I don’t use this blog any longer, simply because blogging ended up giving me hives!  I just didn’t care for it as much as the video goodies I produce, which is what I’ll be speaking on at the Meet-Up.

If you have no clue what I’m talking about, on Wednesday, June 13th, 2012, from 7-9pm, the event, “Find Your MoJo! Best Tools & Practices for Mobile Journalism” will be held.

It is at OPB’s headquarters in John’s Landing and presented by the Online News Association.  I will be on a panel with three others, sharing my experience on how the little man with a camera has become the big man of journalism in the 21st century.

I’ll also be showing a bit of my video work.

Click the link at the top for all the information. Or I can make it easy for you.

So, now that you all know why you’re here, let me lay some truth down.

My name is Tony Thomas and I am an actor, video producer, vlogger (video blogger) and social media guy.  Working online has been my passion for years and video is the cream on top of the cake for me.

I don’t want to share too much or there wouldn’t be any reason for you to come to the Meet-Up, which I sure hope you decide to do.

Instead, I’ll give you a couple links about  who I am and what I do, and then see you at the Meet-Up on June 13th.  Make sure to RSVP.

My About Me page!
http://about.me/pdxguy

My LinkedIn page!
http://www.linkedin.com/in/pdxguy

First, I have a brand new YouTube channel, dedicated to everything Portland.  I figured that I would give my main channel over to everything else and have a new channel that only focuses on Bridgetown.  I’d love to have your hop over and subscribe.  I’m presently in the middle of a series of episodes of my buddy, Bryce, taking in Voodoo Doughnut, Pioneer Courthouse Square, and wondering where the eats are at the Sausage Shack food cart on SW 3rd and Stark.

 
Next, the IFC hit comedy all about my city, Portlandia, has been renewed for Season 2.  I love this show!

It often makes us look like a bunch of dweebs, but is so true to form in many respects, you can’t deny the reality there.

Take a look at a clip from episode 1 of the second season of Portlandia:

That’s all for this time around.  Take care and I’ll see you downtown!

Regards,

Tony

Take another look:

Thanks for allowing the Portland Police to protect the citizens of the city from this trash, Mayor Sam Adams.

You, sir, are a disgrace.

IMO, this is my best work yet!

Season 1 was my intro period, I was still getting my feet wet in Season 2, and Season 3 was when I really felt I hit the sweet spot.

I felt most comfortable in my story-boarding and production.  It really shows in the final product.

Will there be a Season 4?  I don’t know yet, but have my fingers crossed.  I’ll keep you all updated.

Until then, watch Season 2 and 3 by hitting your On Demand button, scrolling to Get Local, and then VidBlogger Nation.

Find all the information online at http://www.vidbloggernation.com and the VidBlogger Nation Facebook Page.

Please spread the word about this exciting Social TV Network and keep us going in Portland!

Thanks and talk later

Tony Thomas

Occupiers here in Portland, OR can scream that they are legitimately changing the world and making a difference until they’re blue in the face.  Minute-by-minute reports from their camps by all forms of media prove just the opposite.

I even had some brain-washed 22-yr old college grad who claims 2 associate degrees contacting me on Twitter, claiming that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something worthwhile.

I quickly enlightened her that education and knowledge does not equal wisdom.  You can be all “smarted up” and still be dumber than a rock.  Hopefully, she’ll wise up some day.

This is truly charming!

I love the city of Portland and this is simply beyond shameful and embarrassing.

Take a look at the videos here and then feel free to thank our need-to-grow-a-pair mayor, Sam Adams, for allowing the city of Portland, Oregon to be held hostage.

Mayor Sam Adams on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MayorSamAdams

Mayor Sam Adams phone: (503) 823-4120

Mayor Sam Adams e-mail: Samadams@portlandoregon.gov

Find more about this pitiful excuse for change at http://www.youtube.com/user/antioccupyportland

This minority is holding the city of Portland, OR hostage and Mayor Sam Adams could care less about the majority of Portlanders who want their city back.  Why should he?  He’s not seeking re-election.  Good thing, because I doubt he’d ever get it.

Recently, one of these Occupy Portland protesters shoved a Portland police officer in front of a moving bus.  Luckily the officer was not hurt badly.  This is the kind of garbage that this protest is bringing about.  Aren’t people wonderful?

Anyway, the Portland Police Association has certainly had enough, as is made clear in this open letter:

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From Daryl Turner – President Portland Police Association.

To the Citizens of Portland:

The 900 members of the Portland Police Association are members of a union that advocates for jobs, fair wages, benefits, work conditions, and pensions. We are truly, as are you, members of the 99% of Americans that work every day for a living. We believe in, and support, the rights of citizens to free speech, including the right to protest and march, as long as it is within the confines of the City, County, and State laws. We have sworn an oath ot protect the Constitutional rights of all citizens, regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or economic background. What we cannot do is condone what the Occupy Portland protest has become. This protest has become a seemingly open checkbook of taxpayer dollars to pay for an already over-extended Police Bureau. Staffing hours and resources have been pushed past the limits of reality. Crime, drugs, and health issues plague the two park blocks that the new residents have taken. It has already cost the taxpaying citizens of Portland over $200,000 dollars just for Police resources and it will undoubtedly cost tens of thousands of dollars to clean up the garbage, damage, and illegal structures that the new residents of the parks will leave behind.

In the past few weeks, Portland Police officers have worked long hours, shown great resolve, and out-performed their duties under seemingly unimaginable circumstances. We have responded to the mixed messages of our leaders and have held our heads up through the adversity that we have neither caused nor can control. Now, Portland Police officers are being assaulted and threatened by protesters which also puts our citizens at risk. We need to be able to do our jobs, and protect the rights and safety of every citizen. The Police Commissioner has the ability and the duty to see that this is done.

I am personally calling on you, the other 99% of the citizens of Portland, to have your voices heard. The 99% who cannot sit on a park bench and read a book, or have your lunch, or just enjoy a nice autumn day. The 99% who’s children are in the area day-car centers who have had to take extra security measures. And the 99% who are business owners whose businesses are surviving from month to month in this volatile economy.

You need to contact your City leaders and let them hear from you. The 99% who are not violating the trespass laws and camping laws. The 99% who are not in violation of park rules and City Codes on structures, food handling , and garbage dumping. The 99% who are not costing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages to the parks and clean-up cost whenever this is over. If the Occupy Portland movement has a message, let it be heard, but not at the cost of taxpayer’s dollars, Police resources, and the damage it has done to the citizens and business owners who are a large majority of the 99%.

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I think this says it all.  Share this, Tweet it, Facebook it, get the word out that Portlanders want their city back!

It started in March and ends this next weekend.

On November 6th, which is next Sunday, at 2am, remember to set your clocks back one hour.

The way I always remember how it works is “spring forward, fall back.”  Easy peasy!

Share this if it resonates with you the way it does me.

Sad about his passing ;(

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An Obituary printed in the London Times:-

Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense , who has been with us for many years.
No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape.
He will be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as:
- Knowing when to come in out of the rain;
- Why the early bird gets the worm;
- Life isn’t always fair;
- and maybe it was my fault.

Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you can earn) and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge).

His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.
Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened his condition.

Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed to do in disciplining their unruly children.

It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an abortion.

Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better treatment than their victims.

Common Sense took a beating when you couldn’t defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the burglar could sue you for assault.

Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.

Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.

He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers;
I Know My Rights
I Want It Now
Someone Else Is To Blame
I’m A Victim

Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone.
If you still remember him, pass this on.
If not, join the majority and do nothing.

If you aren’t aware of it yet, VIDBLOGGER NATION is a first-of-it’s-kind Social TV Network that has launched in 10 markets around the country.  It highlights 10 of us video bloggers from areas such as Michigan, Sacramento, New Jersey, and Miami, all respresenting our stomping grounds and allowing viewers into our own personal worlds.

Each season consists of 24 episodes ranging from 3-5 minutes in length.

For all the information, hit the web site at http://www.vidbloggernation.com and be sure to tune into the show if you live in the great Pacific NW.

Simply hit the “On Demand” button on your remote, go to Local, and then VidBlogger Nation.

They should be rolling out 6 of the 12 episodes tomorrow, so keep watching as more are added in the coming weeks.

Be sure to share the info with your friends, family, and via the social networks.  PR is a good thing!