When I brought the clips home and looked at them, I knew the footage was something I wanted to share even though its not the best vantage point. I was lazy about getting up to get some significant shots, but there was still something about that moment that made me decide to polish it up just a bit to share online. Typically I’d upload video into Final Cut Express or Vegas editing software and make something but since I captured such little video I decided to see how the YouTube editor could help for a simple project like this.

The process was simple and straightforward and I’m happy to say, the YouTube editor gave me better results than I expected.

Here’s how it works. First upload your clips as is onto your YouTube channel. They have to be there for you to pull them into the editor. Next click on the link at the top of the My Videos and Playlists section that says Video Editor. You should have a new project started then drag an drop the clips you want to the timeline at the bottom of the page. I put my two clips right next to each other and added some simple transitions. The tab on the top of the video editor that looks like a little bow tie is where your effects and transitions live. There aren’t many, and most are kind of cheesy, but I found a simple fade and wipe and they helped my Zombie video cut together nicely. Finally, I’m a firm believer in adding a soundtrack to your video. It helps so much with the energy and pacing. I found royalty free music directly from the YouTube editor and was pretty impressed with the kinds of music available. I actually love the song that I paired with my video, safe to say I’m pleasantly surprised with that part of the YouTube editor experience.

You know I add video where ever I can and with the tools available today, it’s so easy. Do you use video when you blog? How have you found video to be a useful tool? If you’re not using video on your blog, what’s the hold up? Here’s your chance to ask questions and (hopefully) get some answers from me or my community of bloggers who continue to push the limits with web video.

The most popular part of our “presentation” was a video we showed them of an Auto-tuned Sony commercial. They asked us to play it over and over again, which was fine by me! Kids are hard to keep entertained. I was also surprised when I realized that non of them actually knew or had heard of “social media”. They know about facebook, twitter and youtube, but they had no idea what the words social media meant. Goes to show what social media a bubble we sometimes live in.

The kids got bloggies for the day so they could capture videos of what they did and saw. My friend Michael, who you see in the slideshow below taught them how to easily edit and upload their video on VAIOs. Good times.

My video (above) was with the new Sony Bloggie Touch camera on the walk over for our presentation and below is a slide show with some of the other folks who stopped by to let the kids know about what they do at Sony (also shot with the Bloggie Touch).

There were two stages with music. Here’s one… I still trying to figure out who the performer is.. if you know drop me a comment. I do know it’s one of my favorite songs from the Buena Vista Social Club album.

It’s safe to say this will be a new Halloween tradition for me… and next year.. I’ll be dressing up. Costume suggestions welcome! I hope what every you did for Halloween this year was great. Drop me a comment and let me know how you spent your weekend. Also, if you have more to add about Dia de los Muertos and the traditions, I hope you’ll share.

The photo and video in this blog post were taken with the Sony Bloggie and Nex-3 cameras.

For anyone wondering, the soundtrack of this unboxing is a song called Aahun Aahun from a Hindi film called Love Aaj Kal. Great movie, and like I said in the video, I really did watch it 4 times over the weekend.

While I wasn’t sitting in front of my television this weekend watching Love Aaj Kal, I was up to some other Halloween inspired fun. The slideshow below is from the Dia De Los Muertos alter making class I took with my friend @JenBoydSD. Jen has clued me in to many fun things to do here in San Diego. We took this workshop at a store called Back From Tomboctou. It’s a fun place to find Mexican folk art and to learn about it too.

About two years ago I saw my first Roomba and I have had it on my wish list ever since. So when I saw this iRobot Roomba 550 on sale at Costco, I knew it was time. Even more, my schedule has been the busiest it’s ever been and even if I wanted to clean the floors (which I don’t) I don’t have the time. So, Roomba to the rescue. I don’t have to do anything, but make sure it’s charged, there are no loose things that could get caught in it on the floor and I press a button. Roomba roams around and finds dirt and cleans it. It’s so wonderful. It really is. I’ve had it for just a week and so far, my floors are the cleanest they’ve ever been. I’ve heard some complaints about Roomba not picking up dust on hardwood, but I haven’t experienced that problem at all.

I hope you enjoy the unboxing video. Of course I had to score it with some Bhangra music and if you made it all the way to the end of the video, you’ll have seen a little bhangra dancing by my new iRobot!

This video is from the last time I was in India in 2008, a trip I took with my dear friend Liz. This was before I started blogging and the first time I really picked up a camera to start capturing stories myself.

We traveled to the far western city of Jaisalmer, a remote desert city close to the India – Pakistan border known for a huge fort where, within the walls, a functioning town still exists.

From the beginning, this trip was an adventure starting with a 19 hour train trip that had no food, no real stops, and we had 3rd class tickets. (I’ll save this story for another time). In any case this video is on was of one of  the incredible moments we had on this trip. The gentleman playing the music wandered over to us and just started playing. There are a lot of street musicians in India, just trying to make a few dollars… it’s kind of amazing to know that is how they get by. At the end of the video he explains that the instrument is an “algoza” and it is very popular in Rajisthan. It has both male and female sounds, which explains why it’s two flutes in one instrument.

I hope you enjoy the video. I can’t believe I’m just editing it now after having it on my drive for 2 years! Yes I’ll be taking a camera with me again and look forward to showing you India 2010.

I of course, tweeted “earthquake?” the moment I felt it- before I realized that I could be in danger. Luckily I wasn’t, but I was scared. Not much freaks me out anymore. I like to think I’m an independent girl but days like today really make me miss my family, my parents and my friends.

This vlog post is inspired by that scared/sad/worried feeling and what happened right after as I checked back online to see what others had seen and felt. There were so many tweets and replies from friends who experienced the quake and others who wanted to make sure I was ok. @joyofzen was the first “wow, you felt it too? Are you in SD right now?” It’s funny how simply being reminded that I wasn’t really alone instantly lifted my spirits. My friend @solipsistic is a pretty tough guy, “That was a pretty kick ass earthquake. Not disaster movie strength but enough for me to way WTF!!!” Yes, WTF was pretty much my feeling too and his tweet proved to me that I wasn’t just being a baby.

Nothing makes the world feel small like instantly seeing well wishes come in from around the globe, @Lian_O checking in from the Netherlands, @Mikaelj from Sweeden, @starmike from the East Coast and @Dramagirl from Australia… friends who are sprinkled around the globe in touch even before a call from my Mom!

I know I’m a bit mopey in the vlog post above, but there were tweets from new San Diego friends that reminded me to smile. @ShadowCatSD tweeted me, “Welcome to San Diego! You have now been baptized. ” and then there was some banter with @blogworld, @coachdeb and @sugarjones, starting with this tweet from @blogworld,  “@sukhjit that was your welcome to San Diego: earthquake for you and @coachdeb 8)” and ending with this tweet from the sassy @sugarjones “@CoachDeb @sukhjit @blogworld Okay… who wants a beer? ”

As I mention in the vlog post above, I don’t post like I use to, for whatever reason, but tonight I couldn’t help but make note of this day and of the great people who helped me get through it.

Las Brisas in Laguna Beach
Beautiful location with an incredible view. We went there on Sunday night after getting lost on the way to my nieces water polo match!

I had a Mahi tostada salad, but its the guacamole, chips and salsa that are something to write home about. The guac was super fresh and a perfect balance of avocado, lime, salt and some kind of seasoning. Mmm. Thanks @efren and @thatsjuststeve for the pointer to Las Brisas.

When Rachael asked me where we could find great Mexican food here in San Diego, I was so embarrassed not to have an answer. After sending out a quick tweet we had several places to choose from:

We ended up at Cantina Mayahuel – a place with a name I can’t pronounce, but with 3 tacos for $5 and excellent margaritas with several kinds of tequila, I have a feeling I will be going there often, at least until I can figure out how to say Ma-ya-hu-el.

Here are the tacos. Apparently, Monday is taco night. We also had this unexpected surprise… chocolate cake with flan baked on top. Sounded really suspect to me, but I assure you, it was all goodness.

Thank you @WhitBenj for that recommendation. I know we haven’t met IRL yet, but after that dinner tip, I have no doubt that you and I need to hang out! Finally, I say it in the video, but it’s worth saying again.. thanks San Diego friends for stepping up when I call out for ya. You really know how to make a girl feel welcome and I appreciate that very much.. as does my belly!

I’m astounded by the technology both on my computer but also of the website I used to stream live called Ustream. I recorded a similar video back in 2008 and it was almost unwatchable. This time, I’m proudly sharing the link over and over again both because the quality is so good and because my nephew is a star. BTW- some of the pieces he performs are his original compositions.

Enjoy the concert and if you have any questions about the live stream, or about the music leave me a note!

If you get a chance to see Gary in person, I recommend it. I’ve seen him a couple times and he just makes you  feel like “crushing it”. Follow him for a little bit and you’ll know what I mean by that.

Thank you Adam Smith, for the book and the wristband. You are cool.

PS I know the video image is backward, sorry about that everyone. I’ll try and fix and reupload if I get a chance this week.

If you haven’t heard, I’m working at Sony Electronics now as their Social Media Evangelist. It’s a great opportunity and I’m very excited about what is ahead. Make sure to check the Sony Electronics Community Blog, as that’s were I will be on a regular basis! I’ll explain more about my job and what I’m doing there at a later time… today I wanted to make sure to say hello, and thanks! Thanks to all of you who have kept up with my transition and have offered friendship and support. Looking at the calendar I realized that I started this website one year ago! Look at how much life has changed in one year. I almost can’t believe it.
At some point I want to tell you all about how this happened. Many of you who know me from Seemic know much about the trials, tribulations and celebrations of the past year. It’s all been quite fantastic.

I’ll be seeing some of you at Blog World tomorrow. If we haven’t met in real life yet and you are in Vagas for Blog World, please make sure to say hello!

Here is what was happening in my life last year…. this video makes me laugh now. I called it So What Are You Doing Now, Sukhjit?