What is your favorite JAWS scene? Mine is when Robert Shaw is in the bottom of the boat with the other two describing the incident involving the USS Indianapolis followed by a close second of just about everything Mr. Shaw does. Shaw played the ring leader in the original “Taking of Pelham 123″ and him and Walter Matthau were classic.

Needless, get out and enjoy this Denver Summer before the fall comes in with cold winds and threats of snow.

Cause then we’ll be shutting down the airport again and taking cover in our bunkers. That’s how we roll in Denver, yo. Straight up. No diggity. I’m gonna stop typing now.

Oh and catch me at Ignite Denver on Wednesday making a complete fool out of myself. Should be fun. Right?

Word.

If you’re curious about what today at the Colorado Capitol Building looked like, see this link for photos.  Around 250 Iranian Americans showed up to show support for the people of Iran, not the government.

Here’s my ten minute long youtube video:

Link to cbs4denver’s report here.

Why?  After talking with Damon over at the original Game On! I came to the conclusion that my attempt at trying to poke 9news into actually responding to me/the social media world was two things.  One is that it was filled with a bit too much vitriol and probably soaked in a bit of bitterness.  And two is that it was probably hopeless.

9news has reached out to me once in regards to a news story via DM on twitter.  I responded and then gave the person some ideas on how they could be involved with the twitter/social media world.  I received no response back to those overtures.  They were not filled with ill intent.  I simply gave ideas.

No response.  Therefore (and based on others in the twitter world I’m not alone) I’m giving up on trying to reach them through the means of the social media world.  It’s become quite clear they don’t (at least at this time) intend to use the tools and services that are in the here and now.

My apologies to 9news for the chip in my shoulder feeling the below article featured.  It was not something I’m particularly proud of as a writer/blogger.

Thanks,

Aaron DeLay

Denver, be the judge. See the following blog posts about a name situation that’s come up between two stores. One is Game On, recently founded by a young man who lost his mother to tragic circumstances. 9news covered this story for their news broadcast and promoted the store.  Read the below blogs to get the full, complete and total story before you read my opinionated reaction.

Damon’s Blog about the issue and Game On!’s blog about it.

In the other corner is Game On! a store founded seven months ago and has been working aggressively in putting their image out into the community. They’re online, they’re twittering, facebooking and everything else you should be doing in the social media world.

In the middle of this is 9news. A station which has not uses twitter in a effective manner and for the most part ignored the social media (as far as I can tell). I have a simple question for 9news. Did you google “Game On” and “Denver”? Cause I did and guess what I found?

This. What research did you do on this story? I understand the underlying emotional impact this young man has experienced and the point of this story. I’m not upset about that. What I am upset about is for all the claims you make about being the best in the business, award winning, most watched and everything else…you couldn’t have one person verify that indeed this is the only store with the name “Game On”? Took me five seconds.

I don’t want to jump the shark (I’ve done that far too many times in my lifetime) but I’d like to know that someone thought this through or at least knows about the long and arduous journey Game On! has been on to make it where they are.

Maybe I’m writing this in anger (there’s a very good chance) but I’d like to see 9news exhibit better skills and talents in running a story.

Hopefully 9news has a opinion on this.

The other issue that I’m leaving alone for now is the name issue. The stores share near exact logos and names. This will need to be solved, but I’ll leave that up to the management at both locations. Hopefully something can be worked out.

Preshow:


Milk Discussion Part 1


Milk Discussion Part 2


The Reader


Ben Button


Slumdog

See you there!

Follow my updates here.

My issue with this has little to do with Obama and more to do with the blatant hypocrisy exhibited by naming a school where racism, discrimination, and segregation are not only allowed, but enforced by the staff and administration.

To understand why I am so upset about this, you need to know my back story. As a bi-racial student at BHS from 1999-2002, I have first-hand experience with some of Boulder’s infamous hypocritical behavior.

2/12: updated: Students pull plan…

9News reports that Boulder High School students say it’s time for a “Barack Obama High School”.

Well, you have to give them props for going right along with the whole “Yes We Can” motif that has swept the country coast to coast and threatens to drown the rest of us in an overdose of Hope and Change.

All right, maybe that was a little snippy, but I’m just going to come out and say it. This Obama worship that seems to be breaking loose from the far and near corners is a more than a little creepy and embarrassing. In the United States it feels like we’ve suddenly given up hope in ourselves and placed it in the hands of one man. People, he’s the President. He’s not the guy who is going to save America single handily. This whole crisis is not just one guys fault. There’s plenty of blame to go around and Former President Bush is not the only one to put on a pike and dance around gleefully.

Although I suspect some would gleefully suggest such a thing.

Which brings me to Boulder High School and the students who’ve decided that after over one hundred years of legacy and history it’s time to jump on that speeding wagon of “Yes We Can” and by golly name the school “Barack Obama High School.”

First of all, High School students are always wide eyed optimists when it comes to most anything they come up with the Utopian world they live in. I know because I lived in and now live vicariously through it via kids at my church. Wildly politically skewing ideas are a trademark of Boulder and the High School is no exception.

Via the always infallible Wikipedia:(I actually even blogged about this event here)

In 1999, Boulder High students founded the Student Worker activist group. Several of the group’s demonstrations have received national attention, including a January 2005 “sleep-in” protesting the war in Iraq and a May 2001 “kiss-in” supporting alternative sexuality.[9][10] In May 2005 Student Worker, in a partnership with Peace Jam, erected 1,650 American flags in memory of soldiers killed in Iraq.[11] In September 2007, the group protested the Pledge of Allegiance, citing an objection to the “one nation, under God” clause, and instead reciting a revised version.[12]

To me this story represents a good teaching lesson to the students. Taking this action ignores everything that has come before. The history, the legacy and the connection that all holds to the school. The adults in Boulder suprised me this time around by agreeing with me and the 9news article makes it seem like this would be a uphill battle for the students. The kids seem to think that “Yes We Can” will get them through this but I have some words of wisdom.

Wait until he’s out of office and the legend of Obama can be confirmed by history and those that will witness it. His success in becoming the first African American President of these United States is a huge accomplishment and he deserves credit for that. However, that does mean we should grant him immediate sainthood via a High School named after him. I believe he should prove himself first over the next four or so years before we start giving him the props such a honor would allow.

This is something the high school students should consider. I understand the palpable excitement I can feel through reading the article but I would suggest a splash of cold reality and a good line of questioning to allow them to see the adult perspective on this one. I would say in four years you might have a good case for such a move, depending on how the future unwritten history plays out through time.

Thoughts?

My favorite movie theatre chain is doing a Oscar Nominated Movie Showcase these Saturday all day at both Highlands Ranch 24 and Westminster 24.  When I say AMC rocks my house I’m not saying that because they’ve asked me to do some blogging, vlogging and twittering but because between the major movie houses in the area, they’ve won my heart.

As a blogger, I follow the sage advice that full disclosure makes baby Jesus giggle and coo.  And I’m all about the little guy being content and not throwing lightening bolts into my cranium.

Ever since I was in high school I would start drooling geek saliva when the chance to watch movies at HR 24.  How they have the seats setup, the overall feel and just the fact that I’ve never had too much trouble going to the moving pictures there cements it.  If I could marry AMC, I would.

So when they asked me to do some fun social media stuff, I said, “Oh hellz yea baabbyyy!”

I was a mite bit more controlled when speaking to the business woman on the phone, but inside my geek soul was a dancin’ the Charlie Brown dance.

So, I’m going to be at Westminster 24 doing some blogging and video blogging with a friend or two but I’d love to see you there.  I’ve not got details on where and if I’ll be able to setup as those are still under construction, but I foresee doing some video voting on what the big winners will be, some interviews about what movie is better and on and on.  I’ll update here and on my twitter as I know more.

Ticket information and times are below.
Highlands Ranch 24 Tickets and Westminster 24 Tickets

Movie start times a la local time
Milk 10:30 a.m.
The Reader 1:05 p.m.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button 3:45 p.m.
Slumdog Millionaire 7:15 p.m.
Frost/Nixon 9:45 p.m.

I wanted to jump in here and announce that AMC Theatres has given me a great chance to do some blogging, vlogging, intervewiing, twittering and all kinds of fun stuff for the upcoming “Best Picture Showcase” going on on the 21st of Feb all day at Westminster Prom and Highlands Ranch 24.  30 bucks gets you five films for review before the Oscars.  Cool, huh?

Well, I’ll be at the Westminster Prom doing live blogging, twittering, vlogging when I can and whatever else I can to take advantage of being able to report on a local event.  Who knows, maybe we’ll have a streaker or something.  You never know in the crazy town of Denver.

Well, odds are not in my favor on the whole streaker thing.  But I could pay a guy…

You’re welcome to seek me out, email, comment or whatever manner of contacting me suits you (no stalking please, I do have scruples) so we can meet up, discuss and hell, even vlog if you’re up for it.

Also, the Denver Metblogs Vlog project is still alive and kicking.  I rendered a instro (see below) and will be working on putting together ideas and thoughts for that part.  You’ll see a video from me here in the next few days on that topic.  So, you have my sexy hot mug to look forward to here in the next few days.  That’s motivation enough to check back or even add us to your feed readers.

Ok, at least give us a chance?

More to come in the next few days.

New Fancified Intro:

Twestival is going on February 12th, 2008 and involves twitter-ers in respective areas.  Thanks to Chuck Blakeman, we’ve got a Denver Twestival in the works.  If you’re looking for details, check out the website and also see Chuck on twitter for more information as well.  See below for some more information and check out the site as well.  I am going to try to be there, but it all depends on work hours.

On 12 February 2009 105 cities around the world will be hosting Twestivals which bring together Twitter communities for an evening of fun and to raise money and awareness for charity: water. Join us by hosting a Twestival in your city, attending an event, or participating online. The Twestival is organized 100% by volunteers in cities around the world and 100% of the money raised from these events will go directly to support charity: water projects.

The other big nerd deal is Wordcamp Denver!  Yep, it’s here!  The Wordpress Camp Phenom has been going for a few years and now we’re getting our own!  Check out the website for details on registering, who is going to be where and all the good stuff.  I’ll be there with bells on and excited to meet people in the Denver area who are Wordpress focused.