Adventure in Ohio

I'm the first to admit that I've had unique and interesting opportunities around the globe in my travels.  However, interesting adventures can also present themselves to you at your mailbox in the heart of Buckeye Nation.  And, one day this happened when I got a postcard from Google.  Yes, that's right, there is only one Google.  THE GOOGLE sent me a postcard.

For some reason, Google decided to host seminars for people who use their ads on websites.  That's me.  I made good money from those ads, a fact that continually both shocks and amazes me.  Of course, I was also very surprised that Google, THE GOOGLE, would send me an invitation to attend a seminar.  I mean, seriously, they can't do that for everyone!

The closest seminar to Buckeye Nation was in Nashville, Tennessee.  It was winter and those Google people from California didn't want to go anywhere cold.  So, I made my way to Nashville for my seminar.  I didn't know what to expect and I certainly didn't expect what happened.

The best part of the seminar was the one-on-one session with someone to review and advise me concerning my website.  However, this was my first face-to-face meeting with anyone from Google.  Before we talked about my website, I had to thank someone, anyone from Google, for changing my life.  When you say something like that, it usually gets attention.

This time was no exception.

Courtney needed me to explain what I was talking about.  So, I told her how Google had allowed me to become an artist full-time and provided the funds I needed to paint murals at orphanages, schools, clinics, and other worthy walls around the world.

I really had her attention.

And, when Courtney went back to sunny California, she spread the word about me and my murals.  Then, people from Google, THE GOOGLE, telephoned me for an interview.  Not only did they want to do a case study about my success story, they decided to send a team to Buckeye Nation to film the process of the mural in the Hilltop.  It was the first Google success story video.

Of course, I didn't know what to expect when a film crew came to my home.  I thought it would be someone with a camera and another person with a list of questions.  No, six people came to my place!  There was someone for the camera, another for sound, the producer, people from Google marketing, and me.  On their paperwork, I was listed as "the star".

The guys from Plywood Pictures told me that normally for a 90 second commercial they shoot 30 minutes of video.  Then, they weave (and edit) their magic.  Nothing about my story was "normal" and they filmed for over three hours!  That footage included video at my home, hidden camera work at the paint store, and (my personal favorite) a camera attached to a paintbrush at the mural site.  (If you feel inclined, the link to the video is here.  Alas, the original two and a half minute video is now edited down to 37 seconds.)

Alas, again!  Not all of the news from THE GOOGLE was phenomenal.  The people who made decisions about Google Doodles said NO to my artwork (used on this page).  I thought it was just a natural fit.  On the day they launch their blog and video, I should have my art as an official Google Doodle.  I still think it is a natural fit.  Nothing will ever change my mind.