Google 2009 "Brands" Search Focus Hurts Bloggers

A month ago, Google made a decision to focus on "brands" such that in searches for companies or public figures like former Oakland City Manger Robert Bobb, blogs don't come up but major websites do, which hurts Blogs and bloggers. More on this soon.

Goodbye AMEX Gold Card (For Now) - Zennie62

Goodbye Gold Card my old friend! We've seen good-eats on the high-end.. People tell me AMEX has crashed. People say their credit is smashed. But I'll tell you, that's not going to happen to me; I'll set you free. And use, my cash!

Pres. Obama Address to Congress Tuesday, February 24th - Video

Pres. Obama addresses the nation before a joint session of Congress. In his speech focusing on the economy and the promotion of his economic agenda. This CSPAN video captures the full 53 minutes of the best speech ever.

Obama Plans to End Iraq Combat Missions by August 2010

More at NYTimes.com: “CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. — President Obama declared Friday that the United States has now “begun the work of ending this war” in Iraq as he announced the withdrawal of most American forces by the summer of next year while leaving behind as many as 50,000 troops for more limited missions.”

MYTH BUSTED: No Increase to Business Taxes, even for Joe the Plumber

Why are pro-business Republicans among the critics suggesting Obama's proposal includes a tax hit on people who run the small businesses that those same Republicans always insist drive job growth in the USA? Are they worried about the Joe-the-Plumber scale businesses? If so, it's already been documented that neither Joe nor his boss earned enough to be hit by the new taxes, and so they'd likely see a tax reduction. Don't forget, for these purposes "small business" includes up to 500 employees.

It's a curious thing - but to actually gross the $250,000 that represents the threshold for the tax increase is not common for small business owners. I know - I was one. I created jobs, I had more staff than my predecessor had in the same business, and I paid for health coverage for my full time staff (my part-timers had coverage through other sources) and even though the business moved a lot of cash through my bank, I didn't come close to grossing 6 figures. Many small business owners actually earn less than their best paid employees do, and that's even more true today that it was 10 years ago.

According to the Associated Press, an independent analysis estimated that just over 75% of all U.S. households would qualify for Obama's proposed tax credit for workers.

Did you know that there are over 3 times as many businesses in the USA without any employees as there are with employees? That's right, many professionals in partnerships, sole proprietorships, some S-Corps, and many who "organize" themselves as a for tax reasons as a business earn little or no taxable income from their business. So sure, some of those folks who are very successful and are technically small businesses on paper will end up paying more taxes - if their accountants can't figure out how to structure the cash flow to keep their paycheck under $21,000/month.

But the GOP has been campaigning for years - and often winning - based on accusing the Democrats of being the party of tax and spend. So even though that old familiar attack didn't work during the general election in 2008 their messaging gurus apparently don't have another theme ready. And that means we're going to hear about the mythical "drag on the economic engine of small business job creation" until the GOP finds somebody that makes for better coverage than former Massachusetts Governor Romney, or current Governors such as Palin, Pawlenty, and Jindal.

Buzz it up at Yahoo
or digg this story!

Schwarzenegger Says Reporter Says "Wacky Things"

This is a classic video on Gov. Schwarzenegger 's personality.

Stevie Wonder presented with Gershwin Award by President Obama

This was an amazing ceremony for a man that too was part of my childhood -- Stevie Wonder. His music has expanded in the digital age to shape our culture and yet people like President Obama and myself can say we were there when "Stevie" was born. Wow.

Diddit: A Social Network To-Do List For You

More at TechCrunch.com: “Diddit, a new site launching today to the public, is looking to help you check off all the things you’ve done with your life, and discover new things that you’d like to do. The site allows users to browse through thousands of activities in categories ranging from the bars you’ve visited to “Bizarre Retro Candies” you’ve eaten at one time or another. ”

-- I just joined, but I'm not sure what its value is -- perhaps as another form of networking?

The irony of hope: Obama's not relying on it

To confront the most profound challenges to our financial system the people of the United States have invested their hope in a former lawyer turned community activist, Barack Obama. In his address to the U.S. Congress, watched by much of the nation Tuesday night, Obama offered an insight into what's been happening inside his administration during the first month he's been in office, but it's clear the work began well prior to inauguration day on a wide range of initiatives.

You may argue that the cost of the Iraq war leaves us too far in debt to attain his ambitious goal of halving the national budget deficit in four years, or that the need for money to help homeowners and those losing their jobs is too urgent and will hamper his ability to attain those goals - and that's far from the only challenge the White House faces domestically, let alone on the stage of world affairs.

Still, we must reverse the unacceptable trends in the housing markets and the massive bleeding of the jobs from the workforce in the United States. We cannot simply wait and hope it gets better. Our long range future depends on a realistic assessment of the scope and scale of the problems and addressing not merely the budget deficit, but the deficit that average citizens feel when considering the leadership of our financial institutions and lawmakers that brought us to this critical point.

As the President rolls out the budget today, questions about fiscal policy in particular loom from all sides about more than the numbers. We must move to a system with clearer rules and better oversight to prevent another looting of our savings and investments in ways that benefit only a very few already wealthy individuals while leaving privatized retirement accounts and home values in tatters with echoes of the crisis around the globe.

Fortunately, Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, and their team are neither rookies nor have they been basking in the post-inaugural glow. They've had their sleeves rolled up for months. This administration has brought new vigor and insight to a variety of issues, clearly including the domestic economic crisis. Barack Obama gave an inspirational speech, despite unseemly catcalls from some of the opposition as he described an interlocking, holistic approach that combines controlling costs, retaining/creating job opportunities, and enhancing revenue by targeting three major sectors (energy, education, and health care.)

The man who had hope as a central theme of his campaign is not relying on hope. Obama's laid out a clear foundation for recovery that moves quickly into rebuilding our economy and infrastructure in a way that accounts for our place on the planet, both physically and metaphorically. He's not overlooking the threat from disaffected individuals in Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe, but Obama his team have brought new energy and creativity to ordering our priorities, in a refreshingly open way.

Obama's asking a lot of people. Even mustering the energy to remain hopeful can be hard when challenges are so ubiquitous. Like the best doctor faced with a critical patient, though, Obama's asking more of himself, though, and his staff - they're not content to hope, they're leading by example. The executive branch of the U.S. is working aggressively on all fronts, using transfusions where appropriate to keep critical systems functioning, while focusing on the goal of stabilizing the U.S. and world economy that are intertwined with our other domestic challenges so that we can heal, and back to the American dream. That's a path I can believe in.

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President Obama on the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget And Openess

More at The White House - Press Office: “In keeping with my commitment to make our government more open and transparent, this budget is an honest accounting of where we are and where we intend to go.  For too long, our budget has not told the whole truth about how precious tax dollars are spent.  Large sums have been left off the books, including the true cost of fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.  And that kind of dishonest accounting is not how you run your family budgets at home; it's not how your government should run its budgets, either.  We need to be honest with ourselves about what costs are being racked up -- because that's how we'll come to grips with the hard choices that lie ahead.  And there are some hard choices that lie ahead.”

-- President Obama is making good on his promise to be more open, but in the budgetary case that means more shocking news about what actually costs what. We've not -- in the Bush 2 years or Clinton -- seen a real budget that shows what the government is spending. Be ready for a shock, especially with the Iraq War. But see, that's where the savings come in because then when we see what all of this costs, the reductions will get us to a deficit drop.

Bobby Jindal Enrages Volcano Monitoring People By Mocking Volcano Monitoring People

More at Wonkette: “Bobby Jindal’s speechwriters, they are Gods. Check out this little one-two he pulled on the Democrats. See, he sets it up all good-like by saying that the stimulus package included “$140 million for something called ‘volcano monitoring,’” like wtf is that right, and then KA-CHING: “Instead of monitoring volcanoes, what Congress should be monitoring is the eruption of spending in Washington, D.C.” Get this guy a Washington Post column! He’d fit right in, because everyone already despises him.”

-- That is totally funny by Wonkette!

Apple's Steve Jobs Still Plans to Return After June

More ar SFGate: “Apple Inc. co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs still expects to return from his medical leave at the end of June, according to an Apple director who responded to an investor at the company's annual shareholder meeting Wednesday.

The investor — who was the only one to press for details on Jobs' health — had asked when the board knew Jobs planned to step away from his daily duties. Apple director Arthur Levinson responded that since Jobs announced Jan. 14 that he needed to go on leave, "nothing has changed."”

-- Having just lost a relative to Pancreatic Cancer I wonder how Jobs is being treated? What is the procedure and of course, how much did it cost?

SF Chronicle's Fiscal Problems Due To Bad Management

The San Francisco Chronicle lost $50 million last year and is reportedly going to lose more this year. The reason isn't the Internet, that's a symptom. The reason is bad management and not wokring with New Media people.

For example, why didn't the SF Chron make it's own version of Craiglist? Why didb't it work with Craig Newmark, or at least try to? Why -- in the region that invented blogging -- did the SF Chronicle not work with blogger like myself so we can help extend their brand online?

It's because of a stupid SF Bay Area habit of not paying attention to someone because they're local. How else to explain why the SF Chron is losing money and having a hard time being successful online in an area that basically gave birth to the Internet?

Bad management is to blame. It's true for the Chronicle and for the Oakland Tribune and San Jose Mercury News. They can't fit a square print peg into a round New Media hole as much as they keep trying. I told a famous Chronicle columnist two years ago how to improve their online performance because our blog posts would out rank their articles in searches consistently.

His reaction? Well we know what we're doing.

Like hell you do. That's why your paper's about to go the way of the T-Rex, in fact that's a good comparison. It's not that the SF Chroncle or Tribune can't be saved, but both papers have to stop a number of practices large and small.

And before someone at the SF Chron claims they do better than the online HuffingtonPost.com -- they don't. A simple comparison using Alexa.com will show the HuffingtonPost to be well ahead of SFGate.com in page views, visitors and really all categories of web traffic analysis that are done in looking at value of a site both to advertiser and investors.

The SF Chronicle needs help but the best way to do it is to sack the current mangement and hire me. Seriously. Give me one year to turn it around and establish what should be: the tripod of print, TV, and Online content.

Los Alamitos Mayor Dean Grose Stupid "White House Watermelon" Email

Racism is a mental illness. How else to explain the actions of Los Alamitos mayor Dean Grose, who wrote a racist email to friends with a watermelon patch photo superimposed over one of the White House, the implication being that because the Obama's are Black, they like watermelon and there will not be an Easter Egg Hunt this year.

How stupid is that? Really. Why is it that someone White feels compelled to make racist statements, cartoons, jokes, and reference like this? Look, someone has to ask the question. What's the deal? We just came off the NY Post's racist cartoon issue, and now this?

Los Alamitos mayor Dean Grose should give a public video apology and then step down. This person can't be called a "public official" because they're not serving the public!

Text Of President Obama's Speech To Joint Session Of Congress - State Of The Nation

This is the text of the greatest speech President Barack Obama has ever given.

President Obama's Speech to Joint Session of Congress - February 24 2009 - Transcript

Publish at Scribd or explore others: Business Presentations & Slid louisiana video link

President Obama's Greatest Speech - State Of The Nation

In his best speech ever President Obama sounded the call for the need to stop sending jobs overseas. It was totally missed by pundits, but Obama just sounded the call for economic nationalism when he said that he would bring jobs back to America.

It's about time.

From 1960 to 1999, the USA added 20 million new jobs each decade, but from that point to today, just under 5 million jobs were added. Where did they go? Overseas to other nations in a large process of what economists call import replacing. One example of this is the growth of Airbus Industries in aircraft manufacturing where they got the largest tanker deal in American history -- $35 billion -- and over the Boeing Company costing 25,000 jobs.

Jerry Lewis Award Protest On Oscar Eve - 2009 Academy Awards

"The Trouble With Jerry" Is A group that was formed to protest the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decision to give the humanitarian award to Jerry Lewis because they claim he has exploited the disabled and treated them as second-class people.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA TO SPEAK BEFORE CONGRESS AT 6 PM - 9 PM ET TIME

Just a note to remind all that President Barack Obama will speak before a joint session of Congress at 6 PM; 9 PM eastern time tonight according to the White House website . 

Mitt "PAC man" Romney sends checks to GOP Reps who voted "NO" on stimulus

Wish I was so rich I could afford to play games with America's economy.

Former Governor Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America PAC today sent $1,000 checks to a group of House Republicans for their votes against the $800 billion stimulus bill. Romney's obviously not worrying about making his mortgage or utility payments, let alone balancing state budgets, any more than the GOP millionaires in D.C., who he so desperately wants to be pals with.

Must be nice to be able to throw around the kind of money that shows you're a PAC leader. Of course, we all know he basically financed his own campaign out of what amounts to petty cash even though that amount would stagger any normal family in the U.S.

I'm not suggesting that this merits the sort of scrutiny that it would if there was evidence it was pre-arranged paying for votes, but consider this: Can you imagine how he'd be reacting to the current fiscal and economic situation if we'd elected smiling Mitt to be our President? Rhetoric about tax cuts for the rich providing a stimulus, maybe. While millions lose their jobs and face foreclosure, worrying about paying for meals and losing their health coverage, Romney's paying for deliberate obstructionism, not offering ways to make the bill or the situation better.

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Heath Ledger Won 2009 Oscar Best Supporting Actor Award

Heath Ledger, without a doubt, won the 2009 Best Supporting Actor Award. Rest in Peace Heath.

Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway's Opening Performance at the 2009 Oscars

Sean Penn Wins Best Actor for "Milk" Acceptance Speech

I'm proud of Sean Penn for taking on daring tasks both in film and in life. He's a local man made good and does the SF Bay Area proud.

Here's the text of the speech, courtesy of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:

CATEGORY: Performance by an actor in a leading role
SPEECH BY: Sean Penn
FILM: "Milk"

======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======

Thank you. Thank you. You commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns. I did not expect this, but I, and I want it to be very clear, that I do know how hard I make it to appreciate me often. But I am touched by the appreciation and I hoped for it enough that I did want to scribble down, so I had the names in case you were commie, homo-loving sons-of-guns, and so I want to thank my best friend, Sata Matsuzawa. My circle of long-time support, Mara, Brian, Barry and Bob. The great Cleve Jones. Our wonderful writer, Lance Black. Producers Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks.

And particularly, as all, as actors know, our director either has the patience, talent and restraint to grant us a voice or they don't, and it goes from the beginning of the meeting, through the cutting room. And there is no finer hands to be in than Gus Van Sant. And finally, for those, two last finallies, for those who saw the signs of hatred as our cars drove in tonight, I think that it is a good time for those who voted for the ban against gay marriage to sit and reflect and anticipate their great shame and the shame in their grandchildren's eyes if they continue that way of support.

We've got to have equal rights for everyone. And there are, and there are, these last two things. I'm very, very proud to live in a country that is willing to elect an elegant man president and a country who, for all its toughness, creates courageous artists. And this is in great due respect to all the nominees, but courageous artists, who despite a sensitivity that sometimes has brought enormous challenge, Mickey Rourke rises again and he is my brother. Thank you all very much.

======END TRANSCRIPTION======

BEN STILLER DOES JOAQUIN PHOENIX HILARIOUS LOL

This segment was totally funny. Ben Stiller nailed it in mocking Joaquin Phoenix's appearance on Letterman.

KATE WINSLET WINS FOR THE READER

Lowie v. America and California Family At Oscar Red Carpet

Lowie v. America" is an online show "From the Mind of Craig Low" and I met him on the Red Carpet on Saturday. I also talked to a family who was visiting LA just for the Oscars.

Lowie v. America and California Family At Oscar Red Carpet

Lowie v. America" is an online show "From the Mind of Craig Low" and I met him on the Red Carpet on Saturday. I also talked to a family who was visiting LA just for the Oscars.

The 2009 Vanity Fair Oscars Party Trailer

From VanityFairMagzine on YouTube:

Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter gives you an exclusive tour behind the scenes of the 2009 Vanity Fair Oscar party.

President Asks Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) a Question - He Swoons

Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) has a playful exchange with President Obama and Obama scores the PR points. I think that's why Obama decided to have this form of what could be called "Question Time" as it's done in England.

Slumdog Millionaire Oscar Party February

This is the part held on Sunset Blvd to celebrate the movie "Slumdog Milionaire" and it's eight Academy Awards including Best Pciture.

Slumdog Millionaire Oscar Party February

This is the part held on Sunset Blvd to celebrate the movie "Slumdog Milionaire" and it's eight Academy Awards including Best Pciture.

'Slumdog' Rules Oscars With 8 Prizes

From the AP: The AP's Alicia Quarles and Marcela Isaza discuss the most memorable Oscar moments, including "Slumdog Millionaire" taking the best-picture Academy Award and seven other Oscars.

Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens Red Carpet Oscars 2009 Interview

OSCARS 2009 BEST ACTOR Sean Penn In Pressroom

Sean Penn talks about bringing Harvey Milk to the screen and he future of human rights in America.

Tilda Swinton Is All Smiles Leaving The Oscars

Penelope Cruz Waves Her Oscar In The Air

Penélope Cruz - Performance by an actress in a supporting role speech

CATEGORY: Performance by an actress in a supporting role
SPEECH BY: Penélope Cruz
FILM: "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"

======BEGIN TRANSCRIPTION======

This is not going to be 45 seconds, I can say that right now. Has anybody ever fainted here? Because I might be the first one. Thank you so much to the Academy. I want to share this with my fellow nominees and

with the amazing ensemble of actors that I had the privilege to work with in this movie. Thank you, Woody, for trusting me with this beautiful character. Thank for you having written over all these years some of the

greatest characters for women. And I cannot talk about great female characters without thanking my friend Pedro Almodóvar for having made me part of so many of his adventures. Thank you, Bigas Luna, Fernando

Trueba, for giving me my first movies. Thank you, Harvey Weinstein. I wanted to dedicate this to my parents and to my brother and sister, to my friend Robert Carlo, who is not with us anymore, and to everyone who

has helped me from the beginning and you know who you are and I thank you from my heart.

I grew up in a place called Alcobendas, where this was not a very realistic dream. And I, always on the night of the Academy Awards, I stay up to watch the show and I always felt that this was, this ceremony was a

moment of unity for the world because art, in any form, is and has been and will always be our universal language and we should do everything we can, everything we can, to protect its survival. So I thank you so much

and I have to say something in Spanish, because everyone?

[Speaks in Spanish.]

======END TRANSCRIPTION======

Really? Slumdog Millionaire?

Slumdog Millionaire has won Best Motion Picture but that doesn’t mean it needs to be remembered as the best film of 2008. Forrest Gump won in ’94 and now most seem to prefer Shawshank Redemption. Watch Slumdog again. Question why the movie starts with a cheesy Who Wants To Be A Millionaire question and ends with its equally cheesy answer.

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BREAKING NEWS: Raiders Release Safety Gibirl Wilson

A shocking move today, as the Oakland Raiders cut ties with not only disgruntled receiver Ronald Curry and defensive end Kalimba Edwards, but their former strong safety Gibril Wilson...

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BART holdup victim grabs knife, kills robber

A 23-year-old visitor from the East Coast had just gotten money from an ATM when he told his friend on a cell phone that he had a bad feeling about two men approaching him at the Fruitvale BART Station in Oakland.

read more | digg story

If AP Is Suing Bloggers Who Use It's Hot News? How Does It Explain YouTube?

The AP has a provision for one to use it's videos on their blogs.  We use that here.   But does that mean we're going to have to worry about the Associated Press suing us for using videos they posted and allowed us to use on YouTube?  It seems like they could try, and lose at , doing that.

Pay attention to this AP v. All Headiine News case because a kind of argument like that is being advanced by the same AP as above.  They can't win and All Headline News should file a motion for the judge to toss the case on the grounds that they can't win it.

Stay tuned.

2009 FRANCHISE PLAYERS

From NFLMedia.com
2/20/09

2009 FRANCHISE PLAYERS


Arizona
Karlos Dansby
LB

Atlanta
Michael Koenen
P

Baltimore
Terrell Suggs
LB

Carolina
Julius Peppers
DE

Cincinnati
Shayne Graham
K

Houston
Dunta Robinson
DB

New England
Matt Cassel
QB

New York Giants
Brandon Jacobs
RB

Pittsburgh
Max Starks
T

San Diego
Darren Sproles
RB

St. Louis
Oshiomogho Atogwe
DB

Seattle
Leroy Hill
LB

Tampa Bay
Antonio Bryant
WR

Tennessee
Bo Scaife
TE

Oscar Winners Leaked? - Cinematical Says Maybe Not

More at Cinematical This list of winners is supposedly leaked : “Actor in a leading role: Mickey Rourke
Actor in a supporting role: Heath Ledger
Actress in a leading role: Kate Winslet
Actress in a supporting role: Amy Adams
Animated Feature Film: Wall-E
Art Direction: The Dark Knight
Cinematography: Slumdog Millionaire
Costume Design: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Directing: Slumdog Millionaire
Documentary feature: Man on Wire
Documentary short: The Conscience of Nhem En
Film editing: Milk
Foreign language film: Departures
Makeup: The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
Music (Score): Defiance
Music (Song): Down to Earth (Wall-E)
Best Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
Short film (animated): Presto
Short film (live action): Auf Der Strecke (On The Line)
Sound editing: Wall-E
Sound mixing: The Dark Knight
Visual effects: Iron Man
Writing (Adapted screenplay): The Reader
Writing (Original screenplay): In Bruges”

-- We will see.

Zennie62: Zennie Abraham's Promo Shoot For His New TV Show

This video is of my trip to Denver to meet up with Art Thomas and Steve and Bernard and Meesha to make my tv promotion segment spot. It was a fun time and fun to do. Stay tuned for more info on "The Blog Report with Zennie62". Distributed by Tubemogul.

Zennie62: Zennie Abraham's Promo Shoot For His New TV Show

This video is of my trip to Denver to meet up with Art Thomas and Steve and Bernard and Meesha to make my tv promotion segment spot. It was a fun time and fun to do. Stay tuned for more info on "The Blog Report with Zennie62". Distributed by Tubemogul.

Zennie Abraham's Red Carpet Tour On Oscar Eve

I was able to score a before day of Oscar press pass and made a number of videos. This one of a tour of the red carpet. Distributed by Tubemogul.

On Oscar Eve South Africa Girls Kiss SpiderMan near Red ...

These lovely women came to Hollywood from South Africa and for the Oscars. Along the way, they had fun with Spiderman.

Zennie Abraham's Red Carpet Tour On Oscar Eve

http://entbiz.blogspot.com -- http://www.twitter.com/zennie62 - Follow me on Twitter. I was able to score a before day of Oscar press pass and made a number of videos. This one of a tour of the red carpet.

Back In Oakland After A Trip To The Red Carpet On Oscar Eve!

Yep. I'm back on Saturday night editing video material from my one-day, first time trip to the site of the Academy Awards and to give you an idea of what it's like to be on The Red Carpet.


It was a total blast! For some reason getting used to this BlackBerry after swearing by an iPhone only to be the victim of a massive fraud scheme by AT&T, and that's what it is, I haven't used the phone's camera or video capabilities. It's just that the iPhone syncs really well with the Macintoch in a way that no other phone can match.


Or can it?


Anyway, I needed the trip. I spent most of the weekend with my Mom in Georgia and I love spending time with her. There's something to be said about family and the importance of maintaining your roota and knowing people who know and appreciate you. That's Mom. At 74 I don't know how much time I've got with her, so I'm going to take as much as I reasonably can.


The reason for the trip was that I was having a hard time dealing with death. My friend Mike McGuire was toppled by a massive heart attack that I think was trigger not just by his weight and diet, but his depression. The second was Ralph Grant, my step-brother-and-law, and both funerals were just seven days apart.


Seven days.


So I had some soul searching to do. And the week in a way gave me time to do it. I had a good time just working from Mom's home - and it's good to get away from Oakland because the city has a negative vibe that it can't seem to shake, although the Fox Theater Opening did a good job of changing that state of affairs. It's not enough.


So the last week featured Mom, then my ColoursTV promo shoot, and the one-day Oscar work, which I just returned from.


And my batteries are, I would say, 80 percent recharged.

Off To LA For The Academy Awards Today - Zennie

Yep. As my Twitter update reported, I'm off to Los Angeles for the Academy Awards -- well, for a visit to the grounds to make videos one day before the event. Excited? Yes! But I've got to get to the shower and get to the airport, and it's snowing on top of all that!

Catch the Academy Awards coverage over at our Hollywood Blog!

John Russo's 50th Birthday - Russo Rules Out Mayoral Run

http://oaklandfocus.blogspot.com - At his 50th birthday party hosted by Phil Tagami, Oakland City Attorney John Russo officially says he is not running for Mayor of Oakland because of his familly obligations.