My Word with Douglas E. Welch

Links for 2008-07-18 [del.icio.us]

Sat, 19 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Clear Channel, Clean up your billboard graffiti!

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 16:32:57 -0500

(Update: July 18, 2008, 225pm: I must admit, I am surprised at the response my email has elicited. The problem is not solved by any means, but it looks like the right people have been informed.

This morning I received email replies from Ellen and Russ at Clear Channel Communications, Inc. and Ellen stated "I have issued instructions to have the copy at this location changed out." This is great news.

Secondly, Laura from Councilperson Wendy Greuel's office called a few minutes ago with some information on the issues involved in removing graffiti from billboards and any other places more than 8 feet above the ground. The various graffiti removal organizations can't handle anything higher than 8 feet, I assume, due to safety issues. Also, since this billboard is considered private property, and its height, it is up to the owner to remove graffiti. I thought this might be the case, which is why I sent my email to Clear Channel, as well.

Now that it seems that the right people have been informed, I will keep a watch to see when the billboard is cleaned up. I guess one important lesson I have had reinforced is that if you see something that needs doing, and you can't do it yourself, do your best to bring it to the attention of those that can fix it.

I'll offer additional updates when I receive more info. -- Douglas)

I typically don't use this blog for any form of activism, but after 6+ months of seeing this Clear Channel Communications Inc. billboard several times a day, I think it is time to take some action.

This billboard is located atop storefronts on the southwest corner of Van Nuys Blvd and Hatteras Street in the Van Nuys neighborhood of Los Angeles.

(Click the photos for larger images)

I have reported this to the LA City graffiti email hotline, but unlike most other graffiti cleanup requests, there is something holding this up. It is probably the fact that this billboard is considered the private property of Clear Channel Communications, Inc. or so the sticker on the base of the pole claims. It seems amazing to me that his has gone on so long, since this billboard is only a mile from the Van Nuys Government Center with its City Hall field offices and in clear view of thousands of people every day.

Last week, I contacted the office of my Councilperson Wendy Greuel and was told to contact Laura in the North Hollywood field office at 818-755-7676. There was no answer at that number, so I left a detailed message with my contact information and callback numbers. As of today, I have not heard back from the office.

So, here are my next actions. I am posting these photos and this description here and then I am going to email the field office, as well as the Ms. Greuel's main office, with a link to this site. I am also going to send an email to the press contact at Clear Channel Communications, Inc. to see if they have some explanation for this long term blight on my neighborhood.

If you have any additional ideas of who should be contacted regarding this problem, let me know using the comments link below.

Wish me luck!

My office and the jackhammer

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:23:29 -0500

Working from home has its moments.

IndyMac Bank, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and You - July 17, 2008

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:46:29 -0500

Want to understand what the current mortgage and banking mess is all about? This show, which I produce and co-host, helps to explain what is going on and why. -- Douglas

This week brought the collapse of Indymac Bank. Their collapse wreaked havoc in the financial markets, but it can have a greater effect on individual depositor's stress levels. This could be witnessed in the unnecessary bank run on Indymac this week.Many people do not realize they should not keep more than $100,000 in any bank. Insurance only covers up to $100,000 in deposits, any amount over that is negotiable to as low as 50 cents on the dollar. But for those who have a smaller amount on deposit, don't worry, you will get every penny back.

We also discuss Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac's current troubles and why they are so important to the housing market.

Listen to "Indymac, Fannie, Freddie and You?"

If you have any questions you would like us to answer on our show, please call our listener line at 714-519-7833 or email mortgagepodcast@gmail.com.

Hey look! It's Doug

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:20:07 -0500

Douglas Welch Head Shot
Originally uploaded by dewelch

I needed a newer, hi-res head shot for the promotional materials for devLearn 2008, where I will be giving an all-day podcasting workshop and a conference session in November.

As is often said of me, I clean up well, don't I? (BIG SMILE)

Here is the info on the 1-day workshop...

Audio and e-Learning: How to Turn Sound Files into Training Podcasts

Tuesday November 11, 2008 08:30 AM

Doug Welch, The WelchWrite Company, Inc.

As e-Learning professionals, you create content everyday. Much of that content is lost when you fail to capture it, or when you fail to edit and distribute it to your audience. Audio is already a big part of your e-Learning, but you could be using it for so much more. Learn new ways to capture audio content, and how to distribute it via internal and external systems and services like blogs, RSS (Real Simple Syndication), and Podcasting.

In this workshop you will be immersed in sound, and learn how new audio technologies can be used to enhance your learning solutions. You will learn how to capture, edit, and distribute sound files, as well as learn which tools are best for you. You will be learning about Podcasting from an industry veteran who specializes in new media production. If you already know the learning theories related to audio in your e-Learning courses, then this workshop will get you to the next level, and help make your corporate learning Podcast dreams a reality.

In this session, you will learn:

* How to capture good audio, and what tools you can use
* How to edit audio to produce a complete, professional sounding, show
* How to use a blog and RSS to distribute your work
* How to share your work with the world using the iTunes Podcast directory (and other products) can share your work with the world

Audience: Intermediate Designers, Developers, Project managers, and Managers who have Only basic computer knowledge is required. Additional experience with audio production is helpful, but not required.

A Gardener's Notebook Featured on iTunes Store front page

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:16:45 -0500

I happened to hit the front page of iTunes today and see that A Gardener's Notebook is featured on the front page. This is the first time for AGN, although Career Opportunities has been featured in the past.

Welcome all new listeners and viewers! Thanks for joining me in my garden.

Friend with a new camera

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 13:14:03 -0500

IMG_0255
Originally uploaded by dewelch

My friend, Michael Lawshe, snapped this pic of me today with his fancy new Canon Digital SLR. I like this photo a lot as I think it captures the "real me" you might meet in person. I was talking with a friend on my headset as I walked up to his house, and I am laughing at something they said. This is probably one of the "truest" pictures ever taken of me.

Elsewhere in LA: L.A. Times closes two sections, to start

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:15:24 -0500

Every day I wonder a little more why they don't just shut the doors at the LA Times and just walk away. LAObserved reports on more cuts at the paper and I can't imagine how much more there is left to cut.

It is sad to see a newspaper die such a slow and painful death, but doubly so when they are committing business suicide. Surely, there is someone around who can figure out that some combination of paper and online-based reporting can still be a moneymaker today instead of trying to hold onto a newspaper world that no longer exists.

I still read the LA Times every day, but I cannot say how much longer that will go on. Perhaps the paper will disappear completely before I have to make my choice.

L.A. Times closes two sections, to start

With Sam Zell and Randy Michaels in town and making everybody antsy, and speculation raging in the newsroom about the future of Publisher David Hiller,...

(Via L.A. Observed.)

Hanging out in Lively.com

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:28:52 -0500

Hanging out in Lively.com
Originally uploaded by dewelch

Had a nice time hanging out in my room on Lively.com and chatting with Josh Cooper today.

Voice Registry Podcast- Tracy Pattin Talks To New Media Expert Doug Welch

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:51:03 -0500

This interview was recorded a while ago, but I am so glad it is being released. It sounds good and I get a chance to talk about all things podcasting with host, Tracy Pattin.

Voice Registry Podcast- Tracy Pattin Talks To New Media Expert Doug Welch

Doug Welch has been podcasting since September 24, 2004, making him a veteran in the New Media industry. He is the founder of the New Media Interchange and produce/co-host of Mortgages Made Simple with Rick Gundzik. He also co-teaches with his TV writer wife, Rosanne Welch, at UCLA for Podcast and New Media for Writers, a 10-week course educating writers and others how podcasting, YouTube, Facebook and others can be used to further work and career.

right + click here to download podcast (9.8 MB)

(Via Voicebank.net's VoiceRegistry Blog.)

Links for 2008-07-08 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Word Clouds.
Tag clouds for text, RSS, web

Links for 2008-07-06 [del.icio.us]

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Understanding Kanji Characters by Their Ancestral Forms: Learning Kanji Through Pictures: Ping-Gam Go

What I'm Reading...

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 14:09:57 -0500

I've been watching a lot of anime with my son lately and this got me wondering about the kanji I see within the show itself. Sometimes, they do translate these phrases, but in other cases, you are left on your own. So, I have started to request some books on Kanji from the library to see if I can translate some of it myself.

Soon after picking up this book, we were watching an episode of Naruto where prisoners have escaped. I was so pleased to realize that I could read the kanji on the back of their uniforms. In this case, as you might expect, they were prisoner numbers, so it was a really basic translation, but after only a few minutes with the book I opened up a new language. Very cool!

More Kanji books coming!

Understanding Kanji Characters by Their Ancestral Forms by PIng-gam Go

Video: Maker Faire - Life Size Mousetrap

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 17:17:25 -0500

One of our favorite sights at Maker Faire, back in May -- a Life Size Mousetrap game, including a 4oo lb safe which drop on the mic at end. Very, very, very cool!

From the Maker Faire web site...

The LIFE SIZE MOUSETRAP is a fantastically hand crafted, 16 piece, 50,000-lb. interactive KINETIC SCULPTURE set atop a 6,500-square-foot game board. This giant Rube Goldberg style contraption comes complete with a VAUDEVILLIAN style show, original MUSICAL SCORE by The one woman band Esmerelda Strange, Sexy Mice CAN-CAN DANCERS, Clown workers, acrobatic HI JINKS, and other SPECTACULAR SCENES dedicated to the pursuit of spectacle-laden FUN!

Web site: http://lifesizemousetrap.org

iPod Ready Video

Audio: Prelude to Revolution Part 3 - Happy 4th of July!

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:43:52 -0500

A July 4th Gift from WelchWrite.com

“I am apt to believe it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore” -- John Adams

Prelude to Revolution - May 1775, to July 4th, 1776

[audio: http://eclipse-1.blogspot.com/2008/06/prelude-to-revolution-final-installment.html]

A live audio production of Eclipse-1 Media.

"Live your liberty, don't lose it in a history book."

Listen: Prelude to Revolution Part 3
Listen: Prelude to Revolution Parts 1 & 2

View these photos on Flickr.com

Hands-free Cell Phone Use Required in California tomorrow!

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:39:22 -0500

If you haven't picked up your cell phone headset or speakerphone for the car, you only have a few more hours or you will risk a ticket and fine in California. Starting July 1, 2008, all automotive users of cell phone will be required to use some form of hands-free device when calling from their vehicles.

I have been a big fan of cell phone headsets, even back when they were typically wired to the phone. Hands-free cell headsets allow the easy use of voice dialing and great services like Jott.

If you don't have a headset yet, here is a link to the one I use, an Aliph Jawbone. There is also a new, 2nd generation Jawbone (available at their web site) which is much smaller. It's built in noise reduction features are great. You can see a demo on their site. (Video demo)

Link: More Bluetooth Headsets from Amazon.com

What I'm Reading...

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 18:10:59 -0500

My most recent selections from the library.

Vagabonding takes on the the realities of long term travel and what you can do to make it as enjoyable as possible and Eat This Book offers up a selection of recipes both fancy and simple to expand your at home dining possibilities.

LIVE: Prelude to Revolution Part 3 - A July 4th Radio Play - 4pm PDT

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 14:00:52 -0500

Sunday, June 29, 2008

EPISODE 3

Prelude to 1776
"Our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor"

Time: 06/29/2008 4:00 PM PDT Pacific -- 07:00 PM EDT

Live your liberty, don't lose it in a history book.

We are going live again this weekend!!!

This is Prelude to Revolution - May 1775, to July 4th, 1776 - a live audio production of Eclipse-1 Media.

Listen LIVE via Talkshoe

Links for 2008-06-26 [del.icio.us]

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Add metadata to your Moleskine

Links for 2008-06-24 [del.icio.us]

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 -0500

New Show: Mean Mommies Club

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 17:26:50 -0500

I helped (a little) in getting Megan, Valerie and Erin's new show, Mean Mommies Club up and running today. If you are a parent, or thinking of becoming one, check it out. Here is some info from their web site about their first episode, "Crying it out" .

1. Introductions: Megan, Valerie and Erin
2. Discussion of our motto
We are mean mommies because…
We don’t give in to temper tantrums.
We make you eat healthy food.
We are ruthless with time outs.
We are mean mommies because…
We are not raising kids,
We are raising responsible adults.

3. The Rules for ourselves on the show - don’t dis hubby’s or friends, above all respect! This isn’t a complaint session it’s a discussion.
4. We love the Mean Daddies
5. Megan’s encounter with Target employee during a time out.
6. Does “crying it out” cause Brain Damage?
Dr. Mike at Pediacast
7. Major thanks to the following for helping Megan with her techtard questions. This show could not have been posted with out the help of the following people:
Jason Tucker
Douglas E. Welch
Chris Moody
8. Also thanks to Megan’s husband Craig for recording our contact information.

I See Hawks in LA live from CalTech

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 01:01:05 -0500

The band is i see hawks in la

Mobile post sent by douglaswelch using Utterz. Replies. mp3

Douglas and Rosanne participating in New Media Panel this evening

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:40:47 -0500

Rosanne and I will be joining some other LA New Media folks for this panel on The Future of Online Content, tonight, 730pm, at Blankspaces (5405 Wilshire Blvd, LA).

Douglas
Recorded video of the event

Live .TV show provided by Ustream

Here is the information on the panel...

Panel on the Future of Online Content
June 16th, 2008 — Tiger Team, mytvshow, online video, socialmedia, television

[I'm going to ask my panelists about this eMarketer chart from last year showing advertising spending for online video and projections until 2011. I would like to know if they are heartened or saddened by these projections, and if they think they will remain accurate. Considering that advertisers still spend around $65 Billion a year for television ads, $4 Billion in 2011 is a comparatively small piece of the pie. See Paul La Monica's pithy blog post on these facts.]

I'm moderating a panel on the future of online video content, from the perspective of those who are actually creating online content in a professional manner. I created this panel for the premier of atelevision show I co-created for Tru TV. Rather than go on about my experiences with network television, I thought it more appropriate to look to the future, especially because my primary profession is that of emerging media specialist, not a creator-producer in the entertainment industry. After the panel I will update this post with my thoughts on the bits of wisdom from my panelists.

Panelists include:

Amanda Congdon, the host and executive producer of Sometimesdaily. http://sometimesdaily.com/ and blogger at http://amandacongdon.com
Gilad Lotan - Technologist / Digital Media, Endemol USA -http://endemolusa.tv
Ken LaZebnik from http://www.Strike.tv
Hayden Black of Goodnight Burbank: http://goodnightburbank.com and http://www.abigailsxratedteendiary.com
Michael Pilla of http://www.indieflix.com
Tim Street of http://www.frenchmaidtv.com/
Doug and Rosanne Welch, http://welchwrite.com especially with regard to podcasting

Video: Piano Recital with Joseph and Douglas

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 01:39:40 -0500

I had the opportunity to accompany Joseph in his piano recital today. You'll see me in the second song in this video.

iPod ready Video

California Wildfire Information 2008

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:23:59 -0500

It seems the wildfire season is starting early this year here in California, so I am posting (what seems to be) my yearly posting on California Wildfire Information available via the web. These services provide detailed information including fire perimeters, weather info and more. I will update this regularly as I locate new resources for the coming year.

Looking back, I see that I have re-posted this entry almost every year since 2003.

Geomac Wildland Fire Support Wildfire Viewer

California Wildfire Information - California Wildfire Alliance

Firescope Wildfire Information

FireDetect from NOAA Satellite and Information Service

CalFires.com - Fire Season 2008 Reports

Simi Valley Fire Timelapse Video 2005

Firestorm from powrslave on Vimeo.

Places LA: 40 Nights of Music at the Sherman Oaks Galleria

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:09:15 -0500

Throughout the Summer, until August 30, Sherman Oaks Galleria has live music in the courtyard each Wednesday and Saturday night. Here is a short montage of last Saturday evening.

Even more, it ended up feeling very "Main Street" as we ran into many families from my son's school who were out enjoying the evening or on their way to catch a movie at the new Arclight.

iPod Ready Video

Join us for morning tech talk at the Doctor's Note get-together

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 23:58:31 -0500

Doctors Note Meet Up In Northridge, CA
Originally uploaded by respres

I had a great time last month talking tech (and more) with this group of people. This is a morning event, although we stretched the last one until almost lunch.

Location is Panera Bread in Northridge.

RSVP on Upcoming.org

What I'm Reading...

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 17:19:13 -0500

The 4-hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss

Despite the relatively dramatic actions and results detailed in Ferriss' book, I was happy to find out that I am doing much of what he has done to live the live he wants. The book is hard to read in some respects as much of what Ferris recommends goes against decades, if not centuries of conventional work wisdom. This book has done what I ask of any good book. It has made me think and given me a few new projects to try out. It has also made me believe that spending a month or more among the Italian relatives might not be such a dream, after all.

You can find a video talk with Tim Ferris and Marci Alboher discussing some of the concepts of the book on Lifehacker.com - Watch the Video

Link: Tim Ferriss' Web Site

Jump Point by Tom Hayes

I just picked this book up from the library today. I first heard of it via an interview with the author on Tech Nation with Moira Gunn (Listen to the interview).

I am starting to read today and may have more to report later.

Skeleton Man by Tony Hillerman

I am a fan of mystery novels of all sorts, but Tony Hillerman always keeps me coming back for more with his stories of Tribal Policemen, Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee. I have visited the fringes of the Navajo Reservation, but these books make me want to go deeper into those lands and explore their special gifts. While crime may be the focus of the mysteries, Hillerman's descriptions of the land show how special it is.

Review of our friend's restaurant -- Madeleine Bistro

douglas@welchwrite.com (Douglas E. Welch) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 13:06:26 -0500

la.foodblogging.com had a chance to check out our friend's restaurant, Madeleine Bistro this week. Even though they are an avowed carnivore, like myself, they found something to like.

Madeleine Bistro - Tarzana
I’m a carnivore, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. A leg of lamb, studded with garlic? Delicious. A juicy steak, cooked to a perfect medium rare? I’m in. But, in the end, I’m a food lover. Period. I love all food, and my only criteria, truly? It’s got to taste good. So when I got a chance to have a Vegan meal, a “gourmet” vegan meal at that, I was in.

I must have driven past Madeleine Bistro in Tarzana a hundred times since they opened in 2005, the sign in front is easy to miss. But in a strange confluence of events, this restaurant was brought to my attention several times over the last couple of months. When all the signs point in a certain direction, wisdom dictates you follow.

(Story continues on the web site)

Vegan, or not, Madeleine Bistro served us up a tasty and very satisfying lunch. I truly would go back. The prices are a bit high, but when you consider the time and effort the chef takes to make these ingredients taste as good as they do, it doesn’t seem so bad. I’m looking forward to going back and trying out their dinner menu.

Madeleine Bistro

18621 Ventura Blvd.

Tarzana, CA 91356

818.758.6971

(Via la.foodblogging.)