Major Update
Well, we are an LLC. Congratulations to my team!
www.vandelayventures.com
We are working on some things, and talking to some people. Vague? You better believe it. I'll tell you all more when we pass the non disclosure stage. I am extremely excited.
I have been invited to be a writer for TheDailyGeek.tv. Woohoo! The site's focus is products and services for the ultra chic geek lifestyle. Check it out.
I discovered the coolest bar ever: The Swinging Door Bar. It's in San Mateo. Yes you read that correctly. It's also known as the Dueling Piano Bar. Basically, there are two pianos facing each other, and the two pianists take requests from the audience. However, if you don't like the song currently being played, you pay the other pianist to play a different song. It goes back and forth with increasing dollar amounts each turn. There was a song everyone was really into so I naturally interrupted the song to get the maximum number of "boos." Awesome. I had a wonderful time while celebrating Ricky's future success and school acceptance. Definitely check out this bar. The pianists are hilarious and htey know how to get a crowd going.
I discovered an amazing new service called Jott.com. It has literally changed my life. I'm not sure how profitable it is, but it sure is impressive. Here's the question: These days what do you always have on you? Wallet, keys, and... cell phone. The cell phone can be used for so much more than just making phone calls to people. What about computers? You sign up for Jott and get a phone number to call. When you hear the beep you start talking. The service records your message, converts it to text, and emails you the transcript! Simple right?! It's amazing. I love it. The best use I've found is whenever I hear a cool song I call Jott and say some lyrics I hear. Then when I get home I Yahoo! Search the lyrics, find out the name of the song, and buy it from iTunes. Great process. With a service like Jott you can always make notes that will be there when you get home. I'm surprised there aren't more useful services that are built around constant access to the cell phone.
Another cool service I discovered to use as a time waster is StumbleUpon.com. You can choose what kind of videos you want to see, and the service will automatically show you relevant videos from Youtube, Myspace, and Metacafe. Definitely check it out but have a clock close by so you don't waste too much time. ;)
I saw Dana Carvey at San Jose Improv. Absolutely hilarious. It was a workshop which means he was trying out jokes for his upcoming HBO special. He had notes and after each joke he would comment on how the audience responded. After his material was through he asked the audience what we wanted to hear. Someone quickly yelled out "church lady!" Afterwards, I yelled out "Schwarzenegger" since I remember Carvey doing the Hanz and Franz routines on Saturday Night Live. Luckily, Carvey heard me and went into a Governator routine. Go me. Hell yes.
I received my first hacking lesson. I had no idea how ridiculously easy it is to see what people are IMing on nearby networks. It's really scary. Also, if you aren't using SSL for email, watch out. People can see that too using free, easy to use software. Do you have Comcast? HOLY SHIT. Talk about ridiculous. Everything happening in nearby homes is coming into your home. Everything you do in your home is going into nearby homes. You better believe it baby. If you hook up a computer in between the wall and your cable modem, you can see all the traffic in nearby homes. To me this is shocking.
For the first time in my life I went to a midwest style club. It was terrifying. The place is in San Jose and it's called Rodeo Club. I had no idea the obesity problem was so bad until that night. However, the music was upbeat and entertaining. Girls love to line dance, and I thoroughly enjoy watching it. Haha. Oh and there were lots of tattoos too.
The last service I'm going to discuss is Viddyou.com. It's a complete solution for video blogging. If you have a webcam, this is it. The interface is beautiful and efficient. Everyone I demonstrate the service to is shocked to see how easy it is to use. You click Record and boom your live image appears in the browser window. Definitely check it out. They opened to the public last Monday, and they have already been covered on TechCrunch and ArsTechnica.
Especially good recent Netflix movies:
Rocky Balboa - Rocky was surprisingly kind and generous throughout the movie. I enjoyed that.
Chasing Amy - AMAZING. You must see this movie.
Save the Tiger - Jack Lemmon, 1974 Academy Award winning performane.
Charade - Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn. Wonderful.
The Breakfast Club - Yes, I finally saw this movie.
Sixteen Candles - Awwww what a sweet movie.
Prestige - Extremely entertaining.
Gridiron Gang - The Rock's performance was impressive, and the teamwork was touching.
That's it. I think I'm going to the OC this week. Giddy up.
www.vandelayventures.com
We are working on some things, and talking to some people. Vague? You better believe it. I'll tell you all more when we pass the non disclosure stage. I am extremely excited.
I have been invited to be a writer for TheDailyGeek.tv. Woohoo! The site's focus is products and services for the ultra chic geek lifestyle. Check it out.
I discovered the coolest bar ever: The Swinging Door Bar. It's in San Mateo. Yes you read that correctly. It's also known as the Dueling Piano Bar. Basically, there are two pianos facing each other, and the two pianists take requests from the audience. However, if you don't like the song currently being played, you pay the other pianist to play a different song. It goes back and forth with increasing dollar amounts each turn. There was a song everyone was really into so I naturally interrupted the song to get the maximum number of "boos." Awesome. I had a wonderful time while celebrating Ricky's future success and school acceptance. Definitely check out this bar. The pianists are hilarious and htey know how to get a crowd going.
I discovered an amazing new service called Jott.com. It has literally changed my life. I'm not sure how profitable it is, but it sure is impressive. Here's the question: These days what do you always have on you? Wallet, keys, and... cell phone. The cell phone can be used for so much more than just making phone calls to people. What about computers? You sign up for Jott and get a phone number to call. When you hear the beep you start talking. The service records your message, converts it to text, and emails you the transcript! Simple right?! It's amazing. I love it. The best use I've found is whenever I hear a cool song I call Jott and say some lyrics I hear. Then when I get home I Yahoo! Search the lyrics, find out the name of the song, and buy it from iTunes. Great process. With a service like Jott you can always make notes that will be there when you get home. I'm surprised there aren't more useful services that are built around constant access to the cell phone.
Another cool service I discovered to use as a time waster is StumbleUpon.com. You can choose what kind of videos you want to see, and the service will automatically show you relevant videos from Youtube, Myspace, and Metacafe. Definitely check it out but have a clock close by so you don't waste too much time. ;)
I saw Dana Carvey at San Jose Improv. Absolutely hilarious. It was a workshop which means he was trying out jokes for his upcoming HBO special. He had notes and after each joke he would comment on how the audience responded. After his material was through he asked the audience what we wanted to hear. Someone quickly yelled out "church lady!" Afterwards, I yelled out "Schwarzenegger" since I remember Carvey doing the Hanz and Franz routines on Saturday Night Live. Luckily, Carvey heard me and went into a Governator routine. Go me. Hell yes.
I received my first hacking lesson. I had no idea how ridiculously easy it is to see what people are IMing on nearby networks. It's really scary. Also, if you aren't using SSL for email, watch out. People can see that too using free, easy to use software. Do you have Comcast? HOLY SHIT. Talk about ridiculous. Everything happening in nearby homes is coming into your home. Everything you do in your home is going into nearby homes. You better believe it baby. If you hook up a computer in between the wall and your cable modem, you can see all the traffic in nearby homes. To me this is shocking.
For the first time in my life I went to a midwest style club. It was terrifying. The place is in San Jose and it's called Rodeo Club. I had no idea the obesity problem was so bad until that night. However, the music was upbeat and entertaining. Girls love to line dance, and I thoroughly enjoy watching it. Haha. Oh and there were lots of tattoos too.
The last service I'm going to discuss is Viddyou.com. It's a complete solution for video blogging. If you have a webcam, this is it. The interface is beautiful and efficient. Everyone I demonstrate the service to is shocked to see how easy it is to use. You click Record and boom your live image appears in the browser window. Definitely check it out. They opened to the public last Monday, and they have already been covered on TechCrunch and ArsTechnica.
Especially good recent Netflix movies:
Rocky Balboa - Rocky was surprisingly kind and generous throughout the movie. I enjoyed that.
Chasing Amy - AMAZING. You must see this movie.
Save the Tiger - Jack Lemmon, 1974 Academy Award winning performane.
Charade - Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn. Wonderful.
The Breakfast Club - Yes, I finally saw this movie.
Sixteen Candles - Awwww what a sweet movie.
Prestige - Extremely entertaining.
Gridiron Gang - The Rock's performance was impressive, and the teamwork was touching.
That's it. I think I'm going to the OC this week. Giddy up.