Author Archives: jaypoc

Palm, Time to “Pre”-release the SDK!

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This is my cry to ask if anybody has (and can send me) a copy of the Palm Mojo SDK for the Palm Pre. From what I can gather in the forums, there have been some people added to the early SDK program already, but palm has not opened their developer program to the public yet. I’m surprised that the development kit hasn’t popped up on BitTorrent or in the newsgroups.

You have to wonder what the holdup is. Palm has, what could be the next big phone, and the only thing preventing me from showing more interest in it is that there’s applications that I use that are only available for Windows Mobile at this time. If I had the ability to write my own applications (Supposedly very easy as Pre development is based on HTML5/JavaScript) I could easily see myself switching to their platform.

I have considered switching to Android, but have been unimpressed with T-Mobile’s connectivity options. I’m rarely in an area with WiFi and their broadband is mediocre when compared to Spring and Verizon’s. I’m with Sprint now, so the Pre was just what I ordered. An incredibly well designed handset based on open source software and technologies.

It would make more sense if Palm initiated a controlled release of the SDK prior to the public launch of the phone. Give their key developers time to create many killer applications for the device and have that all ready at launch time. Now that the phone is available to the public, it would make sense for Palm to open the SDK. There’s already a strong community about developing for the Pre, mostly relying on hacks and backdoors in the Pre. Palm is not taking a stance against the home brew community, but isn’t doing them any favors by holding back. If the SDK is ready for one developer, it’s ready for the community. If it’s not ready, offer it as a Beta to those who want to begin with it.

With competition like the iPhone, and Android based phones coming out, you would thing that Palm would try to step up to the established products as quickly as possible.

Magical Weekend with Jeff McBride

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One of my passions is Magic. Those of you who know me are aware that I spend a lot of time, money and energy on the art and it’s something I strive to be better at every day. This weekend I had an opportunity to see one of my favorite professional magicians perform just inches away from me, and also had multiple opportunities to to work with and learn from him.

Jeff McBride has a very unique style. His performance is backed by strong storytelling and poetry. He takes you deep into his own world of magic while wowing you with effects that are both visually astounding as well as emotionally astounding. I had the pleasure of sitting second row for a performance at Fantasma Toys, a Magic and Joke shop in Manhattan, just upstairs from Penn Station! Jeff performed his Vegas-style show in a small theater that held around a hundred people. To see that caliber of a show close up was incredible.

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Improv Everywhere Strikes at Roosevelt Island

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Here’s my recap as I posted as a comment on the official Improv Everywhere site, edited a bit:

Where to start? First of all, the weather was great and everything was just perfect for an Improv Everywhere Mission!!! Job well done. I was glad to get to meet Charlie and Alex, the writers of “Causing a Scene: Extraordinary Pranks in Ordinary Places with Improv Everywhere“, even if only briefly.

I picked up the book and was fortunate enough to have both authors, Charlie Todd and Alex Scordelis sign the book. Alex had just returned from being the “Big Bad Wolf” in the mission and had barely sat down when he was handed my book to sign. I’m greatfull that he did, and am apologetic towards him for not really giving him a chance to breathe.

I’ll spare the details of the event as the guys from IE do a wonderful job of that with their pictures and videos. Besides, I started explaining the event to a few people who were out on their first time. Their friends told them about it in the morning and said, check out this site, download the MP3 and to meet them on site. I stopped myself realizing, there’s no way to explain the event without sounding insane. Even Charlie Todd, who is the person behind Improv Everywhere agrees in the foreward of his book. I just explained, go with it, and you’ll have fun! And I followed up with them afterwards and they had a blast!

I actually met a lot of first time attendees this year and their reactions are all the same. Everyone had a blast, and the conversations always ended with “We’ll see you next year!” – I hope not only to see them again at more MP3 Experiments, but at other Improv Everywhere missions. Being from Long Island (and working 2 jobs including one that ties up my weekends), it’s difficult for me to run into the city for short-term events, especially during the week, but I am definitely going to continue making an effort to support Improv Everywhere.

This was my fourth MP3 Experiment (and actually my fourth Improv Everywhere mission altogether) and it certainly won’t be my last.

Thank you Charlie, Alex, all the IE agents who worked their butts off to make this happen, and of course, the more than 2000 (Wow! I don’t think anyone saw that coming) of you who came down to participate. See you next year!

Calling All Improv Fans

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This weekend (Saturday, May 23, 2009 to be exact) is Improv Everywhere’s 6th annual MP3 Experiment. I’m looking for a group to head into the city and take part in the Improv Comedy group’s largest public scene. If you’re interested in going into the city together, let me know and we’ll coordinate a place to meet (either here on the island or in the city).

What’s Happening:

Thousands of people wearing a Red, Green, Blue or Yellow Shirt on top of a white t-shirt will meet on Roosevelt Island and at 4:00 PM sharp will press Play on their MP3 and/or CD players and be lead through 47 minutes of fun, silliness and excitement. If you’ve never been to a past MP3 Experiment, this is your chance to be a part of something really cool, and really unique! Those of you who know me in person know how excited I get when I talk about this event.

Rain or Shine, We’ll be heading into NYC around Noon or so, and will aim to be on Roosevelt Island no later than 3:30PM (for the 4:00 Start!). Contact me or head to Improv Everywhere’s web-site for complete details and the MP3 (Don’t listen to it!!!)

Past MP3 Experiments:

My first MP3 experiment (which was IE’s Third) was the “Search for Steve”. I went alone (as everyone backed out on me at the last minute) and had the time of my life following my team leader, a Snowflake, around Central Park and eventually to a mortal kombat battle of the elements. We found Steve, but Snowflake got his ass handed to him. Oh well.

My second experiment began by the Yacht Harbor in lower Manhattan. After assaulting some poor individual in a Yellow shirt we took our dogs for a walk through the park and finished up with a game of darts and freeze tag! This time I brought a few friends along and despite us all having very different personalities and backgrounds, we all had a great time!

The last Experiment was held on Governor’s island. Again, joined by a bunch of friends, we took the ferry across early and got to sight-see for a few hours before pressing play. We all congregated on the battle field to take part in an Epic Battle! This MP3 experiment actually had corporate sponsorship by Yahoo! and was being held in 5 cities in the US. Even though the weather didn’t pan out in our favor (it rained most of the time and was wet and nasty the rest of it) the event was a total blast!

Everybody Everybody, Testify!

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Saturday Night was host to Long Island’s premiere shadow cast of the latest Rock Opera Repo: The Genetic Opera presented by Z.E.N. (Zydrate Enthusiasts Network), a local group of enthusiasts.

For those who haven’t experienced Repo, The story takes place after millions die from an epidemic of organ failures. One company, GeneCo steps forward and offers organ transplants to those who can’t afford it. But these transplants come at a price. Can’t keep up with your organ payments? Organ Repossessions have been made legal, so watch out for the Repo Man!

In a style not unlike the midnight showings of Rocky Horror, the Z.E.N. cast performed along with the movie, while members of the audience participated in song and witty commentary. The action begins outside the theater as cast members dressed as characters in the show passed out vials of zydrate (glow-sticks), the anesthetic of choice in the world of Repo. The crowd chants “Everybody Everybody Testify!” and waits to be let into the theater.

In the show, the cast performs on stage, and sings and acts along with the scenes in the movie. Often incorporating or addressing the audience directly. The experience immerses the audience in the center of the action, excitement and outrage. The antics of the live cast add a new element to the movie.

While I’m not into musicals, I have taken on a liking to performance that incorporates great music, and/or visuals. Repo comes across as a graphic novel on the screen and features some incredible music. Some of the lyrics could have used a little more work, but they work with the story line. Having seen the movie, just a few nights earlier for the first time, I somewhat knew what to expect at the shadow cast, but seeing it really made it worth it.

I knew a few of the people in the cast, and I have to say that I think they played their parts the best. Jim played the Grave Robber, my favorite character in Repo and played him well. There was little distinction between watching the on-screen actor and him. Then there were the henchwomen, one of which was played by another friend of mine, Sarah. Again, I don’t think she broke character (or a smile, appropriate for her role) once. I can’t say that they were the only ones who were phenomenal. Everyone seemed to have worked hard and knew their parts and queues well, The only issue I recognized was an issue with a quick costume change, but the actor continued his part despite having both hands tied (literally). Everybody stuck to “the script”. Even those who didn’t added in realism or humor making ths shadow cast a lot of fun.

To quote one of the guys sitting near me at the end of the show, “This was the best twelve dollars I ever spent!”. That pretty much sums up the performance, so keep an eye out for the next Zydrate Enthusiasts Network (Z.E.N.) shadow cast of Repo: The Genetic Opera