Life of a Filmmaker – Inspired by Idiocy

A few days ago my friends and I stumbled upon the subject of R.L.S.; Restless Leg 'Syndrome'. We got into a debate over the validity of classifying the symptoms of inactivity as a bona fide MEDICAL CONDITION; and the resulting medications available. I felt dumber just having entertained the conversation; but my adamant friends outnumbered me, so I partook in the pointless argument.

As a blogger, I write about the ridiculousness of life. As a film student, I shoot it.

Now having another film due in a few weeks, I have a topic for a short: MY idea of something that can be classified as Restless Leg SYNDROME, and support the manufacturing of medications for it.

Inspiration is presented in many forms. Sometimes we just have to entertain the ridiculousness of life to find it.

It tastes like burning...

It has been some time since my last post. I conquered the stress after all. Now, my state is on fire.

I am surrounded by infernos. I'm not too worried about my location, but then again neither were a lot of recent victims.

It's weird; I watch the news and think, "Wow. I feel so bad for them" then I go to school with bits of ash raining down, a dark sheen over the campus, and the strong smell of 'campfire,' but I don't really feel threatened. I am no more than 30-45(with traffic) minutes away from a blazing fire in either direction, but I still have a feeling of relative safety; or perhaps disconnection.

Strangely, I know people affected by fires up North as well as fires in Irvine and San Diego (friends and family), but I'm still not too worried. Maybe it's the mild attitude of my affected friends that keeps me calm; "Yup, my family was evacuated and my house is probably going to burn down..." (my friend from Lake Arrowhead).

I heard a mention of a "Super Fire," where neighboring infernos combine; that's a scary thought. If all of the fires conjoined, it would engulf all of California. Additionally, some authority stated that the fires will only stop when either the winds stop, or it burns to the beach.

It's starting to be compared to the Hurricane Katrina disaster. Bush is going to visit the fire Thursday. I'm sure he'll give us some fantastic advice; "My job is a decision-making job, and as a result, I make a lot of decisions." - George W. Bush clip

Life of a Filmmaker

It's kind of "funny" that as soon as I wrote about posting consistency, I disappeared for a week. Well, life as a college undergrad isn't exactly a walk in the park. For the first time this semester, stress is beginning to set in.

I have an ambitious film to shoot with only a week left and preproduction barely halfway completed. The woes of wrangling equipment, talent, and locations are starting to chip away at me.

The Cost of an under-budgeted, understaffed, ambitious short film:
1. Sacrificed storyline - the story will eventually take quite a few slashes.
2. My Grades - For this week, my attention and time will be monopolized by this short. I will undoubtedly be 'slacking' in my other classes in order to start and finish this project.
3. Social Life - Neglecting relationships. 'Tis the life of a filmmaker, I guess.
4. My sanity.

Shooting was supposed to start this weekend...

Stress Reliever: "Bangor Mash" by Devil Makes Three

Birthdays Forced to go Digital

"May you live all the days of your life."
- Jonathan Swift

My birthdays have gone digital (today's my 22nd). To receive accolades I check my inbox or I log on AIM. It's a virtual 'Online Party!' Some how, it's not the same. It lacks warmth.

Birthdays used to be exciting, I would countdown three months in advance. There was always something to look forward to; the dining room table stacked with presents I couldn't open until after school. The fantastic dinner, friends, family!

Now, I live on my own. I receive text and voice-messages, emails, and online birthday cards. My parents both live in differing cities, one of my siblings is halfway across the country, and all of my friends are in class or different cities/states. If they were all available to celebrate my birthday ON my birthday, I'd probably have to decline... 18 units, Homework.

I am forced to take my birthdays Digital.

My birthday plans:
1. Class
2. Homework Blog
3. Class

Licorice Pizza

Today, I stumbled upon a blog; Licorice Pizza. It was in the "Blogs of Note" section. I clicked on it for a few reasons: it was an 'original' name, it sounded funny, but most of all it was familiar. Yet, I couldn't place it until I went to his page. It was the name of a small pizza shop a few blocks away from my old neighborhood; Redondo Beach! The author, Aikin (from Miami, Florida), knew it only as a slang for vinyl and a good picture. Finding this picture gave me a surge of nostalgia, and made me feel really good.

I've always found it interesting how we respond to seeing something/someone we are emotionally invested in reach some level of... fame?. Maybe, in some sense, it's a feeling that a piece of 'you' has become famous. I hope I was able to bring a bit of backstory to the picture that has served as a mascot for a year of his blogging. Thank you Aikin

Karma called in sick today...

Swerving, dodging and jiving. The one-finger-salute, hands up in the air, and arms flailing out of windows. The yelling, the screaming, the name-calling.

Maybe I'm too young and naive, but wouldn't the freeway run smoother if we all cooperated? If we treated the commute as a choreographed dance; rather than a battery of two second drag races, tailgating, tire screeching, or a selfish mess?

I think karma called in sick today...