MWGblog

This might come across as Kubrick geekerie, but I remember reading that Stanley Kubrick (a favorite director of mine) loved Futura Extra Bold. Since then I have used it wherever possible: see Reel Reviews. Now comes a new release of some of Kubrick’s best work, and they have changed the font used on some of the cover art. I know this seems minor, but as detail obsessed as Kubrick was (part of the reason he was such an amazing director) it is inexcusable to change things now that he has passed. Warner Brothers needs to get their act together. BTW where is Barry Lyndon?

It is an American icon and today it celebrates it’s 40th birthday. I had no idea I was a mere 2 years younger than this McDonald’s classic and though I don’t eat them often now I certainly grew up with them. Invented by McDonalds’ franchisee Jim Delligatti in 1967, today is it’s 40th birthday. I always remember, “two all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame seed bun.”

I found this proof of concept video for iPhone copy & paste functionality via Phil Windley’s Technometria. Pretty cool video mock-up, including the iPhone video guy. No it is not yet available, but it is a cool concept.

Ever had a bad day? How about one on broadcast TV? My “good friend” (please read that as sarcasm) Jason Niedle was kind enough to forward this picture from one of my less spectacular TV appearances a few years ago. While no one else probably cares, I had just spent a few days of sleepless nights on negotiations to sell one of my companies. That said, I decided to mount up, sleep deprived as I was, and make this “spectacular” appearance on TV. My best description is “deer caught in the headlights.” Most folks just put their best foot forward on their blog. I figure, why not post the good with the bad. We all have off days right?

Update: My friend Tim Bourquin thinks I should solicit captions for this spectacular picture. By all means – let’em rip!

A few years ago we received an advanced DVD copy of the “The OC” on our door step – that was our first hint that where we chose to live was about to become a character in a TV series. Since then, “The OC” has gone on to achieve incredible success. Next up: Laguna Beach, The Real OC on MTV was supposed to show you what living here was like. It was fun, but also featured a city just a few miles south of us and spared our neighborhood all the hassles. Now it has come full circle and MTV is in our neighborhood. Depending on your perspective, this is either cool or lame. If you live here, the MTV cameras are not so cool – no need to go into details, but trust me on this. Otherwise, enjoy, MTV’s Newport Harbor:The Real Orange County.

I have two young boys – this is what they will grow up among. Geez, it is getting hard to be a parent.

I had the great privilege to serve as Editor-in-Chief for the first in a series of Podcast Academy™ branded books. We worked with Focal Press on the project and were able to assemble an awesome line up of contributors for this first book including: Greg Cangialosi, Ryan Irelan, Colette Vogele, and Tim Bourquin .

This book is not another podcasting how-to or technical book, but rather a practical overview of the medium and how you can go about deploying it within your own organization. You can read all about over at Podcast Academy.

The book is available for pre-order now at Amazon.

I caught an episode of Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares on BBC America and wanted more. I was able to find the first two seasons on bit-torrent. If you are an entrepreneur, this show is amazing. You get to watch Gordon Ramsay (three star Michelin rated chef), go into failing restaurants and attempt to save them. As a viewer, some things seem so obvious, but as someone who has run businesses you can appreciate how sometimes you might be too close to the trees to see that the forest is burning down around you . Whether your are a foodie or just a business person, this is a great show. I expect it has probably been pitched a few times in Hollywood by now and hopefully will get a worthwhile North American equivalent. Some of the best TV I have seen. You also get to hear the proper use of “Gobsmacked!” and “Bollix!”

Some friends have suggested I watch the film 300. It just came out on DVD so I’ll give it a spin tonight. My good friend Jason Niedle figured out a cool way to give photos the “300 effect“. Here is my headshot – on a storm sweep battlefield of course.