Completely Known

I'm still alive.

2008-02-13T21:36:00.002-05:00

I'm still alive. Maybe sometime soon. Maybe here maybe somewhere else. Maybe there will be a video.
In the meanwhile I still sometimes flickr and I write in other places.
But I miss vloggers and vlogging. So maybe soon.

Bathroom Stall Wisdom

2007-06-07T22:06:00.000-05:00

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During one of my pitstops during my trip to South Carolina for a wedding and back this is a bit of bathroom stall wisdom I stumbled upon.

This, of course, was shot with my phone. I don't usually do the cell phone video thing but I didn't think to bring my video camera to the bathroom with me when I had to go. Though once I was there I did think this an appropriate subject for a vlog post.

Today is 2 months since my last post. Videoblogging is nice. Real life is necessary. Maybe I need to follow the wisdom on the walls. Maybe some rethinking and re-evaluating and re-doing will lead to a more video worthy life. Maybe.

Photo Stories Day 7 Videoblogging Week 2007

2007-04-07T22:49:00.000-05:00

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Photographs have stories behind them. They capture pieces of moments in time. Memories of family and friends often are what make these images important to us. I look forward to making more memories with those I know and those I have yet to meet. I'll be capturing moments with still images and video. Surely I'll share more here as I go.
Thanks for watching. Thanks for those of you who share as well. Thanks for those who support with encouragements and comments.
Happy Videoblogging Week 2007

videobloggingweek2007

Photo Stories Day 6 Videoblogging Week 2007

2007-04-06T21:08:00.000-05:00

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Sometimes we influence others with out even realizing the scope of our influence on them in that moment. Talents, tools, big or small can be used to bring a smile or change a life.

videobloggingweek2007

Photo Stories Day 5

2007-04-05T22:38:00.000-05:00

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Here is one pic I have that is filled with good memories. It is one of my favorites and marks another important turning point or stepping stone in my life.

Happy Videoblogging Week 2007

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Photo Stories Day 4 Videoblogging Week 2007

2007-04-04T22:59:00.000-05:00

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Looking back on old images brings back mixed emotions and memories. I find it is often difficult for me to look back on my high school years with fondness for very long.

Those years marked a bit of a turning point for me. One in which I have often said to myself that if it were possible to go back and do it again I would do so in a heartbeat.

With all that said, and even though for whatever reason it was emotionally difficult for me to look back on these images I am thankful that I have been taken to the point I am at now. I am glad for the lessons learned and for the grace given me even in my foolishness.

I originally thought I was going to talk about my long hair or my experiences playing hockey in Brooklyn in this video but instead I thought that I should tell the story that was most prominent in my head. The story that for me is most powerful. I tried to record other stories tonight, but if I am true to myself, true to being completely known, if I put aside what I think others might think or say, this is the video that I have to post.

Some may think I am being negative, some may think that I'm too hard on myself....think what you might.....I look back and am spurred on to better....I look forward with hope. I know that my life in the past has had both good and bad (much like anyone else's life)......and yet the best of my life has yet to come(a possibility that exists for us all). Each day is a blessing, each day is a step forward, each day is a day closer to the Lover of my soul. That is the story behind each image, and each memory: they all lead me Godward. And for that I am very thankful.

videobloggingweek2007

Photo Stories (Day 3) 2nd-8th Grade

2007-04-03T22:33:00.000-05:00

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In today's video I discuss some photos and issues that span from about 2nd grade up til 8th grade.

I talk about glasses, being picked on, crushes, NKOTB, and birthday cake.

I remembered while editing that it is actually Jordan who sings "I'll be loving you (forever)" Joey used to sing "Cover Girl" which was on the tape right after "I'll be loving you".

So thinking Jordan was Joey is one error in this vid. There is at least one other ooops in this video. But my computer has been taking very long to render into h.264 so I have decided I that I'm gonna leave it instead of staying up til 3am again to change it.

See ya tomorrow.

Happy Videoblogging week.

videobloggingweek2007

Photo Stories Day 2 Videoblogging Week 2007

2007-04-02T22:10:00.000-05:00

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Today I chose a picture from 1982. It is a picture of me and my sister sitting at the front steps of the Long Island home of my great aunt and my great uncle.
I thought it would be ok to show this pic of my sister since she is grown up now, but since she isn't here at this moment for me to get her permission I won't talk about her here.
I want also to keep the production on these videos down. Just have them be conversational and with out a bunch of takes. So I am trying to shoot in one take. Here I cut out when the phone rang and a pause and that'll help me keep it a bit shorter too.
Some of the things I remember and discuss are playing with rocks, Kiss Colorforms (I found a link for this colorform set here seems like if I woulda kept that set I could sold it for over 100 dollars today.), and short shorts.

videobloggingweek2007

Photo Stories....Day 1 Videoblogging Week 2007

2007-04-01T22:51:00.000-05:00

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For this years videoblogging week I thought I'd go with a theme. In short, I'm planing on finding some old pictures from different moments of in my life and share the memories and stories that I am reminded of when I see these images.

This first video is mainly an intro to my plan for the week but it does include a photo of when I was still only a couple of years old. And since I make reference to the story she tells it also features a bit of video I was able to record of my "Tita" (Grandmother) that I took on my last trip to Florida.

videobloggingweek2007

Strummin'

2007-02-27T09:44:00.000-05:00

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Sometimes I just enjoy sitting with my guitar and strumming while I make up the tunes as I go. By no means do I consider myself a good guitarist. And if you know anything about playing you can see that these are very simple strum and chord patterns.

Guitar playing is relaxing for me. I enjoy it. And sometimes it even sounds halfway good to me when I play.

This is me. And my guitar.

Sunset at Robert Moses

2007-02-21T23:29:00.000-05:00

RobertMosesSunset
Originally uploaded by completelyknown.

The sunsets here in Long Island are beautiful. I thought I'd share some of that beauty I saw today.
It was such a pleasure this evening to be able to get out and capture images like this this evening.
It is such a blessing to be able to enjoy such beauty and a reminder to acknowledge the Creator of the beauty.

Stolen Car. Insecure World.

2007-02-12T19:00:00.000-05:00

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My car was stolen today. This is me talking about it and some of the things that the experience has been used to teach me.

How 'Bout This For A Turn Out?

2007-02-01T17:45:00.000-05:00

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Shot on the Thursday before my move. I decided to put my turnout gear on one last time before returning it to the volunteer rescue squad I have been a member of for the past 3 or so years. I'm glad for my time of service to the community. Being a part of the squad allowed me to meet many nice people including those I worked along side with and those we got a chance to help.

(I am moved already as I post this though I will post the video backdated to the day I shot this. Today I met someone from a local volunteer squad out here in LI. Who knows maybe I'll get involved again. It is sure to be very different out here where there is more than just one call every day. But I'll have to think about it....I'm not sure if I want to get involved in it again just right away.)

New Years

2007-01-06T00:03:00.000-05:00

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This is a short video (not much more than 30seconds) that I made of my 2007 new years eve and new years day. The first few shots are where my friends and I started our evening in Lake Placid. The Gibson Brothers and following footage is our time in Saranac Lake for their "First Night" celebration.

It was a fun night out with friends. I'm glad I got to spend it with them like we did.

I was originally gonna make this video for Vlog International but realized after creating it I had missed the date for submission to our editor of the project. This explains, in part, the short length of this video. But honestly, I am kind of liking the challenge of fitting my videos and stories into these little short clips. It has challenged me. And I am enjoying it. I hope you enjoy as well!

Traffic

2006-12-31T19:37:00.000-05:00

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This video was originally made in response to the December theme for Vlog-Internacional. The idea was to record the traffic of the cities we live in. Well, since traffic here is: having to wait behind one car getting out of the parking lot at the local Grand Union, I decided I'd try to make this video as interesting as possible. This is about thirty seconds of video shot at the intersection of the town's only traffic light. This is also the intersection closest to the on and off ramps to the highway.

The music is original. It is just a bit of my guitar playing speed up a bit.

To see Spanish speaking vloggers from around the world sharing what traffic is like in there cities check out Vlog-Internacional.

Gift Making

2006-12-25T16:15:00.000-05:00

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For Christmas this year, I decided I would make some of my gifts. Earlier this year I had given away some 5x5 photos as thank yous for those who had thrown me a surprise dinner for my birthday.

5x5 frames are hard to find so I thought some of those folks might also like frames. Here is part of the work it takes to make the frames. In this video the cardboard has already been cut and will be wrapped with jute cord. The frame back has also already been made and will just need to be tacked into place.

This video was made with some help from my web camera and one of the programs it came with that does time lapse. (Sorry my web cam doesn't have the best quality.)

What you see here is about one hour's worth of work shortened into less than a minute and a half.

Music Steam Train by John Williams Courtesy of Magnantunes.com

T-shirt courtesy Blip.tv. I got it at vloggercon 06. Thanks for the t-shirt blip.tv and thanks so much for being such great hosts for my vids and the cool vids of so many others!

What Christmas Is All About.

2006-12-24T16:08:00.000-05:00

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Merry Christmas!

During a recent Christmas party at a friends house Jim was asked to read to us the Christmas Story.

There is much I can say about what the Lord has done through the life of Jim. Jim is a man who lives out what he says he believes. That example has been a factor used to positively impact the lives of people around him. Those lives include the life of a man named Paul who was(and still is) an influence in my life since before I knew Jim. And now Jim has also become a direct influence in my life by his testimony and even by this small reading.

This was a special moment in the evening. This type of thing is not a tradition I celebrated growing up. It may be the first time I'd heard someone read the Christmas story at a Christmas party. Here Jim is reading out of a new copy of the old Geneva Bible that someone had just gifted him. It is a version that has some of those old words in it like créche, that we don't use much today.

This video shares what this Christmas season is all about. It has much less to do with commercialism, obligatory gift giving, and long hours of travel. It has to do with the Baby that was born over 2000 years ago. The Baby who came from afar, freely as a gift to the world. The One who was fully man and fully God; who lived a life without sin and then died for the sins of man that we might be reconciled to God. After three days He rose again. And those who believe him have been graced with forgiveness and life forever with Him.

Toe Tapping, Foot Snappin' Moment

2006-12-11T03:36:00.000-05:00

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A moment.

This is from a night at a coffee house in May 06.

(Clicking the image will make a flash video play in place on screen. (Thanks Enric and vpip!). Text links below picture will play in a thick box screen over the page. (Thanks again Enric and vpip!) Java Script should be enabled for proper play.)

Vacuum Cleaner + Salsa =

2006-12-09T12:34:00.000-05:00

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I bet most of us have more than one silly thing we do when we think no one is looking. Like I bet a lot of guys have flexed in there bathroom mirror. Many of us sing to the top of our lungs as we drive. We all do little things that we enjoy when we think people aren't watching us. Sometimes when no one is looking I move my feet and try to dance. Add some salsa music to the plain ole house chore of vacuuming the carpet and this is one of my somewhat silly yet fun moments. I may not be a good dancer, sometimes I'm off timing and stumble my steps, but I did enjoy vacuuming my floor while shuffling my feet quick quick slow. And enjoying and being thankful to God for it all is pretty important.

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18

Motorized

2006-12-07T00:10:00.000-05:00

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A moment.

(I thought about offering some other explanations but really sometimes things just catch my attention, I may find the moment interesting for many reasons or no reason at all. Something I see may make me think, or may make me stand in awe and praise. It may make me serious or make me laugh. Sometimes a moment captured is just a moment captured and maybe it is better left unexplained. Maybe I'll just leave the video to be the representative of the moment I witnessed and allow the images to speak and leave my words out. This is just one of many moments I've captured and hope to show.)

My Favorite Dessert: English Version of Vlog-Internacional Postre Video

2006-12-05T23:45:00.000-05:00

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This is the English version of my latest submission to the vlog-internacional collaboration. There are over 14 of us participating in creating video that highlights things in our areas of the world. All videos have themes. The previous video was about the sunset in our part of the world and is already posted here on the vlog-internacional site. The first video was about a famous place in our part of the world. That is also already posted here.

Check out vlog-internacional.blogspot.com. To see the completed videos and vloggers from around the world working on this collaborative project.

Clean Out My Hard Drive Month

2006-12-02T07:05:00.000-05:00

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Its December and I've decided to make it "clean out my hard drive month". I'll be clearing out the gigs and gigs of video and photographs so that I can have room for more. Sorting, deleting, editing, archiving, and posting a lot to my vlog.

I'd like to at least see 50% of my hard drive empty by the end of the month. And maybe 3-5 posts per week on my vlog until then. That's a lot of video. About 3-5 times more than I usually post a week.

We'll see how things go. I expect there to be some footage as old as a year old going up. And some as recent as the last couple of weeks. Things personal, political, God related, funny, serious, or just plain moments captured. Stay tuned. Or should I say aggregated??

Arroz con Habichuelas---Rice with Beans

2006-11-28T19:00:00.000-05:00

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Rice and beans is really one of my favorites. My Latino heritage probably has a good deal to do with that. It had been a while since I had made rice and beans, I enjoyed eating them so much.This vid is a moment of that experience shared. As for rice and beans or "arroz con habichuela", it is such a simple dish I should really take the time to cook it more often.

The music sampled in this clip is from one of the best salsa bands ever, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico. The song is called "El Menu".

Salsa music is great! The songs can often be about love and passion. Something I like about salsa is also that it often tells a story, and often that story is about things in everyday life. In this case the story is about the joys Puerto Rican cookery and all the great flavors it has to offer. "El Menu" is one of El Gran Combos most well know hits. We Puerto Ricans are a passionate bunch. With lots of pride or "orgullo" to go along with it. Great food. Great dancing. Great family. Great music.

To get the "sabor" or taste of Puerto Rican salsa music check out this band that has been cranking out great salsa since the 60's.

PS If you were trying to read my lips near the end of this video and couldn't figure it out I said: "That's good!"

Muskellunge: Promo # 4 for Carp Caviar

2006-11-19T16:19:00.000-05:00

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Must be I've got the promo making bug. It is fun. All I've done is edit some short clips together, add a carp caviar picture or two, put in BottomUnion's link and even tossed in my own. Simple enough. Fun. And, hey, its helping a vlogging brotha out. In the meanwhile I even getting a free plug for myself but self promotion is part of the game it seems too. Go ahead make a promo. You don't even have to know what Carp Caviar is. Just go for it. Check out the loose guidelines for creating a promo here. Then find some of that old footage you weren't sure how you were gonna use and put it to use making a promo. Hey, if you want, get some new footage and make a promo. BottomUnion is hoping for 100 promos. He'll need about 60 more by the end of November to meet this goal. Let the creativity and video roll.

Disclaimer: The ideas, thoughts, and senseless videos that may be seen on Carp Caviar/BottomUnion.com do not necessarily reflect those of my own ideas, thoughts, or senseless videos. Watch us at your own risk. :)

Flexibility: Another Carp/Completelyknown Promo

2006-11-19T01:34:00.000-05:00

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One neat thing about videoblogs is that they are there when we want 'em. Anytime day or night we can go to a site or refresh a feed and we've got video when we want it. This goes for the vids over at BottomUnion.com vids and posts over at my own completelyknown.com and content on every other vloggers site. It is neat to have the flexibility to watch and engage in conversation and to do so, in a sense, without the constraints of time.

This is actually my third promo for Carp Caviar. I guess there is something about a challenge that gets me motivated. It is neat that BottomUnion has asked for vloggers to work toward a goal and project. The collaboration side of this is something cool too. I'm grateful for the encouragement to create; it challenges me and gets me making videos.

Carp Caviar Promo

2006-11-12T18:29:00.000-05:00

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Oh why not. I mean I've caught an occasional carp caviar episode. Some of them I even enjoyed. And boy, those promos....I mean if for nothing else the collaboration and the promos....those are great. So I figured why not. Lets make a promo for Carp Caviar. Here it is. Play it foward or backward. I recommend you try both. Yeah!!!

And don't forget to press control + back arrow for PC when you see the prompt at the end while it is playing.
EDIT: For you Mac users, when you see the prompt to press ctrl and back arrow, please press the apple key + back arrow instead.
Yeah!!! Like spinning a heavy metal record backwards...

Sorry no window files this one is meant only to be played in QT.

I've Been Vlogged from Denmark.

2006-11-11T17:16:00.000-05:00

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It had been a while since I attended a videobloggers videoconference flashmeeting. This video was shot by Andreas. During our meeting today.
What was cool about this video was that it was taken with a camera phone. Edited in phone and then posted directly from the phone to Blip.tv within minutes of capture and all via the phone.
I thought I'd post it hear not cause it is a great video but because of how it was posted, cause it includes a clip of me, cause it is a bit random and part of what I did today and cause maybe it can be an introduction or encouragement to you to come and participate in a future flash meeting. Paul of PJKproductions usually schedules these meetings for Saturdays around 2pm eastern and on some Tuesday nights and posts their times and urls on the Vloggers Yahoo Group. Most of the time we discuss videoblogging but sometime it is neat just to talk to other with whom there are common interests.

LOST

2006-11-09T18:20:00.000-05:00

LOST is absolutely the best show ever.

Why, oh why can't it just be on every night? Or even better, downloadable daily? Why can't I know if Kate runs? Why can't I know what happens to Ben? Why can't I know what the smoke monster is all about? What's the deal with Patch the guy on the other side of the screen? Is Sawyer gonna die? I don't want Sawyer dead. Why? What? Why? What? Why? Why?

This is all a beautifully painful. So much drama. So much emotion. So many questions. This is absolutely the best show ever. And yet it is horrible. It is torturous. I feel like a junky wanting my next LOST hit only to find it wasn't enough. NO. It's not enough....give me more. I need more LOST. Disgusting. Beautiful. I don't know. And now I am forced to wait until February.
What's the deal with that!!!
Maybe it is good I won't be seeing it for a while. Maybe I have become a LOST addict. Maybe I'm not the only one. Look at this postcard sent in to Post Secret.
Wait til February. I am forced now. If only I was Jack. If only I could hold the trump card and force the hand of ABC to play the LOST card tonight. To play it soon. To play the whole 16 episodes of Lost, night after night, until the questions get answered. If only......

PS I think Kate is pregnant. This was one of the only episodes of LOST when the foreshadowing that often occurs was not super clear at the end of the show. Part of it today was regarding her not staying put in one place for long but something tells me her intimate evening with Sawyer was maybe set up by the Others, allowed by the Others, hoped for by the Others and that she is now, as would follow the foreshadowing of the flash backs to the pregnancy test, pregnant.

This is unbelievable I don't even like TV anymore. And here I am now watching LOST like this. Coming up with theories and ugh.......none of it is even real.....unbelieveable...

And now I just found a site called Lostpedia. I'll let you check it out. I can't get involved. I'm too attached already.

Test Flight. Laser Vision.

2006-11-01T23:37:00.000-05:00

Test Flight. Laser Vision.
Originally uploaded by completelyknown.

Thought I'd try to learn to fly.

Halloween 2006: Clowning Around with the Big Bad Wolf

2006-10-31T23:57:00.000-05:00

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Today is halloween. I noticed the Big Bad Wolf earlier in the day walking the neighborhood. At that moment I didn't have my camera handy. Later though, I saw him again. This is that moment captured.

I really should discipline myself to just capture moments and upload them like I am doing with this one.

How to deal with a below par waitress.

2006-10-17T20:30:00.000-05:00

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A suggestion for a way to deal with a waitress you feel is giving less than par service.
With special thanks to my friend Rannei for shooting this moment.

After the tears.

2006-10-12T21:59:00.000-05:00

After the tears.
Originally uploaded by completelyknown.

This picture was taken on a Sunday evening late in September. The week was a bit trying. (But I guess each week has its share of trials.) I had things on my mind about people and situations, stuff I was working on in my own life, things I was reminded about having received, and gifts that I was able to give. It all lead to a flood of emotion and tears. I got out of the place I was in and into my car and the tears flowed but only for a short while. (I do wish I could cry better sometimes, and just "let it all out" that way.) With my camera at my side I realized this was something I had not yet recorded. I had not recorded this part of me that rarely surfaces. I do have feelings and emotions. The things that I experience include happiness, thoughtfulness, anger, sadness, and more. I've been wanting to post this picture for multiple reasons. Maybe cause I just wanted to be more completely known by you. Maybe cause I wanted you to know you are not alone. Maybe cause it was important for me to remember the pain that I might more greatly appreciate the joys in my life.
I am doing better now. But then again I wasn't really doing that bad that night. I was just flooded with emotions and cried. I was happy and I was sad and it came out in tears. I am thankful for this.

I may be turning into a flickrholic.

2006-10-05T22:47:00.000-05:00

Deli Panogagrophy for flickr
Originally uploaded by completelyknown.

I've been having a lot of fun on my flickr account lately. Photography was something I used to be interested in in H.S. and college. I never really got in to it like I would have liked. I guess the bug is biting me again. Since going to vloggercon and getting my flickr account I've been looking for more and more chances to take some photographs. This is my latest fun thing to do. It is a "panography" (I think that is a made up name for it but it works for me.) I learned about this on Photojojo.com and this image here is my second attempt at it. This is the deli where I got my roast beef sandwich for lunch today. The best roast beef heros in the Adirondacks as far as I know.

More Smiles

2006-09-30T11:50:00.000-05:00

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After my last vid some people mentioned wanting to see more smiles. Thanks. I decided to not pass up the opportunity to record 'more smiling'.

A cheerful heart brings a smile to your face;
a sad heart makes it hard to get through the day.
Prov 15:13 (The Message)

music: 'Free' by Ginny Owens

Just Thinking.

2006-09-28T00:35:00.000-05:00

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I guess this vid takes me back to a bit of the more serious side of me. This me watching myself think about my day. I've been a bit discouraged lately and letting some stuff get to me. I started to think about my day and remembered that in the midst of some of the people junk, and some of the work junk, and some of the frustration junk there were some things I was thankful for. (If you'd like a big clue as to what I remembered in the middle of this vid that made me smile, check out Jay's video here .)

This video is silent.

(had problems making my thumbnail for this vid. it should have been simple. that drove me over the edge. all done now. pick up and start over. and get video posted.)

Happy Anniversary (First Spanish Video Update)

2006-09-14T21:04:00.000-05:00

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So here it is the video I mentioned in my previous post. Actually it is a tribute or celebratory post for the Fallas. I was asked if I would like to participate in a collaborative effort to wish the Fallas a happy vlogging anniversary. The idea was for us to take some videos of ourselves in various locations saying who we are, where we watch from, happy anniversary and whatever else we wanted to say to Juan and Ximena.

If you'd like to comment on this video for the Fallas please leave a comment on this site where the tribute video has also been posted for them: http://video-homenaje.blogspot.com/
The link to the comment page directly is: Here. Please take a few to visit the site and see some more about this project, the people who put it together, and the Fallas to whom this is a tribute.

This video is the combined effort of mostly spanish speaking vloggers from around the world. It is really a pleasure and an honor to be included in this project. Along with folks from these other vlogs:
majaderiaenmexico.blogspot.com
quimbayo.blogspot.com
stultaviro.blogspot.com
kamylo.blogspot.com
kafre18.blogspot.com
birmaher.blogspot.com
videoschapines.blogspot.com
completelyknown.blogspot.com

This truly is my first vlog posted where there is so much spanish speaking. You will be able to pick me out quick: I am the one speaking half in english and the other part in spanish with a thick english accent. Well maybe there will be a few more spanish videos coming from me in the future. This part of my heritage and culture is important to me.

Primer Video Blog en Espanol

2006-09-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

Mi primer video en espanol. or My first spanish video.
Ok well my part is not all in spanish some is and some isn't. I really need to clean up and practice my spanish but this is a start, I guess . This is a collaborative project we've worked on. Today just a pic. But hopefully by tomorrow there will be a video link put up for the completed movie.

Sexy....do ya think?

2006-09-10T19:44:00.000-05:00

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Here is some more older footage. I probably shot this around May 06. I've got lots of old footage and hope to actually use a lot of it for vlog posts when I finally get to editing it that is.

Well, this is one of those sillier posts I mentioned. It is a piece of my 'lighter", 'not taking myself so seriously' side. And though I say sorry in the video, really... I am not sorry at all. This is me. I can be a bit silly at times, maybe a bit nerdy and I am ok with that. I am ok with me and the person God is growing me to be. So go ahead and laugh with me or at me. I hope my sexy look is one that makes you smile. Watching this clip has put a smile on my face more than once.

music: "Do Ya Think I'm Sexy" - Tiny Tim with Gary Lawrence & His Sizzling Syncopators.

2006-09-02T16:08:00.000-05:00

Same Thing

How many times can I write about the same things? The same things.
I want you to know. But I don't want you to find out. I want you to know. But I know you can't handle it.
It is the same. The same things.
The things that are humbling, and make me sad.
The things that I should be over but....yeah.
Then things would change.

So I want to write. About a side that is brighter.
I have those moments you know. I do.
Things that put a smile on my face.
Watching a child in wonder over the sound of an echo.
Seeing a spotted fawn jumping through the tall grass.
Seeing that smile, after I've told you a corny joke.

Yet I share the same things. The same things.
Veiled in disguise of euphemism.
Said and shared the same things but different.
Maybe these are my screams of silence.
My shouts of pain that are difficult to hear.
You know... the same things.

Hear it goes, I guess this has turned into a poem.
Maybe anything can be a poem if you group it like this.
Maybe its all the same. The same things.
There is pain there is happiness.
There will always be the Same.
The unchanging. I could take that to heart.

But then maybe things would change.
~~me.~~

(I came to write about a fray song I heard and this came out)(I know in the text of my last post I mentioned that I wanted to show the brighter side of my. In video I will show more of that. But I still am longing to be know. I want to share honestly life for me has its ups and downs. Joys and pains. Failures and victories. The hard times seem to inspire me more to create. Though I also love to capture and share the joys. The exist: joy and sorrow. Sometimes hand in hand. Sometimes in the same breath.)

It's all fun and games....

2006-08-29T22:33:00.000-05:00

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There was a challenge made a few weeks back by Bre Pettis. The challenge was to make a video that was 10 seconds long. This was my response. Unfortunately the challenge post was removed and not replaced on We Are the Media. So this video has been sitting on my computer....waiting.....

I've been thinking my posts and maybe even the way I have been looking at my life lately has been a little bit too much on the serious side. Maybe this will be the start of a string of videos that show some of my less serious and less philosophical side....Maybe. :)

(look there is even a smiley face made with colon and parenthesis...how fun is that!)

Seeing An Inconvenient Truth

2006-08-22T20:35:00.000-05:00

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On Monday night I was able to see "An Inconvenient Truth". It is the documentary film brought to us by Al Gore. I must admit I didn't know much about the film or about global warming before I went to go and see this. A couple of months back though, I had heard some of the hype about the film. I also came across a video: "Our Thoughts on An Inconvenient Truth" by Jen and Kent of EbbandFlow.tv that offered a very well composed and communicated account of their experience going to see this very provocative and important movie.

Here are just some of my thoughts in no particular order.

I don't think I have ever been to a film where I have heard people gasp in shock at seeing statistics before. I heard it at least once during this film.
People sat through the beginning part of the credits at the end of the film because during those credits practical suggestions were offered about how we can reduce CO2 emissions. People really seemed interested in knowing how to practically do something about what they had just seen.
If all those statistics we were shown are correct than we are doing horrible damage to the world we live in. But there are ways to stop it.
Why aren't more people concerned about global warming?
How much of this is really political? How much of this is economical? How much of this is ignorance of a great problem?
Why can't I have a Mac like Al Gore's?
If Al Gore is so concerned about pollutants why is he flying and taking taxi-cabs so often?
Where do I start making steps to reduce globe harming emissions? (I make a living driving a truck and delivering fuel.)
Does Al Gore videoblog? If not, why not?
If the message in this film is so important why not make it available to everyone for free?

To learn more about this film and the issues it teaches us about check out http://climatecrisis.net. Click here to see their blog. And click here to see 10 simple things you can do to help stop global warming. Here are three examples from that list: use flourescent bulbs, adjust your thermostat (and use a timer), check your tire pressure.

untitled

2006-08-20T14:19:00.000-05:00

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Music playing on my stereo:
Don Chafer (of Waterdeep)
Album: You Were At the Time for Love
Track Number 12: The Worst is My Being Alone

I am an unashamed Waterdeep fan. Don Chaffer lyrics provoke my thoughts and emotions. I listen and sometimes I think he understands. Maybe we've walked similar paths and have similar struggles, I don't know. Check out the music if you like, not cause I get a cut if you do, but because it is raw, real and heartfelt. Other than that I will leave this vid without explanation. Maybe I've said too much already.

Trembles (And things that can't be seen)

2006-08-16T22:53:00.000-05:00

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[I wonder how many people read the text with the videos. I wonder if it matters so much if you watch the video and then read the text? Or if you read the text and then watch the video?

I think in vlogs the text and the video often go hand in hand. They are joined. One complements the other. One helps you "see" something that maybe you wouldn't have otherwise. This may not always be the case but it is sometimes.

Text and video in a vlog post......keep it together.]

So for this post I must join its text:

There is more meaning in this moment caught on video than I could have captured with my camera. I saw a shaky hand. I saw difficulty in accomplishing simple tasks. I saw aid given.

I also saw some of my previous interactions with this person. I see the standing of these persons in community. There is just so much here that I just couldn't show you in the shot captured to my memory stick.

But this made me think. It made me consider weakness. It made me question if some people are weak maybe even sick as a result of their own doing? That is a tough question. I think that some can be sick of their own doing. Maybe they don't even realize that the source of their disease is within their own mind, habits, beliefs, traditions, or ideas. Personally, I know I have caused myself pain because of false ideas or holding to wrong beliefs.

And this isn't just religious speak here. I mean, hey, if I eat ice cream and Doritos I do quite a job on my stomach. How do I know? Well, cause I have done it before......and more than once. I like Doritos and I like ice cream and sometimes I am forced to choose between the two. Well sometimes I don't like being forced into that situation so I eat em both. Then get sick to the stomach. You see I believe that tasting those yummy junk foods is good at the time I am eating them. Later,however, I pay the consequence.

So I wonder. These tremors I see. Is there more to them? I don't think I can ever know for sure. And I know that if I grow weak myself I hope that it isn't of my own doing but comes naturally.

Dude...you alive?

2006-08-09T17:05:00.000-05:00

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It has been close to 1 month since the last time I have posted video. That is a long time. I'm not sure exactly the reason for this gap. Maybe a lot of it is laziness; I love to shoot video but am not so crazy about editing and posting it. Maybe some of it has to do with how I would like to put out some higher quality stuff. Maybe some of it has to do with how the communication that I hoped for using this medium is not as smooth or as easy as I was wishing it would be. I guess there could be other reasons too. But I'll not write about them now.

Dennis from Mexico Movies left a comment for me yesterday on my vlog. And it inspired me to post this video I made last night. The comment was: "Dude...you alive?"

I was glad that the comment wasn't "Dude....where's the video" or "Dude....come on you need to post something". I don't know if that was what Dennis meant. But, I would like to think that Dennis was just a bit more concerned about me as a person than he was concerned about the media I make. I was reminded that this vlogging can still be about people and about relationships. That like Steve Garfield reminded us when we subscribe to someone's vlog we are subscribing to a person.

Dennis thanks for asking if I am alive. Thanks for taking the time out to ask and let me know you noticed I hadn't been a posting as I normally do. Thanks man. And thanks to everyone else too who has had me in their prayers or thoughts. I really am thankful for you all.

Music in this post is from one of my favorite groups Waterdeep. You can find this whole song for free on their site by joining their fan club. Or you can purchase the CD Everyone's Beautiful which includes this song here. Or do a search for them on in the internet archive. Waterdeep likes it when fans make bootlegs of their live shows and share them with their friends you'll be pleasantly surprised with all the cool Waterdeep stuff you can find in the archive.

Love. A text post. Still exploring being completely known.

2006-07-19T21:19:00.000-05:00

Thoughts on Love, by me

It is my pleasure.
It is my pleasure and sometimes it is my pain.
To love you.
I love you.
Not that I love you and seek romance
but I love you as a person, as a friend.
It is my pleasure to love you.
It is my pleasure and sometimes it is my pain.
The pleasure in loving.
The pain in loving.
I don't regret loving at all.

These words below are by C.S. Lewis:

To love at all is to be vulnerable.
Love anything and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly be broken.
If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal.
Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket of coffin of your selfishness.
But in that casket of your selfishness--safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change.
It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable.
The only place outside Heaven where you can be perfectly safe from the dangers of love is Hell.

He is real.

2006-07-11T22:15:00.000-05:00

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Sometimes I struggle to live out those things that I say I believe. Faith is simple but definitely not always easy. Today I am a bit under the weather with a cold. I am tired. And I have had some difficultly this week really living as I believe I should. I want to keep on fighting this fight in faith. Honestly every day is like this in its own ways. I guess the last few days have just been a bit more of a reminder. But it is good these are the things I must experience. I am sure they will grow me. I can be thankful for that, even though now things may seem difficult to endure.

Sometimes I am a bit weary about putting things up on my vlog regarding my beliefs. I don't want to be like that. These pages are my journal. I know others view them but really they are mine to use as I please. This entry on this electronic page is open for others to see but really it is for me. It is a record of a of my life, of who I am, of what is important to me, of what I experience and something I felt should be documented and preserved.

Hands

2006-07-10T00:05:00.000-05:00

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We Are The Media has posted 3 challenges over the last three weeks. Here is my response to challenge number 3. This footage was shot about 2-3 weeks ago this seemed like a perfect opportunity to use it. I had some different ideas for editing this clip but lack of editting experience and lack of sleep prevented some of those ideas from becoming reality. I like the results here though. Hope you enjoy it as well. Thanks for the challenge We Are The Media and thanks for the tunes DJ Cary and Magnatune.com.

Drops

2006-06-26T00:42:00.000-05:00

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So much footage sits in the files of my computer. Gigs of video just waiting to make it into an edit. Ideas of video posts and memories just sitting in folders. These drops were part of those files. I took these videos last winter with my old Kodak camera that only shot at the most 30 second clips of not so great quality video. I had been wanting to combine these clips for a while with the Chinese Princess song by Tilopa (used with permission from magnatunes.com). Both the video clips and the music have been subjected to cuts every half second (or as close as I could come to half a second while editing. What is 2 or 3 hundreths of a second here or there between vloggers right?) This video was made in response to the We Are The Media half second clip challenge.

Wind

2006-06-20T23:57:00.000-05:00

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I have had this concept for a video combined with this tiny portion the song Mind's Eye by DC talk. I have decided to take the break from all my vloggercon footage and great vloggercon memories make and post this video. More Vloggercon footage to come in the future though.

I was reminded, as I was making this, of my conversation with Vu. I don't normally dedicate stuff but since I was reminded of you a bunch while I was making this, Vu, this video is dedicated to you. Thank you for your great questions and challenging statements. I'm glad I got to meet you and to talk to you. And for all my other vlogger friends it was a pleasure meeting you all as well.

This post will be added to my site conversationGod.com please come and join in the conversation regarding God, belief, not believing, and more thoughts God related.

Tagged:conversationGod

Vloggeraoke.blogspot.com

2006-06-15T23:22:00.000-05:00

I have so much footage from Karaoke night that I thought I would just share it all. I have created a new spot on blogger to put all the Karaoke vids I shot. That new place is vloggeraoke.blogspot.com.

I have about 7 vids up there right now and plan to add at least about 12 more. I was thinking it would be neat to have them out there for people to mash up if they would like. Or just to see them of course.

Also I thought that if anyone else had some raw footage they would like added to the site for others to see and or use then maybe they could just send me the url and I'd put it on the site.

Finally I thought that if anyone did use the footage to create a mash up then it would be nice to also have the mashed up Karaoke vids on Vloggeraoke.

I thought this might be a fun collaboration. Let me know what you think, make some mash ups, send some url's. Thanks and later.

Some of the vids that still haven't been added are Chuck and Lorika singing Girls on Film, Josh Leo doing Take On Me, Susan and Eve singing Weird Al, Enric singing One Way Or Another and more.....

Vloggercon or Bust

2006-06-14T22:55:00.000-05:00

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This is a short clip of my first leg of my flight to SF for vloggercon 2006. I shot it on the plane and editted it in the airport on my first layover. It isn't much but there will be more to come. I think I just wanted to catch a little of the excitement I was feeling on the plane. It was exciting. And being at Vloggercon 2006 was even more exciting. I loved meeting all the vloggers. It was the best weekend of my life. And more videos will surely follow.

Tags: vloggercon,vloggercon06,vloggercon2006

Angry

2006-05-16T22:48:00.000-05:00

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Got angry today. Angry like I haven't been in a long while. Angry so much that I yelled, no I screamed at a another person. Well that was after he called me an @#%hole and said some other things. I didn't cuss back but instead I rather angrily and loudly told him enough and not to cuss at me like I was his son. I don't like it that I can get this angry. I wish that I could have put up longer with this guys annoyances and insults.

I still get angry. It's ok. I just have to be careful how I act and what I think on when I am angry, so angry that I want to scream, so angry that I truly and physically hurt inside.

This is a part of me. This is part of my letting myself be more completely known by you. I am ugly and scary when I am angry. Watch at your own risk.

Lonely

2006-05-06T16:22:00.000-05:00

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I have been thinking about doing a video that shows this feeling for a while. I shot this little clip just trying to catch some everyday moments. I thought it went well just to portray a little piece of loneliness. Even my loneliness.

The music is from a great band called Waterdeep. This song is off of a bootleg album that they sold through their fan club's webstore. Waterdeep encourages their fans to make bootlegs at their live shows and gives permission to make copies of this bootleg CD from Cornerstone Music Festival on 7-3-99 to share with friends. How cool is that!?

Grace.....At the end of our day.

2006-04-27T15:45:00.000-05:00

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At the end of the day, just before I fall asleep, Grace and I spend a little bit of quiet time together. I am thankful for Grace and the time I have with her.

Let's Talk

2006-04-17T22:19:00.000-05:00

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ConversationGod.com has been on my mind a lot. This video is a bit of my heart regarding that new site and a bit about vlogging. I really would just like to be involved in conversation with others. I'd like to talk, to get to know others, to hear about the things you believe and to share what I believe. And, in the end of it all, to have grown, to have been challenged, to have been encouraged to understand other things and people more than I did before, to know that I helped others to understand me and what I stand for better, even if only in a small way, and to have participated in this community with others in a caring way.

I debated whether or not I wanted to share this video. It really may not be necessary for me to say these things at all. But still as I said it. This is a moment when I was thinking. And thinking out loud while the camera was on, so why not share it here.

I look forward very much to the conversation at conversationGod.com and I continue to look forward to the conversations that are occurring all over the vlogosphere. Let's keep talking, let's keep getting to know each other as people, let's keep working together, let's keep encouraging each other, let's keep on being the media, let's keep on remembering that when we subscribe to a feed we are subscribing to people.........

(I mention a convesation from a year ago in this post. That conversation is the first religious conversation I saw in the vlogosphere where people contributed video to discuss some topics Ryanne challenged people to talk about. You can learn more about that conversation by clicking here. Or to learn more about video blogging week click here.)

Tagged:conversationGod

Good and Bad.....A Topic for Conversation.

2006-04-15T21:23:00.000-05:00

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(I posted this on my other vlog conversationGod.com. I am looking forward to taking part in this conversation with others regarding things God related. I realized that I originally gave a very general challenge. That is okay and I look forward to hearing peoples opinions in general regarding God and religion but in order to aid the conversation I thought maybe I should begin by narrowing the topic down a bit.)

I'd like to narrow down a topic for discussion. How about good and bad? Where do we get our ideas of good and bad from? Do these things exist? What is good and what is bad? By what is the standard measured? Are there consequences for being a bad person or reward for being good?

Let's talk. Let's continue in this conversation. I thought this might be a good place to start, by discussing good and bad. Visit conversationGod.com to leave a comment or email the link to your video submission to me at conversationGod [at] gmail [dot] com.

Tagged:conversationGod

The First Reaction

2006-04-14T23:55:00.000-05:00

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There are many reasons why I video blog. I can't say that I solely videoblog for others. I enjoy video blogging, I think in ways it is recording bits of my history, I enjoy participating in the community of vloggers. With all that said there are people who watch. I hope that people watch. What I don't often get to see is the first reaction. What it is like when people are watching. Comments are great and I really enjoy receiving them and interacting with those who send me comments but over the past week or so I have been blessed to also to be able see and not just read about how my vlog put a smile on someone's face. It makes me feel like what I am doing is that much more valuable. I'd probably vlog even if no one commented or laughed or cried or got mad after seeing a video. I might even do it if no one was watching but me. But that is not the case and I am thankful to know that folks watch and that we can touch each other even from miles away but still from as close as the room where we have our computers.

The first time that I got a chance to see a reaction this week was on Mom's Brag Blog. And the video in this post is the second time I got to see a reaction to one of my vids. It was cool and encouraging and something I am thankful for so I share it with you. I hope you smile. :)

Windows Media File in a pop up window here.

Triple Dog Dare. Videobloggingweek2006 Day 7

2006-04-09T22:04:00.000-05:00

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Wow this week has been a lot of fun! I have really enjoyed being stretched to create. More so, though, I have enjoyed seeing this community come alive with excitement over these past few days. It has been such a joy to participate and be a vlogger in the vlogosphere. I am really thankful for this community. It has also been neat to see new vloggers join in this week and get involved. I think it is great that this fun event was able to promote enough buzz if you will to get others to notice video blogging and even get involved in being the media for themselves. This is just great!

Well I have been trying to keep with the daily challenges as posted on the yahoo group. Here is the last day's challenge as given by Stephanie Bryant:

"Vlogging dangerously challenge for Day 7: Dare another videoblogger,
by video, to vlog on a specific theme, topic, or style within the next
2 weeks (we all probably would like a less time-pressure deadline!).
Bonus: accept a dare from other videobloggers. Be sure to watch the
videobloggingweek2006 tag and RSS feed to see who challenged whom!"

--Stephanie

This video is my response. It is something I have been thinking about asking others to engage in for a while now. I look forward to the answers to this dare. One of the things that got me thinking about starting this conversation was the conversation started by Ryanne back in January of 2005. You can see some of those conversations videos here and here and here.

Should you take me up on this vlog challenge/dare I'd like to repost the videos together on this site: conversationGod.blogspot.com.

Technorati Tags:videobloggingweek2006, conversationGod

A Vloggercon Promo, Without Using My Camera

2006-04-08T22:58:00.000-05:00

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This is a video that was made in response to the day 6 challenge posted on the videoblogging yahoo group. The challenge was to vlog without using your camera. I've had this idea for doing a vloggercon promo for about a week now and this seemed like an opportunity to make that idea come to life and also keep the days challenge. This video is a day late. If you care to hear about my editing issues with this video read below. Or skip my complaining and enjoy the promo.

Clips from these vloggers were included in this clip:

Dave's (90 Seconds of Dave) original video "Transformation" can be found here.
Josh's (JoshLeo.com) original video "The Best Hot Dog in Grand Rapids" can be found here.
Ninja's (AskANinja.com) original video "Ninja Skills" can be found here.
Ryanne's (Ryanne's Video Blog) original video "The Jay and Ryanne Show Episode 2"can be found here. Susan's (Kity Kity's Vlog) original videos from "Kityoke"can be found here.
And David's (David Howell Studios) original video "Video Blogging Week Day 3" can be found here.

These works are all under a creative commons license and in this video will remain under a: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 License.

My editing issues:
Wow, this video a day is tough. Last night I was exporting what I thought would be my completed video and was getting ready to post it then my computer just decided an error was in order and the export would fail. This happened at least one other time. I figured since I had used an new screen capture program that had made video in a different file format from the rest of the videos included in this one that that might be the problem. I went back, compressed them to .mov files and then tried again. This time audio wasn't working. Apparently if I leave gaps between audio clips my program won't pic up when a new one starts. Also for some reason (and this never happened before) the audio also wouldn't export into applelossless so I had to use a different codec. Long story just a bit shorter after about 6 or so export attempts this is the best one. I wish the screen capture quality and audio was better and I am not sure how compatible it'll be but it is what it is and again I have learned a lot from the process. I guess we have all been through the compression woes. Maybe when those new video blogging books come out I'll be able to figure out a better solution.

Windows Media Video here.

Technorati Tag:videobloggingweek2006

videoblogging week day 6

2006-04-08T22:56:00.000-05:00

Don't use your camera was the challange. Maybe for me it should have been get your video in on time day. Then maybe just maybe I'd got it done by now. Oh well. I'm almost there. A video made without the use of my camera coming soon. Very soon.

Real Danger

2006-04-07T22:48:00.000-05:00

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I did not see a daily theme challenge posted today in the videoblogging group. For the last three days I have tried to keep to following those suggested daily themes that were posted there.
I have been sitting on this video clip for about a month and have wanted to post it since it is some of what I saw at the Homeland Terrorism and Natural Disaster CME Seminar presented by the Moreau Emergency Squad that I attended on March 18. I thought it would fit well with the theme of this videoblogging week. But more importantly I thought it would be something good for us to think on a bit.
The audio you hear in the beginning and near the end of the video is from the 9-11 tapes released by the NYC Fire Department. I listened to some of these audio recordings and watched some other videos about that horrible day on September of 2001 and couldn't believe how much this is still effecting us today, almost 5 years later. The pain, fear, anger, sadness and other feelings came back as I listened to these voices of emergency personnel running into danger while others who could ran away from it. It brought tears to my eyes.
I didn't intend on this really being a 9-11 memorial when I began editing this earlier today. But I guess it has turned into a bit of one. I think we should remember. Remember we were attacked. Remember the lives lost. Remember that day to day there are people in the Emergency Services serving and risking their lives for us. And even remember that the danger still does exist and that it can happen here again.

Windows File Here

The photo at the end is under a attribution, non-commercial license. I found this photo by Genesun Han on his flickr site.
The audio, which is available for download, can be found here on MSNBC.

Technorati Tag:videobloggingweek2006

Happy Un-birthday.......????........DAY 4

2006-04-06T22:59:00.000-05:00

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A very happy un-birthday to you. To you. A very happy un-birthday to me. To me. La la la la. La la la...And how much more fun is a party with balloons?? Its tons more fun. Whoo hooo!!!
Well Stephanie sure picked a good one here..huh????
Well I'll keep playing the game. This vid is quite the switch in pace from my last video but really I couldn't stand to loose much more sleep today on something more intricate. My lack of sleep may be obvious from my silliness at the end of this video. Hope you all get some laughs. I know I did, watchin my silly self and thinking: I can't believe I'm gonna put this on the web.
This week has been lots of fun. Very tough at times though too. (I don't know how Ian Mills did it but maybe that is why we haven't seen him since either. Ian, if you're still around, thanks for all the hard work and dedication I feel for you and I have only tried to do this for a couple of days. You are missed.)

(Since this is completely known let me just say I missed posting this video on Thursday. Late again. The time might show Thursday but that is only cause that is when I started to write this post. Oh well.)

Technorati Tag:videobloggingweek2006

Physically Impossible (this post has the audio repaired..I hope)

2006-04-06T21:36:00.000-05:00

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(EDIT: This is a reposting of this video. The first post had audio out of synch near the end of the video. I think this is fixed now. Sorry if this doubles up in your aggregated (the old video out of synch and the new one with audio corrected) but I know it can be annoying to watch when the audio is out of synch so I figured I'd fix it.)

Hours and hours later this is the result. For me, this is definitely the most important video I have done on my vlog to date. It was conceived, filmed, and edited over the last day and a half or so. In part, it is in response to the challenge to vlog something that is physically challenging for me to do. But it is also a piece of my heart and a passion that I have. It speaks of a Subject most important to me. I learned a lot more about my editing software (I think I want a Mac), filming, editing and even about myself through the process. I know there is much room for improvement but I look forward to that. I am enjoying this whole process, though, at times, it has been tough.

Enjoy this. And please feel free to comment and communicate your thoughts about this video's message, content, composition or anything else. Any of your thoughts would be welcomed and appreciated.

Technorati Tag:videobloggingweek2006

I'm super tired. I must sleep. Technical Difficulties are Rough.

2006-04-06T01:08:00.000-05:00

So I have literally been working on this video for the past 7 hours. The last 2 or three have been mostly attempts to render and export my video. Unfortunately after waiting for two exports both files had audio that was for some reason not complete. The audio would cut out about 1/4 way through the video.
I am exporting again as we speak but having a tough time staying awake. I really should sleep. It won't be good if I am driving truck tomorrow exhausted.
So goodnight. I am so sorry that I did not get this video posted as I wanted to today. I tried to play the game of same day shooting and posting and tried to do a higher quality vid today and it just turned out to be too much. I fell short of my own standard today. Well hopefully tomorrow it'll be up, that is if the audio issue is corrected.
Thanks.
Happy Video Blogging Week 2006!

PS
(the third attempt at export just finished while I was typing this entry and there is still missing audio, I'm not sure why this is but I have a guess.) I will not give up on this video. It has the most important message I'll share with you this week. For now though I must get some rest.

Not the real video for today.

2006-04-05T22:45:00.000-05:00

Watch Quick Time Video

I have worked very hard all afternoon in attempt to get a video filmed and edited for today. I have not finished editing (though I am close). I'll have the video I was working on for today up before I go to bed. In the meanwhile enjoy this filler video while you wait. No titles, No editing, just compressed and published.
Happy Videoblogging Week (aka no sleep til vlog week)
I'm really enjoying this whole event. MUCHO FUN! Little sleep though.

technorati tag:videobloggingweek2006

In My Closet (dangerous and secret)

2006-04-04T22:29:00.000-05:00

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I learned that the suggested theme for the day was vlog a secret and this was one I wanted to share; so tonight I put this together, tacky title pages from premiere elements and all. I hope you enjoy learning about one of my secrets and maybe you will want to have the same secret too.

I have decided (at least for the moment) to discontinue my making of windows media files. Instead I am going to post a link to a flash file. Most people (about 95% or so from what I hear) should be able to view this file. So if for some reason you can't view the QuickTime file you can view the flash file here: In My Closet Flash Video.
If someone out there was really loving the Windows Media files let me know. We'll see what I can do. If you have any comments regarding these flash videos let me know too (good or bad)

Here is a verse I thought of today while making all these fun posts:
"A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up bones" Proverbs 17:22

Technorati tag:
videobloggingweek2006

Dirty Pants (Video Blogging Week Excitement)

2006-04-03T22:51:00.000-05:00

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I have to decided to post two vids on this day since the first one was kinda just an intro and used footage I already had. I may not always stick to new footage but here is some I shot today.
This is a little dangerous 1. because I am posting twice today, and 2. cause my dress in this post is not typical of how I would normally make myself known. But this is completely known and this is video blogging week themed with vlogging dangerously so here goes.
The file size is large I am thinking it may be because of the audio I added but I can't seem to compress it down just yet.
Windows Media Link: here.

tagged: videobloggingweek2006

Heart Thumpin'

2006-04-03T00:48:00.000-05:00

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So this is the first of this week's videos for me. I shot this at a conference that I attended for EMS workers. (I am a volunteer EMT). The conference was about terrorism, how EMS can better respond and learning from things like 9/11. There may be one more video from this conference, later this week. We'll see how I do coming up with content for a daily post as I go.

I can't believe how long it takes me to edit and post even a short video like this. Hopefully this week I'll learn to cut that time down some and yet continue to improve on quality of my editing and videos, I'm still learning and enjoying this vlogging and the vlogosphere community.

Happy Video Blogging Week 2006

And for you windows media player users....you are still not forgotten....click here for your link to the video.....and please consider getting quick time. Thanks.

Tagged:videobloggingweek2006

Video Blogging Week 2006

2006-04-02T22:53:00.000-05:00

This week is video blogging week. That's right April 3rd - April 9th at least one video will be posted each day. (Keep your fingers crossed. No, really. I am gonna post daily).
Go ahead, get involved. You know you wanna. Post a video every day and then tag it. If you wanna watch the videos posted for video blogging week 2006 go to the technorati tag:
"videobloggingweek2006"
Find some more info here at the videobloggingweek blogspot.
Happy Vlogging!
I'm looking forward to this week of creating and watching. Yeah vlogosphere!

Don't Let 'Em Steal

2006-03-23T23:47:00.000-05:00

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Sometimes everyday things stick out and leave an impression. Daily I see things on the road as I drive. Here is one of those things most people drive by everyday without notice but one day I noticed and it became for me a bit of inspiration.

It was really nice to have a phone call from a friend this evening while I was editing. He reminded me and encouraged me to go after my dream. It was a real encouragement. I am thankful to the Lord for him and the words he spoke tonight. What is my dream you may ask. Maybe I'll tell you more about it one day. It would be neat to hear about your dream. What is it or are they? Make a video, write a comment, drop an email.... share your dream. Listen to this for a bit of somewhat silly inspiration.

For a windows media file of this video click here.

(The facial hair is still on in this clip. I still have much video to show from before my shave. I think I said you'd see it again. At least for a while.)

Happy Birthday Mom I Love You.

2006-03-12T00:17:00.000-05:00

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This is a video I made for my mom for her birthday. I love my mom. I have been impressed by the love and mercy she has shown in my family. I am proud to call her mom.
Mom is an Elvis fan but wasn't a fan of my goatee. (You'll see more of my goatee I promise.)
PS don't ask what I did with the money for the singing lessons.....you don't wanna know.
If you'd like to find out more about the music used in this video. "My Way" can be purchased through itunes here. And for more about Waterdeep and Don Chaffer check out this link here.

For a windows media file of this video click here .

Issumagijaujungnainermik

2006-03-11T00:19:00.000-05:00

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Sometimes I struggle to think of the images that can compliment my thoughts and my feelings. I want to show you but.....I don't really know what it looks like or maybe, better yet, how to make it look on video like I see it in my mind. Sometimes I am more comfortable with words. With music. With other people's well spoken ideas.

We live in a world full of people (i know.... thank you cpt obvious)and as we interact we sometimes offend. Recently I have asked forgiveness of people I offended. This video expresses some of the thoughts and feelings that followed being forgiven and forgiving.

In this video I am strummin the guitar to the tune of "How You Forgive Me " by Ben Pasley. You can find the lyrics to that song here and more from EWC here.

Windows Media Player folk, here is your link.

What I do instead of edit video.

2006-03-08T22:18:00.000-05:00

So instead of editing I have found a bunch of other things to take up my time ie doing silly stuff like this mohawk. I want to get video posted. I want to share. I want you to watch. I really do. I will post soon not cause I have to but cause I want to. Thank you all for sharing with me. I have been watching you and am getting better on commenting since I know how encouraging it can be. I really enjoy this community. I enjoy participating and communicating. I enjoy connecting. You all enjoy it too. It is evident. You work hard to get vids posted. To share you thoughts, your ideas, your hard work, your lives. Thanks again.
Lately I have been mostly being lazy but have done some stuff. I am caught up on every episode of lost to date (itunes is a curse and a blessing). I have joined 3 videoblog groups on yahoo.....boy do they generate a lot of mail. I have helped at least 2 others get blogs going and have gotten one fine young fellow to host some of his video on blip and get it up on his Xanga. I am really excited about that. I have enjoyed participating in the video blogging video conferences on Tuesdays and Saturdays. The conferences are great fun and can be pretty informative. Save the time and join in on the conversation and community. I have been working a tiny bit on a new blog/vlog that will showcase vids and vlogs and other things that I am watching. That site is called whatchawatchin. I've been learning about firefox, gmail, trillian embedding video, and looking into the possibility of a small amount of advertising especially for my other newer site. In the mean while I work my 40 or so hours a week driving truck. I also continue on my journey of finding a church home and connecting with that community.

2 for 1. Dan Meyers Performing "I Don't Believe" and another song entitled "Stutterin".

2006-02-19T16:00:00.000-05:00

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Singer, songwriter, guitarist Dan Meyers played at a local conference center a few weeks ago. I have been meaning to get this video posted since then. I like the percussive technique he uses while playing guitar. Dan and his acrylic nails tap out percussives, gently touch harmonics, fingerpick melodies and bounce out great rhythms. Dan Meyers can be found on the web at DanMeyers.com.
This first song is maybe a different look at faith. Here Dan sings about those things he doesn't believe and also lets us know some of the things he does believe. Windows Media users: Click Here.

Watch QuickTime Video
This video may not fast start...it may need to load
fully before it plays.

Have you ever heard a Christian stutter when it came to explaining their faith? This song by Dan Meyers entitled "Stutterin" is a musically playful look at those "ah.. oh.. I don't know ..." moments.

Both of the above videos above were recorded (as usual) with a Sony DSCM1. Having been indoors at a local Inn and Conference Center, the lighting leaves some to be desired when it comes to video but Dan's music and message are all good. Windows Media Users Click Here.

I've tried a little something different with this post in addition to having posted two videos (I know only one will show up in the RSS feed) I have also used Josh Kinbergs Pop-up Link Maker. Let me know what you all think of it pro or con if you have an opinion. Regarding the two vids: I figured if you (my loyal subscribers)liked one you could come back and watch the second one (the one I like better) and even leave a comment while you visit. But if you didn't like it you didn't have to have both vids downloaded saving you time and space to watch other cool stuff. Much love yo!

A Message from Paul

2006-02-11T20:25:00.000-05:00

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A while back on I am Dooser's site he posted his second vid with a voice mail he received. He asked that some of us share voicemails we received with him too.

I never really thought about the joy that we can receive from just a simple voice message before being challenged to put this together. It was fun to revisit this message. And now to share it with you.

For my friends who still insist to use windows media this ones for you. Click this here.

Test Post.....

2006-02-04T16:04:00.000-05:00

Since my last two posts have mysteriously disappeared off the face of my blog and are nowhere to be found, I am going to publish this post as a test to see if it will stay up. Here goes. I pray it works this has been tough watchin comments and then my posts just disappear. Hopefully the republish that I did and the removal of that little shortcut icon I put over a week ago has remedied this problem I have had since yesterday. Thanks for your patience and understanding.

EDIT:
So blogger had some issues the last few days. Hopefully with the hardware repairs they made these problems will not continue to be an issue. I have put my shortcut icon back in. It isn't a favicon so it can't be seen in IE but if you use FireFox(which is better anyway) then it should be visible. I'm still learning about html and css so if I placed it in the incorrect spot or something I may have to remove itagain. In the mean while, I'll enjoy seeing that tiny pic come up along side the URL to this page, not cause I particularly enjoy looking at myself I just think those little icons are cool and better at looking at that big blogger "B" for every page.
I am glad to see blogger being up and running again. Til next time. Peace.

I'm Sorry Too

2006-02-03T19:45:00.000-05:00

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It has been almost two weeks since my last post. Please accept my apology.

If this video seems familiar, that may be because the idea for this well meaning parody comes from one of Josh Leo's vids called I'm Sorry. If you've never seen it or it's been a while check it out here.
Also thanks freevlog for all the help you have been to me this far and also for the oath. Yes, every vlogger should take the oath. "Come on, say it with me...I (insert your name here)...".
And blip.tv you host my vids for free. You rock!

For all my Windows Media users, I haven't forgotten you. This is your version here clickity, click, click.

Thank God for Comments.

2006-01-22T22:37:00.000-05:00

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I know comments aren't everything. And I don't just post so that others can watch and comment. But lets face it, it is nice to get comments. Now that I am a vlogger it has been really nice to get comments and feedback from other vloggers who have been involved in the vlogging community for a while. It has also been nice to get comments from others who may or may not
(at least not yet)vlog. Thanks for the comments all. They are encouraging. I hope that we can continue in this community of the vlogosphere together and remember to, at least every once and a while, leave a note saying we watched and we enjoyed. Sometimes a good comment just makes for a happy day!
Oh and for those of my friends out there who haven't been able to watch cause you don't have QuickTime yet this link is for you: Click for Windows Media File.

I Drive a Truck But Not Like This

2006-01-15T15:46:00.000-05:00

watch this video

While driving my car to Albany, I couldn't help notice this truck ahead of me. The sight was a little strange to see and I thought it might make an interesting short video. Can you figure out how this trucker does this?

Finding the Video that Got Me Started.

2006-01-14T20:17:00.000-05:00

In my previous post, I mentioned a lesson on video blogging taught by Aaron given at the college I take classes from that got me interested in vlogging. It was probably more like 8-9 months ago that I actually saw it, (I guess that's kinda close to a year). If you'd like to see this video yourself do a search for "Videoblog Killed the TV Star The Emergence of the Vlog" over at Google Video.
I would have posted links to those sites but I was unsure if they would cause those videos to come up in my feed and the video I am referring to above is over 1hour long and may not be one you'd like in your hard drive due to its size.
In this video Aaron shares his ideas about the use of vlogs, including his thoughts about its use regarding evangelism, the content in vlogs, how to vlog, commentary on some of his vlogs and some of the others he has viewed, and he also discusses the vlogging community and the communication and participation that occurs in that community. It is interesting to see how some things have changed and developed so much since this video that created less than a year ago. Way to go vlogosphere, you've come a long way and you're still going strong!

Eyes Like A Child Too

2006-01-12T23:15:00.000-05:00

watch this video

One day, close to a year ago, I ran across some video that was put out by the college I am attending. The video included a lesson on Vlogging given by Aaron Flores. That video lead me to his site at thevoiz.com and since then I think I've been "hooked", if you will, on vlogs. The vlogs I have watched have made me laugh, have made me think, have made me realize that people desire community, have made me laugh, and have made me happy to see creativity, design, honesty and so much more (did I mention laughing). Sometimes vlogs can touch your emotions in a different way. One of the posts that, for some reason, struck a cord of my emotion and even brought a tear or two to my eyes was one by Erin at Mom' Brag Vlog called Eyes of Wonder.

I decided to try and catch some of the emotions that I was experiencing at that moment on film as I watched that post of hers over again. This video is some of what I was thinking and feeling. It includes video and music from Erin's original post, from her site posted 11/29/05.

So... vlogs are or can be: funny, serious, informative, heart wrenching, heart warming and so much more. They can be a means of communicating and reaching others. Touching lives through this media....that is cool. To my friends who share on xanga with just the written word and photos and to those who post video and text in the vlogosphere for all to read,hear and see, thanks for sharing.

Wet Feet: My First Video Post!

2006-01-09T01:28:00.000-05:00

watch this video

After a long day of walking through the snow delivering oil my feet were soaked! I am sure, one day, I'll ask myself: "self, why did you choose to post that video first?". But tonight I just decided to go for it. After all, this is Completely Known.

This vid was shot with my old Kodak digital that only took 30 sec clips. I have since upgraded to a Sony DSCM1 (which I like a lot). I decided that I would use these video clips because it was my first time using editing software and I wasn't really scared to loose this footage if I goofed somehow. Well I learned just a hair about editing today. I most certainly need to learn more about exporting and compression though. I am not comfortable with it at all and I haven't found any premiere elements tutorials as of yet.
Well hope you like it. Its my first. I have definately left room for improvement. This is definately just a test run for me. Oh, I hope you don't mind smelly feet!

Times a wasting.

2006-01-03T22:59:00.000-05:00

Yep, time has been "wasted" on getting my sight tweaked and looking halfway decent to receive videos. I have literally spent hours teaching myself how to change the web page by playing with the codes and looking at source codes from other pages.
What have I learned? What changes have I made? Make and place my own header. Get a link attached to my header. Change color of profile box. Add to extra sections to my side bar(Some More Good Stuff and May I ask you a question?. I have learned to add cool badges that link things. I have learned to space these badges so they aren't on top of each other. I even learned a bit about online status indicators though I haven't chosen to place one on my site as of yet.
Well I think I should stop working on the site and start working on the vids to post on it. So for now the work on my site will come to a stop and video work and learning about where and how to host it all will begin.
Hopefully you'll see me soon.

I have no idea what I'm doing.....but it appears to be working.

2006-01-02T02:18:00.000-05:00

Sleep. That is what I should be doing now. But I decided to take one last peek at those Html thingys and give a shot at working on my sidebar. Yeah!!!! I figured out how to get a freevlog and an Ant badge in on my sidebar.
Fun, Fun, Fun.
Maybe one day soon I'll even get some video up on this site.
That's a goal, I'm shooting for. My friends got a kick outta watching some raw footage on the night of new years. Hopefully I can learn good editing quick and figure out how to get stuff posted. No doubt I'll be watching more of those cool tutorials.

ok time for me to practice a hair of self control by shutting down my laptop, taking Grace out for a walk, reading some from the Bible and then going to bed.

Happy New Year!

I changed my header.......what is Html anyway???

2006-01-02T01:24:00.000-05:00

So I watched this tutorial over at freevlog that walked you through changing your header. It looked so simple. I followed it step by step but then realized we were working with different templates. I, knowing nothing about Html except for what I have experienced today, couldn't figure out (at first) how to get my new jpeg header into the spot I wanted it. I guess Ryanne gave me just enough info to make this Html illiterate person somewhat dangerous regarding my blogger template. [By the way: thanks, folks at freevlog, for all those awesome tutorials.They have been super helpful.]
Seeing as I had a bunch of other things I needed to accomplish today. I laid those things aside and began to play with all the Html code "thingys" until I got my picture to stick in a place I could be fairly happy with. I deleted a bunch of other stuff too like the title and description. Well I hope I didn't do any damage. Things look good to me so far. My journey into Html made me wanna learn some of this language. Especially since I am sure I'd like to do some changes to my side bar. Cool, I like to learn. It'll be fun.
I found a site that I haven't really looked at much yet, to tell the truth, that has to do with Html. Maybe I'll check it out later and see if I can learn anything. I think it is called HTML Goodies. If you could suggest any other places where I could learn about this interesting little computer language especially as relating to changing and improving some of the things on this blogger page I'd appreciate it.
Thanks and good night.
anthony

Title for this.....come on now, this don't need no stinkin' title.

2005-12-29T21:44:00.000-05:00

Ugg, so much video has been shot but I still haven't figured out my editing software enough to get things put together. So little by little this thing will come together, I guess.
Then again, I do have tons of school work that I seem to keep putting off. And there is that whole relationship with God thing (i don't mean that disrespectfully of course). I really need to work on spending more time there. Discipline, discipline, discipline. I am gonna try going to bed earlier and rising earlier so I can go back to spending time in the morning reading the Word and praying a little. I've been doing kinda junky with keeping a regular devotional time in the afternoon/evening (ok very junky).
I also have a list of some other changes I'd like to make. I guess I could call them resolutions since it is so close to new years. Maybe when I have that list polished I'll post it for the world to see or somehow vlog it.
Here is some info about today I got to talk to a buddy of mine today. We are going through some similar struggles and our focus has been somewhat outta wack. Still it was good to talk. We care about each other like brothers. It was good to hear myself say some things to him that I needed to hear myself. It was good for us to know we aren't alone. I appreciated his honesty and the way he spoke about some of the things he has been experiencing. It was good for us to be there to encourage one another. It is what I wish more Christian folks would do for each other. We just listened, talked, and showed love for each other. It is a beautiful thing, I believe, when that happens.
Later,in an unrelated event, I was able to call the police to break up a domestic dispute for a local guy and his girlfriend. You know, those kinda things just brighten up anyone's day. (feel the sarcasm please) The trooper was able to calm things down and then later I was able to speak to the guy that was involved in the all the fighting. We talked, I listened and gave some advice and hug and hand shake. Believe it or not, I love stuff like what I got to experience today. I mean I really enjoy dealing with conflict in hopes of making peace and bringing about resolution, talking to others, and encouraging others. It encourages me. I could do it all day.
Well its almost bed time. Like I said I'm gonna try to hit the hay a bit earlier. Good-night.

Humble Beginning

2005-12-25T16:14:00.000-05:00

So this is it. With this post I begin to blog on blogger. Eventually, the hope is to video blog. I have enjoyed subscribing to the lives of vloggers and watching their posts. Here is my new beginning. Welcome! And may we be completely known.