That’s me, Burger, and Ryan Plaisted. We are very happy. Thanks NH Magazine! Check out the live action musical video series and web comic at www.OddNoggin.com

Brand new episode debuts tomorrow!

Have fond memories of summer camp? Adults from around the country are reliving their camp memories at a special retreat in the Maine woods. Camprov is a volunteer-run comedy summer camp for grown ups running from Friday, August 28th to Sunday, August 30th. It’s a jam-packed weekend of comedy workshops and performances.

“What makes Camprov special is that we’re truly dedicated to the summer camp experience,” says director John Herman. “Think toasted marshmallows, swimming, capture the flag, friendship bracelets, and cabin wars. Why should kids have all the fun?”

The weekend also features special guest instructors, including comedian Zach Ward. Ward has trained improv talent featured on television (Jeff Richards, Saturday Night Live, MADtv), the big screen (Maddy Curley, Disney’s Stick it), and students now featured at IO Chicago, IO West, The Magnet, UCBT-NY and UCBT-LA, Second City, Boom Chicago (Amsterdam), and the ComedySportz® across the World Comedy League. Among the instructors joining Ward are comedians Asaf Ronen (author of Directing Improv), Jill Bernard (author of Small Cute Book of Improv), and stand up comedian Dana Jay Bein, who was recently seen training a comedy hopeful on MTV’s Made.

“After one weekend, a beginner will have hours of workshops and performance under their belt. On the flipside, veteran comedians learn and work in an informal setting with their colleagues,” says Herman. “And we see a lot of networking happening during the lobster dinner.”

Camprov includes food and lodging, 10 hours of workshops, 2 nights of performances, and a whole lot more. The weekend costs $325 with a $25 discount offered until July 1st. For more information, registration, and a link to a social network populated by new and former campers, go to Camprov.com

From New Hampshire Public Radio hosts presidential forum in Exeter

“It’s really neat to see that people, community members, will actually get to voice their opinions about a presidential primary in a whole new way. Four years ago no one had this opportunity and four years from now, every state will be doing this,” (John) Herman said. “It’s a once in a lifetime thing, from a historical perspective in technology. It’s not exactly Alexander Graham Bell using the phone, but it’s a milestone seeing people use technology that can affect real things.”

From a Letter to the Editor from Jon Greenberg:

Exeter resident John Herman deserves special thanks for single-handedly coordinating the video portion of the program.

This eco-conscious take on the reality TV genre is sponsored by Medford TV3, The Brainshift Foundation, and the National Grid. We will join three families in a fun filled competition to reduce their energy use. I met with the producers this week to shoot a quick promo for the show so we could attract families to the program. It was extremely cold outside. Very cold. Did I mention the cold? It was cold. Click the image to view the promo:

And here is a thorough play-by-play of the October 1st meeting from Steve Garfield that includes links to more photos! If you are interested in the changing world of media, then this is the monthly meetup that you need to check out. Again, I can’t wait until next month!

My Mass Media and Communications class ironically just finished reading Ray Bradbury’s classic novel. I teach it early in the year, because the book’s messages about freethinking, the critical importance of knowledge and literacy, and the freedom of speech are paramount in today’s world. Do yourself a favor. Click on the image an buy yourself a copy. There is a quote at the start of the novel that I have always found particularly exciting. Spanish Nobel Prize winning poet Juan Ramon Jimenez is quoted as saying, “If they give you ruled paper, then write the other way.” Now wouldn’t that make a great t-shirt?