Facebook has now become a household term. Tagging friends no longer has the connotation of child’s play. “friending” someone is acceptable grammar. We have become a society obsessed with social networking. Therefore, in an attempt to correct my obsession, I have decided to stay away from my Facebook for two weeks (courtesy of my friend, K., changing my password). Let’s see how this works, shall we?
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Sundays are usually pretty uneventful at our house this time of the year. We are always busy during the warm months but this time of the year we slow down. Sure, we may throw a load of laundry into the washer or cook a nice dinner but other than that it’s veg out on the couch day. Last Sunday however was an exception and we actually went and did something other than facebook and blog.
Paula, Logan, Nick and I spent most of the morning at Festival Of Trees. Festival Of Trees is almost everything Christmas. A huge miniature train display, gingerbread houses, music, wreaths, lights, games for the kids and of course hundreds of ornately decorated trees were some of the highlights of the festival. Now by now some of you may be asking where the photos are. I do have a reason, although it’s a lame reason and I’m still kicking myself in the ass for not bringing my camera, but a reason none the less. Please forgive me for not providing photos of the festival. (bowing head in shame)
I didn’t bring my camera because after we finished strolling through the festival, we met Javajunkee (aka Lisa) and family at the mall. I didn’t want to lug my heavy camera around the mall the rest of the day and I certainly didn’t want to leave it in the car so I left it at home.
Paula, Nick and I had of course already met Lisa and her daughter Erin, but it was our first time meeting Mr. Javajunkee (aka David) and Mr. Javajunkee Jr. (aka Jake). It was the first time any of the Junkee’s met Logan. After we all met up in front of JC Penney’s and being introduced to one another, we decided to head to the food court for some lunch. After lunch, Nick ventured out into the mall with Erin and Jake leaving just the adults and Logan. I walked Logan down to the ice cream shop for some dessert after a quick stop at Aeropostale so I could get a new stocking cap. I found this really cool stocking cap with a bill on it similar to a baseball cap. I really like the hat and Nick really likes it but Paula says I look like Elmer Fudd. Maybe I will take some photos and let you all decide. My sons informed me later that the cap is called a “beanie”.
After I returned to the food court with Logan and my new beanie, we all headed over to Starbucks inside Barnes and Noble for some coffee. We sat there for quite a while chatting and all getting to know one another. Logan spent a lot of time on Lisa’s lap teaching her how to read and looking at books. LOL
Can a Sunday get any better than visiting a festival guaranteed to get you into the holiday spirit and enjoying lunch with new friends? I think NOT! It was a pleasure to see Lisa and Erin again and meeting David and Jake. I’m looking forward to our next get together already!
** Read my interview with Iqbal Theba aka PRINCIPAL FIGGINS! inside **
Read the Interview Inside!
** Read my interview with Iqbal Theba aka PRINCIPAL FIGGINS! inside **
Iqbal Theba
Iqbal has played many roles in television and film including “Community”, “Two and a Half Men”, “ER”, and “The West Wing”. He is known for playing Principal Figgins on the hit Fox television show, “Glee”. I chatted with him about the show, life as an actor, and of course words of wisdom from the principal himself! Find him on Facebook at the “Iqbal Theba Page”!
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NEAL: You have done so many television and film roles, but for those who are unfamiliar with your back-story, tell us in a nutshell how you wound up in Hollywood. IQBAL: Born in Karachi, Pakistan on December 20, 1963. Started college as a Freshman at the University of Oklahoma in 1981. Studied Civil Engineering at first and have a BS in Construction Engineering Management. Hated my job in a Construction Company in Oklahoma City, so, Went back to the University of Oklahoma in 1986 and majored in Acting. Spent a year in NYC and moved to LA in 1991. Waited on about a million tables in the process. NEAL: You have quite a story of how you arrived to Hollywood! There must have been some pretty hard days struggling to make it in show business. Was it hard staying positive? IQBAL: I am the most positive person you’ll ever meet. I have seen pretty bad days during my struggling actor days. In NYC, at least a couple of times, I didn’t have enough money to buy food and I went hungry. But, I never pitied myself and never gave up. My passion for Acting helped me survive.
NEAL: When you first started out, did you ever dream you would be on such a big television hit and being in some of the biggest movies and shows out there? IQBAL: Of course I dreamt of all those things. But, there was a time when it all seemed so improbable.
NEAL: Speaking of “Glee”, can you tell us what a typical day for you on the set is like? IQBAL: Well, I LOVE going to work on GLEE. I basically show up at Paramount Studios, which is within walking distance from where I live (can you believe my luck?!), and check in with the second AD. If the shooting is going according to the plan then I go to make-up and hair which is a formality for me… because I don’t like wearing make-up or hair gel or anything. I had requested during the Pilot shoot that they just powder my face with anti-shine and simply comb my hair right before all the takes. The agreed. So, I don’t really spend anytime in the make-up chair. Sometimes, I have a lot of free time at my hand if they are running behind. So, I drink tea and hang out with the other cast members, producers and the crew. The show has the friendliest and the most fun people and it is never boring.
NEAL: Are you amazed at the success of the show? IQBAL: I know it might sound cocky or arrogant, but, I knew this was going to be a hit when I read the script for the Pilot. However, I feel truly Blessed and Lucky that I am part of this amazing show.
NEAL: Obviously music is such an important part of the show. Why do you think people respond so well to the music? How do you think that has changed the way the story arc is written each week? IQBAL: People respond to music because it conveys something that cannot be conveyed in prose or just words. GLEE works because it’s characters sing only when they must and words wont express their true feelings. I don’t think the story arc changes because of the music. I think the writers write a good story and then pick the music according to the character’s need to express a particular feeling, emotion or a point of view.
NEAL: On “Glee”, the show deals with some heavy issues: teen pregnancy, being gay, high school drama, etc. When you looked at the script for the first time, were you surprised about how the show was able to keep things light while getting their important messages out there? IQBAL: What’s brilliant about GLEE is that it never lets itself wallow in any situation or a point of view, be it grief or exhilaration . It doesn’t try to “milk” an issue or a feeling. It deals with issues without cheapening the subject matter. And that aspect of the show wasn’t as glaringly obvious until I saw the Pilot because the way they edit the show and the use of background music or lack of it.
NEAL: Can you reveal to us anything that will be happening in this season? IQBAL: Well, I would love to tell your readers exactly what’s going to happen… but, I cantJ. All I can say is that great episodes are ahead and I hope you all continue to watch the show. Oh, here’s something you may not know… we finished shooting 13 episodes back in early July. We are going to start shooting the 14th episode on Jan 6. So, between mid December and early April no new episodes will air, assuming they continue airing new episodes till mid December. NEAL: What new projects do you have lined up? IQBAL: Well, there is a Pilot called Ghosts/Aliens for Comedy Central that I just did. If it gets the green light then it will shoot in the summer of 2010. I also have a recurring role on the NBC show “Community”. I am also in the process of developing a feature Film for myself but that’s in its very early stages and I cant tell you anything about the story or subject matter at this point.
NEAL: If you had to give advice to any aspiring actors, what would it be? IQBAL: If you are serious about becoming a working actor then make sure all your energies AND money are spent in the following order of priority… (1) Pursuit of Acting. (2) Food. (3) Roof over your head…… Your determination to become a working actor is the most important tool that you have.
NEAL: Do you think nowadays, more actors who are minorities are getting film/television roles? In regard to minority actors, do you think there is a trend in more diversity in television and film roles? IQBAL: There is more diversity now than before, more so in TV than in Film. Films are still very rigidly cast. Principal Figgins was written for a white guy but they cast me. It would not have happened in Film.
NEAL: Being a minority actor has its pros and cons. For you, do you feel it helps you gain roles in Holly or at times works against you? IQBAL: Being a minority works in my favor when it comes to smaller parts. But, I usually don’t have a prayer when it comes to bigger roles.
NEAL: To date, what has been the most surreal moment of being in Hollywood? I guess, your “Hollywood moment” –and why? IQBAL: I think “surreal” moments happen to people who didn’t have to struggle for too long. For someone like me who has spent a couple of decades in pursuit of Acting everything is… well, it is what it is.
NEAL: To go along with that question, what has been your favorite role to date and why? IQBAL: Figgins of course! I find it quite challenging because Figgins has to be played with the right mix of someone who is an authority figure but who is also very insecure about his own strengths as a person. It is a very fine line to walk as an actor.
NEAL: As Principal Figgins, you have the tough job of keeping some sanity and trying to dispense words of wisdom to your school. Any last words of wisdom for the readers? IQBAL: Live your life with Intelligence, Compassion and Passion. Aaaand, please join my Fan page on Facebook “iqbal theba page” and support me and Principal Figgins.
As all Facebook users cannot help but be aware, Mark Zuckerberg has sent an open letter addressing Facebook’s new security measures. Here is Mark Zuckerberg’s open letter about security.
Zuckerburg (did Zuckerberg really write this letter? I find that hard to believe after seeing the Facebook Founder in interview) begins his letter with the fact the Facebook community has grown to over 350 million users worldwide which, of course, necessitates the revision and implementation of new security measures. To begin with, networks based on regions or territories will be a thing of the past. Regional networks have simply become to large and, well, useless.
Next, Zuckerberg states:
We’re adding something that many of you have asked for — the ability to control who sees each individual piece of content you create or upload. In addition, we’ll also be fulfilling a request made by many of you to make the privacy settings page simpler by combining some settings. If you want to read more about this, we began discussing this plan back in July.
At some point in the near future we will be messaged and walked through what we need to learn and do as Facebook users to keep up with the times by adjusting our security sections. I am actually interested to learn more. Especially considering that Canada instigated these changes.
Facebook has crossed the 350 million active user mark, CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced tonight. But while the site’s latest growth spurt is impressive, it took 77 days, as compared to earlier this year when Facebook had added 50 million users in as short a time as 62 days. But it’s still the site’s second-quickest such milestone to date.
A Look Back at Facebook Growth
Dec. 1, 2009: 350 million users (77 days since last benchmark)
Sept. 15, 2009: 300 million users (62 days since last benchmark)
July 15, 2009: 250 million users (98 days since last benchmark)
April 8, 2009: 200 million users (91 days since last benchmark)
Jan. 7, 2009: 150 million users (134 days since last benchmark)
August 26, 2008: 100 million users
Source: Facebook blog posts
Of course, at some point Facebook’s growth has to slow down, unless the company scores a global maternity ward deal. The opportunities for the self-reported cash-flow positive Facebook to expand quickly and easily are petering out. There were only 444 million worldwide broadband subscribers in the second quarter of 2009, according to Point Topic. Hence the increasing value of more accessible products like Facebook’s mobile and “Lite” versions that address markets where broadband still is not prevalent.
It’s perhaps fitting that Zuckerberg announced the 350 million milestone alongside the phasing out of the company’s regional network feature. Regional networks were first introduced three years ago as a way to facilitate expansion when Facebook moved from a schools-only service to the general public. The idea was to expose new users’ offline communities to give them a group of local profiles to access within the site. At the time, Facebook had 9.5 million users.
Clearly, things have changed. “[A]s Facebook has grown, some of these regional networks now have millions of members and we’ve concluded that this is no longer the best way for you to control your privacy,” Zuckerberg said in a blog post Tuesday.
Zuckerberg did not say when the feature would be disabled, but said it would affect the nearly 50 percent of Facebook users who have identified themselves as members of regional networks. “In the next couple of weeks” all users will be asked to update their privacy settings. Many users may be happy about new privacy features that include granular item-by-item controls, but then again these updates have a way of confusing and annoying people, especially all those buckets upon buckets of new members.
Please see the disclosure regarding Facebook on my bio page.
What is going on with Facebook’s constant gyrations about privacy policy? Does anyone really care?
A little while ago I suggested that online privacy concerns are best addressed by free market solutions, not governmental regulation. I’ve discussed the topic with quite a few entrepreneurs, investors and professional marketers, and the overwhelming view in that group is that regular consumers just don’t care about online privacy. ”They” say:
privacy is too complicated a topic for consumers to understand
no one reads privacy policies
consumers can be distracted from privacy concerns with the offer of just about any shiny object
Much of that might be true – but I also took the time to talk to a bunch of “regular” consumers. And these things are definitely true:
consumers know that their privacy is being compromised by many online services
consumers do not like being taken for granted
consumers will avoid services that abuse their information, and will seek services that use their information properly
These two sets of “truths” are not mutually inconsistent. To me, they add up to: Online services can gain a competitive advantage by giving consumers the most sensible default choices along with the right advanced options for privacy – make it simple, but make it right. I think Facebook believes this, and that’s why they keep tinkering with their policies. They understand that a lot of their initial attraction was a result of making different privacy assumptions than more open services like FriendFeed and Twitter. They know that even if no one ever reads their privacy policy, if they make the wrong choices about privacy, they will lose users. As they saturate their available audience, they have to figure out how to strike the right balance among their different demographic bases, all the while competing with the advantages that more open services have.
These are extremely nuanced choices, but getting them right makes the barrier to competitive threat all the more defensible. And these are product choices; this is something that many I’ve talked to misunderstand: people think that this privacy stuff is just legal mumbo jumbo or regulatory mishmash. That’s plain wrong – laws and regulations are just the cart behind the horse. In a social product where community is paramount, policy choices are product choices.
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