Volume 54, Number 1

Well, this is embarrassing: a year since I was kicked to the curb for being too old and independent, and I only have three piddling blog entries to show for it.  At least there have been enough Akansas Travel Channel features squeezed through the ol' video sausage-maker for me to allow myself to maintain the title of "filmmaker". I've never claimed to be much of a "blogger" or "column writer", although I've always wished my writing skills were on a par with my photography.

Much of YEAR ONE has been a reality check--or RE-check.  Yes, State Tax Reports and paperwork are a pain in the derriere. Yes, reinvention of oneself at active Elder Statesman/Producer is a challenge.  Agency creatives do not fall over themselves to work with guys old enough to be their grandfather. :-)

And technology has introduced new-and-iproved reality checks that certainly work to counter any remaining self-delusions.  Once upon a time one sent out printed promotional mailers and never really knew who opened and read them.  Then email came along and, again, the reception to sales efforts were often blissfully vague.  Now, however, proper email aggregators can tell you exactly who tossed your promotion gem in the virtual wastebasket without even opening the message.  Even more sobering are the statistics on the number of recipients who open but do not bother to "click-through" to the video links.

So, to the few and friendly who at least have a passing interest in video production from the GJV perspective, I say "thanks". To the fewer still who actually watch some on the videos linked in our promotions, please add an "amen" to the "thanks".  And to the fewest off the few who remember the rambunctious heritage of "Hype & Jive" and still check the blog to see if I've retained my cherished wiseacre status, I say "thanks" and hope that the staff at your assisted living facility are treating you kindly. :-)

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