TimFreeland.com

Earlier this year my Uncle Kent & Aunt Kay Freeland planned an outing on Lake Pepin in Lake City, MN.  They rented a large paddle boat that had been restored for use on this large waterfront.  It was a double decker with a full bar, bathrooms, retro-charm, great service, near perfect weather, friends and family and a view to kill for.  It was a perfect day and I'd like to thank Kent and Kay for everything.  Please enjoy the following photo and video albums.  Meanwhile, I am putting together a compilation of these photos and videos, that will be presented to music.  I just wanted to get these up first.

Friends and family that were aboard, please leave a comment for everyone to read.  Tell me what you thought of the trip.  Share photos if you can.

Click here to view all video

It has been 976 days since Rylie first stepped through the doors of the new Northfield Montessori facility in 2005.  At age 3 Rylie joined the "Discovery I" classroom where she moved to "Discovery II" and finally into the "Montessori" room.  Last week, she left for the last time after completing the Kindergarten program. I would personally like to thank all the teachers for their hard work over the years.  It's a job that not many could do and I don't think teachers are rewarded enough in our society.

This step in Rylie's life is truly a fork in the road for me and her.  See, Rylie's mom Melissa lives in Farmington and after much debate, it was decided that Rylie would attend public school in that system at this time.  I really wanted Rylie to attend school and grow up in the same community that I did.  However, she will still split equal time between Northfield and Farmington by dividing up vacations, weekends and holidays between the two families. 

They had their musical performance this morning.  I was very impressed as this was probably the first for most of them.  I remember being in their shoes.  We all had to get up there at some point in our childhood.  I remember looking out at the parents and belting it out.  We'll, now I found myself on the other side of things, as I do often with my kids.  Good job Kayla.

What started out as a weekly "meeting of the minds" at the Rueb n' Stein in downtown Northfield turned into what we believe to be a unique concept.  Adam Gurno  & Tim Freeland have teamed up to launch a mostly web-based endeavor that turns old photos and any video into a custom tailored presentation for any event, set to your choice of music and fully personalized to please. 

"We really seemed to click and had unique talents that fit together perfectly," said Tim.  "We found a shared interest in entrepreneurial endeavors and quickly agreed that the path to success was to include the latest technology and had to be driven by an online presence."

The concept of their business includes taking old and new photos and video relevant to a certain person or event, for example, and artistically weaving them together  into one flowing presentation, all to the beat of your chosen musical soundtrack.  Using their own experiences along with the latest video and digital photography software, they are able to enhance, fix, alter, blend and direct the content together in ways that tell a story. 

"Tim had skills with business management, video production, advertising, sales, video archiving and photo restoration while I had experience with building online web site systems, multi-media software, video editing, artistic direction as well as working with the local Northfield Citizens Online (NCO) group and running Northfield.org," explained Adam.

I found this gem from Mike & Sara Harts wedding in 2004 (I think it was).  No, this isn't me, but Brian (not going to disclose last name).   I did dare him to say it because I was too chicken.  Notice the audience reaction.  It's a combination of disgust and laughter. 

I found this one in a pile of old VHS tapes last night.  I was pretty pumped to  see me in a jump suit, mullet, shop glasses and some brown "boat shoes".  I could help but to appreciate the graphical capabilities we had to work with back then.  I can't remember what class I shot this for but I do recall Mrs Hard letting me work overtime on various projects in the media centers production room.  It probably helped train me to be the video-heavy blogger that I am today. 

I apologize in advance.  This is really boring. 

Finally I have done it.  The wife was away today so I set my brand new Sony DSC-H9 camera on top of my tripod and started to film some of my magic effects.  The very first one is a floating bill.  Very awesome trick.  I've been studying and performing magic for 15 years now.  I always say "I do the cool magic...not the stuff you see on stage, like with doves and magic assistants".  I think a lot of magicians give the art a bad name by being super-corny.  If you've seen David Blaine or street magicians, that's more my style.  My magic is close-up, interactive and in your hands.  It's perfect for trade shows, parties, happy hours, etc.  I work best when I can float around and mingle with small groups so that everyone can be involved.

Last weekend I did a show in Faribault for the "Health Finders" fund raiser.   Thanks Pauline & Paula (reporter and publisher).  Click here to see my blog on it.  

Enjoy the video

I learned this technique from Mozart.  Well..from the Amadeus Mozart film.  Take a song you know well, lay upside and cross your arms.  Then just play as normal.  It really works.  Looks like your some prodigy, but it's really easy.  Check out the video below.

One of my worst takes ever.  But, I was too tired to re-try.  I also wimped out and skipped over 2 solo's.  Anyways...here I am.  Playing on my new Yamaha Portable Digital Grand YPG-625.

I recall watching the posthumous George Harrison induction ceremony on VH1 in 2004.  Price was inducted into the RHOF as well this night.  At first, I thought it was such an odd pairing of artist on the stage.  I mean, Prince up there with guitar legends Tom Petty, Jeff lynne, Steve Winwood & Eric Clapton....how was he going to do?  Everyone was up there for the final song of the night. Was Prince going to "represent"?  I always considered Prince to be a musical genius and an expert at so many different instruments, but I didn't expect this. 

About half was through the performance you can see George's son Dhani look to Price and smile as he took center stage.  Price continues to shred out one of the best solo's that I've ever seen....for the entire 2nd half of the song.  He was making his guitar "weep" for real.  The poetic ironies of the event are uncanny. 

But, I have just one question.  After the song ends, Price throws his guitar up into the air.  It doesn't come down.  What the??  AND, at about 4:50 in, he actually has someone's hands catch him as he falls backwards while he's playing.

Prior to our marriage on June 29th 2007, Lori and I picked out a ton of photos that nicely captured family from both sides. I had a lot of scanning to do. I put together this photo-show, burnt a copy to DVD and played over all the TV's at our reception. It went over very well. So, here it is, for everyone to see. I love you Lori.

NOTE: Un-click the little volume icon to hear the "stock" music.

Kayla is the 2nd from left in this years Christmas pageant  at Rejoice Lutheran at the Northfield senior high school.  Notice the perfect twirl to the left and then back again.  And all this under pressure of the audience and in full costume.  What an Angel!

What did I just call her? This week at the Northfield Montessori, my daughter Rylie has been named "Star of the Week" (S.O.W).

I recall in 2nd grade the teacher choose a pupil each Friday as the star student of that week. They would get a card with some candy affixed and was allowed to be the first at doing something. I also recall being one of the last to receive this honor later in the school year. I figure every kid had to "win" once and I must have been one of those "this kids turn" winners.

Well, this is Rylie's 2nd time as Star of the Week. So, she must be doing something right.

This honor includes:

• Being first in all lines.
• Bringing either a game, movie or book of choice each day to share.
• Bring in treats on Friday for everyone.
• Wearing a custom made star necklace around their neck all week.
• Bringing in photos of the family and a brief profile for the wall.
• And of course, ton's of gushing and pampering.

Congratulations Rylie. Take a bow!