Walking in a Techie Wonderland

Newly renovated Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a geek's paradise
By Nicole Caldwell

They say New York City has the most of everything; but there still aren’t a whole lot of places where you can practice open-heart surgery, program a robot, research nanotechnology, and animate cartoons under the same roof.

Or, there wasn’t—until the Sony Wonder Technology Lab (SWTL) parked its headquarters at 550 Madison Ave. in 1994. Since then, the interactive, totally free learning center has continued to grow and change to appeal to an ever-shifting market of 8- to 14-year-olds (literally and at heart) with a soft spot for technology.

“Our most popular new exhibits are our Robot Zone, where visitors can learn the basic elements of programming a robot,” said Lisa Davis, senior director of communications and public affairs with Sony Corporation of America, “and our Dance Motion Capture experience, where visitors can see their very own dance moves performed by a Sony-animated character in real-time through the use of markerless, motion-capture technology.”

The lab underwent a year-long renovation, completed this summer, which brought 14 additional interactive exhibits to the facility’s already-daunting repertoire. The construction added two floors, 6,200 square feet, and a host of new experiments and exhibits to tinker with. All renovations were made with green technology in mind; as Sony is now pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for its building.

“The multi-million dollar investment we’ve made in this facility reflects Sony’s ongoing commitment to education and the communities we serve,” Sony’s CEO, president, and chairman Sir Howard Stringer said in a prepared statement. “The Sony Wonder Technology Lab is a manifestation of ‘Sony United’ in every sense. Bringing our content and technology together in this educational environment has enabled us to create a compelling and engaging experience for visitors of all ages.”

More than 200,000 people pay a visit to SWTL annually. With no price tag to stop in, the lab is a perfect destination for a few minutes before or after the musical you’re in Times Square to see; or a several-hour exploratory adventure for you and your kids.

“My personal favorite installation is our Animation Studio,” Davis said, “which allows visitors to explore basic animation techniques, create and animate a character, or design a computer-generated environment. I think the best part about the lab is that it’s free! It is Sony’s way of giving back to the City of New York.”

The Sony Wonder Technology Lab, located at 550 Madison Ave. at 56th Street, is free and open to the public 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, and 12-5 p.m. Sundays. For more information, visit www.sonywondertechlab.com.

[Originally published in Times Square Chronicle]

Office Yoga: De-stress at your desk

Sitting—whether at work, home, a ballgame, the park, subway, or car—is wreaking havoc on your body.

Sitting still slows your circulatory system by pooling blood in your legs and feet; increases pressure on the springy part of your spine that absorbs shock; and slows your metabolism. That, along with ergonomic problems associated with staring at a computer screen for long hours and typing on a keyboard all day, and it becomes clear: A sedentary lifestyle is bad for your health.

A regular massage schedule can help ward off short- and long-term effects of cubicle life. But to give you an extra edge, we tracked down two yoga experts for some easy moves you can do while sitting in your chair.

Read the rest of this article here.

[Originally published on Massage Williamsburg's blog.]

A Massage A Day: The benefits of scheduling regular rub-downs

You can stop thinking of that once-a-year trip to the spa as a luxury—experts agree getting massages as often as once a week can be beneficial to your health.

The Touch Research Institute in Miami, the first facility to scientifically study the effects of massage, definitively found massage reduces the stress-associated hormone cortisol in the body; increases serotonin, heals pain (including that from childbirth, chronic fatigue, and burns), and improves flexibility and circulation.

Keep up that sort of treatment on a weekly, monthly, or even a several-times-a-year basis, and you’re looking at improved overall mental and physical health.

Read the rest of this blog here.

[Originally published on Massage Williamsburg's blog.]

Wonderful Water: Are you getting enough?

Drinking water after a massage is a great way to increase the benefits of your treatment after you’ve left the table. You may be thinking: What’s so important about having extra water on a day you’ve done little more than lay still and relax?

You may be surprised to know that a massage has a similar physiological effect on our circulatory system as exercise. The act of kneading a person’s musculature releases water, metabolic toxins, lactic acids, and electrolytes—all of which can be dehydrating. Keeping hydrated on a daily basis, as well as before a massage will make your muscles more pliable, allowing your therapist to give you greater results. And drinking a glass or 2 of water after a massage will help your body sweep out the metabolic toxins you’ve released. Both Deep Tissue Massage and Swedish Massage increase circulation, which helps send nutrients as well as toxins out of your muscles and into your bloodstream.

A simple rule of thumb is to hydrate yourself in the hours leading up to and following a massage, even if you don’t feel thirsty. You’ll get more mileage out of the massage itself, and feel deeper, longer-lasting results. Your body will thank you!

[Originally published on Massage Williamsburg's blog]

The Best Sex Shops in New York City

By Nicole Caldwell

Babeland

This bicoastal chain has made masturbation and prop-aided sex mainstream, with workshops, classes and even a monthly “Babeland Brunch,” featuring free coffee, muffins and sex talk. Babeland’s brightly lit Brooklyn location includes a diaper-changing table and aisles wide enough for strollers. For prudes still shy in spite of the store’s überfriendly staff and mid- to upper-class clientele, it offers private shopping by appointment—or delivery within three hours for $30. 94 Rivington St at Ludlow St (212-375-1701, babeland.com) • 43 Mercer St between Broome and Grand Sts (212-966-2120) • 462 Bergen St between Flatbush and Fifth Aves, Park Slope, Brooklyn (718-638-3820)

DeMask
This boutique caters to rubber fetishists, dominatrices and anyone who loves to get all tied up. Headquartered in Amsterdam, The 1,300-square-foot Manhattan branch of this Amsterdam-based company is a cornucopia of impeccably constructed rubber lingerie, bodysuits, pants, collars, whips, masks—even leather-suspension body bags. Such high quality doesn’t come cheap, though: A standard rubber harness with external dildo starts at $185. Expect an intimidating atmosphere if you’re uninitiated, and heaven on earth if you are. 144 Orchard St at Rivington St (212-466-0814, demask.com)

Read the rest of this article here.

(Originally published in Time Out New York, June 29, 2009)

Spotlight On... Solar One

By Nicole Caldwell

Stuyvesant Cove Park is a green space resting atop 1.9 acres of Manhattan waterfront that once held a concrete factory. The native plants and grasses stretching lazily along the East River at 23rd Street attract and sustain native bird species and butterflies; and offer a fitting backdrop to New York City’s most cutting-edge green space: Solar One.

The building—and park—is maintained by a nonprofit of the same name striving simply to “empower people of all ages with the vision, knowledge, and resources to attain a more environmentally sound and sustainable future.” It’s a microcosm for what Solar One’s next big project, Solar Two, could be for all of New York City when it’s constructed on the same space and becomes the first self-standing, carbon-neutral, net-zero energy structure in the five boroughs.

Read the rest of this post here.

[Originally published in Green Edge NYC's The Leaflet, July 2009 issue]

Airborne

Just because Coney Island’s Parachute Jump has been “under construction” for years, and it’s illegal to bungee jump off New York City’s bridges, doesn’t mean you can’t get airborne in and around the five boroughs. Oh no, no no. If a hot air balloon ride isn’t enough to get your heart pumping, maybe it’s time to go a little more extreme.

Air traffic laws (and common sense) prevent you from hang-gliding through Midtown; but there are plenty of other thrilling options. Within one hour of Manhattan in most directions you can find tons of great adventures (some of which provide excellent New York City views).

Read the rest of this article here.
[Originally published on Examiner.com]

The Five Boroughs: a paddler's paradise

It’s easy to forget that Manhattan is an island.

Strolling through Times Square doesn’t invoke too much beach-community sensibility, but with spring comes an onslaught of waterway activity rivaling that of any vacation town. And one of the best offerings of the five boroughs comes cheap and accessible: paddling.

Manhattan is situated amidst one of the most complicated, intricate series of waterways of any international city. Canoes and kayaks are great modes of transport for seeing the city in a whole new light and exploring nooks and crannies you never knew this place had. Start with a lesson, and end with the 31-mile route around Manhattan: Everything you need is right here. So take your pick: The Atlantic Ocean, Hudson, East and Harlem rivers, Gowanus Canal, Newtown Creek, Long Island Sound, and Hells Gate narrows each has something special to offer.

Read the rest of this article here.
[Originally posted at Examiner.com]

Flipping Out: Unleash your inner carny all over the Big Apple

Spring was made for clowning around. And for you adventurous New York City souls, that activity doesn’t have to be limited to late nights slumped over the bar of your local watering hole. Follow this simple guide for some adventurous pursuits guaranteed to flip you out.

Aerial Open Workout: The House of Yes’ Sky Box in Williamsburg opens it doors every Monday night for an Aerial Open Workout, billed as “29 feet of vertical fun.” For $15, you can use their silks, lyras, and trapezes, or rig your own. They’ve also got classes on hula-hooping, ballet, and yoga.

8-10 p.m. Mondays; $15. Sky Box: 342 Maujer St., Brooklyn NY. Directions: L train to Grand Street. Contact: skybox.info@gmail.com or (585) 507-1770

Read the rest of this article here.
[Originally posted at Examiner.com]

The Fire Swamp

According to the psychology community, part of getting through the fog of a terrible loss involves understanding that it won’t hurt in this way forever; and to allow the current, searing pain in for a good old-fashioned pow-wow. So, ever the dutiful student, I invited mine inside. I washed its feet. I put on some water for tea. Then I gave my pain a house tour.

My pain was impressed with what I’d done with the place.

All the death and curled leaves and hard ground of winter are (very) slowly giving way to possibility: new directions, trees in bloom, and a soft earth ripe for planting and tilling. But the persisting murk is real; the fog tangible. It’s a metaphorical fire swamp over here (am on 24-hour R.O.U.S. watch). I’m waiting for spring to throw me a Hail Mary pass. I promise to catch it.

[There is so much more that is needed besides a rendezvous scheduled under a pretense of sworn springlike improvements.]

When the teapot began its whistling, my pain and I ditched the house tour and pulled up some chairs. Sipping tea from cracked clay mugs, I dug in.

“We—all of us—pick and choose the traits to emphasize in those around us,” I said, “and reject the parts too difficult to handle. ‘He’s not usually like that,’ we say by way of excuse; ‘hers is the curse of Jekyll and Hyde.’ But it’s the duality that actually defines us. We are all all of our parts.”

My pain looked up over the mug at me.

“It’s important not to overlook that compartmentalization when you’re thinking of redefining, regrouping, reconnecting, reconnoitering, rejecting, or replenishing,” I continued. "We don't get to pick and choose which traits in a person are more 'real.'"

“What about memorializing someone after death?” Pain asked.
"It's especially true then!" I answered. "There, we bask the ones we miss in an angelic glow. We see no wrong. But that too is a disservice—we take away one's humanness by ignoring all the parts that make him or her whole."

Worn out by all these ideas, Pain stood and walked from the room. Seems I'm left with just me to heal.

And so I decided, as Pain curled up in my brain's guest room for a nice long mid-afternoon nap, that I am going to take all these ghosts of mine and figure out some way to make them dance.