by Christopher Paul on May 12, 2013 Dave Caolo is writing a month-long series on traveling with your iPhone. I’m not a big traveler but when I do, I almost over prepare. Thankfully, smartphones make over preparing much easier.
But in some ways, they make them harder because you have to worry about the chargers, cases, apps, etc. you need installed before you go. And you also have to prepare for no signal, paid Wi-Fi, and other annoyances that can get in the way of enjoying your trip. Dave helps address that by offering some product reviews, tips, and app lists to help make your smartphone preparation less stressful than travel already can be.
by Christopher Paul on May 12, 2013 
The Worst Room is a blog about apartments for rent in New York City. They’re posted to Craigslist so you might imagine that there’s an overabundance of crappy listings. And considering the areas listed the most (Williamsburg and Park Slope), it’s no wonder you find gems like this one which includes a kitchen.
via Boing Boing
by Christopher Paul on May 12, 2013 Today is Mothers Day where we take a special moment to remember all that mothers do for us and to thank them for it. Regardless of what era you talk about, I believe that being a mother is (or was) hard — exponentially harder than it is to be a father. And there is no way I could ever do what my grandmothers, mom, or wife have done. But they are not the only ones we should be celebrating today.
They say it takes a village to raise a child. It was the case then and it’s certainly the case now — and, perhaps, a little more so. With what is considered a traditional family rapidly changing, there is a shift in the support structure that children rely on as they grow and learn. We would be remiss if we didn’t acknowledge all the “mother-like” figures in our lives who help mothers, families, and societies raise our children.
So happy Mothers Day to all the moms and to all the friends, family, sitters, teachers, nurses and doctors, coaches, mentors, idols, and figures who let all moms (biological, adoptive, step-, -like, or otherwise) earn that title.
by Christopher Paul on May 11, 2013 Lots of people have been sharing this over the past day or two so I broke down and watched it.
I never really knew who David Foster Wallace was until about a year ago. And even then, I never got into his work. He seemed too much like a myth, a historical figure, who’s accomplishments weren’t as great as everything thinks they are. A person treated well by history but only years after their death.
But listening to excerpt from a 2005 commencement speech has me intrigued by this legend. Put to a video, it becomes something more than some existential rant. It becomes something thought provoking and a little inspiring.
I just might start reading his stories.
by Christopher Paul on May 10, 2013 Daniel Pink wrote a book about motivation that explains some unanticipated observations about what drives people to perform and excel in life. I’ve got a few other books like How Will You Measure Your Life in my queue to get through but this is being added.
In the meantime, take a look at this animated video on money as a motivator from the book.
via Brain Pickings