Another year older and deeper in poo

For my birthday, the girls caught a mouse!

I don't know when the fun began, exactly, but right around first light, Flop followed the quarry noiselessly to the lower level. Despite her big cottony feet she made enough sound trying to move the furniture to get to the little Mickey-wanna-be, that I was awakened and very curious. Flop was desperate to get to the bugger, and of course, the little coward (mouse, that is) took the most direct path to the sewing area...and THAT'S when the fun began.

Eventually, Cleo joined the fray, and the real entertainment began! Between the two of them, the mouse was too scared to move more than a couple of feet. Once I moved some storage bins from their slots in the Ikea funiture tower (see a previous quilting entry for photo), there was pretty good access to the little rat fink...at which point Cleo poked it in the butt, and the mouse took off like a shot!

There was a darn good chase around the living area, culminating in the capture and release program held in the weight room.

Then Hobbes arrived.

She had that thing in her little vice-like jaws and upstairs before the other two knew what had happened. Hobbes does not monkey around!

So happy birthday to me...I got a mouse, and a DVD version of Love You to Death, a chocolate cake from my mom ("remote control delivery" via grandson number one), a gift certificate to JoAnn Fabrics, and lovely green buds on trees and shrubs! Who could ask for anything more?

Well....I could. May I have a full time, PAYING job, please?

Thanks for tuning in. More PRODUCTION NEWS soon. In the meanwhile, pray for a job, please.

Read the blog from the 22nd...trying to log photos, too.

And yes....still waiting for the KODAK film footage to show up!!!

Picture perfect

Hmmmmmmm???

If you say "Look at the birdy" when you're about to take somebody's photo...what would you say to a bird when you want to snap it's picture?

I know!

The only reason I bring it up is because we now have a nesting Mourning Dove on one of the pergola posts...and it is the sweetest thing! I have named her Blink - for a very obvious reason. One look at her bright, inquisitive face, and you will see a calm exterior, but behind that is the raging urge to flee. Darling bird.

But she stays...nested, and commited to those eggs.

My guess is that she layed them within the last week, as I do recall watching a dove make it's way towards the house - walking over the top of the pergola struts - on more than one occasion through most of last week (week of April 13). I figured it was finding bugs on the wall, or enjoying the heat from the sun radiating off the bricks. Who knew?!

It wasn't until I was trimming the dead wood from the honeysuckle on that post (under Karl's window), and she flew off, that I thought to look down on it later that day from K's room.

This is approximately 4' or less from the windowsill to the nest. On the right of the frame is the concrete exterior sill, and the pink is the brick wall face, looking nearly straight down.

What a view! This is what greeted me in the twilight, and I have to admit to being as excited as a five-year-old. How very cool - right?!

This picture will give you an idea of the size of the eggs. The strip of wood to the left (a stile for deck railing) is 1.25 inches on one face...give or take .25" The eggs are decidedly smaller - maybe the diameter of a quarter. So now, we are on bird patrol. We worry if the temps get low at night, and I hope that the days stay mild and the rain holds off...even though the flowerbed needs a good soaking. I hate the thought of her sitting out in the open like that. Yes, I know birds do it all the time - that's nature. But now that we have such a mild-mannered neighbor, I feel duty-bound to be a "mother hen"...can you blame me?

Happy Earth Day, everybody!

Schedule from the last three weeks

On the 3rd, I had my last intern taping with the kindly folks of the Bible Quiz Time. That was a good experience, and good to have on my resume. If I had been more of a suck-up (like some CM's who shall go nameless...but know who they are), well, there would be more to post, but I don't like getting my head jammed up somebody else's tookus in order to inflate my own ego.

I am happy with the talent I have been given to work with. My innate abilities and creative eye, and writing capabilities. They are tangible and mine, and I will go where the Lord directs me. [Now picturing God looking like Alfred Hitchcock]

So, as I was saying, I had my last early morning commute to Dearborn, then headed to Specs for the rest of the day. HOWEVER...once the school day ended, I then headed to Warren to meet my new 'boss' and begin my next P.A. assignment.

Yes, you guessed it...I was on to professional gig #2. Thank you, Denise!

I am working at the Stage3 Production Studio in Warren with Mac Kelly and his Nightmare SINema crew as their production assistant. Very cool, no? I was told to be there on the third and the 17th, doing whatever, whenever. I will recall everything I learned at P.A. Bootcamp last fall. I was determined to be the best doggone PA they ever saw.

And you know what? It worked!!

After the evening was over (we worked until 12:45 a.m.), I was approached by Diane (the Producer), who said I had done a good job...and then she said, "See you next week."

"Well, no," I blurted. "I was told by Specs that it was the 3rd and the 17th."

Diane said "No, we tape every week. Mac and I told them that. Well, I have to give them a call." Then she asked me if I would mind coming the next week. Heck, would I consider coming every week?

Was she kidding? I accepted and said thanks, and drove happily home, thinking about the fun and the experience and the resume. Still, I was incredibly tired, and as I got closer to home, I found it hard to keep my eyes open. It had been a very long day.

That weekend, I signed out one of the new Panasonic B100's, and had a blast downtown getting more b-roll, and just using the camera itself. By the end of the weekend, I had some very pretty footage and a new approach for my demo.

On the 10th, I drove to Warren for my second P.A. engagement with Wolfman Mac and crew, only to find when I got there, there had been a change to the schedule. I am not certain whose expression was more incredulous, but I do know I was in no mood to hear "oops!" when I arrived. They had meant to, but had forgotten to call (for the entire week!) to say there was no shooting that night. Instead, they were going to a bad sci-fi b-flick thing in Novi. Are you kidding me?

Could have spent the last 1 hour plus working on my demo. Could have not wasted the gas! I know accidents happen, but seriously?! This was no accident...this was plain stupid!

Long (frustrating) story short, I ended up being invited by Mac to become a writer! LOL

So, on the evening 15th, I joined the writers and editors at the studio for a writing session, and had input and fun. Ta-dah! Still act as a P.A. during the shoots...but that is OK by me. The more I can learn and do the better! BRING IT ON!!

On the 17th we shot a lot of stuff...even met Matt Busch (think Star Wars posters/art...look him up online!)and got his autograph and original drawings for the boys! Oh, and I'll go you one better. Yup, that's right. The cast was short an actress to nag a husband for a skit....so I became the Housewife from Hell! Big stretch, I know. If you are a viewer, watch for the White Zombie episode, and don't leave your seat when they cut from the movie for the fake commercials.

On the 18th, RTV09-07 graduated! Huzzah!

Morning of the 19th I P.A.'d for the MPAMI PA Bootcamp at Specs campus. Great speakers, better than I expected...very informative. I wish I could have been in more of a position to listen this time, DARN IT!! The only thing I can say about the session I went to months ago is that it ended with Bill Duke! HA!!! Additional speakers were twaddle.

This evening I met with the writing staff, again, and was asked if I would take the Production Assistant role. SO, I am now a Writer/P.A./Production Coordinator/Actor.

Aside from the obvious need for a paying job VERY SOON, this is great fun and experience. The late hours are a killer (the last taping saw us ending at 3AM! the morning before graduation), but it will be worth it in the long run.

More later, but for now I need to scoot. Love and kisses.

The kindness of strangers

I really don't want to say anything, for fear of jinxing 'it', but the last several days (more like a week or better, really) have been tremendously beautiful - weatherwise. And I defy anyone to contradict that statement.

I have managed to get in some gardening nearly every day, or a walk, or just get my lazy bones out into the fresh air...nearly every day. Despite a forboding of not-so-nice weather for this past weekend, it was actually quite lovely. The rain which had been predicted for Saturday...then Sunday, just seemed to vanish. Huzzah! And we like it!

So, for the past several days, a fleet of tree-trimming fools has been crawling around the neighborhood, trimming tree branches (and sometimes, whole trees) which threaten power lines. These monkeymen have been scampering up and through every yard along the property lines, hacking and chopping and grinding. Funny to be home and see all of it happening.

Well, this morning I got an early start, and had fun watching the men in trees next door, when it dawned on me...I wonder if they would trim the dead branch still somewhat attached to the apple tree in the backyard. Poor thing snapped during a high wind storm last year, and the size of the limb was so big (and it was too green), that it was impossible to get through with a hand saw.

I donned my heavy duty boots and trekked off down the hill.

""Greetings," says I.

"Hello," one of them responded.

"Hey, I was wondering if it would be possible to have you use that handy-dandy chain saw on this sorry ol' limb hanging to the ground? If it wouldn't be a pain, you can just buzz it as close to the trunk as you can, so I stop knocking myself out trying to mow around it." Coyly, I dug my toe into the ground.

[blink blink]

And darn if that tree monkey didn't say "Sure, no problem. We'll get to it in a little while, ma'am."

Ouch! Well, that wasn't necessary.

Anywho...long story short...that nasty ol' tree stalactite is gone, and it does look quite a bit nicer. Thanks to the kindness of a stranger.

Thank you, kind stranger!!

Up and at 'em, again

Rudely summoned to join the day by the alarm, only slightly after the girls had sensed my breathing had changed and that I was moving too much to be asleep any longer, I rolled out of bed and began to prepare for today's P.A. Boot Camp exercise.

Had to pack the car and dress for success....ha ha. Last night I borrowed cammo-fatigues from Brian in order to dress the part, but had a hard time keeping my eyes open to wash and dry them for the early morning call. Bleary-eyed I took the pieces from the drier and hung them for the night, then crawled into bed, falling quickly to sleep.

I still woke before the alarm, but didn't register truly being awake for some time, hoping to drift back to sleep. (It didn't work.) Remembering I still had to get the large cooler into the back seat of my car from the bathtub, and place the platters in the car, too, I decided to get up and get moving. While I had an English muffin and a glass of chocolate milk, I thought about yesterday (Friday) and how not overly excited or changed I felt at the prospect of being done. Must be age that jades us. I really thought (hoped) I would feel more thrilled or accomplished...but I think I am still too miffed about the price tag and the reality of what it ($$) bought me.

Yea, that's it....that and the fact I didn't get the time or working equipment to edit my demo piece to my satisfaction. And now that I have had a chance to see it again, without the cloud of an imminent due date, I am not so pleased with it. There are many changes I would like to make, plus add the bits and pieces to the video timeline which I didn't have the time to do originally. I had a lot I wanted to put into that piece, doggone it!

But, I did manage to enjoy the sunrise. The day was going to be superb, despite the weather prognosticators. I hope to be able to post a photo from the event soon. Check back and see if I manage to get a copy from the MPA website. Til then, have a great weekend. Get outside...ENJOY!!!

The day is finally here!

Well, the day is finally here.

If you have been following along and jumping in here recently for any news, you would have noticed a definite slowdown in the blogging department over the last couple of weeks.

My apologies for the lack of posts. Thank you for hanging tight and tuning in, though.

Yes, we finally commit the unthinkable today...graduation!

Funny, I look at my classmates...most of whom are young, so very young. Much younger, in fact. There are a couple of women in my age range. Maria, my friend, and Daphne...hello. It has been a good experience (and my good fortune) to be in this 'situational life experience' with people who can identify with me in more ways than just schoolwork issues. And there are those nested age-wise somewhere between we senior citizens and the babes-in-arms. All-in-all, still so very young...and inexperienced.

Some are kind and giving of their time and knowledge...some are cynical and bitter. Really, how did you get that way so early? There are those who come from money (easily two or three who are comfortable and well off), but most live at home with mom and dad, or...mom or dad. One of my classmates moved to Michigan a few years back from Colorado, and despite missing family and friends, she has perservered. She has even decided to finish her degree here in the mitten! Way to go, Bridget! Such a diverse classful. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izu8D1a-03Q

My mother has driven down from the Keewenau Penn to attend the grad ceremony, and my sons and a family friend will be there as well. So, 'round about 4pm, think happy thoughts, and know I will be bored but happy, and eager to get on with my life and a new beginning.

I WANT A JOB! GIMME JOB, PLEASE.

Just two more days!

Be still my heart!

Love how the school is filling up our precious (little) time for editing our demos, with BS things to do. For instance - last week would have been the ideal time to give us a final. Now DblD wants to review with us (which he has been threatening to do for two weeks, now) - which will eat up time. Taking the test will eat up time! Just like the contrived 3-plus pages of a questionaire, and all of the explanation that went along with it did. PLUS...then the instructors were in another meeting - which seems to happen weekly during our time slot. That took about an hour. Why don't they schedule these staff meetings during the morning...like say, begin at 8am or 8:30...or even still, during the first part of the evening time frame? As long as we have been in school, this teacher "handicap" has always fallen during the afternoon shift.

Oh, and let's not forget the kickboxing debacle.

Anyhow, the pandemonium is in full swing, and it is bad.

Have a shiny day, and take care of yourselves. I will be leaving school and heading to my Wolfman Mac gig tonight. Shouldn't be as drawn out as last week, but now I am not the new kid on the block!

60% Less week than before!

Oh yeah! We are closing in on the wire, ladies and gentlemen. Hang on to your undergarments, we are about to commit the unthinkable.

Huzzah!

Spring peepers and the greening

Last night, as I was preparing for bed, I heard clearly through a closed window...spring peepers!

SPRING PEEPERS! Do you know what that means!? Any idea what sort of excitement that unleashes in the hearts and minds of weary gardeners?

No?

Really?

Oh my. Well please....allow me to enlighten you. Pull up a seat and get comfy for a few moments, won't you.

Those chirpy little citizens are the real harbingers of spring. The true "town criers" of the change from winter to spring. Once the air is pierced by their nighttime song, you know winter is ushering itself out, and the lovely bright green of spring is truly under your feet and filling sleeping flower beds. Slowly, and nearly unnoticed by those in too big a hurry, buds appear in crafty and surreptitious ways and places. If you weren't looking for it (praying for it...eagerly awaiting it), the greens and yellows and crimsons of tulips, forsythias and maple trees would seem to spring from nowhere.

So many people think the first sign of spring is the return of the robin...but I tell you, it's the peepers! Open your windows and listen.

Better yet, step outside tonight, while the air is clear and still, and listen to the night sounds of April. Early spring is promising and romantic. It's full of life and excitement. It tells of what is to come. It is a new beginning.

Jeepers creepers...listen to those peepers!

Well, here we are - people claiming my camera footage as their own for their demos

Standing at the corner of frustration and desperation.

The 5th of April, already...and one week from ending classes at Specs. How the heck did that happen?

I am only 1/3 of the way ready for this last week, but with so much yet to tape and edit, and then the necessary reviewing for the finals...I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Not so much with the test portion, really...but the compilation and polishing of the FCP demo tape we need to get done. Everything surrounding that is just - well...too much. No time, and too little equipment for the people who need it. Oh, and let's not forget my FCP inexperience.

Well, as much as I have tried (and am still attempting) to be totally prepared for having my demo done, et.al, it seems - when you come right down to it - what will be is never really (just) in your own hands...is it? I mean, in nearly everything, there are many other factors and agendas (and ego's, etc) which can simply turn your plans ass-end-over-tea-kettle upside down and inside out...leaving you with sawdust and smoke and a lump in your throat. Sometimes, I've found, it even leaves you with a hole where your heart should be. Sad, but true. You can draw out plans and diagrams, and write a script, train your team to follow the dance steps carefully, but you can never figure for the simplest things to go wrong. And it's always the simplest things which knock your feet out from under you hit you right between the eyes. So, for the things I can control...things that my classmates couldn't jeopardize or waylay, I am OK. It's just...

Stress.

Stress I don't need.

Add that to the honest-to-goodness need of a job so that I don't lose my house...and it truly is more than I am emotionally ready to bear.

Oh, and I so need to get my taxes done.

Spoke with my mom, who is again not in favor of me going to Detroit and doing what I need to do - get video footage for my demo edit. Seriously!

"You don't need to be running all over doing this. Especially down there. Just use what you already have...I know you have a huge collection of pictures, why not use those?"

I tried to explain that I could drop in photos here and there, but by and large this needs to be a video (live action) sort of project.

"Well, what about your stuff from that Kodak thing on Belle Isle?"

We haven't received yet, I tell her, although it was promised to be in [my] hands in two weeks. That was one week ago (it's now over a week overdue, and I am anxious. I had been looking forward to being able to place that lovely gem into my demo edit.

At this point, I am fighting back a lump in my throat. Can't she just empathize?

"You know, you have a problem with wanting things 'just so'," she tells me. "Maybe this time you can't have your exacting standards. And it's not as though anyone is going to know. It's not as though this is for a job, or anything."

Now the tears are stinging the rims of my eys, threatening to fall and ruin my careful make-up and spot the front of my shirt. I begin to think of an upbeat thought....like the fact that my camera work was so good, most of the team members are using it for their projects. However, when you say "camera operator" or "photographer/cinematographer", and then do not include any of your own work...I think there is a problem.

Also, someone from a different team edited my gas station footage from the "scavenger hunt" project the class began Q4 with, into his demo camera claim. I called him on it with an instructor sitting there. The fact is, that I shot most of the second day's footage going from location to location, and he performed the camera work at the tail end of the day...the E-85 shots and closing gas sign - and that's all (he also shot the talent stand-up and earliest b-roll interviews the day or two before).

Going to do dishes, because thinking back on the events of the day - all of them - and anticipating the last week is really beginning to wear on me.

Please, God...Father in heaven, I need a job. Please open a door for me...my life is in Your hands.

Hey there, little brother - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy freakin' 45th birthday!!

Here's the lil booger (in the middle - not Santa). Cute, wasn't he?

Now, he's somewhat taller, I imagine a little less excited about Santa...oh, and not wearing a diaper (to my knowledge).

Rock on, little brother! Party on...just no too hardy. You have work in the morning.