Posts by SSW

For your daily dose of the communication cornucopia that is Twitter, check out Museum of Modern Tweets, a collection of the most noteworthy–and entertaining–140-character messages from your favorite celebrities.

The tagline, “Yeah, it’s still bad for you–but see how good it can look,” makes you want to dress up those Friday chicken fingers like the gourmand you are.

It’s no secret that all of us here at Brown love acronyms. S/NC, ISPs, GISPs, GlISPs, JWoWW…the list goes on and on.

But what happens when two different organizations use the same acronym? [Read more →]

Lunch: V-Dub. Nothing spectacular being offered anywhere. Though the Ratty’s pork cubes? Geometrically shaped meat doesn’t sound too appealing.

Dinner: Ratty. Pearl onions…sounds fancy!

Ever come up with a great idea for a Web site, get as far as one post, then forget about it? That’s what this site is.

Because most blogs are only good for about a week, anyway. We’re looking at you, FML.

Tonight marks the end of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. All eyes were on the Men’s Hockey Final game, which pinned the USA underdogs against the Canadian home team. The whole thing seemed reminiscent of another hockey battle 30 years ago, thought at least this Olympics’ possible “miracle” didn’t have any anti-communist undertones.

Canada quickly took the lead in the game, scoring twice in the first half. USA scored in the second half , bringing the score to 2-1, yet as the clock wound down it seemed like Canada had secured he goal. Alas, it was in the game’s final seconds that the US team evened up the score, bringing the game into a climactic overtime.

The highly anticipated match was, of course, displayed on the Ratty big screens, and you can guess who was checking out the score between card swipes. During overtime, the gold medal was anyones fair game, and Gail offered some encouraging words to Team USA.

As much as I love or northern neighbors, I hope the USA wins the gold medal. Even though our team is young, they’ve done well so far, and I believe they can do it.

Minutes later, the Canadians ended the overtime and took the gold, proving that Canada is better than America—at least as far hockey goes. Despite the defeat, Gail showed true American sportsmanship and had some kind words for Canada.

I guess if we had to lose to someone, I’m glad it was to them. USA still did an excellent job and I hope the show good sportsmanship. The Canadians are very good at hockey and have been a wonderful host country.

So that’s it for Vancouver 2010. The USA hockey team will have to wait another four years to battle for Olympic gold. You only have to wait till dinner to greet Gail!

— Ana Alvarez

Rhode Island education officials will announce the proposed details of  a school funding formula next week.  Rhode Island is the only state without a formula to distribute funds to schools districts. While the measure still needs to be passed in the General Assembly, it has widespread support among lawmakers.

Jobless benefits for thousands of Rhode Islanders will begin to phase out Monday due to Congress’ failure to pass an extension. Senator Jack Reed pledged to fight for continued benefits, which Rhode Island provides to approximately 39,000 people according to the Department of Labor and Training.

Outgoing Representative Patrick Kennedy roasted himself at the Providence Newspaper Guild Follies and offered 10 fictitious reasons for not seeking re-election.  Kennedy’s top reason: “It’s just so hard to maintain my sobriety around a party animal like Jack Reed.”

Former congressional candidate Angel Taveras announced that he’s running for Providence mayor yesterday. From a parking lot. Of a supermarket. That’s been abandoned. (Actually, he worked at the supermarket as a teenager living with his single mother in a low-income home, so the announcement’s location reflected the problems Providence residents face in this rough economy.)

Getting their names out there to every last citizen, some Rhode Island state congress members have sent their portraits to local libraries for display. We love that they see how important libraries are and appreciate the effort, nothing beats being implored to read by the greatest celebrity minds of our age, like Colin Farrell or the cast of Twilight. (Incidentally, the American Library Association has a page where you can make your own READ poster. Perfect for creeping out younger siblings!)

Rhode Island is going to fight hard to land Newport as the venue for 2013′s America’s Cup, a sailing competition (and the trophy named after it). The fact that Newport of all places isn’t already the permanent venue for the race until the end of time is… reasonable, but still a little bizarre. (Less flippantly, hosting the 2013 race could help out Rhode Island’s floundering economy. Even if it does mean more tourists.)

A visual cornucopia of cupcakes for every day of the week.  Almost as good as eating them.  Check out the chocolate peanut butter cupcakes above for a bite-sized taste.