Having been through the VC process a few times over the past 7 years, I think this blog is going to be an essential place for any first time entrepreneur.  Of course, it always helps to have folks around you that have been through it before, but at least this lays out the groundwork.

http://venturehacks.com/ 

So as ever, most of the music I am buying recently is stimulated by what I see on TV shows and movies.  James Blunt made an appearance on Las Vegas (don’t ask), which prompted me to buy his latest album.  The fact that I am going to see him in concert in a few weeks, I guess was also in the back of my mind.

So a few clicks later I am in the Walmart download store for Windows Media Player, which I have been using for the past few years as its good value (88c) a track, and a good service.  To my shock James Blunt’s new album was not available, in fact non of his albums were.  This was the 1st time in over two years of using the service that I was not able to locate what I was looking for.  I know iTunes has gotten into the game of launching some exclusive tracks, but maybe they are now doing this with major artist albums, or maybe Walmart dropped the ball here.

So, I could not believe I was doing this, but I walked up my high street, went into my local Best Buy, and purchased the physical album – my first in 2 years for $13.99.  Its now been burnt in MP3 format and I am ready to rock and roll!

I am not sure who was more shocked when I purchased the CD, me, or the sales clerk who look shocked that someone my age was buying a CD, and clearly had that look in his eye…”haven’t you ever heard of iTunes?”

Anyway, album sounds great, and I am looking forward to the gig on feb 29th!

Something that is going to be critical as we digitize our lives is this concept of variable privacy.  What you share with who should not be a black and white issue, but one of subtle rings of trust.  Your context will affect where people (and brands) sit within these rings of trust and entities may move in and out over time.

 A company that is playing with this concept, ImInTa is discussed here http://www.webware.com/8301-1_109-9869813-2.html but there will be a lot more to come on this subject as people start to look for tools to manage who gets to know that they bought a book on Amazon or took a picture of their dog.

Sitting here watching the Grammys, blown away by 2 things:

(1) Kayne West’s performance, going from Stronger to Strongest with his tribute to his mom, simply amazing how he went from powerhouse pyrotechnics to soulful tribute

(2) the length of the ad breaks…..is CBS short on ad inventory or what…how can you really expect todays attention deficit audience to sit through 6min 20sec ad breaks…..crazy!

Of course, it there were not so long breaks, then I would not be able to sit here typing away, so I guess there are some pros  

It was either go to the movies, or set up a blog….given that there is a blizzard outside my window, I think this was the obvious choice!

Hopefully this blog will help me to share any pearls of wisdom that drop into my head, or that I hear about on the grapevine, happy blogging all!

Hey for those who find them straddled between the mobile world and the media world, I am kicking back into gear my networking group www.momemo.org … designed to bring media and mobile execs together, and help to connect the dots between these fast changing industries.  If you know anyone you think might benefit from this, then please send them along.