Last Chance

Tomorrow is just another half marathon.  My 7th to be exact.  I’m still as nervous about it as I was for my first.  Nothing has changed from each half.  The adrenaline, the carbo loading to hanging out with the team during packet pick-up.  Except that tomorrow will be different.  It will be my last chance.

It’s my last chance to PR.

No, I’m not quitting running.  The problem is that I haven’t PR’d since my first half marathon 3.5 years ago.  1:56:52 is the time to beat.  I’ve came close once and had I known  I was doing well in St. Louis this past spring, I could have had another serious chance.  Alas, I have always fallen short.  And tomorrow, it’s going to be my last chance to PR.

I love my running team, ADoRunRun.  The problem is that the team is separating, though not officially, it’s pretty obvious that we’re disbanding.  It’s not our choice, trust me.  Life, marriage, kids and 2 career ending injuries have left us with limited options.  From 6 runners to a team roster of 30 runners, we’re barely able to get together 5 people to run a race now.  People are scattered in different states.  2 are very pregnant.  Then comes in the injuries that would prevent two more from ever running long distance ever again.

We all haven’t accepted it yet, but we have come to the realization as a team that tomorrow would be our last half marathon.  Yes, a few of us will still run halfs in the future, but probably not under the ADoRunRun name.  So tomorrow, those who can run, will run and will run our hearts out.

Tomorrow, it’s my last chance to PR.  3.5 years ago, I started running and filmed my first half marathon to prove to my seniors that I can do this.  I never imagined that it would inspire 4 other friends to start running.  Then came the next video and more jumped on board.  We started to vlog our training because I wanted to do something Vlogbrother-like.  From there, we not only motivated and inspired ourselves, but we grew a small but dedicated following.

Paul from Missouri.  Greg from California.  Matt from Florida.  Carlos from Chicago.  Bjorn from Germany.  Kevin from Japan.  Mario, who I just met today, watches us from Guatemala with his friends, trained for this half and flew to Chicago in hopes of seeing us!  And all this started because of one video.

Sadly, that one video is about to end.  Our fans may not know this yet.  Heck, it might not be the end after all.  But as of right now, tomorrow will be ADoRunRun’s farewell race.  Yes, we’ll still be training for the Chicago Marathon, but we are known for our half marathon videos.  The Chronicles of a Half Marathon; search for them on YouTube and you’ll see why people love them so much.

Tomorrow is my last chance.  I worked so hard to drop 15 lbs since April to mimic my conditions since my first half marathon.  As long as the weather stay cool with low humidity, I might have a chance.  I hope I can do it.  I know I can do it.  In 10 hours, we’ll know if I did it or not.

Either way, tomorrow may be my last chance and whether I succeed or not, I’m going to run my heart out.  I’m going to run with my teammates present.  I’m going to run on behalf of my teammates who can’t make it.  I’m going to run for our Runnerds fans.  But most importantly, I’m going to run for myself.

Call Me VEDA Crazy

I’ll admit, I succumb to peer pressure. Don’t fret, it’s the right kind of peer pressure; none of the bullying or mischief possibly illegal crap.

For the longest time, I have pondered the thought with the idea of VEDA, Vlog Every Day in April.   The last two years, I just simply passed it by or do the cop out way, BEDA (Blog Every Day in April).  Needless to say, another “A” month is approaching and VEDA would uphold to its name.  Should I?  Nah, too much work.  That is until Ashley, being the awesome influential peer pressure person that she is, said that we should do it.

You know that I’m always up for a challenge.  Heck, I can never say no to a legit challenge that would push me to doing something great and better myself.  Whether it’s running a half marathon, rock climbing or even going on a rollercoaster (you have no idea of my fear), I’m up for something different, something challenging, and something amazing.

VEDA has successfully secured the place of unknown YouTubers in the community.  Maureen Johnson (creator of VEDA), Karen Kavett, Terri Coad, Amanda Mickey, Paige Harwood–all of these awesome vloggers came onto the scene because of VEDA.  Don’t be mistaken that I’m doing this to become famous or be part of the amazing class of YouTubers.  I’m not.  I need a challenge.  Let’s also not forget that I haven’t made a video in a long while.

When blogging, you can craft your words into something beautiful.   However, you’re just limited to words and hope the imagination of your audience can best grasp what you wrote.   The beauty of the video medium is that you have more to work with and be creative.   Not only you have your words, but you have a larger canvas to craft.  Sight and sound are the most obvious materials that one can use.   Yet, when you dig deeper, you realize the background is very important.   A video maker asks, “How can I make the audio more warm to the listener’s ears?” or “What is the best way to light the subject?”   This medium allows you not only tell a story, but paint it using so many different elements.

The reason why VEDA is such a great challenge for me is because I have set the bar high for myself.   I’m a vlogger but I can do so much more.  If you have seen my previous videos, I’ve always push myself into doing something different, more creative and more amusing each time.  This project would force me to be creative, funny and gosh darn it, original every single day!

So come join Ashley and I as we participate in VEDA; vlog every day with us or once a week, picking a topic that we discussed or something on your own.  Stop hiding behind words and show the world your beautiful face.  Don’t limit your art with words but create a masterpiece with a wonderful medium.  Most of all, join us for a crazy, wild but absolutely fun ride.

Make sure to subscribe to Ashley and myself on YouTube to get videos every day! VEDA starts it 3 days!

Another Number

A year can be a long time, or perhaps a short blink; it all depends on how you look at it.  This time last year, I was freaking out and possibly breathing into a brown paper bag as I prepared myself for flipping the quarter.   A year later, I have finally embraced the fact that I’m a quarter century old only to now turn 26.  I’m a year shy of my golden birthday, but I’m also a year older and closer to 30.

25 was fun.  There were great moments and then there were horrific experiences I would like to forget.  But it was good to me and I would not change anything.  It’s all a part of life.

I topped off my 24th year by backpacking Europe, so I knew I had to do something better.  25 kicked off with moving into my second adult apartment in Chicago and then running a half marathon 2 days later.  From there, I flew to NYC for a blogger meetup, having such a fun and whirlwind weekend in a city that I stole my heart after 48 hours.  September was greeted with a trip visiting one of my best high school buddies in Minnesota.  However, nothing could top October when I ran and completed my first marathon.  Though injured 14 miles in, I limped on because I knew I could-and I did.  Throw in Seattle and San Francisco at the end of the month, 25 was becoming quite the year.

Winter approached causing the fun to die down and life became dull.  Though this is where my dear friends would come in and make things magical.  From seeing my best friend who taught me how to brew beer to a wedding of a White bride and reconnecting with an old acquaintance, I knew that one of my true joys in the world is that of my dear and beloved friends. The winter lull fostered great music.  It came to a point that I was going to 3 shows a week because there were so many great bands visiting Chicago.

With end of one calendar year and the beginning of another, I reinvested my time into making YouTube videos.  A medium that has so many variables, barriers and challenges, I knew that I wanted to rise to the top and refine my skills of video making.  It’s because of that passion, I was featured in the Huffington Post and be able to connect with some amazing people and get posted on Boing Boing.  Though one passion that is still the greatest of all is traveling.  Though I could not go see the world as I would like, I brought the world to me and welcomed couch surfers from Europe and the US to stay.

Spring rolled in with friends from out of town visiting.  Catching up with friends of old and new, reminds me how important they are in my life.  They inspire me in many ways, but most importantly, to LIVE LIFE!  And it’s because of the Internet that I’m able to connect and stay connected with so many people from around the world.  From the YouTube scavenger hunt, blogger meetups to even VidCon, I have come across to many amazing people.  From friends of old who I visited in DC to friends of the Internet in LA, my life explodes with joy each day as I make new, genuine and meaningful connections each day.

So it was most important that to celebrate the end of my 25 year, I would have my friends gather and celebrate.  In hind sight, I should have live casted the party to ensure those who were far away could attend.  Friends of old and new, friends of I and U-RL, but mostly friends of mine, dear and true.

Today, I wave 25 goodbye and welcome another year.  Not panicked or at ease, but welcoming for a change and always for an adventure.  Friends have promised that 26 would be a good year.  I trust them and can’t wait for it to start happening.

But on this particular day, I’m just going to smile and welcome this new number.

VidCon and the YouTube Community

I’ve been struggling trying to find the words to properly summarize VidCon 2010.  I would not say that it was the best weekend ever nor was it far from perfect, but VidCon made a huge impression on myself and all those in attendance.  The one resounding point of VidCon that kept on echoing throughout the weekend was community.

How does one explain community?  Anyone can discuss it, write about or describe it, but community is meant to be experienced.  I’m struggling how to describe my experience of VidCon, in hopes that I can truly capture and reflect the experience I had this past weekend.  So tonight, I was talking to my YouTube friend Terri (Tezzitoo) from Australia, who could not make it to VidCon, and she told me to start from the beginning.  And that’s when it hit me.  The beginning means the community and what’s more community than experiencing it.  And I truly experienced community at VidCon, but I am also experiencing community as I’m chatting away with Terri.

VidCon is a conference that was organized by the YouTube community for the YouTube community.  It wasn’t like YouTube gatherings of the past where people would come together and hang out.  VidCon was meant to gather the community together and celebrate the community.

Though the average age of attendees were under the legal drinking age of 21, the age difference didn’t prevent people of all types connecting, celebrating, dancing and most importantly, bonding as the YouTube community.  I had a the opportunity to talk to a middle age mother who brought her 14 year old daughter and her friend to VidCon from Virginia.  The mother, though not out of the loop to technology and social media, was blow away by the energy and positivity of the YouTube community.  It is because of YouTube that her daughter is passionate about changing the world and is striving hard at an early age to make a difference.  Barriers that were present for teenagers no longer exists because of the YouTube community.  The mother credits YouTube for the opportunities that her daughter has, which she never thought would be possible.

What makes it all possible for the younger audience of YouTube is the passion and positivity of the video content creators.  Most major YouTubers who make videos for the young community are between the age of 20-32.  From comedic parodies to inspiring vlogs, the content creator realizes the importance of their audience.  Their audience looks up to them and listens to them; in return, they respond by connecting with their audience.  There is no dichotomy between the content creator and the audience.  Age in itself is irrelevant.  What matters is the community; a community where everyone is equal.  One may be more talented than the other, but it does not put the content creator on a pedestal.  Everyone is the same.

I was privilege enough to attend VidCon with Ashley, Jenn and Nico.  We made up an unofficial 20SB delegation.  Jenn and Nico were going for work and as outsiders.  Ashley, though not involved in the YouTube community as I am, is very well aware of the awesome that is present at VidCon.  As for myself, I knew a lot of YouTubers coming into the conference.  There were still many more that I want to meet and befriend with, but to the 20SB and blogging community, I’m considered as a YouTuber.

Watching people run around, meeting people and celebrating the YouTube community, it caught each of us off guard.  (Read the VidCon reactions from Ashley, Jenn and Nico).  What got me was how alive, present and tangible the YouTube community.  I’ve been to large and mini YouTube gatherings before, but nothing could prepare me what was before me.  A community alive, thriving and living out the meaning of community.

Seeing the YouTube community truly alive and before me for the first time was overwhelming. As an active participant of the community, I felt distant and alone.  I never seen so many people with a common interest and passion in one place before.  I didn’t know how to respond.  Everyone was more connected and famous than myself, I wondering if I could even connect and contribute to this community.  I was intimidated and scared.

If there’s one thing that the YouTube community has shown me over the years, it’s extremely warm and welcoming.  Even though I was caught off guard at the scale of awesome before me, it was the awesome that reminded me why I am so involved.  From John Green yelling, “Hey!  Phampants is here!” aloud in the vendor room, to Monica stopping to give me a hug as she scurried around leading the speakers around or even meeting Amanda for the first time; I realized that this community, though large, is truly very close and tight knit.  It’s the close bond that we have that makes us so supportive of each other and passionate for what we do.

It’s is the close bond of the community that I had the honor of carrying two postcards around to collect signatures of other YouTubers.  Terri and Kevin (BusanKevin), both who have been extremely supportive of my work on YouTube, could not attend VidCon.  So I decided to bring VidCon to them as I searched for YouTubers that they wanted to meet and have those people sign the card for them.  It is because of the community that I had the opportunity to do something amazing like this and to connect the community present to the community that was abroad.

With all this talk about community, the YouTube community itself kept on reminding each other of an extremely important note throughout the weekend.  Ze Frank spoke it best by saying at his keynote, “Authenticity is hard work.”   Anyone could be anyone else, but to be truly yourself takes a lot of work.  And every single YouTuber I met, big or small, repeated that one way or another: “Be yourself,”  “Do what you love,”  “Be authentic,”  “Be proud of who you are.”  And it’s because of the authenticity of YouTube, trolls aside of course, that makes the community so successful.  As long as you are yourself, you’re able to go a long way.

Flying home, I had the joyful luck of sitting next to Craig (WheezyWaiter) and Peter (PeterCoffin).  We could not give more resounding praise to a fantastic weekend and thank the Vlogbrothers enough for organizing VidCon.  From big timers like Craig and Peter to a nobody like myself, we all agreed that VidCon energized us and reaffirmed why we are part of such an amazing community.  When I asked them how they’re able to do what they do, they shared the same answer: they don’t do anything special, they’re just themselves.

This is why VidCon struck me hard and impressed me greatly.  It was a YouTube conference for YouTubers by YouTubers.  It consists of people who are authentic and genuine that comes together to form a greater community.  A community that is welcoming and treats each other like equals.  A community that is passionate about their work and about promoting good to changing the world for the better.  The YouTube community and VidCon never forgot to be awesome.

Congratulations BusanKevin

2 years ago, Kevin found the collaboration running channel that my friends and I were involved in.  A runner himself, he found our videos entertaining and motivational.  From there, he found my personal channel where I put up videos of me being me.  Since then, he has been endlessly promoting me.  As a medium sized YouTuber from Japan, he has given me about a third of my subscribers.  He has asked me to do collabs and worked with me on random projects.  We’ve done cultural exchanges where I send him running supplies that he can’t get in Japan and I get Japanese beer in return.

Overall, Kevin is such an awesome and genuine guy.  A Canadian teaching English in Japan, he’s a long way from home, but YouTube definitely brings home to him.  Whether it’s connecting with YouTubers like me back in North America to connecting with other English teaching YouTubers in Asian, a community of friends connect via the medium of online video.

That being said, Kevin just became a first time father.  12 days past their due date and over 25 hours of labor, Kevin’s wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy yesterday.  To celebrate this tremendous occasion, I coordinated with as many friends and YouTubers I could and we made this video for Kevin, his wife and new born baby.

Congratulations Kevin!

EDIT: Here is Kevin’s response: