Archives by Date: September 2005
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September 27, 2005
Gothamist Music Interviews... Ashlee Simpson?
Is this for real? Is the most recent "Gothamist Band Interview" really with lip-syncing pop sensation Ashlee Simpson?
Did she really answer a question like this?
Q: "You know you've made it when..." you feel proud of yourself for working hard and doing the best you could do
Come on, Dobkin!
(Though, in other Gothamist news, Gothamist LLC seems to have launched a corporate site.)
Posted in on September 27, 2005, 06:46 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
September 25, 2005
In Florence, ATMs Close Sunday, Too
The guidebooks tell you that in Florence, many shops and businesses are closed Sundays. It's possible that's true for the ATMs ("bancomats") too!
I just spent 30 minutes trying to find a working ATM. Only the seventh ATM I visited was actually working.
Posted in on September 25, 2005, 09:11 AM | Comments (2) | Permalink
Perche No?
Just off Via del Calzaiuoli lies Perche No? (translated: "Why Not?"), Florence's first ice cream parlor ("gelateria"). I stopped in yesterday for my first taste, and while all the people made it hard to decide which flavors I wanted, my chocolate and banana was delicious!
Many friends have suggested I go there, so I'm glad I took them up on their suggestion. Though apparently we aren't the only ones who enjoy Perche No?:
During World War II when the American army reached Florence after the Nazi withdrawal, they had the power grid specially reconnected so that Perche No?'s gelato production -- and G.I. consumption -- could continue.
This, at least, according to Frommer's.
Perche No?
Via dei Tavolini 19r, off Via del Calzaiuoli
Posted in on September 25, 2005, 07:26 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
September 24, 2005
I'm an Amico Degli Uffizi!
One of the coolest things that NYU does for us here is give us these special blue cards. When combined with photo ID, it allows for unlimited and free admission to state museums (see the PDF below for the full list) -- and lets you cut the lines!
Today I annoyed a tour group when I walked up to their special line and just went in to the Galleria Dell'Accademia. They had made reservations and no doubt planned their trip far in advance. I just decided to walk the six blocks from where I'm living and check out the David.
· NYU Flyer on the Card [PDF file]
· Amici Degli Uffizi Website
Posted in on September 24, 2005, 01:23 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
September 23, 2005
Gawker Media Launches Comments!
Moments ago, Gawker Media launched an invite-only comments system on Gawker, Gizmodo, and Lifehacker.
Many people have long criticized us for calling our websites "blogs" while not having comments.
Maybe I have a few invites to give away?
· Gawker Comments: We’re So Tired of Being Alone, So Tired of On Our Own [Gawker]
· Step Right Up For Gizmodo Comments [Gizmodo]
· Lifehacker comments launched! [Lifehacker]
Posted in on September 23, 2005, 12:23 PM | Comments (2) | Permalink
September 20, 2005
The American Green Card Lottery?
There are lots of poorly designed banner ads out there. In my experience, a poorly designed banner ad is usually for an undesirable product. Hopefully, that isn't the case here.
While surfing the internet today, I saw this (poorly-designed!) banner ad. Apparently, my tax dollars are going to pay for banner advertising to promote the U.S. Green Card Lottery Program, where you can win a green card to the USA.
Those who want to become a US citizen have to do a whole bunch of things:
- a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States;
- an ability to read, write, and speak English;
- a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government;
- good moral character;
- attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution;
- favorable disposition toward the United States.
Apparently, all you need to win the Green Card Lottery is an education. And if you are lucky enough to be selected, "Winners will get FREE Airline ticket to the USA"!
Posted in on September 20, 2005, 06:07 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
September 18, 2005
College life... powered by Google?
I was suprised to see an advertisement on The Facebook sending me to a landing page for what appears to be a new advertising campaign targeting college students.
Under the heading "College life, powered by Google" appeared this (what I think is) poorly written copy:
You spend your life dealing with information. A lot of it is academic, a lot more is personal, it all matters, and you can probably use better tools for handling it effectively. On this page, we'd like to introduce you to a few of them.
[Side rant: "A lot of it is academic, a lot more is personal, it all matters, and you can probably use better tools for handling it effectively" is a pretty confusing sentence!]
Anyway, stock photos with college-age people tell me that Google SMS is the best way to "put the power of Google in my cell-phone-wielding hand," Gmail is "a better way to email," and Google Toolbar is a "smarter way to surf." Sounds a lot like the usual marketing copy -- not at all what I've come to expect from Google.
· College life, powered by Google [Google.com]
Posted in on September 18, 2005, 07:52 PM | Comments (1) | Permalink
September 14, 2005
nineTnine Cent Invasion
One of the most suprising things I've seen in Florence is the "nineTnine Cent Paradise" shop less than a block from where I'm living. Everything there is, quite literally, 99 cents (in Euros, of course).
It actually makes for some pretty good deals -- 99 cent sodas, 99 cent binders, 99 cent packs of pens.
I don't think I've ever been in a 99 cent store in the United States, but I go to this one almost every day.
Posted in on September 14, 2005, 12:14 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
September 13, 2005
What's In a Name?
Hopefully not that much.
I've always been awful at remembering names, but it's not often as embarrassing as it is now. Since arriving in Florence a little over ten days ago, I've met dozens and dozens of people. I've had trouble with almost all of their names.
Even the fifteen other people that I live with had to be patient for a few days until I finally figured out who they are. There are always those days when you pretend you know somebody else's name and you really don't. The key is to avoid embarrassment.
This problem continues to manifest itself on a daily basis. Plenty of people seem to know my name, yet I struggle to remember theirs. I’ve tried the same old suggestions: associate their name with an article of clothing, or use their name in a sentence out loud. No such luck.
So, if I forget your name, no hard feelings?
Posted in on September 13, 2005, 11:52 AM | Comments (0) | Permalink
September 08, 2005
Gawker Media Launches Deadspin, Sploid Redesign
Today Gawker Media launches both Deadspin, our new sports blog, and a redesign of our news site Sploid. While I can't promise 80% ads or a million posts a day, hopefully you'll check them out all the same.
Wonder what comes next?
· Sploid
· Deadspin
· Sploid: Do You Like Jigsaws? [Whitespace]
Posted in on September 08, 2005, 03:23 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
September 06, 2005
T-Shirt Polling at Gawker
Today at Gawker Media we're launching a reader poll for readers to vote for their favorite catch phrases. We'll print some of the ones that receive the most votes.
Jessica says it best:
Perhaps you feel like telling the world It's not whoring if you do it for free; maybe you're more the type to proclaim that Vogue is a food group.
Whatever you feel like, tell us!
Look for more t-shirts in the near future.
· Gawker Shop: Vote Now [Gawker Shop]
· Gawker T-Shirts: Vote Now for Your New Skeet Rag [Gawker]
· Gawker Shop
Posted in on September 06, 2005, 01:52 PM | Comments (0) | Permalink
