Blurasis

Why Every Entrepreneur Should Self-Publish a Book

Ming Wu — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 05:37:51 +0000

I’ve published eight books in the past seven years, five with traditional publishers (Wiley, Penguin, HarperCollins), one comic book, and the last two I’ve self-published. In this post I give the specific details of all of my sales numbers and advances with the traditional publishers. Although the jury is still out on my self-published books, ”How to be the Luckiest Man Alive” and ”I Was Blind But Now I See” I can tell you these two have already sold more than my five books with traditional …

This is a interesting blog post on Self-Publishing.

Photos from Party Scene of Untitled Short Film for OIFF’s 72 Hour Film Challenge

Ming Wu — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 17:33:49 +0000

Last night I was asked to be in an extra for the group of Luca F, Craig Allen Conoley, James Park, Ben Walker, Ivana Borojevic and others.
They were filming a short film for OIFF’s 72 Hour Film Challenge.
It was day 2 into filming if I am correct.
When I was there they didn’t have a title for the short film yet.

They were filming a party scene.
I happened to play a extra who happens to be a “Photographer party goer”.
I have a small scene with Luca and just say I happened to speak in Chinese (Cantonese).
All I can say is I haven’t talked in Chinese in quite awhile and acting is not very easy.
Which is why I prefer to be behind the camera than in front of the camera.

Overall it was a fun experience and wouldn’t mind doing it.
Here are the photos.

Random photos from OIFF’s 72 Hour Film Challenge

Ming Wu — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:09:39 +0000

Last night was the start of OIFF’s 72 Hour Film Challenge that took place at The Lieutenant’s Pump.
This year’s challenge had a lot of groups participating, from 10 last year to about 25 this year.
Here is a photo of what was in the Mystery Bag (Yes that is a bottle of Whiskey from Canadian Club who are the proud sponsors of the festival).

Here are the rest of the photos (Mostly candid).

S#!t Ottawans Say [What people Tweeted!]

Ming Wu — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 01:54:20 +0000

Something happened in the Ottawa Twitterverse on January 19, 2012.
Ever since S**t Girls Say hit the web back in December.
There has been alot of copy cats and craze going.
I would have thought the novelty would die down.
But it hasn’t…

Things had hit a notch when someone decided to do a Ottawa version.
No there isn’t a Youtube version.
But it has been all over Twitter since January 19th.
Here are what people Tweeted.
Considering some of the sites (apt613 and OpenFile Ottawa) didn’t use my Tweets.
For more Tweets, click here.

“

“No way! Sandra Oh was born in Ottawa!” #ShitOttawansSay

PhotogMusic.com

Thu, Jan 19 2012 16:04:04

Reply Retweet
“

“Let’s go to the Rideau Center” #ShitOttawansSay

El Malole

Mon, Jan 23 2012 07:48:09

Reply Retweet
“

“Sh*t. Have you got a blackberry charger on you?” #ShitOttawansSay #ShitIJustSaidJustNow

Carlene Variyan

Sun, Jan 22 2012 14:25:05

Reply Retweet
“

“Hockey game at Corel Centre, I mean Scotiabank Place” #ShitOttawansSay

PhotogMusic.com

Thu, Jan 19 2012 14:34:11

Reply Retweet
“

Our public transit blows. #ShitOttawansSay

Matt Clouthier

Sun, Jan 22 2012 01:49:32

Reply Retweet
“

#ShitOttawansSay sounds like fodder for Capital Complaints Choir, led by artful kvetchers @_nuotio_ and @BenWelland. Where’s the whine?

Fateema Sayani

Sun, Jan 22 2012 13:01:14

Reply Retweet
“

Have you ever seen Max Keeping’s ponytail up close? He’s at the Casino like every weekend. #ShitOttawansSay

Ben Welland

Fri, Jan 20 2012 08:06:00

Reply Retweet
“

I have a friend who went to high school with @tomgreenlive/ alanis @morissette #shitottawanssay

Kate Chappell

Sun, Jan 22 2012 07:45:04

Reply Retweet
“

“Let’s go to the Dirty Dom” #ShitOttawansSay

PhotogMusic.com

Thu, Jan 19 2012 14:36:20

Reply Retweet
“

You want to go all the way to Barrhaven?? To party?? #ShitOttawansSay

Peter John Schnobb

Fri, Jan 20 2012 16:16:18

Reply Retweet
“

I live two blocks from the canal, but I hate skating. #shamefuladmissions #shitOttawansSay

Rosemary Knes

Sat, Jan 21 2012 15:03:59

Reply Retweet
“

We have the best bus system in world. The prices go up and the service goes down. #ShitOttawansSay

Chantal Sarkisian

Fri, Jan 20 2012 13:34:45

Reply Retweet
“

“If it’s snowing, that means it’s warm out” #ShitOttawansSay

William Norman

Thu, Jan 19 2012 20:37:27

Reply Retweet
“

The windows are up in my apt. ’cause the building is 50 yrs old and the landlord is boiler happy. #ShitOttawansSay

Julien Boulerice

Thu, Jan 19 2012 18:26:33

Reply Retweet
“

“Bonjour mesdames et messieurs, Thank you ladies and gentlemen…” #shitottawanssay

T Ca

Thu, Jan 19 2012 20:11:38

Reply Retweet
“

Leafs Suck #ShitOttawansSay

Tim Scholz

Thu, Jan 19 2012 17:10:08

Reply Retweet
“

I’ll meet you at my Bridgehead. #ShitOttawansSay

Samantha Amplified

Thu, Jan 19 2012 12:22:31

Reply Retweet
“

“Bus drivers are SO overpaid.” #ShitOttawansSay

tina hassannia

Thu, Jan 19 2012 12:34:59

Reply Retweet
“

“I haven’t been to Zaphods in forever.” #shitottawanssay

Travis Boisvenue

Thu, Jan 19 2012 12:00:33

Reply Retweet
“

“Why is the Queensway always under construction?” #ShitOttawansSay

Kyle Sergeant

Thu, Jan 19 2012 16:53:45

Reply Retweet
“

Applying to ‘bilingual’ jobs but aren’t bilingual #ShitOttawansSay

Denise Kathryn

Thu, Jan 19 2012 16:42:52

Reply Retweet
“

Do you know who’s playing at Bluesfest this year? #ShitOttawansSay

France Bonneville

Thu, Jan 19 2012 16:38:59

Reply Retweet
“

“LEEEEEAAAAAAFFFSSSS SUUUUUUCCCCKKKKKKKKK” #ShitOttawansSay

tina hassannia

Thu, Jan 19 2012 12:10:00

Reply Retweet
“

The Sens suck, I think i’ll cheer for the Leafs next season. @sbaranski @kinsellawarren @swebb100 #shitottawanssay

Jeff Popp

Thu, Jan 19 2012 16:26:08

Reply Retweet

Second Annual Fashion For Funds [Part Two]

Ming Wu — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 17:19:43 +0000

Here is a refresher!
Attended the Second Annual Fashion For Funds Program on January 22, 2012.
This event was to help support the Roger’s House, an Ottawa children’s hospice that supports and houses children and their families affected by terminal illnesses.
Organized by Kate Reeves, I am amazed that someone so young can make this event happen in Ottawa.
The event was hosted by Max Keeping.

Part two in this post will be designers from:

Khala Morgan

Demu Label

Khala had that vintage retro look on the dress.
Demu was very hip and cool.
Gotta love “Space Invader”!
At the end Kate Reeves came on the stage.

Here are the rest of the photos.

Second Annual Fashion For Funds [Part One]

Ming Wu — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:10:29 +0000

Attended the Second Annual Fashion For Funds Program on January 22, 2012.
This event was to help support the Roger’s House, an Ottawa children’s hospice that supports and houses children and their families affected by terminal illnesses.
Organized by Kate Reeves, I am amazed that someone so young can make this event happen in Ottawa.
The event was hosted by Max Keeping.

Part one in this post will be designers from:

Jana Hanzel and Emilia Torabi

Amber Watkins

Brilliant chic clothes from Jana and Emilia.
While Amber makes you want to forget the winter cold and just go to the beach.
Here are the rest of the photos

Part two will be coming up.

Get Ready to Register for OIFF 2012′s 72 Hour Film Challenge on Jan 26th!

Ming Wu — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:17:35 +0000

Hey Ottawa, are you an aspiring filmmaker, actor/actress or just want to see how the world of film-making works?
Why not check out OIFF’s 72 Hour Film Challenge happening at The Lieutenant’s Pump at 6pm on January 26, 2012.
Is there a group that would let me join in?
The event is the kick off for OIFF and it is already in its fourth year.

Here is what it is:
The 72-Hour Film Challenge tasks filmmakers to write, cast, direct, edit – in other words –create an entire original short film in three days.
To give the Challenge an added twist, filmmakers must include plot points and creative criteria set out in a mystery envelope received upon registration.
Interested filmmakers must attend the 72-Hour Film Challenge registration briefing on Thursday, January 26 at 6:15pm at the Lieutenant’s Pump to receive the mystery envelope. Registration cost is $20 per team, and teams must submit their final product by Sunday, January 29 at 7pm.
The selected film entries will be screened and voted on at the Lieutenant’s Pump on Thursday, February 16 at 7pm.
The top three films will automatically qualify for the 2012 Ottawa International Film Festival in August.
The winning film team will take home a prize pack valued at over $10,000 that includes Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection 5.5 provided by Adobe, and a full RED ONE production/post-production rental package provided by Parktown free of cost to shoot their next short film (some conditions apply).
As well, Parktown is offering a 15% discount off indie equipment rental prices to any filmmaker participating in the challenge for their submission.

Here is last year’s winner. (It is a excuse to post this video again )

For more details, click on OIFF or the Facebook event.

Ef Magazine Celebrates 1 year with a Paper Bag Theme Party

Ming Wu — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:22:18 +0000

Went to Ef Magazine‘s One Year Anniversary party on January 15, 2012.

In the one year since Ef Magazine was officially launched in the nation’s capital, Editor-in-Chief, Malorie Bertrand has witnessed a lot of sustainable and fashionable activity. To celebrate the magazine’s one-year anniversary, Ef hosted a party at Fresco’s Guest Room at 354 Elgin Street to say thanks to friends and supporters. In honour of the traditional one-year anniversary gift of paper, the party theme was Robert Munsch’s Paper Bag Princess, where guests were encouraged to attend in paper couture and accessories.

Many faces from the local sustainable fashion community were in attendance as well as family and friends. Two major announcements were made during the evening. Malorie Bertrand took the mic to thank everyone, talk about her experiences with Ef, and present the audience with the magazine’s new website ~ Ef Magazine. Malorie then gave the stage to contributor Kyla Farmer who spoke about her experience with Ef, getting to know Malorie and to thank her supporters as well. Lastly, Kyla announced her new company, urbanforest. The first project urbanforest is embarking on will be presented through Ef Magazine, showcasing sustainability, life and business. Stay tuned for monthly posts on Ef Magazine’s website.

Ef Magazine ~ http://www.efmagazine.com | http://www.twitter.com/efmgzn
Ef Magazine PRESENTS urbanforest ~ htt://www.facebook.com/urbanforestatEf | http://www.twitter.com/urbanforestca
Here are the rest of the photos.

Ef Magazine’s One Year Anniversary “Paper Bag” Party on January 15, 2012

Ming Wu — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:02:45 +0000

Not to be confused with Paper Bag Records.
This is a “Paper Bag” themed party from Ottawa’s EF Magazine and the event is going to take place at The Guest Room (354 Elgin Street) from 5-9pm on January 15, 2012.

Here is a short blurb about EF Magazine.
Ef is a humble online eco-fashion magazine. It has big dreams to help shift the Canadian fashion industry in a sustainable direction.
In honour of their one year anniversary and the traditional one year anniversary gift of good ‘ole paper.
Ef invites you to sport your paper best costume/fashion and join them for an evening of Paper Bag Princess partiness inspired by the popular Robert Munsch book.
There will be prizes for the best costume.
Also there will be drinks and foods.
For more info click here.

Christmas Scene from 2046

Ming Wu — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 00:19:45 +0000

Merry Christmas everyone!
I still got time before it ends.

2046 is my favorite Wong Kar-Wai movie (No matter what the criticisms are).
I know it’s not really a “Christmas” kind of movie.
But there is a scene that takes place on Christmas but in the 1960s.
Nat King Cole‘s The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire) is being played.
The director sure knows how to make good use of music.
Check out this scene. (Push the CC button for subtitles)

2046

Merry Christmas! (sujamusic.wordpress.com)
Merry Christmas! (teresaedmond.com)
We Wish You A Merry, Merry Christmas (purseblog.com)
the christmas song (vanitycake.wordpress.com)
It’s Christmas (estherslegacy.com)
My favourite film: In the Mood for Love (guardian.co.uk)