The "Blog Recluse:"

Okay- so now for a bit of sarcasm:

Blogging is about sharing information, and being connected to the World Wide Web community.  When I started this one I had just saw a live jaw-dropping presentation on privacy settings for Facebook.  It was alarming- to be honest- the way so many people (kids mostly) sought their own "two minutes of fame" as Warhol would put it and in doing so- were sharing more then they bargained for.  

Besides "friends of friends" the entire world was watching as some teens, executives and other  unaware users were flashing their entire existence before the watching world.  Suddenly students were no long being hired (a inappropriate FB photo) or principals, ministers or CEO were being dismissed (for whatever publishing offence!)

Please excuse me as it may be possible I set this up for some type of private use- though you should be able to view using a regular web domain.  I'm working on why it is not accessible to mobile phones- but there is an issue popping up.  I did not intend this site to become like Fort Knox and rarely seen by so few.  I started this blog back a while at school so I do not have the "Exposure" or other "Settings" where I would like them on now.  

Blogspot has upgraded a few times since my posts back in 2009.  Jeez- when I write that date it is hard for me to believe it was that long ago when I first started this!  And yet 3 years is not that long ago- if it were not for the accelerated growth of technology- which makes me feel I could just as well have written "launched 3 decades ago."  That's only how it seems in terms of where technology keeps going wireless & beyond.  

I will try to get my accessibility to iPhone resolved- but I no longer have a phone (& there's Playoff hockey : - ) LOL - so this may be a problem.  I have tried a few unworkable remedies- but I'm sure I will get to the bottom of this sooner then later.

J

Compressed Versions of Bronte Cycle 5 & 6

Compressed Bronte Cycle Five:

Compressed Bronte Cycle Six:

Bronte Cycle Six (the last Bronte video log)

Bronte Cycle Six

This video was taken in the fall of  2011.   I guess I just wasn't done with the Bronte Creek Provincial Park series (I still have lots of stock footage).  The theme of this log is "Fall Colours" while again pointing out some of the structural aspects I've tried to keep consistent through them all: A simple structure with consistent Intro/ new body of video footage (topic)/ & closure. There is also commentary on the types of transitions which also should be consistent (Cross-Dissolves, unless showing time changes or part of your "Snappy Intro" or Closure.) 

What will the next series of Video Log entries be?  Now I should only take a week or so to decide.  Will it consist of some of my stock video or shall I plan something new. Stay tuned to find out.

Bronte Cycle Five (in ASL) with Voice Over (VO):

This video is in American Sign Language with a voice over (VO*).
The theme is to Expand your topic: visit and list the advantages of the places you cycle to.  In my case, I have stopped to discuss some of the nice features that can be found at Bronte Creek Provincial Park.   Again, I have identified the structure of this short video as it is very simply divided into three parts: A) Snappy Intro, B) Body of your topic & C) Ending/Credit.

*The VO is by me and it is a little off due to the fact that I was unable to properly self-regulate or monitor my speech.  I decided to post the video as is- rather then correct- since I believe it is understandable and a good record of where my voice was after losing my hearing.

Bronte Cycle Five

Iphone (compressed) version 3 & 4:

Here are the next two videos compressed for mobile devices:

Bronte Cycle Three:

Bronte Cycle Four:

Iphone Versions 1 & 2:

Okay- I do believe in making one's posts as accessible as possible.  With that idea in mind, I have finally converted/compressed some of my videos for Iphone users (such as "Iron Pete!")  I must commit myself to no longer obsess about the resolution.  Some people are just happy to stream a video on their mobile phones- so be it.  So without further adieu, here are the first two videos.

Bronte Cycle One:

Bronte Cycle Two:

Since this is a learning adventure for me, I must admit that the first two videos I made lacked focus.  I just shot the video because I liked the idea of videotaping one's bike rides and thought it was cool to show off what can be done.  

Later, and through editing & reviewing each post, I realized I needed to "raise the bar" on each entry. I started to think critically before going to all the work of editing and posting.  In the process of posting successive video blogs- I have found my focus and I started to consider certain topics or "themes" (typically 3 points) which I tried to expand on.  I believe the next two videos (Bronte Cycle Three & Four) become more focussed.     

Keeping it simple: Bronte #4

Cycle Bronte 4

I have to confess that I made 3 videos over the summer (edited 2) and yet failed to post them on JB's Video blog.  The reason I dropped the last critical step (of posting and sharing my work) was that I was unhappy with the resolution of the video when posted.  No matter how I compressed, nor whatever method I try to resolve this issue (like uploading to Youtube), I still felt the resolution sucked.  I don't think there is anything more disheartening then going to all the work of videotaping & editing- only to watch a pixelated video later.

So- that was the #1 reason behind me abandoning my blog.  Also- over the course of the summer- I was losing my hearing in a dramatic fashion.  I had several severe bouts of tinnitus (ringing in the ear) over the past year with subsequent drops in hearing in my Right (only functioning) ear.  So- between being unhappy with the resolution- and not hearing myself speak clearly- I was disaffected with the whole process.  

This next video is interesting since I produced it without a talking narrative (as I did in the past). 

To watch this video now seems all the more interesting since it was done after a long hiatus of creating videos for the blog (& I was just getting back into it) but also struggling to hear. 

I have since received a cochlear implant- and only now can hear how I have developed a "Deaf speech" sound to my voice.  People have since told me that the quality of my voice has improved and when they did I would just nod happily.  However, now I have the evidence so I have decided to keep the video of "Cycle Bronte 5" & #6 as they were originally produced (with my altered speech sound).