Beautiful Thursday to be alive

Today is such a beautiful winters day. The sun is creeping over the tree tops and the sky is perfectly clear. It's days like this that make me smile at life. I think i'll go on a walk later.

YouTube Users Top Picks

I'm going to share with you who i personally think are the best users on YouTube. The ones that never fail to make me laugh and always produce high quality videos. You might disagree with some but at least check them out!

TheWineKone: The very first person i ever subscribed to around about the time when YouTube was just taking off. He's one of the longer running YouTube members and still produces great entertainment. He's not making as many regular videos as he used to but when he does they are always on top form.

Vlogbrothers (Brotherhood 2.0): One of the more recent popular vloggers on YouTube and amazing personalities that make them two of the best people on YouTube. They are great fun and always entertaining. Check them out to find out more about Brotherhood 2.0 and the Nerdfighters!

foundmyrosebud01: A big favorite of mine yet not that well known throughout the YouTube community. He started out by posting video responses to Daxflames videos and has now good a good group of fans. His videos are funny and his personality shines when he's on screen with his other friends like Joel (who also deserves a nod of excellence) and he has great comedic timing.

sxephil: I subscribed to him around summer time and he's a great entertainer. His show (The Philip DeFranco Show) always has me laughing and with great writing and witty humor you can't go wrong.

Other users i recommend who i find just as good as the ones above but only recently subscribed to so can't review much about them.

What The Buck

cutewithchris

showmanROT

makemebad35

All of the above deserve to be checked out and i'm sure you'll find at least one you will enjoy!

Snow or no snow?

That is the question! Due to global warming I've been having doubts whether it will actually snow this Christmas on Christmas day. For the last few years the weather has decided to completely skip snowing on Christmas and instead snow in February/March time instead. Yeah a little bit mixed up. With only a 25% chance of it snowing this Christmas day i think the chances are slim...

Yarrr you can't get rid of the pirates! Yarr!

French web users caught pirating movies or music could soon be thrown offline.

Those illegally sharing files will face the loss of their net access thanks to a newly-created anti-piracy body granted the wide-ranging powers.

The anti-piracy body comes out of a deal agreed by France's music and movie makers and its net firms.

The group who brokered the deal said the measures were intended to curb casual piracy rather than tackle large scale pirate groups.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy said the deal was a "decisive moment for the future of a civilised internet".

Net firms will monitor what their customers are doing and pass on information about persistent pirates to the new independent body. Those identified will get a warning and then be threatened with either being cut off or suspended if they do not stop illegal file-sharing.

The agreement between net firms, record companies, film-makers and government was drawn up by a special committee created to look at the problem of the net and cultural protection.

Denis Olivennes, head of the French chain store FNAC, who chaired the committee said current penalties for piracy - large fines and years in jail - were "totally disproportionate" for those young people who do file-share illegally.

In return for agreeing to monitor net use, film-makers agreed to speed up the transfer of movies to DVD and music firms pledged to support DRM-free tracks on music stores.

The deal was hailed by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), which represents the global interests of the music business.

"This is the single most important initiative to help win the war on online piracy that we have seen so far," it said in a statement.

French consumer group UFC Que Choisir was more cautious.

It said the agreement was "very tough, potentially destructive of freedom, anti-economic and against digital history".

So it's ok for the rest of the world then....

The Cell/Moble Phone takes over the world...

Almost a fifth of European households use a cell/mobile as their only phone, reveals research. Give it 5 more years and it'll be mainstream to have it as your only phone. It makes sense really. Only time will tell.

The curse of the slow internet

UK Broadband industry leaders have admitted that ultra-fast internet is slow in Britain. I'll be honest with you, I've known this for the past 7 or so years as have other people. Perhaps if these "leaders" went outside the country and looked at some statistics they'd notice the lack of speed from UK based broadband. At least it's not the worst speeds in the world as many other European countries have it far worse off.

Jay-Z does not like to write...

Jay-Z has revealed that he never writes down the lyrics to any of his songs and that he prefers to go straight to recording material in his studio.

The rapper admitted he used to always write the lyrics for his work on paper first, but dropped the habit 11 years ago.

Jay-Z told MTV: "My process is different now. It sounds great on paper, like "I'mma sit down, I'm going to write the entire album like I did before.'

"But once you get back in the studio and you've been doing this process for years and years now, so it just felt natural to do it the way I've been doing it. No paper, no pen, just listen to the music."

The hip-hop star joked: "I've inspired a generation of bad writers."

Ahh the wonders of technology

Today got me thinking about all the new gadgets and gizmo's that have been released recently. We have the iPhone, next gen computers & consoles, 1 terabyte hardrives and cars that can park themselves....Not to mention the cars that don't run on any gas.

I started to think if all this happened in a few years...What kind of technology will we have in 10 years? To be honest it scares me a little. We'll be living in Star Wars and talking to our wonderful gadgets like we've never been without them. I do have to say this advanced technology is rather impressive and it's only going to get better.

The Depp loves the cuddly toys!

Yes that's correct. Johnny Depp Was spotted buying himself a cuddly Mario toy from London store Forbidden Planet. According to a report by Computerandvideogames, the store closed its doors to the public while Depp and Tim Burton went Christmas shopping earlier this week.

Depp and Burton, who is known for his love of all things related to animation, spent their time snapping up movie and gaming memorabilia at the store.

Well i don't blame them. Might as well spend all that money on something.

Amy Whinehouse cancels tour

So Amy Whinehouse has canceled her current U.K. tour due to "doctors orders". Excuses i say, blame all the crack. Fans will hate me for that but don't worry it's all in good jest. I'm sure she'll be just fine....Unless She's arrested again...

Spirit nominations announced

Film Independent's 2008 Spirit Awards took on an international accent as nominees were announced Tuesday.

Best feature noms went to the French-language The Diving Bell and the Butterfly and the Pakistan-set A Mighty Heart, while the starring duo of Tony Leung and Tang Wei of the Shanghai drama Lust, Caution both figure in the top acting categories.

But Americana also ruled as I'm Not There, Todd Haynes' kaleidoscope deconstruction of the work of Bob Dylan, led the field. With four nominations, including best feature, director and supporting noms for Cate Blanchett and Marcus Carl Franklin, it also was named the inaugural winner of the Robert Altman Award, recognizing Haynes, casting director Laura Rosenthal and the ensemble cast.

While the Spirit Awards focus on American independent film, a film can qualify if at least one U.S. citizen or permanent resident is credited in two or more of the categories of writer, director or producer, which opened the door for this year's globetrotting noms.

In addition to I'm Not There, Diving Bell, a film told from the point of view of a stroke victim, and Mighty Heart, the dramatization of the search for kidnapped journalist Daniel Pearl, the other contenders in the best feature category are Juno, a comedy about an unintended pregnancy, and Paranoid Park, the account of a teen who accidentally kills a man.

Four of the best film nominees saw their helmsman nominated for best director: Haynes (I'm Not There), Jason Reitman (Juno), Julian Schnabel (Butterfly) and Gus Van Sant (Paranoid). But instead of Michael Winterbottom for Mighty Heart, the fifth slot went to Tamara Jenkins -- who also was nominated for best screenplay -- for the family drama The Savages.

"There wasn't a dominant genre or even a film. It was a mix of emerging filmmakers and veteran filmmakers like Gus Van Sant and Todd Haynes. I felt like it was a wide spectrum of talent in all areas," FIND exec director Dawn Hudson said at the ceremonies that Lisa Kudrow and Zach Braff hosted at the Sofitel Hotel in Los Angeles.

"You want all these films to gain some momentum," she added. "There's such a glut of films this season that you hope that this will shine a spotlight on these lower-budgeted films that are so deserving."

The best actress contenders are Angelina Jolie for portraying Mariane Pearl in Mighty Heart; Sienna Miller, seen as a soap actress facing off with a journalist in Interview; Ellen Page, who appears as the pregnant teen in Juno; Parker Posey, who finds herself embarking on an affair in Broken English; and Tang, who becomes entangled in love and espionage in Lust.

Nominated as best actor are Pedro Castaneda, who plays an undocumented farm worker August Evening; Don Cheadle, who stars as a radio host in Talk to Me; Philip Seymour Hoffman, whose character struggles with an ailing father in Savages; Frank Langella, who appears as the older half of a May-December relationship in Starting Out in the Evening; and Leung, who plays a spy in Lust.

Still, several performances that have excited critics failed to make the cut: Among the missing were Ryan Gosling (Lars and the Real Girl), Laura Linney (Savages), Nicole Kidman (Margot at the Wedding), Keri Russell (Waitress) and John Cusack (Grace is Gone).

Along with Blanchett, who channels Dylan in Not There, the nominees for best supporting female are Anna Kendrick (Rocket Science), Jennifer Jason Leigh (Margot), Tamara Podemski (Four Sheets to the Wind) and Marisa Tomei ("Before the Devil Knows You're Dead").

Best supporting male nominee Franklin plays a young musician who calls himself Woody Guthrie in Not There. In the nominees circle, he joins Chiwetel Ejiofor (Talk to Me), Kene Holliday (Great World of Sound), Irfan Khan (The Namesake) and Steve Zahn (Rescue Dawn).

Full Seasons for "Chuck" & "Life"

NBC has placed full season orders for Chuck and Life.

The orders come despite the ongoing WGA strike. Talks aimed at bringing the stoppage to a close restarted yesterday; a press blackout remains in effect but early reports indicate that intensive brokering by Hollywood agents may have moved negotiations forward.

I've never watched Chuck before but I'm a big fan of Life so I'm glad to see it's been picked up for a full season. Not so good news for Journeyman fans as no word on if it's going to be picked up for a full season.

Ahhh Britney...

The one we love to hate....Yes she's pregnant again. For a third time. I guess the girl just can't keep her legs shut.

Rotem allegedly confirmed the news of the singer's third child by telling In Touch Weekly: "It's true."

According to the magazine Spears revealed that she was four weeks pregnant to friends on November 14 and emailed her ultrasound scan to them.

The star is currently involved in a custody battle with ex-husband Kevin Federline over their two boys Sean Preston and Jayden James.

Spears has reportedly been having an on-off relationship with Rotem since she split up from Federline last year.

The future of the Internet

Virgin Media will launch 50 megabits per second broadband across its network next year, it has confirmed.

A Virgin spokesman confirmed today: "We'll never know exactly what demand there'll be for super-fast broadband until it's in people's homes and workplaces up and down the UK."

Imagine what you could do with speeds line that. Unbelievable and amazing. Should be interesting once it's launched!

The Flattest house?

Surely this has to be the flattest house ever?



The owners must be tight for room...

Futurama is back!

Yes the ever popular T.V series which was canceled by Fox back in 2003 is back in action and better than ever! I was lucky enough to catch the new movie called "Bender's Big Score" and i have to say it's a welcome return to one of my favorite shows. I won't spoil it for you but i suggest you pick up a copy or perhaps ask for it for Christmas. The Planet Express sees a hostile takeover and Bender falls into the hands of criminals where he is used to fulfill their schemes. It's fun, witty, great animation and most of all laugh out loud. It's everything i wanted it to be. Not everyone will agree with me but at least check it out so you can make your own opinion. It's out on dvd now with 3 other movies ready for 2008.

Bring it on!

Leno goes old style

I've just heard that NBC's The Tonight Show with Jay Leno will be airing episodes from as old as 192 with Tom Hanks as guest. Others include one from 1993 with Julia Roberts, a 2000 appearance by Matt Damon, and 1995 episodes featuring Jennifer Aniston and Johnny Depp.

This is due to the strike which has just entered it's 4th week. I guess this is good for those who want to catch up on old episodes but with Leno not crossing the picket lines....It could be a long while until we see any new ones.

Christmas is nearly upon us!

I'd just like to wish everyone a happy and wonderful Christmas 2007. I don't know about you but this year has gone very fast for me, i thought last year went fast but before i know it this year is almost over. We reach December 1st on Saturday so if you've not started your Christmas shopping you better hurry! For now enjoy the cast of SCRUBS doing A Charlie Brown Christmas

Strike talks, pickets to resume

With the Thanksgiving holiday now over, negotiations are to resume between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers at 10am Pacific time today.

A press blackout is in force for the new round of talks, which are being held at an undisclosed location.

While the negotiations take place, the WGA West has scheduled normal picketing activities at nine locations across Los Angeles. The WGA East is also planning a large rally at New York's Washington Square Park.

TV turns to the internet

Reports state that NBC has turned to an online drama series that will help fill it's early 2008 schedule.

Plans to turn the 36 eight minute episodes of Quarterlife, which follows the story of a young woman who reveals the secrets of her friends on her vlog, into six hour-long stories. The series is currently only being shown on MySpace TV.

The show is fairly strike proof as its production firm, Quarterlife Inc, is not a member of the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, with whom the Writers Guild of America is currently in dispute.

It is written by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick.

"Ed and Marshall are well-respected TV veterans that repeatedly have demonstrated a creative voice that resonates with a wide audience," NBC entertainment co-chairman Ben Silverman told The Hollywood Reporter. "Quarterlife is yet another show that evokes their renowned storytelling skills and but is based on an innovative, new business model."

How this show will fair i don't know as I've never actually watched it before but it appears the internet is becoming a powerful tool in the multi-media business.

Support the WGA

One of the biggest concerns of fans wanting to support the WGA and their striking efforts has been how to create one unified approach that will make a statement.

United Hollywood have started their Pencils2MediaMoguls campaign. The pencils are from a company that does not promote deforestation as their pencils are made from sustainably harvested wood. It’s the green approach to sending pencils and I’m all about that.

You can also choose to send a message with your donation, or a show of support for your favorite writer, sitcome, drama, etc.

Some FAQ’s:

Okay, what is Pencils2MediaMoguls?
We’re asking people to buy pencils to send to the six media moguls who run the six corporate conglomerates.

Why pencils?
A lot of different fan sites were suggesting that people send pencils to networks and studios. United Hollywood and Strike Points met with some of the television showrunners, and together we decided to follow the fans’ lead.

Pencils have become the symbol of our cause: We are putting them down until we get a fair deal.

Symbolism, whatever. Let’s face it — isn’t this kind of a waste of pencils?
We were worried about that too, so we found a vendor who makes environmentally sensitive product: California Republic Stationers. Their pencils are made from sustainably harvested wood, which means they don’t deforest.

We’ll also send the media moguls suggestions about where they can donate the pencils to non-profits that teach kids how to write. After all, the CEOs aren’t writers. It’s not like they can use them.

What happens to the money from the pencils?
Anything we have left over from our costs will go into the Union Solidarity Fund, which was created to help non-WGA members affected by the strike.

There and back again

After a little while not not being able to post. Other commitments, work and general life caught up but the site should be back up and running 100% over the next few days. Posting at least once every few days. Stay tuned!

~ Simon (Shift_Yourself Admin)