PODCAMP AZ 2009

I am SO glad I was checking out some of my friends Facebook pages last Thursday or I never would have seen an event about PodCamp. My friend Jeff was going to be a speaker and I checked out the website, decided it looked pretty cool - esp at the price of - FREE! and so I registered and showed up last Saturday morning to attend.

You might be asking yourself "What the heck is podcamp?" Here is a good definition from the podcamp AZ website: "PodCamp is a FREE BarCamp-style community UnConference for podcasters and listeners, bloggers and readers, and anyone interested in New Media. It was held for the first time from September 8-10 in Boston, Massachusetts and is now spreading across the world."

PodCampAZ reminded me of EFY. For those of you who dont know what that is, click HERE or forever hold your peace. Hehe. PodCamp was only 2 days long and EFY is a week but it was simliar in the fact that so many classes were offered at once through the day so there were 5 or so to pick from at a time and sometimes it was hard to decide which class I wanted to go to!

Even though I dont podcast or use wordpress right now, it still sounded interesting and intrigued the geek-nerd side of me ;-) plus I felt like I learned a lot and just being around people I have never met before was cool and gave me the opportunity to make new friends.



Got my name badge & I'm set! (yes there was a random rainstorm going on at the time this pic was taken in Tempe, aZ)

There were free Amp'd energy drinks, water , pizza and cupcakes from Butter & Me. Mmm these tiny cupcakes were so good I couldn't get enough. But I settled for 3. (they are mini ones anyways so no harm done)

Cool board that looked like an iPhone but it is by Microsoft and you can play games or sync your phone to it and it will pull off all your contact & data information I guess, and show you everything laid out on the big screen!

We were in the University of Advanced Technology building where people go to school.

The classes I went to on Saturday were:

Let me Show You: Video Blogging With Ease - Mike Flathers The Audacity of Podcasting: Using Free Tools to Produce Your Podcast - Dan Feierabend

The whole thing started at 8 but I got there a bit after 10 and the second round of classes were finishing so I caught 1 class, went to get lunch at YC's Mongolian BBQ, came back and went to the video blogging class and then to the podcasting class where I got a bunch of websites with "freebies" for podcasting. I don't podcast but if I figured out something to talk about, I might do it.

(this is what people would see if they watched the online feed of podcamp)

The next day I just went for one class....the class I wanted was about "Business Card Marketing" but nobody was in that classroom when I showed up so I went next door and listened to Brian Shaler on "Phoenix, Events, and Community". It was very interesting and I got a bunch of good links to websites that compile things to do around Phoenix. Awesome!

Both days they streamed a feed online which was nice to watch so I could see some of the things going on even though I couldn't actually be there.

Everything ended at5 , I picked up a free hat and tshirt I won from a drawing and met up with new friends - Chesney - aka Chez101 and her friend ( & I feel horrible for not remembering his name...) and then 3 youth that were there , 2 of them video blog and the youngest was 9 and she doesnt do that stuff. Yet. But she was super cute. I found out the siblings were LDS and the 9 yr old was like "Why weren't you at church today then?" and I said "Oh I did go but just for sacrament mtg. Did YOU go to church today?" and she was like "well no, we didnt go..." haha it was funny. I just told her "Better luck next week".

(some freebies I scored for attending)

You can check out more pix HERE ( I did pull a few off this website to use on my blog, so kudos to them for letting me share...)

I am SO glad I found out about Podcamp a couple days before it happened & it was really cool to attend and learn new things and make some new friends! Cant wait til the next one!

They Wait

I was recently in a play called "They Wait" written by Larry Stone:

at the Mesa Arts Center and we performed on Nov 7th at 5pm and 8pm. It was great to get out and do something different, meet new people & learn some acting skills. Here are some pictures from the play, where I was cast as a zombie. No lines. Sweet makeup. It was perfect.

Its about 5 people trapped in a warehouse and zombies are trying to get in at them. They have to find a way (the people trapped) to make it out. The practicing for this started a few months ago I guess but they just added the zombies in about a month before the play started. We practiced in a building on the ASU campus, then moved to Mesa to practice, then onto our set!



Brian is missing from this picture but here is me along with most of the zombies

Me & my friend Melanie. I think its funny her face is all bloody & smiling while I am making a mean face. The other pic is of me attacking Abraham. He played a main character in the play.



Jennifer (left) with Tara (who played the main girl, Cindy)



The day we performed, Mesa Arts Center wouldn't let us in until 4pm! We went on at FIVE! So we went to Evermore Nevermore, a shop on Main Street, that Amanda (pictured above) and her mom own and we got our makeup done there until we could go to the MAC.



Amanda doing another amazing job on my face!



Behind the scenes - pretend the ladder is not there - the window is where all the zombies would bang whenever the curtain was opened on the other side. It was a small space for 7 zombies but we made it work. I played Cindy's mom so when she said "Good morning , good morning!" I got into position with my back facing the window. When the curtain was opened and Cindy says "Mom? Mom! I see my mom out there! Mom!!" I slowly turn and walk towards the window with my head down. When I get to the window, my head snaps up and forward and I have a blank stare in my eye and I start pounding my fist in slow motion on the window. During the 2nd show the window was about to fall out so I couldnt bang on it as hard. But it was fun to have a certain part to play as a zombie.



Posing like how Deb wanted Uncle Rico to pose, on Napoleon Dynamite

All in all I had a great time being in this play. A bit bummed no family or friends were able to see me but I am getting a copy on DVD I think. Hopefully I can be in another play soon ! I prefer doing background work than being a main character. Just FYI ;-)

BOO! To You!

I must admit, I wasn't very excited for Halloween this year. Not sure why...maybe its because I couldn't figure out a costume until a couple days before the 31st. I managed to avoid all the YSA costume parties because of it too. I didn't want to wear my Sacramento Kings gear again or my Aquabats costume. Finally I came up with the idea to be a panda but by the time I figured it out, I wasn't able to go to any parties. Even if I wanted to! So I'll save the idea for next year. Or my other great idea was this:

a Jabbawockeez dancer. I know, I'll have to get a few cool dance moves down but I have a year to practice, right?


Around 730pm Brennen and I met up and went to CHIPOTLE! For FREE burritos (when you wear foil)..



Here we are standing in line (which wasn't too long thank goodness) Brennen had made foil rings , trying to be "Mr. T" and I just made a hat thing for my head. LOL They even had a box of foil up by the cash register for those who forgot foil or didn't know, to quickly make something to wear so that their food could be free. I look forward to this every Halloween!

We are so excited for our free food. It fed me for two meals! YEAH!


Around 8:45 I headed out to my cousins place in Chandler where they were out trick-or-treating with Joey but they went out, along with Rene's cousin, to go to Mill Ave in Tempe. The street was shut down for a huge block party and while they did that...

[ had a picture of Joey & his candy to put here..but now I cant find it..boo ]

Joey & I hung out and sorted his candy, played some Wii games, watched a movie & fell asleep. Paul & Rene got home around 1am so I didn't make it to any parties when I left their house. Its all good though. There's always next year!

It's Fair!

I'm a huge fan of going to the fair. Fair food. Rides. Exhibits. People watching. Animals. Concerts. I miss the County fair in Woodland, CA so very very very much. I miss the Sacramento State fair too. But since I live in Arizona now, I'd have to settle for the state fair here.

I was lucky enough to go to the fair a couple times with friends 2 weeks in a row. The first time I went with my friend Ben (his first time to the fair ever!) Jennifer & Melanie, and their friends Sam , David and Becky. We went ate fair food ( I had pork & rice ) and went on a couple rides...

Ferris wheel - a'ight....Haunted Mansion (there were 2) but this one was lame!

since it was Ben's first time at the fair, it was also his first time on the Ferris Wheel

Went to the Old School Jamz concert where Lisa Lisa performed and Stevie B. Some of Lisa Lisa's songs sounded familiar. I liked Stevie B even though I'd never heard him before. Fun show! With lots of people, age ranges, up dancing or singing along. Way cool.

Got some more fair food....stopped by the exhibition building on the way out and then Melanie was nice enough to drop me off at my car.

The other night I went to the fair was a Tuesday night and I skipped play practice to go...shh!... and I went with my friend Chris who had about 70 or so ride tickets to use up and I still had about 30 to use. I stupidly forgot my battery charging at work so all I had was my camera phone - boo! - but it was better than nothing. Sorry for the not so great pix though. Once at the fair, I got a hamburger which was super good and only $4. We went to the David Cook concert...

which turned out to be a great show. Chris wasnt so sure but he's a fan now. I didnt know so many of David's songs but I still enjoyed the concert. The BEST part about his show was when he came down off the stage (surrounded by a bunch of security of course!) and was singing IN the crowd of people. I wanted to rush down from my seat but it only lasted a couple minutes. Still though...it was neat to see him singing on the main floor down with everyone and of course ther was a mad rush of people trying to get a close pic of him or touch his arm. Kind of funny but very very cool. Mad props to David Cook for being brave enough to do that!

Then we went on a bunch of rides.;Disc-O , we went on the spinning cups, cyclone, a roller coaster, many other rides until the ride Chris wanted to go on, it's his "tradition" was this upside down ride thing called the Zipper. I was not a fan at all. It was my first upside down ride ever. I tried to tell the people in the cage across from us before the ride started that I wanted to get out. Haha!

my new favorite ride - Disc-O!

Chris & I on the tea-cup ride...hehe



I liked this ride, whatever it was called. It went FAST (to me)



The upside down Zipper ride - I did not really like it! This was my FIRST upside down ride I've ever been on in my 27 years of life. For reals!!

Then we ate more fair food & went home. I'm so glad to go to the fair twice! Esp bc of the pineapple whip that I missed the first time around..and the fact I got it for $2 instead of $4 was extra nice ;-)

I thought they only sold these in Disneyland!! and maybe Hawaii! And to think, if we had not been searching for corn-on-the-cob for Chris, I never would have found this booth! it was a little bit tucked away...phew!

Cant Forget About Sunday!

The last day of the best. weekend. ever.

Hopefully its not the end of best weekends ever, right?!??!

My morning of sleeping in & watching a movie online & cleaning my room was good.

Church in the afternoon was good I think. I dont remember now if I went to the family ward, Gable YSA ward or the Countryside Park Ysa ward. O well.

I DO remember that I burned Brennen the Owl City cd bc he is really liking that band now and he had invited me over for a family dinner at his parents house. Heck yes!!

I got to meet some of his step-siblings and get to know his dad and step-mom better. His dad made the BEST lasanga...not too much sauce or cheese. It was PERFECT. The broiled french bread turned out so so so good. Not burned at all. We had a veggie, played Uno! (one of my favorites) and sang Happy Birthday to Brennen & had some cake & ice-cream. I was SO FULL!

Then we played Wii until I left around 9'ish or so. It was so fun spending time at Brennen's parents house & enjoying good company , laughs and food!

*he turned 27...not 25! there are 2 single candles off to the right...*

Super Busy Saturday

Part 2 of the Best. Weekend. Ever.

Saturday started early. I went to REI and waited in line with my friend Justin for the members only sale. Some people camped overnight. Justin got in line a bit after 6. I arrived at 8. Was supposed to get there sooner but when I heard they werent giving out numbers, I slept in a little. They put people in 2 lines and there were 2 sections fenced off with orange plastic and at 9am they let everyone in and once everyone was in their sections (this all took place outside) then you could go inbetween both sides. People are quick and grab the good stuff but I was able to snag a camelback waterproof backpack for $20 instead of $130 and the only reason it had been returned was because the customer wasnt satisfied.

Hooray for me!

Got a couple other things , said bye to Justin & went to Target. The best deal I got was a car seat cover for the drivers seat in my car. $4.99. I love the end shelves at this store! I used a bunch of coupons to get $$ off soap and toothpaste. Exciting I know.

In the afternoon I kind of relaxed after my busy morning and chatted with my dad online, worked on cleaning my room, washed my car and washed my birds!

They really enjoyed being sprayed by the mist from the hose. Chloe' is on the left with Mr. Chubbs and Rococo and Shanaynae (on the ladder) on the right hand side of the cage. Chloe' has her wings all spread out in this pic, enjoying the "rain"

Went to Chandler to pick up my battery charger from work for my camera. Stopped by Fry's Foods to get this whipped cream stuff that doesnt expire til January! and it tastes WAY better than regular whipped cream. It is so so so so so GOOD!



Here is 1 of the containers I bought (less than $2!) and I'm trying to do the healthy thing and eat some apples with it. A little more whipped cream, a little less apple!

Picked up food from Panda Express because I had a coupon that was about to expire, got some for Brennen too. Drove back to Mesa to his dad's house where we hung out until I got a call from my friend Kyle saying that he had been able to get me into the Owl City concert @ Martini Ranch in Scottsdale. YAHOO!!!! I had been wondering all day if he'd be able to get me in and he was able to do it!

So I went to Jamba Juice (had a coupon for there too and got a gift card for some friends who got married) and changed clothes at home, went to the reception for about 10 minutes or so and then headed out to Scottsdale. I had to be there at 8:45pm . No sooner. No later. Or I wouldnt be able to get in. Luckily I was able to get there right on time, talked to the guy at the door, showed him my ID and he lead me around to the back and wah - lah - I was in!!!

The show was awesome!







It was so packed inside so I managed to get on 1 side of the stage but that meant that Adam, the lead singer, never really looked over towards me. OH well, his drummer was real good so that was fun to watch. There were people of all ages here. It was a really fun concert.

Got back to Mesa about 10:15 and Brennen and his sister Kim picked me up and we went to a Rock Band party hosted by Countryside Park ward. The Rock Band was set up on a big screen outside.



There were also tons and tons of boxes of pizza that had been eaten. There was delish homemade rootbeer. Steve Cox kissed my eye. I talked to a few friends. Dil avoided me it seemed. Haha. It was so much fun. I'm glad I got to go. OH and I wore my Owl City shirt (had to get one!) and on my way in, a guy heading out said "Oh I love Owl City!" and I said "Me too! I just came from their concert" and he was like "No way! Lucky! How'd that happen? " and I said "I have a friend who got me in. Dont worry, they'll be back in April if not sooner."

Saturday was a jam-packed day but it went so awesome I wouldnt change a thing (well, being able to go to Joey's soccer game would have been hecka nice..but..next Saturday I'll be there!)

Best. Weekend. Ever.

And because ( I know sentences shouldnt start out with those words..but..its a blog...) it was the best weekend ever, I might have to write about it in 2 or 3 separate posts.

I'll start with Friday night.

Kristi Yamaguchi Ft. The Backstreet Boys @ US Airways Center in Phoenix. AMAZING. It was SO worth the money to go. It was worth it even though I went by myself. They were taping this for a tv-special airing November 1st (I think). Here are some pix I took from the evening:

The arena was set up SO COOL! Lots of neat light combination's and the Backstreet Boys were at the opposite end from where I was but its okay. At least I could see them.

This pair was amazing! Eesp when he swung her by her feet!





This couple was amazing! They skated to one of my favorite songs from Glee.



I should probably crop this pic, the camera crew is in the way, but this is Michael Wiess mid-air




This couple was really good. She even flipped him upside down!



I will have to look up what his name is but he is the guy who can do a back flip on ice! WITH skates on! So amazing.



Yuki Sato




My Backstreet Boys!! Loved the stage background behind them too. Sooo pretty



Ekaterina Gordeeva was one of my absolute favorites growing up to watch on TV so it was so awesome to see her skate live!



Kurt Browing. Another favorite! He is so funny & entertaining.





At the end of the show all the skaters came out and skated together and then they lined up with the Backstreet Boys.

GREAT SHOW. YES YES YES. Did I say that already?

Then afterwards, since this is going to be on tv, they had a few of the skaters who fell in their routine, redo that part so they can fit it into the tape and make it "perfect" for when it is on tv. I had no idea they did stuff like that ! LOL