late, sloppy and rambling... but here is the vlog

More post updates later in the day.

Still cutting video for a client...

... so, this week's edition of my Vlog will be up later tonight or Sunday morning. Cheers!

EDIT: 5:30 PM, Saturday.

OK... finally got the edit done and here it is...


In all probability, this week's Vlog will be up on Sunday.

Cheers and have a great weekend!

72 hours may equal 2 Vlogs & a Promo video or 2

This evening I go back to shoot another rehearsal at the park for WSF. Then the edit storm begins. Sifting through footage. Choosing clips. Assembling some kind of structure. Cutting and rendering. This will all hopefully result in a promo video for them and 2 vlogs... one for this week's edition (which features hot belly dancers) and another for Frogway. There is also a promo video I need to cut for Suicide Lounge but there is more footage to get for that.

I do have to admit that I've gotten pretty good at this medium... not quite where I want to be... but getting there. The learning curve is still rising and I am enjoying the process. Yes, I do have ambitious ideas and notions. (Have you known me not to?) I also think a definite style is beginning to surface... though I'm sort of fighting that. Only because I want to explore and keep myself open to attempt the vast variety of genres out there.

Oh yeah... if you click on the pic it will take you to my channel on YouTube.

Anyway, that is what I'll be up to in the immediate future. Have a great Hump Day and perhaps I'll post something for HNT later. Cheers!

Vlog # 2

So far so good... 2 vlogs in 2 weeks... but don't hold me to the once a week thing.



This one was a bit of a bear to edit as there were some software glitches... but at least the learning curve went up. Thanks again to all who participated. Oh, and did you check out the APITHANY PICTURES logo at the end? huh? huh? huh? Oh and you can still help Zonthar pick out a mid-life crisis and check out Kevin's music.

CLICK HERE IF YOU MISSED THE FIRST VLOG!

Cheers!

a silly thought reoccured tonight...

Watch this clip from My Fair Lady...

... now substitute "Show Me" for "Blow Me". I used to (and still do) laugh myself blue just thinking about this.

Ah... the simple joys of a fevered rabid mind.

EDIT: 11 AM, Saturday
So, once again I am thinking about changing my blog.

OK, Lecram... what the hell is this about? Didn't you already change it on your birthday this year?

Yeah, welll...

Yeah, well what?!

Look, I started with blogspot... I like it... but...

But what?

Hey, I like it so much I even moved it (this new version) to my own server!

Yeah, and?

The bigger blogger/blogspot becomes... the more hiccupy it gets. Plus with haloscan, blogroll, and other third party blog toys I use... it has the tendency to bog down the upload on the browser.

You're jumping to wordpress, aren't you?

Well... maybe. See, with my deluxe hosting at Jungle Webs I get a whole 100 gigs of server space. On top of that, wordpress is one of the free add-ons that installs EASILY on it!

Traitor!

I haven't decided yet. There is also Joomla to consider. It's another add-on that I'm really interested in. Plus, it's a CMS and most of the websites are going that way. It'll be a good excuse to get to learn it and perhaps set up a blog on it.

OK... whatever. Just remember... you have some gigs coming up.

Exactly. I think learning Joomla is going to make me more marketable.

Like I said... whatever. What about that vlog you were going to start.

I'll get right on it after I mop the house.

more shameless promotion (with an edit)

Yeah, I finish cutting this tonight... and the shows are coming up this weekend. So if you live around the big NO... come on down and catch these fine shows!


More in the AM... promise!

EDIT: 10:30 AM, Tuesday
I just sent off my responses of an email interview to Fresno Famous that will be featured on Friday (I think). Now, I either have to snap a pic or hunt for one in my archives. Hmm... I wonder if they will post a half nekkid one of me. LOL!

Also, I have to begin promotions on the next presentation of Rogue Year Round. Yes, it is going to be a barrage over the internet and probably going to annoy some on MySpace. Well, I'm not apologizing for it in advance because the whole exercise is to get Butts In The Seats. The point here is we are not just promoting to friends and supporters but also to potential newbies... and with the attention span these days people forget very easily. (That's just one of the many reasons... but no one asked choosing instead to throw barbs.) I'll have you know that the last promotional thrust pulled in at least two thirds of the paying audience who were exposed to anything Rogue for the very first time... and they had a bloody good time.

The Rogue was not created to be some sort of "insiders club" but something to be inclusive. What I really don't appreciate (for the Rogue in general) is certain "insiders" had chosen to air their disdain of my previous methods via blogs and comments... which is a public forum. Either support the event (by showing up) or don't (by not showing up). If you want to question my methods... shoot me an email (and I will patiently provide an explanation of the "whys") but airing it in a public forum (via the power of the internet) is just plain unprofessional and counter productive to all many are attempting to accomplish. I'm all for debate and discussion... and if you are an insider... lets keep it within the confines of a meeting (one on one or via email)... but snippy blogs and comments that are open to the public just smacks of juvenile attention seeking. There... I've said my peace and for the record, I don't hold any grudge or ill feelings about what transpired... just saying.

Now back to editing the many videos that are laying in wait.

and while you wait for...

... my hardly anticipated Picture Daze post... enjoy this little ditty from "Jihad the Musical". Special props to my friend who sent me the link via email today.

OK... fine... HERE!

9 Short... but, eh... what the heck! Here torture yourselves with this.

holding on - HNT

Sometimes, it's all you can do.

BTW... I will post an embarrassing video of me singing (horrendously) at my final performance with Suicide Lounge from a couple of weeks ago... IF... 20 or more people subscribe to my YouTube channel by 6 PM PST Friday, July 13! At the moment I have 18 subscribers... the magic number is 38! (2 post down is my latest video.) Just sayin...

Cheers and Happy HNT!

so, a few weeks ago...

... I eluded to the fact that I had made some purchases. Well, here are pictures of the Canon HV 20 and the Canon s3 is that I got. The "getting to know you" period is still in progress and I am enjoying every minute of it. I am still only scratching the surface of these babies' capabilities... haven't been disappointed yet as to what they have done so far. This period of yet another learning curve also extends to the Adobe Premiere editing software that is on the new computer which is dedicated to just that.

These are not only for fun. I have decided to explore yet another medium of storytelling with them and hopefully also to create some cash-flow while doing so. Some of the results can be viewed in the post before this one. So, I'll be posting videos as I go along this ride here... but if you would like to subscribe to my YouTube channel... CLICK HERE. I also have an account at Daily Motion HERE.

I'm discovering that I really, really like cutting (editing) as a form of storytelling. Am I giving up theatre? Probably not. This just extends and varies what I do... and perhaps to a wider audience. Who knows... there could be some video HNTs up ahead. ::wink::

If you got the new iPhone... here is a blending question answered. I hope this finally puts that one to rest.
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I cut this today

It's a mini-doc of my artist friend Aileen

Aileen - working artist
Uploaded by dathang

EDIT: This is the way to do it!

I'm still cutting...

... video and have yet to put together my powerpoint presentation for Tuesday. Powerpoint... woo hoo! So I'm taking a little break at the moment just so I won't get all google eyed. I may even indulge in a bit of a nap just so I can get back to cutting with fresh eyes.

So, there's not going to be much of a post from me today. Perhaps you can catch up on what you missed over the weekend.

this that and the other

AT THE HOMESTEAD
The last three days has been a flurry of activity over at the homestead. I may have mentioned about 3 weeks ago how some good and wonderful folk have volunteered their time and effort to help with things around here so that it's more livable for Mum. Well, on the 4th the next work day began at 8 in the AM. The mission was to get the swamp cooler running again and the bathroom floor redone.

The swamp was accomplished by 10 the next day... but the bathroom will probably only be accomplished sometime Tuesday. These wonderful folk have (at the end of each day) put in a temporary floor and re-hooked the toilet so that Mum could use the facilities at night. It's all good and needed to be done as the water damage on the floor was more extensive than any of us would have guessed (leaky sink was the major culprit).

However, all this activity has thrown the schedule off and quite disorientated Mum. Not having the bathroom available while work was being done has also confused her quite a bit. I found her this morning standing in the kitchen in a stupor not knowing where to go. Also the flurry of activity has contributed a little to her ongoing obsession about the phantom "new house". It will take a little time, effort and reassurance to get her back into a routine and to get her locked back in to "homestead mode". No fault on any end... the work had to be done... and the upcoming efforts to get her back to feeling comfortable again will be as well. Plus she'll soon be able to go in a nicer and safer bathroom.

THE BLAZING HEAT AND BAD AIR
Oof, it's been bad. This current wave (which mercifully is ending soon) has really done a job with congestion issues all around. Adding to this is all the fireworks over the holidays that has only added even more to make the air in the bowl we live in heavier. Once again, no fault or finger pointing... heck, celebrations still have to take place, don't they? I took one of the stellar folk who was helping with the work being done out to dinner last night at a local Vietnamese noodle place. Just the ride there and back with the windows down did me in. Plans I had to go out and join some friends at a local watering hole last night literally went out the window. Here is hoping a small system comes in to blow all of this schmutz so that we can all breathe again more easily.

Hmm... I'm wondering if everyone around here would put in clean bags or filters into their vacuum cleaners and collectively turn them on outside in their yards... if that would help clean out the air a bit.

Perhaps more later...

UPDATE:
She began reclaiming today by insisting on sweeping.

On another front... I don't care if they are cubs... this monkey has balls... and the ninja sound effects are fun too!


Monkey And The Tiger - Click here for the most popular videos

and sometimes... thats just how it goes

If You Had A Bad Day - The most popular videos are here
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so, did you laugh or feel compassion?

a couple of highlights from last night

Oh yeah... the crowd was actually pretty decent last night... considering that it was a Sunday evening. We had a very short span of time to get the word out due to an administrative snafu. The promotional blitz seemed pretty effective... even though some of those we knew complained and took issue with it. Oh well... ya can't please everyone.

These are only 2 of several highlights of the evening. They are from the Suicide Lounge set. Once again, a big thank you to everyone involved... the members of Suicide Lounge, the cast of Tale End, the wonderful staff of the Starline, the box-office and tech staff and everyone in the audience who came out to support us and enjoyed an entertaining show.

You just got to be there... the show features me & me

There'll be more later when I'm more lucid.

EDIT:
So, I stayed up all night editing the video. Got up at 10 AM and am still a little out of it. Been busy blitzing via the internet to promote the show. Myspace, email lists, blogs... I can be such a promo ho, ya know?

Well, the real news is all of it was done on the new equipment I acquired recently. I really like it and there is still going to be a "getting to know you" period before it fits me like a second skin... so to speak. Good hardware does make a helluva difference... and it doesn't have to break the bank.

Anyway, if you are in the area... come by and see the show. Oh yeah... the song in the soundtrack on the video is one from Frogway.

ROGUE YEAR ROUND with Suicide Lounge & Tale End!
A double header you can't afford to miss!

$10
6:30 PM (Doors open at 6)
Sunday, July 1

STARLINE Performance Venue
831 E. Fern

more info: at the Rogue Year Round Page!

come by later for...

a post and a new video!

the anticipation builds...

... to see if Paul Potts wins on Britain's Got Talent!! You'll get it here as soon as I do. (Really, I can't believe I'm this sucked into this.)

HERE IS THE VIDEO



NOW JUST THE RESULTS...

Yep... he won! (posted 2:30 PM PST)

EDIT: And for a special friend who pulled "daddy duty" recently (not to take anything away from daddy... but we all pitch in when its needed).... and all the Dads out there... here is 6 year old Connie in the finals.



And here is the WINNING MOMENT.

a spark of talent

OK... I'll admit it... I'm quite taken with the Britian's Got Talent show... at least via YouTube of late. It started with Paul Potts (you can see his semi-final performance in the post below this) who did get into the final which is tonight in the UK. So, UK readers... if you watch it come over and tell me in the comment section who won.

In the meantime... here is another of the acts from the semi-finals. Although she didn't get into the finals... still... DANG!

I very rarely watch these kinds of shows... PT. 2

The video in THIS POST... made me blubber a few days ago. Well, here he is in the semi-finals... I hear the finals are on Sunday. The sound mix for broadcast isn't great but nevertheless.



To find out if he got through to the final...

I very rarely watch these kinds of shows...

... but this video made me verklempt and brought a tear to my eye today. Not only is this particular aria always been amazingly powerful in itself (obviously abbreviated in this clip) ... but made even more poignant within the context of what you are about to watch.

this is what...

... I spent Sunday editing.

Flattering Glass - mini-doc
Uploaded by dathang

More in the AM.

2 birds

Posting this just cuz. Actually, its in response to Kien's "I am tired" post and Cosima's "Musical Monday" post. Plus, this sequence has always made me laugh out loud.



More later... maybe even another post.

Da Count - my muse

What I do and how I do it depends on the muse that tickles me fancy at the time of creating. I have been fortunate to have muses over the years when I have been creating... but not like this one. (BTW... I have created without a muse as well.... but that is for a different discussion.) This one has kept me in a happy state of utter insanity that I could not pay for - really, for all the money in the world. This is a stellar muse that anyone in the creative field could only dream about.

Sometimes a muse can be an idea, a notion, an inkling, an object, a presence ... but this muse is real. Real as in flesh and blood real! It is strange how this happens (I've quit trying to figure it out.)... I really can't explain it... but it does. Something or someone clicks within and it's all about getting the shit out. (And boy, do I have a lot of shit. lol.)

So, my count is my muse. The wonderful presence who has brought me the inspiration to go on even after I had exhausted all avenues. This muse opens up a spectrum of possibilities. I originally felt the project was going nowhere... but it didn't in this case.

Raise a glass (with me) to my muse... I really couldn't have done it without my muse. This muse is something else... (trust me on this one.I would venture to suggest a "Guess the muse meme")... but I'm not in this case. (Really.... this one is a keeper.) TO MY MUSE!

To find out what Da Count is all about... click the flashing sign above.

BTW... some of you want to know about Suicide Lounge... the video is below. Yeah... if you are in the area.... come see the show.

Suicide Lounge
Uploaded by dathang

Finished editing our promo video...

... HERE IT IS! (Just click Talepromovideo under the player to steal it for your own blog.

Oh yeah, go check the TJ Blog and meet one of our Rogue Buddies there!

Oh yeah (number two), there may be an HNT this week.

Talepromovideo
Uploaded by dathang