read em and weep

drawing drawing results

the winner of the random drawing for the drawing aka cool thing 3 aka strength of spirit and the infinite depths of inner beauty (I originally titled it strength of spirit and the infinite depths of inner beauty and then renamed it the reflection you can see, but I realized I liked the first name better so I'd like to rename it again back to strength of spirit and the infinite depths of inner beauty)  is...

drumroll please...

...


...

...

thanks matt

...

Natalie Portman! congrats on your victory, you got very lucky to win that drawing. I will mail cool thing 3 to the address you already sent me. hah! that made things easy for me. way to be on top of things.

-frank

did another 100

this 100 jumping jacks was easier than the last 100. maybe next time I will increase my goal by 10% (10 more jumping jacks) to bring my total to 110 jumping jacks.

keep on grinding. setting goals is important.
-frank

cool thing 4

COOL THING JAN 22nd - JAN 28th:

this week the cool thing is not something that has been created, per se, but is the creator.  that's right, this week the cool thing is awarded to fian for doing this cool hand gesture... now that's cool.

"Thanks, dawg. I really needed this." - fian on being selected as cool thing 4.

-frank

p.s. the hip hop boys will return.

ground level

new ideas are important. ever heard of a personal computer? of course you have. but once upon a time that would not have been the case. there were not always personal computers. computers were once the size of entire buildings--some even the size of football stadiums. massive machines! can you imagine it?

and now?

people carry computers in their pockets! crazy!

imagine if you were there at the beginning, when personal computers were just starting out. you could have been in on the ground floor--or the garage door (history buffs will get this)--and been part of the rise of the digital age, the rise of personal computers! you'd be rich! you'd be revered!

so the question is, what's the next big thing? what's the next personal computer?

...

ok... right.

so maybe we need to ground ourselves in reality. the next personal computer is not walking through that door, but there are plenty of ground floors to explore. for me, I'm about to join a unique grass-roots business movement as an ambassador and spokesman. I can't say too much about it now (sorry loyal readers!) as it's still in it's infancy, but keep an eye on this space and I'll keep you posted about future developments. who knows, maybe you'll be walking in the doors right behind me.

-frank

cool thing 3

week 3 release. thank you for all who participated in the stretch goal. thank you to those who were patient instead of sending threatening messages. I'm sad to say that due to controversy created it will also be the last stretch goal we will attempt here on frank's new blog. the entire ordeal has caused me great headaches, but it has also been revealing as a witness of character.

COOL THING JAN 15th - JAN 21st:

I call this piece: the reflection you can see

(originally it was called: strength of spirit and the infinite depths of inner beauty ...but I wanted to rename it)

went a little old school for this cool thing. yes, this art was created with ink and paper. nothing digital here (except the backdrop used below to show inspirational elements). happy to share with you another facet of my creativity. also, not that it matters, but I'd like everyone to take note of the date of this drawing if you would please. thank you.

I call it the reflection you can see because sometimes you judge an unknown entity by what you are shown but the reality is that what you think you are seeing is actually only shown to you through a filter or a reflection where some distortion exists. it's like that old saying about meeting your heroes and them being much different when you get close to them. maybe you wrote songs about them that you wish you could take back because when it came right down to it the thing you thought you were singing about wasn't the reality, but just about the reflection of the reality where some important character aspects didn't filter through.

there's something very calming about drawing on paper. things come to life in ways that are not imaginable. sometimes what you create is better than real life and it takes on a life of it's own. sometimes you wish that what you drew was real life instead of what is actually real life. sometimes seeing it can bring you pain.

but wait...

A UNIQUE OPPORUNITY:

you can win this hand-crafted cool thing! yes, that's right. to enter the drawing for the drawing all it takes is a comment below stating how cool you think this cool thing is and I'll happily mail it off to you. I won't miss it knowing you are enjoying it.

thanks, and good luck

-frank

don't need it

there's something I need to address:

I'm sensing judgement about COOL THING 3 from a certain contingent of the blogging community and I am not here for it.

it's almost like there's a certain sect out there that believes the stretch goal was just a giant ruse engineered because I didn't have a cool thing for the week of JAN. 15th-21st so I was stalling with the hopes of coming up with something before the stretch goal was met. that is obviously NOT the case, especially as evidenced by my participation as a member of the stretch goal. if that was my dark intention, wouldn't I have just let the stretch goal fail to buy myself more time? unbelievable.

feeling very confused about all of this. I can't believe my loyal readers would assume I would manipulate their emotions. no, I would be honest if I didn't have something cool to share. just like I was honest and accountable when I missed ONE DAY of posting to the blog back in december.

I 100% believe in 3 things: hard work, taking personal responsibility for both mistakes and jobs done well, and equality.

-frank

congratulations all

we met the stretch goal. let me be the first to say: great job everyone. I'm glad we made it to this incredible milestone and I want to share a few thoughts with all of you. it just goes to show you that in this crazy, digital world we live in we are connected in ways people never would have dreamed of 100 or maybe 200 years ago. it shows that the separations between people aren't as massive as they are sometimes imagined. you can write an important list or sing an original song and who knows who will see it and react to it. maybe you'll become good friends. maybe you'll meet some really interesting people. or even get some insane creative opportunities that you could only imagine in your wildest dreams. just like we discovered in our wikipedia games, the distance between things can be surprisingly narrow. interesting.

very excited about what this dynamic blogging community can accomplish together.

as always,
-frank

freaking out

so this happened:

it's taking everything in my power to not post COOL THING 3 right now, but a deal is a deal. I won't violate the stretch goal clause, and I hope this display of self control shows my incredible maturity for my age. (in some ways it's almost like I am a 36 year old man. but I'm also so creative and funny and have a youthful energy that will never fade.) 

what are you waiting for? go comment that you want to see the next cool thing so we can meet that stretch goal! 
-frank

good news

another clean bill of health from the dentist. that makes +23 years without a cavity. ladies?

*disclaimer: the dentist did recommend I floss more regularly, but they probably say that to everyone so it's nothing to worry about*

-frank

stretch goal

it's time for...

COOL THING JAN 15th - JAN 21st:

...but wait! there's a catch.

that's right, we're implementing a "stretch goal clause" to the release of the next cool thing. this is an effort to better engage and interact with the vibrant blogging community and my loyal readers. I've been analyzing the metrics, and it is my belief - and the belief of various media consultants - that adopting stretch goal unlocks will build both anticipation and excitement for the next cool thing.

so, let's start things off easy to test out the new system. once 5 people respond to this post saying they want to see COOL THING 3, it will be released for our viewing pleasure.

this cool thing is guaranteed to make you say, "cool." what are you waiting for? let me know if you'd like to see cool thing 3!

-frank (sched.)

some more fun

everyone has been saying that the wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org) association game was a lot of fun, so I thought we would try 6 clicks to hitler again, but this time with a big twist!...


it's 6 clicks to big business! to mix things up, let's start at hitler's page. (this is a link that will take you to the page for hitler on wikipedia.) remember to count your clicks and get a stopwatch to time yourself!. go ahead! try to get from hitler to big business!



-frank

crazy combo

it's going to heat up in here real REAL quick. wish me luck

"a diversion" - legolas (orlando bloom) from the lord of the rings movies

yes, you read that title right. and you're nodding your head as well. it's true. what we need is a diversion.


I was thinking...


we could try an interactive game. just something to pass the time. something like, for example, something that's fun that we can use to both distract ourselves and learn at the same time.


yes, you already know, we're going to  wikipedia. (en.wikipedia.org).



you've played this. you've heard of this.

(for those of you that haven't, I'll quickly explain the concept. it's based around exploring degrees of separation, and of how people/places/things/ideas/etc interconnect. it's about networking. but it's also about friendly competition. how can you relate one thing to another. it's about making connections between things you know and things you didn't know you know. but there's a twist. you are trying to get to a certain page given a starting point! in the least amount of time and clicks. it's like navigating a vast train network and getting form point a to point r in the most efficient way.)

yes, 6 clicks to hitler. let's play using a page we are all equally familiar with from a pervious post where I shared important info with you, my loyal readers. the page for big business (this is a link that will take you to the page for big business on wikipedia and you can start playing but don't start just yet - remember: count your clicks and get a stopwatch to time yourself!). go ahead! try to get from big business to hitler!

-frank

I just am not sure anymore

every time I get on the blog I am reminded of the pain from my very personal list ("7 people I would date or at least be friends with") and the song I wrote (better known as "Tuesday Afternoon" or cool thing number 2) - which had many parallels to the prior mentioned post - being ignored by the people they are about.

I guess maybe fame is too big of an obstacle to over come. it's the only thing I can think of. I'm a nice enough guy, but I don't have the screaming fans or any marriage proposals so I guess no one cares.

think I might take a break from blogging for a while. big apologies to my loyal readers. the pain is just...





insufferable.

-frank

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-pqoirg

was the song not attention pulling?

just wondering. there's so few views on my latest cool thing. it's just kind of weird that none of them responded to the song. at least I think it is... I wrote it about us (me and them) and none of them reciprocated. I even threw in a joke about a different blog post, what's not to love?! going to try mixing it up a little. try something a little different this week... maybe that will get their attention.

maybe the song was too direct. maybe I should have included a line about how I would date or at least be friends with them. it just didn't fit, that's all. friends can go on a date, too. it doesn't have to be weird. don't make it weird, ok?

rethinking this...
-frank

some interesting statistics

I checked that stats on the views for cool thing 2, and it's not good. it just doesn't add up.

there are 7 views and I'm 5 of them. that means you, my loyal readers, are 2 of them. hmm. this number seems incredibly off to me. especially because I thought we agreed that I would be added to your funny guy list and you would tell people that I am a funny guy?

it doesn't seem like that's working.

so, my loyal readers, I've decided to mix things up. that's right, I'm doing some business networking and you're invited to take part. we'll each tell two people about frank's new blog, but only under the condition that they also tell two people about frank's new blog. get it?

in the business world, we call this multilevel marketing! people get to find out about frank's new blog and they can use it for free as much as they want! just remember, only tell them if they agree to tell two other people (this step important). that goes for you, too (you are required to tell two other people).

a pleasure as always
-frank

cool thing 2

week 2 is here for you

COOL THING JAN 8th - JAN 14th:

I think my loyal readers will really enjoy this one

yes, I'm not kidding. there will be a cool thing each week - for your viewing, listening, reading, pleasure. we're on 2/52 things that will make you say "cool."

-frank (sched.)

tomorrow has something cool coming

I was going to post my cool thing for week 2 tonight to piggyback on today's friday feeling (very cool), unfortunately it'll have to wait.

I know what you're thinking, ha ha! 

"he did this on purpose to build hype!"

I hate to lead you on, I really do! you're my loyal readers. at least I'll still make the week 2 deadline with plenty of time to spare.

it might end up being better this way if you think about it... now my cool thing will be cool on its own instead of being cool inherently on a friday. so when it's cool you'll know it's actually cool and not just cool because of the day of the week mumbo jumbo.

be sure to check back tomorrow! I know my loyal readers won't want to miss this.

-frank

just did 100 jumping jacks

I'm very winded and my calves are twitching


this is training as part of my carryover new years resolution to 2-handed dunk on a 10' basketball hoop. maybe in a couple weeks I can do another 100? seems possible.

-frank

for the uninformed

some good info

-frank

blister

I got a bkuster on the end of my oijnter finger and now it's reakky awkward to tyoe because I have to use my other 3 fingers ti tyoe amd si the ketters are akk shifted over one soit==,. I hioe it goes away quicjly. it's not very big. you guys should try this, it messes with your brain trying to tyoe quickly but with the wring fingers in the wring ==soits,

-framll

funny guy(s)

every person has a go to for, you know, that group of guys. funny guys. where you go when you need to laugh a little bit. not necessarily roaring laughter, but the psudo-state of laughter. you don't have to laugh to laugh. TEDx talk subject.

this handful of funny guys, it's different for each person, obviously. and it changes over time because oddly enough you change over time. you know what I'm talking about. puberty. haha, just a little joke. but really it's like life experiences and so forth, so puberty is part of that so it wasn't really a joke.

anyway, since everyone changes around their lists so much anyway, I was thinking maybe I could be... not that I would ever presume to put myself into someone else's list, but maybe I could be in your list.

just thinking about it.

sometimes people will say stuff to me like:

• oh you're so funny
• you should do stand up comedy
• haha

you know, that kind of thing.

and so if you've personally ever said that kind of thing to me - or even thought it - I was wondering if you'd be willing to include me. on yours.

obviously it's a little tough, because usually when people have their selection of funny guys they have some content they can recommend to someone. for small talk situations. maybe it's a stand up comedy routine. or a particular series. or a movie. just something you can pull out in the elevator as a recommendation. "yeah you should check out this funny guy, I went to his show last night at poggi's pub and he was really good."

counter point: no one ever checks the recommendation, so you could just name drop me anyway and it wouldn't be a big deal, really.

for your consideration.

-frank

cool thing 1

today is the 7th day of 2018, marking the first week of 2018 coming to an end. you know what that means! yep, it's the deadline to show the cool thing I made this week.

COOL THING JAN 1st - JAN 7th:

a bit of groovin' madness

sometimes these posts will come before the deadline, sometimes at the deadline, but rest assured there will be a cool thing each week - for your viewing, listening, reading pleasure. yes, by the end of 2018 you will have consumed 52 things that will make you say "cool."

-frank

13 reasons why cryptocurrencies are a bad investment unless you have algorithms running that account for nuances in the tendencies of human nature: the definitive guide

cryptocurrencies are all the rage. and by that I mean people are raging about how much money they are making and losing! you want in on the game? ok, just make sure you understand these facts first:

1. the market is incredibly volatile and impossible to predict without advanced metrics

2. people make decisions governed by fear, greed

3. east coast hipsters are buying cryptocurrencies to be cool

4. cryptocurrency is simply multilevel marketing and we're miles above the ground floor

5. remember beanie babies?

6. bitcoin is just a bunch of 1s and 0s created by its experiences, in a similar way to humans

7. what does it really mean to be a person

8. watch blade runner 2049 (2017), star wars (all/any), robot & frank (2012), her (2013)... are robots/ai capable of personhood?

9. these creatures were here before us... and if we're not careful, they're gonna be here after us

10. be vigilant, crunch the numbers, look for discrepancies

11. if everyone would just stop having sex there would be no more rape, abortion, jocks

12. b i t c (h) o i n

13. cryptocurrencies were originally created by banksy as an art installation to show the futility of man in a mecha-endo-capitalist society run by big business

just a few things to think about
-frank

has it been that long?

happy one month blog-iversary!

wowee, we've come a long way together. it's crazy to think that frank's new blog spans over years now. remember when we singlehandedly saved blogging in 2017? remember the song "tuesday, december 5th"?....  from simple beginnings we've grown into something remarkable. AND we're just getting started!

here's to many more memories! raise your glass, down the hatch.

-frank

walk a mile

imagine if humans lived under beds and saw monster feet at night instead of monsters living under beds seeing human feet. ..

amazing what changing your perspective can do...

another new style

dressing with layers to stay warm is the "in" thing of 2018

where practical meets cool

new style

2018 is a double sweatshirt kind of year

(very cold so far)

think this might catch on

am I doing this right?

2018 doesn't feel any different. what's the big idea!!!?

too early to tell, maybe...     ?

my new year's resolution is this:

• to complete last year's new year's resolution

AND

• to create one cool thing a week

I will create the first cool thing by 1/7/2017 1/7/2018. haha! oops! that's going to take some getting used to.

-frank