VIDEO: 2010 Emmy Nominations for "Outstanding Commercial"

Today, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences announced the nominees for the 62ndst Primetime Emmy Awards. The winners will be announced on Sunday, August 29, 2010 with Jimmy Fallon hosting. The show will air on NBC from Los Angeles' Nokia Theater.

I'm so happy with Modern Family's nominations!:
- Outstanding Comedy Series
- Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Comedy Series
    - Jesse Tyler Ferguson as Mitchell
    - Eric Stonestreet as Cameron Tucker
    - Ty Burrell as Phil Dunphy
- Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Comedy Series
    - Julie Bowen as Claire Dunphy
    - Sofia Vergara as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett
- Outstanding Guest Actor In A Comedy Series
    - Fred Willard as Frank Dunphy
- Outstanding Art Direction For A Single-Camera Series
- Outstanding Casting For A Comedy Series
- Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series
    - Modern Family - Pilot
- Outstanding Picture Editing For A Comedy Series (Single Or Multi-Camera)
    - Modern Family - Pilot
    - Modern Family - Family Portrait
- Outstanding Sound Mixing For A Comedy Or Drama Series (Half-Hour) And Animation
- Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series

Anyways, per tradition, below are this year's nominees for "Outstanding Commercial", but first, here's last year's winner:

Heist - Coca-Cola
Wieden + Kennedy, Ad Company
Psyop, Production Company

And now for this year's nominees...

...for Outstanding Commercial

Coke Finals - Coca-Cola
Wieden+Kennedy, Ad Agency

(sorry for the scrolling banner, this was the only vid of it I found on YouTube)

This commercial follows their pattern of Coke someone sleeping and tiny things opening a bottle of Coke. My thought is that the history miniatures could've also just hit the alarm. Meh.

Green Police - Audi
Hungry Man, Production Company
Venables Bell & Partners, Ad Agency


Entertaining the first time I saw it a few months ago, I think that I'm a bit worn of it now. Meh

Human Chain - Nike
Wieden+Kennedy, Ad Agency
Smuggler, Production Company


Loved it the first time I saw it, love it now. Great effects and inspirational.

The Man Your Man Could Smell Like - Old Spice Body Wash
Wieden+Kennedy, Ad Company
MJZ, Production Agency


Ha ha ha! Quick narrative, smooth transitions, ADD-friendly. I like this one too.

Game - Mars Snack Food US/Snickers
BBDO New York, Ad Company
MJZ, Production Company


OMG, never under-estimate the power of Betty White!

Anthem - Absolut
MJZ, Production Company


This commercial was well done, I suppose, but something's lacking... inspiration from a hard alcohol?

Anyways, my vote would go to Nike's "Human Chain" or Snickers' "Game".

Which one would you choose?
(Leave a comment. *wink wink*)

[For a complete list of nominees, let me refer you to the [generic] Emmy nominations page]

NEWS: Heinz's New Ketchup Packet

I saw this on Digg and was immediately excited! -- The H.J. Heinz Company's design for a new ketchup packet. Pretty cool. Well, it's like a typical dipping sauce container except with the option to squeeze. I still like it. This is the kind of stuff I should be thinking about.

Copyright Business Wire
[Link to news article]
[Link to more pictures]

DISNEY: "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" and the FL-Resident "Dream Pass"

Also, Walt Disney World's offering Florida-Residents a 4-Day "Dream Pass".

Now through May 25, 2010, in-state residents can get four days’ admission to any of the four Walt Disney World Resort theme parks for $99. Not only does that spell incredible savings but it’s a time when the parks are less crowded and there are more ways than ever to enjoy the magic.

Details:
* 4 Day Dream Pass
* Admission to any of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks any 4 days (excluding blockout period); 1 park per day.
* $99 for adults (ages 10+) plus tax, $84 plus tax for ages 3-9
* Offer period: Jan. 3, 2010-May 25, 2010
* Purchase by: May 21, 2010
* Blockout dates: March 27-April 9, 2010
* Proof of Florida residency required; pass is nontransferable and excludes activities/events separately priced.
* To purchase or for more information: disneyworld.com/99.


JOURNAL: The GreenBox (Pizza Box)

This is really cool. I want to design stuff like this!

'Green Box' Product Promo (Pizza Box) from Green Box on Vimeo.

[eop]

DISNEY: AllEars.Net Article #4 "Annual Passholder Preview of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure"

My fourth article for the AllEars.Net website went live this morning! I had written a trip report of last weekend's WDW Passholder Preview for the upcoming Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure movie. Here's a link:

AllEars.Net "Annual Passholder Preview of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure"

I really appreciate about the opportunity to contribute to a website that I not only love but respect. And next up for me, I'll be covering the D23 Sip & Stroll event taking place on October 18th at Epcot.

Woo! :)

[eop]

GAY: "Ben & Jerry's goes Hubby Hubby for Vermont weddings"

As of midnight this morning, same-sex couples are able to get married in Vermont! And to commemorate the occasion, the Vermont-based Ben & Jerry's has renamed their "Chubby Hubby" ice cream to "Hubby Hubby"!

     Official Press Release from Ben & Jerry's

     Ben & Jerry's Hubby Hubby flavor page

(and from SFGate.com)
Ben & Jerry's goes Hubby Hubby for Vermont weddings

"While activists are still hard at work on repealing Prop 8 and marriage equality, wedding bells clanged for same-sex unions for the first time in Vermont today.

Vermont, home to maple syrup and birthplace of that other magic elixir, Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream, ignored the "who will change his name" debate, and just went ahead and did it. The artist (ice cream so good it's art) formerly known as the flavor "Chubby Hubby" has a new married name: "Hubby Hubby," in support of all the newly married couples.

..."

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/scavenger/detail?entry_id=46663#ixzz0PuQzMNLa

Yay!

[eop]

DISNEY: I'm published on AllEars!

Woo!

AllEars.net, one of my favorite Disney fan sites, just published another one of my guest blog submissions.

Here's a link!: WDW Passholder Fireworks Events

To give some background, I met some of the AllEars crew at a meet-up at DHS a month ago (I still need to write up that trip report), and they were all fantastic and encouraging. I learned that amazingly, only a couple of them actually lived in the area -- many of them were from out of state and would just make several trips down each year.

It was a great feeling to be around fellow Disney enthusiasts and to talk shop -- new events and attractions, favorites parks and restaurants -- without anyone giving me blank looks or rolling their eyes when I start using Disney acronyms.

Anyways, I did mention that AllEars published "another one" of my submissions. The WDW Passholders Fireworks Events post was my second article. My first was a write-up of the D23 Flowers & Fireworks Celebration that was held the day after the AllEars meetup.

Here's the link!: D23 Flower & Fireworks Celebration at Epcot

As you could imagine, I was incredibly giddy at the opportunity to contribute, but I knew that it was going to be a little bit of an adjustment -- I knew that I couldn't write articles like I do for this haphazard Soneevda blog.
...
For AllEars, I wanted my articles to be more professional than what I typically write, because of the wider audience they have.

There were other considerations, such as being more conscious of telling a story, and making it less "me-oriented" while maintaining some of my endearing personal flairs. Wanting to inter-mix photos and text, I had to be more conscious of taking a more comprehensive set of photos to support the story.

Speaking of which, I'm a newbie when it comes to applying copyright labels on photos -- notice how ginormous the labels were in the D23 article vs. the PH Fireworks article.

D23:

PH Fireworks:


Because I can't readily make changes to articles after they're published, I've learned that I've had to do more drafts and fact-checking beforehand, which is good practice. It's a lot more work and effort, but I definitely get a greater sense of accomplishment out of it.

Working with the people at AllEars has been a really good learning experience, and I look forward to having the opportunity to do some more write-ups for them. I'm still figuring how my many interests fit into my many obligations, but this is something I find is worth the work and effort.

And you know that the next time they publish something of mine, you'll see a link to it here.

:)

DISNEY: Newly-Refurbished McDonald's

On Friday, June 19th, 2009, I headed over to Disney's Animal Kingdom to do the park with my favorite Disney blogger. I left the house early -- early enough to make a quick stop by the newly-refurbished McDonald's on West Buena Vista Drive.

The outside of the building used to feature a brightly-colored cast of old-school Happy Meal food-puppet characters:

[a couple more, closer-up photos can be found HERE]
Now, the exterior is a simpler, more contemporary framework features people playing sports/being active -- football, swimming, soccer, etc. This is probably to promote the image of a healthier lifestyle.

Although I've passed this McDonalds many times on my way to/from DAK, I've only stopped by it once before, so I don't remember what the interior looked like. What I can say is that I really like what I saw inside this time -- very modern, fresh and clean.

The active-lifestyle motif was carried inside with more images, around and above, of people sailing, surfing, rock-climbing, etc. And to balance all this energy, bamboo prints were used both along the back wall and as the design for the windows (see seating pic further below).

It also looked like bamboo was used for the various structures in the dining area; the design of the pieces reminded me of my brother's architecture lab in college.

The hanging light elements were also very modern, as were the selection of seating options.

(which also had kids in mind)
I loved the variety.

Their color scheme was very primary with a muted eco-conscious sheen, which went well with the wood and metal structures. It was like Ikea except without any of the tackiness.

Even the furniture outside, with the cushioned wicker chairs and solid short tables, corresponded with the pieces inside.

I guess I should mention something about the actual food service area.

The beverage and accessories station was an island between the dining area and the counter. This left the area where customers place their order to be open and clear. And I think that all of the changes to the look and feel of the shop has also carried over onto their employees because my cashier was absolutely charming.

Anyways, I'm glad to see McDonald's adapting to the times, and I feel that the refurbishment was a success and a breath of fresh air.

2008 Golden Globe Awards Nominations -- Best Original Score

Okay, post #3 of the 2008 Golden Globe Awards Nominations. We've looked at the Best Motion Picture nods in post #2, and the Best Original Song in post #1. Now, let's check out the nominees for Best Original Score.

***Please Leave a Comment of which one is your favorite :) ***

You can find a full list of nominees at the HFPA Website, or you can just click Here to get to the list directly.

** BEST ORIGINAL SCORE **

The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button by Alexandre Desplat
Track 14: "Sunrise On Lake Pontchartrain"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhDqPwLsc6I
(link opens in a new window)

This YouTube link was the only thing I could find for Benjamin Button, and it didn't even allow embed. Still, I do have to say that I really like this one. It transports me to another place and gives me calm. This is definitely worth the click.

Changeling by Clint Eastwood
Track 16: "End Title"

Seems like Clint just keeps on surprising me. This tune (the OST's most popular to iTunes) is simple and effective. It reminds me of those Hallmark Hall of Fame movies. Now, I kinda want to go see the movie.

Defiance by James Newton Howard

Again, this is the only media I found of this one. The volume's kinda low, but that's also the nature of the track. I don't really love this one and have to say that this is the weakest one of the bunch.

Slumdog Millionaire by A. R. Rahman
Track 5: "O...Saya"

Track 11: "Ringa Ringa"

Alright, I posted two from Slumdog just because it was the only one I found all the tracks for on imeem. They're high energy with lots of culture/flavor, and I wanted to give you a couple tastes. Both are quite refreshing. I'm thinking that it's either this or Benjamin.

Frost/Nixon by Hans Zimmer
Track 13: "Nixon Defeated"

This nominee is no slack. Zimmer delivers again, and I can totally picture the place and time. But I'm always one for something different. Perhaps I just need to watch the movie for immersion and context. Good job though.

2008 Golden Globe Awards Nominations -- Best Motion Picture, Drama & Comedy/Musical

Alright, here's post #2 of the 2008 Golden Globe Awards Nominations. In post #1 we heard the nominees for Best Original Song. Here we take a look at the nominees for Best Motion Picture, both for Drama and for Comedy/Musical. As of today, I've only seen 1 of the 10. We'll see what the count is by Sunday, January 11, 2009.

***Please Leave a Comment of which ones are your favorites :) ***

You can find a full list of nominees at the HFPA Website, or you can just click Here to get to the list directly.

** BEST MOTION PICTURE, DRAMA **



The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button
Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures; Warner Bros. Pictures and Paramount Pictures


Frost/Nixon
Imagine Entertainment, Working Title, Studio Canal; Universal Pictures


The Reader
Mirage Enterprises; The Weinstein Company


Revolutionary Road
An Evamere Entertainment BBC Films Neal Street Production; DreamWorks Pictures in Association with BBC Films and Paramount Vantage


Slumdog Millionaire
Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.; Fox Searchlight Pictures and Warner Bros.



** BEST MOTION PICTURE, COMEDY/MUSICAL**



Burn After Reading
Working Title/Releasing Company; Focus Features in association with Studio Canal


Happy-Go-Lucky
Summit Entertainment, Film4, Ingenious Film Partners, Miramax Films; Miramax Films


In Bruges
Blueprint Pictures; Focus Features


Mamma Mia!
Relativity Media, Playtone, Littlestar; Universal Pictures


Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Mediapro; The Weinstein Company

2008 Golden Globe Awards Nominations -- Best Original Song

The 2008 Golden Globe Awards Nominations were announce this morning. I was going to do this whole big post with videos and posters and... dah dah dah, but even I am knowing enough now that that'd be too much... for one night.

So here's the first of an undetermined number of posts about the nominations.

***Please Leave a Comment of which one's your favorite :) ***

You can find a full list of nominees at the HFPA Website, or you can just click Here to get to the list directly.

** BEST ORIGINAL SONG **

“Down To Earth” from Wall-E
Music by: Peter Gabriel, Thomas Newman
Lyrics by: Peter Gabriel


“Gran Torino” from Gran Torino
Music by: Clint Eastwood, Jamie Cullum, Kyle Eastwood, Michael Stevens
Lyrics by: Jamie Cullum


“I Thought I Lost You” from Bolt
Music & Lyrics by: Miley Cyrus, Jeffrey Steele


“Once In A Lifetime” from Cadillac Records
Music & Lyrics by: Beyoncé Knowles, Amanda Ghost, Scott McFarnon, Ian Dench, James Dring, Jody Street


“The Wrestler” from The Wrestler
Music & Lyrics by: Bruce Springsteen

NEWS: Florida Gay Adoption Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

Florida Gay Adoption Ban Ruled Unconstitutional

CURT ANDERSON | November 25, 2008 05:33 PM EST

MIAMI — A judge on Tuesday ruled that a strict Florida law that blocks gay people from adopting children is unconstitutional, declaring there was no legal or scientific reason for sexual orientation alone to prohibit anyone from adopting.

Miami-Dade Circuit Judge Cindy Lederman said the 31-year-old law violates equal protection rights for the children and their prospective gay parents, rejecting the state's arguments that there is "a supposed dark cloud hovering over homes of homosexuals and their children."

She noted that gay people are allowed to be foster parents in Florida. "There is no rational basis to prohibit gay parents from adopting," she wrote in a 53-page ruling.

Florida is the only state with an outright ban on gay adoption. Arkansas voters last month approved a measure similar to a law in Utah that bans any unmarried straight or gay couples from adopting or fostering children. Mississippi bans gay couples, but not single gays, from adopting.

...

(LINK to the rest of the story)

-----
UPDATED: LINK to story on CNN.com

VIDEO: Keith Olbermann "Gay marriage is a question of love"

I know that I'm late in disseminating this video but I still find it of much benefit. As an amateur speaker, my words may not travel very far or with much strength, but that doesn't mean I can't spread the words of those who speak tall.

"Olbermann: Gay marriage is a question of love"
Everyone deserves the same chance at permanence and happiness
MSNBC's Keith Olbermann Defends Love:
(link to the transcript)

Previous posts as evidence, I've been a little dizzy since the election. I'm still trying to find my bearings with this issue and other revelations, and I'm afraid of some of the truths and fears that are falling from the recesses of my subconscious. One such thought surfaced when Keith Olbermann mentioned a certain length many gays have gone through under the pressure of a non-understanding society:

"And uncountable in our history are the number of men and women, forced by society into marrying the opposite sex, in sham marriages, or marriages of convenience, or just marriages of not knowing, centuries of men and women who have lived their lives in shame and unhappiness, and who have, through a lie to themselves or others, broken countless other lives, of spouses and children, all because we said a man couldn't marry another man, or a woman couldn't marry another woman. The sanctity of marriage."

I think of the generations of gays and lesbians before me who had such great pressures and incentives to stay in the closet, and of what a difficult time some of them must've had adjusting to a culture that has since become more accepting. I grew up without these pressures and with a good sense of the freedom of being able to be who I am without shame.

Every day I feel so fortunate to have the love and unwavering support of my family and friends -- in my coming out, my "re-adjustment with society", and my todays. It's just that, unlike the APA's clearing of a hurdle in 1975, in concluding that my sexual preference is not a mental disorder, the hurdle for marriage equality still exists, and it doesn't appear that there is a single organization or entity that can decisively clear and rule this issue.

As I listened to Mr. Olbermann, I realized that with gay marriage, like the lifting of laws that banned interracial marriage, it is just a matter of time. But the thought that gave me a moment's paralysis was a simple question:

Will I ever be able to really love someone?

And by that, I mean "what am I waiting for?"

Am I using the fact that I can't get legally married as an excuse for not pursuing any sort of romantic relationship, and how will this affect me when it comes the time when I can legally get married?

Will I be ready?

I may not find the man of my dreams, and just may be the type that wasn't destined to get gay-married, but I still believe in the worth of having that chance to have a relationship recognized and that hope for lasting happiness. I'm a cynic, but I'm a cynic with a soft spot.

And for that, I plan to be in Orlando in front of City Hall this Saturday afternoon, for a peaceful gathering, part of a nation-wise JoinTheImpact campaign protesting the passing of Florida's Amendment 2, California's Proposition 8, and Arizona's Proposition 102. I feel that NOW is a critical time for our nation, in its rebuilding, and that this is an opportunity for me to join others in taking on the injustice that stares our country in its face. This is something I CAN DO.

Thank you, Mr. Olbermann for what You do.

JOURNAL: Yes We Can

JOURNAL: I'm officially a 2nd-class citizen.

The news just called the results of Florida's Amendment 2 (the marriage amendment). It needed 60% to pass, and it got 62%. There were many co-workers that I expected to have voted for the ban but there was one person at the office that I was really surprised to find on that side of the issue.

It wasn't because he's gay (he's not) or an Obama-supporter (he is), it was because he knew me. He knew what type of person I am. I don't necessarily mean 'gay', but when he told me that he was voting for the amendment, I quickly became passionate enough about trying to change his mind that he should now have no doubt that the adjective applies to me.

In my attempts, I felt like Bambi pleading to a hunter who had him cornered. And to hear that he was going to vote 'yes' because of church influences -- it just reinforced my apprehension to the cloud of religion (but that's a personal belief). I did realize that I really don't know which way he ended up voting, and in the end, I suppose it didn't matter.

Everyone is entitled to their vote - their own choice - but tonight I feel like a choice has been taken away from me. I'm not remotely close to getting married but to know that people would want to deny me this chance... it's difficult not to take it personally when you're the target of discrimination and the trigger of hate was pulled.

VIDEO: Ann Curry Stand-Up

Yes,... that Ann Curry

I like her mo' than Cho.

FUNNY: Nature Cover Nurtured

[from Gawker.com via ATO via AnimalNY]

"Above is the front and back cover of Nature mag's September 25th issue and one can't help but notice the striking resemblance between the two. The back cover ad is for bio-chemicals seller Sigma Aldrich and the cover story takes a look at how the presidential elections will affect science—we're basically screwed in dog years if the Republicans win. Was the magazine being clever or is it just pure coincidence?"

Here's some of the comments from Gawker:

"One dog looks hopeful. The other looks confused."

"That yellow dog totally wants to eat your sandwich and piss on the rug."

"Only one of these four dogs has a bitch for a running mate. Care to guess which one?"

"This has been a terribly wrong political season, because maybe I should find some kind of offense in this cover and back cover, but I think it is adorable."

"But is Nature neutered?"

"Here ya go!"

Awww...

NEWS: McCain endorsement claims on his website mislead!

"Over 50 Newspapers from the Early Primary States have Endorsed John McCain For President*"
(* - and by 'President' we mean 'Republican nominee')
According to John McCain website, the Baltimore Sun Newspaper endorses McCain. It citesan article, "Sun Endorsement: Betting On Change, Reform", that if you try to click their link produces a "The page cannot be found" message (note: the link is to a supposed copy of the article they have on their website).

This just felt weird... fundamentally. So I checked Wikipedia, and they had the Baltimore Sun under Obama's column.

But I wanted to be even more sure that I was truly informed, so I searched for the article's text. It's too far back (February 10, 2008)for me to retrieve from the Baltimore Online Archives, so I did a simple google search of the article's title and found the text on an "Obama Endorsements" blog.

The article is from the primaries, and it chooses McCain for the Republican nomination. But the endorsement is very lukewarm -- one could also say skeptical:

"He has stood his ground on tough issues such as immigration reform, campaign finance and torture, and we praised him for it. He is principled and has been willing to compromise. But his recent overtures to his party's conservative wing could undercut his appeal to independents.

Mr. McCain's passionate support of the Iraq war deeply concerns us. Despite the war's $10 billion monthly drain on the Treasury -- money urgently needed for domestic priorities -- he says he is willing to keep American troops in Iraq indefinitely."

Their support of McCain is more "if we had to choose a Republican", while the article praises both Hilary Clinton and Barack Obama as having "the intellect and the skills to deliver". And of the two candidates, The Sun "strongly endorses Mr. Obama as the Democratic nominee for president".

The articles goes on to call him "a powerfully inspirational speaker, engaging listeners with energy and warmth as he describes his goals. That's the essence of leadership."

And the praise continues for many paragraphs:

"When Mr. Obama promises change, surprising numbers find the pledge credible. Despite his few years in the Senate, Mr. Obama exudes confidence and assesses the nation's problems with a fresh eye.

Mr. Obama is a powerfully inspirational speaker, engaging listeners with energy and warmth as he describes his goals. That's the essence of leadership. His conversations feel more heartfelt than calculating, which reminds us of President John F. Kennedy.

Mr. Obama is more likely to turn the page to a new era and deliver real change that is urgently needed to deal with the nation's economic, social and political problems."

I believe that the use of this article as an endorsement of McCain (over Obama) is ridiculously misleading, and that McCain's website, like his policies, are old and in need of reform change an update.

VIDEO: "Biden & Palin on Cheney's Worst Act

As part of Katie Couric's interview series with both VP candidates, Palin and Joe Biden were asked to name the best and worst things that Cheney has done over the last eight years. The responses stood in stark contrast, to say the least.

Biden offered a withering critique of Cheney, charging that he had "done more harm than any other single elected official in my memory in terms of shredding the Constitution," citing the vice president's promotion of "torture as a policy" and the idea of the unitary executive.

Sarah Palin claimed that Dick Cheney's worst act as vice president was his "duck hunting accident." (In fact, Cheney accidentally shot his friend Harry Whittington during a quail hunting trip.)

(source)

NEWS: McCain's Sexist Treatment of Palin

I know that I should probably shy away from posting political stuff here, but with McCain "suspending his campaign" and threatening to not participate in the scheduled presidential debate on Friday, then suggesting that instead they debate next week in place of the vice-presidential nominees... it's a big pile of poo... another in a long string of political tantrums he's thrown since people started catching on that Palin was probably not the best choice he could've made.

Anyways, here's a video commentary from Campbell Brown, a prominent female news anchor. In it, she chastised the McCain campaign "for engaging in sexism and insulting behavior in its attempt to shield Gov. Sarah Palin from members of the press."

Free Katie Holmes Sarah Palin!