Anthony Merriott — You will be missed :(

Posted on July 6, 2014 by hydle

I can’t believe what I heard the other day from a good friend Amy Pesicka Kraft :(

“I just got a message from Anthony Merriott’s wife, that he passed away yesterday. I don’t know Anything else or any other details. Just wanted to let you know.”

Anthony Merriott

This incredibly saddens me because I have had a closer then regular relationship with Anthony after he moved to the Phoenix area several years ago. Below are some writings and ramblings on my saddened thoughts.

To Facebook:

“Heeeeeeeeeey Anthony … I would always say nearly every time I talked to my good friend who has apparently been taken away from us way to early. I enjoyed reconnecting with you on the golf course 10 years out of High School when I would visit the Phoenix area on a more regular basis in 2008. Even though we haven’t talked lately, I know how excited you were to have such a beautiful child Ashton with your loving wife Aimee. We had some serious conversations back then … and I apologize for losing touch with you. Although we don’t know many details on what happened to you yet – it doesn’t discount the fact that you will be severely missed :( — Rest in peace my friend.”

To Aimee Rastatter-Merriott:

“Aimee … I am so very sorry for what you are going through. I wish we had some more information as I am upset at losing a friend — but I know that will come in time. I haven’t seen Anthony since we golfed back in 2008 when I used to visit Scottsdale / Phoenix / Gilbert on a more regular basis and can’t wait to get home to review the media / photos / and elements of fun we had together. Until then, please keep either Amy Pesicka Kraft posted on any new developments and we will be sure to relay this news with our Columbine friend base back here. Again – I am so very sorry and saddened by hearing about this two days ago :(

With Love,
Greg Hydle”

Anthony Merriott Son Ashton

Quad Quadcopter Copter Drone Magic – DJI Phantom 2

Posted on March 11, 2014 by hydle

[VimeeeeeO] <— 244,000 Here is a quick reminder to myself… Open my quad-copter trainer I purchased over a year ago … then buy one of these :) [DSLRPros Phantom DJI Aerial Flight Drone]

Now go fly that dji phantom quad quadcopter from DSLR Pros to new heights. The future of possible is in my fingertips.

[YouTube] <— 199,344 [DJI Homepage]
[National Geographic Drone Review]
[25 Random Phantom Tips and Mods]

Everest – A Time Lapse Short Film by Elia Saikaly

Posted on July 24, 2013 by hydle

[VimeeeeO] <— 540,000 I always had dreams and aspirations for climbing Mount Everest ... Thanks to Elia Saikaly - this is good enough for now :) [Mount Everest – The Death Zone]
[Elia Saikaly Homepage]

Happy Fathers Day – Les Hydle Celebration Speech

Posted on June 15, 2013 by hydle

[YouTube]

1 year ago today, we celebrated the life of my father Les Hydle. At the time, I couldn’t tell you how important it was for me to be writing and sharing my thoughts and feelings about how my dad and I spent his last waking minutes, but now… looking back over the last year – I realize there is absolutely no way I could re-write those feelings to the detail that I have already captured. I’m happy I have these memories, and I’m glad I can access them so easily just by clicking Les Hydle at the top of this page.

I know you like my videos even more than my writing… so here you go. This was the introduction to your Final Playlist at the celebration of your life last June 15th, 2012. Happy Fathers Day Dad… I love you.

HYDLE – The Best RAW Video I have Ever Shot – BHTM 06/07/08

Posted on June 9, 2013 by hydle

[YouTubeUlar] <— 493 Happy BHTM Day - On this weekend year anniversary of my father Les being involved in a motorcycle accident that ultimately took his life… I give you the best RAW video I have ever shot.

The date was 06/07/08 and Big Head Todd was recording a live set to be released on both album and DVD. They played for 4 hours straight… 31 songs with no opening band … just all BHTM. My sister Jessica and dad managed to buy up some sweet tickets for us to enjoy the awesomeness. With a little help from Sara and Jake Manley and a side of Regier … We had access to everything :)

This was an awesome day in the history of my life… and now you can enjoy the most awesome moment from this amazing night at Red Rocks Amphitheatre.

Stay classy friends – I still want to find out who the girl in the orange dress is, so if you have any ideas… do share :)

TED – Elizabeth Gilbert – Your Elusive Creative Genius

Posted on May 25, 2013 by hydle

[YouTubeUlar] <— 1,392,643 I was surprised to see the date on this February 2009 TED video and the fact it took over 4 years to reach me. When Elizabeth Gilbert speaks about the genius of creativity and where does it come from… it directly reminds me of an interview I conducted in 2010 with a true musical genius, Doug Smith.

I really enjoy how Elizabeth talks about the source of creativity and her Ruth Stone Example. Doug couldn’t explain where his creativity came from either… other than it hitting him with a ton of bricks from somewhere above. He was simply the messenger to transcribe the grand message and deliver it to our ears through his grand piano.

To conclude, Elizabeth brings up a very good point to ponder…
is creativity directly linked to suffering?

[Elizabeth Gilbert – Facebook] <— 80,049 [Ruth Stone]

My Highest Bowling Score (278)

Posted on April 4, 2013 by hydle

Greg Hydle's Highest Bowling Score

April 4th, 2013 is the day that I almost retired from bowling. After Pizza and Beer League play at Golden Bowl, Donovan Rossi and I stayed late to work on our game. I’m pretty sure Donovan had a personal best a couple games before I bowled my 278.

Tonights 10 games of Golden Bowl bowling looked like this…

238 144 181 163 191 170 195 179 236 278

…for a night average of 197.

I’ve never gone 9 deep… therefore I’ve never gone 9 deep and dorked it in the 10th :(

Until that illustrious 300 perfect game, Cheers.
-Greg Hydle

Kickstarter 2012 – The Stats

Posted on April 1, 2013 by hydle

Kickstarter continues to be the worlds largest funding platform for creative projects. I recently reviewed Kickstarter’s 2012 year in review. The stats are unbelievable and continue to grow as their demographic base increases. Last year Kickstarter collected a total of $274,391,721 million in pledges which is 85.6% of of all pledges given. This does not mean that 85.6% of all projects reach their goal, actually only 44% of all 41,765 projects launched reached their goal. And of those 18,109 kickstarter projects, there were a select few that completely blew out their goal.

Hydle’s 1 favorite kickstarter highlight from last year – The Griz Coat by Buffoonery Factory.

Our successful Blackbox Case project from 2011 pales in comparison to some of the numbers being generated today. I feel like it is time for another Hydle project in the Kickstarter arena again.

Immediate potential projects:
Blackbox Case needs an iPad Mini Case
VersaTowel
Suitcase Speaker + mini Keg

Doug Smith – I Am Craig Video

Posted on March 29, 2013 by hydle

[Vimeeeeeo] <— 1848 LinkedIn recently inquired me to write about some projects from my past, so I thought I would share this little write up on the 2011 Craig Hospital Push Dinner video with Doug Smith, the most amazing pianist (sorry doug) in the world.

The 2011 installment of the “I Am Craig” PUSH Dinner Video was a fun one. Getting the opportunity to interview Doug Smith, a true musical genius, was a treat for me to figure out where his creativity comes from. Tying his story into a live show was a first for the Craig Hospital PUSH dinner videos… something they have now copied three times since this 2011 showing.

If you could have only been there to feel this transition take place… to see my work presented on such a large scale to tell the story of Doug Smith and then have him revealed and play such a powerful song live — It was such an amazing feeling.

I shot, edited and directed this piece with a small team of Jake Manley, Mary Bonner and myself. We all had a fun working road trip to Lubbock, Texas were everyone on the team learned a lot about each other, the local watering holes, and the man Doug Smith!

After the 6:40 mark in the video… I had zero control of shooting and editing. I feel as if the impact could have been a bit better matched to my original work – but you still get the impression of how impacted the audience was. [raw video]

I can’t wait to actually tell this entire story in Hydle detail sometime in the near future for all of you loyal readers and newly Doug Smith fans :) But for now – it stays in the memory bank.

Don’t hesitate to pick up the most amazing Doug Smith album of all time. It was recorded live in 2000 before his injury. The stories behind the recording of this album are incredible, but Doug Smith’s playing is even better.

[iTunes – Live – Doug Smith]
[Doug Smith – The Amazing Piano Player – Homepage]
[Doug Smith – The Amazing Piano Player – On Hydle.com]
[Craig Hospital]

Mom + Dad + Me

Posted on March 10, 2013 by hydle

Today I randomly found the last photo that I had taken with both of my parents. Here is a little message to my dad…

“Today I’m randomly going through media and SD cards that I have piled around the house… and not only did I find a card that contained my last visit to Grandma’s, but I also found this little gem … which I’m pretty sure is the last photo I have with you and mom. This was the day you guys signed your papers … and you two were getting along beautifully. Pretty sure we went to tequilas after this to celebrate… yum. Oh – and just so you know, that place burnt down too. What a shitty year :) But just like everything good in life, it will be re-built – bigger and better. Hope your having fun up there…”

Susan Hydle + Les Hydle + Greg Hydle = A Good Time (always!)

Chris Newman – Chopper Flight School

Posted on February 27, 2013 by hydle

[YouTubeUlar] <— 33 views Tagging along with Devin Super Tramps latest Insane Rope Swing Video is Chris Newman’s guide to getting started with Chopper Flight School. Chris runs CineChopper.com and is going to provide a great resource to those of us looking to jump into this fun world of playing with really expensive toys. Luckily it is NOT that pricy to get up and running.

Here is his list of things you need to get started.
Blade MQX Quadcopter Ready to Fly Version (RTF)

-or-

Blade MQX Quadcopter Bind and Fly Version (BNF)
with one of these…
Spektrum DX6i Transmitter (TX, Remote Control)

Or this controller with software bundle…
Phoenix R/C Pro Simulator (Windows only) with Spektrum DX5e

And don’t forget some batteries…
MQX Batteries

Thanks for the tutorials Chris. Looking forward to more.

[CineChopper – Homepage]
[CineChopper – Facebook] <— 42 likes [CineChopper – YouTube] <— 136 subscribers

Code.org – This Is My Office

Posted on February 26, 2013 by hydle

[YouTubeUlar] <— 302 trending

Great coders… are today’s rock stars. That’s it!

Beautiful work by Hadi Partovi from code.org for creating a pretty remarkable video about ideas, coding, and awesomeness from the leaders of today.

Steve Jobs – Apple
Bill Gates – Microsoft
Jack Dorsey – Twitter
Mark Zuckerberg – Facebook
Vanessa Hurst – Girl Develop It
Ruchi Sangvi – Dropbox
Drew Houston – Dropbox
Elena Silenok – Clothia.com
Gabe Newell – Valve
Chris Bosh – Miami Heat
Makinde – Facebook
Tony Hsieh – Zappos
Bronwen Grimes – Valve
will.i.am – The Black Eyed Peas

Genius.

[60 second teaser] <— 307 [What Most Schools Don’t Teach – Short Short Film
[What Most Schools Don’t Teach – Short Film] <— 301

Protected: Goodbye Katherine

Posted on February 24, 2013 by hydle

Alan Watts – By Trey Parker + Matt Stone

Posted on January 23, 2013 by hydle

[YouTubeUlar] <— 1,523,412 Matt Stone and Trey Parker created these little animations based on presentations and lectures from the late Alan Watts. It needs zero explanation. Don’t even tell yourself to watch it… just get it.

Here is where it comes from.
[Open Culture Link]

Don’t like watching things? Here is something else to wrap your head around.
[Tim Lott on Alan Watts – Article]

And here is an entire world of thought and abstractness wrapped around money $$ from an Alan Watts 1960s television program.

“Just let your mind alone, and stop trying to make sense of the world. There is really something to think about… other than thought itself.”

[Alan Watts – The Silent Mind]

Alan Watts – Wake Up

Posted on January 22, 2013 by hydle

[YouTubeUlar] <— 521,871 Need a quote to inspire the weak necessities of real work, real time and real money? Pick one of these 50 Quotes from Alan Watts and get busy. Good luck freeing your mind.

Need more inspiration?
[What Do You Desire?]

Still need more?
[What Do You Desire – FULL]
[What Do You Desire – RAW Audio Only]

Pick one. Get inspired… and wake up.

Zen Buddhist Alan Watts passed away, or transformed life in November, 1973 at the age of 58. He was an imaginative creature and I feel as if I could learn a lot from him and his writing.
[Alan Watts Wikipedia]

Here is another?
[Alan Watts on Hermits and Outcasts]