Monday, October 22, 2007
No more rain
People keep telling me that Utah has not seen this much rain in 6 years. Finally last weekend it didn’t rain. It snowed, 3”-5” in most parts of the valley. Of course this is the desert so it’s all gone today. I’m sure more will come next weekend.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Mean Kitty
It's really unlike me to promote someone elses work but I can't get this song out of my head so I feel I have to share The Mean Kitty Song.
The 10th time through it actually got to be quite annoying. Listen to the tune at the beginning. Now notice its in the background the entire video and it's really bothering me. The entire skit could have been so much better without that tune. This is going to keep me up at night.
Already at over 3,000,000 views, shit like this spreads faster then VD in Nevada, which gives gives me an awesome idea for promoting my companies game.
Sorry mom.
The 10th time through it actually got to be quite annoying. Listen to the tune at the beginning. Now notice its in the background the entire video and it's really bothering me. The entire skit could have been so much better without that tune. This is going to keep me up at night.
Already at over 3,000,000 views, shit like this spreads faster then VD in Nevada, which gives gives me an awesome idea for promoting my companies game.
Sorry mom.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Netflix
I am holding firm in my determination to remain cable TV free for the duration of my stay in Utah. I realize my personality is highly susceptible to distractions and having the ability to plop down on my couch will have me wasting many hours that could be used more fruitfully.
I do however realize that the absolute lifestyle isn’t for me and for this reason I have decided to order Netflix . The way I see it, this will actually save me time because I won’t be as tempted to see every single flick that comes to the big screen, because it’s difficult to resist at $4.50 for the matinee shows.
The service is great for casual movie watchers, but the rating system is inadequate for movie lovers like myself and my friend Joe. The rating system is based on 1 to 5 stars, 1 or 2 and you hate it, 3 to 5 go from liked it to loved it. Unfortunately this system will not be able to determine which movies I enjoy based on my choices which I either don’t rate due to not having seen them or rate at 4 or 5 stars. I really love movies, all movies really in the genres I tent to see.
What I really need is a 6th star for movies that were super awesome good such as all the resident Evil movies and anything starring Tom Hanks and then a 7th star where I would place such movies as the Matrix and Lord of the rings.
I do however realize that the absolute lifestyle isn’t for me and for this reason I have decided to order Netflix . The way I see it, this will actually save me time because I won’t be as tempted to see every single flick that comes to the big screen, because it’s difficult to resist at $4.50 for the matinee shows.
The service is great for casual movie watchers, but the rating system is inadequate for movie lovers like myself and my friend Joe. The rating system is based on 1 to 5 stars, 1 or 2 and you hate it, 3 to 5 go from liked it to loved it. Unfortunately this system will not be able to determine which movies I enjoy based on my choices which I either don’t rate due to not having seen them or rate at 4 or 5 stars. I really love movies, all movies really in the genres I tent to see.
What I really need is a 6th star for movies that were super awesome good such as all the resident Evil movies and anything starring Tom Hanks and then a 7th star where I would place such movies as the Matrix and Lord of the rings.
Addendum
I feel it is important to add to the post bellow that the reason why I was so disappointed with the Christians who thought it was their duty to heckle the Mormons is that there is one main difference between Mormons and Christians.
The “original” Christians believe that God, Christ and the Holy Ghost are both separate and the same deity and that how this can be true is beyond human understanding. Mormons (who are also Christians) believe that they are just separate, which makes a lot more sense to me. People die over such small differences in another part of the world. I’ll be damned if I’m going to support such behavior in my America.
What I was really thinking as I drove away, was that I would love to see these same people fly to Israel and try the same tactics at a Synagogue in front of Jews who have decided to never turn the other cheek again.
Their comments were simply ignorant and nothing that day made me feel a greater appreciation for the Mormon religion then watching them walk calmly past these individuals in such great numbers.
It also was unfair for me to state that the “entire” session was an infomercial with no persons attempting to deliver a moral message as is common for a religious gathering.
In fact the show began with an apostle who was likely in his 90’s attempting to deliver just such a speech, however he was shaking badly within 3 minutes requiring another apostle to physically support him from behind. Despite his obvious pain the man persevered and delivered his entire message although to me it was unintelligible. Still his determination was admirable.
The “original” Christians believe that God, Christ and the Holy Ghost are both separate and the same deity and that how this can be true is beyond human understanding. Mormons (who are also Christians) believe that they are just separate, which makes a lot more sense to me. People die over such small differences in another part of the world. I’ll be damned if I’m going to support such behavior in my America.
What I was really thinking as I drove away, was that I would love to see these same people fly to Israel and try the same tactics at a Synagogue in front of Jews who have decided to never turn the other cheek again.
Their comments were simply ignorant and nothing that day made me feel a greater appreciation for the Mormon religion then watching them walk calmly past these individuals in such great numbers.
It also was unfair for me to state that the “entire” session was an infomercial with no persons attempting to deliver a moral message as is common for a religious gathering.
In fact the show began with an apostle who was likely in his 90’s attempting to deliver just such a speech, however he was shaking badly within 3 minutes requiring another apostle to physically support him from behind. Despite his obvious pain the man persevered and delivered his entire message although to me it was unintelligible. Still his determination was admirable.
General Conference
Mormonism is a benign religion preaching (although not practicing) acceptance of other cultures. If my coworkers could be promoted as the sole representatives of the faith, the Mormon religion would gain far wider acceptance then its current 13 Million members, numbering only slightly higher than the World of Warcraft players of Earth.
There are many stereotypes regarding the Mormon religion and from my brief stay in Utah I have learned that no person professing to follow the Mormon religion as promoted by the Church of Latter day Saints (LDS Church) practices polygamy. The rest is all fairly accurate. Today I had the pleasure of attending the largest Mormon gathering in the US, the 177th General Conference. A semi annual event when top church officials work together to produce a televised marketing campaign.
It was actually an extremely disappointing experience. Prior to entering I encountered Christian fanatics whose God obviously told them it was their mission to come out to vocally condemn the Mormons.
I left without conversing with these individuals content only in my knowledge that they would become thoroughly soaked in the freezing downpour and would get their wish of meeting their god soon enough.
My parking pass, admission ticket and the jacket that held both; stated that no recording devices were permitted inside the church, which made me a bit anxious regarding my planned recording excursion. I tried to keep cool as I emptied my pockets including my camera phone prior to walking past the extremely large and I imagine well armed gentleman guarding the metal detectors. A lady operating the machine actually picked up my phone and asked out loud what it was, phone I said, ringer on silent, as I swiped it from her grasp and shoved it in a pocket hurrying past.
My ticket was inspected by no less than a dozen attendants each directing me closer to my assigned section. I was not surprised by the number of staff assigned to keep order during the event, although disappointed when Linda was stationed next to my seat as if to make sure I conducted myself properly.
Linda watched me like a hawk, and yet like a weasel I managed to snap a few shots as she scurried up and down the aisles.
The lights dimmed to signal the start of the event and everyone bowed their heads in a prayer lead by a church official on stage. I never before appreciated American cultural diversity until this moment when it was evident the one token black choir boy was the only African American in the room. Then the commercials began.
As the public relations director for my company I am familiar with spin when it slaps me in the face. The entire service was nothing less than a 2 hour long infomercial. A speech preaching acceptance of other races and cultures was delivered by a Chinese man, one of three in the room. A top official preached on the benefits of Mormonism, sighting longer life spans and a divorce rate lower than the national average. Judging by the 5 to 1 ratio of LDS women with children looking for male companionship on a popular dating site, I have to believe he meant 49.5%.
I was really hoping to see what the religion was about instead of 2 hours obviously meant to promote the religion to those who may be tuning in out of curiosity. The high point of the show was a cute girl sitting next to me slipping a note into my lap. It read “I found Mormonism when I was 18 … changed my life … my husband … invite you to learn more”. Crap, I forgot to wear a white T-shirt to mimic the religious garments worn by those of the Mormon faith. Either that or my uncontrolled giggling during a hymn sung by the choir “Gird up your Loins”. Yes I know, very mature.
I realize I only fall back on the Jewish faith when it is convenient but I can’t think of a more appropriate time in my life when claiming complete faith to another religion would have been more beneficial. We Jews actually have it fairly good. A Jew can eat bacon and neglect Synagogue for, what’s it been? Over 20 years and still remain every bit a Jew.
Toward the end of the 2 hour session, I noticed people beginning to fidget. No longer were men bowing with eyes closed when a new official would say a prayer prior to his presentation and women were digging deep in their purses for what I found out soon enough were full sized cameras. During the last 10 minutes flashes could be seen from every section.
More Christians had arrived with signs by the time I made it outside. Not the most intelligent thing to do in a state that can bar cameras but not guns from buildings of worship.
There are many stereotypes regarding the Mormon religion and from my brief stay in Utah I have learned that no person professing to follow the Mormon religion as promoted by the Church of Latter day Saints (LDS Church) practices polygamy. The rest is all fairly accurate. Today I had the pleasure of attending the largest Mormon gathering in the US, the 177th General Conference. A semi annual event when top church officials work together to produce a televised marketing campaign.
It was actually an extremely disappointing experience. Prior to entering I encountered Christian fanatics whose God obviously told them it was their mission to come out to vocally condemn the Mormons.
I left without conversing with these individuals content only in my knowledge that they would become thoroughly soaked in the freezing downpour and would get their wish of meeting their god soon enough.
My parking pass, admission ticket and the jacket that held both; stated that no recording devices were permitted inside the church, which made me a bit anxious regarding my planned recording excursion. I tried to keep cool as I emptied my pockets including my camera phone prior to walking past the extremely large and I imagine well armed gentleman guarding the metal detectors. A lady operating the machine actually picked up my phone and asked out loud what it was, phone I said, ringer on silent, as I swiped it from her grasp and shoved it in a pocket hurrying past.
My ticket was inspected by no less than a dozen attendants each directing me closer to my assigned section. I was not surprised by the number of staff assigned to keep order during the event, although disappointed when Linda was stationed next to my seat as if to make sure I conducted myself properly.
Linda watched me like a hawk, and yet like a weasel I managed to snap a few shots as she scurried up and down the aisles.
The lights dimmed to signal the start of the event and everyone bowed their heads in a prayer lead by a church official on stage. I never before appreciated American cultural diversity until this moment when it was evident the one token black choir boy was the only African American in the room. Then the commercials began.
As the public relations director for my company I am familiar with spin when it slaps me in the face. The entire service was nothing less than a 2 hour long infomercial. A speech preaching acceptance of other races and cultures was delivered by a Chinese man, one of three in the room. A top official preached on the benefits of Mormonism, sighting longer life spans and a divorce rate lower than the national average. Judging by the 5 to 1 ratio of LDS women with children looking for male companionship on a popular dating site, I have to believe he meant 49.5%.
I was really hoping to see what the religion was about instead of 2 hours obviously meant to promote the religion to those who may be tuning in out of curiosity. The high point of the show was a cute girl sitting next to me slipping a note into my lap. It read “I found Mormonism when I was 18 … changed my life … my husband … invite you to learn more”. Crap, I forgot to wear a white T-shirt to mimic the religious garments worn by those of the Mormon faith. Either that or my uncontrolled giggling during a hymn sung by the choir “Gird up your Loins”. Yes I know, very mature.
I realize I only fall back on the Jewish faith when it is convenient but I can’t think of a more appropriate time in my life when claiming complete faith to another religion would have been more beneficial. We Jews actually have it fairly good. A Jew can eat bacon and neglect Synagogue for, what’s it been? Over 20 years and still remain every bit a Jew.
Toward the end of the 2 hour session, I noticed people beginning to fidget. No longer were men bowing with eyes closed when a new official would say a prayer prior to his presentation and women were digging deep in their purses for what I found out soon enough were full sized cameras. During the last 10 minutes flashes could be seen from every section.
More Christians had arrived with signs by the time I made it outside. Not the most intelligent thing to do in a state that can bar cameras but not guns from buildings of worship.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)