Good Riddance 2008

New Year's Eve is a time for reflection and nostalgia. A time to take one last look at the year past, before setting our sights on the year ahead.

My friends at JibJab have created another piece of art, with an official review of 2008. *Warning, this clip is rated PG-13...




Keep up with nearly everything in 2009, subscribe to john blog.

Recovering from Christmas (Music)

It's the week after Christmas. You've been jamming out to Cole, Crosby, and Sinatra for over a month now. It's time to put the chestnuts away until next year.

In that spirit, I have added a few tunes that you might enjoy as you begin taking down the icicles and ornaments.

Cheers!
John

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And the Winner Is: Change

Just after I began this blog, back in February, I declared 2008: Year of Change.

Little did I know what that would entail. Let's take a look back at some of the major change agents of 2008 (via Seth Godin)...

1. A virtually unknown politician, a black man who's father was from Africa, was elected president, in a landslide
2. Fidel Castro finally stepped down
3. Online video reached the tipping point, Americans watched more video online than on TV
4. An earthquake in Myanmar killed more than 100,000 people
5. The economy experienced a once in a century meltdown (and subsequent season of bailouts)
6. Apple again revolutionizes the mobile market with the launch of iPhone 3G and their online App Store
7. Britney Spears had a hit record
8. China became the fourth largest economy in the world

What a year! I think we all need to take a collective deep breath and accept the fact that we're living in a volatile time. From Wall Street to Main Street, change is in the air. And it's here to stay.


Any predictions on what 2009 will bring?

Tis the Season...

for long lines, good "deals", ugly sweaters, and celebrating with friends and family (including the wacky ones.)

But what if it was about something else this year? Here's an awesome video that reminds us of that very thing...



I wonder what Christmas would look like if we spent less, but gave more?

Merry Christmas!
John

Happy Holidays vs. Merry Christmas

So which is it...do you say "Happy Holidays" this time of year, or are you a bit more specific with wishing a "Merry Christmas"?

I remember heading home for the holidays last year and seeing my wonderful parents sporting pins that read: "It's okay to wish me a Merry Christmas."

Of course, I now know that those were not mere pins. They were military badges representing their chosen army of enlistment in the War on Christmas. Every year, both sides seem to ratchet up their efforts in the ongoing battle.

This year there have been ad campaigns, forbidden Nativity scenes, and dedicated websites. Really?

I love the mass emails that go out this time of year reminding us what the season is all about. Or better yet, the ones that re-tell the "history" of Christmas.

The way I understand Christmas is that consumerism stole it from Christians who stole it from Pagans. What a holiday. But who really owns the rights to Christmas? Who cares? I think the way you celebrate Christmas is fine and dandy.

But let's make a deal...you can wish me anything you want (Happy Holidays, Chrismukkah, Festivus, Kwanza, etc) and I won't get offended.

As long as I can wish you a Merry Christmas and you won't be offended. Deal?

Flight of the Conchords Returns!

The sweetest comedy duo is returning to HBO for Season 2 on January 18. Get stoked. Get very stoked.

But in the meantime, check out the video below for the first episode they're releasing a month early exclusively on JohninOrlando.com!

(Of course I decided to share those rights with FunnyorDie.com.)

Season 2 Online Premiere - Flight of the Conchords (US Only) - watch more funny videos

Did You Know...

Check out the video below for some pretty crazy stats about the current state of the world.

Note to America: it's time to get crackin'!

We need to worry less about saving aging industries and get busy creating brand new ones.

Why the Discrepancy?

Capitol Hill was quick to cut a near blank check for Paulson and Co. to rescue the Wall Street Mob that had racked up years of bad debt.

In fact, a short 3 page document was all it took to get a cool $700 billion right off the bat (which has already swollen into the trillions!)

But when the CEOs of the Big 3 were summoned to D.C. several weeks later they got their proverbial hands slapped trying to reach into Uncle Sam's candy jar.

Is it true that the Big 3 have been poorly managed for decades as foreign competition continually outpaced them? Yes. Is it also true that there has been greed and corruption in the financial sector? You bet.

But why the discrepancy? Here's John Stewart to explain...

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Autoerotic Explanation

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

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Imagine a future filled with web content served to you at your finger tips like your own personal newspaper...for free!

Well imagine no more. Thanks to RSS feeds, the future is here.

If you ARE currently using an RSS reader, awesome. Please subscribe to my feed by clicking here:
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If you are NOT currently using an RSS reader, please read on.

I prefer Google Reader, but there are other great RSS Readers out there. Try one out. It will change your life...or at least the way you consume content.

In that spirit, here's a helpful/cheesy video about how simple Google Reader is to use.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up now.

Because let's be honest, no one wants to disobey a 56 yr old bearded black man who wears tons of gold and runs with a crack commando unit that escaped from a maximum security prison.

All I Want for Christmas is $1 Gas

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...at the gas pump at least.

Am I the only person scratching his head at the recent drop off in fuel prices? On July 7th of this year, the national average for a gallon of petro was $3.99/gallon.

I filled up last week for $1.69. (And rumor has it that the price per barrel of crude might drop below $30 in the next couple months, giving us sub dollar gas!)

The average American burns through 500 gallons of gasoline each year. That means you and I are saving over $1,000/year if this average holds for the next 12 months. (Somehow I doubt OPEC will allow that to happen.)

I'm no economist, but that sounds like a nice little stimulus package to every American that drives a car or buys groceries.

So CNN, please stop airing the iReports of people asking for their piece of the bailout. It's already here, sorta.

Dear Bama Fans,

Today's game marks a monumental battle that's been brewing all season. No. 1 ranked Bama vs. no. 2 ranked Gators (that's right I'm going with the AP on this one.)

First off, let me say that my hat is off to Nick Saban for restoring the Tide to it's former glory...in two short years nonetheless. I know Bear would be proud.

Although Vegas oddmakers have the game pegged at a 10 point advantage to Florida, I disagree. I think it will be closer than the experts think, and with Harvin doubtful, I would say the odds are slighted in Bama's corner.

On Gator Offense: freshmen Chris Rainey and Jeffery Demps will have to step up even more so than they have since the loss to Ole Miss. Brandon James will be crucial to field advantage.

On Gator Defense: Spikes will need to stop Coffee and get in Wilson's head in the first half. Florida's corners will have their hands full with Julio Jones, but man coverage is a must.

So with a trip to Miami on the line, one thing's for sure: a dang good team from the SEC is going to the national title game.

If you are a Bama fan, your team more than deserves to be there if they win today. Gator fans, of course the same holds true for you.

But if you're pulling for Bama just because your team is not bowl eligible this year...that's annoying. Better luck next year, but quit Gator hatin'.

GO GATORS!!

Iran, A Nation of What?

Bloggers apparently. With about 50% of their 70 million people under the age of 25, it's no wonder they have over 700,000 blogs.


Iran: A nation of bloggers from Mr.Aaron on Vimeo.

Amazing isn't it? A nation that we're told wants nothing more than to blow us off the map has a huge population of young, educated citizens who are speaking out online.

Here's a thought: let's listen.


Kudos to The Herd

Un-Manic Monday

If you've followed my blog, you know that I've been running a series called Manic Monday.

Every Monday, I post a funny clip in an effort to make the first work day of the week a bit less, well...manic.

But I've asked myself lately, is every Monday really manic? I sure hope not. (If you answered yes, please click here.)

In that spirit, I've decided Manic Mondays will no longer be weekly.

If I have a hilarious clip or crazy photo that might help chase away a case of the Monnndays, I'm going to share. If I don't, I won't. That simple.

I want to make sure that when you visit JohninOrlando.com, it's worth your time...every time.