Google Launches Voice-to-Twitter Service To Help Protesters in Egypt

A group of engineers from Google, Twitter and SayNow (which Google acquired last week) were hard at work building a speak-to-tweet service for protesters in Egypt this weekend.

The service, which is already live, enables users to send tweets using a voice connection. Anyone can tweet by leaving a voicemail on one of three international phone numbers: +16504194196 or +390662207294 or +97316199855. Tweets sent using the service will automatically include the hashtag #egypt.

People can also listen to the messages by dialing the above numbers, and by clicking on the links posted to @speak2tweet.

“We hope that this will go some way to helping people in Egypt stay connected at this very difficult time. Our thoughts are with everyone there,” Ujjwal Singh, co-founder of SayNow, and Google product manager Abdel Karim Mardini wrote in a blog post.

via feedproxy.google.com

Where have all the Bananas gone?

No bananas in the office this week.  Good thing I grabbed two to let ripen last week!

The Kitchen is Home

The kitchen is where I thrive on weekends.  Cooking, cleaning, mixing drinks; I love my kitchen.  This weekend, after a quick trip to IKEA I've begun to make this kitchen my own.  Ironic? Maybe. 

I've started all this change because of the chaos that's settled upon my shoulders.  My family's recent troubles, the realization that my daughter and goddaughter live thousands of miles away, and the constant close quarters that are my home life have all formed a pressure on my chest that just won't go away...until I start cooking.  I love the feeling of control that cooking allows me.  The smells, consistency, and taste; they all are something that I control (for better worse) in entirety.

It's so refreshing to have that few hours a week where I am in control of an hour my life, no questions asked, no explanation required.

I'm looking forward to more hours and hopefully more peace in the new future.  Until then, the kitchen is my domain and there I rule, unencumbered.

Alone in the Dark

I lay in my bed tonight, staring at the ceiling.  I couldn’t identify this feeling that’s been gripping me all week.  There’s been something, a muscle, a residual electrical impulse lost in a synaptic cleft somewhere, something that’s been keeping me on edge.

And I lay there, ceiling in sight and I wondered, “Why the fuck can’t I fall to sleep?”

What is that feeling that’s so desperately trying to force its way to my attention?  Did I turn the oven off?  Did I send that last work email?  Why haven’t I been able to get all my work done in the office this week?

Wait.  Haven’t I completely sucked at my job all week?  Yes.

What’s distracting me?  Could it be the pressure of work, but I can’t concentrate at work because something else is bothering me.  Maybe it’s from the lack of exercise this week.  Maybe it’s the feeling that my dreams are further away than they were a year ago.

More than likely, it stems from upcoming move 30 days from today.  I have no plan, no place and no guarantee I’ll be able to afford an apartment on my own.  Terrifying, but that’s a new development, not something that explains my lack of game all week.

I think it’s because I haven’t been going to the gym.  Yeah, that’s it.  I’ve got extra energy to burn or possibly some embarrassment about how I’ve let myself go over the last two years after a year of dedicated and hard work.  That sounds plausible.

Although, it could also be the fact that roughly two months ago I cut someone out of my life without much abandon, expecting that I’d just adapt as I always have in the past.  All wounds heal, but it’s the ones that leave a scar that you remember.

But while we’re on the subject of pain, I have a nephew I’ve never met that’s apparently very sick and no one knows what’s wrong with him.  He’s less than two months old and at the moment, they know what’s wrong, but not why or how.  A mystery to some and a battle to the death for others.

And then there’s that thought again.  In the dark, as my mind rapidly moves from one thing to another my mind resonates with the word that has defined me at every moment of my life; the singular, “You.” 

“How are you going to deal with this?  What can you do?  What’s your plan?  What the hell are you doing?”

It’s the usted, not the ustedes, to make it clear for my Spanish 101 graduates.  That’s a singular you and not a y’all for my midwestern cow-tippers.

It seems that in my moment of crisis, even my mind has taken a step to the other side and left me subject to my own interrogation.

Me.  Alone.

I started to tremble.  I was literally shaking beneath the covers.

I had to get up, had to escape from that moment.

In a moment of weakness, I searched my phone contacts.  Who can I call at 1 in the morning?  Who’s awake?  No one.  Just me, like always.

I look to my friend Jamison to take the shakes away, to comfort me in a singular, human moment.

I sit in my one chair and think…then stop.  Stop thinking, stop planing, just be.

I’m not blaming myself for my exile, but I have some responsibility to the yolk.  I moved to Los Angeles, knowing full well that it’s a difficult town.  I moved away from friends and family, placing myself outside my comfort zone and into the dream-scape; I’m at least on the game field, I just have the score the goal.

I have no answers.  I’m going to finish my whiskey on the rocks and pour myself a second before bed.  I’m going to sit and listen to music while I promise myself that it’ll be ok; while I pray for the strength to wake up and make tomorrow mine.

I’m only human.  I can only do so much, but I’m going to do my best.  Who knows where I’ll be in four weeks?

Quit F**king Calling Christina Hendricks Fat | Celebrities Are Better than You

Quit F**king Calling Christina Hendricks Fat | Celebrities Are Better than You: "

We need to have a talk.

Obviously, the overwhelming majority of the Pajiban world would stab a kitten if it meant they could be in the same room as Christina Hendricks. That's fine. Then there are those who find her overrated. And that's fine, too. Then there are the dickwaffles who insist on calling her fat every single time she's mentioned.

Now I expect this from your I Don't Like You In That Way's, or from that dumb twat at The Skinny, but this is Pajiba. We're supposed to be better than that. And when it happened in the Emmys post, I decided it needs to be discussed.

Christina Hendricks is not the typical Hollywood beauty. This is an understatement. She is curves and boobs and her thighs touch, and when she wears a strapless bra while riding in the car she probably feels backfat rolls (I'm not the only one, right?). And that is why those who love her, love her. She's different. She's not January Jones, thank fucking God.

If you look at her, she's not fat. She suffers from decepti-tits. I have friends who suffer from this same condition. When a girl has enormous breasts, the illusion is given that she is proportionate, whether or not she really is. If you look at Hendricks's collar bones, they are very prominent, meaning she's certainly not overly fleshy.

This is my opinion, but let's ignore it, because making excuses and explaining why she isn't fat is a) implying there's something wrong with how she looks, b) there's something wrong with being 'fat', and c) that the word fat has come to mean 'not thin.'

Sadly, point C is certainly true. I wear a size 8 jeans (6 at the Gap - little victories) and usually small shirts. I am 5'2''. I'm basically built like a wine bottle; small up top, then things get a bit out of hand. But I like this. I'm comfortable with this. And I've gotten few complaints.

My fiance works with this guy. God, I don't even know how to explain him. He's a walkin' talkin' stereotype. He is a Jersey Shore person. He has spiky stupid hair, and he's orange, and he's all muscles and Facebook statuses about benching shoulders or whatever. He called me fat. And he said it like I truly disgusted him. And I realized that if I were to run into one of those Jersey Shore chode garglers, they'd probably call me a grenade or whichever word they say that means 'horrific fat pig lady of 130+ pounds.' And that sucks.

Sure, we smart people can look at Christina Hendricks and say 'of course she's not fat,' but look at the shit people say about Jessica Simpson. Britney Spears. Kelly Clarkson. Yes, they are gurthier than their fellow celebrities. But they're not exactly Gilbert Grape's mom.

We are living in a world in which the youth culture has been born of the Weight Watchers generation. Many of us grew up with our moms or other women in our lives obsessing about points and counting calories, we had no choice but to become fixated. And when we watched people hate themselves for not being perfect, we learned new words that could hurt ourselves and others. Fat, ugly, these are hateful words that have become so commonplace that they've lost whatever meaning they are supposed to have, to everyone but the person they're being said about.

Call her thick. Call her not your type. But she's not fucking fat.

Follow Courtney Enlow on Twitter, and read her other stuff at HoboTrashcan.com.

"

Unemployed, but not out of work!

I've been back in Los Angeles for a few weeks and unemployed for a majority of that time, BUT THAT'S OK!

I've spent the time trying to put my life back on track.  Four months across the country has an ability to really take you out of the loop.  So what did I do when I got back in town, I worked on a commercial thanks to one 'Hammer'.  Two days of P.A. work made me realize I had to buckle down and put myself back on track for what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Since then, I've thrown myself into production office frenzy.  I have called more than fifty production offices and pretty much offered a full list of services (with a happy ending) to no real avail.  I'm still focusing on a few, but I have yet to hear back from them, so that automatically counts as a non-win.  I had some promising developments in the past week, including an interview for a 2nd AD position on week-long shoot in the dum-dum-duuuuuuuuuuuuum VALLEY!

Now, listen here.  I don't judge anyone that lives in the valley, I don't respect our friends to the north any less than the guy on my street corner that nods vigorously at trees and howl after the birds, but, suffice to say, the valley's not for me.  More on that to come...maybe tomorrow.

I'm helping some friends with an Indie film they're shooting next week and believe me, these guys are working their asses off to make this thing happen.  Apartments are turned into P.O.s, personal cars are production vehicles, coffe cups strew the floors, cats and dogs living together, but I digress.  This is everything I love about indie production and then I hit that ceiling we call a budget, and I remember it's an indie production.  Good times.

All said and done, I'm having a blast.  It's the first time I've been doing something I'm excited about in a while, and I just hope the good energy keeps coming.

All the best, martyrs.  See you in the funny pages.

Summer '10 Mix

Alrighty, I'm a few days early, but I wanted to post my summer mix, so I'm jumping the gun.  Hope you all enjoy.

Leave any comments or thoughts!

Miami at Oh Six Hundred Hours

Netflix now has Buffy 1-7

I watched an episode of Buffy as I fell asleep this morning and realized that I used to want to be a part of something creative, epic and truly great at one point.

I've put aside my creative aspirations for two years too long and find that the desire and dream have atrophied.

I'm really wanting to start writing agin, and I think that an acquaintance, Sarah Fain, has inspired me to do so.

Check out her blog: Sarah Fain has Starfish Envy.

I'm going to start writing again. Fiction, non-fiction. I don't really know, but I look at this entry as a start.

Wish me luck!

The Mayor

NEWS FLASH: LAST DAY IN LA (for awhile)

I'm packing up and shipping out to Miami tonight to start a new adventure.

And I'm back to a 'normal' life

Two and a half months later and I've officially submitted my application to the DGA Training Program.

Things are going pretty well for me at the moment.  I have a job (for the next month) and I'm apparently a decent guy to work with.

I'm excited about what the future has to hold and look forward to all it's challenges.  Bring it on.

Finding a Home In 4 A.M.

So it's happened.

I've become a citizen of 4 AM.  I often find that my stride is reached right around 3 or 4 AM and then I'm home.  Driving the nearly empty streets of L.A. has become a lifestyle, a piece of time that I share with no one else.

Taco carts closing shop, homeless crowded around 7-Eleven or sleeping on benches, neon glowing darker than NY; this city is a mirror of itself at night, a doppleganger.  I find that it's easy to sit back and enjoy the ride.  Point A to Point B, this city is a maze of empty streets waiting for the slep of feet and tread of tires to wake it up and bring itself to live again.

I often find myself out, listening to music as I go about my tasks.  Imogen Heap, 'First Train Home' is an excellent companion.

Move...again.

There's something therapeutic about moving.  It's a time to look at everything you own, collect, and let define you.  You can look at all these things and take them with you or you can choose to leave them behind.

So, here's the big news; I'm in L.A. for the long haul.  Today I filled out an app for an apartment in Hollywood.  It's a one bedroom, but between Matt and I, it's a perfect fit and hopefully a home for the next twelve months.  We're both looking forward to the change and welcome the new challenges and experiences associated with such a move.

So begins a new chapter (cliche, but appropriate) and a spring cleaning of body and soul.  Along with this toxin-removal (of the inter-personal variety, I still plan to tox it up on the weekends; youth) I would like to make a few resolutions.  I've found in the last year that my will has really solidified and I'm able to take control of my life a bit more than I originally thought possible.  One of which is writing.  I miss taking the time to sit down and just let some thoughts hit pad; key or paper, whatever is available.

With the resolutions I've made, I'm thinking life should be taking an amazing turn into uncharted territory.  I'm ready and anticipating the next few months.  Let's see what happens when a mid-west farm boy (stereotypes, we all have them) moves to the big city and tries to take on one of the most cut-throat industries in America.

Updates

Posted on my new website: http://web.me.com/tarobb1/Epic_Road_Trip

99 more to go

Well, I kinda fucked up today.

As a Producer/Production Manager I should've been able to come up with a suitable replacement, but I couldn't.

We'll be shooting tomorrow, but damn.  Gotta do better next time.

The Day I Had Cancer

I rolled out of bed this morning and squared up to go to the doctor.

I was running late, and not really sure where I was going.  2501 N. Orange Ave.  Dr. Ali Gaham.

I plugged the address into my iPhone and I was off, on my way.  I rolled up to the Florida Hospital and immediately started kicking myself for not recognizing the address.  I parked in the garage on King and walked into the lobby of the Hospital.  The receptionist directed me upstairs and down a long winding hall.  The hall was kinda confusing and made me glad I don’t suffer from dementia.  The floor was littered with used wash cloths...I didn’t look too closely.

I filled out all the proper paperwork and was in the patient room in no time.  The nurse (Nurse Nosey) went into detail about a lot of things in my life that I didn’t expect.  Contraceptives, sexual partners, preferences...it was rapid fire questioning.  Whoa.

Dr. Ali came in.  I checked out and he said that he wanted to run some follow up blood tests.

I got my blood drawn (four vials) and was woozy as I left the hospital; I even forgot to have my parking validated.

It was all good, but by the time I got home I needed to eat food.

I made some food but before I could eat, I got a call from Dr. Gasham.

“Everything looks good.  You aren’t showing any inclination toward Diabetes.  Your Thyroids are fine, but you need to come back in so that we can talk about your LPDs.  They’re a bit higher than I’d like.”

“Alright, I’ll schedule an appointment.”

“See you soon.”

I sat down to eat and got curious.  What are LPDs.  I wonder if there’s something I can do be prepared for a change.

I wikipeida-ed LPDs, and what I found was scary.

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPDs) refer to several conditions in which lymphocytes are produced in excessive quantities. They typically occur in patients who have compromised immune systems. They are sometimes equated with "immunoproliferative disorders", but technically Lymphoproliferative disorders are a subset of immunoproliferative disorders, along with hypergammaglobulinemia and paraproteinemias.

I tried to remain calm.  WTF?

I called back and set up my appointment for the following Monday.  As soon as possible.

I waited around for two hours, and then I couldn’t take it any more.  I called Dr. Gasham back.

“I need to know, what’s up with these LPDs?  Are they seriou-”

“LPDs?  What are those?”

“I thought you said my LPDs were high?”

“LDL.  Your LDL is higher than I would like.  What are LPDs?”

I explained, and he joked with me about it.  Phew...thank God.

So, long story short, my last year of working has done a lot for me, but it hasn’t done everything it needs to, and I might need to go on medication.  There was talk that I might not be able to fix it on my own, a possible deficiency on my body’s part.  Oh, well.  At least I don’t have cancer.

68 Days...

Man,

We've wrapped on our 35mm and that means that things at Full Sail are winding down.  Just over two months from now I need to be doing something that forwards my career, but what?

I think about everything I've built here.  The friends, the network, the life - and I wonder what will happen to all that.  Will I be able to do it again?  Will I be sucessful?  Will I be able to stay in contact with all my friends again?  Does any of that matter?  Just because I want things to stay the same, doesn't mean that they will.

I set my jaw, look to the future and hope that I can be content; happy, even.

I've come to be content and at times downright happy with the last 18 months.  I've forged some friendships that will be difficult to leave, and hopefully some that will continue to florish.

Hope, I guess that's all that I can do.  Hope and work.

We'll see what happens from that point on.

Because I need a moment

Step 1: Put your music player on random.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 50 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing the song.
Step 3: Post and let everyone you know guess what song and artist the lines come from.
Step 4: Strike out the songs when someone guesses correctly (No lyric hunting! That is cheating!)

1. Well, this hurts me more than I can stand to say
2. You know I try to get close to you
3. I tried to paint you a picture, the colors were all wrong
4. I'm holding on your rope
5. Stress can breed a psychopath
6. You've got your ball, you've got your chain
7. Meet me where the city turns to trees and nothing comes for free
8. Hello World
9. I had a dream we went away, left this city for a day
10. Safety pins hold up the things
11. You're sorry now
12. I'm sinking yet I'll stride
13. I'm gonna take you down to the market, lover
14. I've been cheated by you since I don't know when
15. It's been a while since the two of us talked
16. I fly like paper, get high like planes
17. If I had no more time
18. It may not feel too classy
19. Finally I figured out
20. There's something I need to show you
21. I'm not one for love songs
22. Every night devise
23. Standing on a building
24. The wilted flowers that I gave
25. Motorcycle's in the parking lot
26. Maybe if my heart stops beating
27. Jessie says she's been here for a thousand days
28. Do you know where your heart is?
29. Any dolt with half a brain
30. I'm a suspect, I'm a traitor
31. They're turning away from me
32. This place is a prison
33. You promised me starry night skies
34. If it takes away the pain it's all right
35. You were the sweetest thing that I ever knew
36. I got your runaway smile in my piggybank baby
37. I can't beleive the news today
38. Sittin' here eatin' my heart out waitin'
39. Wishes bounce me weightless
40. You took my hand, you showed me how
41. They told him don't you ever come around here
42. Last night I fell in love without you.
43. Let me apologize to begin with
44. So in the meantime
45. If the fish swam out of the ocean
46. Old John from his deathbed cried
47. Early in the mornin'
48. I'm coming out of my cage
49. Bones are broken and the will is sunk
50. Sometimes the snow comes down in June

Resolutions - 09

Here’s the deal.  I don’t care who you are, what you do, or what you expect from me, but this year is going to be mine.

2008 was great, but 2009 will be epic.

Here’s a brief re-cap of 2008:

1. I entered Sophomore, Junior, and Senior year.
2. I started learning how to take care of myself physically, and it’s paid off.
3. I worked on over 17 separate productions (music videos, independent productions, class projects, etc.)
4. I’ve managed to develop my social skills to an area that I didn’t really consider an option previously (at least for work).
5. I assessed my priorities and have been able to realize that I don’t need to have a set path.
6. In the last year of school, I was late to class once.
7. I started to develop contacts, local and national, within the Television/Film Industry
8. I learned to let go a bit more...
9. I kept in contact with those who mean something to me, although sometimes difficult.
10. I solidified some new friendships that I hope will continue to develop.
11.  I worked my ass off; see numbers 1 thru 10.

P.S. - 12. I contacted a talent agency directly; attempting to garner talent for a low budget-independent short.

As I look to the future, I see lots of things that are beginning to develop.

I’m about to start my career.
I have no five year plan, except to succeed.
I’m going to be roughing it for a bit, and enjoying every miserable minute.
I finally feel the ability to deny access to myself from people who constantly pain me.
I am going to live life like it’s going out of fuckin’ style!

These are just a few of the affirmations/resolutions I’ve made to myself this year.  There are a few others, but they’re personal, so if you’re nosey enough to ask, I might tell you.

Fuck it.
Fight on.

Long time, no blog

I've been going through some stuff.

I'm ready for the holidays to be over.