Netflix Watch Instantly for Mac Report
Netflix just allowed Mac users to finally join in the "Watch Instantly" fun with a beta release of their player for Safari and Firefox. I instantly jumped on the chance to check it out. Although I was dismayed that it utilizes Microsoft's Silverlight (I just try to use as little MS software as possible), the reality of the beta is that it works darn near seamlessly and very well. I watched a full length movie last night through our Mac Mini entertainment center (through a projector) and I'd say the quality is better than Hulu's movies and, of course, has no interruptions or advertisements. I even did this test using the wireless home network, so I expect that with gigabit ethernet the quality would improve. I enjoyed the experience completely and look forward to more on-demand entertainment from Netflix besides the DVD rentals we've already been enjoying for years. Bravo, Netflix! link: 10:21 AM | Comments (0) | On This Day: 2001

Affordable Luxuries: Viewville Prints
I just saw the October issue of MSP magazine and their cover story is "Frugal Chic" and inside they have some great examples of affordable artwork to decorate your home. Sadly, Viewville wasn't included in the article as it would have been a perfect fit. We're new to the whole PR game and we're working hard at it (with two people out in NYC and two here to assist) but we missed out on this one. Hopefully next time! In the meantime, we'd love to hear your favorite frugal finds from the fine art photo collection at Viewville! link: 04:14 PM | Comments (0) | On This Day: 2001

"Skating" at Bryant-Lake Bowl
The long-running Cinema Lounge monthly event at the Bryant-Lake Bowl is screening my award-winning short film "Skating The Pacific to Europe" on Wednesday night, June 18th. 7:00pm is when the movies start rolling and this is a free event. Come on down and check out the documentary about an amazing local speed skater. link: 08:30 PM | Comments (0)

Obama rally in St. Paul

Obama rally in St. Paul, June '08
Originally uploaded by moonpost

I got a call yesterday afternoon to videotape the Barack Obama nomination rally in St. Paul and I eagerly accepted. I got downtown about 6:30pm and the line, oh the line! it went on forever down every street, around every corner, masses of cheerful happy people. I was very glad I had a press pass waiting for me so I could go right in! I was supposed to be up on the press risers, but by the time I got there it was full so I had floor access, which was just fine. I recorded the event and conducted several interviews and had a very cool (and historic, I suppose) experience. It would not have been possible without some help from Victor and Jesse, though. Thanks, guys.

link: 11:06 PM | Comments (0) | On This Day: 2002

Viewville.com is beta launched!
Just a quick note to say that I have been working for the past many months on a new site/business concept and we finally got into soft-launch this week: Viewville.com is your destination for fine art photo prints! Take a look and test it out and send some feedback if so desired. The site is live so feel free to make a purchase if you see something you love. Much more to come in the next few days/weeks as we ramp up to full capacity... So, here's to the second business in the first two years of quitting my corporate job! What's next? link: 06:59 PM | Comments (0)

Waterparking
We took Trixie to a waterpark this weekend and had a sweet time squirting, swimming, tubing, floating, splashing and eating. She was zonked out solid every night but ready to go back each morning. Meghan let me run off on my own and do the more extreme slides and, of course, The Vortex (which is sorta like a 3-story toilet bowl flush of fury). Those awkward tweens kept getting in my way... but they never expected the older bearded guy to clothesline and pants them. I was running around like a 12-year old on a sugar rush. A wheezy 12-year old, but hey, I just got off a week of the nasty flu bug that was squeezing my head with vise-like pressure and had me laid up for 5+ days. link: 10:51 PM | Comments (0) | On This Day: 2003

Our MGG Film Wins Award
One of our two short films for the 2007 Minnesota Greatest Generation Film Festival won "Best Collaborative Film" and we are thrilled! Out of 65+ films, our 10-minute piece on local 1948 Olympic speed skater Arthur Seaman ("Skating The Pacific To Europe") was one of the few big winners. What a thrill it was to win a second film award this year. Wow. Dare I hope for three next year?! Ha ha. link: 10:41 PM | Comments (0) | On This Day: 2003

Mac HDTivo

We picked up a refurbed EyeTV Hybrid from Elgato the other day and I set it up the other night to record the astronomy show "Seeing in the Dark" on PBS (featuring pal Mike Koppelman) and I have to say I am duly impressed. Without cable or satellite TV, we've been in the dark regarding hi-def programming. Since we've seen what over-the-air HDTV can be like, however, we are SPAZZING about the ability to grab a couple of shows to record (Heroes, ahem... thanks, Bill) and view them later on the big screen. At 8 gigs per hour, though, I'm already scoping out another hard drive!
(note: the screen grab has been resized for easier viewing. it looks real good at full res).

link: 04:23 PM | Comments (0) | On This Day: 2001

Casshern DVD

Whoa whoa whoa. Casshern finally coming out on US DVD! While the import disc is fine, I am eager to (hopefully) have a better version of this mind blowing Japanese "live-action anime" type movie. If you haven't seen it yet, you can on October 16th! I had this on my laptop last year and was watching it on the plane and this young Asian kid next to me hadn't heard of it and was curious so we both watched it and he was stunned. Seriously, just watch it. Oh, and my birthday is coming up (hint hint)...

link: 11:27 AM | Comments (0) | On This Day: 2002

The IT Crowd v2

Season Two of the British geek comedy "The IT Crowd" has been scheduled for Friday August 24th at 9.30pm!

link: 06:19 PM | Comments (0) | On This Day: 2003