BRADLEY CRAVEN

People are already writing off the summer. Complaining of how it’s almost over, missed opportunities, etc.  Why is this happening? The weather has been relatively “nice,” there is still time to “get away,” and are things really busy?

Gotham is pretty busy at 5p M-Th and traffic is backed up til Sunday heading out - maybe that’s what’s happened - folks spend too much time in traffic / getting to a place and not enjoying it because they didn’t have long enough?

Well, not much has been happening at night, especially late night. Folks are watching the Olympics and not really anything else. So it’s nice out and people are complaining of missing out, but they’re at home watching Olympics.
THIS IS WHY TV ADVERTISING WORKS! Folks want to sit in front of a tv and watch, period. They’ll give up vacations and doing what they want so they can watch. it’s sports, so viewers need their fix live.

frustrated that the mightest country in the land doesn’t allow it’s citizens to watch the beijing opening ceremony live! WHAT IS THAT!?

So i went to the news leader, the bbc and my “territory is blocked.”

Annoyed can’t describe the feeling. I understand the reason is because they need the ad revenue and rights and all that. But the internet is supposed to allow access to anything and everything at any time - WHY IS IT CENSORED!!!!!!!!!!

the music of ricky nelson, and his colleagues = priceless. go back further. being blunt had class, a respect. there was no shady bs, just straight forward “this is what happened.”  no one had to suffer the creativity of a someone wanting to embellish. Etta said she loved, hard. Elvis crooned, hard. Now, there are great tunes, but you have to listen to what the F they’re talking about. No, can’t think of an example, but you know - it’s hooks now! back then they told stories.  

So I am now a video editor. Work required some snatching files from dvd formats to embed in PowerPoint. To some, a few clicks in Final Cut and the job would be done. I was limited to free open-source products.

I decided to use my MacBookPro because it’s faster than my Lenovo T60 and well, more fun. The process began by selecting a program to “rip” the dvd. For that, HandBrake, was selected because it was free AND its ease of use. In two clicks, you’re ripping!

To edit and then export clips into PC PowerPoint friendly *.avi format, iMovie was the obvious choice. It is a robust tool for the amateur that, when fiddled with, can deliver some high impact results - exactly what was needed.

What really stands out is the difference between a Mac and PC. Aside from speed an aesthetics, the software is light years ahead of Windows. It just works. The interface is so simple, so basic, so user friendy - logical.  While the prices are dramatic, it’s worth it. Even in these days, when folks are concerned about income and large out of pocket purchases, an Apple computer is an investment that will last.

Searching the web and email now includes adding your own pictures, taking movies, etc. The built in isight also helps for video conferencing, which is free. It’s all in one package. No more add ons and wires and all that. One box!

James May is best known as one of the tv presenters for BBC’s Top Gear. He has written a great book, “James May’s 20th Century,” which is his personal selection of great achievements in the last century.

you can buy the book here:

http://www.amazon.com/James-Mays-20th-Century-May/dp/0340950919/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1217514919&sr=8-1

His wiki is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_May

I am enjoying the book because it isn’t boring history. He is able to detail the impact of a particular event in a few paragraphs, while sneaking in some obscure but interesting facts.

Cuil is a new search engine. It was started by ex googlers and the interface is fantastic! When searching for artist Linda Zacks, this is what it returned:http://www.cuil.com/search?q=linda+zacksAt some point, will the masses become tired of the google bland page?The biggest problem is, how do you pronounce CUIL? What does it mean, do we care? But it will be difficult to build a word of mouth - or will it be a conversation piece?   

is there anything american left? is it the first real effect of true globablization? funny, it’s beer!

more later….weird monday

It’s gonna be great. IMAX tix are on craigslist and ebay. Can’t wait. Article is old, but wanted to share
http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/magazine/16-07/ff_darknight

AB just rejected the INBEV offer. Will they come back with a stronger offer, or has the pressure on AB not to sell themselves to a non-american company proved too strong.

HIGHLANDER IS ON HULU!!!

nothing left to say!

http://www.hulu.com/highlander