Best explanations of SOPA and PIPA

It appears that we can continue to share and remix content to our hearts content without being presummed guilty of copyright infringment.  As Clay Shirky so clearly articulates in the TED vid below, it's not over.  In the meantime and until it pops up again, the following 2 vids should serve as a reminder or refresher in case you forget.  They're the best and simplest explanations I've seen.

TED: Clay Shirky - Why SOPA is a Bad Idea

KhanAcademy.org - SOPA and PIPA

P.S. this post was created on my newly unboxed iMac:)

I want to be a Tough Mudder

I'll be doing the 2011 Tri-State Tough Mudder tomorrow.  My son called it a "Funhouse for Adults".  It's going to be insanely fun.  

I've been working out and spinning a few days a week and running on the weekends.  That with a little mental toughness should get me through.

In support of Veterans, The "Real" Tough Mudders, the folks over at Tough Mudder have raised over 2 million dollars for the Wounded Warrior Project...

These funds will help support thousands of warriors from the battlefield to bedside, and beyond. This will help provide much needed respite retreats for devoted caregivers, and will also fund WWP combat stress recovery programs, adaptive sports, benefits counseling, education and employment services and other programs that aid in the healing of the mind, body and spirit of these brave Americans.

Happy Veteran's Day.

Okay... back to resting and carb loading for tomorrow.

Update: Officially a Tough Mudder, headband and all:)

My Neighborhood is having huge Popup Gallery Art Show

I'm really excited about this project.  Many great people in my neighborhood community have worked together to deliver an entire month of Art for all to enjoy.

PLGNA and PLG Arts Present

Between Neighbors &The Neighborhood Show:

A Community Gallery, Performing Arts Venue,

and Arts & Crafts Market

 

Prospect Lefferts Gardens Neighborhood Association (PLGNA) and PLG Arts present The Neighborhood Art Show THURSDAY, OCT. 13– SUNDAY, NOVEMBER  13, 2011 at 552 Flatbush Avenue between Lincoln Road and Maple Street in Brooklyn (the old Mike's International Restaurant).

 

BETWEEN NEIGHBORS will showcase the local artist Brian Fernandes-Halloran.  Brian will not only present his painting, but will provide interactive artwork and participation in a video dialogue that will grow throug the span of the show.

OF THIS MONTHLONG CELEBRATION OF PLG

Google+

My Ipad has been All Around the World

It finally found me.  I just unboxed it and while I wait for the latest itunes to finish installing I thought I'd share it's trip.  From Shenzhen, China to Brooklyn, New York...  Check out all the fedex stops above.  

 

Cupcakes by Alex

Museum of Me

I'm not dead yet but Intel's new app, Museum of Me, kinda gave me the creepy feeling I was.  However, the concept is cool.  The App creates a short film of a walk through a musuem of your facebook activity.  The pics above are from the movie of my activity.

It reminded me of Pummelvision which takes your photos and creates a vid of your stills.  But unlike Pummelvision, you can't post the vid on youtube or vimeo.

 

Feynman Simplified

Mother's Day makes me want to be a better Dad...

Mother's Day makes me want to be a better Dad, husband, and son.  I celebrated Mother's Day by doing what the best mothers do well...

Everything without complaining!

Today I tried my best.  I woke up early this morning, prepared my son Lucas, reminded him to be extra nice to his mom, took him to his chess tournament, gave him all the support and encrouragement he deserved, brought him back home, greeted and spent time with my mom and mother and law, went to the supermarket for our mother's bbq stuff, minded the grill for a bit, helped my daughter get ready for her show, served as roadie and carried the guitars, watched the show, snapped a few photos, brought her back home, got my son to do his homework, put everyone to bed then wrote this post.  Honestly, my wife Dolca can and has done this many times.

Thanks to all the mothers who do Everything and never ever complain.

Above is a pic of wife my Dolca and below is a pic of my daughter and her band mates at their show this evening. 

 

Lucas debuts and I learn something about Rock-n-Roll

Today Lucas played his first public performance before an audience at Kenny's Castaways in Greenwich Village.  He played guitar while his sister, Alex, sang Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes.  Naturally he was nervous.  He didn't practice much and we decided to switch things up a bit 15 minutes before heading out for the show.  Moreover, he and Alex never once rehearsed the song together from start to finish.  In spite of all this, he played it better than I ever heard him play it at home.

Much is made and said about practice... but more should be said about what one does while in the moment.  That's Rock-n-Roll.

Thanks to the NYC Guitar School for organizing this.