kenrg presents...

What's it, a Tout?

2011-12-05T14:37:00.001-08:00

Tout is yet another recent comer on the online video scene. Once upon a time there was a site (created by a couple of guys from Santa Cruz) called 12 Seconds, which took the tweeting concept (brief updates) to videos of, you guessed it, 12 seconds each. Well, they unfortunately never really made it. But now Tout fills that space by upgrading the concept to (wait for it) 15 seconds! I've started to play a bit with Tout, which uses the tag line, "Life's Moments." Here are my Touts so far:

The Auto Show

2011-11-27T11:29:00.001-08:00

I avoid the malls and shops on "Black Friday," but I do often go out on that with my brother for the annual San Francisco International Auto Show. Here's some footage from this year's show, including new models, some classics and custom jobs, and examples of good (and bad) spokespersons.

Silent Charley, Mountain Whip

2011-11-10T19:44:00.001-08:00

I love history in general, and learning about local history in particular. One local story is of Silent Charley (aka One-Eye Charley), who drove along the stagecoach lines that pass right by my house. This morning I finally tracked down Charley's grave site and recorded this vlog:

House Fire

2011-10-31T19:13:00.000-07:00

The house next-door to us caught fire this morning, getting our week (and Halloween) off to a very interesting start. Here's a short vlog with some video of the fire.

The Vlogger Interviews

2011-10-26T09:29:00.000-07:00

My old friend, Rich Samuels, has been doing a series of videos called "The Vlogger Interviews," in which he's been talking to a variety of YouTubers, and getting their input on everything from the technical aspects of vlogging, to building an audience, to participating in online community. The other day, I got my chance to participate in the series:

Occupy Santa Cruz Begins

2011-10-06T19:28:00.000-07:00

Occupy Wall Street is now in its third week of 24-hour protest and hundreds of similar Occupy actions have sprung up all across the country. This morning I went to San Lorenzo Park for the first day of Occupy Santa Cruz.

The Slabtown Chronicle

2011-08-08T07:29:00.001-07:00

Ever been to Portland, Oregon, and wondered where all the most notorious murders took place? Well, then this is the video for you! Author, poet, and criminal historian J.D. Chandler guides this tour of a few sites the average Portland guidebook leaves out.

Super-8 and Standard 8

2011-06-19T21:10:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time, before digital video, movies were made on film, and home movies were made on Super-8 or Standard 8mm film. Yes, it was a very long time ago. In this vlog I drag out my old cameras and talk about the good old days.

James Durbin Comes Home to Santa Cruz

2011-05-15T19:53:00.000-07:00

Local American Idol contestant, James Durbin, was eliminated this past week, making him ineligible for the spectacular homecomings that Idol and Fox put on for the top three. But Santa Cruz persisted and insisted, and got permission to bring James back for the day and sing a few songs to over 20,000 fans gathered at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This video begins with a smaller crowd at an afternoon event at the Louden Nelson Community Center, where James met with an (invitation only) crowd of old friends and the Kids on Broadway group he used to be a part of. The second half is the homecoming celebration on the stage at the Boardwalk.

CASA Community Awards

2011-05-13T18:45:00.000-07:00

Here's a video I did for my work a month or so ago... Court Appointed Special Advocates of Santa Cruz County (CASA) is a child's voice in dependency court, providing advocacy, stability, and hope to children who have been abused, neglected, or abandoned. This video was part of a presentation at which CASA recognized these outstanding community members for their generosity and dedication to children in foster care.

One Day in Chicago

2011-04-02T08:51:00.000-07:00

I recently went to Chicago for a three-day conference, but before it began I had three hours to run around the city, see the sites, and try to make a vlog... Not so easy when you haven't vlogged in several months… Sites: Millennium Park & Cloud Gate (aka "the bean"), Tribune Building & 430 N. Michigan (where Bob, Jerry, and Carol worked, if you know what I mean), Navy Pier & the statue of Bob Newhart as Dr. Robert Harley, Gino's East Pizzeria 1‪62 E. Superior‬ St. (Thanks to OhCurt for supplying suggestions and addresses, making my day a lot easier to plan.)

Pearl Harbor; Valor in the Pacific

2010-12-27T08:20:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to Hawaii, and visit Pearl Harbor on Pearl Harbor Day; December 7, 2010, the 69th anniversary of the surprise attack on the US Fleet by the Empire of Japan. My friend and I also returned on December 8 for more touring (and video shooting). The footage here features the anniversary commemorative ceremony and dedication of the new visitors center, an interview with a Pearl Harbor survivor, and tours of the USS Arizona memorial (the ship with the most casualties from the attack) and USS Missouri (where the Japanese surrender was signed four years later).

Madness Takes it Toll...

2010-12-17T10:06:00.000-08:00

I just returned from my third trip to Hawaii. Each time I go I play with the idea of buying an ukulele and shop around, but never do it. On this latest trip I took the step of attending the free ukulele lessons at the Royal Hawaiian Center in Waikiki (a story in itself), so upon return this week, I bought a uke locally. This video is the first attempt at playing a song all the way through... Keep in mind, I've only taken one introductory lesson (twice), and just bought the uke two days before attempting this... You've been warned. (BTW, this is not posted on my regular "kenrg" channel, this is on my new "MrUkeKen" channel).

Monarch Butterflies at Natural Bridges, Santa Cruz

2010-11-16T07:03:00.000-08:00

Each year the Monarch butterfly migration passes through Santa Cruz from about mid-October through January, and thousands of the butterflies can be seen resting in the trees of Natural Bridges State Park, just off the beach. This is footage from Sunday, November 14, 2010. As impressive as these butterflies are, this is actually not the best year. Usually there are thousands more!

For more information on Natural Bridges State Park, please click here and here. Music by the always excellent Jason Shaw.

A Halloween Question

2010-10-29T12:16:00.000-07:00

An important pre-Halloween question, and I get to act out a scene from one of the year's top movies to show off my costume. Can you guess who I'm supposed to be? For a couple of my better Halloween videos, check out Psycho Killer Pumpkin Pie or Werewolf Baby (Zombie Town).

Coldwater Classic Comes to Santa Cruz!

2010-10-21T18:14:00.000-07:00

The O'Neill Coldwater Classic, the "Wildest, Coldest, Surf Contest on the Planet," culminates this week at Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz, CA. I went down for a short while on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week to check out the action and shot a little video... (music by Kevin MacLeod)

The Social Network (movie review)

2010-10-04T16:03:00.000-07:00

Well, it's Vlogtober, the month of celebrating vlogging. I know, it seems somewhat underwhelming this year. But I used it as an excuse to do an old-style stand-up talking head unedited vlog. The topic is the facebook movie, "The Social Network." Overall, great picture, pitting old money against new ideas, with cultures clashing all around. Smart, witty dialogue from screenwriter Aaron Sorkin make up for several historical inaccuracies. Watch the video for more on the movie. Meanwhile, here are the links for the Social Media Journeys blog and Audioboo.

"Terminal Policy" Author Liam McCurry

2010-09-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

Here's a video I made for the husband of a work associate. I've gotten to know Margie McCurry through a networking group of other nonprofit consultants in the Santa Cruz and Monterey area. In our talking, she shared that her 85-year-old husband, a former WWII Marine, former TV weather guy, former psychologist, and a half-dozen other things, had just published his first novel, "Terminal Policy," and that they were struggling through the "new media" trying to figure out how to promote the darn thing. Of course, being a social media junkie, I volunteered a little advice and suggested we make a video. We spent an afternoon in their lovely home, shooting, and here's the result:

The Beach Vlog Primer

2010-08-31T17:40:00.000-07:00

Vlogging at the beach is always problematic. You get great footage, it's beautiful, it makes the viewers in land-locked states jealous. But the wind blows into the microphone, you get sand in your shoes... My friend, OhCurt, is one of the masters of the Beach Vlog genre, and in this video, I ask him for advice on how I can improve my Beach Vlogs...

Four Years of 'Tubing

2010-08-28T16:22:00.000-07:00

This week marks my fourth "vlogaversary," having posted my first YouTube ramblings on September 1, 2006. In this video I recount a bit of my history with Social Media, going back to 1993 or so.

Also this week, I started using an older technology... podcasting, over at audioboo.com (username kenrg, of course).You can read more about my thoughts on why I've started audio-blogging over on my "traditional" blog...

Listen!

Tribute to Tony Bourdain & a Dangerous Food Story

2010-08-02T20:31:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite TV shows is No Reservations on Travel Channel with chef/author/host Anthony Bourdain. It's part food porn, part travel show, and all about new cultures, adventure and humor. Anyway, Tony's about to air his 100th episode, so I've recorded this small tribute to him, along with a story of my own that I could have avoided had I followed Tony's simple advice: There's no fresh seafood on Mondays...

Come to Santa Cruz: Social Media Gathering on September 18

2010-07-28T12:45:00.000-07:00

We're calling it a SMMU... Social Media Meet-Up... for YouTube, twitter, facebook, 12seconds, LinkedIn, Vloggerheads, etc. Vloggers, bloggers, tweeters, and meeters getting together on the Santa Cruz Pier on Saturday, September 18, 2010, from 10 AM to 3 PM. My co-organizer is the renowned vlogger, OhCurt, and it should be a great, fun day in the end-of-summer sun. For more information, please click here to see the SMMU Blog at sc-smmu.blogspot.com. Here's the little announcement video:

YouTube Fame ... Recognized for my burger eating habits

2010-07-26T09:22:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, while minding my own business and going for lunch at Kirk's Steakburgers with my wife, brother, and nephew, a woman comes up to me and says, "Didn't I just see you on YouTube?" Meet my new friend Ellie... (oh, and click here for the video she recognized me from).

Whale Journey on the Monterey Bay

2010-07-24T07:22:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I went out on the whale watching boat, from Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, out onto the Monterey Bay. It was an amazing, and incredible journey, seeing hundreds of dolphin and dozens of whales. Inspirational, while at the same time sobering to think of all that's dying in the Gulf of Mexico, thanks to BP. Here, without further commentary, is the video of the trip.

Meet My Home-Made Guitar

2010-06-11T13:58:00.000-07:00

After many years of thinking about creating some sort of home-made instrument or guitar-like object, I finally got up the nerve to actually do it. Yep, I built a little guitar out of a cigar box, a stick of wood, and some nuts and bolts and things. I just joined CigarBoxNation.com and downloaded the plans and got advice and ideas from the other members of the site. If I can do it, it's got to be pretty darn easy.

Hearst Castle Tour

2010-06-09T06:51:00.000-07:00

Here, as promised earlier, is the final video of the "Vloggers Caravan 2010" road trip, a tour of the Hearst Castle, in San Simeon on California's Central Coast. The Castle was built by architect Julia Morgan for William Randolph Hearst, newspaper mogul, inspiration for Orson Welles' Citizen Kane, and Patty's grand-dad. The music here is another original soundtrack by yours truly - to hear it without the tour narration, click here for my music page and select "Casa Grande."

Dumb Bank Robber or Light Rail Champion?

2010-06-02T11:24:00.000-07:00

A little vlog about a local bank robber who tried to make his getaway using light rail. If the cops had also used light rail, he might have gotten away with it, but they cheated and drove to the next station where he was arrested.

YouTube Turns Five!

2010-05-19T15:49:00.001-07:00

YouTube is now five years old, and I've been a member nearly four years, and actively participating for three-and-a-half. On their fifth anniversary, YouTube is asking, "What has being part of this community meant to you?" Here's my answer:

Are We There Yet?

2010-05-12T22:00:00.000-07:00

Almost there... This is another video shot on the road trip as a tongue-in-cheek look at "life on the road" with a group of vloggers. One more road video to go (Hearst Castle) and then we will return to our irregular programming.

Alcatraz Island

2010-05-07T06:30:00.000-07:00

Shot last Saturday, while taking my road trip friends around San Francisco, this video is a travelogue of the boat ride out to Alcatraz Island, some of the grounds and buildings, and a peek into the cells once occupied by such notorious outlaws as Al Capone, Mickey Cohen, and the Birdman of Alcatraz.

The Road Trip Ends

2010-05-02T08:23:00.000-07:00

There's still a bit of footage from Hearst Castle and Alacatraz Island that need to be edited for more polished videos later, but below is the final "Life from the Road" update vlog. Even with the reality of one tripper leaving for serious health issues, the trip went so much better than any of us could have planned or hoped for.

The Road Along the Edge

2010-05-01T07:24:00.000-07:00

A cliff-side vlog from the Bixby Bridge along the Big Sur coastline. Dramatic views and a happy road crew...

A Dose of Reality & Another Great Day on the Road

2010-04-28T23:26:00.000-07:00

A set-back for the road trip group, as we lose two traveler. Despite the set-back we have a great visit to Hearst Castle and continue our trek through California's Central Coast.

Back on the Road... and going wine tasting

2010-04-27T22:33:00.000-07:00

The vlogger's caravan makes a stop in the northern Santa Barbara County wine region of Foxen Canyon where theFrozenGhost, 21stCenturyCat, and I review the wines of Fess Parker.

A Short Copyright Side Note...

2010-04-27T09:35:00.000-07:00

My friend, PappyStu, is in danger of losing his YouTube account right now over some copyright violation claims - a couple of them probably legitimate, but at least one that's a bit dodgy, to say the least. This video is for him... (and then back to the road trip).

Road Trip! Starting up the Coast

2010-04-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

Following the L.A. weekend, the vlogger's caravan starts north and pulls into Santa Barbara.

Road Trip! Weekend in West Los Angeles

2010-04-26T08:46:00.000-07:00

Over the course of this next week, I'll be vlogging from the "Vlogger's Caravan 2010: The Rolling Vlogger Review" or some such thing. Basically, seven of us who met through YouTube heading up the California Coast. But it begins with a quick weekend on L.A.'s West Side; dinner Saturday at Barney's Beanery, then a gathering on the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday afternoon.

Michael Lydon - Musician, Journalist, Cool Dude

2010-04-20T09:40:00.000-07:00

Another YouTube meet-up vlog, this time having a chat with Michael Lydon, who was visiting Berkeley from New York. Michael was one of the founding writers/editors for Rolling Stone magazine. In this video I ask him about that period and hear some stories of life on the road with the Grateful Dead and the Rolling Stones.

Am I Boring You?

2010-04-09T14:40:00.001-07:00

A message received on YouTube this morning from a "vlogging n00b" asked for advice on how a boring person can make videos? Was he implying that I'm boring? Hmmm...

Groovy Thursday Song

2010-04-02T14:49:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm posting it on Friday, but I wrote and recorded the song yesterday, and didn't do the visual portion till this morning. It's just a silly song parody, not quite sure of what though... Ladies and gentlemen, I give you, the Ken-r-Beats! (for more "music" click here).

Census Vlog

2010-04-01T14:51:00.000-07:00

Filling out the 2010 Census and thinking about what I've learned about my family by looking at the 1910 Census on Ancestry.com.

Celebrating 80 Years

2010-03-19T07:10:00.000-07:00

On Monday evening, March 15, 2010, I had the pleasure and honor of attending "A Song 4 80 Fingers": Margaret "Tree" Fabrizio's 80th Birthday Celebration, at the Glama-Rama Salon in San Francisco, California. A birthday party, yes, but also quite a show!

Part One:
* Assembly and Video activities ("Margaret" theme by Vincent Fernandez, interpreted by kenrg)
* "A Porter's Love Song to a Chambermaid" - Margaret & Folawole
* "This is My Life" with Quotable Critic Allaboutme
* Video testimonials: rivrvlogr, andymooseman, Ockteby, FantasticBabblings

Part Two:
* "Margaret" performance by Vincent Fernandez
* "Some People, Not Me" - Margaret & Vincent
* Eight Cakewalk, Toast, & Devourment

Many thanks to Carla and Rita and to Deena.
Visit Margaret at www.youtube.com/atree3

(For the recipe for the dish I brought, click here...)

Tag Meme Mash-Up, or When Internet Memes Go Wrong

2010-03-09T14:28:00.000-08:00

Ah, memes... what would blog or vlog about without them? In this video I combine two current memes making the rounds of YouTube with some rather uncomfortable results.

Swiftly Spins... A Valentines Day Collaboration

2010-02-12T10:20:00.000-08:00

The idea for this video came from Michael Lydon. He sent me the song and asked if I had any ideas for a video. I wanted to see the lyrical theme of "love through the ages" transformed into vignettes of multiple love stories. So, I made a vlog asking for clips that fit the theme, without telling too much about the song or what I pictured. I didn't get too many responses, but the ones I got were terrific. The clip that I provided is the second vignette: my parents wedding.

Thanks to: MichaelLydon, CApoppy, fehquig, PappyStu, taragolden, ThePadburys, & Urnkneekovaks

What's in a name?

2010-02-09T10:23:00.000-08:00

... or a video title, for that matter?

I received a request to change the title of one of my videos because it bore a similarity to another person's twitter username. A ridiculous request, but in the end, I complied "to be nice." What a sap. "'Tis but thy name that is my enemy..."

Got shrooms?

2010-02-05T16:09:00.000-08:00

This little video is some footage I shot last month at Fungus Fair 2010, an annual event of the Fungus Federation of Santa Cruz. The event features displays of wild mushroom varieties, mushroom foods and medicinals, and mushroom inspired art works and crafts. This is actually the second time I've made this video - the original version was of Fungus Fair 2007. Am I officially out of video ideas? Stay tuned to find out...

Oh, and this video also includes new original music featuring my new Yamaha APX700 guitar (see previous video below). On that note, I've also added a music page to this blog - Hear more of my music by clicking here.

New Toy and Collab Update

2010-01-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

Work has been crazy busy and keeping me from finishing a couple of videos I've been working on, but all work and no play is not advised, and so... a new toy was in order, and here it is: A Yamaha APX700-12 guitar. For more on my GAS problem (that's "Guitar Acquisition Syndrome") see this older vlog. For more on the collab invitation, see this vlog.

Collaboration Invitation

2010-01-13T07:37:00.001-08:00

Want to be in my Valentines Day video, or to shoot footage for it? This video explains what I'm looking for. Send in your clips by January 31, and thanks!

A Walk in the (Muir) Woods

2009-12-30T16:13:00.000-08:00

An afternoon hike on a slightly rainy Tuesday afternoon with fellow vloggers Gary (Anakin1814) and Mike (MusoSF) along with my wife and a couple of other non-vlogging friends. Muir Woods is a great place to visit when in the Bay Area, and it's always nice to go with good friends.

The Vloggerhood Calendar Project

2009-12-19T08:29:00.000-08:00

My good friend Gary - aka Anakin1814 - has organized the 2010 "As Seen on YouTube" vloggerhood calendar with 15 photos by our vlogger friends (myself included). This has been a fun project to be a part of, and I'm thrilled with how the calendar has turned out. The best thing? All creator royalties will be donated to the Nature Conservancy.

... Purchase the calendar today! (only $18.99)...
... Get more info on the project (including thumbnails of the 15 images)...
... Get more info on the Nature Conservancy...

Chad Hurley Interview - Re-edit

2009-12-16T07:31:00.000-08:00

The BBC has done an amazing thing. As part of the production of their Digital Revolution documentary series about the effects of the web on culture and modern life, they've posted the raw, un-cut footage on their web site for all to download and edit their own versions of the documentary. So here, under the terms of their share-alike, non-commercial, permissive license, is my edit of their interview with YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley.

Beat Poetry for a Wired Age?

2009-12-14T09:10:00.000-08:00

This clip was supposed to have been part of a collab, organized by OhCurt. Unfortunately, it never came together as ChristopherMast claimed it was lost when his hard drive crashed (likely story), but here's my portion of it, two beat-styled modern poems about the internet, WiFi, Facebook games, and a famine in YoVille...

How Many 'Tubers Makes a Gathering?

2009-12-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

It turns out, two vloggers and one viewer makes a nice gathering. Yesterday, my wife, Leslie, and I went up to Oakland to the YouTube gathering organized by Zennie Abraham (aka Zennie62). Between late planning and bad weather, the three of us were the only ones there, but we still had a great time eating and drinking and talking for several hours at the Lake Chalet restaurant on Lake Merritt. And, of course, when two or more vloggers get together, they're obliged to make a video...

Desert Birds

2009-12-10T07:01:00.001-08:00

This was some footage I shot on vacation last April in Desert Hot Springs, CA. All of these birds were found on the hotel property, just outside the door to our room. I'd gotten caught up in other projects and forgot that I had this sitting on my hard drive, waiting to edit. (Music by Kevin MacLeod).

The Day the Music Died

2009-12-08T12:26:00.001-08:00

My memories of December 8, 1980; the day John Lennon was assassinated. One of those moments in time that will always be with me.

In memory of John Lennon, please, give peace a chance.

Gifts from Vloggers

2009-11-20T12:05:00.001-08:00

Once in a while you get a nice surprise in the mail. I recently had such a pleasure when Steve (aka TheLoathlyDaddy) sent me a couple of CDs of his music. This is a video about that, and an attempt to stir up some controversy about Steve...

Ghost of Halloween Past?

2009-10-31T08:38:00.000-07:00

This video is actually from 2007, which predates this blog. This was actually the second time I recreated Hitchcock's Psycho shower scene with a pumpkin. The first time was in High School when I shot The Pumpkin Who Knew Too Much (on Super-8, no less). You could say this is something of a sequel to that, and it's called Psycho Killer Pumpkin Pie...

(BTW, this year's Halloween video can be found here...)

VitaMix Contest Entry

2009-10-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

Here's a short (30 second) video I made for a contest over at Poptent. The assignment was to make a commercial advertising a contest to become the new VitaMix pitchman (or woman). A contest to announce a contest... I kind of liked the surreal aspects of that, and - coincidentally - had just bought a VitaMix a week earlier, so here's my entry...

Werewolves, and Vampires, and Zombies, oh, my!

2009-10-21T08:08:00.000-07:00

Well, it's Halloween time once again, and this year I decided to take a different approach to my Halloween video. In the tradition of Bobby "Boris" Pickett, I give you Werewolf Baby (Zombie Town), a political rant cleverly disguised as a silly Halloween song.

Interview with the Surgeon General

2009-10-09T08:04:00.000-07:00

Here's a little collab video, written and produced by my friend PappyStu, and featuring the multi-talented OhCurt and myself in the roles of the Surgeon General and the earnest interviewer...

Under the Influence

2009-09-30T11:52:00.000-07:00

A reply vlog to AndyMooseman talking about how we all inspire, influence, and encourage each other - even when we're not really trying. (Side note: this is my first vlog shot on, and uploaded from, the iPhone).

Dead Seal Vlog

2009-09-11T21:43:00.000-07:00

Definitely not the vlog I set out to record when I stopped by the beach by Moss Landing after lunch today. What I found was a half-dozen dead harbor seals in various stages of decomposure. A very odd site, and strange turn to the day. (In the vlog I call the animals sea lions; it was hard to tell exactly what exact species they were, considering their condition, but judging by size, I'm pretty sure they were harbor seals, not sea lions).

Term Limits? (No, thank you!)

2009-09-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

A political vlog in response to my YouTube buddy, Frank (aka Ockteby). Frank's vlog reviewed the problems of entrenched politicians, representatives that no longer represent. I agree completely on the problem, but not on the solution. Term limits (IMHO) are just a band-aid that does nothing to address a broken political system.

Indie Fest Recap & Wrap-up

2009-08-30T16:47:00.000-07:00

Final vlog about my Indie Fest USA experience, exhibiting Gravehunting With Steve: A Journey Beneath Los Angeles, and watching about 65 other films. The film fest took place at "Downtown Disney" but, no, I did not go to Disneyland, just to the movies...

Third Vlogaversary

2009-08-24T07:50:00.000-07:00

September 1 will mark the third anniversary of my first vlog on YouTube. This video is just some of my reflections on how the last three years have brought me to this week, where I am part of Indie Fest USA, showing my short film Gravehunting With Steve. Film school dropout makes good? Maybe!

In Praise of Collaborations

2009-08-17T21:10:00.000-07:00

My friend, and uber-popular vlogger, Paul, aka Renetto, did a vlog about how much more rewarding collaborations can be over solo vlogging. In the video, suggestively titled Masturbation Vs Intercourse, he asked for replies on the subject, to be used by him in a potential collab. Here's my response.

Update vlog with Cool Announcement

2009-08-11T21:12:00.000-07:00

I've already written about this on this blog, but here's an update vlog talking about the upcoming screening of my short film, Gravehunting With Steve, at IndieFest USA in Anaheim, on August 26, 2009.

General info about the film: gravehuntingwithsteve.com

Info & tickets for the show: tinyurl.com/kenrgatdisney

Info on the film festival: indiefestusa.com

The Lizard Lambada

2009-07-16T18:58:00.000-07:00

Another video from the material I shot last April while on vacation near Palm Springs. This one is of a couple of lizards we found having it out in the desert. But is it a fight or a love dance? You decide. (Music by Jason Shaw aka Audionautix).

Titillation + Tragedy = Sales!

2009-07-13T21:12:00.000-07:00

Using sex to sell newspapers is nothing new, I know, but here's a little vlog about an example I came across this morning.

The story: James Mitchell, son of "porn king" Jim Mitchell, murdered his ex and abducted their one-year-old daughter. Does the media tell us details about this this murder-abduction that happened yesterday? Or do they focus on his father's escapades from decades ago? I'll give you one guess.

Indian Canyons, Palm Springs

2009-07-12T19:51:00.000-07:00

Last April I went for a vacation out to Desert Hot Springs, outside of Palm Springs, CA. I shot close to an hour's worth of video, then never got around to editing it, or even looking at it, till last week.

This is the first of what will probably be three or four videos from that footage, a walk through Palm Canyon and Murray Canyon in the Indian Canyons park.

Random Waldo

2009-07-11T11:32:00.001-07:00

We happened to be taking some family members to MOMA in San Francisco yesterday, when from the 5th floor window we spotted what we thought was Waldo, from the "Where's Waldo" books and cartoons. Turned out to just be a cardboard cutout. But then... we found the real Waldo on the street below...

Woodies on the Wharf

2009-06-29T18:00:00.000-07:00

More footage from Saturday's "Woodies on the Wharf" event on the Santa Cruz Pier. No big commentary on the golden age of American autos, or lamenting the passing of GM or Chrysler, just hundreds of beautiful classic cars and music by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com).

Meet Surfer Girl!

2009-06-28T09:29:00.001-07:00

The Surfer Girl is a rare and beautifully restored Mercury Woodie that was part of yesterday's annual Woodies on the Wharf event on the Santa Cruz Pier (more Woodies on the Wharf footage coming up later).

"If I had money
Tell you what I'd do
I'd go downtown
and buy a Mercury or two"
- Mercury Blues

"Official Selection" - kenrg @ Disney

2009-06-10T09:11:00.000-07:00

As I've mentioned before, I've sent out Gravehunting With Steve: A Journey Beneath Los Angeles to several film festivals, and have been eagerly awaiting news from any of them. This is from a message that appeared in my email late last night:

Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that your film has passed our three round screening process and is now an "Official Selection" of the 2009 INDIE FEST USA at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, California.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the festival dates, August 22nd – 28th, 2009. There are many exciting changes this year, more events, seminars and let’s not forget the opening night reception and the closing night awards show and Gala! Plus our concert series, Special Guests and Celebrities.

So, I guess this will be the official public premiere of the finished film! I'll keep you all posted when they announce the final schedule and I know the exact date and time of the showing.

Here's the one minute preview (full film is 24 minutes):

Still Alive

2009-06-06T13:59:00.000-07:00

A vlog full of excuses for my absence from vlogging for the past month. But, seriously though, I'm feeling much better now.

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Hitchcock in Santa Cruz

2009-05-03T15:23:00.000-07:00

Legendary film director Alfred Hitchcock kept a weekend home in Scotts Valley, not too far from where I live in the Santa Cruz Mountains. This area played a large role in Hitch's life and work, with the inspiration for the Psycho house coming from a house near Santa Cruz Boardwalk, and a story in the Santa Cruz Sentinel adding to the screenplay for The Birds.

A couple of years ago I made vlog about this, and showed the "real Psycho house", etc., but was unable to definitely locate the Scotts Valley house. Turned out, I had the right driveway, but there were three locked gates between me and my goal.

The estate has now re-opened as a fantastic winery, Heart O' the Mountain, and I've been there twice recently, and had the please of meeting Hitchcock's granddaughter and great-granddaughter at a tasting.

The first video below is a slide show tour of the winery and estate, and the second video is my original "Hitchcock's Santa Cruz" video from June 2007.

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Does Twitter Suck?

2009-05-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

Twitter, as if you didn't know, is the micro-blogging platform where you can post messages of up to 140 characters each. People either love it or they hate it. Or, you could say they either get it, or they have no idea. Here's my take on it...

(and here's the article I talk about in the vlog)

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Gravehunting With Steve

2009-04-28T07:37:00.000-07:00

This is a post I've been anticipating for some time. Back in October of 2007 I shot a ton of video with my brother, Steve, the celebrity grave hunter (whose book, LA's Graveside Companion: Where the V.I.P.s R.I.P. has just been released).

He gave me (and my camera) a tour of Hollywood Forever, Hillside Memorial Park, and Holly Cross Cemetery in Los Angeles, telling tales of the famous, the infamous, and the just plain dead, and how he got into the hobby of grave hunting and turned it into a side business of giving tours, maintaining a web site, and writing books.

Shortly after, I posted a three minute rough "preview" from that footage on YouTube (the video included below). Through a variety of incidents, editing the full project kept getting put off and put off, but in the last couple of months has finally been completed.

The full video is just under 24 minutes long, and came out pretty darn good, if I say so myself. We're shopping it around to a few different film festivals and have made it available on DVD. This morning, the listing on Amazon.com went live, which is something of a landmark, as well as a listing on IMDb, which I still don't quite believe.

Here are the links for Gravehunting With Steve: A Journey Beneath Los Angeles:

Vlogging about vlogging again

2009-04-10T10:56:00.000-07:00

It's officially "Video Blogging Week 2009" so it's about time I do another basic vlog about the state of vlogging. In here I give my opinion about the upcoming changes to the YouTube site design, and whether the future of vlogging exists on mass market sites, like YouTube, or on smaller, niche sites, like Vloggerheads. I also drink a lot of coffee in this one.

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Back to Wine Country

2009-04-05T08:46:00.000-07:00

Okay, last week you saw the two videos that I made during the day in Sonoma wine country with Anakin1814 and MusoSF (and our significant, but camera-shy, others). Now that Gary (Anakin1814) has safely returned to Wisconsin, he' editing the photos and videos he shot while here. This is his video of that day:

A complete waste of 20 seconds

2009-03-25T15:53:00.000-07:00

The sign is from a photo booth in the arcade at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The video is just something stupid to use the photo.

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Wine Country Weekend (part two)

2009-03-25T14:36:00.000-07:00

The follow-up to the wine tasting video I posted on Monday... this was shot later that afternoon. Gary (aka Anakin1814) and I recapping the the day's tastings. The video shot in the style of 21stCenturyCat.

Wine Country Weekend (part one)

2009-03-23T15:45:00.000-07:00

One of the great joys of vlogging is meeting up with the friends we've made online from other parts of the country, and other parts of the globe. Gary (aka Anakin1814) is in the Bay Area this week from the mid-west. On Sunday I caught up with him and Mike (aka MusoSF) and a few other friends in Sonoma County for a day of laughter and wine tasting. Here's the first of that footage:

Why Vlog? Why Blog?

2009-03-17T19:50:00.000-07:00

Although this blog is fairly new, I've been using blogger.com for nearly eight years and I've been making vlogs, or video blogs, for about 2-1/2 years. So, over 1,200 blog posts and 300 videos later, why do I still do it? This explains it a bit...

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The Godfather's Bookkeeper

2009-03-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

Another collaboration video with PappyStu, this one also featuring performances by TheLoathlyDaddy and KidBlood. It's a dramatization of an old joke, "The Godfather's Bookkeeper."

Animation fun

2009-03-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

Yet another fun, new video site is xtranormal.com, which advertises "If you can type, you can make movies." You basically choose from pre-designed characters and backgrounds, type up a script, select camera angles and special effects (optional) and your animated short video is produced for you.

Here are two that I made there recently. The first is my "interview" with Bill Clinton, and the second is my re-staging of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet...

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Find more videos like this on VloggerHeads

The Bigfoot Vlogs

2009-03-15T17:06:00.000-07:00

This is a pair of videos I made a few weeks back at the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton, CA.

The first is the more polished, edited video featuring my interview with Mike Rugg, Bigfoot hunter and curator of the museum in which Mike shows us shocking new footage of Bigfoot in the Santa Cruz mountains!

The second is the raw, unedited footage of Charlie, a visitor to the museum, talking about the Skookum Cast, the Hoopa Project, and Indian casinos.

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Find more videos like this on VloggerHeads

Vlog Without Words

2009-03-15T17:03:00.001-07:00

To kick off this new location for the kenrg presents... blog I'll re-post a few recent videos. This one needs no description beyond the title. (music by Jason Shaw)

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The Vlog Blog Continues...

2009-03-15T15:18:00.001-07:00

I'm moving the kenrg presents... blog to blogspot, 'cause I just like to roll that way. For the first 90 or so posts (from November 2007 to March 2009), please see kenrg presents... the archives.

If I can figure out an easy way to export the posts from there and move them here, I will. Otherwise, consider this a new start to an existing project.

For those who need a refresher on what this blog is about, it's simply a personal place to post the videos that I make on various other sites, including YouTube, Vloggerheads, TripFilms, etc.

For my written blogs, see kenrg.blogspot.com.