Guest Post(erous)

Trying My 1st Davidoff Maduro

Sent via carrier pigeon.

Twitter's Retweet Rollout

There are, of course, many ways to use Twitter. For instance, one of
the ways I like to use it is as a searchable bookmarking service for
anything I find interesting through those I follow, as well as my RSS
feeds (yes, I'm still using my non-real time RSS reader). As such, I
retweet *a lot* probably at a detriment to some who follow me because
I may clog up their streams. But now, there's a way to turn off the
retweets from individual users, which is a very nice touch!
Conversation potential remains, while trimming some of the broadcast
tendencies of some tweeters.

Video: Empire State of Mind

Lately, I can't get enough of this NYC anthem.

Just heard...

Sonus Faber Elipsa (two speakers on far left and right) powered by McIntosh. Magnificos!

Sent via carrier pigeon.

#MusicMonday Video: I Want You To by Weezer

Don't See: New York, I Love You

After watching, and liking, two of the world's four "global cities" set the stage for films of similar formula-- compilation of multiple shorts shot by different directors highlighting personal interaction within a large metropolis-- I thought this third, global city, film, with New York City as the backdrop, was going to as interesting.  I had high hopes since the story is told stateside in, arguably, the world's greatest city.  Unfortunately, it fell well short of expectations.

To me, the captivating aspect of the other two which were filmed in similar vein, Paris, je t'aime and Tokyo!, was in the direction.  Whether it's Coen, Van Sant, and Craven in Paris or Gondry and Carax in Tokyo, watching contrasting styles within the same film made those films much more interesting. I didn't get that feel from New York.  One of the shorts that could have added diversity and contrast to the overall production-- the directorial debut of  Scarlett Johansson, shot in black and white-- didn't make the final cut.  Not all aspects of this film were bad, though.  There were some very fine performances from Ethan Hawke, Robin Wright Penn, and Cloris Leachman.

If someone decides to produce this niche genre for the fourth global city, London, I hope that he or she will tap contrasting directors that will make the story interesting.  How about Kevin Smith, Sam Raimi, and Peter Jackson?  It could happen...

Emerging Addiction: GPS Games Foursquare and Gowalla

Gaming has never been my forte. In fact, with the exception of iChess, I don't have any games on my iPhone... until now!  With the introduction of two GPS games, Foursquare and Gowalla, I find myself itching to collect badges, pins, and become Mayor.  I've only recently started playing these games, but I think I've found myself a new pastime!  There are some differences between the two though...

Foursquare is a location-based game that lets you check in when you're out.  Doing so, will earn you points and badges. The game has weekly leader-boards. Points on the leader-board can quickly multiply for things like checking in at multiple places on the same day.  It's packed with relevant, city-specific data that lets you get up and running quickly. Checking in more times than anyone else, at a particular venue, earns a promotion to Mayor status.

Pros:
Available for multiple platforms (iPhone, Android, and SMS)
User-submitted to-do's serve as a guidebook for each city
Businesses are offering Mayors free drinks or discounts when visiting
iPhone app lets you know when you're near a Foursquare-enabled venue with a promotion
Updates to Twitter and Facebook

Cons:
Only available for 38 cities

Gowalla is a travel game that also rewards for checking into places while out-and-about. Similar to traveling abroad, Gowalla passport stamps iPhones upon check-in. The application also lets you gather icons (virtual souvenirs) that can be traded with other Gowalla friends or hidden for others to find.

Pros:
Not limited to specific cities
Crowdsourced venue listings
Completed "trips" allow players to fully discover a specific locale
Ability to check-in off the beaten path
GPS-reliance makes it difficult to "fudge"
Sexy UI
Updates to Twitter and Facebook

Cons:
Only available for iPhone

Since I've just started playing both, neither one has emerged better than the other... yet.  I'm sure that as I get into both, that will change.  Are you playing these? Which one do you prefer? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

Go See: A Serious Man

As a long-time fan of the Coen Brothers, I have been looking forward to this latest release of theirs.  This dark comedy set in the late 60's, did not disappoint.  While some of the Coen-esque stylings became rather predictable throughout the film, there was more than enough substance and originality to offset it.  With all due respect for No Country for Old Men, I think this is their best work since Fargo.

It's out in limited release, with an increasing number of screens showing it, each week.  Definitely worth seeking out!

An Alternative Video for Coldplay's Strawberry Swing #musicmonday

This is a very interesting alternative video to the official Strawberry Swing video, which is also stop-motion.  Written and directed by Ross Neil and Matt Clark of Pixel Hive.

REWIND VIDEO: Justice D.A.N.C.E.