I became a FourSquare user on September 11, 2009, while visiting Austin for my interview for my current fantastic job at The University of Texas at Austin. My friend Tim had integrated his Twitter account with FourSquare, and introduced me virally to the location-sharing concept, which didn’t seem to have a large following at the time. Miami and Austin happened to be two of the fifteen cities allowing check-ins, so I continued the ‘game’ upon returning home - but it didn’t get interesting until I moved to Austin.

In March, FourSquare introduced an enhanced (and MUCH better) iPhone App during SXSWi in Austin, and the game exploded as thousands of people converged in Austin for the conference. This (older) article from Mashable highlights the reasons why I support location-sharing (within reason, and with considerable consideration for safety and privacy). I particularly like number five, as it relates to higher education.

Enjoy!

Spring is here - and Austin is growing more beautiful with every day. The weather is perfect today for a leisurely lunch outside. From my seat on the patio furniture at Panera, I am enjoying the breeze and the view. The vibrant green leaves - newly sprouted on the tree branches - stand boldly against the brilliant, cloudless blue sky. Life is good.

My time in Austin has been nice so far. The transition is eased with my friend/roommate Susan’s help, and I am loving my job. I’ve met some great friends, explored the city a bit, and learned my way around the various streets. Things are alright, but it is still not my home.

I attended yet another church today - this time, with friends - and am more drawn to this congregation than to the other two I have experienced. In the search for a church home, it is easy to become discouraged - especially when I have wonderful memories and a strong connection to my last church home in Miami. I try to remind myself that it took a long of time to find my fit there, too, but that does not change the fact that I still do not feel at home. Although I have been somewhat discouraged lately, today has brought me hope.

A handful of other people felt drawn to Panera’s patio today, and I overheard a glimpse of two conversations that brightened my mood.

When I first took my seat, a couple shared a table beside mine, and talked about their apprehension to finish college in the upcoming weeks, and begin the job search. They shared their end-of-semester frustrations with finals quickly approaching, and talked with excitement and hesitation about their pending start in ‘the real world’.

“I’m going to finish my thesis this week, and finally start the job search. I’ve got to write letters of interest and all that stuff, but I haven’t had time. I can’t wait to be done!”

They left shortly after I sat down, headed out to work on the last few papers and presentations that separate them from their goal.

As they left, a pair of young women joined the patio, enjoying their afternoon and happily discussing their recent happenings. As they caught up over their sandwiches, I heard them chat about how much of a change the last year has been. Both graduated from college within the last year, and reminisced about their time with campus ministries that kept them connected and helped them stay focused on their faith. I overheard them discussing their struggles to find a home in the Austin community, and to get used to life after college.

“Our whole lives, everyone’s preparing you for the next step. Remember after high school? Everybody talked about college, and helped us get ready. That’s nothing compared to this! No one helps you get ready for life without school.”

They’re right. It is not easy, and almost everyone experiences this same struggle to find out what is next after the structure of school ends. (sidenote: One went on to tell the other about this great new movie coming out starring Julia Roberts, where her character travels the world to find herself. “I think it’s called Eat Pray Love, but I haven’t read it. I want to just travel the world!” I wanted to interrupt and tell them it is my favorite book, and they must read it - now. I decided against, so as to avoid letting them in on my eavesdropping…)

I remember being in the shoes of the first couple - so excited about what was to come, and nervous about the unknown. And I recall moving to Miami after grad school, feeling enthusiastic about my life, apprehensive about the future, and discouraged throughout that first year as I struggled to find my fit in the city.

There are not easy answers as to how to maneuver through these transitions, but it is comforting to remember that I am not alone in this experience. Plenty of others experience the same struggles. It is also nice to reflect on my first time going through this. I have made it before, and I am confident and hopeful that I will make it through again.

As I prepared to leave, I watched an older couple walk to their car and drive off to their next destination. I wondered about the advice they could give, with their years of experience? As I reflect on how I thought I had so much to tell the four people I overheard today to provide them with hope and encouragement, I remember how little of life I have truly experienced. This couple has a lifetime of stories to share. I also realize that all six of the people I have seen could teach me something.

Attraversiamo.

In June 2007, I had just moved to Miami and started my job at Florida International University. Having moved to a new city knowing nobody, I would often head to downtown Coral Gables to browse the various bookstores - my favorite being Books & Books - a charming doctor’s-office-turned-bookstore-and-cafe, about a half mIle from my apartment. The building had been renovated to fit the bookstore needs while maintaining the integrity of the original 1927 Mediterranean style architecture, and each room had been fixed with wall-to-wall wooden bookshelves. (Check out a slideshow of the store)

Summer 2007 marked an exciting time in literary history, as the seventh (and final) book of the Harry Potter series was to be released. At this time, I hadn’t read any of the books or seen any of the films, but my supervisor and a handful of my new colleagues were avid readers.

One evening after work, I stopped by the Barnes & Noble store on Miracle Mile, and fed the parking meter for two hours. (I would visit B&N when I knew I was going to purchase something, because at the time I still had a paid membership to their discount program. Now, I prefer local when possible.) Unbeknownst to me, that evening was the release party for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows, and within a half hour, the bookstore was packed with Harry, Ron, and Hermione clones (adults and children alike). Watching the frenzied excitement (particulary that of the booksellers who were frantic among the commotion) provided an interesting study in human behavior. I’ve always been a people-watcher, and I love to know what makes a person tick.

I told my office about the visit the next day, mentioning how I didn’t understand all of the fuss. They proceeded to explain their great anticipation for the final book, and told me I had to read the series. My supervisor offered to loan me the books if I was ever interested. It wouldn’t be until two summers later that I would take Anna up on her offer.

Last May, I borrowed the first three books from Anna, and quickly fell in love. J. K. Rowling’s writing style is energetic and youthful, and her elaborate stories and impressive twists as each novel comes to a close brings everything together seamlessly, and never ceases to surprise. As I would wrap up each book, I would watch the corresponding film with my good friend Brian. I made it through the first three books and films as the Summer ended, and held off on the fourth until arriving in Austin.

After getting settled in my new job at the University of Texas at Austin, I borowed the fourth book from my neighbor Brandon, and started the series again with Esmer - a colleague and friend who also hadn’t followed Harry’s adventures before last summer.

I have a thing with wanting to own the books I read - particulary those I love. I also don’t like to own incomplete sets of collections, and prefer that each copy is in the same format (a little neurotic, I admit). Before my cross-country move, Mickey gave me an extra hardback copy of the Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Prince, at which point I wanted to own not only the whole series, but hardback volumes of the remaining six books. Pricing such a purchase at various bookstores, I quickly found that this would be a real investment - until today.

Esmer introduced me to Half Price Books - a fabulous used booksore in Austin. I visited today, and was able to complete my hardcover collection for less than $65 - nearly $25 cheaper than purchasing a new copy of the boxed paperback set! I switched from Brandon’s borrowed paperback, and am excited to return it this week.

If you haven’t read the series, I would strongly encourage it. As an educator, the boarding school similarities of Hogwarts resonates similarly to the typical residential higher education experience, with similar challenges (independence, living away from home, time management, peer pressure, acadic pressures, etc.). The characters are elaborately defined, and the story is well-written, imaginative and intriguing. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. In fact, why don’t you start today? You’re certainly welcome to borrow my collection. :-)

Check out this article about the various diverse Greek-letter organizations at Florida International University (my former employer), and others around South Florida! Great press for some good student groups!

Thanks to my friend, Steve Rothaus, for sharing this positive news on his Gay South Florida Miami Herald blog.

Optimism is a driving force during hard economic times. This great article from my friend Steve Rothaus with the Miami Herald discusses the positivity behind LGBT consumers, and shares research findings that support the reality that the LGBT consumer is a fantastic target market for businesses looking for confident and committed consumers. Enjoy!

Charles Perez - former openly gay news anchor for the Miami ABC Affiliate station - was recently let go, just after filing a discrimination claim against the employer. The station had bumped Perez from nights to weekends without a clear reason, and he courageously filed the discrimination case.

Read his view of the story at the link above.

The Miami Gay Men’s Chorus will close the 10th Anniversary season this weekend (June 19-20), with the program titled “LOOK: back, inward & forward.” According to Artistic Director Anthony Cabrera, “This program will include music the chorus has performed over the last ten years, including songs from our ABBA, Elton John, Gloria Estefan shows along with some of our favorites from our past performances. We will also, introduce you to a new work called “Through A Glass, Darkly.” One, we hope, will become more than just another piece of music on a wonderful program.”

MGMC marketing chair, Christi Hayes, defines Through a Glass, Darkly as “a new choral theatre work by Michael Schaieb… which explores 36 hours in the unraveling life of a young gay man addicted to crystal methamphetamine.”

Armando Diaz Jr. of Ambiente Magazine was invited behind the scenes with the chorus for an exclusive preview and interviews. Diaz raves,

“I was offered the opportunity by Mr. Anthony Cabrera (the chorus’s artistic director and all around visionary) to sit in on their Thursday night rehearsal, front and center as their only audience. It was not only flattering, but impressive as I was highly moved by the passionate nature, with which every individual member of this group delivers their performance. Their powerful yet soothing and collected voices vibrated through the walls of the small auditorium behind St. Patrick’s Church (Miami Bch.) and consequently moved me. The subject matter of their upcoming performance is nothing less of intense… The MGMC is truly communicating its mission as Mr. Cabrera stated, ‘to change lives through the power of music.’”

Photo courtesy of Armando Diaz Jr., Ambiente Magazine.

The show is sure to be an eye-opener, highlighting the talent of the chorus, paired with the ability to address a serious issue and communicate a positive message of hope and renewal. Tickets are nearly sold out online, but are still available in limited quantities. For more information about the chorus, and to purchase tickets, visit MGMC on the web.

GOOD Idea is a new regular feature for Critically Acclaimed that focuses on service projects and positive ways to impact the world around you. Read more about it here.

My good friend and colleague introduced me to a new concept that I will be implementing into every future birthday celebration: the BirthDay of Service project.

As part of the 30th birthday festivities, my friend invited a large group to participate in a service project in order to give back to the greater community. This year’s project: planting trees around Miami with TREEmendous Miami.

I am encouraged by my friend’s fantastic decision to impact the world, and excited to follow suit next February, starting my own annual BirthDay of Service.

About this year’s BirthDay of Service project site:

“TREEmendous Miami consists of a dedicated group of people who like to plant trees so that we can make Miami-Dade a greener, cooler, healthier and more enjoyable environment in which to live. Our environment is our number one concern. Our mission statement describes us as volunteers united to build community pride by planting, protecting and preserving trees in Miami-Dade County.”

How will you celebrate your birthday?