Shots Fired at School Board Meeting

Just when I thought I had seen and heard it all, a man is caught on tape firing shots at school board members in Panama City, FL.

The gunman, Clay Duke sat through much of the Bay Districts Schools board meeting quietly. It was only towards the end of that meeting when citizens were able to bring up issues that he approached the bench and spray painted a large circle with the letter "V" in the center on the wall. He then pulled a gun and ordered everyone out except six school board members.  Duke stood at close range of the superintendent and the other board members to rant about his anger over the firing of his wife, a former school teacher and taxes.

Here it is, caught on tape from CNN.com.

I am amazed at the bravery of the school board member Ginger Littleton who tried to knock the gun from Duke's hand as well as the composure of all the board members.

Thank goodness Duke was not a good shot and the chief of security, Mike Jones was able to take him down by firing shots at him.

Duke was definitely right. He said "someone is gonna die" and it ended up being him.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality or AR is the application of computer-generated imagery in live-video streams expanding on the real world.

If you have ever tried on clothing virtually via your computer then you have had a taste of what AR is. But it has evolved to so much more and is increasingly being implemented into our daily lives through gaming, TV, and in the promotion of products and services.  Although it is still in it's infancy stages we now have the ability to point our wireless devices such as cell phones or iPads at points of interest and expanded graphic details or 3-D diagrams instantly appear on-screen. These graphics enhance our knowledge of the object being viewed and entertainment or promotional information is instantly received.

Ford Motor Co. implemented an AR campaign promoting the Ford Ka to get the attention of the hard-to-reach 20-somethings demographic.

Check it out here: http://wn01.com/awards/2009/BIMA/ka/crossmedia/
and in the video below.

Check out a few more examples of how the AR platform is changing the way we see reality.

Eminem Augmented Reality Screencast from Outside Line on Vimeo.

Advertising on the Edge

An increasing challenge for the advertising industry is it's competition for consumers' attention and time. Technology from DVRs, to wireless devices, to iPods have given consumers more choices and control over what they tune in or tune out.  Consumers have become really good at mentally zoning out advertising. You can't presume that because advertising is all over the place that it's actually reaching everyone.

"Consumers encounter from 3,500 to 5,000 marketing messages per day, vs. 500 to 2,000 in the 1970s," says J. Walker Smith, president of consumer and marketing watcher Yankelovich.  "There are so many ads out there that consumers actively avoid commercials today to an extent never before realized," says Dan Howard, professor of advertising and consumer behavior at Southern Methodist University's Cox School of Business. "No matter how many more ads we put out there, it's not going to work ... because it's not registering."

So what are businesses to do to grab attention?  Well some have gone to great lengths to be ultra creative.  In fact, some are downright edgy!  Take a look at these ads and tell me, wouldn't these make you sit up and take notice?

Samsung MP3 Player

Just Liquid Soap                                                  Panasonic Nose Trimmer

  

                                                                 HypeGallery.com

 

To view more edgy ads visit Web Urbanist. 

Time Traveler Caught on Film

I am a big fan of science fiction and as you may know, much of what has been written about or made in movies has eventually become reality like flip cell phones, space travel, etc. Check out this video and let me know what you think. Is the lady in the 1928 Charlie Chaplin film "The Circus" holding a cell phone? Could this be proof of a time traveler?

I suppose the only way that we could prove that this film wasn't doctored is to go out and buy a copy of the movie ourselves to see if the lady is there. It's an interesting piece for sure. So what do you think? Do you believe that people from the future live and move amongst us?

Blackberry PlayBook

Ah!  The BlackBerry PlayBook has been introduced and it looks awesome!  Anyone who knows me knows that I am a big BlackBerry fan so I was excited to hear this announcement.

I have been waiting for a tablet that has all the extra functions I need like multitasking ability, USB connectors, 2 cameras for video conferencing, HTML5, AND Full Flash!

Take a look at this video.

The BlackBerry PlayBook is said to be due out in early 2011.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Also check out: 
Meet RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook:  SLideshow
Amazon plans Kindle App for new BlackBerry PlayBook

Image via http://na.blackberry.com/

paper.li

Have you heard of paper.li?

With paper.li you can create your own digital daily newspaper for free based on Twitter content.  paper.li organizes links and feeds shared on Twitter into an easy to read e-newspaper format. These e-newspapers can be created for any Twitter user, hashtag (use of the "#" symbol in front of a word or phrase to create groupings), or list which means there can be an endless amount of daily papers.  That's a whole lot of editor-in-chiefs!

I discovered paper.li when one of my twitter buddies told me about a tweet event called #HireFriday, where companies tweet up their job offerings and twitter folks can make some valuable professional connections.  There is where I discovered their paper.li called The #HireFriday Daily.  Tags like #jobs, #TweetMyJobs, #Freelance, #resume etc., were already in use before this daily was created because they are great ways to filter and laser-target on specific topics, people, companies and conversations that have to do with employment.  But paper.li pulls all those various lists onto some very nice digital real estate that you can subscribe to and promote.

Just for fun I went ahead and signed up to generate my own daily from my twitter feed.  paper.li does all the work for you and it only took 5 minutes. 

Visit http://paper.li/newz_junkie to explore my daily newspaper in depth.

Which Network Do You Watch For News?

I'm curious to know where my audience prefers to get their news.

Which network do you watch for news?

• CBS
• NBC
• ABC
• CNN
• BBC
• MSNBC
• FOX
• CSPAN
• PBS

View Results
Create a Blog Poll

If your choice isn't listed above or you have multiple sources (print, online, etc.) please leave a comment and let me know your preferences.  If you use the "anonymous" option, please at least leave your initials.  Thanks!

My Wish for Education

If I could make a wish for education, it would be for more schools like the one that Steve Perry founded...
Capital Charter Prep.



and Ron Clark founder of Ron Clark Academy...





The great thing is that many educators are being invited in to learn and hopefully adopt some of their methodology.  There are many ways to learn and learning CAN be fun.  Let's hope and pray that more individuals like these step forward for the sake of our youth.

McRage

When I saw this story I couldn't help but think that McDonald's Chicken McNuggets must be laced with crack because when this lady couldn't get hers she went OFF!  If you haven't seen this video footage yet, take a look.  I believe this may be the third time that I have written a post on displaced anger either here or on my Changing Direction blog.  People need to get a grip!

Fed Up!

Have you ever had such a bad day at work that you were tempted to quit your job in a dramatic way? I think many have at least fantasized about doing it. Well, a flight attendant for Jet Blue recently did the ultimate "I quit!" but with expletives. Check out the video.

I think it's funny that he grabbed a couple of brewskies on his way out.
This guy is getting lots of media coverage and support and there is already a Facebook fan page set up for him as well as a Free Steven Slater page. Do you think he deserves to serve time in jail for deploying the emergency slide?  Will his 15 minutes of fame be extended into something more?  Will he get a reality show?  I'm being facetious about the reality show.  It just seems that these are the days and times where odd behavior is seemingly rewarded.  What say you?

The Sherrod Case

If you haven't heard the news story about the former USDA employee, Shirley Sherrod then you have been under a rock.

Talk about a major case of jumping to conclusions about a person! This woman lost her job because right wing blogger Andrew Breitbart edited a video of a speech she gave at an NAACP event. The edited clip appears to show that Sherrod is telling a story of her discrimination against a white farmer when the full video shows quite the contrary.  The edited video clip went viral and made it's way to Fox News and they reported it without checking into the accuracy of it.  To make things worse, the the USDA Secretary of Agriculture did not fact-check either and forced her to resign over it. There is a lot of blame to go around on this one.

Watch here:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Sherrod has now made her rounds on the media circuit and has been vindicated with apologies all around to her.  A new job at the USDA has been offered, as well as other job are being offered up to her in various other places.

I say take your time Ms. Sherrod. to figure it all out.  And definitely sue the heck out of Breitbart for his character assassination attempt!

Total "Eclipse" Tomorrow

The anticipation has been building for all the Twilight Saga fans. I'm a fan as well and have been looking forward to "Eclipse". It starts in theaters tomorrow but I won't catch it until this weekend. From what I've seen in all the trailers this one will have even more action than "New Moon" and I am all about the action! And of course I'm all into the romance. Besides, there's nothing like two hot guys desiring and fighting over you.

Missing Michael

On this day last year we lost a musical genius.  It's hard to believe that it has already been a year since we lost Michael Jackson.  I was watching a program yesterday where I learned that he was in collaboration with several artists like Will I. Am., Lenny Kravitz, and Lady Gaga prior to his death so I look forward to the music that will be released in the near future.  It's sad that Michael is no longer here to create.  I am sure that he must be in heaven singing and performing with all the other great talents that we have lost.  

Missing you Michael.

My Review of Flip Video Ultra

This video camera is easy right out of the box!

Bad Officiating? You Be the Judge

I love watching NBA especially my home team the Orlando Magic but the officiating has been questionable at best.  At last night's game a fan heckled a referee over a bad call.  The referee threw the ball to the fan baiting him so that when the fan threw it back he could call for ejection of the fan.  The ref. then called security and had him removed from court side seats.  Click here to read the whole story and below to view raw video and you be the judge.

Although I'm heart broken about our team's loss in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, I still believe in Magic!  Go MAGIC!!

I've Been Biebered & Eclipsed

I'm convinced that I suffered some hearing loss this week.  Oprah not only had tween/teen idol Justin Bieber on her show but she also had the cast of "Twilight" and all I can say is WOW!  The fans lost their effing minds.  I definitely had to adjust the volume on my TV.  I can understand being excited to meet your favorite pop star or actor but screaming at the top of your lungs and nearly fainting is way over the top.  But that's just me.  I just don't get THAT excited.  Don't get me wrong, I've met a few famous folks in my life and it was a definite thrill but I remained calm as to not come across like a raving lunatic.  It seems each generation has their super-duper star heart throbs.  In the past it was Elvis,  Beetles, or Michael Jackson.  During my teenage years it was Duran Duran, Madonna, & Prince.  I'm still crazy about Prince but I digress.
Anyway, below are links to video clips so that you can check out these sensations.  Some  are quite funny especially the one of Robert Pattinson making surprise visits to fan's homes.  The mother of one of the girls is screaming more than her daughter.  Sigh!  
Adjust your volume accordingly.

Please Don't Be Like Jimmy the Mouse

Here's a warning to men, get yourselves a confident woman with some self-esteem, and a life! 
Sadly there have been several instances I've witnessed over the years with a few guy friends of mine (haven't had this problem with my girl friends) that has inspired me to post this tongue-in-cheek letter.

A Desperate Letter from Jimmy the Mouse
I'm writing this letter while my wife (let's call her, The Dictator) is asleep. You will have to forgive me if I make this a short one, but I'm too scared of the consequences of her finding out that I'm trying to communicate with the outside world.
I don't know where to start, but I'm scared; I'm really scared of my wife. I've been married for three years now and I have to say that I've been living a nightmare from the start.
My wife has taken complete control of my life. I can no longer go outside for a breath of fresh air unless I'm accompanied by The Dictator herself or her mother, who's currently living with us.
Everything I do is looked upon with suspicion. I've lost all my friends except for those who are married and have submitted a detailed profile of their lifestyle to her, in order to obtain approval to hang out with me.
I haven't seen my paycheck in years. Heck! I don't even know how much I earn anymore. She deposits every single dime I bring home into a "mystery" bank account, with the exception of a weekly allowance of $10 to spend when I go out with the "pre-approved" friends.
I haven't eaten a piece of meat (oh how I miss my mother's fine T-bone steak with mashed potatoes) since the day before our wedding. Apparently, I've become a vegetarian too.
I have no say in any purchases made by my wife. For example, the car she drives me to work with, a convertible blue GEO, was purchased without my consultation. For crying out loud -- it's a convertible blue GEO!
As for the home we live in, well, I didn't even know I owned a home until the day she asked me to rent a truck and take the day off in order to move the furniture, while she went out shopping for fresh flowers.
It has come to the point where I am fed up. I love my wife and I don't want to leave her. Help! What can I do to balance things out somewhat? I hope this letter gets to you on time. Uh, oh! She's awake. Oh G-d, please no, not the belt...
Jimmy the Mouse


If your lady is exhibiting overly controlling traits my advice is to 
RUN AWAY!!  If you're already stuck with married to her then you'll need to grow some cojones!  
Do you know a 'Jimmy the Mouse' or have you had a 'Jimmy' moment?  I invite you to share it in the comments area.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

 Contrary to popular belief Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence day. It is actually the day Mexico defeated French armies. In 1861 President Benito Juarez, of Mexico, decided that Mexico was going to stop making payments to countries that they had taken loans from. One of these countries was France. France's response was to attack Mexico. At the start of this war France was succeeding in their attacks that is until May 5, 1862. On that day in the city of Puebla, Mexico a small less equipped Mexican army led by General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín defeated the mighty French army and in 1866-1867 the French withdrew from Mexico with additional pressure by the United States of America to do so. The city of Puebla is one of few places in Mexico that celebrates the day. Americans are the reason that Cinco De Mayo has turned into a larger celebration. Eating authentic Mexican cuisine and drinking various flavored margaritas are some of the favorite ways to celebrate.  Click below and watch my husband and me celebrate.  :-)  Enjoy the festivities!

Got Any Plans For Memorial Day Weekend?

If you don't already have plans for Memorial Day weekend, will be in the Orlando area, and would like to have some fun while giving back to the community, then check out VesselVibeMag.com's 
"Sex And The City 2" Premier Weekend Event!  It is a great way to support the youth of Central Florida!!
All the details are below.

For complete contest rules click HERE!