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I’m about to start reading a book called The 90-day Novel by Allan Watt. It’s supposed to help writers bang out a first draft of a novel in around 90 days.

But this post is not about the book, but the story of the discovery of the book:

It all started with a viewing of April 10th’s The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, which featured Elon Musk as guest of the day, co-founder of Paypal, and current CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Motors (there will be a separate post on this marvelous man). He gave a brilliant interview detailing his exploits and the key areas that interest him: The internet, Sustainability and Space exploration (leading to multi-planetary dominance of humans).

Elon Musk

He impressed and inspired me so much I had to find out more, and so I went on to Wikipedia to find out that he only takes $1 salary at Tesla Motors, but his net worth is US$2 billion (Hell, he could have bought Instagram if he’d wanted to, but of course, he has loftier ambitions). Also, Director Jon Favreau modeled Ironman Tony Stark’s character with Elon in mind. Yeah.

No doubt a busy man, he still had the time to sire 5 kids (all sons!) with his first wife, Justine Musk, while they were married from 2000 – 2008. So I decide to check out Justine Musk, who turns out to be an author who also blogs at justinemusk. She seems like a reasonable woman from her postings, and I hope she got her Tesla Roadster she’d requested from the divorce.

Also, for 40, she’s pretty hot!

source: facebook.com/justinemusk

I started reading some of her posts (all very entertaining and insightful), which lead to her recommending the book The 90-day Novel.

Which is great because I was just getting started on (really, this time) writing my novel.

And that, is the story of how I came across the book. And I absolutely loved the process of the discovery, from the daily show to Elon to Justine and finally to Allan Watt’s book. All in all, I’d say its been a most productive day.

So next on the list of things to do then: A novel in 90 days?

Fuck yeah!

Musings Comments Off

Update on RPG

Apr

You know that Ridiculously Photogenic Guy is a thing when Chandler decides to dance on it.

chandler dances on ridiculously photogenic guy

Also, just so you know that his full name is Chandler.. Bing.

chandler bing

Gif credit: Chandler dances on things

Funny, Musings 1 Comment

John Carter

Apr

Something we don’t see but feel the effects of each day, is the magic of gravity.

Imagine then, on a planet where the force of gravity is much lower than that of Earth’s. We, humans shall rule. If only there was a way to get on Mar, that is. John Carter opens by telling us that Mars is not a dead planet, but a dying planet in the midst of war waged between the cities of Helium and Zodanga (human-like martians with henna markings).

John Carter

The titular John Carter, a former army officer, while fleeing from pursuers, stumble upon a hidden cave, and accidentally kills a stranger. The stranger turns out to be a Thern from Mars, and Carter, holding on to the stranger’s medallion, gets transported to Mars.

Thus begins his strange little adventure, where he’s suddenly quite possibly the strongest being on the planet because of the lighter gravitational pull. He is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. He’s then swept into the middle of the war, and has to take a stand.

The war has to end. One way or the other.

The deciding factor?

I'm an alien Martian princess... no, really.

This chick. Now you know why the martians are human-like.

Note to all potentially warring nations/planets: If you’re in the middle of a war and may need some other worldly help, be sure to have a hot princess on standby.

Obviously made for a potential franchise in mind, John Carter does a good job of introducing us to the red planet. The effects are pretty solid, characters and likable and the story allows for a sequel to further explore the world.

On Earth, dogs are man's best friend. On Mars, this is it.

I loved how the framing device worked to wrap up the story very nicely.

order generic Latuda Rating: 7/10

Movie Reviews Comments Off

The ridiculously photogenic guy

Apr

Photo: King_of_Games, Flickr

By now, i’m sure you’ve all heard of the ridiculously photogenic guy. Yeap, the dude who conquers the 10k run with a winning smile. But do you guys know his name?

He is Zeddie Little. Apparently, Zeddie has been trying to break into the PR industry. Guess that’s not much of an issue now.

And ladies, he’s been happily attached for 5 years now. So hands off that wind-blown hair!

If you don’t know him, here’s the backstory: He was in the middle of a 10k run, when an amateur photog took this shot of him. It was posted on to Flickr, and one of the photographer’s friend commented something along the lines of “I dub him the ‘ridiculously photogenic guy'”.

It got posted onto reddit, and a new meme is born.

Here are some of the memes floating around:

Ridiculously Photogenic Guy - Disney

Ridiculously Photogenic Guy - Town

Ridiculously Photogenic Guy - wins heart

Ridiculously Photogenic Guy - tourists

And my personal favourite….

Ridiculously Photogenic Guy - no wind

Funny, Musings 2 Comments

Why is digital always the scapegoat?

Apr

Whenever I see articles like this, it makes me mad. Just because digital is measurable in more or less real time by the impression, doesn’t mean we need to guarantee the view of every impression before we get paid.

The article states that up to 30% of paid ads online are never seen because they occur below the fold (where users need to scroll down before being exposed to the banner).

As such, advertisers are demanding make-good impressions or not paying the full price for number of impressions booked.

If they are buying CPM, and publishers can prove that the impressions are indeed delivered, there should be no dispute.

If, one day, we have a report that says toilet flushing activity increased by 30% during commercial breaks, are advertisers going to the broadcaster and say they want to pay less because their precious TVCs were not seen by up to 30% of people who took toilet breaks? What about the other 10% who went to raid the fridge for an icy scoop of Chubby Hubby?

Why not only pay for each person who looks up to a billboard while crossing the street?

These measurement inefficiencies are everywhere, but why is digital solely taking on the bricks?

Digital advertising is already one of the most affordable in the marketing mix, and still they circle, like vultures, preying for compensation as we provide transparency.

There’s bound to be wastage in any marketing effort. Let’s all put our heads together and think of how best to engage and convert the 70% who has been exposed to the message instead.

Pissed off.

Marketing, Musings Comments Off

The Life of T-101 before he got screwed over

Apr

This video for Google Glasses plays out like the origins story of The Terminator, before he got reprogrammed for death and destruction.

Just an ordinary day, in the life of T-101.

Watch.

But seriously, how many times have we had to check in a few times to get the location right? How many times have we had to say the command before Siri (or Google voice or Microsoft speaks or Kindle knows) can register it?

The smooth operations this video demonstrated is at best a fluke, or the result of many long tedious hours of editing. Would love to see the “making of”, if you know what I mean.

Seriously, FML

Amazing, Marketing, Musings Comments Off

Bar Rafaeli plays tennis

Apr

… in her underwear.

what do u mean nobody plays tennis in their underwear?

Because it is oh-so-comfortable and not at all awkward for any normal human being.

I approve.

Is that a wrap? I need to go pee.

i'm bringin sexy tennis back!

If video’s your thing, check out the tvc below:

If you’re interested in getting a pair for your next tennis game, check out under.me.

Marketing, Musings Comments Off

When will this concept be a reality?

Mar

zoomin watch

Some concept watches are so great someone should really just effing make it already!

Like this one below.

Simple, Slick and so, so desirable.

A tiny pair of magnifying glasses runs through the hours and minutes, bringing into view and focus the current time. Why hasn’t anyone made this yet?

zoomin watch

Amazing, Musings Comments Off

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