Apple says Bah-Humbug to the USA on it's 12 Days of Christmas App Give-Away

Well this Christmas I finally got an iPhone 4S. My first smart phone ever I decided to make the jump to an Apple product also switching from Verizon to Sprint to get the UN-limited data option.

I really have NOT been an "Apple or Mac" guy. PC was for me. But I decided to give the bitten fruit a shot.


My first experience was a good one. I had been given an iTunes gift card from my niece for my iPod shuffle about 4 years ago. I had thrown it in a pile and all but forgot about it as I had forgotten about the iPod. But low and behold I logged in to the iTunes store, punched in the gift code, and it was accepted and credited to my account. NOT BAD!

Well today I get a tweet about an Apple promotion called "Apple’s 12 Days of Christmas app" (you can follow me on twitter here) → UBtalkin Now in its fourth year, the 12-day promotion runs from December 26 to January 6 direct from your iPad, iPhone or iPod touch and surprises users of the app with a free digital download from iTunes each day. This year's giveaway begins with a free copy of Coldplay's live EP from the recent Apple-sponsored iTunes Festival in London.

From Apple,"You and your friends can download a fantastic selection of songs, music videos, apps and books for free. Each download will only be available for 24 hours. Get our special 12 Days of Christmas app to make it even easier to access your gifts while you’re on the go."


I excitedly went to the app store to get this as we ALL like FREE stuff  BUT alas it's NOT available to US customers! Only available, I was told, for Canada, the U.K., and a few other select European nations.

 WHAT!?

Someone at Apple please explain why this is not available for your US customers! Don't we count too?


Looks like Apple is back on my $hit list!

If you have a UK account, you can go download the app here. 

Kim Jong-il has died - His son Kim Jong-un to lead North Korea(video)

Kinm Jong il

 North Korean state media says Kim Jong Il, the mysterious Communist leader who ruled North Korea for more than seventeen years, died of a heart ailment due to mental and physical strain Saturday morning aboard a train. He was pronounced dead at 8.30 a.m. local time.

Kim Jong un

A tearful state TV broadcaster reported on North Korea's official KCNA news agency on Monday December 19, 2011. She said the 69-year-old leader died Saturday due to "overwork" while "dedicating his life to the people." North Korea's official KCNA news agency said Kim suffered "great mental and physical strain" while on a train during a "field guidance tour."

Kim's son the third and youngest, Kim Jong Un, will likely take over the reins. A letter from the ruling Workers' Party on Monday dubbed him "the great successor."

Kim Jong il, who had been treated for "cardiac and cerebrovascular diseases for a long period," suffered a heart attack on Saturday December 17,2011 and couldn't be saved despite the use of "every possible first-aid measure," according to the agency.

See translated broadcast from state run TV in North Korea 

Kim's body will be taken to the Kumsusan Memorial Palace in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, where mourners will be received from Tuesday until December 27. A funeral ceremony is scheduled to be held in Pyongyang on December 28.
Following the funeral ceremony, on December 29, memorial services will be held across the country. Guns will be fired in Pyongyang and in the capital cities of each province while North Koreans observe three minutes of silence. All trains and North Korean ships will also blow their sirens.
KCNA said all forms of entertainment will be banned during the mourning period, which will end on December 29 following the nationwide memorial. It said institutions and business will hoist flags at half-mast in honor of Kim.

The 2012 Golden Globe Nominations ARE........

Awards season kicked off in earnest today, December 15, 2011, as the 69th annual Golden Globes, airing Jan. 15 at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT on NBC nominations were announced. 

George Clooney was the BIG winner as "The Descendants" and "The Ides of March" are nominated nine times, and both films are among the six nominated for best drama. Clooney is also a contender for best actor in a drama for his "Descendants" role and for best director and best screenplay for "The Ides of March."

 The other nomination are:.....

Cecil B. DeMille Award

Morgan Freeman

Best Motion Picture - Drama

The Descendants
Ad Hominem Enterprises; Fox Searchlight Pictures

The Help
DreamWorks Pictures, Participant Media; Touchstone Pictures

Hugo
Paramount Pictures presents a GK Films Production; Paramount Pictures

The Ides Of March
Columbia Pictures, Cross Creek Pictures, Exclusive Media Group, Crystal City Entertainment; Sony Pictures Releasing

Moneyball
Columbia Pictures; Sony Pictures Releasing International

War Horse
DreamWorks Pictures; Touchstone Pictures

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Drama

Glenn Close – Albert Nobbs

Viola Davis – The Help

Rooney Mara – The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Meryl Streep – Iron Lady

Tilda Swinton – We Need To Talk About Kevin

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama

George Clooney – The Descendants

Leonardo DiCaprio – J. Edgar

Michael Fassbender – Shame

Ryan Gosling – The Ides Of March

Brad Pitt – Moneyball

Best Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

50/50
Summit Entertainment and Mandate Pictures; Summit Entertainment

The Artist
a La Petite Reine - Studio 37 - La Classe Americaine - JD Prod- France3 Cinema - Jouror Production-uFilms coproduction; The Weinstein Company

Bridesmaids
Universal Pictures, Relativity Media, Apatow Productions; Universal Pictures

Midnight In Paris
A Mediapro, Versatil Cinema & Gravier Production; Sony Pictures Classics

My Week With Marilyn
The Weinstein Company; The Weinstein Company

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

Jodie Foster – Carnage

Charlize Theron – Young Adult

Kristen Wiig – Bridesmaids

Michelle Williams – My Week With Marilyn

Kate Winslet – Carnage

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy Or Musical

Jean Dujardin – The Artist

Brendan Gleeson – The Guard

Joseph Gordon-Levitt – 50/50

Ryan Gosling – Crazy, Stupid, Love.

Owen Wilson – Midnight In Paris

Best Animated Feature Film

The Adventures Of Tintin
Paramount Pictures/Columbia Pictures/ Hemisphere Capital/Amblin Entertainment/Wingnut Films Production/ Kennedy/Marshall Production A Steven Spielberg Film; Paramount Pictures and Columbia Pictures

Arthur Christmas
Columbia Pictures & Sony Pictures Animation; Sony Pictures Releasing International

Cars 2
Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios; Walt Disney Pictures

Puss In Boots
DreamWorks Animation; Paramount Pictures

Rango
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present A Blind Wink / GK Films Production; Paramount Pictures

Best Foreign Language Film

The Flowers Of War (China)
The Country of China
(Jing Ling Shi San Chai) New Pictures Film Company; Wrekin Hill Entertainment

In The Land Of Blood And Honey (United States)
The Country of United States
GK Films; FilmDistrict

The Kid With A Bike (Belgium)
The Country of Belgium
(Le Gamin au Velo) Les Films du Fleuve; Sundance Selects

A Separation (Iran)
The Country of Iran
(Jodaeiye Nader az Simin) Asghar Farhadi; Sony Pictures Classics

The Skin I Live In (Spain)
The Country of Spain
(La piel que habito) El Deseo D.A., S.L.U.; Sony Pictures Classics

Best Performance by an Actress In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Berenice Bejo – The Artist

Jessica Chastain – The Help

Janet McTeer – Albert Nobbs

Octavia Spencer – The Help

Shailene Woodley – The Descendants

Best Performance by an Actor In A Supporting Role in a Motion Picture

Kenneth Branagh – My Week With Marilyn

Albert Brooks – Drive

Jonah Hill – Moneyball

Viggo Mortensen – A Dangerous Method

Christopher Plummer – Beginners

Best Director - Motion Picture

Woody Allen – Midnight In Paris

George Clooney – The Ides Of March

Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist

Alexander Payne – The Descendants

Martin Scorsese – Hugo

Best Screenplay - Motion Picture

Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist

Nat Faxon, Alexander Payne, Jim Rash - The Descendants

George Clooney, Grant Heslov, Beau Willimon - The Ides Of March

Woody Allen - Midnight In Paris

Aaron Sorkin, Steven Zaillian - Moneyball

Best Original Score - Motion Picture

Ludovic Bource - The Artist

Abel Korzeniowski - W.E.

Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross - The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Howard Shore - Hugo

John Williams - War Horse

Best Original Song - Motion Picture

"Hello Hello" – Gnomeo & Juliet
Music By: Elton John
Lyrics By: Bernie Taupin

"Keeper, The" – Machine Gun Preacher
Music & Lyrics By: Chris Cornell

"Lay Your Head Down" – Albert Nobbs
Music By: Brian Byrne
Lyrics By: Glenn Close

"Living Proof, The" – The Help
Music By: Thomas Newman, Mary J. Blige and Harvey Mason, Jr.
Lyrics By: Mary J. Blige, Harvey Mason, Jr. and Damon Thomas

"Masterpiece" – W.E.
Music & Lyrics By: Madonna, Julie Frost and Jimmy Harry

Best Television Series - Drama

American Horror Story (FX)
Twentieth Century Fox Television

Boardwalk Empire (HBO)
Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions, HBO Entertainment

Boss (STARZ)
Lionsgate Television in association with Grammnet NH Productions, Roya Productions and Old Friends Productions

Game Of Thrones (HBO)
Bighead, Littlehead, 360 Television, Grok and Generator Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Homeland (SHOWTIME)
SHOWTIME Presents, Teakwood Lane Productions, Cherry Pie Productions, Keshet, Fox 21

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Drama

Claire Danes – Homeland (SHOWTIME)

Mireille Enos – The Killing

Julianna Margulies – The Good Wife (CBS)

Madeleine Stowe – Revenge

Callie Thorne – Necessary Roughness

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Drama

Steve Buscemi – Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Bryan Cranston – Breaking Bad

Kelsey Grammer – Boss (STARZ)

Jeremy Irons – The Borgias

Damian Lewis – Homeland (SHOWTIME)

Best Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

Enlightened (HBO)
Ripcord Productions in association with HBO Entertainment

Episodes (SHOWTIME)
SHOWTIME Presents, Hat Trick Productions, Crane Klarik Productions

Glee (FOX)
Ryan Murphy Television, Twentieth Century Fox Television

Modern Family (ABC)
Twentieth Century Fox Television

New Girl (FOX)
Chernin Entertainment in association with Twentieth Century Fox Television

Best Performance by an Actress In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

Laura Dern – Enlightened (HBO)

Zooey Deschanel – New Girl (FOX)

Tina Fey – 30 Rock (NBC)

Laura Linney – The Big C (Showtime)

Amy Poehler – Parks And Recreation

Best Performance by an Actor In A Television Series - Comedy Or Musical

Alec Baldwin – 30 Rock (NBC)

David Duchovny – Californication (SHOWTIME)

Johnny Galecki – The Big Bang Theory (CBS)

Thomas Jane – Hung (HBO)

Matt LeBlanc – Episodes (SHOWTIME)

Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television

Cinema Verite (HBO)
A Pariah Production in association with HBO Films

Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) (PBS)
A Carnival/Masterpiece Co-production

The Hour (BBC AMERIC)
Kudos Film and Television/BBC America co-production.

Mildred Pierce (HBO)
A Killer Films/John Wells Production in association with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and HBO Miniseries

Too Big To Fail (HBO)
A Spring Creek and A Deuce Three Production in association with HBO Films

Best Performance by an Actress In A Mini-series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Romola Garai – The Hour (BBC AMERIC)

Diane Lane – Cinema Verite (HBO)

Elizabeth McGovern – Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) (PBS)

Emily Watson – Appropriate Adult

Kate Winslet – Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Hugh Bonneville – Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) (PBS)

Idris Elba – Luther

William Hurt – Too Big To Fail (HBO)

Bill Nighy – Page Eight (Masterpiece)

Dominic West – The Hour (BBC AMERIC)

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Jessica Lange – American Horror Story (FX)

Kelly MacDonald – Boardwalk Empire (HBO)

Maggie Smith – Downton Abbey (Masterpiece) (PBS)

Sofia Vergara – Modern Family (ABC)

Evan Rachel Wood – Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television

Peter Dinklage – Game Of Thrones (HBO)

Paul Giamatti – Too Big To Fail (HBO)

Guy Pearce – Mildred Pierce (HBO)

Tim Robbins – Cinema Verite (HBO)

Eric Stonestreet – Modern Family (ABC

Jerry Sandusky's wife,Dottie, breaks silence, issues statement

 STATE COLLEGE, Pa. - December 8, 2011 "I want to thank our children, our family, our extended family of former Second Mile participants, and all our friends for standing by us through these difficult times. Jerry and I want to express our sorrow for all the hurt that has come to those who have supported us and our beloved Penn State and State College Communities.

I have been shocked and dismayed by the allegations made against Jerry, particularly the most recent one that a now young man has said he was kept in our basement during visits and screamed for help as Jerry assaulted him while I was in our home and didn't respond to his cries for help. As the mother of six children, I have been devastated by these accusations. I am also angry about these false accusations that such a terrible incident ever occurred in my home. No child who ever visited our home was ever forced to stay in our basement and fed there. All the kids who visited us ate with us and our kids and other guests when they were at our home. Our children, our extended family and friends know how much Jerry and I love kids and have always tried to help and care for them. We would never do anything to hurt them. I am so sad anyone would make such a terrible accusation which is absolutely untrue. We don't know why these young men have made these false accusations, but we want everyone to know they are untrue.

I continue to believe in Jerry's innocence and all the good things he has done. Jerry's many success stories with his Second Mile kids and positive memories of those kids keep me going. I am asking everyone to please be reasonable and open-minded until both sides of this case are heard, and Jerry has the opportunity to prove his innocence.

I would like to thank all those individuals who continue to support Jerry and hope they will continue to support us through the conclusion of this very sad time in our lives.

Shooting at Virginia Tech campus - Two DEAD

UPDATE 12/10/11
Officer Deriek W. Crouse was making a traffic stop when police say Ross Truett Ashley, a 22-year-old student at a nearby college, walked up to his cruiser and shot him. He latter turned the gun on himself. NO motive has yet to be determined.


BREAKING 1:55pm 12/8/11 A police officer was shot at Virginia Tech on Thursday morning and campus officials warned everyone to seek shelter while an armed suspect was at large.

“We don’t know if the suspect fled or the extent of the injuries to the suspect or to the officer,” NBC News’ Pete Williams told MSNBC TV.

“This was a traffic stop on campus,” Williams said. “It was not someone walking around firing shots.”

A second victim was at a campus parking lot.

December 8, 2011: BLACKSBURG, Va. Reports say shots were fired on the campus of Virginia Tech. Reports are that a police officer has been killed. A possible second victim may also have been shot.

Suspect is STILL at large:


Suspect described as white male, gray sweat pants, gray hat w/neon green brim, maroon hoodie and backpack.

Campus is currently in LOCK-DOWN!




UPDATE:1:53pm Reports SUSPECT STILL AT LARGE!

NBA Announces 2011-2012 Season 66 Game Schedule

 
 Check out your team’s schedule for the 2011-2012 season below......



Atlanta Hawks
Boston Celtics
Charlotte Bobcats
Chicago Bulls
Cleveland Cavaliers
Dallas Mavericks
Denver Nuggets
Detroit Pistons
Golden State Warriors
Houston Rockets
Indiana Pacers
LA Clippers
LA Lakers
Memphis Grizzlies
Miami Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Minnesota Timberwolves
New Jersey Nets
New Orleans Hornets
New York Knicks
Oklahoma City Thunder
Orlando Magic
Philadelphia 76ers
Phoenix Suns
Portland Trail Blazers
Sacramento Kings
San Antonio Spurs
Toronto Raptors
Utah Jazz
Washington Wizards

All I want for Christmas is the NBA - Schedule of Games

The NBA Opening Day Schedule for Christmas! (The full regular-season and TV schedules are expected to be released December 6,2011)

You knew that the NBA players and owners would settle there labor disputes in time so as to have basketball games on Christmas Day! The advertizing income was too big of a carrot not to take a bite of and devour.

So after Santa has visited you and left all those gifts you didn't want or can't use. Before you go back to the store's on December 26 to try and return that tie or ugly sweater you wont wear. Sit down on the coach, flip on the TV and watch the Millionaires play for there Billionaires owners as the NBA is back!

The Christmas Day schedule is as follows!

Boston Celtics at the New York Knicks 12:00pm on TNT
(All-Star foursome of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo (if he is STILL a Celtic) up against Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire.NO CP3 YET!?)

 
 

Miami Heat at the defending champion Dallas Mavericks 2:30 on ABC
(In a re-match of the 2011 NBA finals pits the fab three Lebron James,D-Wade and Chris Bosh facing off against Finals MVP Dirk Nowitzki.)

 

 
Chicago Bulls at the Los Angeles Lakers 5pm on ABC
(NBA MVP Derrick Rose faces off against perennial All-Star Kobe Bryant as the Lakers make a record-tying 13th Christmas Day appearance. But this time it will be for new coach Mike Brown.)

 

 

  
Oklahoma City Thunder at the Orlando Magic 8pm est on ESPN
(Two-time NBA scoring champion Kevin Durant faces off against three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dwight Howard.)

 

Los Angeles Clippers at the Golden State Warriors at 10:30pm on ESPN
(2010-11 rookie of the year and slam dunk champion Blake Griffin faces off against rookie head coach and former NBA guard and noted TV analyst Mark Jackson.)



Let the Money begin to role again!

IS THERE AN iPhone Shortage? My Quest to get the 4S

Dear Apple,Inc......

UPDATE:12/1/11- Going to try the 9pm "reserve-refresh", "reserve-refresh" try my luck at apple.con/store Friday night! Also my sister ordered it for my brother in-law from AT&T. He is an existing customer. Told it will take at least two weeks for her to get it!

OK, to say I've been dragging my feet on getting the Apple iPhone is putting it mildly. I have been contemplating it and researching it for probably over two years now.

"I'll wait for the 4 to come out. OK, no now I hear the 5 is coming out, going to be better." On and on and on....

But finally I decided, with two Birthday present gift cards from my sister, to get the iPhone 4S! Just in time as the phone I am using now is the old LG Chocolate  from like six years ago. Battery now NOT holding a charge for too long,which I got on e-bay. Have to bash the phone symbol to make a call. Scroll is all out of whack. On and on and on.....

Anyway went down to the Apple store on the upper west side of NYC near Lincoln Center at 1981 Broadway NYC, NY.



Walked in and told one of the "Geniuses" I am READY to get my iPhone! To my surprise he asked if I had reserved one!


Now on the Apple.co/store it states this: "iPhone is available for walk-in purchases at an Apple Retail Store on a first-come, first-served basis. Or you can reserve an iPhone online and we'll have one waiting for you at the store you choose.

When you come in to purchase your iPhone, you'll also get Personal Setup. We'll activate your iPhone, set up iCloud, transfer contacts from your old phone, and answer all your questions. You'll be up and running before you leave the store."

But what I was told is they "DO NOT EXCEPT" walk-ins for iPhone purchases! I would have to go to apple.com/store around 9pm or a little earlier and try and "RESERVE" mine at the store of my choice where they would hold it till closing of the next business day where I can pick it up for purchase and set-up! Also if you are having problems with the site, just keep hitting re-fresh! Your chances on getting one reserved depends on the number who are trying, internet connection etc. They go fast, so keep trying every night.

WHAT?!    


I was amazed. We decided to ask others in the store about the purchase of the iPhone. One said they "Might" have some left for the ones who never came in to get it. Back to ask another "Genius" but he said no that's NOT the case.  Upon telling what was on there site, he just said they do not except walk-ins. They did have available a jailbreak one for purchase at full regular $649.99 no contract needed.

I called around to a couple of other Apple stores in NYC and beyond and was told the same thing.

Now I can't get it on-line either with Apple or my current carrier since I am switching to SPRINT, and they too will not except new iPhone customers only existing customers and the wait is 1-2 weeks ! I also want there "Unlimited" data plans and even if they would let me purchase through Sprint I can't since I have gift cards ONLY redeemable at Apple stores which I have to go to and can't purchase it online since I am switching services and want to "Port" my existing number. UGGG!

So NOW my quest has taken another turn. Getting the iPhone has become almost "Mission Impossible"

I would LOVE to hear your stories if you are experiencing any difficulties in your purchase attempts!
STAY TUNED!