The High-Def Husband

Let The Light Shine Down: MAXSA Innovations Anywhere Lights

highdefhusband — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:07:51 +0000

This past January, I had the chance to walk the show floor of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. This was my third year attending the biggest trade show in the world, and while the 20,000+ products on display are enough to make your eyeballs explode, every few aisles I spotted a product that made me think: “Hey, that’s pretty cool…I need to know more.” One of those products was the Battery-Powered Motion Activated Anywhere Lights from MAXSA Innovations.

Lots of Light from Little Package. Courtesy: MAXSA Innovations

Full disclosure, I don’t normally find lights to be all that intriguing (my wife is the lighting guru). But in our home, we have a serious need for garage lights. The lights on our garage opener have a short in the wires, so they work about 10% of the time – at best. We typically enter our garage without lights on, and usually end up stumbling over something – not good when you’re trying leave quietly at 5:45 every morning for work!

That’s why I’m really excited by the Anywhere Lights. The Anywhere Lights are adjustable (360-degrees!), feature four powerful LED lamps, can deliver light 150′ away, and run on 4 D-cell batteries. You can mount them on a wall, a ceiling beam, or next to the garage opener. The lights are available in white and bronze, sell for under $40, and can be found on Amazon, or directly through the company.

See more of MAXSA’s innovative products on their website, and while you’re at it, “like” them on Facebook.

Tune Tuesday: “Texas Was You”, Jason Aldean

highdefhusband — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:44:56 +0000

This song has simply consumed my thoughts lately. I take it as singing about love lost, juxtaposed against other life-changing experiences from around the Lower 48. And while I’m happy to say that my “Texas” snuggles up next to me every night, I think we can all relate to the pain and agony of a loss like this. Makes us appreciate what we have that much more. Enjoy!

Inspiration at 10,000′

highdefhusband — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:07:24 +0000

Few images capture my attention like the mountains of the Western US. Recently, I was flying out of Salt Lake City, on my way to Calgary, and got to witness an amazing sunset to the west as we took off, before banking north and then getting a great look back at this western metropolis. Wingtips and engines, snow-capped mountain peaks, I felt so motivated after taking this shot. I often reflect on all of my adventures that involve mountains and hope that, one day, I might be fortunate enough to call a mountainous region home…or at least a vacation or two in the vicinity of one!

A First Class View of the Wasatch Mountains

Post-CES 2012: Initial Thoughts

highdefhusband — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 19:48:00 +0000

After walking the show floor at one of the world’s largest trade shows, I’ve got some initial thoughts I’d like to share with you. To anyone who’s ever been to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) can attest, this really is a mass of humanity that represents nearly every inch of the globe. From celebrity to computer geek, CES brings out nearly 150,000 people every year to get a taste of the “future” of consumer electronics.

I won’t dive too deep into the products I really liked just yet – more on those in future posts – but I will say that I saw some products that made me drool, and some that made me yawn.

JVC's GY-HMQ10 is Compact, Packs a 4K Punch. © HDHubby.com

Being a video guy myself, I was obviously drawn to JVC’s new 4K Handheld Camcorder. The GY-HMQ10 creates a stunning picture – with a mere 8.3 million pixels – which can be recording up to 3840×2160 resolution…translation: four times the quality of traditional HD video. This camera obviously isn’t for the average consumer, but it’s still pretty awesome.

There were some other great products that may not change the world, but certainly make it a lot cooler. I’ll write up my favorites in another post soon.

For now, my biggest takeaway from CES 2012…lots of blisters on my feet. I obviously didn’t heed my own advice and pack comfortable shoes.

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Tune Tuesday: “I Don’t Want This Night to End”, Luke Bryan

highdefhusband — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:46:45 +0000

Kicking off a new year of Tune Tuesday, Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night to End” is one of those songs that stick in your head for days after you hear it. Both my wife and I love singing along to this, but it wasn’t until this morning that I finally saw the video. The plot thickens and fans of Bryan will have to wait to see what he comes up with next after this one. A music video that reflects the life of the artist – or does it? Either way, hope you enjoy the first installment of Tune Tuesday for 2012.

What tunes are you jamming to this January? Are there songs you’d like to see featured here? Let me know.

Published Again: Winning Video Contests

highdefhusband — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 10:52:07 +0000

As seen in the January edition of Videomaker Magazine, you can read my article about how you’ll earn the competitive edge next time you submit a project to a video contest. I’ve outlined some great pointers, and talked to some amazing folks – including the creator of America’s Funniest Videos. Read the article here, but buy the hard copy at your local book store today!

While you’re at it, please subscribe to my blog. I feel like 2012 is going to offer some amazing stories to share, hope you’re along for the ride! Thanks and Happy Holidays!!

Back In The Day…I Had Hops (And Horrible Haircuts!)

highdefhusband — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:14:05 +0000

Recently, my collegiate alma mater was featured on ESPN for this crazy dunk:

That got me thinking, back when I played…er, kept the bench warm, I could throw it down and was considered one of the better jumpers on the squad. So, I reached out to current Heidelberg head men’s basketball coach, Anthony Gholson, and he sent me back a few pics. Yeah, as you’ll see, I was pretty awesome.

Throwing it down during Midnight Madness. © HDHubby.com

That haircut was straight-up buzz cut. I didn’t win the dunk contest that night, nor did I ever successfully complete a dunk during competition…but I did rock some awesome sideburns during the season…

I had a great time playing for Heidelberg, and while I didn’t go down in school history as the highest scorer, or even earn any sort of honor for my on court contributions, I did learn some great life lessons: nothing is easy, hard work pays off even if you never see the court during a 29 point blowout and jumping rope can help you dunk. Oh, and never ever tell the barber to ‘fade up with a 1 on the sides’.

Go ‘Berg!

Tune Tuesday: “Our Love is Here to Stay”, Frank Sinatra

highdefhusband — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 16:45:35 +0000

Timeless classics. Romantic ballads. Frank Sinatra churned out a lot of both. But did you know that this tune was the last piece penned by George Gershwin? His brother, Ira, wrote the lyrics after George passed away in 1937. Here’s a beautiful rendition sung by Sinatra in 1955, with a photo montage of the Gershwins. This song is easily in my Top 5 all-time favorite songs. Where does it rank in yours?

Tune Tuesday: “25 or 6 to 4″, Chicago

highdefhusband — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 22:34:35 +0000

Easily one of the greatest songs every scribed – in my opinion – is by one of the best bands every assembled. “25 or 6 to 4″ is a tremendously addictive, toe tapping tune that crawled into my head this afternoon, and wouldn’t leave until I looked it up on YouTube. So, for your listening pleasure, Chicago…

What tunes are stuck in your head? Let me know.

Here’s Looking at You, Santa

highdefhusband — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 17:43:58 +0000

Few holiday outings hold as much magical anticipation as our annual trek to visit Santa at Macy’s in downtown Minneapolis. Not only is Santaland beautifully appointed, it ignites the spirit of the season in even the most staunchest of scrooges.

For us, we’ve been visiting Jolly St. Nick in Minneapolis since our son was four. Now that we have June, who’s 15 months old, the excitement was captured not in just one set of eyes, but two. Both Joey and June were captivated by the Elfin Village. And while the display hasn’t changed much in the past few years, two things remain the same: the psycho crazy elf is still working in the wrapping department…and Santa is still as amazing as always.

Needless to say, Macy’s brings the holidays up a notch. If you’re in the Twin Cities, you HAVE to visit this wintery wonderland.