Nicole DiGiose

Handy Mobile App Allows Users to Access Their Computer Via Mobile Device

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for ElectronicProducts.

No matter where you are in the world, VNC Viewer can get you to your computer when you need it. VNC Viewer connects your iOS or Android device to a computer running VNC-compatible server technology to allow you to take control of your at-home system even when you’re miles away. View your computer’s desktop, access your personal data, change settings, run applications, and get hold of your keyboard and mouse just as if you were sitting comfortably at your desk.

Image from remote-screen.com

VNC Viewer has many core features. Navigating is made simple by scrolling, dragging, and selecting using standard touch, tap, and drag gestures. Read More

Penguin Encounter

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

An article I submitted to Long Island Trends for their February edition.

If you and the kids are looking for a cool and educational day trip on Long Island, be sure to visit the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center this weekend to get up close and personal with some playful African penguins.

Photo credit: Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center

Located at the heart of Riverhead, the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center is the home to thousands of sea-dwelling creatures that come in many shapes and sizes. The Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center is also home of the Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation, an organization dedicated to protecting marine life and coastlines. The organization is recognized as the only authorized marine mammal and sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center in the state of New York. Read More

Seal Hikes on Long Island

Posted on December 21, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

If you’re on Long Island looking for a fun and educational day trip for the whole family, or you simply want to enjoy the outdoors with some friends, head out to Montauk Point State Park for a seal hike this weekend.

Presented by The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, the seal hikes run from November to May, when thousands of seals can be spotted sunning themselves on rocks or swimming along the frigid coast.

Image via cresli.org.

The seal hikes are led by outdoor educator, environmental consultant, and founder of the Long Island Nature Organization, Mike Bottini. He’ll guide you through a scenic two and a half mile adventure where you’ll be able to view seals and learn about their behavior, population trends in the Long Island region, and various interesting facts. Seals may not be the only wildlife you’ll come across, since Long Island is the home to many species of birds. Read More

Wild Beauty

Posted on December 13, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

Some fascinating photography of my two favorite animals, the wolf and the cheetah. These images are not mine, though I wish I was lucky enough to have taken them myself (from a safe distance).

What I admire most about wolves is how they work together as a unit, how they’re social and emotional like we are. I think they’re capable of love, like most pack animals, and I respect their wild beauty and power.

Cheetahs are graceful, though tough for their fragile build. I think they’ve got the most skill in the savannah for being solitary hunters. They can reach up to 75 miles per hour (in short bursts), and have the ability to accelerate from zero to 62 miles per hour in three seconds. I find that absolutely amazing. I also think they have one of the earth’s most stunning patterns.

And of course I’d love the chance to meet a wolf pup or a cheetah cub.

One World Coffees

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

oneworldcoffees.com

Driven to take on the world each morning, my brother, Eric DiGiose, and a good friend of his, Derek McLeod, wondered, “When did the morning coffee become a trenti-mocho-choco latte?” After years of sipping on sub-par coffee, drenched in extra cream and loaded with sugar, the two of them began to brew up something real.

One World Coffees is sourced directly from farmers. Their coffee beans aren’t mass grown, processed, or held in storage, but are slow-roasted and shipped fresh within 24 hours. One World Coffees isn’t another company selling “gourmet” coffee, but, as Eric and Derek say, “It’s a revolution.” It’s coffee the way it should be.

Each month features a new 12 ounce bag of coffee from a different country. There are three plans available to choose from for $17 a month. There’s the Light plan for those of you who like it smooth, the Dark plan for the bold, and the Tour plan for you adventurers out there, with the beans varying from light to dark. If you want to give the beans a try before purchasing, there are sampler bags of five, eight or 10 ounces at reasonable prices.

To start your day fresh, grab a taste of the world at oneworldcoffees.com.

Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival

Posted on November 24, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

An article I covered for the Center Moriches Tide/The Long Island Advance.

Image by Nicole DiGiose

Wrapped in scarves and buttoned up jackets, close to 1,500 people attended the second annual Holiday Arts and Crafts Festival, hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches this past Saturday, November 24th. The festival was held in the gymnasium of the Clayton Huey Elementary School on Main Street in Center Moriches from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

The holiday festival included many different stations of arts and crafts, including Christmas ornaments, knitted goods, cosmetics, scented oils, decorative Tupperware, photography, picture frames, and even cupcakes. There was also a Chinese auction, a raffle basket for the Benefit of the American Cancer Society, and a visit from Santa.

“A prime mission of the Chamber is to promote and support local business,” said Arthur Gerhauser, vice president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches. “The more often our residents come to Main Street, the more they will see that the local merchants that support the community can supply their needs at competitive prices.”

Image by Nicole DiGiose

Julie Pratt, president of the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches said that people enjoy being part of a close knit community. “Center Moriches is a great little community and people love being a part of it.” She and Gerry Sapanaro, treasurer of the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches, were set on holding the event on November 24^th because it was Small Town Business Day, a day for small town business owners to show what they’ve got.

The owner of the family-run business, CommonScents, Pam Penta, showcased her variety of fragrance oils, pure essential oils, perfumes, and colognes. “Everything I sell is pure and there is no alcohol included in anything,” she said. She picked up a small tube of lemon verbena essential oil. “You can add this to bath water or lotion, use it as a perfume, you can add these to anything, even clothes in your dryer and the scent lasts.” Other scents Pam had to offer included peppermint, lavender, strawberry-vanilla, and many other refreshing, natural fragrances.

Image by Nicole DiGiose

An independent sales representative from Avon, Patricia “Trisha” Knez, was proud to display her variety of sparkling jewelry and colorful cosmetics. “Avon has everything,” she said. “I have collectibles, handbags, clothing, makeup, everything, all for rock bottom prices.” She said she’s dedicated to Avon because they’re the single largest supporter of the Breast Cancer Crusade. “I bring in thousands of dollars to the Breast Cancer Crusade every year. Avon is a really good company and that’s why I work with them.”

Image by Nicole DiGiose

Tracey O’Reilly and her daughter Brenna, from Eastport, and Carly Traynor, from Remsenburg, came to the holiday festival because they enjoy shopping for Christmas gifts. “We love craft fairs and we got to get a Christmas gift for our grandma,” said Carly with a big smile.

Image by Nicole DiGiose

Upcoming events by the Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches include the annual tree lighting, on Friday, December 7^th at 7p.m. at Neville Park, along with caroling, music, complimentary hot chocolate and cookies, and a visit by Santa. The Holiday Parade sponsored by the Center Moriches Fire Department will be held on Saturday, December 8^that 6p.m., on Main Street.

Your Life’s Questions

Posted on November 14, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are?
Which is worse, failing or never trying?
If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
If you could offer a child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
What are you most grateful for?
Is is possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
Do you remember that time five years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
What is your happiest childhood memory?
At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
If not now, when?
If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you had the best conversation ever?
Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
In five years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
Decisions are being made right now. Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?

Animal People on the Road

Posted on October 20, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

I found an old notebook today while cleaning out a cluttered drawer and came across some jabbering I wrote two years ago, comparing people in traffic to animals.

A swarm of angry hornets, buzzing down the highway.

Following the same direction, not wanting to be last, like a zeal of zebras.

Hands slamming on horns– snarling — starving wolves, each wanting to eat first.

Sly foxes, all wanting to outsmart the ones ahead.

Seeming to say, “I’m special and you’re not.”

Windows open, their music is better than yours.

Cars rattling like threatened snakes. “Don’t mess with me.”

Like horseshoe crabs, safe inside their shells.

HV Asylum Haunted Walk

Posted on October 7, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

An article I wrote for LIB Magazine.

If you can work up the courage to be spooked out of your mind this Halloween, check out the HV Asylum Haunted Walk in Coram. Located at the center of the island on the fields of High Velocity Paintball, the HV Asylum is Long Island’s newest and largest haunted attraction.

The haunted walk takes 20 minutes to get through, covering 13 acres of fright. You’ll shriek as werewolves lunge at your feet from the darkness and you’ll quicken your pace as hooded horrors follow you through the trail. Keep focused on your tour guide as you’re led into a gated building and try to ignore the pale, bloodied bride screaming in your face.

This year is the third year High Velocity is opening the gates to their terrifying trails. The haunted walk is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in October from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. It’s $25 for those who are daring, and hvasylum.com offers them a $5 coupon. Read More

My Super Powers

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Nicole DiGiose

Just some cool super powers I wish I could have.

Teleportation – Being able to be anywhere in the world (even beyond the world!) in the blink of an eye would be absolutely astounding. I could see so much without the hassle of planning and getting on a plane or a boat or a crazy super rocket ship and at no cost. Just think it and explore it. If I’m running a little late for something, whoosh, not anymore!

Flight – Who wouldn’t want to be able to take off into the blue? Flying at your own pace would be so peaceful and freeing. The closest I’ve been to flying was when I went skydiving, and the rush was incredible. Once the second parachute was pulled and we slowed down, the view was breathtaking and having the time to let the experience sink in was phenomenal. So if I want to just casually fly to a friend’s house, I can float over, see what’s going on below, and enjoy the ride.

Time Travel – Nothing like learning about something than actually being there or doing it yourself. The big bang, dinosaurs, and maybe those aliens (shh!). I’m not sure how I feel about sneaking into the future though. That would be unfair, but definitely helpful, when it comes to certain things. But it would probably turn the world into a mess. So let’s only time travel to the past. Educational purposes only.

Healing with a touch – A sick person or a wounded animal, right in front of me, and there’s nothing I can do about it. If I could heal with a touch, I’d be able to restore them to their healthy self and we’d all be happy. Then comes the thought of extreme over population, but in a world of super powers where there’d be invisibility time travel and teleporting off the planet, it would be fine.

Having the perfect amount of money when I need it – $26,000 for a Toyota FJ Cruiser, $60,000 for a Master’s degree, $60 to fill up my gas tank, $28.73 for dinner and drinks, how about some giant cannolis? No matter how much something costs in this money-run world, I wish I could have the exact amount I need at that very moment.

What do you think? Which super powers would you like to have and why?