The four minute video that shaved four years off my life

SHOUT OUT

First, where my video editors at?! This is aimed at you:

You all must be the most patient, enduring humans on the planet. You are deserving of sainthood. I thank you all for your service.

This was my first foray into video. Except for those couple of times back in the '90s when I was really, really broke. But I'm sure those VHS tapes are long gone...

I was really excited to try something new.

At first.

THIS WILL BE A PIECE OF CAKE

In the beginning, it didn't feel like it would be too difficult. And the initial videoing was the easiest part. I literally just shot video of everything each time I visited the fire station.

The struggle bus rolled into my station when I had to sit and work in Premiere Pro.

I spent a lot of time at the fire station and with the guys of Kennedale Fire Department in general. To stay any length of time at a fire station takes a special layer of armor. It is not for the weak. Luckily, I am not easily offended. But the atmosphere was light and the guys are always joking around, so it made passing the time way more fun.

THE DARKNESS

The only real issues i had with shooting was that I could only do my interviews and filming after 5 p.m. November = dark, I got most video in the evenings and it was seriously grainy.

The other issue actually became a help. Twice during my interview with Ryan, tones went out and I had to wait patiently for the guys to return so start the video and interview again.

On the up side, I got footage of them responding to an emergency which made for good video.

All in all, a pretty fun time.

Here's where it starts to go downhill.

PREMIER PRO? MORE LIKE PREMIER NO... AM I RIGHT?

Between incompatible versions, downloading free trials and general user unfriendliness, I became convinced that this program was created by Satan. And I may or may not have sold him my soul in order to finish the god forsaking video.

By the time I filmed my stand-up, I no longer had access to a mic and it was, of course, the windiest day in the history of ever. But I got it in one take, slapped it in the video and called it quits.

Not excited to do this ever again, but will be doing it anyway because:

1. I know it will beneficial to master it.

2. YOU WILL NOT CONQUER ME, ADOBE!!!

I must admit that I was so frazzled and overwhelmed right up to the point that I hit export (and a little while afterward too), I was ready to lay down and accept defeat at least 20 times.

Then this got me thinking, am I ready to surrender my futurist card? Am I going the way of so many others my age? Am I going to start telling "well, back in my day..." stories and carrying a pocketful of butterscotch candies?

I've always prided myself on keeping up with technology and innovation, but this experience has been a rude awakening. And now I wonder if I'm at the top of the hill, staring down the other side.

At what point should we accept that the world has passed us by?