Random Thoughts

[Wryan]

I do apologize, but this will never not be funny:

[number8]

If these rumors about Google Phone is true, I think the cell phone industry is about to take a huge -HP. Holy shit.

[Ezee E]

If these rumors about Google Phone is true, I think the cell phone industry is about to take a huge -HP. Holy shit.

Eh?

[Raiders]

Eh?

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...,4170231.story

[Spun Lepton]

Both of the internal positions I applied and interviewed for appear to have gone to other people in my department with more seniority than me. C'est la vie.

[number8]

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-f...,4170231.story

Actually, I was referring to the rumor that it's a VOIP phone, eliminating the need for a cellular network, and that it's going to sell for $199 with a $100 rebate if you have a Google account. They'll take a huge loss from hardware, but it's said that Google might shoulder the loss just to upchuck the competition from the traditional carriers.

[Sycophant]

If that's true, holy fucking shit. I'd be so on that, despite being stuck with AT&T for another 21 months.

[ledfloyd]

Actually, I was referring to the rumor that it's a VOIP phone, eliminating the need for a cellular network, and that it's going to sell for $199 with a $100 rebate if you have a Google account. They'll take a huge loss from hardware, but it's said that Google might shoulder the loss just to upchuck the competition from the traditional carriers.

whoooa.

[[ETM]]

Way too much speculation, and way too little actual information. I'll wait.

[Skitch]

I have a request from Match Cut.

Backstory: Two of my oldest and dearest friends I party with nearly every single weekend. Ned I've been friends with for years, and have a plethora of crazy stories of crazy adventures. Several years ago, his brother moved in with him after a bout with leukemia, and many other serious health issues. His name is Greg. Over the last few years he has easily become an essential part of Ned and my friendship. Greg is a seriously interesting cat. It seems like every weekend I find out some new and totally fascinating thing he's done in his lifetime. It seems like the dude has done everything...from working for the government defense department, to running a nuclear facility, to his crazy ornithilogical escapades, which are many.

Over the last several years, there have been some interesting developments from his crazy birding. There was a book written about him and and a couple other birders. This was picked up for film development several years ago (but knowing the industry as I do, I didn't bother mentioning it). Things are finally moving forward, somewhat. Several people have been cast, looks like they're turning it into a comedy (which would be easy). A director has been attached, but I also didn't take that seriously until a couple weeks ago, he called Greg and spoke to him for a half hour. I couldn't believe it when he told me who it was...I was expecting a no namer to helm this thing, but I...I don't know...I was just so happy that I had actually heard of the guy!

Anyway, he was also asked if he would be interested in being a technical advisor on the film! I'm so stoked for Greg, he's had so much hardship in his life, and this is just great.

The director he talked to was David Frankel, he directed Marley And Me and The Devil Wears Prada. I'm sure this film is a long ways from done, but nonetheless, I thought now was a good time to mention it to my fellow movie whores.

My request is that you guys read the book this is based on, The Big Year, by Mark Obmascik.

I don't know, I just thought maybe you guys would find this interesting. I do. Not everyday that a movie is being made about one of your best friends, ya know?

[Grouchy]

I don't know, I just thought maybe you guys would find this interesting. I do. Not everyday that a movie is being made about one of your best friends, ya know?

No. That's cool stuff, Skitch, although I have the impression the movie will be so removed from reality it could piss off your friend big time.

[Skitch]

No. That's cool stuff, Skitch, although I have the impression the movie will be so removed from reality it could piss off your friend big time.

He's a big goofball, I doubt he'll care. He's not naïve about Hollywood.

[Spun Lepton]

He's a big goofball, I doubt he'll care. He's not naïve about Hollywood.

Ah-ha, but how will he feel about the SuPEr EXtrEME remake that will inevitably be made three weeks after the initial movie's release?

[Skitch]

Ah-ha, but how will he feel about the SuPEr EXtrEME remake that will inevitably be made three weeks after the initial movie's release?

:lol:

I'm willing to bet cold hard cash right now that Jack Black is playing him in the flick.

[Kurosawa Fan]

My request is that you guys read the book this is based on, The Big Year, by Mark Obmascik.

I don't know, I just thought maybe you guys would find this interesting. I do. Not everyday that a movie is being made about one of your best friends, ya know?

I'm in. I'll check for it on my library's website.

[Spun Lepton]

:lol:

I'm willing to bet cold hard cash right now that Jack Black is playing him in the flick.

In the original or the remake? Or perhaps the remake of the remake, due about three weeks before the original is due.

[megladon8]

number8, what about Google's phone release in January is going to turn the cell phone industry upside down?

[Benny Profane]

I was on the bus yesterday and heard a "mom" say to a little boy, no more than 3 years old, to "sit ya bitch ass down before I slap you" while talking on her cellphone.

[Mara]

I was on the bus yesterday and heard a "mom" say to a little boy, no more than 3 years old, to "sit ya bitch ass down before I slap you" while talking on her cellphone.

I hear that so much out here. And worse. This is also the first place I've lived where I see pregnant women smoking and drinking regularly.




Side note, I don't know what on earth is wrong with my health these last few months. I'm not someone who regularly gets sick, but I've been stuck in a cycle of feeling better and feeling worse since, no joke, August. I've had a pretty consistent cough, but other symptoms come and go. The last two weeks it's been a sore throat and fever. Last night by the time I got home I was up to 102F, but was back to 98F by this morning. I'll feel fine-- great, even-- for days, and then just spiral down again. At one point I was diagnosed with bronchitis, but since then it's just been a bad cold.

I'm eating healthier than I have in years, and taking a multivitamin and vitamin C, trying to excersize when I feel well enough, and sleeping 8 hours a night. I drink lots of water and use hand sanitizer. THERE'S NO REASON FOR ME TO BE SO SICK.

Meanwhile, every other obligation I have is going to pot. I haven't been getting things done that I mean to (especially writing), I need to clean my room, I wasn't able to help with my grandmother's move, etc. because I'm trying so hard to rest and get well.

[Wryan]

Who diagnosed you? A doctor's visit? If you haven't seen a doctor, I would go. It's hard with touch-and-go symptoms though. Hope you feel better soon.

[Mara]

Who diagnosed you? A doctor's visit? If you haven't seen a doctor, I would go. It's hard with touch-and-go symptoms though. Hope you feel better soon.

Yeah, when I was the sickest, I went to the doctor a couple of times and took almost a week off work. Felt much better after that for awhile, but it's the see-saw of it that's killing me. Two weeks ago, I was supposed to sing at a Christmas event but I was so sick I couldn't swallow-- I sounded hoarse and awful. One week ago, I did sing at a Christmas event and sounded great. Now I'm all squeaky and atonal again.

And yes, if you're curious, I often gauge how sick I am by trying to sing. Hoarse = chest cold, cough, congestion. Atonal or off-key = sinus infection or inflammation, something in the head.

It's just bad luck that I'm sick at Christmas, when my main obligations are baking and singing.

[Wryan]

I imagine you have a lovely voice. Range? What do you like to sing?

[Mara]

I imagine you have a lovely voice. Range?

My voice is nice enough. I'm not under any delusions that I should be a famous singer, but I get asked to sing for events (mostly church-based) regularly.

My range is quite high. I have a naturally high speaking voice as well, and sometimes have to try to speak in a lower range if I want to be taken seriously, like on the phone.

What do you like to sing?

I'm a sucker for melodic music. I sing church music in choirs, naturally, and I enjoy singing folk music and oldies/classic rock on my own. I'm good at "expressive" and have a lot of natural vibrato. I also like to sing show tunes, but I'm not a belter-- when I try, it gets very nasal and brassy, and doesn't sound great. Lea Michele I am not.

[[ETM]]

I still remember the Yahoo! IM book readings, Mara. You're a gifted storyteller.

[Mara]

I still remember the Yahoo! IM book readings, Mara. You're a gifted storyteller.

I heard you sing once! It was awesome.