| Just in case you missed it... |
[Nov. 13th, 2007|12:48 am] |
The studios (TV and film) and the record labels and radio and all of the "traditional media" keep blathering on about how they don't know where "new media" is headed or what to do with it or how to make money... blah blah blah... I just thought I should do everyone a favor and clue them in on how this is going to work.
The studios will still produce their shows and movies, whether they be story-driven, reality-based, or live (like news and talk programs). Instead of programs being broadcast over the airwaves or cable at set times, they will instead be "released" on set schedules to be available to users who are registered/signed up for/subscribed to the programs. Of course there will be the anonymous sources out there, but most people will be signed up for feeds or streams of their favorite shows. This is how the studio knows who is watching, and how they finally get accurate (nearly so, given the anonymous viewers) ratings instead of that silly Nielson thing.
So from the end user side, we sign up for a feed on our media centers, which is basically just our digital TV, except it has mass storage devices (probably some solid state thing). It automatically downloads everything you subscribe to or at least notifies you when a new stream has been "released" or is available for viewing. There are, of course, still advertisements. These are, as you would expect, targeted for individual viewers or households similar to how Adsense works. They know where you are geographically and what you like to watch and listen to, so ads that appear before and during your programs and movies get tailored to you. It's actually a pretty good distribution method that is, I pray, not too obtrusive.
Our media centers also handle our music and movies. We can purchase DVDs and even video games through online marketplaces and have them automatically downloaded in the background. Our mobile devices (cell phones or personal media players) are tied to our home media centers as a sort of repository that we can access wirelessly from anywhere allowing us to stream our favorite programs or music. There's really no reason for these portable devices to have large amounts of onboard storage since none of the media is saved on the device. You just need enough to manage the onboard applications and buffer the streams. Everything else, be it your PDF, or Word document, a spreadsheet, heck, even your contacts and addresses and photos or movies you record with the onboard camera can be instantly uploaded, downloaded, and synced to a personal private repository. That way, when you go home you can instantly call up the photos you took on the subway that morning of that peculiar guy playing the banjo. And really, the location of this repository doesn't have to be on your home media center, it can be anywhere, it doesn't matter. I'm sure large data companies like Microsoft and Google and Yahoo will host massive public repositories for people to manage their private data. Maybe there's a fee or maybe they data mine your stored data to provide targeted ads.
Here's the short breakdown:
- We won't be tied to any single device. Data will be accessible from any of your devices wirelessly and ubiquitously
- Traditional broadcast TV will be a forgotten memory, replaced by scheduled releases online
- Viewers will be subscribed to online programming, making it instantly available the moment of its release
- Advertising will persist into this new media, it will be targeted, and it should be extremely accurate
- The RIAA and MPAA and all of these other groups trying to limit and control media will hopefully whimper and die
Alright, that last one is more of a wish, but they simply won't survive as they are now. Sure, there will be some controls on the media we consume, but it won't be in the form of DRM or restrictions on who can download what, because everyone will be able to download or stream anything produced anywhere in the world. You can't limit that, you have to embrace it and use that fact to generate new revenue streams.
Oh, and I haven't even begun to talk about how the end users, the every-man and every-woman, will be distributing their own programs over the 'Net. Just like we subscribe to the Heroes channel and the Battlestar Galactica channel, we'll also subscribe to Normally's channel and all of our friends' channels... Think MySpace and Facebook, but on your TV and in your living room and on your cell phone...
Scary? Or exciting! |
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| Is it marriage time already? |
[Oct. 13th, 2007|11:00 pm] |
I attended the marriage of a couple of my friends today. It was fairly untraditional as the person doing the marrying was a close friend of theirs who went through the necessary steps to legally marry a couple just for this occasion. He also related marriage to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in the sense that marriage is similar to flying, it's all about falling and missing the ground. The actual ceremony was brief, maybe five minutes or so, and then it was concluded with the playing (off an iPod) of one of the Star Wars themes. (I thought I knew which theme, the one that plays at the conclusion of A New Hope, but now I'm second guessing myself.)
Things wrapped up there and we walked several blocks to where the reception was being held. We found seats and waited for things to happen. What I wanted to say here is that I didn't feel miserable as I have at past weddings. Now, this isn't miserable because of anything going on in the wedding, it's from all those silly thoughts that swim around in my head. It wasn't there this time. There are two primary reasons why I believe this to be so. First, I am currently infected with The Plague, so my throat has been bothering me a great deal and doing a fair bit of distraction. Second, I was surrounded by my friends and I was really enjoying being with them and talking and joking and just enjoying the evening with most of the really important people in my life.
I suppose you could say that I wasn't really feeling myself. I wasn't in the least bit considering my current status or why or when something will happen or any of that. Other than the crummy physical discomforts, I wasn't really thinking about myself at all. Which is odd for me.
In conclusion, I had a great time laughing with my friends, eating some amazing food, and I am genuinely happy and excited for the newlyweds.
I also really hope they didn't catch The Plague from me. |
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| it kan explodz?!1 |
[Sep. 8th, 2007|12:47 am] |
Did you know that your rear-view mirror can explode and spray acid all over the inside of your car? It's like there's a tiny little alien between the glass that, if provoked or maybe if it just feels frisky, will detonate and take your car with it. This is important because my rear-view mirror had gone all woozy and stopped dimming. I hadn't thought much of it till I read forum posts like the one I indicated. Suddenly, there was a lot more urgency. My dealership is open till midnight during the week, so I drove over there and asked them to replace the mirror and do the state inspection, which I need to get out of the way this month.
The first thing that baffles me is why does a part/service that cost $120 to do three years ago, now cost $220? Did it get more complicated? Is it an ancient art that they now need to call the (more expensive) experts in on? Are they gouging me? Am I too sensitive? So when the service manager returns to break things down for me he explains that my car won't pass inspection because two of the engine mounts need replacing. This would explain the vibration and hesitation I've been getting when the car shifts, and I absolutely see the necessity in that. Of course, that's almost $400 for the two mounts. If you're a smart cookie then you have already started to do the math on this one. I am looking at about $650 worth of work here.
I suppose I am frustrated because I don't want to be putting this money into my car right now. The frustration really starts to kick in because the work is necessary and I can't really opt out or push it off. I guess the only good thing to happen today is that I did manage to get a fair amount of work done, and yet, not enough. I'm going to be out Monday for some family stuff and Tuesday is our last build day before the big build day and I probably can't get all my remaining work done before Tuesday's build. I need to not think about this stuff and focus on what I can deal with right now. That would be cutting holes in my walls so I can determine how much water damage there is.
I need a hug. |
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| Sad Kitty |
[Sep. 6th, 2007|11:13 pm] |
I got back to my house after dark this evening. After dropping my things inside, I grabbed the mailbox key and walked around to the front of the building. There, sitting quietly but conspicuously on a step was a thin, dark-colored cat. I walked right by it and it didn't get up or move to look up at me. It just sat and watched as I walked to the mailbox and retrieved the junk hiding within. As I walked back I picked up my recycling bin and grabbed hold of my garbage tote and pulled it up the hill and on to the sidewalk right beside where the kitty was sitting. It didn't move.
What makes this so profound is that the stray kitties around here are practically wild. They're like squirrels, you simply cannot get close to them. They are very aware of what's around them and move very fast whenever they see anything potentially alive. This cat, however, wasn't really doing much. As I got further down the walk I looked back to see the kitty turn around and begin to walk in my direction. I went around the building and brought the garbage tote into its usual resting place. I stood at the end of my walk for a minute or two and waited to see if the cat would continue toward me. It did. In fact, it walked right up to where I was quietly standing. It moved a few steps beyond me and turned around. It scratched. It walked up to me and I offered my hand for it to sniff. It accepted the offer and sniffed and nuzzled a bit tentatively.
The poor kitty was small and thin and dirty. There seemed to be a nit or maybe a wound on it's head between its ears. I didn't want to scratch it in case it was a bug or scab or something. I picked up my recycling bin and walked toward my door, the kitty following behind me. I opened my door and went inside and the kitty possibly saw the opening. I closed the door before it could get close enough to dash in, but it was close.
I stood in the dim foyer for a few moments imagining the hope this kitty must have been feeling as it saw an opportunity for food and companionship. I decided I had things to do and moved on upstairs, but I couldn't quite shake thoughts about this poor cat. Was it lonely? Weary? Hungry? Tired? Sick? It never made a sound. Never mewed or squeeked. Maybe it didn't have the energy.
Without a doubt, this was a sad kitty and it made me sad to imagine its sadness. I hope it doesn't stagger in front of a car tonight. |
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| Dragon*Con 2007 |
[Sep. 4th, 2007|10:42 pm] |
I got back from Atlanta yesterday and, in a highly unexpected turn, went through all of the photos and posted most of them to my Flickr account.
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| Just thinking... |
[Jan. 30th, 2007|12:16 am] |
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Do you ever find yourself standing in the shower late at night searching for answers? Hoping that somewhere, amid the streams of slowly cooling water that the Universe will open itself to you, bestowing its secrets on your starving mind. "If only I could figure it out..." you whisper to yourself. "Why can't I figure it out?" you cry in silent despair. The water, cold now, beats against your skin reminding you with its bitter bite that the Universe is far too busy to answer such petty questions from such a simple, sad little creature. So you turn the water off and drip exhaustedly as the moist chill seeps into your body and mind. Looking down at the water pooling around your feet you imagine your soul is crying. Muffled sobs of regret and loneliness and yearning for lost opportunities. Reaching for the towel you work with great speed to sop up the tears as you think about how sweet it will be to slip under the covers of your large, empty bed. Sighing, you open the shower curtain and step out of the tub. The towel is hung and the robe pulled about you, warming and soothing, like a hug from your favorite lover. Flicking the light off, you remind yourself "it'll be better tomorrow night." |
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| (no subject) |
[Nov. 19th, 2006|11:49 am] |
It Isn't Real
When I dream
There's a woman
Who loves me
It isn't real
And I'm not
Conscious
But for those
Few minutes
I know what it is
To feel loved by
Someone
Whom I love
In return |
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| Fear what...? |
[Sep. 4th, 2006|05:31 pm] |
Alright, so I read a lot of online dating profiles. At this point, it's about 60% entertainment. What I'm seeing a lot of recently are people announcing (proudly) that they are "god-fearing" and I stop and I go back to read the line again to confirm I read that right... And yes, this girl is god-fearing. So, WTF does that mean? Is it literally that this person FEARS God? Like, she wakes up every day and prays so that God does not strike her down the moment she steps out of the house? Then she prays at lunch in the hope that God doesn't make her choke on her Lean Cuisine. She probably prays again before bed asking God to give her a good God-fearing man so that the happy couple can live in constant fear together.
Really, is "god-fearing" an asset? Is there a checklist somewhere like (in some particular order):
1) Pretty
2) Big boobs
3) Blonde
4) God-fearing
5) Long fingernails
6) Not (too) dumb
Because #6 would seem to (sort of) contradict #4...
I'm just saying...
So now you're asking yourself "He hasn't posted a journal entry in a month and then when he finally does post something, it's this crap?" My explanation, this is a lot more interesting than my real life right now. |
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| FYI... |
[Aug. 13th, 2006|05:13 pm] |
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I'm convinced that the inane "games" found on the back of kids' cereal boxes will only make children dumber. |
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| "There's someone out there for everyone..." |
[Aug. 12th, 2006|04:11 pm] |
In response to Laura's recent posting.
You better believe I've thought about this subject thousands of times... and this is what I have.
I don't see it like "there's someone for everyone" in that soul mate sense. I see it like, there are people out there with every combination of taste possible. I mean, seriously, there are some butt ugly people in the world and they still manage to find lovers. That could be for any number of reasons and they could run the spectrum from deliriously happy to utterly miserable, but there's no sense speculating.
So what you have is the assurance that there are people out there who will find you attractive, be it physically or personality. There are, without a doubt, more than one, so don't worry so much about missing an opportunity. Of course, there's no way to know if "Person 43275" just finds you attractive or wants to date you. Sometimes that will develop, sometimes not. In a way, it's all a part of some lovers' chaos theory. A missed hello three years ago could mean a missed opportunity tomorrow... or, maybe a passing smile tomorrow could turn into your future husband in a few months. You don't know. Period. Deciding now that it's hopeless and giving up is just silly. It's satisfying some deep dislike for yourself more than accepting the reality of the world.
I know. I do this regularly. I "decide" how the world is and I go forward under that assumption. It's stupid. I need to get over myself. That's not how the world is. You and I are not the people to decide how the world is... it's fairly good at making that up on its own.
All that said, there's nothing wrong with being single. Freedom is fun. Loneliness sucks, but we go on. So, in the end, just be sure to smile at the right people. :) |
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| Back... |
[Aug. 10th, 2006|07:25 pm] |
Evanescence released the first video and single off their new album The Open Door on Tuesday (I believe). The song is called "Call Me When You're Sober" and the video is very good as is the music:
Are you psyched? I'm psyched! The album should drop on October 3rd and I have already pre-ordered. :) |
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| What's that sound? |
[Aug. 7th, 2006|10:54 pm] |
Yesterday I was doing some cleaning around the house. Worked on the bathrooms and did some vacuuming. I usually empty the vacuum canister outside so the dust doesn't re-invade my house, and as I went out I noticed A) a very loud vehicle noise, and B) a crowd gathering on the sidewalk. I stepped out on my walk to see what the commotion was and noticed this:
I went inside and took some pictures from my bedroom as well:
So yeah, Medevac helicopter in the field across the street from my house. I suppose it's not really that big a deal, but you know, something you don't see everyday. |
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| Grumble bunnies... |
[Aug. 2nd, 2006|11:20 pm] |
I think about posting something nearly every night, and every time the thought comes up I realize I don't have anything pressing to write about. I really hate the thought that in two weeks time I've had nothing at all to write about. Thinking back, though, I've been practically sleepwalking through the last month or so. I've been doing things, movies, concerts, plays, but I haven't really felt much of it. I'm kinda sad about that. I'm doing these things so I can feel them. So I can feel life... feel alive. You know, not a spectator, but a doer... which is ironic, because all of these activities involve being a spectator. Maybe I need to find something more ... interactive. I don't really know what that might be, especially not outdoors in the overwhelming heat and humidity.
I'm still planning to scan in my recent batch of ticket stubs and post the results here. It'll be fun to enumerate all those things. In a couple weeks I'll be going to the annual LOA camping trip. I expect that'll be quite enough activity for me for the near-term. At least that should produce some interesting photographic opportunities.
That's about all I've got right now. I'm really hoping I'll be more attentive in the near future, these long breaks suuuuuuuck. |
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| Comin' 'round again... |
[Jun. 27th, 2006|10:22 pm] |
I hate when a TV show makes me question all my recently reinforced ideas on love.
Also, I am feeling myself swing back the other way. Not toward depression or anything even approaching that dark, just... less sure of things. Less sure of myself. Less confident. Less satisfied. More lonely.
I hate it.
But I also like the dreams more. Last night's was... *sigh* ...none of your business. |
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| Listen... It's "Hate Me" |
[Jun. 27th, 2006|12:34 am] |
In an effort to educate all those who have no clue who the band Blue October is, I bring you the video for their current single Hate Me. I first heard this song on the radio and then noted they were doing several area concerts (HFStival and DC101 Chili Cook Off). At the nudging of a friend, I ordered their album Foiled off Amazon for under $7 and have been listening to it on and off for a month now. At first I didn't quite get into it, but after about three times through the album I started to sink into what was going on. The moods. I think that's what grabs you. There are so many emotions and moods conveyed and the layers and nuances that each takes on through music and vocals is quite moving at times. (Note that "Hate Me" is the hardest song on the album.) I won't profess to be a huge fan, but I think they deserve some recognition.
Also, it's awkward to announce that I have tickets to their show at the 9:30 Club and everyone just shrugs with a "Meh...Don't know who they are..." So, please, know who they are. They are definitely worth knowing. |
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| You think too much... |
[Jun. 14th, 2006|04:33 pm] |
Came across this article entitled "The Rewards of Being Shy." Basically, these researches tested the brain activity of "shy" and "outgoing" adolescents as they played games in which they could win or lose money. I guess the goal here isn't to measure the shyness or outgoingness, but to see who people of these types respond to risk/reward situations. This is the part of the article I latched on to:
"Up until now, people thought that [shyness] was mostly related to avoidance of social situations," says co-author and child psychiatrist Monique Ernst. "Here we showed that shy children have increased activity in the reward system of the brain as well."
To me, those two don't immediately go together. Avoidance of social situations is very different from activity in the reward system. My unqualified thought is that shy people just think more about a given social situation. I know that when I get into a new social situation my mind starts racing to calculate all the various conversation paths I'm likely to encounter and analyzing body language and trying to follow what people around me are saying, and so on. That activity has me hanging back and avoiding interaction until I feel comfortable with the environment, but unfortunately, the data expansion usually becomes overwhelming and I stay out of it altogether. Now, if I could just shut my damned brain up I'm sure I could jump right into interacting with folks socially. It's just a matter of not thinking so much.
Yeah. Good luck with that. |
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| Some things change... |
[Jun. 8th, 2006|10:05 pm] |
I couple days ago I received this ominous phone call from the doctor's office where I had gotten a physical last week (my first in over ten years) saying that the doctor wanted discuss the results of my blood test with me. That kind of freaked me out as my mind flitted through possible life-threatening diseases and maladies. So today happens and I arrive around 12:20 for my 12:30 appointment. Around 12:30 the nurse sits me in the exam room, takes my blood pressure and makes sure nothing has changed and then leaves me there. Around 1:00 the doctor comes in, and at this point, I am annoyed, but my curiousity is winning out. "WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME???!!!" I'm thinking... The doctor explains that my cholesterol is the envy of most people (177 I think) and my good cholesterol is elevated, which is also very good. Nothing else is really noteworthy except... Significantly elevated levels of the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) indicating I have hypothyriodism. The doctor briefly explains what that is and then shows me a list of symptoms and asks if I have any of these:
- Tiredness
- Mental depression
- Sluggishness
- Feeling cold
- Weight gain (only 5-10 pounds)
- Constipation
- Menstrual irregularities
I look at the list and say: "Well, I don't have any menstrual irregularities..."
And suddenly I started getting giddy. You mean, I could take this hormone and for the first time in maybe ten years, not feel like crap ALL THE TIME? I sure hope I'm not getting ahead of myself, I mean, I know it's likely going to take a while to find the proper dosage and all... but still, the thought that I might start to feel normal is just so exciting! I've started to think of all those things I routinely avoid because I don't have the energy or motivation. Even a little bit more energy every day would go a LONG way toward improving my quality of life. How cool is this?
Also, I have a packed weekend of activities that I am REALLY looking forward to starting with a festival and concert tomorrow evening. Woohoo!
I'm sorry, I just can't come up with anything depressing or negative tonight. I would love to promise depression and negativity in the near future so as to maintain my devoted fanbase, but you know, I just don't want to make any promises I'm not sure I can keep. |
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| Singled out... |
[May. 31st, 2006|04:18 pm] |
I have, over the last month or so, become more acutely aware of a particular aspect of how the world works. As I have explained dozens of times in the past, I watch as the people around me get coupled up which extends into long term relationships, which turns into marriage. I watch this and I see myself still single and I get sad. It's a common pattern that I have become used to, even comfortable with. Here's what has changed, though: freedom.
I'm not referring to the "inalienable rights" to freedoms here, just the freedom to live one's life as he or she chooses. This should also be a familiar concept, that the individual members of a couple (be it dating or married) must think of their spouse when considering things like social activities or major purchases or what to paint the house; you get the idea.
What's so special about this most obvious reality? Just that I am the one coming to the realization that, perhaps, being in a relationship isn't the be-all-end-all of superior living. For example, a few weeks ago when Katy had those tickets to the baseball game in Baltimore, she had asked everyone on the team, but everyone else was unable to join in the fun due to some obligation. OK, not all were partner related, but some were. It's just odd to me that you would have to get permission to go out and have some fun. I mean, I understand it, the concept is simple enough... You have to consider your partner. There are kids to consider, things that need to get done... fine fine. It's just that I don't have those binding requirements and I think I've been taking that for granted.
Tonight I'm going to go straight from work to the Diner and have dinner with a friend. Could I do that if I had a wife who was expecting me home to help with dinner? Doubtful. What about making plans to go away for a weekend? Could I just decide, Friday night, that I really don't want to be around the house for the weekend and take off? Not likely. Might I run out and see a movie on my own when I find myself board to tears and home alone? Fat chance.
So I've been trying to examine my position on all this, but it's difficult without seeing and experiencing both sides. I'm not sure I like the idea of losing the freedoms I have become so comfortable with. I've grown used to being a little spontaneous (alright, very little spontaneous, but nonetheless...) and not having to ask anyone's permission to do what I feel like. The other side to this is that I still find that I am lonely at times. I still miss human contact and intimacy... I guess doing the math on this is hard without knowing the value of each. Can each be valued? Yeah, I don't know. It's probably not possible without being in both positions.
I guess my point is that I'm starting to put more weight on the words of those who have suggested I NEVER get married or even seek out intimate relationships. I think I still want a real relationship, I'm just really REALLY REALLY hoping it can happen without sacrificing everything I've come to know and love about the life I have. I mean, my freedom to see a movie whenever I like may not be in the United States Constitution, but that doesn't make it any less inalienable as far as I am concerned... |
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| It's baseball, I think... |
[May. 17th, 2006|11:19 pm] |
It's funny how sometimes you just can't predict the outcome of the day. I had no idea this morning that I'd be going to Baltimore to see a baseball game... But that's what happened! Teammate Katy provided club seats at Camden (by way of her boyfriend's father) which was totally awesome. When we left, the O's were up 4 to 1 vs the Red Sox. I'd look up the final score, but that seems awful tedious right now and I have other things to tend to before bed.
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