Merlins Tower

My Interest in NLP and Video to watch

Posted on June 20th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Health, Human, Video, Weird Stuff.

I have always been interested in NLP and it use. NLP is Neural Linglistics Programming - But instead of me trying to explain what this is here is an excerpt from Wikipedia on the concept of NLP:

NLP is based on the idea that with our senses we are able to perceive only a small part of the world. Our view of the world is filtered by our biology, experience, beliefs, values and assumptions. We act and feel based on our perception of the world rather than the real world. NLP calls each individual’s perception of the world their ‘map’. NLP teaches that our mind-body (neuro) and what we say (linguistic), interact together to form our perceptions of the world, or maps (programming). Each person’s map of the world determines feelings and behavior. Therefore, impoverished - and unrealistic - maps can restrict choices and result in problems.

Now I am going to say I am not sure if this is true or not but many people believe this and use it to its fullest. I first hear about NLP from the CD/Tapes offered by Tony Robbins. A friend of mine bought the tapes and he said they helped him. Well I was interested and did some reading and research on NLP and its uses. I will not go into my personal believe right now. But I do find it fascinating and I just love learning new things. Another person using NLP is Derren Brown. Derren using NLP for performing Mind Tricks on stage and using his way of wording and touching to force people to think of objects and things. Below you will see a sample of Derren using NLP on his TV show to get Simon Peg to change his mind on what gift he wanted. See the YouTube Clip below to see this in action and how it was performed. Pretty interesting and entertaining. Let me know if you wanted the same gift as Simon? while watching listen and see if you want the same item. Some people I have shown this to also wanted the same item. Hmm interesting. So does NLP work or not. You have to decide that on your own. Just something to think about. And let me know your comments here - Thanks

Technorati Tags: NLP, Derren+Brown, Simon+Peg, Neuro+Linguistic+Programming, Mind+Control, Hypnosis, Mind+Tricks

1 comment.

Moleskine Museum - Photography of Various Historical Moleskine Notebooks

Posted on June 16th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Coffee, Communication, Drawing, Journaling, Life, Miquelrius, Moleskine, Notetaking.

Today, while I finally had a few moments to peruse the web and finally catch up on a few of my favorite websites and blogs. Let me tell you it was really nice to site down with a nice cup of coffee from the aeropress coffee maker (Still using it and loving it more and more each cup of coffee I make from it)

Well, even though I have not used a Moleskine Notebook in quite some time - (Since I switched to Miguelrius Notebooks) I still like to keep up and see if there would be anything I could use or be interested in. Well, today I noticed what I call the Moleskine Museum. It is a collection of journals and notebooks used by famous or semi famous people. You can see photographs from Picassos Notebook cover to James Chapin, Paul Bowles, Guillame Apollinaire, Georges Bataille, and Emily Sowden. Below is a sample from James Chapin.

Technorati Tags: moleskine, modo, de, museum, historical, photography, notebooks, journals, sketchbooks, sketchbook, journal, notes, note+taking

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Google Announces Free 411 Service

Posted on April 8th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Cell Phone, Communication, Gadgets, Google.

Google keeps getting more useful as the days go by. Today they released Google411.

Google Launches Free 411 Service (1-800-GOOG-411)

Google has released a new product called Goog-411, which is a free telephone based information service that could replace toll 411 calls.

According to UrbanLegands Web Page - About 6 billion 411 calls are made in the U.S. each year, and it is a $7 billion/year market.

Basically you do is to place a call to 1-800-GOOG-411 and use an automated 411 system that can connect you to the business for free or even send the information to your cell phone as a text message. I have played around with this and this really is a cool service. It works pretty good. Does take a little getting used to a service that works this well.

Here is the info about the service from Google GOOG-411 Page:

Using this service, you can:

• search for a local business by name or category.
  You can say “Giovanni’s Pizzeria” or just “pizza“.
• get connected to the business, free of charge.
• get the details by SMS if you’re using a mobile phone.
  Just say “text message“.

And it’s free. Google doesn’t charge you a thing for the call or for connecting you to the business. Regular phone charges may apply, based on your telephone service provider.

Note: Google Voice Local Search is still in its experimental stage. It may not be available at all times and may not work for all users. We’re fine-tuning the service to get better at recognizing your requests. It’s currently only available in English, in the US, for US business listings.

Here is the Cheat Sheet for using this service from Google:

Cheat Sheet

When you are asked for city and state, you can:

• say the city and state like “Pittsburgh Pennsylvania”.
• say the zip, e.g. “nine-oh-two-one-oh”.
• type the zip code using the key pad, e.g. “9-0-2-1-0″.

When you are asked for a business name or category, you can:

• say a business name, like “Frank’s pizzeria”.
• say a category name, like “hardware stores”.
• say “go back” to change city and state.

When browsing through results, you can:

• say the listing number (e.g. “number two”) or press the corresponding key (e.g. “2″) to choose a listing or navigate between results.
• say “text message” or press “9″ to receive a text message, when you are calling from a mobile phone.
• say “details” to get more information about the current listing.
• say “start over” or press “*” to start from the main menu.
• say “go back” to change business or category.

Don’t Forget You can also use the Google SMS Service And you can read my write up about it here.

Technorati Tags: Cell+Phone, Phone, 411, Free, Service, Telephone, Information, Info, Directory, Assistance, Free411, Directory+Assistance, 555-1212, call, Google, Pizza

1 comment.

Cool Tool: Jott - Now in Open Beta

Posted on March 29th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Computing, Email, Notetaking, Web Service.

I just came across a new online service called Jott.

Jott has to be one of the most useful online web applications I have come across. I know I will be using this service as this solves many issues of being out and about and not being able to jott an (Such as an Idea, Phone Number, Web Address, Email to a Friend or Colleague, Note to Remember)

Basically Jott is the electronic version of the Post-It note on Steroids. This service is better then any PDA or SmartPhone because instead of having to
(1) pull out your PDA -
(2) then turning it on -
(3) pulling out the stylus -
(4) jotting the note down -
(5) saving and
(6) turningthe PDA off -

All you do is
(1) call a toll-free number and
(2) answer who you want to Jott - Such as by saying “Me” and
(3) then you are given a beep and you can record your message (Up to 30 Seconds) that will be transcribed and sent to your email.

What can be simpler.

And it is just as easy to send and email to a friend and or a colleague as well.

Jott is just as easy to setup and get started as well - Visit their site and register - It will take you under 5 mins to signup and verify your email and phone number. During this setup you get a chance to send your first test message to yourself to see how quickly this system works.

I went ahead and used the service to send several messages and several notes to myself today and found that I got the transcribes notes in my inbox under 15 mins. Plus you also get to listen to the original message on your Jott page inbox as well as being able to read the transcribed note.

So if you want to try out a free (Currently) service that will help you send and email, take a note and free up some time for you. Then Jott is for you.

Technorati Tags: jott, notetaking, transcription, trascribe, cellphone, service, beta, testing, email, note, free,

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Lending a Hand - Friend visiting Culinary Arts School

Posted on March 19th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Announcement, Communication, Food, Life, Travel, Web Service.

I have been helping my friend plan her son’s trip to New York - He is heading off for several days to go and visit the culinary institute that he is looking in to attending.

Robert is getting so psyched about going to see this top notch Culinary Institute. All I have to say is that I have had a chance to eat some of Roberts projects in the past. He has been attending Culinary School while in High School and well he needed to practice so I got to volunteer. Even when it meant that I got to eat some Sushi  - well California Rolls and many other wonderful creations.

Currently his teachers he as at the High School Culinary Art Program are fantastic. I really can see Robert Hitting the big time.

My nephew was also following this same path as well a few years back. He was even in the same Culinary School that Robert is in currently. And My nephew did get to work in a really nice Restaurant here in Pittsburgh before it closed. He worked at Poli’s Restaurant as a Sous Chef preparing and prepping the dinners. But this was before he got his other calling in life as a sound technician. I wonder what would have happened if my nephew went to any Culinary Institute where he would have turned up. Not at all saying what he is doing now is bad - In fact it really is not - But that story for another day.

Ok Back on track - I was helping them plan the trip and Robert needed to get around New York and Needed a subway map. I was able to find him one at: Amadeus.Net - As they have many subway maps ready to print and use all across the world. Amadeus.net makes it easy with these Free Printable Maps.

Now - Readers - I would love your help - in helping Robert out - Besides the Culinary Schools that he will be visiting in New York - Can you suggest any Culinary Schools in your area that might help him out or do you know of any Top Notch Culinary Schools either near you or any that you may have had the chance of knowing someone that attended these schools or possibly you attended. He still has some time before he need to make up his mind on which culinary arts program he wants to attend. I know he is not interested in baking or desserts. He is mainly into the Restaurant Management and General Culinary Skills. But they are looking to send him to the best of the best culinary arts program. Feel Free to leave your comment below as this really can help him decide on where he will be spending the next 2 to 4 years.

Merlin =-=-

Technorati Tags: Culinary+Institute, Culinary+Arts, Culinary+School, Restaurant+management, New+york, Culinary, School, Arts, Program, Subway, Free, Printable, Maps

0 comments.

Cool Product for the Office - Paper Email

Posted on March 19th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Email, Gadgets, Notetaking, Office, Shopping, Weird Stuff.

Yes you saw that right - PAPER EMAIL - now you can have paper email in the office instead of those little pink pads that people write their memos on or while you were out pads. This is just a fun replacement for some of your office supplies that you normally take for granted. Honestly I think this pad is easier to read then the standard pink telephone call memo pad. Plus this Give you all the information in a standard format (EMAIL :-) )

Just something to have some fun with while at work.

Technorati Tags: Adult, Office+Pron, Email, Analog, Weird+Stuff, paper, products, notepad

0 comments.

Youtube Video: GetHuman Customer Service Help

Posted on March 13th, 2007 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Video, YouTube.

After posting the entry on why I hate Automated Voice Prompt Systems when you are calling a company and only want to talk to a human. Here is a video put together to show this frustration with computer phone systems. 

Frustrations with Customer Service. 

Technorati Tags: Automated+Customer+Support, Voice+Systems, Youtube, Automated, Sytems, humans, hate, gethuman.com, get+human

0 comments.

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