In this digital age, we tend to rely on our phones for a great many things. We use them to communicate, to order and pay for items, and we even use them to make sure that we get a ride to where we need to go. One company knows a lot about how desperate we can get when your battery … Continue reading
Project Ara, Google’s dream for a truly modular smartphone, has been a long parade of exciting visions of the future
punctuated by disappointing delays
. But Google just made a big promise that developers will be be getting their hands on a device this fall with a consumer version due in 2017. Finally!
Just the latest in a series of “360 Google Spotlight Stories” is a vision called Pearl, released to YouTube in its entirety this morning. This video comes from Oscar award-winning director Patrick Osborne, known for his work on movies like Wreck It Ralph, Big Hero 6, Tangled, and Bolt. This video is by far the most complicated 360 video released … Continue reading
To properly celebrate this year’s Moogfest, the synth maker is giving synth collectors the chance to own a piece of history. The company set up a temporary “pop-up factory” during this weekend’s event where the iconic Minimoog Model D is going back i…
Google and Levis announced a partnership at Google I/O last year that would bring “smart clothing” to the market using a technology called Project Jacquard. The technology, which is basically composed of conductive fabric woven into the garment to cr…
Despite some grim portents last year, Project Ara is far from dead. It now has its own business unit at Google (says newly installed ATAP chief Dan Kaufman), and the nearly magical modular hardware we’ve been anticipating for years is slowing getting…
Last year, Google gave us a taste of Project Soli, an effort to deliver radar-powered finger gesture control to wearables. Today, we got a closer look at how it could be implemented in real products, starting with a customized LG Urbane smartwatch. G…
At Google’s I/O conference today, Google’s Google’s Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) research unit offered an update on its interactive textiles project announced last year, Project Jacquard. ATAP’s Ivan Poupyrev announced that the company was collaborating with iconic clothing company, Levi’s, to launch a connected jacket aimed at urban cyclists that… Read More
If you’re a traveler heading out on a trip soon after a tragedy, disaster, or outbreak occurs, you may feel understandably concerned about your upcoming plans. The most important thing to remember is that you have every right to feel concerned, to revisit your trip itinerary and make any changes that make you feel the most comfortable.
Below, we list safety tips in a checklist to consider whenever you’re going out of town — but they’re especially helpful in precarious times.
In the wake of international crises including the terror attacks on Paris and Brussels and the outbreak of the Zika virus in Latin America and the Caribbean, many airlines waived re-booking fees and offered free refunds for certain travelers with upcoming flights to affected regions. Contact your airline’s customer service department to learn of any programs put in place to alleviate concerns.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention posts travel notices for Americans visiting regions with potential health risks. Similarly, terror attacks have caused temporary closures of affected transit hubs, and the State Department has been known to reissue specific travel alerts in the wake of such events.
Following the attacks on Paris, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide travel alert cautioning travelers of “increased terror threats” around the globe. The language was specific in that the alert did not encourage Americans to cancel trips abroad — the State Department only issues such travel warnings when officials want Americans to reconsider traveling to a particular place. Travel alerts are for short-term events the State Department thinks you should be aware of as you plan.
As the New York Times wrote, “don’t be afraid, be aware.” Travelers abroad should remain extra vigilant in crowded, touristy areas, avoid large groups, and to be extra mindful in cultural forums like theaters and national landmarks.
Perhaps you suddenly feel uneasy about visiting that popular tourist attraction or area expected to be covered in crowds during peak travel season. You may feel more comfortable tweaking your itinerary in certain ways to alleviate any feelings of anxiety. Feel free to make those changes — it’s your trip.
While it may be nice to hit the road, disconnect and not look back for a few weeks, it’s safest to ensure that at least one family member or friend has a copy of your itinerary and travel documents, especially your passport, in case of an emergency.
It’s always a good idea to have this information on hand when abroad, in case you’re caught in an emergency — whether that’s losing your passport or a major international crisis. You can find the contact information for U.S. embassies around the globe at USEmbassy.gov.
The CDC recommends those traveling to areas affected by the Zika virus bring specific kinds of bug repellents, long sleeves and long pants, for example. You might also want to bring some over-the-counter medicines from the U.S. while traveling abroad, just in case.
Some research suggests an estimated 40 percent of people experience some level of anxiety when they fly, and it’s natural to experience higher levels of anxiety about travel after tragic events. Take time to understand your feelings and those of your trip companions, and seek professional help if necessary. Most importantly, give yourself the space to recenter and re-plan.
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One of my favorite movie lines of all time is when Tom Hanks tells Matt Damon in Saving Private Ryan with his last breath, “Earn This”. He was referring to his own life and the lives of his men that were lost fighting and searching for him behind enemy lines. For many people Memorial Day is a long weekend, a BBQ or the perfect time to dust off the old surf board and hit the beach. For some of us who have served or lost close friends and family members who served in our armed forces, it’s a time to reflect and celebrate their lives and sacrifices. We know full well that there is nothing wrong with enjoying the long weekend, the burgers, or breaching a cold one, but is it possible that we are missing the bigger picture? This Memorial Day maybe we should be asking ourselves if we are worthy of their sacrifice? If we could transport to Valhalla and survey every service member who has paid the ultimate price and died for this country, would they say it was worth it? Would they look at how we are living our lives and the direction of our nation and say, “yeah, I would do it all over again”? I know much better men than me dedicate their lives to those who have given it all and making sure that they are “earning it” each and every day.
Sadly, the world is a much more dangerous place today. Thousands of Americans have died fighting terrorism since I joined the Navy; one week after the twin towers came crashing down. This tells me many things, one thing in particular surrounding memorial day. There will be many more serving today and many who haven’t even signed up yet that will have to pay with their own lives for our freedoms and our way of life. Some people see this as a very sad thing. I see it completely differently. When young men and women continue to sign on the dotted line agreeing to years of service away from friends, family and home. Knowing that there is a very real possibility of losing their very lives. It is an amazing thing that makes my heart swell with pride. It tells me that I’m not alone in strong feelings of reverence and love for this great nation and that America is still worth fighting for. As the ranks in Valhalla fill and grow with brave men and women who gave it all on the battle field, we will have many more heavenly eyes looking down upon us.
People say all the time, “we will never forget” and we honestly believe that but let’s be honest for a second. Though our intentions are good and we want to show the utmost respect and homage; the years go on and our lives transform and grow within the days, months and years without much of a fuss over their memories. I myself am guilty of this very thing. A SEAL mom and friend of mine recently told me that her biggest fear was that her son would be forgotten. His name was Marc Lee. Though I didn’t know him, I was roughly 30 miles away from him when he was killed in Ramadi, Iraq. He was the first SEAL to be KIA in OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom). There were many before him and will unfortunately be many after him that will valiantly follow him to the ranks of Valhalla. Do we talk about these men and women enough? Do we educate and teach our children about whom the real heroes are? Do they know that freedom isn’t free and that there is evil in the world that would love to take everything we hold so dear away from us?
So what can we do to “Earn This?” I think it’s different for all us. We can all strive to be better human beings, better husbands and wives, better sons and daughters, better parents to our children. We can get outside of our comfort zones and grow as individuals, intellectually, physically, and spiritually. We can love more. We can be better Americans. We can tune in, educate, participate and care about the direction of this country. We can fight for her. The United States of America has been a beacon of light around the world for a very long time representing freedom, liberty, equality and democracy. Of course we are not perfect but we should be proud of this country and what we have done and accomplished within our borders and abroad. I know for a fact that is something that our service men and women looking down on us really cared about. From the moment we all showed up at our respective boot camps we were all taught to love, cherish and defend America. If we all did a little more of these things I feel very confident that those who have paid the ultimate price with their lives would look down and say, “yeah, I would do it all over again, they are earning it!”
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This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
