Last week Hulu.com made the announcement that they will charge $9.99 for an upgraded HD version to view on your computer and mobile devices (you can also see full season shows, etc.). But the OLD familiar shows are still there, for FREE - so go enjoy them!
Besides my obsessive watching of “House”, “Top Chef” and “HGTV Design Star” I have also been taking advantage of the “Health & Wellness Channel” at Hulu.com. We have an old tower hooked to our TV and the internet – love, love, love it! (Click on What is Hulu? post in case you need a refresher)
I just started to practice “beginning yoga” for 45 minutes once a week. You can search for “Fusion Yoga” in Hulu.com, “play” and you are on your way. It's NOT the crazy “pretzel yoga"; it is “normal people yoga". They also have “Yoga & Pilates” if you want a bit more intense.
What intensified my Hulu.com loyalty? A few months back, I gave up the monthly gym fee and decided to exercise at home – we got a nice treadmill viaCraigslist, dusted off the weights and exercise books, cleaned my exercise DVDs, filled the exercise ball with air and "instant gym"! You probably have some of these things at home too – huh? Thought so!
Ok, BUT am I REALLY going to have the discipline? Well, it has been, let’s call it “interesting but good”LOL. What helps me is that I am in an ETERNAL PURSUIT OF COMFORT! How can life get any better that waking up, having some tea, looking at the morning sun and then - I get to enjoy MY “choices”? Do I run on the treadmill with my shuffle? Do I do yoga fusion on Hulu? Do I work out with Jillian Michaels’ “30 Day Shred” DVD? Or do I work on a fitness routine from one of the books? I so, LOVE choices – don’t you?! Some days I chose to NOT do anything and I love that too!
I’ve discovered some very informational and FUN health related podcasts that I REALLY like. I listen to them while I run or go on a long walk – super motivating! (Post about this soon to come).
I encourage you to add these simple choices in your life – it’s all about “comfort” – and in this case YOURS. Just to make it very clear, my beloved Zumba with Janel Gauger is still one of MY choices - it makes HAPPY!
I absolutely love smart phones, the technology, the cool apps that make both your work and personal life easier, the sleek design, etc. As much as I am totally into technology, I am not real big on cell phones. I guess it’s more like what we have made cells phones to be. I for one do not the like expense attached to them and the fact that they make us be so AVAILABLE that they take away our freedom. And I so love and treasure my freedom.
We seem to give those who call on our cells priority, interrupting those who made the effort to be there is person. It is so rare when a cell call interruption is truly something important. I do not understand why we HAVE to be so available ALL the time – we can let the call go into voicemail you know….
Photo thanks to Roberrific's photostream on Flickr
An average contract (because darn them, they make us sign one) averages $2,300 - $2,900 for two years – stop for a minute and do the math. As much as I like everyone, I’d rather go on vacation with my husband for that kind of money!
I have a prepaid phone where I spend pennies a day – it’s cheap and I use it for basic necessities. I use it for - emergencies, to call when I am running late, when I need help (I’m lost, can’t find someone, etc) or to call home and say I am leaving my late evening networking event. I don’t chat on it and I don’t give out the number very easily. I usually tell people I don’t have a cell phone – now THAT is funny. Try telling that to someone and watch the look on their face! LOL
I will admit that because I am addicted to technology, I do have an iPod Touch – BUT - I LOVE smart phones and the many wonderful conveniences they provide us – texting, twittering, ebooks, podcasts, apps, videos, etc. I’ve yet to break down and get one, for now I just longingly sigh when I see one. If you have one, I’m sure I am jealous of you, happy for you, nonetheless, jealous. How I wish the cell phone company prices would come down…
Please consider NOT answering THAT next phone call when you are enjoying time with someone who is ACTUALLY there....it's gotta be good for our wellbeing...don't you think?
Ever since we cancelled Cable, I’ve been obsessed with Hulu.com. I tend to lean towards obsession, in case you have not noticed…Hulu.com has become my favorite on-line video streaming content provider, it’s my new way to watch TV. We hooked-up an old CPU tower and viola, free TV!
Ok, fine, but what is it?
Hulu.com is a website with streaming video of TV shows and movies. It is commercial supported (usually 30 second commercials) and the shows are from NBC, Fox, ABC, and others cable networks and studios. Hulu is a joint venture of NBC Universal (General Electric), Fox Entertainment Group (News Corp) and ABC Inc. (The Walt Disney Company).
I watch current shows on TV that I missed, but not just that – I watch older movies, concerts, PBS shows, etc.. Not ALL the shows are there, but most are and that’s good enough for me. No need for Tivo or DVR for MOI!
According to Wikipedia, Hulu also carries shows from other networks such as PBS, USA Network, Bravo, Fuel TV, FX, NFL Network, Speed, Big Ten Network, Syfy, Style, Sundance, E!, G4, Versus, A&E, Oxygen and online comedy sources such as Onion News Network.
I will admit here that I watch "Undercover Boss" & "Celebrety Apprentice"among other silly reality shows...- I missed these last night so I could get my beauty sleep...(I had an allergy attack and went to bed early).
I am thrilled that I can watch MY programs, on MY time and I am not paying ANYTHING extra to enjoy myself. Not a bad obsession to “be well” in this economy and I keep the “all about me” thing going too – LOL - YES!
I invite you to visit Hulu.com and explore it a bit. This is the way most kids watch TV now and the wave of the future.
On Saturday morning I was listening to Handle on the Law – which is both super funny and informative – and I heard this story that I just had to share.
Did you know that more lawyers are going to social media sites for evidence? Yep, cyber-evidence found in our social networks, Facebook Twitter, MySpace, blogs, etc. I would also include, email, forums, and Google groups. The first piece of advice they are given, is to close down their pages asap!
Some people don’t have common sense and put incriminating comments and photos. They also stay “friends” with exes; ex-spouses, ex-girlfriends, ex-boyfriends and ex-coworkers.
Here is my favorite story, lack of common sense at its best! A woman was getting a divorce from her alcoholic husband, she was also asking for custody of the children. The father told the judge he had found God and hadn't had a drink in months. (That is what is what they are claim to say in these types of cases, I guess….) Thanks to Facebook, a picture of him was found posted by a friend, only 3 weeks back. What did the picture show you ask?
In the picture he was holding a beer in each hand with a joint in his mouth – I guess that made the judge question his credibility. Really?
If you have your picture taken, you never know where it's going to wind up…. It seems that it’s often “a cyber-friend” who is the source of information that will incriminate you.
Don’t think your Facebook, Twitter or any social network is private, even if you set it up as “private". One judge found that a plaintiff could not have a “serious expectation of privacy” as his “private” profile gave access to 366 friends.
For God’s sake use caution and common sense with those the 400+ friends on your Facebook, Twitter and NOW Google Buzz accounts. What we really need to use these social networking sites to make us look oh so clever, witty, techie and in-the-know; for example Tweet and post very cool stories you just read on Mashable.com such as this one on Google Buzz – LOL
Lesson: An attorney could have a blast with our social networks. Need I say more?!
I LOVE learning but I know some of you DON'T – but I MUST share THIS - when I went to the conference in AZ a speaker included this in their presentation and it was hilarious! Some of you (ok, us) are old enough to remember. (Click here for the AZ story.)
The 5minute University
You gotta love that!
So, now I can segue into my own university experience - Guess what? I am so excited, I am taking my 1st on-line class! – it’s been 1 week, so far so good LOL. A few people have told me they are surprised that I am taking an on line class because I’m chatty (talk too much) and outgoing (in your face). One of the reasons I don’t take classes anymore, but instead devour iTunes U, OCW etc is because I can’t stand stupid people!
Remember, those people that in class ask the questions that take up ALL the class time with stupid questions? The annoy me! BUT hold on, I did not avoid these characters – in my on-line class, there is a forum for questions to the professor and HERE is where the stupid questions live…
A few samples? OK - here you go;
“Home work is due on Sunday, what time exactly?”
“You gave an example of a company to be reviewed – is that the company we should review?”
“You gave an example of a company to be reviewed – should I review that one and another one too?”
“In the syllabus you gave us the dates of when we should have read the chapters – are those the due dates?”
Grrrrr – at least is does not become a 30 minute discussion and I can read them and laugh at the poor fools!!
YES, there are also some very clever and sharp people that have already posted some thought provoking ideas and comments – I hope I'm on this side when I make a comment - LOL
According to Newsweek’s Biz journalist, Nancy Cook "Forget Black Friday", the actual bargains this year will show up on Cyber Monday. What is that you ask? It is the first work day following Thanksgiving. It seems that people return to work and they are in "shopping mode"; they don’t work, surf all day and look for great shopping deals.
"Consumers spent $733 million on Cyber Monday, and it's expected to be even bigger this year ",is what came out of a survey by online shopping site Shopzilla for the National Retail Federation's and Shop.org.
"Nearly 84 percent of online retailers plan to have a Cyber Monday. That's up from just 72 percent last year" says Shop.org executive director Scott Silverman.
Overall, the National Retail Federation expects consumers to spend an average of $682.74 on holiday-related gear, food, and gifts.
On the other had, Andrew Lipsman, director of industry analysis for ComScore, a research firm, affirms that "People like to get out into a store and Black Friday is [still] a cultural phenomenon." I agree with him, it’s almost part of the Thanksgiving ritual - BUT I think on Cyber Monday we will make the purchases online that we were not able to make in stores.
Amazon.com, Priceline, and eBay proclaim that these businesses have set out to "change the way we shop", (because of the "price comparison, of course.)
I agree with something else Silverman said, "we view the Internet as the place to save money and find the best prices through comparison shopping".
As we get busier with the holidays, end of year deadlines, gatherings, family commitments etc - we forget about how technology canBITE us if we are going too fast, not thinking or forgetting it's there.
Here are a few tips I am keeping in mind as I try to BREATHE and SLOW down.
This obvious but....Please turn off your cell when you are talking to someone - don't answer a call, don't text, don't read a text -You REALLY can't do two things at once - REALLY - and why do you want to?
Ditto for talking on your cell while paying at the supermarket (store, 7eleven, pharmacy, etc) - you are just not that coordinated, even if you think you are, and you hold up the line and we all hate you!
Don't "facebook" during work hours unless it's your job. We all know you log in to read it and catch-up - but contain yourself from commenting that amazing remark - think about it. Your boss or company may be "cool about social media" but it sure gives them a reason to fire you for "not working during work hours" if they want one. Call me paranoid but in these economic times...why give them a reason?
Same goes for commenting on blogs - do it after or before work or weekends = on YOUR time. Your witty comment can wait - do what I do, write it down for later (I'll never remember otherwise) LOL
Be cautious with what you SAY and what you DO in a group setting - you have no idea who may be "twittering" or taking pictures with their cell and sending it to the "cyber world".Creepy but true!
Do I really have to say don't talk on your cell while driving - even if it's "hands free"? - No texting, no reading of texts - I can't believe how many people are on the road still doing this. Wow!
When computers came along at work and we were all trained to send an email - remember those days long ago? LOL I was in my early twenties -- yes we were trained! I will never forget what that instructor told us "Do not send an email that you could not plaster on a billboard with your name on it" - simple, huh? Why are people still sending emails when they are mad or send an email complaining about someone, only to send it to the wrong person? Stop it - it's not worth it - right?
Just chill and enjoy life..get a massage - laugh a little - have some wine - be happy - Cheers!Ok - I feel better now - whew!
You either like social media or you hate it. Another way to say that could be “you either get social media or you don’t”. So if you don’t get it, the safe and easy thing to say is “I don’t have time for Social Media”
No time huh? Ok here is a simple, to the point video of Social Networking(less than 2 min). A good friend, Vicki Brannock told me about it, she is a Social Media expert and instructor – click on her name and please visit her blog - it's full of ways to "Think. Act. & Succeed". She uses this YouTube video as a beginner’s tool in her classes. It’s fantastic!
Cool huh?
Ok, here is a more advanced version of Social Media – it’s a really an excellent presentation of the raw power of Social Media. The presentation is very powerful. Here is the answer to "What The F**K is Social Media?"
I love it! Isn't it awesome!? This was created by Marta Kagan, Managing Director, US, for integrated marketing agency Espresso – her site is full of other great presentations I just discovered her and she is terrific!
I’ll be sending this post to people when I’m asked about social media. I invite you to please forward this post when you need to explain to those that "don't have time for Social Media".
