Final day of fun.

Every shoot is really something different. Each personality we are documenting leaves his or her own stamp on the experience we all share together. And the effects are definitely extensive as is easily evidenced by all the stories carried from prior shoots into the conversations during this one. Our subject on this shoot certainly needed the help and I think her life could definitely improve in quality in the coming years... but only if she is willing to accept the help, beyond all the possessions/objects which she has no difficulty in accepting already. I'll be interested to see what happens.

Back on the roll.

Things just movin' along at the pace of production. The splendid weather still found its way as a minor topic of discussion... and I don't even mind. It's nice to talk about the positive things in life, small or large.(though, I've never heard of 'large' talk. ha) Anyway... I'm up way too late and my brain is not spittin' at the same targets right now. I like the weekend.

Millions?

Probably not that many since it probably was not as hyped as it was the first time around... but I am pretty sure my three or so tiny little pieces of camerawork were still viewed by way more people than anything else I have done before. The episode as a whole was a bit of something else but all good things must start somewhere. I am looking forward to seeing the rest of this season's work, for sure!

Parting the clouds.

So, maybe the sky was listening and decided to spill its guts everywhere else today. Pretty much every person who came to the location today was seemingly puzzled by the distinct lack of evidence pointing to any rainfall there... despite the heavy, dark clouds quite nearby nearly the entire time... and the thunder storm sometime in the middle of the day. Don't worry... I won't complain.

Riding the lightning.

Which is just about as elusive as any semi-frequently experienced piece of nature can be. I've snapped off hundreds of photos in my attempt to capture it but have only achieved capture after slowing my attempts into video form... which doesn't actually make me feel like any less of a shooter. Ha. Sure, my little piece of video only has a little bit to speak of, but I did claim it all on my own... and it even looks like an actual bolt!

Far away from the world.

Back on the road, after a brief trip through the sky, surrounded by green mountains and valleys long. We soon delve into the life and mind of another disorganized soul. We will all have the opportunity to learn something important in the relatively short span of time we share together. I am highly enthused by the radness of my work!

Old friends and good times.

I think the frequent travel and work make me appreciate my friends and family more than I usually do. It's one thing to not see someone for a while when life isn't changing much in the interim... I think it seems to be something else when life is all kinds of adventure. I am not entirely sure if it's just being happy to have interesting news to share, if it's finding more reminders of what I am missing with greater regularity, or something to do with the act of traveling in general(or something else entirely). Anyway... I'm glad I get to hang with my old buddies... even if it's the only time it might happen for the foreseeable future... especially if it's the only time it might happen for the foreseeable future!

The cathartic manual labor.

Which might seem a bit odd but it seems to be the case with me. It sort of replaces the athletic endeavors I am not indulging in so much these days. A little bit of using my hands, brains, and braun in a sometimes creative and refreshing way. I like building things in general and manual labor just seems to fit that bill somewhat nicely. I am lucky I have the opportunity to do it in my regular work from time to time. The change of pace is also highly appreciated.

Toenail smashing.

Whenever I play basketball it seems to be one of those basically guaranteed experiences. Smashing my own toenails, that is. It has been happening for so long I can't really remember when it first started happening... maybe high school? Anyway, now I will bide my time waiting for the nail to be ready to pull off. It sounds somewhat gruesome(and sometimes it kind of is) but, hey, out with the old and in with the new I guess. I probably didn't really need the old one that much anyway.

Engagement photography.

It is one of the more enjoyable photography experiences I can think of. The stress level is low. The opportunity for creativity is high. And, if I have a positive chemistry with the couple(which is pretty much always the case), I get to humorously hang with people and try to get some natural, hopefully photogenic shots of my friends. It's a big win for everybody pretty much every time. I think I would even enjoy it with a couple I don't know simply for the challenge of meeting them and hopefully improving their days. A fun challenge, indeed!

Cracking into the edit.

One scene at a time. There are approximately 186 total scenes which comprise the entirety of the movie so there's certainly quite a bit of work yet to do. It kind of seems like it's supposed to be a sprint but I know that a sprint will not produce the quality it deserves... so, as much of the tortoise's wisdom as I can muster is certainly welcome. Steady anything is always welcome, regardless of speed.

Getting closer.

To the future... to the dream... to the freedom... to the challenges... to the intensity... to the pain... to the opportunities... to the truth... to the people I love. Life is always moving one way or another.

The friends in need.

I am always willing to help the people that I love. At least, I have always been willing to help the people that I love so far. I would like to think I can remain perfectly willing in all future endeavors of service... but that might be asking too much of myself. In any case, I really enjoy service and especially to those I am closest too. I consider it a blessing to even have the opportunity.

Interconnected.

It is a somewhat unclear aspect of living... the way we relate to those around us and the way they relate to us and others. We are elements of energy that reflect and channel the energy of those closest to us in every possible direction. And never is the 'golden rule' more applicable and affective than it is in this way. Simply put, we are all working for each other in just about every important way whether we realize it or not. Learning that lesson is never an easy thing.

Earning the recognition to move forward.

I really enjoy working with the seasoned professionals I am surrounded with at my job. Gaining a bit of the insight they have is exceptionally invaluable. It is both encouraging and a bit of a trial when I consider how far behind I can feel despite how confident I am in my relative abilities. Some of my success will only come because of my associations, which can seem somewhat frustrating, but much of that is contingent on how I am able to show my worth through my skills so that seems more acceptable and appreciated than first glance would suggest.(that last sentence confused me a bit when writing it... sorry, if it doesn't accurately state my thoughts. ha)

Getting to do the things I enjoy.

I am quite thankful for my position as a Media Manager, for all the many challenges and opportunities to learn that come along with it. I am even more thankful when it allows me the opportunity to do a little of what I really want to do, though, which is operating a camera. It really is just something different than most other things in life for me. A delightfully harmonious blend of the technical and artistic.

Getting things lined up just the right way.

Which is especially difficult to do most of the time since a multitude of schedules are basically impossible to juggle. But, sometimes when the odds don't actually come into play, the good things can find a way to happen and the schedules somewhat magically align in just the way I was hoping for. Serendipity, to some... dang awesome, to me!

Learning a new place and people.

I really enjoy seeing something I haven't seen before. Whether it's environmental, social, intellectual or otherwise, I seem to enjoy pretty much everything that's new to me. Which makes all this travel that much more enjoyable. Even when I go to someplace that is kind of like somewhere I have been before it still seems new and interesting to me. Every inch of this planet is somewhere different and I guess I'm thankful that I get to enjoy the differences even if they are subtle.

Back in So-Cal.

And the weather actually isn't quite as nice as it was in Washington when I left... weird. But it's still pretty good, so no complaints there. I think we have a pretty solid crew for this shoot so I am looking forward to seeing how it all goes. Every shoot is a new adventure and a new opportunity to learn something new!(probably too many 'new' words in that last sentence)

Disc golf catharsis.

Especially when I get to do it with my buddies. The weather couldn't have been better. The conversation was fun. The athletic component, while not very taxing, was still quite nice. And all at the meager cost of a gallon or so of gas and a few hours time. If I could enjoy such a thing with any regularity I would consider myself quite lucky... which is what I consider myself for even having the privilege of enjoying today alone.

The vanishing educators.

It is a bit of a strange thing to learn that your school is essentially "going out of business". I am not entirely sure how I should even feel about it. It doesn't particularly bother me in regards to how it could affect my life but it does make me a bit sad to see something that I appreciate disappear. I still consider it a good opportunity that I was fortunate enough to participate in and enjoy along the way. It was a very positive effect on my life and I am grateful for all that it brought me.

Hitting the busy stride.

I have been pretty much mega-busy since the beginning of the year and for quite a good span of that time had almost no days off. Like any new schedule it took quite a bit to adjust to and now, after several months of that break-neck sort of pace, I feel like my stress levels have finally calmed down as I consider all the upcoming work. Accompanying that is the pleasant feeling of exhaustion that causes me to actually go to bed at a decent time every once in a while. That alone is sort of a break through in its own right... sadly. Ha.

Last day of the shoot.

This was an interesting shoot with a somewhat expected, but unfortunate, result. The subject may end up going to jail and/or losing his house. I hope none of that happens but, despite our offer to help with his problem, he chose not to accept it willingly. Now, I will be leaving this place and will not get to see the positive impact we could have had... the one we usually have. It's a bit of a bummer feeling but I guess that's life. Better luck next time, I guess!

A new place, a new adventure.

Not that every new shoot is somehow not already a new adventure in its own way... but this one promises to be something else. The format is unusual due to its inclusion in a first-time-ever 'live' show event that is being put together. So the actual things that we are doing are also different. We actually don't know what will happen tomorrow, as the subject may or may not accept what is being offered, and it is entirely possible we will very quickly have nothing to do. I look forward to the drama as it unfolds in real life!

Action must be very difficult to write well.

So much of it is simply imaginary before getting to the set, I would think. Important beats in the action are planned, I'm sure, but so much of the little stuff, much of which is potentially very cool, seems like it needs to be created somewhat spontaneously. Maybe I just have a difficult time conceptualizing it because I practice it so little... maybe it's not that hard once you've done it a lot. Anyway... I have a lot of respect for those that are actually good at it. It makes life that much more exciting from time to time.

Might actually get to shoot.

I have been asked to take an extra camera for the upcoming shoot "just in case" they can use the extra footage I would be able to get with it. I know it's not an actual request for me to assume the actual position of a shooter but it's definitely one step closer. Plus, it looks like my own camera will be the perfect one to fit the bill. I am quite enthusiastic to see how it all turns out!

The non-hoarder hoarder.

In general, almost every hoarder denies that he/she is a hoarder and it usually takes an expert's opinion to get them to realize the error of he or her thinking... and this is usually only a tiny step in the path toward recovery anyway. It is a strange thing, however, when, after taking the customary first tour of the home, almost everybody agrees with the 'hoarder' in question and is confused by the label which has somewhat hastily been assigned our poor subject. Having to 'pull the plug' and head back to town really left a strange feeling lingering in the gut, I have to admit. We're happy for the 'hoarder' anyway... just sad for losing the experience as a whole. I really do enjoy my work.