Category Archives: Personal

Cinequest 2024 – The Invisibles

The Invisibles appears in the Cinequest 2024 catalog under the dual category of Fantasy / Drama. And while both are correct, it sells the film short. But then, I’m hard pressed to find a category that would give the appropriate credit due here. Continue reading

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Cinequest 2023 – Minnesota Mean

I was excited to see the documentary Minnesota Mean on the Cinequest lineup. I have fond memories of watching roller derby with my Dad in the 60’s, so I was anxious to revisit the sport. And it didn’t let me … Continue reading

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Distracted By The Cracker: The Real Point Of Soylent Green

This article was originally written almost exactly two years ago. So much irony, so little time. UPDATE: Shortly after I wrote this, my friend and Fanboy Planet editor Derek McCaw asked if he could run it there as well. Well … Continue reading

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Review: Carson of Venus: The Edge of All Worlds

Can I tell you about a unique book experience? I’m going to work hard to spoil none of the book’s surprises, while telling you why this is a book you should enjoy. Consider a prolific writer, now long passed, whose … Continue reading

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Why I Judge Books by Their Cover

Book Judgement is someplace where I can review and express my love for the manufacture of books, the binding, typography… Continue reading

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Cinequest 2018: Little Women

Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women 150 years ago, and [amazon asin=0147514010&text=the classic novel] has been made into several movies since. This year the newest version is showing at Cinequest! First-time Director Claire Niederpruem retells this ageless story in a modern setting. Continue reading

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How Many PowerPoints in the World?

“How much PowerPoint is there in the world?” Does it matter? Should be bother trying to figure it out? And who does it help in the end? Continue reading

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The Dark Tower – Defending the Rose

The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.
Probably the best opening line in literature. Yeah, better than Call me Ishmael.
(Seriously Ishmael, I was just asking you for a name to write on your coffee cup!) Continue reading

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Some music just moves me…

If my life generated a musical soundtrack, I’d want this piece to play at least once a day… Continue reading

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Not the book you expect… the one you need.

Right off the top, this is not the book you expect. This is no a paint-by-number, 15 steps to being a better communicator, lightweight feel-good-about-your-limitations book for snowflakes. This is a book that expects you to learn and remember the keys to memory. This is a deep book, but clear in its ability to guide you through an area of learning that far too few have mastered. It is an honest representation of the author’s voice, a voice that I’ve personally enjoyed listening to a number of conventions. In short, if you’re ready for the next step in making your business communications something that your audience remembers and acts upon, it’s here. Continue reading

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Your Presentation Guild

The Presentation Guild, a not-for-profit organization, has been hard at work getting ready for you. Quietly creating an environment where presentation professionals can enjoy just the right mix of community, training, support and comradery. Someplace we can all hang out at the virtual water cooler, go to classes, listen to experts in our field talk, and definitively set the presentation professional in the public spotlight as an important and well-defined industry position. Continue reading

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Introducing Neo / Ipsum for PowerPoint

Announcing a new, useful, fun and free utility for PowerPoint: Neo / Ipsum from 2D10 Development.
http://www.roll2d10.com Continue reading

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A Favorite from Cinequest 2014: Nothing in Los Angeles

Cinequest never fails to bring in a ton of innovative, inspiring, thought-provoking, and amazing films to San Jose. Here’s one I missed reviewing in 2014…
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Finally, I’m Sold on Microsoft Office Subscriptions

I’ve been looking forward to writing this article for a couple of weeks now, ever since I got a sneak preview of things to come in the PowerPoint program. It’s not particularly hard for me to keep a secret, but it’s much more fun to share…
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Pebble Time Unboxing

I love the unboxing experience, even when it’s simply unzipping a package and unfolding the cover… Continue reading

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Is GMC In on the Joke?

Allow me to digress. Have to admit that I will listen to a song whose lyrics I don’t necessarily like if it’s got a good beat and I can dance to it. Well, maybe just a good beat, kicky riff, … Continue reading

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Coca-Cola Life

8oz of cane sugar-sweetened Coke weighing in at 60 calories.
Fine print: also contains Stevia sweetener. Oh no, not again. Continue reading

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Cinequest 2015: Short Catch-Up Reviews

Although I’ve written up a good many of the films I’ve seen at Cinequest, there are several I just hadn’t gotten to yet. Given this is the closing weekend and we have a day of encore showings on Sunday, I wanted to get some notes out to you and hopefully help your viewing decisions. Continue reading

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Cinequest 2015: Bad Exorcists

In the end this film delivers a lot of laughs, mixed with just enough shocks and scares. And that’s exactly what I was looking for. Continue reading

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Cinequest 2015: The House On Pine Street

The House on Pine Street is both a well-crafted traditional horror story, and a modern exploration of what haunting and haunted actually mean. More than a little is left up to your interpretation at the end. But that’s cool, because a film like this should haunt you long after you leave the theater. Continue reading

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