Yesterday, I had to drive 40 minutes each way to a studio down by the airport and spend 30 seconds on CNBC talking about the impact of the Youtube ad deal. I figured it makes more sense for me to cut out the middleman and do my own “talking head” segment with opinions about media and tech news.

Over time, I assure you the lighting and sound will get better.

The other day, while at a client’s office, we began to talk about this cool camera that we’d each heard about–the Pure Digital Point & Shoot Video Camcorder. I first saw it on Jeff Graham’s videoblog on USA Today and made a mental note to check it out.

Well, I now own one, finding both a $20 online rebate as well as availability as my local Target. (Costco also carries it, but the closest one was in Gilbert, AZ). I have to say it is quite amazing. It’s better than my original Sanyo (the cool red one) and shoots MPEG-4s for Mac editing and AVIs for Windows editing.

The key feature (in addition to good sound and a small but decent zoom) is the built in USB adapter that flips up when you need it. The camera runs on two AA batteries. Picture quality? Judge for yourself–below is a clip from today’s Duck Derby Race.

It was a long-anticipated videoblogging event: The Duck Derby at Kiwanis Park in Tempe. And sure it was hot (101) and the race was slow (40 minutes), but the cause (Make A Wish) is a great one, and we had 15 rubber duckies in the race. The winner (which we weren’t) received a new Chevy and even the runner-ups prizes (which we also didn’t win) were good, ranging from airline tickets to an overnight at Casino Arizona.

Big kudos to Mark Lewis, a local TV personality who was the emcee and kept everyone entertained in the blazing sun with some funny banter.

Krispy Kreme might be opening its doors in China, but here in Arizona, they have closed all eight outlets. I saw the news in the paper this morning, so we headed over to the closest K2 to see if it’s fact or fiction.

As luck would have it, we had a rare opportunity to visit the new Cardinals Stadium out in Glendale a few days before it opens to the public. Sure, it’s way out on 101 from the heart of Metro Phoenix, but it’s a beauty and the home for the 2008 Super Bowl. After playing for decades at Sun Devil Stadium, it’s a huge leap forward for a rather luckless franchise that hasn’t been in the playoffs in recent history.

In today's installment, Allen takes us through the news that MySpace selected Google to serve ads to the biggest name in social netorking.

After the Celebrity Softball game at the MLB All-Star weekend in Pittsburgh, fireworks light the sky ouside PNC Park.

On of the highlights of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game in Pittsburgh was the parade that introduced the players. After the caravan of stars (a few of whom have been traded in the past few days) made its way over The Roberto Clemente Bridge, fans followed. Here’s an enterprising “street performer” who is perched on the bridge playing the sax.