Sunday, May 31, 2009

Kobe and LeBron MVP Puppets

With the huge marketing push of wanting to see Kobe vs. LeBron in the NBA Finals, it's funny Orlando knocked the Cavs out last night; it was definitely entertaining seeing the Kobe and LeBron puppet commercials too. And if you didn't know, David Allen Grier was Kobe's voice, and Kenan Thompson was LeBron's. Here are two of the ones that I liked the most.



Friday, May 29, 2009

The Tonight Show wth Conan O'Brien: Premieres June 1st

So after a couple of months of Conanless late-nights, Monday he'll be back. But in LA. Below is a video of the new set, and a countdown to the premiere.



Thursday, May 28, 2009

Care for your craft

I've posted things that Kanye has said on his blog before, and it usually it deals with his concerns for his product. It's cool seeing that people put in the time and effort to insure that things are as perfect as they can be...and making sure no one messes it up. Here's what he wrote on his blog today:

Sunday, May 24, 2009

Twitter, and Facebook, and iPhone....Why?

Today it was pretty hot in New York, and I figured it was a good time to go to Baskin Robbins and get some ice cream (my favorite is vanilla on a waffle cone, just in case you're ever in need of buying me ice cream). I looked up the closest location to me, and at the bottom of the website's page I saw something that made me laugh and cringe at the same time. It was 2 links: 1, to take you to Baskin Robbins facebook page, and 2, a link to follow Baskin Robbins on twitter. Who the hell wants to follow what Baskin Robbins is doing on a hourly basis? Maybe I'm mistaken, but this doesn't seem right. A lot of companies are buying into the hype of twitter, facebook, and iphone applications, and every brand doesn't belong in those environments. If anyone would follow Baskin Robbins twitter log, please comment on this post and let me know why.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Flash of Genius



I know I'm late, but last night I watched the film Flash of Genius. The movie is about a doctor by the name of Robert Kearns, who invented the Intermittent Windshield Wiper (windshield wipers that can go at various speeds), fighting against Ford Motor Company for stealing his invention. This movie being based in Detroit was one reason why I loved it, but there was a specific scene in the movie that gave me goosebumps.

Let me set up the scene in your head first. Dr. Kearns is representing himself because of the lack of money, there's a man who's has a PhD in electrical engineering, Professor Chapman, sitting at the stand and he's being questioned by Ford's lawyer. The lawyer asked the PhD recipient to explain the dynamics of the windshield whiper that Dr. Kearns claims he invented. The professor begins to talk about the three parts of the winshield whipers' motor and how they work together to make it work...and how neither of the three parts were created by Dr. Kearns, because they have existed well before Dr. Kearns was born. "No further questions" was stated, and then came the good part. The cross-examination. Dr. Kearns approached the podium with Charles Dickins' Tale of Two Cities book. Because I have the movie right here, I can quote what was said:

Dr. Kearn: I liked to read the first few words if I may. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness." Let's start with the first word, "It." did Charles Dickins create that word?
Professor Chapman: No.
Dr. Kearn: What about "was?"
Professor Chapman: No.
Dr. Kearn: "The?"
Professor Chapman: No.
Dr. Kearn: "Best?"
Professor Chapman: No.
Dr. Kearn: "of?"
Professor Chapman: No.
Dr. Kearn: Look, I have a dictionary here, and I haven't checked, but I would guess that every word in this book could be found in this dictionary.
Professor Chapman: Well I suspect that that's probably true.

Dr. Kearn: Ok, so you agree that there's not probably a single new word in this book?
Professor Chapman: Well, I don't know, but that's probably true.
Dr. Kearn: All Charles Dickins did was arrange them in a new pattern isn't that right?
Professor Chapman: Well I admit I haven't thought about it that way.
Dr. Kearn: But Dickins did create something new didn't he, by using words...the only tools that were available to him. Just as almost all inventors in history have had to use the tools that were available to them...all of these inventions that were made from parts that already existed right?
Professor Chapman: I guess that's technically true....
Dr. Kearn: No further questions.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Moving to a new planet

In response to the last post, me and my friend Francisco created this video for the 2009 young lions cannes competition. The brief was to create a video between 30 seconds and 1 minute, and to raise the awareness about the importance of climate change. While we were thinking about the video ideas we found it interesting that most people would agree that it's easier to move to another planet than to stop climate change from happening. So, this is our video/petition to moving from earth. There will be more videos, interviews, and posts regarding this issue at changeofclimate.wordpress.com.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Cannes Young Lions; 48 Hour Ad Contest



Here's the basic schpill of this contest: On May 15th a brief to make an ad will be released, and on May 17th the ad must be submitted. To find out more information about it check out youtube.com/canneslions.

A peak into the future

This past weekend I was in Washington, D.C. for my brother's graduation, and on our way to dinner I saw this class being taught in an alley. It was a Segway riding class. As soon as I saw it, it reminded me of Demolition Man, or even Minority Report. I've seen people on Segways before, but it would be crazy if people have them like they have bicycles.


Tuesday, May 5, 2009

3D Brick Breaker

I just downloaded this application for my iPhone, and it is very addicting...very fun. The only thing I worry about is the first page that pops up before the game starts warning me about the possible chances of having epileptic seizures. So to all my readers (the 3 of you), if you don't see another blog posting soon...it's been real.


Monday, May 4, 2009

More Than A Game


This is a movie about LeBron James and his high school basketball team, and their quest of winning the H.S. State Championship. Check out the trailer here.

Sir Ken Robinson: Do schools kill creativity?

Very interesting:


via TED

Friday, May 1, 2009

Welcome iPhone to the Curtis residence

Yesterday I bought the iPhone. I find it very useful for the things that I need to keep up with, and just a cool "toy" to have. I downloaded a couple of applications ("apps" as the cool kids call them), and threw a bunch of music and videos on their as well. The best thing about the iPhone and Apple products in general is the instruction manuals that comes with it. They're super thin. Apple strives hard to make their products so intuitive that you don't need a manual to really guide you...and just in case you do, their instructions come in the form of 30second commercials, and teach you how to use it before you even have it.

Welcome again iPhone (I haven't named it yet).