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Arbitrary Thoughts

October 20th, 2011 - Arbitrary Thoughts - 48 Comments »

+ I watched two videos recently that are literally my worst fears visualized. My heart was beating out of my chest both times and I could hardly stand watching. One is a Russian guy scaling to the top of a skyscraper without any safety gear. The other is of a couple guys parachuting from the top of an exterior elevator. They’re both done with cameras attached to their helmets, so you get the full first-person experience.

+ Not sure if you saw our tweets about it, but the video that started it all for us has recently surpassed 4 million views. Check it out here.

+ Our marathon is in 10 days.

+ Siri is legit. This feature alone is worth the upgrade to the 4S.

+ On Saturday* I’m posting a piece I just wrote called “10 Reasons I Bought My Kids an iPod Touch”. If you’re interested in our reasoning or thinking of possibly getting one for your kids – or if you just want to ridicule me – come check it out.

+ One of my readers emailed me yesterday and told me that after reading this article I mentioned a few months ago, he’s gotten deep into the travel hacking world. In 6 short months, he’s amassed 900,000 sky miles (enough for 20 round trip tickets to Europe). Incredible.

+ Notice anything different about my site? Does it bother you?

+ Is it okay to be obsessed with Feist’s new album? If not, then I was just asking for a friend.

+ Today I’m giving away two year-long subscriptions to Fast Company. Just answer the question in the comments and I’ll pick two winners at random at the end of the day today. I’ve asked it before, but…

What do you do for a living? I’ll go first.

  • Tyler Stanton

    Amateur writer, actor and event host.

  • http://thegboat.net/ The Joseph Craven

    Everything about your site bothers me.

  • http://xenoabedesign.com Justin

    User Experience Architect (design layouts and functionality for Digital products) at Cartoon Network.

  • http://www.borderlinefunny.com evdaddy

    are you talking about the "recommended for you" thing? i like it.

    i lead a company that is very fast, and it i could just find a magazine to help, i'm sure we could change the world.

  • http://www.knoxmccoy.com Knox McCoy

    I run a screen-printing business and write part time for skitguys.com

    I'll take the 900,000 sky miles OR the two year subscription. I'm generous in that way. YOUR move, Stanton.

  • http://www.joerob.com Joseph

    Youth/Worship pastor.

    As to the something different, are you talking about the "Recommended for you" popup on the lower right? I was intrigued when I saw it yesterday. Verdict is still out on whether or not I like it, though. Sorry…

    • Tyler Stanton

      Yeah, me too. I was on a couple different sites the other day that had this and it worked on me…twice. And I'm usually anti this type of thing. But it might just be discreet enough…

      • http://www.alifeaboutme.com Andrea

        I wouldn't call it discreet.

        • Tyler Stanton

          Would you call it annoying?

          • http://www.alifeaboutme.com Andrea

            Yes. Maybe my screen is too small. It goes past the right sidebar and goes onto the white part of your actual post. Maybe if it was smaller?

  • http://abrahamchronicles.com dustin

    Sell free software.

  • http://tylertarver.com tyler

    math teacher, after school tutor in the ghetto, very small time wedding videographer.

    yesterday it recommended for me your post on Roku. I cancelled my DirecTV 2 weeks ago because my contract is finally up. Oct 28th, enter Hulu. Your new "Dirty Pop" seems to have advanced knowledge.

    But enough about me, what about you?

  • http://abluesicanwhistle.blogspot.com Tim

    International Media Producer.

    There is nothing at all wrong with being obsessed with Feist. Great album!

  • Rick

    I have a hard time getting up in a 30' boom lift to change a lightbulb, so that skyscraper video is pretty frightening, but I think the radio tower climb video makes me more nauseous. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A_h2AjJaMw&fe…

    I'm the Director of Operations at EastLake Church in SoCal. I describe my role as a variety of jobs that other people don't want, and that's the perfect job for me.

  • http://jknight31.blogspot.com/ Joe

    I work two part time jobs too put my wife through seminary. I am her sugar daddy.

  • Jon

    Father of two daughters, husband, and Pastor.

    Things that pop out from the bottom right corner have always bugged me in a way.

  • http://twitter.com/DrCabler @DrCabler

    I am a dentist and Christian personal finance blogger/author/speaker. My blog is called Celebrating Financial Freedom at http://www.CFinancialFreedom.com

  • http://jeffmcclung.com Jeff

    I’m the Children’s Pastor at a church in Victorville, California.

  • http://abbynickle.wordpress.com/ abby nicole

    I searched for longer than I care to admit for something different about the site. Probably should have just read the comments first.

    Also, I am a director of social services at The Salvation Army. The job sounds a lot more important than it actually is. I am a department of one.

  • http://missionallendale.wordpress.com/ Joey Espinosa

    I work in an after school program in the most impoverished area in our state. Just moved here this year, after being a children's pastor for 4 years.

  • chrystalmurphy

    I have several thoughts…I'm wordy…first – marathon in 10 days…YIKES! If you're not already pretty soon you'll start to feel like you're on the verge of a panic attack all day long. But don't worry all that nervous energy will dissolve at about mile 16…when you realize you still have 10 to go. Seriously though, best of luck, I'm sure it will be great.

    the "recommended for you" thing – I'm not sold. I like the idea of having recommended reading but I don't like the fact that it pops up – makes me think of an ad.

    For a living – Im a stay at home mom for the most part. I "coupon" which has reduced our monthly grocery budget by over 50% (I mention it because I view it as a "job") and I donate plasma which pays about $250 a month (not just for college kids). And, I'm working on some organizational stuff on my blog – it doesn't pay the bills yet but hoping it will progress into a career.

  • http://sedulogroup.com Kyle

    Competitive Intelligence (no it's not spying) for major pharmaceutical, technology and manufacturing organizations.

    I know when the iPhone 12 will be released. But I can't tell anyone.

  • http://www.rickyanderson.net Ricky Anderson

    Network administrator.

    The popup doesn't bother me, since it can be minimized, but it doesn't do anything for me either. I'm sure it's great for new readers.

  • http://www.youredoingitright.com dustyken

    Business Analyst

  • Natasha Hawkins

    Administrative Assistant for a casket manufacturer. It's exactly as creepy as it sounds.

    • Tyler Stanton

      where? my grandfather and uncles were casket manufacturers.

      • zahndrew

        Double creepage.

  • http://cargocollective.com/nateeaton Nate Eaton

    I'm the senior graphic designer for Forest Home, Inc. It's a Christian Conference and Retreat center in the San Bernardino Mtns. of SoCal.

    Your site always makes me smile Tyler. As do your ridiculous videos with Tripp. Please don't let him ever become a chauffeur. You owe that to humanity.

  • http://www.alifeaboutme.com Andrea

    I’m an ex-school teacher who is currently working as a housewife and mother to my 1 year old. I get paid in slobbery kisses.

    Did you notice you put an asterisk beside Saturday and never revealed what it was for? That makes me curious.

  • taylor

    I hate both those videos. Im so stressed out right now. Office manager! And nope, doesn't bother me!

  • mattstedjan

    Unemployed college graduate with a chemistry degree.

    And it's perfectly ok to be obsessed with Feist.

  • http://iamjakz.wordpress.com Jakz

    The video from the elevator is crazy! No. Thank. You.

    I'm a mom, musician, writer and an experienced antagonizer.

  • http://www.stacysublett.com stacy

    I’m a pastor, but I’d love to be a professional outdoor adventurer, leading men to Jesus as we kayak and hike and climb and cave.

  • Neal MD

    Job seeker…full-time ministry break.

  • david

    teacher at after-school learning center.
    have you heard of the band elbow? "seldom seen kid" and "build a rocket, boys" are great.

  • http://www.chadgibbs.com Chad Gibbs

    Writer. Sky-mile Collector. Lover.

  • parkplacemissions

    Associate Pastor

  • glennjoos

    im a professional lifeguard at the local ymca, and i have been meaning to talk to you about your pool pee'ing habit.

  • http://robshep.com Rob Shepherd

    I'm a pastor at Waters Edge Church. I noticed the new thing. How does it know me so well. It recommended a very funny post by Knox McCoy.

  • Mike

    I build BMW X3's at Plant Spartanburg in SC

  • http://theadventuresofgabriella.blogspot.com/ gabriella

    I am a naturalist… which means I get paid to handle snakes, take kids on hikes, dress up like a giant Monarch, eat fake poop I plant on the trail, dissect squid, and more! :)

  • hayne

    check this one.
    [youtube 2A_h2AjJaMw&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A_h2AjJaMw&feature=related youtube]

    • Tyler Stanton

      i couldn't even watch the whole thing.

  • http://180tampa.com @pastorjerry

    I am a Middle School Pastor wanting to do things to reach kids that only Monster, Red Bull, Fitch and Hurley have been able to do because they have millions of dollars and a product that every kid thinks is cool. Not that I have to make Jesus cooler than He is, or turn Him into a product, but we're missing how easy it is to get kids to live, eat, and breath a relationship with God.

    The pop up is no big deal. We make millions* of decisions a day, what's one more from a guy most of us love?

  • http://www.warriorshepherd.com/blog Dave Hearn

    Teacher, Administrator, Non-Profit Director, Web Designer. (Diversify!)

    It's the "Recommended for you" pop-up right? I usually don't click those things. Just out of spite.

    And my kids are currently pestering me for iPod touches… so I'll be reading on Saturday.

  • zahndrew

    I'm an actor currently playing the part of a corporate sales trainer.

  • http://www.AlwaysLiveNOW.com Zach Streight

    By day I am a research analyst at a Christian radio station, by night I wait patiently for Oprah to stumble upon my blog so I can become a successful writer.

  • Anna Kim

    You might pee your pants when you read this… I am the Quality Manager for a cereal plant. So not only do I make the cereal, but you know that pet peeve you have when the packaging doesn't open right (i.e. bad glue tear in carton, hard to open bag that rips it in half, etc.)? I make sure that doesn't happen too.