tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56027687538413196142024-02-20T09:11:39.753-05:00Observations of the JourneyThe journey of a thousand steps begins with one.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-6664467673026381512009-03-10T09:38:00.002-04:002009-03-10T09:51:33.757-04:00It's Spring!<a href="http://www.pottedliners.com/documents/header/Forsythia%20Show%20Off7522.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 429px; height: 424px;" src="http://www.pottedliners.com/documents/header/Forsythia%20Show%20Off7522.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />It's Spring...well at least for now. In the past week we have had great weather in Tennessee, although it is supposed to get cold again. There are several things that I enjoy when I come to this time of the year. <br /><br />Basketball is ending and both of my teams are going to the NAIA national tournament next week. I am fortunate enough to get to go with one of them. I am going to Jackson, TN with the Lady Flames. The proximity of the tournament allows April and Abby to come over during April's Spring Break if the girls advance.<br /><br />Spring training has begun. It is a time of new hope where every team has a chance of going to the World Series. My Yankees are poised to make a run with great off season moves to get new players. I love watching baseball throughout the Summer and hopefully I will get to go see my perennially hapless Reds at least once. I'm looking forward to Abigail's first MLB game. She has been to a Lee University game.<br /><br />Finally golf has begun. It won't be long until the greatest golf event of the year - The Master's. Tiger is back and so I now I can watch weekly as he attempts to dominate the field and continue his run as the greatest golfer ever. April even gets into on Sunday afternoon when Tiger is in contention.<br /><br />Spring also brings some emotions that I don't really enjoy. March 28 will mark 2 years since my brother passed away. So when trees bloom (especially forsythia), the final horn blows on basketball season, and some of my favorite things begin, a weight seems to bear down on us for a while. We are doing as well as we can be and the Lord has shown us much grace. So as we move into this great time of the year it is with a heavy heart for me as I assume it will always be.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-38794928389653981392009-03-02T13:43:00.002-05:002009-03-02T14:09:06.038-05:00Classic Film of the Week - "Mrs. Miniver" (1942)<a href="http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/mrs-miniver-VHScover.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 475px;" src="http://www.teachwithmovies.org/guides/mrs-miniver-VHScover.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Continuing with my series of classic movies that any movie buff should see, is the World War II classic <em><a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0035093/">Mrs. Miniver </a></em>(1942). While a bit propogandic, the film shows how the typical British village and people handled the German Blitz. It was well shot, directed, acted, and told a story of determination and resolve. It was nominated for 12 Oscars awarded 6 including for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Actress and Supporting Actress.<br /><br />I really love this film and I hope you will too. <br /><object width='320' height='255'><param name='movie' value='http://i.cdn.turner.com/tegwebapps/tcm/tcm-www/static/flash/popup_player.swf' /><param name='FlashVars' value='id=9877' /><embed src='http://i.cdn.turner.com/tegwebapps/tcm/tcm-www/static/flash/popup_player.swf' FlashVars='id=9877' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='320' height='255'></embed></object><br /><br />I recently was able to buy this film at Target with four other best picture Oscar films (Casablanca, American in Paris, and Gigi) for around $20.00. <a href="http://www.target.com/dp/B001KXZGOG/sr=1-5/qid=1236020677/ref=sr_1_5/181-5311472-2156423?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&index=target&rh=k%3AMrs.%20Miniver&page=1">Buy here</a>.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-5112511041146031232009-02-27T09:36:00.002-05:002009-02-27T10:04:04.248-05:00Wacker comes to Cleveland<a href="http://www.speedace.info/speedace_images/solar_cells_panels_PV_array_monocrystaline.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 492px; height: 415px;" src="http://www.speedace.info/speedace_images/solar_cells_panels_PV_array_monocrystaline.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday I was able to work on and attend an event that will have a significant impact on southeast Tennessee and Bradley County in particular. An international chemical company <a href="http://www.wacker.com/cms/en/home/index.jsp">Wacker Chemie </a>will locate a plant in Charleston, TN. In short the plant will process silicon into the components for solar panels. Wacker will inject $1 billion dollars into the economy and employ 500 new people with good salaries and training.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29403313/">Full Story from Times Free Press.</a><br /><br />In the new world of global worming crazes and political pushes for energy independence, this company should do well with their products. Right now their annual income is $5 billion and by building this plant in the U.S. they hope to create a bigger market share in the Americas.<br /><br />This is a great thing for our community. Wacker will quickly invest in our schools, infrastructure, and increase jobs (taxpayers). This announcement along with the Volkswagen plant being built in Chattanooga, TN may also help to encourage other multinational companies to plant roots in southeast TN. My hope is that Wacker will take a interest in the science and math department at Lee University and use our students and graduates in their company.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.berufsstart.stepstone.de/upload_DE/logo/W/logoWacker_Chemie_AG___48310DE.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 160px; height: 80px;" src="http://www.berufsstart.stepstone.de/upload_DE/logo/W/logoWacker_Chemie_AG___48310DE.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-46206727439647733892009-02-23T16:10:00.002-05:002009-02-23T16:27:53.030-05:00The Oscars<a href="http://blogs.nypost.com/movies/photos/oscar.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 406px; height: 840px;" src="http://blogs.nypost.com/movies/photos/oscar.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br />Unfortunately last night's Oscars were a little ho-hum for me. Of course I have only seen a few of the films nominated. I had heard Slumdog was a good film by some of my students and one worth to check out. I did see The Dark Knight, which thoroughly enjoyed (especially since I saw it in IMAX).<br /><br />I tell my students while I think the the Oscars are important in pointing out extremely good work in the film industry it is also very political (where the politically incorrect is celebrated) and self-indulgent. Industry people patting themselves on the back for doing their job. I tout film as an art form and comparable to other forms of traditional art. For me, it's hard to imagine some of the classical artists throwing a lavish party and heaping praise whether deserving or not on each other.<br /><br />Hypothetical Conversation -Leo what a great painting. Thanks Michael, that David you carved is superb. You should get an award - And for the category best nude sculpture, the winner is Michelangelo.<br /><br />While I believe giving credit where credit is due- giving awards and lavish celebrations to artist for creating what they supposedly love doing seems strangely out of place.<br /><br />I do enjoy when they poke fun at each themselves. Ben Stiller as Joaquin Phoenix (link to Phoenix on Letterman - <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXpYk7WGN5Y">watch this first</a>) was pretty funny:<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/pflgMxxBPuY&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/pflgMxxBPuY&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-62020025361906282052009-02-19T12:59:00.003-05:002009-02-19T13:16:33.548-05:00Abby's Epiphany<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiRcYAfdLY3UHfAskeUxrzE9pksHxmKruKhdaHBfq3AVZVCjmi3aziKufI0OinwxHG-JLnljlmpVBgCSGollEAgmreORCkrFJjz-Wzu1Upmzic5zphBfLT7Ay-6Uzdk1krqG8aXCxbid3/s1600-h/Abby+gym.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpiRcYAfdLY3UHfAskeUxrzE9pksHxmKruKhdaHBfq3AVZVCjmi3aziKufI0OinwxHG-JLnljlmpVBgCSGollEAgmreORCkrFJjz-Wzu1Upmzic5zphBfLT7Ay-6Uzdk1krqG8aXCxbid3/s320/Abby+gym.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304573644579184706" /></a><br />Last week Abby said something that upset her mother to the point of weeping. I'm no psychologist, but I think it was a bench mark in her development. Playfully April was asking Abby if she was "mommy's baby," surprisingly Abby gave a definite "no" to her question. With a puzzled look April said "what are you?" Clear as bell Abby said "I'm a big girl (holding out the word bigggg)." April was devastated and I sat amazed. Our little girl whom we brought home from the hospital in preemie clothes and was completely needy of every moment of our attention is now able discern the fact that she was no longer a baby. She can walk, knows what she wants to eat and can tell us whether she wants chicken or mac-n-cheese. She isn't a baby as far as developmentally, but she will always be mommy and daddy's baby even when she's 30 and has her own children. I think this is something that most parents go through. Kids grow up too fast and with each milestone they become less reliant on their parents and while that is gratifying it is a scary place too. I'm loving it!jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-70990445787147913572009-02-16T10:50:00.003-05:002009-02-16T17:43:07.639-05:00Classic Films<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHyP2TcQIh-eR0liPtZTSfK6knyhmMsr53w90z69HWac4UayIAMHVCXRChyOUhpJI20929hGkm4b4YI3tTaAC6RTiGZIalbLSv6ggDTZLFJgGcAZ8XEeoa-EJj7KVGQMEnWn6m5EZW7p9/s1600-h/Casablanca.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 242px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWHyP2TcQIh-eR0liPtZTSfK6knyhmMsr53w90z69HWac4UayIAMHVCXRChyOUhpJI20929hGkm4b4YI3tTaAC6RTiGZIalbLSv6ggDTZLFJgGcAZ8XEeoa-EJj7KVGQMEnWn6m5EZW7p9/s320/Casablanca.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303429161384376242" /></a><br /><br />Having a Master's degree in film is something I never thought I would have and as of this May it will be reality. I have always loved movies, but never really studied cinema (there is a difference). After my first semester I found a love for studying film in academic terms beyond that what you would read in Entertainment Weekly. My thesis is an academic look at the Rocky films. Maybe in the future I will get more specific about its contents.<br /><br />One of my favorite aspects of film study is history, specifically the Golden years of Hollywood. This summer I am teaching a course in Early Film History from 1910-1950. It should be a great course. We are going to watch several old films and discuss them in terms of content and history. I am really looking forward to teaching it. It is open to any student at Lee U.<br /><br />In the next few weeks, I want to present a classic movie of the week for the blog's readers. A Jeff Salyer's must see list. Some will be obvious while others will be more obscure.<br /><br />This week we will start with a great classic <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0034583/">Casablanca (1942)</a>. I know we are a little past Valentine's Day, but this romance film is one of the greatest. The <a href="http://www.afi.com/">American Film Institute</a> rates at #3 all time. It would fall in my top 5 as well. Humphrey Bogart is stellar and the film delivers some of the most repeated and timeless lines in all of film. "Here's looking at you, kid." <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=9,0,24,0" width="321" height="287"><param name="movie" value="http://www.warnerbros.com/main/swf/WBSyndicatedMediaPlayer.swf" /><param name="quality" value="high" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#ffffff" /><param name="wmode" value="transparent" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="always"/><param name="FlashVars" value="mediaSrc=http://www.warnerbros.com/?page=movies&pid=f-d3ac7aeb&asset=057927&type=video" /><embed src="http://www.warnerbros.com/main/swf/WBSyndicatedMediaPlayer.swf" wmode="transparent" allowFullScreen="true" AllowScriptAccess="always" FlashVars="mediaSrc=http://www.warnerbros.com/?page=movies&pid=f-d3ac7aeb&asset=057927&type=video" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="321" height="287" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer"></embed></object>jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-81348750814966557062009-02-15T11:01:00.003-05:002009-02-15T11:04:45.279-05:00It has been a while since my last post.<br /><br />I just wanted to let my readers know that I'm doing great. Life has been busy due a growing daughter, the TV show I produce in the Winter/Spring, and just trying to do a good job at work teaching and editing.<br /><br />I hope life will slow a bit in the next few weeks. I really enjoy being at the house and playing with Abby whenever possible. I have a great student crew this year who have taken a lot of burden with the TV show off of my shoulders.<br /><br />You can check out my show at www.youtube.com/insideleebasketball or at www.insideleebasketball.com The YouTube option will give a better quality viewing experience.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-15061366640901642002009-01-13T08:29:00.002-05:002009-01-13T08:34:45.116-05:00Inside Lee Basketball TV ShowToday I begin another journey in what is the Inside Lee Basketball TV Show. This is my eighth year to produce. When I started I was just a young kid fresh out of college trying to make a mark in my career. It has become one of the most enjoyable parts of my job. I love traveling with the teams, getting to know the players and coaches, and supporting them on and off the court. Today we tape the first of 10 shows this season.<br /><br />I know I haven't blogged in a while, but hopefully this post will spur more. I hope also to link the shows online so that you all can watch it and give me some feedback. Pass the links on to your Lee friends or just anyone who might enjoy some good basketball. Go ahead and check out the website. Hopefully the updated times will be posted sometime today.<br /><br />www.insideleebasketball.comjeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-91753477796872001512008-10-09T11:04:00.002-04:002008-10-09T11:08:53.298-04:00Short SabbaticalIf you didn't notice I took a little time off from writing. I have found myself smack in the middle of Lee U. Convocation (basically a revival schedule of church services)and finishing up writing my thesis.<br /><br />Having said all that, I am back and hope to interject more of my wit and wisdom to all of my faithful readers.<br /><br />I need some help. Over the past few years I have been helping the Lee U Basketball teams in their pre-game and in-game music. Obviously the music must remain tame to coincide with Lee standards but I (and I am sure the fans and teams) am getting a little bored with some of my selections. I would appreciate any suggestions that you may have for music especially for pre-game for both men's and women's games.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-40734380486671337822008-09-26T09:40:00.004-04:002008-09-27T16:53:24.825-04:00New Media Marketing - YouTube BabyOver the next several months I plan on posting some information and examples of using digital media as a marketing tool. Digital media from websites to blogs give the average person the incredible ability to simply and effectively market a product. The product can be an individual, company, product, artist, idea, or anything else. I will typically refer to generically as products.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/y2kozi"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyhOYzBvpHQH48q6ACOgaeNyv2PlfCRcoMYXM8Q5sRcmRugUNjZD9bPfEHDZRo3Z6LdXCspIYi1YKQ2ADoLD9ib8nlb4qklYskpzk8rWCKXgcl1jX0vON6fiwA1GkA0NudvHuUExdQfpb/s1600-h/youtube-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicyhOYzBvpHQH48q6ACOgaeNyv2PlfCRcoMYXM8Q5sRcmRugUNjZD9bPfEHDZRo3Z6LdXCspIYi1YKQ2ADoLD9ib8nlb4qklYskpzk8rWCKXgcl1jX0vON6fiwA1GkA0NudvHuUExdQfpb/s320/youtube-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250331204256926594" /></a></a><br />YouTube is the first digital marketing tool that I will discuss. As most people know YouTube has changed the landscape of the media and marketing. Anyone can post almost anything and there will be someone who watches it. The goal for marketers is to go viral - which is simply stated the spread of the message from person to person through several means including word of mouth and mainstream media piggybacking. Wikipedia has a good article on <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viral_marketing">Viral Marketing</a> with some examples of successful viral campaigns. <br /><br />I will discuss YouTube (and other web video sites) in terms of how it has changed other media namely television more in depth later.<br /><br />The example I wanted to demonstrate how YouTube is being used to market products is a young man who has been dubbed as "Kindergarten's top prospect." A young man named Marquise Walker is being poised by his father to be the next basketball phenom. The whole campaign began on YouTube and is document very well by ESPN's show Outside the Lines. It is a fairly long video, but very informative on how to initiate a plan using YouTube (the website is very well done too). <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?id=3604857">Click her for Video</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/y2kozi">Marquise's YouTube page</a>.<br /><br />This type of marketing could easily be adapted to position a church, business, musical artist, actor, etc.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-1351697853722189712008-09-25T12:51:00.004-04:002008-09-25T16:57:13.973-04:00A couple of my VideosOne of my main tasks at Lee University is editing promotional and internal videos. I thought I mught share a few of those with you. I do have a youtube acount (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/insideleebasketball">insideleebasketball</a>)and these came from there. Hopefully I can upload some of my other videos later.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UDEE_qJrcgQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UDEE_qJrcgQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/PmO9Z_X6iZQ&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/PmO9Z_X6iZQ&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"> <param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GXAEZyafF0Q"> </param> <embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GXAEZyafF0Q" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="350"> </embed> </object>jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-48539747771165549982008-09-22T10:21:00.003-04:002008-09-25T12:48:29.202-04:0060th Annual Emmy AwardsSo once you get past the leftist rhetoric and comedy there were some good moments at the Emmy Awards this year. My favorite was Josh Groban's performance of the TV show theme songs from the past 60 years.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/A9cQWelvgC4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/A9cQWelvgC4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Don Rickles was funny too. I told April, if you don't want somebody to go long then don't let a 90 year old opinionated comedian give an award. You have to know he is going to vary from the script.<br /><br />Having reality TV host to host was a terrible idea. I missed the opening of the show, but apparently it was terrible and too long.<br /><br />None of my favorite shows won, but that's OK. I'm a TV guy and it was entertaining. I'm glad that the new season of shows begin tonight.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-19627265965901617632008-09-16T11:06:00.003-04:002008-09-25T12:48:03.464-04:00We made it back...Well it was a very interesting weekend. April and I had the opportunity to go to Northern Kentucky to visit April's parents and sister. We had a great time as Abby reconnected with our family. The weather was great on the way up and all day Saturday, but as we left church to go to the Titans/Bengals game the wind began to pickup.<br /><br />We sat in section 334 row 20 which means pretty high up. During the game the weather shifted. Winds picked up to a constant 30-40 m.p.h. with gust at 60-70 m.p.h. There were a few scary moments at the top of the stadium. Lights were shaking, the tarp-like cover was popping loudly as it was lifted and unceremoniously dropped against the steel structure. Beer bottle (plastic), pizza boxes, and nachos were flying in the air hitting both April and me.<br /><br />Did we leave? Of course not, our Titans were whipping the home Bengals and we had to stay. <a href="http://www.nfl.com/videos?videoId=09000d5d80acb886">Highlights</a> of the game.<br /><br /><embed src='http://www.cbs.com/thunder/swf30can10cbssports/rcpHolderCbs-3-4x3.swf' FlashVars='link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Esportsline%2Ecom%2Fvideo%2Fplayer%2Fplay%2Fnflrecaps%2F3NlABUhuO48jUCnK05gKSii3YrqMeqpq&partner=cbssports&vert=Sports&autoPlayVid=false&releaseURL=http://release.theplatform.com/content.select?pid=3NlABUhuO48jUCnK05gKSii3YrqMeqpq&name=cbsPlayer&allowScriptAccess=always&wmode=transparent&embedded=y&scale=noscale&rv=n&salign=tl' allowFullScreen='true' width='425' height='324' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer'></embed><br/><a href='http://www.cbs.com'>Watch CBS Videos Online</a><br /><br />We knew that the weather was bad and that power had been lost in areas, but it wasn't until we headed back home that we understood the severity of the wind across the region. Trees were uprooted, power lines downed, and building debris everywhere. At one point over 700,000 homes had lost power, including my in-laws (where Abby and my mother-in-law held up safely even without power). Check out this <a href="http://www.wlwt.com/video/17473512/">video</a> from the local news. At around 6:00 pm my in-laws' power came back on, while across the street the power remained out. Our original plan was to leave on Sunday, but after driving on the Interstate and seeing how dangerous it was we decided we needed to spend an extra night. We woke up on Monday to temperatures in the 50s and had a smooth ride back to Cleveland.<br /><br />All in all it was a nice weekend and we are praying for those who had damage to their homes and that all the power would be restored soon.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-67490800997878625602008-09-12T14:31:00.002-04:002008-09-12T14:35:30.764-04:00Titans vs Bengals<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvtvj1pm8gskBDlNrLlXgxPiEiRArhij25LORHEYWxradc5_6rMMMYskzNtFbxBuqG_ReMkzMemCFUcSgPPxlcFaQyv-Yxb2Yb-Y8Bs90chhRxRtwp6e9C51e3pdCtisbfU9P5Rp_5PRD/s1600-h/titans%2520logo.gif"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvtvj1pm8gskBDlNrLlXgxPiEiRArhij25LORHEYWxradc5_6rMMMYskzNtFbxBuqG_ReMkzMemCFUcSgPPxlcFaQyv-Yxb2Yb-Y8Bs90chhRxRtwp6e9C51e3pdCtisbfU9P5Rp_5PRD/s200/titans%2520logo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245205283836074610" /></a><br />April and I are going to Cinncy this week to visit my in-laws. My mother-in-law being the wonderful person that she is purchased us some tickets to the Titans game (they would say the Bengals game). April and I will go decked out in our Titans jerseys and hats while my father-in-law and sister-in-law are sure to be clad in orange and black.<br /><br />I promised I wouldn't be one of those fans who goes on the road and is completely obnoxious during the game, but we'll see...jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-50177323825026229332008-09-12T11:09:00.002-04:002008-09-12T11:21:15.440-04:009/11<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiJtuIOlewvjc_BgkVxqM2DHQoOd8ssNEHI6RI2wBG4iRWjyJmj8wXBVOg9Qjrgq7id17uFDaIpvs8d2LK-JKHJuk-_b8m8GMASPG30puFJUVHwd5i1FWarc0GSMH9GjIo6Jiz07vLxlj/s1600-h/9-11-lights.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTiJtuIOlewvjc_BgkVxqM2DHQoOd8ssNEHI6RI2wBG4iRWjyJmj8wXBVOg9Qjrgq7id17uFDaIpvs8d2LK-JKHJuk-_b8m8GMASPG30puFJUVHwd5i1FWarc0GSMH9GjIo6Jiz07vLxlj/s200/9-11-lights.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5245155215563420226" /></a><br />Most everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing on 9-11-01. I certainly do, but far from what I was doing my focus over the last few days are the images that filled my head and the stories of the survivors and victims.<br /><br />I have had a difficult time dealing with the terror of that day even though I didn't know any of the victims personally. I find my self shuttering from the images and even the mention of the events of that day. I have not even watched the films World Trade Center or Flight 93. I know the story, I watched it live on television and lived in the aftermath as a helpless distant bystander.<br /><br />Although my attempted seclusion from the day does not preclude the fact that another generation must be exposed to the events of that day; not the conspiracies or dramatic recreations but the actual footage and stories from the people there. The Pearl Harbor of my generation must be shared with future generations so that they may take away the lessons and the love for country, freedom, and God that has resulted from the tragic events. It is my duty as an American father who has living memory of 9/11 not let my daughter read about it in a school history book or watch a Hollywood version, but to share it with her when she is old enough. I must tell the impact it had on our country, lifestyle, and me personally. I hope all people will do the same.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-90220153637394090942008-09-10T11:34:00.003-04:002008-09-10T22:48:54.327-04:00Basketball Season<center><embed src="http://www.countdownclockcodes.com/cd/ccc-sports/show.swf?clickURL=http://www.countdownclockcodes.com/&clickLABEL=MySpace Countdowns&flashLABEL=Countdown Clock Codes&skin=http://www.countdownclockcodes.com/cd/ccc-sports/skins/14.jpg&text=Lee%20University%20Flames%20%26%0DLady%20Flames%20Basketball&untilColor=6724095&textColor=3342591&datesColor=0&year=2008&month=10&day=1&hour=5&minute=0&second=0&x=6&y=77" quality="high" bgcolor="#ffffff" width="300" height="200" name="countdown" align="middle" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" /><br><small><a href="http://www.countdownclockcodes.com/">MySpace Countdowns</a></small></center>
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<br />It's almost time for my favorite sporting events to attend. Every year I look forward to watching these men an women compete. They play an exciting brand of basketball and everyone should check it out when possible.
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<br />Not to mention I have done the coaches' TV show for the past 7 years. You can check it out at <a href="http://www.insideleebasketball.com">Inside Lee Basketball</a>jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-8625960433440395782008-09-08T10:38:00.004-04:002008-09-08T16:13:25.104-04:00Opening Pandora's Box<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzOqZexJX41s8Zr03ndovA6D5my5c6z5pyaexfyvgXOTIfaBZbyfmRyIDXcWC83NokWf5rd9G5EZYnKZBuGjaUyJzXTDWf5ppv_Cbswr_Ck01UAgBVzTI3jFem-L_98LS_i73sdeKfCGI/s1600-h/old_radio.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHzOqZexJX41s8Zr03ndovA6D5my5c6z5pyaexfyvgXOTIfaBZbyfmRyIDXcWC83NokWf5rd9G5EZYnKZBuGjaUyJzXTDWf5ppv_Cbswr_Ck01UAgBVzTI3jFem-L_98LS_i73sdeKfCGI/s320/old_radio.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243661590161271090" /></a><br />I may be behind, but I have found something new (to me) on the web that I have thoroughly enjoyed. It's <a href="http://www.pandora.com/">Pandora</a> Internet radio. This is a site that creates a playlist for each user based on his or her artist preference. Say you like Third Day, Pandora will pick music that is similar in genre and sound. It also let's you choose the genre you like and will play various artists. The user is able to rate all the songs for a more precise list of your favorites. It's a pretty cool tool to have running while working on your computer.jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-44000466908242228112008-09-04T17:03:00.003-04:002008-09-04T17:17:52.696-04:00I'm Hooked...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2Pqcx0qdWz8apRF27_NAXnwGgC8rO1JtuJPnFAxi358cDG8RtoyPu0xUlaeZwFK-qt0qP_oyRqXA5QT0ojDN1OO7GopUP9vsc93Lv22pEzV3wrKfUoMO9TKq-NSX228Pm7iXUckTXG61/s1600-h/American%2520Flag.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2Pqcx0qdWz8apRF27_NAXnwGgC8rO1JtuJPnFAxi358cDG8RtoyPu0xUlaeZwFK-qt0qP_oyRqXA5QT0ojDN1OO7GopUP9vsc93Lv22pEzV3wrKfUoMO9TKq-NSX228Pm7iXUckTXG61/s320/American%2520Flag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242278336356020354" /></a><br />I am hooked on politics. I have found myself reading every article about the subject. The Drudge Report is constantly on my desktop waiting for any breaking news and Fox News is on in the office and at home. I think my wife may be a little sick of it, and because she is a teacher she can't stay up late watching the speeches. I personally watched most of the Democratic keynotes as well as the Republicans; all intriguing.<br /><br />I only hope that the next few months are exciting and atypical of most presidential campaigns. The 2008 election comes down to a blend of candidate personality and issues; ideology and relating to the American people where they live. What a wonderful country!jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-59984556238999576882008-08-29T12:52:00.005-04:002008-08-29T14:09:08.638-04:00Energized<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJid7JvxnN6VFjNf46O5DReMD-DvtIxtwcZ20PzKNrDshTRDN1iJi2JQgebz94A9CyUXgfdkWuLpSi7aLBXoV0x41fxcG7Y0xEqpNB8cVbNqEJRoGgOK5k6_gakb8WQanY3dDZQChixFS/s1600-h/Palin.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239986400778119906" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJid7JvxnN6VFjNf46O5DReMD-DvtIxtwcZ20PzKNrDshTRDN1iJi2JQgebz94A9CyUXgfdkWuLpSi7aLBXoV0x41fxcG7Y0xEqpNB8cVbNqEJRoGgOK5k6_gakb8WQanY3dDZQChixFS/s320/Palin.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Over the past several months I have been growing weary of the political process. The primaries didn't yield a candidate that I could really get behind and support 100%. I'm not going to get into specifics on the issues that I disagree with but it was enough to cause me some trepidation in one of our greatest <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">responsibilities</span> and rights as Americans.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>However, today I was energized at the choice of John McCain's running mate, Alaska <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Governor</span> Sarah <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Palin</span>. She brings a historic element to the McCain ticket similar to that of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Obama</span> ticket, which assures a clearly historic election no matter what. I like everything about her from her strong family values to her outdoor lifestyle to her nickname the "<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">barracuda</span>". While she might lack some foreign policy experience this will come with time, good <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">advisers</span>, and of course with being linked with McCain in the Oval Office. I can see this woman as America's first female President. </div><div></div><div> </div><div><iframe src="http://www.cnn.com/video/savp/evp/?loc=dom&vid=/video/politics/2008/08/29/sot.palin.honored.cnn" height="393" width="406" allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>Finally someone on any of the tickets that reenegizes the race. </div>jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-18935263430438595512008-08-28T13:53:00.004-04:002008-08-28T14:08:44.538-04:00Why are the Yankees tanking?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUcITNgIyXd61PBQkAshBZbdwS4-ecWx8yN-ACz8Pe0tUfBVE-lfohHVp9goysOm11YpEGirh0rfZjtH8sI4NLxmTY24xn77sq48Awr3N5JSrVzpP7intUU-5BZKV4yoUGsb6hAkpTg0B/s1600-h/derek-jeter.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239632113747792290" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrUcITNgIyXd61PBQkAshBZbdwS4-ecWx8yN-ACz8Pe0tUfBVE-lfohHVp9goysOm11YpEGirh0rfZjtH8sI4NLxmTY24xn77sq48Awr3N5JSrVzpP7intUU-5BZKV4yoUGsb6hAkpTg0B/s320/derek-jeter.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I am a rarity in my family and circle of friends. First I am a baseball fan. Second, I am a Yankees fan (something I may never reveal to my Grandmother <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Salyer</span>). I either know Braves or Reds fans and to some extent I like the Reds. I only have two friends who share my affinity for the Evil Empire.<br /><br />I am having a pretty disappointing year. Last year I wanted to buy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">mlb</span>.com coverage of all the Yankees games. They were in a race towards the playoffs, but now I just want next season to come or better yet the hot stove season. The most disappointing thing is that this is the last year for the house that Ruth built. I am glad that I can say that I have been there.<br /><br />Even though I hate to say it, it may take moving some of the highest paid players in the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">league</span> to get some hungry young talent to win again - including Alex Rodriguez. As long as Derek <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Jeter</span> never leaves.<br /><br />What do I know? I am just a less than enthusiastic fan. Moving on to football...</div>jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-67974025510207659782008-08-28T13:46:00.002-04:002008-08-28T13:52:59.786-04:00It's been a while!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTfVnu57mK1Lyv7Sznf5D8YBMjyXxeoBxcVJUtyo0f_mo6oo5TBaixo3NTZavj6GtV0-7lo_76GAIUnYWy7mzA0cUPoEg4XMZE1WULGxATItOd4Q5MkUwwS6Un8V5dapF7RyBUHlib2o4/s1600-h/Abby+Birthday.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239628012299754066" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTfVnu57mK1Lyv7Sznf5D8YBMjyXxeoBxcVJUtyo0f_mo6oo5TBaixo3NTZavj6GtV0-7lo_76GAIUnYWy7mzA0cUPoEg4XMZE1WULGxATItOd4Q5MkUwwS6Un8V5dapF7RyBUHlib2o4/s320/Abby+Birthday.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>My last post was along time ago and lots of things have changed. Abby is bigger, she talks more, and she has begun to walk some. April and I are having a blast raising her which leads me to my question - why was I so scared to have children?</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I am not saying that it has been or will be easy, but it has far more rewarding than I could have ever imagined. I know it will only get better as we go.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hopefully now that I am close to finishing my thesis and my course work in my Master's program is completed I can post more and be consistent.</div>jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-30601726300352796612008-02-12T22:28:00.008-05:002008-12-10T07:32:50.399-05:00MotivationOne of the things that I struggle most with in life is prioritizing my time. I think this stems from my nature to want please everyone. You just can't do that; in fact it will make you sick. Going to school and trying to manage work while Ron is gone has been difficult. I get lots done but I feel like nothing is ever completed. I have found myself putting more trust in and delegating more work to students. And why not? It's how I learned about TV and video. I'm even letting a new person work significant time on "my" TV show. I never thought that this would ever happen because I am so control freakish.<br /><br />My real struggle and worry comes from the lack of completion of my thesis. I love the topic (The Journey of Rocky Balboa - A psychoanalytical approach to the <em>Rocky</em> Anthology) and the fact that I can focus on one of my passions - film. I just can't get the time or the motivation to start writing chapters 3-5. I have to get it done and defended by March 16 and as that day approaches my stress level rises.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9WpmegPriX9nrK1cWQe5Csp6lV8LRHokp4mK_4IyTrmoUZWjXAMqOsDq6fpvRpP2o3I4vCgcJVYoP2iNv0qaW6I-vfxNWYJyEIokNcBpNiI18WPAIfMVVvO_HLo4kwY6Hbdrq_0bmJve/s1600-h/DSC_0008.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5166306819876267970" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9WpmegPriX9nrK1cWQe5Csp6lV8LRHokp4mK_4IyTrmoUZWjXAMqOsDq6fpvRpP2o3I4vCgcJVYoP2iNv0qaW6I-vfxNWYJyEIokNcBpNiI18WPAIfMVVvO_HLo4kwY6Hbdrq_0bmJve/s320/DSC_0008.JPG" border="0" /></a>Part of the motivational issues come from having that wonderful and beautiful little girl calling me in only the way she can in a soft whisper "Da-da-da." It melts my heart everytime and I just want to hold her and play with her all night. Thus taking away from academics. I know that I must make time to work on academics, but my daughter is growing so fast I hate missing any moment with her.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I pray daily - Lord give me the strength, time, love, motivation, passion, hope, and peace that all things will be accomplished in Your name and in the way You desire for me to do. Let those around me know You are present in my life and that You work through me. Let all things I do bring honor to You. Amen.<br /><br />Until Next Time...jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-70824381882283476402007-05-22T16:20:00.000-04:002007-05-22T16:22:49.605-04:00Career DayLast week I presented at Oliver Springs Elementary School Career Day. I felt honored that they asked me to go back to my old stomping grounds and speak to middle school students about potential careers in broadcasting. I wondered if 6th-8th graders would even be interested in what I had to say. I was pleasantly surprised with their attentiveness and inquisitiveness. Other speakers included a meteorologist from the top network in Knoxville, Julya Johnson, who happened to attend high school with me. There was a medical evacuation helicopter, dentists, lawyers, a mortician, and my sister who is an event coordinator who specializes in weddings.<br /><br />At lunch, all the speakers we invited to the library where we were served BBQ and we were able to socialize some. During this time a reporter from the local paper showed up and began to interview several people about the event and careers. Eventually she found her way to me and asked what I did. I proudly answered that I worked in the video production department at Lee University. She asked what I did. I told her about editing, teaching, producing videos for the University, managing student workers, promoting the university, etc. During the entire interview I was positive about my job and why I was at OS talking to the students. But then it happened, the young (probably 22 and fresh out of college) reporter asked a question that I have faced in the past from others especially my peers from where I grew up. It is a question that causes me to become defensive and to a point angry. She said, “So, when you get a <em>real</em> job,” catching herself she stumbled to say, “I mean when you, uh, when decided to move on…” She must have read the expression on my face, because she stopped in the middle of her sentence. At first, I was appalled at the question, but then I understood this would be a good chance for me to share about why I work at Lee. I told her that I chose to work at Lee because not because I couldn’t get another job or was unable to find a job after graduation, but I chose Lee for one simple reason – I believe in the mission and vision of the institution. Lee University is changing lives everyday. It is place where students are challenged academically, socially, and spiritually. Those students then go out into their professions and lives after Lee to impact the lives of others around them.<br /><br />The most significant aspect of Lee that makes it so appealing for me and the others who decided to stay or come back here to work is the exponential amounts of people who are touched because of this institution. It’s not just the students who graduate from here it’s also the people they work with, marry, their kids, fellow church members, clients, employees, etc. Working at Lee is more than just cashing a paycheck or filling out a resume, it is a calling and a ministry. I know that not everyone will understand why I don’t go work for ESPN, travel doing sports, open my own production company or even attempt to produce TV or film. At this point in my life, it is not time for me to do those things instead I choose to try and affect the lives of the students and staff of Lee University so that are better equipped to serve and reach the world. This is my calling and that is why I work at Lee University. So my answer to the reporter then and now is “I am in a <em>real</em> job and I love it.”<br /><br />Until next time…jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5602768753841319614.post-83694377631358922942007-05-20T21:50:00.000-04:002007-05-20T22:26:38.462-04:00The Eve of FatherhoodFatherhood is probably the most important job I will ever have. Then why am I so nervous? I have a great father who was a great example of what a loving father should be. He was supportive, loving, and there for me. He actually gave me some advice the other day. He told me to rest some this weekend and I said "Yeah, I better before Abby gets here, because that's when sleep ends." He immediately jumped on me about my attitude. He said "you must have a positive attitude about things. She (Abby) will be able to sense if you are upset and she will react to that." It makes perfect sense. I have to be comfortable around my daughter if she is to be comfortable with me.<br /><br />I think most of my trepidation stems from the fact that I don't know what I'm doing. I've never been a father before. My limited <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">experience</span> is the one time I babysat a two year old by myself. However, my wife seems extremely capable of birthing our daughter and them coming home with all confidence and grace to raise her without problems. I have asked and I know she will help me as we learn together.<br /><br />There are many things I look forward in raising my daughter. Those special moments like first steps, first words, cuddling with her, and even waking up in the middle of the night to help take care of her. I also look forward to fishing, golfing, swimming, talking, watching concerts, attending ball games, etc. It will be an adventure and I accept the challenge (as if I had a choice) and the joys of fatherhood.<br /><br />Until next time...jeffsalyerjrhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13375229614989285816noreply@blogger.com3