Jacob Armen & Albert Armen - JOY

Almost two years ago, I met new artistic mind. A year after that he recorded a track that I made a video for. Two years after, which happens to be today, we have a new video for you. With the Christmas spirit and this time of the year, Jacob decided to go with world music, and his dad injected culture in it. Ladies and gentlemen, Merry Christmas and happy holidays. Celebrate, be safe, and please enjoy.

Instagram Fixes the Terms of Use

After a long day yesterday, trying to figure out what caused Instagram to just turn against all of its users, 7 hours ago, Instagram posted an official blog announcing their intentions and that the Terms of Use wording will change to reflect the actual things they're going to do with your name and likeness.

As I guessed yesterday, Instagram is doing exactly what Facebook has been doing. Those brands that you follow can pay Instagram so your friends can see their pictures while your name and profile picture shows as a follower (if you are), giving your friend another reason to follow.

I'm glad this changed fast, and that Instagram fixed its Terms of Use based on all of the buzz they received in one day. I wouldn't be surprised if thousands of accounts already deleted their profiles from Instagram already because of this. Hopefully 2013 will be a better year for Instagram. Yes, even better than what it already has!

R.I.P. Instagram - New Terms of Use

A year ago, I came across Instagram, and I signed up and shared my first picture of myself in San Francisco, CA during a trip I took. I finally found an application on my phone that shared my pictures online with absolutely no catch. I now have easily gathered more than 25,000 likes through out this year.
Today, however, I read the new Terms of Use that Instagram announced, which should go in effect on January 16, 2013. I have to say that I'm actually considering deleting my profile and quitting Instagram.

The new Terms of Use state:

Some or all of the Service may be supported by advertising revenue. To help us deliver interesting paid or sponsored content or promotions, you agree that a business or other entity may pay us to display your username, likeness, photos (along with any associated metadata), and/or actions you take, in connection with paid or sponsored content or promotions, without any compensation to you. If you are under the age of eighteen (18), or under any other applicable age of majority, you represent that at least one of your parents or legal guardians has also agreed to this provision (and the use of your name, likeness, username, and/or photos (along with any associated metadata)) on your behalf.

What does that mean? Well, in my opinion, Facebook is trying to turn Instagram to a Facebook-like advertising campaign fed product, that shares your name and likeness to advertise products to others, without paying you anything. They will make money from those sales, and will also not tell you that those are advertisements:

You acknowledge that we may not always identify paid services, sponsored content, or commercial communications as such.

So are we really going to allow this app to just use our pictures, make money off of them, and not give us the option to opt-out at the least or allow the share of royalties?
It's unfortunate, but if those terms don't change and instead go into effect in a month from today, I will be the first to quit Instagram, although I doubt I'll be the first, based on the media coverage regarding this topic already.
I knew things were not going to turn out good when Facebook bought Instagram. This, however, is an understatement of things not turning out good.
Instagram, fix your terms of use if you want to keep your loyal customers. Otherwise, say hello to MySpace.

3 Things I Learned About People From My German Shepherd Dog

Last night, Rocky, our pet German Shepherd, who happens to be both a beauty and a beast, graduated an obedience training course. I have to say that not only am I impressed with what and how much information Rocky got to learn and actually put to use, but also how much I learned from training him myself, hands-on.

1. People will say anything to make you do something. Come for a cookie. Stay for a cookie. Down for a cookie. Next thing you know the dog learned both the trick and the fact that you're not always honest.
   Point: Even if you know the prize might not be there, do well. It might teach you a lesson that would eventually earn you a better prize somewhere else.
2. Not only does a dog know a liar, they also know how to deal with them. Intimidation is a great part of a dog's meeting. That, of course, happens to be the main reason why dogs can be effective guards. A dog will take you as you are, with no judgement. Make the wrong move, and you'll automatically start spilling the rest of the things you were trying to hide.
   Point: Walk in and do what you were supposed to do in any meeting. If it's a job interview, walk in to get the job, not to observe the interviewer. If the one you meet plays games, respectfully pull yourself out of there. If you walk in believing you're not fit for the job, you won't fit the job.
3. Always practice.
   Point: No one is perfect, but constant practice sure does put you near being perfect at anything.

Tis the Season to Be Giving

As you know, I'm a big fan of dogs. I came across this adoption video today and realized that soon enough, my German Shepherd buddy, Rocky, will drive to his own training school. Wouldn't that just be great?

Besides the sci-fi that my lovely imagination tries to believe in, this has to be one of the cutest, smart things dogs have done, although still being instructed and not being fully alone and independent.

I wonder, though, how will they take the written driver's license test?

Touching Stories: Daily Money

The world is a museum. Everything you touch has some sort of history. One of my favorite storytellers would be paper money. The world has gone through hell and back, and nothing but those pieces of paper have built it and ruined it all by themselves.
Paper money tells a lesson of history. One shows how money used to be backed by silver, when now it is not; while the other shows a president so loved at the time, and then so hated after death (usually the other way around).
Wars, genocides, and bigger events are all documented through the use of money, whether with the new technological advancement security features, or the simple cost of buying things and inflation. The world is a museum. You just don't know when things will become attractions. Until then, you should enjoy the ride.