For my Judi

What else can I say?

Las Vegas 2010

When I was young I heard Mere Image from Mannheim Steamroller and was touched like no other song had touched me before. I liked music but never liked a song enough to buy an album until then. I became a die hard fan. This guys could do no wrong. They did after Fresh Aire 7. Now Chip Davis seems to only do "Holidays music". 

The song in this video (Con te partiro) has nothing to do with Las Vegas except it touched me the same way Mere Image did, so I had to do something about it. :-)  Since it seems there is not that much more I like from Andrea Bocell.

Clear Lake

 Judi and I went kayaking at Clear Lake not long ago. It was a beautiful day and the drive was panoramic. The water is extremely cold so a nice place to paddle but not to swim. There is diving photos and more info at the link. I hope you enjoy the film.

The Willamette River 2010 (part II)

Since the movie was too long I had to split in two parts. These part of the movie was filmed during days three and four or the last 50 miles of the trip. At this point I was tired with aching shoulders, running out of wine, and sore from sleeping on compacted sand banks. My Therma Rest did little to soften my bedding. When I went to bed it was warm so I lay on top of the sleeping bag for cushion, at about midnight the temperature dropped into the 50's so I had to get into the sleeping bag to get warm cutting the cushion factor by half. I also will most definitively upgrade the cushion on the Dolphin. Long days sitting on the Dolphin makes for hard days on the gluteus maximus muscles.

Breaks were longer but not as often. During breaks I was more willing to set the camera on the tripod and set the timer to take photos of me. I was also getting tired of photographing the Dolphin. After all, I should be part of the movie too. :-)

This has been quite an ordeal. First I thought I had the video issue resolved to find out I had no sound. I had to re-format the video to upload this freaking movie. The quality had to be sacrificed. Sorry, but there was no way around that. I am still struggling with the first part of the movie.

Edit:

Problem solved: Please enjoy the movies. :-)

Willamette River 2010

On Sunday August 15. 2010 I launched off Artimage park in Eugene, OR toward Wallace park in Salem, OR. According to the map I followed it was 101 miles but I have seen estimates of 94 and 96 miles in two other reference books I researched while preparing for the trip. All I can say it was a challenge and a better cushion on the kayak would have made a world of difference. The backpacking camp chair also needs upgrade. 

The trip lasted 4 days and three nights or 75 awesome hours of kayaking wilderness. I paddle 25 miles on day one. The current was swift and strong so it was an easy and fun paddle. Day two was 26 miles with currents slowing down and battling the over exposure to the sun. I did not feel how much sun damage I got from the prior day . Day three was a grueling 30 miles of relative flat water. It could be that I had already paddle 51 miles and had two not so comfy nights in the woods; and I was running out of wine which was demoralizing. God bless the kayak was also two days lighter on supplies. The last 20 miles went like they always do, not seen as part of the journey but as the last hump.

I documented as much as possible and tried hard not to be tiresome with the film. It was an excellent trip and one I hope to repeat next year. I hope you enjoy the movie.

Edit:

Technical difficulties: "There is an error uploading your video". I wonder if the file is too big.I guess I will edit this version a bit and save a lesser quality copy. Sorry. :-(

Edit:

Problem not solved:  A smaller file did not worked either; I believe it is a problem with Java script and Mozilla. I tried to post a scan of the river map but it was grotesque and It is after all about silly movies and not complete silliness. :-)

Edit:

Eureka !!!

I uploaded the film on "you tube". There was a way. :-)

Edit:

Eureka nothing: The file uploaded on "you tube" was too big and THEY deleted it. I am posting half the movie now and will work on the second part soon... before I loose interest in this movie or learn to hate it. :-) I hope you enjoy the changes.

Never mind it did not upload... Back to the drawing board. :-(

Edit:

I had to get a You Tube player in order to get it to work. It is working now so I hope you enjoy it.

Edit:

Never mind it did not work either. One way or another I am gonna get this video uploaded. :-) I am reformating from avi to mov. This will greatly diminish the size and quality of the film but I am hoping it will allow me to publish it.

Kayaking at Detroit Lake

Judi an I bought a tandem Necky Cruiser II kayak to paddle Mobile bay and its surrounding areas. While paddling the Mobile delta we had to watch for alligators watching Sizing us. While paddling at the gulf we had to watch for bull shark or dolphins. Here in Oregon all we need to worry about is hypothermia since the water is colder than I am used too. :-)

On 07/24/10 Judi and I drove an hour to reach this isolated (full of boats) lake. The paddle was uneventful. We kept near the shore to avoid high speed boats and their wakes. Besides near the shore we could appreciate the shore's beauty up close. The water was inviting and the sun was relentless. We pack a healthy and tasty lunch and kill the day basking in the sun. I hope you enjoy the film as much as we enjoyed the day.

Father's day 2010

I took this video the day before Father's day. I was in a silly mood and realized that time was passing fast and the herd was quickly getting old. Suave and Chester are now 7 years old while Morena and Campeon are 6 years old; Within the next 10 years we may have lost them all. Sad but a reality we must face. So in order to document Campeon's favorite activity we went to the park to shoot some film and take some pics. Couple of hours later, viola, the film was posted on FB (Facebook). I am not pleased with it but based on the amount of effort I put in it and capturing the herd in action, as they do so often, it is a worth to display movie.

Ese pobre lechon

The tittle "Ese Pobre Lechon" (that poor pig) is the title of a puertorican folk Christmas song about a poor pig that was slaughter for the Christmas feast. The song details the death, preparation (rotisserie), and consumption of the pig. Rotisserie pig over an open fire pit is the traditional main course during Christmas in Puerto Rico. Rice with Pigeon peas, Pasteles (plantain dough filled with pork), and Yuca (Casaba) goes nicely with the juicy meat.

Not long ago my sister was a grammar school actress aspiring to be a pianist, but became a dancer which led her into becoming a choreographer not long after. She been funny became a comedian and a radio personality.

This is her first solo show, which she also co-produced. The voice only character of Joselyn was born in the radio, this is the first time Joselyn appears in public.

A day in Maui

We were not planning to go to Hawaii anytime soon but an opportunity that we could not refused was presented to us. So we had to go to Maui for seven (7) wonderful days. While the film was tittled a day in Maui it is really a compilation of all seven days worth of pics and clips. This is one of those videos I am actually pleased with it, but what do I know? :-)

Danzan Ryu Demo

Here is a demo that we did at the Oregon State Fair on the 26th of August of 2008. I picked and used "Escape from the atmosphere", Fresh Aire V, by Mannheim Steamroller as a background music because its radical changes in tempo, just like Danzan Ryu. I am not too pleased with this film, but judge for yourself.

The Last Colony

People always ask me if I miss home, but of course, I do. I miss home and I miss Puerto Rico. Home is no longer reachable. My parents no longer live in the house I left them and my sister moved on, so home does not exist anymore. Puerto Rico in the other hand is always reachable. I miss the food and the traditions. I miss the weather, music and humor; and above all I miss Christmas in Puerto Rico.

Puerto Rico was discovered by Christopher Columbus on his 2nd voyage in 1493. Quickly becoming a colony of Spain. In July 25, 1898 United States declare War to Spain and invaded Puerto Rico, Cuba, and Guam and defeated the Spanish armada.

The people hoped Puerto Rico would be free and sovereign. 110 years later Puerto Rico and Guam still under the jurisdiction of United States. Cuba was free and sovereign, in the 50's Castro and Guevara led the revolution which culminated with Cuba as a communist country.

In 1950 the Law 600 created what is known today as the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. In July 25 1952, the Jones Act allowed Puerto Rico to create its own constitution and Officially adopt its current flag.

WE, THE PEOPLE:

"We, the people of Puerto Rico, in order to organize ourselves politically on a fully democratic basis, to promote the general welfare, and to secure for ourselves and our posterity the complete enjoyment of human rights, placing our trust in Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the commonwealth which, in the exercise of our natural rights, we now create within our union with the United States of America."

Home Improvements Part Deux

Here is another episode of that show awesome show that celebrates man and his tools. Yes, Home Improvements. This film is more in accord to the show we know except I am not really trying to be funny. Enjoy.

Budokai 50th Anniversary

Here is a music video of very special workout to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Salem Budokai, and the 30th Anniversary of Koden Bujutsu Ryu.

Salem Budokai's primary focus is on the skills, techniques, and philosophies of Danzan Ryu Jujitsu. Their curriculum also draws from Kodokan Judo, Shotokan Karate, and Shin Shin Toitsu Aikido.

Home Improvements

I took some pics and footage of the work to show what a pain in the butt and why I am not a construction worker. I found myself in a silly mood so I began to compile the film. I thought about "Home Improvements" as I was compiling it and it was at the end of the film when I found the sound file; But I really got a kick playing: "The host". It was late so I grabbed a shower robe, a pipe, and the biggest DIY book I could find. I had no script, I just shot from the hip once the camera was rolling. I shot each segment maybe two or three times to get what you see. The host scenes where shot all in the office while editing the film. Technology is really something else these days. Enjoy it.

Bill Clinton

So Oregon is a liberal State, what do you expect? This time I got to film Bill trying to persuade our votes toward Hillary. I did not like him as President but that is beside the point. How often do you get to be near a US President? Especially this President who made history in the Oval office. I thought it was relevant enough to be documented. Judi likes the guy, but she is liberal. :-) I am not happy with the outcome of the video but can not always get what we want. :-)

Hillary 2008

On April 5Th, 2008 Judi and I got up early, for a Saturday, and left the house by 0800 hrs; Our destination was Eugene, Oregon and our mission to listen Hillary Clinton speak.

Well, It was a cold and rainy day. We stood in line for hours. The doors did not open until 1210 hrs and Hillary did not speak until 1440 hrs. Please keep in mind that I am a Conservative Republican, I did the best I could. I hope you enjoy the short film; it was fun making it.

Judi's Stomping Grounds

Here is a copy of the first short movie created by the Furry Herd Production. The film was taken in the winter of 2004 in Wisconsin. The herd agreed that an old fashion movie style was the key factor to enhance the activity displayed by the protagonist.

Salmon River (Video clip)

This clip was taken with a Sony cybershot and not in the best of condition. The video is out of focus and we could have done a lot better, but that is not what we got.

Enjoy