Filed under: blip, chris baker, clintus mcgintus, inspiration, jim kirks, videobloggingweek2007
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I’ve started each day this week watching some other peoples vlogs. I’m just starting as a vloger and I’ve wanted to see what other people are doing to get a feel for what I want to do. Each person I watch and each new vlog I see gets me more excited!!! And I just watched Clintus McGintus vlog and I have to say “what a cool guy”. His vlog has inspired me all week. I think it is awesome and he gets me jazzed to do more myself!!! Glad I connected with you, Clintus!
After watching Clintus’ daily vlog I went over to theClipShow.com to see what the guys are up to and it must be Clintus Mcgintus day 2007 because they have featured his vlog as today’s clip show. Jim, Chuck you’ve always inspired me and todays show is another reason why!!! Very well put together and funny. Jim, that last moment got me!
This week has been so much fun – I’m looking forward to this being a part of my life from now on. I mentioned before that I’ve been shooting video for years and didn’t know what to do with the footage. Now I have an outlet and I couldn’t be any happier unless I shared a grey space with that guy we all know and love, Chris Brogan.
I can’t wait till the next meet up to see some of these people in the flesh again!!! You all get me excited!
“It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot harder to make a difference.” –
Tom Brokaw
Filed under: charlie baker, chris baker, color red creative, handsonfood, jim kirks, videobloggingweek2007
This is my little cooking show I do once a month. Just so happens this month the episode coincides with Video Blogging Week 2007. How lucky for me!!
Filed under: videobloggingweek2007
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Caught a bee close up on the other side of a window. He got lost going through an open house we were doing in the Historic Willow District (Phoenix, AZ). Eventually I caught him and released him outside. WOW!
Filed under: videobloggingweek2007
Excited to be vlogging!!!
Officially vlogging for the first time ever… A short intro and more to come this week. A few people who’ve inspired me to vlog: Jim Kirks of theClipShow.com, Charlie Baker of CinemaPsychic.com, Chris Brogan of ChrisBrogan.com and all the video bloggers I’ve met recently in Phoenix!
Learn more about Josh Wolf here:
“ON FEB 6 JOSH WOLF BECAME LONGEST-INCARCERATED JOURNALIST IN U.S. HISTORY FOR REFUSAL TO COMPLY WITH A SUBPOENA ON JOURNALISTIC PRINCIPLES”
If you have time there’s an interesting interview Frontline did with Josh about his video. I’m shocked by all the press surrounding Josh Wolf and his incarceration. It’s unsettling to say the least to know that our government can hold us in prison for an undetermined amount of time if they choose to. What happened to We The People???
Filed under: videobloggingweek2007
Ok, I’m vlogging. Here’s a couple Vid’s I’ve shot and posted from my little phone while on the go over the past couple of days. Also mixed in here is an old news interview I did for a film project I worked on with two of the most talented guys I know.
Here’s to a great week everyone!!! Looking forward to the conversation that ensues 
And Josh – I know what you mean about the pants!!! I share your pain…
I’m rock’n out to Everclear! Great way to spend the day. With friends in the sunshine listening to an array of differert bands! I’d like to spend more time doing things like this. I think I’ll see who’s playing in L.A. in the next couple of months. That could be a good time!!!
10 Items or Less Screening at Sedona International Film Festival’s Second Monday. Watch the intro click here>
Sometimes on Mental Health Food we actually have to talk about food… I was in the North Hills area of Los Angeles and just off the 405 is this incredible Mexican Food Restaurant!!! If you’re hungry, in L.A. and have a hankering for some casual Mexican food then Taqueria Los Tres Hermanos is where you’ll want to be.
It’s totally casual and clean. You walk into the dining room and stand in line till you reach the 3 or 4 friendly faces at the counter. Breakfast all day! Yes, breakfast all day I opted for the Eggs a la mexicana. Soooo good. Also to my surprise there is a juicer for fresh OJ and carrot juice. How nice is this!! I asked for half OJ and half carrot and it was wonderfully refreshing- especially after a couple days of taxing the system with late nights and plenty of beer and cocktails. How many restaurants offer this? I’ve never seen this outside some “health food” spot or juice bar which typically offers some sort of over sugared concoction. The dining room is open and clean, I’ll mention again, and there is some outside seating along the south windows for parties of 2. After you get your drink and order there is a basket of corn chips waiting for you and a salsa bar for your discretionary use. I love the salsa bar!!! Any place that offers a salsa bar is top on my list. You may be thinking, “I’d rather be served” however, this is a dream come true if you are a salsa lover like me. Salsa is proven to be one of the healthiest foods you can eat, and I like to eat a lot of it! The menu is big – plenty of unique items. The table next to ours had something a little more traditional looking. It was a whole fish with some beautiful garnishes. If you’re into this you’d probably love it. I’ve never ventured to try this – one day I will.
After you order and sit down the service is friendly and warm as they do bring the food to the table hot and fresh and with a big beautiful smile. The smile is what most service industry providers lack. If you find this somewhere and the product is top notch as well, you’ve found something truly special. That is what Taqueria Los Tres Hermanos is, SPECIAL! I loved it and would go back again and again. You should pop in some time
I will note we arrived after the “lunch rush”. I expect it is very busy at the height of lunch. We arrived around 1pm and found it to be relaxed and although it was nearly full it wasn’t loud and it didn’t feel rushed like some places can be.
The tip jar is on the front counter so don’t forget to leave some $$ for the smiles and the prompt service. Just because it’s a walk up counter doesn’t mean you don’t tip. Throw down the cash, it’s well deserved.
*****
Taqueria Los Tres Hermanos
Neighborhood: North Hills
9504 Sepulveda Blvd
North Hills, CA 91343 (818) 893-8532
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Filed under: automobiles
Cars are such a big part of our pop culture. What one drives says so much about who you are – it’s kind of a way for people to judge each other without ever knowing anything about a you. So my Grand AM said what about me? I’m getting older and want a sensible and roomy car that could potentially carry a family. Or I’m a young man and I like the practical side of having a 4 cylinder car but the spoiler on the back says I still know how to have a good time! Or maybe I just got a good deal on a retired rent-a-car. The truth is I was never really that into the Grand AM. It is a good car. Reliable for the 82,227 miles I drove it – except for the last week.
Tuesday I hopped into the Grand AM to head to Copper Star Coffee to get my favorite caffeinated beverage. LARGE, Iced Americano with a bit of white chocolate and a touch of soy. And what should I find? My “independence” won’t start!! Crank, and crank, and crank and nothing. What the hell is going on here?? I decide to remain calm. Well I’ll just go back inside, iron my clothes for later and when I come out it’ll start. Fifteen minutes later it starts alright … it’s running like a 84 Ford F150 that hasn’t had a tune up since the late 80’s. Maybe it just got too much gas and needs to work it out. I start out slowly. I gently ease down on the gas pedal expecting it to balance out and get me to my coffee. To my dismay it does not. It barely wants to move (sort of like me in the morning). I ditch the idea of getting my coffee and head straight to the shop. The Grand AM is reluctant the entire way. Every time I come to a light I pray it stays green because as I slow down I can feel it wanting to give up. A few miles, one wrong turn and here I am at my safe haven. I’ve never used this place before but I bought my first car here 16 years ago so I thought I’d give it a shot. Virginia Auto Service on 7th Street and Virginia near downtown Phoenix. They took care of me and my broken down Pontiac but my faith was not restored as “something” just didn’t feel right even after the repair. I have been wanting to trade for something that is more me so Friday afternoon I ventured out to the very same dealership I bought the Grand AM just over 4 years ago. It didn’t take long to realize I didn’t like the “Vibe” so I excused myself several times and left. I was going to head home but thought let me look at the Scion xB across the street since I’m already out.
A world of difference from the Pontiac dealership to the Toyota / Scion. There was such a relaxed and peaceful environment you hardly knew you were in a car dealership. I took a quick look at the exterior of the locked xB went inside and the managers crunched the numbers. I must have arrived during shift change because right off the bat I went thru 2 salesmen. When I got settled with my new sales rep we sat down and started doing some more paperwork. Now everyone was extremely accommodating and friendly mind you during all this. When the final numbers were in and my gut said “do it” – I asked Ernie, “can I take it for a spin?” He didn’t realized I hadn’t drove it yet because I started with another salesman. At this point I was still skeptical. We drove off the lot pulled over and I hopped into the drivers seat and we took off up the Black Canyon Highway. Now it doesn’t have the power of my Grand AM I notice – It does get almost twice the gas mileage however, so that is a plus!! And it’s a blast to drive. I think it’s taken 10 years off me. The best part is it came with everything I wanted. Keyless entry, mp3 player, plug for an iPod (don’t have one but it’s good to have options), power windows, power locks, power mirrors!! All wrapped up in a hip little package that will seat 4 people very comfortably. You can definitely fit a fifth if necessary and they even have a third shoulder belt in the back seat for the middle passenger. And with the folding seats and hatchback it can carry what ever I might need to carry. The point. It’s great for what I need right now and I don’t have to worry about it breaking down. Also, I’m excited to say I’ve only used a 4th of a tank in the 112 miles I’ve driven.
Kind of sad to let the Grand Am go … It’s a sigh of relief however, to have an economical fun ride like the xB.
Filed under: personal
“I’ve been busy” that’s been a common phrase for me for a while. What a terrible cliché and excuse. You should never be too busy to blog… or whatever it is you aren’t doing… Life is just so full of so much to keep us busy!! Who is creating all this stuff for us to do?? My list of things I need to do is a constant stream that seems to be cresting, but… there’s plenty of time for it all. Sometimes it takes us a bit longer than we would hope – so I guess that’s why it’s about the journey NOT the destination. At least that’s what someone wiser than my-self said.
Recently my journey has taken me in a southwestwardly direction. Back to where it all began over 30 years ago. The Valley of the Sun, Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is a bright and beautiful spot in the middle of the Sonoran desert. My return coincides with the heat of the summer and the heat of an important issue for people here and around the globe. The issue of undocumented citizens.
Today more than ever I believe the success of human kind will hinge on people finding a middle ground with each other when our views or cultures don’t necessarily match up. The question or should I say the goal is accomplishing that middle ground. In the little bit I’ve learned so far I think both people or sides need to back off some. Backing off gives us the opportunity to step back and take in the view. Which in most cases give us a chance to look at a different perspective. Think of it like this: You want to take a picture of a very wide and very tall building. You’re right up next to it and you’re set to snap the shot but as you look through the viewfinder all you can see is a small limited perspective of the building. Hmmmmm… In theory this photo was going to be great!! But now that I’m standing next to the building it’s not doing justice to my vision. If you back off some and stand across the yard or even across the street now you’re able to see the whole building through the viewfinder and viola, you see the big picture. Pun intended. I attended a boycott today in order to get some footage for a documentary I’m working on. There were hundreds of Hispanic people lining the sidewalk chanting phrases of unity and belonging proudly waving their American flags (LISTEN Click Here). One man walks through all the demonstrators yelling at them saying, “This is my street, this is my America, you don’t belong!!!” A news cameraman said to me, “There’s a happy guy”. Obviously a sarcastic remark I just laughed and gave a nod. I said, “He definitely has some balls, you wouldn’t catch me doing something like that.” And then it hit me. Of course I wouldn’t be doing something like that because of the person that I am. So why am I this way and he’s that way and how do we come to a middle ground? I came close to approaching him twice to get his viewpoint on camera and just to try to understand a little better where he was coming from. I didn’t however, I kept my distance which is what he seemed to want as he bulldozed up and down the line of demonstrators. He moved so quickly you could barley put together a sentence from what he was yelling. It’s my opinion this isn’t a great way to make your point. Now like I said I wouldn’t be out there doing what he was doing – I would be much more likely to take up a spot and shout with the people who are standing up for something they believe in. What is it they believe in? It seems to me they believe in our country. The United States of America. They believe in our country so much they go to incredible lengths to have a chance to “live the dream”. If I could narrow it down to one reason why I’m glad to be living in the United States that little story above illustrates why. We all have the option to choose where we stand and furthermore we can shout our position for everyone to hear no matter what it is or who can hear it. This is a freedom we all have here whether you are “legal” or “illegal” you can make yourself heard. Next step: find middle ground. Oh and by the way my forwarding address is Phoenix, AZ. The beautiful, sometimes hot Sonoran desert. CRB
www.thepeopleproject.org (still under construction … but it’s coming soon)
