Music Video: “Crazy” by O’Neal McKnight

O’Neal McKnight’s “Crazy” has a really good vibe to it. The music video was just released, directed by Sarah McColgan, and I like it. Still waiting to buy the record! Watch below.

Music Video: “Last Man Standing” by Asher Roth featuring Akon (a.k.a. My Current Anthem)

Asher just dropped the visual for “Last Man Standing” featuring Akon. This song is my current anthem (Last.fm says I have played it more than any other song over the last 3 months), as I hit the road to speak and navigate my way through some personal and professional challenges.

It’s a great, dramatic, motivational record. The clip sees Asher facing off against a number of “villains.” He emerges, triumphant.

The End of Harry Potter

I’m a fan of the Harry Potter series. Today, I watched the final movie, “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2.”

When I think about things like this, what I tend to think of most is the passage of time. I wasn’t a fan early. I got into it in the early 2000s and the second, and maybe the third, book had already been released. My brother Sean was a fan first and that’s how I picked it up.

In 2000, Sean turned 11. I turned 16. My youngest brother, Trent, turned 2. Now, all of us love the series and we went to see the final film together. I’m 26, Sean is 22 (and heading to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to start his third year of college, and first away from home, in just 6 days) and Trent is 13. So, that’s what I think most of. Being kids and now being adults (and a teenager) and the time we spent together. I always marvel at the passage of time.

Music Video: “Otis” by Jay-Z and Kanye West featuring Otis Redding

I pre-ordered the deluxe edition CD of Jay-Z and Kanye West’s new album, “Watch the Throne.” I expected to have to wait for it to arrive to check out the album, but I didn’t realize that buying a ticket for the “Watch the Throne” tour entitled me to a digital, standard edition copy of the album.

My favorite tracks on the record are “No Church in the Wild,” “New Day,” “That’s My B****” and “Otis.” They just released the visual for “Otis” and I like it a lot. Just Jay and Kanye having fun.

Thoughts on the AirBnB Situation

I have been watching the whole AirBnB thing with interest. There have been some thoughts running through my mind, but I didn’t want to share them prematurely, so I have held off, until now. Here they are:

1. AirBnB is something people want to use. So, even if a large percentage of people think the idea itself is unsafe and would never open their home or stay at a stranger’s home, it doesn’t matter. Plenty of people want this and there is risk involved and the responsibility for that risk falls on the participants as much as AirBnB. Because of that, there is room for AirBnB (and like sites) in the market.

2. I think AirBnB will be alright long term with regard to this issue. The sooner they can get in front of this issue, the better for those chances, though. But, other issues may hurt them.

3. AirBnB is popular and the fact that we have only heard of a few of these instances speaks well of the service. Of course, when the host who had her house trashed suggests that AirBnB asked her to keep quiet, that doesn’t inspire confidence.

I Wanted to Speak at a Homeschool Conference… But, it’s Pay to Play

For those who don’t know, I was homeschooled for grades K-12. I think that homeschooling is a wonderful thing and, with some infrequency, when I speak at conferences and events, I encounter people who don’t really understand it, which is cool. Like everything, homeschooling isn’t for everyone and public and private schools can be great, as well.

I help explain it to them and, in those cases, I am an unintentional ambassador of homeschooling. That comes from my mom, who always taught me and my brothers that because we were different from a majority, in regard to education, some people would already have a negative view of us and would be looking for a reason to think poorly of us. We’d have to be on our best behavior to make a good impression, if it was even possible.

Happy Holidays!

We’re nearing the end of 2010 and so I wanted to take a moment to wish you a happy holiday season and a happy, healthy and successful 2011!

I also wanted to say thank you to everyone who has supported me this year. This includes the people who enjoy my websites, who like my writing and share it with others, who regularly read my sites and those who provide me with encouragement and inspiration. I really appreciate you.

As always, I have a lot of different plans and things I want to accomplish this winter and in the new year. Wish me luck. I wish you the best of luck in accomplishing your objectives.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Patrick

Interviewed on The Rise To The Top

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of appearing on David Garland’s awesome web video show for entrepreneurs, The Rise To The Top. We chatted about my background, the power of online community and how to pick a niche and be successful. We also talked about how I built my brand and how I market my sites without a marketing budget.

You can watch the video below and he also has an audio only version available on his website. A big thank you to David for having me. It was a lot of fun.

Where You Can Find Me, The A Team and the SitePoint Podcast During BlogWorld & New Media Expo 2010

I am definitely excited about what is about to take place at BlogWorld & New Media Expo in Las Vegas. Not just about what I am doing individually, but what I am doing in collaboration with others, as part of a team.

Not only my fellow panelists, but also The A Team (Brandon Eley, Wayne Sutton and me – we’re featured on 5 panels in all, with 2 book signings) and the SitePoint Podcast crew (Brad Williams, Kevin Yank, Stephan Segraves and me). This will mark the first time that the entire podcast team has been in one place at the same time, with Kevin coming all the way from Australia.

Keynoting at Podcamp Topeka in Topeka, KS on November 6 (Please Attend and/or Sponsor!)

I’m happy to announce that I have booked my first keynote presentation. It’ll be at Podcamp Topeka in Topeka, Kansas on November 6. The event will be held at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library. It’s an “unconference” where everyone is welcome to lead a breakout session – in essence, a discussion on a particular topic. I’ll be leading at least one myself, following the keynote.

The event is being organized by a team led by David Lee King, an acquaintance of mine, that also includes Brandon Sheley, Alissa Sheley, Lisa Coble-Krings, Bill Ludwig and Joe Cheray. I have been so impressed by the organization of the event and David’s leadership. I believe it will be a great unconference and it is a tremendous value, as well. For the day, including lunch and perhaps even a small breakfast, the cost is only $6.11. You can register online.