Looking back on another year, my second Xmas with the Double Fs, I have come to appreciate the power and complete kickassedness of a lot of you here. For me, putting aside one's personal spiritual persuasions, Xmas is about taking stock of the ones you know and the ones you hold dear. This year has been hard for a lot of us. Some of us have battle personal tragedy. Some of us have battled financial stresses. Some of us have battled illness or disease... some continue that battle and you are in our thoughts. The year kicked off in spectacular fashion with the birth of Audrey Moskovitz. I have enjoyed watching her grow and I have also enjoyed watching the growth of Akiva and Rochelle as they experience some of the things those of us with kids have experienced. I have forged strong friendships. I have built on existing ones. I have lost some as well. The fact that I have a wonderful friend in Mr Josh Haley is a true blessing and a gift that lasts longer than one day. He truly is the Yang...
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- Johnny Worthington
Can't wait to see your Christmas pix, Johnny! Hope y'all have a wonderful day!
- Laura B.
Merry Christmas to you and your family, Johnny! :-D
- Live4Emma (L4S)
Great post Johnny! Here's wishing all the same back to you, and that Bruce the Koala is all shagged out and allows you some peace and quiet during the hols :)
- Patrick Jordan
I just checked in for my flight tomorrow ON MY PHONE. And got an electronic boarding pass ON MY PHONE. *mind boggles* Pretty soon we seriously won't need anything else but a phone to do anything we want/need to do.
I paid for an eBay purchase through Paypal on mine the other day.
- MVB (Grinch of FF)
*giggles of pure glee * how exciting
- Caroline
from iPhone
I bought my Macbook on mine. I play music, read books, watch movies, surf the net, and order food on it. What else do I need to do? But this is insane. I never even thought of an electronic boarding pass until I saw the link in the airline's email saying "check in on your mobile device" and was like, what the heck, I'll give it a try.
- Jandy, ConcertMaven of FF
Hmm... I wonder if Jennifer could do that with her iPod touch near a router....
- Mark Horne
Continental Airlines check in via iPhone (Jan 2009) blew my mind... 1st person to present at our local airport...they too were impressed, thought I was kidding and where pleasantly surprised when it worked! :)
- Susan Beebe
Just the other day I was stoked that I could buy my mom a Roku for Christmas on my iPhone from the Amazon site while I was in line at the the gas station. Gift wrapped, no less.
- Christopher Harley
from iPhone
I fucking LOVE my netbook. Srsly. These things should be standard issue. I'm FFing while wrapping presents and watching all the Christmas stuff I've TiVo'ed for the past three weeks. And LOOK! It even has a webcam!
Sweet, Christmas Story wrapping paper?? That would've gone great with my Christmas Story gift tags.
- Penguin It's Cold Outside
from fftogo
Yup! I also have Christmas Story gift bags and gift tags. Got 'em all at Wal-Mart last year. :D I use the stuff sparingly so I can make it last for as many Christmases as possible!
- tinypants - Hagitha of FF
You don't have the leg lamp do you? I saw it for sale at our Rite Aid. LOL
- Ken
Netbook - which brand / model? I am looking into buying one, maybe!
- Susan Beebe
Aww they have the lamp at Rite Aid? My friend got one at a calendar stand at the mall. They had 3D leg lamp puzzles at B&N, but no lamps
- Penguin It's Cold Outside
from fftogo
If you shop at Amazon.com they have a few varieties I see, although most here just look like lamps: http://www.amazon.com/s...
- Ken
We actually bought the full-size lamp for my dad for his upcoming retirement. It was shipped to us in a wooden "FRAGILE" crate. Well worth the price we paid. I'm guessing the one at Rite Aid is probably a much less expensive version.
- tinypants - Hagitha of FF
@Susan: It's an Asus Eee PC...uh model 1005HAB-RBLK001S. Has Win7 and a 250gb HD. :) I'm loving this much more than I my regular laptop and now I'm feeling kind of guilty. But there's something to be said about being tiny and extremely easy to carry around. Maybe if I used my lappy and netty side-by-side for a bit... :D
- tinypants - Hagitha of FF
"He was in my advent calendar this morning....or at least, the directions to go pick him up from the rescue were. It replaced the play-in-the-snow-day we were supposed to have today. David had some trouble deciding if this was the right gift this year, seeing as how it might be early to get another hedgie after Miss Clementine. Huck here seems to be a good fit for our crazy family, though, so I think David made the right call. He is already proving himself to be a troublemaker.... I like it."
- edythe
from Bookmarklet
That's nice...but nobody asked what you prefer and it's pretty rude to say something like that on a thread when someone is obviously on vacation in Jamaica.
- Alex Scoble
from IM
Glad you weren't on the plane crash in Jamaica. Looks fun!
- Robert Scoble
Hey, What do you know. I was in your neck of the woods last week. In the Domenican Republic. Always wanted to get to Jamaica. While you're there, check out the Olympic Bobsled team :)
- Roberto Bonini
Sorry for biting your head off, Jeunelle. Your comment rubbed me the wrong way and I went off. My apologies.
- Alex Scoble
Wow. I own property in Negril, believe it or not. My uncle used to live there and left it to my brother and me. I've been there many times. What hotel are you staying at?
- Dave Winer
Dave, he said the name of the hotel in the comment directly above yours. :)
- Rochelle
Rochelle, oops. I know that place. The locals make fun of the white people running around naked. They disapprove. :-)
- Dave Winer
FriendFeed should be faster again. We were had some network issues which caused a lot of slowness this past week, but I think it's fixed now. Let me know if you are still encountering any extreme slowness.
Mainly just had problems with email posting and the bookmarklet. The rest seemed fairly okay.
- Jason Huebel
I've been told that I'm extremely slow much of the time, but I don't think that's what you meant. Thanks for taking care of the issue, Paul.
- Jim Will Miss SP
Meanwhile, Dad's kids with his new wife get what kind of toys?
- Matthew DeVries
Matthew, FriendFeed users have no reason to complain about our toys. And even if we did, bitterness doesn't help.
- Bruce Lewis
FriendFeed is dying for me. In fact. it's just about gone. I use it as a control room and discussion space for my Twitter feed, and a searchable archive. Discussion threads are down about 80 percent. "Likes" are off about 90 percent. There's no real time feed in from Twitter any more. Sad.
- Jay Rosen
Agreed, Jay. My personal life is in a bit of an upheaval right now, which hasn't helped, but the FB acquisition took the wind out of the sails for me. It feels like there's no future, or worse, a future wired up to the "friending" criteria of my Facebook account. I use the services COMPLETELY differently, however. Inbound updates continue, since they're automatic, but this is the first comment I've posted in weeks. Sad, indeed.
- Ken Kennedy
I am using Twitter and FB more and more lately. On the plus side, it's strengthening some real world connections. I'm missing out on the cool new stuff but I think I had gone overboard on that front.
- Daniel J. Pritchett
I like FriendFeed, but I happen to find myself using Twitter and IRC more as of late. I guess I've probably just burnt myself and others out, given that I don't seem to have much in the way of compelling content and commentary these days, and that I just don't feel as motivated as I'd like to. :(
- Tyson Key
Thanks for throwing some love over to FF :)
- Susan Beebe
Is there currently an issue with posting from FF to update Facebook -or is Facebook broken after the re-design ? i dont get anything posted to FB anymore which worked fine before yd
- Del_
Hi Paul, I know it has been a while since this post. But over the last 48 hours my Twitter updates have quit showing up in FF. I tried manually refreshing. Then I removed the account so I could just add it back in. When trying to do that I get the following message: "We could not find the given account" I haven't changed anything. Any thoughts on why this is happening? I haven't had any trouble until now. Thanks.
- Mary-Lynn
My Twitter feed is coming into FF much faster now - thanks! *Edit - Blog feed, too!
- Kurt Starnes
у нас вчера был дождь, реки на дорогах, фе! всю снежную красоту слизало
- Klemka
а у нас что-то притормозили снегоуборщики - они обычно в 5-6 утра уже вовсю рычат бульдозерами, а тут в 9 утра все еще лежало... и я повеселился, благо телефон нашей же работы, и уже не назовут "грязными картинками из камерафона" ;)
- A.T.
I reshare this to Ideas & Inspiration room :) These are so realistic!
- Kristian Salonen
I'm sorry but this is unbelievable:) I'll give credit to the artist upon more convincing proof! The photogenic look of the tiger and lion really helps the artist's case though:)
- Roney Smith
I'm with Roney... I find this hard to believe... or maybe I'm just jealous that I can't even get stick people right!
- Jasmin Smith
you cannot win on the interwebs. draw some crap it doesn't get noticed. draw something amazing in pencil and people say it's not real.
- Joe Breen
I'm really happy everyone liked these. They're my most liked entry to date, Thanks! There also seems to be some question about whether these are actually Pencil Drawings.I can assure you that they are.When I get home, I should have the links. I have more drawings, too.
- Michael Fidler
from fftogo
Thanks Enrique, I'll post some more soon. They are a little more obvious than these ones. As Luke points out; without being able to look closely it's impossible to tell. He's right; but up close it's more obvious. I'll upload the originals to Picasa later, and then you'll be able to zoom in with any photo viewer and see for yourselves. I can't believe how many people liked these. A few people have reposted them already. Thanks!
- Michael Fidler
Absolutely awesome, Michael. You are extremely talented. Everyone should repost these pix and help to make you famous. You should be doing this full time - you obviously have some passion for this. Bravo.
- Chris Loft
These are really beautiful, Michael. Do you sell them?
- Shannon Jiménez
Chris, I would love to say they're mine, but it's not true. I've had them for a while, but I'll find the artists names. It will just require a little backtracking. Besides, they deserve the credit; all I did was find them:-)
- Michael Fidler
Cut the bullshit! :) Photos are very good.
- Burçak Çubukçu
I draw alot in pencil, but they are amazing, the best for me is the girl, that is the most photo-like one. :o)
- Rob Sellen :o)
I agree Rob, the girl is amazing. My favorite by far! Wait until you see it close up! It's really had to tell, even up close!
- Michael Fidler
Burçak Çubukçu If these were photographs, they would be very good. As Pencil Drawings,(which they are), they're amazing.
- Michael Fidler
@Burçak Çubukçu I can't tell if your serious now or just kidding around. I hope your just having fun! If you are serious, I've never given you a reason to question my integrity, nor do I ever intend to. However, the second set is up now, so judge them for yourself, but don't judge me! http://ff.im/1BJh5 BTW, I messed up and reposted the shot of the women again. Oh well. Hope you like them:-)
- Michael Fidler
@Michael: try deviantART, not Picasa, to submit your artworks
- LouCypher
WOW "I can't believe it's in pencil"
- sofarsoShawn
LouCypher, I know it well, but I don't see why I would want to do that. I hope everyone knows by now that they're not mine? I'm sorry, but I can't say it any clearer than that.
- Michael Fidler
nah, i don't believe it is done in pencil. i am sure it is photoshopped :)
- hasin hayder
I'm finding this both interesting and humorous at the same time. There's a separate message board where this post is being discussed and it has another forty comments on it already. I think its great how this has created some lively discussion, considering that when I posted this I was doubtful if anyone would even like it. When I went to sleep last night there was only had 3 or 4 likes...
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- Michael Fidler
Very interesting. I would like to see them up close and in person...just to make sure. Bill said it's real and possible. Your 2nd set of picts look like pencil. Nice work in finding these!
- LaFern Cusack
Kol, I can't thank you enough! Kol found another post which helps to prove that these are done in pencil. I had my doubts about a few of them because I collected them from several different sites over time, but the site Kol found has done a great job pulling together an impressive collection of these drawings and more. Take a look - http://www.flickzzz.com/2009...
- Michael Fidler
Actually there are more than what this site shows. There's an entire set with the cats(little cats), which I have, and there's a new portrait set.
- Michael Fidler
Found your post here, Michael. :-) I tried my best to find the artists.
- Kol Tregaskes
Amazing and very very very good.... Very impressive ...
- Linda Zeek-Bobinski
Yeah we know, thanks though, James. :-)
- Kol Tregaskes
Excellent pictures - how long did it take you to scan the photographs into Photoshop and then edit them? The only pencil that has come into contact with these "drawings" is the Photoshop pencil. A tip - stop trying to fool people into thinking you are a "real" artist, because all you are doing is cheapening proper artist's works whom have spent hours creating real pictures as opposed to a few minutes on a graphics editing package.
- The Wimp
A bell does ring here. And I am remembering why I was so attracted to the tiger...and the lion for that matter. These are exact replicas of prints I had in our bedroom when I lived in Dallas. I had bought the prints (in color) at a department store,
- Melanie Reed
Actually, I have learned quite a bit about these drawing since I made this post. Not only have I discovered all of the artists, but I've learned more about how they are created. They are always copied from a photograph or painting, but usually a photograph. It is extremely time consuming and detail orientated work. There are many other artists besides the ones featured here who practice...
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- Michael Fidler
Most of them have portfolio's on deviantart.com and their work is truly amazing even if they are copies of other artists work. I suppose with this level of detail, they have to start with something. Nevertheless, I'm still in awe of their talent. Melanie, the animal prints you refer to are from a very well renowned photographer. The originals are B&W I'll look it up later but I do have...
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- Michael Fidler
What do you develop in? Have you heard of devchix?
- anna sauce
its all about who you know, network is the key
- echostreamer
Anything you don't know, but you really want to learn... make sure you sell it. Sometimes if they think you really WANT to learn something they need, it's as good as knowing it.
- Dave Friedel
Interview/'chat' over. Seemed to go ok, they seemed like cool guys. They're still not certain they can take on a graduate/junior but I should know before Xmas. I wonder whether my buying Journey over RATM (for Xmas #1) will affect my chances.
- Amy
er...shouldn't there be *6* minifigs?
- WorldofHiglet
i was at a toy store with my wife and kids today looking for a dolly for our oldest. after that was concluded, i disappeared into the 3 aisles of LEGO for nearly 20 minutes. my wife says that when i emerged my face looked like i'd recently received oral gratification. dang.
- Joe Silence
It's Monday morning and my fingers are raw. Very hard to type... Now, how to explain this to my work mates without encountering the relentless mocking that usually follows these types of projects....
- Johnny Worthington
+102 for Bill Waterson references in picture Kevin or words Sinterclas
- Steve C
cute but what happened to festivus this year?
- Laura Norvig
Merry Christmas to the FriendFeed team. You guys rock! FriendFeed reacts quickly and you're adding wonderful features all the time (Thanks soooo much for the "edit" feature.)
- Mitchell Tsai
Happy Holidays FF crue -- you've made this an excellent and memorable year for many of us. Facebook couldn't have done it without you! :)
- Christopher Galtenberg
w00t you gave me the best online year in 15 years!!! ;p Thanks a lot, everyone, for what you've done here XD
- ElijahBailey-Zu of FF <0,
Sigh. Sometimes it is the little touches, like seasonal logos or easter eggs, that mark a site as a living project, and that you really miss when the developers have all moved on to something else.
- Michael R. Bernstein
LOL, I've gone to the digital comics page, it opens up in a browser (I presume IE6?) and find that the page is not optimised to view on a PS3. Good grief. Can we upgrade our browser? Can you make the browser pages smaller so they fit on the screen?
- Kol Tregaskes
:-( I didn't get a chance to check it out yesterday. Disappointing that it's only for PSP.
- Jason Huebel
Kinda makes sense for PSP, don't think I'd read comics on my TV.
- ronin
I can't think of a reason not to have comics on a PS3. Oh well.
- Kol Tregaskes
Sitting in my hotel room waiting to get ready. Watching What Not To Wear and trying to relax...There's no way I'm going to stay unemotional today. Cassie's already cried twice.
Thanks everybody again for all your well wishes and mazel tovs. Wedding went well and everybody had a great time. Cassie and I are a little hung over from the after party and the after after party. We didn't drink much during the wedding.
Man, wish I was at your house;) I have... trail mix.
- Lis Miller
My holiday cards look like your centerpiece: silver and blue decorations in a white bowl. And I would totally eat everything you served there,
- m9m, Crone of FriendFeed
It looks wonderful - and the food....! NOM NOM NOM!!! Lucky you! :)
- WorldofHiglet
WoH, most of those recipes/suggestions were from you! :P
- Rochelle