Amy and I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
We aren't big on holiday traditions in our home, but we do have one on Christmas day that we never miss. For as long as I can remember, Amy has baked Danish Kringler at some point during the day. Definitely not a diet food, most recipes include at least 3 sticks of butter. Fantastic and between the four of us, we'll finish this flaky, almond pastry it before it has a chance to completely cool.
I have my own musical tradition that I wanted to share. At some time during the holidays I'll cue up this 1977 duet between David Bowie and Bing Crosby – The Little Drummer Boy / Peace On Earth.
The year was 1977, and David Bowie seemed to become a commercial success overnight with the release of his album “Low”, and the hit single “Heroes”.
Until this point, while Bowie did have quite a following with his glam rock subculture, he was never considered a “popular artist.” Teenagers were listening to his music and worshiping the androgynous alter ego Ziggy Stardust, while their parents shook their heads in disbelief.
That all changed when Bing Crosby, America’s most-loved crooner, invited Bowie on his television show to sing.
In the book by David Buckley, “Strange Fascination- David Bowie: The Definitive Story,” Bowie said he did not want to do the show because he believed people would see him as “actively trying to normalize his career.”
But he did, and he searched for reasons to do so.
“I just knew my mother liked him,” Bowie said.
Bing asked Bowie to sing “Little Drummer Boy” with him as it was inching near to Christmas.
“I hate this song,” Bowie said. “Is there anything else I could sing?”
The show producers then scrambled to find something for the odd couple to sing, and within a mere 75 minutes, they had written “Peace on Earth” for Bowie to sing while Bing sang “The Little Drummer Boy.”
Thus the collaboration of Peace on Earth and Little Drummer Boy was created and, like it or not America (and mom), according to “The Huffington Post,” David Bowie sings one of the most loved Christmas songs of all time.
Wishing you and your family this best – while I wait for my Kringler 🙂
There's talk of a new YouTube Streaming Music service, similar to what many of us enjoy with Spotify & Deezer for delivering our class music. Imagine a service where you could create a playlist of music videos, add them to your portable device and then make them available for off line use 🙂
The alleged on-demand music service would be geared towards mobile use, and offer a free tier that lets you select songs from a large catalog of tracks, in addition to music videos supported by advertisements. A paid version of the service, which will cost $10 per month, will reportedly remove ads and offer the ability to save music offline on your device.
Word is that YouTube's service will be launched in the first quarter of 2014 – possibly as part of the Google All Access Music service.
I can't wait to see this because I've discovered something…
We've refrained in the past from advocating the use of YouTube music videos here at ICI/PRO in the past. My understanding was that the terms and conditions used by YouTube expressly prohibit playing their videos in a commercial setting.
Now I'm not an attorney, but it appears that this is another misconception from those “They Say” people. I just spent an hour researching this and can't find anywhere where YouTube prohibits the commercial use of their videos.
What is (has always been) prohibited is the playing of copyrighted music (audio only or music video) in a commercial setting = your club or studio, unless you're paying the appropriate fees to the music licensing authority where you're located.
Actually projecting the videos off your iPhone using this new service will of course create some new technical hurdles for many of us Instructors and studio owners. When YouTube's new service gets more real, I have an audio & video technology expert standing by to help us integrate this new video option into our classes.
Music streaming service Deezer will launch in the US in 2014. French company Deezer currently has 5 million paying subscribers in 80 countries worldwide, a figure that puts it close behind the similar service Spotify – based in Sweden – which boasts more than 6 million paying users. Deezer will join a crowded market of subscription-based streaming music services that also includes Rdio, Google Play Music, and MOG.
Except this rumor is a bit distressing…
US networks such as Verizon and AT&T are obvious targets for a partnership as Deezer expands, but TechCrunch reports the company would also consider joining with a firm outside the telecoms industry. According to Digital Music News, that partnership could even become a takeover. Its sources say Microsoft is considering acquiring the service outright to gain traction in an industry where it has failed to make an impact in the past.
Let's hope for Deezer's sake that Microsoft (if they are involved) doesn't turn Deezer into a Windows 8 like disaster.
No idea what you're eating? Does it contain chemicals and allergens that you want to avoid? Are you a bit distrustful of the labeling (or lack of labeling) on the food you purchase for your family? Well now there's an App for that, or at least there will be very soon.
I'm on an email list that sends regular notifications of new IndieGoGo projects. This morning I was alerted to this new product: TellSpec: What's in your food?
TellSpec is a fascinating device that literally scans your food and then displays the resluts on your portable deveice. Watch this short video to see how it works.
http://youtu.be/kcNj1DknDpg
What is TellSpec?
TellSpec is a three-part system which includes: (1) a spectrometer scanner (2) an algorithm that exists in the cloud; and (3) an easy-to-understand interface on your smart phone. Just aim the scanner at the food and press the button until it beeps. You can scan directly or through plastic or glass. TellSpec analyzes the findings using the algorithm and sends a report to your phone telling you the allergens, chemicals, nutrients, calories, and ingredients in the food. TellSpec is a fast, simple, and easy-to-use way to learn what's in your food. We need your help to make it smaller and manufacture it as a handheld device.
Here's the part that really impressed me – it can help you identify food allergies 🙂
TellSpec will track what you eat, and based on your reports of how you feel, it will help identify your food sensitivities.
While Reebok doesn't make cycling shoes or apparel, they do make some fabulous workout wear. So when I saw this new fitness instructor 25% discount program, I knew I needed to share it with you.
ReebokONE gives credentialed fitness instructors 25% off everything in their catalog – there are no restrictions like their old program that limited you to a clothing for your gender and shoes only in your size.
I was having a conversation last week at the ECA conference, with a women who was looking through a rack of fitness clothing. I had asked her why the clothing vendors appeared to be so popular. She gave me the “Duh” look and explained that she was constantly on the lookout for the newest styles. Fitness conferences are often the place to see the latest offerings. As a somewhat typical guy, I'm not overly concerned about what I wear, but I am quite aware that some people's sense of style is much greater than mine = a strong desire to be wearing what's new and cool.
I signed up to experience the process. It's pretty straight forward, although you do need to attach a scanned image of your certification. They offer you the option to create an Instructor profile and they offer a referral commission program that you can promote to your friends and participants.
Annual ICI/PRO member Instructors: don't forget you get access to our special arrangement with Pearl iZumi where you receive a 40% discount off everything shop.pearlizumi.com/icipro/
