My 1st Movie

I recently went to a presentation that included a nifty little movie using text-to-movie technology. The movie was so amusing I found it on the web shared it with my Facebook buddies.  Another friend, also uploaded a movie, but it was one she created. Intrigued, I went to the company’s website to investigate.  Xtranormal provides the technology to turn a script into a movie. Pick a set. Cast the actors, in this case animated avatars. Type in your script, add the camera shot list, and music and presto change, you’ve got yourself a movie.

It sounded simple, so I decided to make a movie.  The movie centers on a girl telling a friend about NJ Libraries’ Technology Catch-up Centers. NJ Libraries are trying to win a $250k grant from Pepsi Refresh to create Technology Catch-up Centers at libraries throughout the state. The grant provides money for not only the hardware, but training, and downloadable books. Each center’s kit will contain an Ipad, nook, kindle, and flip ultra camcorder. The centers will open up a world of possibilities for all patrons and further NJLA’s goal of libraries being community centers where library patrons become lifelong learners.

Learning how to use xtranormal’s features is pretty easy. The choices are limited, which for a beginner like me is a good thing. While creating a movie, you can make as many changes as you want. Of course this meant, I tried out almost every set, avatar, camera angle & expression that xtranormal offered. On a freezing cold weekend, it was a fun way to stay entertained, inside. I hope you like it. If you’ve got an idea for a movie, now it’s as easy as pie to become a movie producer. Go for it, I look forward to seeing what you create.

Which is better $1 million dollars or 1 penny doubling for 30 days?

Which would you rather have $1 million dollars today OR 1 penny that doubles everyday for 30 days? It’s a classic case of instant gratification vs delayed gratification. Gratification is the pleasurable reaction to fulfilling a goal or desire; or in a word, happiness.

Many people would take the million dollars thrilled with the rush from immediate gratification. The wheels instantly start turning on how to spend the million. With the excitement level rising, many people won’t even stop to think what a penny doubling every day would be worth. Other people would start to do the math in their head. If they got to day 10, the penny option would be worth… a whole $5.12! Even on day 20 the penny option is only worth $5242. Well forget that, it must be better to take the mil. This is the instant gratification world we’ve been living in (just look at Congress) we can’t even take the time to do the math for the whole 30 days.

But boy if you did, the answer of which to take is much different. The magic of compounding gets really impressive at day 27. Suddenly the penny compounding is fast approaching the million dollars, $671,088. On day 28 the penny has compounded it way past $1million dollars. By delaying gratification until the day 30 payday, the penny has grown to $5,368,709.12.  Surprise, by waiting the little penny has grown far beyond the million dollars. Now that’s happiness. Now that’s happiness. 

Double a Penny everyday - Last 7 days

NJ Libraries Vying for Pepsi Refresh Grant

NJ Libraries are trying to win a $250k grant from Pepsi Refresh to create Technology Catch-up Centers at libraries throughout the state. Pepsi accepts 1000 proposals every month from groups that have ideas that can create a positive impact on their society. The public then votes and the top 2 vote getting ideas will receive $250k grants.

The New Jersey Library Association (NJLA) and the NJ State Library have joined together in this proposal to bring the latest technologies to New Jersey Libraries. The “catch-up” centers will contain e-readers and a flip-camcorder which will allow patrons access new technologies. These centers will help parents “catch-up” with their digital native children. They will help the unemployed or under-employed to “catch-up” with their full-time employed counterparts.

The grant provides money for not only the hardware, but training, and downloadable books. Each center’s kit will contain an Ipad, nook, kindle, and flip ultra camcorder. The centers will open up a world of possibilities for all patrons and further NJLA’s goal of libraries being community centers where library patrons become lifelong learners.

I would love to use a Technology Catch-up Center in my library. Please vote EVERY day from now through January 31, 2011.

New Year, New Post

Yes, I've finally gotten around to updating this blog. It's been a tumultuousness few months. I went to Tina Sloan's NY premiere of "Changing Shoes", a wonderful show. If she's in your area, do go and see her one woman show. Tina kind enough to come to the Roxbury Library for a book signing. Thank you Tina!


My dad moved in with me. While preparing for the move, I had an accident which ended with me a little bloody and with both arms in slings. Luckily only the left elbow was broken, but I was fairly useless for most of the move. While dad is moved in, my car is still unhappily waiting to move back into my garage. 

The move necessitated a re-evaluation of my belongings. There have been endless trips to charity drops and the dumpster. God bless the Telenext dumpsters. There is something therapeutic about throwing junk in a dumpster, even more than the endorphin rush of donating to charity.  But let's face it we all have stuff that is worth money. Maybe not a lot, but something. Now I loved the video shop in Mendham that had an E-bay store on the side. I could just drop off my stuff, he'd sell it & I'd get a check or if it didn't sell, he'd give it to charity. Either way once it was at the shop, it was out of my life. Unfortunately not only has Netflix taken out Blockbuster, they forced my video store to close as well. So the search began for a new venue to sell my more valuable belongings. The whole Craigslist/E-bay world is confusing to me. The concept of having to pack & mail items gives me a headache and has me shying away E-bay. Craigslist proved challenging but I did sell the biggest pieces of furniture, so I consider it a success. I've still got a number of items I need to relocate from my home/storage. So, if you know of anyone looking to by dishes, I've got two sets of china and one everyday set I'm looking to sell. 

One of the fine china sets I'm looking to sell

Changing Shoes

Today is the official release of Tina Sloan’s new book “Changing Shoes”. Lucky for me my copy arrived yesterday. Curled up in bed I began reading Tina’s journey of growing older in the spotlight of celebrity.  I barely started chapter 2 and already I’ve been inspired to get out of bed and moisturize my face. Ok, I know that sounds nuts. I have been really lax lately in my personal grooming. Yeah, yeah, yeah, I’ve had a crappy stressful year – but that’s not a good enough excuse to wallow in self pity, ignoring my personal appearance and living inside myself. It’s time that I pull myself out of my funk and re-engage life. My short term goal is to look glamorous for Tina’s one woman show on Monday. Alright, that might be a tall stretch since I’ve probably only been glamorous about twice in my life. I’m going to have to work up to that and 4 days just isn’t going to be enough time – instead my aim for Monday will be to look pretty.

Now for the To Do List:

            Hair – color & deep condition

            Manicure – I’ve got zero talent for doing my own nails, so off to the salon I go.

            Skin – Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize! It really stinks to have gone through 40 years with one kind of skin & hair and suddenly have completely different textures. What do I know of dry skin & hair? I’ve always had to worry about too much oil, detangling rinses and adult acne. Now I’m trying to figure out face creams and what to do about straw hair. Oh, and I still have adult acne. Who says God doesn’t have a sense of humor?

Clothes – What fits and what looks good rarely are the same thing for me lately. I see myself burrowing into my closet in a quest to find something appropriate. I also see a large pile of clothes that will be donated to charity come Monday morning.

            Shoes – The easy part is there won’t be any heals, sorry Tina. I’d like to enjoy the evening, not worry about my ankle collapsing.  I did get a cute pair of silver sandals; maybe I can make an outfit around them.

            Inspiration – Finish Tina’s “Changing Shoes”

I’d love to lose a 5 to 10 pound before the party, but since that’s not realistic; everyone will just have to take me as I am.

Writing Skills

I have not done any consistent writing since college. In today’s world it is becoming more imperative that I hone my writing skills. Social Media such as, Facebook, Twitter and blogs are becoming critical venues for any marketing plan.  The ability to communicate in a concise, informative and engaging way will be determining factors in how well a marketing plan succeeds.

So the question is – can I write for the new media world we now live in?  I have been working on a number of events for the Friends of the Roxbury Library. I will be tweeting and blogging about these events in the next few months. How well I succeed has yet to be seen.

Recycle Books at the Roxbury Library

Hooray - today has arrived. In my quest to de-clutter my home and life I have been tossing, selling and giving away un-needed items from around my house the past few months. I even took a pass at my book collection, amassing 5+ bags of books to be donated. And there they've sat in bags & boxes cluttering up a corner of my guest room rather than gathering dust on my shelves. 


Professional organizers recommend removing boxed items ASAP, so why have these books been around for months? Well, the Roxbury Twp Friends of the Library (where I serve as VP) only has book sales twice a year. This year do to the Jewish Holiday schedule are well known book sale has been pushed back from the usual 1st weekend after Labor Day to the end of September. Consequently we didn't open the doors for collection until today.


So today, the car gets packed and my books will be looking for a new home. Stop by the Roxbury Library Sept 23-26 and take home a few of my books.