tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6705236784684621802011-11-27T16:11:10.611-08:00News futurist (n): 1) One who studies and predicts the future especially on the basis of current trends 2) One who advocates or practices futurismJeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.comBlogger981100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-43640626174590540192009-06-24T05:59:00.000-07:002009-06-24T06:03:45.634-07:00

I've retired this blog for now and moved the discussion to a new site: NewsFuturist. It was time for a dedicated domain name and a niche focus on the future of journalism topics. Please join me there and subscribe if you're interested.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-87435334298145143202009-06-08T17:35:00.000-07:002009-06-08T19:53:03.228-07:00

In their weekly "Rebooting the News" podcast, NYU's Jay Rosen and the Internet's Dave Winer have started a tradition of citing a "source of inspiration" each week. It is one person or idea that brings much needed clarity and optimism amid the sea of uncertainty about the future of news.I have one of my own to share. This comes from a recently posted talk from TED (a group I've previously touted).

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-80947489165129102462009-05-17T06:38:00.000-07:002009-05-17T07:45:57.171-07:00

The revived attempts to charge for access to news content online are moves of desperation, not reasoned strategy. Just listen to the explanations from two industry executives leading the charge.News Corp. owner Rupert Murdoch says “It is clear to many newspapers that the current model is malfunctioning.”And as MediaNews Group Inc. CEO William Dean Singleton announced last week that his 54 daily

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-257028245744953942009-05-04T05:26:00.001-07:002009-05-04T05:41:21.988-07:00

There is lots of chatter flying around Twitter this morning about the new big-screen Kindle to be announced in May. Much of it is driven by this report in the New York Times about how some daily papers are pinning hopes to this.It is false and potentially harmful hope, in that it may again give newspaper folks a sense of comfort that stifles will for the REAL INNOVATIONS that are

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-58697696721684509402009-04-28T07:00:00.000-07:002009-04-28T07:00:00.552-07:00

A story I wish were true:In early 2006, a committee of reporters, editors and web specialists at amajor U.S. newspaper chain gathered in room for a week to brainstorm ways toadapt the new social media trends to the future of their news business.After much discussion about possible changes to their own sites andportfolio of web content, they arrived at the much bigger idea: Create somethingnot

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-29399912540501879332009-04-22T17:30:00.000-07:002009-04-22T19:23:34.090-07:00

The questions puzzle anyone who watches the news industry -- Why didn't newspapers adapt years ago, when resources were plentiful, to remodel themselves for the online era of news? Why aren't they changing more aggressively now? Do they just not get it?Well, some people in the industry don't "get it," but a lot of them do. (A study coming on or about May 12 from the Media Management Center will

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-86473008338305669122009-04-20T06:05:00.001-07:002009-04-20T06:05:45.586-07:00

The US government is reaching out a hand to newspapers -- holding hearings soon on the industry's condition and presumably considering a bailout package. Newspapers should be very wary. Bailout money sure sounds good, and there's so much of it flying around these days that it seems less a big deal. But it is. There's no such thing as a free lunch, or free lunch money. If the government gives out

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-43436878829478703882009-04-19T20:21:00.001-07:002009-04-19T20:21:11.113-07:00

The following story on WSJ.com caught my attention: Commercial Radio Stations Beg for Cash http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124018182064932917.htmlSome commercial stations are trying the public radio model of listener donations as ad revenue falls. Take whatever you can get, I say, but it sure smells of desperation. Sustainable?

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-71528017701493029102009-04-19T15:14:00.000-07:002009-04-19T15:20:41.516-07:00

U.S. soldiers have an interesting new tool to use on the battlefield -- the iPod Touch. From an article on Newsweek.com:Making sense of the reams of data from satellites, drones and ground sensors cries out for a handheld device that is both versatile and easy to use. With their intuitive interfaces, Apple devices—the iPod Touch and, to a lesser extent, the iPhone—are becoming the handhelds of

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-22547559325572454022009-04-18T08:24:00.000-07:002009-04-18T09:08:08.928-07:00

Q: How cool would it be if a cable or satellite TV provider decided to integrate Twitter or a similar service INTO every channel? A: Really cool. Imagine that on any given channel you have the option to pull up a crawl on screen that shows what other current viewers are saying about the program and lets you add your comments.Four reasons this makes sense:1) It would turn each of the 300-400

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-37208518687662781982009-02-07T07:36:00.001-08:002009-02-07T07:36:45.329-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_eFviBJR-E

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-57425109185763625402009-01-31T13:14:00.001-08:002009-01-31T13:14:43.024-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-54542775538800353842009-01-29T04:22:00.000-08:002009-01-29T04:23:00.938-08:00

Check out this fascinating video from the archives:http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/01/29/you-need-to-see-this-video/

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-37934171702038064632009-01-28T19:45:00.001-08:002009-01-28T19:45:44.299-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxrJrUlgCHc

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-8675331307406656762009-01-24T11:49:00.001-08:002009-01-24T11:49:41.388-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-33945224082520424192009-01-22T06:04:00.000-08:002009-01-22T06:05:21.753-08:00

This is one of the funnier things on the Internets:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9o-DCk2qhDM

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-81248011102012958432009-01-20T18:32:00.000-08:002009-01-20T19:07:33.495-08:00

This one's for Cardinal Nation:The new MLB network is reairing entire games from the Cardinals' 2006 playoff run. Starting this Saturday, at 3 p.m., with game 7 of the NLCS over the Mets, featuring the leg-breaking Adam Wainwright curveball. After that is Game 1 & 2 of the World Series.Sunday picks up at 1 p.m. with Game 3, then Games 4 & 5 after. (All times Eastern)The MLB network is channel 280

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-49635992435980610012009-01-18T18:43:00.001-08:002009-01-18T18:43:43.882-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-12211782633686870872009-01-14T17:14:00.000-08:002009-01-14T17:16:31.559-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-69584643024333563802009-01-12T20:18:00.000-08:002009-01-12T20:19:44.495-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-35024189735177632372009-01-11T12:58:00.001-08:002009-01-11T12:58:52.631-08:00

An observation following Missouri's loss to Nebraska yesterday in its Big 12 opener: this team doesn't show up for nationally televised games. Because I don't live in the home TV market, I look forward to the few times a year that national TV picks up a Mizzou game and I can actually see them. But the two times that has happened this year -- Illinois and Nebraska -- the boys have played awful. I

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-44431340874130662362009-01-09T17:22:00.001-08:002009-01-09T17:22:33.263-08:00

You there. Please stop singing. Now. Kthx.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-2779556939473915102009-01-08T19:04:00.001-08:002009-01-08T19:09:17.152-08:00

The producers of the 'Marley and Me' movie should really stop marketing it as a funny movie about a cute dog. Seriously, all the promotional clips are about funny dog things. Then you go see the movie and you're not at all prepared for the ending. (Spoiler alert: it covers the whole life from beginning to sad awful end) It's not a bad movie... the moral is that even the worst-behaved dog in the

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-75254252636983319382009-01-01T19:44:00.000-08:002009-01-01T19:46:17.558-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-36903043276635008302009-01-01T16:55:00.001-08:002009-01-01T16:55:21.913-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-22036887032112476892008-12-30T05:29:00.000-08:002008-12-30T05:41:44.466-08:00

I started this season thinking that maybe the Missouri Tigers were actually a top 10 team and possibly a national championship contender. As the season squeaked to a close last night with an overtime against Northwestern in the Journalism Alamo Bowl, it's clear that was never the case.I think it was Bill Parcells who first said, "you are what your record says you are." Missouri IS 9-4 overall, 5-

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-90685301406347411882008-12-28T07:21:00.001-08:002008-12-28T07:21:17.362-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-23163739518074271652008-12-27T19:41:00.000-08:002008-12-28T18:41:16.323-08:00

I found my wedding band when I was back in St. Louis. Here are some photos.It's white gold in the middle and the rings around the edges are platinum.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-29182810267696001472008-12-25T15:21:00.001-08:002008-12-25T15:21:04.067-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-20781862384162628482008-12-23T14:46:00.000-08:002008-12-23T15:39:21.660-08:00

This is the tree at my parents' house, the one all my cool childhood presents used to gne under long ago. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-14295948293505949392008-12-23T09:22:00.000-08:002008-12-23T09:23:07.919-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-53033266972615118452008-12-23T06:12:00.001-08:002008-12-23T06:12:49.568-08:00

On a plane leaving Detroit for St Louis. Will be there soon. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-51603151000934102172008-12-21T09:33:00.001-08:002008-12-21T11:57:36.472-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-42840990937290457712008-12-19T12:35:00.001-08:002008-12-19T12:35:41.541-08:00

My new favorite twitterer: @curmudge.His tweets are basically full of devastating disdain and scorn, but HILARIOUS. Check it out and follow if you agree.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-23759165110757106612008-12-19T09:47:00.000-08:002008-12-19T09:48:09.459-08:00

Big storm this afternoon. Might get 10 inches by the end. Time to break out the shovel. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-44441667333596156352008-12-18T17:53:00.001-08:002008-12-18T17:53:25.663-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-19091758073136924052008-12-17T17:59:00.000-08:002008-12-17T18:00:51.381-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-52254822993974713322008-12-17T12:00:00.000-08:002008-12-17T17:59:48.102-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-65903956618928422652008-12-17T05:00:00.000-08:002008-12-17T05:52:59.537-08:00

There are a lot of these going around the Internets already, but here are a couple of my favorite shoe-throwing parody GIFs so far. (be patient while these load for a minute, the large file size sometimes clogs the tubes.)Curly, George and LarryThe shoetrix

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-92122367667634241162008-12-16T19:13:00.001-08:002008-12-16T19:15:27.681-08:00

Got a few hours to kill? I don't. But if you do, check out the Concert Vault (http://concerts.wolfgangsvault.com).Streaming live music, concert recordings and music downloads, all free.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-37706245424043530972008-12-15T19:53:00.000-08:002008-12-15T19:54:05.481-08:00

Just about one week from now we'll be back home for Christmas. Can't wait to see the family. I'm sure there will be redeye flights in crowded airports and extra baggage fees for checking bags that the airline will lose anyway. But it's still worth it.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-60805933256039187072008-12-13T13:16:00.000-08:002008-12-13T13:17:22.055-08:00

Any day that kU loses is a good day, but especially when they lose to an unranked 2-6 UMass team. This might be enough to knock the jayhawks out of the rankings. They were only #23 coming in. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-40568103670687759682008-12-12T19:27:00.000-08:002008-12-12T19:28:32.494-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-76466078240005130352008-12-12T18:36:00.000-08:002008-12-12T18:45:26.886-08:00

I've been meaning to post this for a while if you haven't already seen it... very funny

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-48885620966139056852008-12-10T16:17:00.000-08:002008-12-10T16:18:05.833-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-16687822655788468532008-12-09T15:23:00.001-08:002008-12-09T15:23:52.031-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-19727467245397997262008-12-07T20:58:00.000-08:002008-12-07T20:59:57.868-08:00

7. Joy(gets good around 3 minutes)6. Cheater5. Just a little bit off4. 4203. Did she say that?2. Dumb bid1. Cheater, and dumb

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-34389504254675860912008-12-07T18:48:00.000-08:002008-12-07T18:49:19.532-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-12639952685215531372008-12-07T08:11:00.000-08:002008-12-07T08:31:43.754-08:00

Traveling the globe isn't as affordable as it used to be, with the failing economy, high fuel prices and weak US dollar. So how about a free, easy alternative?Webcams all over the world show you an almost-live image of what is happening there. There is a great app -- WorldView -- for the iPod touch/iPhone that makes it easy to browse these webcams. If you don't have one of those gadgets, you can

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-23026163975494781152008-12-06T10:18:00.001-08:002008-12-06T10:18:59.584-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-70892868857341284472008-12-05T16:59:00.000-08:002008-12-05T17:00:09.192-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-79826629155282346342008-12-04T16:41:00.000-08:002008-12-04T16:42:42.173-08:00

Here's a guided tour of my iPod Touch, just for fun.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-34416283951842471332008-12-03T05:08:00.001-08:002008-12-04T16:44:10.136-08:00

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-23546216916622421632008-12-02T05:29:00.000-08:002008-12-02T05:26:49.440-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-29467318386018656342008-12-01T20:21:00.000-08:002008-12-01T20:23:30.758-08:00

Here it is, my top five funny or bizarre Christmas-related YouTube videos. Enjoy.5. The beer tree4. Nintendo Sixty Four3. Toy train accident on Christmas2. Hey Ya! by the Peanuts gang1. Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) kicks a tree's ass

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-56389625221545877462008-11-30T13:35:00.000-08:002008-11-30T14:15:53.716-08:00

Here it is. Probably needs some more ornaments, but that's something you add over time I think.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-69143681459030468122008-11-29T16:18:00.000-08:002008-11-29T16:30:22.521-08:00

Here are some photos of the new Christmas lights. I didn't realize until today that we have about 60+ feet of hedges wrapping around the house.I think it came out pretty well. I'd still like to do more with the porch and house.. maybe some icicle lights.I also picked up a Christmas tree today. It's an artificial one (I'm told real pine needles are bad to have around dogs), a 7.5 foot Wesley Pine.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-36518636567534449122008-11-28T17:55:00.000-08:002008-11-28T18:07:39.961-08:00

This is officially Christmas decoration weekend. We are getting a Christmas tree and outdoor lights and putting everything up this weekend.It's a big project considering we don't have any of this stuff and I've never done lights from scratch. I'm thinking I'll string the hedges and the porch railing with white lights (colors are tacky, I'm told).Any suggestions?Maybe I'll go for something like

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-64918836603839163482008-11-27T14:45:00.000-08:002008-11-27T14:51:58.821-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-39164243462562412612008-11-26T09:00:00.000-08:002008-11-26T09:02:45.067-08:00

A follow-up to video #2 below... Dave Letterman's top 10 excuses for Palin not noticing the extended turkey slaughter behind her during an interview.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-51623999190981816452008-11-25T16:59:00.000-08:002008-11-25T17:42:13.470-08:00

For all those who need something to pass the time while your Turkey is roasting, I've compiled my top five Thanksgiving-related YouTube videos.Please enjoy, and comment. Let me know if I missed anything.5. Thermite Thanksgiving4. Will It Blend? - Thanksgiving Dinner3. Celebrity Bric-a-Brac: The Story of Thanksgiving2. Sarah Palin turkey massacre1. WKRP Turkey Drop

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-26442455544493151202008-11-25T05:43:00.001-08:002008-11-25T16:55:30.184-08:00

Today's New York Post.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-14389209449446278112008-11-24T19:10:00.000-08:002008-11-24T19:12:17.804-08:00

UPDATE: The sweet potato butternut squash soup recipe has fallen to No. 2 most-read, as of 10 p.m. (surpassed, of course, by sex).

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-16051376539292820002008-11-24T12:33:00.000-08:002008-11-24T13:09:20.324-08:00

Usually there are obvious reasons for why things end up as the No. 1 most e-mailed story on The New York Times website -- major scoops, scathing columns, bizarre trends are the usual culprits.But for some reason, today the most-emailed article on the whole site is a recipe for sweet potato and butternut squash soup. It's not even a story -- just pure recipe.Never underestimate Thanksgiving.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-80074017293280490082008-11-23T19:09:00.000-08:002008-11-23T19:06:12.284-08:00

Holy ghosts! The biggest revelation of the night: Tony Almeda is back in Season 7 -- as a bad guy! Clohe appears to have a return role as well, even though there's no more CTU.Come on January!Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-59417344630233459692008-11-23T18:05:00.000-08:002008-11-23T18:02:13.242-08:00

24 update: about one hour in and we've just had our first terrorist neck snap (with Jack's leg, no less). Already a torture scene tooSent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-66637022099286774912008-11-23T07:13:00.000-08:002008-11-23T07:47:01.421-08:00

Beep.. beep.. beep..After almost two years on hiatus, Jack Bauer returns to America's TV screens tonight just in time. Will he single-handedly win our two wars and kill Bin Laden? Will he solve the economic crisis by torturing some dude and stealing a secret data card? WWJ(ack)D?Tonight at 8 p.m. EST (7 p.m. Cardinals time) "24: Redemption" comes back with a two-hour special episode. The full

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-48018493645247428022008-11-22T13:37:00.000-08:002008-11-22T13:36:05.084-08:00

We're back. We found a great place in the Poconos on the Delaware river called the Shawnee Inn. Its a golf resort and hotel with great scenery for an outdoor wedding and very nice reception rooms inside.Looks like this is probably the one. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-19955659758622843672008-11-22T08:41:00.000-08:002008-11-22T08:39:35.171-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-80544674255495355502008-11-22T08:33:00.001-08:002008-11-22T08:33:02.314-08:00

We are going to look at a couple potential wedding sites in the Poconos today. Both are very scenic mountain settings. I'll post some updates later.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-59872372842375603082008-11-21T19:40:00.000-08:002008-11-21T19:38:42.286-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-37907434579583677712008-11-21T14:38:00.000-08:002008-11-21T14:42:46.784-08:00

A twisted colleague found this today. It is one of the more disturbing things you'll see. A Clay Aiken stalker impersonator thinks he's just singing alone after winning a look-a-like contest, then the real Clay appears and a total freak-out ensues.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-33868001112039743212008-11-21T05:44:00.000-08:002008-11-21T05:42:56.930-08:00

Comedy Central funnyman Stephen Colbert has a new subliminal catchphrase in the opening credits. It used to be: "President Bush, have a hot dog with me." Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-31442345106232395632008-11-20T16:37:00.000-08:002008-11-20T16:40:04.691-08:00

Really funny bit on the Daily Show last night about the crazy rash of Obama merchandise that followed his election.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-55645561552893667192008-11-20T11:58:00.000-08:002008-11-20T11:55:55.614-08:00

Just learned about some cool online research and analysis tools at the workshop. Check out manyeyes.alphaworks.ibm.com/manyeyes/Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-10037618269153856302008-11-20T03:38:00.000-08:002008-11-20T03:35:57.907-08:00

Off to Harrisburg today for a workshop on investigative reporting and new open records laws. My journalist friends will find this interesting, the rest of you not so much. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-53948674133603199002008-11-19T05:38:00.000-08:002008-11-19T05:45:55.146-08:00

Watch this deleted scene from The Office for the reference to hidden swear words in the "Scranton Times" Christopher J. Kelly columns. Yes, he's a real person and really our local columnist.(Thanks, Chrissy)

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-21751109133748166862008-11-19T05:07:00.000-08:002008-11-19T05:25:29.320-08:00

Mr. Michigan, Mitt Romney, has a really interesting op-ed in today's New York Times, saying that taxpayers should not offer a bailout package to the Detroit-based U.S. automakers."If General Motors, Ford and Chrysler get the bailout that their chief executives asked for yesterday, you can kiss the American automotive industry goodbye. It won’t go overnight, but its demise will be virtually

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-29663811780008548612008-11-18T16:54:00.000-08:002008-11-18T17:05:02.234-08:00

Hola, Salaam, Namaste, and Hello.No telling why exactly, but traffic to the blog took on a sudden international flavor yesterday according to a check of the ol' analytics tonight. As you can see on the map above, we had visits from 21 different countries on Monday.Here is the rundown: U.S., Canada, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Australia, Argentina, Spain, Indonesia, New Zealand, India, Chile,

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-36526918435177123762008-11-18T16:27:00.000-08:002008-11-18T16:25:09.974-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-29930492999332631022008-11-18T05:09:00.000-08:002008-11-18T05:07:45.877-08:00

The view from the hedges this morning. We got a little sleet and snow last night, and sub-freezing temperatures for the morning dog walk. Guess I'm back to the mornings of fleece socks, three layers of coats and sweatshirts -- while Deacon trots along just fine with nothing but fur.Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-54854289629534763982008-11-17T16:24:00.000-08:002008-11-17T16:23:47.646-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-22810794390242518672008-11-17T10:21:00.000-08:002008-11-17T10:19:14.606-08:00

Blogging about learning about our new blog system at work. Pretty cool. I may be starting a new work blog soon. Stay tuned for that. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-55336921995618446652008-11-16T17:07:00.000-08:002008-11-16T17:36:38.860-08:00

As I saw Barack Obama's first interview as president-elect tonight on 60 Minutes, I couldn't help thinking how neat it would have been if Ed Bradley were still around to do the interview. Steve Croft is good, but there would have been something really special about seeing Ed Bradley (the first black network White House correspondent) interview the nation's first black president.I had the same

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-83079993629938951562008-11-16T11:41:00.000-08:002008-11-16T11:43:38.956-08:00

Visiting little niece Jamie today. She just started crawling and is kind of talking ("Hi dada"). Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-55773879479020559412008-11-15T17:36:00.000-08:002008-11-15T17:34:22.333-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-22111994567129713822008-11-15T16:49:00.000-08:002008-11-15T17:05:27.093-08:00

If you're like me, you love games that challenge logic, problem-solving and wits. Check out this one I found... you play a suicidal businessman whose only goal, unlike most games, is to die in each level.It's harder than it sounds. You have to learn new systems and rules as you progress. (Hint: While it says to just use the keyboard to move around, the trick to beating some of the final levels is

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-36322345720493764682008-11-15T13:50:00.000-08:002008-11-15T13:58:47.547-08:00

Thanks to the Texas Longhorns' 35-7 romp over Kansas today, the Mizzou Tigers (8-2, 4-2) can clinch the Big 12 North title tonight against Iowa State (2-8, 0-6). Kickoff at about 6:40.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-1908706916417662692008-11-14T15:33:00.001-08:002008-11-14T15:33:08.805-08:00

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-1474857348425692952008-11-14T12:20:00.000-08:002008-11-14T12:18:21.750-08:00

Tada. This will look better in the spring, but at least it's done. Those are some dormant tiger lillies in there now. Not a bad project. Probably a couple hours of work, after acquiring all the materials. It takes a shallow gravel bed for leveling, and I used landscape fabric around the bottom and sides to control erosion and stop weeds. The rest is stacking bricks, filling soil and planting.Sent

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-78845681586354710142008-11-14T10:58:00.000-08:002008-11-14T11:01:15.538-08:00

Jon Stewart had a must-see interview with Bill O'Reilly last night. I particularly like the exchange (in part 2) where O'Reilly thinks the bear is a panda. (It's not.)Part 1:Part 2:

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-61150263873661144732008-11-14T07:07:00.000-08:002008-11-14T07:05:35.340-08:00

A retaining wall planting area in the back yard. Never done it before, but it should be interesting. Ill keep you posted. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-88747003508879139292008-11-13T14:31:00.000-08:002008-11-13T14:35:58.677-08:00

If you thought Cheney's 2004 episode was bad, check out the way lawmakers settle things in Ukraine.. This happened this week as the Parliament voted on removing its speaker:

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-31417175534967736902008-11-13T07:59:00.000-08:002008-11-13T10:06:46.332-08:00

Science, the environment, human behavior and biology, design, technology and bold ideas -- if any of that interests you, you should check out something called TedTalks.TedTalks (an acronym for Technology, Entertainment, Design) essentially are extraordinary people presenting extraordinary ideas. They come at an annual conference where these fascinating people gather to give brief

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-60461264612084754162008-11-13T06:53:00.000-08:002008-11-13T06:52:15.041-08:00

One of my readers has requested frequent updates on our dog, Deacon. For those who haven't met him, Deacon is a 14 month old Golden Retriever. Very playful and personable. This is a picture just after eating this morning. He's definitely enjoying my being around all week to keep him company. Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-74493186858571786722008-11-12T12:55:00.000-08:002008-11-12T12:55:27.852-08:00

Going to hobnob with the Pittston glitteratti tonight at the big fundraiser dinner for the Pittston YMCA at the Mohegan Sun. Perhaps some slots after?

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-73281604956048127632008-11-12T10:13:00.000-08:002008-11-12T10:17:29.579-08:00

So I was watching "Morning Joe" on MSNBC earlier this week (like most mornings) and happened to catch host Joe Scarborough in a world-class accidental swearing on the air.Naturally I instantly rewound the DVR, recorded the clip and had it up on YouTube in about 10 minutes. As of this post, it has been viewed more than 30,000 times and has 162 comments posted.Pretty cool to have a video get that

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-670523678468462180.post-11756421367966025222008-11-12T09:36:00.000-08:002008-11-12T09:45:15.577-08:00

So I'm starting this blog to help keep up with all of you friends and family out there who I don't see so often.Hope you keep checking back for updates on life, work, videos and other stuff I find interesting enough to bother you with.See you around.

Jeff Sondermannoreply@blogger.com1