WorkBar Boston

Today I'm writing in a shared work space in downtown Boston. The space - WorkBar Boston - is one of a few sites where the concept of co-working has taken hold. In fact, today is the monthly free co-working day at WorkBar and I decided to see what it was like to plant myself here for the day.

In deference to coffee shops and libraries - which offer similar amenities as WorkBar or the Digilounge at Tech Superpowers - the venues that have been set up with co-working in mind are much more valuable to the freelance or contract worker.

For instance, both WorkBar and Digilounge have plugs. Many cafes have begun covering their power outlets to limit the time people can squat in their space and nurse a cafe au lait. Let's go in to a list of how WorkBar is better than just camping at Panera or Starbucks...

Wifi at WorkBar - fast, free and did I say fast!
Coffee and other treats at WorkBar - plentiful, fresh and provided in a vast variety.
Manners at WorkBar - they're here. People are respectful of space, both physical and audio.

None of this is true at the local cafe. Wifi can be wonky at best and sometimes costs you money. Panera even shuts you off after 30-60 minutes during peak meal times...even if you've made a purchase.

Food at these other venues isn't free. That's understandable because these are stores have to make their money via sales. WorkBar and other co-working spaces charge a monthly or daily fee. At WorkBar it's a reasonable $20 a day and $150 per month.

Finally, you never know what you're going to run into at the local coffee shop. People are as likely to pour broccoli and cheddar soup on your head and equipment as they are to leave you alone and respect your space. At WorkBar, there are conference rooms (additional cost if you rent space daily, included with a monthly plan), and the staff monitors the behavior of participants to make sure nobody is stepping on other people's nerves.

All in all, if you need to move yourself away from the kids, pets and other distractions of your home office, WorkBar Boston seems like a simple and smart choice. In a day of pounding the keyboard here, I've gotten five blog posts done, a bunch of client work completed and am leaving with a smile on my face.

The only caveat is if you hate people or are unmotivated or easily distracted, this might not be a great solution for you. But then neither are coffee shops or other random spaces.

Where do you do your best work? Share in the comments.

Adobe Youth Voices - Youth Producing Change

Want to buy a child? Seriously. It will only cost you a bag of millet. Leila was sold...traded really. For a bag of food that would feed her family.

If you’re not interested in purchasing a child, what about children who work as many hours a day as they are old just to support their family.

Alcides parents—both parents—died of HIV/AIDS.

Are these tales put on the airwaves and television to tug at your heartstrings and empty your wallet? No. These are true stories put out by youth filmmakers to raise awareness.

As part of Adobe Youth Voices and the Youth Producing Change Event in Boston, ten young filmmakers were armed with digital cameras and their own creativity. They made films to expose human rights issues they faced or had seen in their community.

With issues ranging from child labor to police harassment, these films aired at Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts this past weekend as the showcase series featured in Human Rights Watch Film Festivals in London, New York and San Francisco.

Made possible by The Adobe Foundation, Youth Producing Change is part of Adobe Youth Voices and is “designed to provide youth in underserved communities with critical skills they need to become active and engaged members of their communities and the world at large.”

In just over three years, 20,000 children in 30 countries have taken part in the Adobe Youth Voices training programs to create media for social change.

What’s that mean? It means you learn a little bit about Human Rights Watch. You learn about The Adobe Foundation. And you learn firsthand what kids already know.

In films that explored these topics...

Clean water is a basic human necessity, yet corporations seeking profit are purchasing community water supplies around the world.

Shocked by the claim that more than half of all rapes happen to people under 18, young filmmakers searched for the roots of sexual violence and call for change.

Each night 1,600 teenagers in New York City find themselves homeless. Clemins and Jackie, two formerly homeless teens from New York City shared their stories of overcoming adversity and their work to create a community of support around teen homelessness.

Using new media tools, kids shared these videos and then the event was publicized via Twitter and Facebook. From what I read and learned about these kids, the only thing more powerful than their videos is their resolve to address human rights issues.

Michelle Mann, Executive Director of the Adobe Foundation, said, “By calling attention to human rights issues, these youth are inspiring audiences worldwide and demonstrating the power to express ideas, engage stakeholders and effect change through digital media.”

Anyone can do this stuff, but these kids are inspiring because they got out and explored the world around them, then they got in front of the camera to share their thoughts, their pain, their stories.

Pictures...especially moving pictures...are more moving when they engage and tell a story that matters. The films that aired this past Friday at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston did just that.

You can find out more a couple of ways. Give a click over to Facebook... http://www.facebook.com/adobeyouthvoices or jump on Twitter and follow @adobeyv to see what else is happening with Adobe Youth Voices.

You can see images and learn more about Human Rights Watch at http://www.hrw.org/iff.

GutenBlog.net

This post is being created over on GutenBlog and it's being ported to a number of my sites. The app has been created to give you one point of contact for your various online presences - saving time and effort when trying to get multiple postings up.

I'm just evaluating the Alpha right now and can't say it works yet because I'm just typing this in the dashboard and haven't hit send yet. I guess we'll all learn together how well it works in a minute when I publish it.

Shall we try?

PRESSING PUBLISH NOW!!!

*OK, not pressing it yet. Wanted to remind people - just in case this doesn't work - that I'm just a tester at this point and any concerns about Guten Blog should be sent to their staff.

**Also, on a totally separate note, if you're looking for a way to get your link out in the world of new media, Twitter, etc. Gimme a shout. As of November 1, 2009, my photo site - wwjce (what would Jeff Cutler eat?) has been accepting sponsorship. Few of my other sites do so, but wwjce is widely read and has achieved critical acclaim.

Posted with GutenBlog.net.

Boston Latino International Film Festival

I have been doing volunteer marketing for BLIFF. There had been a lot of buzz about a movie called The Devil's Tail, self-described by the filmmakers as the story of a man who abandons predictable life in Toronto, dashing off without a plan to find his best friend, a charming Texan ne’er-do-well, and plunged into a world far darker than the familiar tourist images of Cancun. I hadn't seen it, so I decided to attend Sunday's screening at Cambridge College.

The film blew me away. It was filmed beautifully, well-acted and the story had me on the edge of my seat for the whole 2 hours (literally, although with the folding chairs at the Cambridge College location, a little tighter editing would have improved the experience). The most interesting part of the evening for me was meeting the filmmakers in attendance: director Christoper Comrie, writer/actress Samantha Swan, and actor Arthur Pellman. When I found out from them that this entire film was made for about the cost of a well used car, it impressed me even more.

I attended the screening with 3 friends, and we spent the greater part of dinner afterward discussing the movie, its underlying meanings, our varied perspectives and impressions of the well-developed characters, and interpretations on the film's story.

As an amateur film buff, I've been really impressed by the quality of the films that have been screened at this festival. I'm not saying I've loved every one, but I don't like all the big box office hits either, its a matter of personal opinion. What I do love about them all though, is the chance to support these dedicated artists in telling their stories and pursuing their passions and dreams while making films.

The festival continues this weekend, December 11-13 at Cambridge College, and I will be there to check out a few more...I know its the holiday season and I have about 1,000 other things I need to get done, but this festival is only happening for a limited time - so I won't miss it!

Met Bar & Grill

Address: Legacy Place Plaza, Dedham, MA

Who Goes There: Local couples, teeny boppers & overall, people of a variety of ages

Special: Burger bar, custom made to order

Clearly the draw to this place was the burgers. The place is pretty spaced out so it never feels like you're cramped for room. The waitstaff is pretty good. We had a great waiter who was on his game. There are a few TVs for the sports fans and there's a relatively large bar space as well. Not the best date spot as it's really loud and there's no atmosphere.

Now let's get to the food and drink.

Knowing we were going to get burgers, we started things off with a 2006 Cabernet which was amazing. It was the perfect compliment to the burgers. The bread they give you at the beginning is really hard. Probably the hardest bread I've ever had. Definitely not their selling point.

Their burger bar is pretty extensive. They have pre-selected combinations varying from the all-American burger to a French style burger. Then it's the create your own where you can order pretty much anything your heart desires. I'm talking from a double Kobe burger with feta cheese, bacon, ranch dressing & Spanish onions to a simple salmon burger with horseradish sauce.

Food comes with lettuce, a tomato, a pickle and fries that aren't bad at all.

Overall, the meal was really good. I don't gjve ratings for restaurants but I will say that since this place is close to my house, I'll be there again soon!

Thomas Edwards is @URWingman on Twitter and can be reached via his Website.