Someone give Soledad a new factoid, please

I've been flipping among networks watching the inaugural coverage all day, and at LEAST six times that I've landed on CNN I've tuned in just as CNN's Soledad O'Brien has noted that African-Americans were counted as "3/5 of a person" in the Constitution originally.  At one point, she said it two or three times in just a few minutes. 

Other than that, I don't think she said anything all day.  Please, someone email her a new civic factoid before this observation becomes a permanent neurological tic.

Pepsi and Obama -- Sharing a look

During one of the commercial breaks during today's inaugural coverage, I was watching a Pepsi commercial and thinking there was something really familiar about the company's new logo:

Then, when the coverage returned to shots of people standing on the Mall, holding signs, and waving flags, I realized why it seemed so familiar:

I wonder if Obama and Pepsi relied on the same focus groups to arrive at these.  They're certainly trying to appeal to the same audiences.

Pretty close, huh?

CNN HD v. CNN

I just noticed that the commercials – and even some coverage -- CNN is showing on CNN HD and the regular CNN during the Inaugural coverage are different. 

HD is getting slightly more coverage, returning to commentary earlier, and fewer local commercials.

Interesting.

Back after a quick refresher...

Heading back to work after giving myself a few days off during the Thanksgiving break.  Well, almost "off"...

• Computer shopping again...Looked at a couple of possible computers to get my mother for Christmas. (Browsed online, of course. Not a chance I'd go near a store during the Black Friday mayhem...)  I haven't found a better buy than the Acer I bought myself last month, so it looks like I'll be getting another. My plan is to get it, load it with the appropriate software, test it, and pre-load it with her files, which I'll snag remotely via Hamachi.  She'll have a computer ready to go, tested, and customized the way she likes it.  (Don't tell!)

 

• TV shopping, too...I also looked at some of the super-cheap flat screen LCDs that are on sale for the holidays, since I'm thinking of getting a new set for the bedroom.  Haven't seen anything I'm ready to jump for yet, but looking at a few models gave me an idea:  I ought to think about getting a set that allows for a computer-in, as well as HD and other TV ports.  With relatively cheap computers available (including those with Media Center options), it might be worthwhile to consider getting a small CPU to stow in the bedroom.  It could replace my Tivo, act as a PVR, run Slingplayer, and extend access to my network, the Internet, and all my media files.   My Tivo already does a lot of that, but this definitely would extend my capability.

 

• TV viewing...Speaking of Tivo, how did I live before I got one?  One of my big projects over the last few days has been forced rest -- no computer, no phone, no errands, no thinking, just vegging out on the couch.  As a result, I've caught up on about 10 weeks of fall shows that I had Tivo'd.  It was less than inspiring, but highly conducive to not thinking.  Best tech on TV:  NCIS and Criminal Minds.  I wish my computers ran that fast...

 

• Slingbox online...Those placeshifting fiends at Sling have launched a new service that looks to me like a big winner: Sling.com, where anyone can watch shows (similar to Hulu) and where Sling users can view their home TVs through a web interface. This second feature is especially interesting -- essentially it puts placeshifting "in the cloud" without any software needed.  Previously, Sling users had to use Slingplayer software to watch their programming remotely.

 

• New PDA phone...Last Wednesday, I bought Verizon's new HTC Touch Pro Windows Mobile phone. After five days of use and tweaking, I've got to say I'm unimpressed and frustrated.  Verizon has crippled the phone -- locked GPS to their fee-based service, removed Internet Connection Sharing, reduced RAM to half the levels of the AT&T and Sprint versions, etc. Very disappointing, because this has the potential to be a GREAT PDA phone, with a form factor smaller than the iPhone.  My hope is that the mad modders at PPCGeeks and XDA-Developers will have this puppy unlocked and re-ROM'ed in the next couple of weeks. If not, I have a decision to make before the 30-day return kicks in:  Do I return the phone and return to using my three-year-old PDA phone until a (hopefully) better choice comes out or live with it.  Watch for more details on modding a "phone for all seasons" over the next few days.

 

• Cranking up the GTD machine again...After a mid-week holiday, I always feel a little confused about "what day it is," so I spent some time this afternoon doing a GTD review to get myself back in fighting trim for the week ahead. (Is it a "review" or a "preview?" Hard to tell sometimes...)  Nothing focuses me better, calms me down more, or reinvigorates my thinking more effectively than doing this.  Tomorrow morning when I sit down at my desk, I'll be able to get right into action: I've already figured out my next actions, loaded them onto my lists, and set myself up for getting stuff done.

 

• And, a thought on goals...CNN founder, entrepreneurial genius, and all-around convention-buster Ted Turner was a guest on this morning's Meet the Press, where he offered some typically unconventional wisdom drawn from his new book.  He attributed his father's suicide to reaching his goals in life too easily:  "He set his goals too low, and he suggested to me that I don't do that.  Set goals high enough so they can't be achieved in your lifetime, then you'll always be motivated to keep working and keep engaged."    I love it -- totally sets all the talk of keeping goals "doable" on its ear.

 

I'm refreshed and ready for the new week.

Help me, Obi-Wan

I couldn’t let the election get too far behind us without commenting on CNN’s holographic reporter.  That comment is:  “[Sigh…].”

The idea of holograms is great, and good for CNN for bringing them to TV.  But, let’s think about the wisdom of using them in news:  CNN spends millions of dollars each year to send reporters and technology around the globe to report “on the scene” and “take us to where news is happening.”

Now, CNN is spending millions of dollars to create the illusion that the reporter is back in the studio.  How do they do this?  By surrounding the reporter by a few dozen HD cameras set up in a tent…that screens out whatever is taking place at the scene. 

Reality, it turns out, is much too noisy, visually busy, and chaotic for television.  Much better to create a fake reality that blends better with the newsroom.

So, American TV now offers:

• Synthetic news, presented by holograms of reporters inside cocoons that filter out the annoying reality of reality
• “Reality” programs that send privileged people to sets on distant corners of the planet to suffer fabricated hardship and humiliation for sport
• Sports, with electronic football grid lines, electronically enlarged pucks, and ads digitally superimposed onto ballpark walls and fields
• A few dozen channels in languages I don’t speak.  (Ironically, I speak enough French to enjoy the French channel, but it broadcasts in English…)
• Assorted crap and Law and Order reruns.

 

Plus, just last week, Fox cancelled King of the Hill, a cartoon show far more true to life than 99 percent of the live shows. 

Coincidence?  I think not.

(Sorry, I’ve been in a bad mood since Mad Men ended its season last month.  All my Tivos can find for me to watch is Frasier reruns.)