iP3K

This new movie written by Lisa Cholodenko and Stuart Blumberg star a family of four, composed of a young teenage boy who has questionable friends, a daughter heading off to college and their two mothers. You guessed right, it’s a modern family and that’s what the movie is all about. It’s not really a drama nor a comedy but you have plenty of both weaved into this adorable movie. Jules (Julianne Moore) and Nic (Annette Bening) made use of a sperm donor in order to have both of their children. To each their child, but you quickly realize that this family has been living just like any other family has to live. It’s funny how much I could relate to their family dynamics, the movie does not take itself too seriously as it sometimes felt into clichés. But you clearly feel that they portrayed an emotional story with a light heart. It’s the summer for crying out loud! I had more laughs that I would of imagined, the execution is solid and I was surely in awh, waiting to see what the next reaction would be. Not to be seen with your kids, but I believe parents and couple will truly identify as to what goes into a relationship. Not to delve in the plot too much, but the movie kicks into gear when the kids decide they want to meet their biological father. This new person, new father, they most connect with will have impacted their lives in ways they could not of imagined. Trailer is after the jump, I liked the movie, I could recommend The Kids Are All Right, but you need to be open-minded enough to pull some life lessons out of it. (more…)

I haven’t posted about myself or about my work situation in ages. Mostly because I don’t believe it to be that interesting or note worthy. When I started this blog I saw it as an online diary that could keep track of my different impressions of what ever happens in the world. Lately I’ve been focusing on reviewing a bunch of stuff but not really for the sake of pouring my heart out. Mostly trying to drive traffic to the blog. Hoping to make a few pennies. I’m a die hard optimist most of the time and if I have the blues I can dismiss it after good night sleep… Right now I feel there is some foreshadowing coming from the 40s crisis that men tend to have (when they reach their 40s). Questioning my career choices and decisions, trying to make a living, valuing your qualities and proving yourself shouldn’t take such a toll on me. But they do… and it down right sucks. One day your in a perfect spot, not really thinking ahead or what tomorrow may hold. You believe in destiny, and somehow God has a plan for you, a way to be meaningful… until the day you realize you might have to wait longer than expected. You’re starting to loose confidence in your ability to keep your head above the water. You think you’re skilled but there is always that other one that beats you to the punch. You can’t be number one, and you sure can’t be in the top 10 either. I’ll be 22 next month and I get the feeling I’ve wasted so much time not doing the right things so far. Realizing this now might be a blessing or a curse who knows… Eat, sleep, play is not that different from Commute, work, sleep. For now I’m longing for the latter option.

There is that great podcast I’ve fell in love with. Who would of though that by watching an episode of Martin Sargent’s Internet Superstar (episode 9) I would come to discover MobLogic.TV and experience a profound revelation. I used to love following the news, find out what happened in the world and all. But anyone who turns on to their local station to watch the evening news is bound to be heavily disappointed. When you’re stuck with a perception where the media dishes out scandal after scandal, never taking the time to see what it all “really means”. I’d like to say I’m knowledgeable enough to know better. I’d like to consider myself a better Human, caring for my neighbor and not be a mindless sheep. Obviously I no where close to that. But when I watch MobLogic it makes me think, I’m not a consumer of information anymore. You can watch an episode below or check them out at www.moblogic.tv.

Today I stumbled upon an interesting article via Digg. The article talks about Why Gen Y is Going to Change the Web, a particular section resonated strongly with me.

Work Isn’t Their Whole World: Sure, they’re going to go to work, but it had better be fun. For Gen Y, work isn’t their identity. It’s just a place. Gen Y sees no reason why a company can’t be more accommodating, offering benefits like the ability to work from anywhere, flex-time, a culture that supports team communication, and a “fun” work environment. They’re also not going to blindly follow orders just because you’re the boss. Sometimes dubbed “Generation Why?” they need to “buy in” as to why something is being done. [...]

I feel strongly about this argument. However I feel that there will be a lot more challenges coming our way as our generation is growing out to be very different. Are we the next wave of the 70s peace and love? The best way to sum up the article is that Gen Y grew up with the Internet and the rise of technology. This reminds me a text a quoted two months ago : I’m young, I grew up with Internet and I’m the center of the Universe. [Read Belly Button]

I’m young, I grew up with Internet and I’m the center of the Universe. In my computer, there’s my documents, my pictures, my music, my videos. Only my own stuff. And all around me, there are my relatives, some close. Further, there are my irregular contacts, my school, sports and vacation buddies, friends from my youth, my encounters on MSN, MySpace or Skype. And all these people have relatives, people I may wish to get to know.

- Tsss

- To get there, I invite them on my own private web page, a kind of blog real easy that I cooked up with iWeb, MySpace or Live Space. I told them: Here’s my pictures, my music, my info sources. Here is my dog, my cat and my little sister. And here are my buddies; it’s with them that I get to practice my guitar and take my pictures. In exchange, my new buddys invite me on their personal web page and we bond. Virtually of course.

- What ?

- I’m young, I grew up with Internet and I’m the center of the Universe. Whenever I’m in the train!

- And you don’t hold the door for the ladies, and don’t care to give them your seat!

- Driving or on foot between two stores, to buy a gum, my soft drink, a chocolate bar, I have my iPod, my GameBoy, and my cellphone. This way, I’m never bored. I listen to my music, play my games, and talk to my friends. Sometimes, my parents are shocked: they pretend having a hard time talking to me. They say I’m cut from reality. What reality, theirs? The one of politicians, their stars, their TV, their music, of their cheesy food, where they drink too much wine, their shopping at Wal-Mart and Home Depot? What can they tell me that I don’t already know? Their values were valid in the 80s or 90s. Gotta live with our times. With my time.

- Shut up, you dummy!

- I’m young, I grew up with the Internet and I’m the center of the Universe. The parents, these moralizers, these good-thinker, these teachers, I turn up the volume of my iPod and can’t hear them.

- I said shut up, you dummy! Can’t you realize that the Universe can’t have a center? You’re not young! You’re just a pitiful product. The one from a civilization hyper individualized, where people avoid each others, “cyber-flirt”, “cellularize” their pussies and “chat” their balls. You believe you came in this world all knowledgeable. You”ve got the arrogance of believing yourself the equal of those who took a life time to realize that they knew nothing. Of those who gave everything to the others, yesterday like today.

- I’m young, I’m…

- Shhh! In silence you might start listening to something else then your own heartbeat…

I wish I was the one who came up with this little dialog but I am not. I read it two years ago in a QuébecMicro article. I had started making a translation but never got around to finish it. I think now is a good time as any to bring it up and finally publish it. It’s incomplete but since I’ve misplaced the magazine and can’t really put the rest online. At least you might be able to bring up some reflexion from this read.

Fake news report, massive “Rickrolling” on YouTube, no one is safe from April Fools’ Day! I remember the days when we tried to stick a paper fish in the back of our teacher, and she had to pretend she didn’t feel us tapping repeatedly on her back. In an attempt to research the origin of this practice Wikipedia failed to provide me a clear answer.

One might consider that if you make a terrible joke on April 1st you should be forgiven no matter what. However all the Internet publications out there should be very careful because once a fake news is out there is no guarantee that all who read it will see the following post mentioning it’s all a joke. In real life that’s not an issue because most of the time you can get back to that person directly.

Go placidly amid the noise & haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; And listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud & aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with other, you may become vain and bitter; For always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career, however humble, it is a real possession amid the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virture there is; Many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself; especially, do not feign affection; Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth; Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labours & aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul; Be careful; Strive to be happy; With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Found in Old Saint Paul’s Church, Baltimore, Dated 1692

This text was placed in the main hall of our church, it’s profound in meaning and think everyone can find it’s share of significance.

Today I’m so glad I never signed up with MySpace! I know that those trends never last too long, but there is something about Facebook that draws me in. Perhaps it’s the uncluttered interface. When ever I was looking through the MySpace page of some people there was always so kind of music, picture slide show, crazy background and even video clips. I could say that it’s on MySpace that you can find the WORSE designed web pages in the world.

These kind of websites are successful depending how many of your friends are on it. I always tend to resist until I get many invites and just crack. That is what happened with hi5 a few months ago, look at it now, it’s a MySpace clone and is starting to integrate all I hate about it.

On the other hand Facebook has a refreshing look. It’s structured and it got all the nice things you like about a “friends aggregator”. You can post messages for everyone to see, you can send them private messages, join groups and post pictures and events. Facebook as always been more serious concerning it’s audience because at first you HAD TO BE a student with a valid school email address to sign up. In the US, all universities’ website end with .edu and it was quite easy to create a filter for… They’ve broaden their audience by allowing anyone to join but when it comes to School Networks they bring the concept back and you can join that network only if you’re really a student there. It’s a good way to keep child predators at bay (unless they’re students there).

I’ve got high hopes for Facebook and hope it’s there to stay for a while. Unless someone else can do better.