The Making of ESPN’s Monday Night Football Intro Video

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Life After the Flip Video Camera

This is my little video I made after attending the Hank Williams Jr. Monday Night Football Intro Video Shoot for the Song “Are You Ready for Some Football?” Back in 7th grade, living in Dover, NH I worked at a place called Emery Farm in nearby Durham. Back then Bill Towles was the manager and Dean Pascale was the head field hand. Well Dean was a country nut from Texas and got me turned on to Hank Williams, Jr.

I used to listen to the Greatest Hits Volume 2 over and over and over. That and he had a “live” album that I really liked. Well when this opportunity came up, the opportunity to be an extra in the filming of this video – I jumped at the chance. So beyond getting to attend a cool video shoot, I got to see the only country music star I’ve ever liked.

Bocephus.

And this is just a little tribute I made to the UT Dance Team. They performed behind Hank in the video. We must have done 60 takes for this song, and each time they had to dance like it was the first. Well they did – and they did so very well.

Stay Tuned for More Videos, Interviews, and Behind the Scenes Footage.

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How To Make a Baking Soda or Mentos Volcano: Video Blog

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in The Kids

There are probably many ways to make a volcano. I recently experimented with two different kinds. The first one we made was the traditional baking soda, lava red food coloring and vinegar. The second volcano we made was with diet Coke and Mentos candy. Here’s our video of our two experiments, scroll down to read the do’s and don’ts if you’re going to try this at home:

So with the baking soda and vinegar, put some vinegar in the bottom, then add the baking soda, then add more vinegar. The effect is much bigger than just pouring it on top of baking soda. Also, shake up the red food coloring and vinegar before you bury the bottle.

And with the Diet Coke and Mentos, bury the bottle of Diet Coke with the lid on. Just before you’re about to launch the volcano – take off the cap and throw in the mentos. I think if you did this at night, with flash lights on it, it would be really cool.

Enjoy!

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When Should You Start Training For Your First Triathlon?

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in The Fit Life

“When should you start training for your first triathlon?” is a question I was asked by a door-to-door salesman today when he saw my Doc Spackman Triathlon shirt on. I think everyone wonders that about their first triathlon and then those who’ve taken a long hiatus often wonder it as well.

The answer to the question lies in the answer to your triathlon goal. If you’re just looking to “finish” a Sprint Distance Triathlon and you’re really not in shape, then you should try to get in 30 days of training for each discipline. That means 30 solid days for swimming, 30 for running and 30 for biking. So figure out how many days per week you want to train. Let’s assume you’re going to train 5 days per week and you’re only going to do one of the three disciplines each day.

That would mean you need 5 1/2 weeks for each discipline, or 16 1/2 weeks total. If you’re race is May 1st, then you should start training the week after Christmas. If you plan to bike and run on some days (which you should definitely do, and do often), then subtract the number of times you plan to do that. I would think you could start as late as January 25th if you doubled up on some days.

If you plan to do well in your triathlon and are actually hoping to “race” for a good place, then your training should begin after the above 16 1/2 weeks. That 16 1/2 week plan should get you into good enough shape that you’re able to actually start training to race, rather than training to finish. Training to race is less about being able to run 3.1 miles and more about running it fast.

And another 30 practices for each discipline and really work those days hard. Fartleks, wind sprints, hill workouts, hypoxic swim workouts, one arm and other swim drills, spin classes, interval training and weight lifting should all enter the picture at this point. If you want to win that May triathlon, then start training the first 16 1/2 weeks Labor Day weekend – and then after New Years Eve, pick up the pace and start thinking about winning.

I’ve done 45 triathlons and have competed at the Ironman level. My first triathlon was the 1998 Doc Spackman in Illinois. That first bike to run transition was a lesson I never forget.

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What You Should Learn From Your First Triathlon

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in The Fit Life

What you should learn from your first triathlon will really help make your second triathlon a bigger success. Your first race should be more about completion than results. There’s a lot to learn during your first triathlon so make these mental notes during your race to help your second one.

The transition bag is a new concept most likely. This is the bag you keep at your bike station housing the supplies you’ll need between disciplines. Most of the time this is bike shoes, helmet, glasses, shirt, energy bar, water, towel for your feet. Put those things in your bag and as you go through the race identify what you didn’t need and what you wish you would have had. Make sure to write that down as soon as you can after the race.

Transition set-up is the logistics of your towel, shoes, shirt, helmet, glasses, water, etc. . Until you run out of the water in a panic to get on the bike and actually use your transition set-up, you just won’t know. You’ll obviously want the shoes on top of your pile, followed by your shirt, followed by your helmet, and then your glasses – but everybody finds different things useful. For instance, if you’re using a wetsuit and find yourself on the ground taking off your wetsuit, you may want your shoes to be reachable at the end of the towel, not near the bike. Take note.

Nutrition. In my article “Training For Your First Triathlon”, I told you not to worry about nutrition during the race for the two shorter distance tri’s. Well the fact is you’re going to need something – but until you do it you won’t know what and you won’t know when. So you really need to gauge your body’s status during the first race. Determine for yourself “are you out of breath” or “out of energy”?

If you’re out of breath, then you probably need more sprint and interval training. If your breathing isn’t bad but you’re just darn tired – then energy is probably an issue. If you’re tired during the swim or at the beginning of the bike, then eat a much larger breakfast next time. If it’s during the run then make sure you have a bar or Gatorade ready at your transition area once the bike leg is over.

The key is to figure out when you run out of energy and make sure you have plans to thwart that next race. And no matter what – sprint to the finish line so you can see what you have left in the tank. You’ll need to know that when you get a bit more competitive.

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The Transition from Crib to Bed

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , , , ,
Posted in The Kids

I’m on my third child with one more to go. I must have read something about the transition because this method worked in one night. The first two boys we moved into toddler beds at 15 months, both in one night – the third in two nights.

I’d suggest you transition your baby into a toddler bed when they are able to stand in their crib and are waiting for you in the morning. That worked for us. The technique works best if you start by removing the crib from the room without them there. Replace it with the toddler bed. Some might just be a matter of folding the crib or rearranging the crib pieces to make a toddler bed, or a twin bed.

In either case make sure there’s a short railing near the pillow and chest area of the child. They might not be ready for a straight mattress yet, but they are ready for the responsibility of staying in bed on their own.

So here’s the technique: Take time to make sure to introduce your child to the new “big kid” bed early in the day. Celebrate, and praise them for moving into the new bed. Let them climb on it, but no laying down unless they do it on their own. Then leave the room and wait until bed to go back.

Now go through your nightly ritual just as you normally would. After all only the bed changed. Put them in the toddler bed just as you would have put them in the crib. Music, juice. . . Whatever you normally use. The only difference is when you leave the room and close the door you stay there and listen. Listen for the first pitter-patter of feet hitting the
ground, then go back in immediately.

Make no noise, no chat, no eye contact, no talking. Pick up the child put them back in bed and leave and then listen again. Continue doing that forever. This one sacrifice will pay off for the rest of your life. Just make sure that you don’t stop until the child just stays in bed. Ignore pleas, crying, and everything else for one night. You’re training the child to stay in bed, so stay focused on that goal.

Once the child realizes you’re not giving up, the rule will be permanent. For our 18 month old, we had to put him back in a few times on the second night as well. That’s it – after that none of our children got out of bed again until they were much older.

Just Do it. Transition From Crib To Bed. Make the switch. It will pay you back in many dividends.

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6 Degrees of My Favorite Shows

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Life's Experiences

Ever just love a show, and then start to love another show and some of the same people are on it? That’s cool isn’t it? Well I was noticing that some of my favorite shows seem to have the same casts or writers or something. It all started with SportsNight – which I absolutely loved.

Now this is not an ESPN type show, but a behind the scenes comedy about an ESPN type show. In fact, you needed to know nothing about sports to really love this show. Well it was taken off the air because I was apparently the only one who loved it.

Shortly after that was The West Wing, which was written by the same guy, starred some of the same characters and as time went on, more of them even guest appeared on the show.

Then that went off the air and I started with Studio 60 which was again brilliant. That was the Saturday Night Live type drama that starred Matthew Perry from Friends (another of my favorites). Well that was written by Aaron Sorkin, too.

Then I wondered, was Aaron Sorkin the writer of Chicago Hope? Actually no he wasn’t but Jayne Brook from the West Wing was on it. Then what about A Few Good Men, one of my favorite movies – just so happens Aaron Sorkin wrote the story and the script. (and he wrote Shindler’s List)

I found absolutely no links from Avalon (1999 movie) or Tour of Duty (1987 TV show). Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

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Training For Your First Triathlon

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , ,
Posted in The Fit Life

This article will cover the basics you need to know as someone who doesn’t know ANYTHING about website design.

1. To build a successful website for your business, you must have a strategy. You don’t need to know anything about internet strategy, you just need to know why you want to have a website for your business. Do you just want something on your business card with basic information about your company? Do you want people to be able to review testimonials or photos of your work when asked for references. Do you want to educate people about your industry and how you can help? Do you want to be a good place on the internet for people to find information to their questions and then contact you? These are the MOST important questions to determine before you start the web design process.

The reason that these are the most important is because the design will follow the needs. Suppose you want to just have a site people can reference to learn more about you and get your contact information. Well, this is a whole lot different than one that answers people’s frequently asked questions, teaches them what they need to do in hiring a consultant and is easily found via the search engines. One is a one page design that’s based solely on pleasing design and the other is a multi-page site centered on keywords and content. Without a strategy, you’ll make life harder for yourself in the end.

2. If you’ve decided that a one or two page site just with your contact name and some details is best, there’s not much to it. Many template website companies offer very easy “survey” type questions (ex. hours of operation, address, amenities, . . .) for a simple $9/month or thereabouts. That requires no skill, very little money and very little time. Many local companies who just want a “web presence” do this. Seriously, there’s not much to say about that – it’s so simple that way. You’ll be able to use your domain name or get a new one with services like these.

3. If you’d rather have a site that actually generates leads for you from Google or the other search engines, you don’t need more training – you need different tools. There are several internet companies that provide complete content-based site development packages. Content-based means a website that the search engines understand and would be willing to put on Page 1 of their search results as a great site that answers people’s search inquiries.

For a flat fee as little as $299 these packages will provide a “block x block” website building program, keyword analysis, keyword tracking, domain name and domain name hosting (which you normally pay extra for), e-mail accounts, autoresponders, newsletter generators, link building programs, navigation bar, different templates, the ability to create your own webpages elsewhere and import them and much, much more. This method takes a bit more time – but the instructions are normally so easy and straight-forward, monkey could figure it out.

4. And the last thing you need to determine is how much time you’re going to have or make to promote it. In the first example if you intend to promote it by handing out business cards and sponsoring local soccer teams – that will take a certain amount of time and funds. Are you willing to do that? In the second example with the content based site, once you’ve completed your website content and have done what your program analyzer asks regarding the keywords – you may not have to do any advertising. Your good quality content will raise it up in the search engines and people will find you while you sleep.

Either case is great depending on your goals. One is more business card driven and takes more time to promote after development, and the other takes more time to develop. I leave that question in your hands.

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How To Lower Your Costs On Google AdWords

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in The Technical Internet Stuff

You can reduce your Google AdWords costs by doing other things than keyword research, landing page improvement and competitor analysis. In fact, some of the administrative sides of your Google AdWords campaign can help you lower the cost.

Why Google allows this cost reduction method to work, I do not know. But we’ve proven it time and again that your costs will go down. Determine your main AdWords keywords and create a new AdWords Campaign for each keyword. In that AdWords campaign, create a folder with that same keyword name. We believe this double use of the keyword on the administrative side somehow increases your relevancy score with Google.

In each folder only include the keyword/keywords that your bidding on (ex. OPC antioxidant, OPC antioxidants, Antioxidant OPC, etc. . .) Then make sure that each ad title you’re testing and each body copy that you’re testing have the keywords in it.

Finally, Google also tracks the relevancy of your landing page 2 different ways. If the page you direct people to has the same keyword in it, your relevancy score goes up. That means if you’re selling and OPC antioxidant in your ad, make sure that you send people to the OPC antioxidant page on your site. The “Holistic Vitamins and Minerals” page where OPC is linked does not cut it. Get your customers directly to the page they were looking for. Send them to the most specific “opc antioxidant” page on your site.

Relevancy often helps move your ad more so than increasing your bid amount. Remember to do all these “relevancy improves” first – then start testing your bid amount.

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How To Build a Website For Your Business Part 2

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , , ,
Posted in An Internet Marketing Journal

This article will cover the basics you need to know as someone who doesn’t know ANYTHING about website design.

1. To build a successful website for your business, you must have a strategy. You don’t need to know anything about internet strategy, you just need to know why you want to have a website for your business. Do you just want something on your business card with basic information about your company? Do you want people to be able to review testimonials or photos of your work when asked for references. Do you want to educate people about your industry and how you can help? Do you want to be a good place on the internet for people to find information to their questions and then contact you? These are the MOST important questions to determine before you start the web design process.

The reason that these are the most important is because the design will follow the needs. Suppose you want to just have a site people can reference to learn more about you and get your contact information. Well, this is a whole lot different than one that answers people’s frequently asked questions, teaches them what they need to do in hiring a consultant and is easily found via the search engines. One is a one page design that’s based solely on pleasing design and the other is a multi-page site centered on keywords and content. Without a strategy, you’ll make life harder for yourself in the end.

2. If you’ve decided that a one or two page site just with your contact name and some details is best, there’s not much to it. Many template website companies offer very easy “survey” type questions (ex. hours of operation, address, amenities, . . .) for a simple $9/month or thereabouts. That requires no skill, very little money and very little time. Many local companies who just want a “web presence” do this. Seriously, there’s not much to say about that – it’s so simple that way. You’ll be able to use your domain name or get a new one with services like these.

3. If you’d rather have a site that actually generates leads for you from Google or the other search engines, you don’t need more training – you need different tools. There are several internet companies that provide complete content-based site development packages. Content-based means a website that the search engines understand and would be willing to put on Page 1 of their search results as a great site that answers people’s search inquiries.

For a flat fee as little as $299 these packages will provide a “block x block” website building program, keyword analysis, keyword tracking, domain name and domain name hosting (which you normally pay extra for), e-mail accounts, autoresponders, newsletter generators, link building programs, navigation bar, different templates, the ability to create your own webpages elsewhere and import them and much, much more. This method takes a bit more time – but the instructions are normally so easy and straight-forward, monkey could figure it out.

4. And the last thing you need to determine is how much time you’re going to have or make to promote it. In the first example if you intend to promote it by handing out business cards and sponsoring local soccer teams – that will take a certain amount of time and funds. Are you willing to do that? In the second example with the content based site, once you’ve completed your website content and have done what your program analyzer asks regarding the keywords – you may not have to do any advertising. Your good quality content will raise it up in the search engines and people will find you while you sleep.

Either case is great depending on your goals. One is more business card driven and takes more time to promote after development, and the other takes more time to develop. I leave that question in your hands.

The site I use to build all my sites is SiteBuildit. Check out all they have to offer at their website.

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How To Build a Website for your Business (part 1)

Posted By: DanRMorris | Tags: , , , , , , , ,
Posted in An Internet Marketing Journal

This “How To Build a Website For Your Business” article will cover the basics you need to know and give you links to the companies and resources you can use to get this done.

1. To build a successful website for your business, you must have a strategy. You don’t need to know anything about internet strategy, you just need to know why you want to have a website for your business. Do you just want something on your business card with basic information about your company? Do you want people to be able to review testimonials or photos of your work when asked for references. Do you want to educate people about your industry and how you can help? Do you want to be a good place on the internet for people to find information to their questions and then contact you? These are the MOST important questions to determine before you start the web design process.

The reason that these are the most important is because the design will follow the needs. Suppose you want to just have a site people can reference to learn more about you and get your contact information. Well, this is a whole lot different than one that answers people’s frequently asked questions, teaches them what they need to do in hiring a consultant and is easily found via the search engines. One is a one page design that’s based solely on pleasing design and the other is a multi-page site centered on keywords and content. Without a strategy, you’ll make life harder for yourself in the end.

2. If you’ve decided that a one or two page site just with your contact name and some details is best, there’s not much to it. Many companies like 1and1.com offer very easy “survey” type questions (ex. hours of operation, address, amenities, . . .) for a simple $9/month or thereabouts. That requires no skill, very little money and very little time. Many local companies who just want a “web presence” do this. Seriously, there’s not much to say about that – it’s so simple that way. You’ll be able to use your domain name or get a new one with services like these.

3. If you’d rather have a site that actually generates leads for you from Google or the other search engines, you don’t need more training – you need a different tool. SiteSell is the best place on the internet for the novice and the expert alike to build websites that are content based. Content-based means a website that the search engines understand and would be willing to put on Page 1 of their search results as a great site that answers people’s search inquiries.

For a flat fee of $299 (and make sure to put that /limitedtime.html at the end of the web address name to make sure you’re getting their latest special) SiteSell will provide a “block x block” website building program, keyword analysis, keyword tracking, domain name and domain name hosting (which you normally pay extra for), e-mail accounts, autoresponders, newsletter generators, link building programs, navigation bar, different templates, the ability to create your own webpages elsewhere and import them and much, much more. This method takes a bit more time – but the instructions are so easy and straight-forward, monkey could figure it out.

4. And the last thing you need to determine is how much time you’re going to have or make to promote it. In the first example if you intend to promote it by handing out business cards and sponsoring local soccer teams – that will take a certain amount of time and funds. Are you willing to do that? In the second example with the content based site, once you’ve completed your website content and have done what sitesell asks regarding the keywords – you may not have to do any advertising. Your good quality content will raise it up in the search engines and people will find you while you sleep.

Go To Part 2

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