One Picture More

Non-techies can skip this blog. Otherwise, here are my top picks for December:



Hellodeo [hellodeo.com] is a new service from the makers of Odeo that allows users to easily post thumbnail-sized videos to a blog, forum, etc. I find it particularly useful. Here's an example:







Listal [listal.com] was started in 2005 and seems to be entirely maintained and developed by one guy named Tom - sort of reminds me of early MySpace days. Anyway, Listal was my selection for a DVD cataloging site after my 250+ count got a little out of hand. It features some nice ajax, web 2.0 feel, and lots of cool features.


AllofMP3 [allofmp3.com] isn't new at all, but I really wanted to blog about it under the current circumstances of the music industry. With iTunes revenues reported to have decreased by 65%, now is the time when we are seeing lots of rival music stores with unique claims to fame. For example, trendy BurnLongue allows consumers to open their own music store. AllofMP3's claim to fame is its Russian-based origin: their music is cheaper than the McDonald's ketchup. Due to some ridiculous Russian compliance, they sell $2 albums and $0.12 songs (with variations). They also offer increments of audio encoding, meaning you can pay less for music that won't make it past your Dell living rooms speakers.

More important, however, I've bookmarked ALLofMP3 this month because of Music For Masses, AllofMP3's on-demand free music program. PCs with the Music for Masses application can listen to any song downloaded in the ".mp3x" fomat as many times as they want. A user who signs up gets 100 song downloads with an additional (and generous downloads) for every few dollars they spend. These free downloads are great for the songs you just like to hear on your computer (but don't belong on your iPod).




FlipClips [flipclips.com] isn't quite new to the world, but it's probably new to most of its target market. FlipClips will ship a custom flip book produced from a short video clip that is uploaded to their servers. It would make a great gift!


See you in 2007!

No doubt whatsoever.

Read it.

******: what did you get for Hanukkah so far
******: ?
Ben Zweig: A chocolate bar
Ben Zweig: A small bottle of Windex
Ben Zweig: A coupon for a car wash
Ben Zweig: 3 fake teeth
Ben Zweig: An inflatable cockroach with light-up eyes
Ben Zweig: and
Ben Zweig: lastly
Ben Zweig: an oversized bandaid as big as a couch (it came in a really big box)
******: cool
******: i got
******: a teen quiz book

I began to write this blog entry at 3:00 pm. As a result of my sleep debt, my body fought me into a nap. Don't worry: I set the alarm for 20 minutes.

2 hours and 5 snoozes later, I wake up and drink a Frappuccino. This doesn't actually contain a sufficient amount of coffee, but it was the closest thing I could find without leaving my room. I always wake up thirsty from naps. You know the feeling: dry, groggy, bad taste.

I had originally intended to write about today's T-shirt catastrophe.

First, I must advise that wearing T-shirts during December is losing its appeal. If someone would like to buy me a sweater for the holidays, there is a sale at Macy's.

This T-shirt that I wore was an American Eagle Inside-Out classic. Hence, it is made to look as if the foreign cleaning lady has inversed your clothing mistaking a backward S for the russian letter klobf.

The makers of the T-shirt must have felt like trendsetters until people began staring at them and wondering:

Is your T-shirt inside-out?

Is your cleaning lady from Klakaowrwstan?

Did you wake blindfolded?

Thank you, American Eagle, for making my upper body a sight for perfectionists.

If you saw the latest James Bond film, Casino Royale, you will recognize my latest love in the music world. Introducing You Know My Name by Chris Cornell. I already know all of the lyrics. Remember--I saw it on Saturday (today is Monday). Do I have a life?

Well, here's the chorus. I have so graciously trimmed it down for you. Listen to it a few times and you'll know why. It's only 35 seconds, so you can afford it.


powered by ODEO

I can't say that I've seen too many movies rank a 95% at RottenTomatoes.com. Most high-scoring movies are independent films or animated children's movies (such as Finding Nemo). Yet, not even those videos received such critical acclaim as the latest installment of the Bond franchise: Casino Royale.

Casino Royale has previously been produced as a TV series and spoof movie, and it reportedly took quite a bit of work to acquire rights for the film... lots of boring reasons that I spend my time reading. Anyway, the movie, which is based on one of Ian Fleming's novels by the same name, is said to be the best Bond movie since Goldfinger or many of the classic films. The director of the movie has a resume of a past Bond success as well as Mission Impossible II, Laura Croft, etc.

Many Bond fanatics were a little skeptical about the new Bond actor, Daniel Craig. While Pierce Brosnan developed the character as one type, Craig played more true-to-the-book by using the descriptions of being "cold and mysterious." Thus, I think the producers and director really knew who their audience was. They even added just the right amount of humor for those in the audience who need some comic relief.

What's the bottom line? I really enjoyed the movie. Although my father and I had to discuss the movie for a long time, I understand it completely. This is thanks to the obvious explanatory scenes which were perhaps the most criticized feature of the film.

Thank god the movie ended with the iconic phrase, "Bond. James Bond."

OK--so today was the "day" that I would go to sleep early. Of course, it seemed appropriate to jot down some different things that nobody would read... ever.

Well, I don't write for others. I just like writing about myself because writing about others makes me feel lonely.

Right... what was the topic of this blog post? Procrostinating. Indeed.

This happens to be something that I would consider to be my strength. If I was in a job interview and the ultra-scary boss asked me what my strength was, it would perhaps be "procrostinating." Then again, my weakness would probably be "answering questions with the wrong answers."

I take pride in receiving projects and reading assignments for 3-week durations and finishing (and starting) the night before. Sometimes I can do it the morning of! Now THAT is talent!

Usually I can find an excuse to procrostinate. For example, my excuse for not going to the health club in some--uh---5 months would be my fear that I will bump into some strong person that makes me look weak (I know--odd, right?). It's quite a complex, because in order to become that strong person I must first endure the above-stated situation.

Channukah Presents: I do not buy them. This year, however, I am going to buy some just for the heck of it. It also gives me an excuse to leave the house. I plan on getting something for my mother that she will immediately return.

Actually, she might put that off for a few weeks.