Breaking News From The Music World

Dateline: Attica, Michigan

At approximately 2:15 this morning, Karyn Coles and Bruce & Jennie Holladay--proud members of the Skype Outs--earned the right to share their musical abilities around the world.

The musical trifecta headed to Berlin to compete in the world showcase. Grand Prize: The Airstream private jet you see in this picture. Now, the "Rock Band" group can get the heck out of Europe and play around the world. Who needs David Hasselhoff anyway?

The Skype Outs is a group composed of members of the University of Michigan Flint Geneva Cohort and their spouses (and sometimes children.) Although they have only been together since New Year's Eve 2007, the group has thousands of fans and can play many rock hits from the '60s through today. Primarily a cover band, the members say that an album of original works in imminent.

In addition to Europe, the band is currently playing in Chicago, Boston, Seattle and Los Angeles. Be sure to check out a show near you!

Pistons - Year #3

Well, Sean and I have reached a milestone. We have been working Pistons games from WDIV for the last 3 years and he not manged to kill me yet. I know tha I would have been sick of me months ago!

PC Free (at last)

This is from a few days ago....forgot to post it!

Since 1991, I have had at least one PC in my life (thanks to my parents for that.) As I clean up the executive offices of North 42 Media in preparation for the '08 production season, it is finally time to say goodbye to the last PC I will ever purchase: a 2004 model from Dell.

While I will continue to use them at work, I am hoping this is the last depressing little black box I have in my home. Bon Voyage, Ol' Dellie!

62 - Run Time

Here is a qick snap from my phone. Jennie, Daisy and I celebrated the warm weather by going for a run.

Weekend Re-Cap

It was a busy weekend once again for the Holladays. Friday night, Jennie and I met up with two of our friends from work, Marina and Katie, and their husbands for some conversation and delicious Lucky's food. It's always nice to spend time with co-workers outside of the building. Expecially so I can catch up with their husbands, who I only usually see about once a year.

Saturday, Jennie, Karyn and I continued to perfect our skiing abilities. The 7:11 Running Club has, at least temporarily, been re-named the 7:11 Ski Club. I'm still probably the worst of everyone, but I'm practicing. I fall a lot, but I'd like to think that it's because I'm being daring and trying to get better. The funny thing is that it never hurts...until about 2 days later. I think I might have fractured a rib last time...kidding...I'm just a wuss. After ski club, we went to Great Lakes Crossing for a delicious food court lunch. After I left for WDIV, J and K keep playing at GLC for a while. I hope you girls had fun!

Sunday, J and I attended our first seminar at the Detroit Film Center. "Film A-Z" was an 8 hour workshop that went over the logistics of creating a film in Michigan. There was a wide variety of people in attendance. Some want to perfect their video skills while others were interesting in funding opportunities and budgeting. I've always been into the idea of shooting on film. I've recorded countless hours of videotape, but film has a different look and takes an entirely different set of skills. It's very mechanical and scientific and I think that draws me as well. Next Saturday, I start my 12 week "Intro to 16mm film production." Awesome!

Step 1: Get The Tree Into The House!

Jennie and I went to Mutch's Christmas Tree Farm today to pick up our Christmas tree.  All I can say is, thank goodness for double doors.  The tree is about 10 feet tall and 6 feet around.  So far, we've managed to get it in the base with minimal damage to the carpet and ceiling.  Also, we have not killed one another yet, another feat!  :)

I am hoping that tomorrow we will be able to get the lights and other goodies on it.  I'm mostly excited about pulling out my 1940s Lionel Train (complete with whistle, smoke and headlight) to put around the base.  We tried getting decorations done outside over the weekend, but found other distractions (see next post!)

MSU Wins!

Here is a photo I forgot to post . J and I went to the MSU/Penn State game last Saturday in East Lansing. It was a little chilly, but fun, none-the-less. It was nice to be back on campus!

Rekindling a Holiday Tradition

Mom, Jeanne and Joanna attempting to recall the steps to making delicious popcorn balls. I just supervised.

You'd Think We Don't Give Them Water!

Ah, Ziggie.  What a character.

Disaster Averted

I have to say that I am surprised...no...shocked at how well our new iMac is handling Final Cut Studio. When we bought it, the iMac was sort of a band-aid to get us through some projects we needed to finish up. However, I am no longer in a hurry to upgrade.

For starters, it's way faster than my 3-year-old G5. The new Intel chips really make it whiz and whir. In addition to the 24" built in screen, it has an DVI output to which I've attached the G5's 20" monitor. When using Final Cut Pro, it serves as a high-definition preview monitor...or a tool bank. With other applications, it's more real estate for whatever.

Listen, PCs are okay. But, Macs are great! If you are in the market for a new computer, get over the fear of learning something new and splurge for an iMac or MacBook. I'll help you set it up.
:)

Emergency Mac

Well, after 3 and a half over-used years, our Power Mac G5 had its first hiccup. Something is causing it not to boot into the operating system. All of the files are on the hard drive, but I probably need to re-format it to make it work. So, we wound up getting a new iMac for our editing needs. More details coming soon...

Bon Voyage, Measel Family!

Dear Erik, Carrie, Lucas, Annabelle, Grandma and Grandpa:

Have a great time at Walt Disney World!

Back To You

With the departure of Studio 60, I was worried that I wouldn't get my fill of simulated television production this season. There seems to be an influx of such shows in recent television seasons (30 Rock, Studio 60.) How many of these shows can network television handle?

Enter a new candidate to the FOX lineup. Back To You, starring Kelsey Grammer and Patricia Heaton airs Tuesdays and 9pm. Spending a good chunk of my professional career sitting in newsrooms, I have to say it's pretty well done. Of course, it's not totally accurate. For example, the show uses far too many curse words to be a real newroom, and nobody's office is that nice in a small market TV station. But aside from that, it's nice to see Kelsey Grammer back on the small screen.

So, set your TiVo for "Back To You" on FOX!

one of the joys of summer

Ice cream from The Chilly Cow, an Attica original!

Editing: This DVD is Actually Good!

I've been teaching video production for a while. And, over that time, I've seen a lot of bad 'educational' programs on the business. But, there is one saving grace: "The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing." This DVD was produced and distributed by Warner Brothers and is fairly current, when it comes to the films they talk about.

So, if you are interested in editing, I highly recommend this DVD. It's still kind of 'educational', but that's not all bad.