Travel Tech - Apps... Or Star wars caption contest- What's going on here?

There are a multitude of Apps for iPhone and Android that are travel related, pretty standard items (Like a compass), noting a regular compass is always good to have for those moments you don’t want to whip out your mobile device, use location services, have no connectivity (or) power.

Photos are fun as well as meaningful. They can be that awesome reminder of the perfect moment; with the potential to captivate an entire world on Social media. Photography is a big part of traveling, even if it is just for Facebook, twitter or IG. More so if you are apt to enter photo contests like those offered by Lume Cube and GoPro to name a few.

An App I use is named Aviary, it’s free which can’t be beat, and has a lot of editing capability without upgrading. The filters for editing provide a lot of power to enhance a photo using 3 or 4 subtle tweaks that end up making a big difference without using a preset, or having it look processed.

I was explaining to a friend the meaning of the newish word “Meme” and demonstrated what one was using the app.

The example wasn’t travel related, and we had a few laughs with it.

Which is where this blog post will take a turn.

Ready for it…?  Best caption contest! Just for fun, I would love to hear some ideas for captions on this Photo - Type it in the Blog comments below.

Enter the Iconic Peter Cushing, the gentleman’s Vincent Price. An actor from a bygone era that exemplified a classic element of chilling. He’s back, he’s bad-ass, and he’s rocking as the Boss holding the leash on the big dawg in Star Wars - Rogue one.

Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin

Old school Hollywood Legend - Meet modern Social media.

An ode to greatness, as well as Star Wars, Mr. Cushing, and the essence of hardcore bad-ass.

You Bettah' Recognize!

The Real Govenator

Best get to Steppin'

Crack yo f#*kin' chest plate

Oh no... I know you didn't

I don't always destroy the whole planet, but when i do...

Which one of the memes posted here do you like the best? Let me know in the comments below

My Travel Essentials - LUME CUBE Ultra Portable Bluetooth Video Light & Remote Flash

When traveling in the Philippines (or anywhere) compact, reliable, lightweight gear is a must have in the kit if you want to capture good photo and video content on the fly. You never know when you might want to shoot a scene, and having a portable, professional level lighting platform in your pocket serves up the solution every time. 

Lume Cube Hot Shoe Mount

The LUME CUBE is awesome, powerful, versatile, Bluetooth enabled, and remote controlled from it's own well designed smartphone app. The remote synched flash can't be beat.  It's color balanced to daylight for no issues adjusting White balance, it charges via Mini USB.

It is a 1.5″ inch (35mm) cube that easily fits in the palm of your hand, and is waterproof up to 20 Meters. It charges up in about 90 mins, and on full face melting brightness it lasts for a solid 30 minutes. But I run it at about 50% brightness (still super bright) and it totally lasts up to 2+ hours which is Sweeeeeet!

It has two modes, continuous lighting or flash. The flash mode is similar to the smartphone camera’s flash. So it’s a sustained blink instead of the flash you get with a standard speedlight. The Lume Cube synchs with your smartphone you can use the app, available in the Google Play store or Apple appstore. It has two buttons. The left button is the vid mode mode, and pressing it will cycle through ten brightness settings.  The right button is the flash, it axes the video mode, but also enables other features. Press once to enable Bluetooth to sync.  Holding it down for three seconds and it enables an optical sensor and the Lume Cube becomes a slave flash that will sync with your camera for stills photography up to 1/8000th second (you need to have an onboard flash to trigger it.   

Iphone app bluetooth status

The Bluetooth zap-bang magically connects to your phone to adjust the settings and activate the flash when you take a picture.  It is simple, no messing with Bluetooth settings or menus in your phone, just open the app and wango tango you are in biz!

Get a LUME CUBE here: http://amzn.to/2iSbgzTLink to get the Hot Shoe: http://amzn.to/2iLMjFX

This was a Kickstarter project that i backed in late 2013. I was excited because i was planning a trip to the Underground river on the island of Palawan, in March of 2014, and the Lume Cube was a perfect device for the shoot I was envisioning. 


Much to my dismay, the company contacted me and told me there was a delay in manufacturing, and the cube would not be available until 3rd quarter of 2014. I was bummed, but thought it was really cool the Lume Cube exec dude (Matt) offered to refund my money. I said - No... It's sweet, i want it, I already paid for it... Just send it when you are in production.

Late 2014, Matt emailed me and gave me the update - Product still delayed, and he let me know i could get updates on the site Blog. The Lume Cube was originally being made in China (if i recall) and it was kind of junky, or leaking or something not acceptable. The team took it to Europe and ended up with a reliable manufacturer, and a really sweet piece of lighting tech. By the time i got the cube, i kind of had forgotten about - And was really stoked to see the email from Matt (he remembered me!) letting me know it shipped. Great customer service, but more so great customer commitment. I think i'm going to end up with one more of these before I ship out 1st quarter 2017.

This little dawg is like a mini-sun 1,500 Lumens, and solid as a rock. No way i'm going to trash this piece of gear - Because, I canna' liv w'out it!!

Please leave a comment below and check out the video link for the product below

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 #inspired I'm finally clear  - I"n life one is either on the court, or in the sidelines" @Patreon https://patreon.com/videoluxorg

My Travel Essentials - Pacsafe Venturesafe 150 Cross-Body Pack

Practical review of the features and usage of the Pacsafe Venturesafe 150 Cross Body Pack after extensive field use in 3rd world urban, and outback environments. The secure features and ease of access of this Pacsafe bag ranks as a #CantLiveWithoutIt for everything from riding the bus or Jeepney, to shopping in Metro Manila's notorious "snatcher" laden Divisoria street markets, to hiking the ruins on Corregidor island. 

Lightweight, durable cross body pack with anti-theft technologies ideal for long hikes, adventures abroad, your daily commute, and as a (more than) handy carry-on.

The bag's fabric is embedded with eXomesh Slashguard, a lightweight flexible, stainless steel wire mesh that protects your gear from a quick slash-and-run theft.

Flexible, lightweight stainless steel wire runs through the adjustable Carrysafe Slashguard cross-body strap to prevent slashers from slicing through and running off with your gear. Have you ever seen a video of a skilled bag snatcher use a razor sharp blade to slice a strap and run? This is the bag that brings the whole case of classic "foiled again"  à la Snidely Whiplash.

I love it so much I made a video about it - Check it out

The bag includes dual release security buckles that lock the hook in place for added security. It is might be impossible to detach the buckle with one hand, and it takes a solid moment to do it with two. There is no "quick" grab. This also allows you to loop and lock the bag to a table, chair, railing, in the event you wanted to sit and take it off.

Link to buy this Product

The zipper pullers have a heavy duty thin cable loop that can be solidly clipped to discreet (recessed) security hooks. This also takes two hands and a solid moment to unlatch before zipping.

The bag is not water resistant. It is low profile enough to use across the body, or as a waist pack. It fits under a raincoat. It is a great "extra" carry on. When boarding i loop it under my carry on backpack, then when i stow the carry on, I slip this on. It does not interfere with the seat belt or tray table. (and) it acts like a sling you can use to effortlessly cross your arms in while you nap.

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Please comment and share if you use this, or other products similar to it - Cuz I luv Bags (and shoes)! Really though  - Who doesn't?