Flex 2 Beta 1 Released

Macromedia has just released the first public beta of it's Flex 2 product line. The following beta 1 downloads are now available:

- Flex Builder 2
- Flex Charting Components 2
- Flex Enterprise Services 2
- ColdFusion/Flex Connectivity
- Flash Player 8.5

I am currently attempting to download and install the new applications before the Macromedia/Adobe servers get hammered. Being that I have not had a chance to play with Flex for a few months now, I am not sure it even matters if I get this stuff ASAP. That being said, maybe I will report my thoughts on Flex 2 beta 1.

Then again, maybe not.

Funniest Song Ever or Worst Song Ever?

When I first heard this song I thought my ears might be deceiving me. Was this song serious or just a joke? After hearing it about 5 times now, I am 100% convinced that the artist, T-Pain, wrote a serious song called "I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)".

Pretty much everybody I've talked to who has heard the song agrees that it is just plain ridiculous. Brian's reaction was "they have officially written a song about everything." Yes, Brian, you are correct. This song may actually mark the downfall of the human civilization.

For those of you who are not down with the hip-hop/R&B/rap scene, allow me to give you the lyrics. I promise that you will not be disappointed.

I'm N Luv (Wit a Stripper)

[Verse 1]

Got the body of a goddess
Got eyes butter pecan brown I see you girl
Droppin Low
She Comin Down from the ceiling
To tha floo
Yea She Know what she doin
Yea yea yea
She doin that right thang
Yea yea yea yea ea
I Need to get her over to my crib and do that night thang
Cause I'm N Luv wit a stripper

[Chorus x2]
She poppin she rollin she rollin
She climbin that pole and
I'm N Luv with a stripper
She trippin she playin she playin
I'm not goin nowhere girl I'm stayin
I'm N Luv with a stripper

[Verse 2]

Out of all the girls she be the hottest
Like n the way she break it down I see u girl
Spinnin wide
And She lookin at me
Right in my eyes
Yea She got my attention
yea yea yea
Did I forget to mention
I Need to get her over to my crib and do that night thang
Cause Im N Luv Wit a Stripper

[Chorus x2]
She poppin she rollin she rollin
She climbin that pole and
I'm N Luv with a stripper
She trippin she playin she playin
I'm not goin nowhere girl I'm stayin
I'm N Luv with a stripper

[Verse 3]

She can pop it she can lock it
Teddy Penderass down I'm bout to see this sexy girl
In My bed
She don't know what she is doin
To my head
Yea She turnin tricks on me
Yea Yea Yea
She dont even know me
Yea yea yea ea
I'd have got her over to my crib to do that night thing
Cause I'm N Luv Wit a Stripper

[Chorus x4]
She poppin she rollin she rollin
She climbin that pole and
I'm N Luv with a stripper
She trippin she playin she playin
I'm not goin nowhere girl I'm stayin
I'm N Luv with a stripper

"That like made my life!"

Those were Sarah's exact words after we experienced Bon Jovi play Livin' on a Prayer live at Philips Arena. What a great experience! It does not matter how old the guy is or how long he has been around because he still kicks some serious ass.

I have never been one to attend many huge, live performances (Barenaked Ladies, Matchbox Twenty, Staind, 3 Doors Down), but I do know that this one was better than any of the others. There was no overly-complicated light show or odd stage tricks. It was a simple, clean, classic show. There was plenty of excitement and crowd interaction though, which put it off the charts.

For a bunch of old guys, playing for two and a half hours straight is pretty impressive. Of course, they had to play a portion of their new songs from Have a Nice Day (some of which are pretty good), but Bon Jovi did not disappoint when it came to the classics. My favs were Bad Medicine, Livin' on a Prayer (the Jersey Anthem), and Wanted Dead or Alive. No real surprise there, but the live performances were even better than expected.

What also rocked was that Jon was all over the arena singing, playing, and doing his thing. That was partially what made the show so interesting. There were small platforms set up around the arena where Jon could get to and perform right in the crowd. And when I say in the crowd, I mean in the crowd. There was very little separation between he and the people at times, if any. Fans were eye level and within mere feet of the New Jersey legend. Also, he walked through crowd (not necessarily using aisles) singing, talking, and physically greeting spectators. I am not sure how popular that is these days with all the crazies in this world, but it was pretty effin' cool.

I honestly believe that every New Jersian should see Bon Jovi in person while it's still possible. It was a surprisingly surreal experience that only someone from the "Tri-state area" can fully appreciate. What a kick ass show!

My "Sort of" New Job

Now that Robert has broken his silence, I will do the same. As Robert is moving onto a new "double secret" project within Turner, I will be filling his role as the Manager of Technology of PGA.com.

I would first like to thank Robert for the opportunity to join the PGA.com team two years ago. It has been a blast working with he, Todd, and Buzz. I have learned a great deal from him and have enjoyed the experience of working with a close friend. Secondly, I would like to thank Robert for leaving. His moving on to another project has allowed me to receive the first promotion of my professional career. But seriously, I welcome the challenge of my new position and I enter it refreshed, excited, and raring to go.

Here's to a new year and new experiences.