We pass the time of day to forget how time passes

Police pause high-speed chase for ducklings crossing the street

2013-05-16T18:45:00.002-04:00

Men undergo labor pain simulation

2013-05-16T14:55:00.002-04:00

Labor Pain Simulation from Kensington on Vimeo.

Which internet companies have our backs?

2013-05-15T20:39:00.000-04:00

This list only accounts for efforts to prevent government data seizure — some companies, such as Dropbox, have less-than-stellar records in data security. But at least these companies are trying. Others, like Verizon, seem to have just given up.

Gas pump prank takes an unexpected turn

2013-05-13T15:12:00.002-04:00

ABC to offer live streaming

2013-05-13T00:22:00.001-04:00

Walt Disney Co.'s ABC is looking to become the first broadcast network to go live on the Internet on a full-time basis.

"Watch ABC" will debut this fall and allow viewers to watch the network from mobile devices and tablets when they are away from home. Watch ABC will basically be a live stream of the network's feed as well as local programming such as news.

There are some catches. The service is only available to people who already have a pay-TV provider. Also, it will initially not be available in every market because ABC needs to reach distribution agreements for Watch ABC with all its local affiliates.

The first two markets to have Watch ABC will be New York and Philadelphia starting May 14, where ABC owns the stations. Then ABC will roll the service out to other markets where it owns local TV stations including KABC-TV Los Angeles.

Also partnering with the network on the service is Hearst Corp., which owns several major market ABC affiliates including outlets in Boston and Pittsburgh.

“Watch ABC is a game-changing innovation for the broadcast television industry," said Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC Television Group. "This announcement represents a defining moment in technology and distribution, as well as for our advertising and affiliate partners, as we ensure that our high-quality content is available to viewers on a variety of devices."

The "Watch ABC" effort represents a dramatic shift in the way networks view the Web. While much of the TV industry has been focused on putting content online, it has mostly used the platform for video on demand, not live TV.

The reasons for that approach are several. First, there was a school of thought that consumers were not interested in watching live TV on the Web but instead preferred to use it for movies or to catch up on shows they may have missed.

Another issue had to do with the often complex relationship between broadcast networks and the local stations that carry their programming. The local stations don't want viewers to be able to bypass them and just watch a national ABC feed on the Web. That would hurt their ratings and ad revenue.

That meant ABC had to ensure that the interests of its affiliates were protected and that any feed include their local programming in any online linear feed of the network. In addition, many local stations carry syndicated programs that they may not have the rights to offer online. There are also rights issues regarding sports highlights that appear in local news and even music rights.

The broadcast networks are also eager to create live online feeds of their channels to trump Aereo, a new start-up service that offers live broadcast network feeds through the Internet. The broadcasters have challenged the legality of Aereo on copyright grounds.

Cable networks are also increasingly offering live feeds of the linear channels. Initially only news and sports outlets were aggressive regarding live online feeds, but now more and more entertainment networks are working on similar offerings.

Source

This is Water: One weird trick to being a better person

2013-05-09T11:45:00.001-04:00

Here's a newly-conceived and filmed version of David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon commencement speech "This Is Water" (using an abridged version of the original audio), for visual learners among you.

Creative child abuse prevention advertisement

2013-05-06T21:37:00.004-04:00

Six items to simplify your life

2013-05-06T21:37:00.000-04:00

Stackable Lunch Box

Beat brown bag boredom by toting your lunch to work in this all-in-one carrier. With two stackable containers and built-in plastic silverware, it’s a cinch to pack a well-balanced meal. Plus, the secure strap makes transporting your food a breeze. Available in four colors.
To buy: $15, bentgo.com.

Findit Key Finder

Lost your car keys again? Not only are replacement keys expensive, but it can take hours for a locksmith to come to the rescue. This unique keychain comes with a receiver that attaches to your keys and a credit card-sized transmitter that stays in your wallet. If you find yourself fishing for those keys, simply activate the transmitter by pressing a button, and the receiver on your keychain will sound an alarm.
To buy: $25, containerstore.com.

Bobino Slim Pen

At just 1/8-inch thick (that’s practically flat in our books), this incredibly thin pen tucks comfortably into the pages of a closed notebook so it’s easy to flip and find your place in no time.
To buy: $4, thinkgeek.com.

Triangle Crayons

The clever triangle shape keeps these crayons from rolling off the counter. Bonus: The container fits perfectly in a car cup holder, so you can keep the kids entertained on-the-go.
To buy: $7 for 12, pkolino.com.

Garment Stiffener

Ever wonder why those perfectly pressed clothes come back from the cleaners with an unusual smell? For a crisp look and a fresh smelling scent, mist starched garments with this fabric spray.
To buy: $16 for an 8-ounce bottle,thelaundress.com.

Real-Time Traffic GPS

Plug in your destination, and this free app will make sure you don’t hit any roadblocks. Simply follow a voice-guided route that is determined by real-time traffic and road conditions. You can also easily share your route, so anyone waiting for you knows exactly when you’ll arrive.

Source

You may look at homeless people differently after watching this

2013-05-06T15:32:00.002-04:00

Edit: Huffington Post is reporting that there is now an online fundraiser to help get Ronald Davis back on his feet. The money will help Davis secure a stable home, purchase work clothes, and get professional job training. And one kind person also bought Davis a cellphone so he can now give interviewers a number to reach him.

Bad lip reading: The Walking Dead

2013-05-03T20:48:00.002-04:00

Seven things you should know about the Kentucky Derby

2013-05-03T20:27:00.001-04:00

1. WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF THE DERBY?
Kentucky has been a hotbed of the sport of kings since at least the 18th century, but the Derby didn't begin until 1875. Colonel M. Lewis Clark, a grandson of the Lewis-and-Clark-expedition William Clark, needed a slate of races for his newly formed Louisville Jockey Club, so he decided to run three stakes races at the track's first meet. The races—the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, and Clark Handicap—were named after England's three marquee races, the Epsom Derby, the Epsom Oaks, and the St. Leger Stakes. The first Derby was held May 17, 1875; Aristides beat the field. (Interestingly, both Aristides' trainer and jockey were both African Americans.)

By 1883, the track would become known as Churchill Downs in recognition of John and Henry Churchill, Clark's uncles who secured the land for the course. The first runnings of the Derby were also 1.5 miles long; the standard distance of 1.25 miles wasn't adopted until 1896.

2. WHY IS THE DERBY CALLED "THE RUN FOR THE ROSES?"
Because the winner gets a blanket of 554 red roses after the race. Whether a horse would rather receive a more practical gift, like some oats or a lump of delicious sugar, is up for debate, but the garland has become a beloved tradition. The practice springs from Derby parties Louisville's socialites threw in the early days of the race. Each lady would receive a red rose at the parties, and when Churchill Downs' president Colonel Lewis Clark saw their popularity, he made the rose the race's official flower.

According to the Derby's organizers, 1896 Derby winner Ben Brush received the first garland of roses, and in 1925 journalist Bill Corum coined the term "Run for the Roses." The first blanket of roses like the one used today was awarded to the victorious Burgoo King in 1932. The modern garland is topped with a "crown," a single upturned rose that signifies the struggle a winner must endure. Since 1996, each winner's garland has been immediately freeze-dried for posterity.

3. WHAT'S THAT SONG THEY PLAY TO THE HORSES?
The University of Louisville Marching Band's playing of "My Old Kentucky Home" as the horses trot onto the track for the post parade is another beloved Derby tradition. The tune, which was penned by Stephen Foster in 1853, is the official state song of Kentucky, and it's been played at every Derby since 1921. Well, almost. The song received a few changes when the Kentucky General Assembly adopted it as state song in 1928, they had to clean up the lyrics a bit, including changing the offensive "darkies" to "people" in the first verse.

4. WHAT THE HECK IS A FURLONG?
The Kentucky Derby runs for 1.25 miles, but you may hear some mention of furlongs, too. A furlong is a unit of distance equal to one eighth of a mile. Originally, a furlong referred to the length of the furrow running across an open ploughed field, but now it's mostly used to measure distances for horse racing.

5. WHAT'S A MINT JULEP?
A mint julep is delicious, that's what it is. More specifically, it's the official cocktail of the Kentucky Derby. A julep consists of bourbon (another Kentucky specialty), mint, sugar, and crushed or shaved ice. The sweetness of the bourbon complements the bruised mint and sugar, and the ice makes it a frosty warm-weather drink. Since the ice is broken up, though, juleps should be thrown down the hatch quickly; otherwise the ice will melt and dilute the drink.

6. WHY IS THE MINT JULEP SO POPULAR?

Well, we already mentioned that it's delicious. It's also stood the test of time. John Milton mentioned a "cordial Julep" as far back as 1634, and the first known mention of the mint julep in print popped up in an 1803 travelogue. Red Bull and vodka hardly has that sort of historical backing.

Don't have bourbon? Then you can't really make a julep. Don't even try to make a julep with rye instead of bourbon; the spicy flavors of the rye just don't measure up. As the humorist Irvin S. Cobb once teased his friend H.L. Mencken's mixing abilities with the quip, "Any guy who'd put rye in a mint julep and crush the leaves would put scorpions in a baby's bed."

Ironically, though, the Kentucky Derby is one place that you won't get a "real" julep. The official julep of the Derby is made with Early Times, which is a Kentucky whiskey, but not a bourbon. This quibble doesn't make the drink any less popular, though. Each year over 120,000 juleps are served at the Derby. (Here's the recipe.)

7. DO I WANT TO INGEST SOMETHING CALLED "BURGOO"?
That depends on whether or not a thick stew of meats and vegetables sounds tasty to you. Burgoo is a classic Kentucky dish that could add a touch of authenticity to your Derby party. According to common wisdom, it's best made in a gigantic pot and stirred with a clean 2x4. There's no standardized recipe for burgoo, but it's usually got pork, mutton, or another meat mixed with vegetables, potatoes, beans, and spices. It's a dish that varies quite a bit from cook to cook, but it's usually tasty and makes a great Derby-day snack.Source

Three cocktails that are almost healthy

2013-04-27T19:42:00.001-04:00

Garden Party Cocktail

Good-for-you ingredient: Strawberries

These red gems help boost heart and brain health and have vitamin C and folate. Use them to sweeten this drink, from Daniel Shoemaker of Portland, OR's Teardrop Cocktail Lounge: Muddle 3 strawberries, 2 basil leaves, and ½ tsp balsamic vinegar, then add 2 oz silver rum and ½ oz agave nectar. Squeeze in ¼ oz lime juice, shake, and top with club soda.

Quiet Storm Cocktail

Good-for-you ingredient: Ginger

This healthy root relieves muscle pain and menstrual cramps—and may be a cancer-fighter. Mix ½ oz ginger beer with ½ oz lemon juice, 1 oz store-bought carrot juice, 1½ oz vodka, and ¼ oz honey mix (2 parts honey diluted in 1 part hot water). Strain and serve over ice at your next brunch for a zingy alternative to a Bloody Mary, Shoemaker says.

Three-Party Harmony Cocktail

Good-for-you ingredient: Green tea

These leaves help fight a slew of health issues, from cavities to spring sniffles—even cancer. Fill a glass with ice, then add 2 oz unsweetened green tea, ¾ oz triple sec, and 1 oz sauvignon blanc. Stir and garnish with a lime wheel. The orange-flavored triple sec sweetens the crisp combo of white wine and green tea. Refreshing!

Source

How salespeople get you to buy stuff

2013-04-26T01:03:00.002-04:00

1. Michael Kors

"Ask lifestyle questions. If they live in a certain neighborhood, they might have certain tastes — asking price points and trying to give them more for their money like a cheaper bag plus a wallet instead of a more expensive bag. If they are wondering about other options, make sure to know the competition. Tell them J.Crew only has this, and Kate Spade doesn't have this... That kind of thing. Always add things on, like bag cleaner. If your goal is $1,000 and someone has $900, then that bag cleaner is going to put you over the goal."

2. Armani Exchange

"Relate to the customer. If it's raining, talk about that. If they're drinking something, talk about that. If something looks bad, it's hard to lie and say that it doesn't, so just be honest."

3. Aveda

"We learned a lot about body language in training, how it's really important. We try and determine stress level of the individual, suggest products that fit their lifestyle needs. One thing we always say for a certain product is, 'It's circulation in a bottle.'"

4. DKNY

"[I use] Honesty. Figuring out the person's body type, what might look best on them. Really telling the truth, because if I let someone out of the door looking like a dum-dum and they get home and realize they look like shit, then I'll be eating the return. Using little lines to make them feel [welcome], like, 'This fitting room is bigger than my apartment!' Once I told a customer that maybe the color wasn't right for her and the customer said, 'Oh no, it is.'"

5. Tumi

"Something I always say is, 'It's an investment.'"
Via: watersideshops.com

6. L'Occitane

"We want to provide a little Provence getaway here in the city. This isn't NYC, it's the south of France! We're all about consultation and relaxation, providing tea and hand massages. Not about selling but consulting. Creating an atmosphere is really important."

7. Club Monaco

"Men shop for functionality, so there's no real way to sell to them other than to be there for assistance. They can smell bullshit from a mile away, unlike women, where you can just tell them they look cute in something and they'll buy it."

8. Sephora

"Compliment them before asking what they're looking for; it helps build a relationship. Point out complementary items or products. Point out that the eyeshadow brings out the lipstick, the lipstick brings out the blush, that kind of thing."

9. Madewell

"If they're on the fence, encourage them to take it home and try it on with their wardrobe, and if they change their mind, they can return in 30 days — in hopes that they will get lazy and not return. For denim, always stress it's about the fit, not the size — it's how something looks on you, not the number. If something is really good on them, make sure to reassure them and say, 'No, really, it looks awesome!'"

Source

Jimmy Kimmel tricks Coachella fans into pretending they've heard of bands that don't exist

2013-04-25T20:48:00.002-04:00

Ten food tips that will blow your mind

2013-04-24T00:01:00.002-04:00

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

1999 in 10 minutes

2013-04-23T23:06:00.000-04:00

50% Zoya nail polishes - Earth Day exchange

2013-04-21T00:47:00.000-04:00

Note: You don't have to send in old nail polishes to get 50% off. However, it's a great campaign to participate in and clear our your old nail polishes. Plus, it's a nice way to experiment with new colors but not spend a ton of money. If you're not familiar with the brand, Zoya is known for their long-lasting, natural nail polishes.

Get the code here.

Jon Stewart rips CNN for their terrible reporting of yesterday's events in Boston

2013-04-20T19:02:00.003-04:00

The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Daily Show on Facebook

Daft Punk's New Single: "Get Lucky" ft. Pharrell Williams

2013-04-20T19:01:00.001-04:00

This is the first single from the French electronic duo in eight years.

FCC overlooks David Ortiz's "passionate" Boston speech

2013-04-20T18:44:00.001-04:00

David Ortiz delivered a passionate and mildly profane speech to Red Sox fans Saturday as baseball returned to Fenway Park — and luckily for the slugger, it looks like the team will avoid any fines from he FCC.

"This jersey that we wear today, it doesn't say 'Red Sox,' it says 'Boston,'" Ortiz said. "We want to thank you Mayor Menino, Governor Patrick, the whole police department for the great job they did this past week. This is our [expletive] city."

After the game, the FCC tweeted in response.

"David Ortiz spoke from the heart at today's Red Sox game. I stand with Big Papi and the people of Boston - Julius," the tweet said, signed by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

Here is a video of Ortiz's speech (warning: contains explicit language).

Source

Toddler leads celebration

2013-04-20T18:28:00.002-04:00

5 stories about the Boston Marathon bombings that are not true

2013-04-16T16:22:00.003-04:00

In the aftermath of dramatic events like Monday's bombing attack at the Boston Marathon, it's a truth of our times that millions of people will get early bits of news via social media.

To be sure, sites like Twitter and Facebook were used extensively by police, relief groups and governments to share important information about the bombings. But there's also a more unfortunate side to how the Web responds to sudden bad news.

Sometimes accidentally and sometimes maliciously, false information gets loose. And in the rapid-fire digital echo chamber, it doesn't take long to spread.

"On days like this, Twitter shows its best & worst: loads of info at huge speed, but often false & sometimes deliberately so," said Mark Blank-Settle, of the BBC College of Journalism, in a post on the site.

As always, news discovered online (or anywhere else, really) should be double-checked before it's passed along -- especially in times of tragedy.

Here are some of the most widely shared untrue news items we've found on social media in the past 24 hours.

Man planned to propose, girlfriend killed
Among the many gripping images to emerge from the bombing's aftermath was one of a man in a red shirt, kneeling on the ground cradling a woman in his arms. It went viral -- with a heartbreaking, but fake, story attached.

"The man in the red shirt planned to propose to his girlfriend as he crossed the finish line of the Boston Marathon, but she passed away" it reads. "Most of us will never experience this amount of emotional pain."

The image is, in fact, real. It comes from the Boston Globe and was shared through Getty Images. But the agency's caption merely describes the scene as a man comforting an injured woman at the finish line.

That didn't stop it from making the rounds in a big way. A somewhat misleading Facebook account pretending to represent actor Will Ferrell (it calls itself a "parody" but has 385,000 likes) shared the post. By Tuesday morning, the picture had more than 448,000 "likes" and had been shared over 92,000 times.

Young girl died at finish line
Another heart-wrenching image of a supposed victim went viral. In this one, a young girl running in a road race is pictured, with text saying she died in one of the blasts. As an added cruel twist, the post says she was "running for the Sandy Hook victims."

But a quick look at the photo shows that her runner's bib is from the Joe Cassella 5K in Great Falls, Virginia. Also, the Boston Marathon does not allow runners that young.

On Google+, one of the users who shared the image followed it with "poor little girl..got killed in boston..):" By Tuesday, it had more than 500 comments and had become a "What's Hot" post on the site -- appearing in the feeds of all users who haven't turned off that feature.

On Tuesday, organizers of that race shot down the tale on their Facebook account.

"We would like to clarify that the picture circulating on the web and Twitter of a little girl wearing a Joe Cassella 5K bib claiming to have been killed at the Boston marathon is being used fraudulently," read the page for the Joe Cassella Foundation. The group raises funds for the families of children who are ill in the Washington area.

Race organizers will donate for retweets
A Twitter account sprouted up under the handle @_BostonMarathon. Posing as the organizers of the race, whoever is behind the account tweeted: "For every retweet we receive we will donate $1 to the #BostonMarathon victims #PrayForBoston."

By Monday evening, the post had been retweeted more than 50,000 times.

It was, of course, fake. And to its credit, Twitter disabled the account soon afterward.

It wasn't the only Twitter phony. Another widely talked-about account, @Hope4Boston, shared both the image of the 8-year-old girl who supposedly died and a photo of a young boy, running in a race, who was another supposed victim.

Eight-year-old Martin Richard was one of three confirmed fatalities as of Tuesday morning. But he was watching the race, not running in it.

The "Hope for Boston" account was created on March 24, according to the Web tool When Did You Join Twitter? But account holders are able to change their handles and names on the site.

Authorities shut down cell phone service
Reports flew around social media, mainly Twitter, on Monday that police in Boston had shut down cellular networks to prevent an attacker from using a cell phone to detonate another explosive. At least one media report quoted an unnamed source with information to that effect, before later recanting.

In truth, Boston's wireless network was simply overwhelmed with the volume of calls and other communications in the aftermath of the attack. Service was slow and spotty, but never shut down. Verizon and other mobile carriers confirmed they'd never been contacted by officials asking them to shut off service.

Soon after the bombings, mobile carriers were beefing up their networks in the Boston area. AT&T made its Wi-Fi system publicly available for free to help take the load off traditional phone lines.

Conspiracy theories
We almost hate to even address this stuff. We'll start with a bottom line: Anyone saying they know what happened at this point is making it up.

But that didn't stop far-fetched imaginings, often based in political ideology, from flying almost immediately after the attack.

One syndicated talk show host (who won't be named and whose content won't be linked here) tweeted that the attacks "stink to high heaven" of a so-called "false flag," or staged attack. "False flag" is an old naval term that's come to be used for a military action that's not what it appears to be.

At least one Web user was ready for this. He registered a website --bostonmarathonconspiracy.com -- on Monday. Clicking the link reveals a white page with black text reading:

"I bought this domain to keep some conspiracy theory kook from owning it. Please keep the victims of this event and their families in your thoughts. Thank you."

Source

"Catching Fire" Trailer

2013-04-15T01:14:00.002-04:00

8 things you didn't know about nutella

2013-04-14T22:55:00.002-04:00

Wikipedia Commons

Around the world, the incidence of Nutella-related crimes is on the rise. The chocolate-hazelnut spread made headlines recently in Germany, where thieves pulled off a $20,000 heist, stealing 5.5 metric tons of the sweet stuff from a parked truck. Several weeks earlier, Columbia University found itself at the center of “Nutella-gate,” an expose smearing the school for spending $6000 per week on the spread for one of its dining facilities, where students were allegedly snarfing 100 pounds of it per day. Here are eight things you may not know about this super addictive snack.

1. THERE'S A WORLD NUTELLA DAY.
Two bloggers in Italy decided to take their love of Nutella to the next level in 2007, and created a worldwide day of celebration dedicated to the addictive substance. Thus, every year February 5th is a day for eating Nutella, sharing Nutella recipes and memories, and looking at photos of Nutella food-porn. It just goes to show that if you have a dream and a spoon, all things are possible.

2. IT ACTUALLY IS THE BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS.
According to the Guinness World Records, Nutella's 40th Anniversary breakfast celebration in Germany in 2005 currently holds the title of “Largest Continental Breakfast.” A total of 27,854 people gathered in Gelsenkirchen to enjoy a meal that consisted of little more than Nutella itself.

3. IT SELLS LIKE HOTCAKES.
One jar of Nutella is sold every 2.5 seconds throughout the world. According to the United States Census Bureau, one person is born every eight seconds. You do the math.

4. IT SPREADS FAR AND WIDE.
Not only is it available for purchase and feverish consumption in 75 countries, all of the Nutella sold in a year could be spread over more than 1000 soccer fields.
5. IT IS WELL-“LIKED.”

In 2009, Nutella reportedly had the 3rd most “liked” Facebook fan page with a whopping two million fans, falling in just behind the fan pages of Barack Obama and Coca-Cola. While Nutella's no longer ranks among the top pages these days, it does currently have a not-too-shabby tally of over 17 million Likes.

6. NAPOLEON AND HITLER ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE WORLD'S NUTELLA ADDICTION.
Back in 1806, Napoleon tried to freeze out British commerce as a means to win the Napoleonic wars (and take over the world). The result was a disastrous continental blockade that caused the cost of chocolate to skyrocket and left Piedmontese chocolatiers in the lurch (among many other repercussions, like causing the War of 1812). Ever resourceful, chocolatiers in Turin started adding chopped hazelnuts to chocolate to stretch the supply as much as possible. The ensuing deliciousness was a fateful paste dubbed “gianduia.”

Over a century later, chocolate again became expensive and scarce due to rationing in Europe during World War II. An Italian pastry maker named Pietro Ferrero once again turned to the mighty hazelnut for salvation in 1946 and created Pasta Gianduja, renamed “Nutella” in 1964.

7. THERE'S NO MASKING THE FLAVOR.
The chocolate and hazelnut substance gianduia is named after a character from Italian commedia dell'arte named Gianduja. He is depicted as a smiling Piedmontese peasant with a three-point hat who rides around town on a donkey clutching a duja—which in the Piedmontese dialect means “container.” The duja was said to hold wine ... but could have just as easily held a few pounds of that chocolatey hazelnut goodness, no? Gianduja masks are sold all over the Piedmont region of Italy, and his face was plastered all over early Nutella advertisements.

8. NUTELLA HAS A SMEARED REPUTATION.
Nutella became so popular in Italy that Italian markets began to offer free “smears” of Nutella to any kid who showed up with a piece of bread. The phenomenon was referred to as “The Smearing,” and while it could potentially double as the name of a horror flick, was a highly successful marketing strategy. No wonder we're all addicted.

Source

Cool wallet prototype from MIT

2013-04-14T22:52:00.002-04:00