Sing a Song for Safety

Band in Your Hand

Rich — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:01:33 +0000

Woh! This is very surreal and yet so very practical:

Liking TextMarks

Rich — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:59:04 +0000

I just started using TextMarks. This is a service that I’ve known about for some time, but just didn’t really know how I might use it. Actually, for musicians and others that promote new content from time to time, this is an excellent idea.

I learned of this from Dave Jackson at the Musicians Cooler podcast. He recently mentioned it again on a recent episode, so I thought I’d give it a go.

Here are three of the keywords that I’ve started using:
richpalmer: Yes, this one seems obvious. But the easiest way for me to use this is to have it serve as my virtual business card. If I’m in conversation with someone and find that I’ve forgotten my actual business cards, I can suggest that they text ‘richpalmer’ to 41411 and they will get an SMS message with my contact details.
richdesoto: This is the keyword for people that would like to know when I’m playing again in the Second Life environment. I’ve also placed this widget on my Rich Desoto blog page.
safesongs: Right now it simply points people to my music page for information about the Sing a Song for Safety CD. But I might start using it as a prompt for new information, newsletter updates, etc. Would be a great way to connect with people while on the go.

Here are the three widgets:

Get your own at TextMarks!

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Don’t Waste Vote on Current Bipartisan Choices

Rich — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 05:09:38 +0000

On November 4, 2008, give liberty a chance. This election doesn’t have to be between the lesser of two evils. Americans need a choice, and Liberty needs a voice.

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Arrived in Boston

Rich — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:07:31 +0000

We have arrived at the dorm at Boston University. I am very impressed with the unloading system they have in place.

When we pulled in front of the building we were double parked. They had a crew of the boys in place to empty the trunk and to take the girls’ belongings to their assigned rooms. I just parked the car at a metered space a bit further down the street as my daughter checked in. Less than 15 minutes before she was in her room and putting things away.

Bravo Boston Ballet!

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Road to Boston 5

Rich — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 12:17:13 +0000

The family is slowly rising this morning. We had quite an adventure just trying to find a place to eat and to get into a hotel. It created a lot of tense nerves and short tempers following a very long drive.

We did make it to Springfield MA before stopping, though. That’s quite an accomplishment, I think. Only 90 minutes to Boston University from here.

What’s up with all the McDonalds in this area? I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many stacked into one place. It appeared to us to be one of our only quick food options last night. Blech. Fortunately we found a Friendlys and ate there instead. McDs doesn’t offer ‘any’ options for this food allergy sufferer.

Back on the road after the hotel breakfast. Next stop: check-in/registration for my daughter. Then lunch and we turn around to head back home again.

What a whirlwind trip this is!

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Temporary Office in Place

Rich — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 03:34:32 +0000

I’ve moved my recording gear, instruments and computers downstairs… so much left to do to bring down all of the rest down. I am still sorting through business files, bookcases, and storage cabinets.

I plan to build a stand-up work station and recording desk. I am having some back issues of late and believe that this will help with posture. Also, it is well known that standing while singing or speaking is more effective and results in better vocal quality.

The camera is plugged in differently right now. I do not see as much clarity in the image because it is running through a hub. That will be alleviated with the final workstation.

Note: The beverage you see in the photo is a SteaZ Green Tea Soda, orange flavor. Yum!

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Cover Me, I’m Going In!

Rich — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:12:39 +0000

Tonight I start the disassembly process in my studio. If I don’t show in the next day or two, send in a lifeline!

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Looked at mDialog

Rich — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:51:28 +0000

I have attempted to use the mDialog service to create some new programming. I have some ideas for some new shows and creations; this service seemed to answer my complaints about low-resolution video that I’ve seen at other sites.

Unfortunately, I am unable to use the service at this time. The uploaded videos are encoding improperly, resulting in video and audio that is out-of-sync.

I’ll revisit them again in the future, but for now it doesn’t seem to be working. This is my second attempt at using their service.

p.s. Interestingly enough, I have no sync issues with any other services now.

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Teaching a Bassett Hound to Swim

Rich — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 15:57:25 +0000

A few days I ago I watched a video by Brett Bumeter on Utterz about his bassett hound. He was trying to teach it how to swim. I was intrigued by the activity and decided to do another parody song about his dogs. I had previously recorded “Fly Like a Beagle” so it made sense to do one for the bassett. I chose Tom Petty’s “Learning to Fly” and turned it into “Learning to Swim.”

Brett was inspired by the tune, so he took his original video, compiled a few more clips and turned this song into a music video. He said that it might be a first in Utterz collaborations.

Enjoy!

Don’t forget to listen to “Fly Like a Beagle,” too!

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Fire Burns Portions of Universal Back Lot

Rich — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:32:13 +0000

Universal Studios fire

Apparently a fire broke out in the back lot of the Universal Studios properties in Los Angeles yesterday morning. I was out of touch with much of mainstream media throughout the day, so I happened upon the reports this morning.

Some movie sets burned

The Associated Press reports show that the fire destroyed a set from “Back to the Future,” the King Kong exhibit and a video vault containing more than 40,000 videos and reels. Fortunately copies of the movie and television materials are held in other locations, as well.

Rough interview

I feel bad for Los Angeles Fire Department PIO Darryl Jacobs. The MSNBC reporter that was interviewing him during the fire sounded like she had no idea where to go with her questions. She would restate the obvious or rework phrases just to have something to ask. Or, so it seemed.
Here’s a copy of the interview:

A challenging fire to fight

The blaze was believed to be one of the longest-running commercial fires in Los Angeles County history. Fire Captain Mike Brown of the LA County FD has been reported to say, “It is one of the longest fires to extinguish because of its complexity and size.”

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