Photo of the day – Speedy ride in Barbados

by Meg Nesterov on


Today’s Photo of the Day is called “Speedy”, taken in Bridgetown, Barbados by Flickr user EagleClaw. I can only assume he means the name to be ironic, as this is the most laid-back driver I’ve seen in awhile, and it looks to be anything but a speedy ride. Perhaps I’m too used to the mean streets of New York and Istanbul, where taxi drivers can and will mow you down if you aren’t careful when you cross the street. However, looking at this photo instantly relaxes me; even without seeing a beach or water, I’m suddenly on island time.

Have any photos of ultra-relaxed (or homicidal) taxi drivers from around the world? Add them to the Gadling Flickr pool and we may use it for a future Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day – New York City subway sign

by Alex Robertson Textor on

Today’s Photo of the Day is a neo-noir fragment of New York if there ever was one, a grainy, atmospheric shot of a New York City subway sign at the 3rd Avenue L station. It’s a starkly minimalist yet unmistakable image, part of a compelling 365 project by its photographer, jameskadamson.

Do you have an image of an urban fragment that unmistakably captures the essence of an urban center? Upload it to the Gadling group pool on Flickr. We might just choose it as a future Photo of the Day.

Coast to coast: Best hotels for Oscar viewing parties

by McLean Robbins on

Want to live it up like an A-lister? You don’t have to hit the red carpet in Los Angeles to make like the stars of The Social Network, The King’s Speech, True Grit or Black Swan. Hotel bars, particularly at luxe properties, have long been beloved by the see-and-be seen set. But if what you really want to see is the annual Oscars / Academy Awards … you’re in luck at these great Oscar viewing parties:

New York

Head to the W Hotel Union Square for Refinery 29’s Oscars bash. $40 admission nabs gourmet popcorn, an open bar, passed apps and Refinery editrixes moderating a style panel of Timo Weiland, Carol Han and designer Jonathan Simkhai, plus prize giveaways. Get your tickets here.

Washington DC

Get swanky just four blocks from The White House at The Jefferson hotel. For $95, you’ll snag admission to their Oscar party at Quill bar, where you’ll enjoy a private viewing area, glass of rose Champagne, a movie-inspired cocktail from their in-house mixologist, truffled popcorn, caviar tacos, foie gras bon bons, mini gold-plated chili cheese dogs and a copy of all recipes for the speciality cocktails served that evening. Snag tickets here.

[Flickr via Dave_B_]

Miami
74 degrees? We’ll take it. Lounge poolside at the chic South Beach hotspot The Delano, where they’ll be screening the Oscars broadcast by the pool.

Seattle
Don’t miss Hotel 1000’s charity bash. $75 gets you admission to the red carpet event, which offers a “paparazzi experience,” cocktail, drink tickets, apps and a swanky swag bag. You even get a chance to win prizes for being the best celebrity look-alike or having the hottest outfit.

Las Vegas
It’s Vegas. Who would expect anything less than an over-the-top event? Party at The Palms, where, for between $50 and $100, you’ll enjoy a celebrity red carpet, private screening of the Oscars broadcast, an after-party at The Playboy Club, and more. Shell out for the VIP tix and you’ll also enjoy VIP after-party access,the official 83rd Academy Awards Program, admission to the Celebrity VIP Reception in the Brendan Celebrity Suite with hosted bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and private balcony theater viewing of the ABC telecast. Buy tickets here.

San Francisco
Don’t miss the great views and private screening at the Intercontinental’s chic Top of the Mark restaurant. Nibble apps like Nob Hill Sliders and Shrimp Cocktail while you fill out your ballots. Choose right, and you’ll be entered to win a luxe gift bag filled with a gift card for brunch for two, complimentary cocktails for two, a limited edition Evian water bottle made by Issey Miyake, and Ghiradelli chocolates. The event is free, but reservations are suggested.

Los Angeles
Would you expect anything less than black tie for this star-studded city? Of course not. Join The Beverly Hills hotel for a swank bash. Tickets are a pricey $1,000, but we’ve heard rumors that actual celebrities may attend.

The Bahamas
Who says it’s just adults that can have fun? Atlantis is offering an exclusive party in their new CRUSH teens club, where atendees can compete for best-dressed prizes, sip Oscar-themed mocktails and enjoy screenings of Twilight and The Social Network.

Free condoms in New York City? Safe sex is only an app away, so tap that app today!

by Sean McLachlan on

The New York City Health Department is serious about safe sex. So serious, in fact, that it gives away a staggering three million free condoms every month. Now they want to make sure everyone knows where to find these little packets of joy. They’ve come out with an app for the iPhone and Android phones that shows you exactly where the five closest distribution points are. And with more than a thousand locations all over the city, you won’t have to go far to ensure a lower risk of pregnancy and STDs.

The NYC Condom Finder not only tells you where the distributions points are, but also their hours of operation, and what other safe sex products are available there. To get it, users of Android or Apple mobile phones should search for “NYC Condom” in the Android Market or the iPhone App Store.

Despite the title of this post, safe sex is serious business. HIV is still a deadly problem, as are numerous other STDs. Consistent use of a condom seriously reduces the risk of catching these infections.

New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas Farley says, “Using a condom every time you have sex protects you and your partner from contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Condoms also prevent unintended pregnancy.“

Well said, Dr. Farley. So if you’re going to play, please play carefully.

Name a cockroach after your lover: Valentine’s Day at the Bronx Zoo

by Sean McLachlan on

The Bronx Zoo has come up with a good way to show that special someone you care–name a giant cockroach after them.

The BBC reports that for ten bucks you can buy the rights to one of the zoo’s 58,000 giant Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches and name it after that special someone who bugs you more than anybody else. The zoo says they sold 1,000 dedications in the first day of the promotion. Perhaps their tagline helped: “Flowers wilt. Chocolates melt. Roaches are forever.”

Indeed they are. They’ve been around since before the dinosaurs and they’ll probably be around after we’re long gone. The Bronx Zoo has some interesting facts about the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, like that they can grow to three inches long and the hiss they make can be as loud as a lawnmower.

They’re nutritious too. Check out our 8 bug-eating videos including two on eating cockroachs. Also check out the far less disgusting but much more educational the video below.

[Photo courtesy user Husond via Wikimedia Commons]