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LUV VOD

24 Thursday Apr 2014

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I’ve mentioned before my extreme love for VOD.  It’s the best thing since sliced bread I tell ya!  I’ve been waiting for the perfect time to try to influence you to give this “on demand” thing a shot and now I have the perfect reason.  Remember when my friend Leslie did a guest post on the movie she co-produced, Favor?  No?  Well then you should probably go read it before continuing on (click here).  Now that you are up to speed we can continue.

Favor has done very well on the festival circuit but that audience is limited to those who … well … go to festivals.  Let’s face it that’s probably not you (and me).  Team Favor has worked very hard to make it so their movie is available to the masses (aka you and me).  According to the picture I stole from Favor‘s Facebook page it is now available on every VOD platform that exists.  Most folks tend to flock toward iTunes.  Favor is doing very well there and even I, in my odd anti-iTunes ways, could easily find it on the TOP MOVIE CHARTS.  That’s right.  My friend’s movie is right there at #48 (as of right this minute) tucked nice and cozy between Labor Day and Bad Country.  It’s my understanding it is much higher in the genre specific charts but I didn’t look.  I trust the Favor folks and didn’t feel the need to verify it.

For my VOD viewing I almost exclusively use Time Warner Cable.  Mostly because it is available on my TV.  All the VOD (or almost all) have the ability to stream to your TV but require a box or stick or subscription or whatever.  TWC is my cable provider so is already on my TV ready to take advantage of my need for instant gratification.   Luckily for me Favor is available there.  Along with TONS OF TV SHOWS AND OTHER MOVIES.  It’s were I watch the shows that don’t make the DVD list for space reasons.  All those Discovery, Syfy, and USA shows.  It’s so wonderful.  Not to mention they have every children’s show known to man.  When my niece and nephew come over I don’t have to worry about what is available for them.  I turn on the on demand and we are good to go!  Any TV shows that you normally get with your cable subscription are free on demand.  Most movies and special events have a charge that goes directly on your next cable bill.

FavorMy second favorite place to watch shows on demand is Amazon.  Many people don’t know that you can stream movies/tv shows from Amazon.  Well you can!  They even have Amazon Fire TV which allows you to stream directly to your TV (they also have a brilliant ad campaign using Gary Busey that makes me giggle every single time I see it).  If you are a prime member many shows are free.  That’s right … FREE!  It’s how I got caught up on Downton Abbey.  Something I highly suggest you do as well.  Amazon recently made trade news by inking an exclusive deal with HBO.  Now I’m assuming those shows aren’t free but starting May 21st HBO owned content will be available through Amazon Instant Video!

Now that I’ve plugged my friends movie, which you should definitely see, while embracing one of the on demand options available at your fingertips, I want to point something out to advertisers.  If I was an advertiser there are two places I would put a chunk of my money:

1. TV On Demand – On demand has already focused your audience to folks that REALLY want to be watching a specific show.  Unlike DVD’d TV most “on demand” network options through cable providers don’t allow fast forwarding.  Personally as a viewer this kinda pisses me off but it is the ONLY time I watch commercial breaks all the way through.  Just be careful when placing ads in on demand as you need to be aware that these shows can be watched at any time so any spot that is time sensitive doesn’t work well there.  Also showing the same ad over and over each break makes a viewer want to hit you not purchase your product.

2. Podcast Live Reads – There are a few very highly rated podcasts that are well worth advertising on.  Once again you can do a good job of targeting a very engaged consumer.  You are also asking someone who they adore or look up to, to be part of your ad.  Many podcasters (or ex-radio folks) are very good at live reads.  If they are let them do it.  They know how to speak to their audience and if their audience is loyal they will do what they are told.  I don’t like Howard Stern but I’ll give him this much … he was king of the live read.  Move your radio dollars to podcasts.  That’s where you will find the new Howard Stern like audience.

Ok enough of my preaching … get to watching Favor!

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Super Duper

03 Friday May 2013

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On the look out for bad guys.

On the look out for bad guys.

I saw Iron Man 3 this morning.  I liked it.  Not my favorite Iron Man movie but well worth my movie and popcorn money!  I may have been the only woman in the audience and therefore the only one charmed by Mr. Tony Stark.  There were a number of times I was giggling and I could feel the eyes of the Marvel believers around me trying to shoot laser beams into me.  I don’t know why.  The character is funny … weirdo nerds (said the woman who got up early to go see the first showing of Iron Man).

Would there even be a successful Iron Man movie franchise without Robert Downey Jr.?  Maybe.  I suppose they’d find some other charming Hollywoodian to portray Stark, but it just wouldn’t be the same.  No matter his faults that Robert Downey is a good little actor!  He even makes me forget about how much I loathe Gwyneth Paltrow.  So thank you Robert Downey Jr. for bringing Iron Man to life (well and Stan Lee, those other guys at Marvel, all those folks that worked on the movie …. you know … the little people).

photo (6)The previews, and there were many, shown this morning were jam-packed with super hero movies so I came home and immediately made Riggins dress up in a cape to take pictures with me.  Well actually his cape is Super Girl’s skirt but don’t tell him that.

* Different topic.  I don’t know what accent those Smith boys are sporting in After Earth but I don’t care.  I’m in.  I heart all the Smiths …. every single one of them.  Whipping their hair, fighting aliens, fighting computer generated creatures, karate chopping.  I love it all!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Extra pic: This obviously isn't Riggins. It's baby Gavin wearing the cape I had made him. I like capes.

Extra pic: This obviously isn’t Riggins. It’s baby Gavin wearing the cape I had made him. I like capes.

Tata Talk

14 Thursday Mar 2013

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If you are worried about this break from the 39 Acts of Kindness, don’t be. I’m working on putting together some great St. Patrick themed fun! I’m excited to tell you about them but this isn’t the time. Right now I am preoccupied with my boobs.

You heard me.

photo (3)6 months ago I had an irregular mammogram which lead to another mammogram and then a sonogram and then a biopsy. I still have the scar from where they stuck a needle to take out a chunk of me to investigate further and put a metal marker in its place. They put the marker in so during future exams if there is a question about that same area, it shows that it was already examined. My mom was treated for breast cancer just a couple of years (or maybe it was one) early so I was shocked (and thrilled) that the test came back negative. Like any other lady part test if you fail once you have to go back every 6 months for a while and today is my lucky six month boob check anniversary. I’m glad I’m going since I’ve had some pain (not double over and die pain but, “hey that kinda hurts” pain) and a very odd skin infection (at least that is what the dr thought) in/on my boob(s). I’m sure it’s nothing but it is always better to know and, if needed, get treatment, then sitting around twiddling your thumbs as your body rebels against you. Luckily, I’m getting a sonogram not a mammogram. Although I don’t think mammograms are nearly as horrible as people say. Some would say it hurts less because I have big boobs while others would say it should hurt more because I have big boobs. Whatever. They only get squished for a second and then it’s on with your life. Lesson — go get a mammogram.

While we are on the topic of my boobs, let me tell you about my movie theater trips. They involve my tatas. My movie theatre uniform is work out pants, tennis shoes, sports bra, tank top and hoodie. Each clothing item has a purpose. Work out pants are just comfy and allow for wiggles and leg shifting without any difficulty. Tennis shoes are nice since they cover your entire foot protecting it from the goopy gross floor. Sports bra and tank top are the comfy equals to the pants and the hoodie allows for me to cover my head and lean my head back without touching the back of a gross chair (gross in so much as a zillion other grimy and greasy haired owners have leaned against it in the past). Plus the hoodie up gives the world my international sign of “I’m invisible. Don’t talk to me.” I started this at a job so I could maintain the HR suggested open door policy while still giving my employees the understanding that now wasn’t the best time … as I was invisible to them. I’ve since adopted it for plane rides and, if necessary, dog park outings. Of course none of these items covers my cleavage. In fact they allow for a clean popcorn runway right down my blouse. You’d be amazed at how often I miss my mouth and the popcorn makes a run for it right down my shirt. Constantly. Then I sit there in the dark theatre and dig it out hoping no one sees me. It adds to the entertainment of the show. Probably does so for others as well.

In general I have a sports bra coverage, cost, and support issue. First of all why are they so expensive? Someone needs to fix that. I have a zillion of the Target flimsy sports bras that really do nothing. I wear them at Bar Method. Since they do nothing I’m constantly giving someone a cleavage show when I bend over. The biggest problem with this is I really don’t care. Target sports bras are cheap and comfy so I’m wearing them. I’m not bouncing around all over the place in Bar Method I’m moving inches and breathing heavily concentrating on not throwing up. I’m too busy to care if someone is looking down my blouse. Most of the class is almost always women anyway so no one cares (I assume). Every once in a while a straight guy manages to find his way in and then he gets an extra show. Good for him. Welcome to Bar Method!

Today I’m going with my friend to her gym to do some sort of dance class. It’s a huge sacrifice for me not to go to Bar but she says it’s ridiculously fun so I’m trying it out. I had to dig through a giant pile of clean clothes to get one of my sports bras that actually have some holding power. I figured dancing equaled bouncing and the Target non-sports bra wasn’t going to cut it. Then I proceeded to put it on inside out 3 times. Not once, not twice, three times. Seems impossible right? Wrong. Totally possible. Each time I’d start laughing again as I tried to wiggle my way out and then wiggle, tug and pull my way back in. Sports bra (non clasp kind) are an X rated comedy sketch waiting to happen. It is NOT EASY to get those suckers on and off. You know where it is nearly impossible? The pool. It is actually almost impossible to put anything on in the pool locker room. Everything, including you, is moist and there is no way to get dry. So there you are standing in a moist room, with moist skin, trying to yank down a sports bra that has decided to go no further than your armpits. Once, at the pool, I failed so miserably at putting on a sports bra post swim and was laughing so hard at myself, I had to take a time out to go pee. Sports bra 1/2 on. One boob hanging out the bottom refusing to corporate and the other mashed at the wrong angle, mocking the other one. Thank goodness I was alone! That pool is frequented by JPL employees. Can you imagine? I could have failed at the simple task of getting dressed in front of an actual rocket scientist!

Well — I have to go get my boobs checked. Enjoy the boob-o-licious pics of Riggins and me. Due to the position of my chest and the angle of any self taken iPhone picture 90% of my Riggins/Wendy photos have my cleavage front and center.

 

Beautiful – Inside and Out

25 Friday Jan 2013

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(Riggins did not enjoy this photo session. He is currently pouting because I forced him to do it.)

I just saw Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters. I liked it! Granted I’m an easy sell when it comes to movies but even so it was well worth my discounted before noon/weekday ticket price. Just like any good fairy tale it was creepy (name me one fairy tale that doesn’t give you the chills if you really think about it) and had wonderful messages. One, of course, is that evil eventually makes you ugly not only on the inside but the outside. Good witches are pretty all the time. Bad witches have no choice but to become ugly. I’m not ruining anything for you here. You’ve seen Wizard of Oz so I assume you are up to speed on the whole witch beauty thing. It seemed perfect that after the movie I Operation Beautiful bombed the crap out of that place. (More on Operation Beautiful in a bit.)

It made me start thinking of the whole bullying issue (stay with me here). Bullying is the key hot topic right now and of course it is hurtful and bad but are we tackling it the right way by saying, “don’t bully – it’s mean?” Deep down doesn’t the big fat meany bully already know he is being mean? Unless he is truly mentally unstable (which I suppose is possible) this should come as no big surprise to the bully. “Oh wait. This is mean? I’m just doing this due to my insecurity and need for external validation from my peers? Well good thing you told me. I’ll stop now.” Give these kids some credit won’t you? There is a PSA type TV commercial that is running right now that is making me crazy. Granted bad commercials in general chap my hide but this one is both bad and treats it’s viewer like he is stupid. Horrible combination. It has some girl getting practically thrown on the ground and kicked Jet Lee style in the school hall by the lockers (what school has lockers anymore) while others ignore the abuse. Come on. Seriously? Besides isn’t childhood bullying usually more emotional in nature especially among girls? The level of beat down this kid is taking while others just pass by is ridiculous. Instead of going negative with our message why don’t we turn it positive? Give praise and awards for being nice and doing good deeds. Kids aren’t stupid (most of them anyway). Why are we treating them like they are.

I love following blogs and such of people trying to pass out messages of happiness and strength. This isn’t new (I never watched Oprah but this is very Oprah-esk) but it seems to be catching on which is amazingly wonderful!
If you follow @AnnCurry on Twitter or search the hashtag #26acts you will find a treasure trove of people reaching out and being kind. (More info on how and why Ann Curry started this viral push toward niceness – http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-205_162-57560308/ann-curry-proposes-26acts-of-kindness-goes-viral/) You can’t read through very many before you start crying and believing that humanity is indeed good (unless you have no soul or are a bad witch).

Now, as promised, more on Operation Beautiful (http://www.operationbeautiful.com/). Per the web site – “The goal of the Operation photo (6)Beautiful website is to end negative self-talk or “Fat Talk.” If this little blog only does one productive thing, I hope it helps readers realize how truly toxic negative self-talk is — it hurts you emotionally, spiritually, and physically.” To participate you grab a sticky note pad and a pen and write out positive messages to strangers then leave them in places they will be found. The woman who started this movement, Caitlin Boyle, is adorable. Truthfully I don’t follow her Operation Beautiful blog but I do read her personal blog (http://www.healthytippingpoint.com/). Caitlin also goes around the US conducting inspirational discussions with teenagers within high schools spreading her message that everyone is beautiful. Although aimed toward teens, who are often at the age where you struggle with your self-identity and care deeply about what others think, I’m all for getting the message out to adults as well. Seriously, if I was on a date and, feeling self-conscious, popped into the restroom to “freshen up” (aka try to slather on more make up in an attempt to look alluring) and came across a post-it staring at me telling me I was already beautiful it would be a game changer. I’d drop my make-up bag back into my purse, stand up a little straighter, smile at myself in the mirror and pronounce, “That’s right! F*** it. Let’s go do this thing Post-It” and then proudly head back to my date with more self-esteem than before. I’d love it if more people around the world became a part of Operation Beautiful. It’s so easy and can lead to such happiness.

There is another duo of woman specifically crusading against the negative, harmful, and untruthful messages about the ideal beauty as portrayed by the media. They have started “Beauty Redefined” (http://www.beautyredefined.net/). Much like Caitlin the founders, Lindsay and Lexie Kite, are inspirational speakers and spread their message through presentations along with Facebook and Twitter. They actually sell pre-printed post-it notes through their site, with messages that are designed to spread ideas of positive self-image and knock down any media that is helping spread visual lies. I really like two parts of Beauty Redefined. First of all they have an entire photo album on Facebook dedicated to real, un-photoshopped women who are proud of who they are (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.426191410745343.98353.193209467376873&type=3). They also have an eye-opening gallery of photoshopped pictures of celebrities that is just fascinating (http://www.beautyredefined.net/photoshop-phoniness-hall-of-shame/). These pictures are supposed to show us that even those gorgeous models and actors on the cover of that magazine aren’t that skinny and perfect looking in reality. You know what it shows me???? It shows me with a little better lighting, a snazzy make-up artist, and a buttload of computer wizardry I too could be a super model! That just makes me happy!!!!

Happy Friday and remember you are beautiful (no matter what any asshat may say to you)!

It Was No Transformers

13 Tuesday Apr 2010

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She didn’t give me permission but I have to share since it made me laugh and laugh. Here is my mom’s review of Crazy Heart:

“I thought Crazy Heart was ridiculous. Who wants to watch a scrubby, disgusting man with his pot belly and bare chest hanging out, drinking whiskey? He can’t sing. He was kissing a girl young enough to be his daughter. It was dumb, depressing movie about an alcoholic. Yuk.”

I haven’t seen it but I’m going with mom. She seems to know best. If you want to know where I got my movie tastes it is from her (although honestly I’m not nearly as harsh and will see almost anything as long as it fits my schedule for the day — in fact personally that is how I pick movies. It’s 11:00 AM what starts now? Great! Sold! I’ll see that.). After all her favorite movie of 2007 was Transformers. Give us some popcorn and a fun flick and we are happy for the next 2ish hours!

Up In The Air

21 Monday Dec 2009

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To mix things up instead of reviewing a movie and giving you my thoughts on acting, plot, writing, and directing I’m going to share with you the thoughts I had prior to watching Up In The Air at the Americana at Brand this weekend.

* Is going to a mall the weekend before X-Mas just to see a movie a good idea?
* Hey. Parking wasn’t bad! I still say whoever put this “two merging lane twisty” parking garage entrance in Glendale was an extreme optimist or didn’t know the lack of driving/merging skills of the Glendalians.
* (As I stepped off of the last escalator) Good lord. Where did all these people come from? It’s like god threw up humanity all over this place. I can see the light of the theatre. Let me through …
* NO LINE AT THE AUTOMATED TICKET MACHINES — MERRY X-MAS TO ME INDEED!
* NO LINE AT THE CONCESSION STAND. IT’S LIKE MY OWN LITTLE X-MAS MIRACLE!
* Good, not that many people so no one will sit by me.
* (A few minutes later …) I said no one would sit by me. No one would sit by me. Don’t sit by — damn it.
* That Benihana’s commercial makes me giggle every time. Makes me giggle and want to drink mixed cocktails from a Buddha mug!
* The creative agency who made the National Guard spot deserves some sort of award. It is mighty powerful. I would never join any armed (or non-armed) forces. Honestly it would take about 1 hour before I started a one woman coup and went AWOL. AND EVEN I get 1/2 way through that spot and want to scream, “where do I sign up?” You know what they should do? They should hand out sign up sheets and little miniature golf pencils as you walk into the theatre and then have army guys stationed at the end of each aisle and the second you sign and date the paper they sweep in and grab it from you before you come to you senses and eat the evidence.
* Good thing this Walmart/Coke spot is seasonal because it annoys me. They should get the creative shop that the National Guard uses to look this thing over.
* I’d date Alec Baldwin. I mean he is old and crazy but doesn’t he look like he would be fun for a couple dates? You know before super crazy kicks in.
* What movie am I here to see again? Oh right.
* I bet I’d be good at George Clooney’s character’s job in this flick. I mean his life looks lonely and horrible … hence the movie and all the award buzz around it (you don’t get award buzz unless something is tragic) … so I’m not saying I want that job I’m just saying I might be good at it. If this was High School and I was taking that test that tells you what you could be good at “when you grow up” I bet you money my test results would head closer to “lay off people” than “school teacher”.
* Apparently there are no unattractive people in whatever town Valentine’s Day is filmed in.
* Okay why am I the only person laughing out loud at the Death at a Funeral trailer? That movie looks hysterical.
* Seriously what did I come here to see again? Oh right. Clooney.
* Was From Paris with Love filmed in 1982 and is just now coming out? What is with the crappy production quality. Did they do that on purpose to look all “arty” … sigh … I bet they did … sigh.
* Hey! Leonardo DiCaprio is finally beginning to look older than 18. Good for him!
* MOVIE’S STARTING. WOOOOO HOOOOOOO!