Song of the week

This song has made my week. Tall Heights - To Be Young

                                                           



Craig's List. And finding my way back.

The second rendition of Craig's List...

Yay:

-Sunny south Florida! Vacation in 48 short hours.

-Opening Day for the Red Sox.

-Re-connecting with friends from Israel, and learning they’re all doing well.

-Golf season is right around the corner, and I’m playing with the girlfriend’s brother in law soon to get the swing back

-Finishing Kitchen Confidential (Awesome read)

Nay:

-At least 120 were killed in an ammo factory blast in Yemen.

-The brutality of sharks from Shark Finning, which I heard about in depth on a NPR podcast originally from 2004.

-Reading Erik Ainge’s personal battle with addiction, without knowing its severity and how sad it is.

-The current weather. We’re all over this weather.

In addition to Craig's List, exciting news has lit up the radar. I will be starting a new job when I return from vacation after giving notice at MultiPlan. I was offered an Assistant Site Editor position at one of TechTarget's websites and I happily accepted. Remaining in the health sector is exactly what I wanted, and this position encompasses all the journalistic principles pertaining to health IT. I have been yearning to get back into writing and editing for months; it's the root of what I love. I've internalized an abundance of health-related information over the last year. Naturally, I can transcend that information to the newest venture in my life and partake on the challenging transition that's ahead. I am nervous. I am thrilled. I am relieved. I am ready to learn. Furthermore, as I've come to realize, timing is everything. Some of you know another young professional who works at TechTarget. However, that person works on a totally different site. It's unknown if we will see each other at all. As the story goes, we worked together at The Informer, Hartford's school newspaper, and now for the same company as professionals. There must be something in the water.


Alas, it's time to pack for Florida. The upcoming week will be restful, alleviating all stress and preparing me for the next chapter.

"the system has done failed you"

Another appeal, another rejection. As for a fair trial in the case of Troy Davis, it appears as likely as hell freezing over. Today, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected Davis' request that his execution be delayed, meaning a new execution date is likely. The case has fluctuated over the years, where balancing recanted testimony and a lack of physical evidence has become deeply rooted in judicial soil. Seven of the nine witnesses claiming Davis shot and killed off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail in 1989 have recanted their testimony and no gun was ever found. Davis has been on death row since 1991. He's vehemently claimed his innocence on the grounds of being wrongfully convicted as a result of false identification. Despite immense pressure from Amnesty International and a plethora of public figures, Davis remains behind bars with his fate unknown. I have written on this case on a few occasions, alluding to State Radio's music to help reiterate the case.

Listen to the lyrics. It's telling. Simply the crux of the entire case.

"Cause' there was no physical  weapon
 no murder evidence

No appeal, no clemency"

Craig's List. The other Craig's List

Welcome to Craig’s List. In an attempt to bring more spice to the blog, I’ll write five tidbits of news, events, and noteworthy nuggets that are on the “Yay and Nay” scale. Some will pertain to my life, others not so much. What I’m saying is that during the course of a week the good and the bad occur. Therefore, here’s the platform to display such anecdotes. And, I'll add links to stories and videos; a forum of sorts to learn something new. I will post every Friday or Saturday here on out. Off we go…

The Yay: 

-Brett Dennen’s new album will be released in April. He’s really good, people.

-Heading to Florida with mah girl in a week from tomorrow. This might be a re-occurring yay until my toes are in sand.

-Seeing an old Informer friend this week (co-worker) who, for lack of better description, makes me laugh every time I’m in his general vicinity.

-Dolly is here this weekend.

-The Bruins drubbing the Habs last night, 7-0, which in turn silences the Montreal media for 30 seconds.

The Nay:

-Dentist appointment yesterday: No cavities, but my dentist insisted we talk about Jewish cuisine, prolonging the appointment for 25 minutes.

-The bus bomb in Jerusalem, Israel.

-Learning that renting a car in Florida when you’re not 25 is an extra $25…per day

-The Impala holla’s right windshield wiper stopped working.

-Admitting that this “Yay and Nay” section came to fruition by wanting to condense my blog, but also because my girlfriend’s “Awkward and Awesome” posts are inspiring.

runnin with Nelly, but for the cause.

Props to BR in convincing me to run the 10th Annual Harpoon 5-Miler. The run, which is on Sunday May 22, benefits the The Angel Fund for ALS. The $40 fee gets you entrance to the race, free t-shirt, post race party at the Harpoon Brewery, two beer tickets, race day meal and helping raise over $100,000 for the The Angel Fund. That is a whole lot for the price. Running for the cause is worth every penny. 

I have also rekindled my love for Nelly, but really just Country Grammar. I'll never forget the summer it was released despite it being 11 years ago. That album has such catchy hooks and creative lyrics. It's been all over the gym playlist. I dare you to listen to Country Grammar, E.I., Ride with Me and Greed, Hate, Envy in succession without head bobbing. I think running and Nelly go together, hence the above correlation.

Lastly, my thoughts and prayers go out to those impacted by today's bus bombing in Jerusalem. It will always be a special place to me, and hearing of this news after two years of quiet stings.

To the right side: Placing my note in the Western Wall. Jerusalem

here and there, near and far.

I will never take the weather for granted. With TIME Magazine next to me, I'm currently writing on the front porch as a constant breeze comes through. It's a beautiful day in New England. What's more, with all the cold weather and unforgiving snow this winter I forgot how refreshing it is to walk at lunch during the work week. Thursday and Friday was prime walking weather, and getting a few strides in is ergonomically satisfying. Sometimes fresh air is all that’s needed.

There's basketball on in the background. It's currently the best three weeks on the sports calendar. March Madness is a distant level of utopia. The first two days have been memorable. It’s acceptable to get giddy for competition, upsets, half-court heaves and Gus Johnson’s lingo. Guy’s a bona fide orator. Rise and fire, rise are fire.

The girlfriend and I entertained last night for friends; some chicken cacciatore, mustardy potatoes, wine and other gems. It got good reviews from the clean plate club. All in all,  I love entertaining despite it sounding old fashioned or making me appear really old at 24. It's fun to kick back and watch everyone devour a dish. The girlfriend made a killer dessert too, check it out.


My sister's wedding is rapidly approaching. Hava Nagila! (It's almost June, Sammy!) In addition to walking my mother down the aisle, I'll be escorting the flower girl because she's too shy.  The sister's special day is the highlight of summer 2011...and Dispatch.

Now it's time to read and rest, as tonight we go buck for birthday festivities. The only downer this weekend is Dolly is not around. She’s doing her thing elsewhere but will storm Newton in the near future, shmatteh in tow.


And, of course:

-A very happy birthday to Eric and Alix.

-My congratulations to Bobby and Trisha as they will be bringing a baby girl into the world with unconditional love. 

 

     

music on the mind

                               A trio of songs topping my playlist of late. Click to play. Enjoy.

Damien Jurado - Abilene

Bon Iver - Skinny Love

Blind Pilot - One Read Thread



just talk about it...it's the headlines

I had written a recap of the weekend but stopped half way through. It wasn’t so inspiring anymore.

So many horrific events happened over the course of a week. It’s thorny to fathom that these circumstances occur in life and roll in swiftly like a breeze, albeit stemming from natural causes or insufferable acts. I listened to NPR for hours today trying to gain perspective from those covering the news around the globe with events such as: crisis management of epic proportions in Japan, a suicide bombing in Afghanistan and grisly slayings in Israel. They filled the radio waves with a melancholy tone. It revealed a heightened sense of urgency. It’s too much death at its core.

Japan: As the pieces from Port-au-Prince and Christchurch still weigh heavy, it’s feared that 10,000 are dead after the quake and tsunami in Japan. Bodies are washing up on shore like seaweed. Putting that into context – even words – is daunting. It can’t be underestimated that this is the worst crisis since WWII. Miyagi Prefecture plays host to a disorganized cemetery. NPR had journalists speaking live with displaced families who were stripped of everything, only sparing their lives. Specifically, I heard a report that 3,000 people have filled an elementary school where boiling water for instant noodles on an open fire and using makeshift bathrooms has become customary. Now they’re wrestling with aftershocks, uncovering scores of bodies under debris, mulling over nuclear reactor and radiation concerns and dealing with flattened infrastructure.

Afghanistan: 33 were killed when a suicide bomber detonated a device in an Afghan army recruiting center. In addition to the 33 left dead, at least 42 people were also wounded. Hearing another report on a suicide bomber has placed itself into common vernacular. It’s a sad vernacular to that end. Unrest is relentlessly prevalent as the war continues.

Israel: Friday night’s Itamar massacre completely folded me; a family of five in the West Bank settlement of Itamar were stabbed to death in the middle of the night. Three children and their parents were murdered in cold blood. There are no suspects. PM Binyamin Netanyahu dubbed it a terrorist act and is looking squarely at the PLO for answers. The Jerusalem Post has been actively following the story.

What can you make of it all? The acceptance of natural disasters is tragic because, as it goes, there's no choice. Your heart breaks for those searching for loved ones.  Dying at a recruitment center at the basement of potential democracy, or at least yearning for it? Your soul irks with the mere thought of children being killed. Is the purpose of this post to highlight the world’s tribulations? Or, does it encourage contentment with what you have and subsequently haven’t lost? I don’t know. This does not suggest a call for immediate action, either. I do know, however, that not talking about is rather lethargic and anything to the contrary is stubborn.

keep it rolling

I recently had a lengthy, catch up type conversation with a friend whom I speak to every three to four months. He no longer lives in the Boston area and it's refreshing when friends are finding personal success, are stable, and keep it rolling in the direction they seem fit. Losing touch is never a good thing.

Overall, it's been a few days since I've posted. There have been a few topics to touch upon, but it never came to fruition, and certainly not in the form of words. There's been gobs of reading but I didn't feel compelled to shell out opinions or discuss why Joel Stein's writings stick by setting an audience -- and making them adjust -- instead of adhering to magazine norms. I digress. There are things to look foward to: Tall Heights concert, continuing to read Kitchen Confidential, dim sum with friends (spreading the brunch love) and beginning whispers of birthdays in a couple weeks. And, I have to book a rental car for Florda, which means heading south and the much-needed vacation is approaching. I'm reading to let the bones thaw. I'm going to embrace a week without television, Internet and routine.

calling all underprivileged

Won’t you join a new tradition? Today we speak of Black History Month and underprivileged children. It’s such a logical correlation. So much so, Donald Sterling is the self-proclaimed leader of this new fad. This is evident by a thoughtful ad in last Sunday’s Los Angeles Times. Sterling, the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, took out a full-page ad celebrating Black History Month and will admit 1,000 underprivileged children for free to a Clippers game.

Um…what?

Black History month is in February. It’s been celebrated in February for the last 35 years. What’s more, the ad insinuates that underprivileged children are of a particular race. Why is there even a connection between underprivileged children and Black History Month? What happens if a white kid comes to Staples Center and is “underprivileged?” I can see it now: “Sorry, little girl, your shoes are not ripped enough for admission.” The context of the matter is serious. The conduct in which it was used is laughable. How does this get through? I heard on the radio -- based on pure speculation alone -- it occurs when Sterling abuses his power on the newspaper. He probably knows people on the inside and guaranteed immunity. He attempted a feel-good act to appeal to the masses. What he got was a racial howler. Let’s think about what we’re celebrating before taking out an ad for all to see. Sterling is so compassionate that he celebrates Black History Month in March and Women's History Month in April.

why spring will look so good

Last summer I ventured into the world of hiking. There is something cleansing about it. I have a list of mountains and reservations I want to hit and they are all in the Greater Boston area. Some of them I've traveled before, but I'm seeking new paths, new challenges. Once the weather warms up some, I'm nature bound. Also, I want to take better pictures. Now I can combine a hobby with something creative. I am going to use this blog as my platform to post pictures and I hope you'll tune in once I begin.

Reservations and locations I have been/will go to:

-Breakheart, Hammond, Blue Hills, Weymouth Back River, Hale, Squantum Point Park, Borderland State Park

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