I WIN OVER ANOTHER ONE: Dodd Harris emails:

Your most recent post over the weekend about portable video finally pushed me to order that Flip MiniHD I’ve been considering. I got this one (2nd Gen 120 min model) for $178.00.

It arrived this afternoon (ah, Amazon Prime, how I love thee!). 5 minutes out of the box it had installed and upgraded its own software and was charging. Once I’ve played with it some (i.e., April 15) I’ll send an update, but if its other functionality is half as elegant as getting it setup, I know I’m going to be very, very pleased with it. And, as a 40+ type who remembers the bulky, heavy, hugely expensive video cameras of the 80s, the size, price, and storage is nothing short of astonishing.

Indeed. And small video cameras are essential Tea Party equipment, necessary to beat back bogus charges from dishonest critics . . . .

UPDATE: Reader John Kranz emails:

Professor Reynolds

I laughed at your “I win over another one” post.

I bought a Flip on your good counsel last year and used it to film the first tea party I attended.

Then I got to thinking… I started using it for short music videos, and started a “virtual coffeehouse” with some old band members.

I have MS and had stopped playing both because my playing was off and I could no longer really navigate gigs. The virtual coffeehouse is low-rent and non-lucrative even by the standards of my career. Yet I have had a blast and started playing again which has really picked up my mood.

It has almost been a year since I started posting (I just embed on YouTube and use blog software). I have not made my goal of every week, but almost.

You don’t even sense your own powers, do you?

I get a vague idea, now and then. . .