Captain's Blog

Joshua Slocum and Me

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Thu, 4 May 2006 15:54:00 -0400

We just did a show about Joshua Slocum. In case you don’t know who he is, he was the first person to complete a solo circumnavigation. That was way back in 1895. With almost 80 funny videos about sailing, circumnavigation and related topics available on my website, I’m surprised we didn’t cover the topic of Slocum’s historic achievement earlier.

I don’t set editorial policy on my show. My partners/producers do that. I’m just the guy getting in the boat and trying for a record. Why should anyone listen to me? I suggested a show about Slocum months ago. My partners said, “yeah yeah yeah, we’ll get to it.” I think they didn’t get it. They didn’t realize how fascinating he is.

Now that they finally got around to doing a show about him, David, one of my partners, can’t stop talking about him. He’s reading the guy’s book, “Sailing Alone Around the World.” Minutes ago, David wrote to the website forum: “Slocum is an interesting character. When Dr. Bob said, ‘he must have been flinty,’ I think he got it just right. What impresses me is his scope. He was entrepreneurial, exploring, indomitable, intrepid, individualistic AND a first class literary talent. The dude was cool.”

Well, I’m not going to be guilty of telling him, “I told you so.” Instead, I’ll write it: I told you so David.

Not as crazy as it sounds

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Wed, 12 Apr 2006 16:35:00 -0400

I’ve said it over and over and I mean it: I am preparing to sail around the world in an 11 foot boat. The idea is that I want to capture Serge Testa’s record. He went around in a 12 footer 20 years ago. Nav systems and boat construction materials have only gotten better since then. To me that’s pretty good evidence that I can get around in an 11 footer now.

People already think I’m a little loony for staking that claim. Now that I’ve announced my intention to open up my route planning and navigation to public control over the Internet, some people think I’m certifiable. But I don’t think so. I compare my idea with the open source movement or with wikipedia and it gives me a good feeling. Software like linux is better because more people work on it. More eyeballs catch mistakes. Same with the wikipedia. I read that vandalism is the biggest source of errors and the effect of vandalism are corrected within 20 minutes.

If I make navigation control of my boat public I’m sure there will be people trying to steer me to the rocks. But that will be balanced by people helping me out and doing the right thing. It’s a really interesting experiment. I think it will be really cool to Captain the first collaborative circumnavigation. I welcome all thoughts and assistance from anyone reading this.

www.captainhumphreys.com

Turning Forty, Etc.

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Fri, 10 Mar 2006 06:53:00 -0500

It occurred to me today that I am about to turn forty. Not in age, in Humpcasts. This Monday will mark our fortieth episode of the Captain Humphreys Project. This fact has made me realize how much progress the project has made in the last forty days.

When we started, I remember vividly, David and Glenn at odds over whether a daily show was possible. David was filled with excitement at the chance to do it, Glenn was more cautious. He wondered what would happen if we missed a day? Would Missing a daily show throw the entire project into chaos. Sort of like if Rocketboom.com missed a daily episode. Would it hurt them from a marketing or advertising perspective. Even worse, what if a daily show missed several days per month, would that fact spell the end?

Well, it should be obvious we took the chance and started doing daily shows. And here we are almost forty shows later. I think, with maybe three exceptions, the shows keep getting better and better. I think we have fallen into a nice pattern and are working well as a team.Hats off to Bob and David who write the shows!

Also of note is our recent acceptance as a Brightcove Partner. Brightcove is the much reported new company started by Jeremy Allaire - the guy who founded a little company called Macromedia. Brightcove is the next generation of web-based video programming and syndication platforms. Watching Glenn manipulate and populate the Brightcove Console Tool was very exciting. There is so much a Video syndicator can do with the tools, and it is made so simple. Just look at the new Brightcove player on the homepage, or the truly stunning Brightcove Archive Page. Membership in the Brightcove Beta Partnership Club is very limited and prestigious. I am so happy to report that we are now "down with the 'cove"!

The Crew bleeped the "curse words" in today’s show. The mission is to get me around the world in the smallest boat and set a world record that hasn’t been challenged for way too long (20 years). It’s not to have overprotective parents trying to get us off the web. But, c’mon man. Doesn’t everyone know what’s being said behind the bleep? Bleeping seems like a stupid solution. Then again every frikkin' show on TV has at least 4 bleeps a segment. Also, if you take a survey of the really creepy crap on the internet, a couple of curses become really meaningless.

The controversy over the "Grumpcast" has me confused. About as many people hated it as loved it. What gives? I thought Bob was very grumpy. I was really disturbed by the way Bob ranted and raved at the poor girl and thought she was going to burst out crying any moment. Well, the very same girl emailed David that she loved the show and so did her friends. She can’t wait to come back. Just goes to prove, having a cast filled with sadists is always the way to go, baby.

It happened again. Someone I didn’t know asked me if I am the Captain. I guess I’ll get used to it eventually. Hopefully I’ll get on the boat sooner rather than later and the whole issue will be over, as the only recognition I will get at sea is from pirates or the giant squid. they won't call me The Captain! They will figure out unpleasant things to do to me.

www.captainhumphreys.com

Cool Site of the Day!

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Tue, 28 Feb 2006 22:25:00 -0500

Well, I want to start out by welcoming all our new viewers from Cool Site of the Day. It is very exciting to have so many new viewers discover the project and the crew. This project is entirely run by our four man crew. We are just average guys. None of us are TV executives or have any pull in show business. Every viewer we have is down to word of mouth and free advertising, like Cool Site of the Day.

I want to answer one of the most frequently asked questions. The question is , "are you guys for real?" The answer is WE ARE SERIOUS. This project is not a joke or a spoof. Eric Humphreys will build an 11 foot boat and sail it around the world. Our business plan is to build viewership to the point that advertising and merchandising will cover the cost of the boat and the voyage.

When we started the project we thought of the website as a means for selling the concept to Corporate America. But when the corporations wanted us to either make the show a spoof or a hoax, we realized that we would have to do this ourselves. We felt that the regular people out there in cyberspace would be ready for a show like ours, even if the executives were not.

To that end, we revamped the website, started doing daily videos and created a host of other content. We have been steadily building our audience and with today's Cool Site of the Day traffic, I think we are farther along towards our goal. I personally ask anyone who likes the site the to tell as many people as you can about our show. I think word of mouth will get us to the viewership needed to build the boat.

I want to thank all of you again, our viewers, without you guys the project would be dead in the water. And remember to subscribe to our RSS feeds!

http://www.captainhumphreys.com

Just Don't Care

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Tue, 21 Feb 2006 13:44:00 -0500

First off, that pillow fight last week was stooopid! Why would I want to associate myself with a bunch of unwashed 30 year olds hitting each other with filthy pillows. Uh, right, sure sounds like fun! NO WAY.

David found out the hard way how ridiculous it was. He went into the fight only to be bashed on his way back to the street. They should have napalmed the entire ridiculous scene!

On a brighter note, I am working on our first newsletter, so make sure to go to the newsletter page and sign up. I think it will be informative and fun to make the newsletters part of the overall Captain Humphreys content offering. Because here at The Captain Humphreys Project is all about content and the many ways to distribute it.

Well, gotta head to work now, where I learn the misery of life on a daily basis. Man, I can't wait to start building that boat...

http://www.captainhumphreys.com

Excuses and Pillow Fights

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Fri, 17 Feb 2006 22:14:00 -0500

It’s been awhile since I posted. That’s because I’ve been busier than usual lately. In fact, the whole team has been busier than usual lately with changes to the website and other organizational matters. Glenn is the web guy so normally I would think that the changes would effect his life and I wouldn’t really suffer any consequences from it. But it doesn’t work that way. Something that effects one member of our small crew seems to effect all of us, so while Glenn has born the brunt of the work on the site, it’s still eaten into the rest of our time.

We have to discuss all the changes, for example, and meeting just seems to take forever. I’m happy with the changes, though, so it’s nothing I mind. Glenn’s really polishing it up nicely. We’ve got a new forum where you can – embarrassingly for me – read people’s varied opinions on whether my current weight is a positive or a negative for my circumnavigation attempt. To tell the truth I die a little every time I see myself on camera. But if that’s what it takes to make this thing happen, I’m just going to suck it up and get on with it.

There are posts on the forum from other sailors who know about boat design too and some technical discussion about rigging type etc. Glenn has also figured out our RSS feeds and fixed them up so that people with Ipods can now get feeds of our shows.

There’s this event in Union Square tomorrow. Some sort of organized mass pillow fight. David’s going to bring the camera and I’m going to participate. I think he’s planning on using the footage next week on the show. What does that have to do with sailing, my trip, or anything? I don’t know. He says it’ll make interesting footage.

What else? I don’t know. I’m just burnt. Plus I’m writing this at work and a bunch of people just walked in so that’s my excuse to sign off.

http://www.captainhumphreys.com

On "Playing" The Captain

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Fri, 3 Feb 2006 19:55:00 -0500

I just love playing the Captain on our show. The thing is, there is a real difference between "The Captain" and Eric Humphreys. For one, Eric Humphreys does not have a theme song. The Captain does. Thanks to our house band Travellers, The Captain has a theme song called Four Points. Eric Humphreys is lucky to get a free play out of the jukebox.

When I was a kid I had it tough. Typical 1970s family bizarro stuff. This fact resulted in me leaving home and trying to find some fun and adventure. Anything to add some sunlight to my stormy past, I guess. Anyway, through boatbuilding school and various jobs in various sailing oriented parts of the world, I finally realized what I wanted to do.

I wanted to sail around the world.

The idea of the smallest boat and the world record came later. But the thought of sailing around the world appealed to me. I never really felt at home "in a home" or later "in my apartment". The only place that felt like home was sailing on the open seas or living in my old trusty houseboat "Eggbeater" back in Nantucket.

Many people ask if I am scared of the voyage around the world. To them I say, "Look, I've already had extensive inter-continental sailing experiences, and I have already survived a two week stranding at sea." I think that says it all. My fear is more about being able to make a good show for all our viewers. I hope it isn't six months of Eric complaining about needing more laxatives or not having enough blankets.

However, I have been told by many (including my current crew) that I am a funny kind of guy, so I should be able to crank out amusing and interesting episodes. I will make sure that every episode is both amusing and interesting.

I want to thank you, our viewers, for showing an interest in this project. Without your viewership and support, there would be no Captain Humphreys Project.

Tell your friends about the website, and keep watching!

http://www.captainhumphreys.com/

Welcome ROCKETBOOM Users!

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 12:28:00 -0500

Well, today is a wonderful day to be a sailing man! Web renowned VLOG ROCKETBOOM.COM has featured my website! That is correct, folks, captainhumphreys.com has been featured in today's rocketboom.com content. I want to welcome all our first timers!

First off I must say that although our site is funny THIS PROJECT IS FOR REAL. I intend to build my boat and actually sail it around the world. Many people think the site is a spoof, I assure you it is not

Also, the donation page and store are also real. In fact, they are the primary method we have of raising the funds needed to build the boat and sail it around the world. So click away generously... On behalf of my crew I wish you all a very Captain Humphreys Thursday!

http://www.captainhumphreys.com

Anchors Away!

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Fri, 20 Jan 2006 19:09:00 -0500

This is a very exciting time for me and the crew. We have started the daily Humpcasts and we have kicked off the PR plan.

The daily Humpcasts are what will set the internet on fire. Never before in the history of human endeavor has a FANTASTIC concept like the Captain Humphreys Project been so closely poised to world domination. This is the kind of entertainment the globe thirsts for. Yes, readers, I am happy to report that people are already emailing us asking to become part of the crew. This is BEFORE we did any promotion of the website. The future is indeed bright!

Equally amazing, is the baby steps that are being taken to promote the site. I have been told we already are available on the Google Video Beta, and we are listed under Yahoo! video search. In the coming weeks a press release, multiple partnerships with established websites as well as guerilla marketing will make this site the toast of the web! I think we have some of the finest daily content around, so why not crow about it?

As always, I will keep you all posted...

http://www.captainhumphreys.com

Boat Schmoat

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Thu, 5 Jan 2006 21:30:00 -0500

So David thinks my self righting boat idea is crazy. What else is new? Let me tell you I have sailed Many times and a self righting boat is the way to go. If the boat tends to tip and then right itself, all the better. Better than capsizing that is. We hope to populate the "boat" page on the website with some of the designs soon.

I am also pleased to announce the new "Captain Approved" merchandise line called "He'll Crap Over the Side." Every purchase helps us raise the funds that will be used to build the boat and get me in the water. To this end a new "Donation" page has been setup as well. Here you can make direct cash donations using PayPal. I am very grateful to everyone who has made a donation. I am very excited about building the boat and start sailing. All I need is the funds, so keep the support coming!

I'll keep you all posted...

http://www.captainhumphreys.com

Away We Go

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Mon, 2 Jan 2006 16:11:00 -0500

Many things on the horizon...The Captain Humphreys project is entering a second phase. You may notice more and more content appearing on the website in the next few days. Our vision is a site that has a lot of content and a lot of begging for donations.

We have decided that going the corporate route was a mistake. The corporations currently in charge of content creation and distribution were scared off by the project because of the threat to my life sailing around the world entailed. They loved the concept and found the project very entertaining and funny. However, many decision makers could not digest the fact that I would actually be sailing around the world in a tiny boat.

My death aside, I think this kind of mentality is pervasive in the corporate hallways. The fear of the unknown and the desire to "manage risk" has dumbed down much of the content being delivered into the public mind. I believe there is a great un-tapped audience who yearns to see innovative and edgy programming like the Captain Humphreys project.

So, we have arrived at the next stage in the story. If the corporate mind has no place for the project, then the internet will. We will bring the story directly to the people, and the people will also become part of the story.

Stay tuned...

http://www.captainhumphreys.com

First Entry into the Captain's Blog

info@captainhumphreys.com (Sliver Head Productions, Inc.) — Tue, 6 Dec 2005 18:49:00 -0500

Hi everybody! My name is Eric Humphreys. Over the years I have squandered every opportunity life presented me with. I am currently a low paid bartender in New York City. I live in an overpriced hovel with a crazy Israeli special forces guy. To make matters worse I am only attracted to women who have a psychiatric history and/or restraining orders against them.

I attended the Landing School of Boat Building & Design in Kennebunkport, ME back in 1996. Since then I have built a few boats, ran a successful marine electronics and installation business and lived the wretched dream as a Yacht Delivery Skipper.

During my tenure as a Yacht Delivery Skipper I was lost at sea. The crazy french guy who hired me to sail his boat to Bermuda never expected his old yacht to get caught in a monster storm and capsize. You can read about it HERE. I survived thinking there was a reason I was spared and that good things were coming my way. I thought like that for a few years.

All of that is over now. The reality is that I am a 35 year old guy who works three bartending jobs in New York City. All prospects for my life are gone. The energizer bunny has finally stopped drumming...

Shortly after I moved to New York to live with this crazy chic who was a trumpet player I found myself alone with no job. I was alone because the trumpet player ran off with some other dunce and I had no income because I was not working. My last job was bartending in Nantucket at a famous watering hole. Back then I lived in a mold infested boat called "the eggbeater". That was great compared to being alone in New York with no money.

So I took a job at a local bar in my neighborhood. Over the years I met some of the regulars. Three of these guys turned out to be my current business partners.

At 2am one morning I was serving the drinks and dishing the banter. I had an inspired idea - I needed to quit my job and sail around the world in the smallest boat (11.5') for the world record. This pipe dream was then massaged into a reality show pitch and demo reel by my four partners over a period of a year.

The fruit of this can be viewed at http://www.captainhumphreys.com

Our company is currently trying to sell the project and I will keep you all updated on our progress.

Live the dream vicariously through me - the adventure of a lifetime for a loser with no options left on the table! Ka' Plah!