Bunch o Stuff
I've been in a real non posting mood lately... not sure if I'm done with the idea, if I'm lazy, or it's the fact the space bar on my keyboard is still f'd up since I popped it off during my time at SES San Jose. Who knows... anyway, here's a bunch of stuff, hopefully with the proper spacing...
* * *
Mooooovies...
Last night we caught Flash of Genius, which I thought was incredibly well done. It's a true tale of a guy who really got screwed by big business when they swiped his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper. I love movies like this on a lot of levels: one, being a little guy, I dig it when the little guy wins in these situations; two, I'm a sucker for a good courtroom scene; three, with flicks like these, I just love the fact that the movie gets made at all. What I mean is, can you imagine the pitch meeting where you say you want to make a movie about the guy who created the intermittent windshield wiper? I mean sure, it's a great drama, but just to get in the door with this one must have been a friggin' miracle.
We also had the pleasure of seeing Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. Turns out, not a new chapter in the Thin Man series (you can go look that joke up if you want, it's probably not worth it, really). Anyway, it's a great piece of teenage romantic comedy, which I was surprised to see was based on a book. When I was checking ou the IMDB listing on it this morning, I found myself in the throwes of an unhealthy mini-crush on the chick that plays Nora. Eh, crushes are healthy and she's long since legal (22 apparently), so I won't beat myself up too much. Anyway, she's been in a lot of stuff, but you probably didn't notice it because you're a grown up that doesn't read CosmoGirl (the easiest place to see her is playing the oldest daughter in 40 Year Old Virgin). Oh yeah, the movie... well done, not terribly tight, but well done. Certain teen movies like this one always kind of throw me for a couple of reasons. For one, one of the main points in this is the main character getting over a chick that you're sold as being the prettier of the girls in the movie, but she's NOT... I mean, this can't just be a my taste in women thing, but the girl that plays his ex just isn't that attractive. Then again, I was always the guy that went after the homelier looking girl drummer in an all girl band rather than the supposedly hot lead singer, etc. The other is that the geek wins in the end, which is not an entirely new concept, but the newer part is the the geeky GUY is winning a lot more lately... nice trend. As a former geeky teen, I hope this makes girls give geeky teens a second look now, even if they're not movie stars.
The night before, we caught a couple of more movies that really aren't worth writing a ton about, so I'll be brief. The first was The Lucky Ones, which was a modern day buddy picture, but with soldiers on leave from the Iraq War. I was surprised to see Tim Robbins in this one because I hadn't heard of the flick at all and he usually gets some press when he's got a movie coming out. Anyway, it was an ok flick, a bit long, but good just the same.
The other flick was An American Carol. So, right-wing propagana aside, it just wasn't funny. I don't mean the right-wing stuff by the way, that didn't have much of a shot at being funny to me anyway, but the other parts that could be considered moderate were just not funny. What the hell happened to David Zucker? I mean, this is the guy who helped created Airplane and he's putting his name on this crap? On the right wing stuff, I could go on for days, but what I hated about it most was that it was so far to the opposite side, mostly about the idea that "you're either a republican or you're a terrorist". It's just wrong and anyone that thinks that way should be ashamed of themselves.
* * *
Speaking of SES, I got my official notice and travel plans for SES Chicago in December. Mmmmmm, Chicago in December. Nice planning folks, was Wisconsin full or....?
Also speaking of SES, the session I usually speak on is officially on the schedule for SES London in February, but I haven't been formally asked yet. To combat this, I am actually pitching a new topic to the organizers on tracking of SEO activities. Thrilling, right? Well, maybe more if you're a search marketing person.
Anyway, let's hope... would be fun to make it back to London for a longer stretch.
* * *
I'm working on something in my head that I'm thinking of calling "The Courage to Say 'So What?'". With the election campaign this year, something is really bothering me about some of the things that are coming up about Obama. Sure, there are the things that are just not true that are really evil, like that he's a terrorist, etc. But the thing I'm having the hardest time with are the things that are either true or false that really aren't evil things, but are being sold as evil things... and no one is saying "so what?" when it comes up at campaign speeches, etc.
An example of something McCain kind of did right the other day was when some odd duck asked him at a rally if Obama was an Arab. McCain actually was cool enough to say "no, he's not, he's actually a good man that I have some disagreements with"... nicely done. I may not agree with your politics, but you backed a few steps out of the fire with that one. However, if he really wanted to win me over more (not completely mind you), he would have said, "not only is he not an Arab, but so what if he is?"
I hate to break it to you people, but just being an Arab isn't a bad thing. Either is being Muslim, being Islamic, or being a Socialist. These aren't evil things we're talking about here, they are just things. Sure, people who happen to be these things have done bad things, but so have a lot of other people who are plenty of other things that John McCain is as well. Christians have done all kinds of bad things... modern things, like blow up buildings in Oklahoma... does that make all Christians terrorists? Of course not. Why do we jump right to evil when it comes to these things? I mean, I think I know why, but if you really think on it, it's kind of silly, isn't it?
And don't get me started on socialism as a bad word. I mean, come now.... think about this. If you're calling Obama a socialist as a way to insult him and McCain is his opposite, does that make McCain a facist? Of course not. Plus, I love that so many poor people in the south are screaming no socialism and then turning around and getting their checks from the government because they are on welfare or unemployment or send their kids to public schools or like havinga police department or a fire department. If you immediately cringe at the idea of socialism, then you've fallen victim to a line of crap that has been around this country since the early part of last century.
It's like when Obama got popped for saying "spread the wealth" like it was a bad thing. Please, save you crap about how you believe that you should be able to keep the money you make. I make plenty of money and I still don't make enough to fall abovet the line for the tax increases... and I own a small business. And even when I do cross that coveted $250,000 a year mark, well, I'll be more than happy to pay my fair share because at some points in my life, I've used the programs that that fair share is going towards... like roads, public schools, etc. etc.
The fact that you live in this country and got the chances to succeed the way you did is one of the reasons you did succeed. Now that you're at the top, pay your damn share.
* * *
As a follow up to my one hour of simi-fame as a DJ on Indie 103.1, you can see me in the studio and see the wacky way they showed my playlist on the Indie website.
The whole experience was a blast, technical difficulties and all. I was not surprised they chose that picture... some things you just know. After two regular shots of me in the studio, the one the intern snapped while I was fooling around was the one that would make it up on the site.
I suggest anyone who listens to this station give it a shot... I mean, if I made it, there just can't be that many people trying to get in on this action.
* * *
Can I just say I love having a high fence in my back yard? The other morning, I got tired of looking at all the leaves and crap floating in my pool after our little wind outburst earlier in the week, so I decided to go out and clean it myself... wearing nothing at all.
Rachel will probably tuck that one away in some little pool boy fantasy, some of you may find youself throwing up a bit now that you've pictured it happening, but the point is, if I had little tiny fences, it just wouldn't have happened.
* * *
I actually had a job interview on Friday afternoon. I know, weird, right? I mean, you may have noticed that I'm not bitching about my job anymore, and that's because my boss is awesome 99% of the time and now that the company got bought, we're probably safe from the storm, but there's something that's kind of nagging at me.
I think it's the fact that I'm getting closer to 40 and should really be closer to becoming a VP and there's just no chance of that happening where I am now. My boss isn't going anywhere and if the company dug me enough to even consider me a VP, they would have done it during the time between VPs.
It's funny, with companies anymore, really big promotions like that just don't happen... it's like getting a really decent raise. You pretty much have to jump ship because it's a lot like staying in the same school system when you're a kid and dating. Let me 'splain... when I was in junior high and high school, I didn't date much because I was kind of shy and had low self esteem because I got picked on a lot. When I started to bloom and filled in a bit, I still didn't date a lot for the same reasons... one, because I didn't have the confidense and two, when I did try, it was with girls that knew me back when I was that other kid. Now, when I joined DeMolay, the field of opportunity opened up a lot and suddenly, what was commonplace became exotic and the girls that you came across now saw you as just a dude and my confidence was a lot better because I was a lot more popular in that circle than I was in high school. Business is the same... .sometimes, you just have to change schools to get laid.
* * *
I took a break from reading Dashelle Hammett stories to read Choke by the guy who wrote Fight Club (I'm not even going to try and spell his last name). It's a really fun read, something people who can read faster than I should be able to take out in a day. I plan on reading the rest of his stuff soon.
Speaking of my friend Dash, I decided a couple of things. One, that both he and Raymond Chandler just aren't getting enough modern love. The stories are fantastic and could easily be made into much closer adapatations in these modern days of movie making. Also, if I did find myself in a career in radio, I would use the name "Dash" since, outside of the fast kid in The Incredibles, it just doesn't get used much anymore.
* * *
I received the official document that states that I own a piece of Granville Cafe (now with two locations, one in Burbank and the other in Glendale in the Americana). It's a small piece, but it is an actual piece of a restaurant chain that has plans for growth (that hopefully won't be cut down due to the economy).
Anyway, no I don't get a discount, but go eat there anyway... it's good chow.
* * *
Crap, I can't believe you just read all of that... go outside and play, will ya?
J.
* * *
Mooooovies...
Last night we caught Flash of Genius, which I thought was incredibly well done. It's a true tale of a guy who really got screwed by big business when they swiped his idea for the intermittent windshield wiper. I love movies like this on a lot of levels: one, being a little guy, I dig it when the little guy wins in these situations; two, I'm a sucker for a good courtroom scene; three, with flicks like these, I just love the fact that the movie gets made at all. What I mean is, can you imagine the pitch meeting where you say you want to make a movie about the guy who created the intermittent windshield wiper? I mean sure, it's a great drama, but just to get in the door with this one must have been a friggin' miracle.
We also had the pleasure of seeing Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. Turns out, not a new chapter in the Thin Man series (you can go look that joke up if you want, it's probably not worth it, really). Anyway, it's a great piece of teenage romantic comedy, which I was surprised to see was based on a book. When I was checking ou the IMDB listing on it this morning, I found myself in the throwes of an unhealthy mini-crush on the chick that plays Nora. Eh, crushes are healthy and she's long since legal (22 apparently), so I won't beat myself up too much. Anyway, she's been in a lot of stuff, but you probably didn't notice it because you're a grown up that doesn't read CosmoGirl (the easiest place to see her is playing the oldest daughter in 40 Year Old Virgin). Oh yeah, the movie... well done, not terribly tight, but well done. Certain teen movies like this one always kind of throw me for a couple of reasons. For one, one of the main points in this is the main character getting over a chick that you're sold as being the prettier of the girls in the movie, but she's NOT... I mean, this can't just be a my taste in women thing, but the girl that plays his ex just isn't that attractive. Then again, I was always the guy that went after the homelier looking girl drummer in an all girl band rather than the supposedly hot lead singer, etc. The other is that the geek wins in the end, which is not an entirely new concept, but the newer part is the the geeky GUY is winning a lot more lately... nice trend. As a former geeky teen, I hope this makes girls give geeky teens a second look now, even if they're not movie stars.
The night before, we caught a couple of more movies that really aren't worth writing a ton about, so I'll be brief. The first was The Lucky Ones, which was a modern day buddy picture, but with soldiers on leave from the Iraq War. I was surprised to see Tim Robbins in this one because I hadn't heard of the flick at all and he usually gets some press when he's got a movie coming out. Anyway, it was an ok flick, a bit long, but good just the same.
The other flick was An American Carol. So, right-wing propagana aside, it just wasn't funny. I don't mean the right-wing stuff by the way, that didn't have much of a shot at being funny to me anyway, but the other parts that could be considered moderate were just not funny. What the hell happened to David Zucker? I mean, this is the guy who helped created Airplane and he's putting his name on this crap? On the right wing stuff, I could go on for days, but what I hated about it most was that it was so far to the opposite side, mostly about the idea that "you're either a republican or you're a terrorist". It's just wrong and anyone that thinks that way should be ashamed of themselves.
* * *
Speaking of SES, I got my official notice and travel plans for SES Chicago in December. Mmmmmm, Chicago in December. Nice planning folks, was Wisconsin full or....?
Also speaking of SES, the session I usually speak on is officially on the schedule for SES London in February, but I haven't been formally asked yet. To combat this, I am actually pitching a new topic to the organizers on tracking of SEO activities. Thrilling, right? Well, maybe more if you're a search marketing person.
Anyway, let's hope... would be fun to make it back to London for a longer stretch.
* * *
I'm working on something in my head that I'm thinking of calling "The Courage to Say 'So What?'". With the election campaign this year, something is really bothering me about some of the things that are coming up about Obama. Sure, there are the things that are just not true that are really evil, like that he's a terrorist, etc. But the thing I'm having the hardest time with are the things that are either true or false that really aren't evil things, but are being sold as evil things... and no one is saying "so what?" when it comes up at campaign speeches, etc.
An example of something McCain kind of did right the other day was when some odd duck asked him at a rally if Obama was an Arab. McCain actually was cool enough to say "no, he's not, he's actually a good man that I have some disagreements with"... nicely done. I may not agree with your politics, but you backed a few steps out of the fire with that one. However, if he really wanted to win me over more (not completely mind you), he would have said, "not only is he not an Arab, but so what if he is?"
I hate to break it to you people, but just being an Arab isn't a bad thing. Either is being Muslim, being Islamic, or being a Socialist. These aren't evil things we're talking about here, they are just things. Sure, people who happen to be these things have done bad things, but so have a lot of other people who are plenty of other things that John McCain is as well. Christians have done all kinds of bad things... modern things, like blow up buildings in Oklahoma... does that make all Christians terrorists? Of course not. Why do we jump right to evil when it comes to these things? I mean, I think I know why, but if you really think on it, it's kind of silly, isn't it?
And don't get me started on socialism as a bad word. I mean, come now.... think about this. If you're calling Obama a socialist as a way to insult him and McCain is his opposite, does that make McCain a facist? Of course not. Plus, I love that so many poor people in the south are screaming no socialism and then turning around and getting their checks from the government because they are on welfare or unemployment or send their kids to public schools or like havinga police department or a fire department. If you immediately cringe at the idea of socialism, then you've fallen victim to a line of crap that has been around this country since the early part of last century.
It's like when Obama got popped for saying "spread the wealth" like it was a bad thing. Please, save you crap about how you believe that you should be able to keep the money you make. I make plenty of money and I still don't make enough to fall abovet the line for the tax increases... and I own a small business. And even when I do cross that coveted $250,000 a year mark, well, I'll be more than happy to pay my fair share because at some points in my life, I've used the programs that that fair share is going towards... like roads, public schools, etc. etc.
The fact that you live in this country and got the chances to succeed the way you did is one of the reasons you did succeed. Now that you're at the top, pay your damn share.
* * *
As a follow up to my one hour of simi-fame as a DJ on Indie 103.1, you can see me in the studio and see the wacky way they showed my playlist on the Indie website.
The whole experience was a blast, technical difficulties and all. I was not surprised they chose that picture... some things you just know. After two regular shots of me in the studio, the one the intern snapped while I was fooling around was the one that would make it up on the site.
I suggest anyone who listens to this station give it a shot... I mean, if I made it, there just can't be that many people trying to get in on this action.
* * *
Can I just say I love having a high fence in my back yard? The other morning, I got tired of looking at all the leaves and crap floating in my pool after our little wind outburst earlier in the week, so I decided to go out and clean it myself... wearing nothing at all.
Rachel will probably tuck that one away in some little pool boy fantasy, some of you may find youself throwing up a bit now that you've pictured it happening, but the point is, if I had little tiny fences, it just wouldn't have happened.
* * *
I actually had a job interview on Friday afternoon. I know, weird, right? I mean, you may have noticed that I'm not bitching about my job anymore, and that's because my boss is awesome 99% of the time and now that the company got bought, we're probably safe from the storm, but there's something that's kind of nagging at me.
I think it's the fact that I'm getting closer to 40 and should really be closer to becoming a VP and there's just no chance of that happening where I am now. My boss isn't going anywhere and if the company dug me enough to even consider me a VP, they would have done it during the time between VPs.
It's funny, with companies anymore, really big promotions like that just don't happen... it's like getting a really decent raise. You pretty much have to jump ship because it's a lot like staying in the same school system when you're a kid and dating. Let me 'splain... when I was in junior high and high school, I didn't date much because I was kind of shy and had low self esteem because I got picked on a lot. When I started to bloom and filled in a bit, I still didn't date a lot for the same reasons... one, because I didn't have the confidense and two, when I did try, it was with girls that knew me back when I was that other kid. Now, when I joined DeMolay, the field of opportunity opened up a lot and suddenly, what was commonplace became exotic and the girls that you came across now saw you as just a dude and my confidence was a lot better because I was a lot more popular in that circle than I was in high school. Business is the same... .sometimes, you just have to change schools to get laid.
* * *
I took a break from reading Dashelle Hammett stories to read Choke by the guy who wrote Fight Club (I'm not even going to try and spell his last name). It's a really fun read, something people who can read faster than I should be able to take out in a day. I plan on reading the rest of his stuff soon.
Speaking of my friend Dash, I decided a couple of things. One, that both he and Raymond Chandler just aren't getting enough modern love. The stories are fantastic and could easily be made into much closer adapatations in these modern days of movie making. Also, if I did find myself in a career in radio, I would use the name "Dash" since, outside of the fast kid in The Incredibles, it just doesn't get used much anymore.
* * *
I received the official document that states that I own a piece of Granville Cafe (now with two locations, one in Burbank and the other in Glendale in the Americana). It's a small piece, but it is an actual piece of a restaurant chain that has plans for growth (that hopefully won't be cut down due to the economy).
Anyway, no I don't get a discount, but go eat there anyway... it's good chow.
* * *
Crap, I can't believe you just read all of that... go outside and play, will ya?
J.