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Friday, April 11 2008
Hidden Nature
Boston in the springtime is one of the most beautiful cities on the East Coast. With sprawling parks, numerous ponds and the Charles River, and brilliant gardens, you’d be hard-pressed not to find a quiet piece of green to center yourself in. With April going quickly and temperatures rising, the city is bustling with people enjoying the bits of nature between buildings. As a girl who grew up in the mountains, I’ve spent a lot of time investigating the best spots in Boston for escaping the hovering buildings and car exhaust. Here are a few favorites to get inspired for spring.
The Emerald Necklace: Boston hides it’s own jewels—at least if you’re looking from the sky. The Emerald Necklace is 1,100 acres of parks and gardens connected by water-and-walkways. This includes the ones right outside Emerson, the Common and Public Gardens, as well as the Fens and many others. They provide a quick and free escape from the rigors of city life and gray color palette of construction. They’re all worth visiting at least once to stake out your own special spot.
Getting there: Visit the park system’s website for more information and maps.
Click to Read More...Tuesday, February 19 2008
Oh man, pizza is so good. I need that shit. I could eat a whole pie after wasting my night at the many terrible parties Emerson College students have to offer. In fact, I have, and I’m sure you could too, probably. Depending on how much energy you wasted bar-hopping or running after the cab you left your purse in, your hunger could end up plaguing you for the duration of your evening, even after you extricate yourself from that cool theme party where you had to dress up as your favorite Best Supporting Actor Oscar nominee. If you’re like me (and you are), you know that the only way to satisfy that late-night starvation is via a hot and cheesy slice of pizza; accept no substitutes. Unfortunately for us, the Midnight Snackers of New England, most food joints in Boston close up shop early, making it difficult to locate those fiercely sought-after slices. With this handy guide, however, you’ll be armed with coveted information used to locate the few pizzerias open past midnight. That way, you’ll be able to find some of that glorious pizza pie no matter what neighborhood you’re in, sparing yourself of having to aimlessly wander around the streets until sunrise, like I did before I made this guide.
Monday, February 18 2008
There are more than a few warnings that everyone encounters on the adventure toward college. Parents, relatives, older siblings, the eavesdropping grocery store clerk—all of them are more than ready to inundate you with what you absolutely have to know while you’re away. How to do your laundry, how to stay awake for finals (don’t take any advice that involves putting anything up your nose), how to make friends. And things to avoid: procrastinating, overbooking yourself, majoring in philosophy, sketchy bars and sleeping with your TA—all worthy and helpful advice. But one thing we all hear of but are rarely advised about is the legendary Freshman Fifteen. Everyone knows what it is. Fifteen pounds or so packed on as the daily reminder of rushed lunches, late-night binges and fat-oil-starch soaked dining halls.
Spotlighted Emersonian
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Matt Shearergraduation Spring 2009major Audio/Radio |
“This is a very underrated hang-out spot,” says Matt Shearer, his eyes darting around the reception area of WERS. “Nobody’s ever here, and these chairs rule.” His hat is stuck with buttons of bands I haven’t even heard of yet, who will still probably be big in the punk/hardcore community within four months. We get caught on the subject of Paint It Black’s upcoming album New Lexicon. After the shit is shot, we get down to business.
There are few people I’ve ever met in my life who possess half the apparent optimism that Shearer exudes. It’s almost impossible to feel bummed in his presence, honestly. People, the city of Boston, or radio stations can throw all sorts of shit in his direction, but he just seems to shrug things off, almost as if he simply doesn’t have time for it. At least that’s how things seem at first, but get below that exterior and you’ll find a person who stands so strong in his convictions that his resolve only seems to grow stronger if he is not able to achieve something the first time around.
Read the rest »
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Monday, May 12 2008
Commencement Info Session
Yes, we have to sing that song, too.
Just got back from the Commencement Information Session thing. If you didn’t make it, or didn’t pick up a program, here are the important bits:
Arrive by 9:30am on Monday, May 19th to your line-up location.
School of the Arts (Performing Arts, VMA, WLP) and Interdisciplinary Studies Arts majors go to the Courtyard Marriott Empire Ballroom, First Floor 275 Tremont Street.
School of Communication (CSD, Journalism, Marketing Communication & OPC) and Interdisciplinary Studies Communication majors Citi Performing Arts Center [formerly Wang] Basement 270 Tremont Street.
Make sure to bring your cap, gown, and Gold Key sash if appropriate.
Leave your bags, coats and backpacks in your room or apartment, as storage is not available at the line-up sites.
Practice your alphabet - it will assist the ushers with a smooth line-up process. [wtf?]
Upon arriving at the Citi Performing Arts Center or Courtyard Marriott, please find your line-up location and stay there!
No alcoholic beverages are permitted at the line-up sites or Commencement [so be sure to get them into your system both before and after]
Try on your cap and gown before Monday. You may find that you need hairpins or safety pins.
Be sure to turn off your cell phones.
Conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the celebration of the day.
Your attention and cooperation will be most appreciated.
Thursday, May 8 2008
Done. Celebrate. Do something fun.
Sometimes I wish tassels were more fashionable.
We’ve finished. Rather than just getting smashed, take the $20 you were throwing down on your fourth straight night of black-out partying and do something substantial, k?
- Lewis Black will be at the Boston Opera House tonight, May 8th.
- KRS-One at Harper’s Ferry if you would prefer some hip hop.
- The Boston Pops are doing a Bernstein Tribute this weekend.
- You dorks probably want to go to Mac Camp Boston.
- Ozomatli at The Paradise! Badass world fusion stuff.
- Kaiju Big Battel comes to the Roxy.
- Some Blackberry challenge happens at Faneuil Hall Saturday, too.
- Cut Copy, Black Kids and Mobius Band play The Paradise Monday.
- Superman screens as a part of the Coolidge’s Science on Screen series.
- Afrissipi out at Johnny D’s Uptown Tuesday.
Baz Rox
Auteur patty-cake?
Sometimes I feel like I’m too busy with schoolwork to learn. Might sound weird, but there are worlds of stuff that interest me over the course of a day. I would rather be investing my time in any of them rather than waxing pedantic over some who-gives-a-shit essay on the postmodern condition du jour. Luckily, as of 9:45 last night, the semester has come to a close, inspiring that dizzying sense of freedom some call summer.
Earlier this week, in a fit of procrastination, I came across Apple’s new Set to Screen series. The set of podcasts follow Baz Lurhmann and his production team as they work on Australia, his new film starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman. The series is exceptionally well produced, providing tons of practical knowledge and insight into the process of creating what appears to be a seriously epic motion picture. If the podcast leaves you salivating, jump over to the curriculum, which integrates lessons and more in-depth exploration of the topics from the podcast.
If somehow, that isn’t enough, there are also contests with some really cool prizes, including a seat on the film’s promotional tour or a trip to Australia to hang out as they work on post for the film. The current contest, at the link above, is a chance to design the movie poster for the film’s Australian release. Apple provides a set of very high resolution images from on-set photographer James Fisher, featured in the photography episode of the series. If you get bored in the next couple days, fire up Photoshop and go nuts, you’ve got nothing to lose.
I hope Apple has wild success with this project, and gets to do it in the future with other productions. Anyone know of any other opportunities like this anywhere on the internet? I’d love to get some links. Post ‘em here if you have any.
Friday, May 2 2008
EVVYs Nominee List is up
The 27th annual EVVY award nominations are now up on their website. I’ll highlight a couple of the big ones (at least, as a film major):
Outstanding Intermediate Film
“Broken” Bryce Richards, Michael Grabow and Bradford Wilde
“Front Page” Kevin Mastman, Matthew McManus, Brian Vannucci, Tony Yacenda
“Dream on Cupid” Mike Grabow, Bradford Wilde and Bryce Richards
Outstanding Cinematography
“Billy Club” Elie Smolkin
“Front Page” Brian Vannucci
“2326 Pilot Episode” Elie Smolkin
Outstanding Cinematic Production
“No Wind, No Waves” Julian Higgins
“Animal Magic” Benjamin Phillippo, Katie Machaiek
“Front Page” Kevin McManus, Matthew McManus, Brian Vannucci, Tony Yacenda
Outstanding Multi-Cam Director
“Johnny Paula Directs GME 11/8/07″ Jonathan Paula
“GME: April 9, 2008″ Zachary Schiffman
“News @ 6″ William Gersh
“Speechless Ep. 5″ Eric Sagotsky
Outstanding Single Cam Director
“No Wind, No Waves” Julian Higgins
“Honor” Christina Densmore
“Looking Up” Ryan Cook
You can read the rest of the nominees on the EVVYs website (although, you guys could use a LITTLE bit of better separation techniques there!).
Sunday, April 27 2008
Pages x 100
What an internet we have here.
As you famously tech-savvy stoodints know, every Emerson kid gets 250MB of webspace accessible anywhere on their pages folder. What’s that you say? You’re not a New Media major with unlimited web space on the newmedia.emerson server? No problem. File Dropper, a webspace service has apparently completely lost it and is giving a free lifetime account with a whopping 250GB of space to those that sign up before May 15th. Just sign up for the File Dropper special and start dumping files. Keep your giant final projects safe - you’re almost done and we don’t want you to freak out and call the help desk crying. No, we can’t get your footage off of your busted drive or suck your paper on how cool it would be to go drinking with Baudrillard and Jameson out of that damn Porsche LaCie disk. Sorry.
Friday, April 25 2008
Moving Review: Bolt Bus (UPDATED)
The Bolt Bus in all its glory in South Station.
I took the Bolt Bus from Boston to New York City and here is a diary as to what went down. Hopefully I’ll have a full review to be read in the near future.
Boston -> New York
2:30 PM
In South Station. Only one person in line. A little bit of me is afraid that I will have the same driver from last time.
3:00 PM
Well, I just boarded the one-and-only Bolt Bus (I’m using their wi-fi as I write this!). I mentioned it in a previous post, and now I’m on my way to New York City.
The line was short until about 10 minutes before, when a bunch more people joined in the line. I paid $1.00 for my ticket, and I think it’s already been worth it. The bus is brand new (it has that new… bus smell) and the driver, Daniel, is fresh and excited to drive (complete with a playful welcome). I was able to join the (read: free) Wi-Fi right away, and the first thing I did was take a speed test. 317 kbps down, 133kbps up. Better than I was expecting.
4:40 PM
All’s well on the bus. The wireless has been very consistent save for one connection drop for about two minutes. It’s been great to browse craigslist and IM and what not. Sent a couple photos (including the one in this post) over the wireless without worry. Passing through Hartford– traffic seems decent and I’m assuming I’ll get into NYC at the scheduled time (7PM).
I’ve noticed the power plugs, on the back of the aisle seat, are a little awkwardly placed. Luckily there’s nobody sitting next to me, so I can let the power cable dangle as much as I want. Whatever the awkwardness, it’s worth it to have some juice.
7:32 PM
We arrived 32 minutes late due to traffic (not due to BoltBus, of course). As we got into the city, our driver Daniel was honking like a maniac at a bunch of different intersections. Not sure how much I liked that (again… one dollar.). Our drop-off point was outside as I expected, right by Penn Station. As we pulled in, some guy in the seats said “let’s have a round of applause for the driver for the best dollar we’ve ever spent,” and everybody clapped. I felt awkward joining in… I guess this is what separates bus travel from all others. Besides, he’s getting paid a flat hourly rate– he has nothing to do with the dollar fare.
New York -> Boston, 3 days later
The dismal “bus stop” from within the bus
9:10AM
“We treat everyone as first class citizens,” says our driver, Kenny. The bus is about 10 minutes late, and I can see how they save a lot of their overhead– their stop in NYC is on the side of the road. And that’s pretty shitty when it’s rainy and wet outside (i.e. NOW). While I was waiting I met with an older couple who had also already taken the bus and asked what I paid for my ticket. $7 I told her. She paid $10. Right before we get on the bus as it arrives, she lets me know about MegaBus and their $1 service (nevermind their creepy-looking mascot). There are not many people on the early Monday bus– there are a few empty rows. Kenny is just as excited as the last driver. He’s explained that they picked the best drivers from both Peter Pan and Greyhound. “We know that Greyhound has a bad reputation. There’s no yelling,” he says, “unless you’re disrupting others on the bus!” He laughs. Yeah, I’ve had a bad experience on the bus before. The wi-fi works right away (as I write this), and we’re off.
1:40PM
We’ve arrived back in South Station. We’re 40 minutes late, but that’s because of the crappy weather and the quick stop (that I was thankful for) 3/4 of the way through.
Conclusion
All in all, I feel like the experience I’ve had with Bolt Bus has been a positive one. They have brand new buses, excited drivers, free wifi & outlets, and very competitive pricing. However, it should be noted that having an actual spot in Port Authority in New York City instead of outside on a street corner would be nice, but this I’m sure would increase the ticket price.
What also sucks is that if you go to their website to buy tickets, you can find that almost every weekend (Fri-Mon) ticket through August is at least $7, and usually $10. Looks like it’s going to be hard to pick up that elusive $1 after all; it would be nice if they didn’t sell their tickets so far in advance so that people could actually have a chance of getting them. I wouldn’t be surprised if one person just went through and grabbed every Fri-Mon $1 ticket through August. After all, it would only cost them 24 dollars.
Would I ride on it again? Sure. Is it better than the train? It’s not as on-time or comfortable, but they do have onboard wi-fi, and that’s a BIG plus. Will they eventually lose exciting and friendly service and get worn down just like the other bus lines? Probably, but $1 is inexpensive enough to double check down the road.