Youtube to Vimeo

michaelahagan — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 18:26:41 +0000

I have posted some new videos to the site. I have been looking around for the best site to host videos.

I signed up for an account at Vimeo.com and uploaded something a friend and I had made because it was a larger file and that is Vimeo’s specialty, hosting larger files, therefore higher quality videos. They also have an option for a premium account where you can upload HD content and will give you sole permission and access to where your videos are placed.

I found the best compression method, so I am beginning to transfer everything from my youtube page since the quality can’t even compare. I know Youtube does have a new “HQ” feature but I think I will just go with vimeo for hosting and sharing.

Panasonic DVX-100b

I recently connected a few old hard drives to convert older projects with the new compression settings and I found some projects that I forgot about. There is one that my brother, Leigh, and I made in 2006 when we both lived in DC and I just got my first camera, the Panasonic DVX 100b. It was an idea he had for a video for The Microphones‘ song “Bass Drum Dream“.

Microphones-bass drum dream

I also posted a commercial that I recently produced for the Groovin’ in the Garden, local concert series in Richmond. Hopefully soon I will have most of the other videos converted and posted on the videos page. You can also check out some of my other video work at VCURamNation.com.

Dos Equis & Mirrorball make a toast

michaelahagan — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:25:04 +0000

As someone who produces cable spots for TV, I pay attention to the things that you have taught yourself to tune out. But I’m betting that you have seen at least a few of the new spots for the Dos Equis campaign by the Mirrorball Agency out of New York. They essentially took the “Chuck Norris” theory and mixed it with the Bruce Campbell Old Spice man and created a fictional hispanic character called “The Most Interesting Man in the World.”

Mirrorball brings you The Most Interesting Man in the World

I’ve embedded a few of them at the bottom of this post but there are many more than I’ve yet to see on TV. Mirrorball did a really great job at rebranding the beer by the Heineken Brewing Company. Almost makes me want to grab a Dos Equis, almost.

…on pick up lines:

…on tight pants:

…on rollerblading:

minute version:

Mutombo retires: NBA loses an ambassador

michaelahagan — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 22:43:27 +0000

The NBA has a newest oldest player. I am not sure exactly who that is but I know who it was. It was Dikembe Mutombo…until last night. Mutombo was playing with the Rockets last night in Portland for game 2 against the Trailblazers when he tangled his left knee with Portland center, Greg Oden, and fell to the ground and had to be helped off on a stretcher.

Mutombo, Friend to all
Mutombo is a Congolese American who, at the age of 42, spent 18 years in the NBA. He was selected 4th over all by the Denver Nuggets in 1991 out of Georgetown. As you can imagine, he holds a few records in the NBA. In the grand scheme of things, Mutombo was a great basketball player but he was an even better human being.

The larger than life athlete spent his college summers interning for the Congress of United States and for the World Bank. He is also the founder of the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve living conditions in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.
4-Time NBA Defensive Player of the Year
The humanitarian also paid for uniforms and expenses for the Zaire women’s basketball team for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games. He is also a spokesman for the international relief agency, CARE and is the first Youth Emissary for the United Nations Development Program.

It was unfortunate for a big guy who managed to escape serious injuries, have his career end in the playoffs by such a severe injury. “I cried so much about it when I was laying on the floor,” Mutombo told KRIV- TV. “But when I got in the locker room, (Rockets athletic trainer) Keith Jones and I talked that I needed to be positive and thank God for the wonderful 18 years I have.”

IKEA: The Grown-ups Toys-R-Us

michaelahagan — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:44:59 +0000

IKEA, Swedish for Fun
Disclaimer: This will undoubtely be my most boring post.

With that out of the way. I went to IKEA for the first time over the weekend. Of course I had heard of how great the store is, even by other guy friends. It’s pretty genious really. It is a big warehouse, don’t be fooled, but they design the layout so you can be trapped in there for hours. It is sort of similar to Casinos, no windows, so you don’t have a sense of time and how long you have been browsing.

It’s a Swedish company so that could lend to the colorful themes throughout the entire store. It gives it a Toys-R-Us feel to keep up the spirits when you’ve realised that you have been shopping for home accecories for the past 4 hours. Coming from a person who can’t really tolerate the idea of shopping, IKEA made it quite bearable.

NBA Playoffs: Round 1

michaelahagan — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:34:18 +0000

The defending champs, Boston Celtics worse nightmares were realized when it was announced that they will be missing their starting Center, Kevin Garnett for the entire post season.
Will Kevin Garnett be this year's Willis Reed?
I am sure you could have heard a pin drop in the room when it was announced. This could have been part of the cause of Celtics GM, Danny Ainge’s mild heart attack thursday night.

Most of the talking heads have written the Celtics off now. One thing that is for sure is that they will match up against probable Rookie of the Year candidate, Derrick Rose & the Chicago Bulls on Saturday.

Kevin Garnett missing the playoffs is obviously the biggest storyline right now going into the playoffs so I will just run down each first round match up.

Western Conference

Can Kobe win his first title without Shaq this summer?

#1 Lakers Vs #8 Utah Jazz: Utah Jazz have struggled on the road this season(15-26). Having to go against a Lakers team whos focus is only on one trophy, it wouldn’t matter who the Lakers met in the 1st round. Lakers in 5 games.

#2 Denver Vs #7 New Orleans: The trade with the most impact this year was easily Chauncy Billups to Denver for Allen Iverson to the Pistons. Being a long time Detroit Pistons fan, my stomach churned when I heard about this. Denver also hasn’t been out of the first round of the playoffs since they drafted Carmelo Anthony. Billups’ veteran experience will lead the Nuggets past the Hornets. Denver in 6.

#3 San Antonio Vs #6 Dallas: This is a good match up. If this were 2005, this would be a great match up. Two teams who have peaked but still play hard and with a lot of talent. With Manu Ginobli out for the Spurs, the Spurs are going to have to have great games from Tim Duncan and Tony Parker each night. Spurs in 7.

#4 Portland Vs #5 Houston: I think this is the most intruiging match up for the Western Conference. It is nice to see Portland back in the playoffs. Brandon Roye is unstoppable at times and he has great help from Travis Outlaw & Joel Pryzbilla. Tracy McGrady still hasn’t made it out of the first round of the NBA playoffs and won’t be there to help his team due to injury. Ron Artest can cause Roye trouble. Portland in 7.

Eastern Conference

Can Lebron rise to the top?

#1 Cleveland Vs #8 Detroit: It is what everyone wants, a Lebron, Kobe final. Some may say that after seeing what the Cleveland Cavs have accomplished this season, much like UNC this year, they are destined. These two teams couldn’t be more opposite. The Cavs have played great ball this year and have been performing as a team. Pistons GM, Joe Dumars, got greedy and traded his team leader and 2004 Finals MVP Chauncy Billups for Allen Iverson. They are paying for their mistakes right now. Cavs in 5.

#2 Boston Vs #7 Chicago: With Kevin Garnett out for the playoffs, it could hurt them but I think they will manage to get out of this series without getting too beat up. Celtics in 5.

#3 Orlando Vs #6 Philadelphia: Phil Jackson was recently asked on The Dan Patrick Show who would he pick first when assembling a team. Jackson said he would take Dwight Howard without question, states its a “big man’s game.” Who am I to go against a hall of fame coach. Magic in 5.

#4 Atlanta Vs #5 Miami: Dwayne Wade has everything to play for. You know he will be playing at his best. I am guessing he would love to show the fans and critics and MVP voters alike that he is worthy for contention. Wade performs best under pressure and with a strong Atlanta Hawks team, you can bet the pressure will be there. Josh Smith for the Hawks is a beast, Joe Johnson is a shooter along with Mike Bibby. With the Hawks giving the Celtics a scare last year in the first round, you can bet they are looking to advance this year. Hawks in 6.

Who ya got? Let me know, leave a comment.

Richmond gets an arena football team…again

michaelahagan — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:37:35 +0000

I know this was announced a few weeks ago but since it involves two topics dear to me, Sports & Richmond, I will touch on it. Once the Team GM, Alan Harvie, made the announcement that Richmond’s hockey team, the Renegades, was throwing in the towel, the Coliseum knew they had to fill a void that the Renegades will leave.

Speedy, The Richmond Speed Mascot
Richmond is welcoming back an arena football team to the Coliseum. Didn’t Richmond use to have another arena football team? Yes, two actually. The Richmond Speed was part of the AF2 and played back in 2000, even made it to the Championship game but called it quits after 4 seasons. Then, in 2005, there were the Richmond Bandits in the American Indoor Football League and actually won the league title in their first season but then later packed it in due to disagreement with league management.

They have yet to choose a name but will begin their first season after the CAA Tournament in March 2010.

I think this is great for Richmond, especially since the Renegades left. However, I am still waiting for Richmond to get a professional sports team in one of the big three, NBA, NFA, MLB. Will that ever happen? Let me know what you think, leave a comment.

Greg Paulus: Who knew?

michaelahagan — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 14:43:12 +0000

Well, I’m guessing quite a few people. The kid had talent. After wrapping up his basketball career at Duke this season,
Paulus, former Duke point guard
it was reported that Paulus had a pre-draft throwing session with the Green Bay Packers. The former Duke starting point guard, set 6 passing recording for high school football in New York. Paulus was also named a 4 time all-state football player, a starter in the U.S. Army all american game, also leading Christian Brothers Academy to 42-3 during his time there.

When he was done at Green Bay, he stopped by Ann Arbour, Michigan to talk to Wolverines’ head football coach, Rich Rodriguez, about how he would fit in their spread offense.
Paulus, quarterback, Christian Brothers Academy
I would love to see him make the leap (albeit, not that far of one) to being a quarterback either in the NCAA or the NFL. It may benefit him to get a year in college first. Because if he flops like this when Jamal Shuler is coming at him, what would he do if it were Brian Urlacher?

Isiah Thomas finds a new home

michaelahagan — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:14:06 +0000

Isiah Thomas, new FIU head coach
Former NCAA champ, Detroit Piston point guard and 1990’s NBA Finals MVP, Isiah Thomas has found a new home. Thomas will try to turn around his post playing career as the new head coach of Florida International University. Thomas has seen his fair share of struggles after stints as a part owner in Toronto, a head coach in Indiana and most recently as a GM/Coach with the New York Knicks.

Thomas is headed to Miami where it was reported that other candidates for the position were former Miami Heat, Ed Pickney and Tim Hardaway.

This could be a really good fit for both parties. Thomas obviously needs to take a fresh look at his career and what better place to hone in on your coaching skills for a low key college program. This will also bring some publicity to the program at FIU. You can believe that ESPN 2 or ESPNU will pick up a Golden Panther home game or two.

Florida International is a part of the Sun Belt Conference and is one of the nations top 25 largest schools. Being such a large school might help Thomas with recruiting. He has to hope that his resume and name will appeal to potentional scholarship players after the Golden Panthers had a painfully poor record of 13-20 overall last season.

Best of luck to Isiah Thomas. Hopefully he can build FIU’s program up to be a contender in the Sun Belt Conferenace.

The NBA MVP Hunt

michaelahagan — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:29:08 +0000

It’s that time of year. With the college basketball season officially all wrapped up, its time I turn my attention to the NBA. It works out well really. I choose college basketball over NBA any day, but I enjoy the NBA…no, really.

Now that it’s April, NBA Playoff talks are well under way but along with playoff talks comes regular season MVP talks. Obviously this is the year of Kobe vs Lebron.
LBJ hopes to capture reg. season MVP, Finals MVP & a ring, can he?
With Lebron James and the Cavs holding onto the best record in the NBA, 65-15 over Kobe and the Lakers, 64-17. James has had possibly one of his best seasons so far in his young career and with the Cavs having only lost one game at home the entire season (39-1) and having locked up home court advantage, Lebron has the Cavs in good shape.

Kobe in the MVP Hunt
What works in Kobe’s favor is the fact the he is playing with less help around him. Lakers’ center, Andrew Bynum has been on and off the court due to injuries, at times appearing as though the Lakers play fine without him. Kobe is surrounded by lesser known players like, Trevor Ariza, Luke Walton but doesn’t hurt to be playing along side with international-star Pau Gasol. Many have put it this way, Lakers are the best team, Cavs have the best record.

Man, I didn’t even get to Dwayne Wade or Dwight Howard. MVP stands for Most Valuable Player, remove Wade from the Heat and Howard from the Magic, what do you got? I’m guessing, not nearly as many wins.

ESPN has a breakdown of the MVP Hunt here.

Who is your NBA regular season MVP? Leave a comment and let me know.

SNL Golden Years

michaelahagan — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:28:14 +0000

David Alan Grier as Maya Angelou also ranks up there
Staying on the topic of childhood memories, I was remembering some of the great SNL skits from their golden years. My friend, Neil and I came across one of the funniest. In 1994, the host was Emiliio Estevez and the musical guest was Pearl Jam. They did a skit called “How Much Ya Bench?” A panel call in show with Adam Sandler, Chris Farley, Jay Mohr, Estevez, and David Spade play ‘roided up freaks who claim to be clean.

What are some of your SNL all time fav skits?

Enjoy “How Much Ya Bench?” Here!