Web Browser + Blog Capabilities = FLOCK

Today, WIRED reports that some of the brains behind Firefox are planning the launch of FLOCK, a new "social browser" that ties in nicely with all of the blogging resources and tools that have become commonplace among (us) bloggers. The buzz has been building for some time but it looks like they're nearing an official launch...

Motorola and iTunes—UNITE!

In a follow-up to my previous post, Apple has just announced the details to their partnership with Motorola. It's not the iPod/cell phone collabo' we were all waiting for, but it's a sweet looking phone with iTunes on it! With a... 100 song... capacity... on it. Ummm, can I get a Woo-Ha? ...no? I thought not.

All hope is not lost. You can still splurge for the NEW iPod Mini, now called "Nano". This really offers true iPod looks and functionality on a smaller scale—not exactly what Apple succeeded in doing with the Mini or Shuffle.

Funny how the colorful iPod Minis instantly vanished from Apple's website... LONG LIVE NANO! (I guess the name will have to grow on us...)

Holding Out For My New iPod

As I wait with baited breath for my $50 Apple rebate, my sights are now set on next week's announcement of an iPod cell phone. Sure, I've heard rumors for some time now about Apple's collaboration with Motorola and Cingular, but this morning NY Times confirms.

Healthy Regimen = Caffeine-Free ENERGY

For the past few weeks, my new routine includes lots of natural vitamins (Amino Acids, Omega 3, 6, 9, Vitamin B, C, CoQ10, Multi-Vitamin), combined with a low-sugar and high protein diet, in addition to my regular exercise. I found a newly discovered source of energy within myself — energy levels that I never achieved with my usual 3 cups of coffee a-day.

As for my old vice, coffee? Sure, I was as hooked on my Starbucks Cafe Latte's just as much as the next creative in Manhattan. But I've successfully whittled my intake down to just one small (yet delicious) cup a day from Toasties each morning. Some fresh fruit with a cup of tea in the afternoon, and I'm set.

A healthy change of lifestyle I recommend to any of my fellow coffee addicts...

BG's MUSIC REVIEW: Andy Guthrie

BG's MUSIC REVIEW: 3 stars (out of 4) listen here

Give this track a listen! Andy has a welcomed grittiness to his voice you might associate with Jack from the White Stripes, yet at times he's as gentle as a Howie Day or Damien Rice. In this track, you can also find a beautiful twist of a well-appointed jazzy piano and a bongo percussion. All of this is held together by Guthrie's sweetly-strummed acoustic guitar (he also performs on piano). All of this can be enjoyed on this lengthy 8-minute+ track, which held my attention the whole way through.

Andy Guthrie will find a permanent place on my iPod. And I'm glad to see he's a local New Yorker - my wife and I might check out one of his Forest Hills gigs on a Sunday afternoon.

Porsche Cayman - now I need to sell the Mini

The new Porsche Cayman is one of the most unbelievable new cars I've seen in a while. And they've got a sweet site to show it off - be sure to check out the Enhanced Video mode to really soak up this bad boy in action...

Walk to d'feet ALS - September 25

The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter is kicking off its annual Walk to D'Feet ALS. I am planning to be a part of that walk and I am asking you to join me in the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), the terrible disease that took my father's life earlier this year. I urge you to be a part of this day or simply make a contribution in support of my efforts and in memory of my dad. This year is the 5th Annual Walk in Long Island, held on September 25th at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY.

Sign up or donate at Team Charles Gerena.

DAY 1: Volunteering w/ NY Cares

I had such a rewarding experience last night helping out at the Chelsea Rec. Center, where New York Cares provides free computer training to its neighbors. I had the opportunity to work with two wonderful and eager-to-learn members of the community and even started some new friendships with them and fellow volunteers.

One woman in particular, an elderly woman named Edith, wanted to learn how to simply log into her email account to correspond with her niece and some fellow artists in her West Village community. I was very patient with her as she slowly and carefully articulated her passion for the arts and love of her creative community. But she had grown very frustrated with technology, unable to view or send emails to colleagues. As a society, many of us now prefer to correspond by email instead of phone or mail. This transition didn't sit well with Edith, but she knew she had to embrace email correspondence in order to stay in touch.

As she drafted one of her first emails ever, she typed a beautiful short letter to her niece, using her index finger to type out each letter. I didn't mind being patient - I enjoyed seeing the excitement and joy in her warm but weathered face. Once she completed her letter, she accidentally closed the browser window, losing all of the content. Amazingly she calmly asked me how to login again so that she could retype her message. If that was me, I would have been frustrated and changed gears, moving onto something else. But not Edith, she was determined to draft an email.

At the conclusion of our session, she expressed her appreciation and invited me to a gallery opening this weekend in the Village, featuring some of her films.

This doesn't even begin to share how rewarding the experience was last night. I can't wait till my next project...