reyes-chow :: FAITH

In the beginning there was the Bruce and Carol Show

You are kidding me?  Another couple of church & culture pundit types with another internet radio talk show?  Really?  Yep, beginning May 4, 2009, author of The Tribal Church and pastor, blogger, artist-wannabee and mom, Carol Howard Merritt and yours truly: author of many books in my mind, pastor, techno-hack-wannabee and dad will team up for a new internet talk show, sure to be the best thing since Baconnaise.  

Warning: If this already makes you queasy, stop reading right now because we are all up into this! Here is a quick blurb for this, as of yet titled, internet talk show:

Welcome to __________  where each week, Bruce Reyes-Chow and Carol Howard Merritt, two yahoos from two different coasts get together through the magic of the interwebs to host a talk show focused on faith, politics, culture and life.  Gleaning from the experiences of special guests, questions from call-in listeners and a never-ending well of current issues and church happenings Bruce and Carol will take on issues of the secular and the spiritual. 

Through their collective stunning radio good looks, cutting wit and honed theological and cultural analytic chops, Bruce and Carol will provide listeners with an hour of meaningful entertainment that will nourish the soul, feed the mind and induce an occasional deep and hearty exhale.

In all seriousness, we do think there is a time and place where we each need to step up and be part of something greater than ourselves.  Through our diverse church experiences and a deep common yearning to find the bridges between tradition and innovation, Carol and I will attempt to provide a place where we can discover the challenges and celebrations that God may have in store for us and the world.  We hope you'll find the time to join us.

And while neither of us is wildly radical,  we would like to do this a little differently, balancing our own passions and preferences with the gifts, skills and passions of the larger community.   So we need some help from you . . .

• A NAME: While we do like "The Bruce and Carol Show" we are open to other names, so if you have any good suggestions, let us know. 
• TEAM PLAYAAAAS: We need a few folks that have some extra time to come along side of us and be part of the team.  We are not making any money on this endeavor, but if we ever do, lattes and sushi on us!  We need folks to offer up their names for the following ambiguous, as-of-yet-to-be-fully-determined roles.  Might be a cool internship for someone?  Maybe?  Keep in mind that Carol and I know just about enough in each of these areas to be dangerous, so if you do not want us mucking up your area of expertise, step up!  If you are interested in any of these, please send me a quick resume/letter [Bruce's eMail].
• • Program Producer: Help us to determine topics, structure the program and secure guests; basically keep us in line so the show runs smoothly.
  • Technological Producer: Help us to best use the technologies available to us for live and recorded POD and VOD casting.  Basically tell us what we need to do, how to do it, then help make it happen.
  • Internet Organizer: Coordinate the show's presence and interaction on Twitter, Facebook, blogging and whatever else we need to do do build listenership, instigate conversations and be positively influential.  
• Buzz : While we are a few months out from launching, as you journey through your worlds of ministry and work, feel free to help us get the word out.  Keep up with both Carol and I on twitter [CarolHoward] [BReyesChow] and basically help spread the word as it makes sense and feels right.  Feel to blog and link back to this post to help us find possible team members and we would love for folks to blog review us as we begin the weekly show.

Okay I think that is it for now.  Be sure to mark your calendars now for our first show and we'll "see" you then!

The Bruce and Carol Show unless someone comes up with a better name

May 4, 2009, 9am PST / noon EST

How to tell people they sounds racist

Yes, I am in Asia and should probably be blogging about that, but I ran across this vlog by http://www.illdoctrine.com/ and well, you'll see. Well worth the 3:00 of your time.

TV Theme Songs

After hanging out in Cincinnati earlier this week and reconnecting with inner Dr. Johnny Fever, I began thinking about the best theme songs or at least the ones that brought back the best memories for me.  Here you go in no particular order but all guaranteed to get into your head!  What ever happened to the days when theme songs meant something.  Man I miss the good ol' days.

Greatest American Hero

Muppet Show

Electric Company

Chico and the Man

KIDS Incorporated

Speed Racer

And if you have more time on your hands you should visit www.retrojunk.com for more bad memories.

A few video chuckles . . .

Because I have been unexpectedly stranded in Cincinnati for the night, here are a few vids that have given me some chuckles.

Although a full-fledge member of the Mac cult, Bill's, got some comedy chops.  The last 30 seconds make it worth it.

All-time best Joey bit on Friends, je do flue flee

You can only mock if you can take them in a street dance-off, otherwise . . .

Advice on creating video

Okay techno playa's . . . as part of my other job I am hoping to be a little creative in the use of video feeds, webcasting, etc. over the time of my term.  I'll be using ustream.tv, gotomeeting.com and skype as much as possible to appear at events, talk with groups, etc. but not everyone is able to set up a live feed.  With this in mind,  I have also offered to do some pre-recorded video for some celebration and events that I can't attend in person -- why folks want me there in a whole other issue, but stay with me here -- but want to lend the support and visiablity of the moderator's office.  I am able to do that right now with a variety of means, but thought I would see if there are some other great/easy ways to record, edit and publish that I have not thought of.

Here is what I have to work with:

• MacBook Pro w/built in camera
• Snowball Mic
• Headset/Mic Combo
• Flip Camera
• All basic Mac software

Here is what I want to do:

• Sit down
• Record Video
• Edit/Format
• Send to event
• Publish

So for you who are truly tech-heads, what would you do? 
Other advice and/or ideas?

Thanks in advance!

Barack-rolled

So even if I were not an Obama supporter, I would think this is funny.

[h/t Katie and Mason]

Catch like a girl

So what if it is fake - curses Gatorade - this video is pretty darn awesome and whoever said we can't be inspired to great things by images and actions that are slightly beyond our own imagination?

And as long as we are watching funny baseball videos, check this one out. Worth every bit of the 59 seconds. I promise . . . "And that happens."

And a little Friday musical interlude

I have a few folks that help me stay at least aware of somethings that are happening in the realm of the kewl kids in terms of music, tech etc.  Usually sent via my pownce network, here is a video that was sent to me today, My Drive Thru by Santogold, Julian Casablancas, N.E.R.D produced by Pharrell.  There was something about this one struck as very cool in its technology and creativity.

This sure is a long way from the first music video ever played on MTV.

And then there is one of my all-time favorites.

Ooops was that out loud?

This one is so about me, GA opening statement

Over on my MODBLOG I was recently called a narcissist.  That's cool, somewhat true, but hey, my blog.  Over here, it really is about me ;-)  And what better way to feature me than this great little ditty.  For those of you who were not able to be at the General Assembly to watch those crazy 1000 Presbyterians try to discern the will of God in seven days using Robert's Rules of Order and guided by some yahoo named, Bruce, here is the opening statement from the election night when this tie-less upstart was elected Moderator of the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) - And yes, you should stand as you watch this ;-) And yes, I am the king of run-on sentences.

All kidding aside, I think I am still in some silly state of awe that this has all happened.  It is like watching a movie of myself, a movie that is exciting, important and challenging, but still, pretty surreal.  Only grown-ups are supposed to be involved in this kind of stuff.  Uh-Oh.

You want more?!?!?!?

• MORE BRC on Youtube ;-)
• Official PC(USA) YouTube Videos

Our very own iCarly

Something tells me we are in a tad bit of trouble with this one.  While she may seem shy in some contexts, Middle is certainly not lacking for personality once you get her going.  Apparently too much iCarly is being watched in our house.  Darn these strong, independent female characters.  Middle took this video when she was bored this past week.  I gave her the option of cleaning the house or playing with the video camera.

1985