Storytelling

Leave a comment Posted on car reviews, Storytelling, Uncategorized

My Dad’s 1963 Ford Falcon Futura (Video and Picture Collages)

My Dad’s 1963 Ford Falcon Futura (Video and Picture Collages)

During Thanksgiving weekend, I shot this video (below) for my dad; featuring his 1963 Ford Falcon Futura.

This car was originally bought by his grandfather, then passed on to his dad; and then to my dad, in 1990. He has only made a few changes from the original 170 CI 2 speed automatic car he received.

My Dad’s 1963 Ford Falcon Futura (Video and Picture Collages)

The color is Red Fire with white interior and the engine is a  250 CI Inline 6 with stainless steel headers, dual exhaust, electronic ignition, 264/274 -110 Clay Smith cam.

The head is milled .060” ported and polished.

He cut off the log intake and build a custom 4 barrel intake with a 390 CFM Holley carburetor and larger stainless valves. It has a custom handmade polished aluminum cold air induction; as well as an electric fan & fuel pump.

My Dad’s 1963 Ford Falcon Futura (Video and Picture Collages)

The transmission is an automatic overdrive. It has 8” rear end with 17” wheels.

There is no doubt, this is not only a sharp looking car, but it has the power as well.

My Dad’s 1963 Ford Falcon Futura (Video and Picture Collages)

Though I’m sure it was a glorious car back in 1963 when it was made, I think it probably turns more heads now; since you don’t regularly see cars like this one on the road anymore; especially not this well-kept.

My dad is the ultimate handyman and car enthusiast. I wish I had half of his skills and abilities when it comes to things like that.

My Dad’s 1963 Ford Falcon Futura (Video and Picture Collages)

But what I can do is produce videos and put them on YouTube. So between the two of us, we are able to present to the world not only this  official video for my dad’s 1963 Ford Falcon Futura; but this blog post as well, featuring these picture collages.

By the way, I love how at the end of the video, the Falcon leaves smoke tracks like the Delorean in Back to the Future.

In case you missed that video, here it is again…

My Dad’s 1963 Ford Falcon Futura (Video and Picture Collages)

Leave a comment Posted on parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized

My New Kids’ Show- Uncle Nick’s Enchanted Forest (Webisodes 1-3)

Uncle Nick Official Title Card

After filming 22 webisodes of Jack-Man from May through October this year, I decided to take a break from that and create a new web series; one that is specifically designed as a kids’ show, as opposed to the sci-fi super hero sitcom format of Jack-Man.

My idea was to create a show in which my niece could watch and be entertained by on YouTube. So I began combining elements of entertainment I thought would be appreciated by a 4 year-old.

Think of my new show, Uncle Nick’s Enchanted Forest, sort of as an updated version of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, but that is more outdoors based.

The show always begins with me introducing the audience to an old trinket that I just found. In the first webisode, it’s a harmonica.

I taught myself a few riffs the day before I filmed, and decided to record the theme song based off of my experimentation.

Another ritual is that I remind the viewers how to do my “enchanted animal call” before I put on my puffy vest.

Once we arrive outside in the Enchanted Forest, I lead the viewers in officially doing the enchanted animal call, which then invites an enchanted animal to the scene.

These first couple of webisodes feature the theme of bullying.

My plan for now is to continue featuring my son’s stuffed animal collection as the characters in the forest.

I intend to film at least 3 more webisodes during Christmas weekend; with the goal of ultimately reaching 22 like I did with Jack-Man.

By the time I reach the 22nd webisode, the series will naturally evolve to where it needs to be. As I learned from making Jack-Man, making the first dozen webisodes teaches me how to actually direct and produce the show. That way, by the 2nd dozen or so webisodes, the show is more crafted.

In the words, the quality will increase as the show progresses.

As for now, these are the first 3 original webisodes of Uncle Nick’s Enchanted Playground. My dream is to one day host my own kids’ show on a television network.

This is me building my dream.

11 Comments Posted on marriage, parenting, Pregnancy, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Cast Your Final Official Vote for Whether It’s a Girl or a Boy! Team Holly or Team Logan?

Cast Your Final Official Vote for Whether It’s a Girl or a Boy! Team Holly or Team Logan?

On Wednesday morning at 8:00 AM, our family will be finding out whether we’re having a boy or a girl. I will reveal the results on Thursday; which is Thanksgiving.

By leaving your prediction in the form of a comment, your guess can be forever preserved. If you’re right, everyone will know it!

Before you make your prediction official, I’ll give you some things to consider…

I have said from the beginning that I think it’s a girl. I base this on the fact that my wife is carrying this baby much differently than our first.

This baby is positioned differently; plus my wife has symptoms she didn’t have last time; like nausea in the first trimester.

So I think it’s a girl. And most other people I’ve talked to believe that as well.

To that degree, that would make Logan the underdog, as so many people, like me, have been long assuming it’s a girl.

But… my wife thinks it’s a boy.

And now, I admit, that has got me second-guessing this.

As it stands, I am the final Shell man in my family to pass on the name; other than my son, Jack.  My dad has 3 sisters and just one brother, who himself had 3 girls.

So it would make sense that we would have another boy. It would help strengthen the chances of the Shell name living on beyond just my son; in case that matters.

Plus, people say if the mother is carrying the baby low, then it’s a boy; but if it’s high, it’s a girl. But I’m confused on what a “low” or “high” baby looks like…

Here’s your chance. Vote for either Team Holly or Team Logan, then came back to Family Friendly Daddy Blog on Thursday morning (Thanksgiving) to find out if your prediction was correct.

Who’s right? Me- the dad, who thinks it’s a girl?

Or my wife, the mommy, who thinks it’s a boy?

Team Holly and Team Logan. This is the final countdown!

4 Comments Posted on car reviews, parenting, Storytelling, Uncategorized, vegan

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

This year for our son Jack’s 5th birthday, we decided to do a “destination birthday party” in Destin, Florida; instead of having a party with his friends back home in Tennessee.

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

We figured if we were going to spend a few hundred dollars either way, we might as well make a fun family vacation out of it; especially right now, before the new baby arrives in April.

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

Something that made the trip extra special is that we were able to drive a 2015 Lexus GX 460 there and back! Therefore, our road trip was luxurious, large and laid-back.

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

Since we currently only have a family of 3, we kept the 3rd row seat folded down and used it for cargo space instead. Therefore, we packed our largest suitcases for the trip.

Usually on a road trip like this, we all try to pack light- but with all that room in the Lexus GX, we were able to pack liberally:

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

So in addition to the 2 giant suitcases, there was also my camera tripod,  2 of giants beach toy buckets, our plant-based food supply (we’re a vegan/vegetarian family), and all of Jack’s birthday gifts from us. And I was able to fit all of this under the cover too; which maintained the wonderful driver’s seat visibility, which I shot a quick video about.

We had so much fun on our trip. I’ve actually highlighted the main events in previous blog posts. (I put them in bold links below so you can click on them to read those separately.)

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

Before we even left for our trip, Jack drew and colored a special map so his Mommy and I would know were to drive.

separately

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

As for some highlights of our trip; first, my son got to pet and feed dolphins at the Gulfarium.

See Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

Dear Jack: You Got to Pet and Feed Dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park!

Then our family took a dolphin cruise out in the Gulf of Mexico…

See Dear Jack: We Went on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!

Dear Jack: You Got to Go on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!

Not to mention, we let him spend his $100’s worth of gift cards on whatever he wanted during the trip.

See Dear Jack: What Happens When You Give $100 to a 5 Year-Old Boy for His Birthday?

Dear Jack: What Happens When You Give $100 to a 5 Year-Old Boy for His Birthday?

The whole time, we stayed in a really fun resort condo that was right across the street from the beach. We could see the ocean from the living room!

See Our Amalfi Coast Condo Rental in Miramar Beach Near Destin, Florida.

Our Amalfi Coast Condo Rental in Destin, Florida

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

And we had so much fun playing out on the beach. There was a lot of water underneath the sand and it kept sprouting out the more we would dig trenches for our sand castle.

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

Having a destination birthday party for my son’s 5th birthday was the right decision for us! It was such a special time for our family.

Lexus GX 460 Family Road Trip: My Son’s Destination Birthday Party in Destin, Florida

1 Comment Posted on parenting, reviews, Storytelling, Uncategorized

Dear Jack: We Went on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!

5 years.

Dear Jack: You Got to Go on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!

Dear Jack,

In addition to you being able to pet and feed the dolphins at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park, another really fun thing our family was able to do last week while on your “destination birthday party” in Destin was we sailed on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise.

What the event personally revealed to me was that I could probably be out on a ship all day long every day and be completely happy.

Dear Jack: You Got to Go on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!

But it’s even better when you have an experienced captain give you a tour of where all the dolphins hang out in the Gulf of Mexico.

Basically, whenever anyone on the ship thought they saw a dolphin, the captain steered in that direction, so everyone could get a closer look.

For about 2 hours, that’s what we did. And it was awesome! Not to mention, it was so relaxing being out on the water.

Dear Jack: You Got to Go on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!

Once we got out there, the captain gave you kids an opportunity to feed the seagulls… that was hilarious!

Plus, we even saw a bride and groom across the water on a different ship.

Dear Jack: You Got to Go on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!

Part of the adventure of the cruse was the mystery of it. The captain explained at the beginning of our voyage that each time is different; he never knows exactly when or where the dolphins are going to appear.

I thought it was really cool how the captain depends on audience participation for the dolphin cruise to come alive.

Dear Jack: You Got to Go on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!

Near the end of our voyage, the captain gave an opportunity for all the kids to be able to get in line to sail the ship with him.

Captain Jack sailed the ship safely back to shore tonight.

You couldn’t get enough! You totally were in the zone as you held onto the wheel. I Instagrammed the event:

Captain Jack sailed the ship safely back to shore tonight.

Captain Jack sailed the ship safely back to shore tonight.

The captain even wrote out a special award for you, making you an honorary captain!

Afterwards, you got to pick some toys from the treasure chest.

We were so pleased with the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise. It’s a completely worthwhile experience and I absolutely recommend it to any families staying in the Destin, Florida area while on vacation.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: You Got to Go on the Southern Star Dolphin Cruise in Destin!