RUSH!!! Yes... I'm a nerd.

So I find out that RUSH is coming to Salt Lake City on a "Time Machine" tour. Usually RUSH doesn't tour unless they have a new album. But for some reason, someone convinced Neil (the drummer) to keep going (they've got to be pushing 60). Either way, I found that out and sent a text to my wife stating that "there is a God". (I already knew that, but figured it fit the situation.)

I was just wondering lately if they would come out with a new album so we could see them. But the process would go like this: I would read a little blog about Neil, Getty and Alex deciding they might record new material, thus a new album. That would be a few months. Then, they would go in and record... there's another few month, maybe 6. Then, they would start the promotion of a new album... another 6 months. Then, the album would be released and they would announce their tour, but Salt Lake would be toward the latter half of the tour. So I would go ahead and buy tickets... 6 months in advance.

Get the picture? I will have waited 2-3 years from the time Neil thinks of new material till I actually get to see them. I guess that is the price you pay for greatness. They used to come out with a new album almost every year. But I am sure age and popularity have allowed RUSH to "take their time" as well as keep the quality of the music up to the level they always demand.

I have a personal connection with Neil Peart. I don't know him personally, wish I would. But in October of 2005, I was getting divorced... a second time. It was probably the lowest point in my life. I won't go into the details, but I had lost a lot, in material goods, time with my kids and my sanity. I sadly left my wife at the time from Dallas, where I was living, back to Virginia. I would then turn right back around and drive all the way back to Utah.

While I drove back to Virginia with my tail between my legs, I had just bought a book written by Neil Peart called "Ghost Writer". Since Neil writes every lyric for Rush, his writing is usually fairly incredible. The book was an account of his loss in life, and the 14 month motorcycle ride he took to heal himself. In the matter of six months, Peart lost his wife to cancer and his daughter, his only child, in a car wreck.

I remember reading, while I took my short and painful, but thoughtful, drive across the US, feeling some similarity to what he was going through. Obviously, not near his loss, but a loss none the less. I especially felt a kinship when, in his book, he recalled watching television aimlessly while taking care of the paperwork of his family's recent death (going by memory here). He watched a PBS documentary on the Mormon Pioneer Wagon Train west (this was in 1997). While watching, he remembered the lessons learned on the trail that some die and some live, and it was not up to us to decide. Not sure what exactly he got out of the documentary, but it somehow turned his mind to get on his motorcycle and drive all across Canada and the US over a 14 month period.

Ironically, at that same time, I was working on the Mormon Trail Wagon Train as they re-enacted the 1847 trail Brigham Young took, celebrating the 150 year anniversary, and producing a documentary on the event. Who's to not think that he was actually watching some my work. Who knows.

I know that Peart can sometimes seem to have an agnostic view toward life around him. I am not so sure what his true beliefs are, and in a way, I prefer to keep it like that. But I do respect him as possibly the most accomplished drummer in the world and a wonderful human being.

One dream before I leave this life is to meet the man. I know that sounds silly, but I gotta have my dreams.

WILL IT BLEND iPAD - NUMBER 1 VIDEO ON YOUTUBE TODAY!

It isn't even that great of a video, but the marketing and curiosity killed this cat known as the iPad. It has been a while that we have had a hit like this. Usually, when a new Apple product comes out, we blend it and get a ton of views on YouTube (iPod now at 5.7 million, iPhone at 8 million and the iPhone 3G at 4.3 million views). As a whole, we are now at 200 million views.

I have to admit, I didn't think it would generate this kind of showing. But Ray proved me wrong. Will It Blend is basically George (marketing) Ray (web guy) and me (video producer). Ironically, George left the company last week to go work for an organization that produces Barbecue grills, Ray gave his two weeks notice yesterday (to go work for George) and I am still here. Many other changes are happening at Blendtec, but I am personally not worried.

In fact, this Will It Blend could be our last. I'm hoping. We are working on a new series that will be more on the "selling" side of the blenders. So it would be great to go out of Will It Blend with a bang.

Ray and I started a new separate series (that is also already over, since Ray left, the jerk) called Inside Blendtec. It is just some silly and fun behind the scenes of what we do at Blendtec. We did one on us buying the iPad. Pretty funny.

At this point of this writing, the new WILL IT BLEND iPad has reached 1.3 million views after only 24 hours on line and is the number one video on YouTube today. Kind of cool.

WILL IT BLEND - iPAD

OK, ok, ok... yes we had to do it!

Ray and I stood in line for a few hours on Saturday morning (that was a hard wake up) and purchase an iPad... just so we could blend it. It turned into a media circus. We stood in line with over a hundred other people, many of whom looked like it was one of the few times they stepped out of their mothers basement (in between levels).

But there were a few responsible people there. We were there because we were paid to be. It was actually pretty fun. Ray, who doesn't own an apple product and won't, acted like he was part of the gang. It's only because 5 minutes before opening, there were about 40 Mac employees at the Salt Lake store who ran around the building clapping, cheering, acting excited (a little better then the employees who "act" like they get excited at a Monday morning Walmart employee meeting... er, I mean, "team member" meeting).

We just played along, and Ray gave hugs to employees as if his life just changed for the better. Like, his life can go on, now that he has an iPad (that he is going to destroy later that day.) In the midst of that, he went on the be on the front page of the Local section of the Salt Lake Tribune. I also was interviewed on the Deseret News and this morning on Salt Lake's country station K-BULL and it was pretty funny.

So does the iPad blend? You will have to see and find out.

MAN, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?

It's not like I have anything to do. Trying to finish up this film is a challenge, but I am having a great time. Usually, by now, when doing a feature, I will be sick of a film. But this time is different. I guess since I pretty much have all creative control and so many more tools to use than I did before.

I just finished a scene with Johnny Biscuit (he looks WAY better than me in this photo). He plays a talk show host who spews negative things about the scouts in a time of fury. I will be filming others, mocking talks shows and comedy shows, showing how a piece of bad press can spew the negativity of public opinion to the point where someone is guilty before even having their day in court. Part of the theme of The Last Eagle Scout.

The film is starting to grow in popularity (which means I better make a good film, all eyes are watching). I have a Facebook page and a few fans. And I get some hate mail already. There is even an anti-Last Eagle Scout page, if you can believe that. So I must be doing the right thing. I don't let it get to me.

Stephanie and I are working day and night right now. I still have my day job, Steph is trying to finish a new children's book, and I am editing and throwing in new shots as I see them. Luckily I got my own camera now, so I can make that happen. Much has been happening and I can tell life might be changing for me in the next 9 months. Not sure. But I can't talk too much.

Also been going to the gym. Been steady for about 6 weeks now. I am starting to lose my gut I got after being remarried 3 years ago (that's right, blame it on the marriage). I go with Parke every morning at 5:30 (that's the hardest part) to run and lift weights. My saggy boobs I was starting to get are now starting to not be so saggy (say that 10 times real fast).

We've been very blessed. And as things are happening, I continue to see others struggle. It hurts because I know, I have been there. I wish I could bring millions of dollars of work to Utah to keep all my friends afloat. One friend in particular is losing her house. That is hard.

There doesn't seem to be one great answer, but what I can do is help people with optimism. I give what I can with work and goods, but in the end, each person needs to take their own risks. Plus put more faith in the Lord for their needs.

SURVIVING THE KLONDIKE

Ok, that's not such big news, but it is for me. These are photos of actually two Klondikes we did, one a few months ago and the other just this past weekend. My troop is not very big, about 7 kids total, but their energy is enormous. (The photos in the middle are my son, Parke. Then me coming back from the Klondike, I'd had enough).

My assistant Scoutmaster, Jed, also has a great love for the scouts. He makes me look good by helping them with knots and camping, things I haven't mastered. I think much of scouting is for the adults as well.

I have done about 2 other Klondikes before this year as a leader and was a wimp. I ended up sleeping in my car both times. But I was only assistant Scoutmaster at the time. Now I felt obligated to live up to what the boys themselves go through. So on these recent Klondikes, I slept in the tent and it snowed both times in the middle of the night.

We actually camped at Camp Maple Dell, which is where we filmed all camping scenes for THE LAST EAGLE SCOUT. It was weird going back to the same place but now having to lug everything around in a sled.

At this past Klondike, the boys had competitions where they did speed knot tying, guessed first aid needs, measured their scout spirit, built fires, raced snow sleds and mapped out compass courses. The council that put this on was awesome and you can tell the great spirit of scouting was alive and well.

2010 LDS FILM FESTIVAL

Steph and I spent hours watching films and visiting with friends from years past. If I had more time, I would give all the details, maybe I will soon. But for now, just letting you know, it was great to see everyone and talk about their projects. It was also great to see the desire of "young bucks" step up to the plate and make films, using the latest technology. I think as long as the technology doesn't lose way to story telling, I have been guilty of that very thing.

Christian Vuissa performed well, as usual, as master of ceremonies and keeping people satisfied and desiring more. It was too bad we couldn't have The Last Eagle Scout done to show, even a rough cut. But I was able to speak about the film in a forum and show the preview and get feed back. Most people were stunned (either that, or pissed). BTW, I am already getting hate male for the type of film I am making. That's a great sign.

LDS FILM FESTIVAL 2010 STARTS

Again, every time this year, we get to spend 4 luxurious days and nights at the Scera theater and watch new material from the LDS community. It is usually pretty exciting mostly because I get to meet with a lot of good friends, some I haven't worked with in a while (mostly because of my job).

I like to see what they are doing. But Stephanie has been more of the social nut then me. She actually keeps up with them more than I do. That is probably why she has almost 800 people on Facebook, twice more then me. That's OK.

Also during this time, we participate in the 24 hr competition. Christian Vuissa, the organizer of the festival, hands us a theme, a line of dialogue, and a prop... and a three minute limit, all in 24 hrs. I notice a lot of my long time friends don't participate. I think they feel they are just too good because it is more for people getting into the biz. Or maybe they are just too busy. Or maybe, they don't like to stay up all night (like I just did... ugh).

Either way, hypocritically, I will probably stop doing them myself as well. I guess working at Blendtec, I can get a little "creatively cramped". You can only get so creative producing blender videos. So I feel like I gotta do something.

Plus, my son and wife look forward to it every year. This will be our 4th year as a family, my 5th in attending. BTW, I will be speaking at one of the presentations. Friday at noon. I will be talking about marketing (Will it Blend) and the latest project (The Last Eagle Scout). Good times! I will probably video tape it and you can get a good laugh later.