My very first YouTube video:
Four years ago yesterday (June 7, 2007) I nervously hit upload on my first YouTube video. It was an unboxing (appropriately enough) of my new laptop, a 15.4-inch inch MacbookPro. I remember reading MacRumors, Engadget, and Gizmodo every day to see when the new ones were coming out. I was in forums, and watched every related YouTube video out there (which wasn’t much at the time). I could barely afford the computer, but my old 17-inch HP had completely died, and as you can expect, I’m not one who can be without Internet access. To anyone who has ever uploaded a video to YouTube, you can relate to the nervousness. I spent so long messing with camera angles, positioning, checking my shirt, and despite all that, it still came out awfully. Despite the incredibly bad production quality, and cheesy effects, people watched, and we talked. It was amazing. I kept refreshing the video every few minutes to see if anyone had watched or even left a comment. I loved, and continue to love, every minute of it.
This video and subsequent post is my small way to say thank you. Thank you for letting me live my dream. Thank you for getting me out of a job I hated into a career I love. Thank you for putting food on my table and clothes on my back. Thank you for calling me on BS, and challenging me when I need to be challenged. Thank you for your comments, even if they just say ‘First!’ Thank you for your e-mails, and most importantly, thank you for being my friend.
– Jon
