At our Sunday brunch at Vic's on the River, Palma introduced a DVD presentation that she and Brad had created for the occasion. It was an amazing gift to everyone...Savannah Gathering '08. We watched it in silence, with laughter, to appreciative applause, all intermingled with copious tears and sniffling. Then we were each given a copy to take home as a memory of this amazing Gathering of some of our Slowtrav family.
I was sitting on the floor in front of my table that day, watching this lovely history of Slowtrav unfold on the screen. Here's what I remember about that delicious time... ~ We watched in silence as the video began, with our silence changing immediately to hilarious laughter as the tongue-in-cheek opening moments spoke about "In the beginning..." and the images of frantic and fast travel spilled into the room. ~ We laughed at the delicious sound track, carefully chosen music that fit each image like a plum-coloured velvet glove from The Paris Market on Brocante in downtown Savannah. ~ Applause rang out loud and clear when Sheena's beautiful face graced the screen...reminding us of how much we missed her presence and how many good thoughts we send on a daily basis to Terry and Sheena, at home in Vancouver. ~ Names were called out as we recognized our fellow ST'ers' photos on the screen, people we love and care for, who weren't able to be present with us in Savannah. ~ Tears began to flow freely as the notes of 'Wind Beneath My Wings' began to play, accompanying a collage of very cool photos of our Pauline...some with Steve, some with her wearing her tiara, carrying her sceptre and bundled cosily in her white feather boa. Adding to the nostalgia and emotion created by the images on the screen, I could see Pauline's tears and hear her copious use of a carefully-placed box of Kleenex. That put me over the edge, and I gave up trying not to cry...
I watched that DVD last night for the first time since I parachuted back into my real life. Friends were here for dinner and I imposed on them to watch this with me. You know what? They were totally blown away by it! Everyone commented on how much time it must have taken to put together, how many songs must have been listened to while choosing the 'right' tune for each group of images, and how smoothly it flowed from one segment to the next.
Perfect strangers to our travel site loved it. They really, really loved it! They all said they envied me having this experience, and they all said that they couldn't believe a travel site could be made up of such great folks!
That made me think about the hours of work that Palma and Brad put in while creating this DVD and the attention to detail that shone through. When I watched it in my own home, without the emotion of that morning getting in the way, I so totally got it that I'm an integral part of such a lovely, lovely entity...Slowtrav. I'm not just sitting on the sidelines, posting every so often. That's what we all are...integral parts of this place, each one with something important to share with the others.
So, my heartfelt thanks to both of you, Palma and Brad, for this wonderful gift! I know there was some deep stress for you with the sound system at Vic's, when it might have seemed that all of this work would not be seen by all of us. Never mind, darlings, it is perfection. You da bomb, baby!
"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures." ~ Thornton Wilder Brenda
Oh Brenda you beat me to starting a thread on this exact same topic! I too just had the time to view the CD on my TV last night and was blown away by the quality (much better on TV than the screen at the brunch) and the enoromus effort Plama and Brad put into this production.
The music is especially terrific and so thoughtfully paired with the pictures and topics. While watching it with my husband (who knows all about ST but is not a member) we were both tapping our feet to the tunes.
I had enjoyed the presentation very much at the brunch and also appreciated Pauline's laughter during the show and shared her tears. But seeing it on the TV screen was a revelation! And then I read Palma's post on her blog about all the technical difficulties at Vic's that morning and the fear that after all their hundreds of hours of work on it, it might not be able to be shown!
Kudos to both you and Brad Palma for such a heartwarming production. Brava!! And thanks so much for the tremendous amount of time you both put into it. I will treasure it as a wonderful keepsake of both a wonderful community and a truly terrific weekend.
We had to leave early Sunday morning and couldn't attend the Brunch at Vic's. When I let Jan (on the committee know) she said I'd get my dvd in the mail. Is someone on the committee able to send it along to me? I'd really appreciate it. J.
I have the same issue as J.(chiaro di luna). We were at the brunch but had to leave early. I didn't know we would get copies of the DVD. What I did see was amazing. Great job!
If there is some way I could get one in the mail, I'd really appreciate it. ("Collect" is OK. ).
I just watched the DVD - twice! I loved watching it at Vic's, but the clarity and color really came out on my DVD player - not to mention the handy rewind function!
I'm starting to think there isn't anything Palma and Brad can't do.
Having this permanent record is really cool - thanks, Palma and Brad.
I'm glad for this opportunity to again say Thank You. We were blown away by your energy and your generosity. I make travel DVD slideshows myself, and I know what kind of work they can be - not to mention lurking technical problems! How often I've cursed as I've worked on these projects. (Maybe it's just me!) But it is rewarding. I truly appreciate the time and the love that went into this. And the Saturday centerpieces as well, Palma. Thank you to Palma and Brad.
Linda
Posts: 645 | Location: Outlying area of Chicago | Registered: 15 September 2004
I am at the cottage, and just finished showing this DVD to my cousins -- who were very favourably impressed. I have, of course, told them all about the great Gathering in Savannah, but showing them the DVD gave them an understanding of this great group of people, where they travel to, what GTGs are like, who the famous Pauline is (and also the Patriarch, Doru), etc. Nothing like seeing photos to give you a real sense of the ST community -- and its sense of camraderie. Not surprisingly, they noticed the plethora of red wine at all GTG events!
I too have made videos like this and I know how much time and effort it takes. A big thank you to Palma and Brad for their efforts!
Palma and Brad I too want to say Thank You, for the fantastic CD. I was really blown away, watching it at the brunch on Sunday, and I have just watched it for the first time, since I have been home. My sister, and 2 friends were here, and I played it for them, they too agreed, what a great job, all the different pictures, all set to just the right music. Also the centerpieces for Sat nights dinner, were just darling. So perfect for the occasion. As others have said, "Is there anything that you can't do!!! "
I felt so bad, when I read your blog, about all the trouble you had that morning, yet, most of us, never saw that you in your face, only that great smile you have, welcoming us all to the brunch.
So, Thank you once again, I will treasure the CD, and remember the great time we all had.
Slow Travel Talk 
Pauline...some with Steve, some with her wearing her tiara, carrying her sceptre and bundled cosily in her white feather boa. Adding to the nostalgia and emotion created by the images on the screen, I could see Pauline's tears and hear her copious use of a carefully-placed box of Kleenex. That put me over the edge, and I gave up trying not to cry... 
I too just had the time to view the CD on my TV last night and was blown away by the quality (much better on TV than the screen at the brunch) and the enoromus effort Plama and Brad put into this production.
of work on it, it might not be able to be shown!
).
