I woke up this morning to watch the Obama State of the Nation speech.  I only caught the tail end of it, so am trying to find a recording. 

However, CNN has done something interesting with Facebook.  When I clicked on the media player to watch the event, a Facebook sidebar was displayed in the window so people could update their profile.  A scrolling list of other people’s comments.  While watching the video, I could easily comment onto facebook about anything that was said.

Facebook has been able to reach out to people far better than other mediums.  Blogs were difficult and too self-indulgent for some.  Twitter is still too new.  But in the past year, it seems like everyone is getting into Facebook.  So much so that CNN could use it for it’s prime tool of keeping the public involved.

We’ve moved so far past television.

Charles Nwokolo, a friend and former colleague, has posted this video on You tube regarding the credit crunch:

If you like it, be sure to go to youtube and leave a comment:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=RB5hghM90nI

I took a half-day off yesterday so I could be home to watch the inauguration at 4pm. I think most people watched it live. Even though it is so easy to record it (especially in the age of hdd recorders), it’s the kind of thing you want to experience with everyone else, as it happens.

This inauguration was more like a holiday. I can’t remember so much excitement before.

I remember watching the George Bush (senior) inauguration speech in Algebra class when I was in the 11th grade. I never paid much attention to the Clinton or Bush Jr festivities.

So, it was a nice afternoon off. Like most people, I feel relieved. It’s finally over with.

My current client has lowered contractor rates by 10%. I could either take it or leave.

I’ve gotten this kind of offer before, but always turned down the rate cut– I always have a suitcase packed when on contract. That’s the nature of the gig. You stay as long as they need you. At any given day, you can come to work and be told, “Thanks for your services. We think we can get on okay now without you.” That’s fine– that’s the way it should be. So, I don’t like mid-contract renegotiations as a rule. But the economy is different now.

Everyone is suffering everywhere.

I spoke to a contractor friend of mine who has been a contractor developer for well over 15 years and asked what he does. Rate cuts are a fact of life. Sometimes, you just have to take it. Sometimes, it’s the right thing to do.

So I took it. But my suitcase it still packed. This recession is just getting started.

According to the news last night, BBC has 30,000 complaints about the Russell Brand radio show.  Everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.  How many of them were fans?  How many of them listened to the show?  Why did they all come almost two weeks after the show aired?

The news gave everyone something to be outraged about, so then they could report on the outrage.

Most Republicans I talk to say “We really don’t have a good choice this year in either candidate.”

Most Democrats say this is the most important election in generations.

It’s nearly over.