Hen House Media Blog

...And Then There Were Less!

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 14:58:00 +0000

We had another Chicken loss.

One of the original members of Chez Hen House disappeared.

Last week, one of my chickens was feeling rather odd... well, actually, I assume she was feeling on, because I really dont know just by holding her. She felt fine. But, she behaved very odd. Easy to pickup, a little fidgety, but this chicken appeared to have a case of High School "Senioritis". Was present, but didn't seem to give a damn.

A day later, she disappeared. I have to assume scavengers got her. But it is also possible that she just up and left, with an attitude of "who cares" thrown in nonchalantly, but heck I am no chicken doctor. In fact, I am no human doctor either...although my ability to diagnose humans is pretty damn high.

The odd thing is, there is literally no sign of struggle when these little birds go missing. I have to assume if something attacked a bird the size of a football (the bird that is) it would leave some trace... feathers, blood, a piece of denim from their "bad-boy" ensemble. Whatever.

Point is, if something took these birds, it did so in a very clean way. To date, we have lost a handful of these animals and usually under the age of a few weeks, no like this one. this one was a matriarch, which is why it is disappointing to say the least.

Perhaps it was the copy of the Wall Street Journal I left for it. Perhaps that sent this bird over the edge and it ran away, I don't really know.

All I can say is she was muttering Buh Buh Bailout! The last time I saw her.

Something is running foul amongst my fowl and I need to get to the bottom of it.

Good bye little lady, and Godspeed wherever you are going.

Our thoughts are with you.

-B

The Intern's New Website - From The Intern

noreply@blogger.com (B_The_Amazing_Intern) — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:23:00 +0000

This would officially be my first Hen House Media Blog posting, high-5 me!

My name is Brian, and for the last few months I have been interning at the HHM studio. If you ever call, I answer the phone as Chris because it gets confusing having Bryan and Brian in the same office. :-) I am originally from Atlanta, Georgia and came up to Vermont to go to Champlain College where am majoring in Multimedia and Graphic Design. In May of this coming year I will be graduating (YAYz) and secretly hope to get a paid job at Hen House (shhh, don't tell Bryan and Johnny).

Last week I finished up with my fall semester and realized that I now have the free time to do stuff that I have wanted to do for 15 weeks, but never had the time. I have a long list of designs and personal "chores" to do for my portfolio that I never had time to do during the semester. Two days ago I finished the first thing on my list, reinventing my website (swichkow.com). I'm excited because it now looks pretty and was optimized to be seen by search engines like Google. Although I do video shooting and editing for Hen House Media, in my free time I enjoy print design and still photography. I created my website as a portfolio piece and to get some freelance work on the side.

Feel free to check out my website and let me know if you think it's as great as I do.

Cluck cluck . . . cluck - cock-a-doodle-doo!

Intern: Over and Out

Strange Days? Heck, Strange Week... Here at Hen House Media

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 16:03:00 +0000

Strange times call for drastic measures.... sometimes.

Strange times ALWAYS call for unique thinking.

This week at Hen House Media, we were "walloped" by multiple issues and each one was stranger than the previous. Perhaps we owe this to Halloween or the elections. But one thing is certain.... "ain't no Pumpkin Pie" and "ain't no politico in the Oval Office" gonna save Hen House from the "Forces of Strange"

PART ONE: Aye Captain, there be Gremlins in the works!

Okay, early this week, Johnny's desktop hard drive conked out. I believe it was file-structure corruption, but the result was horrendous. We lost access to the drive, and any saved Data on it.

Thankfully, a very decent program was able to "see" the unmountable drive and allow for an overnight data recovery.

This was an awsome piece of software to fix a hardware problem... but it took time. And thankfully , NONE of our client data was lost.

Now, you are probably thinking to yourself "Hard drive failure is not strange..." No it isn't. But what is strange about this failure are as follows:

1. We are between 2 massive jobs. - Timing works to our advantage
2. We recovered needed data - But even if we couldn't, no client files were ever in jeopardy
3. This failure came as we were about to implement an entire system overhaul for redundancy purposes.
4. This failure actually exposed one extra vulnerability to point number 3... and that is now part of our implementational "roll-out"
5. We lost time, but nothing more.

As frustrating as this all is/was, no major harm (knock on wood).

PART TWO: Want to get Capone? Here is how you get Capone... use a Bat!

Small mouse dropping suddenly make you aware that you might have a small rodent problem. Right?

WRONG?

At Hen House Media, the video production company near Burlington, VT, we know that small rodent droppings indicate that you have a problem. It is up to you to determine the size of the problem. May not be small.

We noticed chocolate sprinkle sized mouse droppings on our window sill, right under our AC. The neat thing is, we were going to remove our AC for the winter anyway, so we knew that we could seal up the hole that may have helped the mouse gain access.

Now, we are two stories up, so this must have been one industrious mouse... right?

Hmmmm.

As we removed the AC, the thought became clear: Are we going to find a nest? Are there going to be babies? Are there going to be carcasses? Who knows, but we continued with the uninstall. We needed to remove acustom wooden frame that held the unit.

As we did so, the idea crossed our minds (collectively): Could this be a bat?

As we carefully opened the wooden frame, we found nothing. Nothing but a pile of those little chocolate sprinkles.... which indicated -- Home for a mouse.

As Johnny removed a beautiful cross piece of wood, we heard the noice... and it will haunt him forever.

He heard the sound of a small grunt. That grunt of a very disturbed little animal, or perhaps that of a small, but tough truck driver. Then he saw it.

The body of a well fed bat.

This bat was still sleeping, but not happily, and not for long.

We quickly called in ALL reinforcements from the business next store, and with a four person crew (three working, and me holding a rolled up magazine, ready to protect myself if need be) we replace the inner wood, knocked out the outer wood, and allowed the bat to seek new refuge without much fuss.

He left the Hen House with no further coaxing.

We felt disgusted, but also happy that Hen House Media had given safe harbor to a bat that was healthy, strong, and a dedicated member to the fly-control population.

In a time of Bat die-off in the North-East, we felt somewhat relieved to know this bat was doing well and all we now had to worry about was the Hantavirus we had been breathing in all summer long.

f

Hen House Media: Chicken's EVERYWHERE

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:17:00 +0000

What was once described by a client as a place with "...chickens everywhere," in reference to our offices has now become a description of my home life.

While in the midst of building a modest hen house for four chickens (and we only had two) this has suddenly become an insane venture to house six little cluckers, and all before time runs out. Why? because they are living in my house.

Oh, one turns out to be a rooster. ¿Did I mention that?
So, actually, I have six chickens, one hen, a partially built hen house and a house over run with these cute, but foul little fowl.

And now, the wife likes them to stretch their little scaled feet, so she lets them around the small, but functional house. And me, chasing them around with paper towel, oxy clean, and a nagging desire to get them back in their cage because "break time" is over birds... back to being birds.

Thankfully, my older child sees the madness and my younger child sees my panic as she explains that what they really need is little chicken diapers. That might solve everything.

Hen House - The construction, continues.

-B

Hen House: The Build

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:57:00 +0000

Hen House Media strives to "right the wrongs" of video production. By working with clients, we create a more synergistic approach to media, but enough of that. I am not here to pitch media and content creation.

I am here to show my exceptional skills as a Master Carpenter, Farmer, Blogger, and Chicken Owner. I figure, that if everyone is trying to be a video producer and post to the web, perhaps it is time I try to do everyone elses job.... Lets see how I make out.

Day 1 of the build:

I framed a nice chicken coop and plan to make a "chicken tractor" to move about my lawn. This will enable my birds to run with grass between their webbed toes. While I only have two at the moment, my wife plans to get two more.

Since I forget the type of chickens, I will have to report on them later... this is a crime and I am mildly embarrassed.

Dimensions:
So, I framed a 4' wide, by 3' deep structure, with the front 4' tall and the back 3' tall. Why? I dunno. I am the expert on this project, so I do what I feel like.

Actually, it made some sense at the time. A structure with four birds, a lamp for the coldest of days, a heated water tray for the same, a nesting box and a roosting bar. All tolled, I figure a base of 4x4 should be more than sufficient and the height is for safety of the lamp.

If anyone understands this, then you are probably more well versed than I am.

Specifics:

I want a sliding snap out tray for the bottom. This will hold newspaper. There will be chicken wire 2" above the "floor" so poop will fall through.

One side will have a sliding 1-1.5 foot door through which I will load food and water. It will slide and lock. Maybe plexi.... So the little buggers get light and I can see that they are not by the door trying to get out.... Thoughts anyone?

There will be ventilation screens at the top with flip down wood, covering. Can be propped open on warm days, shut on winter days.

Back will come completely off via snap latched. Why? Cleaning in the spring. That thing is gonna be way too dirty... will need to be hosed out I suspect. But then again, I have no real idea.

The back will also have a hinged backplate that accesses the nesting box. Eggs my friends, eggs

Ohhhhh, Bantams. I am raising Bantams and it just came to me. Small eggs, but good from what I gather.

Okay, looking down from the top. Front on the bottom. Here is the proposed layout.

Door is bottom center

Bottom left, water and food with slide door on the left wall to access

Straight back left to a little past center is nesting box. One big one. Behind that is a hinged door with clasp lock to access eggs.

The to right, against the wall, is the roosting bar.

Sound good?

More to Follow.

-B

Hen House: The build (Media)

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 23:54:00 +0000

Gonna Build me a Hen House (Media)

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:41:00 +0000

Hi All,

Looking for good, simple plans to keep a few chicken alive this winter.

I will post construction images when they occur.

Please keep in mind, small land size, lots of hills and lots of predators.

Thinking full frame of chicken wire and a smaller coop inside.

Frame of 1x3's? Then a small building within the frame of wire. Make sense?

-B

Jet Li, Make Way for Jet-licious

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:25:00 +0000

For this post, and complete understanding, we need Sam Elliott to narrate and Jeff Bridges to Star...

STRANGER

The Dude got out of his car at Exit 16 off I-89 in New Hampshire. He was one for fillin' up the gas tank, only after the needle got so low, you had to crawl under the dash to see where the little red hand pointed. But the Dude was also aware that while things needed a fillin', others needed the opposite of care.

DUDE
(Entering Exxon/Mobile talking to people at register)

Hey, you guys got White Russian Green Mountain Java? No? Damn. Allright, point me to the head if you'd be so kind.

STRANGER

Now, of course, the Dude would have no way of knowing his own destiny as he entered the restroom to take care of business. But upon completion, personal hygiene was about to give way to the discovery of a lifetime. So, after thoroughly washing his hands, the Dude reckoned that the little metallic push button on the side of the hand blower was as normal as normal gets.

DUDE
(Exiting Bathroom chuckling like a little girl)

MY SKIN -- IT RIPPLED (raising hand to face). It rippled like one of those space guys in a centrifuge... you know man? There cheeks get all ripply. That was me, only it was my hands. Whoa, where can I get me one of those hand blowers.

TRUST ME FOLKS, EXIT 16 BATHROOM OFF OF I-89 in NH. The Hand Dryer is worth it!!!!

We Love Space Chickens at Hen House Media

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 14:10:00 +0000

'Nuff Said!

Bat Die-Off in Vermont - Cause - Prevention - Disaster

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:07:00 +0000

We live in the North East Corridor and are beginning to see a problem with serious ramifications.

There has been an immense and rapid die-off of the local bat population. It appears that the bats are emaciated, flying during the day, not hibernating, and speckled with a white fungus. In short, the one's stricken with these symptoms are already dead, they just don't know it yet.

This leads me to be consumed by the short sightedness of the scientific community. They are desperately trying to find out what the sickness is. And perhaps in doing so, they have forgotten the very basics of scientific insight.

As I suspected early on, scientists now believe the fungus is a secondary symptom and not the cause of the die-off.

This lead me to beg for two more paths of inquiry:

1. Look at changes in the food chain... not necessarily disease, but any element that would cause the bat to slightly shift its dietary habits. Much the way ciliac disease causes absorption incompatibilities, is it possible that the bat is not getting nourishment because what it is eating is preventing absorption. This wouldn't necessarily be a symptom of disease, but of a mild dietary shift

Unfortunately, it is easier to study this element in hindsight.

2. When looking at the food chain, has there been ANY significant die-offs, population control above or below the food source. This requires scientists that are not studying the bat populace, but more importantly, the insect populous. In other words, invite the entomological community into the discussion and have them focus JUST on that element in the food chain.

3. That brings the discussion to the fungus. Look at the safety catches that keep that fungus in check. To know the nature of the fungus life-cycle/food chain, may provide more valuable in connecting the dots.

4. Don't actually expect to connect the dots. Think about the human condition. If suddenly a huge portion of the population went crazy and we made the connection to prions in our beef supply, voila.... we would have a solid connection point and could back it up by observing the behavior of vegetarians. But if vegetarians suffered the same fate, it wouldn't necessarily rule out prion interference. However, prions in the beef would be part of the over-all situation.

Whatever is happening to the bats may exist on many levels. By all means, see if there is a pathogen. Study the blood samples, hair samples, etc.... but by not having a dedicated team of scientists studying the food chains of the foods supply and the fungus itself, we are heading down a very dangerous road where all we may do is shrug.

The way I see it, we have a very short time to unravel this mystery.

-B

Irresponsible Journalism? Meat Recall and Local/National Coverage

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 15:45:00 +0000

Far be it from a "blogger" to report inadequacies in our journalistic brethren... but since Hen House Media uses a blog as an online diary, and not to pontificate (okay, we do in fact pontificate regularly), I think it is time to take a nice little potshot.

Yesterday, all major local and national media outlets talked about one of the largest recalls of Beef in US history.

NOT ONE OF THEM.... talked about how it affects the local market.

So, scare me, why don't you.... But don't give me enough information to help myself.

The "sick" animals are being fed into the food chain with potential disastrous results, and the consumers are not being given ANY information to help.

I expect that the national broadcasts would not go into depth on how it affects the local marketplace, but I expect more from our local CBS, FOX, and NBC affiliates.

I truly hope for the sake of all of us, that the local news organizations have already started the ball rolling on in depth reporting. If our health is at risk, we need to be given the tools to protect ourselves. That comes from knowledge. I rely on my local news station to provide me with that.

Please forgive me if I am jumping the gun here. Lets hope the next few days yield better coverage.

-B

Instant Karma got us... at the Hen House!

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 13:15:00 +0000

Okay,

So within 24 hours after laughing at "Mr. Technology" crying his eyes out on the last post, Hen House gets blasted with NO TELEPHONE SERVICE.

I'm not cryin', but I am feeling very uneasy. So, for the Karma Demons out there, I repent, I repent!

I get it.

So can you now restore our phone service?

Please.

-B

Cell Phone Lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:17:00 +0000

Hah,

I still don't have a cell phone (although I love my skype).

If you are an addict to the techno-lifestyle, watch this.
You will need to commit some time to watching, but not as much time as a returning emails on your Blackberry.

Redbook Magazine Turns to Hen House Media

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:27:00 +0000

Okay, the title is not misleading, but might contain a bit of hyperbole.

RedBook magazine, the February 2008 edition, asked me, what I thought was important in the way a woman looked. While the questions were varied and intense, my answers were not.

Simplicity. Its all about looking natural and looking like yourself.

I suspect this is good advice for all of us. Heck knows that I am no fashion plate, so I prefer not to be against the ropes when I answered.

I suspect that we all (male and female) want to look as good as we can. It's when catering to that look starts to take a front seat to everything else...thats when we get into trouble.

I enjoyed my encounter with RedBook. Nice people, good questions, and very respectful.

We didn't make this, but should have!

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:30:00 +0000

Hen House Media prides itself on having a bit of fun with its clients, customers, friends, and family.

...And while life may not always allow for it, we try to get really stupidly creative in our free time (as well as on the job).

Below is a video link that a friend sent us (Thanks Brian B.) We did not make this, but should have.

So, sit back, relax, and enjoy.

-B

OHHHH MMMMYYYY

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:27:00 +0000

First of all, let me start by saying that Hen House Media is headquartered in what is definitively Patriots country. It's also part of the Red Sox Nation. I hail from NYC, and while I absolutely love living and work here in this beautiful state, I still hold on to where I'm from. It's a source of great pride to be a New Yorker born and raised. It makes things pretty interesting around here when you end in a sports conversation with a potential client and you happen to be either a Mets fan or a Giants fan. The '86 World Series is still a sore subject around here. Even though the Sox have exploded, winning 2 of the last 4 WS titles, including last years', it's still a sore subject.

Now, I'm in for bigger trouble. Last night was incredible. And I will mirror Terry Bradshaw's comments during the post game show that this by far is the greatest Super Bowl I have ever witnessed. It topped the 1990 Bills/Giants title game (remember WIDE RIGHT?) and even topped the Patriots/Rams game that also went down to the final seconds. Unbelievable.

Even the show itself was one of the best. From the National Anthem sung by Jordan Spaks, whose father, BTW, was Phillipe Sparks who played for the G-men from 92-2000. The halftime show with Tom Petty was awesome. They finally got the Halftime show right. and don't get me started on the game. I thought I felt the warning signs of a stroke coming on at one point.

Thanks to the Pats too for a great season and sorry the perfect season didn't work out. But you gotta give it to the team that wasn't given any credit all season. They played with heart. Fitting they played the game in their "AWAY" jerseys.

Anyways, enough rambling. After all it is just a game. And as great as it is to share in the victory, the Giants aren't going to be sending me a check anytime soon. Unless, of course, they need some video production work done. Yo Eli, holla at ya boy.

J

Need Ham

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:22:00 +0000

Dude People,

Some Chicken in Mejico laid green eggs. I sh*T you not. They're all "The pollo is blessed", and I'm all like "Yo, homey, that chicken laid green eggs."

Sweet.

J

Indy 4.... I am on a movie kick.

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:28:00 +0000

I'll try not to do too many movies because that would be silly to turn this thing into reviews. But I will tell you why I have movies on the brain, I just don't get out all that often.

So, here it goes:

I have to say, I am looking forward to Indian Jones 4.

These are fun films, with a little bit of thought behind them and what that yields is a high impact Action Adventure that you are not embarrassed to say you saw.

I remember the first film. I remember the commercial/teaser which was very nondescript. I didn't think that it looked all that good, then I went and it kicked me in the back of the head hard.

It was the first time in my young life that I specifically remember not having anything given away about the story. In essence, the teaser sold the idea of the time and type of adventure without giving up the adventure itself.
I am looking forward to the latest romp, because I do believe it will be the final and I do believe that they are not milking the series for simple profit.

The story, which I am staying away from, is more likely about change than it is about adventure itself. Perhaps that change is the adventure we all seek. Who the hell knows. All I do know is two of the costars. I think that in-itself is a spoiler, but not too much of one.
I believe I already know the "feel" of the story and the nature, but not the story itself. I have not been this excited since I walked out of the theater after having just seen Raiders.

If I am right, I feel this will be a satisfying conclusion to the series. Hopefully it will leave us wanting just one more adventure, but knowing that it is now up to whoever/whatever comes next. The way that 3 showed us what came before Indy, the next will show us what comes after.

I am not reading or listening to a damn thing because I want that sense of adventure that the original instilled. I expect only a few things from this installment. I expect new bad-guys (hard to top Nazis... perhaps they will pass the baton within the film itself?), I expect more poignant moments as Indy tries desperately not to repeat his past, but still live up to his own brand of machismo, and I expect a really stupid-fun adventure that I can feel proud to say "I saw that in the theater."

-B

I like coffee

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 18:10:00 +0000

I can't start my day without coffee. I'm sick with it. Uncommon Grounds by far is one of my favorite joints, but I wanted to share a coffee that has become my favorite at home. Julia Alvarez, author and Vermont resident, grows this amazing coffee out of the coffee plantation which she and her husband own. It is staffed with many volunteers and the proceeds go to some really great initiatives in the Dominican Republic, which is where my family is from. (Mira, muchacho, qu'esa baina?) There are two brews to choose from, each distinctly Dominican and distinctly delicious. We stock Tres Mariposas, (which translates to three butterflies. it's an important part of Dominican history). It is a medium blend with smooth aromatic flavor. Your nose and your taste buds will thank you. Speaking of thank yous, I have to thank Vermont Coffee Company for roasting the beans and distributing it, as well as my local Price Chopper for selling it. You can also get it through Dakin Farm. The biggest thank you goes to Mrs Alvarez for having the vision to grow such a delicious brew while supporting initiatives in the country we hold so dear.

J

Crimson and Cloverfield.... over and overfield!

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 18:21:00 +0000

Cloverfield attempts to capture all of the feeling of a terrorist
attack on NYC without actually reminding the viewers that it is 9/11
all over again.

I suspect that my major disappointment with Cloverfield is not so
much the story-line (after all, who doesn't love a major metropolitan
city being demolished by a monster) but rather the pretension of the
creator.

I suspect that watching a movie supposedly shot through a camcorder,
is suppose to be quaint. It isn't. It is absurdly annoying --
there, I have said it. I am sure that many JJ Abrams fans out there
will cry foul and call it unique. It isn't.

But, the movie does score big with the special effects caught on
"said camera"

Flawless. And ultimately, it is the special effects with the Cinéma
vérité approach that works well. It is too bad that the mythology
behind the name, the story, the approach, are pandering to a fan-boy
base of internet savvy youth that are none too familiar with all that
came before.

I give this movie a sideways (and passing) glance.... because while I
appreciate the way it pulled off the story, I believe that the story
has been done better and with a thousand percent less hype.

I am waiting for another director to step in, give us the back story
and propel this new american monster movie mythology forward. JJ
Abrams, LISTEN UP You can now start a real cash cow be showing us
the rest of the story which your lame Internet fanbase has helped you
flesh out.

Go to it. BUDDY BOY.

OHHHH, spoiler alert: But to be even clevererer than our intrepid
film maker, I will write my major frustration with this crappy film,
backward.

ssa ruoy fo tuo daeh ruoy lluP. krap lartnec ni enecs eht erofeb
evitca REVEN saw ti ecnis, mlif eht ni etal sucof otua otni og ot
aremac eht deen t'ndid uoy, YEH

I DARE YOU TO READ THE ABOVE. Not really a spoiler, but might piss
some off.

Enjoy Lost, its a better ride..

-B

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:49:00 +0000

Apple TV Take 2

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:38:00 +0000

I like what I am hearing.

I will post more later.

-J

Welcome to the house.

noreply@blogger.com (Hen House Media) — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:17:00 +0000

Hello.

You have reached the new home of the Hen House Media Blog.

We really have no idea what this will become, if it will stay up forever, or if this is just our passing fancy.

In any case, please give us feedback, because we love feed back.

The chickens love feed bags. They come-a-running when we go out to the barn to feed 'em. Isn't that grand?

So stick around and we'll see you soon.

-The Hen House Crew