Sigler’s Krackens Don’t Care For Death

This summer my friend Scott Sigler announced his self promoted book tour for his newest book The Rookie. I knew I would have to see him when he came to the Dallas, but I wanted to mess with Scott. If anyone needs to be messed with, it is Scott.

As you may know I manufacture all the Kraken gear (jerseys, etc.) for his book The Rookie. Since I own a uniform shop I decided to create a one of a kind uniform for The Orbiting Death. The Orbiting Death is opponent of the Krakens. They had a great logo which in turn made for a great jersey.

As you can see in the photo, the jersey was a big hit. Everyone enjoyed seeing Scott, and I think Scott enjoyed seeing the new uniform.

My Twitter Account Became My Twitter Accounts

Twitter, that little site that could. It could become something. It could become big time, It could be used by millions. Back when I created my first Twitter account (PodcastPickle) on Jan. 26th, 2007 those were the kind of things geeks were saying.

Yes, I said the things geeks were saying, because those were the only people using Twitter. Since Twitter started as a geek hang out, the geeks knew its potential. If only Twitter could go main stream. If regular (non geek) people would start using Twitter. What would it be like then?

Well it happened. Twitter was used by Shaq, then Brittney, and then it really went big time when Oprah started using it. I guess when all the one name people start using something the masses follow.

As Twitter became more main stream, and the number of people using Twitter grew. As Twitter grew my personal usage of twitter also grew. I found tools to help make it easier to manage. Tools to help me get more out of Twitter. Moving from Twitter Tools, to Tweet Deck, and finally ending up using Co-Tweet, so I could manage multiple accounts.

My accounts also grew, I started with PodcastPickle, but soon started building more. I added FastpitchTV to start moving updates about my softball vidcast, then quickly added FastpitchNews to move updates from my fastpitch news blog. Not wanting to stop their I also added SoftballRadio trying to get my fastpitch audio podcast out there.

Then I thought how could I forget my retail stores? So of course I added SportJunk to market my sporting goods business. Then to complete the business I added WallpaperStore for my decorating business. Now, I was finished, and all was good with the world, and with Twitter. Thanks to Co-Tweet I could manage all the accounts from one site. Yes, I was happy with myself.

Then one night laying in bed, yes thinking about Twitter (am I sick?). I realized I had never gotten my personal name. I never got the account GaryLeland. Businesses could come and go, but my name would be with me forever. How could I make that error? As I laid there I started wondering, what if there is another Gary Leland? What if he has MY NAME? I know it is stupid, but I had to know. I jumped out of bed, and went to my office. I had to know.

I was in luck. The name was still available. I don’t know if I am the only Gary Leland in the world, or the only one that cares about Twitter? All I know is that I got my name on Twitter. The thing that really gets me is the fact that I started using twitter so long ago, I probably could of registered my first name Gary. The would of been cool.

The Fastpitch Radio Show Rides Again

For those of you who don’t know, which is most of you, I started the first podcast dedicated to softball back in the ancient days of podcasting. By ancient days I mean February of 2006.

The Fastpitch Radio Show has gone through several changes from 2006 until the present time. We have interviewed Olympians, Hall of Famers, Coaches, and other people involved in fastpitch softball.

My other podcast The Fastpitch TV Show picked up a national sponsor back in April of 2009. The fact that the show now had a true weekly deadline, caused me to only focus on the The Fastpitch TV Show. As a result the The Fastpitch Radio Show has not had a new episode in several months.

That will change starting in August. Anderson Bats, and Dudley Softball have both agreed to sponsor the show for 12 episodes. Starting with the month of August, I will produce a new episode of the show every month.

To kick it off we have a great guest for August. In August the Olympic Selection Committee decides on which two sports will have the opportunity of being added to the Olympics. Softball is one of the sports being considered. Don Porter form ISF is representing Softball at the Olympic Committee Meeting in Germany. I will interview Don the day after the vote, from Germany.

This will give our listeners a chance to find out how the meeting went first hand. I am hoping Don will say softball made it, but no matter how it goes, good or bad, we will have the info for you.

I am happy to say that The Fastpitch Radio Show is back, and doing well.

Fastpitch TV Show Celebrates Its First Birthday

I can’t believe it I have been producing The Fastpitch TV Show for a year. If you have followed my previous podcasts, The Podcast Pickle Show, Today In Podcasting, Pickle Tips, or any of the other audio podcasts I have been involved with, then you know this is a major accomplishment.

I was looking at some of my older episodes, and I was truly amazed at how bad they were. I was sitting around the house last year, and decided I wanted to create a video. I grabbed a camera, and did just that. I did not have a plan, nor did I have a script. I really did not even know what I was doing.

The one thing I did have was a knowledge of the topic. I played softball, I coached softball, and I own a softball business. In the past when people asked me what they should podcast about I always said what do you enjoy? So, I decided to listen to my own advice.

My first episode was simple, and created with iMovie. Like I said it was bad, but you can see for yourself.

As time went by I actually found myself getting enjoyment out of editing the shows. I bought Final Cut Express, and started taking Final Cut Classes. I feel my quality has improved with the addition of a HD Camera, proper lighting, and a green screen.

This is my latest episode.

I think you will agree my quality is a little better, but the best thing is that a national sporting goods manufacturer contacted me out of the blue. They have agreed to sponsor the video for 1 year. Now I am actualy getting paid to produce the show, and a very fair amount too.

So it took 1 year, but I now have a video that is actualy making me money. I guess the adviuce I had been giving out was good advice after all. Now go out find something you know something about, and just do it.

I Drank the Facebook Koolaid

I created my Facebook account as soon they opened Facebook beyond the school accounts. I really did not mess with it much. I went in approved friends, accepted group invitations and that was about it. I knew I needed a Facebook account, even though I was not sure why I needed it.

Recently, I decided to work my Facebook account. I wanted to get more fans for my new media sites. In specific The Fastpitch TV Show. While making a page for the show, and creating a fastpitch softball group. I started exploring Facebook. I started spending more time on Facebook, than I had in the year or so that I had the account.

To my astonishment I started finding high school friends That I had not seen in over 30 years. Even more than that I found elementary school friends that I had not seen many, many years.

Let me give you a few examples of old relationships I have reopened. This year the first person to wish me happy birthday was Doug. Doug was a friend I made in 4th grade, and had not seen in over 30 years.

Another one is Nancy, my first girlfriend from the 4th grade. Wow, I recognized her photo right away , and enjoyed seeing her family photos, and what she has been up to.

I won’t go on, and on about all the old friends I have been chatting with. I will say that it has been a blast reconnecting with these old friends. Since all of my daughters friends are young, I don’t think they appreciate Facebook the I do.

Yes, I drank the Facebook Koolaid, and I like it.

I Am Falling In Love With Apple!

I know that sounds weird to say, or at least it feels weird to say. How can I help myself? If you treat me as good, as the people from Apple do, you will get some kind of love from me too.

I have told you in the past about their one on one training classes, which I love. At less than $2.00 per hour for a one on one lesson, whats not to love about that?

Now the newest reason for my love affair. I have been having problems with the ring tone on my iPhone for the longest time. The volume so just so low, I could hardly hear it.

Being the worlds biggest procrastinator, I never took it in to get fixed. You may of guessed that my warranty ran out. Since it ran out a while ago I never said anything to Apple about it.

Last Sunday I decided to tell them about my problem. Since I was their taking my one on one lesson I thought I would mention it. To my surprise they gave me a brand new iPhone. Yes, a brand new iPhone even though my warranty had been out for over 3 months.

The clerk even said he was going to give me the new iPhone even though it was out of warranty. That they wanted to have happy customers. Guess what? They have a happy customer here.

As I said I am falling in love with Apple.

Does Wikipedia Have An Issue With Podcasting?

I went onto Wikipedia the other day looking for some info. While I was on the site I thought I would look at the listing they have for my website Podcast Pickle. I was surprised as to how small the Wiki article was. It use to be a much bigger article, with much more info.

This morning I went back on to look at the article again. Then I decided to look at Podcast Alley’s Wiki Page. To my surprise it was not there at all. It had been completely removed. This surprised me since Podcast Alley was very important in the start up of podcasting.

Then I looked up the Wiki page for the term podcast. After seeing the page for podcast, I no longer feel like Podcast Pickle was cut short. The wiki page on podcasting is about a 10th of the information, that use to be there. The entire history section of podcasting has been reduced to Apple vs Podcast Ready. I am sorry but there was a lot of other history that I thought was just as important.

I remember about a year, or so ago they were thinking of removing Podcast Pickle from Wikipedia completely. Thanks to the input of Pickle Fans from across the world it was saved. Thank you to everyone who came to the rescue. I am sorry Podcast Alley, and many of the other pages are no longer on Wikipedia.

* After I made this post I was informed that the podcasting history section on Wikipedia was moved. That makes me feel a little better. Thanks Ray

I Made The Leap Thanks To Scott Sigler

If you read my previous blog post I wanna Be A Podcast Novel Star you are aware that my name, Gary Leland has been used in several podcasts novels.

You will also know that I have invited anyone to use my name in any upcoming podcasts they may have in the works. From the emails I have received, I should be in at least 3 more podcasts coming soon. That is cool. Since I do not have the skills to be an on stage, or a screen actor.

Now Scott Sigler has moved me into the world of print media. His new book Contagious has hit the book shelfs. I went into my local Barnes & Nobles to get my copy, and confirm that I made it into the book. The answer was a big yes.

I am a character in his book. I am playing the same role of a corpse. That is the same role I played in the podcast novel. I do a great job as a corpse, if I say so myself.

Now, I can make claim that I am a novel star, and not just a podcast novel star. In case you do not know what a novel star is, it is someone who’s name is used in a novel. This is a major move in my novel acting career. I can’t wait to see which novel I am in next.

OMG, I saw where scott’s previous book Infected is also out in the book stores. I wonder if I am in it too? I better haul butt back to Barnes & Noble ASAP.

Oh yea, Scott if you are reading this my last name is spelled Leland. Not that it is a big deal, and thanks for giving me something to write about.

Did You Recieve A Christmas Bonus?

While creating paychecks Friday, it dawned on me that this was the first year ever that I am not giving a Christmas bonus to everyone.

With the economy in the toilet, our sales are down like many other companies across America. Sales are down so much that it would be irresponsible to give out a Christmas Bonus this year.

I still remember my first Christmas bonus check back in 1974. I was not expecting a bonus. I did not even know people got them. When I opened my paycheck it was double my normal salary. My bonus was a full weeks pay. That was pretty exciting at the time.

When I started my own business back in 1979, I did as I had been done. I gave out Christmas a Christmas Bonus to everyone. I gave a bonus until this year that is.

This got me thinking how many people still receive a Christmas Bonus? The easiest way I could find out was do a survey, or a poll. Thus the first Pickle Poll was created.

Pickle Poll? Yes a Pickle Poll. I simply logged intoTwitter, and ask my Twitter followers. I asked Did you get a Christmas Bonus this year? Answers started coming in right away.

I only received 26 answers. Since I have over 1300 followers I was disappointed in the number of answerers I received. The break down of yes vs. no is that 22 people did not. Only 4 people did. I know this is not a scientific poll, but I feel it is a good indicator.

At first I just thought that other companies were in the same situation I am in. Then after reading the comments people made, I realized that most companies just don’t give out a bonus anymore. I am sorry to hear that. I do hope to go back to giving out a Christmas bonus next year, and I am truly sorry I can’t this year.

If you want to follow me on Twitter go to PodcastTwitter.com

My New Media Sites For Fastpitch Softball

I have been involved with podcasting for a while now. When we started on PodcastPickle.com there were less than 100 podcasts in the world.

I finally decided to move my main business (SportJunk.com) into podcasting, and the world of new media. For anyone who may not be aware of what my main business is, it is softball. I am into Fastpitch softball to be precise.

1. I have started a podcast, SoftballPodcasts.com, a site that consists mainly of interviews with legends of fastpitch softball. I have intervied Olympians, hall of famers, college coaches, and othe people involved in the world of fastpitch softball.

2. I started a vidcast, FastpitchTVshow.com this consists of interviews, and product reviews. I am actually amazed as to how many people view each episode.

3. I started a blog, Fastpitch.US, this blog serves as a news source to help people keep up with is going on in the world of fastpitch softball.

While I have really enjoyed myself in creating these websites, I must admit that I use these sites to advertise for my main business. On ever episode , and on every site I advertise for my websites. I have sold quit a bit of product in my store directly from this advertising.

I think it is a win-win deal. Consumers get information they find useful, and I gain new customers. I think I can handle that.