Phoenix Arizona Google Friend Connect

First Time YouTuber Rocks With a Droid and NLP

2010-08-13T16:50:00.000-07:00

Checkout this NLP video, not only was it my friend Jenny's first try at a YouTube video, but she shot it with a Motorola Droid hand held.

Amazing quality for a phone.

Now, can anyone tell me why my Droid videos look like Blair Witch goes Googling?

My Friend Clay Cotton in Prescott AZ

2009-08-06T16:38:00.000-07:00

This is my friend Clay Cotton and lives in the quite mountain town of Prescott Arizona.

He was one of the original crowd of Internet Marketers that created what we now take for granted and use everyday to market our websites, now 15 years later.

If you have been on the Internet for a while you may have heard of his contemporaries like Mark Joyner, Jack Humphrey, Paul Myers, Marc Goldman and Dan Kennedy.

The video is Clay Cotton today, stricken with Multiple Sclerosis and wheelchair bound.

The reason I am bringing you this message is simple.

Enjoy the day...

Prepare for the worst...

AND Savor the little things in life, we take them for granted all to often.

- Chris Lang

Mesa Tribune VS The New Times and Tempe's ASU Phi Delt House

2009-08-01T15:54:00.000-07:00

Maybe a little to critical of The Mesa Tribune but this is a real good example of how American and Phoenix AZ businesses are running themselves into the ground.

This is also a real good example of how a tabloid has turned themselves into a magazine by reinventing their platform as something more professional and attractive.

Also The New Times article I mentioned on the ASU Fraternities demolition is here.

We will be following up on that subject with videos and personal stories as they come in and anyone reading this is encouraged to tell their story in the comments.

Of course should you care to jot down something more personal, I will be glad to publish all submissions telling your ASU Alpha Drive stories. You can contact me, at 480-381-0597 and email me thru the Chris Lang link.

I have my own Alpha Drive stories to share as my catering business cooked for five of the nine houses in the last of their days in the early 90's. I saw 2 Paddy Murphy's in 7 years and personally cooked for 4 different houses.

Expect lots of follow up on this in the next weeks.

Taken is Great DVD Entertainment

2009-07-20T13:45:00.000-07:00

Liam Neeson in Taken was just plain great for these reasons:

* It takes your mind off the Phoenix Arizona summer heat and the fact the economy is so bad many can't afford the expense of pool upkeep this summer.

* Liam Neeson reinvents himself as an actor and becomes an action hero at 57 years old. A true first.

* The action scenes (there are allot) are brutally real, Neeson really carries off hand to hand combat so realistically, rarely done since early Seagal movies.

* The story moves really fast but you can follow it, unlike the last Bond movie and I freakin loved the first Craig Bond movie.

* You hate the bad guys ALLOT so you really want to see them hurt and dead, hence this makes for a satisfying movie always.

* The Neeson character is an everyday guy, not an unbelievable "Action Hero" like character that we cannot believe exists.

* Liam Neeson can act, a rare commodity these days.

* Cheers to Liam Neeson for always bringing an awesome performance to any screen he graces. We need more quality movies and actors like this in an age when the silver screen is a wasteland.

Hopefully you can find something this good on the DVD shelves this summer.

How One Life Can Affect Another

2009-06-16T09:30:00.000-07:00

One of my Google Friend Connect Friends sent me this and it really brightened my day, and it was not a good day so this must be worth sharing with you here, hope it does the same for you....

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools and ran to the bog.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings. An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

'I want to repay you,' said the nobleman. 'You saved my son's life.'

'No, I can't accept payment for what I did,' the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's own son came to the door of the family hovel.

'Is that your son?' the nobleman asked.

'Yes,' the farmer replied proudly.

'I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.' And that he did.

Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin..

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill .. His son's name?

Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

Work like you don't need the money.

Love like you've never been hurt.

Dance like nobody's watching.

Sing like nobody's listening.

Live like it's Heaven on Earth.

It's National Friendship Week. Send this to
everyone you consider

A FRIEND.

Pass this on, and brighten some one's day.

This Brought Tears To My Eyes

2009-05-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

You know those emails you get that you are supposed to send to 10 friends?

Well one of my Google Friend Connect friends sends me the only ones I like.

This one really got to me....

Let's see if you send it back. We all know or knew someone like this!!

One day, when I was a freshman in high school,

I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school.

His name was Kyle.

It looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, 'Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday?

He must really be a nerd.'

I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him.

They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him....

He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes

My heart went out to him. So, I jogged over to him as he crawled around looking for his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said, 'Those guys are jerks.'

They really should get lives.

' He looked at me and said, 'Hey thanks!'

There was a big smile on his face.

It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived.

As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before..

He said he had gone to private school before now.

I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books.

He turned out to be a pretty cool kid.

I asked him if he wanted to play a little football with my friends

He said yes.

We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again.

I stopped him and said, 'Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!

' He just laughed and handed me half the books.

Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends..

When we were seniors we began to think about college.

Kyle decided on Georgetown and I was going to Duke.

I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem.

He was going to be a doctor and I was going for business on a football scholarship..

Kyle was valedictorian of our class.

I teased him all the time about being a nerd.

He had to prepare a speech for graduation.

I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak

Graduation day, I saw Kyle.

He looked great.

He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school.

He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him.

Boy, sometimes I was jealous!

Today was one of those days..

I could see that he was nervous about his speech.

So, I smacked him on the back and said, 'Hey, big guy, you'll be great!'

He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled.

' Thanks,' he said.

As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began

'Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach...but mostly your friends.....

I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them.

I am going to tell you a story.'

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the
first day we met.

He had planned to kill himself over the weekend.

He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.

'Thankfully, I was saved.

My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable..'

I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment..

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.

Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

Never underestimate the power of your actions...

With one small gesture you can change a person's life.

For better or for worse.

God puts us all in each others lives to impact one another in some way.

Look for God in others.

You now have two choices, you can :

1) Pass this on to your friends or

2) Delete it and act like it

didn't touch your heart.

As you can see, I took choice number 1.

'Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.'

There is no beginning or end.. Yesterday is history.

Tomorrow is a mystery.

Today is a gift.

It's National Friendship Week. Show your friends how much you care. Send this to everyone you consider a FRIEND.

If it comes back to you, then you'll know you have a circle of friends.

WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS LETTER, YOU'RE REQUESTED TO SEND IT TO AT LEAST 10 PEOPLE, INCLUDING THE PERSON WHO SENT IT TO YOU

Roy Villa of Potters House Speaks Out Part 1

2009-05-10T08:57:00.000-07:00

In a spur of the moment, man on the street interview, we talked to Roy Villa, of Potter's house in Mesa, Arizona, during a local rally.

This is one of the best interviews I will probably come across. A real person, trying to help the community and any person willing to know they need it.

The Potter's House Christian Center is located at 25 E 8th Ave Mesa, AZ 85210. 480) 962-8071

View in Google Maps...

View Larger Map

Part two of this very important message is uploading now, it will be ready for you tomorrow. - Chris Lang

Kentucky Derby 2009 - Mine That Bird

2009-05-03T08:47:00.001-07:00

My longshot horse won yesterday, and this is a great video to see how Mine That Bird and especially the jockey made a great charge to finish.

We watched the race at Horse and Hound in Tempe AZ on Broadway. The betting lines were short and the crowd real friendly. We had a great time.

We will be there in two weeks to see Mine That Bird run in the Preakness. Stop by and say hello.

The question is what will happen at Belmont. At 1 and 1/2 miles it is a race for horses with stamina and a long ride. This is why the Triple Crown is a test of a horse, three races on 4 weeks and a long track at the end.

Smarty Jones could not do it, Giacamo could not do it. Big Brown had bad luck after losing a shoe and the jockey protected the horse because he thought he split a hoof.

After 31 years we still await the next Triple Crown winner since 1978. Can this $9500 little horse run two more races in 4 weeks and claim the crown that all pursue and have yet to claim for so long?

Mine that bird

Add Google Friend Connect to Blogger

2009-03-31T14:24:00.000-07:00

I had previously posted this Google Friend Connect video about how to add GFC gadgets to Blogger.

The easy way now is just to add the Followers widget.

click dashboard in the top right corner of Blogger.

Then click settings.

Then the Layout tab.

Next click the add gadget link in the blog gadgets.

This will open a new window.

Followers is the very first one displayed under the basics subheading.

Click the + sign.

Fill in the title.

Click save.

You have just installed Google Friend Connect on Blogger.

Hope this finally clears up this Google Friend Connect issue.

Randle Sports Handle Phoenix AZ

2009-02-18T16:05:00.000-08:00

Proudly introducing Gregg Randle handling Phoenix AZ sports - Real Phoenix Sports coverage from a real Phoenix AZ sports fan

Greg Randle here with my first Phoenix AZ sports story.

I am on fire to be covering AZ sports here on the Google Friend Connect AZ community blog.

Handling sports news like no other, I am a normal working class guy that drinks too much beer, works too hard, pays too many taxes and eats, breathes and lives for the game my team wins or loses just like you.

I don't like riding bandwagons and neither do you because we are real Arizona sports fans!

No milk toast stories of how the game went, you can get that anywhere and who cares? You watched the game. I will be telling the you the story you wished Gil or Jude had bothered to tell.

I will be telling the story like I was in the stands with you, because I was. Whether it's that game winning shot at the buzzer, the two run homer in the bottom of the 9th, the 26 yard touch down pass with 5 seconds left or the power play goal as time expires, we will be there.

Here's what I got for you....

DiamondBacks

They got a new pitcher last month in John Garlend. He says the starting pitching this season reminds him of the world's series WhiteSox. Let's hope he's not cleaning his beard.

Coyotes

Their starting more rookies than veterans for good reason. They are loaded with talent, they just need experience. Coyotes in playoffs, see you then, 2010.

Suns

They seem to want to trade their franchise players. They fired a coach again when the first one they fired (Mike D'Antoni 253-136) won more games in a four year span than any other coach in Suns history.

Let's hope Gentry has the vision that D'Antoni had. In a personal question for Robert Sarver: Steve Kerr what the #%&^ were you thinkin? He won championships by wipin' Michael Jordon's ass and making occasional 3 pointers. Is he wipin' your ass Rob?

Cardinals

People are asking should they resign Warner of shouldn't they? I say they were two plays short of a SuperBowl. They should be concentrating on finding quality replacements for their Defensive and Offensive coordinators.

The players can make the plays it's the coaches that dropped the ball and didn't make the right calls.

Randle Handles Sports coming to a computer near you AZ sports fans

Gregg Randle, read it if you can handle the truth...

Google Friend Connect Directory

Phoenix Arizona Google Friend Connect Blog

2009-02-14T19:51:00.000-08:00

Hello Phoenix Arizona

Let's start at the beginning here. I live in Mesa Arizona and I LOVE Google Friend Connect. I think it is just about the most useful social networking site there is.

AND it can be used for so many things. What this blog is about is demonstrating how Google Friend Connect can be used to build local communities and we will be doing so here in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler.

Hi, I am Chris Lang. Me and by camera guy will be out and around the Phoenix area taking pictures, videos, interviewing local businesses and community activists.

Then we will be using Google Friend Connect to bring all this together into a local Phoenix area social networking community that you can participate in. Here's what you can do with Google Friend Connect.

Make new friends right in you own area.

Add content on YouTube, Panaramio and Picassa.

Create blogs like this fast and free.

List you Church, Schools, Kids activities, Neighborhoods and any thing else.

Meet new like minded people.

Learn how to use Google Friend Connect.

Use everything you learn here to market you own local business.

How do you get started with Phoenix Arizona Google Friend Connect?

First off why would you want to join yet another social site?

Google is quietly rolling out it's own Google social network using Google Friend Connect on blogs everywhere.

It is really easy to use, very secure and feature laden. What's better yet is you don't have to join any new sites. All you need is a Gmail address and a few seconds to sign up.

Start by creating a Gmail account. This Gmail address will be public on both your profile and to any friends you make thru Google's social network and in Google Friend Connect. Choose wisely and use your real name.

This is not a sewer like MySpace or a spamfest like Facebook. This is real people that you really know or want to know.

Once you have a Gmail email address set up or you can choose to use an existing Gmail address the rest is easy.

Follow the instructions and start by creating a Google profile and add a picture of yourself. Be sure to add a real picture because we are about being real here. Spammers will be removed fast and not by me, but by Google.

Look at the Google Friend Connect widget on the top right of this blog or the new version, the Google social bar at the bottom.

Next, click the "join" button and you you will be added to the Friend Connect widget and you will see your picture appear in the members listed there.

The site will show as one of the sites you have joined in your profile and any friends you make in any Google Friend Connect widget will also appear in the widget as "friends" but only to you.

Google has gone to great lengths to make this secure and spam free.

How do you make Google Social Networking Friends?

Next, click a member's avatar in the Friend Connect widget and you will be presented with a "+add as friend" link. Click that link and you can add the person to your friends list.

When you do that and the person you are friending accepts the request, their contact information will be added to both your Gmail contacts under the Gmail address you were logged in under and if you choose to turn it on, Gchat in Gmail and Gtalk if you use the stand alone client.

You can choose what options to enable and you can simply delete any contacts that you don't wish to have, just like any email address book.

Why Phoenix Arizona Google Friend Connect?

The results of adding Google Friend Connect friends I described above is much like any social network but here is the difference.

Rather than having a bunch of social sites that you get tons of "Join My Group" spam like requests from, you manage your friends thru Gmail. Just one interface you probably use every day since Gmail is a very slick email application.

Send a bunch of spammy email to your friends and very quickly you will find that Gmail address gone. Send a bunch of links to your friends for some MLM site and you will find that site gets blocked fast by Gmail spam filters. You will also find you don't have any friends anymore either.

Also, Google is very much about mutual two way relationships here. They are not going to let this degenerate into a spam fest, complete with all the ramifications that you probably know well.

You can't just go around adding friends willy nilly and then send them a bunch of Gmail spam. Until you accept a friend request, neither parties get the Gmail address of the other. Pretty good job there Google.

Don't want that friend anymore? Just delete their Gmail address from contacts and they are no more. Bye bye, easily done.

Google is going to take this humble start and turn all of the various Google properties into one big social network. So all the friends you make thru the widget will be portable, not just to any blog using Google Friend Connect, but every application that Google provides.

I am very excited about what is coming to Phoenix here, and the early adopters will profit from this as you build large friends lists across any blog and all the Google applications.

How can you and your friends and family use this?

This is not some marketing promotion, this can be used for families to stay in touch, neighborhood friends or how about a grade school group of parents?

You can interact anywhere on the web with these friends and you don't need a website to go with it. If you want one you can build one for free on Blogger.com just like I did here.

How about a family blog that keeps distant family members in touch with each other?

How about a work blog that keeps employees in touch and allows them to share information and projects?

How about a business blog that allows readers to share and comment on current news and blog content?

Then you connect your local Arizona friends thru Google Friend Connect, it's free, secured and easy.

The options are endless and I am sure many of you will come up with your own exciting ideas using Google Friend Connect.

You can learn even more thru this Google Friend Connect tutorial.

If you come up with something you would like to share here, contact me and I will be glad to let others know how you used Google Friend Connect.

Happy Friend Connecting! In Mesa Arizona, Chris Lang.