Leo Laporte on UGM

This was a special week for me, both as a contestant to win the TWiT Ultimate Gaming Machine, and a long time fan of Leo Laporte and his work.  

If this campaign is about anything besides winning the UGM; it is about giving something back to the TWiT community, and shameless self promotion.  I'm blessed to have had the opportunity to do both this week.

On Wednesday's episode of This Week in Computer Hardware, (TWiCH, formerly PC Perspective, not to be confused with PC Perspective Podcast) with Ryan Shrout (also an UGM Judge) Leo offered, "a prize" to whomever could figure out how to turn off the small picture-in-picture video in his Skype call.  The loyal masses, myself included, called out the answer.  I was able to catch Leo's attention with it in the newly opened TWiT Conversations FriendFeed room.

As If I wasn't thrilled enough for the mention, and some direct info on the status of the TWiT UGM contest, Leo delivered on that prize promise the very next day.  On Thursday, after Dr.Kiki's Science Hour, Leo took some TalkShoe calls as a way to get everyone re-acquainted with the service.  Leo was gracious enough to take my call, and fill me in on his plans for UGM.  I've interacted with Leo online for quite some time, but I had never actually spoken with him.  I think you can tell from the video that I was actually a little nervous!

My Chat with Leo Laporte from Gabe McGuinness on Vimeo.

I apologize for the shameless plug, it was a bit rude, but I couldn't help myself...  I think Leo understood ;) .

I mentioned my developing plans for taking this campaign on the road.  I'll have more on this later, but start thinking, "GabeMcG for UGM meets Strait-Talk-Express meets a station wagon packed with camping gear and a few friends dicking around the North Western US.  Also, if you are in Salt Lake City, Lake Tahoe, Seattle, Portland, or the Bay Area and would like to meet up for a 'Campaign Ralley' or. 'Townhall Meeting' (me buying a round of beer at the bar) just let me know!

I'd also like to take a second to thank everyone who has wished me well, or connected with the campaign somehow, I really appreciate it.  And another huge thanks to Leo for the years of quality information and entertainment, and putting up with me always bugging him about the UGM contest.  Of course without the help of the fantastic ODTV team I wouldn't have a recording of this memory, thank you all, especially Kiwinerd and DIX for all that you do.  I encourage everyone to subscribe to the ODTV RSS feed for all of the latest releases as soon as they are available!