Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Be The Change
"If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer.
It's the answer told by lines that stretched around schools and churches in numbers this nation has never seen, by people who waited three hours and four hours, many for the first time in their lives, because they believed that this time must be different, that their voices could be that difference.
It's the answer spoken by young and old, rich and poor, Democrat and Republican, black, white, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, gay, straight, disabled and not disabled. Americans who sent a message to the world that we have never been just a collection of individuals or a collection of red states and blue states.
We are, and always will be, the United States of America.
It's the answer that led those who've been told for so long by so many to be cynical and fearful and doubtful about what we can achieve to put their hands on the arc of history and bend it once more toward the hope of a better day. 
Watch Obama's speech in its entirety »
"I was never the likeliest candidate for this office. We didn't start with much money or many endorsements. Our campaign was not hatched in the halls of Washington. It began in the backyards of Des Moines and the living rooms of Concord and the front porches of Charleston. It was built by working men and women who dug into what little savings they had to give $5 and $10 and $20 to the cause.
It grew strength from the young people who rejected the myth of their generation's apathy who left their homes and their families for jobs that offered little pay and less sleep.
It drew strength from the not-so-young people who braved the bitter cold and scorching heat to knock on doors of perfect strangers, and from the millions of Americans who volunteered and organized and proved that more than two centuries later a government of the people, by the people, and for the people has not perished from the Earth.
This is your victory.
And I know you didn't do this just to win an election. And I know you didn't do it for me.
You did it because you understand the enormity of the task that lies ahead. For even as we celebrate tonight, we know the challenges that tomorrow will bring are the greatest of our lifetime -- two wars, a planet in peril, the worst financial crisis in a century.
Even as we stand here tonight, we know there are brave Americans waking up in the deserts of Iraq and the mountains of Afghanistan to risk their lives for us.
There are mothers and fathers who will lie awake after the children fall asleep and wonder how they'll make the mortgage or pay their doctors' bills or save enough for their child's college education.
There's new energy to harness, new jobs to be created, new schools to build, and threats to meet, alliances to repair.
The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.
I promise you, we as a people will get there.
There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.
But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.
What began 21 months ago in the depths of winter cannot end on this autumn night.
This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.
It can't happen without you, without a new spirit of service, a new spirit of sacrifice.
So let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility, where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other.
Let us remember that, if this financial crisis taught us anything, it's that we cannot have a thriving Wall Street while Main Street suffers.
In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.
Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.
Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, we are not enemies but friends. Though passion may have strained, it must not break our bonds of affection.
And to those Americans whose support I have yet to earn, I may not have won your vote tonight, but I hear your voices. I need your help. And I will be your president, too.
And to all those watching tonight from beyond our shores, from parliaments and palaces, to those who are huddled around radios in the forgotten corners of the world, our stories are singular, but our destiny is shared, and a new dawn of American leadership is at hand.
To those -- to those who would tear the world down: We will defeat you. To those who seek peace and security: We support you. And to all those who have wondered if America's beacon still burns as bright: Tonight we proved once more that the true strength of our nation comes not from the might of our arms or the scale of our wealth, but from the enduring power of our ideals: democracy, liberty, opportunity and unyielding hope.
That's the true genius of America: that America can change. Our union can be perfected. What we've already achieved gives us hope for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.
This election had many firsts and many stories that will be told for generations. But one that's on my mind tonight's about a woman who cast her ballot in Atlanta. She's a lot like the millions of others who stood in line to make their voice heard in this election except for one thing: Ann Nixon Cooper is 106 years old.
She was born just a generation past slavery; a time when there were no cars on the road or planes in the sky; when someone like her couldn't vote for two reasons -- because she was a woman and because of the color of her skin.
And tonight, I think about all that she's seen throughout her century in America -- the heartache and the hope; the struggle and the progress; the times we were told that we can't, and the people who pressed on with that American creed: Yes we can.
At a time when women's voices were silenced and their hopes dismissed, she lived to see them stand up and speak out and reach for the ballot. Yes we can.
When there was despair in the dust bowl and depression across the land, she saw a nation conquer fear itself with a New Deal, new jobs, a new sense of common purpose. Yes we can.
When the bombs fell on our harbor and tyranny threatened the world, she was there to witness a generation rise to greatness and a democracy was saved. Yes we can.
She was there for the buses in Montgomery, the hoses in Birmingham, a bridge in Selma, and a preacher from Atlanta who told a people that "We Shall Overcome." Yes we can.
A man touched down on the moon, a wall came down in Berlin, a world was connected by our own science and imagination.
And this year, in this election, she touched her finger to a screen, and cast her vote, because after 106 years in America, through the best of times and the darkest of hours, she knows how America can change.
Yes we can.
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves -- if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.
This is our time, to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth, that, out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope. And where we are met with cynicism and doubts and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people: Yes, we can.
Thank you. God bless you. And may God bless the United States of America. "
Barak Obama - Chicago, IL Grant Park Nov 4th 2008.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Eenie Meenie Meinie Ho & Other Killer Fridge Magnets
Mad props go out to my friend Mike for bringing this very cool refrigerator magnet to my attention (Travis also gets props for being the one to have the mind to Google where to buy one). And that would be Allposters.com. In fact they have an entire portfolio of other magnets that made me LOL. Enjoy:
Of course I had to throw in one with a English Bulldog in for Howie.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Tonight's Dinner Menu
Motivated by both Gordan Ramsey and a Jamie Oliver Italian Cook Book, Cindy are are planning the following menu for dinner tonight!
Insalate: Caprese
Pasta: Fazzoletti Di Sete Al Pesto
Dolci: Fragole con Lemone E Menta
YUM!
Saturday, December 27, 2008
AT&T SUCKS!!!!
Outside of having one of the single WORST services of all the North American wireless providers, you also have one of the single WORST client service processes I have ever had the misfortune of experiencing.
For Christmas this year I bought Cindy a 16gb iPhone at the AT&T retail store in Concord NH. Along with purchasing the most expensive mobile handset AT&T has in its portfolio, I also went ahead and bought the Unlimited Voice and Unlimited Data plan for the phone ($160/month). The deal was sealed with a two year contract. No problems.....right??? WRONG!
Today, when Cindy tried to simply add a $3/month Canada Plan it took over 30 minutes and 5 transfers. Worse, I had to get on the line with a representative who asked me a series of questions that we designed to prove I am who I am.
After 5 minutes of this "Gestapoesque" questioning, I was then informed that I had to fax a ID and a Bill to AT&T in 3 days. At this point I asked the rep why I was having to go through this process when I have been a customer for over a year? He told me it did not matter. Cindy's phone has not been in use for more than 3 months and this is the process we would have to accept if we wanted to add a $3/month Canadian Plan. Its $3/month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF! You had no problem signing me up for $160/month plan for 2 years, but adding $3/month requires DNA and my first born!
Needless to say, I ended the process by hanging up the phone and asking Cindy to add the plan 3 months from now. AT&T, it really is sad to see you treat your best customers this way. YOU SUCK!
For Christmas this year I bought Cindy a 16gb iPhone at the AT&T retail store in Concord NH. Along with purchasing the most expensive mobile handset AT&T has in its portfolio, I also went ahead and bought the Unlimited Voice and Unlimited Data plan for the phone ($160/month). The deal was sealed with a two year contract. No problems.....right??? WRONG!
Today, when Cindy tried to simply add a $3/month Canada Plan it took over 30 minutes and 5 transfers. Worse, I had to get on the line with a representative who asked me a series of questions that we designed to prove I am who I am.
Q. Which of these three streets did you live on in San Diego?
A. I never lived in San Diego?
Q. Which of these three counties did you live in in 2000?
A. None of the above.
etc..
A. I never lived in San Diego?
Q. Which of these three counties did you live in in 2000?
A. None of the above.
etc..
After 5 minutes of this "Gestapoesque" questioning, I was then informed that I had to fax a ID and a Bill to AT&T in 3 days. At this point I asked the rep why I was having to go through this process when I have been a customer for over a year? He told me it did not matter. Cindy's phone has not been in use for more than 3 months and this is the process we would have to accept if we wanted to add a $3/month Canadian Plan. Its $3/month!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF! You had no problem signing me up for $160/month plan for 2 years, but adding $3/month requires DNA and my first born!
Needless to say, I ended the process by hanging up the phone and asking Cindy to add the plan 3 months from now. AT&T, it really is sad to see you treat your best customers this way. YOU SUCK!
Friday, December 26, 2008
A Message to Apple (& Steve Jobs)
I have been meaning to write this post for a looong time. I blame both Twitter and Facebook for my recent blog laziness!
So, about 2 years ago I started to (as my brother so terms it) "macify" my life. This is no joke. I have 2 Apple Powerbooks, 2 Apple TVs, 2 AirPort Extremes, 1 iPhone, and 1 semi-active iPod (I have about 4 dead ones collecting dust someplace). This is not taking into consideration that my girlfriend, Cindy, also has her own Powerbook, iPhone, and active iPod (she has 3 dead ones as well). Our consumption of iTunes content generally runs between $150-$300 a month.
I will state up front that there have been more good experiences making this move then bad ones. However, there are several issues that I feel compelled to write about. This is constructive criticism for the folks at Apple. If I am incorrect in my points of views, I welcome feedback, comments, etc.
So there you have it. I got that off my chest. Here's hoping that Apple monitors the blogosphere for consumer feedback!
So, about 2 years ago I started to (as my brother so terms it) "macify" my life. This is no joke. I have 2 Apple Powerbooks, 2 Apple TVs, 2 AirPort Extremes, 1 iPhone, and 1 semi-active iPod (I have about 4 dead ones collecting dust someplace). This is not taking into consideration that my girlfriend, Cindy, also has her own Powerbook, iPhone, and active iPod (she has 3 dead ones as well). Our consumption of iTunes content generally runs between $150-$300 a month.
I will state up front that there have been more good experiences making this move then bad ones. However, there are several issues that I feel compelled to write about. This is constructive criticism for the folks at Apple. If I am incorrect in my points of views, I welcome feedback, comments, etc.
1. iTunes
This is the center of my angst with Apple. I have become a power consumer of content offered through iTunes as I enjoy its vast and diverse catalog of media. Furthermore, I like that the content may be viewed via my AppleTV, Powerbook, iPhone, and iPod. Here are my beefs: iTune’s Digital Rights Management SUCKS!!!!!!! When you get to the core of Apple's DRM policy, users are essentially leasing (not owning) the content you purchase via iTunes. Now this is not a major issue except when you take into account price and accessibility. First, when you are paying $.99 (songs) to $14 (movies) for digital media content you are paying a premium! Think about it....at that spend level, you are not paying much more then you would pay to own the actual CD or DVD. You get the benefit of on demand content and Apple gets the benefit of the margins it makes off of selling content without the costs associated with traditional distribution channels. Here is the catch, because you are leasing instead of owning you are severely restricted in its portability (you have very limited ways in which you can move and/or share the content). To add insult to injury, Apple then ALSO makes you responsible for archiving the content you do "lease". If you’re hard drive crashes and you lose your iTunes library...your fault. If you think about it, Apple is having its Cake and eating it to.
It really is only a matter of time before users get fed up with this double standard. Apple, to get ahead of this issue I would suggest that you either change your DRM to allow users to OWN the content they buy from you or to provide services around the content they LEASE from you. If individuals are afforded ownership of the content, then they should have the rights unlimited portability and access to that content. If they lose it, then it’s their issue. If your DRM path continues down the lease path, then you should offer all of the content ever bought via iTunes via a web service. You should host the content on remote servers and allow lessees the ability to stream or download (with accessibility/portability restrictions) at will. If users lose the content, they can easily go to their account and retrieve a duplicate copy. Hell, I imagine that users would even be happy to pay a monthly fee for this type of service. I know that I would.
2. iPod
Guys.....the avg. 1 year life span on these devices is getting really, really, really, OLD! Fix your quality control or be prepared to lose your dominant market share to someone who does care.
3. iPhone
Steve Jobs, you almost got the "Douche Bag of the Year" award when then first iPhone was released and it could not use standard earphones. Thanks for fixing that in the 2nd Generation models. This device is solid across the board except for the service provider. AT&T SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One more point re: iPhone. Your online/offline buyflow is a JOKE! Let me see if I get this straight. You cannot buy iPhones on the Apple website, but you can buy the AT&T Service Plan. You are required to go into a Apple Retail store to pick up the handset you tried to buy via Apple.com (WTF??). You can buy the handset and the service plan via AT&T's website---just not your own. You can also buy the handset and service plan via AT&T retail stores. However, if you buy the handset via an Apple Store then you have to wait to go home to set up a AT&T service plan via your iTunes Application. Am I straight on all of this??? Is this really the best way to sell this phone???
4. Apple TV
LOVE THIS DEVICE!!! I am contemplating canceling my cable service as I get my most of my TV/Movie programming from my Apple TVs (The only thing keeping this from happening is live sports broadcasts and Cindy's infatuation with DVRing scheduled TV programming (NO COMMENT)).
One suggestion: put a on/off button on this thing! What engineering braniac decided against a power option on a consumer electronic device??? There are often connectivity and/or sync issues that arise with Apple TV. The best way to fix those is to power it off and on. The only way to do that currently is to unplug the device.
This is the center of my angst with Apple. I have become a power consumer of content offered through iTunes as I enjoy its vast and diverse catalog of media. Furthermore, I like that the content may be viewed via my AppleTV, Powerbook, iPhone, and iPod. Here are my beefs: iTune’s Digital Rights Management SUCKS!!!!!!! When you get to the core of Apple's DRM policy, users are essentially leasing (not owning) the content you purchase via iTunes. Now this is not a major issue except when you take into account price and accessibility. First, when you are paying $.99 (songs) to $14 (movies) for digital media content you are paying a premium! Think about it....at that spend level, you are not paying much more then you would pay to own the actual CD or DVD. You get the benefit of on demand content and Apple gets the benefit of the margins it makes off of selling content without the costs associated with traditional distribution channels. Here is the catch, because you are leasing instead of owning you are severely restricted in its portability (you have very limited ways in which you can move and/or share the content). To add insult to injury, Apple then ALSO makes you responsible for archiving the content you do "lease". If you’re hard drive crashes and you lose your iTunes library...your fault. If you think about it, Apple is having its Cake and eating it to.
It really is only a matter of time before users get fed up with this double standard. Apple, to get ahead of this issue I would suggest that you either change your DRM to allow users to OWN the content they buy from you or to provide services around the content they LEASE from you. If individuals are afforded ownership of the content, then they should have the rights unlimited portability and access to that content. If they lose it, then it’s their issue. If your DRM path continues down the lease path, then you should offer all of the content ever bought via iTunes via a web service. You should host the content on remote servers and allow lessees the ability to stream or download (with accessibility/portability restrictions) at will. If users lose the content, they can easily go to their account and retrieve a duplicate copy. Hell, I imagine that users would even be happy to pay a monthly fee for this type of service. I know that I would.
2. iPod
Guys.....the avg. 1 year life span on these devices is getting really, really, really, OLD! Fix your quality control or be prepared to lose your dominant market share to someone who does care.
3. iPhone
Steve Jobs, you almost got the "Douche Bag of the Year" award when then first iPhone was released and it could not use standard earphones. Thanks for fixing that in the 2nd Generation models. This device is solid across the board except for the service provider. AT&T SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
One more point re: iPhone. Your online/offline buyflow is a JOKE! Let me see if I get this straight. You cannot buy iPhones on the Apple website, but you can buy the AT&T Service Plan. You are required to go into a Apple Retail store to pick up the handset you tried to buy via Apple.com (WTF??). You can buy the handset and the service plan via AT&T's website---just not your own. You can also buy the handset and service plan via AT&T retail stores. However, if you buy the handset via an Apple Store then you have to wait to go home to set up a AT&T service plan via your iTunes Application. Am I straight on all of this??? Is this really the best way to sell this phone???
4. Apple TV
LOVE THIS DEVICE!!! I am contemplating canceling my cable service as I get my most of my TV/Movie programming from my Apple TVs (The only thing keeping this from happening is live sports broadcasts and Cindy's infatuation with DVRing scheduled TV programming (NO COMMENT)).
One suggestion: put a on/off button on this thing! What engineering braniac decided against a power option on a consumer electronic device??? There are often connectivity and/or sync issues that arise with Apple TV. The best way to fix those is to power it off and on. The only way to do that currently is to unplug the device.
So there you have it. I got that off my chest. Here's hoping that Apple monitors the blogosphere for consumer feedback!
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Bailout Bullshit
Here is the deal. If the Big 3 auto makers take this $15 Billion bailout from the gov,
they are guaranteed to NEVER have me as a customer. EVER! You may have
solved your short term woes with taxpayer money...but you lost a potential customer for
LIFE!
If the three of you cant create a competitive product, get the union greed under control, and simply manage your business responsibly, then you should file Chapter 11 and let someone else take over the assets.
This bailout is a crock! Next up...the Airlines.
Welcome to the USSA.
Monday, December 08, 2008
My Video Chat with Howie
Nothing like conducting a video chat with your dog in the middle of a long (and boring) meeting! Honestly, what a great way to reconnect with home while on the road. Mad props go to Cindy for providing the lil guy with her opposable thumbs to set up the session. I miss you both tons!
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