Ramping up to the big time.

We had a fairly productive meeting regarding the upcoming comic convention and I think things seem to be falling into place quite nicely. I have a great deal of work ahead of me and I think if we are well prepared for our goal we can knock it out of the park and really make a good name for ourselves. It, like just about any skill-based endeavor one might set out to do, will almost totally revolve around how well we prepare beforehand. If ever there was a key to be recognized... it would be preparation!

The challenges of building a business.

They are SO varied and thorough and often come at you from directions you didn't expect. And, as this is the basic nature of almost any complex endeavor, you really have to learn to adapt quickly to as much as you possibly can. There might be a premium to be put on a quality dose of preparation but simply preparing for change and "the unexpected" seems to be the most beneficial type of preparation, in my mind. Change never stops!(my clunky, non-inspired version of the obviously oft-repeated sentiment)

Basically back in the office groove.

But it is slightly more interesting now that we have a slightly larger crew of folks that we are working with now. There is SO much on our plate for the next couple or so months that we definitely needed the additional help to help us get to the finish line as planned. It's particularly nice because it seems like we have some really quality folks who have joined us, as well. I look forward to going into work despite the lack of field shooting opportunity at the moment.

Back to the office.

I much prefer the work of shooting in the field but I definitely don't mind a break back in the office once in a while. Sure, it's mostly full of busy work and schedule management but it definitely keeps my mind active despite my body's general entropy habit inside my cubicle. Plus, I do enjoy the general socialization that comes along with it. I can't say it really compares to the shoot-style socialization but the change up is still quite quality... just different, really. Apples and oranges... and mangoes and pineapple.

Relaxation and football.

It's nice to get a day off where I can basically do nothing but eat and enjoy a few games of football. Sure, I had to rebuild a new passenger window for my car but that in itself is pretty relaxing too, even though the work of doing it isn't necessarily easy. Now, we're on to a new week of challenges, learning, cool people, good times and fun! Boom.(quiet boom without the exclamation point just for variation.)

20-Year High School Reunion - A unique social experience.

I am probably drawn to the odd situations in life more than the average person. I sort of thrive in uncomfortable situations, if that can somehow make sense. And even though I wouldn't necessarily call this an uncomfortable situation for me, it definitely felt like it was that sort of thing for many of the people that were there. I've thought of a few elements to this event that basically set it apart from just about any other situation in life:

• Many of the people there, despite having been friends in any capacity for more than twenty years, have not actually seen each other very much, in a normal type of social engagement, until now and have thus changed quite a bit since they last saw each other. Their personalities might be totally different or hardly different at all which, having a large group of people that once had a fairly identifiable and distinct identity which was quite familiar, now feels like a totally different thing altogether. It is a group dynamic that, while it looks fairly familiar, feels quite strange at times.

• Most of the people there are basically the same age(within a year or two, excluding significant others that tagged along) and, yet, are all at very different points in their lives. Some folks have children, ranging from newborn to adult, and established families. Some are still single, happily or otherwise. Some have done tremendous things with their careers while some are still struggling to make ends meet(and/or both), either of which might be totally the opposite to how things were during high school.

• All of us have definitely changed in appearance but the degrees of change have definitely been quite varied, as well. Some folks still look quite young, hardly different than their younger selves, while some look quite a bit older. And weight gain shrouds many of us in varying degrees, as age is often inclined to contribute.

• The mix of nostalgia with these totally new perspectives of each other is quite unusual in itself. Remembering things from our fairly deep past as well as learning about the newer and varied events in life since. This sort of thing does happen at things like weddings, funerals, and the like but it is a bit different when noting that these are people we basically spent our childhood with.

All in all I really enjoyed myself and was quite happy to see so many old friends. I really appreciate the reminders of my past and all interesting glimpses into the futures of people I spent so much time with as a young person. Here's to the first twenty and the next ten more!

The happy ending/beginning.

We had a great shoot this week that really seemed to wrap up in the best possible way. Certainly, there is a long road ahead of everybody involved but they all seemed genuinely invested in creating the great future that this jump start seems to have made possible. It's not every day that the end of a hoarding experience draws out a marriage proposal.

Twenty tiny green lions.

I don't remember how it started or who was with me in the dream but I do remember seeing a spontaneous pack of lions(all male) appear in a second-story bedroom all around a king-size bed. They were no larger than a small kitten, colored entirely green, and appeared to be sleeping(or sedated?) and mostly peaceful. My friend immediately exclaimed his fear of the lions stating they could be getting much bigger very soon and that we needed to run away. This turned the dream into a frenzy of escapist moments as I went booking down a steep hill in a somewhat densely wooded forest. It was strange and fun all at the same time. And the tiny lions were incredibly adorable as one might expect. It was the first dream I can remember in quite some time.

There is never a proper substitute for experience.

I have been doing this stuff(film/television work) for a couple years now and I am increasingly impressed by how much I learn and how much I tend to realize how little I actually know during every single shoot I work in. Certainly I find that I am capable of competent task completion but I am always learning the little things and ways to improve in order to polish my skills for this craft and even though they are often just little bits of improvement, they definitely have a positive impact... which is important if I am to actually become better at what I do... and for business, too, of course!

More reminders of the historical me.

It was nearly a decade ago that I left my California home to return to Washington. Between then and now I have not done very much to reconnect with very many of my friends from that time... an error which was definitely unnecessary and somewhat saddening. Perhaps it is not entirely bad, though, as I have to think it has emphasized my enjoyment of the relatively few instances where I have had the opportunity to reconnect with any of the friends of said past life. It is so far behind me that it can feel somewhat like a different life, whenever we reminisce about any of the people or events we remember so fondly, and I think I am quite glad to have a habit(such as journal-keeping) that can help me really dig into some of those memories a little better. Memories are all we really have when it comes to our pasts.

The break of variation.

The shoot before this one was quite a different case, considering volume, and it definitely made for a different challenge than this shoot will have... the challenge of dearth. I expect the rest of the shoot to flow quite a bit differently as well but I welcome the unique angles it will take to make it to the finish line. Yet another reason I love my work!

The beautiful countryside.

Part of the pleasure of my work is seeing the places unfamiliar to me, most especially those with an uncommon and interesting visual appeal. Some of it might come simply in the obvious and somewhat standard forms of aesthetic appeal. Some other parts of it seem to come in the unusual configuration, the slightly different, and the conversely opposite scenery which is striking in its presentation by contrast. Some of it is purely aesthetic while some of it seems somehow romantically or nostalgically influenced. Some of it is beautiful for reasons I don't even understand. Ha. And I quite enjoy the opportunities all the same!

Ramping up for the next shoot.

It made for another very busy day but definitely felt a bit more focused and productive than the day before the last shoot. Even just the one week of experience really polished up my view of what things I need and how to prepare. Of course there is always something new to be learned, and I will likely find out there are certain things I definitely missed, but my confidence and expectation of success will be very helpful in establishing my next steps forward. Just like any sport, so much of the film "game" is mental and that is definitely something I have easily overlooked in the past.

Working with high-profile talent.

It's not an entirely uncommon thing in my line of work but it still does surprise me to work with do any work with internationally famous people in just about any capacity. I'm not one to really ever be starstruck by the experience but it's still pretty cool to see how normal and down-to-earth almost all of the ones I've worked with tend to be. And it's even cool when they give us some free tickets to their concert, once in a while. Ha.

Doing all of the things.

But it's only because I am lucky enough to have earned the trust to do them. And I suppose I enjoy it for the most part. Certainly, I'd like to be a little more focused most of the time but a change of pace and scenery is often a nice break on the psyche. Good times all around!

Gradually building confidence.

I think a big key for me is to actually communicate with women I am attracted to. I generally have a good ability to be engaging and interesting(at least as far as I can tell as an inside observer... I know, naturally very biased) but without getting to either chat online or talk on the phone, I tend to forget what I can do. I know I can be a very attractive fellow. I just need the chance to shine.

Unintentional break.

My recent break in entry consistency was unfortunately caused by the hotel's strange wifi situation over the last week. It seemed to block off my blog's access, whether by firewall or some other unknown means, and I basically had to skip the blog the whole time I was there. Now I'll be getting back on track, though, and I think I might even have a few interesting ideas stored up to roll out over the next few days or so. Hopefully, it will be a fun time for everyone!

Past the half-way point.

Now we are on the back stretch and I think it will be a pretty interesting go. There is SO much left to do and the folks we are working with are somewhat ambivalent about the process in general. The weather should be nice, the helping people are plentiful and things seem at least a little bit possible... but I have a good deal of doubt about how much will actually happen. The mystery is interesting, indeed!

I love's me a good challenge!

And today, the challenges were definitely real! At least, when it comes to the camera work the challenges were definitely real. Now, due to the immensity of the physical exertion(or me just being a little low on the sleep quotient), I am definitely sleepy and ready for bed. Bring it on, dream-style-in-preparation-for-tomorrow's-radness for sure!

Back on the hoard for real!

It is the first hoard back and wow is it a doozy! I've seen a couple at a similar level of intensity but definitely none actually more intense than this one. It will definitely prove to be a challenge over the next several days but I look forward to rubbing shoulders(and piles of stuff) with all the rad people we work with!

Infinite preparation.

Which might technically be saying you never actually do the thing you were planning to do because you get ready to do it forever... but that's not what I mean. I am excited to be heading back out on my first shoot this season and I just want to make sure I haven't forgotten anything. It will be a very challenging shoot, I expect, and every ounce of preparation can really make a difference in how well we execute our objectives. Plus... even though this is pretty intense work we gotta be able to have a little fun along the way.

Digital Dating Theorem.

This will be the first new label since this blog's inception. As it is hopefully clear by it's name, this will refer to posts which represent some of my thoughts about the online dating scene as I attempt to navigate it's intricacies and relate my failures(which will be plentiful and thorough) and my musings about what I might be learning as I go through them. Fun!

Tired as molasses.

I'm not even sure what that means. It is probably a combination of actual physical exhaustion and a little bit of emotional drainage. Nothing crazy but I am certainly not very good at doing the online dating thing. I guess since I'm so new at it I just haven't learned how the heck people are supposed to communicate on there. It all feels like such a game that I can easily get frustrated with it... especially since I can't stand games, when it comes to relationships and people. Oh, well. Just another thing to learn about how I am currently terrible and hopefully might one day be okay at it. Ha.

Staying ultra busy.

I have lots to do and still found a way to add to my plate. It shouldn't be anything too rough but the pressure is definitely on. The good part is that I do usually perform well under pressure so I look forward to giving the client some solid work, for sure, and that is one of the reasons I do love my job.

Just doin' the work.

Today was basically a repeat of yesterday and I was still just as impressed as I was yesterday with the quality of artistry on display. It also had the added bonus of being on an unusually artistic canvas(in the shape of a giant pop can) with tons of passersby throughout the whole day. We outsmarted the weather and had a good time watching the masterpiece unfold before our very eyes. Super cool stuff!

Witnessing the process of masterwork.

I got to shoot a time lapse of a professional graffiti artist and what an interesting and inspiring experience that was! He made every step look so easy and even though it took several hours to complete it was continually improving all the way until he finished it. There were several points where it looked totally awesome and complete and then he would walk back up to it and paint some more and it would just level up and look even better. He did this many times before finally settling on a completed image. It was quite cool. This is definitely something I would love to be able to do in my own way someday... but it will definitely require an immense amount of practice and focus if it is ever to become true for me... such as it no doubt was for this master graffiti artist.