I know that by
default, because no one could prove I wasn't
the first, Wikipedia kept my "World's First Video
Blogger" moniker on the site. No one was ever refuting
it actually, but Wiki-nazis don't give a shit.
They're the masters of poking holes in any
assertation... and, well, good for them. That's why
it's the site that it is.
However during the
"war" last year where I was proving that my video blog
started January 2nd, 2000 - I really wanted to bring
up the fact that just THE JOURNEY started
on that day. 'Cause I was doing "show entries"
throughout 1999 (though only 10 of the 35 show entries
had video clips, I later went back through 1999 and
spruced them up with videos for every entry). So if
y'all wanna get all technicizzy, 10 years ago today,
when I wrote this entry and uploaded this clip, I
introduced the video blog:
3:42
PM, Saturday, May 8th, 1999:
Fellow
Online Supporters,
It
took every bit of 6 months from the moment
I had the idea on November 3rd, 1998 to
get to this point. The fact that there was
an audiecne the
VERY FIRST TIME the TVs
were even turned on is pretty amazing. I
simply wanted others to share this
moment.
CD101
BIG ROOM
Friday,
May 7th, 1999,
(9-12AM)
THE SET-UP
I took
my time since I was at work anyway.
Once 5:30 hit I went at it.
I was so excited you can't imagine.
I was putting the TVs onto their
stands and getting ready to perform. A
dream realized. When everything was set up
I hit play and basically sat and
watched. For about an hour that's all
I did. Then I turned around and
20 people were already there.
I wanted to watch the
TVs!
(Ed.
- ya gotta check out internet
video quality in the
90s)
SETS:
RHYTHM - OPEN 1 - LOVE - BURG
-
HARRY
I screwed
around some more. The people
knew that this wasn't a formal
performance, and I was just as
curious as they were. I did do
one set specifically for them
and then went from there. No
real order, just seeing if it
all fit. The room was pitch
black and we had a flood light
on me. It was impossible to
open my eyes. Just incorrect
lighting, no biggie. I had fun
seeing how it all worked,
where I needed to stand...how
I needed to act. It felt
pretty good.
(obviously
the youtube link wasn't added
in '99 wiki-nazis, I added it
now)
THE REACTION
Everyone
seemed to harp on the same thing.
I wasn't looking at the audience
enough. I tried to explain about the
lights, but they kept saying "you need to
learn how to deal with bright lights"
(sigh) I've been on stage, I've been on
TV, I've done LIGHTING for TV,
I understand how bright lights work.
These were incorrect. You don't use a huge
flood light 4 feet from a performer. We
did it because we had nothing else. Oh
well. To tell you the truth, it was a bit
annoying. Many people treated it like this
was an actual performace and seemed to
question my ability to interract. I know
when I have my first show this will
not be a concern, but I took their
critique and got to the good stuff. The
good stuff being the interraction!
"WE WANT MORE INTERRACTION!"
Absolutely. I felt the same. These
were the first 5 sets I even tried.
It was hard enough to get everyone to sing
at the right places, let alone speak to
each other and make it seem like 5
different people. From this point on the
sets will be more comedy oriented. Heh,
what a tough crowd friends are.
I loved them for coming down and
seeing it, and I hope they come and
see the first REAL SHOW and see what
can really happen.
THE SECOND
PERFORMANCE
SETS:
OPEN 1 - BURG - RHYTHM -
HARRY
Ahh,
there ya go... Finally an actual
performance. 5 more people came aftrer the
first crowd left, and though my voice was
killing me, I had to do it again for them.
And this time, I actually got to
start with the first set, and treat it
like a performance. Much smoother.
I still couldn't look at them 'cause
of our flood light (which they eagerly
pointed out...heh heh), but it went nice
and smooth. Then I had to run and
jump on the air because I was doing
my show! We played Nintendo all night on
the 4 TVS. IT ROCKED.
Anyway,
we used these test runs for the promo tape
that I sell and give to
establishments. Hopefully the next time I
turn these babies on I'll get paid for
it!
So if anyone wants
to throw down, I'm throwin' down May 8th, 1999. Just
sayin'. The thing is, how many entries/videos/blogs
per month really constitute a pattern? For example,
there was one other guy who had a video blog earlier
than 2003 and that was Adrian Miles, a professor who
started his in November 2000 - but he had something
like 4 or 5 videos that entire year. He continued his
until 2005 and kept up at a pretty decent pace, butagain, who determines the difference between
uploading a few show videos and really making a "video
blog"? I believe there has to be an obvious
start. Announcement, entry number, etc....
somethin'. Which is why technicalities aside, January
2, 2000 - when I wrote "Entry #1", should be
considered the start... but if we're throwin' down -
'99 bitches. May-ninety-nine.
Alright, Christian
Slater and Rosario Dawson are about to walk in - so
I'm gonna close my laptop and figure out a way to get
some video of this shit. Huh? Exactly. It's The
Journey and we're in the midst of a feast. Load up on
coolness now because -
DEAR JESUS WOMAN WEAR A BRA.
GOD. GOD. Sorry, an extra came in pokin' a freakin'
hole in her shirt. Two actually. What was I saying?
Fuck. Oh, right - it's a cool period of time, let's
enjoy the ride...blah blah blah.
That might be the
only time in my life that boobs spoiled the moment.
:-)
