Follow Eric

Audio blog: Three Years

2012-01-22T09:37:00.000-06:00

Thank you, God, for the last three years.

It's been an amazing journey that I could have never imagined or designed myself.

The last year has been a difficult time that has exposed and tried me in ways I would have never imagined or designed myself.

I moved from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Enid, Oklahoma exactly three years plus one week ago today.

It took the first three months before I ever even once felt homesick. It was Easter weekend. Easter Sunday. And after three months, the pangs of not having seen my family in as much time hit me all at once that day.

I sent a package back home to the kids - my brother and two sisters - with everything they would need to assemble their own Easter basket.

I wish I could have been their when it arrived - to help them put it together.

There were only a few major holidays where I wouldn't be able to see my family. It's hard for someone - a kid, really - who's moved out of his house for the first time and living 500 miles away.

I thought I knew what to expect. I had been fairly warned of the differences between Albuquerque and Enid - between big city and small city living. I had friends educate me on how small the community is and how much there is - or isn't - to do here. In fact, I felt so well-informed that I barely had any culture shock upon arrival.

Although, I'll admit - it took me awhile to realize that when people referred to Walmart or Starbucks - you never had to follow up with "Which one?" There is only one.

The thing I didn't expect - that I didn't realize would happen to the extent it did - was how much I would learn about myself out here and just how much that would change me.

Like I said, this last year has been especially difficult and, at times, even painful but the resulting change has grown me into a better person with a greater understanding of myself.

If if it had been up to me, I would have skipped over all of the pain. I would have bypassed the parts where I hurt myself and others through my actions. I may have strayed from the best path for my life but God still has a plan.

It's been a journey that I would have never imagined or designed myself.

And the next year will be a journey I can only begin to imagine and who's design I leave up to God.

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More audio blogs from Follow Eric:

Directors and Producers
Lucky 13 and the Spelling Bee

Audio Blog - Directors and Producers

2012-01-19T00:40:00.001-06:00

Here it is - the second audio blog. You should know the drill. Click play on the YouTube video and read along with the transcript. I recommend headphones.

A little while back I sat down for coffee to catch up with a friend in town. Among his many talents, he's most recently taken on a project for a feature film as the director.

So we talked about his project and working on the script and pulling all the pieces together to produce a movie and then we talked a little about my writing and plans for the blog. Somewhere between talking about plans for full-time writing and explaining what a Blogathon is, he made some comments about the look of my blog and recent redesign and overall look of the Follow Eric brand.

It's a subject I love to talk about so I'm sure I went on for some time until he made a comment relating the kind of detailed work I put into my blog and the work a producer does in the making of a movie.

I nodded my head along in agreement with what he was saying. Nodding my head and pretending like I know exactly what's going on is basically how I got through high school. But this time I decided to own up to my lack of knowledge and inquire a little deeper from someone who would know much more on the subject.

So I asked him, "What's the difference between a director and a producer?"

Maybe to some of you, the answer is obvious. But to me, it's something I've never quite understood ever since high school when we were assigned the task of producing a televised news show.

I remember we gathered up in a large classroom and starting handing out job assignments. The popular, good-looking kids grinned wide when they were chosen as anchors and the nerdier kids had to share the grunt work of video recording and editing.

Finding myself in neither camp and looking for any job, I was eventually appointed as one of the producers.

The slacker in me thought it sounded great - like an important title without a real job description. And to be honest, I don't remember doing much of anything during the project except walking around and making sure other people were doing their jobs. I enjoyed it but it didn't help me understand exactly what it is a producer does.

So I asked my friend, the director, what a producer does and how it differed from a director's job.

It's never made more sense to me than now.

He explained that a director casts the vision for a movie, or a scene in a movie, or a particular desired outcome for a shot. A producer's job is to make that happen.

A director might say he wants a scene to act as a fast-paced opening sequence or a climactic turn and the producer goes to work on securing the proper equipment and lighting and setting the scene and blocking the camera work and actors. It's a laundry list of tasks and details to execute exactly what the director wants.

This isn't meant to make the director look lazy in comparison. Both director and producer need each other. That's why their jobs sometimes appear to overlap.

Years ago, at my church in Albuquerque, I helped put on a Christmas play. It was an original play, written by our worship leader at the time.

We worked together, pulling in volunteers to help make costumes, create sets and to act.

I remember meeting in the sanctuary for the first run-through of a scene. I think we all had an idea of what we thought everything would look like and sound like in our heads but you never really know what to expect. So in preparation, I had assembled a binder with a script just like I had learned to format in my high school directing class with plenty of room in the margins for notes. And as I watched our worship leader watch the scene unfold, I took extra care to note his reactions to an actor's reading or his suggestions for blocking. I scribbled furiously with each change and just as furiously ran my eraser through any alterations.

I couldn't do the work the director was doing. I could try but it wouldn't be near the same quality. I would question my own decisions and waiver with each choice in how the big picture would look. Some people are just gifted with seeing the whole picture all at once. It's just not my gift. But when it came to the smaller pictures, to the details, to whether an actor stepped in or cheated out or held a prop or was lit from behind - that's where I stepped up.

And I loved it.

I thoroughly enjoyed being responsible for catching all the minute changes and keeping track of all the blocking and paying close attention to every detail. It's just how I'm wired. I'm a details person and whether it's a school project or a church play or a blog, I love the details in the execution.

Where do you see yourself in this director/producer spectrum?

You might find qualities of each in yourself but I'm sure you'll find you sway more one way than the other. It's something to think about. And I hope you take time to share your thoughts with me either on the blog at FollowEric.com or in the comments for the Youtube video. And if you've enjoyed this, I hope you share it with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for listening.

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Listen to the previous audio blog: Lucky 13 and the Spelling Bee

Planning 33 Acts of Kindness

2012-01-15T18:38:00.000-06:00

I had lunch today with a good friend and fellow blogger, Leslee (Fresh-Cut Flowers). The purpose of our meeting was to strategize and plan a list of "acts of kindness." Our goal is to reach at least 33 acts to perform in one day.

Why 33?

Because that's how many years Leslee will be celebrating in February and this is how she wishes to commemorate her birthday.

Since Leslee's such a good friend and I'm always up for a Blogathon-style day of fun, I'm all in for this creative birthday celebration.

We've got a good start on our list of planned activities. We're working on more. We've got things like...

Paying for a stranger's coffee
Gathering stray carts in a parking lot
Making donations to various charities
Handing out homemade baked goods

You get the idea? Good, cause we could use more suggestions if you've got them!

Finding 33 acts of kindness is a challenge but it's not the hardest part. The hardest part will be picking the best feasible options and coordinating one Saturday to execute them all. It'll be difficult but it'll be fun and, in the end, totally worth it.

And on the off chance that you can help out either in person that day or if you have a business that could make a donation, please let me know. We're looking for simple gifts, food items or gift cards to give to those who would benefit from a stranger's kindness -- like military families, single parents and the elderly. [Email me at eric(at)followeric.com]

So what are some suggested acts of kindness you think we could pull off on a Saturday in Enid?

Lucky 13 and the Spelling Bee

2012-01-13T22:01:00.000-06:00

I used to think 13 was my lucky number.

It was a very short phase when I was a kid in elementary school. Lucky 13 was my seat number for the spelling bee. I won that year. The next year I was placed in the same spot, thirteenth in line. I won again.

So obviously 13 was my lucky number, right? I assumed so. Until the next year, when I wasn't picked for that thirteenth chair.

It was that year that I realized 13 was not my lucky number. Because I won. And I went on to win again the following year. In fact, every year, regardless of what chair I started in, I was always the last one standing.

What I learned that year is a simple fact: Luck's got nothing to do with it.

It's a good lesson for a kid to learn. Just as good a lesson for an adult, too.

Successes aren't based on luck but on the hard work and effort you put into advancing. When you allow luck to be the reason for success then you're also allowing luck to be the reason for failure.

Take some ownership for failures as you would take pride in successes. Failures will come, believe me.

One year, failure came in the form of one, simple 11-letter word:

"Personality. P-E-R-S-O-N-A-L-I-T-Y. Personality."

It's hard to forget the word that brought your aspirations of victory in your elementary school spelling bee to a sudden halt.

"Ding." That's how the teachers signaled an incorrect answer.

Even if it's been years and years, I still can't forget the words that brought my beeline for the national levels to a halt. Maybe it's just time to let bygones be bygones.

"Bygones. B-Y-G-O-N-E-S. Bygones."

Dang it. There's another one. Who even knows which letter or letters I missed or added. What matters is that I went home that night, and instead of just giving up, I started studying for the next year's bee.

(Yeah, I was that kid.)

But I learned one thing: Luck's got nothing to do with it.

--

P.S.

This is my first stab at audio blogging. I'd like to know what you think of this new format.

Is it too short? Too long? Is this something you'd like to see more?

I'd appreciate any feedback!

What's missing? More writing.

2012-01-10T08:39:00.001-06:00

You know what's been missing from this blog lately?

It hasn't been a stream of activity. It hasn't been a lack of giveaways or contests or events. It hasn't been a Blogathon.

This blog has been missing writing.

And I've missed writing, too.

So at least for this moment, I've chosen to sit down with a hot cup of coffee and a little time before work to share some words with you.

I want to make you a simple promise: More writing.

I'll still have events and contests and, yes, even another Blogathon is in the works, but I will not neglect the core aspect of quality writing that I feel was here in greater quantity before.

I've finally sent off the copy of "Start Something That Matters" that Steph won and I've got a Blogathon-style event in February that I'm helping a dear librarian friend out with. I've got big changes and new opportunities in the horizon in my offline life and that will help shape the future of Follow Eric. But for now I stick to my promise...

More writing.

RTB Recap - Eating good in OKC

2012-01-03T20:57:00.000-06:00

For as long as it's been since our journey on the Road Trip Blogathon, I can still recall some very specific senses of taste and smell from the different restaurants and cafes we visited.

Here are two of my favorites.

Cuppies & Joe

This was a really nice spot for all of us to sit and relax during the chaos of the RTB. After flying all the way down Highway 81 and then darting the streets of OKC, it was so nice to be able find some comfy seats and enjoy some yummy cupcakes and coffee.

The best part about Cuppies & Joe is the fact that it's taken up residence inside a remodeled house. That helps explain why it feels so natural to walk in, order up coffee and a cupcake, and settle into one of the armchairs by the front window.

It's just like home. And it was just what we needed to rejuvenate after all the places we had been between Enid and the city. The sugary cupcakes and caffeinated beverages definitely helped as well.

If you go, you definitely have to try the Boom Boom Pow. It was their suggestion and I loved the combination of chocolate buttercream and caramel on top of a vanilla cupcake with a sprinkle of sea salt on top to bring out all of the flavors.

After regaining our strength and refueling on caffeine, the RTB crew packed up and hit the city streets again. After a little exploring and getting just a little lost we had rebuilt our hunger, we had settled on grabbing some pizza - while keeping it local, of course. So we ended up at...

The Wedge Pizzeria

I am not kidding when I say this was one of the most memorable dinners I've ever had. I know that sounds like a tall order but I think it was the combination of a long day spent with good friends making a crazy, insane idea come true and all the creative flurries of blogging and photography that made our little three-course meal such a tasty reward for all of our hard work making the Road Trip Blogathon happen.

We started with this delicious little appetizer trio. That up there is your choice of hummus, artichoke hearts, or olive tapenade with which to top your flatbread. Such a great way to open up the meal for the main course...

Pizza! It's what The Wedge is all about, right? This lovely pizza came straight out of the wood fire oven with our own custom assortment of toppings, including sausage, pepperoni, olives and a sprinkle of pine nuts. I promised myself that next time I would split a pizza with more adventurous eaters and go with a Wedge specialty like The Italian Stallion or The Perfect Margherita or maybe even try a little Truffle-Shuffle. (For descriptions, check out their full menu online)

We were almost filled up but had just enough room for dessert. We thought about packing up and roaming the city to find another dessert spot but we had already sampled Cuppies & Joe and we couldn't think of anywhere else to go when we suddenly saw on the menu...

Gelato! It sounded like a perfect ending to our meal. What really sealed the deal was the fact that our photographer, Kayla, had never tasted this Italian treat. Kayla tried the Black Cherry, Lyndsay ordered her favorite flavor, Mint Chocolate Chip, and I sampled the Toasted Almond. What really set The Wedge's gelato apart from others I've had was the little frosted mugs and the little chunks of delicious inside. There were actual slivers of toasted almond in my gelato. It really made such a difference in the texture of this delicious dessert.

What really set my taste buds off was pairing my gelato with a small French press of Elemental Coffee - a local OKC coffee roaster. I may never have gelato without a brew of strong, black coffee again!

It truly was a perfect end to the meal and very nearly the end of our Blogathon adventure. But there was still more to come...

Links

Cuppies and Joe: cuppiesandjoe.com

The Wedge Pizzeria: thewedgeokc.com

Elemental Coffee: elementalcoffeeroasters.com

Kayla Joy Photography: kaylajoyphotography.com

And the winner is...

2012-01-03T01:53:00.000-06:00

Time to announce the winner of the "Start Something That Matters" book giveaway.

First of all, huge thanks to everyone that participated: Kelly, Melodie, Jess and Stephanie. It was a lot of fun reading the responses and getting to know about the causes and charities that you all support.

The winner will be receiving one of these in the mail very soon...

And that person is...

Stephanie Delgado

Congratulations! I hope you put the book and all you learn from it to good use.

And I encourage everyone to look into getting their own copy of "Start Something That Matters." Check out my review and buy on Amazon.

Thanks!

RTB Recap - Coffee Slingers in OKC

2011-12-29T19:59:00.000-06:00

The end is near! The end is near!

2011 is coming to a close and I still haven't shared all of the pictures and video from the Road Trip Blogathon! I know, I know. I'm kind of a slacker.

So before year's end, my goal is to post all of the videos and pictures and share the final adventures of the Blogathon that took us down Highway 81 from Enid all the way to Oklahoma City.

Let's start with our quick stop for some serious caffeine in Downtown OKC.

When we arrived in the city, our first stop was at Coffee Slingers - OKC's top spot for coffee connoisseurs.

If you are looking for some frou-frou frappé drizzled and drowning in caramel then you might want to skip this place. That just means more real coffee for the rest of us.

If you're in the mood for espresso or looking for a killer latte or cappuccino or want some coffee straight from the French press, you'll feel right at home at Coffee Slingers.

If the latte art wasn't impressive all on it's own, the art going on outside was really awesome and all decked out for Halloween. You'll have to remember, this was back in October. Lyndsay was especially excited that it featured so many of her favorite celebrities gone by.

Big-time kudos to Kayla for her awesome photography skills. Check her out on Facebook: Kayla Joy Photography

Keep an eye out the next couple of days while I share the rest of the pictures and videos from the RTB before the ball drops on 2011.

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More info:

Coffee Slingers
1015 N Broadway
Oklahoma City, OK 73102
coffeeslingers.com

RTB Recap - Eischen's Bar

2011-12-21T00:56:00.001-06:00

On my way to Oklahoma City tonight, I made an unplanned dinner stop at Eischen's Bar.

This sudden and unexpected stop took me way back to the Road Trip Blogathon and our stop in Okarche for a visit to Eischen's Bar.

Eischen's is also famous for being Oklahoma's oldest bar but they're best known for their awesome fried chicken.

When we first visited Eischen's all the way back in October for the Blogathon, we ordered up a trifecta of fried chicken, fried okra and nachos.

The food came out really fast, hot and fresh. I totally recommend it to anyone who hasn't tried it yet. It's an Oklahoma culinary experience you've gotta try at some point.

And take some friends with you...

Here's a quick video shot during the Road Trip Blogathon. Stay tuned to Follow Eric for more RTB Recaps in the future. And big thanks to Kayla Joy Photography for awesome pictures.

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So how many of you have ever been to Eischen's?
Did you like the chicken?
Try the nachos?
Did I mention how much I love nachos?

Book Giveaway! Win a copy of "Start Something That Matters"

2011-12-18T18:32:00.000-06:00

Here's your chance to win! Up for grabs is one of these:

It's "Start Something That Matters" - the new book by Blake Mycoskie, founder and Chief Shoe Giver of TOMS. You can read my review and watch a video about the book on this previous post. For more info on the book, visit startsomethingthatmatters.com.

I think this book is really something special and will be a nice treat for someone who has a penchant for charity and desire to give back to the world. So to give this away, I first want to hear about some of the causes and needs that you're passionate about.

Basically, to win a copy of "Start Something That Matters" you need to name something that matters.

Here's how it'll work:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post.

2. Talk about a cause you support and leave some contact info for that charity or organization.

And if you want to go the extra mile, please share a link on Twitter and Facebook.

Entries must be in by January 1, 2012.

Sample comments:

One charity I support is Soles4Souls. They're doing great things by collecting shoes and giving them to people in need all over the world. You can read more about them at giveshoes.org

-or-

My church does a big food drive every year for our local food bank. Our church's website is enidfirstassembly.com and info on the food bank can be found at hornofplentyenid.org

It can be as simple as that. The charity can be local, national or global. And you should feel free to include more details and stories. You can even include dorky photos - like one of you ringing the bells for the Salvation Army.

I'll leave that up to you.

The rules: One winner will be chosen from eligible entries with the help of random.org. One entry per person. Eligible entries include those with the the proper information posted by January 1, 2012 no later than 11:59 p.m. Winner will be sent an email to the address used to post their comment and must respond within 36 hours. If there is no response after 36 hours, winner forfeits prize and a new winner will be selected at random. Anonymous comments or those without a valid email will not be eligible. You must have a shipping address within the United States to be eligible to win.

Good luck!

Book review: Start Something That Matters by Blake Mycoskie

2011-12-16T20:19:00.000-06:00

Recently, I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to get my hands on a copy of "Start Something That Matters," a book from TOMS founder, Blake Mycoskie. I can honestly say I loved this book. I wasn't fully expecting something like this to inspire me but it truly did. And the best part is, now I get to give a copy away to a lucky Follow Eric reader!

The details for the giveaway will be up on the blog soon so in the meantime you can watch this video and check out my review on Amazon.

http://youtu.be/aJ_4PZ1M6RY

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Posted on Amazon.com:

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book but, by the end of it, I realized the title summed it up pretty well. It's all about starting something that matters through entrepreneurship in the way that Blake Mycoskie has managed through his shoe company, TOMS. Mycoskie postulates that charity and giving have their place even in a for-profit venture. Businesses, companies, and regular people should treat giving as integral in their lives and not just an afterthought.

Mycoskie has the proof in the pudding. Through the TOMS' One for One model, they're able to give to those in need what is purchased through their company. Whether it's their trademark canvas shoes or providing sight with the purchase of their sunglasses, they're giving in tremendous amounts. That also includes giving a book away for every copy of "Start Something That Matters" purchased.

If that's not reason enough to buy the book, you'll be inspired by the stories and principles shared in this relatively quick read. I was surprised how much I got out of the book. I wouldn't consider myself an entrepreneur but while reading chapter after chapter, I was continuously challenged to think bigger than myself. If you have that entrepreneurial spirit already inside you, then this is a great way to help you harness that into ensuring a larger impact than just a bigger bottom line. And for those who want to make a difference in the world, this will only serve to further your desire and may even spark new ideas for ways to make what you love your livelihood.
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More info: startsomethingthatmatters.com

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RTB Recap - Oklahoma Vintage Guitar

2011-12-11T11:43:00.000-06:00

I am way behind on recaps from the Road Trip Blogathon! It seems like years ago when we hit the road from Enid to OKC for a Follow Eric road trip. In reality, it was back on October 15th that we traversed across Highway 81 visiting local Oklahoma favorites like Wee Too Restaurant in Enid, Eischen's in Okarche and strolled around the Plaza District in OKC.

One of my favorite stops was Oklahoma Vintage Guitar in El Reno.

I love this place. I mean, I love guitars so that's a no-brainer. But as far as guitar shops go, they're one of the best. If you're ever in El Reno, take a minute to stop in and browse their selection and don't be afraid to pick up a guitar for a test drive.

Here are a few pictures as well as some videos from inside this awesome guitar shop.

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Hope you enjoy! For more pictures and video from the Road Trip Blogathon, check out these posts:

RTB Recap - Wee Too
RTB Recap - Little Bit of Seattle
RTB Recap - Sights from the Road

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More info on Oklahoma Vintage Guitar:

oklahomavintageguitar.com

1-888-422-0788

117 South Bickford Avenue

El Reno, Oklahoma

Soles4Souls Blogathon Thanks

2011-12-08T14:50:00.001-06:00

This past weekend was the Blogathon for a Cause: Soles4Souls Shoe Drive and I just want to take a minute to thank everyone who helped out in pulling off a very fun event for a good cause.

First of all, thanks to Davinci's Coffeehouse for hosting the event and offering a very generous discount to everyone who brought in shoes.

Thanks to the Enid Running Club for their ongoing support of Soles4Souls and for offering to ship the shoes collected on Saturday.

Thanks to the musicians - Raquel Carlson, Duncan Mathew and Corey Keller. You guys rock!

Thanks to everyone who participated online in any way - either by retweeting, sharing things on Facebook and especially if you tuned in for the live Ustream feed.

And finally, huge thanks to everyone who brought in shoes. That's what this whole event is all about and, thanks to you, someone in some part of the world will receive shoes where they might otherwise not have a pair.

And an extra thanks to Soles4Souls for making that possible.

Stay tuned to Follow Eric for some more exciting events and giveaways in the upcoming weeks. Thanks for reading!

Blogathon Today!

2011-12-03T07:33:00.000-06:00

Today's the day. We mark yet another Follow Eric Blogathon.

I'm especially excited for this Blogathon because it has all the fun components I love about a Blogathon like coffee, music and keeping it local but it also has a great charitable cause to support.

This Blogathon is a shoe drive supporting Soles4Souls, a great Nashville-based shoe distribution charity. I've set up shop at a local café - Davinci's Coffeehouse - and I'll be collecting new or gently used shoes all day long.

As a bonus, you'll get 50% off your drink order for donating. That's a pretty awesome deal and huge thanks to Davinci's for making this generous offer.

And to celebrate later in the evening, we'll have live acoustic music from some local musicians - including Raquel Carlson, Duncan Mathew, Corey Keller and, well, even me.

So if you're in town, come any time today with your shoes for the discount. If you want to catch the music, come between 5 and 9 p.m. or you can catch us broadcast live via Ustream. Watch the broadcast embedded right here on Follow Eric or on the Facebook page. Download the free Ustream app and you can watch from your iPhone or iPad.

So rummage through your closets and find a pair to share with people in need. Bring it in, get some coffee and keep me company!

RSVP on the Facebook event page:
Blogathon for a Cause: Soles4Souls Shoe Drive

Follow the Twitter feed:
@FollowEricBlog

Watch on Ustream:
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/soles4souls-blogathon

Soles4Souls Blogathon - this Saturday!

2011-11-27T10:04:00.001-06:00

You should know by now that I love coffee. I love music. I love hanging out with friends. And sometimes I get all of those things at the same time.

That's what you can expect this coming Saturday for the Blogathon for a Cause: Soles4Souls Shoe Drive.

I'll be spending the entire day -- 6 in the stinking morning until they kick us out at 9 p.m. -- live blogging from Davinci's Coffeehouse. At least I'll have easy access to plenty of caffeine to get me through the day.

Once we hit 5 p.m., we'll start up live music with some of my musician friends. This will include Raquel Carlson, Duncan Mathew, Corey Keller and, well, me.

It all goes down this coming Saturday, December 3rd.

I know a lot of you will be making last minute Bedlam preparations and spending the evening yelling at a T.V., but if you can take a break from the Orange and Crimson mayhem, you should come down to Davinci's Coffeehouse at some point in the day.

Come early in the morning and keep me company while I take in shoe donations for Soles4Souls or later in the evening to enjoy some live music and coffee.

Either way, if you bring a pair of new or gently used shoes to donate, you'll get a discount on your Davinci's drink.

And even if you can't make it out to Davinci's you can still be part of the action. Tune in to the broadcast live on Ustream.

Sound like a plan? Awesome. Now go RSVP on the Facebook event page -- whether you're coming in the morning, evening or tuning in online. Thanks!

Thanksgiving Tech Troubles

2011-11-24T08:51:00.001-06:00

Technological SNAFU's suck. Yet I am thankful.

I'm not sure what the odds were but both my cell phone and laptop chargers bit the dust this week. It's just the kind of one-two combo punch that hits me where it hurts. Especially with the holiday weekend and all the Blogathon planning, prep and promotion that I need to get done, the timing is terrible.

But I'm still thankful. I've still got more than half a battery left on my cell phone and my iPad is still in working order. I mean, who can really complain about technology going awry when you're fortunate enough to have it in the first place?

So as I hack away on this touchscreen keypad (my least favorite form of typing) and enjoy a hot Davinci's drink on this Thanksgiving morning, I consider my many, many blessings.

Today's post will be short (partly on account of this dreaded keypad) But I hope it gives you a chance to pause and be thankful for your many blessings. Family, friends, food and, yes, technology.

And if you're not sure where to start, just consider whatever piece of technology you're reading this on.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. I hope to be back to full blogging capacity in short order.

RTB Recap - Sights from the Road

2011-11-19T13:29:00.000-06:00

As with any proper road trip, sightseeing is a must. We made sure to take time to stop and check out some of the sights along Highway 81 as we made our way from Enid to Oklahoma City.

Check out a few of the pictures and even some video shot during the Road Trip Blogathon...

Here we are in Hennessey:

The RTB Crew

Recognize this guy?

http://youtu.be/00F9R6yfYWA

And here we are stopping at the Walmart in Kingfisher -- birthplace of Mr. Walmart himself, Sam Walton.

http://youtu.be/BVQX8iRe-fs

This mural was one of my favorite stops. If you're ever in or passing through El Reno, take a second and find this gigantic mural from Public Arts Project 66 sitting on the side of the road. It's even cooler in person than it looks in the pictures. It's properly titled "Guardian of the Mother Road" and was a perfect photo opportunity for the RTB.

http://youtu.be/-etFFE1NH2o

Big thanks to Kayla Joy Photography for embarking on this journey as the official photographer. It was no easy task setting up and photographing all of our stops but the results are amazing! There are even more recaps to come so keep tracking Follow Eric for more updates.

And don't forget about the next Blogathon coming up on December 3rd. Details on Facebook.

RTB Recap - Little Bit of Seattle

2011-11-17T08:16:00.000-06:00

Little Bit of Seattle is sort of like a little bit of heaven.

It's the perfect place for me to go when I want my cafe time but don't necessarily want to see anyone I know. It's a short ten-minute drive just South of Enid on Highway 81. Waukomis is the first sign of civilization in that direction which made it our first official stop on the road during the Road Trip Blogathon.

Lyndsay B. - RTB Crew and Waukomis native

It was a great place to fuel up on caffeine. They make some killer lattes but they're true specialty is their gelato. If you go, you have to try some. My absolute favorite flavor is caramel but the lineup changes daily so you're sure to find one you'll like.

And here's a short video shot as we left Waukomis to continue the RTB journey...

http://youtu.be/y-Pg1d6Cugk

Keep an eye out for more RTB Recaps!

Worship Wednesday, Third Thursday and Pie

2011-11-15T08:36:00.000-06:00

One thing I try to keep you guys updated on is the opportunities I have to play music. They don't come as often as they used to but that only helps me appreciate each one even more.

This week I've got back-to-back events I'm pretty excited about.

The first is a community worship night happening tomorrow night. It's being held at Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse of all places. I was pretty excited when Jared McClellan invited me out to play for this event. I like it when local believers in Enid can come together from area churches for events like this. I like it even more when I get the chance to play! I really miss playing weekly but opportunities still seem to find me from time to time.

Oh, and I hear there's gonna be pie afterward so that makes it all worth it.

Then there's Thursday night which just happens to be the Third Thursday of the month -- that means Turpin Tunes at the Gaslight Theatre. I've been to a few of these events and had a great experience every time. It's just a warm, inviting and intimate atmosphere where anyone prepared to take the stage with a guitar can do so.

So that's what I plan on doing this Thursday. My friend, Shantel, has a great Paramore song picked out and Kayla, who you might remember from the Road Trip Blogathon, will join her to sing harmony on "The Only Exception."

Kayla is all for getting up and performing but Shantel is pretty nervous about singing in front of people so if you can make it Thursday I would encourage you to get out your cameras and form your own cheering section just to make her feel extra special.

I don't think she has anything to be nervous about because I've heard her in practice and I know she's got it down. I'm really looking forward to it as much as I'm looking forward to Wednesday night's community worship event.

If you're in Enid and interested in coming to either event, here's the rundown:

Night of Worship
Wednesday, November 15th
7PM - Leonardo's (2nd floor)
Facebook event page

Turpin Tunes
Thursday, November 16th
8PM - Gaslight Theater
Check out this post for more info on Third Thursday

Paramore - The Only Exception from BAB on Vimeo.

RTB Recap - Wee Too

2011-11-12T20:38:00.001-06:00

Alright, I know the Road Trip Blogathon feels like it happened a year ago but I promise it hasn't even been a month yet.

And now I've got some pictures and video to share with you some of what went down that fateful October day.

Let's start at the beginning -- the very early, six in the morning breakfast send-off at Wee Too Restaurant.

I still can't believe I convinced anyone to join me at 6 a.m. for breakfast but I was in really good company that morning.

Altogether we had a table of seven. That included Cody, Sarah and Jess who came all way from Tulsa for the occasion as well as Melodie who designed the awesome Follow Eric shirts you see the Blogathon crew wearing, which included Lyndsay, Kayla and myself which makes a total of seven diners that morning.

Cody capturing the action live on Ustream

A table full of a whole lotta B&G

The majority of us had never even been to Wee Too and had heard good things about their biscuits and gravy. So by the time the waitress had taken down all our requests, she had a ticket full of nothing but orders for good old B&G.

They were pretty awesome, classic Oklahoman biscuits and peppery gravy, a testament to how Wee Too has kept their reputation for good old-fashioned breakfast for so many years. Their interior is nothing fancy, just simple decorations so they can focus on delivering excellent breakfast options with a smile to their loyal customers, dedicated enough to come in before the sun even rises.

After we loaded up on B&G and coffee, we loaded up the vehicle to hit the road. But not before some final preparations.

We decorated the back window with a giant Follow Eric logo so everyone on the road and places we visited could see. We also shot some video before hitting the road.

Check it out below.

Huge thanks to the official RTB photographer, Kayla Joy Photography. And thanks to all the friends who joined us for breakfast -- you're the best! And get ready for more RTB Recaps soon!

--

For more info on the next Blogathon, check out the Facebook event page.

Blogathon for a Cause: Soles4Souls Shoe Drive

Snack Day, the death of me

2011-11-11T18:32:00.001-06:00

Today was snack day at work.

Let me clarify. When I say "snack" it might conjure up images of delicate crackers, sugar cookies, maybe some pretzels or chips and dip.

You obviously haven't seen a snack day at my job.

We're talking bowls of hot chili, slices of delivery pizza and homemade meatballs just to get started. Then there are the dozens and dozens of cookies and pies and other sweet baked goodness.

There was one snack table in particular that had a whole cheese theme going. I'm talking Nacho Cheese Doritos, Cheetos Puffs, canned cheeses as well as cheese and crackers -- including Swiss, Colby Jack, American and Cheddar.

Lord, help me if they bring out nachos.

It's pretty much a big heart attack waiting to happen.

Combine that with the fact that I have an astonishingly low level of will power, it's like walking a minefield at work.

The only upside I can think of is the money I'm saving that would normally go toward my lunch for the day. It's a small upside but I'm reaching to find any bit of redemption.

Instead, I'm packing in the calories with every bite of cake I take. No amount of treadmill time will make up for the damage I've done today.

Snack day will one day be the death of me.

Monday, Monday

2011-11-07T08:07:00.002-06:00

I don't understand why Mondays get such a bad rap.

I get that it's the start of the work week and most people are miserable at their jobs. It's a sad reality.

I wouldn't say I'm particularly excited about my current job but at the very least I have one and I could do a lot worse.

The thing I like most about Mondays is that it's the day I'm most likely to be productive. It's the day I'm most likely to wake up early in the morning, most motivated to workout and most focused on writing. It's a good, productive day for me.

I'm sorry for being that guy -- the cheery, wired-on-caffeine, Monday morning kind of guy. But that's how my morning's going so far.

I hope you have a good Monday.

(re)Introducing Soles4Souls

2011-11-06T16:07:00.000-06:00

Dear Follow Eric readers,

There's an organization I'd like to introduce all of you. Well, it's a reintroduction of sorts. You may not have remember meeting them before a long time ago back in March. If you don't remember, that's alright. You may not have been a Follow Eric reader at that point or maybe just too busy to keep track. It's OK, I forgive you.

Let's start over.

Follow Eric readers, meet Soles4Souls. They are a Nashville-based charity that collects and distributes shoes around the world. Since starting in 2005, they have distributed over 16 million shoes.

I strongly support their mission of "Changing the World – One Pair at a Time®" and have donated and fundraised in the past to their cause.

So why am I bringing this up now?

Let's just say that it has everything to do with the next Blogathon.

That's right. It's time for another one.

But Eric, didn't we just finish the epic Road Trip Blogathon?

Yes, yes we did. And I'll continue to share bits and pieces of that trip over the next month but once the month is over I want you to be ready for the next event:

Blogathon for a Cause: Soles4Souls Shoe Drive

Saturday, December 3rd I'll be hosting an all-day Blogathon at one of my favorite cafes, Davinci's Coffeehouse. And by all day, I mean literally from when they open their doors for the morning rush at 6 a.m. until they kick us out at 9 at night. I'll be live blogging the whole day while accepting shoe and cash donations for Soles4Souls.

I would absolutely love it if you joined me at some point during the day.

Here's one thing that's in it for you: a discount on your Davinci's drink if you donate a pair of new or gently used shoes.

You're probably getting ready to clean out your closet to make room for all those Christmas presents anyway, so why not bring in that extra pair of boots you never wear and give them to someone in need? Instead of tossing out the sneakers your kids outgrew, donate them to children who can't afford any.

If that's not enough, I'll sweeten the deal: for each pair you donate, I'll enter you into a drawing for a $20 Davinci's gift card.

Sounding better? Here's the best part: I'm inviting some of my musician friends for an evening jam session starting at 5 p.m.

The lineup includes Raquel Carlson, Duncan Mathew and Corey Keller, as well as Ben Burleigh with some live poetry.

Oh, and me.

You better believe it's going to be a fun time so make plans to join us on Saturday, December 3rd and RSVP on the Facebook event page.

In the meantime, go clean out your closets and find some shoes to donate!

Earthquake! Mad Men, Carole King and the online after party

2011-11-06T13:45:00.000-06:00

The big news in Oklahoma yesterday was definitely the earthquake. I didn't feel the first tremblor earlier in the day but last night around 11 p.m., I felt the rumblings of a pretty sizable quake interrupt the end of my Mad Men marathon.

At first it sounded like a big diesel was coming up down the road. Except it didn't stop and just kept steadily rocking the house slightly. It only took me a second to recognize what was going on. I heard earlier that day there had been an earthquake in Oklahoma. At that point, I could feel the ground moving underneath the couch I was laying on.

I didn't feel any urgent need to get up or move from where I was. The quake didn't seem to be knocking anything down and I couldn't really think of anywhere safer I could move. So I just waited it out. I'm not sure how long the quake lasted but it was long enough for me to realize what was going on and short enough to be done before I thought to take any sort of action.

I'm not sure what I would've done. Grabbed a camera? Hidden under some covers? Stood under a doorway?

I did nothing. But almost as soon as it was over I did what countless others did.

I took to Twitter and Facebook.

ericcastillo Eric Castillo

Yup, felt the earthquake that time.

15 hours ago Favorite Reply

Come on. You know you would do the exact same in the that situation. It's practically expected. And there was plenty of company online shortly after the sizable aftershock.

I wish I were only kidding but one of the first things I thought of immediately following the earthquake was Carole King singing, "I feel the earth move under my feet, I feel the sky tumbling down..."

Yeah, I can't explain that either and I apologize if that's now stuck in your head.

--

So, were you part of the online after party?

How many Okies felt the quake or its aftershocks?

Are you a Carole King fan?

The Write Place

2011-10-29T18:02:00.000-05:00

Today has been a successful day so far in many regards with only one exception.

Let's start with the positive.

I had a chance to sleep in without an alarm buzzing at 6 a.m. begging me to go work out. I woke up at a leisurely 9:30 and took my time getting up. I put on an episode of The West Wing and turned on the DVD commentary.

After that, I laced up some comfortable walking shoes to head out of my house and intentionally leave my car behind. It was a conscious effort to use the luxury of a vehicle less and my own two legs more. It was nice to get out for some fresh air and run some errands that were close by my house anyway.

The choice to pass through my neighborhood paid off when I came across a garage sale and a box full of old wooden frames. Among the old, busted up frames was a brand-new 16x20 shadow box, still fixed with a sticker price of $16.96.

I rarely carry cash on me but I checked my wallet just in case and found one measly dollar sitting there. I figured I could head home and find some more cash to return with so I asked the price before heading home.

"How much for the shadow box?"

"A dollar."

Sold.

So I walked home proudly carrying my shadow box, which I've been on the hunt for a good price on for a long time now. I've got some keepsakes that will go nicely in the frame.

The rest of the day went just as well. I even got to meet up with my good friend Abby for an unexpected quick bite at Sonic.

The only major downside to my day was a frustrating time at the cafe trying to get some writing done. I know it might not sound like a big deal to you and it probably fits under the category of "First World Problems" but it matters a great deal to me.

When I sit down to write, it's important to have the right environmental factors to produce the best results. The things that matter might surprise you. Things like the room temperature and the noise level as well as the height of the chair and table matter. If I'm at a cafe then the right drink executed properly can really make or break my time there. And if there's a fly within a 5-foot radius it will distract me to no end.

There are a dozen more factors that can easily affect my writing and today felt like all of them were working against me. The only open seating was against the window facing the sun at a chair too high to sit comfortably and still too low for the table. The direct sunlight beat right against my skin and my computer, making typing uncomfortable. The cafe was just a little noisier than I would like and the foot traffic was passing right behind me the whole time.

I wish I could be a little less picky at times and I usually can ignore a lot of the environmental distractions but today was just not my day.

So what did I do? I packed up and left. But I didn't throw in the towel.

I waited for the sun to start setting and the crowds to thin out. I cam back, took over a much more comfortable table and seat, opened up a new browser window and hacked out this post. The right place at the right time can produce better results with much less effort than when fighting against the grain.

Ah, a sigh of relief. That feels much better.