The Wave is one of Los Angeles’ top rated radio stations. It is also one of the most admired smooth jazz stations in the country. They target a 40+ demo, and I just came across their Myspace page. Their friends include on air personalities and the musical talent they play. Of course, a few listeners as well. Even though they only have 150 friends, I think it’s cool they are using Myspace to reach their listeners.

Let’s welcome them to the neighborhood.

Have you bookmarked the del.icio.us/popular page? Completely worth it.

Two of my favorite posts today:

1. Create your own South Park character
2. 13 Most Embarassing Web moments

I was at the Armani story today in Italy. Japanese, British, Italian tourists, all well dressed, were handling expensive clothing, priding themselves on their style. Here’s what I made me laugh.

Do you know what song the Armani story was playing? “Do your chain hang low,” buy Jibbs. I think it’s amusing that inside the Armani story, the music highlights the fashion, and outside the Armani story, it’s gang-banging music. I wonder if anyone was listening to the lyrics.

“Do your chain hang low
Do it wobble to the flo
Do it shine in the light
Is it platinum, Is it gold
Could you throw it over ya shoulda
If ya hot, it make ya cold
Do your chain hang low
Is that your chain!?
Bout 24 inches is how low I let it hang
How bout the ride n let the diamonds smoke off the range
Just by the chain you can tell the big kid do a stain
You know the name!
Is that your chain!?
Bout 24 inches is how low I let it hang
How bout the ride n let the diamonds smoke off the range
Just by the chain you can tell the big kid do a stain
Im off the chain!”

This isn’t an isolated occurance. I’ve heard 2-pac at French restaurants and Nirvana at fashion shows.

Rome and his churches
Originally uploaded by Giampaolo Macorig.

I’m in Rome to speak to the National Association of Broadcasters on new media. One of my favorite things to do in a new country is find differences between it and New York. To be honest, without sound, people looked and moved the same as they do in New York. Little kids play video games; Beautiful women wave to oversized men; the stylish and bold wear puma sneakers, jeans and sports coats.

The Mcdonalds, however, is quite different. Near the Spanish steps, the Mcdonalds is more family gathering place than fast food joint, filled with festive noise and good ole American joy.

Perhaps the biggest difference, at least the most apparent one for me, is to be without a mobile phone for a week. I’m having to call and check messages. I can’t change my plans on the fly. It’s so very 1998.

Rome seems as connected as any major American city, integrating the virtual world with the every day. I know that should I need to learn about the city, I could reach out the blogging community–a AAA card of sorts, and find myself in like-minded company.

I often speak about the great values of the blogging community. Here’s a story to illustrate this.

I’m on a few email lists for bloggers. People exchange their ideas and their passions for all things blogging. Every time I have a technical issues, or a cool observation to share, I know that I can ask the community.

Yesterday, a blogger I did not know, posted something very personal to the blogging group. His 22-year-old daughter just died. He submitted a link to pictures of her. I was really moved by the way this group of ‘strangers’ reached out a fellow blogger, in sympathy and support.

I believe in this.