Brian's Venue

I have moved!

2008-09-21T14:38:00.002-05:00

The new location for Brian's Venue is http://briansvenue.wordpress.com

I like wordpress better as it offers more control over site design and content.

Working at Home

2008-05-14T21:49:00.004-05:00

Is it me or does everyone else want to blow off the boss and work at home, online, maybe even in pajamas?

Well, I have found one of the most legitimate ways to go about doing this and I have the satisfaction of knowing my opinions shape future offerings by some of the largest corporations in the world. You know some of those new fragrances by Glade? Me. Menu changes at Denny's and Red Lobster? Me.

Imagine getting paid to tell other people what you think. Yes, it is true. There are thousands of companies employing hundreds of market research firms, who spend millions of dollars per year just to know what you as a consumer think.

I am talking about online surveys. You won't get rich, however, you can make a comfortable living or just a little extra income if you don't want to work full time. Come to think of it, you do not have to work full time to get a full time income.

This is not a dollars for hours job where you punch a clock or have a boss. You can get do this anyway you want. Get the kids off to school, have your morning coffee, open your email and choose how much money you want to make today.

This is free info. No strings attached. I just want to let people know that it can be done. I am not selling you anything. I know, sounds like B.S. Nope. Just info, nothing more. Just an opportunity to work at home for yourself.

Now, I wrote a "how to" article on the eHow site which provides details necessary to avoid some common mistakes.

For those of you who have already found the article, here is the remainder I promised you:

You are contacted by the Survey companies via email based on your profile. For example, if you are a stay at home mom with 2.5 kids, the primary purchaser of food items, two cars in the garage, etc., this may fit the demographic the company is looking to survey and gain opinions. There are many variables in their searches.

The secret is to create multiple profiles. I am not condoning you be dishonest, however, you can have a profile for each member of your household. Yourself, Spouse, Significant other, Spot, Fluffy, Uncle Fester, whatever. You get the point?

They even have surveys for the kids! Toy manufacturers LOVE to know what their market craves and they pay for it. The more varied your different profiles, the more requests you will get in your inbox!

This is the first in a series of blogs I will post about subjects with similar content. I hope you found the post informative. If you really like the content and want it to keep coming, please use the PayPal Donation button on this page to help with research costs, etc. Good luck. No scratch that, luck is the residue of purposeful design.

A New Venuture

2008-05-11T23:09:00.003-05:00

I will begin a new venture quite soon. I will have a new website in additional to this blog. The site will contain a plethora of very valuable information. Stay tuned....

A Paradigm Shift

2008-05-04T01:35:00.002-05:00

Just a brief update to the changes which will be made to this blog. As you may have noticed, it has a fresh, new look. I believe it is a cleaner, more simple format. I hope you like it.

As I had mentioned. there will be changes in the content of my blog. Change is good. The focus will shift from a rant type of venue to one of information and encouragement.

I will share some personal things with you in order to give you some background. I am almost completely blind. I have had glaucoma for years and it has taken quite a toll. Despite medication, and even surgery, I have been losing the battle to remain sighted.

Many of us want at one time or another to have a paradigm shift. A change in the lens through which we view things. A new line of thinking to change the criteria in which we evaluate our very purpose. Very few of us get an opportunity to change our paradigm out of necessity. Regardless of what many may think: I see this as a unique privilege.

Right now I have these feelings all at the same time: Anxiety, Apprehension, Fear, but more Excitement, Encouragement, Exhilaration. Change is great. Stay tuned for more...so much more!

Define Elitism

2008-04-22T23:25:00.001-05:00

We all presume Elitist persons to be arrogant, haughty, and condescending to everyday people.
I believe that we first should ask through what lens do we view, or by what criteria do we evaluate Elitism.
What standards do we have for this definition? If we are concerned with unarmed truth, and understand that unarmed truth is allowing suffering to speak. And unconditional love, understanding justice is what love looks like in public. what suffering voices did we hear in our debates and what kinds of concerns were manifest in our discussions in not just the questions, but also the answers.

Random Thoughts

2008-04-10T22:53:00.005-05:00

American Airlines canceled 1000 flights to inspect the planes. Apparently they sort of neglected maintenance. So why is it that people are inspected much more thoroughly in the air travel process? I will tell you why. If a person blows up a plane, then there is a failure in the war on terrorism. But if a plane blows up on its own, it is just the market self regulating.

Oil is at a record high. Projections are at $4.00 per gallon this summer. If I got to pay $4.00 per gallon, then those little televisions in the pump have to show porn. That way I know I am not the only one getting screwed.

Madonna has a new album called "Hard Candy" I have seen the album artwork/cover. Someone needs to tell her there is a 3 decade limit on dressing like a whore.

Hillary Clinton has another 3 AM phone call ad. This one about the economic crisis. Is she running for President or Switchboard Operator at the White House? I think McCain can answer the call then. He will already be up trying to pee.

Music Tax?

2008-04-03T23:59:00.002-05:00

There is currently a proposal (by Warner Music) to add a mandatory tax of $5.00 to all the Internet Service Providers, hence, charged to consumers. This tax is for the sole purpose to pay the music industry for all their "lost" revenue from piracy. This is not the first time th e Music Industry has attempted to use government to guarantee their revenue streams.

I take serious exception to this so called "tax" I don't think it is right for all internet users to pay for something only some people will do. Some argue that it is similar to people paying property tax of which a portion goes to schools and those having no children. Paying road tax for roads some may never drive on. They say we have to pay for something that everyone likes or uses.

How brainwashed have you people become to think that subsidisation of private industry is indistinguishable from a functioning society paying our fair share for that society as a whole. This is not a proposed tax to benefit our children's education nor build roads to transport groceries to a store. It is to be used to prop up the rapidly decaying model of a business plan that has shown itself to be fundamentally flawed. As a citizen of the United States of America, I do not feel obligated to pay a "tax" to support a private industry. And let me add that it is not some kind of crucial private industry such as the Prescription Drug industry...it is for Entertainment Companies.

And while we are on that vein, let me press upon you some other thoughts:

Many of the statesmen in government also sit on the boards of some of the most profitable companies in the world and made a case for war , went to war and created a new market with their war, then bar their competitors from the aftermath. Then they come back and speak evangelically about free markets, when it is really a vast protectionist racket. When their companies are awarded $2.3 billion contracts and their stock prices jump 145%...these aren't subtle facts. It is not only our right to question our leaders, it is our responsibility. We should expose, and shame and indite and possibly convict those in this illegal, immoral ideology.

Our government is being hollowed out and being turned into an ATM for big corporations.

I don't think all corporations are evil. I own a Frigidaire, but it is not subsidized by the government nor does it kill people. Unless there is something about refrigerators of which I am unaware.

Bailouts, Not Mergers

2008-04-01T22:33:00.003-05:00

Bear Stearns. It is being called a buyout or merger with JP Morgan Chase. JP Morgan is said to have bought out Bear Stearns since they took a header.

But not really. the Fed is backing that with $29 billion to guarantee solvency of those mortgages. This is a bailout. Just like the Savings & Loan bailouts and the bailout of Chrysler in the 80s. Not to mention the bailouts of the Airlines after 9/11. It keeps the clients in tact, but not the employees, investors, etc. Pensions, we don't need no stinking pensions. Those people who lost their jobs can buy Rachel Ray's new cookbook for the bankrupt, "70 Ways to Fix Alpo and Love It"

This is the way I see it. Big Business LOVES to tout "The Free Market" when profits are rolling in, but they seem to want to socialize losses.

I'm Back!

2008-03-28T19:47:00.005-05:00

It has been well over a month since I have posted. Lots of things going on...I'm sorry and promise to do better from now on.
Quite a a bit of news has taken place and I have not ranted in a while. So, in hit and run style, I will touch briefly on some subjects that have come to my attention as of late.

First, Kevorkian for Congress? Holy Christ! Lest we forget, he is a convicted felon (2nd degree murder), who served 8 years. Convicted felons cannot vote! How the hell can he be a Congressman?

Speaking of Congress.. what in the hell are they working so hard on fighting steroid abuse in Baseball? The only business Congress has in this matter is if Al-Qaeda hijacked the hypodermic needle and flew it into Roger Clemens ass. Did anyone see the hearings? All the Republicans were making statements such as "Your my Hero, Roger" and the Democrats were saying to they could not believe his testimony and were inclined to believe the side of McNamee, Clemens former personal trainer. So I can only form one premise from this event. The Republicans on the Committee side with the drug users and the Democrats favor the drug dealers.

Shouldn't they be...oh, I don't know...governing? They can't investigate where the 9 billion in cash went to when we shipped in over to Iraq? I think I know where a lot of it went. We now pay the people who used to kill our troops $10.00 per day to NOT to kill us! Of course, if someone told them how devalued the American Dollar has become, they might start shooting again and ask for Euros.

Genealogy of the Presidential Candidates. Anybody really care if Clinton is related to Sheryl Crow? Big deal. Here in the South, some people are so Southern they are related to themselves.

One more thing... Warren Buffet is a genius. Not because, he made a fortune in investing where others ran, no. Rather because he got Bill Gates to quit his company to manage Warren Buffets money, making Bill Gates 3rd richest man as to Buffet #1. See Warren Buffett has more important things to do, such as run his business! Buffett made his billions on Wall Street. Where people ride to work in Bentleys to ask the advice of those who take the subway.

That's all for now. Hey, got some feedback? Click on the Comment link below.

R U Text Messaging In Your Car?

2008-02-20T23:51:00.002-06:00

Text Messaging or "Texting" as it is so commonly called, may soon be outlawed in Tennessee. LLet me first preface this diatribe with an aside: "texting" is not even a real word. I can;t stand the use of it. It is grammatically incorrect in any application. Noah Webster is likely rolling in his grave. The correct term is Text Messaging, OK? Enough said on this. I digress.

The Tennessee legislature is considering a law to make this activity a Class C Misdemeanor. The good news is the tickets issued by law enforcement would not become part of the driver's record. So...all is well. The tickets would be a $50.00 fine and court costs limited to $10.00.

A "study" by Nationwide Insurance Company found that 20% of all drivers read and/or send text messages while driving. Really, Nationwide? ALL drivers? While 66 percent of drivers ages 18-24 text while driving. Yes, let's pin it on the younger set. We all know they are proud to admit being "renegades" We all know that the remaining drivers wouldn't lie about dangerous activity.

Hey wait! I just did some quick math. With the numbers Nationwide gave us and the fines involved, we can make solvent the state's budget shorfall and keep our driving records clear! What a great deal. I don't know about the rest of you, but I am all for it. I will email my representatives and tell them vote YES! So when your "BFF" doesn't respond quickly from "R U OK?", while driving, they may be "FUBAR" because they wrecked the damned car! I will be "LMAO".

BFF=Best Friend Forever
FUBAR= F**ked Up Beyond All Recognition
LMAO= Laughing My Ass Off

Stop Playing Hard To Get

2008-02-19T00:49:00.003-06:00

Keeping on top of the MicroHoo debacle is wearing me out. It is going to happen, it's just a matter of price. However, I don't think the EU will allow it to go through as they have disdain for MIcrosoft.

I only want Yahoo to stop acting like some aging Prom Queen playing hard to get. And Microsoft...they are standing outside Yahoo's apartment building holding a stereo over their head blarring Boston's "More Than A Feeling".

Seriously, the stockholders are feeling the crunch of our non-existent recession and they want to take the offer. The execs at Yahoo want to hold out for more money saying they are worth $12 billion more. I am no expert, however, is Yahoo worth over $56 billion? Those institutional stockholders who own both Yahoo and Microsoft shares would benefit both ways. They get the 61% premium over current value for the Yahoo shares and they get a bonus for Microsoft stock going up based on the takeover. Will the last vice president to leave Yahoo please turn out the lights?

Yahoo, your not getting any younger, girl. Stop looking for a better catch and take the ring already.

The UK Kicks It Up A Notch

2008-02-13T22:26:00.003-06:00

The Government of Great Britain is considering a move to a less amicable internet experience. Users who violate the DMCA a.k. a. piracy, will be subject to losing their internet access permanently. It will work as follows:
Strike One is an email notice stating to cease the activity.
Strike Two is a suspension of your service for a period of time if not ceased.
Strike Three is a ban from access of your ISP.

But wait, there's more. There would be penalties for the ISPs for not policing and enforcing these rules. How about that? Now, I most assuredly do not oondone piracy in any form. However, why would we leave it up to providers of internet service to be responsible for monitoring the data packets and ensuring compliance?

You know what? They're right. I think we should also make the Telephone companies cut off service to those persons who plan or execute criminal activities using a telephone. Oh, and let's not forget they should lose their license to do business if they don't. Or better yet, Auto Makers must inspect every driver of their vehicles to make sure they are not criminals or they cannot keep the cars. And how about those lazy Department of Transportation people for not shutting down road access to those pesky speeders*.

I am so very proud I work for AT&T. A leader, a pioneer in taking the lead in the U.S. to be the first to filter and monitor internet content at the network level. That last statment is seething with sarcasm. The beginning of the end? I think this will cause more problems than it could possibly solve. The more data there is, the less effective the filtering becomes. Not to mention the possible legal issues they will be opening themselves up to. Stay tuned for more of "As the Stomach Turns"

*Paraphrasing the Buzz Out Loud Crew

The New MicroHoo?

2008-02-05T23:13:00.000-06:00

The latest buzz is the unsolicited bid of Yahoo! by Microsoft. It is common thought that Yahoo! has been in the shadow of Google. It is no wonder that the offer has been made. This would put Microsoft in the thick of things. It would give them the true leverage they need to be in the company of media/content providers.

Yahoo vehemently rejected their offer of over $44 billion. Of course, they may not have a choice. It could turn ugly and Microsoft may initiate a hostile takeover.

Lots of speculation at this point. They would still have to seek approval of the FTC, the SEC, and maybe even the MIB. Of course, Microsoft will probably take some time before they respond to Yahoo!'s refusal.

New subject, Super Tuesday. I am still waiting for final results. They have been delayed on my local networks due to Severe storms and Tornados in our area. We made it past the first wave of these ass kickers, however, another set is due around 1a.m. I will admit I have followed this election with more intensity than years past. It is very exciting. Thank God Frankenberry..I mean Fred Thompson dropped out as did "noun,verb,911" Rudy Tooty. Now if only John "Give War A Chance" McCain would get the nomination and then die, we would be set for a real president. in case you haven't noticed, I am pro Democrat. Let's bring back PayGo. No more robbing the Treasury blind.

Track Down Your Dinner

2008-01-31T10:12:00.000-06:00

Well, briefly a few issues.
First, Do we really care about Britney Spears? Many other people have drama in their lives. I don't see why making hot chocolate while waiting on the Paramedics is such a big deal. Or is she maybe jealous of the attention of her younger sister who seems to be following in her footsteps? Or perhaps, she is trying to take some heat away from her 16 year old pregnant sister.

Second: Microshaft er.. Microsoft, not my favorite software maker in the world. There is rumor of a new Windows Version (code named "Windows 7" coming out within a year. Since Vista was not the big hit it was supposed to be. The proof: 220 million computers sold last year and only 100 million copies of Vista. A little difference there? Vista spent 5 years in the making, orginally code named "Longhorn". In both Alpha and Beta testing is seemed to be great. However, when shipping dates became a priority, the software functionality ceased to be as important. All I can say is Microsft, please take your time. Make it work well before yo determine shipping and marketing. Don't rush, we can wait.

Lastly, tracking is in abundance. We can track our packages online, our mail, our automobiles, our children with cellphones, hell, we can even track our pets. Do we really need GPS type service for our Pizza? I think not, howver, Domino's Pizza is now offering an online tracking of your dinner accurate within 40 seconds. You will be able to monitor your delivery from the the time it leaves the store until it arrives at your door.

Are we such a gluttonous, and impatient society that we need to use satellites to find our pizza? Will this make it taste better? NO!

I wonder what comes next..GPS on our elected officials? Hmm, that may actually be a good move.

Sue 'em. That'll fix it.

2008-01-22T21:42:00.000-06:00

Well, the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) is at it again. LAWSUITS! Only this time they have targeted 407 college students across 18 universities. The RIAA has sent out letters to these students stating they have proof of theft of music and they can go to a P2P lawsuit web page to settle with the organization before going to court. I most certainly don;t encourage anyone to steal music, in fact, I believe they should pay for it. Personally, I have a subscription service so that I can download all I want to my MP3 player, but I have to pay if I want to burn it or transfer it of my PC. This works perfectly for my needs, as I only want mine portable. If only iTunes would adopt this business model.

Now according to Cara Duckworth, spokesperson for the RIAA, "college students have reached a stage in life when their music habits are crystallized, and their appreciation for intellectual property has not yet reached its full development." She went even further to say that college students used to be music's biggest fans, But not any more because they don't honor intellectual property rights. They pirate music, therefore they are not fans? I don't get it.

These are people who are of age to vote, got to war, etc., but they cannot make certain distinctions because they are "underdeveloped?" Give me a break.

Additionally, the RIAA has been able to insert specific wording in the College Affordability and Opportunity Act Bill, which will punish universities from obtaining federal funds of the student financial aid if they don't force students to sign up with subscription services and/or buy songs. I smell Racketeering. Since when is it our government's responsibility to assist companies in ensuring their revenue streams? This is wrong!

Speaking of wrong, AT&T announced that it is considering filtering technology to "catch" copyrighted material from being pirated on their network. There is not a law that states they are responsible for monitoring the world wide web. They are a network provider not Big Brother. What about legitimate sharing? Will this be filtered "in error"?

This type of behavior is dangerous ground. It goes completely against having a free, uncensored, internet or the concept known as "net neutrality". AT&T had last summer bleeped out portions of the Pearl Jam performance at Lollapalooza Webcast , (Eddie Vedder changee some lyrics which were unflattering to George Bush) which they stated it was a mistake by an overzealous contractor hired to monitor things.

Should AT&T decide to become a pioneer in a network based solution to piracy, I believe this will lead to even more censorship in the future.

A world gone mad

2008-01-16T09:58:00.000-06:00

Well, our local Metro Government in its infinite wisdom, taped a password on one of the stolen laptops. But, it's OK, it was the wrong one, so it cannot be accessed. Yeah right.

Is it me, or does anyone else wonder why Social Security numbers are on a very portable device such as a LAPTOP?

The laptops were stolen December 23 and I received a letter TWO WEEKS later that my identity may have been compromised. And now I learn that I wont have access to the "free" identity theft protection from Metro until later this week. So, the thieves will have had from 12/23/07 until say 01/18/07 to crack into the laptop and get lots of identities.

Now, we hear that a school has lost a flash drive with over 1000 Social Security numbers on it.

Again, why is someone allowed to carry around that much delicate information on their keychain? What the hell is going on!

Let me preface this by stating I am NOT a conspiracy theorist. Only I find it suspect that these stolen laptops and flash drives, etc. happen back to back with frequency lately. Could this be a bigger issue, such as collusion of the software security industry and a government? Or is it coincedence that so many identity theft companies advertise so aggressively that they would do something to proliferate their industry? Just wondering.

While our security is being compromised at every turn, our Congress is investigating Steroid use?! Give me a break.

Professional baseball players are wussies nowadays. Back in the day, Babe Ruth was a real man, a real ball player. He would go out and hit homeruns after being up all night drinking and banging hookers!

Have we lost our focus, has our government lost its focus? It is not only our right to question our leaders and legislators, but our responsibility. So vote wisely.

Alvin for President!

2008-01-10T00:52:00.000-06:00

Alvin and the Chipmunks Motion Picture Soundtrack: Click on Soundtrack to hear the Chipmunks comeback!

Use common sens

2008-01-09T10:14:00.001-06:00

It appears that showing an emotional side will get you what you want. It sure did for Hillary Clinton. A friend told me that she has the same rhetoric as any other white man in office. I agree, however, a sniffle on television and bam!, you win ia Primary. Based on that premise, I should go to the bank and tear up, saying "you charge me too many fees and you prey on the small business owner with exhorbitant rates" maybe they, too will feel sorry for me and give me some cash.

What gets me is Clinton has been saying lately is she has finally found her voice. Should she not have found it before she decided to run for the most powerful office in country? So, if things get hard in the White House, will she cry about that too? Nor should she have referred to her husband's record as it were hers, as she did in the last debate. Briefly, on Republicans,McCain, well let's face it. He has stated so many times to give the surge in troops a chance to work. (As the music plays) " all he is say-ing is give war- a chance"

2008-01-08T00:05:00.000-06:00

CES is on! The 2008 Consumer Electronics Show is every January. This is the place for manufactures to show off their latest wares coming to the consumer market this year.
Among those announcements at CES is that the HD DVD vs. Blu Ray war may be over. It appears that Warner Pictures has agreed to go with Blu Ray. This now provides Blu Ray with most of the major studios endorsements. Making Blu Ray the format standard. Sorry to all those who purchased a HD DVD player. Sony lost the Betamax /VHS battle years ago. Sony now emerges as champion. This information is tenative, so dont quote me on it. But I forsee a lot more movies coming to DVD and BluRay.

On a more somber note. The New Hampshire Primary is here. Will it be charismatic Obama again, or will "it is personal to me,*sniff,sniff*" Hillary prevail. Since I am not a paid ethical journalist, I dont give a damn abut the republican candidates.

Death of DRM?

2008-01-06T23:35:00.000-06:00

Well, only 1 year and 14 days to go. 01/20/09 is Bush's last day. "The end of an Error" or as the Pres might say "a mistook"

Hello all, I'm Brian. This is my first blog, but most certainly not my last. Just want to share some thoughts.

Is DRM dying? Warner Music has now teamed up with Amazon for distributing DRM free (Digital Rights Management) music. Amazon had previously negotiated and setup an agreement with Sony BMG for the same. Universal Music was the last hold out for DRM free music. They are going to make some of their catalog available without DRM. Since they were such antipiracy fanatics, what changed their minds? I think they were afraid of the world being overtaken by ipods, hence, iTunes. See, Apple has only about 7% of the computer market, but they have almost 70% of the music market with their iTunes Store. I was beginning to think the last vestage of DRM Free music was purchasing a CD! I predict great changes in the music industry for 2008.