Vblogitis, The J-SHOW Vs. National TV Debut
A few of you have inquired why I'm not doing video blogs any more, or where "The J-Show" variety show has gone. I'm sorry to disappoint, but the truth is, I'm not really video blogging anymore, for a couple of reasons which I'll explain below. I can't rule out starting up again in the future, especially from home on YouTube or something, but for now I'm hanging up my hat.
First, you may think that my debut at video blogging came with this cheesy intro on March 2, 2007:
2007: IS HE SOME SORT OF MASKED WEATHER SUPERHERO?
But actually, my debut was three years earlier on November 20, 2004, when I did a video tutorial for our RadarPlus product with our really-old video system, right out in the middle of Operations. It was a bit scary and embarrassing to be out there in front of everyone, but I was the only guy for the job and I was determined to get a video tutorial online.
Here's why I'm hanging up my video hat for now:
1. I have other avenues available to express my humorous and off-topic side now, including my Twitter feeds and Facebook page (see list at right). Most of that flows into "J's Breaking Weather News" at right, so if you enjoyed The J-Show, monitor those feeds.
"I say beware of all enterprises that require new clothes." --Henry David Thoreau
2. We have a new video blogging system now and the PC system is being phased out. That means that we can't do video blogs at our desks anymore, and the ability to video blog ANYwhere, including a secure radio booth (or even my home office) was really what attracted me to it in the first place.
The new video software is out in the middle of our Operations Floor, and there is a new dresscode requiring a suit. That's going way too far for me and I fully back Thoreau. I have always wanted to be the behind-the-scenes weatherman, not the guy wearing a suit in front of all the lights and people.
3. 1. It took up too much of my time. Even though I usually did the video blogs at home on my own time, it took hours to setup a show, even with the efficient tools we are using at AccuWeather, then there were the unavoidable bloopers which caused reshoots.
That said, I did give in to one brief video interview at my desk last week, because it was for a good cause, promoting fellow meteorologist Mark Mancuso, who has recently joined AccuWeather. This video interview was included in a promotional page launched last week, and it is shown below. Since this video also went to the Local AccuWeather Channel, in theory this was my first (and hopefully last) appearance on national television.
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