Scatterbrain[y]

How to view Netflix "Watch Instantly" from Guam (or anywhere else).

2009-01-25T21:52:00.001-08:00

So you want to use Netflix "Watch Instantly" from anywhere (but especially Guam)? Here's how you do it ... but first a word about why I love Netflix.

Netflix is a great thing. DVD rental shipping to Guam is fantastic and quick. Also, if you got a Blu-Ray player for the holidays, you can watch Lost Season 4 in Hi-Def without taking out a second mortgage.

If you love movies, hate late fees and don't want to spend your grocery money on DVDs, there's no reason not to be a member. Plus, no piracy!

Here's the problem.

One of Netflix's best features is "Watch Instantly." This allows you to watch thousands of movies, TV shows and more on your computer, Xbox 360, network appliances (like TiVo) and some internet-aware Blu-Ray players.

Watch what you want with no downloading, no piracy, no waiting for the mail.

Sounds great doesn't it?

But when you click the "Watch Instantly" tab, you see this:

You'll read that the service doesn't work outside the Continental U.S., Puerto Rico, Alaska and Hawaii. That means users in Guam or any other country with a Netflix account can't access the full power of Netflix.

However, we have ways of getting what we want ... for instance watching the last Three seasons of C.S.I. on demand.

In order watch what we want, we must fool Netflix into thinking we aren't where we really are.

We have to make Netflix think we're in a state that can vote.

In other words our computer must look like it's in the Mainland.

The Solution.

The answer is this Web site: http://www.hotspotshield.com/

It's a free VPN service but you don't need to know what a VPN is if you don't want to. All you need to know is that it makes your traffic secure and that it disguises your computer's location as being in the Continental United States.

AND IT WORKS BEAUTIFULLY.

Just download the free utility and then connect. After you connect, your computer will look like just another U.S. based user.

Now when you click the "Watch Instantly" tab you'll see this:

There's little or no slowdown and viewing movies and TV shows is easy.

Got an Xbox 360?

You can also use this method to activate your Xbox 360's Netflix service.

Normally after your Xbox Netflix feature gives you your 4-digit activation code, you get this when you go to the activation page on Netflix.

The Netflix Ready Device can be used only within the 50 US states and the District of Columbia. It cannot be activated and will not function in US territories or protectorates, or in other countries.

If you use HotSpotShield, you get this instead:

Now you can enjoy Netflix watch instantly on your TV!

Enjoy the Movies!!

* This also works with Pandora Internet Radio and Rhapsody unlimited music service and NBC.com if you want to watch shows or enjoy the online commentary on Heroes episodes.

Don't forget to eat: The thing about hyperfocus

2008-11-18T22:08:00.000-08:00

There is a flip-side to more well known restlessness and distraction of ADD. It's what some call Hyperfocus.
Not many know about it, but it's a powerful tool that has allowed many ADDers to achieve amazing things.
Adults with ADD have had to cope with the condition their entire lives. While this can prove debilitating to as a child in school, you learn to compensate as you grow. The result is the ability to slip into a heightened period of tunnel vision and energy (and sometime brilliance) aimed at a particular goal.

In science fiction movies, you sometimes hear dialogue like this:

"Damnit, Johnson! You're obsessed! This death ray of yours is making you crazy. You haven't left this lab in days, you haven't eaten and you haven't slept! Snap out of it!"

Well, I'm no screenwriter

Anyhow, this skill comes in handy when taking on a long and difficult project. I've done 15-hour slogs through projects overnight without sleep, eating and a break. The weird thing is that it's not a conscious decision. If you pay attention, you can feel yourself slipping into that state. It feels great.

However, it's difficult to shake. I've found it very hard to stop when I should. Stepping away from that state is hard, especially since it's such a departure from my normal behavior.

Still, once you step back and see what you've done ... you'll often astound yourself.
That confidence you get will last long after the world rushes back into your head and you're back "normal."

Anyone have any stories of extreme hyperfocus?

Pulling back from the keyboard until next time,
Carlo

Track packacge shipments with Google

2008-10-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

Here's a neat trick we all already know, right? Have a packacge to track? There's no need to go to the USPS or UPS site and hunt down the tracking page in order to look up your box's journey. Simply type or paste your tracking code into Google's search box and it'll give you a quick link to get the info! I've tried it with FedEx, USPS, UPS, DHL and even EMS. I've yet to find an instance where this didn't work. But you already knew this.

Your first hour versus your whole day

2008-10-25T21:49:00.000-07:00

As I've gotten to understand the rhythms of an easily distracted mind, I've gome to treasure the first hour of work everyday. It's during this first hour that I look at my schedule, assignments, plans, messages and mail. From an hour of conscious thought about the day ahead, I can ensure that the next 8-10 hours will be productive and satisfying.

If this sounds like something you need, by all means, ask for it at work. It's a lifesaver, especially a clouded mind has you easily frazzled when you don't know what it is you're supposed to be doing next.

If you feel open enough with your bosses and coworkers, you'll find it's easy to ask to be left alone for an hour or until a specific time (such as 9:30 a.m. or your first coffee break). You'll be surprised at how well this works.

10 Barenaked Ladies songs to move your mood

2008-09-24T22:02:00.000-07:00

Off the top of my head.
10. What a Good Boy
9. Enid
8. One Week
7. Fight the Power (From the "Coneheads" movie soundtrack).
6. When I Fall
5. McDonald's Girl
4. It's All Been Done
3. Pinch Me
2. If I Had a Million Dollars
1. Brian Wilson
That's the order they're in today. Have a listen if you need to explore your moods today.
-- Carlo

Inappropriately named eating establishments I saw in Manila

2008-06-25T21:58:00.000-07:00

Don't click the links if you can help it ...

Little Poon's (A chinese restaurant)
Kiss: King of Balls (Specializing in dim sum and pearl shakes)
Cock Master (Chicken)
KKK Chicken (More Chicken)

Links to Urban Dictionary entries the owners can refer to upon seeing the puzzled looks of foreign visitors.

"Avoid this one, wait for the dvd, and when I say that, I mean wait until it comes out on DVD and then knock over the display."

2008-06-14T22:26:00.000-07:00

Best line I've read regarding M. Knight's "The Happening."

I swear, after watching that film, I tried to call everyone I know and warn them to stay away from this depression-fest.

Me Versus the Magic Sing Karaoke Demon

2007-06-04T22:30:00.000-07:00

"All I want to do is score over 60!"

Over the course of three hours spent singing a variety of songs at Dorris and Ron's party, the Magic Sing believes I only deserved a high score of 57.
Though, it does encourage me to use "MORE EFFORT."
I feel that I somehow let down the songs I know by heart. Therefore, I must give my apologies to Dido, Robbie Williams and MC Hammer. In my heart, I know I rocked U Can't Touch This ...

The Medication Question

2007-01-25T21:41:00.000-08:00

The question ...
I'm often asked if ADHD meds are "Bad for me or my children."
From a non-medical-professional (and completely not liable) position, I'd have to say it depends on what the medication is and who's taking it.

My Answer
I take Ritalin four times a day — 80 milligrams in total. Some side effects I've sporadically experienced are a mild hotheadedness lasting for minutes at a time, loss of appetite and ... actually that's it. The drug wears off rather quickly for me, lasting 3-4 hours per pill at the most. I assume this mitigates any lingering dangers as a day or two off the meds completely 'resets' me to pre-Ritalin status.
Mood wise, I haven't felt any mood swings because of Ritalin, nor irritability or any psychotic behavior. I've also experienced none of the other horror stories I'm sure we've all heard (many of which are veiled sales pitches for herbal remedies or competing meds) — especially about children on Ritalin.
Of course, I'm an adult and went undiagnosed until I was 29. So I have no childhood experiences Ritalin experiences to speak of.

Other meds ...
When I first started getting treatment for ADHD, I did try other meds to see what worked best. Long-lasting varieties of meds had no effect, except to empty my wallet faster. Non-stimulant meds DID have a mood altering effect, making me extremely grouchy and raised my temper to unnatural (for me, anyway) levels. It also didn't help the symptoms much.

Ritalin remains my medication of choice and has been for almost two years now. However, I don't take it on weekends, if possible. I also don't take it on vacations. Maybe this helps to keep me from getting de-sensitized to it (as can happen with other mental-health meds).

So far, it's worked well for me, but ADHD is a different experience for everybody, so your medication mileage may vary.

Yours in the clarity search,
Carlo