Personal

Here I am with my equipment backstage at an event. It takes a lot of gear with computers, backup computers, routers, etc.

I personally favor cases by Pelican for shipping all of my equipment as they come in a variety of sizes, well padded and virtually indestructable. But recently they have introduced a new, BIG, series of cases – big enough to pack your own producer!

(Note: modeling the jumbo pelican case is “Hodgie”, Steve Hodges, a great show producer I get to work with several times a year).

– Troy @ TLC

Oakley sunglasses is a great company to work with! They have a style unique to them and it has to be experienced to be understood – but it works! I recently spent a few days at their ‘interplanetary headquaters’ which is an impressive building (think of the movie Blade Runner). Their 600 seat theater is also imposing – just check out the podium!

(and that’s me in the lower photo)

– Troy @ TLC

Have a GREAT day with family!

– Troy @ TLC

If you have visited ThePowerPointBlog in the past, you may notice things look a bit different – as of yesterday. I have (finally) upgraded to the latest version of the blogging software (b2evolution) which has many, many more features over the version I was previously running (hey, it was cutting edge when I installed it 3 years ago!).

So in addition to the nicer, more high-tech look and layout I will be focusing on some of the new tools available over the next few months (like in-line video tutorials and enabling viewer comments!).

– Troy @ TLC

It’s the last day of October – and Halloween. Kids are ready to go trick-or-treating and everyone is set to have fun! Last weekend Lori and I hosted our annual Pumpkin Carving Party. Everyone had lots and lots of fun and there were some really creative ideas – as well as some classics. Among the food, carving and kids the time comes for everyone to vote for the ‘kid’ and ‘Big Kid’ winner in 5 categories. My girls each won in one of the categories and my cell phone challenged pumpkin guy won one too! Have a safe and fun Halloween.

– Troy @ TLC

So I was able to spend 2 days at this year’s PPTLive conference, which was really incredible! It is amazing to be in a room with almost 300 people that all use PowerPoint, but probably use it 300 different ways. I spent a lot of time the in Help Center and was able to share some of my projects from this year, answer questions and technical issues, and learn some new things myself.

Top Photo (bottom-to-top): Julie Terberg (MVP), Ric Bretschneider (MS PowerPoint Program Manager), Bobby (MS Developer), Troy Chollar (MVP – that’s me!)

Bottom Photo (left-to-right): John Wilson (MVP), Bill Dillworth (MVP), Todd Dunn (MVP), Steve Rindsberg (MVP), Sandra (MVP), Troy Chollar (MVP – that’s me!)

Hope to see you there next year!

– Troy @ TLC

I am heading over to the PPTLive conference today and look forward to being with several of the PPT MVPs, hearing from the Microsoft PowerPoint Development team and seeing many people excited about what can be done with this great software.

It’s too late for this year, but check out their website and consider putting this event on your calendar for next year. Click here.

– Troy @ TLC

I have 4 blog post series almost done(PPTPlex, Illustrator-to-PowerPoint, Animation, and more), but I am in the midst of several LARGE projects overlapping right now that have every moment at the computer stylizing presentations. So check back this next Monday for things to be back on track with a lot of great posts rolling out one after another!

– Troy @ TLC