Hockey

I’m going to a hockey game tonight. I’ve never been to a hockey game. I don’t know the rules very much, but I imagine I’ll find out. I don’t even know the teams except that the Ducks are playing someone. I don’t think I’d do well in Canada.

The only images I have are of the mocking disappointment with hockey that’s protrayed on The Simpsons so I’m either going to be thoroughly entertained as I fit the reality in the fiction, entirely bored, or find something new that I enjoy on it’s own merits.

Whatever happens, it’s time with friends and that’s worth a lot.

Technorati Tags: hockey, the simpsons

But I Just Got This Thing

Looks like Apple is starting to leak info about the next iPod. This is the only thing I don’t like about this product or the company that makes it: they update it far too often. Granted, people flock to buy the new iPods when they come out (estimates put sales of the latest iPod at 3.9 million (iPods, not dollars) since last October according to Think Secret).

Eventually, this is going to die out as consumer fatigue sets in. There are only so many people who are going to buy something that they know will be improved within a few months (and their current model isn’t upgradeable).

To the product itself, I don’t like the idea of having to touch the screen I’m watching movies on to access the GUI. Nevermind that my finger would be in the way of the GUI, in all likelihood. Oh yeah, and the fingerprints are going to be horrible. It should ship with that lint-free cloth you’re supposed to use to clean it that no one has on hand.

Technorati Tags: iPod, apple

Kingdom Hearts 2 Voices

1up.com has a list of voice actors for the release of the much anticipated Kingdom Hearts II.

There are some surprises for me both from the aspect of reprisals (or not, actually) and the characters that are appearing. The FFX-2 trio, Yuna, Rikky, and Paine, seem to be making an appearance. I’m not sure if I mind that or not yet, though.

The lack of a voice actor announced for Auron’s character (at least in this list, it may have already been announced) is disconcerting. Of all the characters announced so far, he’s one of the two or three I’m really looking forward to seeing. For now, I’ll be glad to have Christopher Lee (Saruman) being the bad guy. Or is he the bad guy who turns into the good guy, but ends up being bad again?

March 28 is the day for this. I may be taking some time off work to soak in the wonderfully complex weirdness that is Final Fantasy and Disney crossing over into each other.

Technorati Tags: kingdom hearts 2, kh2, ps2, square enix, video games

Life in Cheese Cloth

I’ve been very busy lately and still hardly doing a thing. From spending time with folks, to rehearsals, to work, to activities that have been added on to my life I feel like I’ve been spending the last three weeks living under a layer of cheese cloth. The faster I move, the more sluggish my life feels. The more I do, the more distant reality feels.

I’ve thought about taking some vacation time to just get away, but being here isn’t the problem. Am I too involved? Quite possibly, but I enjoy what I’m doing a great deal, not to mention that time with my friends is priceless. However, I’m still spread a bit too thin. It’s time to take a moment to breath, evaluate just what is pulling me in any direction, and decide how much energy it’s worth. There are things that I want to do in my life, friends that I want to spend time with, that I don’t seem to have time enough to for right now. That seems like something that could be better. I’m not sure how just yet or what it may involve, but I think the track I’m on right now (living underneath a cheese cloth) isn’t the right one.

I think for tonight, I’ll clean up a bit around the apartment (there are dishes to be done), pop in a good movie, and escape for a bit.

Technorati Tags: cheese cloth, life, choices, friendships

Sorkin and Perry

Looks like Aaron Sorkin and Matthew Perry are teaming up (again) for a new show.

Sorkin is the brilliance behind the early seasons on The West Wing, The American President, and Sportsnight, which this show appears to resemble somewhat. Perry was on some NBC show with Jennifer Aniston, but also appeared in three episodes of WW.

Thanks to Sabrina for the link.

Technorati Tags: sorkin, perry, west wing, nbc, hollywood, television

The Price of Cable

It seems to be going up a bit lately.

Of course, this is a bill from the future, so maybe the rates are going up in the next month and there is a tear in the space-time continuum letting us know what entertainment might cost in the not-to-distant future.

Or maybe the database is screwy.

Either are disconcerting.

Technorati Tags: cable, bill, outrageours

Slow Day

I heard a presentation this morning at my alma mater about business blogging. It was a good presentation, though there wasn’t much new for me. The presenter was still asking questions about what could happen if a blogger lies about a product. My only problem was the focus on blog posts that are product reviews. It told me that the presenter didn’t really read blogs or blog themselves. I would consider reading blogs a basic prerequisite to studying their use in the business world, at least. They may have done this, but nothing was said to this end and I didn’t have a chance to ask.

I have a problem with trying to turn a blog into a profit center or marketing tool. It is a marketing tool, but not in the same sense as other tools (email, newsletters, etc.). I think blogs enter marketing (and sales, for that matter) in the fact that they let the customer and producer/employee interact in ways not possible for at least a hundred years. It’s like shopping at the mom and pop store. You can ask them anything about any product and they’ll give you a good and honest answer. Only now, you can do that at any company that’s smart enough to open their doors and ears for the conversation.

It’s quite dangerous because the door falls off the closet where your skeletons live. But the people you’ll meet can become loyal customers and even friends. They may be disappointed in you when the skeletons come out, but are less likely to abandon you at that time.

No guarantees, though.

Technorati Tags: blogging, business, marketing

Bowman

Try this.

Doing Something Dumb

Steven Soderbergh wants to release a movie in theaters and DVD simultaneously. It’s a brilliant idea that will probably get a lot of viewers just for the fresh idea.

How have some movie theaters reacted? By boycotting the movie. This is as stupid as the concept itself is brilliant. DVDs have hurt theater revenues, so when the DVD is released with the theatrical film, let’s just make everyone buy DVDs.

Come on, people. Wake up and look at the world. Your customers are smarter than this and think you should be, too.

Found via techdirt.

Technorati Tags: dvd, movie, theater, soderbergh, marketing

Some Peace

I’m celebrating the holiday today by heading up to St. Andrew’s Abbey. I hope to have some pictures that I’ll post here and at flickr.

Have a great day, everyone!