I just launched a new podcast, which may get picked up by AOL. It’s called Inside AOL, and it will feature casual interviews with various leaders of AOL’s many channels and products (kinda like what Robert Scoble did at Microsoft with the Channel 9 video blog). The first episode features Frank Gruber, Product Lead for myAOL. The footage was taken at The New New Internet - Web 2.0 for Business conference on November 1, 2007 in Reston, Virginia.

I’m using AOL Video for the first time to post the episode of Inside AOL on my blog (I have to say, it takes forever to load the player). If you’d like to view a high-quality version of the video, go to Inside AOL or subscribe to the podcast in iTunes.

Because I wasn’t able to make it to church this evening for the Frontline service, I decided to log into the Frontline Internet Campus to check out & sample the online version of the weekly Frontline service.

Unfortunately, I missed the worship band at the beginning. But I did catch the majority of Todd Phillips’ message.

I loved how smooth and clear the video stream was. I also appreciated having the presentation slides appearing in real-time next to the video stream. There was even a box to type your notes during the sermon (which you could later copy & paste, or print directly from the application browser).

When the service was over, an online chatroom (dubbed “The Lobby”) became activated, and there were about 20 people chatting on it. My only gripe about the chatroom is that it didn’t seem to foster a variety of discussions. Instead, we were all lumped into the same chat, so it seemed like we had to stick to the topic at hand, rather than raise up new topics or discussions.

All in all, the Frontline Internet Campus is a good option, if you aren’t able to attend the service in person on a given week. However, it’s not a total substitute, since 1) you can’t participate in the worship, or 2) meet actual people you can get to know and hang out with. Fellowship is a big part of the Christian life, and the Internet Campus barely fills that need. But, if all you’re interested in is the sermon, this online application is absolutely incredible. I only wish you could access these full-featured presentations for archived messages (not just the live ones).

If you’d like to check it out for yourself, visit the Frontline Internet Campus on Sunday nights at 5:30 PM EST. Let me know what you think!

After two months, I finally knocked out the third episode of DC Derby! It features Meatball from the DC Rollergirls, as well as Josie Cuervo from the Dutchland Derby Rollers. The music is by The Niki Barr Band. Check out the flash video below, or visit www.dcderby.tv for high-quality versions. You can also subscribe in iTunes.

DC Derby - Episode 03 - Meatball

I was pleased to remember that the office is closed on Monday. That made the end of this work week much more welcomed. I couldn’t wait to get home and decompress. I ordered some delectable Chinese delivery, watched a couple movies, and read some long-dormant magazines.

I have three days to either accomplish a few significant tasks, or just relax by reading, playing video games, and watching DVDs. (Maybe this is a good time to finally watch the Firefly series? …Or maybe House season 3.) I’m still somewhat recovering from a cold I had earlier this week.

Speaking of which, I’ve been having headaches a lot lately. It felt like I had a hangover in the mornings–even though I hadn’t been drinking (except on Thursday). Since the sensation was similar, I figured I was just dehydrated. I started drinking more water, but that didn’t seem to help. I finally put the pieces together and realized today that I hadn’t had caffeine in a long time. I didn’t buy any soda during my last grocery order, and I’d been drinking juice at work, instead of diet soda. The headaches were affecting my work, so I drank some soda today and felt much better.

A large snow storm passed through northern Virginia and D.C. on Thursday. It was the first significant snow fall this winter. Everyone in the office went home around 1 PM and worked from home the rest of the day. It took me an hour and a half to get home (it usually takes 30 minutes), so when I finally arrived at my condo, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be going out again that night–even if it meant missing the first class of the Foundations of Improv class I registered for at WIT (Washington Improv Theater). Luckily, it started raining around 6 PM, washing away much of the snow from the roads. I figured I already forced myself to sign up for the class, despite the day (Thursdays), because I was adamant to get started with improv–that I couldn’t let a bit of snow keep me from following through with my goal. If I could make it to class given the really crappy weather, there wouldn’t be another justifiable reason the next eight weeks to miss a session.

The class was fun. Everyone seemed likable. It was a little weird, though. My previous experience had been the free intro workshops that I’ve attended. In those workshops, the instructors condensed the entire eight-week Foundations class into one 2-hour session. So we covered a lot of different exercises. But in the actual class, it looks like we’ll be spending a lot of time on one or two exercises each week. Personally, I like the accelerated pace of the workshops much better. But I’m still glad I signed up for the class, and can’t wait to see what the future holds with this new hobby/opportunity.

To be honest… The main reason I signed up for the improv class was to meet and network with the WIT players. I want to do several short “viral video” type podcasts for AOL, and I’ll need some actors. I also want to get involved with WIT Films, which participates in the annual 48 Hour Film Festival, using the WIT players as its talent.

Unfortunately, most of the WIT players I met a few years ago are no longer with WIT (or even in the D.C. area any longer). I was really hoping to feature my first instructor (Rebecca Seelig) in one of the podcasts. Oh, well. I’ll have to check out the new season of shows this February to scout out some different talent.

Oh, while it’s on my mind… Tom Merritt read another one of my emailed questions on today’s Buzz Out Loud podcast.

In addition to vegging in my condo all weekend, I’m looking forward to seeing the NFL conference championship games on Sunday. And I’m excited to take a rare venture to the movie theater to watch Cloverfield. It’s been a long time since I was this excited to watch a movie. I’m really hoping the “Blair Witch” style camera work integrates well with the special effects.

Anyway, here’s to a relaxing weekend.

…Now back to reading The Ultimates 2 and listening to the High School Musical soundtrack. (I know how totally lame that all sounds, but I’m so looking forward to being lame this weekend!)

 

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