Nov 25
How much would someone have to pay you before you willingly swapped your phone for a BlackBerry? The Canadian phonemaker is hoping that number is less than $600, because that is how much they are prepared to give you.
Nov 25
Mozilla is making the switch to Yahoo search from Google for its default option in the US, and Apple’s browser deal will soon be up for renewal, too. The Information reports that Mayer & Co. are in play there as well, and of course, Microsoft is pitc…
Nov 25
Chromecast Adds Comedy Central, Sesame Street Go, Nickelodeon, TuneIn And More
Posted in: Today's Chili
Google continues to build out its lineup of content partners for the Chromecast streaming media device. This time, partners include Comedy Central, Sesame Street Go, Nickelodeon, and TuneIn, providing a good mix of comedy, kids and radio/podcast content for direct broadcast to your TV or display.
Other new channels include EPIX, YuppTV and Encore, which add additional TV and movie content… Read More
Nov 25
Viewing the recent DVD releases Chef and Begin Again, some startling similarities challenge viewers to rethink what it means to cultivate professional satisfaction.
Both films feature a gifted male artist who seems past his prime and is struggling through a mid-life professional crisis. Chef rejoices in the art of authentic food and creative cooking. Begin Again celebrates the joy and abandon that flows from making inventive music that matters. Chef and protagonist Carl (Jon Favreau) and musician and agent Dan (Mark Ruffalo) are dually conflicted about their divorces which clearly did not need to happen. Both protagonists have grown estranged from their children. But both reconnect through exposing their children to their professional passion; this shared experience sparks newfound artistic inspiration. Both tales make bold statements about refusing gratuitous formulas for success and instead creating art that flows from the soul.
Chef director Jon Favreau convincingly directs himself as Carl Casper, the head chef at a popular Los Angeles dining establishment who is pressured by the owner (Dustin Hoffman) to cook the same old meals that the diners have come to expect rather than to reach for something more creative and interesting. Carl wants to feed his customers something different and simultaneously feed his innate desire to grow and evolve. The owner wants consistent clientele and happy regulars. Toss in an esoteric, combative food critic, sprinkle with a hilarious battle on twitter, and then blend together with an engaging cross country tour via food truck. This inspiring recipe for personal growth and professional fulfillment can be therapeutic viewing for those who feel overwhelmed by the internet’s impact on their lives and those who crave professional meaning.
Begin Again traces the lyrical tale of what happens when down-and-out Dan quits his job at the music agency he co-founded and then later that evening, in a drunken stupor, hears the lovely Greta (Keira Knightly) singing in a local bar. Greta’s music sparks Dan’s long-lost inspiration. His silent but animated reaction to her song is transformational and aesthetically glorious. Greta and Dan proceed to collaborate to create outsider music that they believe in, rather than music that is packaged to sell. Finding meaningful work turns out to be incredibly therapeutic. Along the way, Dan reconnects with his daughter, Violet (Hailee Steinfeld), and mends other broken fences to reclaim his professional ground and his personal connections.
Both tales involve a light-hearted but pivotal flirtation with a well intended colleague (Scarlett Johansson plays Molly, the hostess at Carl’s restaurant in a role quite similar to Keira Knightley’s Greta, the a singer on Dan’s comeback album). Both plots feature Twitter as a vehicle demonstrating that the younger generation can teach the older generation a thing or two about thinking outside of the box. Most importantly, both films celebrate the importance of pursuing a passion and finding personal agency and meaningful work.
These similarly creative takes are both moving testament to the transformational value of finding opportunities for growth in the face of loss. They also demonstrate that feeling passionate about your work is a wonderful outlet, especially in the face of adversity. Perhaps the most appealing element of these inspiring films is that the deliciously uncommon culinary creations and the lyrical, heartfelt tunes defy today’s cookie-cutter, market-driven ethos. In a society that emphasizes internet sensations, the joys of meaningful work often take a backseat to the celebration of viral videos and social media phenomenons. Chef and Begin Again tell dual tract tales that explore what it means to make a deliberate choice to pursue a passion for the sake of the work itself, rather than for the praise or attention of others.
Nov 25
Fall brings with it colorful foliage, crisp weather, and the urge to cozy up by the fire (preferably with a special someone). After all, the season is ideal for spending some picturesque time with your significant other, and some cities are a bit more romance-inducing than others. Cobblestone streets, stunning architecture, and culture-filled attractions are just a few of the things that landed the following seven cities on our list of the perfect cities to fall in love in this fall.
— Lara Grant, Oyster.com
We’ll start with the most romantic city any time of year: Paris. Both the capital of France and the most visited city in the world, Paris is renowned for its romantic vibe. Stunning architecture, exquisite museums, and très bien cuisine are just a few of the staples. Window shop along the Champs Elysee, drink wine under the Eiffel Tower, or dance (or at least watch others dance) at the Moulin Rouge for a true Parisian vacation. The City of Light can get pretty chilly, but that makes it perfect for cozying up next to a special someone.
Stay: Hotel Sezz
Hotel Sezz is a small but perfectly designed luxury boutique with snazzy interiors and a slightly saucy side. The iconic Eiffel Tower is within walking distance, making the property ideal for couples wanting to turn up the romance. Sultry rooms and playful amenities encouraging amorous activity, as well. The champagne breakfast is certainly a treat, though it’s not cheap, and there’s a small spa. If you’re willing to spend a significant amount of cash on a romantic trip to Paris, this place could help inject a punch of passion into the proceedings.
Carmel, officially called Carmel-by-the-Sea, is a charming town along the California coast. It’s immensely quaint, nestled in between rocky coastal cliffs and tall pine trees. The artsy city is a hub for galleries and creative residents; Clint Eastwood even served as mayor for a time. The city is very walkable, with unique boutiques, restaurants, and bars lining the streets. Fall weather is wonderfully crisp and gorgeous sunsets are a daily occurrence at Carmel Beach.
Stay: L’Auberge Carmel
Echoing the charm of Carmel is the luxurious L’Auberge Carmel — housed in a white stucco building dating back to 1929. Its 20 rooms have warm colors, high-quality bedding, and beautiful modern bathrooms with heated floors (some have deep soaking tubs). The inn is built around an adorable brick courtyard, which helps create a homey European vibe, as do the green French shuttered windows with window planters. It has a popular in-house restaurant and guests each get a free glass of sparkling white wine at check in.
A city on water, Venice comprises 118 small islands separated by canals. The beautiful city has centuries-old churches, historic cafes and colorful buildings. It’s extremely expensive, but going during fall means it’s off-season and travelers can get a better deal. Strolling though Piazza San Marco or taking a gondola ride through the city are super simple, but romantic, activities.
Stay: Hotel Locanda Vivaldi
The 27-room Hotel Locanda Vivaldi has a prime location, overlooking the Grand Canal and a short walk from Piazza San Marco, the lively square where many of Venice’s top tourist attractions are located. While the hotel lacks the conveniences of larger hotels (such as a fitness center and spa), it has been updated with free Wi-Fi throughout the property and modern marble bathrooms. Room decor is classic, with antique-style furniture, crystal chandeliers, and rich patterns. But some may find the effect stuffy, especially in rooms with varying patterns all in the same color; bedspreads are low-quality. Guests receive free breakfast, either in the dining room or delivered to their door, and the hotel features an on-site bar.
Quebec is rich with history and perfect for francophiles, having been founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain. It’s a walled, highly walkable city and the old town is comprised of gorgeous cobblestone streets and boutiques. Perched atop a cliff, the views over Saint Lawrence River are stunning. Not only does fall bring beautiful foliage, but also reduced prices and fewer tourists.
Stay: Auberge Saint-Antoine
This 95-room boutique hotel is housed in a historic building facing the St. Lawrence River in the Old City. Decor varies across the sophisticated, spacious rooms, but all have upscale touches such as Nespresso machines, evening turndown service, and luxurious bathrooms featuring heated floors and flat-screen TVs. The restaurant, Panache, serves seasonal, local cuisine in a former maritime warehouse (think: thick wood beams, stone walls), and the more casual Bar Artefact serves cocktails and gourmet fare in a bright, contemporary lounge. Amenities include a modern, 24-hour fitness center, a screening room, spa treatment rooms, and a free business center. The hotel is situated on an archaeological site, and historical artifacts are displayed throughout the property.
Barcelona is Spain’s most modern and vibrant city — bringing in loads of tourists. Its stunning gothic architecture (best seen in the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia), world-class museums, and delicious cuisine are all points of interest. The mix of old world and modern design throughout the city contribute to its cool factor. If you’re looking for a mellow and romantic city by day, and a lively party scene by night, Barcelona will surely deliver.
Stay: Barcelo Raval
A sexy, modern hotel, the Barcelo Raval has a chic black-and-white lobby (dotted with splashes of color) with funky lighting, modern seating, and a ceiling fixture that lends a space-age feel to the hotel. The same vibe continues in the modern rooms, equipped with flat-screen TVs, iPod docks, and open bathrooms. But the real highlight of the rooms is the view of the city that is revealed upon drawing back the remote-controlled curtains; this view can also be enjoyed from the rooftop bar and patio where binoculars and telescopes are set up.
Declared a creative city by UNESCO, Santa Fe has a rich mix of Native American, Latino, and Southwestern influences. A prominent arts, music, and design scene, the city often plays host to festivals and markets. It’s also famous for hand-crafted jewelry and clothing. As the oldest capital in the U.S. (founded in 1607), it has a rich history, particularly in its adobe architecture. In addition to Santa Fe’s art scene, outdoor activities abound and the scenic Sangre de Cristo Mountains are just 15 miles outside the city center.
Stay: La Posada de Santa Fe Resort & Spa
The four-pearl La Posada de Santa Fe is over a hundred years old, making it one of the the city’s longest-standing inns. It has an excellent location near Santa Fe Plaza, and features attractive Southwestern decor throughout. Its 157 rooms have beamed ceilings, coral throws, regional art, and modern tech features; some have patios or kiva-style fireplaces. The upscale Fuego Restaurant earns high marks, and a curator on staff oversees the hotel’s $1 million in local art. The property features are impressive: There’s a day spa, an outdoor pool and whirlpool, afternoon tea and cookies, and an outdoor fire where evening s’mores are served.
This historic little city in South Carolina exudes old world romance with its breezy beach and horse-drawn carriages. For Civil War buffs, there’s numerous attractions in the city, including Fort Sumter, the site of the first battle. Charleston is filled with porch-front homes, beautiful gardens, and cobblestone streets that are ideal for strolling. Fall is a perfect time to visit this gorgeous city as the weather is mild and there’s way fewer tourists than in the summer (when the temperatures can be pretty sticky).
Stay: The Jasmine House Inn
Housed in a beautifully renovated mansion dating back to 1843, The Jasmine House Inn has all the charm of a B&B and the comfort of an upscale hotel, plus a central location in downtown Charleston. It has 12 large rooms with hardwood floors, 15-foot ceilings, flat-screen TVs, and unique decor — that might be a bit too much for some (think matching bedspreads and drapes, patterned rugs, and floral wallpaper). There are a bunch of great freebies, including a continental breakfast, Wi-Fi, and evening hors d’oeuvres.
Nov 25
There has been a lot of attention in recent years to how both scholars and politicians contribute to moral panics, both on a wide array of issues and on the issue of video game violence specifically. Recent events give us an opportunity to explore how journalists also can contribute to moral panics.
Last week the Connecticut Office of the Child Advocate released a detailed investigation report of the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting perpetrated by Adam Lanza. This report follows a 2013 investigation report by the State of Connecticut. This recent report is a bit more thorough and focuses considerably on Lanza’s developmental difficulties and mental health. Most news reports such as CNN faithfully reported these results, but a widely-used article by the Associated Press said the 2014 report also noted that Lanza “spent long hours playing violent video games.”
Except, as far as I can see, neither the new 2014 report, nor the year-old 2013 report make any such statement or claim. In fact both official reports appear to largely exonerate violent video games as a heavy influence in Lanza’s life. Both reports do note that Lanza appeared to be obsessed with one particular non-violent video game Dance, Dance Revolution and both, in different ways, suggest that, while Lanza undoubtedly did play both some violent and non-violent games, he overall seems to have preferred non-violent games such as Super Mario Brothers and, in younger years, Pokemon. Lanza’s fascination with Dance, Dance Revolution apparently was so significant the manager of a theater where he played sometimes had to unplug the machine to get him to leave.
The newer report also provided a bit more detail on the video games found at his home. What is interesting in this report is that, at least of the games mentioned, he seemed to have a preference for milder teen-rated games, although he did also have some M-rated games such as Halo. But the games listed in the 2014 report are also rather old. For instance, he did indeed appear to play Call of Duty but only the older T-rated Call of Duty 2: Big Red One and Call of Duty: Finest Hour are mentioned, games from 2005 and 2004 respectively (7-8 years before the shooting). It’s hard to be sure without being able to look through Lanza’s playing history in detail, but between witness accounts, the investigation reports and the games reported therein, it seems as if Lanza may have dabbled occasionally in shooting games but, aside from the relatively mild World of Warcraft, generally preferred non-violent games with a particular passion for Dance, Dance Revolution. Or put another way, Lanza’s interest in violent games appears to have been on the low end rather than high end of the spectrum for a 20-year-old male.
This hasn’t stopped some reporters from tying to link Sandy Hook to video games anyway, sometimes misrepresenting the investigation reports. Last year, scholar Richard Slotkin discussed the Sandy Hook shooting on the Bill Moyers Show and stated “…the state report has gone into the way in which he used video games and obsessively played violent video games,” despite that the report made no comment at all about obsessively playing violent video games. Around the same time a report from the Daily Mail ignored the official investigation report altogether to suggest that Lanza had notched tens of thousands of online “kills” and headshots via violent video games to train himself for the Sandy Hook shooting. These figures have never been reported in either official report and appear to be apocryphal.
Which brings us back to the AP report. Granted, video games were a tiny part of the overall story. But this type of reporting reinforces stereotypes about games, even when the facts suggest something different. Perhaps the reporters may have misread or read too deeply into the report’s coverage of the video game issue, or perhaps the reporters involved may not have understood that Dance, Dance Revolution is not a violent video game. But it does point to the care reporters need to take in not misrepresenting an issue based on what they think, or their readers think, ought to be a link between media and behavior. Otherwise reporters spread moral panic, not news.
Nov 25
LeBron James Among Athletes Sharing Sadness, Concern, Anger After Ferguson Decision
Posted in: Today's ChiliLike the rest of the country, the biggest stars in the sports world were riveted by the news coming from Ferguson, Mo., on Monday night. Like many of their fellow citizens, some were shocked and saddened when it was announced that police officer Darren Wilson would not be indicted in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Mike Brown.
LeBron James shared his thoughts on the news from Ferguson, posting a poignant illustration linking Brown with Trayvon Martin.
Magic Johnson, Serena Williams were among the other athletes who shared feelings of disappointment, sadness, concern or anger following St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Robert McCulloch’s announcement that no indictment was coming.
I am very disappointed with decision in the Mike Brown case in Ferguson, MO.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 25, 2014
My thoughts & prayers are with the Brown family and the people of Ferguson.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 25, 2014
We must work together to stop the unnecessary loss of young men of color. Justice was not served in Ferguson.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) November 25, 2014
Wow. Just wow. Shameful. What will it take???
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) November 25, 2014
Man. I’m not sure what to feel… Anger, sadness, hopelessness, sure… but most of all disappointment… smh #RIPMikeBrown
— Jonathan A. Martin (@J_Martin71) November 25, 2014
It’s not designed for us…
— Chad Johnson (@ochocinco) November 25, 2014
In all seriousness, everyone stay safe and peaceful tonight #STLTogether
— Ian Cole (@ICole28) November 25, 2014
Sending my thoughts and prayers to the Brown Family…. My heart is so heavy…. #ourkidsmatter #RIPMikeBrown
— Swin Cash (@SwinCash) November 25, 2014
I understand people being upset but use it positively to help each other. Will never understand destroying the place u call home.
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (@StenhouseJr) November 25, 2014
I don’t want Officer Wilson to get the death penalty or nothing but it could’ve at least went to trail… http://t.co/HaOrttZR0K
— David Clowney IV (@DavidClowney) November 25, 2014
The GRAND JURY DECIDED NOT TO INDICT ME TOO! But that changed a week LATER! MAYBE,BUT NOT LIKELY N THIS CASE #PUTyourTrustNGODnotINtheWORLD!
— Adrian Peterson (@AdrianPeterson) November 25, 2014
The justice system reminds us over and over how much they think our lives are worth smh
— Devon Still (@Dev_Still71) November 25, 2014
Back to square one.
— DeAndre Yedlin (@yedlinny) November 25, 2014
Nov 25
Grandma's Reaction To Learning She'll Be In Macy's Parade Will Have You In A Fit Of Giggles
Posted in: Today's ChiliWe think we may have found our favorite Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade performer.
This video captures Grandma Boop’s 83rd birthday celebration in which she learns she’ll be performing as a clown in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. For Grandma Boop, who has been trying to get into the parade for 30 years, the gesture is overwhelming and completely unexpected — so unexpected that it takes her a while to fully process her gift.
Watch her be completely puzzled over the happy news at the 1:00 mark. A few seconds later she breaks down, still confused, but very grateful.
And at the 1:48 mark, she’ll send you in a fit of giggles when she asks her family members, “are we sneaking in?”
We know we’ll be looking out for this charismatic octogenarian on Thanksgiving!
Nov 25
Robbie Rogers On The Slow Acceptance Of LGBT Athletes In Professional Sports
Posted in: Today's ChiliNEW YORK (AP) — Los Angeles Galaxy soccer star Robbie Rogers wants some company, now that he’s the last man standing as an openly gay athlete in a U.S. professional league.
Jason Collins recently retired from the NBA, and Michael Sam is without an NFL team. That leaves Rogers, the first openly gay player in Major League Soccer, hoping for a bigger fraternity. “To be honest, I thought when I came out and Jason and Michael, I thought there’d be a chain reaction,” Rogers said in a recent phone interview with The Associated Press. “It’s been a lot slower. I guess that just reminds me how big a problem it is in sports culture with homophobia. They don’t feel comfortable.”
Rogers chronicles his struggles with faith and family acceptance in the memoir “Coming Out To Play,” released Tuesday by Penguin Books. It’s a collaborative effort with Eric Marcus, who co-wrote Greg Louganis’ book, and recollections from his mother and oldest sister. Rogers discusses growing up in Southern California, playing soccer in the U.S. and European leagues and dealing with his sexuality.
On Sunday, he helped the Galaxy defeat Seattle 1-0 in the opener of the Western Conference finals. He’s been a key defender this season after briefly retiring from the sport last year at age 25.
Rogers recently signed a contract extension, and Galaxy players have embraced him, but locker rooms notoriously weren’t a safe environment to talk about sexuality — except for teammates bragging about their heterosexual conquests.
“Like every locker room I’d been in for years now, ‘fag’ and ‘gay’ were tossed around like an all-purpose putdown,” he wrote. “It cut deeper into an already raw wound.”
So Rogers stifled his feelings, occasionally dating women to please his questioning teammates and family. After playing five seasons for the Columbus Crew in MLS, with stints in the Netherlands and England, he realized his happiness required living an authentic life. So he simultaneously came out and retired in a blog post in February 2013, thinking he couldn’t be an openly gay man and a pro soccer player.
But an outpouring of support, conversations with Los Angeles star Landon Donovan and an invitation from Galaxy coach Bruce Arena to train with the team caused a change of heart.
Now the Galaxy are vying for a spot in the MLS final, Rogers is in a steady relationship and hoping more pro sports leagues provide education about diversity. That way, a teammate might think twice before throwing around gay slurs in the locker room.
COMFORT ZONE: There are still no openly gay players in the NFL, NHL or Major League Baseball.
“There are a number of gay men playing professional sports, just not out,” Rogers told the AP. “In the end, it’s really about guys coming out and changing the atmosphere by being in it. You definitely need to create the environment first where guys feel comfortable.”
Baseball hired Billy Bean, who came out after his MLB career, to talk to all 30 teams about inclusion. Rogers says teams need to educate players on “racism, sexism and homophobia. The leagues should have a person there guys can go talk to, honestly. Talk about mental health or depression or guys wanting to come out.”
EARLY YEARS: Rogers was a prodigy growing up, playing organized soccer at 4. As a teenager, he competed on the Orange County Blue Star. Jurgen Klinsmann, now the coach of the U.S. national team, would occasionally stop by. His favorite players were European stars Thierry Henry and Zinedine Zidane. After helping Maryland win the 2005 NCAA title as a freshman, Rogers turned pro and went to the Netherlands. Playing for Leeds United in 2012, he sustained a concussion 12 minutes into his debut, colliding with an opponent while going for a header. An ankle injury intensified his depression and isolation, and he eventually returned to the U.S.
FAMILY/FAITH: Rogers heard negative comments about gay people at home, at church, in school and in the locker room. He considers his family “socially and politically conservative and very Catholic.” Rogers describes his family as loving and close, yet there were harsh comments from his father about not being a “fairy” and negative comments from his mother about gay celebrities and gay marriage.
“Growing up, I heard and saw plenty that made me think that being gay was bad, defective and sinful,” Rogers wrote.
He came out to his family, despite his fear of rejection, before posting his blog. Now he says his parents, three sisters and younger brother are his biggest supporters.
Nov 25
In the wake of the decision not to indict Darren Wilson in the killing of 18-year-old Michael Brown, a Harvard professor and former federal judge said we should expect more of the same.
“Although many are saying that the decision may have to do with race, it is more likely that Wilson is not facing charges because courts have decimated the law that holds officers accountable for excessive force, rulings that make incidents similar to Ferguson all the more likely,” Nancy Gertner writes in a Boston Globe op-ed.
Gertner notes that, two months before Brown’s life was ended, the Supreme Court ruled in Plumhoff v. Rickard that police deserve special protections when they kill someone in the line of duty.
“In Plumhoff, the Supreme Court gave special deference to the officer’s version of what happened, because officers make split second judgments, under tense circumstances,” Gertner writes. “The message: Shoot first, think later, and you can count on being exonerated.”
It is notoriously difficult to indict and convict police for killing suspects.
A look at recent successful convictions of police who killed while on the job shows it takes damning physical evidence, unanimous witness testimony or a fellow officer contradicting the accused cop’s version of what happened.
It’s tough to catalogue and track incidents in which police kill while on duty and similarly difficult to determine what punishments, if any, police faced. But Five Thirty Eight reports that, according to a database of police misconduct accusations maintained by the Cato institute, when an indictment takes place, there is a 33 percent chance the officer will be convicted and only a 12 percent chance the cop will be incarcerated.
Those numbers are much lower than the 68 percent of civilian defendants who are convicted after being indicted and the 48 percent of them who are locked up after being convicted, based on Bureau of Justice statistics.
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