tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38169823414245021872024-02-18T18:17:39.602-08:00ErieAlityTV.comHere are the secret and personal thoughts from the guy behind ErieAlityTV.com... a journey in pursuit of a conviction that "big" has more to do with what's inside one person than in what may attract a crowd.Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-52367275873538513412009-10-09T13:19:00.000-07:002009-10-09T13:27:45.524-07:00FUN October News... Valerie Weaver, John Maleno, Nick Scott, Sr.<div><a href="http://bgavideo.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/extreme-makeover.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 148px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 86px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://bgavideo.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/extreme-makeover.jpg" /></a>Greetings World!<br /><br /><span style="color:#993300;"><strong>Extreme Makeover.</strong></span> We are quickly approaching Erie's debut on EMHE (date is a well-kept secret). Keeping it real- the cynical among us may be tempted to reduce the good will of many to star-struck opportunism. I can't read souls, but what I have witnessed behind the scenes, particularly on the board by the likes of John Maleno and Nick Scott, far surpasses what most know, or will ever know.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goerieblogs.com/other/extrememakeover/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ClaraTy-1024x700.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 166px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 127px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://www.goerieblogs.com/other/extrememakeover/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/ClaraTy-1024x700.jpg" /></a>While the outpouring of generosity made her dream home possible... the heart of it is serving underprivileged children-- did you know she feeds 20-30 kids every day? Her organization could use your financial support... every cent will go toward the children. Please <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ngcbeadab.0.0.csykbkcab.0&ts=S0413&p=http%3A%2F%2Fclarasway.com%2F&id=preview" target="_blank" track="on" linktype="link">go to her new site</a>! With your donation of any amount we're giving away our Season II DVD - which captures Clara's amazing story, and was an inspiration for ABC's selection of Clara.<br /><br /><span style="color:#993300;"><strong>We're passionate about capturing an organization/company's personality and showcasing it through excellent video to the world! Here are some recent examples:</strong></span><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#993300;">Erie Playhouse.</span></strong> Recently we produced a short promo for Erie Playhouse - "It's Magical!" Check it out at <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ngcbeadab.0.0.csykbkcab.0&ts=S0413&p=http%3A%2F%2Feriealitytv.com%2F&id=preview" target="_blank" track="on" linktype="link">ErieAlityTV.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#993300;"><strong>Valerie Weaver</strong></span> is well known to Erie as the "frugal fashionista." She contacted me this week and in 24 hours we established her domain, built a basic site, and produced a video - all in time for her big event this weekend (<a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ngcbeadab.0.0.csykbkcab.0&ts=S0413&p=http%3A%2F%2Fforwomenonlyexpo.com%2F&id=preview" target="_blank" track="on" linktype="link">ForWomenOnlyExpo.com</a>)! Check it out at <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ngcbeadab.0.0.csykbkcab.0&ts=S0413&p=http%3A%2F%2Fvalerieweaver.com%2F&id=preview" target="_blank" track="on" linktype="link">ValerieWeaver.com</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#993300;"><strong>Amish Buggy.</strong></span> Keep your eyes peeled for the fun commercial we developed for The Amish Buggy, corresponding to their Amish Autumn Sale which runs from October 9 - 18. Check it out <a href="http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=ngcbeadab.0.0.csykbkcab.0&ts=S0413&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DDJj0JgVDJfM&id=preview" target="_blank" track="on" linktype="link">HERE</a>.<br /><br />Everyone's life says something.<br />Don't miss it! </div><div><br /><span style="color:#993300;"><strong>Greg Schlueter<br />Creator/Producer</strong></span> - <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/"><span style="color:#3333ff;">ErieAlityTV.com</span></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#993300;"><strong>Tune in to the City. You'll get hooked!</strong></span></div>Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-6035329814944090262009-10-08T06:58:00.000-07:002009-10-08T07:20:35.937-07:00Song II - BirdsFIRST SONG/POST 2 MONTHS AGO: So, I'm digging through my massive CD collection (Remember those? From the "olden days"?)... and I come across a recording of original songs from over 10 years ago... before six children, when I actually had time to write poetry, work on guitar and piano, set it to music... any way, for humility sake, here's track #6 (<a href="http://eriealitytv.com/Audio/06LoveComesIn-GregSchlueter.mp3"><strong><span style="color:#000099;">Love Comes In</span></strong></a>) from the CD appropriately entitled: The First and The Last - if you're interested... written when my wife and I began dating.<br /><br />SECOND SONG/POST: Here's the follow-up. It's been a few months since I posted the above, so I'm just adding to that post a second song from the CD. Here in Erie, Pa. we have the beauty of water... and this large piece of land called Presque Isle... 13 mile "isle" of beaches and forest preserve. Ten years ago I brought my camera and went to one of the lighthouses... it was late fall-turning winter. I was absolutely enraptured by a multitude of birds soaring on the wind... it was quite magestic, and inspired this guitar instrumental, simply called Birds (<strong><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/Audio/05Birds-GregSchlueter.mp3"><span style="color:#000099;">CLICK HERE</span></a></strong>).Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-62886823804155990502009-07-01T13:12:00.000-07:002009-07-01T13:33:17.620-07:00Extreme Makeover: Home Edition - Our Story<table style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff;color:#ffffff;" id="textEdit" class="BlockMargin" tabindex="0" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" ><tbody><tr><td align="left" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;color:#542310;"><span style="font-family:Impact,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:180%;color:#990000;"><span style="color:#cc0000;"><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on"><span style="font-size:6;"><img contenteditable="false" border="0" alt="ErieAlityTV.com Broadcasting to Erie!" align="right" src="http://lastrow.files.wordpress.com/2008/07/extreme-makeover.jpg" width="204" height="83" /></span></a><span style="color:#cc6600;">"Thank you for your nomination...."</span></span><br /></span><br /><br /><span style="color:#003300;"><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on"><img contenteditable="false" border="0" alt="ErieAlityTV.com Broadcasting to Erie!" align="left" src="http://eriealitytv.com/ftpimages/GregFRAME.jpg" width="167" height="206" /></a><strong><span style="color:#000000;">On February 6, 2009, I received an email from <em>Extreme Makeover: Home Edition</em> (EMHE): "Thank you for your nomination. I have a few questions...". </span></strong><br /></span><span style="color:#003300;"><strong><span style="color:#000000;">EMHE was moved by </span></strong><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on" linktype="link"><strong><span style="color:#0000cc;">ErieAlityTV</span></strong></a><strong><span style="color:#000000;">'s story on Clara Ward. </span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">So began an official nomination to the EMHE casting team leading up to the announcement last week, and all the activity this week-- the tremendous outpouring of good will from this community that will touch the lives and hearts of thousands for years to come.<br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;">When EMHE is long gone there are many stories that will continue to be told. For those who really know Clara, that's only fitting. Her life was never about her; it was always about the capacity for others to be touched, and to love without counting the cost. What follows is simply my story, my little role in how it came to be, and an expression of hope for our great community of Erie.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#000000;"></span></strong><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong>Rewind to May 25, 2008</strong>.</span> It was a sunny, Sunday afternoon. My wife was at a baby shower, so I got to spend some dedicated time with our six children, specifically, helping my four-year-old, Grace, ride her bike. When she was able to go a little distance on her own, we moved to the more level back yard. There I noticed a tree with some higher branches in need of trimming. Positioning the ladder on not-so-level ground, and balancing myself on the top "do-not-stand" step, I took the long cutter firmly in both of my hands.... <strong>The next thing I remember I was on the ground unable to move, barely able to breath, with pain exploding from my side and a mangled wrist. </strong><br /><br />With five cracked ribs and a titanium plate holding my wrist together, the doctor told me I needed to inform my employer: "<strong>You</strong> <strong>won't be working for at least another six months!"</strong> Unfortunately, that employer was me. It was my busiest filming/production season, and I had no means to sustain our family without that work. My mind went to an inspirational quote my Dad posted on their kitchen cabinet: <strong>"Sometimes God knocks us off balance so we will take a step."</strong> I couldn't help but inquire, <strong>"Couldn't you pick a better place?"</strong> Pardon the pun, but I get more bent out of shape by small things than I do big things. I'm OK if I get maimed, but give me a toddler using the toilet as a jacuzzi, or turning a newly-painted wall into an art project.... It was too unbelievable, too far beyond any control, for there not to be some deeper purpose. That naturally led to the next question, <strong>"Ok, so what's the next step?"</strong><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong></strong></span><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong>Community: The Mission.</strong></span> I suspect if most of us are honest, we are genuinely uncomfortable with needing others. We do everything we can so we're not a burden. Up to that point, community was merely a great environment to raise our family, but not something we technically "needed." My income was predominantly from work with major-media projects, with <strong>Disney, Walden, Warner Brothers, A&E</strong> and others. We could have lived anywhere. While we chose Erie, it wasn't out of necessity.<br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Often it takes traumatic circumstances to open our eyes to the value of something.</strong> My accident opened my eyes to the deeper value of <em>community</em>. The word literally means "with unity." The heart of community is that each of us have both needs and gifts, the combination of which is how we are all connected to each other, how we literally are one. "With unity" occurs precisely when we are conscious of this common mission- to bring these needs and gifts together in a way that makes us fit together, that makes us all better.<br /><br />My accident left me (and us as a family) completely dependent on the generosity and benevolence of so many. We experienced such an outpouring of prayers and support that, beyond words, pronounced quite emphatically: <em>You need community, and Erie is your community. This is where you belong.</em> Somewhere in there my business plan evaporated, and a simple belief emerged: <strong>"Make community your mission. Do the good you are able to do, without counting the cost! Inspire others to do the same!"</strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc3300;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc3300;"><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on"><img contenteditable="false" border="0" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.30" alt="E-TV Trailer" align="right" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs054/1101996057154/img/30.jpg?a=1102628104170" width="272" height="206" /></a>Celebrate Erie 2008 - Do Good...</span></strong> Not quite knowing what this meant, or where to begin, a natural first step led me down to our defining, community celebration: <strong>Celebrate Erie</strong> (2008). While there, looking through the camera lens, I was simply moved by the presence of so many different people. I was moved by the thought that <strong>each of these people was an undiscovered treasure, and that our lives would be enriched by collectively discovering that treasure.</strong> The mission became more precise. I was meant to use my passion for video story-telling to open the treasure of <em>Erie's reality</em>. Thus, <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on" linktype="link"><strong>ErieAlityTV.com</strong></a> was born.<br /><br />Now I've had a million good ideas and intentions in my life, but have acted on only a few. The real measure of value is how much we are willing to sacrifice for it. As I thought about my family, it became clear that this is the community they will inherit long after I'm gone. It deserves the best and most I have to give. In short, if I was going to do this it had to be total. I couldn't do it half way. That meant turning down other compensable work. It meant trusting entirely on our community, even more, <em>making myself dependent upon this community.</em> It meant not counting the cost....<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong>Good Friends.</strong></span> If life has taught me anything it's that if you're going to venture, you better have the support of good friends. Friends are people who keep you honest, real and focused. They are your compass. They tell you what you need to hear, whether you want to hear it or not. They're motivated by you becomming the best you.<br /><br />Besides my wife, <strong>Stephanie</strong>, this story would be very incomplete without particularly acknowledging the <strong>Pat and</strong> <strong>Linda Kemper Family.</strong> They are more than among our closest friends, they introduced me to <strong>Clara Ward</strong> a few years ago when my kids were inspired to give up their "good stuff" for Clara's Christmas giveaway. <strong>Matt Filippi</strong> of WICU has also been a great friend, particularly orienting me to the shape of this community, and sharing a belief in the possibilities. Add to them, <a href="http://lorei.com/" track="on" linktype="link">Paul Lorei</a>, <strong>Gary Loncki, Greg Luce, Mike Brown, Tim O'Neill</strong> (business partner and friend from Minnesota, <a href="http://keys2heaven.com/" track="on" linktype="link">The Piano Brothers</a>), many people from the <a href="http://eriesba.com/" track="on" linktype="link"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Erie Small Business Alliance</span></a>.... Suffice it to say that E-TV dramatically expanded my horizon of friends. If I endeavored to mention them all it would take pages, and most certainly I'd still miss someone.<br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc0000;"><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on"><img contenteditable="false" border="0" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.23" alt="ErieAlityTV.com Broadcasting to Erie!" align="right" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs054/1101996057154/img/23.jpg?a=1102628104170" width="234" height="127" /></a>The Journey Begins. </span></strong>Fueled by an inspiring vision shared by supportive friends, my course was set. I would follow three people for six weeks, and showcase weekly episodes at <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on" linktype="link">ErieAlityTV.com</a>. It was exhilerating. Through them I was given the treasure, and delighted in providing a powerful means for others to share in this treasure.<br /><br />In Season I we journeyed with <strong>Roy Hollis, Jr</strong>., through his <strong>brother Charles' battle with cancer and untimely death.</strong> Roy's life demonstrated the power of love to overcome racial hatred. We also experienced the vulnerability and strength of family through the contrasting examples of <strong>EJ McMillin</strong> and <strong>Paul Lorei</strong>. To date, EJ continues to strive for success beyond his broken childhood, particularly with his gift of music and in relationships (I read on Facebook that he's engaged - not to Tiffany). In addition to being an accomplished photographer, and father of some very successful kids, Paul is well on his way to completing what will surely be regarded as a classic children's novel, on a par with some of the greats (I really believe that- stay tuned!)<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong>The Peaks and the Valleys.</strong></span> With every new episode word began to spread, and visiting numbers began to grow, not simply in Erie, but beyond. Many media and community personalities expressed their enthusiasm, but typically with an added, community-deprecation: <strong>"I wonder if folks in Erie will get this... you might need to go to LA or NYC."</strong> One privately joked that someone might need to die a violent death for it to gain local media attention. (WSEE was the only local media outlet who covered us.)<br /><br />To keep it completely real-- we have six children. This new endeavor was taking 90 hours a week with no promise of sustainable income. I had tried numerous ways to seek corporate and/or business sponsorship, but with little luck. I <em>had</em> to ask, Where is this thing going? I can't keep it up! Into Season II, my human side kept nagging at me: "You've spent your last cent. For what? What real good is this accomplishing? What now?" I constantly chewed on a C.S. Lewis idea; Lewis noted a common theme from studying biographies, that the <strong>peaks are defined by the valleys</strong>. My take? Some people will never experience the highest peaks because they're not willing to go very deep into the valleys.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on"><img contenteditable="false" border="0" alt="ErieAlityTV Season II - Clara Ward" align="right" src="http://eriealitytv.com/ftpimages/ErieAlityTV_Clara.jpg" width="243" height="183" /></a>Clara Ward... "It will happen!" (An Icon for Our City).</strong></span> In the midst of this season it seemed like a dark cloud was lingering over our city. Economic forcasts were gloomy. Erie-bashing seemed fashionable. On the personal front, in addition to growing worry over dwindling savings going toward E-TV, we discovered that my six-year old niece was dying of cancer. Yet in Clara I found light. While everyone was getting bent out of shape by economic challenges, <strong>here was a woman who has not known a day without economic challenge</strong>. Here is a woman who has risen above a very traumatic childhood and a major disability. And what does she do? <strong>She finds a way to rally a community to give gifts and feed needy kids.</strong><br /><br />I still remember the first shoot at the hospital. Linda Kemper brought me. It was just before Clara's big gift-giving season. With much to do, she was stuck here. There Clara proclaimed, with the little energy that she had, of our need to <strong>have faith, to trust in God's timing, that we're given suffering for a purpose</strong>. Later she would say how her children would constantly challenge her: "We have no money. We only have one week. How are you going to do this? Why do you keep doing this, Momma?" But she would calmly reassure them, <strong>"It will happen... it will happen."</strong> Sure enough, often it would come down to the last day, but it would happen. Clara has lived this far longer than I, which gave me tremendous strength to perservere with E-TV.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong>Season II: Anatomy of a Dream Fulfilled. </strong></span>In addition to <strong>Clara</strong>'s amazing witness, and her dream of providing a safe place for children who fall through the cracks, with E-TV's Season II we had two other unique women, each pursuing their unique dreams. We showcased <strong>Lindsay Vendetti</strong> aspiring to record a hit single. <strong>Pamela McCormick</strong> is a mother of six striving to be the best wife, mother and athlete she can be. The concluding episode of Season II suggested itself: <strong>"Anatomy of a Dream Fulfilled."</strong> Their lives proclaimed the importance of knowing what you're about, persevering in adversity, surrounding yourself with good people, stepping out of your comfort zone....<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong>Extreme Makeover: Home Edition and Erie Nonprofits.</strong></span> Toward the end of that Season, a good friend, <strong>Deb Thompson</strong> (<a href="http://getstrategy.com/" track="on" linktype="link">Strategy Solutions</a>), told me that I really needed to connect with <strong>Bob Wooler</strong> of <a href="http://thenonprofitpartnership.org/" track="on" linktype="link"><span style="color:#0000ff;">The Nonprofit Partnership</span></a>. We immediately discovered a common mission - to help organizations tell their stories to the community. I conducted a seminar on the theme for 70 community leaders, and was immediately engaged in producing story-videos for a number of organizations. It wasn't much, but it allowed us to put some PB&J on the table.<br /><br />Around the same time someone local contacted me and said <strong>EMHE is looking for a worthy family in the Erie-area</strong>. I shot <strong>Extreme Makeover</strong> folks an email, sharing with them our <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on" linktype="link">E-TV</a> coverage of Clara. They thanked me for the nomination, and requested the formal application. It made sense for <strong>Linda Kemper</strong> and her family to drive the application.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#cc3300;">It Gets Serious.</span></strong> As you might imagine, the mere potentiality of Clara as a candidate was exciting. <strong>Perhaps the entire purpose for E-TV was to showcase Clara's mission, to make it possible for fulfillment?</strong> Not to mention the tremendous boost to the whole community, engaging them in a common mission of "doing the good they're able to do, without counting the cost!"<br /><br />By the end of that first week of February <strong>Linda Kemper and Family</strong> took up the application in earnest, filling out all the related information, acquiring requested pictures and video. We circled back at my house to review, refine, and get the requested materials to EMHE with due haste. In the months that followed production teams were in Erie a few times, honing the potential Erie-area stories. With close family and friends gathered around, we were told she is merely one of a few candidates. They again emphasized the importance of secrecy.<br /><br />In my life I have worked on some major media projects. I don't blame anyone for doing what they do to make a buck, but I have to say from the top down these EMHE folks are the real deal. They are mission driven. <strong>They are singularly motivated by the capacity to change lives. </strong><br /><br /><strong>This is perhaps best illustrated by EMHE's Executive Producer Conrad Rickett's <a href="http://yourerie.com/content/fulltext/?cid=65562" track="on" linktype="link"><span style="color:#0000cc;">words </span></a>at the June 19th Pep Rally.</strong> Rickett shared that EMHE began with an unlikely encounter with a broken down home. He saw a lady with a paint brush and an eight year old girl, and asked about the condition of the house. She replied that for four years they had been battling leukemia, and every dime was going to save her life. He knew at that moment that this was the soul of the television show.<br /><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong><a href="http://malenoextremehome.com/" track="on"><img contenteditable="false" border="0" alt="Maleno Builders" align="right" src="http://www.malenoextremehome.com/_images/logo_maleno.png" /></a>The Announcement.</strong></span> Excitement grew as <strong>Maleno Builders</strong> was selected, and details were offered of the build-week at their dedicated <a href="http://http//www.malenoextremehome.com/" track="on" linktype="link">EMHE site</a>. We hoped that Clara was a top candidate. Unfortunately, we would be on our long-anticipated family vacation on the announcement week, but I couldn't help but anticipate the announcement date: <strong>Thursday, June 25</strong>.<br /><br />Then the news came-- my phone was flooded with a barrage of text and voice messages. Linda's in particular came in at 1:02 p.m., simply saying: <strong>"They picked Clara. Ty is coming with the bus. Anna [her daughter] is on the bus." </strong><br /><br />It was quite surreal, and difficult not to be able to be there. I felt an inexpressible joy for Clara, and absolute wonder at all that transpired. How could I have known that my accident, and origination of E-TV, could contribute in a small way to so much? Going to the Maleno site, I'm overwhelmed by the outpouring of support by so many. This house, this story, Clara... are a metaphor for what our community is all about. As Rickett intimated, this doesn't require a television program. EMHE merely set the stage for many people to <strong>do the good they're able to do, without counting the cost!</strong><br /><br /><span style="color:#cc3300;"><strong><a href="http://mvpedition.blogspot.com/" track="on"><img contenteditable="false" border="0" name="ACCOUNT.IMAGE.27" alt="E-TV Season III: MvP Edition" align="right" src="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs054/1101996057154/img/27.jpg?a=1102628104170" width="226" height="150" /></a>E-TV Season III: MvP Edition... ! </strong></span>Before leaving on vacation, before knowing that Clara was selected, I knew E-TV was meant to continue. For Season III we're wanting to use the <strong>McDowell</strong> v. <strong>Prep</strong> rivalry to showcase the best in our community. <a href="http://mvpedition.blogspot.com/" track="on" linktype="link"><span style="color:#0000ff;"><strong>The short trailer</strong></span></a> (and other clip) were captured at the <strong>Bob Sanders</strong> camp, where both coaches were united in helping young men discover the core values of the right vision, discipline and hard work.<br /><br />The programs will lead up to the September 4 game (with the finale following three weeks later), with all episodes airing exclusively on the local NBC (WICU) site, with a reach to 300,000 every month. <strong>So here I am again, expressing need</strong>... <strong>to join us in doing what you're able to do without counting the cost.</strong> As of this writing, we have some real interest by a major, corporate sponsor, but we need you to help us. <a href="http://mvpedition.blogspot.com/" track="on" linktype="link"><span style="color:#0000ff;"><strong>Please go here for more details, and stay tuned in. </strong></span></a><br /><br />So that's my little story, and the hope for its continuation. Please join us.<br /><br /><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" track="on"><img contenteditable="false" border="0" alt="Erie's Reality TV Program!" align="right" src="http://eriealitytv.com/ftpimages/ETV.png" /></a>Thank you!<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#cc0000;"><strong>Everyone's life says something. Don't miss it!</strong><br /></span><span style="color:#cc0000;"></span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Greg Schlueter</span><br /><span style="color:#cc0000;">Creator/Producer</span> - <a href="http://www.eriealitytv.com/"><strong><span style="color:#0000cc;">www.ErieAlityTV.com</span></strong></a><br /><a href="mailto:GetHooked@ErieAlityTV.com"><strong>GetHooked@ErieAlityTV.com</strong></a><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;color:#cc0000;"><strong>Tune in to the City. You'll get hooked!</strong></span><br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-32021498648817990942009-01-07T11:24:00.000-08:002015-06-10T08:08:44.664-07:00ErieAlityTV.com and The Nonprofit Partnership Invite You...<div align="center">
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<span style="font-size: 130%;">and touch the lives of thousands.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV0J_hqZEBmTnF59XXm4s1lc3gGWG4ehLpDBheINw3FW2yWDR2v33euSB9IwpgXt8rkF6baz08uNsklqUk4hfCAQ89KqLi8_nW6k31n18mOjkbpwtMz6R01p4HWrrTH47r2NaHxSBE2GH/s1600-h/GregFRAME.jpg"><span style="font-size: 130%;"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288636241371339938" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlV0J_hqZEBmTnF59XXm4s1lc3gGWG4ehLpDBheINw3FW2yWDR2v33euSB9IwpgXt8rkF6baz08uNsklqUk4hfCAQ89KqLi8_nW6k31n18mOjkbpwtMz6R01p4HWrrTH47r2NaHxSBE2GH/s320/GregFRAME.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 192px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 141px;" /></span></a>As a father of six I feel the economic pressure we’re all facing. But we know what every parent knows- you don’t just stop giving. The community our children’s children inherit is being shaped by what we do right now.<br />
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After many years of contributing to national media productions, I was moved five months ago to set aside everything to develop <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/">ErieAlityTV.com</a>. I was moved to tell the inspirational stories of people in our community, to capture the amazing beauty beyond what most of us see. My hope was that people would be inspired to even greater heights.<br />
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Since then, E-TV has touched thousands.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PfNvSlnC_HYU6vMsFS_UEjW80J-2jPZdF7JYuGXormkOlK2um-8W3YmIS9DYEjkXCf_B4E9Zrw_wLl3fCtAJZcnX-FJ48NJEnb2PzPZcG8yE5ja6d5gTHvp4HaxsILc_1yJyUqtJuopV/s1600-h/npp_logo_print.gif"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288637313140403298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7PfNvSlnC_HYU6vMsFS_UEjW80J-2jPZdF7JYuGXormkOlK2um-8W3YmIS9DYEjkXCf_B4E9Zrw_wLl3fCtAJZcnX-FJ48NJEnb2PzPZcG8yE5ja6d5gTHvp4HaxsILc_1yJyUqtJuopV/s320/npp_logo_print.gif" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 110px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 155px;" /></a>It quickly became clear that E-TV is ideally suited to help nonprofit organizations. These are folks who live to make a difference in others’ lives. We want to help them by capturing their inspirational stories and sharing them with the world.<br />
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<a href="http://www.thenonprofitpartnership.org/">The Nonprofit Partnership</a> (an outreach of the <a href="http://www.eriecommunityfoundation.org/">Erie Community Foundation</a>) is matching every dollar contributed to help tell their story. Thus, your tax-deductible dollar will be multiplied many times over and touch thousands in our community and beyond!<br />
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Please make your tax-deductible contribution to<br />
The Nonprofit Partnership: “The Nonprofit Partnership: ETV Story Project” and mail to:<br />
<br />
Robert Wooler, Director<br />
The Nonprofit Partnership<br />
459 West 6th Street P.O. Box 1698<br />
Erie, PA 16507<br />
(814) 454-8800<br />
(814) 454-1572 (fax)<br />
<a href="mailto:rwooler@thenonprofitpartnership.org" title="blocked::mailto:rwooler@thenonprofitpartnership.org">rwooler@thenonprofitpartnership.org</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://eriealitytv.com/"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5288637853778710978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLbx0NeXB2oGRICPbVWytskB-tfZlL73DNej9pED0Rrdmcr_0bbaU_3rCstCSSu4Gxl2rlB_HPCIVIm5crIps-ubxZJFo8eu8VjI92NrdrWQ3E0q-2sL5nNXwpLzrH9I9dLy-J_w57GBJ5/s320/Etv+Concept3.png" style="cursor: hand; float: right; height: 153px; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px; width: 201px;" /></a>Thank you in advance for your generosity – and stay tuned for the result!<br />
<br />
Greg Schlueter<br />
<a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" title="blocked::http://eriealitytv.com/">ErieAlityTV.com</a><br />
<a href="http://eriealitytv.blogspot.com/" title="blocked::http://eriealitytv.blogspot.com/">E-TV Blog</a><br />
<br />
W: 814.449.8808<br />
<a href="mailto:Greg@IDVidPro.com" title="blocked::mailto:Greg@IDVidPro.com">Greg@IDVidPro.com</a>Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-58216245096074476882008-11-06T13:27:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:30:01.233-08:00E-TV RELEASES Season 1 DVD<table id="textEdit" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ccccff" tabindex="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" bgcolor="#ccccff" border="0"><tbody><br /><tr><br /><td style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #542310; FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif" align="left" styleclass="style_MainText"><br /><div style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: #b3401e; FONT-FAMILY: Impact,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif" align="left" styleclass="style_ArticleHead"><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/getstuff.php" track="on"><img contenteditable="false" height="216" alt="Buy ErieAlityTV Season 1" hspace="8" src="http://eriealitytv.com/ftpimages/Season1DVDBack.jpg" width="149" align="right" vspace="5" border="0" /></a>E-TV's Season 1 DVD RELEASED! </div><p><strong>Paul Lorei</strong> took us to beautiful Presque Isle and the Quad Races, introduced us to his superstar sons, his "secret project," and a unique portrait of life.<br /><br /><strong>Roy Hollis, Jr.</strong> took us to Waldameer, shared his journey of overcoming stuttering and prejudice to become an award-winning singer, and brought us along the emotional journey of a brother dying of cancer.</p><p><strong>EJ McMillen</strong> opened the door to his world of fighting a mental disability - including a prison record, rocky romantic relationships and devotion to a video game, but a big heart and dream for his rock band Scarwork to make it big.<br /><br /><strong>INCLUDES 11 MINUTES OF "MUST SEE" EXTRA FOOTAGE!</strong><br /><br /></p><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:Impact,Verdana,Helvetica,sans-serif;color:#000066;"><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/getstuff.php" linktype="link" track="on">GET IT NOW - ONLY $12 </a></span></span></strong></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:100%;color:#990000;">Includes S&H!</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-45623108548813665432008-11-06T13:19:00.000-08:002008-11-06T13:27:08.955-08:00ANNOUNCING SEASON 2<table class="BlockMargin" id="textEdit" tabindex="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="5" width="100%" border="0" style="color:#ffffcc;"><tbody><tr><td align="left" styleclass="style_MainText" style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:10pt;color:#542310;"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong><span style="font-size:100%;">Greetings ErieAlityTV Fans!</span></strong><br /><br /><strong><img contenteditable="false" height="152" alt="ErieAlityTV.com Broadcasting to Erie!" src="http://eriealitytv.com/ftpimages/ErieAlityTV_Lindsay_Vendetti.jpg" width="197" align="right" border="0" />Over the past six weeks over 8,000 "tuned in to the City." Thank you!</img></strong><br /><br />Last night E-TV's Season 1 concluded before a crowd at Fox & Hound. </span><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/" linktype="link" track="on"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>Go to the site now</strong> </span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;">to see the concluding Grand Finale Episode 6 and meet the folks we'll be following for Season 2- <strong>Lindsay Vendetti</strong>, <strong>Pamela McCormick</strong> and <strong>Clara Ward</strong>. Also, preview our just-released film for National Boy Scouts of America featuring local business leader and Eagle Scout, <strong>Dennis Prischak</strong>!<br /><br /></span><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/getstuff.php" track="on"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><img contenteditable="false" height="189" alt="ErieAlityTV.com Broadcasting to Erie!" src="http://eriealitytv.com/ftpimages/Season1DVDCover.jpg" width="134" align="left" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;">Please support ErieAlityTV by purchasing the </span><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/getstuff.php" linktype="link" track="on"><span style="color:#ffffff;"><strong>Season 1 DVD</strong> </span></a><span style="color:#ffffff;">($12 includes S&H). View it in high-quality, all our Fun Clips, and 11 minutes of MUST SEE EXTRA footage!<br /><br />Also, we want to invite <strong>local businesses and non-profits to an exciting partnership</strong>. We want to personalize and showcase your work to the community! For the price of a high-quality video you'll not only get that video, but reach all of Erie for eight weeks in our partnership with <strong>WICU</strong> and <strong>WSEE</strong>. </span><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/advertise.php" linktype="link" track="on"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">Click here for details.</span></strong></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><br /><strong>Thanks for tuning in!</strong><br /><br />Greg Schlueter<br /><br />Creator/Producer - </span><a href="http://www.eriealitytv.com/"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">www.ErieAlityTV.com</span></strong></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /></span><a href="mailto:GetHooked@ErieAlityTV.com"><strong><span style="color:#ffffff;">GetHooked@ErieAlityTV.com</span></strong></a><span style="color:#ffffff;"><br /><br /><strong>Tune in to the City. You'll get hooked!</strong><br /></span><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-45742079308716732122008-09-26T07:09:00.000-07:002008-09-26T11:55:37.245-07:00Dahlkemper Landscape & Port Farms...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wNt3Mw7FAJcufn_MgDcN4NOyQ__DwlHVJ7Ds2Yo3e6FFiUZFLgZKAFeRHvBjnIY-K8N733C8uUtZVXjIgpgqHeORlMfWzVP4YGS76hhoN06MIcV1oeXRCyoWhnV37SxOCq6TqCAFvSaC/s1600-h/Countdown.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250351230152048946" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="111" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_wNt3Mw7FAJcufn_MgDcN4NOyQ__DwlHVJ7Ds2Yo3e6FFiUZFLgZKAFeRHvBjnIY-K8N733C8uUtZVXjIgpgqHeORlMfWzVP4YGS76hhoN06MIcV1oeXRCyoWhnV37SxOCq6TqCAFvSaC/s320/Countdown.gif" width="200" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong>ITEM 1: We're opening up the door and going in....</strong> </span><span style="font-size:100%;">Today we're T-minus five days until the premiere- October 1, 2008. I'm excited because I've seen the First Episode (a distinct benefit of being the producer), and I know you'll be moved! </span><div><div><div><br /><div>It'll be a fast but moving ride. In ten minutes you'll accompany me to the dark recesses where we'll encounter many tatoo-clad, pierced and culturally-diverse musicians-- members of EJ's band, Scarwork. I invite you to bring your stereotypes and see if they hold up. Then we'll take you to the last day of Waldameer, where Roy Hollis, Jr. has established quite the name for himself... you may be surprised by a thing or two. Finally, we'll go "on location" with photographer, Paul Lorei, to a family beach shoot at Presque Isle - you'll be captured by the stunning beauty of this tremendous gift we have in Erie. </div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY5RdL4jE3qX0qA96WCeQwC5jcjUF0zNjvMn9O4O608GqH6g7EuobSLytYBhtuxRRtf0blM1MQurJ4dkqexFMjOgDa_czWr62ZvVR6el92MsHkWMEc9BPuvlyDtffVGgk4DEcgUfv7Svit/s1600-h/E-TV+Stats.gif"></a><span style="font-size:130%;">ITEM 2: Last Thursday</span></strong> (September 18, 2008) the first of eleven billboards went up on I-90. This, along with an eblast announcing E-TV and good folks like you telling this story (thank you!), the site has received over 100,000 hits... the average visitor coming at least twice (over 1000 unique visitors) and staying over 6 minutes!<br /></div><br /><div><strong><span style="font-size:130%;">ITEM 3: Extraordinary Advertisers - looking for "that kind of company."</span></strong> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzzw0ARNnHeviQarsdq9pR8D0NDhKDLKdu2SG423BwquH41RMJKgryU6h5bgsowTBnuqVLrYl2zInmeib6y-LlJqCpLwUtGcwYHAO3UBjEbSF9I42B6xHPLTXstGpJOiNQlzsSpDjSSyr/s1600-h/PortFarm.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250353262052354322" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="97" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipzzw0ARNnHeviQarsdq9pR8D0NDhKDLKdu2SG423BwquH41RMJKgryU6h5bgsowTBnuqVLrYl2zInmeib6y-LlJqCpLwUtGcwYHAO3UBjEbSF9I42B6xHPLTXstGpJOiNQlzsSpDjSSyr/s200/PortFarm.gif" width="148" border="0" /></a> E-TV "promises" unparalleled advertising opportunity. But I'm looking for Extraordinary Advertisers - the kind you know by name, who understand and share the vision. At E-TV we're principally interested in people, affirming the "Big" that's inside every person, more than what may draw a crowd... or what one may see on the surface. When folks come to ErieAlityTV.com I want them to find the "Big" in themselves, and know that our advertisers connect with this... that they are "that kind of company." </div><div> </div><div>Hardly just a sideshow, each advertiser space is an integral part of the entertainment- you'll find a "FUN CLIP" for each. Click it and you'll get to meet them, discover more about them as people-- what makes them tick. That's the mission. </div><div><br />So let me say a word for E-TV's first Extraordinary Companies. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59edj-F3OLfLtwRF7Gucqkb2fjm_t6m7ytcQ317BF2YCJDUKkYdQQdof9tVbvLnVjwy5VkaMqwddwe9mRu9tAt5amjGeS7Gaf4KBUcFvo-rHmtsOw0pJP78t2robB42y-eXxkNRDIEw-/s1600-h/Dahlkemper.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5250354541887438626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ59edj-F3OLfLtwRF7Gucqkb2fjm_t6m7ytcQ317BF2YCJDUKkYdQQdof9tVbvLnVjwy5VkaMqwddwe9mRu9tAt5amjGeS7Gaf4KBUcFvo-rHmtsOw0pJP78t2robB42y-eXxkNRDIEw-/s320/Dahlkemper.gif" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.dahlkemperlandscape.com/">Dahlkemper Landscape</a> and <a href="http://www.portfarm.com/">Port Farms</a> are each "that kind of company." If you have landscaping needs, make your first call to <a href="http://www.dahlkemperlandscape.com/">Dahlkemper Landscape</a> (814/ 825-3253). If you want an incredible, Fun Fall Family experience, plan your trip to <a href="http://www.portfarm.com/">Port Farms</a> now (see their E-TV Profile on our <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/">home page</a> 814/796-4500)... our family goes there every year, sometimes more than once!</div><div></div><br /><div>Thanks for reading.</div><div> </div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><bk></div><div>Greg Schlueter</div><div><a href="http://www.eriealitytv.com/">http://www.eriealitytv.com/</a> </div></div></div></div>Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-71506175075224407262008-09-08T13:57:00.000-07:002008-09-13T08:06:11.286-07:00Immortalizing Life - My First Camera<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickR929Il-D_xZEFCO3PHI8HLnvqdfoHzrlDhPSxILm-6n8yDops3NUHrabmuN-Zc_hNVJ_kLD6CbgaDQen7hcosGvM45DdUeLcogaOqPjDd8dKhXYcSl2GmX5j_fJw1ocYzmevhBGFzuN/s1600-h/hands+globe.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244073939194975314" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 196px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px" height="227" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickR929Il-D_xZEFCO3PHI8HLnvqdfoHzrlDhPSxILm-6n8yDops3NUHrabmuN-Zc_hNVJ_kLD6CbgaDQen7hcosGvM45DdUeLcogaOqPjDd8dKhXYcSl2GmX5j_fJw1ocYzmevhBGFzuN/s320/hands+globe.gif" width="231" border="0" /></a>I bought my first camera following the birth of our first child, Anne Marie, in 1997. She was named after my older sister who died shortly after birth. Something in there about wanting to immortalize life. Children awaken you in more ways than one! They release you from captivity to a clock, often leaving you bowing before a mystery. Suddenly you feel so small. Suddenly your eyes are opened beyond a mere wave to a vast ocean, where you find yourself aware of an ebb and flow of time. The whole thing captures you. That's when I bought the camera... an attempt capture what was capturing me.<br /><br />So camera often in hand, I took miles of footage... every step, every word, every event. Anne Marie is as comfortable in front of the camera as Katie Couric, as are our five kids that followed. We would often create our own "on the spot" scripts in unique places, like when we hiked Wintergreen Gorge three years ago, or a family dance or music fest with family friends such as Bob Halligan of Ceili Rain (<a href="http://www.ceilirain.com/">http://www.ceilirain.com/</a>), or any number of big events I organized while leading a large youth and young adult program.<br /><br />Any way, our family "video container" became a "video crate," which quickly became "video crates"... learning, learning, learning... and somewhere in there someone recognized I have a real talent for visual story telling, particulary of the inspirational type. Demand grew quickly and six years ago I began my own companies- film/video (<a href="http://idvidpro.com/">Imago Dei Video Productions</a>) along with vision/mission development and marketing (<a href="http://idgenesys.com/">ID Genesys</a>), which got tapped to do some pretty cool things - contributing to Disney/ Walden's <em>Narnia</em>, Warner Brothers <em>Superman Returns</em> and <em>Lady in the Water</em>, A&E's <em>God or the Girl</em>, Catholic Exchange's <em>Champions of Faith</em>.... On the video side I produced a <a href="http://idvidpro.com/BSA">film</a> for Greater NYC Boy Scouts that won a national marketing award, and was the centerpiece to their development campaign which raised over $14 Million. I'm just finishing a <a href="http://idvidpro.com/VIDEO/BSAFilm.wmv">film </a>for national Boy Scouts of America that will be distributed nationally.<br /><br />All of that for me was something like walking on the water, a combination of sinking and believing in something you've never done before, knowing you can't do it by yourself, not quite having proof that it can be done... but looking ahead and being captured by something, believing in something beyond words, that becomes your focus... that keeps you above water... and you keep going.<br /><br />Looking back now it's amazing that we've been living this way for five years-- without a guaranteed pay check, without taking a dime from anyone. It's become a kind of a mission behind a mission-- a proclamation that we're all called to do something... we need to discover what we're meant to do and go for it, with everything we've got... to stick with it. We have a purpose.<br /><br />So following the film for National Boy Scouts, I "knew" there was some new direction capturing me... I needed to venture out again. Something compelled me to go to Celebrate Erie (2008) to figure it out. Talk about an ocean! But I took the first step outside my comfortable boat, and again found myself walking! This time my focal point was the amazing beauty of individual lives... I saw a little of myself in just about everyone that passed, but connected with three, unique, very different, very special people.<br /><br />So here I am, two weeks before billboards hit the City, still tweaking out the site, identifying advertisers... and trusting that the huge investment is worth it, that others will connect with the amazing thing I see... a "big" that has more to do with one person than with a crowd....<br /><br />Thanks for reading.<br />Stay tuned.<br /><br />Greg Schlueter<br /><a href="http://www.eriealitytv.com/">http://www.eriealitytv.com/</a>Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3816982341424502187.post-11916902370500184102008-08-16T16:35:00.000-07:002008-11-12T11:16:19.612-08:00How ErieAlityTV.com was born...<span style="font-size:130%;">With <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/">ErieAlityTV.com </a>I'm inviting the cast to be real, transparent and vulnerable before the world. My purpose in this blog is to do the same...</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDyXRm10yeb82qyfLkn-dukzxX7z3JcQKx4CeSAxJkVvedBryL-aqtF8jeLmLAkU5EeGpK26x05mApFTxiFgFj1_gsZWr-4YSgeu2juR4KJfmL9hD40DKUhR1n7OTAwLdNU9gvdqBIg8T/s1600-h/Greg+and+Dominic+FRAME2.jpeg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242886651639764594" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 178px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 128px" height="160" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDyXRm10yeb82qyfLkn-dukzxX7z3JcQKx4CeSAxJkVvedBryL-aqtF8jeLmLAkU5EeGpK26x05mApFTxiFgFj1_gsZWr-4YSgeu2juR4KJfmL9hD40DKUhR1n7OTAwLdNU9gvdqBIg8T/s320/Greg+and+Dominic+FRAME2.jpeg" width="235" border="0" /></a>Real is not always pretty. But looking through certain eyes it is always beautiful. That was my discovery following an incident on May 25, 2008, when I fell nine feet while standing on the top of the "do not stand" step of a ladder, breaking my wrist in three places, one bone shattered in over 30 pieces, and five broken ribs. Minimal insurance left me with a huge financial burden, minimal capacity to work, and self-employed, no disability to provide for my wife and six children. Many have had it much worse, and it certainly could have been much worse, but this is my story.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIpQMWgopkq6lbUkwnd-JVfxyrkgpZyZ6qNKC5FNULLgsJgA3KpuMQ6CP_Nfn5iIo58ABUiWy6ChoSabd4YoOUia2ksTspNEwxluEpBgkHnCw3fdzTpWpNldQXby2GSIp-8JukEq3mNR3/s1600-h/Hands+Audience.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243636493408063426" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="175" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitIpQMWgopkq6lbUkwnd-JVfxyrkgpZyZ6qNKC5FNULLgsJgA3KpuMQ6CP_Nfn5iIo58ABUiWy6ChoSabd4YoOUia2ksTspNEwxluEpBgkHnCw3fdzTpWpNldQXby2GSIp-8JukEq3mNR3/s320/Hands+Audience.gif" width="214" border="0" /></a>This all has to do with my transformed conception of "big." Like most, my <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg95FdKI1p9MOLCfHnb6BXrviaXc6Z6FZ6kcIECdJCQH5bfnwpriwCKfjwLlLZHEU9w-Ov3SlsNXISApy1DtuWjEGobRayMYYE3haUzOrY-D0UMk5l6OFvnVrHYlcDLsL2hAkktK86dLEjD/s1600-h/LOGOContained.jpg"></a>conception <a href="http://idvidpro.com/"></a>of "big" had to do with external scale, with what may draw a crowd. Which of us do not want to DO or BE something "big" in this world? To do "big things" for the world? To that end, up to that point I contributed to some "big" endeavors... Disney, Walden, HBO, A&E, HBK Sorce, Kaiser Permanente, National Boy Scouts.... Each constituted a step up a certain big ladder. It was from that ladder I fell.<br /><br />So there I was, lying on the ground, wounded, humbled, radically dependant. It wasn't pretty, but the beauty came clear: a sense that "big" has more to do with what's inside one person than in what may draw a crowd, a belief that every person is a certain treasure waiting to be discovered, and that my life would be better or worse based upon my discovery of that treasure.<br /><br /><a href="http://ag-edit.lightlink.com/view_caption.php?image_id=86989&keyword=lake"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFFSO22hYzyDcZnSKuYaMz_bXpsBCz2KoDnr4xNB6JdeyxNDUPOZpfvXTzFGFmraB3IdeIfqho3TIVIugH3-NfcytqiqN_w-vp1xqua294FVUkR0dU9TXRfzzacpJL9gDAajucmrLgmwb6/s1600-h/Boat+Water.gif"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2cHLh_qoJmWzI9unA490trPxKp_nF98Wt9o8zmWO2psXwtQhuGFddf8eLvbt1z422M3dC7I-CmTsLjvutJ8sWQlcVWc2wboYtBsbEIj7JUzwd3rX6YbrJNAmLacZbEunURcsPWUDyciT/s1600-h/Boat+Water.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5244077032343907810" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; CURSOR: hand" height="256" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2cHLh_qoJmWzI9unA490trPxKp_nF98Wt9o8zmWO2psXwtQhuGFddf8eLvbt1z422M3dC7I-CmTsLjvutJ8sWQlcVWc2wboYtBsbEIj7JUzwd3rX6YbrJNAmLacZbEunURcsPWUDyciT/s320/Boat+Water.gif" width="180" border="0" /></a>So at the age of 40, I began <em>looking</em> again... but with different eyes... at my wife, each of my children, my extended family and friends... <em>complete strangers</em>. I began looking beyond my conceptions of "big" with a wonder of what lies below the surface. It came most clear at "Celebrate Erie 2008." Something compelled me to bring my camera. Something compelled me to "get in there" with people I'd never met before, to step outside my comfort zone.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/"></a>I was moved by <em>wonder</em>, a wonder of what makes others tick... beyond appearance, religion, race, politics, gender.... While not very profound, I discovered that below the surface we are all remarkably the same, and have a capacity for tremendous connection. It was an amazing awakening. The following days moved me to give up on my other conceptions of "big" and pursue the "big" that is our city's greatest treasure, the "real" treasure inside each individual person... and to share that with our city and the world.<br /><br /><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242904597757893586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="134" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTRFrtsfkXfNVveXPH6nh7d_QQ3t60-6BcJ21OhG09i72BADRwIRaN7WEYwOOeRWyeFR3X3uMc8CV-zrXAPsxT5dQsR5IqWUry76mjbZHoQwPpzaT0rz5oYJ65xNAvSSQZErjLd1_adaLV/s320/Billboard+Complete+Trimmed.jpg" width="249" border="0" /></a>So in a matter of speaking, I'm still going after "big," but not for the sake of "big." <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/">ErieAlityTV.com</a> may draw big crowds, but the crowds will not draw <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/">ErieAlityTV.com</a>. It's what's inside an individual person that matters. I'm not going for sensationalization. Real is sensational enough. I'm going for the real, and inviting you to capture the possibility within your own world....<br /><br />Of course, I'm also inviting local companies who capture this vision and opportunity, to help make it all possible, with the awareness that all who come will be touched, inspired by an expansive vision for "community," and that their support will be returned one-hundred fold.<br /><br /><a href="http://eriealitytv.com/"></a>So <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/">ErieAlityTV.com</a> was born. For six weeks we're going to follow <a href="http://eriealitytv.com/"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5242892084080767234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" height="145" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Pb7GAn5uMW4rMXpwc2N34NV05m-2oEKe_BEniUfx4jfpWjN_ici2f5hRwbhhQVTDS-WvnvkV0u-Da3HG6QpeljJcSbFxnM3WYyzZ5y1OsmyZERmMy6g1sfBkCuG9lqT6Qd50FrtiSEEW/s320/Etv+Concept3.png" width="200" border="0" /></a>three people, find out their hopes and dreams, their tragedies and triumphs... what makes them tick. This is something big. This is our journey. It's a huge leap for all of us, but I invite you to get on board. Let's see where the road takes us. Get registered. Stay tuned. Share your thoughts at the message board.<br /><br />Thanks for reading.<br /><br />Greg Schlueter<br /><a href="http://www.eriealitytv.com/">http://www.ErieAlityTV.com/</a><br /><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregschlueter">Linked In Profile </a>Greg Schlueterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15698163837797315194noreply@blogger.com1