The xx concert at the Fillmore Miami. They packed the HOUSE!

I was swept away last night at the xx concert in the Fillmore Theatre. Maybe I'm dating myself when I say this but if you're a child of the 80's like me, you'll know what I mean when I say that if the Eurythmics, the Cure and Depeche Mode would have had a threesome and had kids, they would have given birth to the xx.

With eerily depressing melodies that tend to sooth your broken heart and make your hips sway and lyrics that remind you of a distant past, the xx truly are something special...

Performing to a sold out audience, this group which originated in England, really gave it their soul. You could feel the energy permeate through the crowd. Their voices travelled through the air and filled the entire space and everyone was instantly mesmerized.    

Last nights xx concert was a magical, amazing experience for all who were there. It was interesting to see how surprised and pleased they were by the outcome of the crowd and whole heartily thanked us several times for being there. It was a special moment.  

I was so happy to be invited by my fabulous ladies and we had a phenomenal time running into dear friends such as FigureM while we were there. If you haven't heard of the xx by now, you need to click on a new screen and listen to them. You won't be disappointed.

And in bed by midnight doesn't hurt either! I do have to keep up my beauty rest, you know.... hahahaha

M-Commerce era ushers in "Minority Report" style advertising. But are consumers ready?

"Hi sir, did you enjoy those v-neck sweaters last winter?
On sale now, aisle 9!"

Remember Minority Report when Tom Cruise walks into the Gap and is greeted by a hologram simulation of a sales person who asks him how those v-neck sweaters worked out for him?

Stephen Spielberg's imagination set it up so that by reading the consumer's retina, the hologram would know specifics about his last purchase and politely remind him that he needs to stock up on some more.

This is called Biometric Technology and if it still seems a little far-out and far fetched to you, the truth is, in today's mobile commerce (m-commerce) era, it is soon be a reality.

Companies are now using mobile phones to track consumers buying habits and also use them as tracking devices that are triggered when a customer walks into their store. By gathering your data, they will be able to place messages that will be activated by your mobile device when you walk into the store.

I've always said that what happens in movies tends to happen in real life and this time I'm right! Ha! This movie came out in 2002 and it was set in 2054 and look it is only 10 years later and we are already hearing how companies are planning to use this technology.

2012 was the year mobile commerce really boomed. Consumers were browsing on their smart phones and tablets and more importantly entering their credit card numbers and hitting BUY. In 2012 alone, mobile sales jumped 11 percent amounting to $25 billion. More and more people are using iPads, kindles, other tablets and smart phones which are ideal for shopping from anywhere at anytime.

My first concern and first question was, "Hey how about my privacy?" And then I learned that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued privacy protection guidelines for companies such as Facebook which are already using facial recognition technology to identify people in photographs. The FTC predicts that advertisers will soon be placing cameras in public areas to display targeted ads based on the consumers age, gender, mood or other characteristics.  

"The FTC recommended companies that use facial recognition technology take steps to protect the personal data they collect and delete unnecessary personal data. They should also consider the sensitivity of the information before collecting it. For example, advertisers should not use the technology in bathrooms, locker rooms, health care facilities or areas with lots of children, the FTC said."

Given the privacy issues around this new technology, are consumers safe? Are we going to have the choice to opt out of it if desired? As cool as it sounds, everyone should take a moment to look into this and read up on our rights because sooner or later we are all going to have our first Minority Report moment at the Gap....

The Jetsons are here.... I'll be Judy!



The First Modern Family

Remember George, Jane, Elroy, Judy, Astro and Rosie? It was a 60's sitcom featuring the original "modern family" based in 2062 who enjoyed all the perks and amenities that came with technology and science but experienced all the same mishaps that regular families go through.

For those of us who grew up watching the Jetsons (during the 60's 70's 80's), I think we can all agree, it was definitely a fun, eye-opening show that made us dream of possibilities we never thought would be possible in our lifetime. Well guess what, those possibilities are now here!

During the last few weeks I've been seeing so many advances being made in all areas of our lives from how we drive our cars to how we work and suddenly it dawned on me, "oh my goodness, we're living like the Jetsons!"

As bizarre as it may still sound to some of you, we will probably be driving flying cars before 2062! We already have apartments in the sky like the Jetsons, robotic house mates, voice activated homes and today there are even more advances being made than any other time in history. The Jetsons show aired at the same time as the Flinstones, another family sitcom based in prehistoric, cavemen times. This article will show you we've come a long way from the Flinstones and we are definitely going to surpass the Jetsons in our lifetime!



Baxter the Common Sense Robot

Meet Baxter the robot. For $22,000 you can now have a robot who senses your movement and responds to you with facial expressions. Robots in this environment have up until now been kept away from human beings for safety reasons but this robot senses movement and moves slower. Its the first robot to have a common sense capability which is huge.

The NY Times describes it as "not creepy, but benign, perhaps even disarmingly friendly. And that is intentional." Also saying that "it is a significant bet that robots in the future will work directly with humans in the workplace." Also a former Apple executive for IPhone/IPad calls the development of this robot "a true Macintosh moment."

Dr. Brooks who developed Baxter, predicts that "soon, robots will be mingling with humans, routinely and safely." Right now Baxter comes equipped with a big red safety button (e-stop) you can press that immediately shuts him down but the Dr. says at some point we will all get over that. It will be just as necessary as the Locomotive Acts of the 19th-century where British laws required that early automobiles be preceded by a walker waving a red flag.



Insane Stratosphere Jump

The following might be the coolest thing you or I have ever seen. It just happened last week and it blew my mind! A guy got ballooned up out of our atmoshphere and did a freefall jump from the earths stratosphere. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is the second layer of the earths atmosphere. On Sunday morning Oct. 14, 2012, Felix climbed to 128,100 feet (39,045 meters) in a helium-filled balloon, AMAZING isn't it?

The guy in the picture is Felix Baumgartner and he is now the first man to break the speed of sound in freefall and broke two other world records for highest freefall jump and highest manned balloon flight.

While millions of people worldwide tuned in live, they watched Felix's journey back to earth lasting 9:09 minutes(4:22 of that time in freefall). People watched the ascent and jump from their living rooms and through live stream on the Internet, reminiscent of the first walk on the moon by Neil Armstrong which was televised all over the world in black and white. To me this seemed very symbolic and curiously timely being that Neil Armstrong just passed away in August. We could almost say this jump happened during his lifetime.    

It took 5 years for Felix and his team to prepare for and was "designed to improve our scientific understanding of how the body copes with the extreme conditions near space."

Then we have what is probably one of, if not, the most important advancements of our time. The Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine which was just announced this month.


John B. Gurdon
Badass #1 circa 1962



Shinya Yamanaka
Badass #2 circa 2006



Two men from two completely different times jointly discovered "that mature, specialized cells can be reprogrammed to become immature cells capable of developing into all tissues of the body.

This revolutionizes our understanding of how cells and organisms develop." Textbooks have been rewritten because of it and new research fields have been established. These men have shown that specialised cells can turn back the developmental clock under certain circumstances.


And ofcourse nothing can be complete without including Google, how can we leave out a company that has revolutinized our generation so much we made it a verb.

Driving for Dummies

Google has developed a self driving car. Yes you read it right ladies, you'll be able to do your make up with both hands while driving!!! Guys you can shave on the way to work! Heck you can even catch up on your reading!

At the end of September these cars were made legal in the State of California and Google has already been testing the cars on the road in Nevada, which passed a law last year. But both Nevada and California still require the cars have a human being behind the wheel who can take control of the vehicle at any time.

Funny though, the only accident reported after testing 300,000 miles was a fender bender that took place while a human was in control of the wheel. So far, they've tested with Toyota Prius Hybrids and the Lexus RX450h crossover. Sebastian Thrun heads up the project who also co-founded Google's Street View.



Sooner than we know it, life is really going to change for us. Advancements are being made that will alter our daily lives forever. 

It will be as easy as Jane and Rosie sitting in their living room watching soaps while letting everything take care of itself.



Jane and Rosie enjoying clhores and beauty regimines

If we are not careful (actually when are we ever careful right...?) we will definitely experience repercussions when people become too lazy and complacement which reminds me of a little movie I love called Wall-E, if you haven't seen it, now would be a good time to.

These advances will change the make up of what we call normal and alter what humans need and want. It will completely change our behavior forever but if we go into this era wisely, we may just be able to optimize our performance while still keeping our own two feet planted on solid ground...    

Something new has Blossomed in Wynwood and its called Bloom

Well ladies and gentlemen, please excuse my recent hiatus but after endless rounds of soul searching and redefining myself, I decided I'd pick up right back where I left off so here I am. It all comes full circle and The Commish is back at what she loves to do, talk about life and food.

Typical to Miami flair, this little restaurant has an ambiance like no other. A fresh modern feel with natural touches welcomes you as you enter through an outdoor reception area where the watering hole awaits perfectly situated for you and your friends to have a quick drink before dinner.

The drinks are superb. The one you see here which after tasting them all turned out to be my favorite, was the Pacaya. It has papaya fruit, honey, cilantro and orange and it is absolutely is delicious! The tattooed bartender there is a favorite of mine, I was his customer at Mercadito where he used to tend bar. Now he is shaking it up here with great jokes and these fabulous drinks.

They have an outdoor seating area which looks like a city garden, very cool but we decided for indoors for the Miami summer heat. The indoor dining room is bright and airy with a casual yet chic feeling to it. They serve local market and street food like you would find while traveling in Latin America and Asia but its served on delicate plates instead of your typical styrofoam you get while abroad and it is so fun to eat. Everything is served sharing style or at least thats what we did and got to try a little bit of it all.

We tasted everything from Tuna Yuke Seaweed “Tacos”,  to Braised Oxtail Rice Tamales. We tried the Miami Spice menu while it was still going and got to try a little of everything. The Korean short rib arepas were to die for and the Salmon tiradito was one of my favorites.

Then the dessert, which I must tell you give the word "rich" a run for its money. I'm not sure if it was the Cola Float or the Shaved Ice Bomb but whatever it was, it was yuuuuummmmiiieee. Peanut butter chunks, thick icecream, milk, syrup and crumbs swirled together to give you the thickest shake you've had in a while. So thick in fact they actually serve it with a giant straw to assist you in your devouring efforts!

All in all Bloom gets two thumbs up from me for ambiance, food quality, service and flair and I will definitely be back, who knows, maybe with you next time!

Cheers!

Can I get a Lift? An Exploration into the Awkward Elevator Ride..

Ever been on an elevator ride and felt a really awkward feeling? It's like you are stuck at close proximity with people you know nothing about for an indefinite period of time and the silence is so uncomfortable and the awkwardness so thick you can cut a knife through it?

Yes that is the old, faithful awkward elevator ride. Part of you feels like spurring a conversation but you don't want to be that guy that starts a meaningless conversation about the weather or sports that you can't even finish because before you know it the person is jumping out on there floor!

And when I say jumping out, I mean jumping out! We are all guilty of it too. As soon as you here the bell ring for your floor a sensational feeling overcomes you as the  doors open and the freedom beckons you to wisk yourself out as soon as humanly possible.

Its quite a spectacle I must say, I am guilty of it too. Why start a conversation if you can't finish it anyway? Then there are the pointless little things we do to look like we are too busy to acknowledge eachother such as checking our email, looking down at our watches, tapping our feet or searching your purse for a mint that you won't offer anyone anyway. Its really all so silly.

Why must we pretend not to know eachother or better yet, not care to know eachother for that matter? Its like we're all too busy to even nod at eachother and say hello... what is up with that?

The best elevators are the ones with tv's in them because it gives everyone a perfect distraction from having to interact with each another. I'm going to try being pleasant for a change and nodding at someone next to me, and maybe just maybe, it might make my next elevator ride a little less awkward...

QR Codes: The new thing in Advertising

We've seen these Quick Response (QR) codes recently on mobile devices like our Blackberry's and Iphones. Until now these little cubes have worked as an electronic signature of sorts. They are litte square's that look like a sku on steroids and work as a way of scanning your mobile device to link with another mobile and send them your contact info.

Well you are soon going to be seeing these little codes everywhere on everything from advertisements, products, clothing tags and more. It's going to be a way to get more information on any given something. You would scan the code just as you do now with your mobile phone and immediately be taken to the website or a slideshow or video that will explain more about the product or thing being advertised.

Each square will be like a personal identification or address, almost like a social securty, email or product sku.

Its the wave of the future but it just hasn't caught on yet. There's an artist that is using it as a way to show a snip-it of her singing and to direct people to her tour dates. Advertisers are using it in airports to promote products and soon you'll see it everywhere from movies to bus stops.

I'm looking forward to seeing what we'll think of next. But for now I think my code is pretty hot, maybe its cause it has Ms Commish writen all over it! ;)

Online Dating Experiment

I never thought I'd be the type of person to try something like this. Is there a specific type of person who dates online? It always seemed like something foreign to me. Online dating has always been something I hear people talk about and always wondered why it is that people do it? Did they do it cause they were desperate? Were they really happy with the person they found? And how many duds did they have to suffer through to find "the one."

I've heard success stories about people who met on Facebook or Myspace and got married and are still together and I've also heard horror stories about terrible encounters with people that lie about who they said they were. Its scary if you ask me. I mean its hard enough dating someone who "comes recommended," even that holds no validity anymore. Those that come recommended actually tend to be the ones who screw you over even more! It's like when do you know its okay to let your guard down a little bit?

With this online dating, its like you've never even heard of the person until they found you on this site where thousands of people sign up to and visit everyday. Who monitors these sites?

Who's to say they are cool people, or that they are who they say they are or better yet even safe for that matter? I don't know it all seems even more difficult to me. Online dating seems to have been created to help people bring walls down and lower inhibitions but it seems more like the opposite. I don't know if I could ever take someone I meet on one of these things seriously.

I highly doubt I'll meet my prince charming on one of these things but I'll give it a try for old curiousities sake and we'll see what happens. Who knows, it may actually be worth a few late night chatting sessions with some complete strangers.. Ha!

Keep you posted..

Is anyone else crazy about "Crazy About You?"

This new restaurant-lounge located off of Brickell Bay Drive not only gets thumbs up for ambiance and stunning outdoor views but a high-five for good eats and great prices!

Upon walking in and being awed by the airy, bohemian-chic ambiance and beautiful wine cellar, we were tempted to have a seat in the Moroccan inspired lounge but quickly noticed the fully stocked bar which was flanked by a large flat screen TV and went straight for it and started ordering.

One of my favorite things on the menu were these little "Short-rib Mini Burgers with Shoestring Fries" that were absolutely to die, I literally licked my fingers.

The decor in the main dining area is also chic but more romantic. White linens drape the tables, while candles and dim lighting provide a warm glow that is perfect for a sexy night out with someone special.

During my first visit, I sat at the bar and had drinks and food while watching the Heat game and although the game was a disappointment, the food that night definitely was not. We also tried the Applewood BLT Pizza which is exactly what it sounds like; a BLT sandwich on top of a pizza and boy let me tell you, it was darn good!

The next time I went, I sat outside during the day and enjoyed the ocean breeze and sunlight while tasting dishes from the Cheese Casserole with Chorizo to the Serrano Ham Croquettes which taste like little puff clouds of heaven.

That day I had the Ricotta Spinach and Salmon Cannelloni's which weren't that great but that doesn't take away from my experiences there thus far. The food is by no means 5 star but it is good and fairly priced.

For 15.75 to 19.75 you can enjoy an entree along with an appetizer and there is only a 10 dollar charge for sharing. A glass of wine will run you $4 and the drinks are reasonably priced.

The service is still a little raw but for a place that just opened a couple of weeks ago, its okay. Let's just hope they tighten their bolts and fine tune their service staff before foot traffic begins to pick up.

I must say that the best part about experiencing good food and good ambiance is being with good company and at the end of the day that's all that truly matters.

Enjoy!

Katana Japanese Restaurant: novelty or gastronomical experience?

I recently visited a little restaurant named Katana, that serves up raw fish by way of small wooden vessels called "streaming boats" that wiz by on a makeshift river in the center of the room. This restaurant that serves up little plates of carefully adorned assortments of sushi and sashimi, has got it down to a science.

Each plate has different colors or markings that symbolize different price ranges from the green plate which is 1.50 to the black plate which is 3.50. But don't be fooled, if you enjoy eating as much as I do, you'll find yourself making a trip to the ATM midway through your meal, so be wary but dig in! As quickly as the plates pile up, they are swiftly removed from your counter to make room for more.

One thing you also should keep in mind is that the place is tiny. I sat at the counter and had some trouble getting in and out to use the restroom. Once you wiggle your way into your seat you may not want to get back up again.

This definitely isn't the place to go have a relaxed dinner for two or for a business gathering but it is a place to go with a buddy for lite fair,on-the-go, although the wait can sometimes be up to 30 minutes depending on the night.

They do have a couple of booths available but those fill up fast as you'd expect and the rest of the tiny restaurant consists primarily of a U shaped counter with small wooden chairs that wrap around. A server takes your order usually from behind the counter and most of the dishes are made in the back kitchen. I guess I'm a big fan of open kitchens so I kept trying to peep behind the curtain to see what was going on back there. It would have been cool to see my food being made.
There are also other items you can order ranging from classic appetizers to tempura bowls, noodles and of course edamame. The desserts are primarily tempura and they carry Japanese and domestic beer and saki.

They've apparently been at this since 1993 and the place is always busy, so they seem to be doing something right.

All in all, I had a fun experience for the novelty of it but I have to be honest, I wasn't blown away by anything on the menu but I did have a good time.

They have late hours, it's simple sushi that's cheap and served in a fun environment. Great place to add to the cities repertoire of distinctive eateries.

Kanpai!!

Gigi the new place to eat

Hello my fellow foodies, my fellow lovers of gastronomic experiences I introduce Gigi's. A new little hot spot eatery located on N. Miami Ave and 34 St that is not only a good place to eat but also as it turns out, a tremendous place to hang out and just drink tons of sake.

This place that just opened say maybe 5 weeks ago has been making locals like myself salivate. From its infused melon appetizer and their little Gigi buns to the tuna snack which is to die. It is all good at Gigi's.


I've tried just about every thing on the menu and let me just tell you you need to have the soft shell crab dish (not enough places I've been to in Miami serve this and it is so good here) just remember the whole thing is completely edible so don't worry.

Then there's a bowl with pieces of beef, cabbage, mushrooms and the thickest pasta you've ever seen and is soooo good I've had it a couple of times. And please do yourself a favor and use as much of the spicy sauce that they have on every table, you won't be sorry.

Where do I begin with this place except to tell you that it must be checked out and you must take friends and you must say the Commish told you first, because that is what I do best my dear, telling you about food..

Bon ape tit!

Miami's Little Hidden Treasure is Lost and Found..

There are very few places you can go to that are not all about the hype in Miami and this ladies and gents is one of them. This little Mexican restaurant nestled next to an all night sports bar on 36 street is so unpretentious you would miss it driving by if you weren't careful.

I personally am a strong believer in supporting our locally owned eateries because its these places that make up the thread that we tend to lack when it comes to this city's cultural. Too many restaurants open up and close up before you even get to really know the place. Thankfully Lost and Found is one of the little spots that have remained open through the ups and downs of the recent economy. This isn't the only reason why I visit though. Its really something else.

Food and ambiance are the two things that keep me coming back to a place. Any place can get me through the door, heck if you know me, you know that I'll stop off and try just about any place at least once just to find out what its all about. But if you can't make me feel good while I'm there, then there's really no reason for me to go back. Who wants to eat somewhere that the food is great but you leave frowning? Not me..

Hence, Lost and Found. Every time I go there I leave with a smile. It kinda feels like an old western saloon in Mexico in the middle of a tropical city(if that makes any sense) Its dim lit, warm and friendly. Foods good, and selection is good. And its funny cause every time I've been there they seem to be playing snow sports on tv which is kind of "cool" especially in this Miami heat.

There are tables outside and the bar stools are those really neat ones that are the shape of your butt. Perfect for sitting for hours while you sip down some cold ones and eat all the tacos you can handle. Oh and the chicken soup is fab I haven't even tried a lot of the menu cause the last 3 times I've gone I've ordered the soup!

Definitely go check it out and invite a friend. Oh and be sure to check out the napkin art, I think there's a few up there worth framing and hanging up for sure!

Hasta luego!