Rhyen’s First Vlog
Posted by Versa Dave in Versa Life on February 13th, 2010
I can’t think of a better place for Rhyen to record her first vlog than in an Apple store. FTW.
Vlogging Advice From A Pro
Posted by Versa Dave in Geekdom, Versa Life on February 4th, 2010
This past week, I went to New York for a business trip. I flew in on Sunday night and had some time to kill before the week started. It wasn’t difficult to figure out that if I was gonna be that close to @princessleah7x, then we HAD to meet in person. She picked me up from the airport in true style and headed into Long Island. She took me to this happenin’ sports bar near her house called The Main Event. Good burger and LOTS of TVs. At one point during the night, I decided to capture some video of Leah’s words of wisdom on vlogging. I happen to be self-conscious about vlogging because I think my face always looks too fat. Leah seems to think people would be interested. Check it out.
Ssshhh, Don’t Tell Vik
Posted by Versa Dave in Versa Life on January 30th, 2010
Today, I took the girls to the St. Louis Auto Show downtown at the Edward Jones Dome. I had taken Rhyen once about 5 or 6 years ago with my friend Jon and his daughter, but it wasn’t as much fun since the kids were young enough that we had to keep em in a stroller. Jon couldn’t make it this year since he was out of town for work, so I decided to give it a go. And honestly, for the most part, things went well. The hard part was convincing the girls that while it was ok to sit in the cars, they had to be respectful of the other people who could actually drive.
While we were there, I spent some time in the Scion section talking with some Italian accented dude. I bought Vik Versa in April 2007, with 12 miles on her. I was so excited to bring her home. I kept her so clean, all the time. 3 weeks later, Dylen puked up macaroni and cheese in the back seat; needless to say, there was no more ‘new car smell’. Bleh. I’ve always like the Scion xB. And after today, the sound system sold me. I turned it up so loud, I could feel my liver quivering. I hate to even fathom giving up Vik, but let’s be honest here…it’s been 3 years and she ain’t gettin’ any younger. She just turned 50,000 miles old. I need a lady that can keep up with my busy lifestyle. She’s gotta ride on rails and keep my attention. I love you Vik, and you’ll always be in my heart, but when I ride you…I think of the xB. I’m sorry. It’s not me, it’s you.
A Twitter Story
Posted by Versa Dave in Versa Life on January 22nd, 2010
So my daughter Rhyen comes to me the other day and says, “Daddy, I wrote you a book”. I, of course, was excited and giddy…who wouldn’t be excited about a book being written for you!? So she whips it out and as I begin to read it, I had to choose between shedding tears or laughing hysterically. I held back the tears, and I grabbed her in my arms. All I could think of was how these were the moments that make being a parent so worth it. Albeit, maybe it speaks volumes about my obsession with social media, but nevertheless, she warmed my heart.
I share it with you now.
It’s A Hearing Aid. No Wait..It IS Bluetooth.
Posted by Versa Dave in Geekdom on January 15th, 2010
When I was barely a year old, my mom realized that there was something not quite right about me. Sure, laugh it up chuckles…I know there’s something not quite right with me. She however, could see something else, a pattern, a deficiency in my learning and speech. It wasn’t until I was nearly 3 that she got an ENT to finally see me, and then all was brought to the surface. I had a hearing impairment. 30 years ago though, things were different. My eustachian tubes didn’t grow right when I was born; they grew flat and narrow, not round and open. For years the doctors just threw sets of tubes in my ears. Eventually, it turned into more complex surgeries, prosthesis and implants, reconstructions, and just about any other procedure you can throw at broken ears.
At the age of 8, the doctors wanted me to start using hearing aids. I adamantly refused; by 14 I said yes. And as my Mom drove me home that afternoon, with ears filled with miracles of audiology, I stuck my head out the car window like a golden retriever; my eyes, closed, but my ears, open…to a brand new world.
Over the years, I’ve gone through many hearing aids. For about 10 years though, I went without a hearing aid in my right ear because of an extreme case of cholesteatoma. It completely disintegrated all the bones and my ear drum was nothing but a lifeless flab of flesh. Fortunately, an awesome doctor in St. Louis at Washington University named Dr. Joel Goebel, was able to bring new life back to that ear; and now coupled with the experience and talent of audiologist Jennifer Listenberger (again, of Washington University), I can now hear in my right ear with the assistance of a hearing aid.
When I first got the new hearing aid for my right ear, I had the option of picking a color for it. A color? Hearing aids are flesh color aren’t they? Jennifer asked me if I was going to grow my hair out. I said “Hell no!”. “Gimme the blue one” I said. And since then, I’ve been asked, no less than twice a month, by someone, if whether or not my blue hearing aid was some kind of a new bluetooth headset.
The day has come however, where I can answer that misguided person, “Why yes…it is bluetooth…but it’s a hearing aid too”. As of today, I’m now the proud owner of a Phonak Versáta SP for my left ear; along with the iCom communication accessory. In short, I can talk on my iPhone, via bluetooth, without ever picking up the phone, putting on a headset, or plugging in an ear piece…it all goes right through my hearing aid. I can even listen to the iPod on the iPhone through the iCom. As I sat in front of the TV tonight, with Rhyen leaning over my shoulder and Dylen laying against me, I was able to pair my bluetooth hearing aid and iCom with the MacBook Pro and listen to videos…yep…right through the hearing aid. I’ve already paired up with my Cisco phone at work too…worked flawlessly. In short, I’m happier than a puppy with two peters that I can hear.
1st Tweetup of 2010
Posted by Versa Dave in Versa Life on January 3rd, 2010
In an impromptu fashion, as many tweetups are, a group of us gathered for brunch at Crooked Tree Coffee House in St. Charles. I hadn’t seen several of these tweeps in awhile so it was good to just kick back, relax and drink some good bottomless coffee. Crooked Tree is a great place to hang out with your friends because it’s got an eclectic environment, good coffee with free refills, great food (pastries, sandwiches, breakfast foods, etc) free wi-fi, and several comfy chairs and couches. You should definitely consider checking it out if you haven’t already.
The folks who attended? @karenSTL @tojosan @nanna_j @STLConciergeGuy @Rebecca_Rene.
Some other blogs written about the tweetup:
Todd Jordan: Crooked Tree Coffee House Tweetup
Karen Goodman: Coffee House Review – Crooked Tree Coffee House
1st Tweetup of 2010 on 12seconds.tv
Deep Fried Turkey Humor
Posted by Versa Dave in Versa Life on December 31st, 2009
Most of my family is either in Michigan or spread out in a few other states. However, I do have some family here in the STL (my mom’s sister and her kids). So for our family get-together, we deep fried a turkey…err, rather, Dad deep fried a turkey. The video below may not seem funny or interesting for the first 45 seconds or so, but the last 15 seconds I thought were hilarious. You can judge for yourself.
Philanthropy Motivated by Freakonomics
Posted by Versa Dave in Versa Life on December 16th, 2009
I’m almost positive that someone will read this blog post and say to themselves, “What an ass clown! He’s just like all the celebrity philanthropists who are motivated by the attention they receive, and not by the spirit of good will.” I can see where you might think that…but in this case…SUCK AN EGG.
My family and I (mostly my parents, myself and my brother & his wife) normally only do a gift exchange between the five of us. We set a budget and off we go. However this year, and I don’t care who you are, money is tight. Santa’s bag of goodies will be a little less heavy and his trip around the globe will take a little less time to do. It’s the sad truth but it’s reality. In the spirit of giving, my family decided to do something for someone else. Not because we’re wealthy or overflowing with cash, but because we realize we’re well enough to take care of the children in the family so the adults can go without…not a huge issue. We decided to do Toys for Tots. This would not only be in the true spirit of Christmas, but it would teach an important lesson to my girls about giving to those less fortunate.
All while we were shopping, I kept saying to Dylen, “Imagine if you had no toys, no family, very little food…what’s one toy that would light up your face?” So she’d pick something out and we’d move on. Rhyen struggled with it a little more than Dylen I think…but by the end of the night, she and Dylen put all the toys we bought into the big box at Stefanina’s in St. Charles. And ya know what? I did feel good about doing it. I don’t care if anyone ever knew about it, but I think it’s important that we teach our children the value of caring for others. There are plenty of circumstances that I don’t agree with when it comes to parents living on welfare for selfish and lazy reasons, but the children should never have to suffer. Once you’re an adult, and you want to mess up your own life with irresponsibility and laziness, that’s your prerogative. But please don’t make a child suffer the repercussions because you’re too selfish. And if you’re in a position to help children like that…please do. It doesn’t have to be about Christmas, or Jesus, or Buddha or any other spiritual thing…it’s just the simple idea that as humans, we have a moral responsibility to help those who truly are in need.
Epic Apple Store Video Fail
Posted by Versa Dave in BingBong, Geekdom on December 2nd, 2009
The other night, myself and @ibeemi (Emily) went out for awhile. Dinner at Fridays, Apple Store at West County, hoosier hunting at Wal-Mart, Mill Stream, an exclusive Gentlemen’s Club in St. Charles, and then finally back to Mill Stream. It was a rather eventful evening, and most fun!
While at the Apple Store though, we made a quick video. Wouldn’t ya know it though….the damn mic was turned off on the particular iMac we were using. So while the video is mildly humorous, you can’t hear a dang thing. Enjoy.
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