Big news! Karl turns 23!!

My little sapling now has twenty-three rings.

Happy birthday, K-dub! Glad you're here on the planet with me.

Happy birthday.........to ME!

That's right, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!Take that, universe - I've still got it and I ROCK!

Happy Birthday, Baby Boy! 21!?!

He's the cute lil' bug in the middle.

What the...?!?!

How did it happen so quickly? Last year at this time (which only feels like a handful of sleeps ago), I was lamenting the inevitability of this day, but I also figured a year would take a little more time to evaporate...yet, here we are. Karl turns 21, and that's all there is to it.

Happy birthday, to my last young man. I love you and the person you are becoming!

Thank you for being my son.

Hey, it's July 1st!

In less than four short little days, Karl will be 21.

21!!!!

At least this year I will be home for the occasion, and not on the road somewhere. The new gig begins on the 7th - yes, it's been pushed back a day, but it still comes out to 18 days (six-day work weeks). I received and signed my Deal Memo, NDA and tax form, and have already exchanged email, and had a phone chat with, the Sound Engineer on the production. We will meet face-to-face next week, prior to the start of filming and get our dance steps down, and to be in sync in order to provide excellent sound. Very cool!

I've had a busy week - with the email confirming the boom job; and a phone pre-interview with some production house mistress named Kelly (she would not say who they are, but eluded to being project heavy and that they are located 'Downriver'), regarding an ad I responded to (the very same morning). She said she wanted me to interview with her boss this week and that after giving my credits to him she would call back "in a bit", but never did. Ah well....that is how most of these things have gone - for production work and for plain Jane administrative positions.

Then, I also interviewed in person Tuesday afternoon, with someone who was looking for an entry-level editor. He said I was the first person (of all his respondents) he'd spoken with for the job, and that he intended to hire someone by the 30th because they were backlogged and needed to get five weddings edited quickly. His decision would be made and he would make calls one way or another by Thursday (uh, hello. That would be today). I guess no call sort of answers any and all questions, eh?

I was in contention for a three day shoot in Oscoda, but had to turn it down because I thought I was getting the job in Detroit. Could have done both as it turns out, but you can't know these things.

And then lastly, I responded to a new ad regarding crewing up for a feature 'based on real-life', being shot in the D this fall. Pre-pro in August and production through September. They wanted a Scripty, and I cleverly looked the production up using sidewinder mentality. It turns out, I was right, and that intrigued the producer, who contacted me to find out where I learned what I knew. We ended up having a talk this afternoon, and I told him I wanted that Scripty role. So, despite the fact he could tell I was white bread through and through, he politely said he would keep my name in the running. (Sounded like a prolonged 'no', but I am choosing to remain optimistic.)

Well, that's the news from my end of the bog, and tomorrow, I am going to get a little bit of work done around here before I happily have no time to spare. Let me know what you are up to, and I will keep you abreast of the "things in the wings."

What a difference a day makes

Yesterday was spent getting little things accomplished. Not particularly meaningful or life-altering, just....stuff.

Brian's car, some yardwork, a bit of laundry, daydreaming, job searching.

Then, last night, I went out with a brand new 21-year-old, and her mom, to celebrate the youngun's 21st birthday. The restaurant was colorful, the food was good, the company was fun, and the margarita was as big as my head!

Happy Birthday, Barbara Louise Klondike Maypole!

I hope your tongue has thawed out.

21! My baby is 21!

I did not give him permission to do this. He did not ask me for my opinion. Who does he think he is, this little boy turned teen-ager, become man? Not only did he get twenty-one years older, but so did I. The funniest thing about that whole deal-i-oh is that... I don't look it! HA!

I suppose parents have been coming up against this whole children growing up/growing older thing for quite a while, now, and I am nowhere near the front of the line with this non-phenomenon... but I feel so odd about it all just the same. After having been present for each big event and ordinary day in his life, every fall and scrape and broken heart, each exciting first time at something new... how is it that I still marvel at the young man of 21 before me? I have watched him all this time - every day of his beautiful, aggravating, excrutiating, elating, death-defying, non-plus-ing life, and it still seems as if I blinked somewhere between toddler and now - missing the lightening fast transformation.

I know I didn't. I am keenly aware of being here for every minute. After all, I have been the one constant in his life all this time. Every waking/sleeping/working/lazing/yelling/crying/laughing/traveling/explorative/horrific/proud moment. I wouldn't have had it any other way.

Maybe I am more surprised I haven't accidentally killed or lost him before now. Like a pet turtle, or a puppy in the yard who see's an open gate and simply runs, forgetting to come back.

Thank you for letting me be your parent, Brian. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your life all of this time (even if you really didn't have much of a choice in the whole matter). I just want you to know I will always be here, too. But I have a sneaky feeling you sort of knew that, huh?

Happy Birthday, my little boy. I am so very proud of you, and love you very much.

Now please, pick up your room and open the window to air it out, will ya? :^)