WILL IT BLEND ON EXTRA

Again, Will It Blend makes it on national television.  This time, on the show I usually despise, "Extra", they set up a vote for which blend looks cooler, the new iPhone G3 or the Glow Sticks.  They called us "fine folks".  Nice to know Extra things we are "fine".  I guess I better be nicer to "Extra" and other celebrity-following type shows that I don't really care about. I never saw the television part, but if anyone finds it, let me know. By the way, the Glow Sticks is the better video, after all, it is MY show.

AUDREY SMILLEY HAS RETURNED!

We'll I don't know if they actually returned.  It would probably be proper to tell what Audrey Smilley is.  Or who they are.  Audrey Smilley is a band I knew in college back in 1988 (back when my wife was 13).  I met them through my friend from college, Tahlee Booher.  George, Dale and Craig has a vision.  I don't think it was to take over the world, but close.  Long before computers made it easy to make CD's and copy them, create an artsy logo on Photoshop to pass out to your email community on the internet advertising your latest event, Audrey Smilley seemed to have a following that impressed me.  They were able to produce albums, get their music heard, pass out creative hand-made fliers and pack in houses full of kids (mostly college students hungry for something different) to join in their revolution.  I participated in their first music video "Fence Away" which was produced by Tahlee.  I then decided to make a film about their struggle to the top (which never happened, but should have).  I feel this band was ahead of their time.  They are obviously no longer together, but I understand they remain friends and have some kind of communication.  The film I made was called "Life of a Struggling Band".  I never really finished the film.  Thought about it.  Still think about it once in a while.  I finally realized that someone (it might have been Craig Moore or George Carlston) put the video on YouTube (my favorite place).  Just type in Audrey Smilley and you will see an unfinished, uncolored and unmixed work print, shot on 16mm, of the film.  For those of you that don't understand that lingo, it's a grainy-resolution copy of the original.  It was actually one of my student films.  Enjoy!

MEETING GLENN BECK

I saw that Glenn Beck was coming to Utah.  I respect him for his ideals and his faith.  Plus I get his sense of humor.  I met him once in Virginia before he was on CNN and in as many markets as he is in now.  It was a little easier to go up to him and talk.  

He came to the Deseret Book right by my house.  Because I had seen him before, I figured I didn't need to stand in that long line, I was busy that day.  But KNRS had a contest that you could sign up for to be first in that long line.  I figured that if I signed up and won, then I would go.  But knowing my extensive list of winnings, I figured I would just forget about it.

I signed up and actually won!  I win nothing.  It must have been some sort of sign.  I took Stephanie and we got to the front of the line, but then then when Glenn and his entourage showed up, Glenn explained that he was not able to actually meet with everyone in a casual manor.  

Before I even knew it was time to go up to the podium, the book I bought was taken from my hands and I felt pushed up to him.  Then I wanted to tell him about my success with Will It Blend.  I did mention that I met him 5 years ago at a Christmas program he did and before I could even finish, I was pushed again to the side.  

Needless to say, I felt disappointed.  I felt like Ralphy in Christmas Story when he met Santa at the mall.  Before, when I met Glenn, there was time.  This time around, there wasn't.  I didn't want to play "stardom" with him.  I don't do good with meeting celebrities.  I don't like most of them and don't even care.  

I don't blame Glenn on the issue.  In fact, I find it rather refreshing that I wasn't the only one.  Making up for it was seeing Glenn's Patriotic Speech he made at the Marriot Center on June 29th.  He was awesome and I gained a new perspective on my role as a member of my faith and a member of this country.

WILL IT BLEND - iPHONE 3G MADNESS

Friday, we filmed Tom getting his new iPhone and "accidentally" blending it.  Then we quickly posted the video to YouTube and has done quite well.  We heard that we made mention on CNN, The Today Show and a local news paper (Daily Herald).  We were also the #1 most viewed video for Sunday the 13th on YouTube.

You can see in this picture, we used the Red Camera (my first time...sweeet) to do the slow motion of the iPhone being blended.  It was probably the best looking blend we had ever done. 

I covet the Red Camera.  It may be a little bit before I get one, but this one we rented from my buddy John Farr at CMG. 

WILL IT BLEND - NIKE

So Nike has contacted us and wants to do a cross promotion on their new Air Max 90, or their revamped material.  Right now, we are determining if we can blend a shoe.  Paper, cloth and flimsy things are the worst to blend because the blade can't just rip right through the material.  So Tom suggested (and we are in the middle of testing) putting the shoe in Liquid Nitrogen and seeing if it will be an easier blend.  We shall see...