“You can’t stop the signal, Mal.” Truer words have never been spoken because almost every show has some diehard fans, but there are very few shows that have the cult-like following of Firefly. In fact, Firefly fans are so dedicated that there is actually a widely accepted and recognized term for fans of the show, Browncoats, which of course comes from the show itself. However, these fans are not your typical television followers because they are not only interested in preserving the memory of a beloved show that was cut short before its time but also interested in trying to use their beloved show as an excuse to help others. I know using a show to help others may sound sort of strange if you’re not familiar with the event that I’m talking about, but if you’re a Firefly fan, someone that just wants to see what everyone else is so excited about, or someone that just wants to help a good cause, I highly recommend that you check out the 10th anniversary screening of Serenity at the Can’t Stop the Serenity Charity event.
Can’t Stop the Serenity is an annual charity event organized by Firefly fans that allows people to purchase tickets to see the Firefly movie, Serenity, as it was meant to be seen – on the big screen. All of the profits from these screenings, which take place all over the world, are donated to Equality Now. The charitable work of the Browncoats does not end there, however, because in addition to the $1,000,000 they have raised for Equality Now over the last 10 years, they have also collected a variety of donations for local food banks and other charities. As a result, if you’re looking for a way to have some fun while helping people this weekend, please think about attending the 10th Anniversary Screening of Serenity at the Coolidge Corner Theatre tomorrow, Saturday 26, 2015 at 11:59 P.M. For more information on Can’t Stop the Serenity and/or to order tickets, please visit the Can’t Stop the Serenity website, the Can’t Stop the Serenity Boston Facebook page, or the Coolidge Corner Theatre website.
Arr ye mateys! To’morrow be a fine day indeed. For that magical occasion in which every lad and lass can speak like a scurvy dog is finally upon us! Now, what be this magical time I speak of? Well, it be International Talk Like A Pirate Day of course, which means if ye seek to go on account (or, in plainer speak, seek to become a pirate) fer a day, thar be no better day than this day. However, in th’ interest ‘o not scaring off them who not appreciate th’ tongue of less reputable men and women, th’ remainder ‘o ‘tis missive will be in a more common tongue (or, in other words, standard English.)
Now, the first thing that every pirate needs to know is how to use a sword, but what do you do if sword fighting is not in your skillset? Well, fear not, for if your sword skills could use some work, the Boston Fencing Club has the perfect way for you to sharpen your abilities. This is because the Boston Fencing Club is offering free fencing sessions from 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. tomorrow (Saturday, September 19, 2015.) These sessions will teach you the basics of Olympic fencing, including how to thrust and parry. For more information on the Free Fencing Sessions at the Boston Fencing Club, please visit the Boston Fencing Club website, e-mail info@bostonfencingclub.org, or call 781-891-0119.
Once your sword skills are in order, you can then move on to speaking like a pirate. However, if you’re not quite sure how to talk like a scurvy dog or you are in need of some new pirate phases, here are five websites that you should definitely check out:
1. The International Talk Like A Pirate Day Website is filled with information about how to be a better pirate, including an explanation of why it is important to talk like a pirate and how you can actually do it.
3. Google and Facebook both have features that will allow you to change some of their menus into pirate speak. This can be an excellent way to get your brain into a pirate-talking mindset, and you can do it simply by going to the language settings in Google or Facebook and choosing the “pirate” option.
4. Another great option if you’re looking for a pirate translator is the Online Pirate Translator on Pirate Monkeyness. This translator is very similar to the pirate translator on the Post Like a Pirate website, but it has a much larger vocabulary.
5. If you’re really trying to get your pirate speak just right, you should definitely check out the How to Talk Like a Pirate Guide on WikiHow. This step-by-step guide will teach you a series of tricks that you can use to make sure that you’re talking like a real pirate in no time.
Is she trying to catch the snow in her mouth or is she so cold she is screaming? You decide…
Last week, I talked about some of the ways that you could embrace the winter or try to stave it off a little longer, but it appears that Jack Frost may have had other ideas. In fact, when I got up yesterday morning, it was a degree below zero with a wind chill of 15 below, and there were parts of New England where the actual temperature was nearly 25 below with a wind chill of who knows what. As a result, it’s clear that the winter is here with a vengeance, and ignoring it until it goes away is probably no longer an option. However, if you are stuck in your house this weekend because of the cold weather and you’re looking for something that you can do without opening your door (and turning your home into an icebox), look no further.
1. Board Games
When it comes to board games, people typically fall into one of two groups. The first group are the people that immediately think about how much fun it could be to try a new game or play an old favorite, and if you belong to this group, you should keep reading. The second group are the people that see the word “board” and immediately think it was misspelled (this group believes the correct spelling is actually “bored”) and if you fall into this group, I highly recommend that you skip this suggestion and move onto suggestions two and three. However, if you are one of the fine, upstanding people that belongs to the first group, board games can be a great way to keep you, your significant other, your friends daring enough to brave the cold, and/or your children entertained for hours on end.
In fact, you can always pull out an old classic like Battleship, Chess, Checkers, Clue, Monopoly, Risk, Scrabble, Sorry, Twister, or any variation thereof; or you can try a new game like King of Tokyo or King of New York if you’ve always wanted to be a rampaging monster, Pandemic if you’ve always wanted to be part of a team tasked with stopping a deadly outbreak, Power Grid if you’ve always thought you could handle a region’s infrastructure better than the power companies, or any of a countless number of other games. Best of all, if you don’t have one of these games, you can always find them at a local department store, comic book shop, hobby shop or, if you’re really determined not to leave your house and you’re a member of Amazon Prime, you can always pay the $3.99 for one-day shipping and have your new game tomorrow.
2. Video Games (Online or Otherwise)
If you would rather play a video game than a board game (or you prefer your board games when they are on a TV screen), you may want to check out some of the sites that will allow you to play or purchase video games. If you’re looking for free video games, you can always try out sites like ArmorGames.com, Kongregate.com, and/or Newgrounds.com. Armor Games and Kongregate both offer thousands of free games, many of which are user-submitted. These games include action, adventure, puzzle, RPG, shooter, strategy, and sports games. Newgrounds also offers thousands of free user-submitted flash games in addition to user-submitted art, music, and flash movies.
If, on the other hand, you would prefer to purchase a game rather than just play it in your browser, you can always try Amazon or Steam. These sites have a number of games that you can purchase (usually at a discounted price) and download as soon as you pay.
3. Movies / TV
If you’re a movie buff who would like nothing more than to just sit in your chair and watch your favorite films, you can always just grab a pile of DVDs from your closet or movie rack and go to town. However, if there’s a new movie or TV series that you would really like to see, but you don’t have it on DVD yet, you can always try Amazon.com, Hulu.com, Netflix.com, or the On-Demand services for your television provider. These sites and services often have some (but not all) of the latest movies and television shows, and they will typically allow you to watch them immediately for free, a one-time fee, or as part of a service with a monthly fee.
Arr ye mateys! Today be the day that some love, but others only dread — International Talk Like A Pirate Day! What be this strange occasion ye might ask? Well, it be a time for all among us to explore our inner pirate by speaking or even dressing as those scurvy dogs of old. In fact, there be a number of merchants devoted to the cause of celebrating the day, and there are those who will even offer you some booty for showing your devotion to the Golden Age of Piracy. As a result, if ye be a fine lad or lass that is seeking to find your inner swashbuckler, ye need no map. The answers ye seek lie here.
However, in the interest of those who are not as fascinated by the pirate tongue, the rest of this post will appear in the vernacular (or, in other words, non-piratey speak.)
First, if you’re a pirate in need of a ship, you may want to head to Boston Harbor. This is because the Adirondack III, a schooner that was built with an 1890’s design in mind, is currently docked there. This ship regularly offers a day-time, sunset, and nighttime sightseeing tour of Boston Harbor that will allow you and all of your pirate friends to enjoy approximately two hours of sailing aboard a beautiful 80-foot sailing vessel (for a fee of course.) If, on the other hand, the fee is a little too much for you or you tend to get a little seasick, you can always head to Salem and see the Friendship at Derby Wharf without your feet ever leaving solid ground. For more information on the Adirondack III, please visit the Classic Harbor Line’s Adirondack III page and for more information on the Friendship, please visit the National Park Service’s Friendship of Salem page.
Secondly, if you or your kids are looking for a place to learn more about the Golden Age of Piracy, Gore Place in Waltham, MA may be exactly what you’re looking for. This is because Gore Place is hosting two Talk Like A Pirate Day Tours tonight (Friday, September 19, 2014) at 7:00 and 8:30 P.M. These tours will give you a chance to hear stories of real pirates, partake in pirate trivia, and more while you see all of the splendor of the Gore Mansion. For more information on the event and to order tickets, which are selling out fast, please visit the Brown Paper Tickets website.
Finally, if you’re really just looking for a way to show off your general pirateyness and/or find out about all of the cool pirate stuff that you can get or do today, you may want to check out some of these places:
1. The International Talk Like A Pirate Day website is filled with pirate advice (use at your own risk), pirate games, places to post your pirate pictures, pirate songs, pirate swag, and more pirate stuff than you can shake a peg leg at.
2. Krispy Kreme is not only putting up pictures of some of their best-dressed pirate customers from last year, but also offering a special pirate doughnut that is only available today. Best of all, if you talk like a pirate while you place your order, Krispy Kreme will give you one free glazed doughnut and, if you place your order dressed as a pirate with three non-weapon accessories, they will give you a dozen glazed donuts for free.
3. Facebook and Google actually have a feature that will translate some of their menus into pirate speak. All you have to do is go into the language settings and choose “pirate.”
4. R&R Games is hosting a giveaway today where one lucky winner will receive a free copy of their pirate-themed board game, Plunder.
5. 3D Printworks is offering stl files for anyone that has access to a 3D printer. These files will allow you to print your own pirate eye patch (complete with skull and crossbones) or your own pirate hook.
If you saw last night’s episode of the “Big Bang Theory,” you probably already know that this Sunday is one of the most fan-boyish (or fan-girlish as the case may be) days of the year. If, on the other hand, you really aren’t a fan of the Big Bang Theory, you try to avoid stuff people consider “dorky” or nerdy,” or you just missed last night’s episode, you may be wondering what’s so special about the 4th of May. Well, the 4th of May is well-known throughout the science fiction crowd (or the speculative fiction crowd if you prefer) as “Stars Wars Day” because “May the 4th be with you” sounds a lot like the famous “Star Wars” line “May the force be with you.” As a result, there is no shortage of Stars Wars themed events this weekend, and if you’re a fan of the series or you just like people marching around in full body armor, there’s no better time to get your geek on.
First, if you’ve always wondered what it would be like if the Empire took over your local zoo, you don’t need to wonder anymore. This is because Zoo New England is hosting May the 4th Be With You at the Franklin Park Zoo this Sunday from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. This event will allow you and anyone else you feel like bringing with you to learn how the animals in the zoo are similar to some of the creatures in the Star Wars universe, participate in a Star Wars themed scavenger hunt, watch some of the animals at the zoo play with their own Star Wars themed enrichment items, and best of all, meet members of the New England Garrison of the 501st Legion (dedicated Star Wars fans who use some of the most impressive costumes you will ever see to dress up as members of the Empire.) You can also meet members of the Alderaan Base of the Rebel Legion (dedicated fans who use extremely detailed costumes to dress up as members of the Rebel Alliance), get your picture taken with your favorite characters, and do a whole lot more. For more information on the May the 4th Be With You at the Franklin Park Zoo event, please visit the Franklin Park Zoo Special Events page.
Secondly, if you can’t make it to the zoo before 3:00 P.M. or you really need an even bigger Star Wars fix, you may want to check out the Cape Ann Community Cinema in Gloucester. The Cape Ann Community Cinema is hosting their own May the 4th Be With You Celebration from 1:30 P.M. to approximately 8:30 P.M. on Sunday. This celebration will feature a fan film festival with a series of fan-made tributes to the Star Wars series; the world premiere of “Plastic Galaxy: The Story of ‘Star Wars’ Toys”; the film that helped inspire some of the plot and storytelling techniques used in Star Wars, “The Hidden Fortress”; and if you missed them at the zoo or you just had to see them again, members of the New England Garrison of the 501st Legion. For more information on the May the 4th Be With You Celebration at the Cape Ann Community Cinema in Gloucester, please visit the Cape Ann Community Cinema website.
I’ve heard of death by chocolate, but somehow I don’t think this is what people usually mean.
It doesn’t matter whether it is hot, cold, or somewhere in between, chocolate is one of the most popular foods available. However, did you know that chocolate doesn’t only taste good, but is also good for you? In fact, studies have shown that chocolate can help alleviate depression and stress, improve brain function, lower your blood pressure, reduce your risk of developing diabetes, reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke, and improve the overall functioning of your body in a number of other ways. As a result, it’s really no surprise that chocolate is so hard to pass up, and if you’re looking for a way to get your chocolate fix, there’s no better time to find some than now.
The first place that you should look if you’re in need of a chocolate fix is Old Town Trolley Tours. This is because Old Town Trolley Tours offers a tour of the top chocolate shops in the Boston area every Saturday from now until April 12th. This tour, which is known as the Boston Chocolate Tour, will allow you to learn all about chocolate from an actual chef while you travel to the Top of the Hub, the Omni Parker House Hotel, and the Langham Hotel’s Café Fleur to sample the best chocolate desserts they have to offer. Now, with a price tag of $75 a person, the Boston Chocolate Tour may seem a little on the pricey side. However, it is important to remember that the tour includes an all-you-can-eat chocolate buffet at the Langham Hotel’s Café Fleur, which may account for a large portion of the $75 fee. The tour also includes samples from each of the places you stop and samples while you travel courtesy of Beacon Hill Chocolates. For more information on the Boston Chocolate Tour, please visit the Old Town Trolley Tours website.
The second place that you should look if you’re desperately seeking chocolate this weekend is Harvard Square. This is because the annual Harvard Square Chocolate Festival, which is also known as the Taste of Chocolate Festival, runs from today at 11:30 A.M. to Sunday at 12:30 P.M. This festival will give you the opportunity to sample and/or purchase a variety of heavily discounted chocolates and chocolate-themed items while you listen to music, learn more about chocolate at the Harvard Museum of Natural History, and enjoy everything else that Harvard Square has to offer. For more information on the Harvard Square Chocolate Festival, please visit the Official Harvard Square website.
Finally, if you prefer your chocolate in cookie form, you may want to find a local Girl Scout. Girl Scout cookies are on sale from now until the end of February in most places, so it is the perfect time to stock up on those Thin Mints.
Hungry? Fear not. With Thanksgiving less than a week away, there will be enough turkey, stuffing, and other delicious treats to put you into a food coma for some time to come. However, if what you truly hunger for is excitement rather than the pumpkin pie that your mother always used to make, there is a certain hunger-themed movie coming out this weekend that you should definitely check out.
Now, I am of course talking about Lionsgate’s new movie, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire. This film, which stars Jennifer Lawrence as the so-called “girl on fire”, Katmiss Everdeen, and Josh Hutcherson as Petta Melark, is the second film in the quartet based on the popular Hunger Games book series. The only difference this time around is that Katmiss and Petta are not facing average children that were simply unlucky enough to be placed into the Hunger Games but are instead facing battle-hardened veterans that have already survived some of the previous battles designed to entertain the populace and keep the rebels in check. As a result, you can expect the film to be filled with more suspense, excitement, and special effects than you’ve seen before. For more information on The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, please visit the Official Hunger Games Explorer website.
If, on the other hand, excitement is not really what you crave or you’re simply looking for an opportunity to help children rather than watch them maim each other in a Battle Royale, you may want to think about donating some food to your local food bank. There are an alarming number of people who simply don’t have the means to purchase the turkey, stuffing, and other delicious treats that many of us enjoy on Thanksgiving. In fact, according to the hunger-relief charity, Feeding America, 1 out of every 6 Americans does not have enough food to stay healthy on a daily basis, let alone enjoy a Thanksgiving meal. There is, therefore, no better way to show that you’re thankful for what you have and to show the true spirit of giving than to help those who have a whole lot less to be thankful for than you do this holiday season. For more information about how to help the hungry or to locate a local food bank, please visit FeedingAmerica.org.
It’s Easter Weekend – a time for the devout amongst us to reflect on ourselves and a time for the children and the not-so-devout amongst us to hunt for Easter eggs, scarf down candy, and hug people in giant bunny suits. Unfortunately, baskets, egg hunts, and bunny suits don’t put themselves together on their own, and you may be running around like the chicks that are often associated with the holiday trying to put together some Easter-related fun at the last minute. In fact, if you’re one of the parents who forgot about Easter entirely, since it’s a little on the early side this year, you may be desperately seeking a way to keep your kids entertained without straining your bank account. Fortunately, if you’re looking for an inexpensive way to entertain your kids this weekend, you’ve come to the right place as here is a list of some of the Easter activities that your kids may enjoy.
First, if you’re looking for an Easter egg hunt, but you just don’t have the time to set one up yourself, you may want to check out your local mall. A lot of malls have special events this weekend, including Easter egg hunts, opportunities to meet and get a photo with the Easter bunny, Easter crafts, free stuff, and a whole lot more. For more information on these events, check out the website for your local mall or take a trip to your local mall’s activity board (they’re usually located right outside the entrance to the mall or right as you walk inside the mall.) If you don’t live near a mall or there are no malls with special events in your area this weekend, you may want to try one of the larger farms in your area. Some local farms will actually have Easter egg hunts and other spring-related activities this weekend as well.
Secondly, if your kids are into art, you may want to check out some of your local museums. A lot of museums have special exhibits and/or special events this weekend, including Easter-related artwork, kids arts and crafts, and other similar events to keep your kids busy and, hopefully happy, this weekend. In fact, if you can’t find a museum with any special exhibits or events, you may want to look in your local newspaper or use your favorite search engine to see if there is an Easter arts and crafts fair in your area. There are a number of large Easter-themed arts and crafts shows this weekend, and many of these shows will not only allow you to buy handcrafted Easter items, but will also allow your kids to make them.
Third, if you’re not really concerned with the cost of the outing and your kids are big fans of food, you may want to consider an Easter brunch. Many hotels, local cruises, restaurants, and other similar venues offer an Easter breakfast with more food than you could possibly ever eat, arts and crafts, music, a visit from the Easter bunny, and/or any of a variety of other similar activities to keep your kids entertained. However, you should be prepared to leave your wallet at the door because these events tend to be on the pricey side.
Finally, if you really can’t afford to go anywhere or you’re just looking for something to keep your kids entertained while they’re sitting at their grandmother’s house, you may want to consider bringing along your tablet computer or your laptop. There are a number of sites with Easter-themed activities and games to keep your kids entertained for as long as you need, including:
Here’s a scenario for you: You’ve managed to survive yet another work week, but all of the hours you’ve put in have taken their toll. You may have pulled too many double shifts, come in early or left late one too many times, or you may have just had to deal with more stress than one man or woman should ever be required to handle. However, regardless of the cause, one thing is certain. You just don’t feel like going out this weekend, and you’re looking for something to do. Well, if you’re exhausted, sick, or you simply don’t want to leave the comforting light of your computer screen, here are a couple ways that you can entertain yourself without leaving your home.
First, if you like computer games, you may want to check out some of the free online games that are available on sites like ArmorGames.com, Kongregate.com, and Newgrounds.com. Armor Games and Kongregate both offer thousands of free games spread across a variety of different genres, including action, adventure, puzzle, RPG, shooter, strategy, and sports games. Newgrounds, on the other hand, not only offers thousands of games, but also offers a wide range of art, music, and flash movies for you to enjoy. As a result, these sites can be a great way to waste some time if you’re looking for something to do, but it is important to remember that most of the content on these sites is user-submitted. This means that the quality and content of some of the games that you will find may be on the questionable side, and it may take you a little while to find something that is truly entertaining.
Secondly, if you’re looking for something to watch, you may want to check out Crackle.com. Crackle is a movie website that will allow you to watch hundreds of movies and TV shows on your desktop, laptop, PS3, tablet computer, or another similar device for free. The only thing to remember is that Crackle’s selection is limited, so if you’re looking for a specific movie or a specific show, you may want to consider a pay site like Amazon.com, Hulu.com, or Netflix.com because these sites have a much larger selection at a reasonable price.
