Boston Media Catching Up & Running Ahead of the Times

It seems as though the media in Boston are turning more and more to new technological mediums to get the news across. Before long you will be able to catch the news whenever you want it, where you want it and how you want it.

Some of the outlets are finding that adding this option for their audience isn't as expensive as they might have once thought and it is gaining them viewers; if you can call them viewers...not sure as they may just be listening. Let's just say 'audience'.

We are certainly becoming more and more of a demanding society, aren't we? Sure, I like my On Demand as much as the next person (more even, if I've missed a Sopranos episode!). But what is this saying about us as a society? We are increasingly becoming a people who say, "I want it over here not there; I want it now, not in 10 minutes and I don't want it tomorrow, I want it now".

What is that teaching the next generation? I, personally, think there will be a lot of impatient people running around, especially if they don't get x, y or z in 1 minute or less. Maybe a lot of angry people, too, if they don't get their way right now! That is not a good thing. Yes, technology is good. Advances are good. But, sometimes slowing down and taking a breather or feeling anticipation for something is the best thing. You know...'good things come to those who wait' and all that.

Just a little tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Singletrack Celebrates #5/Armstrong & Andretti at Indy

To say I've been a little lax here is an understatement. Sometimes life just gets in the way of blogging. That, and truth be told, when the nice weather finally hit this weekend I took some time to read a book on the porch. Not a great book, but still...outside, reading a book. Anyone who lives in New England knows that this might not be possible until at least mid-June some years due to cold weather (or snow), but warm temps arrived this weekend. Woo-hoo!

Here are a couple of things I've noticed in the last few days, though:

Chipps and team over at Singletrack are celebrating the magazine's 5th year. Congrats to them!!! It seems like only last year I was not-so-patiently waiting for the next issue to arrive in the post (anyone who knows me knows patience isn't my strongest suit). Now they come regularly and have some of the best photography anywhere. I look forward to every single issue. If you are a cyclist, or if you just enjoy breath-taking photography, you need to pick up an issue. I know in the US they are carried at Barnes & Noble so issues are easy to find now.

The Singletrack crew is celebrating in multi-media style. Carlton over at BikeBiz.com is reporting that now, not only can you listen to Singletrack podcasts, you can advertise on them as well. And, if that isn't enough, they have started a blog! Check it out at http://blog.singletrackworld.com They always have something fun going on over there. Happy 5th Anniversary Singletrack! (note: blogger is acting up and I can't hyperlink in a normal way to this link...grrrr)

Lance Armstrong drove the pace car at the Indianapolis 500. LiveStrong shirt and all. That had to have been fun. But 19-year old Marco Andretti nearly stole the show from everyone. The Andretti legacy lives on in that talented kid.

Just some cycling related tidbits for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Title Sponsor Drops Liberty Seguros Cycling Team

One has to think that the marketing folks at Liberty Mutual and their Spanish branch, Liberty Seguros, are anticipating the weekend more than anyone else. They've had one tough week; I don't envy their marketing decision makers at all.

Liberty Seguros is the title sponsor of one of the top pro cycling teams in Europe. With Alexander Vinokourov on the team they were a contender for a top spot at Le Tour de France this July. However, yesterday their team director was arrested as part of a blood doping investigation. This has, undoubtedly, shaken the team (which is currently participating in the Giro d'Italia). However, today the title sponsor has ceased their sponsorship effective immediately. This is a huge blow to the team on many levels.

It is also a huge blow to the folks at Liberty. Procycling.com reports that the Boston, Massachusetts-based insurance company made its decision based on a zero tolerance policy towards doping.

Imagine what it was like at Liberty Mutual/Liberty Seguros yesterday and today. This was a very tough decision they had to make. I'm sure they had internal and external advertising and marketing campaigns all lined up and ready to go for the team's involvement in Le Tour de France. All of that has to be scraped now and they need to scramble to find a new direction quickly.

The weekend can not come soon enough for their marketing department. I wish them all a restful weekend because come next week, it's scramble mode.

Just a cycling tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

New Bill Passes 349-24

This seems to be at the top of the news right now, "Bill Includes Pets in Disaster Planning".

"The bill, which passed 349-24, requires that state and local preparedness offices take into account pet owners, household pets and service animals when drawing up evacuation plans. Offices that fail to do so would not qualify for grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency".

Um...no-brainer!

I am with the, "49 percent of adults say they would refuse to evacuate if they couldn't take their pets with them". I wouldn't go anywhere without the dog.

Just a little tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

Bob Roll revamps website

If you've tried to find Bob Roll's site lately you know it was down for a little bit. It's back up and better than ever! They completely redesigned it and, yes, really, it is better than ever.

Did you know that from right now (as I type) it is 74 days, 5 hours and 56 minutes until Le Tour? Nope, I didn't either. Just some of the stuff you will learn at the new site. Check it out.

Thanks for stopping by.

May 17 - LiveStrong Day

I got an email today from the Lance Armstrong Foundation announcing that tomorrow, May 17th is LiveStrong Day. This is how the email started:

The Lance Armstrong Foundation will lead a group of advocates

from each state to raise awareness on Capitol Hill

about the issues faced by the 10 million Americans affected by cancer.

Volunteers across the country will also host LIVESTRONG Day

activities in their local communities in support of

people affected by cancer.

This got my attention so I went to their site and found that there is a lot going on on LiveStrong Day all around the country and there are many ways we can be involved. They suggest some, including blogging (which is kind of cool)!

Be a part of LIVESTRONG Day and raise awareness

about cancer survivorship issues by blogging against

cancer on Wednesday, May 17. By blogging on LIVESTRONG Day,

you will be a part of the united voice to speak out on behalf

of the needs and issues of cancer survivors across the country.

Whether you are an advocate in Washington D.C.,

hosting a LIVESTRONG Day event in your local community

or blogging about cancer – every action helps.

Wherever you are, you can do something and make

your voice heard on LIVESTRONG Day.

Why join in? To draw awareness and to support those living with cancer. I would venture to guess that cancer has touched all of our lives. Even if it isn't someone we know, it might be a friend of a friend, but if our friend is touched, so are we. Unfortunately, cancer is all around us.

Having known people who have battled cancer and won (yeah!) and people who fought bravely and lost blogging is my small part to help draw awareness to what they have gone through.

You, too, can join in. Wear Yellow on Wednesday or just visit the site to learn more. Tell a friend. Do a self exam! Join an event in your area. Whatever you choose to do, just pass along the word about cancer awareness. It's simple really. I just did in 10 minutes.

Just a healthy tidbit. Thanks for stopping by.

United Airlines - Customer Satisfaction is in the Little Details

United Airlines just made the lives of all its Mileage Plus members a little easier. When you go to their website to check on your miles you don't have to enter your Mileage Plus number - you just have to enter your email address. Ok, this tells me that you need to have signed up with them prior to this and be getting monthly statements via email, but this is a no-brainer anyway. They come to you, you don't have to go to them unless you want to.

So...no more fumbling for your number and having to input it when you'd like to view any of your Mileage Plus info - just type in your email and password and you are good to go. Something simple, but it means a lot in the craziness of our busy days.

Thanks, United.

Just a little tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Ask Tyler...

Tyler Hamilton was having some website issues, but he's back and better than ever. Not only has he done a new diary post, the first since the verdict in his case didn't go the way he thought, but he's added a new feature to the site, "Ask Tyler". It's not a blog, but you can send in questions and he'll answer them. He's answered some doozies so far. Good for him!

Just a cycling tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Blue Angels - Full Throttle over Atlanta

I've had a fascination with the Navy's Blue Angels since I was a kid. I've seen them numerous times and even had one of their posters in my room for years growing up. Each and every time I see them I'm in awe of the pilots' talent. They are, simply, amazing.

Today my dad forwarded this link to a video piece at the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Staffer Steve Beatty had the privilege to go 'full throttle' with Blue Angel Pilot Lt. Kevin Davis last week. Beatty was filmed the whole time and, to his credit, he shows the good parts and the not so good parts. There are 5 video clips you can choose from. I suggest skipping #2 since it is replayed in #3 with Steve's voice over when he returned to the ground and it's priceless.

Just a fast tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Biggest Little State in the Union

According to this CNN article, Rhode Island wants to become the first state to have a wireless broadband network. Who would have thought it would be Rhode Island? Very cool.

Just a little tidbit for today. Thanks for stopping by.

Hasbro Lets You Help Create New Monopoly

One of my all-time favorite board games is Hasbro's Monopoly. Turns out that they are revamping the traditional game; the new version will be available this fall. The best part? We - you, me, the guy next door - all get to choose the landmarks that go on the new game.

You can vote once a day from now until May 12th. Choose one of 22 cities and then one of 3 landmarks in that city. Here's the good part - you can vote, each day, on one landmark per city so you don't have to choose just one.

The total votes will decide where on the board the landmarks go. Whichever one gets the most votes will go where the rich, blue properties were. Currently, Times Square, New York City is winning with the most votes. Euclid Avenue in Cleveland has the least amount of votes.

It doesn't surprise me that Times Square is the leading vote getter. After all, this promotion is open to people all around the world. The landmark that gets the most votes will be something that everyone knows. Sure they know the White House, which is a choice in DC, but I would think Times Square is more universally known and, let's face it, probably holds more positive thoughts for people around the world right now.

I've placed three votes already for a landmark in Boston, Washington, DC and Nashville. I'll be back tomorrow to vote again. Hasbro even has a place were you can sign up to get the final results sent to you so you don't have to go back for them.

Go see if your city is listed, check out the landmarks, vote for your favorites and have a say in how this game is put together. It's fun!

Nicely done, Hasbro!

Just a tidbit from Park Place today. Thanks for stopping by.