I have a few things bubbling on my mind.
I was quite moved by this article about bloggers in the Middle East. If there were a risk that I might go to jail for my blogging, would I still do it? This is a hard question, but I’d like to think I would. The stories of these bloggers are inspirational.
Mathowie pointed out a book called Beyond Bullet Points: Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Create Presentations That Inform, Motivate, and Inspire, which sounds like a really great book. I would like to polish my presentation skills.
I am enjoying listening to the banter of the Daring Fireball Macworld podcast. I’ve enjoyed reading Daring Fireball for some time. The podcast reminds me that John Gruber is just a guy like you and me. Though also brilliant thinking about Mac software.
I love Scott McCloud, and I’m so happy that he’s become enough of a cultural figure that kids do reports about him. Scott wrote Understanding Comics, Reinventing Comics, and Making Comics. Those are wonderful books, particularly Understanding and Making — they’re essential if you like / read / or are interested in comics.
Also, I added some code to this page to make those links to those books on Amazon a little bit glitzier.
Do you use YouTube? Me too. Here’s a story about someone whose video got more than a million hits: My Wild Million-Hit Ride on YouTube.
FTrain is writing again, with a vengeance. I love his work. Read The Problem of Nomads, for example.
Weather-wise, it’s been COLD here lately. Into the thirties at night. As far as I can tell it’s typically been warmer in Virginia where my folks live than here. That’s backwards, dude.
I have a few other things to post today. Stay tuned, and have a great day!
two comments...
Have you seen McCloud speak in person? I got to see him last year at Comic-Con — he, his wife, and two daughters all presented. It’s the second or third time I’ve seen him there; I always walk away very impressed with his level of thought and his ability to express ideas in a way that seems to connect with other people.
I’ve read Understanding, and I own at least one of the others but haven’t had time for it yet. One of these days. Thanks for the reminder…
I have heard him speak Geoff — at least twice in the last 10 or so years. Both times at Comic-Con — once for the publication of Understanding Comics, and the other for the publication of Reinventing Comics. If I remember right he was on a panel with Will Eisner, who is likewise articulate about graphical storytelling.