Man have I been in work and physical hell of late. I could use a beer...fortunately, I now know it's good for me...
Beer is good for your heart
True: A Dutch study conducted by TNO Nutrition and Food Research found that a known reference for predicting future cardiovascular disease, blood C-reactive protein (CRP), declined by 35 percent after three weeks of regular beer consumption compared with levels after three weeks of drinking non-alcoholic beer. The same study found that levels of HDL or "good" cholesterol rose by 11 percent during the same period. Beer also contains vitamin B6, which prevents the build-up of an amino acid called homocysteine that has been linked to heart disease.
Beer will reduce the chance of stroke
One drink a day for women or up to two drinks a day for men will reduce your chances of strokes, heart and vascular disease. Strokes are the third-leading cause of death in the U.S. and the leading cause of serious, long-term disabilities. It is said that light to moderate drinkers will decrease their chances of suffering a stroke by 20 percent.
Beer is both fat-free and cholesterol-free
Check the label. Nutritionally, a beer is similar to a can of soda in its calories and carbs, but can your cola curb cancer?
You Should get Women Drunk
Also, the Archives of Internal Medicine published an article confirming the benefits for women drinking alcohol. Data was collected from more than 70,000 nurses aged 25 to 42 whose health histories were tracked from 1989. Younger women who drink two or three alcoholic beverages a week have a lower risk of developing high blood pressure than women who do not drink alcohol. The women in the group who drank two or three alcoholic drinks a week had a 14 percent lower risk of developing high blood pressure than those who abstained.
Beer is good for breasts
Research by scientists at the Universidade do Porto in Portugal found that polyphenols in wine and beer appeared to decrease breast cancer cells significantly. Numerous other experiments have shown that certain polyphenols, mainly flavonoids, can protect against heart disease and have anticancer, antiviral and antiallergic properties. The Portuguese study concluded that xanthohumol, which is found in beer, was the most potent polyphenol over breast cancer cell growth; it showed its effect more rapidly and at a lower concentration than the others.
Beer could save the Three Blind Mice
True: John Trevithick, Ph.D., and Maurice Hirst, Ph.D., of the University of Western Ontario, conducted a study that suggests beer reduced the incidence of cataracts in mice (but increased their propensity to “go wild” and get tattoos they’ll regret later in life -- my own inference). If the same cataract protection occurs in humans, it would be especially beneficial to people with diabetes.
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."
Benjamin Franklin said it; it must be true.
Saturday, July 21, 2007
Thursday, July 12, 2007
2 mm
I’ve often heard the writing of a book compared to giving birth. In the past 2 years as I’ve worked on my first novel, I’ve come to understand and accept this analogy, as I watched an idea be conceived, grow, and finally come into this world as a unique, original part of me.
Of course, as a man, I’ve never given birth so it’s difficult for me to truly relate one to the other. I know nothing of morning sickness. Nothing of swollen feet. Nothing of labor pains.
As a man, I will never know these things. However two weeks ago I did experience something that I’m told is on par.
Kidney stones.
Imagine John Hurt in Alien. Imagine a game of Atari Breakout going on inside your body. Imagine repeatedly getting stabbed in the side with a rusty butcher knife.
Those were hangnails in comparison.
Fortunately I found a way to look on the bright side and find one thing useful that came from this experience.
I found an analogy for the rewrite process.
Sprawled out on the floor, writhing in agony, and grunting and moaning like an orgasmic deaf person, the irony was about the only thing that struck harder than the stone against my inner organs.
For two years I have struggled and labored to pass this work out of me and relieve myself of the agony inherent in my inability to do so. Some say you can do more harm by fighting to force something than by letting it happen naturally, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying.
I’m talking about the re-writes here, just to clarify.
It’s an awestruck moment in one’s life to be filled with such doubt, fear, and hatred, and have no understanding of what (if anything) will put an end to it.
Again, I’m talking about the edits.
Editing this book has proved to be far greater a challenge than writing the damn thing in the first place. Years later as I continue to push off work on it time and again I am left wondering what to do now.
Am I the root of the problem?
Does something need to change?
How much swearing is too much?
No really, I’m still talking about the book, it just seems like it could be either, which is exactly my point. This process has filled me with such dread that I am practically paralyzed with uncertainty and self-loathing.
Now I find myself transitioning from project to project and client to client, each time shifting my focus further and further away as I watch the book growing smaller in the distance.
Smaller and smaller.
Fainter and fainter.
Now just a barely a dot.
And yet this 2 mm spec that just won’t pass.
Of course, as a man, I’ve never given birth so it’s difficult for me to truly relate one to the other. I know nothing of morning sickness. Nothing of swollen feet. Nothing of labor pains.
As a man, I will never know these things. However two weeks ago I did experience something that I’m told is on par.
Kidney stones.
Imagine John Hurt in Alien. Imagine a game of Atari Breakout going on inside your body. Imagine repeatedly getting stabbed in the side with a rusty butcher knife.
Those were hangnails in comparison.
Fortunately I found a way to look on the bright side and find one thing useful that came from this experience.
I found an analogy for the rewrite process.
Sprawled out on the floor, writhing in agony, and grunting and moaning like an orgasmic deaf person, the irony was about the only thing that struck harder than the stone against my inner organs.
For two years I have struggled and labored to pass this work out of me and relieve myself of the agony inherent in my inability to do so. Some say you can do more harm by fighting to force something than by letting it happen naturally, but that hasn’t stopped me from trying.
I’m talking about the re-writes here, just to clarify.
It’s an awestruck moment in one’s life to be filled with such doubt, fear, and hatred, and have no understanding of what (if anything) will put an end to it.
Again, I’m talking about the edits.
Editing this book has proved to be far greater a challenge than writing the damn thing in the first place. Years later as I continue to push off work on it time and again I am left wondering what to do now.
Am I the root of the problem?
Does something need to change?
How much swearing is too much?
No really, I’m still talking about the book, it just seems like it could be either, which is exactly my point. This process has filled me with such dread that I am practically paralyzed with uncertainty and self-loathing.
Now I find myself transitioning from project to project and client to client, each time shifting my focus further and further away as I watch the book growing smaller in the distance.
Smaller and smaller.
Fainter and fainter.
Now just a barely a dot.
And yet this 2 mm spec that just won’t pass.
Friday, July 6, 2007
7-7-07
On Monday May 7th I sat in on an hour long conference call about my next project. I was set to produce the graphics and messaging for Live Earth, a concert to raise awareness about global warming, and as I sat and listened everything appeared to be status quo. Just another project and another paycheck.
Boy was I wrong.
.jpg)
Exactly 2 months later, this Saturday, I will stand in Giants Stadium and watch as my labor of love is broadcast around the world, to approximately 2 Billion people in 120 countries. Yes, this is not exactly promos for niche gay cable companies.
Producing the Live Earth project has without a doubt been the greatest working experience of my life. Not only was this project unquestionably the largest in size and scope that I have ever worked on, but it was also the first time that I was given full authority overseeing an entire production, as well as creative control over direction and content.
What does that mean?
It means that on television and in stadiums around the world every graphic that you will see will have been conceived, designed, and brought to life by the incredible team that I oversaw. It means that Public Service announcements will be read and viewed that I scripted. Animated short PSAs with my script and our incredible illustration will air with VOs by celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, William Shatner, and more. In total more than 500 elements were created by me and my team and I couldn't be prouder of how it all came out.
Most of you won't recognize the names, but Bob English, Eve Lim, Danny Princz, Sharon Eagan, and Araminta Atherton are the talented heroes behind this production. Despite being thrust into the most chaotic possible situation, I never once doubted that we would create something amazing and that is a testament to these incredible people and the wonderful team that we all made.
So what is this Live Earth I speak of?
On Saturday, more than 150 acts -- including such marquee names as Madonna, the Police, Bon Jovi, and Garth Brooks -- will perform at the Live Earth series of benefit concerts in support of a greener planet. Concerts will be held in New York; London; Sydney; Tokyo; Shanghai, China; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Hamburg, Germany. Inuit band Nunatak will even play a concert direct from Antarctica.
Some of the world's biggest broadcasters are on board to carry the concerts live, including NBC Universal TV in the U.S., the BBC in Britain, NHK and Fuji TV in Japan and Pro7 in Germany (Microsoft's MSN has exclusive global online rights).
In America, NBC will be programming on NBC in Primetime (8-11 pm), Bravo, Universal HD, and Sundance will broadcast all day (22 hours of worldwide coverage), MSNBC and CNBC will be reporting live from the venues, and Telemundo will carry an all day Spanish feed. If that is not enough you will be able to view each venue individually as MSN.com or listen to each concert on a separate XM and Sirius radio channel.
In Britain live coverage from the British concert is lined up to air on BBC1 and BBC2 with the Beeb's two main radio outlets, BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 also mixing live and packaged coverage. The broadcaster also has pledged coverage on its BBC World Service, which is available around the globe.
In Germany, the Hamburg concert will be broadcast live by Pro7, which will follow it with the German free-TV premiere of Gore's Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Pro7 also is programming a series of environmental awareness shows produced by its daily science magazine show Galileo.
Proceeds from all the Live Earth concerts will go to the Alliance for Climate Protection, chaired by Gore. Gore, who is planning to attend the U.S. concert at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, will ask all participants and viewers of the Live Earth concerts to sign a "7 Point Pledge" calling for action on climate change.
Many of you have asked me what I've done and only on a rare occasion have I been able to point out something on TV because much of what i do is a small promo for MSG here or a website for AOL or Yahoo there. This Saturday, I proudly invite you to see the result of 2 months of long hours, hard work, and extreme dedication, if not for my benefit, for that of Kate (who sacrificed having a husband for 8 weeks).
Boy was I wrong.
.jpg)
Exactly 2 months later, this Saturday, I will stand in Giants Stadium and watch as my labor of love is broadcast around the world, to approximately 2 Billion people in 120 countries. Yes, this is not exactly promos for niche gay cable companies.
Producing the Live Earth project has without a doubt been the greatest working experience of my life. Not only was this project unquestionably the largest in size and scope that I have ever worked on, but it was also the first time that I was given full authority overseeing an entire production, as well as creative control over direction and content.
What does that mean?
It means that on television and in stadiums around the world every graphic that you will see will have been conceived, designed, and brought to life by the incredible team that I oversaw. It means that Public Service announcements will be read and viewed that I scripted. Animated short PSAs with my script and our incredible illustration will air with VOs by celebrities like Whoopi Goldberg, William Shatner, and more. In total more than 500 elements were created by me and my team and I couldn't be prouder of how it all came out.
Most of you won't recognize the names, but Bob English, Eve Lim, Danny Princz, Sharon Eagan, and Araminta Atherton are the talented heroes behind this production. Despite being thrust into the most chaotic possible situation, I never once doubted that we would create something amazing and that is a testament to these incredible people and the wonderful team that we all made.
So what is this Live Earth I speak of?
On Saturday, more than 150 acts -- including such marquee names as Madonna, the Police, Bon Jovi, and Garth Brooks -- will perform at the Live Earth series of benefit concerts in support of a greener planet. Concerts will be held in New York; London; Sydney; Tokyo; Shanghai, China; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Johannesburg, South Africa; and Hamburg, Germany. Inuit band Nunatak will even play a concert direct from Antarctica.
Some of the world's biggest broadcasters are on board to carry the concerts live, including NBC Universal TV in the U.S., the BBC in Britain, NHK and Fuji TV in Japan and Pro7 in Germany (Microsoft's MSN has exclusive global online rights).
In America, NBC will be programming on NBC in Primetime (8-11 pm), Bravo, Universal HD, and Sundance will broadcast all day (22 hours of worldwide coverage), MSNBC and CNBC will be reporting live from the venues, and Telemundo will carry an all day Spanish feed. If that is not enough you will be able to view each venue individually as MSN.com or listen to each concert on a separate XM and Sirius radio channel.
In Britain live coverage from the British concert is lined up to air on BBC1 and BBC2 with the Beeb's two main radio outlets, BBC Radio 1 and Radio 2 also mixing live and packaged coverage. The broadcaster also has pledged coverage on its BBC World Service, which is available around the globe.
In Germany, the Hamburg concert will be broadcast live by Pro7, which will follow it with the German free-TV premiere of Gore's Oscar-winning documentary "An Inconvenient Truth." Pro7 also is programming a series of environmental awareness shows produced by its daily science magazine show Galileo.
Proceeds from all the Live Earth concerts will go to the Alliance for Climate Protection, chaired by Gore. Gore, who is planning to attend the U.S. concert at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, will ask all participants and viewers of the Live Earth concerts to sign a "7 Point Pledge" calling for action on climate change.
Many of you have asked me what I've done and only on a rare occasion have I been able to point out something on TV because much of what i do is a small promo for MSG here or a website for AOL or Yahoo there. This Saturday, I proudly invite you to see the result of 2 months of long hours, hard work, and extreme dedication, if not for my benefit, for that of Kate (who sacrificed having a husband for 8 weeks).
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Burbanked: My young son has watched Star Wars for the first time.
Burbanked has a great article by a man who, in honor of Star Wars 30th anniversary, let his young son watch A New Hope for the first time.
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My young son has watched Star Wars for the first time.
May 24th, 2007 | Categories: Movies, Blogging
You may recall that I solicited reader input several weeks ago as I contemplated watching SW with my eldest son Tom Hagen (did I actually name my son Tom Hagen?). I had pretty much decided already that we’d watch it, and your answers to the poll supported that - 54% agreed that Tom Hagen would be old enough to enjoy the movie, even in light of the fact that he’s a good 3-4 years younger than I was when I saw it for the first time.
Tom Hagen is a funny kid when it comes to watching movies. He tends to sit there, rapt with attention, silently taking it all in as we watch. He doesn’t react - doesn’t laugh, doesn’t jump up or smile or anything. It’s as if he feels the need to concentrate very intently, and sometimes this movie-watching demeanor leads me to believe that he either doesn’t like the movie or he’s terrified by it.
But give him a day or two and he overflows with observations. This has happened with a few other movies we’ve watched together - he’ll watch the movie in complete silence and then in the days to follow he keeps bringing it up, remembering little bits and pieces as well as his thoughts. That’s how I know that he liked a movie - because he’ll just keep talking about it.
And, of course, he’ll want to watch it again. Or, in the case of Star Wars, he’s now very eager to watch the rest of the series.
A few days following our special SW home theater screening, Tom Hagen and I sat down to chat about it. After the jump, I’d like to share his impressions with you - in his words - in which we can see some rather astute observations (what did you think, I’d tell you my kid wasn’t an astute genius?) on character, plotting and proper pet care for a Wookie.
1977 seems like a galaxy far, far away
Burbanked: So how did you like Star Wars?
Tom Hagen: I liked it. It was great - I LOVED it. Actually, now I can be like all the other kids in my class when they make all that Star Wars stuff. The ships and stuff out of Legos.
Did you talk to your friends about how we watched it?
Yeah. I kept saying to them that he struck Obi Wan Kenobi down and he comes back in the next movie, but they keep saying “No he doesn’t. No he doesn’t. He doesn’t come back in the next movie; he comes back in the sixth movie.”
Who was your favorite character in the movie?
Actually, it’s R2D2. I like him the most because he beeps instead of talks.
*insert rasping breath sound here*
What did you think the first time you saw Darth Vader?
Only that part I thought was a little bit scary. When he came in and then he started walking. And when he stopped walking I stopped being scared.
What do you think he is, exactly: a robot? Human? Alien?
A lot of people in my class say that Darth Vader was a man and he fell into a volcano. Black stuff went on him and then he put buttons on himself.
What’s up with Princess Leia’s hairstyle?
That I thought was strange. Actually, I think it was more and more normal like a princess.
Do you think that the movie would have been better if the characters had talked more about the geo-political struggle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance?
No. I think it was great the way it was.
If you could have anything from Star Wars as a toy, what would it be?
I would want to have that ship that Luke and all the others blew up the Death Star with. The one that’s kind of round with the blue fire.
Tell me what you think The Force is.
It’s good luck and be strong and stuff like that. Don’t let your ship explode.
Why do you think Han Solo shot that alien in the bar?
He just didn’t like the alien.
But Han Solo is a good guy, right? Why would he do that?
Because that alien just didn’t like him. He was talking very meanly to him. Like, “It’s too late to see my boss…”
What would you do if you had a pet like Chewbacca?
I don’t know. I don’t think I would want him. I think he would be too much to handle. And for a litter box, I don’t even know what to give him.
I swear that was his actual response. I’ve never been so proud.
Who would you rather be - Luke Skywalker or Han Solo?
Luke. He was nicer to the princess. Han Solo didn’t really want to go until he heard about the reward, but Luke didn’t want the reward. He wanted to save the princess.
But do you think that maybe Han Solo actually kind of likes her, deep down?
Um…no.
What do you think is better: a blaster or a light saber?
Light saber.
What if, at the end when the Death Star is destroyed, they had shown Darth Vader and he shook his fists in the air and said “NOOOOOOOOOO!” and then cried like a little baby?
I would have smacked my head.
What? Why?
I think that would be crazy. I think for Darth Vader to do that - I mean, he’s a really, really bad guy. He was actually really mean. I would think that he would just want to try again because he’s a really, really bad guy.
Do you think your little brothers are old enough to watch Star Wars?
No. Because at first when I tell [Sonny] about Shrek movies, he gets scared.
What part don’t you think he’d like?
He says he doesn’t like the cat part, where the cat shows up. With the sword.
Oh, I was talking about Star Wars.
I think the part…all of it.
Burbanked » My young son has watched Star Wars for the first time.
---
My young son has watched Star Wars for the first time.
May 24th, 2007 | Categories: Movies, Blogging
You may recall that I solicited reader input several weeks ago as I contemplated watching SW with my eldest son Tom Hagen (did I actually name my son Tom Hagen?). I had pretty much decided already that we’d watch it, and your answers to the poll supported that - 54% agreed that Tom Hagen would be old enough to enjoy the movie, even in light of the fact that he’s a good 3-4 years younger than I was when I saw it for the first time.
Tom Hagen is a funny kid when it comes to watching movies. He tends to sit there, rapt with attention, silently taking it all in as we watch. He doesn’t react - doesn’t laugh, doesn’t jump up or smile or anything. It’s as if he feels the need to concentrate very intently, and sometimes this movie-watching demeanor leads me to believe that he either doesn’t like the movie or he’s terrified by it.
But give him a day or two and he overflows with observations. This has happened with a few other movies we’ve watched together - he’ll watch the movie in complete silence and then in the days to follow he keeps bringing it up, remembering little bits and pieces as well as his thoughts. That’s how I know that he liked a movie - because he’ll just keep talking about it.
And, of course, he’ll want to watch it again. Or, in the case of Star Wars, he’s now very eager to watch the rest of the series.
A few days following our special SW home theater screening, Tom Hagen and I sat down to chat about it. After the jump, I’d like to share his impressions with you - in his words - in which we can see some rather astute observations (what did you think, I’d tell you my kid wasn’t an astute genius?) on character, plotting and proper pet care for a Wookie.
1977 seems like a galaxy far, far away
Burbanked: So how did you like Star Wars?
Tom Hagen: I liked it. It was great - I LOVED it. Actually, now I can be like all the other kids in my class when they make all that Star Wars stuff. The ships and stuff out of Legos.
Did you talk to your friends about how we watched it?
Yeah. I kept saying to them that he struck Obi Wan Kenobi down and he comes back in the next movie, but they keep saying “No he doesn’t. No he doesn’t. He doesn’t come back in the next movie; he comes back in the sixth movie.”
Who was your favorite character in the movie?
Actually, it’s R2D2. I like him the most because he beeps instead of talks.
*insert rasping breath sound here*
What did you think the first time you saw Darth Vader?
Only that part I thought was a little bit scary. When he came in and then he started walking. And when he stopped walking I stopped being scared.
What do you think he is, exactly: a robot? Human? Alien?
A lot of people in my class say that Darth Vader was a man and he fell into a volcano. Black stuff went on him and then he put buttons on himself.
What’s up with Princess Leia’s hairstyle?
That I thought was strange. Actually, I think it was more and more normal like a princess.
Do you think that the movie would have been better if the characters had talked more about the geo-political struggle between the Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance?
No. I think it was great the way it was.
If you could have anything from Star Wars as a toy, what would it be?
I would want to have that ship that Luke and all the others blew up the Death Star with. The one that’s kind of round with the blue fire.
Tell me what you think The Force is.
It’s good luck and be strong and stuff like that. Don’t let your ship explode.
Why do you think Han Solo shot that alien in the bar?
He just didn’t like the alien.
But Han Solo is a good guy, right? Why would he do that?
Because that alien just didn’t like him. He was talking very meanly to him. Like, “It’s too late to see my boss…”
What would you do if you had a pet like Chewbacca?
I don’t know. I don’t think I would want him. I think he would be too much to handle. And for a litter box, I don’t even know what to give him.
I swear that was his actual response. I’ve never been so proud.
Who would you rather be - Luke Skywalker or Han Solo?
Luke. He was nicer to the princess. Han Solo didn’t really want to go until he heard about the reward, but Luke didn’t want the reward. He wanted to save the princess.
But do you think that maybe Han Solo actually kind of likes her, deep down?
Um…no.
What do you think is better: a blaster or a light saber?
Light saber.
What if, at the end when the Death Star is destroyed, they had shown Darth Vader and he shook his fists in the air and said “NOOOOOOOOOO!” and then cried like a little baby?
I would have smacked my head.
What? Why?
I think that would be crazy. I think for Darth Vader to do that - I mean, he’s a really, really bad guy. He was actually really mean. I would think that he would just want to try again because he’s a really, really bad guy.
Do you think your little brothers are old enough to watch Star Wars?
No. Because at first when I tell [Sonny] about Shrek movies, he gets scared.
What part don’t you think he’d like?
He says he doesn’t like the cat part, where the cat shows up. With the sword.
Oh, I was talking about Star Wars.
I think the part…all of it.
Burbanked » My young son has watched Star Wars for the first time.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
NUTS for Jericho - NutsOnline
I am a huge fan of the recently canceled CBS series, Jericho. And that is why I have to share news of this incredible campaign that its fans are waging.
Viewers of JERICHO will remember a season finale reference to "nuts" - hearkening back to a true World War II story about the one word reply Americans sent to a German demand for surrender. Well, it seems JERICHO fans have taken the reply quite literally.
JERICHO fans amassed 1,815 pounds of nuts in the first three hours. Evidently, the orders continue to roll in (as of this printing, the nut pile is up to 9,197 lbs). The first torrent of nuts arrived at CBS Monday morning. My God...I wanna picture of that. I
If you'd like to contribute to the campaign, you can do so via NutsOnline. A $5 or $10 contribution will propel nuts towards CBS - including a personalized note from each purchaser.
GO NUTS!!!
NutsOnline is the cyber manifestation of a 78-year old family business from Newark, New Jersey. They're not making a great deal of money by aiding in the campaign to save the series. Although, I'm guessing their visibility has increased a bit of late.
CBS has issued an message indicating that the network "hopes to develop a way to provide closure to the compelling drama that was the Jericho story." This is pretty vague...so FANS SHOULD NOT CEASE THEIR EFFORTS AT THIS TIME.
NUTS for Jericho
Viewers of JERICHO will remember a season finale reference to "nuts" - hearkening back to a true World War II story about the one word reply Americans sent to a German demand for surrender. Well, it seems JERICHO fans have taken the reply quite literally.
JERICHO fans amassed 1,815 pounds of nuts in the first three hours. Evidently, the orders continue to roll in (as of this printing, the nut pile is up to 9,197 lbs). The first torrent of nuts arrived at CBS Monday morning. My God...I wanna picture of that. I
If you'd like to contribute to the campaign, you can do so via NutsOnline. A $5 or $10 contribution will propel nuts towards CBS - including a personalized note from each purchaser.
GO NUTS!!!
NutsOnline is the cyber manifestation of a 78-year old family business from Newark, New Jersey. They're not making a great deal of money by aiding in the campaign to save the series. Although, I'm guessing their visibility has increased a bit of late.
CBS has issued an message indicating that the network "hopes to develop a way to provide closure to the compelling drama that was the Jericho story." This is pretty vague...so FANS SHOULD NOT CEASE THEIR EFFORTS AT THIS TIME.
NUTS for Jericho
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