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Random Thoughts from a “Slide Show Maker”

Working on graduation slide shows this summer made me reflect….

I remember making my very first slide show ages ago. It was for the YMCA Summer Fun program. We had a slide projector (the kind with the slide trays) and a boom box for music. Everyone gathered into that darkened auditorium on that very last day. It was magical.

Years later, I experienced the stress of running a slide show for a wedding. Imagine the pressure of possibly ruining the most important day of someone’s life….

Since then, I’ve created slide shows for high school graduations, baby’s 1st birthdays, anniversaries, school banquets, retirement parties, church camps, and charity events.

Now with easy-to-use computer apps like iPhoto & iMovie, anyone can produce a quality show. Because of this, I believe that I’ve just completed the last slide show of my life. Phew….

This is what I’ve learned from my experiences.

Sometimes people ask if they should make a “fast” or a “mellow” slide show. It’s neither. It’s about pacing and flow. You achieve this by making good decisions. As the show comes together, you’ll have a sense on what needs to be axed. (Deleting a picture can be the most difficult thing to do.) It is crucial to have good transitions between songs and a rich assortment of pics. Variety creates interest. Your goal is not to make a “fast” or “slow” slide show. Your goal is to make an “engaging” one.

A good slide show will make the audience laugh, cry, and have “chicken skin” moments. And you have to do this in 12-14 minutes. Anything longer, and you will make them fall asleep.

You may be wondering, “What’s the most important element of a slide show?” If you asked me this a few years ago, I would’ve said song selection (because it’s really the music that evokes all of the emotion.) Now I answer the question more philosophically. I believe the most important thing is that you are “telling a story.” The slide show maker is a storyteller. You use images & music in combination to paint a picture…. or tell a story.

Life lesson learned. Live life to the fullest…. so that someday, your life’s slide show would have an awesome story to tell.

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The Imua Sports Network….

….was a dream come true.

We were able to run a “sports network” (à la ESPN) at our middle school at virtually no cost using web 2.0 apps. We were able to promote, cover, and webcast intermediate sporting events to a “global” audience.

The best part was of course, working with the students. We had a blast! Although we had our share of challenges (attendance during the 2nd semester,) the students asked if we could do this again next year. Hana hou? Probably not, due to the fact that we’re not allowed to repeat performance goals at work. This took a lot of time beyond of the work day.

Still, it was a lot of fun. It opened up a whole new world for me. Seeing what goes on on campus after school (and into the evening) was pretty neat. I was able to experience a side of our school that most employees  never have the opportunity to. I am extremely proud of our school.

Please visit the Imua Sports Network at

Blog: http://blogs.ksbe.edu/imuasports/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/imuasports
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/imuasports (490 fans!)
Ustream: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/imuasports

Imua, and Go Warriors!

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Dream Team….


Photo courtesy of Lynne.

This is my ‘ohana at the Kamehameha Schools. We’re called Education Technology Services – Instructional (or ETS-i for short.) Our primary function is to train teachers & students in integrating technology into their teaching & learning. But that’s not what this post is about….

This is really about family. God has blessed me with the best team that anyone could possibly have. I am incredibly grateful. We just love hanging out together.

My only criticism is that some of our email exchanges are a little too “lovey-dovey” for me. Now how many people can claim that as the worst (and only) fault of their co-workers?

Thank you Lord….

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The “Woman Thing”

Part of what makes my job at KS so great is that I sometimes get to chaperone field trips. I love field trips! As a little kid growing up, I “lived” for field trips.

[I first shared this story with Auntie Z at the middle school. Because she’s a kahu and she laughed, I thought this would be OK to blog….]

On our 7th grade field trip to Sand Island, we were able to paddle canoes. My group was the last to paddle. Because we were running slightly behind schedule, I tried to get the students over to lunch as quickly as possible.

These two girls came up to me and said, “Mr. T, we need to go to the bathroom to change.”
I said, “Oh, sorry but we need to join the group for lunch. They’re waiting for us.”
One of the girls said, “….we have to change. Our ‘thing’ got wet.”
I said, “What? I’m all wet too. We have to go now.”
Finally, the other girl said, “No Mr. T. Our ‘woman thing’ got wet.”

That hit me like a freight train. I think I turned white and said the word “ewwww” for the first time in my life. [Auntie Z cracked up at this. She said, “Oh ya. You were at the elementary for a long time.”]
I told the girls, “Woh! Go see Auntie Kahea. Go with her. Go. Go now. Go….”

Ya think I would’ve learned my lesson….

Our next field trip was to the Loko Ea fishpond in Hale’iwa. One of the activities was to fish out the baby tilapia. The students were divided into teams for the tilapia catching competition. My group caught over a hundred of ’em.

I overheard the girl in charge of our bucket say, “Shucks! Of all days to not be able to go into the water….”
I said, “Oh. Do you have an open cut?”
She looked at me exasperated.
I said, “….huh?”
She said, “Mr. T, it’s a ‘woman thing.'”
I turned white again.
But this time, at least I didn’t say “ewwww.”

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A Gift….

….for my nephew.

Gave away my Taylor guitar to my nephew today. It’s a limited edition Koa model with the Taylor Expression System™. It’s also the coolest & sexiest guitar I’ve ever owned. Then why….?

Last year, our minichurch went to help paint our new building for Hope Chapel West O’ahu. That night, I saw my nephew leading worship for the youth group. I was totally blown away. I had no idea! I believe that that evening, God put it in my heart to give away my guitar to my nephew.

At first, I didn’t go for this idea. “Are you kidding me? This is a Taylor. I gave him a guitar once, and he sat on it. Can’t trust ‘um with the little things….”

At the same time, my finger was still bruised and battered from a plumbing mishap. Funny, but God allowed my finger to heal enough to be able to play my Martin guitar (thicker guitar neck.) It only hurts when I play the Taylor. This was confirmation for me.

My prayer is that this guitar will bless my nephew and the youth group. I hope he doesn’t fall in love with it. Really, it’s only a piece of wood. What truly matters is the worship, and that comes from the heart.