Oklahoma Rising

It pleases me that the Oklahoma Rising Flash file linked to in this post, below, has received much flattering attention by many of you, and including an award for excellence from the Harmony Editors Group. Click on the image, right, for other web pages that have received their honor. I thank them for selecting the Oklahoma Rising flash file as deserving of a "Special Dedication"! Click here to move directly to the flash files.

Note on 4/21/2007: The flash files have been modified to make explicitly clear that (a) they are not the product of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, (b) they do not purport to "cover the state" but only my little part of it, and (c) that they don't is not intended as a sign of disrespect for those who do not live in Oklahoma City. I did it that way because this is my "home" and this is what I know best. Also, as noted below, the Oklahoma Centennial Commission now has an Oklahoma Rising DVD with video around the state! Here's the link to the Commission's Merchandise Page where you will find order forms for the DVD and other products, too!

Note on 2/5/2007 about copying and/or using my Flash files: I neither have nor claim to have copyright to the excellent tune, Oklahoma Rising, and so I have no privilege to grant to others what I do not have myself. But, as long as it is not done for commercial purposes, I have no problem at all with others (schools, people, whatever) copying and using my Flash files as long as it is for personal or educational purposes. That's all explained in detail below - click here to go there.

Note on 1/21/2007: If you want more pics and stuff about downtown OKC around state (plus or minus a few years either side of 1907), click here.

Flash file revised and expanded and 2nd version added 1/15/07 (initial version was 12/4/06), and further expanded several times, most recently on 2/3/2007 to add a few new pics.

If you're an Okie (and I am), it's hard not to get caught up in Oklahoma's Centennial celebration.

Oklahoma's official "Centennial Anthem" is composed by Vince Gill from Okc and Jimmy Webb from Elk City. Though some have dissed the tune, I, Doug Dawg, LOVE it! So much so that I've been motivated to learn a little about making Flash files and have made my very first Flash file ... Oklahoma Rising.

Be aware that my Flash files have an Oklahoma City focus ... quite natural for me since I was born and live here. So, with no disrespect to the other parts of our fine state intended, the focus of my Oklahoma Rising Flash files is my personal part of the Okie woods, Oklahoma City ... perhaps others will make similar versions showing other parts of our great state, and it would be cool to have a bevy of such files to play during our Centennial year! Maybe I'll even get around to such a thing, one of these days!

The Oklahoma Centennial Commision has now produced an Oklahoma Rising DVD which features video clips from all around the state. It's only $10 plus $2 for shipping and handling, and I recommend it to all! Go here for an order form.

I want to thank everyone who has sent e-mails ... all of them have helped with suggestions to improve the Oklahoma Rising Flash file, and all are much appreciated. I am particularly honored by a sergeant stationed in Iraq who requested permission to use my stuff and play it to his unit there, and by school teachers and cub scout leaders, etc., etc., etc., who wanted to use it for their kids! That's very humbling, and, to all, I give a big thanks!

The files (whichever you chose) are large (about 11 MB) so I don't recommend that you run any of the 3 Flash files unless you are using a high-speed internet connection. A much smaller (2.6 MB) and truncated version of the file but with no music is linked at the bottom of this page. ALSO, NOTE: The sound/graphic synchronization seems to work well in IE 6 ... the graphics and song end at the same time ... BUT in Firefox 2.0, the pictures outpace the sound resulting in the graphics part ending well before the tune does. Sorry, but I don't know how to fix that yet.

Among other things, the latest revision is a 2nd attempt to accommodate several e-mail requests I've received from users having have a tough time with the image speed (very fast), particularly in the latter (contemporary) pics of OKC in this file, the "Button" version being the 1st such attempt. As to contemporary OKC, "speed" and "spinning" was actually part of my intention -- the part where buildings start spinning so very quickly! One user said that it made her "dizzy!" And, I'm glad to say that some e-mails actually expressed pleasure in the fast, high-energy speed used in the last part 2/5 of the file!

The last part of the Flash file goes way fast for 2 reasons: 1st, I wanted to show the "energy" of OKC in the contemporary pics and I thought that "speed" would help "show" that; and, 2nd, I wanted to stick in as many pics as I could of today's downtown OKC! Image speed starts getting brisk (about 0.5 seconds per image) right after the Deep Deuce and Ada Fisher slide, as opposed to the easier-going 2 seconds (or more) per slide used before that point.

But, I've come up with 2 compromises ... the "Button" version does not "slow down" any images but it does contain "controls" which enable you to stop, go back, go forward (among other things), and it contains script which identifies the various images more particularly. So "speed" is not lost between the 1st 2 versions. The "Slower" version eliminates a few pics, combines some others, and there's less "spinning."

The Flash Files. Three options exist, below. Pick whichever version you prefer. Note that if you use the "Button" version and you use controls to stop, go back, go forward, etc., picture syncronization with the tune will be lost.

No Button Version

Button Version

Slower Version

IMPORTANT NOTE: The sound/graphic syncronization seems to work well in IE 6 ... the graphics and song end at the same time ... BUT in Firefox 2.0, the pictures outpace the sound resulting in the graphics part ending well before the tune does. Sorry, but I don't know how to fix that yet.

2ND IMPORTANT NOTE: Some have asked if these files are avaliable on CD/DVD ... no, they are not. I didn't make these files to sell them ... I made them for my pleasure and, hopefully, yours. BUT, that said, if you want to have either or both flash files ON your computer, that's totally doable and OK with me. Instructions about doing that are at the bottom of this file.

As I said above, my animations largely focus on Oklahoma City since that's where I was born and live ... no slight intended to other guys and gals by the choice of mainly Okc pics in the Flash file! OK?

While I'm not affiliated with the Oklahoma Centennial Commission, I'm certainly one of its fans! So, the ad below is placed here in appreciation for all it has done, is doing, and yet will do!

The 2 CDs can be ordered directly from the Oklahoma Centennial Commission ... click the image below to open a PDF order form ...


or go to the Commission's website for more information. The official vendors are all Oklahoma 7-11 stores. The price is $19.99 and well worth the coins. Louise Abercrombe of the Ponca City News describes the package in the 11/23/06 edition of that paper:

Two must have CDs for Oklahomans and music fans are contained in the Oklahoma Rising salute to the artists and music of Oklahoma. The CD is a project of the Oklahoma Centennial Commission and benefits Habitat for Humanity and available at Kerr-McKee based stores, which include Seven Eleven stores. Kerr-McKee was the major sponsor of the project.

The first CD titled "A Unique History," features 25 songs either performed or written by Oklahomans. A few of these are "Back in The Saddle Again" sung by Gene Autry, of Sapulpa; "Mockin' Bird Hill," Patti Page, Claremore, "Wheel of Fortune," Kate Starr, Dougherty.

Also, "Paper Roses," Anita Bryant, Barnsdall; "Yesterday When I Was Young," Roy Clark, Tulsa; "Oklahoma Hills," Hank Thompson, Sand Springs; "King of the Road," Roger Miller, Erick; "This Land is Your Land," Woody Guthrie, Okemah; "Let's Have a Party," Wanda Jackson, Maud.

Others Oklahoma artists include Brooks & Dunn, Tulsa, and The Tractors, Tulsa, Rascal Flatts of Picher, The Notorious Cherry Bombs, Oklahoma City.

Featured songs on the Oklahoma Rising CD two include "An Extrordinary Future," begins with "Oklahoma Rising" by Jimmy Webb, Elk City, and Vince Gill, Oklahoma City; "Much Too Young," Gareth Brooks, Yukon; "How Do You Like Me Now," Toby Keith, Moore; "Inside Your Heaven," Carrie Underwood, Checotah; "Pickup Man," Joe Diffie, Hinton, and "Austin," Blake Shelton, Ada.

Others Songs are "Oklahoma," which features the orginal film casting featuring Gordon MacRae; "Oklahoma Swing," Vince Gill/Reba McEntire; "Oklahoma Stomp," Byron Berline.

Well, maybe some of the songs won't appeal to you, but, chances are good that "Oklahoma Rising" will!

After a Native American instrumental and chant introduction, the lyrics begin ...

We're Oklahoma Rising, Brighter than a star, Stand up and sing about her, Let the world know who we are. From a rugged territory To the Oklahoma Run, We've made our dreams come true, Just look at what we've done. We're the Heartland of America, Our heart is in the race, We've sailed our prairie schooners Right into outer space. We are young and we are strong, We are comin' with a roar. Sooner than later We'll be knockin' on your door Say hello to the future, Gonna shake the future's hand And build a better world Upon this sacred ancient land. We're Oklahoma Rising, Brighter than a star, Stand up and sing about her, Let the world know who we are. We're the sons and the daughters, Children of the West, We're Oklahoma Rising, Rising up to be the best. Guts and grace and mercy, We have shown them in our turn. When the fields had turned to dust And the skies began to burn,

When the storm shook our souls And the mighty buildings fell, Through fires and desperation, Our faith has served us well. I choke back the emotion, I'm an Okie and I'm proud. So when you call me Okie, Man, you better say it loud. Now we look into the heavens At the eagles climbing free, It's the spirit of our people On the wing, can you see? We're Oklahoma Rising, Brighter than a star. Stand up and sing about her, Let the world know who we are. We're the sons and the daughters, Children of the West, We're Oklahoma Rising, Rising up to be the best. Instrumental interlude We're Oklahoma Rising, Brighter than a star. Stand up and sing about her, Let the world know who we are. We're the sons and the daughters, Children of the West, We're Oklahoma Rising, Rising up to be the best. We're Oklahoma Rising, Rising up to be the best. Closing instrumental & Native flute

Here are a few screen shots from my Flash animated file which includes the song in the background ... as I said, my Flash file focuses on Oklahoma City since that's my Oklahoma town:

A much smaller (truncated to show about 1/3 of the images in the Flash file, and reduced from 640 px wide to 400 px wide, and containing no music) animated gif file is also available ... click the Eagle, below ...



AVAILABITY ON CD/DVD: I've received a few inquiries as to whether these Flash files are available on CD/DVD or are for sale by me. No, they are not. All rights to the tune belong the Oklahoma Centennial Commission ... you should purchase the 2 disk Oklahoma Rising album from the Oklahoma Centennial Commission and, at the same time as you do, benefit Habitat for Humanities! Get down to your near-by 7-11 store and pick up a copy ... if you are an Okie, you will love it!

That said, anyone who wants to can copy my Flash files to your hard disk and/or copy them to a CD, if you want, not for sale but for your personal use. Here's how ...

First, understand that generally and ordinarily, Flash files are internet based ... meaning ... when a Flash file is played, the file "looks for" Adobe's on-line Flash File player on the internet.

Second, understand that it is also possible to have, on your computer, a stand-alone software program which plays Flash files WITHOUT being connected to the internet, and several such programs are available. Such a program, and the one I've personally found to be good at doing so ... and it is free ... is SWF Opener. I've not found it to contain any "malware" or "tracking" stuff, PLUS it enhances a Flash file's playback by adding sizing and other features. For example, the Flash files I've made here are 640 px by 480 px (640 x 510 in the button version). When opening these Flash files with SWF Opener, you can easily expand the display to "full screen" without a serious loss of image quality. I do recommend it ... it can be downloaded at this website, among other places.

Third, if you don't want to do such a thing and simply want to use the Oklahoma Rising Flash file(s) on your computer while you are connected to the internet, that's fine, too. Here's what to do:

BUTTON VERSION

THE HTML FILE (this is the Flash loading file - only needed if you don't have a stand-alone Flash player on you computer): Right-click on the following link if you want/need the html "loader" file, and in the pop-up menu, select, "Save Target As". Recommendation: save it to your computer's "Desktop". Right-click on this link

THE FLASH FILE (this is the Flash file itself): Right-click on the following link, and in the pop-up menu, select, "Save Target As". Recommndation: save it to your computer's "Desktop". Right-click on this link

NO BUTTON VERSION

THE HTML FILE (this is the Flash loading file - only needed if you don't have a stand-alone Flash player on you computer): Right-click on the following link if you want/need the html "loader" file, and in the pop-up menu, select, "Save Target As". Recommendation: save it to your computer's "Desktop". Right-click on this link

THE FLASH FILE (this is the Flash file itself): Right-click on the following link, and in the pop-up menu, select, "Save Target As". Recommndation: save it to your computer's "Desktop". Right-click on this link

SLOWER VERSION

THE HTML FILE (this is the Flash loading file - only needed if you don't have a stand-alone Flash player on you computer): Right-click on the following link if you want/need the html "loader" file, and in the pop-up menu, select, "Save Target As". Recommendation: save it to your computer's "Desktop". Right-click on this link

THE FLASH FILE (this is the Flash file itself): Right-click on the following link, and in the pop-up menu, select, "Save Target As". Recommndation: save it to your computer's "Desktop". Right-click on this link

If you don't have a stand-alone Flash file player installed on your computer, THE HTML AND FLASH FILES NEED TO BE LOCATED IN THE SAME DIRECTORY (FOLDER) TO PLAY THE FILES.

I hope this covers the turf, but, if not, post a comment or send me an e-mail.

But, above all, Enjoy!

Related Video: Oklahoma Centennial Parade

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