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Monday, April 8, 2024

Best Hidden Gem Small Businesses in Newton MA

These are the best hidden gem small businesses according to various people in the area. We will be doing a written and video review for each of these. I went to the Knotty Pine today, Solar Eclipse day but it was closed. It's a diner in West Newton, which I've driven by a million times but never even noticed. Amazing how many recommendations we got and how little of them I knew. Truly a list of HIDDEN gems. 

If you want to contribute to the conversation and cast your submission for a review, comment below. 

These are not in order of best to worst, they are all in different categories of small business.

  1. The Paper Mouse in West Newton - Gift Shop
  2. Depasquale's Deli on Adams - In Newton *NOT depasquales at nightcap's corner
  3. Markettiamo for Italian imported goods and sandwiches (and salciccia and soppressata)
  4. Shogun in West Newton - Has been open for over 40 years and very authentic 
  5. Otake Sushi in Newton Highlands
  6. Echo Bridge Restaurant '
  7. Little L Bakery on California
  8. D&A's Pizza in Nonantum
  9. Knotty Pine Diner in Auburndale - Cash only, but they have an ATM
  10. Grandma's Kitchen. Really good Taiwanese food 
  11. Moldova
  12. Flourhouse Bakery in Nonantum
  13. Chung-Shin Yuan on California St
  14. Indulge Candy Store in Newton Highlands

Friday, April 5, 2024

Cryplandia Short Story #1 - @pilgrimapes

Michael felt dizzy. You’d think being on a boat so long, he’d get used to it. But he always woke up with his inner ear swirling like a hurricane. He got up and took stock of his room. “Mom, check! Michelle, check! Dad…” He saw the monkey lying on the bed next to his mother. Despite the time they spent together, Michael sometimes couldn’t seperate his dad from the other monkeys. Everyone just looked so similar. He spotted a red pair of sunglasses over the monkey’s mouth. He moved them over his father’s eyes. That was him alright. “Dad, check!” Everyone was here. Mom, Dad, Son, Sister. Michael grabbed a cigarette and headed towards the Casino.

This was Michaels's usual routine. Wake up, count his family, go to the casino, stumble home drunk. There wasn’t really a whole lot to do besides that, come to think of it. Sometimes his mom and Michelle would go to the spa, or he’d join his dad in the business center. But after years of travel, even the most interesting parts of a place become mundane and boring. Michael expected another session of blowing his daily chips, and hitting on some (not interested) waitresses. But when he got out of his room, something was different. All of the other monkeys were gathered around the gangway opening. Michael woke up his parents. “Mike, I swear, if you’re waking us up to ask for more money, I will kick you straight into the water,” His father said. “No, Dad, something happening. Something big.” He hurried his family out of their cabin, as they headed towards the rest of the families.

The noise of the crowd began to outpace his own internal monologue. Suddenly, A big orangutan wearing a captain’s hat walked in front of everyone. Captain Orangebeard. “Muddahs, Faddahs, Sons, and Sistahs!” He shouted. The troop went quite. “The time has comed. Our years long voy-ige has reached it’s destinationion.” Orangebeards weird speech choices aside, all of the monkeys knew what he meant. “Welcomes, to Cryptlandia. Junglies, Deserts, Forests, Volcanies, all and more can be found here. But that’s not what brought youse here.” Orangebeard held up a little coin. “These are CryptCoins. There are four of them on the island. If you can get all four, and return to the boat, you will recieve your hearts desire, whatever it may be.” 

Michael perked up. “Did he just say free Liquor?” He asked his sister “He said Hearts Desire, Michael.” Michael paused “Is there a difference?” She rolled her eyes.

“Now, youse can do whatever youses need to do to get the coins, excepted for one thing.” Orangebeards face turned somber. “No Killing. None.” And just as fast as it had left, Orangebeards goofy expression returned. “Are youses readied?” The monkeys nodded. “Are youses settied?” Once again, they nodded. “Then goeses!” And in a flash, the monkey’s scattered.

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

Why most video game adaptations don’t work (And why some do) By: Holden Kodish (BIG H)


Hey y’all. Bit more casual Holden, coming at you with my opinions. But, as we all know, opinions are like assholes, we all have one, and most of them stink. So if you disagree with mine, comment, and tell me why!

Anyway, preamble aside, I want to talk about video games. More specifically, video game adaptions. In the next few months, two of my favorite game series are getting adaptions, those being Borderlands, and Fallout. Now, I haven’t seen these yet, just the trailers, but they’ve given me something to think about. Why did I get excited about the Fallout show, but am still nervous about Borderlands? I think it’s do to one thing, reliance on source material.

Now, Borderlands has always been one of my favorite series. As soon as I could play rated M games (at 18, thanks Dad) it was the first one I checked out. Well, Borderlands 2 was the first one, but you get what I mean. And I recently replayed it and still had just as much fun the 10th time as I did the first time. Whether that’s due to the writing, the gameplay, or the ability to shoot a bunch of mentally ill people, I’m not sure, but it all just works. Meanwhile, I’ve been playing Fallout since 4 was released. I remember trying to figure out with a friend where our school would be on the map. Turns out, it was over a vault. One where the vault dwellers were incredibly overworked (a bit of irony? Nah, probably just coincidence). But both franchises have a deep place in my heart.

Alright, enough of me talking about how I’ve wasted my life, and instead, let me talk about how I plan to waste my money! So, the Borderlands movie. Oh, the Borderlands movie. The movie appears to be doing some weird adaptation of both the first and second games (mostly the first, but we’ll touch on that later). Meanwhile, Fallout is being set in Hollywood, apparently making a new story set in the Fallout universe (They even referred to it as a non-playable Fallout 5). Now, these haven’t come out yet, but I feel confident in saying that of the two, Fallout will be the better one. In fact, I have heavy doubts about the quality of Borderlands.

Now, why do I not think Borderlands will be good? Thanks for asking! Well, as I mentioned before, they’re using a lot of the first game to write the plot. If you’ve played Borderlands 1, you know that, of all the games, it has the weakest plot. It’s not bad, just a bit boring. And they’ve decided to throw two characters from the second game, Tiny Tina and Krieg the Psycho, into this movie as characters. In return, we lose out on the Bird-Man Mordecai, and the third-best Character in the franchise (1 is Zane, 2 is Mr. Torgue, fight me nerds) Brick. Now already, I’m a bit hurt. You got rid of my boy for Krieg. I say that, and then remember I like Krieg. But, here’s the thing. I don’t think anyone is cast right. As in, they are all way older than I picture they should be in their first movie. These are vault hunters, people going up against dangerous outlaws, wildlife, and the occasional interdimensional monster (as one does). They should be young, both explaining their athletic prowess and giving you more room to grow this as a franchise. But I don’t think any of that will be an issue for fans. No, I think the problem will be that it sticks too close to the original story. Video games are, primarily, a user-driven experience. It allows us to play our own way, and make decisions however we want. Imagine if someone took that game you were playing, and said “Nope, you have to play it this way, and this way only”. That’s what a bad adaptation looks like.

Now, on the other side, you don’t want it to be completely baseless in its story. The Super Mario Movie (The one from the 80s) has a lot of faults, but one of them was that the writers and directors had never actually played Mario, and just did what they thought was cool. These franchises are important to people and clearly are liked for certain reasons.

This brings me to Fallout. Fallout is exactly what I hoped for when I saw the trailer. 50’s Americana mixed with post-apocalypse. But, they didn’t say “Hey remember Fallout 4, what if it was a movie?” No, instead, it seems that they’re creating their own little story in the Fallout universe, something that fleshes out and expands the concepts of said world. This means that we, as an audience, have no expectations of events, but we do have expectations of tone. The writers can make whatever they want to happen (Within Reason! No magic please. Save that for Elder Scrolls: The TikTok show) and as long as it fits that vibe, most fans will think it’s fine. Want proof? Look at Sonic 2. Both Tails and Knuckles were introduced, but neither required you to be a fan of the Sonic games to get. And, they took the speed and charm of Sonic and worked it into a movie that’s a unique story, while fitting the tone of the games.

While it’s easy to adapt a game beat for beat, it’s not what fans want. We want to see this world through a new lens, one we couldn’t get from the game while feeling like a game. Hopefully, I’m wrong about Borderlands, and it turns out to be great. I’m even more hopeful that Fallout is great too. But, what’s really important, what this whole thing has been building to is this: If they don’t shoot that 8-year-old girl in Sonic 3, I will be asking for a refund. Maria better gets executed. Shoot that bitch

So what do you think? Does my opinion stink? Will Borderlands and Fallout be good? Will they smoke that Maria pack? Leave your thoughts in the comments below. And until next time, “I don’t have a catchphrase yet”!

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Top 10 fictional characters I think DON’T take drugs, and why - By Holden Kodish

  1. Mr. Krabs, from Spongebob: He’s too focused on making money to ever want to spend it on an 8-ball
  2. Professor Utonium from the Powerpuff girls: Chemical X was secretly an enhanced form of crack, and having three crack babies and no baby momma means he probably doesn’t want to try it
  3. Arthur, from Arthur: He’s like 8 years old. Who’s giving a 8-year-old Lean?
  4. Arthur, from Arthur Christmas: He lives in the North Pole. You can’t grow weed up there
  5. Bandit, from Bluey: He probably used to smoke weed, but once the girls were born, he knew it was time to grow up.
  6. Magikarp, from Pokemon. He’s a fish. Fish can’t do drugs, stupid.
  7. Urkel, from Family Matters: He doesn’t because everyone thinks he’s an undercover fed. Stefan Urqulle definitely gets schwasty on the weekends though.
  8. Those little football things from NFL Rush Zone: What were those things? Were they mascots? Living beings? Homunculi? Either way, PED’s are banned by the NFL, so no drugs for them.
  9. C3PO. Dude’s a bitch, for real. R2 and BB-8 definitely get high off electricity, but C3PO is like “No, good sir. Wouldn’t want to disappoint the maker.” What a loser
  10. And finally, number 10… Bill Clinton. He may have smoked weed, but he did not inhale.

“Mr. Unlucky” A short story by Holden Kodish

I’ve seen him three times I’ve only seen him three times in my life. The first was the fire of 77. I was 7, maybe 8, and my dad had brought me to his work at the Supper Club. Now, the Supper Club isn’t the type of place you should usually take a child, but my mom was on a business trip, and we couldn’t afford a babysitter. I was sitting at the bar, seeing how many spins I could do before getting sick (my record was 17). That’s when I saw him. He was taller than any adult I knew, and bony, as if he had never heard of food before. He nodded at me, as if I was the only one in the room. That soon would be the case. 
The Beverly Hills Supper Club fire killed 165 people. Including my father. I tried to explain to the police what had happened. About the man who had come into the club. But they didn’t believe me. Said I was in shock, and gave my mother the name of a grief counselor. She helped me work through what happened. Told me it wasn’t my fault. And for a while, I believed her. That was until 3 years later. Mom and I were sitting on the couch, watching a repeat showing of… something. Alice in Wonderland I think. I went up to go get myself a glass of milk. And I saw him at the window. It was this time when I noticed his eyes. Or should I say, the lack of them. Vacant. Empty. And his head. He was carrying it next to him, like a wicker easter basket. He took one big step, and the house shook. The whole neighborhood shook. I ran out of the house. My mom didn’t make it in time. 

I was put in the foster care system for a few years. No one could replace my parents, but I had nothing but respect for the ones who tried. Eventually, I graduated, and met a wonderful woman, Michelle. Michelle was fun. She always pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I had become a loner after my parents, and Michelle helped me make friends again. And when I would wake up in the middle of the night, Michelle would calm me back down to sleep. One night, after a visit to her parents (They lived in Lexington, so it was a bit of a drive back home to Paducah) we were driving home. We had stayed later than we were planning, so we were both a bit tired. That’s when we spotted him. “Jeremy. That guy. In that car. Is he a skele-“ That was her last words before the maniac ran us off the road. And her last words forever. 

They’d been able to pull me out of the wreckage just in time, but Michelle had gotten a major head injury. She was dead hours before I received help. Later, the coroner, and her parents, told me that she was pregnant. I gave him a name that day. The man who’s been haunting my life. “Mister Unlucky”. I haven’t seen him since then. I haven’t really left my house though either. So, when you called me up, asking to spend Christmas together, I was a little hesitant. But, I’m starting to feel happy. I can’t remember the last time I felt this way. Hold on a second. Do you hear… jingle bells, and… screaming? And is that dog flying?

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

Hungry Americans Should Eat Cereal for Dinner - CEO of Kellogg

The CEO of Kellogg's recently triggered a wave of controversy by suggesting that hungry Americans can opt for cereal as a suitable dinner option. This statement has drawn widespread criticism, with many arguing that it trivializes the struggles faced by food-insecure individuals and overlooks the nutritional needs of those experiencing hunger. While cereal can indeed be a convenient and affordable meal choice for some, such remarks fail to acknowledge the systemic issues underlying food insecurity and the need for comprehensive solutions to address this pressing issue. Advocates emphasize the importance of addressing the root causes of hunger and ensuring access to nutritious and culturally appropriate food options for all individuals, rather than promoting simplistic solutions that may not adequately address the complexities of the problem.

This is quite honestly the most insane and enraging thing I've seen in a while. In a time where people are struggling to make it out of the grocery store with their bills paid, this smug CEO dares to suggest Americans should eat his brand's cereal for dinner as if that's a good option. Shame on Kellogg's, and I will not be enjoying their delicious cereal any longer. 

America's Favorite Killer

Fictional scenario: You are a young kid growing up with social media and the technology we have today. How independent would your upbringing be if every opinion you saw, had a like counter behind it. How would you feel if certain behaviors resulted in more likes? and some resulted in less. Would you do the things that get likes? or would you do what you truly want?

Since the year 2000, social media usage has risen drastically. So have other statistics, some of which are very unsettling. School shootings have occurred exponentially more often. Depression has gone up simultaneously and at almost the exact same time, anxiety for adolescents went up too. 

We are familiar with the fact that about 80% of medical issues come from stress. How much more stress does seeing everyone else's accomplishments add to one's life?

"The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States estimates that stress accounts about 75% of all doctor visit "

All of these issues have occurred since the same time that social media began to be used consistently. If we don't see the patterns on the youth now, will we before it is too late?

The internet is full of amazing information, but the question I want to pose about social media specifically is this: 

Is it a problem that on social media you can scroll forever? 




 

Stone Island Hoodies: Are they worth it?

Stone Island hoodies are sweaters with a target patch on the side. They have been worn by many celebrities before including Drake. They were designed by Massimo Osti, but the company was then fully purchased by one of his friends Carlo Rivetti, who recently sold it to a major fashion brand, Moncler. 

The design was inspired by military and work wear and includes a unique stone-washing method that gives these hoodies a color palette akin to them only. 

After having a few for more than 2 years and putting them to the test, I can safely say, they are pretty tough. The proactive design ingenuity of Massimo Osti planned ahead for people's mistreatment of his clothing. Hence the pieces are made to look more like they should as time goes on, the stone-washed look only grows into itself more and more. 

This quality does come with a heavy price tag of around $400 a piece, making them a common target of criticism online. Even if you take the removable patch off, to shut down the skeptics that claim people get these for the logo alone, the hoodies are still worth wearing. I've worn them many times without the iconic patch and felt just as satisfied with my purchase. 

In conclusion, they are worth it. 

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Kanye Using Bianca to Prove a Point to Kim Kardashian

Very recently this Kanye phone snatch video came out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JP9XY_nr4uU

It was basically a random Karen lady who followed Kanye while on her phone, made a call, and then went in on him. Seemed like she was pre-planning something. She goes up to him and in the fakest voice says "Hey Kanye good to see you, how are you doing?" but she has never met him in her life, and we all know she doesn't care about how he is doing. She instantly goes to ask him if Bianca has free will. Which then proceeded to Kanye snatching her phone, which she was using to record him. 

So, YES HE TOOK HER PHONE, BECAUSE SHE WAS RECORDING ON IT. This headline made it seem like he snatched a random lady's phone who was using it to talk to someone or do her own work, minding her business. This wasn't the case at all. This was more the equivalent of someone taking a camera or covering it for the moment, he even gave it right back and offered her a job by the end of the video, paying her double that of the garbage paparazzi network she works for. 

The reason why this woman was asking Kanye if his new wife has free will is because she has been dressing very uniquely and very provocatively, and it seems as per Kanye's request.
My theory is that Kanye is asking her to dress provocatively for a reason, to get Kim Kardashian to tell Kanye or Bianca to tone it down, and he can say "why?" and if she explains why he can say well you did it and let that stuff around North (their daughter)

When Kim brought Ice Spice around North West, and Kanye said that's messed up, she did it anyway and didn't care that Ice Spice was provocative and outwardly sexual. Now Kanye might be showing Kim how he felt. When Bianca sensory was with North, Kim explicitly asked her to cover up. 

Kanye kind of just highlighted the fact that Kim cares about North being around inappropriate stuff only when it comes from Kanye but not her. When Kim does the same thing and brings inappropriate people around North, it is apparently no big deal and if Kanye says something, he's quote on quote being crazy. 

Monday, March 4, 2024

Dune 2 Review

I am aware of how long movies are becoming these days and how most people are sick of that. I do however think Dune 2 could have used another 30-40 minutes. The film was awesome, the sound effects and music were great. The side characters had their own things going on such as the internal drama of the Harkonnen people and the Bene Gesserit. It was cool seeing the mother become lady Jessica and have her own story line as well. 

The ending felt a bit rushed to me, as in the last battle everyone met at the same place and just began fighting. It seemed like it came and went very quickly. 

Stilgar was one of my favorite characters, and I definitely need someone hyping me up like that in my life. Anything Paul would do, this guy Stilgar would be watching, nodding his head and saying "yes, as written" referring to a prophecy. If I had that I would either be the most confident or cocky human in the world. 

There were some links to religion and faith that i felt like were relevant to the present day. The fact that they started a holy war and explicitly called it that. Also the Chani people prayed and lived similarly to Palestinians. 

No spoilers but Paul sells out in the end, and also a lot of people are furious about that and making memes already. Pictured below, Source: Twitter















Overall Score: 83% | Dune 2 was much better than the first one. 

Bacon Didn't Change up on us - Pork Prices up 100% is Fake News

 

According to CNBC pork belly prices have risen 100% as of last August. At that time they were saying it rose from $1.31 to $2.70. Which is a bit more than a 100% increase. As of right now, after verifying with a few local butchers in Massachusetts and New Hampshire we have consumer prices confirmed at about $7.99-8.99, and one butcher told us directly that he hasn't seen pork belly prices rise since he started almost three years ago. Keep in mind the CNBC numbers are wholesale, which to begin with are at one dollar so an increase to two dollars sounds like a lot, but not when you hear that they sell it for eight to nine to consumers. 

The article linked below used language such as "will become more expensive" while the prices have seen no hit on the consumer end. 

We all see that food prices are getting more expensive, but there is a fine line between quality products and cheap prices. On one hand we all champion healthy food and better quality options to be available for all. While we maintain this as a common value, we should also understand that higher prices are sometimes necessary for higher quality goods. If we are taking more precautions to raise animals humanely we are going going to be faced with higher costs for producers. As of right now it doesn't seem that effect has taken on the consumer prices.  

So in the meantime, relax and enjoy your pork chops. 

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/23/pork-belly-prices-rose-over-100percent-ytd-bacon-is-about-to-get-pricier.html


Sunday, March 3, 2024

Migrant Shelters in Roxbury & Seaport Open

 

Following criticism directed at Governor Maura Healey for her decision to open a migrant shelter in Roxbury's community center, Boston has now witnessed the inauguration of a migrant shelter within an office building in the Seaport area. This relocation signals a response to the concerns raised, aiming to alleviate tensions surrounding the initial choice of location. The move underscores the delicate balance between addressing humanitarian needs and respecting community sentiments, highlighting the complexities inherent in accommodating migrant populations within urban spaces. As Boston navigates these challenges, Maura Healey's decision to establish the shelter in Seaport reflects a conscientious effort to foster inclusivity and support while considering the concerns of local residents.

Friday, March 1, 2024

Toilet paper is the most American thing ever!

Toilet paper, often taken for granted, stands as a symbol of excess and American consumption habits. It's a product so ingrained in our daily lives that we seldom stop to consider its environmental impact or our own usage patterns. According to Environmentamerica.org, the statistics are staggering: the average American goes through a whopping 140 rolls of toilet paper annually, totaling 28 pounds. This figure is twice as much as the usage seen in countries like France or Italy. But in a nation where excess often reigns supreme, perhaps it's not surprising that we lead the pack in toilet paper consumption. After all, Americans pride themselves on being number one in virtually everything, and our consumption habits are no exception. With no signs of slowing down our roll (quite literally), it seems that toilet paper will continue to play a central role in our daily lives for the foreseeable future.

Written By: Bennet Prudence 

CVS Takes Bold Step: Now Selling Abortion Pills

In a move that has sparked both praise and controversy, CVS Pharmacy has announced its decision to offer abortion pills at select locations across the United States. This decision marks a significant shift in the landscape of reproductive healthcare accessibility and has ignited discussions nationwide.

The abortion pill, also known as medication abortion or the abortion pill regimen, consists of two medications, mifepristone and misoprostol, taken in sequence to terminate early pregnancies. Previously, obtaining these medications typically required visits to specialized clinics or healthcare providers, posing logistical challenges and barriers to access for many individuals.
By making abortion pills available at its pharmacies, CVS aims to provide a more convenient and accessible option for those seeking to terminate early pregnancies. This move has been praised by reproductive rights advocates who argue that increased access to abortion medication is essential for ensuring reproductive autonomy and healthcare equity.

However, the decision has also sparked criticism from anti-abortion groups and individuals who oppose abortion on moral or religious grounds. Some have raised concerns about the potential misuse or unsafe use of abortion pills without proper medical supervision, while others view the move as endorsing and facilitating what they consider to be morally objectionable practices. It's important to note that CVS's decision to offer abortion pills aligns with federal regulations and guidelines surrounding the dispensing of medication abortion. The medications will only be available to individuals who meet specific criteria and undergo a consultation with a qualified healthcare professional, ensuring that appropriate medical oversight is maintained.

As CVS begins to roll out this new service, it will be essential to monitor the impact and outcomes closely. Advocates hope that increased access to abortion medication will empower individuals to make informed choices about their reproductive health and reduce barriers to accessing safe and legal abortion care.

Ultimately, CVS's decision to sell abortion pills reflects the evolving landscape of reproductive healthcare in the United States and highlights the ongoing debates surrounding abortion rights and access. As discussions continue, it remains crucial to prioritize the health, safety, and autonomy of individuals seeking abortion care. 

Wired Earbuds are 10x better than Airpods


We all know the memes of people being roasted for having wired headphones, but now the tables are about to turn. If you wear airpods just so people know you can get airpods... I hate to break it to you, but you might be an idiot. 

Wired headphones are better for the following reasons:

1. They are always attached to your phone while being used and you only have that one piece, with airpods its 3 different pieces to take care of. 

2. You have to charge airpods, wired apple headphones are always charged. 


3.Wired headphones always work - Airpods glitch, they have to be connected. Sure they're great when they work but the times when they start glitching and you really need headphones can be detrimental. I'm not a tech master in any way, so for me the product just needs to work, as much of the time as possible. If I don't use headphones often, the times when I do, they better work. 

4. Airpods fall out - they don't stay in because they're so light, if you're running it is game over. Unless you have small ear holes. 
 

Written by: Steve Erwin |  Contributor 

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Boston Introduces Tuition-Free Community College Plan

In a groundbreaking move to enhance accessibility to higher education, the city of Boston has unveiled its Tuition-Free Community College (TFCC) Plan for the academic years 2024-2025. Designed to alleviate the financial burden of pursuing post-secondary education, this initiative promises to be a game-changer for Boston residents aged 18-24.

Under the TFCC Plan, eligible individuals seeking to obtain an associate degree or an approved certificate program at a partnering college will have their tuition and fees covered for up to three years. This bold step aims to empower young adults in Boston, opening doors to educational opportunities that were previously out of reach due to financial constraints.

One of the most remarkable aspects of the TFCC Plan is its inclusivity. Unlike many scholarship programs that have age restrictions, this initiative extends its benefits beyond traditional college-age students. For Bostonians aged 25 and above, various funding avenues are available through specialized programs tailored to meet the diverse needs of adult learners.

However, it's essential to note that funding under the TFCC Plan operates on a first-come, first-served basis. This emphasizes the importance of prompt action for those interested in taking advantage of this remarkable opportunity. As applications open and resources are allocated, early applicants stand to benefit the most from this initiative.

The introduction of the TFCC Plan signals a significant step forward in Boston's commitment to education and community empowerment. By removing financial barriers and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, the city is investing in the future prosperity of its residents and the collective well-being of its communities.

As more details emerge and enrollment opens, prospective students are encouraged to stay informed and take advantage of the resources available to them. With the TFCC Plan, Boston is paving the way for a brighter, more equitable future, one student at a time.

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

200 Days Spent Looking for Lost Stuff

Have you ever stopped to think about just how much time we spend looking for misplaced items? Brace yourself: on average, we dedicate a whopping 200 days of our lives to this wild goose chase! Yep, you read that right – 200 days.

Let's break it down. Imagine you're rummaging through drawers, peeking under cushions, or turning the house upside down in search of your keys, phone, or that elusive favorite pair of socks. These mini-adventures might seem harmless at first, but when you add up all those minutes, hours, and days, it's a considerable chunk of time.

Think about the moments stolen from our lives by this scavenger hunt for our belongings. Instead of enjoying a leisurely cup of coffee or catching up with a friend, we find ourselves on a quest to locate something we misplaced. It's like a real-life version of hide-and-seek, only the stakes feel a tad higher when you're late for work because your keys have mysteriously vanished into thin air.

But here's the kicker: it's not just about the time lost. The mental toll of constantly searching for lost items can be exhausting. It's frustrating, it's stressful, and let's face it – it's a tad embarrassing when you realize your glasses were perched on your head the whole time.

So, what's the solution to this 200-day conundrum? Enter technology, stage left. With the rise of smart devices and handy apps, we're witnessing a revolution in how we track our belongings. From Bluetooth-enabled trackers to nifty organizational apps, there's a myriad of tools at our disposal to help us keep tabs on our stuff and reclaim those precious 200 days.

But beyond technology, there's something to be said for good old-fashioned organization. A designated spot for your keys, a tidy desk, or a neatly arranged closet can work wonders in reducing the time spent on the scavenger hunt.

So, the next time you find yourself knee-deep in a search mission for your missing wallet, take a moment to ponder: is there a better way? With a bit of tech savvy and a dash of organization, we just might reclaim those 200 days for more meaningful pursuits – like finally mastering that hobby you've been putting off or simply enjoying a little extra downtime.

Until then, happy hunting (and may the odds be ever in your favor)!

Monday, February 19, 2024

Is Crypto Coming Back? Projects to Watch For.

Is crypto coming back? Bitcoin is currently up 25% and about 10k over the past month to a present value of 52k. This is a much better situation than last January when it was at about a 22k total value after a fall from 60k. 

This is a project we've been following closely since the start and we're going to do an overview of it and share our thoughts. Cryplandia.com is offering a presale of their token "Nova Gold" right now on their website linked above. This project has a crypto coin, an NFT, and a virtual reality concept to it coming in the future. The trinity of the crypto world. We think this is a project to watch for and keep an eye on but we're going to put it to the test. A criteria we have is listed below, so let's see how many of these boxes they can check.

The main reason we think majority of Crypto projects fail is because they either:

A. Lack originality or charm in the design, hired a generic designer (if it is an NFT)

B. If it is a coin, and has no use case, there is no reason for people to get it 

C. If it is not run by people that are capable of not getting ripped off and can do some of the work themselves. Purely financial founders tend to overspend and be out of touch with the project. 

A. The designer of the NFT portion of this project, Pilgrim Apes is also the designer behind Block Boy Not 4 $ale https://opensea.io/collection/blockboyproject which went on sale last year with only 21 NFT's and sold out 33% of it independently without any investors or promotion. This was strictly a designer run project so the sales are not as high but the investment was minimal. The backstory was unique and offered a new perspective on consumerism and capitalism. The art was done well and there were no mistakes in the NFT's appearances. This is promising as the Pilgrim Apes also look great, as you can see from the one pictured in this article. 

B. The roadmap says that there will be a VR experience to go along with the token, similar to a virtual networking hub also under the Cryplandia Crypto Club brand.

C. Metropolis Cybergroup LLC, is the company behind Cryplandia.com and believes crypto still has a strong chance of becoming a commonly used financial instrument. Cryplandia.com stands as the digital gateway to this burgeoning ecosystem, serving as a hub for cryptocurrency enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and visionaries alike. The founders are fascinated by Crypto and are interested in building a community not just a product, they have a discord where they are launching the Cryplandia Crypto Club and will have free community events to talk about entrepreneurial ventures and investing. 

"Central to Cryplandia's vision is the Cryplandia Crypto Club—an innovative concept poised to revolutionize the way like-minded individuals connect and collaborate in the digital realm. This online virtual reality club offers a decentralized space where entrepreneurs, creatives, and innovators can converge to work on business projects and creative ventures, all within an immersive and interactive environment." - Metropolis Cybergroup

The project is one we highly are looking forward to seeing evolve, and it checked all our boxes for a promising crypto project so we really have faith in it. There are many scams out there which make the space untrustworthy, for a fair reason. This means that we have to be extra cautious and proactive when looking at these companies and making sure their project isn't an overhyped scheme. Which Cryplandia doesn't fit the description for, as on their site they have all the disclaimers that make it known there are no guarantees and there isn't any over zealous promises in their roadmap on their site either. 

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Can the Virtual World Replace Reality?

Newton news theinnercircle.blog ai virtual reality
 Imagine a disgusting green world where the buildings have decayed, the streets are filled with garbage and people walk among them as if nothing has happened. How can this be you ask? How can something like this happen? A scenario where society has fallen yet people still walk around town happily as ever. 

They’re all wearing an AR headset obviously. Imagine people seeing the world as Beautiful through their virtual headset goggles 🥽 but in reality everything has become decrepit. A very dramatic dystopia but still a possibility. If everyone eventually will be seeing the world with an extra filter, there’s no reason to upkeep and or redesign certain things and eventually all inventions and developments will cease in the real world. I imagined someone drinking a smoothie and in their headset their looking at a delicious fresh smoothie but when this one guy without a headset sees this in the real world he just sees a guy drinking out of a metal box labeled fruit paste.

In general there is a question of virtual world and ai vs. reality and the traditional methods of doing things. As humans we can't help but wonder, how will we be able to separate reality from this new incoming virtual world if it becomes exactly as realistic as the real world we live in today? If everything looked and felt the same, would we ever know? And if a person we were speaking to was an ai that was identical to a real human, how would we tell the difference? Is there an innate gut feeling we get when we're around a real person or are those just as technical as signals running through your body telling you to feel a certain way, and can they be replicated. Will people be making genuine connections with virtual beings that aren't even real? 

*Image made with DALL·E 3

Joe Rogan's not so Rugged Childhood


 Although today many people see podcast mogul Joe Rogan as a rugged outdoors man who loves ice baths and cigars, his upbringing may have been quite the opposite. 

He was born in New Jersey and has lived in California but he graduated from a high school in Newton, Massachusetts and spent his teenage years there. When he recounts stories of going to Boston and going to the karate studio people imagine young Joe Rogan in the cold hard streets of Boston. Maybe you can see where I’m going with this so I do want to make a disclosure that I’m not necessarily saying Joe Rogan purposefully leaves out the nicer parts of his upbringing but it just happened to turn out this way. There seems to be more mention of his rugged fighting stories, such as the one where he said two sides north and south fought each other in his hometown. If you are from Massachusetts and you know what Newton is, it’s not a very tough place. In fact it’s probably one of the nicest in the area, and in the whole state for that matter. If you’re from Newton, you have a bubble to be protected within, it results in an interesting outcome. I would say most kids won’t do much because of their upbringing being so nice, but the few that were able to take advantage of their opportunities, learn everything they could, become incredibly talented and multifaceted. John Krasinski a fellow Newton alumni is another example. In Rogan's case we see that he was able to go to the best karate studio in his teens because of where he was from, it’s not cheap to have the ability to have free time and go around doing whatever classes you want. All of these things cost money and the fact of the matter is Joe Rogan came from an area where he was given that opportunity to try everything and it shows the results can be incredible, just 1% of the time. The rest of his class were probably douche bags. Sorry.

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