

Seating is limited for these intimate conversations; save your spot now (for either event, or both)!

As always, our moderator, Rachel, will e-mail you a short list of suggested readings and thought-provoking questions in advance of each event."

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

A Beer Ranking for those who buy based on environmental awareness...

2009-10-08T11:39:00.001-04:00

via betterworldshopper.com

Bummer that some of the hardened regulars fall at the bottom. Always worth keeping in mind though -- especially since those at the top are likely to taste better anyways. Not a terribly impressive list though; far too short. And what have they got against the Black Stuff?!?!

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Somerville Harvest Festival

2009-10-03T14:55:00.001-04:00

12$ for all you can eat & drink! Red Bones BBQ & Magic Hat.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Beautiful Day for a Sail

2009-09-26T11:34:00.001-04:00

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Genius. Pure Genius

2009-09-24T16:58:00.001-04:00

Berlin 'Grillwalkers' Sell Sausages Cooked on Wearable Grills

Posted by Adam Kuban, September 24, 2009 at 10:45 AM

[Photograph: Punxatawneyphil on Flickr]

The New York Times has a quick piece on Berlin's grillwalkers, who sell sausages from portable grills that they wear—gas on the back; hot, hot bratfest on the front.

The innovative apparatus sprang up in 1997, when inventor Bertram Rohloff devised it as a way of skirting city street-vendor permits in the city. Without permits, "neither the grill nor the sausages could touch the ground."

As he worked on the invention, Mr. Rohloff considered everything from burning charcoal to hooking the grill up to a car battery — which he rejected because it would run down in just 10 minutes — before settling on propane. He designed it with an automatic cut-off mechanism for the gas, to ensure that it was safe in the event of an accident

According to the story, the Grillwalker franchise has become a common sight in the capital and Mr. Rohloff has hired subcontractors to wear the grills in other German cities.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Out for a Sail on the Roseway

2009-09-19T14:03:00.001-04:00

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Can't Hardly Wait.

2009-09-17T20:24:00.001-04:00

Funny how a new phrase is starting to enter my lexicon: "I can't wait for Apple to approve INSERT APP NAME HERE". Right now the App in question is the Zipcar app -- ability to rent AND open a Zipcar with one's iPhone. But like so many Apps (google voice anyone) we are left out in the dark wondering if and when the App of our dreams will see the light of the day.

On a brighter note, my office offically moved to support IE 7 today! So I can finally browse the Internet using tabs *gasp* while using our CRM. Looking forward Enterprise needs to figure out a way to adpot technology faster without breaking everything. Tabbed browsing may seem frivolous, but it's something that has been standard for years now on the home computer, and in the coming years the tech curve could not only become steeper, but increasingly more important to stay competitive. Just a thought.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

The Stairs that beat the Couch

2009-09-11T20:17:00.001-04:00

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

More Than Your Average Park Bench

2009-09-10T08:18:00.001-04:00

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Just remember, Health Insurance does not equal Health Care

2009-09-09T21:55:00.001-04:00

Friend --

I just finished laying out my plan for health reform at a joint session of Congress. Now, I'm writing directly to you because what happens next is critical -- and I need your help.

Change this big will not happen because I ask for it. It can only come when the nation demands it. Congress knows where I stand. Now they need to hear from you.

Add your voice: Ask your representatives to support my plan for real health reform in 2009:

http://my.barackobama.com/SupportReform

The heart of my plan is simple: bring stability and security to Americans who already have health insurance, guarantee affordable coverage for those who don't, and rein in the cost of health care.

Tonight, I offered a specific plan for how to make it happen. I incorporated the best ideas from Democrats and Republicans to create a plan that's bold, practical, and represents the broad consensus of the American people.

We've come closer to real health reform in the last few months than we have in the last 60 years. But those who profit from the status quo -- and those who put partisan advantage above all else -- will fight us every inch of the way.

We do not seek that fight, but we will not shrink from it. The stakes are too high to let scare tactics cloud the debate, or to allow partisan bickering to block the path. Your voice, right now, is essential.

See my full plan and call on your representatives to support it:

http://my.barackobama.com/SupportReform

Ours is not the first generation to understand the dire need for health reform. And I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Labor Day @ Nauset Beach

2009-09-07T10:11:00.001-04:00

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Best Review I've Read on Yelp! Yet

2009-09-06T09:28:00.001-04:00

Location: Cambridge, MA

Yelping Since: August 2008

98 Patriot Place
Foxboro, MA 02035
(508) 203-2200

CBS Scene Restaurant and Bar

Categories: Bars, Restaurants

7/29/2009

We had fun time here at scene! My friends Oswalt, Ernest, and Oscar joined me for soccer match game at new Foxboro stadium! After excitement game we had the hunger and desire for more fun having so we there. We had gorgeous view of scenery from roof patio and had great waitress named Liz! She brought wine from Napa in plastic cup which added to flavour releasement - best way to have good wine. We had pizzas and beverages and nacho tortilla chip plate which taste great and less filling! Liz was fun and she made to laugh with us - we give good tip of more than 5 persent. Her boyfriend came and sat at bar so we talk conversation to her while Ernest pooped. Overall good time but "CBS Scene" name misleading because they would only show Sportscenter show on big screen behind bar and did not let me watch Murder She Wrote

Was this review ...?

Bookmark Send Compliment Send To A Friend Link to this Review

Flag review

120 Worcester Rd
Framingham, MA 01702
(508) 879-1776

British Beer Company

Categories: Pubs, British

12/4/2008

I met so many great fellows here!

I ate big dinner before taking Tommy's Taxi to Framingham common to meet other friends who convene with meat. We had some broccoli and then had a pogo stick race to work up our thirst. We could not all fit in my friend Glucious' car so I hitchhiked route 9 by way of a man in a trenchcoat who operated miniature van.

We were greeted by several fellows at the bar who made to joke about my glasses and tight jeans and we all did karaoke to mm bop and dancing queen. I hugged everyone and then went to bathroom to use fingernail clippers and drank beer drink!

I can't wait for dessert!

divdivdivdiv

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

The Jesus Phone is Mine!

2009-09-05T07:55:00.001-04:00

I've finally got my grubby paws on an iPhone 3Gs -- after a week I'd trying nearly every AT&T location and both Apple Stores repeatedly I happened to wander into the Cambridge Side Galleria yesterday and was confronted with the sight of Apple Store employees loading in a new shipment. Truly the gods were smiling down on me yesterday. So a couple of hundred (okay more than that) later and I am a proud owner of the latest & greatest. Guess now I will just have to wait and see what bows on the 9th during the Apple event...

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Post-Dated Photos: A Going-Away Party on Long Island & Patriots vs. Giants

2009-09-05T07:44:00.001-04:00

The party was a blast -- seeing and enjoying a 6 foot sub (or Hero as they say on the Island) was sort of a lifelong goal of mine. Always saw the ads on TV for them, but its only now that I finally got to see one face-to-awesomeness. Sometimes its best to just enjoy the small things in life. Also at the party was that amazing cake. Not only was it delicious but it was so superbly done that I had to snatch some photos of it. Reason behind it: going away party was for a friend heading to South Africa, thus the cake is a surprisingly accurate representation of the main sights in Cape Town, South Africa.

The second set of photos I am finally getting around to uploading are from the Patriots vs. Giants pre-season game I went to at Gillette Stadium. I know, only a pre-season game, but it was my first NFL game, pre-season or not, so I was pretty pumped. Didn't hurt that it was help at Gillette either, which is a beautiful stadium. Took the train there -- the MBTA has started offering a commuter train service to-and-from games (only one train, at one time, don't miss it!). Trip is a bit strange, however, because the last couple of miles is done on old tracks and the train only goes 5 - 10 miles per hour...through the woods. My guess is that there either used to be more regular service (signage looked pretty worn) or it was freight tracks. But either way, its a start. Wouldn't have gone to the game otherwise.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

And...Break!

2009-08-31T23:28:00.001-04:00

Move is finished. Now the fun part begins; unpacking must be done, furniture must be acquired, quirks of the new residence need to be fleshed out, and so. Bound to have some more late nights in the week to come.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Ah the English Language

2009-08-29T09:40:00.001-04:00

Got this gem sent to me the other day, took me a second to process it:

Subject: The importance of capitalisation.....

1) Tommy helped his uncle Jack off a horse

2) tommy helped his uncle jack off a horse

That J makes alot of difference ;)

...shows you never can be too careful.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

So Much Space & So Little Time

2009-08-28T07:38:00.001-04:00

via gizmodo.com

I can remember the first HP Desktop that my dad bought that came with 4 gigs of memory, or my first MP3 player that came in at an astounding 1 gig.

That said, has anyone noticed that their gmail account is creeping up towards being full. Just in the last year my used % has jumped considerably -- "You are currently using 2132 MB (28%) of your 7363 MB." -- obviously that is still a lot, but with files getting bigger, my ever ballooning sent folder, and gmail's "never delete anything" model, this number is sure to grow. What will happen then? Maybe they should start collecting donated iPods and string them together into massive hard-disk stacks...

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Cups that melt back into the Earth

2009-08-27T22:51:00.001-04:00

via pr-squared.com

Stopped by a Boloco tonight to grab a bite, and couldn't help but notice the cups. The picture here I snagged off the Internet since I couldn't get a picture I was happy with using the camera I had on me, but its the same as I was given. The technology behind the 'corn cups', which according to the text along the side "This cup grew up in Blair, Nebraska. It's made entirely of corn. It's 100% compostable. It will disappear no matter what you do with it.", is provided by NatureWorks. I did a brief on this company a couple of years ago during a project I was working on regarding the burgeoning landfills caused by discarded water bottles. Really its PLA or polylactic acid, but marketing it as a corn cup is much easier to swallow. I won't go into the science here, but ultimately the problem with this sort of 'green initiative' is that the energy required to carry out the chemical process to 'transform' the corn into a polylactic acid slurry results in a net loss typically. Maybe I am just being pessimistic though. Its still a neat technology.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Insanity

2009-08-27T15:58:00.001-04:00

</object>

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

This Makes Me Excited

2009-08-25T23:09:00.001-04:00

via apple.com

Expect to see me at the Apple store on Boylston -- that gleaming white edifice amongst the historic Back Bay -- to purchase my copy come this Friday. Heard from a friend that was in the developer community that it's a noticeable upgrade in speed. God knows my machine could use some streamlining at the moment, even if its only software tricking my hardware to think its better.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Lets Just Keep it Simple Stupied - Healthcare on the Back of a Napkin

2009-08-20T23:18:00.001-04:00

via slideshare.net

Its really that simple. If you've been wondering, just click through the slide show. Healthcare reform = Insurance reform. Really should come as no surprise that there has been so much push-back. Powerful industries never go quietly into the night. Even if they have fallen into irrelevancy & have outlived their charter.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

‘Let’s Go Ride A Bike’

2009-08-20T07:41:00.001-04:00

via infrastructurist.com

Would be curious to see what the stats would look like for Boston. I have to assume it follows a similar pattern, already it feels much safer biking in Boston these days than it did two years ago when I was commuting daily -- and thats mostly due to the increased number of riders & the bike lanes that grace some of Boston's streets these days. Ultimately, however, I firmly believe that biking will only become safe when every single person behind he wheel of a car in Boston (or any city) spends at least a couple of days cycling around town. It just makes you more appreciative; more aware, of why you should look twice before opening your door while parked on the street or changing lanes to take an un-signaled turn, etc. Little things make all the difference.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Organizing for America | BarackObama.com | Setting the Record Straight

2009-08-19T19:28:00.001-04:00

via my.barackobama.com

Couldn't agree with the prominent text on this page more -- Enough is enough. Reform has to happen. There has to be a public option. 'Nuff said.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Sends Tingles Up the Spine

2009-08-18T22:46:00.001-04:00

via youtube.com

What a sound. Amazing visuals & global locales don't hurt either. Fantastic effort overall.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Holy Crap!

2009-08-17T18:55:00.001-04:00

via gizmodo.com

Its awfulness in slow motion. Personally I am an avid train fan, but one can't help but think of this every time you step on board. Caught myself dreaming of this a couple of times I dozed on whilst riding the TGV at 180 mph...

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

A Day by the Water

2009-08-16T11:14:00.001-04:00

Spent yesterday wandering around in South Boston, down on the eastern waterfront on Pleasure Bay.

View Larger Map

Interesting thing about where we were was that it was right underneath the final approach for Logan Airport, so no matter where you sat, a plane overhead was a constant fixture. On the beach; a plane overhead. Underneath the weathered walls of the historic fort; a plane overhead. Walking along the picturesque East Broadway; a plane overhead. Couldn't help but wonder what such aerial traffic does for air quality. Made for entertaining visuals though.

Favorite picture of the day might have to be the baby surrounded by a flock of seagulls. Highly amusing sight.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

I Demand an Explanation

2009-08-15T13:42:00.001-04:00

via mashable.com

There has got to be a story behind this video that is sweeping the web. And I want to know what it is. Ah the Internet

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

OAR @ Bank of America Pavilion

2009-08-15T13:38:00.001-04:00

Went to go see OAR last night at the Bank of America Pavilion in South Boston. Accompanied by my cousin and some of his co-workers. Concert was loads of fun, although the antics leading up to it -- see photos -- gave it a pretty good run for its money. Funny times with funny people. The Bank of America Pavilion, by the way, for those who have not visited it before, is a very cool venue. Nice sea breeze comes off the harbor and sweeps through what, for all intense purposes, is a large tent. The form has a decidedly swoopy vibe that at once makes the place feel massive and intimate. None of that helps the sound quality of course, and the beer coming in at 9 dollars a cup was inexcusable, but all in all a great time. First time seeing OAR live as well, and I did not go home disappointed.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

It's like the Pepsi Challenge...for Search Engines

2009-08-11T21:56:00.001-04:00

The basic premise is that you plug in a search query and your results appear in three windows, each with a 'vote for these results' radio button appearing just above. After you make your selection -- based on which you think is the most relevant, accurate, helpful, etc -- the page refreshes to show the logos of the respective search providers from where the results were pulled. Its not the most beautiful implementation, but its a neat tool nonetheless. Check it out here: http://blindsearch.fejus.com/

See it in action below in the photos:

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Landshark Spotting!

2009-08-09T20:28:00.001-04:00

Searched in vain all over the internet for a clip of the infamous Landshark SNL skit, but to no avail, NBC has managed to get all instances of it pulled from the internet. Too bad really, because when I saw this Landshark wandering around downtown Boston I could immediately think of nothing else. Unfortunately, no one else with me had ever seen the skit.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

First Weeks w/ @Forrester Have Been Great

2009-08-08T12:02:00.001-04:00

I've recently left the ranks of the 'funemployed' to join Forrester Research as a Research Specialist within their Client Services group. Its been an intense two weeks with nearly constant training sessions & a never ending flow of heady information. But let me just say, its been a blast. Sure some parts might be more interesting than others, but when taken as a whole, I can clearly see the thought and preparation that went into my training plan which is allowing me to hit the ground at a full sprint. Looking forward to my ascent out of training mode next week and beyond 'getting my feet wet'.

The second photo is from the quad outside the building where there is often live music during lunch time. A nice place to relax & recharge. Only big complaint? Forrester is still stuck on IE 6...

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Alma Maters Show No Love When It Comes to Email Accounts

2009-08-07T17:28:00.001-04:00

My dual degree program through Northeastern University's Bachelor of Science International Business program saw me studying three years in Boston followed by two years in Reutlingen at the European School of Business. The end result is that I basically went to two schools in the space of five years -- that means I was enrolled at two schools, accumulated grades at two schools, and so on...which brings me to the focus of this blog post, being that I was also given email addresses at both schools.

Northeastern told me when I began classes that my email account would be shut off after my graduation. This has not yet come to pass, and apparently they are now allowing you to keep your @neu.edu address indefinitely. This is pretty neat, since I have it auto-forwarding into my gmail.

ESB on the other hand, has just sent me this nasty-gram:

Sehr geehrter Herr Coss,

Ihr Account für das Intranet an der Hochschule Reutlingen wird am 05.11.2009 d.h. in 90 Tagen gelöscht. Ab sofort erscheint Ihre E-Mail-Adresse in keiner Mailingliste, wodurch Sie keine Rund-E-Mails mehr erhalten.

Im neuen LHG, welches seit dem 1.01.2005 gilt, beschreibt der § 12, Abs.(1), dass die Daten von Studierenden für Alumni-Zwecke nach der Exmatrikulation genutzt werden können. Die Studenten müssen über die Speicherung informiert werden und dürfen widersprechen.
Wir bitten Sie deshalb, sich vor der endgültigen Löschung auf unserer Hochschul-Website im

Intranet (www.reutlingen-university.de/login.html)

anzumelden und dort die Seite

"Mein Account > Datenfreigabe für Alumnizwecke"

zu besuchen. Über diese Web-Seite können Sie die weitere Verwendung Ihrer Daten festlegen und werden auch in Kenntnis darüber gesetzt, was nach der Löschung mit Ihren Daten geschieht und was Sie danach tun können.

Basically they are telling me to move my stuff now or its going to be deleted come November. Then it goes on to say that I can continue it through the Alumni, blah blah blah, money money money. What gives people? Memory, particularly the cheap, not terribly secure memory, is incredibly cheap. And it gets exponentially cheaper each year! Why even go through the hassle of canceling people's accounts? Makes me wonder why they even gave it to me in the first place. Personally I would like it if more schools followed Weselyan's model -- my brother goes there -- wherein the campus email is provided by gmail's professional version, thereby allowing his personal gmail and Wesleyan email address to function as one entity. Thus there is no need to ever worry about losing your information. Maybe we should just be given email accounts at birth, so everything can be stored in one place...

Well enough for now, I would be ranting about this on Twitter but it keeps going down due to DoS attacks...

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

It's Here!

2009-08-05T21:28:00.001-04:00

The Angry Whopper; I've got some good memories associated with this burger. This particular Whopper is enchanced by the support of jalapeno poppers which lends a certain zest to the whole experience. These were in Germany a year or so ago, where my friends and I enjoyed perhaps a few too many of them. All that said, when I walked by this sign today I couldn't help but snap a quick picture, and I won't lie, it took more than a bit of self-restraint to not purchase one.

My body thanked me.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss