Hello Neiman!

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 24, 2012

A WWII story of drowning, starving, beating, and cleaning latrines.

As the sub-title states, Unbroken is a World War II story of survival, resilience, and redemption.  When I downloaded this book, all I knew about it was:

1. My sister and father already read it (opinions I like)
2. It was written by the same woman who did Seabiscuit (a movie I like)
3. It took place during World War II (a literary genre i like)

My UofM Alumni eBook club wanted to read this last fall, but we had just finished The Book Thief (one of my new FAVORITE books) and wasn’t in the mood for another WWII story.  So i stuffed it in my Goodreads “to-read” shelf and moved on to more happy stories.  BIG MISTAKE!!

I finally decided to attach this 500 pager after New Years and I could not put it down.  It took me 3 weeks to read, which may sound long to my friend Kat, but is light speed for me in a Nonfiction novel.  Unbroken moves incredible fast and keeps you dying to turn more pages and hear what will happen to Louis Zamperini next.  From the very beginning you are plopped in the middle of his true story, where Louie and friends are stranded in a raft at sea fighting off sharks and Japanese fighter pilots.  Then you jump back to Louie’s childhood and follow his epic journey through school, running, the Olympics, Air Force training, combat bombardiering, planes going down, rafts coming up, life at sea, life in internment camps, life in POW camps, life after the war, depression, resilience, religion, recovery, and finally … today.

That is more than enough content for a DOZEN novels!  But Laura Hillenbrand does an amazing job of capturing it all as we readers effortlessly plow through the decades of his life.  I knew nothing of this book when I picked it up, and I feel like I know more about this man than most of my friends and family.  You literally feel all of Louie’s emotions right beside him as you read … quite the powerful impact.

Af for the downsides of this book … it is long (and at times definitely feels it).  One point of feedback for Hillenbrand is to tell us not only what happens to Louie, but more on how he feels about it.  At times it just seems like a punching bag taking hit after hit, but how is it that Louie got through all this?  Having a bit more depth into his mental resilience as well as physical would sell better.  At times, it even seems impossible to have occurred the way it did (fighting off sharks over and over with his bare hands?  Oooooooooooooooook).  Lastly, I would have loved to know more about his late years in life.  I had to go online just to find out he was still alive at the time of publishing (and still is today).

Great book, great read.  Highly recommend it for anyone out there that enjoy a good nonfiction piece (that reads like fiction).  What has two digital thumbs pointed up for Unbroken?  Hello Neiman!

Category: Hello Reviews | 2 Comments »
Tags: Devorah Berman, Laura Hillenbrand, Loue Zamperini, Seabiscuit, Tom Neiman, Unbroken, UofM

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 23, 2012

Scott Adams, get out of my head.  Seriously, tres uncool man. 

You know, some memories were buried from the world for a reason … why must you dig through my archives and bring pain to the surface again?!  My days of errant Vegas trips are over (until Buddy/Goldfine/Shaw/Ben get engaged), as are the 8 hour benders between final exams at the Canterbury Park. 

But oh how I know Wally’s pain!  I know the sorrow of ordering double Gin & Tonics (which is still about ½ the alcohol of a normal pour) while contemplating if I should split my two pair or keep them together with a queen-high on top.  Win both and you win, win one and you tie … but I’d have to lose both to lose.  Surely, the odds have to be in my favor and I can play it safe.  Besides, either way I should get my drink before I lose my money.  Right?  Right…??

ALL RIGHT ALREADY!!  YOU WIN OK?!  I’LL TAKE THE DRAGON BET EVEN THOUGH I KNOW I HAVE A 9-HIGH PAI GOW COMING!!!!!

…damn you Sam Torosian and Fred Wolf for bringing evil onto this world.

Category: _General | No Comments »
Tags: Canterbury Park, Dilbert, Las Vegas

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 19, 2012

Closed due to ignorance

SOPA and PIPA.  Shame on you.  Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame on you!

As long as the rest of my favorite sites are showing their support, Hello Neiman will do the same.  If xkcd can do it, Hello Neiman can do it.  If Google can do it, Hello Neiman can do it.  And if Wikipedia can do it, you better damn well believe Hello Neiman will do it!  I wrote letters in protest to Congressman Ellison, Senator Klobuchar and Senator Franken.  However, since Stuart Smalley wouldn’t even respond to my numerous emails 2 years ago about having lunch with a couple of his constituents working in D.C. … I don’t anticipate hearing much back from him.  The man is good enough and smart enough, and gosh darn it people like him … but he don’t like no Hello Neiman!

I urge everyone to share your feelings with your representatives as well.  To quote my “colorful” sister Mirra, “writing about it on Facebook but failing to sign or call won’t do much.”  You are correct Mirra Beth.  And for those of you saying to yourself, “Self, I want to express my concern but don’t know how to do it!”  Fear not HN faithful, we have some wonderful links below for quick ways to act.

• Sign the Google Petition to oppose SOPA and PIPA
• Identify and Contact your Representatives via Wikipedia
• Read a one-pager about SOPA

Category: Online Treasures | 1 Comment »
Tags: Google, Mirra Neiman, PIPA, SOPA, Wikipedia, xkcd

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 17, 2012

One Game to Rule Them All

Coming Summer 2012.  Coming Summer 2012?!  Since when do Toys have teasers?!  Leave it to LEGO to toy with childish adults like me.  Lets do the math shall we?

1. Pretty much anything with any connection to Lord of the Rings is worth more than gold to a Neiman
2. Most Neiman’s live in Minnesota
3. Target is based in Minnesota
4. Lego is Target’s highest selling boys toy brand of all time

Category: Technology and Toys | 1 Comment »
Tags: Lego, Lord of the Rings, Mirra Neiman, Tom Neiman

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 17, 2012

Ever since Samsung showcased their new Transparent Smart Window at CES last week, its been pretty much the biggest talk of the gadget town.  I’m having trouble understanding exactly all the details, but if what I read is correct … this is an ACTUAL transparent window which turns into a touchscreen LCD panel for use.  The video above makes it look like just a picture of the outside, but according to the 1:08 mark in the video, “this is completely transparent” and that actually is the outside looking in.

Consider.  My.  Mind.  Blown.

Ok, so lets recap if it meets my list of characteristics for a must-have gadget.  Does it add a cool tech-flavor to a common household item?  Check.  Is it integrated with social media and app support?  Check.  Will my neighbors be able to look through my window and be instantly jealous of me using it … CHECK!!

There were rumors that the iPad3 may use a transparent LCD, but it looks like Samsung stole the show first.  As Gizmodo claims, this is “actually a TFT LCD panel with the ability to go fully transparent, like any other pane”.  Oh, and did I mention it is only visible from the inside and also partially solar powered?  Yes, the future is here friends and it looks a lot like Ben Affleck reverse engineering ALife.  I guess the only question that remains is how many will Danny buy as “business expenses” for BigTymeTickets?

Category: Technology and Toys | 2 Comments »
Tags: ALife, Ben Affleck, Big Tyme Tickets, Gizmodo, Samsung, Transparent Smart Window

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 12, 2012

Hello Sushi!  As you should know, my partner site FiveDollarLiving.com helps deliver great deals in the Twin Cities for cheap eats and entertainment under $5.  Although the deal on CrowdCut today for 50% off at Fuji Ya does not fit with that $5 budget, its one of those deals I want to tell the whole world about.

I love the way this deal is marketed.  I was about to forward it to some friends with my explanation of why I love it, but this communication outlet is just a wee bit easier.  Plus, this way I can keep Henry from changing the email topic to how bad the Gophers are.  (yes, they are bad, and yes I know this mean’s you’ll comment about it below).

But ok, I love this deal for three reasons.  1) Its a fantastic offer at Dana’s favorite sushi restaurant in Minnesota, 2) Crowd cut leverages a great social media marketing plan by using a local celebrity video to plug it on the deal page, and 3) Its finally an offer from these daily deal sites that is worth buying.  Sorry Groupon, I was getting a bit sick of deleting your laser eye surgery and pilates membership offers.

So go toCrowdCut, and buy the deal.  Maybe you will meet Andre Zimmern when they place you at his table and he comes to b*tch you out for taking it  Ah, local celebrities, they think they are so special.

Category: Online Treasures | No Comments »
Tags: Aaron Hage, Andrew Zimmern, Crowd Cut, Dana Cobert, FiveDollarLiving, Fuji Ya

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 9, 2012

End of my Sensing

I hate that this has to be my first book review of HelloNeiman 2.0.  Not because it was a bad read (actually, at 176 pages it was extremely engaging and fulfilling), but just because its going to be really complicated to explain any rational thought or perception to you in mere blog review words.

To sum it up, The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes is basically a deep psychological and philosophical exploration into friendship, relationship and suicide.  No spoilers here, it becomes evident pretty early on that the book will deeply analyze the logic to taking one’s life.  The interesting thing is how often during reading this book … you start to understand this logic to death as well.  Do people commit suicide because they are mentally unstable … or because they are perhaps so stable that they can dissect life’s purpose all together.  As Barnes put it, “if you’re too clever you can argue yourself into anything.  You just leave common sense behind.”

The main character and supporting cast are extremely well developed, and helped sell the story perfectly.  However, I really had to read many passages over and over and over again, as I tried to fully identify Barne’s unfolding philosophy.

This is an incredibly deep thought provoking story about a guy, his relationships, his mental fortitude, and a diary.  I highly encourage you to read it, but only if you are willing to stop and think really hard after each chapter.  It’s definitely one I’ll do some more follow-up research about online.  One thing’s for sure though, this is a book that Zach Puchtel’s View would really enjoy.

Category: Hello Reviews | No Comments »
Tags: Julian Barnes, Sense of an Ending, Zach Puchtel

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 8, 2012

This weekend I met my family in Cable, WI for a very relaxing cross-country ski weekend at the newly reopened Telemark Lodge. Although spending 3 days at this ski resort from my youth first felt like Craig Robinson’s return to Kodiak Valley, the Hot Tub was alas not a time machine.  The best part of the trip, instead, was taking a virtual trip through time as I listened to all 160 songs in my Bon Jovi playlist on the road.  From this 8 hours of driving music Heaven, I listened to every hit from every album and every decade … like I said, Heaven.

After getting a chance to hear them all, I felt it necessary to compile my list of all-time favorites.  Now, if you know me or this blog, you can understand how difficult it of a task this has been. After 15 years of Bon Jovi obsession, some of the regular hits get passed up for some hidden gem b-side tracks.  Truth be told, there are 160 amazing Bon Jovi songs in my playlist, but I’ll stand by this compilation.  So, without further ado, and for your viewing pleasure … I give you the Hello Neiman! top 30 Bon Jovi songs of all time:

30.  I’ll be There for You (New Jersey)

29.  All About Loving You (Bounce)

28.  The Distance (Bounce)

27.  Everyday (Bounce)

26.  Destination Anywhere (Jon Bon Jovi)

25.  Captain Crash and the Beauty Queen from Mars (Crush)

24.  Undivided (Bounce)

23.  Living On a Prayer (MTV Unplugged)

22.  Complicated (Have a Nice Day)

21.  Bad Medicine (New Jersey)

20.  One Wild Night (Crush)

19.  Bed of Roses (Keep the Faith)

18.  Always (Cross Road)

17.  Lay Your Hands on Me (New Jersey)

16.  When We Were Beautiful (Circle)

15.  Have a Nice Day (Have a Nice Day)

14.  Blood on Blood (New Jersey)

13.  I Love This Town (Lost Highway)

12.  We Weren’t Born to Follow (Circle)

11.  You Give Love a Bad Name (Slippery When Wet)

10.  99 In The Shade (New Jersey)

9.  Someday I’ll Be Saturday Night (Cross Road)

8.  (You Want to Make) A Memory (Lost Highway)

7.  Raise Your Hands (Slippery When Wet)

6.  Lost Highway (Lost Highway)

5.  Who Says You Can’t Go Home (w/Jennifer Nettles) (Have a Nice Day)

4.  Wanted Dead or Alive (This Left Feels Right)

3.  Runaway (Slow Version) (Crush Tour DVD)

2.  Living on a Prayer (Slippery When Wet)

1.  Its My Life (Crush)

Category: Entertain Me | No Comments »
Tags: Bon Jovi

Posted By HelloNeiman! on January 6, 2012

Let’s be honest friends, 2011 was not a good year for Hello Neiman.  What started out in 2010 as a blog to flex my creative mind, express my ongoing obsession frustration with LOST, review movies and gadgets, and just get my thoughts out to the world … sort of came to a premature end.

Starting in Spring 2010, I was posting daily for 100 days, then almost daily for another 100 … then weekly for a while … then a once-a-season post about trying to get back on track.  And although you didn’t know it, the site was actually down for most of 2011.  I was unable to upload pictures or videos, and thus lacked the desire to simply post text.

HOWEVER.  The blog has recently been fixed (thank you Craig!) and my new years resolution for 2012 is to get back on track.  I have a lot going on in life and feel its time to share it.  I hope to keep this up and share my thoughts on movies, books, gadgets, school, work, life and more.  If you are very bored or happen to be related/dating me, I hope you remain a regular  reader.

Things to look forward to:

• eBook and Movie reviews
• FiveDollarLiving coupons and suggestions
• Gizmos and Gadget Announcements (and likely iPhone complaining)
• Additions to other great categories from the past

Blog on!

Category: _General | 5 Comments »
Tags:

Posted By HelloNeiman! on July 19, 2010

I hate the spam that you get on your blog comments, it seems whatever you do they just always seem to find a way in.  The below comment was made yesterday to a post i wrote OVER A YEAR AGO.  Somehow the geniuses behind annoying spam-mail have found a way to annoy me in yet another outlet.  The funny thing is that this one has some funny logarithm built in to take key words from my post, match them to key sentences (badly written and translated, I might add) from some database of spam language.  It’s awful how much they try to make their comment just relevant enough that you’ll click on their link, but a bit funny to read and get a laugh.  Damn you blog-spam comments for being annoying yet humorous…

“I’ve had my Pre due to the fact shortly soon after launch and am glad to locate (by way of this forum) that I can now set a ring tone on incoming text messages and can research through e-mails and this kind of. Now is there any hope for an upcoming release by which I can look for my calendar? Would make my work a lot simpler, discovering dates of final appointments.  No other complaints, except that yesterday I used to be in and out of Sprint assistance (not unusual). I think I used to be roaming, and looked at my calendar. Almost everything within the calendar was just one hour earlier than what I had input. The clock was just one hour early as well. I was scared to death–then, once we got back into Sprint service yet again, everything was normalized. Has this happened to anybody else?? Seeking forward to answers, but please keep in mind, I’m no techie and speak English as opposed to technospeak.”

Category: Online Treasures | No Comments »
Tags: