Filed under: Pop Culture | Tags: 500 Days of Summer, 500 Days of Summer Soundtrack, Band Pilot, free music download, Good Search, indie music, Limewire, music download, music news, music search engine, Sad Steve
While transitioning from over a year with a dysfunctional PC to my first Mac, my friend–the same savvy lady who clued me in to Good Search–introduced me to Sad Steve, a free, quirky, limitless music download site. I can’t express enough my utter glee.
A former Limewire devotee, I had my doubts. This simple, roughly designed website was going to provide me with free music downloads sans scary viruses and other potentially harmful “unwanted extra stuff,” as she phrased it, that I knew nothing about? Yes, Limewire had its share of problems (actually, probably many of the problems I had with my last computer resulted from its presence on my hard drive) but at that point it was dominating with known-evil security and the beauty that’s burrowed into low expectations.
I quickly discovered, however, that Sad Steve is completely safe. And unlike Limewire, it requires no program download. The only other site I have found that seeks to serve a comparable function is Fruitunes, which I still can’t seem to figure out. It was created to be far too complicated and never seems to work for my computer (which is brand new, so i see no reason for problems to arise…)
One of the greatest things about Sad Steve, too, is the site’s personality and approach to its users. Whereas Limewire and similar download systems offer only a simple and outdated search, Sad Steve offers off-the-beaten-path downloads, new and acclaimed artist news, and playlists to which users can add or post comments.
The key is, Sad Steve offers all of this for music from all genres–not just indie–or whatever the cool kids call it–and a light-hearted, punchy humor carries the rhetoric. According to the site, August will also bring the commencement of Sad Steve’s Band Pilot Program. Looks like opportunities for free reviews, exposure, and womm will ensue!
BTW, if you’re going to download something AMAZING from Sad Steve, I’d make it the soundtrack to 500 Days of Summer. Brilliant.
Filed under: Newsworthy, Pop Culture | Tags: blog comment, blogs, cell phone, chihuahua, E!, Friends, New York Times, New York Times Dining, New York Times Style, NYC government, plus-size, puppy, R subway, reruns, Starbucks, Starbucks wi-fi, Twitter, Vh1, weight-loss, wi-fi
Over the past…month, I suppose…these things have been BUGGING ME:
1. I have had virtually zero internet access in my downtime from work and the daily commute. It has been a century, I do realize. But I’m back–granted, with less frequent posts.
2. Somehow, I keep sitting directly across from the most irritating ad on the R in Manhattan: the NYC government letting us know that if we raise our thermostats to 78°F, we’ll save 3% on our bills. I need them to tell me to put my air on like eighty. And in a Manhattan apartment? Perhaps I’ll just hang my head out the window.
3. That Starbucks has a wi-fi charge. Seriously? I mean, seriously? It’s not enough that I buy coffee from you almost every day, despite your lack of originality, pleasing decor, and profit gains? Everyone from luxury hotel lines to Panera offers it for free. I had to sign up for access at $10/month…and that’s because my cell provider has a cooperative offer. What about those that don’t? Starbucks, you’re really not that special. And your sugar-free syrups are starting to bore me.
4. People giving me “the eyes” for talking on my cell phone in a public place. Yes, I am that person–sorry if I need to complete a mandatory verbal exchange. I have things to do–just lump me in with the eight million other people who need to do it, too, grandpa. Last time I checked, that sidewalk bench was not your bedroom. I’m sure you’ll survive SOMEHOW–especially since it was you who got the glare from someone else ten minutes ago. No need to pay it forward. Grazie.
5. Gyms closing at 9pm on the weekdays. Gosh, isn’t it justso unfortunate when one must work during the day in order to actually pay the Billionaire Boys price tag.
6. Stupid TV shows. I could actually not own a television set and be fine, except that I would miss Friends reruns, the news, and The Office. And the E! and VH1 trash to provide the perfect background noise and imagery while girlfriends are over. You know what I mean. That fake Robin Leech voice? Nothing may compare.
7. People hating on me for wanting a puppy. I didn’t say I want a chihuahua, for heaven’s sake. Goodness.
8. The palpable awkwardness that arises when you talk about your plans to adopt said puppy in front of someone, and those plans don’t include the breed that someone sought out and continues to rave about, as if it were a car model or top-of-the-line hair-styling product.
9. That The New York Times thought we’d want to read about the latest of-the-moment restaurant Rye (propelling the current repeat of the hideaway trend) almost two weeks in a row in the Wednesday Dining section. Why? Hint: new material is ideal.
10. Speaking of The New York Times, how about the Thursday Style section (last week, not yesterday) featuring both an article about the need for more stylish plus-size clothing for young women and an article about scented, flavored crystals that, if sprinkled on whatever a person eats, can help that freak lose a significant amount of weight. It’s a pretty disturbing article, mainly because it features snippets of positive feedback from a success story: “I just sprinkle it on everything I eat.” Wow, we know America is healthy when two such opposite danger zones can be discussed in the same section of a newspaper on the same day. Bravo.
Filed under: GirlTalk, Hospitality PR, Marketing & PR | Tags: appetizers, applebee's, Boston, Boston college student, Boston restaurant, Boston University, bottega fiorentina, brookline, chain restaurant, citysearch boston, cocktails, college, Communications, date, dinner date, emerson, first date, Hospitality, Hospitality PR, Italian restaurant, Lifestyle, longhorn, lunch date, Newbury street, Nightlife, panera, pasta dishes, PR, Public Relations, Restaurant, restaurant PR, sandwiches, sangria
Yet again, I find myself inspired to post in response to a reader comment! A few days ago I posted about my love of hospitality PR and my passion for the experiences of eating out, going out, and traveling.
I also professed my disgust with chain restaurants, as they lack any unique personality and usually come along with a range of problems from inadequacy of service to poor management. Most of all, however, I just hate the vibe of chain restaurants. I feel too much like an anonymous member of the masses.
One reader was appalled with my lack of affection for chains:
“oh please there is something to be said for hokey style chain restaurants where else can u take a first date with little money(emerson student) and know exactly what you’ll be charged
also comfortability knowing your way around, dress code and other familiar things. you know exactly what your meal will be and that it will taste good because it never changes Chains deserve a special place in restaurant lore some people do not want any surprises”
I feel as if you’ve been thwarted by some non-chain restaurant or heinous first date experience and have been frightened by your own vulnerability. Relax, buddy, they’re not all like that. The girls and the eateries.
“hokey style chain restaurants.”
Oh dear.
First of all, I just want to say that we are talking about this NO-NO specifically in relation to first dates. Obviously if you’re dating someone and you’re out at lunchtime and looking for a place to eat, go ahead and suggest the Panera that’s nestled on the street directly in front of you. It’s just not the right spot for a first date, in my opinion.
Second of all, there are obviously many different types of females out there. Some have upscale requirements, some have picnic-style requirements (a cute, inexpensive first date option, by the way!). Um, we’re flexible. Relax, we’re not looking for a dinner cruise and orchestra seats.
Third of all, we understand you have no money–we’re not all prisses thriving on our parents’ credit cards. I work four days a week, and still maintain a lifestyle similar to that of such prisses, because I prioritize.
If it’s important enough, prioritize. I’m a single girl who pays for herself, and I make out just fine. That being said, I don’t have many other things to spend my money on, save monthly bills, groceries, credit cards, and the like. I’m not trying to say I know how you feel as a guy with no money, or a human being with no money. It’s not the greatest position to be in, but don’t let it lead you to AppleBee’s.
But most importantly, NON-CHAINS ≠ $$$$
Take her to Bottega Fiorentina–on Newbury, not in Brookline. People love it for first dates, and the menu (authentic Italian) has a wide range of pastas, sandwiches, dinners, and salads that are revered around the neighborhood and beyond (by a lot of those prisses as well, incidentally) and hover around $10 each. The vibe is chill, metro, warm, and contemporary but never snooty. They have a great but manageable selection of wine for around $7 a glass and amazing red wine sangria for about the same price. Tell them I sent you. Literally.
Plan It
I feel like this comment comes from an experience in which you chose a place and it ended up costing way more $$$ than you expected. A novel idea might be to look at the menu ahead of time. They post them outside the restaurant (who knew!) and you can shriek at the price of the lobster ravioli sans judgment. Better yet, most notable spots have pdfs of their menus online. You don’t even have to get off the couch. Or go to a site like City Search and read customer reviews. They’re really honest about the price and the food.
There’s nothing more awkward than a freshman first date in tacky Easter Sunday clothes at one of those restaurants where two different wine glasses that your Keystone expertise has had yet to encounter are waiting for you on the table and everyone there is thirty-six and over. Don’t let this happen to you (again?). Prepare.
Choose the Environment
Now that the weather’s getting beautiful, sit outside at a restaurant with a patio during lunch. A. Lunch is always cheaper or the same price. B. the atmosphere makes up for your tight budget.
Hence, you’ll pay the same as if you had gone to Longhorn, but she won’t have to hear Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban belt on soft 106.7’s country equivalent.
Yes, I do know that a lot of young women like Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban. But I do not. I’m from New Jersey. And New York. No fluffy twangs, please. And no fried things that shouldn’t be fried by anyone, except Paula Deen.
Frame It
You’re doing the asking. So ask her out to drinks over appetizers. She won’t order more than two drinks, tops–and if she does you probably don’t want’er. Or go for coffee. Girls eat. coffee. dates. up. She’ll think secretly that your sensitivity only makes you more masculine. Plus, if it doesn’t go well, there’s a flexible expiration date. Or, if it’s going great, you can hang out over those $2 cups for hours. Just don’t order anything with the words “caramel,” “mocha,” or “frappuccino” in it.
I’ve got your best interest in mind, commenter, don’t be mad! I’m starting a list of places for you. I’ll post it shortly. For now, try Bottega.
Filed under: GirlTalk, Hospitality PR, Marketing & PR | Tags: aquitane, banq, bond, Boston, Boston college student, Boston restaurant, Boston University, brasserie, Communications, French restaurant, gaslight, Hospitality, Hospitality PR, langham hotel, Lifestyle, Nightlife, PR, Public Relations, Restaurant, rocca, savant project, Twitter, union bar and grill, vlora
As I mentioned on Twitter a little while ago,
I think I’m in love. With a restaurant.
Some things I should mention about myself first:
1) I ♥ eating out.
2) I ♥ going out.
3) I ♥ going on vacation.
Well, duh. Me and eighty five billion other people. But I’m definitely not a homebody.
4) I’m so much more about putting my limited amount of college kid $$$ toward experiences rather than possessions.
HENCE, over the past semester, I have become borderline obsessed with a career in hospitality PR for restaurants, hotels, and lifestyle brands.
5) Also, forgot to mention, I HATE chain restaurants. I believe firmly that they are completely devoid of management personality, neighborhood relevance, employee relations, employee incentive/devotion, and draws for customer return. What a poor system.
HENCE, I’ve started trafficking in amazing or niche or chill or noteworthy restaurants at which to eat. One of the best things about eating out–which I realize might be obvious to many–is that each meal/time of day proposes a distinctly different kind of experience.
For example, if my girlfriend and I haven’t seen each other in a month or two, we’ll pick a spot on Newbury with a patio and sit there for hours over a few courses, ordering everything from sangria with the appetizers to cappuccino for the reminiscing that comes at the end of every great meal-directed frienaissance.
Certain restaurant experiences are not to be missed: special Sunday brunches, Thursday night drinks over easy college-kid foods at joints like Sunset Cantina, Saturday night birthday dinners at places like…well, I don’t want to shame my cred with the grossly high-profile, uninteresting-by-industry-standards-but-still-mainstay restaurants I’ve always enjoyed. Many are on Newbury. I’m working on it.
FYI, my friends and family went with me to Chili’s for my birthday every year until I was 19, so no need to judge me as a better-than-thou purse-flailing brat. I just like what I like.
My current TO EAT AT list of restaurants in the Boston area includes:
Banq–my friend won’t stop pulling up the website to convince me
Rocca–appreciating the website’s personality
The Savant Project–restaurant week alerted me to this one
The Langham’s Bond–execs at my internship tipped me off to it
Aquitane–a Google search for an Easter brunch destination revealed its alluring site
Union Bar and Grill–another brunch-worthy locale with tons of buzz
Vlora–a friend from the inside recommended it so of course!
A little while ago my friends and I (group of 10?) went to Gaslight Brasserie, a beautifully different (from the usual Boston uniformed blah) French restaurant in Boston’s South End for brunch. As I gushed earlier, it definitely got me.
First off, the design was perfectly unique to the brasserie–seasoned wood, a warm but sturdy color scheme of cream and dark cherry, and just the right amount of referential decor, so to speak. It felt original, but I still knew I was in America. My group was seated at an ideally oversized table and–as a few of us had received bouquets in honor of a special occasion–were asked if our flowers might be put in vases with some water on the tables. K, they kinda had me there already.
My first bellini out as a 21-year-old: fabulous.
The Brunch Specials options: absolutely delicious.
The “French fries”: we could. not. stop.
The caffeinated beverages: even better than we had desired.
The pastries and breads: Please.
Filed under: Newsworthy | Tags: Boston, Boston University, pandemic, pig flu, swine flu
My latest pet peeve: people who think they’ve caught the Swine Flu because someone sitting across from them blew his nose on the T and then grabbed the railing. Please do not hesitate to get over yourself.
Animals Suffer in Pandemics–and no one seems to care.
Click on the above link to read a comprehensive but to-the-point post on the Green Muze blog.
Also, I kind of didn’t realize how obscenely cute little pigs are until I searched Google Images for this post’s photo. They’ve actually sent me into permanent use of the puppy/baby/animal talk voice whenever I profess how adorable they are.
It’s really getting to be quite a problem.
Filed under: Marketing & PR, Newsworthy | Tags: Boston, Boston college student, boston marriot, Boston University, Boston University Medical School, Craigslist, Craigslist apology, Craigslist CEO, Craigslist personal safety tips, craigslist.com, Facebook, Jim Buckmaster, Julissa Brisman, philip markoff, PR, Public Relations, Twitter, westin, westin robbery
I’ve been getting comments! On the evening I posted about Craigslist’s poor decision to remain essentially inactive about its role in Philip Markoff’s crimes, a reader fed the conversation! (I had voiced my disappointment and shock with the site’s lack of an “apology”) The contributor asserted:
“An apology, from a legal standpoint, implies at least some degree of responsibility, which is why you won’t see one from anyone at Craigslist. Their position, which they repeat anytime they come under fire for enabling prostitution, is that they are not and cannot be responsible for the content posted by the individuals who use the site.”
-Comment by fjgallagher April 22, 2009 @ 3:58 pm
While I will say that “from a legal standpoint,” Craigslist may not owe anyone an apology (especially since law certainly is not my professed area of professional development), we’re talking about PR–which, in many cases, covers everything OUTSIDE and BEYOND the law. Step 1: Get permission to exist. Step 2: Get people’ta want us.
When it comes down to it, though, it’s really my fault for phrasing that preferential response as an “apology.” Forgive me, I meant it in quite a general sense.
More specifically, I believe Craigslist needs to join the dialogue–especially since its execs are far too late to start it, as they absolutely should have. But even though it might seem like a huge possibility, this isn’t just about breaking the law. At least, it doesn’t have to be. Rather, it’s about going that extra mile for the good of the company.
Even as a person who posts to Craigslist and browses the job postings, I know the company obviously does not have to pay any special attention to this matter. But I do think Jim Buckmaster would be a complete idiot from a PR perspective not to address the issue with simpathetic, humbled rhetoric.
To clarify, Craigslist should AT THE VERY LEAST:
-Give its condolences and express its outrage as a part of its position on the issue
Buckmaster has done this for the media, but what about on the site? It still lacks some humanistic voice to reassure hesitant users.
-Update its Personal Safety Tips page appropriately.
…I’m still waiting…
-Give related info referring to all of the above on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Wow, so, like, Craigslist users would, like, ah, be on those networks??
…
-Most importantly, EMAIL ALL USERS!!!!!
Come on, people. It takes like 10 minutes. You’re obviously not spending any of your precious time reviewing people’s submissions. There is virtually no design on the site. What are you doing with your time?
Sorry, I digress.
My point is that Craigslist isn’t there for its users to the extent that it needs to be. Craigslist’s failure to be proactive has forced it to succeed in assuming the defensive.
The company has officially lost my business; I would not recommend its services to anyone who’s safety I care about.
Filed under: Marketing & PR, Newsworthy | Tags: Boston college student, boston marriot, Boston University, Boston University Medical School, BU, Craigslist, Craigslist CEO, craigslist.com, Jim Buckmaster, Julissa Brisman, killer, online classified, philip markoff, post, PR, Public Relations, Quincy, sublet, westin robbery
Two things about the Craigslist killer situation are hard for me to wrap my head around:
1) Right now, it seems the killer is a BU med student w/no previous criminal record, a fiance, and the physical appearance of normalcy. He looks like someone my friends and I would chat with at a local bar. HOW ODD. Feeling a little uneasy about my post looking for a summer subletter on the classifieds site.
That being said, please rent from me. Please. Pretty please??
2) How come Craigslist has no apology on the site? A Monday CNN article included a quote from the site’s CEO saying they were all “horrified”.. Alright, at least that’s something. But what about something else? How about
- an email to all posters!
- an email to all current users!
- an apology on twitter!
- an apology on facebook!
- some details about the increased security the company is developing for those who post to the site!
- an updated, detailed warning to be safe when posting–for good measure!
The site’s Personal Safety Tips page was “last updated on September 15, 2008.” Nice.
But wait, a CNN article that was posted a little over three hours ago features an interview with CEO of Craiglist Jim Buckmaster.
FINALLY. Good thing this came six days after the initial finding that the thread between both women was Craigslist. Tisk, Tisk.
I wonder how many people will stop using the site now. I certainly will be more careful before giving anyone any personal info if email contact ensues about a posting. Not sure how safe I feel about it now. Think they’ll lose any business?
That being said, again, please peruse my post for a summer sublet in BU’s South Campus.
Filed under: GirlTalk, SmartyPants | Tags: awareness, Dictionary, PR, pub, Public Relations, Urban Dictionary
My friends and I have this little problem. I hope I can convey it accurately so that you understand what I mean, as opposed to thinking I’m a snot with spit for brains. Consider yourself valued.
Awareness deserves an entirely alternative connotation, apart from that which currently defines it…one that doesn’t conjure images of publicity and NPOs and consumer conglomerates, and one that cannot be increased or decreased. A person is raised with it, and if you don’t have, you probably never will.
This definition refers to one’s understanding of him/herself in relation to others–to the proper ways to act in social situations. And no, I’m not talking about which fork to use at a fancy dinner, Pretty Woman. More to come on the exact definition. For now, however, key terms that relate to awareness are adaptation and humility.
Ok. So awareness. Examples will help me to explain.
Ex. 1: Melanie and Susie are out shopping when they wander into a boutique that sells luxury items for prices that are far higher than the pair typically desires to pay. Susie starts to discuss how ugly and overpriced the bags are while a saleswoman stands nearby in the silent store. Melanie feels guilty and averts her eyes from the employees as she glides toward the door.
In this example, Melanie possesses awareness. Susie lacks awareness.
Ex. 2: Bob’s mother is coming into town. He knows it will be a bad idea to bring his friend Tom to lunch with her, because he will essentially suck at conversation and create other awkward situations that nobody wants to picture. Instead, Bob asks his girlfriend Alex to come with him and his mother out to lunch. Bob breathes easily as his girlfriend adapts to conversational topics his mother starts. Alex also brings up other topics and contributes to the conversation instead of keeping to herself.
In this example, Alex possesses awareness. Tom lacks awareness.
I know what you’re thinking. Who is this stuck-up snob?! I’ll yell in a quiet store about the pity of its existence if I want to, are you serious? If this is the personality you’re assigning to me right now, you’re not getting it.
I haven’t explained awareness entirely, I hear you. The last person I want to be is that J Crew-clad twenty-something mom walking around the clean streets of Boston with her new it-baby carriage, wannabe high-end logo scarf, khakis, and absence of style.
Awareness is:
♦ Not causing other people to go out on a limb for you
♦ Not being that girl or that guy
♦ Doing the extra pleases and thank-yous that make big differences
♦ Comprehending how you come off to others
♦ Chewing with your mouth closed
♦ Being nice to someone you don’t want to be nice to, because it’s just what you do
♦ Wearing the right clothing for your body type in the right size (tricky)
♦ Being savvy
♦ Being intelligent
♦ Knowing how to act in an interview or professional situation
♦ An ability to read people and to read between the lines
♦ Let’s face it–knowing how to get what you want in a difficult situation
People who lack awareness:
♦ Cause scenes in public places
♦ Make others around them feel uncomfortable
♦ Drink one too many glasses of champagne at a special event
♦ Never keep the friendship of a person with awareness for long
It certainly isn’t an acquired taste.
I am always stunned when students or professionals in any field lack awareness. How do these people succeed?
But the worst part of it for people who lack awareness is:
You don’t realize you lack it if you lack it.
Filed under: Marketing & PR | Tags: Advertisement, aplusk, Ashton Kutcher, college, Demi Moore, Movie stars, Mrs. Kutcher, mrskutcher, People Magazine, PR, Public Relations, Tabloid, Twitter
What better reputation management tool exists for stars than Twitter (well, if their fans are on it………………………..)?
All Ashton Kutcher tweets about are his obsessions with 1) Demi Moore 2) His current projects 3) Thought-provoking/fun/good-guy stuff.
The other day he was half-way around the world from his wife and corralled his followers to tweet ♥messages♥ to her:
Seems like all those psycho star stalkers would make their lives a lot easier if they were to just join Twitter.
Filed under: Newsworthy, SmartyPants | Tags: American Morning, CNN, college, Gender, Obama, PR, Public Relations
Sooooo I witnessed the following early this morning on CNN before work, but didn’t get a chance to post about it until tonight.
The channel’s American Morning segment allowed (it seems to do this almost every. morning. with some MINOR detail altered) viewers to submit videos voicing their expectations of Mr. President on the site.
I wish they had posted the clip of it–it’s nowhere to be found on the web.
CNN showed a few, followed by a group interview with previously employed Americans who have been laid off during the downturn. Their former occupations ranged from t-shirt folding to tech specs.
The part that struck me had nothing to do with elephants or donkeys.
The female news anchor asked each of the ?five? desperadoes how they would like Obama to act–would they change anything about his demeanor?
Most of the women reported that they would prefer it if Obama were to continue speaking “realistically,” walking hand-in-hand with citizens while revealing everything each step of the way–whether it’s down the yellow brick road or…well you get the picture. The females didn’t seem to have that many complaints.
Conversely, most if not all of the men interviewed asserted their wish for a more gently-phrased, optimistic tone from Obama. One even went so far as to say that the president should not tell the American public so many painful details of the crisis.
It seemed as if “Nobody likes a Debbie Downer!” was coming any minute. “I need him to give me hope!” he shouted, prompting one of the women to butt into his camera time to demand what he actually meant.
The news anchor proceeded to make light of the parallel between gender and opinion. But why did this occur? It’s late…I’m a little stumped.
My rugged-individual-of-a-man Dad thinks it happened “simply because of the differences between the natures of men and women.” Accordingly, women “usually” desire as much detail as is humanly possible while men prefer the 30,000 ft. perspective. “They’d rather just look at the bigger picture.”
But then he admitted to being a fan of the details.
Interessante.
