Thursday, July 31, 2025

Cbs/Skydance/Paramount/Colbert & bribery allegations

I have been concerned with this whole SkyDance/Paramount/CBS/Colbert & bribery allegation thing.  I am not sure I want to be patronizing this organization.  I'm not participating in any streaming services.  I do sometimes go to movies in theaters, so I asked google to tell me what movies are out there from this group.  The following is google's response

Skydance Media recently finalized its merger with Paramount Global, creating Paramount Skydance Corporation
. Skydance has been a co-producer on several major Paramount franchises for over a decade. 
Based on currently available information, here are some films currently playing or recently released that are associated with Paramount or Skydance:
        • Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning: This film, part of a franchise co-produced by both studios, is currently playing in theaters.
        • The Naked Gun: This reboot, from Team Robbins, is set to be released soon.
        • Roofman: This crime dramedy is set to be released soon.
        • Regretting You: This Colleen Hoover book adaptation is set to be released soon.
        • The Running Man: This film starring Glen Powell is set to be released in November.
        • The SpongeBob Movie: The Search for SquarePants: This animated film is set to be released around the Christmas holiday season.
        • Gladiator II: This sequel was produced by Ridley Scott and Paramount Pictures. It's available on streaming platforms like MGM+ and Paramount+.
        • Novocaine: This action comedy film was released in March 2025 by Paramount Pictures. It's available on streaming platforms such as Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
        • Smurfs: This animated musical fantasy comedy was released in 2025 by Paramount Animation. It's available on YouTube.
        • Smile 2: This supernatural psychological horror film is a sequel to Smile and was released by Paramount Pictures in October 2024. It is available on streaming services like Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
        • Transformers One: This animated film is based on Hasbro's Transformers toy line and was directed by Josh Cooley. It is available on streaming services such as Paramount+, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube TV.
        • The Gorge: This action film is available on Apple TV+.
        • Fountain of Youth: This action adventure film is available on Apple TV+.
Note that this list may not be exhaustive, as release dates and distribution channels can change. Some films might be available for rent or purchase on various platforms, or could be streaming on services not mentioned above. You can often find the most up-to-date information on official movie websites, streaming service platforms, or by checking local movie listings.

I did already see Dead Reckoning.  I was thinking of seeing Smurfs.  I might hold off on that. 

Thursday, July 17, 2025

Why do I like Solar Cookers International?

 Graphic showing UN sustainable development goals:


Solar Cookers work towards all of these goals

Examples of positive results of solar cookers:

  • reduce indoor air pollution and childhood asthma
  • reduce production of greenhouse gasses
  • preserve trees and bushes
  • give people more free time -- because they don't have to gather wood -- allows people more time for cash producing activities and education
  • can pasteurize water
  • reduce rapes -- as women aren't out gathering wood
  • basic solar cookers are very cheap and easy to transport 
  • people can often build their own solar cookers (reflector plus black pot)
  • reduce cost -- pays for itself, if people are buying fuel
link to the website of Solar Cookers International 

Guest speaker, who is working on pollution in Cameroon, at the webinar July 17, 2025


School in Nepal with solar cookers on the roof

Artwork & Animation


For the most part, my art is a hobby.  I have sold a few directly and given them as gifts, but more commonly I have donated them to charities for fundraising.

If you want a still art piece, I ask that you make a donation to Solar Cookers International as payment https://www.solarcookers.org/  I'll send you the item, if I still have it. I will ask to see your receipt.  Why I like Solar Cookers Internationa

Links to salient creative works

Animation Studies & other courses Blog

My storefront on Tee Public 

Still Art Examples


Here's an example of my doodling style:



Musings about getting into art


*Primary* Ongoing Log of Updates

I aspire to be a natural appearance performer

Divorced Billionaire Heiress

A lot of my friends and acquaintances are telling me that they've seen me in this vertical drama, where I play the powerful billionaire gramma.  Here's my blog about it Blog link

Performance Reels

Dramatic/Comedic reel

Commercial Reel

Villain/Angry reel



Legit Soprano music video (Sound of Music)

Alto belt example

links:





I am 10x vaccinated against COVID!

I am a USA/DE dual national

News from 2025 

Acting related

CLE

  • Navigating Japanese Patent & Trademark Law 5/28/25 (IIPS)
  • JPPCLE, June 6, 2025
  • Hot Topics in Trademark & Copyright Law June 26, 2025 (NYIPLA)

Other

  • Solar Cookers International (SCI) Webinar 7/18/25
  • Movies seen in theaters: Superman, Snow White, Moana 2, Thunderbolts, Captain America: Brave New World
  • Live Theater: Boop The Musical (so sad that it closed)
  • New Music: Lucia Micarelli "Anthropology"

News from 2024

Performance (click on links to see videos)

  • December 6 filming "Family Affair"
  • Sept 13, filming Woobles Ad
  • July 12, discovered an ad for Divorced Billionaire Heiress with extended clip 
  • June 13 release of FOGO (Fear of Getting Old) https://vimeo.com/957504849
  • June 4 filming  ad in Chicago retina specialists ad
  • May 21 release of Count of Monte Cristo  more info on blog
  • May 6-9 filming "The Divorced Billionaire Heiress"  Blog
  • May 5: I discovered that the "Secret Trillionaire" was renamed "Mystic Tycoon" and a clip is on FB.  blog with clip
  • May 2 "The Substitute Bride" starts streaming on Short Max Blog about The Substitute Bride
  • Feb 26 Filming  "Secret Trillionaire" (later called "Mystic Tycoon")  d Amy Omar.  
  • Jan 28 & Feb 5 Filming "The Substitute Bride" d Ying Xiao

CLE

  • 241107 NYIPLA fall one day program
  • 241020 State of the Law: Transgender Rights Lawline
  • 241018 Artificial Intelligence & Chat GPT: Uses, Abuses, and Ethical standards Lawline
  • October 2024 Poll Observer Training NYDLC
  • September 10 JPPCLE
  • July 23 NYDLC Supreme court Ethics
  • Feb 16, "Protections of Geographical Indications in the EU and Beyond" IIPS

Media consumed

  • Movies seen in Theatres:"Moana 2", "Wicked", "Venom: Last Dance", "DeadPool & Wolverine", "American Fiction", "Aquaman 2"
  • Audio purchased (Yeah, I haven't joined a streaming service yet) : "Impossible Dream" by Aaron Lazar, Everything I could find by Tony Ann, "Hell Together" by David Archuleta, "Fraggle Rock" with Adam Lambert, "Musical Priest" by Lucia Micarelli
  • Live theater & Music: Find your Light Benefit Appel Room; "Cabaret" at the Weathervane Theater in NH; "Cabaret" featuring Adam Lambert; Concert by Dave & Kat Foster in Staten Island

Other

Earlier updates, deleted from this blog and moved to separate blogs: