Over/Under Rated: The Microsoft Surface

The value of this post is completely based on audience participation- please get involved :)

I'm pretty sure 90% of AMDAL rides the Apple train, but aside from my shuffle, PCs still have my heart and, in turn, my wallet. My PC life has yet to fail me*, but I've been a little ashamed of my PC love until recently. I demoed the touch screen computer's older, roid-ed out big brother: the Microsoft Surface and I'm feeling pretty okay about it now.

Why post about it? After the feedback on the iPad, it dawned on me that some of you might have seen, heard about or demoed a Surface & I can use your brilliance to help me decide if I/we (my Hospital, not AMDAL... yet) should buy a bunch of these for the Pediatric Emergency Departments' waiting rooms as our first "go" at implementing these into the patient experience. I am totally amped up about having little buggers be able to entertain themselves with these while their parental unit(s) is pre-occupied tending to their sibling.

My top 2 O/U points for your input after the jump- please send yours on over, comments are greatly appreciated!

*PC fail: The evil blue screen of death in 2003 that ate my senior thesis paper will never be forgotten



OverRated:-
1) The Surface's surface is not exactly Teflon tough. We would purchase the insurance so that we can have the top protective layer replaced as often as needed. I loved that it was very sensitive to every movement, but I wonder how long this will last with rug-rats banging on them and getting their grubby little cookie monster hands all over it. Thoughts?

2) Lack of software- there are no children-based education software programs developed yet. What do y'all think the time table on this is/ do you have any good company names you can send me that I can inquire about building something? We use Kidzpace products now & they go over well with parents, kids, child life specialists, etc. There are plenty of things for kids do do on the Surface (paint, card games, move pictures, write/type, etc) but nothing specifically built for the Surface yet.

UnderRated:
1) User interaction- They are just awesome! I don't know who has gotten to use these yet, but if you can do it immediately. The practicality of them for other areas of the Hospital is endless, but we also like to show everyone who visits that we're not just life savers- we're hip and technologically advanced too :) I demoed it for patient evaluations & consults- viewing 3D imaging results, pulling up records, and linking physical objects on the surface to the data stored inside [a la laying my ID on it to log in or placing a heart valve pump on the Surface & it would place it into the anatomical image of a heart on the screen. Everyone who has touched one is excited about the opportunities to improve the patient experience, especially in terms of understanding procedures before they have them, as well as post-surgical compliance & care.

2) Bang for your Buck- for $20,000 each (table, insurance plan, installation, etc), it's pretty cheap for all that it does and eventually will be able to do once there is software built. But, in the same light- does anyone think that these will go down in price within the next year like everything seems to with technology or is it going to stay pretty standardized for a bit until they can get into more markets/need to produce them at high quantities?


Thanks AMDAL tech support!

Over/Under Rated: Top Ski Resorts

It's freakin' freezing out and you know what that means: it's time to bundle up and hit the slopes! While I leave most of the snow-based sports to my brother* (front & center above), even my sun-lovin, beach-bum self enjoys a day of skiing.

Plus ARod loves to ski... and if ARod loves something, well, so do I.

Ski Magazine has done all the dirty work for me. Wahoo! Click the different categories on the bottom of the wheel and you'll see the different ratings change. Pretty nifty, huh?

Looking forward to everyone's reactions on how far off the reviews are- I expect some heavy commentary regarding the in's and out's of everyone's favorite slopes.

xo- AOG

*photo montage of my favorite skiing moments re: my brother after the jump and some inspiration for fun (stupid boy moments included) this winter!


ABasin Beach Day & Keg-Jumping

How it can go right....


or terribly wrong...





Annnd some sweet shots from ski trips- Enjoy!

Over/Under Rated: Activities for Chilly Weather

Ahhhh yes, nothing is better then an early morning run in Central Park to start the day off right! Lately it has been exceptionally beautiful in the morning: a rising sun, slight breeze rustling the trees' leaves that are changing colors and the air is crisp and clean. I thought I'd take a photo to share with y'all as the background for this post's inspiration... I know it's a little blurry but then again it's hard to take any photo with such blazing fast speed.

As I made the Harlem Hill turn and back down the east side, I kept thinking about all the wonderful things there are to love about the changing seasons, regardless of what city you live in. Growing up in the warmer portion of Florida, I only had a couple weeks of fall & winter. I never really had those Northern experiences and traditions that I began to love after an adolescence full of sunshine, citrus and winter lows in the 50's. Among my favorites are: turning over my closet from summer to winter clothes, guys strutting their stuff in those "dude, it's not a blazer" peacoats, snuggly down comforters and fuzzy blankets, and of course, the return of the pumpkin spiced latte at Starbucks & hot apple cider at the Greenmarkets.

For the NYC crew, a little insight on a few of my other favorite cold weather activities and I'm sure the same types of activities exist in any city that an AMDAL reader might live. So, get up and get going- wrap a scarf around your neck, pack a flask of Makers to keep you toasty as you travel and head on out to these fantastic little NYC gems that hopefully will remind you that life in the city can be just as delightful as you remembered where you were a kid (well, sans the Makers for some of y'all)



Pumpkin Picking!



What feels more like fall then picking out your own gourd-like squash?

Overrated: Whole Foods or other grocery stores. While I generally love them for all they give us in means of tasty treats and cooking supplies, buying your pumpkin from a store just doesn't have the same appeal as finding "the" pumpkin by yourself in a big patch of orange and outdoors.

Underrated: There are two full-on pumpkin patches within easy reach by NYC public transportation that you can get to on a sunny weekend day. Richmond Town, in Staten Island (...stop the "ew SI?!" eye rolling now...) is a great day trip- Take the Staten Island Ferry overlooking the Statue of Liberty and hop on a quick 30 minute S74 bus trip to get to the Decker Farm and pick some pumpkins all your own. Or head to Queens, for the aptly named Queens Farm where you can pick your own pumpkin, take a hay ride, feed farm animals and - you lucky ducks you- run through a corn maze! Take the E or F train to Kew Gardens/ Union Turnpike Station and use that Google Maps App to get you to the pumpkin land.

CCL: Perhaps a tasty recipe for the kiddies on how to toast up their pumpkin's seeds for a healthy and hearty snack? Pumpkin Soups? Pumpkin Bread? and the best thing of all time: Pumpkin Pie!?


Go Ice Skating!



The Cutting Edge, Blades of Glory, Ice Princess or the Mighty Ducks- every one of these moves probably made you want to hit the ice ASAP. Most outdoor rinks opened Nov. 1- what are you waiting for?

Overrated: While everyone should hit up Wollman Rink in Central Park or the Rock Center rink, be prepared for outrageous lines, high costs and short skating times, as well as a million kiddos to dodge left, right and out from underneath you.

Underrated: Stay within the "proper" part of NYC by hitting up the free (yes free) skating at CitiRink in Bryant Park (top it off with a yummy meal at Koi or Bryant Park Grill before or after your skate). I walked by the other day and it looks like they are ready for the skating season.

If you are feeling adventurous, head uptown to 138th Street & Riverside Drive for a skate overlooking the Hudson. $5 gives you a whole day of fun, and there are other sports options while you're there: indoor 25-yard pool, paddle/hand ball courts, tennis, softball, an 8 lane track surrounding a huge football/soccer field and basketball courts. You can also hit up Lasker Rink on the northern side of the park- although it's owned by Trump & Co. like Wollman Rink, it usually is far less crowded and often a club hockey game or two happens on the adjacent rink so you can catch that as well. Oh- and the liquor store at Malcolm X & 110th Street has a very friendly crew working behind the bullet proof glass, eager to help give you inspiration for the triple sow cow.

Ride a Horse!



You might not look as cool as the knights at Medieval times, but you'll have a good time making friends with an equine near you.

Overrated: Central Park's equestrian trails were closed down for a bit and despite the protest 53rd Street stables were closed for public use (notch a win for PETA or some other animal right's group), but I recently encountered some rogue riders. You can check out a horse from Riverdale Equestrian Club for about $100/hour take a guided ride of Central Park. Their main facility is at 245th & Riverside Drive, but they'll meet you in the park.

Underrated: Get out of NYC proper and get a deal on some pony time. At the Bronx Equestrian Center at the sale price of $35-45 an hour, you can explore Pelham Bay Park on a trail ride. Private lessons and group rides are available, but you must be at least 4 1/2 feet tall... Any AMDALers not legal? take the Green/6 to Pelham Bay Park stop and walk east on Shore road to get there (you can hop on the Bx29 also).

For $45-60 and a slightly easier trip by public transportation (F to Fort Hamilton Parkwaystop in Brooklyn), you can visit the Kensington Stables and ride through Prospect Park atop a hairy new friend. There is a lot to love about Prospect Park, including great street vendors & tasty treats, making that trip to Brooklyn a little bit more enticing.

Hopefully these 3 things can keep you busy until after Thanksgiving. Enjoy the outdoors before it gets too cold and don't forget to comment and add your favorite chilly weather actives to share with AMDALers near you.

xo- AOG

Over/Under Rated: Say It Like a Rapper

We all have been in a situation where you needed to tell someone something, but not sure of the way to say it. Or how. Or when. Or why. Oh the dilemmas!

In the great scheme of life- coming clean isn't easy, but doing it early always saves face down the road. I can think of about a million overrated ways to tell someone x, y or z, but it never comes across the way I wanted it to or leaves the recipient smiling afterward. I'll spare everyone the long list of overrated ways- just think of all the times your message didn't come across as you wanted it to.*

Along came Ellen and her idea to say "those things" using a voice altering mic, and I think she has tapped into the most underrated way to say just about anything*. Awesome, I want one of these asap. I know if we could get TPain and MLR together for a session, one sick JOTW would evolve.



Was anyone else surprised that TPain had those moves?!!?

Oh yeah, and he made sure that when someone said "yo! that was tight!", you can turn to them and say "word- there's an app for that."

Happy rapping, AMDAL iPhone carriers!

*clarification/edits added to help clear up the O/U rated aspect of this post.

Over/Under Rated: Buying Tickets Online

Now that we're all college football fans (riiiight?), I know you're dying to hit up a game in a city near you. But what's this? There are no tickets available through the school's website or in their box office? Whatever will you do?!?!?!

Enter this week's over/underrated of the week: Buying Tickets Online



Even if you have no desire to go to a Gator game (shame on you), you certainly should have something you want to go see, live and in person. Musicians, plays and sports of all kinds - if there is a ticket for it, chances are someone will buy up a block of them in hopes of scalping them and making a few bucks.

Overrated: Ticketmaster.com

I hate you, Ticketmaster. More then I did before. You have made buying tickets for things just irritating, because well, you are the the bouncer to fun. And you're kinda a bully too.

Last time I purchased tickets from them, not only did they charge a crapload for not so great seats at a concert that I just happened to have paid 1/3 as much at the venue box office the year before (literally same show at the same place), but there was a $7.50 "processing fee" for each ticket. This was followed by an additional shipping charge of about $5 to get actual, physical tickets. And then to have confirmation of my purchase emailed to me, it was another $2.50.

Grrr. I wish you had more competition!!!!


Mid-rated: StubHub.com

Sure, it's great because you can look quickly at the listing, roll over the stadium/arena and see where your seats are and it's color coded. But people list tickets on here at any price they want, not necessarily the face value or a fair market value. If the event is in demand, don't expect to get a good deal. The mark up is usually 2-3x the face value, sometimes more.

Underrated: SeatGeek.com

Like the farecast.com of airline tickets, SeatGeek helps you make a decision on purchasing tickets for an event. You can buy now, check out forecasts on how the ticket prices might fluctuate and also set up handy-dandy email alerts to let you know when tickets hit the price you're looking for (or are not willing to pay) so you can quit waiting and start buying.

Very cool and very useful. For all the iPhone nerds out there, I'm sure there will be an app for it soon enough. They just launched, so expect them to keep adding sports, different teams and other goodies to their forecasts.

Happy Concert/Game attending!

Over/Under Rated: Street Smarts v Book Smarts

I had originally intended to put up a post about what a dbag Chris Brown is, then I realized there wouldn't be any fun in that b/c it might be something all of us can agree upon. The skinny on that post: He's on Larry King Live tonight, 9 pm, trying to make nice with the world about beating Rihanna down... there just isn't much to say about the interview other then someone needs to beat him down and "not remember" doing it. He then put out a statement yesterday (after watching the interview himself) stating that "of course he remembers it" but that what he meant is that it wasn't him and it's all still a blur for him. Lesson learned: When in a fit of violent rage, a defense of crying to your Mama and "not remembering" or claiming it wasn't "you" that beat the crap out of someone will get you time gardening and painting in Virginia. Chris Brown is the worst person ever- morals and, petty but true, in terms of fashion sense (fashion people- back me up, the outfit was HORRIBLE).

Enough Pop Culture blah-blah-blah! Onto the Under/Over Rated column of the week!

In an effort to wrangle in my random thoughts and posts, I am committing to you, our beloved people of AMDAL, one Over/Under Rated each week from here on out. Hopefully with a topic we can all weigh in on, getting us to the real fun of AMDAL: the comments on each post!

We each try to out-wit and out-smart other people on here- it doesn't matter if you're a democrat or republican, conservative or liberal, a law student or free-spirited hiker of the Appalachian Mountains. Each of us is trying to one-up the last person and prove a point: Darn it- I'm smart and I'm right!!! I xo the comments. They go until one side concedes (such as tsunamis are not caused or able to be altered by our efforts... conclusion: that ad = bad idea) or everyone is sick of the back and forth (a la "more___, less ___!"). AMDAL's fun because we each get really fired up and then are easily distracted by shiny new posts.

My friend's gchat message sparked today's O/U debate:
"When someone says to me, "I may not be book smart but I'm street smart!" I think, "no... you're just not smart."

(hat tip: Rishi, although it does sound like a Random Thought, doesn't it?)

Book Smarts vs Street Smarts- which is better?


Book Smarts
Overrated: Being just smart certainly won't get you laid, as is evident by the constant complaints of lack of booty Scos got from the Dartmouth girls while in college. If life was just about brains, it'd be kinda boring. We all know plenty of super smart people, and they're all a little bit socially awkward. You have to lift your nose out of the books every now and then and get some other types of education.

Underrated: Honesty check: nerds don't get much credit in society, even though they are responsible for 99.99% of the awesome stuff and more so, the essential stuff that keeps us going (sup electricity, internet, blackberry, iPhone, blogger.com et al). Nerds don't get the girls, the quarterback or the respect they deserve. This is why the Intel commercial on TV right now is one of my absolute favorites- it puts a great perspective on our culture and those we idolize.



Street Smarts
Overrated: Meatheads and sassy girls- enough said. Nothing is more annoying then someone says, "Yeah well, well, that's not how I do it!" and you watch them clumsily type their way through an excel sheet for 2 days when they could have made a pivot table and gotten the answers in 5 minutes. (totally nerdy example, right?) Even when you think you know what's best, there is usually a smarter or easier way to get the end result.

Underrated: A lot of the most successful people in the world seem really f-ing cool. Why is that? Because they make a boatload of money and they got where they are today by taking the non-traditional route, and when they have their boatloads of money they know how to spend it - with their friends who didn't diss them for biochemistry lab or that extra degree.

The winner?
Street Smaaaaahts. Why? Because it feels so good when the underdog wins. We all remember the movie Good Will Hunting where the book smarts took on the street smarts, in a Harvard bar.

America has some problems...

Okay, let's make that a lot of problems, many of which we've gotten into on AMDAL.

One of America's annoying habits has finally gotten on my last nerves: We over publicize EVERYTHING and most of the time it's really not that awesome. Just because it gets press, doesn't mean it's worth your time. And just because it costs more usually does not make it better.

I think it's time AMDAL starts an Over/Under-rated column to help with this. Kinda like a good movie/better movie, but with real places, people and things to do... and worse graphics/photos in the header. I promise to work on this and/or consult Block for help.

Today's agenda: NYC and all the tourists who are in town right now. I don't understand why these people spend money to come here and then do the same stuff anyone and everyone who has been there before has already done. Where's the excitement in that? Normally, I don't care because it means they won't be where I like to go but I have another round of friends coming to visit and they wanted to know what they should do while they're here. It's been roughly 6 years of friends visiting me and no matter who it is, where they're from or how many years have gone by, they all ask me about the same dumb, non-awesome NYC things to do while they're here.

Here, my friends and foes, is a little NYC cheat-sheet for the next time you're in town. Such topics as Food, Weekend Day-Date, Waterworks, "landmark hotels" and theater... I encourage everyone to enter their suggestions into the comments section as well. Together, we will not let people go to packed, overpriced places that are not awesome!!!


Food: You're hungry, there are 20 restaurants on every block and you're feeling overwhelmed. Don't panic or let your blood sugar dip too low.

Overrated: Any name that you recognize. For the money, no matter how little you want to spend, you can find somewhere much, much better then any chain restaurant. Example #1: The Riese Organization who will be putting in TGIF at 34 Union Square WITH a Tim Horton's. WHY!?!? Because they can. Feeling hopefull, I thought that maybe they'd try to be less "chain" and take advantage of the NYU/ hipster feel of their newest opening spot in using the farmer's market goodies, local wines & beers, no "pieces of flair" and so on. But no, "we're not that type of restaurant" says Mr. Riese.

Underrated: This is a tough one because there is SO much amazing food in NYC, I don't even know where to begin. Here is a cheat sheet to get you started: cheap cuban- once only on Wall St., now all over NYC , amazing live music & best mojitos, italian on the UWS, italian on the UES, Greek yummy-opolus, best sushi in town- SoHo location is the o.g., oysters, the best MSG soaked Chinatown noodles, best deli/ ruben, burgers = pure bliss , NYC's best pizza, for real. Need more? Just comment with what you want and I'll give you some suggestions - I think I've spent approximately 1/4 of my time in NYC eating, from absolute dives to places it's impossible to get a table at. And yes, Per Se is worth the money- it is a culinary delight.


Weekend Day-Date: You finally nailed that hot honey one drunken night, and it turns out she's not your normal bat-sh!t crazy girl. The only problem now is that she wants to hang out... in daylight. Crap.

Overrated: Hanging out in Central Park with friends. While it is something you should do in the summer, it's just gotten out of control lately and the hooligan teenagers who roam sheeps meadow have taken some of the fun out of it.

Underrated: Picnic at the Cloisters. Incredible views of the Hudson, totally romantic, educational and more then that- you put in the unexpected effort which is sure to impress. It's fairly cheap too- $10 roundtrip via the A-train and whatever you spend on grub & wine, but don't be a dbag- pay the full $20/person suggested donation to get in.


Waterworks: Looking for a view of NYC not in a cab?

Overrated: Booze cruises. For $50-100/head, you can do more with your time and money without having to be stuck with hundreds of people you don't want to know. NY Water Taxi is a quick way to get from Wall Street to Grimaldi's in Brooklyn without walking the bridge, but even that has gotten pricey, not so frequent and isn't worth the long line to eat the second best pizza in NYC.

Underrated: Staten Island Ferry. For starters, it's free. No you did not hallucinate- it's free. It has the best view of the Statue of Liberty and at sunset it truly is unbelievable. They serve beer & snacks onboard, making this jaunt back and forth easy and fun. Just don't get off and stay in SI.


"Landmark" Hotels: Every hotel has its perks.

Overrated: The Plaza, the Pierre, the Ritz, Waldorf:Astoria. Don't get me wrong, they're all gorgeous, have really comfortable ammenities and everyone should go to a black tie event at each of them at least once in their lives but they're kinda stuffy and over priced, even by NYC standards.

Underrated: As if the sweeping views and being smack-dab in the "hot" part of NYC lounge-ville weren't enough, The Standard Hotel, located on the new highline, asks their patrons to do make themselves at home when they're staying there. Little things liiiiike do the deed up against the huge glass windows or shoot a porno to name a few. Expect to see things go from this, to this and eventually something like this when walking nearby. I know where to find Scos "studying" from here on out.

Theater: In need of culture and not sure what to do? Hit up a show- it's a good way to spend an evening entertained and with a ticket stub to keep as a momento of your trip to NYC. Usually the mezz seats offer just a good a view as the orchestra for half the price- the theaters are small here b/c they're old.

Overrated: Well, I feel bad dissing on any Broadway shows because they're struggling right now. However, if you're going to fork over the $100/person to go see a show, make sure it's better then Legally Blonde, BlueMan Group or Shrek.

Underrated: If you hurry, Avenue Q is doing it's last few shows until Sept. 13th. Muppets singing such classics as "The Internet's for Porn," "If You Were Gay" "It Sucks to Be Me" and the catchy "Everyone's A Little Bit Racist" will have you laughing out lound and feeling really uncomfortable at times. It's like AMDAL set to music really. In the Heights is the new Stomp and/or Rent, with an equally incredible cast and a phenominal story.

Alright! Enough about NYC!!! Geeze, it's like the city thinks it's the center of the world or something... Oh wait- one more thing: if you want to remind yourself why each area of NYC has it's own stereotypes, go to the LES after 10 pm and stand on the corner Rivington and Essex. Not only will you feel oddly old and out of place compared to everyone walking around, but you might find this awesome guy.*

*It was just too great of a photo not to use.