Wish Washy: review

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What Ive learnt about successful blogging in the past 3 weeks...

Although I wouldnt call my blog successful in any way, I have noticed an undeniable trend in regards to professional bloggers:

The number one key to being successful in blogging:

Blog about how to be successful in blogging.

Its as simple as that. Sure, the top blogs are Tech blogs, but that just means you cant get in, unless you are very lucky. Money making blogs are the most popular, as are SEO optimisation blogs and the like.

For example, problogger.net is widely regarded as one of the best blogs around (and an Aussie to boot!), as is Copyblogger and John Chow. John's blog title is also very fitting "I make money online by telling people how much money I make online". (As a side note: have a look at this article, which details well the battle with John Chow and Google) Heck even spinoff blogs have made it big telling people how to make money online. You know your onto a winner when even a spinoff site can make big moeny. Check out John Cow for an example.

Each of these sites are great, and are a testament to just how many people there are out there wanting to have a piece of the pie.

However, these people know (as do most people) that 99% of bloggers will not make decent money blogging. I am probably in that group. Im not saying they are exploiting people, rather they are capitalising on people's dreams: making money, fast, while working (part time) from home.

Blogging is a paradox. The most money to be made is by telling other people how to make money. Its like a never ending spiral of money making and teaching. Also notice that a number of posts in these money making blogs are strangely similar, with just a small twist to the theme of the posts.

Everyone has seen the boom in blogging, and wants a piece of it. There is money to be made in telling people how to do it, and not a great deal of easy money in actually doing it...Makes you wonder if what we are doing is worth it...

A parting thought: What if everyone decided to blog about becoming a successful blogger, and no one actually blogged about decent information??

Juno - Movie mini-review

Just went and saw Juno on the weekend, and I must say, I was very suprised and HIGHLY enjoyed the movie.

It was a welcome change to the teeny movies of late that are flat and pointless. I havent seen Ellen Page in much, but she has done a brilliant job, and is a breath of fresh air in a world full of Britanys, and Paris's...

The movie is based around the pregnancy of Juno to Paul Bleeker (played by Michael Cera of Superbad fame). Out of an unspoken love and sheer boredom the two have sex, which begins the story. Juno is faced with many choices in regards to the pregnancy, and decides that she will put the baby up for adoption once it is born.

This movie is absolutely hilarious, mostly due to the part played by Page, and her amazing wit and personality. However the movie also portrays well the difficulties and realities faced with teenage pregnancies.

Combined with the brilliant supporting roles by J. K. Simmons and Alison Janney as Juno's parents, Juno is a laugh a minute classic-to-be.

A movie that makes you laugh one minute, and want to cry the next, Juno is for anyone, and I mean anyone. A must see this year. You can bet there will be a new spate of repeatable one-liners to come from this movie to rival even the most hardcore Borat fan.

Best part: Any and all of the witty one liners that emerge from Page's mouth.

Worst part: The runners and their bouncing 'junk' (even though it was hilarious).

Zero punctuation - Crysis

Love this guy's witty video reviews, so I had to post this up. If you havent already seen it, enjoy more of the magic that has made this guy the leader in the video review field!

Go here for some more Zero Punctuation reviews.

Cult movies

Currently I am in the process of purchasing and watching all of the movies I have vowed to watch, but just never got around to it. These movies are mostly the cult movies of the 70-80-90's, which I was either too young or not interested enough to watch at the time.

At the moment I have a list which I am slowly breaking down, buying, watching, storing away for the next time I feel nostalgic and want to pull them out again...

Over the next few months I will post small reviews and thoughts on the movies I watch, to hopefully give an idea of why these movies became cult classics in the first place, and to see whether or not they can still be classified as classics to fresh eyes 20 years on.

Just this morning, while waiting to go to work (shift work :) ) I watched Trainspotting, a grim but fun movie about heroin addiction and life.

A rather gritty trip through the bowels of Edinburgh, Trainspotting follows the "life" of a heroin addict, Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor), as he battles with drug addiction, women, family and friends.

McGregor plays a fantastic role, keeping me hooked on the character from start to finish. Through this great acting, we are given a detailed and personal insight into the life of a drug addict.

While the movie is based around drug use, it somehow remains impartial to the ethics and morality of drug use. I didnt get the feeling that the director was trying to condemn or condone the abuse of drugs. It was a very refreshing take on the subject.

I must comment, however, on the rating of the film. This is not for the faint of heart. It isnt over-the-top gory or anything like that, its just a very influential and real film. By all means walk into this movie with an open mind, but not too open...

Best part of the movie: Swimming in the toilet...

Worst part: Spud's bedroom accident

Cult movie?: Im no movie conesseuir, but hell yes. McGregor plays an excellent role, the story isnt always there, but is always real and raw, and the underpinning of humour to the entire film makes it a joy to watch. This is a film I could watch several times, which is the essence of what makes a film a cult film.

All I want for Christmas!

Just recieved this year’s xmas present:

A Ricoh Caplio R7 in Black.

Looks to be a great little point and shoot camera. Cant wait to test it out. I had a tough choice, I was looking for a thin, mid range P&S with good zoom, and it was a toss up between this and the Canon Digital IXUS 860IS.

The Ricoh got the nod due to it’s better zoom.

Heres a couple of reviews, which helped with my decision:

Trusted reviews
Photography Blog
DPreview

My personal review and sample shots coming very soon, once I work out all the fiddly bits :)

Wish Washy

What Ive learnt about successful blogging in the past 3 weeks...

Juno - Movie mini-review

Zero punctuation - Crysis

Cult movies

All I want for Christmas!

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