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May 31, 2006
All the News That’s Fit to Click: How citizen journalism and blogs are shaping your news
From the May 31, 2006 edition of The Pulse.
Dear reader, let me let you in on a little secret: You are a reporter. Media outlets like ours trust you to consume our product, spend your money with our advertisers, tell your friends about us and give us feedback, ideas and even leads. So why can’t we trust you to help with the reporting, too? Let’s face it, even in a city like Chattanooga with its many media outlets and news departments, there are stories that, after all is said and done, the media just can’t get to—stories that aren’t being told but need to be. That’s where you can help.
“Citizen journalism” (called “community journalism” by some) empowers citizens—via online messageboards or, more likely, a specialized Internet portals or individual blogs—to be their own reporters. Those practicing citizen journalism run the gamut, from the individual citizen to established media organizations. The Rocky Mountain News runs a portal called YourHub.com, billed as “a Web site of several communities where citizens can contribute stories, photos and events about things that matter to them.” Launched in April, the High Plains Messenger runs (like Chattanooga’s Chattablogs.com) on Movable Type blogging software, allowing reporters to post stories remotely and allowing readers to comment on articles. It is this simple, interactive commenting feature that forms the basis of citizen journalism.
Posted by colrus at 12:30 AM | TrackBack
May 29, 2006
Ghost Ship Washes Up in Barbados
This is one of the spookiest stories I've ever read.
Posted by colrus at 08:00 AM | TrackBack
May 28, 2006
Gnarls Barkley is CRAZY Good
Wha...? Whe...? Who...?
How awesome is this band?
Posted by colrus at 01:54 AM | TrackBack
May 25, 2006
Caption, Please: Al Gore Is the Most Photogenic Man in the History of the Universe
This is just about the greatest picture ever.
I'll go first: "Hmmm...An inconvenient truth: This stump is way too heavy for me to lift off of this tarp all by myself..."
Posted by colrus at 05:17 PM | TrackBack
"The Generic Gospel Choir"
Tonight's rousing(?) finale of American Idol featured my NUMBER ONE, ALL-TIME MUSICAL PET PEEVE: The generic gospel choir.
Rising to prominence in the video for Foreigner's "I Want to Know What Love Is," the generic gospel choir is an often-used tool that adds an annoyingly schmaltzy, fakey, non-offending bit of "soul" or "spirituality" to an otherwise godawful ballad or upbeat, soulfilled gospel-esque number. Often slowly appearing behind the performer during a key or tempo change, the generic gospel choir adds just the right amount of cheese to an already cheesy performance. The generic gospel choir that slunk out behind Taylor Hicks tonight was Grade A, primo cheese.
...and as far as Taylor winning goes, was ANYBODY surprised?
One thing that I might be the only one in the country to have noticed about Taylor thusfar: He sounds an awful lot like Lowell George and should be doing Little Feat songs. He might also want to look into a substance abuse problem. He's getting dangerously close to cruise ship level with all that quirky cuteness.
The baby is getting closer and closer to being with us. Last Saturday, we went to a baby fair at Erlanger's Women's East. Today, we received our packet for our free birthing classes. They start at Erlanger in September, and if we attend all six, we get a free car seat.
In related news: I love my wife more and more each day.
And so is the DVD... This week's AHOOTOH editing session at the Lazy Bear bunker was brief, but fun. I'm really getting excited about finishing this thing. (Current estimate: Late June.) Most bits don't need much tweaking, but I am working at home on a couple of key bits this week: the "Protesting" commercial and the "East Ridge Song" music video. I am shortening the commercial and re-recording the voiceover for it. I am also adding new music to it. As far as "East Ridge" goes, graphic embellishment and audio remixing is underway.
Writing. Much to do at work this week as I put the finishing touches on an essay about citizen journalism for next week's issue. It should elicit indifference, curiosity, mockery and anger, depending on the reader.
Tonight, while at a going away party for one of my wife's co-workers, I came up with a decent idea for a documentary film. It would be feature length, and devoted to a topic that I've been quite interested in for quite some time. (I'll not disclose the idea now, though. Maybe later...) In fact, I am SO interested in the pursuing this project, that I am about to E-mail Jeffrey Blitz (Spellbound) to ask him some technical questions. My idea has nothing to do at all with Jeff's film, except for the style of it.
The vacation is booked. Our last by-ourselves-before-we-have-kids vacation will be spent in August at the Helmsley Sandcastle in Lido Key, Florida. The hotel is on the beach, and we will do some serious chillin'.
Posted by colrus at 01:22 AM | TrackBack
May 18, 2006
Sugarplastic Back in the Studio
Woo hoo!
From Sugarplastic.com:
The Sugarplastic began recording their fifth full-length CD in Hollywood this weekend. The photo above shows Kiara Geller (right) and Ben Eshbach (center) with engineer/thaumaturge Jamie Seyberth. We see them here striking the "Music Connection" pose -- sometimes also seen in Billboard Magazine and other industry print.
Click here to see more photos.
Posted by colrus at 05:08 PM | TrackBack
This Week's Bad and Good DVD Covers
(Click for bigger views...)
The Bad:
Somebody please get Dan some work...
The Good:
...like maybe in a flick like this.
Posted by colrus at 04:46 PM | TrackBack
Before I Get Back to Work: May 18, 2006
Can somebody please tell me where I can watch a news piece discussing how church groups are upset about The Da Vinci Code? ...Oh wait, I found one. On every channel.
If I'm not mistaken, Matt Lauer was ON LOCATION IN ROME today discussing the film. I think the biggest question to ponder with the release of this movie is, what the dork is up with Tom Hanks' hair?
We heard the baby's heartbeat yesterday. It was 148 beats per minute and sounded like it. Next month, we will find out the sex of the baby and get a VHS copy of the ultrasound -- which I will undoubtedly post in streaming format for all to see.
My typical breakfast these days: Coffee, OJ, sunflower seeds and a banana. I also take a low-dose Tylenol and a multivitamin. It's quite a tasty mix.
For precautionary reasons, I am sitting out the rest of the spring/summer softball season. I overthrew a ball a few weeks back, and tweaked my elbow. I haven't had it looked at yet, and I don't want to do any further damage. Especially if I want to play this fall. Which I do.
Our yard sale last week was a success. We set up at Jenni and Pat Miles' house. Jenni's parents came, too, and we had quite a spread set up. We sold almost everything we wanted to sell -- including an ENTIRE box of old LP's -- and stashed the money in our vacation fund envelope.
Edit sessions for the "A Handful of On The Other Hand" DVD are now up to twice a week. 99.9% of the footage has been captured and initial edits are being made. A slightly altered opening sequence (including still shots of cast members) is complete and a tentative run order has been sketched out.
Some segments from the last version have been cut, most have been shortened and a few new ones have been added, most notably: an abridged version of "The Corrector Corrects the Hits" CD offer commercial, two "Very Special Episode" promos, the "Let Us Name Your Baby" commercial, two "Behind the Scenes" bits, J. Adam Price throwing a fit in a puddle outside a Favorite Market in Fort Oglethorpe, a longer version of Megs' Valentine's Day song and a couple other things. Short clips will break up the end credits.
Much of the exisiting footage, when tightened up for punchiness, comes off well. We are pushing for a June completion date and an accompanying premiere screening for cast, crew, friends and family. I've also unearthed a SMALL stack of original OTOH bumper stickers, which will be given away with the first few copies of the disc.
Posted by colrus at 10:45 AM | TrackBack
May 16, 2006
While the world debates the ineptitude of the President...
In light of the President's ever-so-pandering recent speech on illegal immigration, this little Inland Valley Daily Bulletin tidbit from a few days ago looks even more maddening:
While Minuteman civilian patrols are keeping an eye out for illegal border crossers, the U.S. Border Patrol is keeping an eye out for Minutemen -- and telling the Mexican government where they are.According to three documents on the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations Web site, the U.S. Border Patrol is to notify the Mexican government as to the location of Minutemen and other civilian border patrol groups when they participate in apprehending illegal immigrants -- and if and when violence is used against border crossers.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesman confirmed the notification process, describing it as a standard procedure meant to reassure the Mexican government that migrants' rights are being observed.
If, during their oh-so-courteous discussions, anybody in the U.S. Border Patrol would like to tell the Mexican Secretary of Foreign Relations to encourage Mexicans to STOP COMING HERE ILLEGALLY, that would be nice.
Of course, officials later denounced the story.
Oh, by the way...
The borders in Iraq are very secure tonight.
Posted by colrus at 11:18 PM | TrackBack
May 11, 2006
Instantly Ill
I'm pretty sure that the Chinese food I just ate -- purchased from the food court at the underutilized outlet mall that houses our offices -- has made me sick. I went to bed early last night, woke up upbeat, was having a good morning and now I feel like I've been hit in the head with an industrial drum.
What is UP?!?
Posted by colrus at 03:30 PM | TrackBack
May 10, 2006
Now THIS is an Interesting Concert Idea
All I can say is I wish I'd been there.
From MikeKeneally.com:
Mike Keneally and Bryan Beller surprised a full house at the prestigious Lost Coast Live concert series set in an historic Humboldt County town. The Lost Coast Live events, produced by DC3 Entertainment, have a tantalizing premise: each concert is essentially a musical blind date-- no one in the audience knows in advance who's going to appear onstage. Despite (or because of) this lack of information, adventurous and curious music fans are drawn to the shows, causing each LCL to sell out weeks in advance. Production values are first-rate, showcasing gifted musicians with sparkling sound and rich visual effects. In addition, all income from ticket and merchandise sales goes to local community causes. Mike and Bryan's warm, spectacular versions of Keneally songs wowed the enthusiastic crowd for an hour. They topped off their set with a rendition of Frank Zappa's "Inca Roads," during which Mike suddenly decided to wrangle his Taylor T5 guitar and the grand piano simultaneously, much to the delight of those in attendance.
Click here to see the five-minute intro video they played for the audience.
Posted by colrus at 11:22 PM | TrackBack
Awestruck Over a Blog Header
Ron's new header for Doodlepost is quite amazing.
Click on the pic to view the site.
Posted by colrus at 11:15 PM | TrackBack
May 09, 2006
This Week's Bad DVD Cover
I HAVE to see this.
Posted by colrus at 02:57 PM | TrackBack
May 08, 2006
Caption Please: Somebody Please Tell Tom Cruise He's Over
I don't want to beat the obvious into the ground, but Tom Cruise is getting distressingly more bizarre. Then again, I'd be ecstatic, too, if I was from outer space.
Caption, please.
Posted by colrus at 12:46 AM | TrackBack
May 04, 2006
"A Handful of On The Other Hand" DVD Postproduction: Week 2
Things are moving along briskly on the "A Handful of On The Other Hand" DVD project. Almost all the necessary footage is captured into the system, new/additional graphics are being created, a run order is being finalized and I am settling on what bonus footage will be included. There are a handful of promos, some audition footage and at least one finished segment that never made it to air. It still looks like there will be a lone commentary track (featuring me by myself), but that could change. We could have more. It all depends on disc space.
The compilation will include a slightly altered intro featuring headshots of each cast member (yes, that includes you, Scott Sanders...finally!!!), as well as extended ending credits including bonus bits and clips squeezed in for maximum comedic value.
On the nuts and bolts end, chief amongst my tasks will be color correction, sound mixing and tweaking for timing sake. I want this compilation to be FAR superior to any single episode of the show. It's been three years since the show died and there's just flat out more that we can do with the footage now. Re-recording of voiceovers, for example, is not out of the question.
In scanning through the footage today during the BRIEF lunchtime session, some bits were extended, some were chopped and some previously dumped bits were added back in to present the best, most well-rounded assortment of footage available. (Though more than a few solid bits will ultimately be left out. This is unavoidable.)
It was also decided today that an official viewing party will be scheduled to celebrate the long-awaited completion of the project. To all of you who keep asking me about the project, thanks for your continued interest. It won't be long now.
More next week...
Posted by colrus at 10:11 PM | TrackBack
May 4, 2006
Tough loss tonight. Despite the second straight bad outing from Beckett, a vintage 2005 inning from Keith Foulke and Jonathan Papelbon's first earned run of the year, the Sox were 90 feet from tying the ballgame. At least my fantasy team is winning this week. (Dork alert!)
Snacks. While I've long loved snacks like Doritos and Coke, as I sit here typing this, I notice that I am eating a bag of "Back to Nature" brand Raisin Granola and washing it down with a can of Diet Coke with Lime. AND I'm diggin' it. Tomorrow, I will eat some fresh-picked twigs with a homemade wheat germ reduction. Then, I will buy a Subaru Outback.
It doesn't officially come out until next month so I'll take my time reviewing it, but the Mike Keneally Band's Guitar Therapy Live album is pretty much off the chain. "Guitar Therapy" was an apt name for this tour, too, as I've just about had my fill of "important" chop-deprived indie shlock this year. Thank you, Mike. The RIDICULOUSLY GORGEOUS and CHALLENGING interplay between Keneally and band is quite soothing, giving me hope that virtuosity is not, in fact, dead despite a currently oft-embraced movement in the other direction. If you have ever had even a mild interest in playing the guitar, you should give this one a listen.
A streaming version of Neil Young's latest, Living With War is now available online. Listen to it. Question: Once the war is over, how will our creative counterculture elites earn a living if there is no longer a market for anti-war music, movies, plays, television programs and books? I guess they could produce a batch of "the war should've stopped sooner" songs, movies, plays, television programs and books. Doesn't have the same ring to it, though, does it?
Soooo... Why does Vincente Fox seem to care about the future of the Mexican people only AFTER they've crossed the border into our country? I dunno, either. (Well, I kinda do. No, wait, I'm positive I do. But anyway...) He also ALMOST signed off on legislation that would've allowed "the personal use of cocaine, LSD, heroin and other drugs." I propose that since he, himself, is on drugs, he felt guilty that his fellow countrymen couldn't be as well. But then the buzz wore off. Has anybody seen his pants? Check back with him tomorrow. He might change his mind back again.
Posted by colrus at 12:35 AM | TrackBack
May 02, 2006
No Illegals, No Burritos
I would shudder with fear at this sign if not for the fact that my wife and I successfully prepared our own burritos a couple of nights ago.
Posted by colrus at 02:55 PM | TrackBack