Merlins Tower

Allstate Insurance - Tilt Shift Commercial

Posted on January 31st, 2010 by Merlin.
Categories: Communication, Photography, Photoshop, Video, YouTube.

In my attempt at Photography - I have been playing with the Tilt-Shift to make a scene look like it is a model platform.

Seeing this Allstate Insurance Commercial on TV today it reminded me how much I like this technique and this would be a fun project to do someday on video.

If you check out Photoshop Nations on Geeks - You can see some of the Tilt Shift Attempts in photoshop.

If you want to learn more about Tilt Shift Photography Take a look here: Wikipedia - Tilt Shift Photography

Technorati Tags: Tiltshift, Tilt+Shift, Tilt, Shift, Photography, Techniques, Allstate, Insurance

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Video: The History of Writing and Fountain Pen Usage..

Posted on January 3rd, 2010 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Communication, Fountain Pen, Journaling, Notetaking, Video.

I recently saw this on Twitter and had to share this great video - By the W A Shaeffer Pen Company and Produced by the Jam Handy Organization (Just love that name)

This is a Western Electric Company Print Copyright MCMXLVII (1947)

This video starts out with a little girl attempting to communicate with her crayons - Drawing the start of communicaton - it then goes on to shows the progression of the alphabet from the early Egyptian times to the modern alphabet.

The video then goes on to show the progression of the pen from early reed pen to the “Modern” fountain pen.

What I really liked was they show old style pens - eyedropper pen - different ways of taking ink with you, The full progression of fountain pens. Make sure to visit your local dealer to match the pen to your handwriting style. (Still good advice) Fine , Medium or broad tips.

I also liked that they showed how the pens are to be filled.

Here it is - The Twenty Six Old Characters. (Internet Archive)

Technorati Tags: History, Alphabet, 26, Letters, Alphabet, Communication, Western, Electric, Jam, Handy, Twitter, Fountain, Pen

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Following Your Passion - Susan Boyle Loved by Simon Cowell

Posted on April 19th, 2009 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Hack, Human, Life, Music, Video, YouTube.

Reading some of the latest blogs this weekend - I was catching up on VideoTVFilm.com and he Shared the video of Susan Bolye Singing on Britian’s Got Talent and I just had to share this video here on Merlin’s Tower as well - All I can say is WOW! - She is an amazing singer and really has some talent.

This relates back to a previous Post about Hacking your Brain - and One of the things that is mentioned there is to Follow your Passion and Susan did just that and it paid off for her. Take a look at it and use Susan as a inspiration to you to follow what you are passionate about. She has been singing for years and following her passion - Now use this to find what your passionate about and do something about it  today.

Check out this video of her singing -I Dreamed a Dream (Almost 30Million Views on You Tube)

and here is another one of her singing - Cry Me a River

Links:
Susan Wants to be as famous as Elaine Page - Here is her page on the internet - I would never had heard of her except because of Susan.

and here is a video of Elaine Page Singing the Same Song as Susan

And Here is one of Susan Boyle’s Fan Sites

Check it out - There are many other links to her videos and interviews that she has done over the past week.

Again Congrats Susan - Way to go!

Technorati Tags: susan, boyle, britan, got, talent, singer, amazing, passion, dream,

1 comment.

A Smile for Today -

Posted on April 5th, 2009 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Health, Human, Life, Video, YouTube.

Just saw this video and had to share this - It brought a smile to me and wanted to share a smile with everyone here on Merlin’s Tower today - I would love to see one of these flash mobs in person but this really works as well.

0 comments.

Dark Knight Video Review by Fans

Posted on July 17th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Life, Movies, Video, YouTube.

Had to share this review of the Dark Knight - A friend at work got to see it on Tuesday and she loved it and will be seeing it again - She confirms that you need to see it on IMAX - With several of the sections filmed for IMAX - I am told they just POP and are Fantastic. Most of the movie is show letterbox but when the IMAX portions are on the screen they fill up the screen and come alive. (Just what I have heard) I can’t wait - I have my ticket for Saturday at the local IMAX theater. I really can’t wait - I just hope I can make it without anyone spilling the beans on how the movie was.

Now On to the Video Review:

Technorati Tags: Dark+Knight, Review, Mahalo, Jason+Calacanis, Calacanis, Batman, IMAX, Review, Movie

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Andy Warhol: Eating a Hamburger: And was a Video Blogger

Posted on May 8th, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Art, Food, Human, Life, Pittsburgh, Video, Web Service, YouTube.

I just came across this video of Andy Warhol - Who happens to be one of my favorite artists. Another Pittsburgher like iJustine that started video blogging. This video below is just a small sample of Andy Warhol’s interest in everyday objects and making it art. Yes, it is a little strange - but no more stranger then what people do on a daily basis video blogging, podcasting, blogging. Real life recorded - Some art - some journalistic - and some just plain weird. But that is just me. Now my comment on this video - Andy didn’t know the secret of getting Heinz Ketchup out of the bottle - Holding it at a 45 degree angle and hitting the bottle on / around the Heinz logo on the glass.

Technorati Tags: video, video+blogging, blogging, podcasting, andy+warhol, warhol, art, life, pittsburgh, pa, warhol+muesum, iJustine

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Sumo Bean Bag Omni :I Want One!

Posted on April 3rd, 2008 by Merlin.
Categories: Anything Else, Communication, Craft, Drawing, Health, Human, Journaling, Movies, TV, Video, XBOX.

1 comment.

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