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John P. on Net@Night with Amber Mac and Leo Laporte

John P. — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:30:09 +0000

About a week and a half ago Amber Mac and Leo Laporte were kind enough to have me on the net@night show to discuss Woopra.

We had a great time and they were very gracious hosts. I’m embedding the audio podcast from the show below, although we did do the show live and there was actual video demonstration taking place at the time. Needless to say Leo and Amber were very enthusiastic about Woopra, and we’ll be getting it installed on their sites very soon.

John P. on Net@Night with Amber Mac and Leo Laporte

If you skip to around the 35 minute mark you should jump in where I’m coming on the show. But you could also listen to the whole thing because Leo and Amber are actually entertaining. :-)

John P. on SocialNerdia with Esteban Contreras

John P. — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:15:32 +0000

Last week Esteban Contreras had me on the SocialNerdia show to talk about everything under the sun, including Woopra, blogging, business and personal philosophies. Below is the embedded podcast for your listening pleasure, but you can also find all of Esteban’s show notes right here.

Thanks again to Esteban for a rousing line of questioning and just a generally good time! And make sure you subscribe to SocialNerdia as he does a great job creating unique and valuable content.

Episode #13 | The Wealth Nation Bloopers – Volume 1!

John P. — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 07:35:03 +0000

As I wrote over on the WealthNation.FM blog…

Well, I guess they were bound to catch up to us sooner or later. Our supreme editor, Dave Moyer, has compiled the first ever set of Wealth Nation bloopers for your listening enjoyment. Now you can get a real listen “behind the scenes” to see what he has to deal with when he’s cleaning up the episodes.

This will teach us not to be taking extended periods of time off from the show in the future!

Just select the play button below and you can listen to the show right here. You can also visit iTunes and subscribe, follow Wealth Nation on Twitter, or join our Wealth Nation group on Facebook!
Listen to the Show

NEW Wealth Nation: Spotlight on Success | Scott Jordan, ScotteVest

John P. — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 14:35:41 +0000

For those of you who weren’t aware, I am co-hosting a podcast with my friends Cali Lewis and Neal Campbell called Wealth Nation in which we tackle a wide variety of topics ranging from personal finance to business issues. We’ve started a new segment on the show which we’ll be putting out once or twice a month called “Spotlight on Success”.

Each Spotlight on Success show will feature a different successful entrepreneur, businessperson or professional, and we’ll learn all about how they came to stand out, what challenges they faced, and what they would do different if they could do it all over again. If you’ve got any suggestions for people you’d like to see us interview please let us know. But in the meantime please enjoy meeting Scott Jordan, CEO of ScotteVest…

(Just click the play button below to listen)

Download

The podcast is also available for subscription in iTunes (please rate the show if you get a chance), and you can find it on WealthNation.FM as well.

Free Marvin Gaye MP3 From Amazon.com

John P. — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 18:22:47 +0000

Folks, just until the end of the day tomorrow (Valentine’s Day… you DID remember, didn’t you?) Amazon is giving away Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get it On for free. Yep. I tried it myself, and it worked. So feel free to follow this banner link to get it.

But you really need to do it within the next 36 hours or the jig is up. It took me literally about 10 seconds to download the song and I’m listening to it right now.

This text link should also work for people with ad blocking turned on.

Mandisa Rocks On With “I’m Every Woman”

John P. — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 06:42:33 +0000

I can’t believe that I never shared this video clip before! I was telling someone about my cousin Mandisa, who you may remember from American Idol, and when I directed them to my blog to see her – she wasn’t there! Holy crap! What a colossal fail!

Anyway, Mandisa is a cousin (by marriage obviously), and she is one of the greatest singers alive if you ask me (and a whole lot of other people too). She made it onto American Idol, and came damn close to winning it. In fact, she was robbed! They gave it to that guy from Alabama who thought he was Elvis… pathetic!

Here is Mandisa doing what was arguably one of her most popular song renditions, I’m Every Woman. Enjoy!

By the way, Mandisa has her own Web site, she’s on MySpace, and also a brand new Christmas album out. So you should stop by and pick it up over on Amazon or iTunes if you are a fan of the holiday season. Or, even if you are not.

Apple, That’s a Poor Way to Treat a Customer

John P. — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:09:48 +0000

This is one of those times I’m gonna vent. So get ready…

Yesterday I was at Costco to get meat to make my world famous Souvlaki when I decided on a whim to purchase an Apple iPod Touch. This thing sells for $489, so right off the bat it had better be good.

Now, I don’t know jack about iPods or iPhones, but the signs in Costco all said something about coming with the latest greatest software functionality and they tell you all these things you can do with it… surf the web, watch movies, etc. So, I left the store happy and went home to give it a try.

The first thing I did was plug it into my laptop which was already running iTunes (required for iPods), and iTunes started syncing up with it. Meanwhile it prompted me to register my new device. So, I’m thinking, “Ok, cool. I’ll give you my details and all since you are about to entertain me”.

Now, get this. After I finish registering the first thing that happens is I get this huge notification that there is “a new software version 2.0″ available, and just click here to get it! So, now I’m excited. Yippee! I’m gonna get the brand new software for my brand new iPod! So, I click on the link and Apple tells me, we’re so glad you decided to upgrade! That’ll be $9.99 please.

WTF? $10?!? I just unboxed the device and you’re telling me you want me to purchase an upgrade or I can’t have all of it’s functionality?!? I mean seriously, I haven’t even used it once! The headphones have not even been plugged in! And, it’s a $500 product.

Excuse me Apple – but that is F-ed Up. Creative would never do that to me (and the Zen kicks ass too by the way).

There is nothing I hate more than nickel and dimeing people, and this is the biggest complaint I’ve heard from all of my friends with Apple products. “You’re gonna love it, but be prepared to pay!”

The Harvard Radcliffe Veritones Rock the House!

John P. — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:33:02 +0000

While doing a little research for my recent Marc Cohn post I ran across the Harvard Radcliffe Veritones and was flat out impressed. I love acoustic singing troupes, and these guys are fantastic. If you keep in mind that these are some of wickedly smart people on top of being fantastic singers it makes it all the more impressive.

Enjoy.

Start out with this extremely high quality MP3, and after that you can check out the videos below.

Veritones

The Fray – Over My Head (Cable Car)

Garth Brooks – The Thunder Rolls

Sting – Fields of Gold

The Corrs – Breathless

Michael Jackson – Thriller / Chantal Kreviazuk – Surrounded

Madonna – Vogue

Seal – Don’t Cry

When you’re done with those, make sure and go check out their Gallery page and listen to the amazing rendition of Time After Time. Fantastic…

The Sounds of Office Space

John P. — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 06:32:17 +0000

Just like anyone else that has ever worked in an office, I love the movie Office Space. So, as a follow up to yesterday’s Best of Office Space article I thought I’d embed some mini audio clips in case I ever decide to have a complete conversation at work with someone merely by playing Office Space responses.

Here we go:

Bill Lumberg:

Mmm-kayMmm-Kay
Thanks.Thanks
That would be great.That would be great

Peter:

HelloHello
Bleeping-ABleeping-A

Misc:

FireI could set the building on fire
Ooh, OoohOoh, Oooh
Hey Peter manHey Peter man
NinaNina speaking… Just a moment
Sounds like someone’s got a case of the mondays

Office Space Movie Trivia Worth $250,000

John P. — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 06:21:58 +0000

Um, yeah… hi. Listen, I’m going to need you to come back and read this article tomorrow. Say around 9am? Oh, and I’m also going to need you to come by on Sunday… we’ve lost some people and are kind of needing to play catchup. Thanks!

Lumberg: Mmmm, yeah.

Yeah, and um, it seems that a contestant on Who Wants to be a Millionaire got a question about the movie Office Space which he was intimately familiar with. What’s so classic is his reaction. Though I really, really wish he would have stared at it calmly and then in his best Lumberg voice said something like, “Um, yeah. Listen, I’m going to need to go ahead and answer Superman III, kay? Oh, and I’m also going to need to go ahead and let you know that’s my final answer. Thanks.”

It’s still not as cool as when John Carpenter won the $Million, but pretty cool nonetheless.

Knight Rider Theme Song – Beatbox Edition

John P. — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 07:09:11 +0000

Seriously, this has got to be the coolest flute player on the planet. I mean, this guy is actually beatboxing while he is playing the flute. I mean, he’s playing the Knight Rider theme song and at the very same time he’s… well, watch the video yourself and see what I’m talking about.

Now, I’d pay real money to get this guy together with the guy who played Smooth Criminal on the violin and Larry Wright the Famous Street Drummer. That would be one hell of a 3 man band!

This Guy is Way More Musical Than You

John P. — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 07:08:25 +0000

Reggie Watts is a musical genius. Seriously, watch what this guy does with a little digital recorder hooked up to an audio system. Is it just me or is there anyone else that thinks the phrase “he’s got more talent in his little finger than you do in your entire body” applies?

By the way, if you want to see more of Reggie, here is his MySpace page, and here are more of his videos on Vimeo or SuperDeluxe.

He kind of reminds me of Larry the street drummer…

Train’s Pat Monahan Sings ‘Calling All Angels’ at Private Party

John P. — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:39:14 +0000

I happen to have been invited to attend a very special Cisco Systems awards banquet during which Pat Monahan (lead singer of the Grammy winning band Train) did a private concert for the roughly 400 people in attendance. Seeing how I was sitting 10 feet from Pat and I happened to have my little camera with me I filmed a couple of songs (hope you don’t mind my sharing this one Pat!).

Now, before you get to watch the video I have to share the funny story behind the video. Seal was originally scheduled to perform at this event, but one day before he called in sick. It just so happens that Pat was on his honeymoon one island over on Maui, and somehow the event organizers managed to talk him into taking a break from his new wife to entertain this group. Clearly the only reason for someone to do this would be because he’s just a nice guy and willing to help out in a crisis. Thanks Pat!

Incidentally Pat, there were quite a few of us in the audience that were extremely happy to have you there (not to insult Seal or anything…). Personally I’ve got several Train songs in my Ipod at all times, and I’m looking to add a few of the ones from your new solo album!

If you want to see or hear a little more of Pat Monahan, head on over to the videos page on his web site. Make sure to check out his duets of Drops of Jupiter with Cindy Lauper. It’s pretty darn cool…

I did record 2 or 3 more of the songs from this event, but it would take a whole lot of begging to get me to upload any more of them. And it might even take Pat giving me the green light because I don’t know exactly what the etiquette is here and wouldn’t want to do anything inappropriate.

Do NOT Mess With Little Old Ladies in Texas!

John P. — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 06:49:09 +0000

This little gem comes from the morning radio show of Roger, Rick and Marilyn over at CHUM FM, and was once again found by my buddy Jimbeau! By the time I was done listening to it, I was laughing so hard it hurt.

Let me set the scene for you before you listen to it. Some guy in Texas is driving in to work and leaving a voice mail for his co-worker explaining why he’s late in case the boss is asking where he is. While he is leaving a message, he witnesses a minor car accident, and then…

Now, I’m not sure what was better – being there in person, or just listening to his play by play description! This guy missed his calling as a TV sports announcer.

Gil Scott Heron for UK Black History Month

John P. — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 06:10:30 +0000

October is Black History Month in the UK (it’s February in the US), and one very unique individual is Gil Scott Heron, an American poet and musician known primarily for his late 1960s and early 1970s work as a spoken word performer.

Mr. Heron recites a poem in which he uses sarcasm and wit to make the point that the white people who “discovered” Africa weren’t exactly discovering anything, and certainly weren’t good for the indigenous people.

I consider his perspective on the matters discussed in this video not only interesting, but virtually impossible to argue with.

Thanks to Daniel Lazar for the original post.

Stevie Wonder Crazy Drum Solo

John P. — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 06:07:05 +0000

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Stevie Wonder, I imagine him with a huge smile on his face, bobbing his head from side to side while singing and playing the piano.

But that’s not all he can do! He also plays the harmonica, congas, drums, bongos, bass guitar, organ, melodica, and clavinet. So, I guess that pretty much makes him a certified musical genius and explains why he’s won just about every musical award on the planet!

Here now is a much younger Stevie Wonder going absolutely nuts with a drum solo.

And here he is much more recently, proving that he’s still got it!

Thanks to Scott Robbin for bringing the original video to my attention.

Puttin on the Ritz – Fred Astaire vs. Taco

John P. — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 06:14:21 +0000

Why is it that singers, dancers and actors today generally dress and act like crap? It wasn’t like that in the past, so when did it become acceptable?

As evidence of how far we’ve slipped lets take a comparative look at the legendary Fred Astaire’s performance of Puttin’ on the Ritz as compared to it’s “modern” counterpart by Taco Ockerse. Yes… Taco.

Here is Fred Astaire Puttin’ on the Ritz (1946):

And now here is Taco Puttin’ on the Ritz (1982):

Gee, which one is actually more entertaining?

The Humpty Dance

John P. — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:50:29 +0000

Dammit, this just needed to be shared!

It’s a little known fact, but I can sing every single word of The Humpty Dance by Digital Underground and sound just like Shock G. Hmmm… come to think of it, how do you know I’m not him? After all, he was always in disguise…

By the way, the first 10 seconds of the video have no sound, so don’t give up just give it a few seconds…

When you’re finished with that, Doowatchyalike.

WordCamp 2007: Andy Skelton’s Musical Interlude

John P. — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 06:55:54 +0000

Andy Skelton was kind enough to grace us all with some original songs while everyone was partaking of the Bar-BQ lunch on Sunday June 22, 2007 at WordCamp in San Francisco.

After a funny little mic check Andy launches right into two of his original songs. Everyone got a kick out of it, and it was a nice break in an otherwise long (though interesting) day of lectures.

As stated in the video, Andy does hold copyright on these songs (he gave me verbal permission to film and share them) so if you would like to turn one into a platinum single please contact him and I’m sure he’ll be more than happy to work out a deal.

How to Negotiate with Sprint PCS During a Contract

John P. — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 08:32:14 +0000

The attached recording demonstrates one method of negotiating lower rates with Sprint PCS – even while you are under a contract. I’ve heard anecdotal stories from others that similar tactics work with the other major US cellular carriers as well as cable providers, but I’m not aware of anyone else having actually recorded and supplied a methodology.

The reason for my call is obvious if you listen, but basically we were paying around $135 per month on average for two phones and we aren’t even heavy users. I saw lower cost rates online that include even more, so I called just to get my rates reduced.

There are a few general things to note and listen for during this recording (which has been slightly edited from the original to remove personal details and blank space).

Note that right off the bat I asked for cancellations. These will automatically go to the “save” desk. This is both good and bad. Good – these folks are empowered to do things for you. Bad – they are exceptionally well trained to do the very minimum possible and extract the maximum from you simultaneously.
Try to make a note of how many different ways the agent attempts to get something from me.
Take notice of the “golden silence” during the call. There are times when I will stop talking and force the agent to say something before I go on. He is trying to do the same to me but I just wait him out. This practice forces the other person to reveal more information while allowing you to listen and gather intel.
I had already researched plans and rates online before calling.
Don’t let my slow talking style fool you. And don’t assume this style would work in other negotiations. I would not use this approach on a car purchase, or a $$multi-million business transaction, but it was appropriate for this situation as the results demonstrate.

Here are some very specific ways the agent tried to get more out of me:

When it came time to make the rate plan change he started out by telling me it would not go into effect until the next billing cycle. I had to stay on him to ensure that the new rate went into effect immediately.
He tried multiple times to get me to commit to an additional 2 year agreement. Even going so far as to offer a 10% monthly discount plus $5 per month off in order to take the deal.
Although he had several options available, he did not reveal them until I restated what I heard him say, sought his agreement, and then asked additional questions.

In the end I did not commit to anything new, I received service credits, my new rate was backdated to the beginning of the current month, and my payments decreased by about $30 per month. Not bad for 25 minutes work. Please note that this is an excellent employee. I would hire him to work for me! It is the system that is the problem, not the people doing the grunt work.

Oh, and one last thing – about midway through the call a strange buzzing noise begins. It was not present when I was on the call, but showed up in the recording. Also, there were a couple of times that another caller tried to beep in.. sorry about that.

Sprint PCS Phone Call