tommEE pickles' blog

Coming back to Los Angeles for a visit.

2012-02-08T08:40:00.001-08:00

Looking to visit during this time, hopefully I have a couple gigs but the main reason is I am attending the AMA Awards Show. Crash space is appreciated.

New Orleans, LA to Los Angeles, CA

Tmobile is throttling the number of messages from YouMail

2011-08-26T09:55:00.000-07:00

F--- you Tmobile:

Dear tommEE,

We’re writing because you are a YouMail subscriber, on T-mobile, and with SMS alerts turned on in your account.

T-mobile is no longer letting YouMail’s SMS messages through promptly. To keep YouMail free, we send our text alerts by e-mail to T-mobile’s E-Mail to SMS gateway, and they are severely throttling the number of messages from YouMail through that gateway - causing it to take several days for alerts to go out.
At this point, there are several options, both free and paid.

You can call and complain to T-mobile - letting them know that YouMail’s text alerts are important and asking them to stop blocking them. This may or may not work - but it’s just one phone call to try.
- T-Mobile's phone number: 1-800-T-MOBILE (1-800-866-2453)
- Live chat
- T-Mobile community

You can turn off the text message alerts online or in the settings/preferences if you are using a YouMail handset app. You can then
- Replace them with e-mail alerts or,
- Retrieve your voicemail using one of the completely free YouMail handset apps for BlackBerry, Android, or iPhone
You can upgrade to YouMail Pro or any paid YouMail transcription plan. These paid plans send the text messages through an SMS shortcode, which gives fast delivery, but which has a significant cost to us for T-mobile users, so we are unable to include it in the free service.

If have an extra minute, submitting a response on our YouMail Forums will also help us and other users keep track of the issue.
We’re sorry for the inconvenience.

The YouMail Team

Something that bugged me and you shouldn't use

2011-07-02T09:55:00.001-07:00

I used Rinse, to fix my itunes library. Luckily I didn't run it in automatic mode.

Click on the image and see how it was identifying the track...

It will be a while to get that new iPod

2011-02-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

I appraised one of my old phones and saw its worth $15

Your offerTell us a little about your item, so one of our approved buyers can calculate an offer for you.

WING

1. Is the unit fully functional?

2. Trading in Charger?

3. Please select the condition.

POOR - Broken housing/display and/or missing components
FAIR - Has scratches, scuffs and/or dents
GOOD - Minor scratches without scuffs and/or dents
EXCELLENT - Looks new like it just came out of the box

Your offer
$15

How does this offer work?

The Situation will be at the Bar Convention

2011-01-26T17:23:00.000-08:00

NEWS FLASH NEWS FLASH

DEVOTION VODKA AND MIKE “THE SITUATION” SORRENTINO
TO HELP TOAST THE 26th ANNUAL NIGHTCLUB & BAR
CONVENTION AND TRADE SHOW IN VEGAS

Newton, MA (January 26, 2011) – No stranger to nightclubs and bars, albeit those in New Jersey and Miami, Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino from the smash MTV series “Jersey Shore” will join Devotion Vodka in toasting the start of the 26th annual Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center from March 7-9. America’s biggest and most important bar, nightclub and beverage event of the year, the NCB show annually brings close to 30,000 industry professionals together to meet with suppliers, network, learn and have fun.

On Monday, March 7, starting at 10:00 p.m., Devotion Vodka will serve as chief sponsor of the “Show and Glow” party at Haze nightclub at the Aria Hotel, where Sorrentino will hang with celebrities and other VIPs. On Tuesday, March 8, Sorrentino will participate in the noon ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Las Vegas Convention Center, which officially opens the show floor, after which he will take part in select media photos and interviews before heading to the Devotion Vodka booth (Booth 401) to meet attendees.

“We’re grateful Mike is able to take a break from ‘ Jersey Shore’ to come to Las Vegas,” offered Jon Taffer, president of Nightclub & Bar Group. “His presence at NCB, and the sponsorship of brands like Devotion Vodka, help make it a more fun, exciting and social environment for industry professionals each year.”

About Nightclub & Bar
The Nightclub & Bar Convention and Trade Show, which is the country’s pre-eminent beverage, bar and nightclub event, is part of the Nightclub & Bar Media Group owned by Questex Media Group LLC. The Nightclub & Bar Media Group serves owners and managers of bars, nightclubs, independent and chain restaurants, hotels, resorts, and casinos with the Nightclub & Bar magazine, nightclub.com, numerous targeted electronic newsletters and events including the new Hospitality Sports Marketing Conference.

Saw this on my google reader today: Scratch the Salvation Army off your charity lists, everyone

2010-12-10T11:00:00.000-08:00

Scratch the Salvation Army off your charity lists, everyone

from Pharyngula

Shared by


	They were never ON my list, and I don't donate to/shop at their stores.

I used to always give my spare change to the Salvation Army at this time of year — there they were, ringing their bell outside the grocery store, so sure, I'd give a little. That changed when I learned about their anti-gay policies, though…and now there's another reason to spurn the Salvation Army.

The Salvation Army says it refuses to distribute Harry Potter and Twilight toys collected for needy children because they're incompatible with the charity's Christian beliefs.
The policy has alarmed a Calgarian who volunteered to sift through a southeast warehouse full of unused, donated items and was alarmed when he was told by Salvation Army officials that the two kinds of toys are "disposed of" and not given to other charities.
"I asked if these toys went to another charitable organizations but was told no, that by passing these toys on to another agency for distribution would be supporting these toys," said the man, who wouldn't give his name due to his occupation.

So donors may have handed over popular toys for distribution, not knowing that the destination was going to be the landfill. And it's not because the Salvation Army is concerned about the quality or educational value of the toys…

"I was told to withhold a six-inch Harry Potter figure, but when I picked up a plastic M-16, I was told, 'That's for the 10-year-olds,'" he said.

I feel so dumb for having ever given that organization anything. I should have been clued in by the frickin' namethat it was run by a gang of puffed-up sanctimonious looneys.

tommEE's hulu Update

2010-11-27T23:51:00.001-08:00

So I was just looking at my hulu queue and noticed something....

Out of all the shows I have queued I can't watch a 30 Rock and Arrested Development. Both which will hit or have hit Netflix. I can watch both streaming and without commercials for $8 a month. Who the heck is running Hulu and how will they ever survive without people watching their commercials.

Type	Video Title	Air Date	Expires	Privacy	Actions
S10 : Ep. 10	Week 10 (41:33)	11/18/2010	12/31/2010
S10 : Ep. 11	Week 11 (43:01)	11/25/2010	12/31/2010

Type	Video Title	Air Date	Expires	Privacy	Actions
S8 : Ep. 12	5 Chefs Compete (43:12)	11/24/2010	01/24/2011

Type	Video Title	Air Date	Expires	Privacy	Actions
S1 : Ep. 7	Ballona Creek (43:04)	11/17/2010	01/20/2011

Type	Video Title	Air Date	Expires	Privacy	Actions
S5 : Ep. 3	Let's Stay Together (21:18) Hulu Plus subscription required	10/07/2010	11/19/2010

Type	Video Title	Air Date	Expires	Privacy	Actions
S1 : Ep. 1	Episode 1 (25:07)	09/14/2006	-
S1 : Ep. 2	Episode 2 (24:55)	09/21/2006	-
S1 : Ep. 3	Episode 3 (25:19)	09/28/2006	-
S1 : Ep. 4	Episode 4 (25:17)	10/05/2006	-		Arrested Development(5 videos)

Type	Video Title	Air Date	Expires	Privacy	Actions
S1 : Ep. 17	Justice is Blind (22:06) Hulu Plus subscription required	03/21/2004	10/01/2010
: Ep. 19	Best Man for the Gob (21:58) Hulu Plus subscription required	04/04/2004	10/01/2010
: Ep. 20	Whistler's Mother (21:58) Hulu Plus subscription required	04/11/2004	10/01/2010
: Ep. 21	Not Without My Daughter (21:58) Hulu Plus subscription required	04/25/2004	10/01/2010
: Ep. 22	Let Em Eat Cake (21:59) Hulu Plus subscription required	06/06/2004	10/01/2010

Bye Bye Hulu Plus

2010-11-23T21:07:00.000-08:00

I canceled my Hulu Plus today. It took me some searching to figure out how to do it but its done. When I canceled it popped up a dialog box to ask me why.

Your Hulu Plus subscription is canceled.

You can still access the free Hulu.com service. We hope to see you back on Hulu Plus one day.

Please take a moment to tell us why you're canceling your Hulu Plus subscription.

Strolling Magic Smackdown Post-Mortem

2010-10-15T22:32:00.001-07:00

Last night I competed in strolling smackdown competition at the Magic Castle. Long story short, I didn't place. Either way I still had a blast. Scotto puts on a good event and our keeps on getting better. Since I placed third in the first battle,i I get to compete in the finals. There will be none magicians and the top prize is 1000 dollars. Either way I am happy that oI will have more pictures of me working.

After the Castle, we headed back to club km. It was a long night and at least one person was really mad this morning. Thanks to Keith Meyers, WilX, Jenny O and everyone else for their support.

Right now I am on a bus headed to the Stone Rose to see Keith spin and maybe perform some magic.

The year is going by fast...

2010-10-14T11:09:00.000-07:00

Last week I was in the Las Vegas area for a convention called Innovention. I was in the are from Monday till Friday morning. When I got home I took a long nap and I received a call from @rophel. He reminded me of a party that we had invites to. It was the Worlds Most Interesting Show from Dos Equis. The Great Merlini preformed a 23~ minute underwater holding breath thing. It was pretty underwhelming, the water was murky and they said it was for the world record which was not apparent. Andrew WK took the stage and he had great energy. He introduced the Ice Sisters which performed a great set of contortionist set with fake snow. Mandy Lauderdale took the stage to sing and lap dance a man from the audience. By this time, the stage was wet from the fake snow and Mandy took a small spill. After Mandy, magician Elliot Zimet took the stage and presented some dove magic. The dove magic wasn't great with the close proximity to the audience. It wasn't overwhelming. He then did a Jim Steinmeyer Origami illusion using broken mirror pieces instead of swords. I was alerted by Gay Blackstone, this wasn't original either, it was a Greg Frewin idea. After Elliot, The Bubble Man did his giant balloon act. His first balloon popped but luckily, there was a backup balloon.

All in all, it was a great Friday show and the free beer was great. I did see David from Project Dynamite and a bunch of other magicians. Even Gay got to punch me in the arm.

Saturday was the Swap Meet at the Magic Castle. I got to see Stephen Dick, Donald Summers and Tom OLenick the Conjuring Collectibles table. I bought a Malini egg bag with a nice egg. I also got a couple more goodies too.

Sunday I went to the Teiga Endo lecture at the Magic Castle and then hung out with some pals at my usual spot. I stayed out late.

Monday and Tuesday I stayed home and worked on some magic. I have been enjoying the DVDs I have bought last week.

Last night I went to the Magic Castle and it was kind of busy for the lines for the shows. I didn't get to see David Acer but I did get to see Jason Latimer in the close up room. I did also get to show off one new effect that I learned from Christian Schenk. It killed.

Tonight I am heading to the Magic Castle to compete in the last preliminary of the Strolling Magic Smackdown. I don't know if I can win first but I am going to try my best. Last time I was in the prelim, I got third.

I don't know what the weekend plans are as of yet.

America's Got Talent

2010-10-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

I got this two days a go. I am not willing to commit magical suicide yet.

Audra Bryant

Oct 5

Hello,

I am contacting you from "America's Got Talent"...hope you are well.:-) I wanted to reach out to you because I would like to invite you to audition for our show (you will get an appointment because this is a special invite.) Please see the info below for details. (please submit info requested)

------

“America’s Got Talent” is holding an audition in Los Angeles onOctober 23rd and 24th. We are looking for: Acrobats, Dancers,Magicians, Animal Acts, Singers (individuals and groups) and basically any type of unique talent!

If you or someone you know is interested please have them contact me directly to set up an audition time.

Please send info ASAP to: Audra.AGTCasting@gmail.com

I need the following information for consideration:

Name of Act and Contact name
Video Link of performance (youtube or vimeo, etc)
Contact number
Email Address
Picture
Interesting biographical info on act.
Preferred audition time (between 9am & 6pm) *We will do our best to give you the time you have requested.
In subject line of email please put: "LA Audition".

*Submission of video does not guarantee an appointment to audition...appointment selections are at producers discretion.

Submit your material TODAY!

Audra Bryant
Casting Producer
"America's Got Talent"
818-660-1466

audra.agtcasting@gmail.com

Party Tonight

2010-10-01T05:29:00.000-07:00

DOS EQUIS' THE MOST INTERESTING SHOW IN THE WORLD

Enjoy an extraordinary evening celebrating interesting acts from around the world. Curated by the Most Interesting Man himself and hosted by the infamous party rock-star ANDREW W.K.

Featuring acts such as the Great Hungarian Illusionist, The Great Zimmet, Persian burlesque star Cherie Lily, a special guest DJ set between acts by ROBOT LOVE, and other mind-blowing talents.

The best part…it’s FREE with an OPEN BAR ALL NIGHT!

Watch the recap video from last years show here.

Free with RSVP / Ticket

Avalon Hollywood (1735 N. Vine St.)
8pm-12am
21+

tommEE pickles blog 9/8/10

2010-09-09T05:05:00.000-07:00

*got a call from Monica at Crazy Girls
*went to the Magic Castle
*wishing I could start a class action against my monthly parking lot
*saw Malin Akerman at the Magic Castle
*attended the taping of Fitzgerald's Who's Who

If you can't see the video click here

tommEE pickles blog 9/7/10

2010-09-08T00:29:00.001-07:00

can't see the video, click http://www.youtube.com/v/3ndLeVSTlC4

From itricks: Magic Live Almost Sold Out a year in advance?

2010-09-02T13:13:00.001-07:00

After Unexpected Massive Demand, Magic Live Down To 100 Spots Left

Just got word from Magic Magazine seems as if they are alternately panicked and ebullient with the demand for Magic Live registration. According to an email set to go out to subscribers they’ve sold all but 100 spots for the mega convention in Las Vegas next August.

Here is the full text they are about to send out:

MAGIC Live — Going, Going…
August 14-17, 2011, Las Vegas
We have opened registration and the response has been completely
unprecedented. We’re really quite taken aback! When we opened registration
for 2009, we hit almost 100 within 24 hours, and we were elated. When we
opened Alumni Registration this year, we took well over 100 within 24 minutes!
Of the 920 places available, we currently have less than 100 left. I’m mentioning
this in the MAGIC eUpdate because it’s you, our subscribers, that we would most
like to have attend MAGIC Live! You’re part of our family. So, if you’re thinking
about joining us next August, please go directly to our website, Do Not Pass
Go, and sign up — now! It only requires a $50 deposit, which is fully refundable
through December 31, 2010.

Meanwhile, we are already told that if/when the full lot is sold out, officials are already negotiating with the Orleans hotel for more rooms and theater capacity. But nothing is for sure, so if you want to go, we’d suggest ponying up your scratch now.

I love Daniel Garcia...

2010-08-29T11:28:00.000-07:00

I love Daniel Garcia and his magic. He is a very cool guy and very creative. The issue I have stumbled upon, is that I have been waiting for his Project DVD's vol. 4, 5 and 6. I saw the rundown of the discs and it seems some of the material has been presented before. I could be wrong since the DVDs are not out yet but here is what I thought when I saw the list of effects. Also, yes, I will be buying them anyway.

William Tell - Show your archery skills by causing the Ace of Spades to pierce the deck finding a previously selected card. Complete with a "Kicker Ending" and an alternate handling. (saw this on the Reel Magic DVD but it was an excerpt from the Project series.)

Jacob's Ladder - Watch as a single dollar openly and VISUALLY penetrates a rubber band being held by the spectator with NO COVER and without the magician even touching the bill. (seems like this was from Symphony)

TimeLine 2.0 - Garcia tackles the Mystery Card Plot by causing a selected card to change into a previous prediction that has been signed and held by the spectator from the beginning of the effect (seems like this was from Symphony)

Void - Daniel Garcia's completely impromptu handling of Timothy Wenk's MISLEAD. Cause a drinking straw to visually penetrate a dollar bill 3 times, with the last phase being held by a spectator. (seems like this was from Symphony)

Tric-Tac - Visually change the color of every single Tic-Tac in the container and IMMEDIATELY let the spectator examine everything. (in Magic Magazine before)

This list is small for how much content is promised in the DVDs but I was just thinking out loud. I no way slam Danny for this but I thought it might warrant being commented in case people wanted to find the tricks before the DVDs come out.

Mmmmmmm Popeye's

2010-08-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today the twitter feed said:

In Los Angeles today? Stop by Popeyes - 8 pieces for only $4.99 4 one-day only August 26 at Los Angeles locations. Restrictions may apply.

So one thing comes to my mind. My friend @cnelson asked why are you going to Popeye's for 8 pieces of chicken for $4.99. He said how much can chicken cost. I found out today when I went to buy the special that the normal price is $12.99. Not a bad savings. Not to mention, it's also delicious.

tommEE pickles gets harassed by Los Angeles Sheriff, Sheriff wins

2010-08-25T04:31:00.000-07:00

If you can't see the video, click here

I love magic, I love good magic, I love awesome girl magic

2010-08-10T12:07:00.000-07:00

This could be awesome, thank you to Magic Newswire for this story:

IS THE FIRST LADY OF MAGIC RETURNING TO LAS VEGAS?

Apparently, we are about to witness the return of Melinda "The First Lady of Magic" to the Las Vegas Strip in a show produced by her brother David on his stage at Planet Hollywood. According to Robin Leach who was reporting on several other related acts.

I can confirm that shock comedy magician Amazing Johnathan’s annual wild and wicked Halloween Party will be part of a one-hour pay-per-view special this fall. TV cameras will film a half-hour of highlights of his live nightly Krave showroom at Planet Hollywood’s Miracle Mile and a half-hour of the Halloween happenings. … Magician Teller, the silent half of Penn & Teller, is at work on a new Broadway show, Play Dead, that will have pre-New York previews at The Rio, where they appear nightly. Teller is working with Las Vegas magician Johnny Thompson on the “very dark and macabre” show that’s headed to the Great White Way next year. Expect Penn & Teller’s Rio contract to get a new five-year renewal sometime this fall. … Melinda, the first lady of magic, is returning to the stage. I’ve confirmed that she’ll be back next month on brother David Saxe’s stage at his Planet Hollywood Miracle Mile theater, but not in his new production Vegas The Show. … Japan’s First Ladies of Illusion and aerial acrobats Ai and Yuki open at the theater next week. … Contracts are being signed as I type for the new show going into the Thunder From Down Under theater at Excalibur to replace comedian Louie Anderson, who has moved to Palace Station.

Makes me want to buy some apple stuff

2010-08-05T16:20:00.001-07:00

Apple AirPort Express Wireless-N WiFi Base
Station - MB321LL/A
$59.99

Apple Airport Extreme Wireless-N Base Station
MC340LL/A
$119.99

Apple TV with 160GB Hard Drive and Remote
MB189LL/A
$159.99

c'mon defcon - get a new cert

2010-07-20T15:51:00.000-07:00

The server's security certificate is revoked!

You attempted to reach forum.defcon.org, but the certificate that the server presented has been revoked by its issuer. This means that the security credentials the server presented absolutely should not be trusted. You may be communicating with an attacker. You should not proceed

tommEE pickles blog 7/11/10

2010-07-12T11:27:00.000-07:00

video located at http://www.youtube.com/v/vY1gsKG87R4

New Amp

2010-06-18T17:33:00.000-07:00

I just received my new amp.

http://www.bhappie.com/sound/gmc.html shows the amp I got but I bought it new for less than half the price Happie Amp sells it for. Happie Amp sells it for $429 plus $29 S&H and I bought mine for $189 with free shipping. If you need an amp that is cheaper than the HAPPIE AMP 2.0: Portable Sound System and is more powerful, email me and I will get you one. My video is below and here

Saw this the other night and it made me laugh

2010-06-11T17:56:00.000-07:00

Watch and you will see why.

Netflix Updated on the Roku

2010-06-11T07:26:00.000-07:00

I saw Netflix on the Roku was updated and I wanted to share. Video is here.

	The shows I like to watch are not available
	The subscription fee is too expensive.
	I'm having too many technical issues.

	Other: Hulu Plus crashed my Roku device three times. There are many MANY shows not supported like: It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community, Fringe, Burn Notice, The Simpsons, Hell's Kitchen, Human Target, Pawn Stars, Chuck, Kitchen Nightmares, Law and Order Los Angeles or the Apprentice. You charge $8 and you stick commercials on top. I hope I am not the only one disappointed in what you have chosen to deliver to the consumer.