Runner's Blues Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I'm training to run the 1/2 Marathon here in Knoxville on March 30th. Problem is, I have hit a wall. After weeks and weeks of training, I have suddenly lost my drive to run. I totally skipped my 10 mile long run this past weekend. Not sure what it is, but I'm extremely miffed.

Is it the cold weather (snow today!)? Maybe I'm just exhausted? I feel like my new shoes are too big, maybe that's it (ha!). My fellow runners, I have never trained for a 1/2 Marathon, so I was wondering if this is normal? Any advice on how to overcome this apathetic attitude and get back on track?

Things are only going to get more difficult as far as training goes. Erik and I are leaving for EUROPE next Friday, and will be gone for 2 weeks. Somehow, I've got to keep running. London, Paris, Edinburgh, here I come! Hopefully, I'll be wearing my running shoes...

Nanny for a Weekend Tuesday, February 19, 2008

This past weekend, I drove over to North Carolina to spend a few days with the Tuckers. Will was out of town (Winterfest) so Ali and I helped Shawna take care of Gaines and his 2-week old sister Ana. Shawna is Super-Mom, but I think she was glad to have a little help while her hub was gone.

Major props to the Mothers of the world. Over the last few years, I've watched SO many of my friends turn in to the most amazing parents. It's hard work, to be sure. I'm thankful to be so close to Will and Shawna, so I don't miss out on this stage of their lives. It's the best.

We played with Gaines' imaginary friend, David. We ALL sported batman tattoos and chased guineas in the yard, pretending to shoot them with dart guns. My personal favorite was learning how to shoot a bow and arrow from a 3 year old! That's right, Gaines taught me step by step, with very specific instructions exactly how it was done. Genius!

Is that a Camo blanket?!

RootClip.com Goes Live! Monday, February 11, 2008

We got Dugg on Digg.com! Sweet!! Special thanks goes out to Michael at KnoxvilleFilms.com for his help in getting the word out. Now, if people would only start submitting videos and taking these cash prizes off of our hands!!

read more | digg story

RootClip.com - Friends and Family Beta Launch Monday, February 11, 2008

Hey gang!

Not unlike my brother-in-law Kevin, I too am shamelessly self-promoting the launch of our new website RootClip.com.

Last year, we came up with the idea of creating a website that would build a community around online video, but also challenge people to get creative and collaborate on projects. Our collective brain-child was born and we named him, RootClip. (awww!)

In short, we create a video that starts a story. From there, users (that means all of you) watch the video, then go and shoot their own version of what happens next in 1-minute increments. Think choose-your-own adventure meets YouTube.

Obviously, you aren't going to have our actors, but that's the fun of it. Get creative and use whoever you want, but try to keep them in similar clothing so that the story has some linearity. (Whoa! Linearity is actually a word!! Must remember this for Scrabulous.)

Every 2 weeks, a winner is chosen based on positive votes for their submitted video and that video becomes the next minute in the story and the next 2-week shooting/voting period begins to continue the updated story.

The coolest part about RootClip is that every 2 weeks, we give away $250 to the winner and they become eligible to compete against the other 2-week winners to create the final scene and take home a $2,500 VISA gift card. Cash, money, what?!

So, what are you waiting for? Check out RootClip.com, watch the video, create the next minute, then vote for your favorites. You could win over $2,500!!

Super Tuesday Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Apparently, Erik and I forgot to update our new address information with the local County Election Commission...will we be able to vote today?!

YES. I called them up bright and early this morning to confess our shortcoming and the man I spoke with said, "just be aware it will take a while, they won't have you in the book so you'll have to fill everything out while you're there". Big Woop. I bet it won't take as long as he thinks. At least I hope it won't. Maybe we shouldn't go at lunch time...

Anyway, happy voting!