JohnA lifeBlog

As I write this, BLOGZOT 2.0 on MacZOT.com is underway. Basically, the deal is that MacZOT and TheCodingMonkeys will award $105,000 in Mac software once enough “buzz” has been generated through blog postings.

The software in question? SubEthaEdit from CodingMonkeys, a really cool text editor that has some very powerful collaborative features. I’ve played with their trial before, and it seems to be quite useful. The only problem I have around here is that I’m the only MacNerd^TM on the local network here.

I love Gilmore Girls, but I’ve not blogged about the show for almost two years, but I have to share my thoughts about last night’s episode, which due to unforseen circumstances, I’ve not been able to watch it until tonight.The episode is brilliant, and I so relate to Lorelai’s feelings about the whole lonliness thing.

The thing I SOOOO want is an unlimited open bar at my wedding. I mean, we’re talking about getting every single attendee completely sloshed. It should at least result in some delightful video footage.

These days I spend most of my non-working hours (which, I confess, are few and far between) watching TV.

I have so many shows I love, but these days, I’m been increasingly attracted to House, MD. The truth is that this show offers the drama of SVU with the comedy of Gilmore Girls.

My concerns are whether or not they can continue to write story lines over the next several seasons, and obviously secondary, will the be able to create credible scenarios that engage the viewer.

Anyhoo, check it out if you have a chance. Where will this show go? Who knows, but I love that I get to participate with the journey.

That is all.

For a number of years, I’ve wanted to say that to a particular person. And, thanks to my super-cool connections, I’ll have the opportunity to tell the target person that exact statement, although I seriously doubt I’ll actually take advantage of the opportunity.Who is the recipient of my bile? Why, Tiffany Shlain, and her “The International Academy of Digital Arts & Sciences“, of course. This parasite has been trying to show how “innovative” she is by participating in the self-indulgent “Webby” awards for several years. Here’s the truth, Tiffany. It was cute and cool at the height at the bubble. Today, your “awards ceremony” is simply lame. Nobody cares, and the fact that this year’s “awards” are only being attended by the Wired News groupies should tell you something.

Find a real job, Tiffany. 1999 is long gone, as Prince can testify.

Oh, and to my regular readers, sorry for the particularly pointed attitude of today’s post… I just really don’t have much love for the ‘99 Fast Company crowd.

Before we begin, some screen shots:

Tonight’s Netflix selection is the classic 1984 version of Frank Herbert’s literature.

I’ve loved this film for years, but to be honest, the “official” 1.5 hour version left too many questions unanswered. When studio executives tried to convince Mr. Lynch to release the film in either a narrated 3 hour version, or as 2 seperate 2 hour movies, he refused. As a result, he removed his credit and replaced it with the industry scapegoat, Alan Smithee, a psyedonym reserved for directors who felt their vision was not preserved.

I completely disagree, though. This “extended director’s cut”, which ironically was non-sanctioned by the director, offered the necessary back story to understand the picture as a cohesive unit, rather than some kind of one-off “sci-fi gem” with no back-story.

I wore out the VHS video tape I had of this version of the film, and Alan Smithee or not, I am glad I had a chance to relive the experience in a way that Frank Herbert would want me to share.

Ok, so not a single person responded to my last blog posting. Fair enough, but given that I have over 500 unique visitors per day, I thought i’d at least hear one or two replies.

No matter, as I’ve moved on.

One sec… need to take a commercial break.

Back! So anyhoo, here is tonight’s question. As most of you know, I am a total movie buff, taking every opportunity to see every film in theater, or as part of my insanely overpriced 8 at a time NetFlix acount.

Tonight’s movie was The Spitfire Grill, a “tear jerker” starring the incredibly beautiful Alison Elliott, which quickly became one of my favorite “manipulative” features. Her performance in this film made you WANT to embrace her persona, and made you hate the way her character was treated.

In short, I loved the movie. But it made me realize something… we, as individuals, choose to judge people based on their circumstances rather than their hearts. While some may consider this film a throw-away tear jerker, I look at it as much more.

The bottom line I took from this experience was that EVERYONE deserves a second chance once they’ve “paid their dues”.

We should pray that we never seek to brand someone with a Scarlet Letter.

One of the challenges my mentor Ben Parker presented me with before I moved to California was to remember the things that defined my understanding or perspective. He stated that it didn’t matter what it affected, but it was important that I, as a newly groomed businessman, understood how to make an impact, and how to make an impression.I actually had a chance to experience the most innovative demonstration of that principle 2 years before I moved out west, and I owe a now-defunct company a vote of thanks for it.

In late 1994, I received a CD in the mail from a marketing department based in Utah. This CD, which was labelled as a demonstration of the new Wordperfect 6.0 for DOS was unique in that it was a completely unique commissioned audio masterpiece, that just happened to have data on track number 1.

I remember getting in the mail, skeptical. I put into my “CD player” of the day, a Pioneer LaserDisc player, and was instantly enveloped with a completly unique style of music that has since become one of the standards in world tribal music… acapella African sprituals and classicals.

Andy, Matt, and I must have attended that presentation at least 4 times… the giveaway for everyone was a golf umbrella, but if I remember correctly, at least two of us won other door prizes, including licenses for their server side components.

Sigh, to be a kid again… especially a kid winning almost $10,000 worth of software.

That’s what shaped me… what shaped you? I eagerly await your reply.

Tonight’s second Netflix selection is Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events. Um, I really am trying to concentrate on it, but, to be honest, it sucks compared to the books.Except for Emily Browning, who is absolutely brilliant in this film.

I think the problem is that, aside from Emily, I pictured the Baudelaire children much differently. And while Jim Carrey does his best “Count Olaf” impression, it seems like a retread of his “Ace Ventura” performance.

The book centers around the children, but the movie tries to be yet another Jim Carrey vehicle, a task at which it fails miserably.

Bottom line is this… if you love the books, don’t watch this film. Jim Carrey genuinely ruins what would otherwise be a delightful ensemble casted film.

Sorry, but after 15 minutes, this film is back into the Netflix mailer.

One of my favorite things to do with Netflix is check out the new releases each week, as there are usually dozens of movies that I’ve never heard of. So, imagine my surprise when I saw Love on the Side, a movie I’ve not heard of starring one of my favorite actresses, Marla Sokoloff. So, I threw it into my queue, and just finished watching it this evening.While on the surface it appears to be a traditional small-town love story, upon further review, it is so much more. One of the underlying truths offered by this movie is the tremendous amount of pressure put on women to achieve some unattainable body standard. And the movie does it intentionally, as well as unintentionally. I mean, let’s be honest. When Marla Sokoloff is cast as “the fat girl”, it really says something.

But the movie looks beyond that, and offers a simple truth… that in love, there is no weight, or height, or appearance. As someone who struggled with their weight for years, that really hit home.

No matter how much weight I lose, I still see a “fat” person in the mirror, much like Eve in the movie. But this movie reminds me that I am more than just my appearance.

Anyway, there is apparently a unique back-story on how this film got made, which I am trying to research, and will post more when I know.

So, add it to your queue. As for me, I wish I could take such lessons to heart.

Oh, and FYI, I hated the ending… but still a great film.