the Soapbox

Abandoning Ship

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:43:00 +0000

I began my exploration of the blogosphere, and my contribution to its clatter, with Blogger, so this decision does not come easily to me. However, I have decided that effective immediately I will no longer be providing updates to this space.

You see, my heart has been stolen by the instantaneous gratification & ease of use provided by Posterous – and to a degree Tumblr to which I auto-post occasionally – and it just seems silly to maintain this extraneous outlet.

That said, I have spent a good amount of time fiddling with this site – more hours than I care to admit actually – so I will be leaving it open for the time being as a back-up.

The Internet, its inhabitants, and myself included, are a fickle bunch. Who knows, maybe in a year I will be writing a post just like this one on my Posterous page.

the apple Tablet | Nearly as Mysterious as a Unicorn

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 16:26:00 +0000

via engadget.com

What an image. A perfect merging of apple fanboy with the ubiquitous unicorn present in nearly every geeked out Lite-Brite image. Steve Jobs has us in the palm of his hand -- right where he wants -- and much like the elusive unicorn, we are all trawling the internet looking for scraps of evidence of the oft mentioned, but never confirmed, apple tablet.

Only a couple of days now. Also, highly recommend you read the article on engadget that the picture links to; a good read.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

epic Breakfast | Eggs Benedict Bash

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 03:41:00 +0000

Not sure how we all landed on this idea, but sometime between Tanya mentioning her recently received egg poaching pan as a belated Christmas gift and waking up this morning we hatched the delicious concept of a massive eggs benedict pig-out fest. I took these pictures around 1:00 pm this afternoon -- it has taken until now for my brain to de-hollandaise itself. So tasty, but man was it a hit to the stomach. Watching Dave make the hollandaise sauce was particularly intense, all those egg yolks, all that butter.

Can't wait to do it again.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

meat meetup | Stuff White People Like

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 17:52:00 +0000

Had a very "Stuff White People Like" moment this morning when I went to the Meat Meet at a random parking lot off central square. Read about it here -- http://www.cuisineenlocale.com/2010/01/meat-meet-january-23rd-10am.html -- so despite the cold wind & the call of a warm bed I trudged out this morning to get my meat on. Bit pricey, and I haven't cooked anything up yet, but if the gushing praise I heard from everyone assembled can be trusted, I am in for quite a treat. Love a bit of locally raised, grass fed beef.

Guten Appetit!

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

Unknown

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Sat, 23 Jan 2010 04:44:00 +0000

What can you buy in a CVS? Some schamwow, pills, and that masterbating
machine that Conan showed off. Don't forget Beenie-Babies. What a
store.

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

design | Fail Whale & Peacock

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 19:15:00 +0000

via mashable.com

Snagged this gem off Mashable this afternoon. A graphical blending of two iconic images that hail from completely different realms of media -- the 'fail whale' of Twitter & NBC's peacock. Such a simple way to illustrate the internet's mounting discontent of NBC. Had to share

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

extra Income | Market Research Particpant

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 20:23:00 +0000

Hey every little bit counts -- maybe I can pick up a couple of extra shekels doing some online surveys or, even better, in person focus groups. Always do enjoy sharing my opinions. If you are interested, registration is a breeze, although completing all of the Demographic information (so that they can best match you to a client) is a slightly more involved process.

Thanks to @Tanyavell (http://twitter.com/tanyavell) for turning me on to this!

Greetings from Focus Pointe Global,

Forward this email to your friends and family so they can register with us too.
All they have to do is click this link!

www.focusgroup.com

Please do not reply to this email. The mailbox 'focus@focuspointeglobal.com' is no longer managed.

Email question@focuspointeglobal.com or visit http://www.focusgroup.com/help for questions or comments.

Thank you, and all the best,

Focus Pointe Global

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

well that was Disappointing | Massachusetts Senate Race

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:15:00 +0000

Suppose we shouldn't be too shocked. Martha ran an awful campaign, was uncharismatic, and according to one NY Times article, "dissed the Red Sox". Serious no-no's in any political undertaking, much less a Senate race, wherein unlike the Presidential campaign, there are no vagaries of the electoral college to fall back upon when you start to be seen as just plain unlikeable. That said, I found myself feeling a bit ill when reading through my facebook newsfeed last night -- some of the comments from conservative friends left me just incredulous. Nor am I really sure that all of the Independents and ticked off Democrats that voted for Brown to "send a message to Washington" really took into consideration what a social conservative representing Massachusetts for six years really means. Should be interesting anyways. And aren't you glad we didn't waste all last year listening to health care reform debate just to have it squashed in the final minutes...of wait, we did.

I suppose we can all take solace, however, in the knowledge that our new senator is sure to capture that elusive honor of 'hottest freshman senator'

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

myVote | Morning Started off with a Vote for @MarthaCoakley

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:34:00 +0000

This election is important. Get out there. Cast your vote. Don't allow a Republican to win a senate race in Mass for the first time since the '70s. And don't let the snow storm deter you from this mission.

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

This could have saved me a lot of heartache...

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:12:00 +0000

Stumbled upon this while browsing the stacks at Schoenhof's Intl'l book store in Harvard Square. Many a time in Reutlingen when this would have come in handy

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

development | the 'Burbs from Above

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:10:00 +0000

via metropolismag.com

Great photo journal of pictures taken from a helicopter over american suburbs. Amazing just how symmetrical it all is; how sterile. Only time I have ever spent time in such a place is while visiting my grandfather in Boca Raton Florida -- I have always found the experience of walking a mile in his development yet feeling as though you've been walking in place due to the only minor variations in house design to be an eerie one. But perhaps that is just me.

Make sure you click through to page and open the whole slide show.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

Sometimes, the Innovative Amongst Us find an alternative use for these Monolithic Tomes | Spotted in Cambridge, MA

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:44:00 +0000

More @ www.sebastiancoss.com

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Yellow Page Waste

Yellow Waste Pulling Its Weight

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 15:05:00 +0000

I've been following the recent campaign by @daverad & @michaelrad of @HOLSTEE to rid our world of the Yellow Pages (and by a lesser extent, the White Pages) blight that has so long plagued us. Their site, http://stopyellowwaste.com/, serves as both a gallery of the discarded Yellow Pages so common on any city street along with a jump off point for ways we can all take action.

As any urban dweller can tell you, the Yellow Pages arrive without fail and are summarily thrown back into the street -- or in the best case scenario -- into a recycling bin to start their carbon intensive journey all over again. Sometimes, the innovative amongst us find an alternative use for these monolithic tomes; these pictures stand testament to that much. However, taken as a whole, the Yellow Pages is running an outdated business model that is not only an annoyance, but a genuine threat to our environment's health.

Time to do something about it

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from Sebastian Coss

wouldnt that be Wild? | Bring the World Cup to Boston

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 21:56:00 +0000

via gousabid.com

I signed the petition. Second one I have signed today in fact, after I lent support to @YellowWaste [http://twitter.com/YellowWaste]. Productive day of Internet advocacy!

In all seriousness, if you only have time for one thing, check out the latter petition. The yellow pages has plagued us for long enough. I for one can attest to finding a stack of them at the bottom of a melting snow bank outside my house this week. Frozen solid to the ground. What a waste.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

snagged from Gizmodo | Why I Believe Printers Were Sent From Hell to Make Us Miserable

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:45:00 +0000

via gizmodo.com

I recommend you click through to see the rest of this hilarious graphical representation why printers suck. Personally I am happiest when the only printers I use are owned, maintained and troubleshot by either my place of employment, Kinkos or a generous friend. 'nuff said.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

film for sharing | Sony Make.Believe

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:03:00 +0000

via vimeo.com

Check out this Sony spot from their new Make.Believe campaign -- was directed and shot by two good friends of mine from high school. Ever the marketer, I can't help but make a shameless plug: if you like what you see make sure to check them out at http://elistonberg.com/ & http://enkistudios.com/ respectively. Enjoy.

Posted via web from Sebastian Coss

BC vs. BU Hockey in Fenway Park

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 19:32:00 +0000

Ice was already there from the Winter Classic game, and ticket demand had far outstripped supply, so I suppose a follow-up college double header was spot on. Loads of fun evrb if it was very cold. Snow was swirling around in mini tornados and everyone was hopping about to stay warm but the spirit was overwhelmingly positive. I hope they do this again, it's an experience I would like to relive.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

the Whole Album | a Christmas EP by Ian Coss

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 15:51:00 +0000

Thought I might as well just upload the whole album -- if nothing else than for posterities sake. I think I might just listen to the whole thing right now...

A New Child Is Born by Ian Coss
Download now or listen on posterous

01 A New Child Is Born.mp3 (3825 KB)

Come This Christmas by Ian Coss
Download now or listen on posterous

02 Come This Christmas.mp3 (5620 KB)

Holiday Rain by Ian Coss
Download now or listen on posterous

03 Holiday Rain.mp3 (5623 KB)

Believe by Ian Coss
Download now or listen on posterous

04 Believe.mp3 (5643 KB)

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

holidayTreat | Annual Christmas Album by my Brother

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 02:42:00 +0000

Download now or listen on posterous

01 The Reformer.m4a (6334 KB)

Each year my brother makes a Christmas album to give as his gift to friends & family. They have always been relatively complex affairs, with him layering numerous tracks to simulate the sound of a full band when in fact each track consists solely of sounds & vocals produced by him. Each year they get a bit more sophisticated -- the track included with this post is my personal favorite from the record. Enjoy!

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

a Belated Family Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 18:04:00 +0000

The slice of meat was named Owen. It was delicious.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

One More Flickr User

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 21:04:00 +0000

So I went with Flickr in the end. Gave them my hard earned 25 bucks and have started uploading like a fiend (going to use all the free bandwidth I can). Could of things finally sold me...

Interface of Flickr just clicked with me more -- colors looked nicer, images popped out more, etc
Flickr Community -- can't underestimate the importance of person-to-person marketing through word-of-mouth endorsements
Pay version ultimately made more sense -- Google will give you 20 GB for $5/year, while Flickr will charge you ~$25/year for unlimited storage, etc. Where Flickr comes out on top, however, is when you consider what happens should I stop paying the yearly fee on Flickr...my account reverts to 100 mb a month and original images are no longer viewable. Start pay again though and everything reverts to what it was. Pretty slick.
All of the stats are pretty neat too. The analyst within me is strangely excited by such seemingly mundane tracking statistics.

So there it ends, another happy (for the moment) customer of Flickr. And now a first time owner of a @yahoo email address. Not that I will ever open it.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Excerpt of a Seven Hour Documentary | Bergensbanen

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:43:00 +0000

via nrkbeta.no

This is amazing footage from a seven hour documentary on the 'Bergensbanen' -- the highest running rail line in Europe -- which travels between Bergen & Oslo in Norway. Produced by the national broadcaster of Norway, it was an Internet sensation and is now available in full (compressed at 22 GB) via a Creative Commons license. (Available here: http://nrkbeta.no/2009/12/18/bergensbanen-eng/) Not everyone is either able or willing to download the entire 22 GB (was originally 165 GB), so enjoy the clip above.

As a bonus, the landscape in the video above is Finse, otherwise known as the place where George Lucas filmed the Hoth portions of Empire Strikes Back.

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

America as seen by David Simon, Creator of HBO's the Wire

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 20:56:00 +0000

...It’s one thing to recognize capitalism for the powerful economic tool it is and to acknowledge that, for better or for worse, we’re stuck with it and, hey, thank God we have it. There’s not a lot else that can produce mass wealth with the dexterity that capitalism can. But to mistake it for a social framework is an incredible intellectual corruption and it’s one that the West has accepted as a given since 1980—since Reagan. Human beings—in this country in particular—are worth less and less. When capitalism triumphs unequivocally, labor is diminished. It’s a zero-sum game. People paid a much higher tax rate when Eisenhower was president, a much higher tax rate for the benefit of society, and all of us had more of a sense that we were included. But this is not what you really want to talk about, I know.

Interviewer: Well, no, I do want to talk about this. It isn’t technically about writing, but it’s very relevant to your writing.
I guess what I’m saying is that the overall theme was: We’ve given ourselves over to the Olympian god that is capitalism and now we’re reaping the whirlwind. This is the America that unencumbered capitalism has built. It’s the America that we deserve because we let it happen. We don’t deserve anything better. The Wire was trying to take the scales from people’s eyes and say, “This is what you’ve built. Take a look at it.” It’s an accurate portrayal of the problems inherent in American cities.

Interviewer: Absolutely.
Are there other parts of those cities that are economically viable? Of course. You can climb higher up on the pyramid that is capitalism and find the upper-middle-class neighborhoods and the private schools. You can find where the money went. ButThe Wire was dissent because of its choice to center itself on the other America, the one that got left behind. That was the overall theme and that worked for all five seasons. So that’s the institution versus the individual.

What a statement on the state of the American experience, Urban or otherwise. Was reminded of this fact just last night when I had to go through three private lending corporations switch boards to find out who now owned 35% of my student loans that Sallie Mae recently flipped for a tidy profit...I am literally a walking, breathing sub-prime asset.

You can find the full interview here -- http://www.viceland.com/int/v16n12/htdocs/david-simon-280.php?page=1 -- its a good, if long read. And a must for any fan of the show.

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

a Battle Royale

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:39:00 +0000

Struggling with this decision right now as I eye a move to the cloud for my photos. As background, I recently cooked my hard drive and effectively lost everything that was not backed up somewhere else. In going through the process of restoration I noticed that only two areas of my digital footprint remain tied to hardware; my iTunes & my iPhoto libraries. Thankfully I had had the foresight at some unknown point in time to back both up in their entirety on an external hard disk, however, as I look forward I can't help but wonder why I am going through the trouble of reformatting all my photos -- why, indeed, are they even living on my personal machine?

Thus began my exploration into expanding my presence in the cloud and getting my photos into the ether. The music can stay behind for now, frankly I wouldn't even be all that upset if I had lost it all anyways, and my iPhone needs iTunes for its sustenance, so stay on the ground it shall.

Which leaves me facing the following decision:

Flickr is the media darling & love of the masses, so it made the short list. But Google already has it's tentacles wrapped around the majority of my online presence, and with me effectively already owning a Picasa account by default, it has also made a compelling case. Flickr talks nicer with iPhoto. Google's storage is cheaper. Back and forth the pendulum swings. Ultimately though, who am I kidding, Google already owns my email, my documents, my blog, my video platform, my collaboration platform, and so on, so my chances of wading into the relative unknowns of the Flickr / Yahoo environment is slim. Come to think of it, I've never even had an @yahoo account -- I had Hotmail and then I switched to Gmail as soon as I got an invite.

Nothing, however, is set in stone yet...thoughts?

Posted via email from Streaming with Sebastian Coss

Google Chrome in the Most Beautiful Way Possible

noreply@blogger.com (Sebastian Coss) — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 19:24:00 +0000

via youtube.com

What an amazing effort. Apple has been king of the hill in recent years with it's sparsely shot instructional videos. Their template has always been a person in a black turtleneck, in a white-out room, with a wooden desk and a shiny Mac. Very clear, very clean, very easy to understand...and perhaps just a bit boring. Then again, can't imagine explaining the new features of an operating system in this method. But it would be very cool.

Now lets see if this effort can be replicated for Google Wave. The challenge has been issued...

Posted via web from Streaming with Sebastian Coss