Give me your deepest darkest movie thoughts!!

Hey Everyone – I finally talked myself back into netflix. They still don’t offer support for mac’s on instant viewing, but I miss my movies. I am definitely a hollywood fan. I need some quality content and good stories.

So, now that I am back into the flix of the net, I need some friendses. I never really tested out the community features on netflix, but now that I have a wonderful world of twitter friends I can do so. Let’s sink up the worlds and maybe I can get into your deepest darkest movie desires.

Here is the link netflix gave me to make friends: be my netflix friend

Lemme know if it doesn’t work and have you seen/heard/tested the roku??

Steve

Sharing the Angry Letter I sent to Comcast

Ya, I’m gonna stay away from serious ranting. Just simply going to say that Comcast pisses me off. Here is the email letter I sent to their customer service via prompting by frank at comcastcares:

Dear Sir/Madam - I recently began getting service from your company (Feb
08). At the time I was told I would be receiving 88$ worth of service
through some combined (complicated) package for cable and internet. Since
then my bill has been over 100 each time. The last two bills were 170.81 and
114.03$. I remember the bill before that being ~112.00 as well.

This is extremely frustrating and annoying. Personally, I am fed-up with the
service and will gladly cancel. Fortunately for comcast, my roommate likes
both enough to keep them, but I am working on him to free ourselves of this
madness.

Am I to understand that 22$ + is the norm for taxes on this product? I can't
imagine voluntarily subscribing to a service where taxes/surcharges account
for 25% of the charge.

I was hoping that you could explain to me these over-charges, or false
statements about my original subscription price statements?

But, even more so I would like to figure out how I can become happy with
your service. Which doesn't involve "sir you are paying over 100$ for these
reasons". It involves here are your options, how much it will (really) cost,
and a guarantee of those services/price.

P.S. The comcast site does not show old statements and is generally limited
in functionality. I guess I should just be happy that my internet provider
even has a website...

Suffice to say that I am not expecting much. I long ago learned that these companies are parasitic and really never make me satisfied. In fact, the only time I ever felt good about a cable company was last week when comcastcares actually expressed interest in helping.

Looking for a Podcast Buddy

Here I am sitting at the PodCampDC kinda bored listening to folks worry about online identities.

I came to this unconference to meet other podcasters. Somehow though I got wrapped up into some new journalism talks and identity crisis. Good stuff but that is what I do during the week. This is my weekend and my hobby time!

So, mission failed for now. Still though I hope to meet other podcasters. I am really interested in meeting a group of people to podcast with. Anyone else out there interested?

Thoughts on the years past, 2007, 2006, and beyond

Better late than never. I have been thinking about my 2008 resolutions for a while. Before I lay them out I want to ponder the yesteryears. I get pretty serious when it comes to these resolutions. Spending a lot of time thinking about them and then working very hard on them throughout the year.

Over the previous years I have tried to keep them simple, usually sticking to 1 or 2 main ones. Last year, I focused on health and career. I wanted six pack abs and to figure out my career.

I was able to lose a lot of weight (down to 150 lbs). and maybe get 4 pack of abs. Still, I was unable to maintain that and have since gained a little back. Not much though, and through a steady diet and healthy habits I have maintained a much thinner body and I feel healthier than ever. My diet has even greatly improved. Resolution = success.

Career. This was also a success. This year I came into my own for my career, personally and professionally. I now have amazing hobbies that directly translate into my job, and my job feeds directly into my hobbies. A truly fabulous dynamic that stretches the boundaries of my job, and breaks any link to the negative aspect of the term “work”. Basically, I love what I do and don’t consider it work. It only took me 27 years but I finally found something I love, something that excites me, and something that I am really good at. Success.

The year before that, 2006, was the year of change. That year that I moved across the country, left my my girlfriend who I love, and left the hometown that I love. I wanted to just figure things out. I wanted to successfully arrive in Washington D.C. I wanted to get back on the horse and start galloping again. It took a lot of effort and was truly a struggle, but it worked. The change was a success.

The only resolution from 2006 that I can remember is to continue to grow and continue to have fun. I definitely did that but I was really worried about losing myself. At that time I had changed careers several times, and had no idea where I was going or what I was going to do. Fortunately, everything has come together and I succeeded.

Strange how much of my life revolves around my career and professional success. Doesn’t bother me though, because I am a devoutly passionate person and I need to dive into everything I do. Now, that I have a personal/professional balance with my career I am a much more balanced person. My passion does not frustrate me, it drives me.

It is with this new balance, that I feel a change inside of me. I have been waiting for this since I attained my adult consciousness (about 16 yrs of age). It is strangely new and scary. I can now define myself through my career, but I can also lose myself in my work. I can focus my extreme quest for knowledge in one area and meet others with the same intensity and drive. This is a place that I have been dreaming of for years.

Thanks to everyone who helped me achieve this state, I love you and cherish your help and guidance: Scott, Pat, Jenny, Sean, Don, Amy, Mom, Dad, & Max.

Another important change inside of me is deeply personal. My love. I have always been intensely focused on 2 things in my life, often at the expense of everything else. Those are career and love. They can be extremely elusive and frustratingly in opposition. The career part I confidently have down. The love part is lost to me.

Since birth I have been happy and playful, but also strangely focused. I always need constant companionship, but not through large social networks. Nope, just through simple best friends. One at a time, a whole series of them throughout my life. One after the other. Each one has changed my life, challenged me, and brought me greater joy than I have ever felt before.

Unfortunately, I am at a loss right now. I’m in between best friends and have no one to love. My puppies is amazing but nothing compared to a simple best friend. I miss Jenny deeply and I hope we will re-unite at a later time. Is it weird that I think about her constantly and dream of marrying her?

Not to me. I cherish our time together and look forward to my future, whatever it is, and whoever it is with. The future is bright.

I try to focus on my insecurities with being alone. I try to deal with being single. I now that I need to be more comfortable with myself. Its hard being so confident and knowing how much I enjoy being in love, and then dealing with being single and losing some confidence. Alas, I am learning a lot through this struggle and becoming a better person, despite constant commiseration (not a big fan of learning through struggle).

I feel like I am more balanced than ever. I often think about how many mistakes I made on Jenny. It is amazing that she stuck with me throughout my career struggles. I was quite an ornery person as I was clawing my way to the top and trying to define myself in the process.

An intensely confusing and challenging period in my life. One that contributed to the downfall of our relationship. I wish to apologize to her for what I did and what I was. Still, I want to thank her for being amazing, supportive, and always smiling throughout it. I don’t think I could have gotten here today without her.

Jenny you’re the best!

In conclusion, it is very strange to think about living in the first decade of the 21st century. The decade is almost over too!

The year 2007 is now closed and it was a revolutionary year for me personally. My career is on track. My life is on track. The future is ahead of me. I am excited and optimistic. Life is good.

Gadgets Dreams for 2008

The recent CES convention that I have been following prompted me to write up my 2008 gadget resolutions. Their are so many things I want!

Media Center PC

Currently, I take my laptop plug it into my LCD, switch over to projector mode, and then play content. I have no remote and my laptop is effectively locked for the duration of the show. I want a dedicated PC for my TV. I would need to have wireless connectivity, a remote, and small size. I will only be using it for streaming content, although, it would be nice to have some storage space. I’m not really into the “ownership” thing, I just want to watch tv. Still storing my epic music collection would be cool, especially hooked up to the surround sound.

A Robot

Will this be the year I get one? He (or she?) will need to be able to recharge himself. I don’t want to come home and find him powerless in the middle of the floor. Plus, he will need to be dog/cat friendly. Maybe he will need to battle with them, or maybe just keep them occupied for a few hours. In fact, if that is all he does I would be happy. Maybe he will do some household duties (vacuuming), play music on command (I’ll ask nicely), or just be a third pet (I always wanted a gecko).

Wireless iTunes Sync

Podcasts, I love them. iTunes I love you. Both of you work very hard to get me the content I want. You consantly update and are always full of new content. Too bad I only get a change to “sync” with you every few days. Wouldn’t it be nice to just drop my Apple gear close by, auto-sync, and then be good to go?

5 Wireless Devices

I am close. I have 3: my laptop, iphone, and bluetooth headset. What will be my next two? Hopefully a media center pc and robot!

New Laptop

My current baby (Dell XPS M170) got its first “slap in the face” in 2007. Guitar Hero 3 said that she wasn’t good enough for it. Stupid game requires dual core processors. Regardless, techies around the world know that as soon as you feel the “out of date” wave coming, it’s time to start shopping. For me, I want a cool Apple laptop or a PC gaming laptop…

High Def DVD & Xbox 360

These are my last wishes (for now). I don’t care which format I get, I just hope the industry sorts itself out this year, so I can buy one. Also, I will finally have to decide whether I want a Wii or 360…I can’t decide!!

Why the Presidential Elections are Broken

Its actually very simple: money

Not only is that why they are broken, but it is also the main issue of this election. People can ask questions all they want about health care, Iraq, immigration, taxes, etc. It doesn’t matter though. Candidates won’t even stay around long enough to answer them if they don’t have money. Some are already expected to drop out because of the money issue. These drop-outs are not poor either. Take a look at this, pulled from Wikipedia and fully referenced:

The reported cost of campaigning for President has increased significantly in recent years. One source reported that if the costs for both Democratic and Republican campaigns are added together (for the Presidential primary election, general election, and the political conventions) the costs have more than doubled in only eight years ($448.9 million in 1996, $649.5 million in 2000, and $1.01 billion in 2004). In January 2007, Federal Election Commission Chairman Michael Toner estimated that the 2008 race will be a “$1 billion election,” and that to be “taken seriously,” a candidate will need to raise at least $100 million by the end of 2007. [6]

That’s right. To win the election and become president you have to earn a large fortune.

Problem: Bad Qualities

The primary skill our president needs to have is the ability to get money. What kind of qualities does that breed? Does it accurately reflect what qualities they will need in office?

I don’t think so.

The ability to make good moral decisions. The ability to negotiate complex issues that can benefit the most people. The ability to work with world leaders, generals, lobbyists, and the average American. These are the abilities that are required in office.

When the elections become about money, you lose those qualities. They become second tier qualities.

Just look at the last 2 presidents. Each one faced major scandals and issues. Almost all relating to bad moral choices. Now, I am not saying that being president is easy. It’s one of the hardest jobs in the world, I mean every president ages quickly and often has serious health problems. But, they get million dollar budgets, large staffs, and plenty of information. With all of that I think they all have no excuse for any of these scandals and problems.

Issue: Cutthroat

In this intense race to make 100 million, candidates are forced to become evil. They have to. Making money is not about baking cookies, working hard, and doing what is right. It is about making money. Nothing else stands in the way, everything else is secondary.

Guess what happens to candidates who “do the right thing” in politics? They win respect, but they don’t win elections.

Issue: We all lose

Does anyone actually benefit from this accelerating spending pattern. The average American is feeling more disconnected, leaderless, and disenfranchised than ever. Big donors might, but even they lose influence when so many big donors are required for each candidate. Politicians themselves, they lose the most. They lose their time, families, and morality.

The honest truth is that the road to the presidency is not one of democracy, morality, or leadership.

Resolution: Cap Election Spending

Democratize the process. Put a cap on spending that is low enough to allow more candidates to participate. Open up the leadership pool beyond the most famous, richest, and most “networked”.

Find a number that is fair for both big interests and the average American. Make candidates choose which check to accept and stop forcing them to accept all checks. Make it a process that allows the candidate to stop fund raising at some point and start discussing issues.

All of this is reasonable and possible.

Please, join me in this thought by signing your name on this virtual petition. All you have to do is read the paragraph and then sign your name if you agree. If you need help editing the page, please leave a comment about your question.

With enough signatures I will submit this petition to our elected officials and news outlets. Thank you.