Tag: Uncovering Oklahoma Page 72 of 78

MOB Grill Interview

On July 24, 2015

For Uncovering Oklahoma, I did a mafia inspired interview from inside my car truck with food truck owner, Seth Barker, of MOB Grill. The whole thing started off as a silly joke on Twitter when I tweeted:

Who wants to see me interview @MOBGrill inside a car trunk for @h_n_8th video? Perhaps @FowlerToyota can provide a car. Retweet for support!

— Uncovering Oklahoma (@uncoveringok) June 27, 2015

MOB Grill replied saying it sounded like a fun idea and after an email exchange to make sure they were seriously interested, we actually filmed the interview in my car trunk. We of course took safety precautions. Leslie stood outside the car, the trunk was never completely closed, the car was equipped with a handle inside the trunk, and the back seats to the trunk were down as well. We both got hot and sweaty rather fast, but it was quick interview and it was worth it to do something unique.

After the video was released, Seth sent me an email saying, “That is AWESOME!!! The video is fantastic, you did a phenomenal job! My phone is blowing up with people talking about. WOW! Thanks a million times over!” His response made my day.

This was my first time using my new Panasonic GH4 camera for an interview. Still learning everything about it. I’m happy as to how well this whole video turned out!

Words on Presentations

By Dennis

On April 30, 2015

In Real

I’ve had the honor of being invited to speak at the Norman Public Library West about my Uncovering Oklahoma Date Idea Books. My first presentation was on Friday, February 20. This was first time I gave a talk about myself, what I do, and my travels. I enjoy talking to people about places, so I knew talking in front of crowd, about something I was passionate, I would be comfortable.

Before the event though, I sent a tweet out to one of my favorite writers, Neil Gaiman, asking for advice. To my joy, and later embarrassment of the typo I made, he responded. The conversation went as such:

Wisdom I kept in mind.

The subject of my first talk was road trip ideas. I spoke about such places as Talimena National Scenic Byway, Heavener Runestone Park, Center of the Universe, Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Arbuckle Wilderness, and a few others. Overall, the presentation was about 20 minutes.

The feedback I received on the first presentation was it was okay, however, people wanted it to be be longer and more in-depth. They also suggested to have more pictures, give a prize, show off the Uncovering Oklahoma site, and share some videos.

I took everyone’s comments and the next time I spoke in March on the subject of date ideas, it was nearly an hour long. Fewer people showed up for the second one–partly due to bad timing as it was also spring break and there were St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. Despite the lackluster turnout, I felt way better about everything and I enjoyed myself. Plus, I have a solid presentation for future use and I got pictures of me speaking to add to my resumé.

To recap what I’ve learned:

1. Know What To Say
2. Breathe
3. Pace, don’t rush
4. Pictures are awesome
5. Have text with slides for viewer note taking
6. Video clips are awesome too (doesn’t have to have sound to be effective)
7. Give something away
8. Investigate surrounding days for scheduling conflicts
9. Enjoy It
10. It’s Public Speaking – Not Pubic Speaking

Interview with Billy Sims

By Dennis

On February 19, 2015

In Real

Billy Sims BBQ is Tulsa-based fast casual concept serving premium BBQ smoked daily in-house with traditional sides. Founded by 1978 Heisman Trophy winner Billy Sims, and cofounder Jeff Jackson, Billy Sims BBQ is a unique franchise concept that is one of the top rated celebrity and athlete-owned restaurants.

To promote the limited-time “All You Can Eat Rib Night” on Tuesdays, I had the pleasure of interviewing Billy Sims himself at the Norman location. Sims was a kind and energetic interview. He’s one of the bigger celebrity interviews I’ve done, on camera at least. I kept the focus of the interview on the restaurant and food because Uncovering Oklahoma is a travel positive site and I didn’t want to do anything that could damage chances of future interviews with other people.

For this video, I experimented with a one camera back-and-forth question and answer style. I concluded this style would work best if I had at least a second camera and mic on myself. A good note for the future. I am happy with the audio quality on Sims himself with the mic and audio settings I used.

After the interview, I had the Heisman Sandwich with mac and cheese. It kept me full well into dinner. To me, the restaurant was like Swadley’s or Rib Crib, but sports themed.

Anyway, that’s my interview with Billy Sims.

Uncovering Oklahoma’s Date Idea Book for 2015

By Dennis

On January 15, 2015

In Real

Hello, readers!

Today I have released the new edition of Uncovering Oklahoma’s Date Idea Book! Inside the book you will uncover a wealth of romantic, fantastic, creative, and local places for amazing, fun, and unique dates.

My date idea book was written with all types of couples and dates in mind to show that there is something fun out there for everyone and to help expand the concept of date night beyond the standard “dinner and a movie.” This book features various suggestions for a night (or afternoon) out in different parts of Oklahoma, along with pictures and quotes from people about why they think a particular place makes for a great date spot. And while the focus of the book is date ideas, it isn’t limited to starry-eyed couples. Feel free to grab some of your friends, pick an adventure from these pages, and go!

The paperback version of the book is available through Amazon.com for a list price of $17.

It’s also available as a $2.99 ebook on Kindle, Apple’s iTunes/iBooks, Nook, and Google Play! This year I was able to have the eBook released from all of the various places at the same time as the book. I’m also happy that this edition is available for the Nook as last year due to a large file size, it was not accepted.

On Friday, February 20, 2015 I will be at Norman West Public Library to speak about myself, my date idea book, Uncovering Oklahoma, and I’ll give a presentation on road trip ideas. After my presentation, I will be available for book singing and meeting up with everyone. Event details here.

The focus of this edition of the date idea book was corrections–removing places no longer in business, and adding new ideas to make up for the lost ones. When I set out to revise the book, I ended up making more changes than I thought I would. I’m excited to release this new edition to keep people tied over as I’m working on a new adventure book to be released later this year.

Your purchase helps support Uncovering Oklahoma and me becoming a full-time writer. Check it out for great times year round.

Review of My 2014

By Dennis

On December 31, 2014

In Real

What a year 2014 has been.

This was the year I started to turn Uncovering Oklahoma around. This was the year I’ve gone from making a few updates a month to a few updates a week, writing over 100 posts for my travel blog. This was the year I got the most traffic. This was the year things started to fall into place and look up.

This was a good year.

Let’s recap.

In late January I released Uncovering Oklahoma’s 2014 Date Idea Book. The book wasn’t the overnight success I dreamed it would be, but I’ll talk more about that later.

I had written article early in the year of a list of 14 Things I want to do in Oklahoma in 2014, which was rather popular. Sadly, I only managed to do three of the items on my list: Air Donkey Zipline Adventures, a painting class, and watch at movie at the deadCENTER Film Festival. However, all three were a blast!

How did I fair this year in video interviews? I made five: Starbase Studios, Take 9 Variety Show, Rough Cut at deadCENTER, Air Donkey Zipline Adventures, and HeyDay Entertainment. If I have to pick a favorite, I would go for Air Donkey because of the action and flow. Though, the one on Take 9 had a fast pace and visiting both Starbase Studios and HeyDay were fun. Overall: I’m happy with what I’ve made.

This year was the fifth year I’ve been doing Uncovering Oklahoma. I celebrated by releasing a free book about some of my Experiences of Uncovering Oklahoma. The pdf book contained a journal about the first day, my interview questions, history of the date idea book, some of my favorite photography, and questions I’ve been asked. The book was short, around 30 pages. Check the post about it here.

This year I started publishing local restaurant recommendations on Uncovering Oklahoma. (In the past, I only did video interviews and date ideas when it came to food.) The first one I did was Seven47 in Norman, which the post was more pictures than review until my second one I wrote on OMG! Fusion Restaurant in South OKC. Throughout the year I featured more and more places, landing me a spot in Urbanspoon’s Top 10 Oklahoma City Metro food bloggers. The most read food review (that wasn’t about H&8th) was on Hurts Donut Company, with the second and third being Ludivine and The Bleu Garten. One of my photos of Glacier Confection, a chocolate shop in Tulsa, was featured in the Diner Photos of the Week. As a top contributor to Urbanspoon, I received some cool swag that included a t-shirt, sticker, and bottle opener.

It’s been a great year for my question and answer interviews too. My Tuesday Treats that I started last year are still going strong. I experimented with an artist exhibit interview that went well, which I will do more of in 2015.

Uncovering Oklahoma has become increasingly influential. A person I met at a charity event who was friends with a restaurant I featured, had told me the place had seen a spike in traffic because of my recommendation. I can’t tell you how much that comment made my day and made me feel like the new direction I was heading with the site was working. I’ve been invited to several events throughout the year, including deadCENTER, a murder mystery party, and a Foodie Foot Tour.

I made a few videos for work, all of which have won awards and prize money ($50 per each of the two videos). I can add Contest Winning Videographer to my title now.

I had two major travel trips this year. The first was to Eureka Springs and the second was to Atlanta. I never went to down Texas this year, which is a bit odd, but I went other places instead.

As you can tell, Uncovering Oklahoma has been my major focus this year and my creative projects have taken a hit – no – my creative projects have been set aside to be refined and developed more. Yeah! That’s it!

Now, for 2015.

There will be a revised edition of the 2014 Date Idea Book for 2015. The revised edition will drop the year from the title and will only contain corrections and minor updates. I’ve given the date idea book series some deep thought and decided to go in a different direction. I’m working on a new book full of adventures and activities to appear to broader audience. The revised date book will be out soonish. I just need to sit down and do it. The brand new adventure book will come later in the first quarter. I also I have an idea for another Oklahoma themed book, but it’s only an idea at this point.

More books! I have an urban fantasy that is getting close to being done.

I will be offering new services on Uncovering Oklahoma, including video production and public speaking. So far next year, I will be speaking twice about Uncovering Oklahoma at the Norman Public Library. I’ll set up a page about my full range of services soon.

The big goal for 2015 is to quit my day job and become a full time writer. Believe it or not, but I manage Uncovering Oklahoma while working over 44 hours a week. Imagine all the stories I’ll create with more time. It’s going to be spectacular! I can’t wait! First, I have to get everything situated to pull this feat off. If all goes well, I should be a full time writer in the first half of the year (perhaps even the first quarter). If you want to help, please refer people to here, Uncovering Oklahoma or one of my books, follow me on social media, and keep visiting!

Here’s to an even better 2015!