Ryan Robbins

2011-10-15T12:22:00.001-04:00

My blog has been sparse and far behind in my mind. So, now I'm using a new site that you should consider trying out. It's a great way for people like me (with severe ADD) to blog/vlog! http://www.mobli.com/ryanrobbins That's my profile on Mobli. I love it! It's so easy to use and upload things that interest me. Pics, videos, notes.... and I've met some amazing people on the site as well. Use it, share it, love it!!

If My Stomach Only Had a Brain, oh, wait...

2011-01-26T11:55:00.001-05:00

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The day has finally come. Scientists have discovered that our stomachs have as many nerves as comparable to a cats' brain. Essentially, our stomachs can think! They get cues from the food we eat or don't eat to tell us if we're full or still hungry.
It's such a great breakthrough, that food companies are jumping on it. Nestle has said that they'll be developing new foods within the next five years that will "trick" our stomachs into thinking that we're fuller sooner. For full articles explaining all the deets, check out WSJ and Grub Street.

Now, where are those Nestle chocolate chip cookies?!

The Flu Has Invaded the West Village (and all of NY)

2011-01-10T22:42:00.000-05:00

The flu has arrived and I was not lucky enough to evade it. Are you? Here are some tips to help you avoid it or at least get over it faster.

Of course the most obvious choice to avoid it all-together would be to get the flu shot, but if you're allergic to eggs like me, here are some other options.
Wash your hands, wash your hands, wash your hands! Kissing someone is less likely to get you sick than shaking their hand. Now think of how many hands you shake in a week. Or how many subway rails you touch. Eeew.
Stop touching your face. Don't scratch your nose, use a tissue. Don't rub your eyes, use eye drops. Don't touch your lips, kiss someone instead!
Don't smoke! (You should just never do that anyway, it's gross and very unkissable.)
Get lots of sleep. Instead of hitting up happy hour, then staying out until witching hour, just catch one drink at happy hour then go home and cuddle up with your pup for an early and cuddly night.
Now, to get over this crap faster, if you were unfortunate enough not to avoid it. If you have access to it, take a Tamiflu immediately! If you don't have it, try to get some to save for next year.
So, you know you've got the flu, or at least you know you feel like sh*t. Call in sick to work! Don't go in there feeling misserable and getting everyone else sick, unless you work with a bunch of truly horrible people and you just want to get even for all the mean things they've done. In that case, you should try your hardest to not appear sick, that way they'll get close to you without hesitation. But you probably shouldn't do that. It's mean.
Lay in bed and enjoy this horrible ride. I seriously hope you have a roommate, boy/girfriend, best friend or someone who cares enough about you to run to the store and get you a ton of stuff to help you feel better. Like expectorant, a humidifier, sugar free throat drops, tissues (tons), pain killers, tea, vitamins, a thermometer, chicken soup and a box set of that series that you never got to watch but always wanted to.
Good luck! I hope you get over it faster than I did, which was, oh wait, not yet. It's been a week, hopefully it'll be gone soon.

Proud Daughter

2010-10-07T10:46:00.001-04:00

This is my mother. Meridith Martens. She was a single mother in North Carolina and managed to provide a great life for me through her artwork.

When I was a kid, I never really thought much about what she did for a living. I guess it was because my dad's job was a lot more exciting. Now, as an adult, it's so nice to be able to go to galleries and art openings and know a little something about art. It's awesome having a house full of original (beautiful) artwork, that people enjoy looking at when they come over. And having more than just an aesthetic connection to the art. This is the stuff I grew up around. Some of the pieces I can look at and fondly think back to when she was sitting at the easel, book on cd playing, painting away.

She's such a truly gifted artist. And I really want to share her work with the rest of the world. She and I got to talking, and she came up with a great goal for her artwork. A gallery show, in NYC, by the end of summer 2011.
   Now, I don't know how familiar you are with NYC art galleries, but they're insanely hard to get into.

   So, this is where you come in. I'm asking all of my amazing friends out there to think long and hard about all the people that you know. Is there a friend of your Aunt's that just happens to own a gallery in SoHo? That old college roommate is now an artists' assistant in Chelsea. I know it's totally lame that I'm requesting your help like this, but let's be honest, it's all about who you know in this world. And I don't know any gallery owners, at the moment.
Check out some more of her work, and if you like it, share the link with friends. Thank you so much for checking out my blog.
   Bonus part is, if you leave me a comment letting me know that you've sent it out, I'll put you on the list for a formal invitation to opening night of her show in NYC for next summer.

From her latest collection.

1) What is the best decision you've made in the last 5 days? 2) What is the best decision you've made in the last 5 years?

2010-07-25T09:32:00.001-04:00

1) Last 5 days would be forgoing everything else in my life to spend time with my mom.
2) Last 5 years, marrying Greg Robbins. Hands down, the best decision I ever made.

Ask me anything! Absolutely anything!

Bargain Hunting Babe

2010-06-05T23:19:00.001-04:00

If you know me well, then you know that it's extremely hard for me to resist a deal. Here's a list of all the deal websites that I've been using to enjoy my new life in NYC. My husband and I can usually find at least one deal a month for an extremely inexpensive 60 minute massage. Go ahead, see what you can find!

Posted via email from Ryan's posterous

Can u decribe to me your strangest dream you ever had that You can remember?

2010-03-23T18:04:00.001-04:00

LOL, sorry I didn't respond sooner. Busy with the move and such.

My strangest dream was when I was about 2 or 3 yrs old, I still remember it. In my dream, I was sleeping in my crib and all of a sudden a giant rat with big, red beady eyes crawled out from under my house and into my window and tried to eat me!! It was so scary that it was a recurring nightmare for me until I was about 5 or 6.

Ask me anything! Absolutely anything!

Hi Ryan!

2010-03-12T16:19:00.001-05:00

Hi, you!!

Ask me anything! Absolutely anything!

what is your favorite treat?

2010-03-12T16:18:00.001-05:00

LOL, what isn't my favorite treat! Well, I just moved into the West Village in NYC and I'm discovering all kinds of new treats! I LOVE pinkberry, which reminds me, I need to go right now and get some free pinkberry since they're doing a promotion today!!

Ask me anything! Absolutely anything!

What Do You Fear Of?

2010-03-12T16:16:00.001-05:00

Hmmm...that's a great question! I'm afraid of small, cramped spaces and large crowds of people. (claustrophobia) I'm also scared of loosing the people I love too soon. My step-father was in the hospital twice in one month recently and that was very, very scary.

Ask me anything! Absolutely anything!

How do you like North Carolina?

2010-03-12T16:13:00.001-05:00

LOL, great question, since I just left! I think NC is a beautiful and relaxing state. I would definitely want to live on the coast when I retire, but as a young gal, I need the hussle and bussle of city life. NYC baby!!

Ask me anything! Absolutely anything!

formspring.me

2010-02-10T10:01:00.001-05:00

Do you believe the web should become more moderated and safer for kids, or do you think it should stay more like the wild west of info? Why/why not? ~Jake

I think the moderation should be left up to childrens' parents. Because no matter how "moderated" the world tries to make the web, children will find a way to view or read inappropriate things, whether on line or off. It's curiosity! Parents just really need to be involved in their childrens' lives, that's the best way to keep kids safe.

Ask me anything! Absolutely anything!

Talk Nerdy to me, baby....

2010-01-24T09:57:00.001-05:00

Posted via email from Ryan's posterous

my two babies

2010-01-14T09:36:00.001-05:00

Bronski & Murray

Posted via email from Ryan's posterous

Your Daily Posterous Subscriptions

2010-01-07T16:59:00.001-05:00

LOL!

Posted via email from Ryan's posterous

formspring.me

2010-01-03T13:09:00.001-05:00

What is the meaning of life?

I've always believed that we all have different meanings to our lives. I think that mine is to share my smile and happiness and help others find their true happiness. It's kinda cheesy, but when I look at my life as a whole, that's the main message that I see.
You should look at your life, like someone outside looking in, and try to figure out all the similarities and connect them. Maybe that's your meaning.

Ask me anything

formspring.me

2009-12-31T00:04:00.001-05:00

Why are you so beautiful?

LOL! You're very sweet! Maybe it's because I smile a lot. I also have pretty good-looking parents, I'm sure that helps. ;-)

Ask me anything

Brittany Murphy.... WHA?!

2009-12-20T20:23:00.010-05:00

WOW....just wow.

I'm not one for reading all about celebrity deaths and such, but this is just too creepy not to talk about!

So, a little less than a month ago Brittany Murphy was fired from a film in Puerto Rico and after getting fired, she and her husband, Simon Monjack, thought it would be fun(?) and cool to hang around the island bugging people. He started a fight with some of the locals (because he was too skeezy for Puerto Rico?) and then managed to land at LAX completely "incoherent" and having to be hospitalized that Saturday. (Drugs anyone?!) Link to the
detailed story.

Brittany's autopsy is scheduled to take place today or tomorrow by the LA County Coroner, contrary to her husband's wishes. Hollywood news website TMZ reported early today that Murphy was ill with flu-like symptoms for the past several days and had been taking prescription medication to treat those symptoms. (possible H1N1?)

Elizabeth Snead, founder of the celebrity blog The Dish Rag, said Monday that despite having a bubbly personality on the red carpet, Murphy was troubled.

"She was a lot like the characters that she played. She was vulnerable, very sweet, very honest, very emotionally available. But also it seemed that she had a lot of demons inside of her and she was very, very insecure," Snead told Canada AM.

"On the red carpet, for instance, she seemed to really, really love the attention and she was very kind to people. But she seemed in her personal life to go from boyfriend to boyfriend, she was engaged twice, then she married this older man."

Seriously, how many times do you have to get engaged to feel better about yourself?! Brittany's family should have gotten her some help about 9 years ago.

I know it may sound weird, but her death definitely affects me more than MJ's death. She was one of my first hero's. Giving all of us gawky, awkward girls the chance to say, "See! A makeover could be what I need to be a pretty girl!".

But, unfortunately, I think Brittany went a little far with her makeover. Hopefully, her last moments here were beautiful and happy. She was such a lovely heart.

Greensboro Tastecasting @ Table 16!

2009-08-02T10:11:00.000-04:00

When I first think about the words Taste Casting, the first thing that comes to my mind is a panel of giant-sized Paula, Randy, Simon and Kara sitting at their judges table and stuffing their faces. All this, while giving their uncensored opinions of the good and bad, possibly the ugly.

My next vision of the word Taste Casting is the living room of your typical American household. The All-American, plus-sized family is watching the newest episode of Taste Cast, plumply sitting by and eagerly awaiting their next dish to be spewed out from the television. Wondering which dish will be Simon's favorite, because everyone knows that if he doesn't get up-- ready to empty his load in the bathroom-- that must be a dish worth digesting.

Well, Taste Casting has absolutely NOTHING to do with my morbidly obese fantasies. It's actually a lot more elegant and delicious.

On Wednesday night, I was welcomed into a new form of food opinionating. It's called Taste Casting. It's a new website that let's a group of techie foodies in major (and some not so major) cities eat out at local restaurants and post their blogs and tweets on the website afterwards.

It's a pretty cool new way to experience food. You really get to appreciate and think about every bite you're taking. And you're doing it with other food techies! Anyway, on to the good stuff!

The eclectic restaurant, Table 16, was the setting for the scene. Located at 600 South Elm St. Greensboro, NC 27406.
In their own words:
"Table 16 & our blueprint of globally influenced New World Cuisine, embodies a style of food that is strong, unique, & indicative of the bold flavors of the New World coupled with the refined and elegant traditions of the Old World."

The statement they make about themselves is on the ball with the way their food introduces itself to your tongue!

This was my first time trying out this restaurant and I was in heaven the entire evening. With our dishes, the waitstaff recommended a flight of wine that was out of this world! I had many favorite dishes over the course of the evening.
The first course was the vichyssoise with Yukon gold potatoes, Georgia onion and crab salsa. It was the most unbelievable combination of flavors that melded so perfectly together. My taste buds were singing in harmony!

The second course was an unusual, but quite perfect, combination of meats. A delicate Poke tuna tartar with Andouille sausage! Truly different and superb.

The list of amazing dishes goes on and on, but I feel I've spouted enough for one blog entry. Below are the links to my fellow taste casters' blogs, so that you may read more about our delicious meal. And remember, the next time you're looking for a superb meal in Greensboro, NC, check out Table 16. It's downtown on Elm St.

Danielle Hatfield, Liv Jones, Scott Brewster, Josh Holden, Adam Arney, Brandon Pierce, Gedeon Maheux and Barbara Nelles

Start Up Weekend, NC

2009-04-08T16:40:00.004-04:00

I've had the time of my life! Such an amazing start up weekend. I was so lucky to have formed with such an awesome team. Andrew Gouty, Josh Mitchell, Eliana Barnes, Jeff Cohen, Johnny Yeh and myself. We were seriously, the dream team! So, below you will find a little snip-it from one of the first days, where I describe what our new company, Miss Pivot, is.

Video: Ryan @RyanRobbins on What is Pi-vot @missPivot at Triangle Startup weekend from Wayne Sutton on Vimeo.

Thanks for watching and please check out our new site! Also become a fan on facebook!

Also, check out the fun that Scott Brewster & I had while we were there! http://talk2starcast.blogspot.com/2009/04/starcast-178-just-dance-gonna-be-okay.html

You've been waiting for it!

2009-03-20T15:48:00.004-04:00

Well, my time in Austin, TX for the SXSWi festival was AMAZING! I met so many great and friendly people. I also walked away with so much more information than I thought I would. I'm pretty excited to start getting to work. My friend, Scott Brewster, AKA jrmozart, is going to help me with everything I need to know about having an online presence. Right now I'm presenting you with the video from my live show with Brian Brushwood. Enjoy!

Brian Brushwood pt1 - Broadcast your self LIVE

Brian Brushwood This Thursday at 6 p.m. Central

2009-03-11T09:50:00.002-04:00

This week at SXSWi, I will be interviewing magician Brian Brushwood, creator of Scam School on Ryan Robbins Live on BlogTV... so, stay tuned. In the mean time, catch the last episode below.

Tonight! - Broadcast your self LIVE

SXSW Interactive

2009-01-21T11:26:00.007-05:00

SXSW Interactive
So, what's up with this place?
SXSW Interactive '09

Do you think a small-time blogger like me should go to something of this substantial importance?

I feel like I could learn SO much if I went to this conference, but at the same time, it costs quite a bit and I'm not as proficient in blogging as majority of the other guests that will be attending.

I would love to hear some first hand knowledge from other minimal bloggers like me that have experienced South by Southwest. It sounds like so much fun, but I want to make sure that I can take away a lot from the experience.

Thanks for your help.

Jewelry!

2009-01-16T09:49:00.000-05:00

Many thanks are due to my friend Jess knight, for helping me get motivated again with my Jewelry making! I've added my jewelry website link to this post.

I'm excited! I really want to be able to do something I enjoy and love and get paid for it! I think everyone should be allowed to enjoy that.

So, anyway, please check out my jewelry and let me know what you think!

Forgiveness & Friendship

2009-01-11T15:16:00.003-05:00

2009! Can you believe that The Oughts are almost to a close? It seemed like such a monumental time period.

I have come to the realization that (for me) 2009 will be the year of forgiveness. Recently, I reconnected with an old friend from my childhood that had hurt me very badly in the past. But she's changed a lot now and it's so nice to see that we can still have the closeness that we once had.

I'm an extremely forgiving person, BUT I don't forgive those who do not ask for forgiveness. Or at least, those who do not attempt a forgive-me attitude.

So, my father is asking me to forgive him for things he has done in his past that I've been upset with him for. We had a really good conversation about it the other night and it seems like he's been working on his problems for a long time now. I'm extremely excited for all of these frozen relationships to defrost and bloom again.

I would also like for this year to consist of blossoming friendships. I have some friends that I keep up with on a regular basis, but I would like to make them more everlasting friendships, rather than just passing connections in my life.

In my opinion, relationships are the most important things in our lives and we need to nurture them and cultivate them to a healthy bloom.

Jeez, so many flower references you'd think I was a gardener.