Step inside my brain.....

Photo Printed in The NY Times

2010-06-03T21:18:00.006-04:00

It has always been an honor to be affiliated with the amazingly talented Debate Society, A Brooklyn based theatre company comprised of three very close friends of mine, including my best friend. Their theatre is unmatched, always unique, and always a must see. So I am very happy that they have received a slew of positive reviews for their new play, Buddy Cop 2. Most recently, this rave review from the New York Times. And I'm very lucky to have my photo beside them. It wouldn't be the wonderful photo it is, without their months and months of hard work and creativity that they always put into their pieces.

Please check it out if you have the chance!!

City Beautiful Carpentry Video

2010-03-30T20:47:00.003-04:00

I hope you will enjoy my latest work. I produced this video for a local woodshop, citybeautifulcarpentry.com. Shot and edited myself and I'm pretty darn happy with it.

City Beautiful Carpentry from Ian Savage on Vimeo.

Best Camera

2010-01-06T18:59:00.009-05:00

I wanted to share with you my newest obsession, the I-phone App Best Camera and it's accompanying online community.

I have long used several I-phone applications to edit my I-phone photos, as well as upload them to twitter and facebook and flickr and such. But recently I glanced over the article headlines on apple.com and came across an article about the Best Camera app, designed by photographer Chase Jarvis. And I can honestly say, it is totally awesome. I have done little else with my free time but spend it with this application. I even went back into my archives, from Day ONE of my I-Phone days, picked all my favorites, loaded them into the phone and then edited them, and uploaded them to the best camera community and at the same time, a new flickr set. And it was all SO EASY.

Thank you Chase Jarvis, for an amazing application. If I could make three requests, it would be simply to allow you to personalize your home page's address, to be able to search for a photographer by name on the Photographer's page, and finally, and what I would like to see the most, is a simple NEXT and PREVIOUS button, when scrolling through your (and other's) images.

Here's the Flickr set of all my faves:

Get the flash player here: http://www.adobe.com/flashplayer

If you have any interest in I-Phone Photography, definitely take a look at this application (only $3) and the community. Chase also has a book out, "The Best Camera is the one that's with you." Which is really nicely done, a great coffee table book and source of inspiration.

Star Trek: A New Frontier

2009-05-11T07:25:00.007-04:00

Firstly, and very important, if you read this blog entry and you haven't yet seen the new Start Trek already, you should stop what your doing, walk out your door. head to the closest movie theatre and go see it. Then you can come back and enjoy this post. But if you read ahead, it will drastically ruin the movie for you.

Now that that's out of the way. Star Trek is the BEST. MOVIE. EVER.

And I'm not saying this lightly. And no, I don't think you need to "be a Trekkie" to enjoy this film. Within the first few moments of the film, I'm going to say somewhere around the 10 min mark, I was crying my eyes out. This moment, this gut wrenching moment, this truly heartfelt and emotional scene was so strong. When you start out a film like this, what it does is it zeros you out. It's like having a blank canvas put in front of you and you know what the range of the piece is going to be. It prepares you for the rest of the two hours, which felt like they flew by. Not once did I feel like time was moving. I have never in a film, felt more emotionally invested so soon in. This moment, the birth of James T. Kirk, was just powerful, touching, and sincere. And I do want to say, these tears were the best kind you could ask for. The entire scene, they were welling up in my eyes. And in the final moment, when George Kirk jokes about not using his father's name (Tiberius) but his wife's Father's name (James), this was such a real conversation that echoes true life. Immediately you realize this is not a Science Fiction film. This is just GOOD MOVIE. And he was born, and his Father dies and then the flood gates opened up and the tears were streaming down my face....and it felt SO GOOD. Embarrased, I didn't want my friend to see that already, 10 mins in, I was a mess. But out of the corner of my eye, i saw the shine of his own wet face, and he saw mine, and gosh darn it, if we weren't in a movies theatre we probably would have hugged and cried some more. But then we laughed, and then we were on to the next scene, which was action, and from that moment we were glued. Just GLUED to the screen.

If I ever need to cry, I will pull that moment up in my mind and replay it, and I know without a doubt it will work. Now I could go on and on about the rest of the film. How it is a beautiful tribute to the series in so many ways. I could talk about the amazing casting and the top notch writing. I could give you a play by play account of all the great action scenes, and I could reveal storylines that again, which just ruin the film for you. But I won't. I gave you the first ten minutes of my experience in that dark theatre. And for now, I think that's enough. I am definitely going to see it again. maybe even tonight.

But what I DO want to say, and this is a bold statement, but; I feel so lucky to have seen Star Trek in the theatres. To have witnessed the dawn of a new era. What J. J. Abrams has done, is re-invigorated the series. Re-invented it. Refreshed it. He has breathed new life into such a well known and timeless series. And the result, this new world he has created, now lies before us. I think it's akin to probably what people felt like walking out of the first Star Wars in 1977. "Please don't stop making these," they must have said. It could keep going and going and going. I felt like this was MY Star Wars. And I will hold all movies after this up to Star Trek as a comparison. It has set the bar, a new standard from which I will define all films on from here on out.

It is that good.

So Thank you J.J. Abrams, for a beautiful film. Thank you so much.
And if one of your personal assistants happens to leave (I've assisted the Coen Brothers), I would be honored to work with you.

A cleaner Greenway

2009-05-11T07:07:00.001-04:00

BGI 106, originally uploaded by Ian Savage.

This past Saturday, Oliver and I joined a few volunteers and walked along the Colombia Street section of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway to get 'er clean. We found some truly bizarre trash, which you can see at the photo set above.

I was excited that we got to use official DOT Arterial Maintenance "grabbers" and when I joked about getting a neon DOT safety vest......I GOT ONE.

If you aren't familiar with the The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway I highly recommend you visit their website. It's pretty impressive, to be planning a 14 mile stretch of public space on the Brooklyn Waterfront, from Greenpoint all the way to Bay Ridge. For nearly 100 years, there has only been four public access points to the water's edge. This MAP shows the proposed route.

I implore everyone to help out any way they can, join the Initiative!

Building a Chicken Coop

2009-04-29T08:07:00.002-04:00

Building a Chicken Coop 129, originally uploaded by Ian Savage.

This weekend Sheila and I headed up to our friend's home in the Hamdens ( Hamden,CT ) to help them build a chicken coop. It took us two full days, but I think we did a bang up job. Especially considering we were pretty much making it up as we went.

We are very jealous of their little Hamden Homestead. They have a fabulous garden, utilizing the WORD method: Wide rows, Organic methods, Raised beds, Deep soil. And they grow seedlings under lights in the basement. Click on the photo to see all the amazing garden and building action!

Not Christian Bale's Day

2009-02-03T16:00:00.003-05:00

If you haven't heard the audio clip of Christian Bale freaking out then take a minute and go have a listen.....then listen to the re-mix, which is pretty funny, both can be downloaded from the same page.

I'll wait a min......Okay.....you've heard it?

So I heard about it this morning on the Today show, and they were all pretty unforgiving. My wife is also very unforgiving. But I'm gonna say something crazy here. I think I understand where he's coming from, much like how Whoopi Goldberg sides with him on The View today:

So I'll start by saying this. Yes, i think Christian Bale was pretty hard on poor Shane Hurlburt the Director of Photography of Terminator: Salvation (and by an odd coincidence Semi-Pro, which I JUST watched last night.) YES, I think Christian Bale has anger management issues and I'd like to think he seeks therapy for that. But who knows. YES, he has a past history with this type of verbal abuse.

But I think people are being too hard on him here. From the audio clip, it sounds like this wasn't the first time Shane was stumbling onto the set during a take. I mean, can't you imagine, as an actor putting yourself into character and then being distracted by some dude walking onto the set in the middle of the scene...and TWICE no less. I think Christian Bale is an amazing actor. Empire of the Sun makes me cry. The Machinist is haunting and his dedication to the role was insane. His role in American Psycho was certainly unique and I'd say brilliant. And for me, he's been the best batman so far.....although I do think his "batman voice" is a bit much.

And what was Shane Hulbert thinking? I mean WHAT was he thinking....He was "looking at the light?" Not much you can do about the light if you are rolling. Why not look at it after "cut." There's a time and place for everything and while the camera is rolling is a time to sit behind a monitor and be quiet. This is the nature of "Quiet on the SET!" which of course includes walking onto set as a no no.

So I just think, or I'd like to, that this had happened before in the day, and maybe this particular scene required more focus and maybe he was tired, who knows when it was in the day and he just snapped. I'm not condoning it. I'm not saying I would have handled it that way. And again, he has some obvious anger management issues, so maybe he should take up meditation or therapy to help him out.

But what I AM saying is, I understand Christian Bale.....I understand and I'm with you on this one, me and Whoopi. And Shane Hulburt? I bet you a million dollars will never wander onto another scene in his LIFE! I mean, would you, after a verbal lashing like that?

Awww YEAH!

2008-12-01T11:57:00.004-05:00

That's me, with my fund-raisin 'stache!

Me and my 'stache only have TWO WEEKS left until the big 'STACHE BASH. Check here for the details of the last two major Mustache for Kid Events, where you have the opportunity to see me and my 'stache in person. This Thursday I will be attending the 3rd and Final Checkpoint at 8pm at the Bushwick Country Club in Williamsburg.

Stop and by, and let me and my 'stache buy you a drink!

There is still plenty of time to
DONATE........REMEMBER........IT'S FOR THE KIDS!

Shaving Day

2008-11-18T15:37:00.004-05:00

Well hello, hello!

Last Thursday was the official Kick-off of the mustachaganza that is Mustaches 4 Kids!

A grand time was had by all and below is the flickr slideshow to prove it. Right now I'm currently still the leader in Donations, but I got some competition and they're gaining fast. Only the TOP FUNDRAISERS will be eligible to compete in the final STACHE BASH on December 13th in Dumbo.

Please help my and my 'stache make it into the competition and don't forget......IT'S FOR THE KIDS!

Mustache 4 Kids!

2008-11-08T15:39:00.007-05:00

Hello my friends!

I am Growing a Mustache 4 Kids!

Starting this upcoming Thursday, the 13th of November, I will grow a mustache until at least December 20th to raise money for public school programs that are under-funded, or not funded at all. I have chosen some cool programs for kids in Brooklyn schools close to my house.

Throughout this process I will keep you all posted as to my progress through photos and video, right here!

Thanks in advance for helping my 'stache raise money......FOR THE KIDS!

Click HERE to go to my Giving Page, where you can view the projects and donate to the cause!

Kodak "aint what it used to be" and the Pope hates mail

2008-04-18T10:52:00.002-04:00

So a few weekends ago I was shooting this wedding, and I brought my big-boy film camera, an old Pentax 67. I shot three rolls of 120 film. Now, usually, I go to a hip Soho place to get the negs processed with contact sheets. They turn it around in like two days. Top-notch quality work. But I LIVE right above a Camera store. So I was in no rush to get the film back, so I opted for a more convenient location for pick-up by going through them. They sent the film to KODAK to process and do the contacts.

What a nightmare.

First, Kodak received the film, processed the negatives and sent it back....sans contact sheets. At that point, if the store had contacted me, I would have said forget it and picked up the film. But they sent it back. The nightmare continued. What was estimated to take 10 business days, ended up taking 19. And after they sent my stuff back piece-meal, it was still ALL WRONG.

They printed the 6x7 film on a contact sheet, where the images were SMALLER than a 35mm contact sheet. They also had the extreme un-professionalism to just throw my negatives in an envelope, unprotected. WHAT GIVES! This is KODAK! What other name should we be able to trust on NAME ALONE than KODAK? So I paid for the processing, and refused to pay for the botched contact sheets. I voiced my concern at Kodak's handling of the negatives and their reply was, "Kodak aint what they used to be." Then the manager said right there and then, "That's it, we don't process 120 film through Kodak ANYMORE!"

So, I'm going to buy a flatbed scanner today and do my own damn contact sheets.

And just a quick lil story. The Pope is in town this week. I went to mail some stuff at a street mailbox and it was sealed shut. Sometimes these things stick or have mail crammed in there, so I struggled with it a bit. Then some guy comes up behind me and says, "The Pope is coming! No mail here."

I hadn't thought of that. It totally makes sense. Nobody wants any bombs thrown in the mailboxes! I wonder how they lock them shut? Probably from the inside, like jamming a chair underneath a door handle type deal?

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2008-02-08T10:07:00.000-05:00

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Parrots in HD RULE!

2008-02-01T17:06:00.000-05:00

I'm a big fan of nature and travel shows. One of the things I'd most like to do (besides direct feature films, television, or be a travel photographer) would be a cameraman for one of these shows. I'm looking forward to Planet Earth and Blue Planet on my Netflix Queue.

So last night, flipping through channels after watching the season premiere of Lost, I came across an HD documentary on PBS called:

Parrots in the Land of Oz was a pleasant surprise. I usually go for the "here's a region, learn all about it" nature shows as opposed to the "parrots, and more parrots" kind, but I learned a lot of interesting things about Parrots and the region of Australia.

There is a species of tree that requires fire to reproduce, a lightning strike will cause the fire and only after the tree burns, do the seeds open and release. Interesting I say.

Also, there is a species of parrot called the Golden SHouldered Parrot that nests inside Termite mounds, and when they hatch, it coincides with the hatching of a particular species of Moth Larvae, that feeds on the PARROT POOP! How symbiotic of you nature!

Another interesting thing, there's a species of Parrot called the Budgie, and when they fly in their flock, their wings shimmer and camaflouge them from predators. They fly like that for safety in numbers, as birds of prey will focus on the weakest link. you can see the phenomenan in this preview:

But what was REALLY interesting is that schools of fish, most notably the Sardine, do this same thing for the same reason:

Isn't it freakin AMAZING that in the natural order of things, on this extremely diverse hunk of rock in space that there are different species, as different as can be really, one in the air, one in the sea, that are utilizing the same techniques for survival?

I think it is pretty darn interesting. And a weird coincidence that THIS happened to be the National Geographic Photo of the day yesterday. My cat also enjoyed the quality content and format of the show, as she paced, crouched, an was generally frustrated for two hours straight as she watched the program with us... never once taking her eyes off the TV. Note to cat owners: this phenomena is heightened if you raised your cat SPECIFICALLY to be a non-watching TV cat (she normally could care less about TV when it's on).

I'm taking the Weekend off from blogging, I have developed "blogger wrist" this week from all my computer work and need a break :)

Flickr Widget Test

2008-02-01T11:41:00.001-05:00

The Power of Post

2008-01-31T06:37:00.000-05:00

I've been searching for a new Blog Host like Moveable Type and Word Press. Not that I don't love the Blogpsot, but I'm looking for a new look for a new site. I found bestblog.wordpress.com really helpful in perusing all the different styles of blogs on Word Press. I came across this blog and that's where I got todays video.

This video is really great. They did some amazing stuff.

A continuing discussion on the 30 second spot

2008-01-30T13:13:00.000-05:00

Well, sometimes longer than 30 second, but that seems to be the average. They always cut together like a 30-sec, 45-sec and full min of the same spot. I am just fascinated with commercials these days. There are quite a few smart campaigns out there right now. Kia is doing a great job with some very original spots, this is poor quality, but it's one of the most recent ones and I think it's great:

I can't tell you how many times, not owning a car of my own, having borrowed a car or rented a car I myself have pulled up to the gas station and been like, "wait, WHICH side is it on." I'm sure I'm not the only one, so I think it has wide appeal. These two are also quite good:

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I like the 30 sceond spot above, better than the full minute spot.

Very well shot and directed. It taps into that situation where I think anyone who has driven a car can identify with, trying to find a spot at the mall or grocery store. Have you ever slowly "stalked" people as they are leaving? That's how you get the good spots. Of course I'm sure you've all seen the MOST DOWNLOADED car commercial in history, that took 3 months, 606 takes and six million dollars to produce:

Here's the Making of that spot

Another good campaign going on is Burger Kings Whopperfreakout.com campaign, filmed using Hidden camera's and REAL customers. Just hilarious the reactions. Can't seem to imbed the one I like the most, only this documnetary, but the spot titled MONTAGE under Day 2 is my fave:

Here is a commercial that I also enjoy, on a softer, more emotional, "isn't that cute level". Use of music of course is key here, not to mention good casting on the little tyke:

And I've always enjoyed the cinema Verite feel of these Kleenex spots. The editing is superb:

They have UK versions as well, but I prefer the little bald guy better...something about his image that I like, non-intimidating I suppose. They also have user uploaded videos on their site, which is interesting, some (a kid with snot running out of his nose) I can see the relevance. But "cute baby splashing in a tub" doesn't say Kleenex to me at all, no matter how cute. Their campaign reminds me of that Free Hugs Campaign a while back, which was also well-done:

1,206,869 views on You Tube and over 1,800 comments. Impressive. Quite a few copies in other locations as well, all over the world. truly a movement, and the guy was on Opera.

Year of the Rabbit

2008-01-29T20:09:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I was picking up my laundry and I received a very robust "Happy Chinese New Year!" This year is The year of the Rabbit. It starts on February 7th. here in the states they take off one day. But in CHINA, they take off at least 7 days, if not 15! Poor Chinese in the States, our capitalist virtues keep them from being able to shut down to celebrate their holiday like they should.

And did you know the FRENCH all get Five weeks off and they usually take it off all at the same time, so business are closed for an entire month or more!

Don't even get me started on FOREIGN HEALTHCARE!

A whole...neeewwww....(digital)...WOOORRLLD!

2008-01-25T13:30:00.000-05:00

Did you get that post title reference, didya?

As I spent a large part of the day yesterday trolling the net, learning more about the film Cloverfield and looking at options for an HD camera for a possible future upgrade to my at least 4 yr old Panasonic DVX100, I learned some interesting things about what is going on in the film world.

Films, are being shot completely digital.

Now, this isn't NEW, but I found it interesting to really get a good look and read on what cameras are being used on what films. Films that were shot 100% in the digital realm.

This article here professes that Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) was the fist film to be shot and exhibited completely in digital. The entire article (all 10parts) is a really good overview of the milestones of FX in the world of cinema. It brought back memories I had of some favorite films of my childhood, including this film:

I loved this film, Young Sherlock Holmes, and it's credited with being the first film to composite computer-generated animation with a live-action background.

But back to Star Wars, which was shot on this camera here:

The Sony or Panivised HDW-F900, today, goes for about $60,000. I think at the time, it was being specially built for Lucas, so the cost initially was probably way higher. But then WAIT, now another site says this movie, Vidocq was the first film shot entirely on digital:

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Click the image and it will take you to the Youtube trailer. I think maybe Star Wars was filming / in production first, and maybe Vidocq was released first in 2001. I'll call it a tie. They were both shot using the HDW-F900. I'll take just a BRIEF step backwards in technology, but forward in time to Open Water, released in 2003:

.

This film was initially thought to be shot on the Panasonic DVX100 (which wasn't available at the time) was actually shot on the Sony VX2000 and a PD150. I didn't terribly like the film, but they get props from me for the low budget and huge studio deal after playing at Sundance. Yet another aside, Here's an article on the true story it's based upon.

Once Upon a Time in Mexico also released in 2003 was shot on a "Sony 24fps HD" camera "similar to what Lucas uses." But I couldn't confirm over the internets EXACTLY what camera was used.

But wait a second, wait a gosh darn second! What, you might ask, does all this have to do with Cloverfield, and you searching for a new camera? Well, here it all ties together. SO I said to myself, while searching for an HD upgrade....."I wonder what CLOVERFIELD was shot on?" And here we have This wonderful article, which gives you all that info. At first there was a lot of talk of the camera that I was looking at, this Panasonic HVX200, as being the main camera:

It was in fact used, but very sparingly. Here's a screenshot from the film where you can see the character of Hud, holding the Panasonic HVX200. Which, of course, at at LEAST $3,500 and topping at around $5,000, I don't think he'd be toting this around at a party, unless that was his gig:

Image above can be clicked for a review, rating and video on the Panasonic HVX200, which again, is what I've been leaning towards as a future item for MEEEEE. But I digress, as I'm wont to do, Cloverfield was NOT filmed mostly on the HVX200, BUT, in fact was filmed on a combination of the two camera's below, photos clickable to links to learn more about each one"

The Thomson Grass Valley Viper, which goes for somewhere in the $80,000 range:

and the Sony F23, which is priced around $100,000:

Another film that has used the Viper for the entire shoot, and this was surprising, because I had already seen the movie when it came out and had no idea, was Zodiac:

This blog post gets into some nice detail of the workflow and use of the camera on the film.

Well, there you have it, my day on the internets. There are of course Tons of options these days for HD Camera's of all sizes and prices. Of big note, is the Red One system, which is supposed to revolutionize the industry, has a price tag of $17,000 JUST for the body, and a huge waiting list. And with MY personality and the piece-meal nature of the system, which is extremely smart because it makes it easy to upgrade, as opposed to getting a whole new camera, I would get lost In their Store and rack up a bill of $64,660 (one of everything please).

Well, an informative blog I hope, if not a bit dry. For now I'm gonna just gonna have to stick with My little guy here.

Cloverfield and Atonement

2008-01-24T11:59:00.000-05:00

This past Sunday, Sheila and I had the rare treat to catch up on not one, but two films we were interested in seeing:

and

I will begin by reviewing Atonement first, as my review of Cloverfield leads to another topic. First I'll say, I enjoyed this film, very much. In fact, I found little about it that I didn't like. Keira Knightly was pretty good, James McAvoy was superb. A real treat was the skills of both young Briony, played by Saoirse Ronan and the young adult Briony, played by Romola Garai. I'll get this out of the way too, James McAvoy is REALLY an excellent actor. I liked him a lot in The Last King of Scotland. He has the great ability to say a lot without saying anything at all. It's all in his face, it's all in the eyes:

The film was good. It was shot well enough, nothing in my mind screamed holy CRAP that was awesome. There was a really nice tracking shot at the end, of soldiers on a beach waiting to be picked up that was noteworthy. What I REALLY enjoyed was the Score by Dario Marianelli . The thematic use of hitting typewriter keys as an instrument in several of the pieces was just such a savvy move. It just really tied in a lot of elements so simply, the play she writes, the letter he writes, her novel, becoming a novelist, love letters written back and forth, all neatly melded together by the simple use of typewriter keys in the score.

One touching moment (read, shed tear here) was, well, touching. A soldier lies on his deathbed and Briony is comforting him, she's not supposed to let the soldiers know her first name, so tells him her last name as her first name, and as he's slipping away he is mumbling her last name, and she is yelling "Briony! My name is Briony." It was a really powerful moment.

So what didn't I like? Well, that moment I JUST mentioned, was so close to the end, and so well done, when it came time to reveal that the two young lovers never saw each other again, well, I was emotional spent already. I felt more for that moment with the french soldier than I felt with the tragedy of the two main characters unfortunate ends. I also thought we could have spent less time with setting up in the beginning and more time with some story later on. When we see Robbie (McAvoy) not only have we skipped all his prison time, but the entire war as well. Just skipped over it. And Cecillia (Knightly)? what happened there? She just up and left her rich family and mansion to pursue nursing? It just left a lot to be desired on the main characters arch. It was more like a sharp triangle.

OK! So now, we move onto Cloverfield. Overall, I LOVED it. I went into it expecting that It was going to start in the party ala handheld camera, and then when the monster hit town, it would just jump out to a big-boy film camera. I was quite surprised, when we stayed with the pov of the "hand-held" lil guy for the entire film. Yes, quite surprised. More on the camera (s) they used later.

More things I liked about it....I didn't mind not really finding out where the monster came from and what it was doing in Manhattan. Would I have liked to have seen MORE creature? Yes, I would, but as we learned in Jaws, an audience can have a high tolerance for NOT seeing the monster. I believe you don't FULLY grasp JAW'S look and size until something like 1hr 20-1hr 30mins in. SO...I didn't mind the fleeting glimpses. It was enough for me. I also liked how during the entire length of the movie, there was no music. There was practical music in the party scene, but there was no score during the film. So when the music came up over the credits, it was pure eerie, it was THEN that I realized that I hadn't heard any score. Interesting choice there, very interesting.

So just a few, totally nit-picky things that bothered me. When they are crossing the Brooklyn Bridge, right before it goes down, they have a shot of the Statue of Liberty:

Click on the Pic above, and it will bring you to a view that is closer to the real scale. I just didn't buy that it was so close, or that "lil hand-held cam" he had could zoom in that far. Along those lines as well, with the length of the "footage" ie the film, he would have HAD to have changed tapes at some point. Next thing, again relating to living in NY, this Subway stop isn't real:

I know they shot in NY for 12 days....but they couldn't film in the real stop? And the real buzzkill, was at the VERY end, the two leads Rob and Beth are about to die, they say their last words to the camera, put it down, and then they say they love each other:

They each said it, and both of them had ZERO conviction or emotion in their delivery. I blame The Director, Matt Reeves. It totally ruined that, the final, moment in the film.

Now after the fact, I've been told, have heard about some interesting Cloverfield stuff. I stayed till the end of the credits and heard the sound bite. Someone told me that if you were to reverse it you'd get this http://cloverfieldmessage.ytmnd.com/.

Also, mention of some video of the monster attacking an oil rig:

and this one:

Basically, there is a hell of a lot of Viral marketing that went on, and continues to go on for this film. Check out Cloverfield Clues as well as Geeks of Doom. I think you could spend a day or two on there just absorbing it all and piecing it together. I just skimmed the surface.

Anyhoo, this has become a MONSTER blog, hehehe, and I'm beat, so I'll wrap this one up tomorrow. Stay tuned.

Macbook Air, Ethan Coen and Phil Trager

2008-01-17T16:58:00.000-05:00

I am a big supporter of Apple. I own three Mac's myself, a Mac Pro Tower I use for editing, my workhorse Black Macbook, and an old G4 Powerbook as a back-up, emergency machine. Not to mention a new I-phone and my old trusty 40GB I-pod , which they don't even make anymore and has really become obsolete, but it's still kicking it.

So of course, every few months Apple releases their new and improved, better than before, exciting new system. Recently they released their Macbook Air.

Now again, I'm a huge Apple supporter. But guys, guys, GUYS! You lost me on this one. Here's what's cool about it. It's super lite (3lbs). It's super thin (less than an inch). and it has a multi-touch pad, that enables you to do cool things like the I-phone does. And it can wirelessly connect to other optical drives. Neat.

Here's what's totally UNCOOL about it. It can wirelessly connect to other optical drives. I can only imagine the snail pace of those downloads and connections, but I can't back that up it's just a hunch. But man, the thing has NO DRIVE. No burning CD's or DVD's or reading them. You have to get an external optical drive.....BOOO!
It has only three ports. One for a headphone jack, one for external monitors and such, and ONE USB port. I don't know about YOU, but i need MORE PORTS, baby! A single USB port aint gonna cut it.

So at $1799, only $200 less than the Macbook Pro, I'm gonna say this is an overpriced, fancy paperwight for rich people. I can think of SOME instances where it might be right for the right person, let's say, someone who is doing extensive travel and doesn't really DO a lot on the computer. But if your eating, breathing and sleeping with your computers like I do, this would be like being married, having an affair with another woman, and she wasn't even super hot.

On a totally different topic, Ethan Coen has written a collection of three plays, the evening is titled, "Almost an Evening," and is playing through Feb.10th at Atlantic Theatre Company. Click on his photo below to read the article from the NY Times. It's sold out, but you can stand in line for tickets:

In a bizarre coincidence, displayed right next to his plays on the website is a Musical called Spring Awakening, choreographed by Bill T. Jones of whom has been photographed by Phil Trager for whom I ALSO worked for, right out of College. Weird. Click on the image to see more of his work:

I printed some of these images in the darkroom with him! Remember Dark rooms?!

Dr. Strangegym or How I learned to stop being lazy and love getting up at 6:30am

2008-01-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

After living in New York now for roughly 7 years I have been a member of most of the city gyms several times over. Dolphin Fitness and NY Sportsclub being the most noteworthy. The problem for ME has always been discipline, and often the vicious cycle would occur, I get pumped to join a gym, go several times a week for a month or two....or one...and then skip a few times, and then begin to feel guilty, hate it, and realize it's not for me and quit. Of course quitting these expensive gyms doesn't come without a hefty "early cancellation" fee, which I always justified by the money I was wasting by not going.

When I worked for The Coen Brothers, which I would like to congratulate on receiving their well deserved Golden Globe Awards, their was a NYSC across the street from their office. It was extremely convenient, and I could go before work, or after and thought nothing of it. When I left them in 2004, that was the last time I went to the gym. Prior to working with them, I was a Theatre Carpenter, and didn't much have a need for "working out" as the physical labor of the job was enough to keep me in shape.

Well, several years later, here I am. I work mostly from home in front of the computer and excersize for me has become a distant memory. Until now. My metabolism is slowing and I have the extra 25 lbs to prove it. I can't just eat whatever the hell I want anymore without repercussions. Gone are the days of eating a pint of Ben & Jerry's or an entire bag of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. And NOT excersizing to boot, well, that just won't do. I've got a wedding coming up in May, and I want to look my best. I want to be healthy for my new wife-to-be and future kids! I want to reach the "ideal weight" for my frame of 148-155lbs.

So recently, My fiance and I joined A NY Parks and Rec gym. The great thing, is that it cost only $75 for the ENTIRE YEAR. So missing a day or two comes with less guilt. It is just a few blocks away and has a pool. These are all good things. But, I'm here to tell you that there is a downside.

Living in the city, one often feels like Meg does here, from Family Guy:

This is similar to how I felt this morning at about 7:10am when I was sitting on an excersize bike, watching a few people walk or run around a tiny track hovering ABOVE a Basketball court. An alternative would be to hoof it to Central Park I suppose, but in the winter, this option is less desireable.

We just started going regularly last Friday, so this is only the third time I've stepped through the doors of my new gym. But already, I see the HUGE differences between this establishment and it's pricier and glitzier neighbors. I am beginning to understand WHY those gyms charge you upwards of $70 a month.

My NYC Sports Club experiences have always been pleasant. Their establishments are large and sparkling clean. They are Mecca's of fitness filled with beautiful people. They have rows upon rows of Cardio machines of several varieties. This is the opposite spectrum of the NYC Parks and Rec.

On my first visit, we did some laps in the pool. The water was fine, heavily chlorinated, but a good temperature. But I wouldn't use the word "clean." With my new goggles and swim cap tightly secured I could see the bottom of the pool. Many things were down there which I thought shouldn't be. Now I keep to the top and try to forget what is 9 feet and 1 inch below me. I stepped out of the pool and grabbed my towel. There was a cockroach hiding underneath. I hate cockroaches.

This facility has a very small Men's Locker room. ONE bank of lockers and ONE bench. 8 shower-heads in a line with no dividing curtain for privacy. In the entire place, they have only four treadmills, three excersize bikes, three elliptical machines, and one "stair master." You are supposed to sign up on a queue to get on one of these machines and their is a 20min time limit. Come on, 20mins! It wasn't until about the 15min mark on the bike that i even started to feel a sweat. I swapped machines with my lady and did another 20 mins. on the Elliptical. So all in all I got a good 40 min. cardio work out in, which was good for me.

However, the cardio machines are all broken. I like to do the target heart rate workouts, where it monitors your heart rate and adjusts the resistance to keep you at it, (mines 124bpm). But not a single machine has the "heart monitor strap" required to read your heart rate. Usually it's built into the grips of the machine, but these must be hand me downs.

I live close enough that I don't have to shower there, I just shower when I get home. We are going to do our best to stick to our at least three day a week schedule. I look forward to losing the weight and getting healthier. I have adopted what I am referring to as the "Tito" diet, which has proven results. My Best-man stuck to it and he has lost 27lbs in about 3 months. He has a Banana to start the day, soup and salad for lunch, a sensible dinner, and he hits the gym 3-4 times a week, with at least 30mins of Cardio. The guy is looking fit, and I like the simplicity of his plan. I am trying (my hardest) to not engage in eating sugar. So far it's not terrible, but it sure as heck isn't as fun as eating a bag of a dozen Zeppole's.

So here I am, all 175lbs of me. I'll keep you updated to my progress, hopefully in a months time I'll have good news for you. And for me :)

More Poltergeist Madness

2008-01-14T13:46:00.001-05:00

So a few days ago, I wrote about watching Poltergeist and I got an email from a guy who runs a Poltergeist fan website.

This led to a view links which i thought I would share with you. First is this Behind the Scenes featurette. Which kind of makes me mad, because I just bought the 25th anniversary DVD and this was not included. It appears to be included on SOME DVD? What gives? It does have some great footage showing how they did the lighting effects and the scene where JoBeth Williams gets tossed around her bedroom:

Then I watched this E! True Hollywood Story about the curse of Poltergeist, which isn't so much about the entire curse, but focuses more on the tragic loss of Heather O'Rourke:

Here is a very creative Remix of footage and sound bites taken from the movie. Too bad youtube makes everything pixelated and the quality is poor, but it is still very creative:

Then there is this Trailer for Poltergeist filmed with Legos. At first I was unimpressed thinking, I can do that better. But that fact remains that they did it and I didn't. What made it really cool is seeing them compare their take to the original trailer, which I found made the piece more enjoyable:

So when you start watching all these, you begin to find related videos on You Tube of the nature of "REAL poltergeist footage" "real ghosts, genuine, 100% not fake." It is difficult to say that these videos are real or not. They are so pixelated it is hard to scrutinize the use of wires or effects. But here are a few of the REAL category:

Once you finish going through those videos, you start coming across a few different categories of ghost related videos. The ghost spoof video, the scare the shit out of me video, and the Are you kidding me are you THAT DUMB video. I let you decide which is which:

And this one, you gotta be kidding me! Clean your windshield your not fooling anyone:

I'm sure you will all remember this Viral Internet Hit:

Anyway, you get the idea. Most of these videos have thousands of hits, some close to 1,000,000, just because they say "ghost" in them. Amazing, simply amazing. The range is pretty wide. I like the ones where people do a good job of mimicking the shot of nothing for a while and then walk through with a sheet over their heads. Many of these end with the person falling. People are silly.

I cried watching Poltergeist

2008-01-10T11:12:00.000-05:00

There are many films from my childhood that have had a large impact on me. Poltergeist is one of those films.

I picked up the 25th Anniversary edition yesterday on a whim, not having seen it for a long time. Once the film started, I remembered just what a fantastic film it was. The music is utterly creepy and it is terribly well directed. Every shot is motivated, this film has no fat.

Of course what first came to memory was being utterly terrified at some scenes. The meat crawling across the counter. A man tearing off his own face. Corpses bobbing up and down in a primordial ooze-mud swimming pool. A monster tree. And I'm sure everyone remembers this guy:

Clown dolls are SCARY. A few other scenes caught my attention on this revisiting of the classic. The scene where Carolanne is sitting in front of the TV answering the "TV people's" questions......"Yes.....5....I don't know....I don't know." gave me chills. Also, the scene where the chairs are pulled out and then the camera follows JoBeth Williams (the Mom) and then she turns back and they are all balanced on top of the table....oooooooh...that's a good one. My eye scrutinized the scene for some kind of cut in the edit, but I didn't see one. How did they DO THAT?!

But a few other scenes I think had another kind of impact on me that I had not remembered until watching them again. The scene where Jobeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson are in the bedroom smoking pot. They are just having some good downtime while the kids are in bed, hanging out, and making each other laugh. I remember idolizing this aspect of their relationship and saying to myself...YES...THAT is what I want when I'm married, I want to be in love and laugh a lot.

And then on the flip side of that, is when JoBeth Williams is being flung around her room in her oversized football t-shirt and you can see her panties. As a youngster, this held a lot of sex appeal for me. She is after all a totally HOT MOM. We did the math and in the film she is supposed to be 32 (which means she had her eldest daughter when she was 17!) I know the film was released in 1982. I assure you I didn't see it until much later as my parents were sticklers for parental supervision....especially concerning films and movies on the paid channels like HBO and Showtime. Even after I was 18 they STILL refused to give me the code to unlock those channels.

But what I was NOT expecting to do when watching it was cry. I'm sure I had never cried when watching this movie before. But now as an adult, I'm definitely a sucker for a touching moment....and Films seem to be the catalyst for most of the times when I get emotional enough to have tears streaming down my face. When JoBeth Williams and Craig T. Nelson are standing in front of the light, and she is about to go in, they lovingly embrace each other before she leaves.....this is where I start to get emotional. Then she says "Steven....don't you let go." and he says "Never." And I just lost it there. And then afterwards when they are in the bathtub and he's all like come on baby Breathe, Breathe. And Carolannes eyes flutter sloely open and she says, "Hi Daddy." OH. The waterworks. They all start crying....I am crying.

They relationship between Diane and Steven and their family is so touching. The parents love each other so much, and they love their kids so much. It was such a sweet thing to see. I felt for those characters. I Identified with their emotions.

From the opening super close zoom shot of the pixelated "raising of the flag" shot on the TV to the final amazing craneshot from the balcony of the Holiday Inn...where the camera pulls back down the length of the balcony and then hovers across to the extreme wide of the hotel and parking lot, this movie is perfect storytelling through and through.

I hadn't heard about The Curse that followed this film before, until Sheila mentioned it to me. I don't believe it's a curse, but it is a terrible turn of events and circumstances.

By Jove! ANOTHER post!

2008-01-08T15:25:00.000-05:00

A few months back my good friend Casimir Nozkowski and I hopped on the subway to film empty bottles rolling around. He thought, and I agreed, that it was an extremely interesting phenomona worthing of capturing. The footage sat on a dusty shelf for a while until good ol Cas was inspired to cut the footage to a song he heard. This is that video:

And today it was featured on BoingBoing,net

Hooray for us!

Childhood Photos and Butt packs

2008-01-08T11:09:00.000-05:00

So I made a photo slideshow of some childhood photos of my fiance and I to put on our Wedding Website you can watch it below:

Man we were cute.

On another more random note, I've been pondering this for a while. Remember when Fanny Packs were cool?

Yeah, neither do I. I remember Fanny Packs being specifically NOT cool, and really have nothing to do with the "Fanny" at all. I mean, are they supposed to be worn above the fanny or the groin? Where was the miscommunication? But I think you would all agree that they have been OUT for quite some time...and YET....what's this?

All of a sudden, you turn the fanny pack around to above your...well...FANNY and now it IS cool. Call it what you will, sports pack, butt pack, or a TRUE fanny pack, but any way you slice it, they seem to be BACK in style. I see tons of people wearing these in the city. And none of them are jogging. Maybe they were inspired by the military?

This is all very odd.

Commercials

2007-12-23T01:31:00.001-05:00

It's been 5 months to the day since my last post. Been busy, and just haven't made the time to post, but I miss it, so I'm going to be more diligent about posting.

I wanted to show you a few commercials that I have really enjoyed. On the whole, I enjoy commercials immensely. A well done commercial can be a piece of art, a clever narrative, anything you want it to be. They have AWARDS for the best ones. This one in particular I enjoy each time I see it, and the entire campaign that Sprint has launched is great:

I've been doing photos using this technique for a while, but I just love these ads, here's a great Behind The Scenes about it:

I recently saw this stop-action commercial on TV, it's beautiful and done with paper:

Here's a funny and touching ad, which was banned. It just shows you how spectacular editing and training can really give a dog deep character:

And finally, not a comercial, but a nice stop-action piece, which also has a Behind the Scenes on You Tube:

Dear Adam......

2007-07-23T12:27:00.001-04:00

P1060557.JPG, originally uploaded by Ian Savage.

My Dear friend Adam,

I don't know what YOU did this weekend, but if you click on the above photo, you will see all that you missed out on. Weekend at the Duffy's = Awesome fun. I know you would have enjoyed it and I just think it's a shame that you weren't with us. I'd like to share with you all that you missed.

1. Your girlfriend had the tag-sale-find of her life: 2 deer busts, one deer skull, and 2 antlers.

2. We climbed trees and tossed the frisbee.

3. We shot empty beer cans and shaken soda cans with a BB gun.

4. We ate buffalo burgers and corn on the cob.

5. We hot tubbed.

6. We built a fire and had smores.

7. The possibility of seeing a bear was ever present the whole time.

8. We went to a Farmers market where we bought local veggies, wines, cheeses and MEAT!

Wish you were there pal, maybe next time!

hey Blogosphere

2007-07-06T08:17:00.000-04:00

Been a long time Blogosphere.....just throwin ya a little bone.

A Rainy Day Photo Shoot

2007-03-23T13:55:00.001-04:00

P1050018.JPG, originally uploaded by Ian Savage.

Lindsay and I went to an Abandoned Lot next to the East River in Williamsburg today. Photographing junk is fun, until it starts raining.

Stay dry today.

Chili-Cook off

2007-03-22T10:03:00.001-04:00

This past Saturday we went to a Chili Cook-Off, held by The Debate Society. I had 12 different kinds of Chili. The event was well done, and from what I could tell, a great success. You should give them more money. Also, click on the photo below to see the rest of the photos.

P1040914.JPG, originally uploaded by Ian Savage.

In other news, I filmed a woman who is a hundred years old yesterday. Hoping to shoot again so I can grab a photo with here and tell a bit of that story.

300 review

2007-03-15T16:34:00.000-04:00

300 was spectacular. Spectacularly violent, intense and beautiful.

I am already going to see it again at the I-MAX, it was that great.
I did want to share a couple of my favorite shots from the film:

Zack Snyder previously directed the remake of George A. Romero's Dawn of the Dead. The guy comes from a visual background, he studied painitng in school, and it shows in his shots. He also operates his own camera, which is totally a bad-ass move on his part. This guy lives by the rule of thirds.

This dynamic shot of ships sinking in a storm was so quick but effective. I like the positioning of the diamond of guys on the bottom left and the lightning striking on the top right. Extremely balanced.

These Persians riding into Sparta, extreme frame left, with the city rolling into view off in the distance to the right was crazy. I'm still trying to wrap my head around how they did this one. I'm guessing, real riders, and the ground was added in post, and the riders were moved accordingly. Background (of the enitre film of course) put in during post.

This Asymetrical shot is well done. The lighting from behind was gorgeous, it was a tracking back shot, this being the view at it's widest point. It went by so fast, but this held a sense of discovery for me in the theatre, as I realized that the tree I had saw in the preview, wasn't just ANY tree. Take a closer look, it's made from PEOPLE!

Very similar in composition to the one above, asymetrical, row of "immortal"s on the lower third line, I especially like the position of Xerxes on top, where he could have easily fallen into a symetrical pose, but he is off kinter a bit, which makes me look beyond the bad guys directly to him.

I'm so glad this photo (not pulled from the preview) was online. This was my absolute favorite, single shot. The composition here is beautiful, the lower third line of foreground wheat, Leonides and family extreme frame left, man and wife seperated with the line of that third cutting right down their middle. The golden wheat in the center, capped by a dark sky, top third of the image, balancing well against the darkened bottom. The receding line of Spartan soldiers, and the glowing rays of the sun on the upper right. This frame becomes just picture perfect with a few more seconds passing, letting the Spartans seperate even more from the characters in the foreground.

I would LOVE to discuss what about the actual style of filmmaking I really enjoyed the most here, but you should just go and see it for yourself. I don't want to spoil it for you.

Aruban Vacation

2007-03-15T12:02:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been to Aruba? No? Well now you can relive OUR vacation through 390 Photos taken by yours truly

Enjoy!

How to watch Internet Television

2007-03-02T23:18:00.000-05:00

Adam Silverman, Joe Vena and myself have just officially finished and submitted our entry to an amazing contest over at Network2.tv. I couldn't be more pleased with the end result. Joe Beaudin did an outstanding job on camera, Joe V. wrote some great narration (and voiced it), and Adam floored us all with his musical madness. Here it is, our guide on "How to watch Internet Television."

Keep your fingers crossed for us!

Greg Tito is a Stand-up Guy

2007-02-24T10:42:00.000-05:00

The world of the stand-up comic in New York is a seedy, difficult and frustrating one to navigate. I know, my friend is one:

Here he is performing at the Comedy Cellar this past Thursday. He was pretty funny. I taped a bit and posted it on You Tube for the world's enjoyment:

Any shakiness of the video is due to my chuckle. But let me just say a few words about being a stand-up comic from not actually being one myself, but having a friend that plays one on TV. It is hard. Greg works hard to book gigs and is then usually required to bring a certain amount of "guests" to be deemed worthy enough to go on stage.

It get's worse.

Usually these comic clubs charge you anywhere between $5 and $15, sometimes as high as $20 just to get in, and that doesn't include the usual standard of a TWO drink minimum, and overpriced drinks at that. This is a racket my friends, but what's a comic to do? They need practice, they need time on stage to hone their craft and perform in front of an audience filled with live people.

I've been to more than a few and have noticed some trends. First, there is always an MC who is "keeping the show moving." Sometimes they are funny and sometimes they suck. So, the MC introduces the comics. If the comic has recently aired on TV or played somewhere with a reputation, they will mention and embellish this fact. But if the comic is of the "beginner" status they get a canned intro...."this next comic plays all around town...." Which is code for "just another new comic." I find this insulting to the comic and audience. They could say at least a few words about WHERE in town they play, or something interesting about the actual comic.

In going to these shows you also start to hear the same jokes. There is a joke, that Greg tells me originates from a David Cross bit, that I have heard more than a few times. It's about the misuse of the word "literally." I've just heard it so many times that no matter what they use as an example, it's just not funny.

After Greg's set we went to a restaurant around the corner:

Don't go in here unless you finagle a free glass of wine from the "host." We got a free glass of wine for everyone, that alone made this place worth it. I wonder if they only do this on week days. The food was good though. I had Penne Ala Vodka, Greg had some kind of Chicken and Sausage and Peppers in a Lemon Sauce that was very tasty, his wife had a wonderful Egg and Bacon pasta dish that she barely touched. My better half had a Polenta dish with Mushrooms, I didn't care for it, but I don't like Mushrooms, nor really Polenta that much.

But what they DID have, was the best TIRAMISU I have had in the City to date and that alone makes this place worth it's weight in gold, as far as I'm concerned:

Ever since i discovered this dessert in 1996, I became obsessed. For years I even made it myself and sold it at a restaurant (for no profit, just re-imbursed for cost). It was pretty popular, but maybe that's because I pushed it and it was home-made. But anyway, If there is a Tiramisu on the menu, you can bet your butt I am going to try it, even if I'm full. And while Ciao's had a lot of whip cream on top, the custard was perfect, and the ratio of espresso and brandy in the ladyfingers was well-balanced. It was neither sopping wet, nor dry. It was pretty darn near perfect. And a generous portion as well.

I highly recommend you stop by and give it a whirl.

Do you remember?

2007-02-23T08:37:00.000-05:00

Do you remember a toy, that had a magnetic wand and you could move these iron shavings around and design hair styles and facial hair? I don't remember using this one in particular, I remember it being yellow and red, but this one is the same idea.

I like to do this for REAL, when I'm shaving my beard off. I wouldn't normally be shaving it off when it's still cold, but seeing how we are going to Aruba, and I have sensitive skin, I need to give my face some time to adjust, sans beard, before we head to the tropics. I'm guessing a lot of people do this:

Romance Week : Reheated

2007-02-22T10:30:00.000-05:00

We finally got around to watching the movie that was intended for Valentine's day:

Which we watched while eating some defrosted and reheated Beef Wellington, which was amazingly still delicious:

The movie was very sweet. Some interesting ideas about Time Travel and a great ending. This is the original "Back to the Future." I watched a brief special feature afterwards that cracked me up. There is a fan club called the International Network of Somewhere In Time Enthusiasts, INSITE

The Film came out in 1980, and the "fan club" began in 1990. What was interesting and amusing to me, was the founder relating that he was coming across other fans that "thought they were the only ones" who loved this film, so he posted an ad on a popular movie fan site of that day and received.....this is amazing....50....LETTERS from all over the world from people who felt the same. FIFTY....LETTERS? This is how our times have changed my friends. The club now boasts 1,600 members worldwide. Does anyone else feel the odd impact of this? Today, a hot chick on You Tube can get several million views in a snap. But back in 1990 people were still writing letters....on PAPER....with a PEN probably. Weird.

Remember my Keys of Responsibility? As of today I marvel at my increased key weight. Thirty Two keys in total:

Yesterday I saw TWO movies during the day. I wanted to tell you about them, but first I want to ask you something. Has this ever happened to you?

The theatre is prectically empty, ok. There are HUNDREDS of places to sit. So WHYYYYY, why in the name of GOD, would you choose to plop your fat head, directly in the seat in front of me? WHY? Are you kidding me? It's not just the fact that there are several other hundreds of places you could have sat, but you said to yourself, well, my ideal seat is right.......right.....in front of this guy who has been sitting there for about 20 minutes unobstructed. He could have sat just ONE seat to the left and I wouldn't have minded. But NO. This Jack-off decided to sit directly in front of me. One of these days I am going to confront someone about this, I just know it. What goes in on their fat heads I wonder?

So first I saw:

This website claims that it's the "#1 Family movie in America." Really? I thought it was terrible. It made me cry, twice, yes it did. The performances by the two kids and the Dad were pretty solid. Especially Josh Hutcherson. But come on! The power of Imagination, that's it? That's all there is to it? I believe in the power of imagination, but I wanted more. Maybe the preview should not have led me to believe that it was going to be jam packed awesomeness and rip-roaring special effects. It deals with the loss of life at a young age, which is a great lesson and theme, but then it throws in there some random and blatanly out of place statements on religion. BOOORRRIINNNGG. When I step into a theatre I want to be entertained, I want to be totally immersed in what I'm watching. In this, I was let down.

Then I saw:

I "hear" it's getting bad reviews. That doesn't bother me, because I put Zero stock in reviewers. I'm told I just need to find the "right reviewer." Like picking out fruit at the grocery store. Find the reviewer that mimics my own tastes. And while I think that is probably true, I still don't care. The best reviewer is yourself. Go see it, and make your own informed judgement, that's what I say. Was the movie great? No, it wasn't great. Ahhhhh, but did I find it entertaining? I did. But that just comes down to my own personal tastes. I like demons and legends, action and special effects. The performances were luke warm at best, and the story weak I'm sure in comparison to the depth of the comic. Some people and I'm sure there are thousands will agree. But for me, if I find myself praising anything, an iconic shot, a well composed frame, an edgy action sequence, a climax of music at the right time, a cool effect, and my brain says, "cool." or "that was really nice." if I can accumulate a few of those moments, it will always tip the scale for me in it's favor, even if there was crap in there as well. But hey, that's just MY two cents on the thing.

Now, I want to be so bold as to give you something that I will say GUARENTEES entertainment. I can not stop watching this web series:

if you haven't seen this yet, step out of your cave, sit down with some snacks, put your feet on your desk and prepare to laugh yourself silly. I cam across this article today, which links to a piece in the NY Times about generating revenue through various sites online including Revver, Metacafe, Blip.tv, Brightcove, DivX Stage6, and Cruxy.

Here is a great Interview with Askaninja creator, Kent Nichols that i found very informative into the nature of How do you do this. He goes on to name a few free sites to host the bandwith that might acrue if you do hit the big time like, ourmedia, feedburner, sitemeter and freevlog.

They also released a new Vlog called HopeisEmo.com which I haven't watched yet, but will.

On a final note, Sheila and I will be going on vacation in nine days. I can't even express to you my excitement for this jaunt into a warmer, care-free world. And for once, it will be a vacation with no stress and no worries but, "should I have a Pina Colada or a Rum-Runner?" The island boasts a similarity to Mercury's winged heel, and i would have to agree. The island of Aruba:

So you can look forward to some Blogs on that during our stay, March 3 to the 8th. Or you can spit in disgust because you are not there, either way is fine with me.

300

2007-02-19T14:23:00.000-05:00

This movie looks terribly bad-ASS!

I have decided I will see it in I-Max theatre and I-max only.

There is a very large pothole on the Deegan Expressway

2007-02-19T10:53:00.000-05:00

And by weekend, I mean an almost 24 hour time period off from work and (mostly) seperated from my Blackberry.

Sheila and I took a jaunt to good ol CT to wish a friend of hers a Happy Birthday. I had a really good time. Here is Frank, determined to use the remote, completely disregarding the balloons attached to it, which I thought was amusing:

Frank is one of the people who robbed me of about $55 at the poker table that night. Now, not really. They were just playing some new games that I had no idea even existed. They were very fun and I considered it an even trade to have lost the money and gain knowledge of new poker games. The hosts had a large fish tank:

Which I became immediately obsessed with. Take a close look at those fish. They are looking at me, no joke. Some of those fish are over 10 yrs old, which was pretty inpressive. Sheila and I are thinking of trying our hand in the aquatic sciences. It was very soothing to space out and get lost in that little tank.

I went sledding with Sheila's nephews, which was a blast. Definitely the highlight of the weekend, playing air hockey, providing a personal soundtrack for a giggling girl, and just barreling down a snow hill without a care in the world. We grabbed some hot chocolate afterwards and headed back into the city.

The City did not want us to return:

That's me changing a flat tire on the Deegan Expressway, just before the Triboro Bridge. We hit a pot hole and the tire exploded. I am pleased to report that THIS guy knows how to change a flat (as well as his oil, if he had a car) and the exchange of said flat and spare went smooth.

Until I lowered the jack and the spare tire crumbled like a little girl. Those "donuts" aren't meant to keep too long, and once they are no good, they are NO GOOD. So there we were stuck on the side of the highway with a flat......AND a flat spare. So I locked Sheila in the car and took off in search of a place to purchase a new tire. The story is too long to tell word for word, I will just say i searched for an hour, and was finally making headway, when I returned to the car (via taxi) to pick up the rim of the flat, to bring to a place, to get a new tire on it, to find the car being hooked up to a police tow truck. Good thing i came back when I did, because the police officer was NOT sympathetic to the fact that I wasn't there and was going to tow her to a place to get the tire fixed, WITHOUT ME. Thus, I was close to being stranded in the middle of nowhere.

But it all worked out in the end. Tire fixed, made it to work only 1 1/2 hours late. We are going on vacation in two weeks, and I tell you, i can't wait. Got to get out of this city and think of nothing. Absolutely nothing, just for a few days.

Burning the midn...er...morning oil

2007-02-17T05:14:00.000-05:00

You ever been up so long, and then you get really tired, but your over tired and you can't sleep. It is now 5:13 in the am and I can't sleep. So I decided to fire up all my computers and work on each one at the same time to increase late....er....early morning productivity. Look how nice my monitors play well together. Look how they all glow so nice in the dark:

Romance Week Day 6 : It's a bust

2007-02-16T23:36:00.000-05:00

I've been up since 6 am and it is now.......11:34 in the pm. I've still got maybe an hour to two here in the office, maybe another hour of work at home.

Alas, RW Day 6 is a bust. That's three nights in a row with no "great love story" movies watched. But we're going to finish off RW tomorrow with a brunch and a matinee movie on the couch! Whoopee! Then we're heading off to CT for the day. I'm looking forward to a 24 hour block of time not surrounded by steel.

I have never put together a piece as fast as I did this morning, it was record time for me. The piece got nixed, but I liked it so much, I changed the titles and put it up on my You Tube. Part of the reason it got nixed had to do with copyrights, which of course don't apply to me personally, as I am not personally a commercial entity (phew). The footage of planes and inside the plane is mine, and the stills I grabbed from google Images. The footage of lightning and tornados I snaked off of You Tube using a program called Snapz Pro 2.

Comments and ratings are always appreciated:

Romance Week Day 5

2007-02-16T23:22:00.000-05:00

So again, Thursday's RW 2007 festivities were thwarted by work. But we expect in a few years the entire nation will take RW off. Sheila donated blood and I went to film a video that i've done a few times now for the Lesley Heller Art Gallery. A gig that I really enjoy, check out her "Meet the Artist" links and you can see my handiwork, I've done the last two.

Sheila took me out to dinner, we went to Houston's. It was a bit corporate, but the food was pretty good. The loud frat boys, not so good. But my hearings not that great, so what do I care.

I also wanted to mention this guy....I met him at the Toy fair and he's one of my new best friends:

THIS guy is gonna hook me up! He designed a home karaoke machine that not only connects to a standard DVD player, and is wireless, but god damn, it downloads all your I-pod stuff to! I had this idea 4 years ago, but just never followed through on it. I could be a millionare.....but at least he's gonna cut me a deal and sell me one, even though I'm not a wholesaler. He was a very nice guy.

Romance Week Day 4: Valentine's Day

2007-02-16T14:18:00.000-05:00

Wednesday was the climax of Romance Week and we had a doozy of a mess outside for it. Alas, that did not stop us from enjoying more festivities.....other things did.

I'll cut right to the point. I ruined Valentine's Day. NOT Romance Week mind you, but Valentine's Day. Sheila will tell you I'm being too hard on myself, but this is what happened. The editing suite at work decided to not work. I was forced to head home and edit from there, after grabbing all the equipment and doing some last minute V-day shopping, I got home and started editing. I was done with a cut by 7pm. Then the feedback, game of chance on a phone call, and uploading / exporting times began. This is typical for an edit session, it was all just last minute and began to collide with my plans for the evening.

We were able to still cook a fine meal together:

Sheila took care of the apetizer:

And the Salad:

And she got me some wonderful gifts. All made by her own hands and very personal, so I'm not going to tell you what they were, but I will show you this one, which was really sweet of her:

I got her some freshly made perfume that I dubbed "Essence of Sheila."

But at the end of the night I was exhausted and had been drinking wine all the while. Like an ass, I fell asleep at midnight. Oh, for shame on me, FOR SHAME.

Romance Week Day 3: A special gift

2007-02-16T13:01:00.000-05:00

Romance Week is all about the love. We watch a movie together, a love story, a new one each night, and we take turns cooking dinner for each other. Another aspect of Romance Week is that we can give gifts at anytime. Yesterday I presented my lady with a new DVD player, as her old one was constantly skipping and having trouble reading DVDs. But today, she got a very special gift.

I was working that day for Rocketboom, covering the American International Toy Fair. Here you can see the completed piece:

I saw a lot of fun things, but when I saw this, I REALLY wanted to give her one:

Sheila is the only one, other than the creator, that has one of these hearts. You can get them mind you....in SUEDE, but the fleece ones are new and not out yet. The Creator is a friend of a friend. So once I told his girlfriend about Romance Week, that let me get one. The heart beats. When you are stressed or are having trouble sleeping or just need to relax, you hug the heart and your heart begins to match the beating heart inside the pillow. The heartrate of the....heart...is not unlike the heartbeat of aBuddhist monk or a person in deep sleep. pretty neat if you ask me...not to mention terribly romantic....RIGHT?!

This evening Sheila made dinner and it was delicious, recipe linked to image:

And we watched a classic that we had both seen, at least most of it, before we fell asleep:

If you haven't seen this, for shame, and if you don't own the soundtrack, FOR SHAME!

Romance Week Day 2: Crisis Averted

2007-02-16T12:14:00.000-05:00

It's been a LONG week my friends. Work has been running me ragged, I have wanted to keep you updated on Romance Week everyday, but your just gonna have to be happy with several posts in one day. So here goes, Day Two of Romance Week started with a bang, literally. You guys ever see that Geico commercial about the tiny house?

Well, my ladies kitchen is just like that...except SMALLER. I do not exagerate. Her cupboards are the equivalent of a labyrinth like puzzle, where every bowl, cup and tool fits EXACTLY inside something else, in something else, in something else. You get the idea. So when we need to use the stove, we pile the ohhhhhh...let's say a dozen or so things that live in the stove when it's off, on top of the toster oven, which sits on top of the refrigerator. This system has obviously worked for a long time. But in the midst of cooking my girl this delicious dish of Beef Wellington WITH Borderlaise Sauce:

I opened the door to the fridge and the stack came crashing down onto the stove, uprooting the boiling pot of water and breaking a pizza stone. It was a mess, and could have been a disaster. If either one of us was standing in front of the stove, we could have been seriously burned.

The movie for RW D2 was:

It was a nice Love story, but quite sad. We decided the next night we would watch something more uplifting.

Romance Week

2007-02-12T10:20:00.000-05:00

Sheila and I have dubbed this week to be "Romance Week." Instead of just celebrating on Valentine's Day, we are celebrating Romance Week from Sunday to Sunday. Each night we watch a romantic film, on Wednesday we will watch a film that niether of us has ever seen, but the other nights we watch films that the we have picked as some of our favorite love stories on film. The film last night was Steven Spielberg's, "Always." A wonderful love story, by one of my fave directors:

Another element to Romance Week, is that we take turns making each other dinner. Our great love makes you vomit, I know, but I don't care, I'm sharing with you anyways. Speaking of sharing and food, check this out:

Now tell me that's not just EGGtastic! On Saturday we celebrated a close friends 30th Birthday. It was a Martini Party and fun was had by all. I brought all the fixins to make Espresso Martini's. If you follow this recipe, you can't go wrong. Check out these fun photos of the evening, where we all tried on Erin's big sunglasses:

And finally, here is a REALLY funny series I found on You Tube, Mr. Deity:

I loved every episode.

My Space Updated

2007-02-10T13:28:00.000-05:00

I just updated my personal My Space page:

I changed my "Pick of the Week" to a "Pick of the Month." It is more realistic. I'm going to stick to updating those things on the first of the month from here on out.

Check it fools!

Perfume, Trouble and Bloodshot Eyes

2007-02-10T10:44:00.000-05:00

Last night Sheila and I went to see a movie. I have wanted to see Perfume: The Story of a Murderer for a while, since I had finished reading Jitterbug Perfume, by Tom Robbins which was recommended to me after I finished filming This Rocketboom episode

I just became a bit obsessive in regards to perfumes and smell:

The movie is 147 minutes long, and for the first two hours I was really liking it. Little dialogue but heavy in visual story. I was following everything just fine and enjoying it. But the last half hour made no sense whatsoever, and thus, ruined the entire movie for me. I mean, Tom Tykwer, what the HELL were you thinking. From the moment Jean Baptiste steps out of the stage coach and on to the chopping block, to the last drop of the perfume falling out of a bottle, it just made no freaking sense. None. It hurts my feelings and makes me sad, for I was enjoying it and there is no doubt the story is good. But not on screen. Performance from Ben wishywash was good, as was Dustin Hoffman.

Take a look at this peeper:

have you ever seen such a bloodshot eye in your life? Also, I've recently come across a cool site where you can Download a new picture from the cosmos everyday. That's where I got this one, which has a nice home on my desktop background:

You REALLY must click the pic and see it large, it's a composite of three photographs, just really awesome. And finally, I snapped this yesterday hanging out my window, I was SURE something big was going to happen:

But alas, all 30+ people eventually dispersed. Nothing but a lot of yelling and puffing of chests. I'm glad nobody got hurt, but it was amazing, you could actually feel the tension in the air.

what the HELL...ahhh...what the hell.

2007-02-07T07:12:00.000-05:00

It is now...... 7:10 in the AM. I have been up for an hour. WHY? I don't know why. I just woke up, was completely awake, and felt completely refreshed. This is strange, for I am never ususally up BEFORE the sun:

SEEEEEE! The sun wasn't even UP yet. Oh well, snapped this shot of the street, which was being dusted with a light snow, it's stopped for now:

I figure I might as well do some work, so here I am, posting a fresh blog nugget for you.

New Nephew

2007-02-06T19:29:00.000-05:00

I have a brand spankin new nephew. I mean NEWWWWW. Like two weeks new. Check him out:

God DAMN aint he feakin so cute. This is as close to a smile as I believe he can achieve right now. Other than eating, sleeping and pooping, with an occasional spit up or bought of hiccups, that's about all a newborn can do for the first month. I find it crazy that they can only focus on things that are within 8 to 12 inches from their face. Being new must be hard. I was also mildly obsessed with the size of his fingers:

He was born while I was in Park City, Utah, so I went ahead and got him a present. What could be cuter and MANLIER, than this:

That's RIGHT! A fur bomber hat, complete with matching booties. Sheila also got him his first pair of work boots, also cute....er.....I mean MANLY!

For a rocketboom episode the next day, after seeing him, I had to create a T-shirt for Joanne to wear. I went to staples and picked up a packet of these nifty things. I needed to test them before I used it for the show and that's when i got this brainstorm:

Pretty funny right? I was overly impressed with the ease and simplicity of creating your own shirt. Very pleased with the end result. It was less than 12 hours after the photo was taken and the actual process was about 5 minutes altogether, once I had the photo ready.

And finally for today, I invite you to behold a sight that I had never seen before:

An EMPTY PLANE. It was very weird I tell you, to be sitting on the plane, just about four of us witnessing the forbidden ritual of cleaning and sweeping and re-stocking the food. We looked around and luckily there were no snakes to be found. phew.

Click on the photo to see more of our last night at Sundance and our ride home.

Video Blog

2007-02-03T09:14:00.000-05:00

So I'm really into You Tube these days. I have started a "Vlog," otherwise known as a Video Blog on my page. I'm going to try to put as many videos up there as I can. Short form, only a minute or two, on a regular basis.

So far one of them has over 300 views. I know, I know, that's nothing in the You Tube world, but I'm just getting started. Here's my most recent post:

They make ME chuckle anyway.

So Sundance is over. The sixth episode is up at the Daily Reel. With the last and final installment of the series on it's way soon. I'm glad I got to go and experience Sundance.......locked in a room editing for up to 18-20 hours for seven days straight. It was a HOOT!

No, seriously, it was a blast, a lot of work, but a blast nonetheless.

Lullaby and goodnight...

2007-01-31T15:57:00.000-05:00

I just posted this on my You Tube page (ahem, note new graphic link on the side there!) But for your viewing pleasure it is also right HERE:

I'm hoping it's a "sleeper" hit! Hardy-har-har-har.

working it

2007-01-29T14:46:00.001-05:00

doing a little rehashing / refreshing / revitalizing of the blog. Bear with me as I fool around with some new fun stuff.

No Sleep till Brooklyn

2007-01-26T21:39:00.000-05:00

Holy Crap. I am tired. Almost done here in Sundance, one more day till we fly out of here. Episode 4, "Sundance Real Facts" is up and running below:

And if you've missed any of the other episodes you can catch them at The Daily Reel or at my You Tube page. Also posted up there is this:

Me and MC Hammer made an animation! And Hammer is not the only celeb we've gotten to rub elbows with, peep these screen shots:

We're killing ourselves here in Park City, Utah to bring you guys "Deep inside Sundance." But it is all worth it. I know we are all extremely pleased with the shorts< I hope you guys are diggin em as much as we are. We were even featured in New York Magazine's website the other day, and we think that's super cool:

Here's me at 5am this morning. I'm not sure if my expression is a result of being overworked, or lack of sleep, or rather the fact that at 5am I am sitting next to a large Bronze Bear. You decide

While here I have been given a per diem to provide myself with the nourishment of food. Unfortunately, the per diem is not great. I don't mean to dis the reel, I am EXTREMELY grateful for the opportunity to be here, and they covered our lodging and airfare which is awesome, but I HAVE had to be resourceful in making the per diem last. Like, skipping breakfast for instance. Here's one example, I had for lunch a day or two ago:

For me, things in a bread bowl is the epitomy of cold weather cuisine. There's nothing like hopping off the slopes and sitting down to a hot bowl of soup in a bread bowl and a Hot Chocolate. I know it doesn't LOOK appetizing, but it wasn't half bad.

As I've said, we have all been working as long and hard as we can to make these daily posts happen. I also wanted to share with you a photo series of one of our illustrious hosts, taking a nap. Through him we discover the Science of Sleeping in any position and falling alseep instantly. A truly amazing sight to behold:

And finally, again at 5am I peep this in a window and wonder to myself, Is THIS what I should take home as a souvenir?

I mean, Park City IS known for the fur. What do you think?

Schwag = Free Shit

2007-01-24T14:11:00.001-05:00

Episode TWO of our Web Series, "Schwag = Free Shit" is up right here:

Another Hilarious episode (if I may be so bold) brought to you by Casimir Nozkowski, Dallas Penn, Rafi Kam and myself.

We have been working SO HARD on this stuff, it's nuts. 18-20 hours a day. I'm a bit worn, but it's been a lot of fun. Last night I got a chance to listen to a really great panel discussion at Slamdance. It was about self distribution via the internet and led by one of the cofounder's of Slamdance, one of the Russo Brothers and some real life idols of mine, Susan and Arin from Four Eyed Monsters.

Here they Are, discussing the future of the internet and YOU. Oh, did I mention the panel took place in a Hot Tub....I don't think I did:

Here's a screen shot of the interview after the jacquzi panel, this time on a couch.

These guys are so incredibly smart and New Media savvy. It has been the highlight for me so far to get to meet them, hear them speak and shake their hands.

Yes, even more of a highlight than interwebbing in the same room as MC Hammer

Did I ask him what time it was? Of course I did. I don't think I even NEED to tell you his reply.
Stay tuned for more exciting "Internets Celebrities" Episodes and more Sundance posts when I can scrape the time.

P.S. The MC Hammer joke belongs to my lady...and I totally snaked it from her, thanks BABE!

Grown-Ass Spring Break

2007-01-23T00:48:00.000-05:00

I'm working crazy, mad hours here at Sundance in Park City, Utah. I'm here shooting for the Daily Reel to bring you deep inside Sundance. Check out our Premiere Episode RIGHT HERE.

We will have a new episode everyday this week and even into next week, so keep checking TheDailyReel.com for our new episodes!

Going to Sundance

2007-01-17T14:03:00.000-05:00

I just got word that I am heading to Sundance, to create content for TheDailyReel.com with my good friend Casimir. I should be leaving on Saturday till about Thursday.

I'll keep you posted on all the craziness that ensues (if any, but I'm SURE there will be SOME)

Tony vs. Paul

2007-01-12T17:45:00.000-05:00

One more post for today. I came across this the other day, while checking out The Daily Reel. The amount of work that went into this is mind-boggling, it is awesome, I share it with you here:

on a side note, I MIGHT...MAYBE....will be heading to Sundance this year to cover the event FOR www.thedailyreel.com as well as the Boom. I'll keep you updated.

Dorito Commercial Contest

2007-01-12T15:28:00.000-05:00

You know, it wasn't until I got an e-mail, requesting that we cover this and sway votes towards "Check out Girl" that I remembered a good friend of mine suggested we enter This competition

I totally forgot about it.

Anywhoo, I don't believe in fluffing votes, if i don't truly think it's the best one. I agree that "Check out girl" is SECOND best, but I like this one much better.

http://promotions.yahoo.com/doritos/

Tickle Me Elmo Video

2007-01-12T13:59:00.000-05:00

Shot this on Christmas Day:

Rev. Ian Phipps Savage

2007-01-12T12:27:00.000-05:00

This past saturday, Sheila and I went to the Brooklyn Museum to see the exhibitions by Annie Leibovitz and Ron Mueck. Annie Leibovitz's exhibit was super packed, annoyingly so. It was very hard to maneauver around and see everything. Ron Mueck's exhibit, by nature was very widely spread out and amazing.

Amazingly, Bizarrely AWESOME!

You were NOT supposed to be taking photographs. Of course, this is posted on signs, on the internet, and strictly enforced. Of course, you can always do it secret-like. But people who don't know any better would snap one with a flash, thus alerting guards to their actions (idiots). Although, I think that technique could also be used as a distraction tactic......hmmmmm. I got caught twice, even without using my flash. The first time I looked around and missed the guard, didn't see her. The second time I was trying to fool her, but she was clever and on to my scheme. She could see that i was "sizing up" my shot and just looked at me and shook her head. I put up my hands and smiled, DEFEATED. But not before I snapped a few:

I took a look at the book in the gift shop, but was not pleased. The magic of these pieces comes from, not only their detailed realism, but mostly for me, their scale. I enjoyed looking at people, looking at the sculptures. The juxtaposition of the real and the unreal. The line was so thin at times. Sculptures just minutely scaled down, but then also drastically so, as well as on a larger scale. Words do not do it justice. If you can go see it before it closes on February 4th.....YOU MUST. Let me know what you think.

In other news. I am now a Reverend.

And you could be too, let's ALL become Reverends. The process was very simple, fill something out online, they check your address and name to make sure that they are real and that's it. I have an official id card, and "clergy only" parking pass. I can perform marriage rites, funeral rites, baptisms, name blessings and affirmations of love. I think it's pretty wild. I hold no religious beleiefs really. I'm agnostic. But I support the ideal that ANYONE should have acess to marry a couple or perform funeral rites and so on. So if you'd like to get married, let me know :) I have always had a distaste for organized religions. How can all of them be right or any of them be wrong? I pick and choose my beliefs from multiple philosophies and faiths. If you look at the definition of Religion HERE, Number 6 says that YOU can decide what you believe in and it is thus, a religion. Art is my religion. Living is my religion. friendship is my Religion. Love is my religion.

This post has become massive. Just wanted to quickly say, I've seen some movies recently. Here are some quick reviews:

Night at the Museum= Blahhhh, but good for kids.
Eragon= Crap, unbelievable, tear causing CRAP.
Children of men= Awesome on all counts.
Pan's Labyrinth= Pretty good, not what I expected. Beautifully filmed.

Unnatural

2007-01-06T14:39:00.000-05:00

It is the 6th of January and it is 70 degrees outside. Something is wrong here.

The Lonseome Dove

2006-12-21T10:57:00.000-05:00

So I'm badly in need of a cocktail, and I stumble across this new restaurant, only 3 months new, right by the RB Studio called:

It looks quiet and warm. I saddle up to the bar (saddling mind you because it's a WESTERN Bistro) and order a foo-foo girly drink, that I am assured, despite it's pink nature, it is a stiff beverage:

The "Lovestyle Martini" made with Plymouth Gin, Chambord Black Raspberry Liqueur, Cranberry and Lime juice was delicious. So I figure, well, I might as well take a gander at the menu. The smell of food get's my stomach going, and I decide to reward myself for my efforts of the day with a solo meal. I order the Beef Tenderloin with a side of Asparagus:

It was AMAZING. nothing pariculalry special about the Asparagus, but the STEAK...Oh man. Quickly took my second top spot, right below Peter Luger's The Cilantro butter with pepper on the top was so simple and delicious, and the meat so tender and cooked to a perfect Medium rare. I was very pleased. I devoured it in record time and decided...when in a western bistro do as the westerner's do. I order the national beer of Texas:

Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. It's empty. Two girls walk in and I overhear them discussing Tuaca Liquor. I had previously been discussing this unkown liquor with the Bartender, Tejas (he didn't want to be pictured, but I must mention, he was extremely knowledgable and pleasant, one of those bartenders that takes pride in his work and knows when to strike a conversation with you and when to shut his mouth and let you fill yours, he rocked!) So I say to myself, "we shall all try Tuaca and be merry!" I order a shot for myself and "the ladies." We all enjoy it and I learn that one of them is from Texas and this is the big "shooter" of the region. I agree with the reviews, the potential for using this as a mixer, as well as sipping it straight is well founded. In short, I liked it.

So now, my "just one cocktail" has turned into a full blown meal. I'm feeling.....well....good, relaxed, and OK, a bit buzzed. I decide to peruse the desert menu....I'm not going to get anything mind you...I'm JUST going to LOOK AT IT:

And LOOK, here it is! Damn, I ouldn't resist a new chocolate cake to try and an eggnog drink to top it off, it is, after all, the season for such drinks. This cake was absolutely delicious. You know after you've had a meal, and you get desert, and then you struggle to finish the desert and you kick yourself under the table saying...."why, why did I order this." Well, with this desert, you will not be troubled. Upon finishing this chocoalte concoction, i was amazed to find that it felt as if I hadn't had desert at all. The cake was delicious, but as opposed to a heavier piece, it was light and fluffy. Satisfying to the core but not FILLING. Again, I was very pleased.

It's not on their online menu so i will tell you what it is:
The Ancho Chile chocolate cake with tomatillo sabayon. The Martini is an Eggnog Martini shaken with Depaz rum served with a cinnamon sugar rim and sprinkled with nutmeg.

My hat off to you, Chef Tim Love, Tejas the Bartender, and Rachel Baumgartner (private dining coordinator) for providing me with one of the most satisfying meals that I never saw coming. I will see you again for sure and I will be bringing friends.....HEYAAAAAAA!

Longest day EVER

2006-12-21T10:24:00.000-05:00

On Monday I had an extremely long day. Gigi, Rocketboom's new production coordinator and I headed up to Deer Park, NY, leaving Penn Station at 9am to do a story on Ice Sculpting:

It was a lot of fun. Upon arriving back into NY at 3pm I rushed to the ITP exhibition at NYU. Drew and I surveyed a lot of amazing graduate student projects, some were featured in this rocketboom epsiode.

I was amazed by a lot of the stuff. Here's a funny shot of one of the projects, the "talking to yourself hat" click on the photo to see a few more:

Now it's about 7pm, and I'm walking back to the studio to drop of the footage of ITP for the editor to begin cutting it together. I pass a store that I always want to go in, but never seem to remember that when it's open, don't know the name of it, but it's on 21st st., between 5th and 6th Ave, right near our studio:

I would like to buy something there someday. Then across the street I hear a familiar noise that makes me cringe, "TERRY, TERRY OVER HERE! TO YOUR RIGHT! LOOK HERE TERRY....OVER HERE!"

That's right, the sound of the paparazzi. I can't stand them. Their screaming, their whiny voices, their selfish attitude that they and they alone own the right to stand on a sidewalk and take photos. I was curious, I'M ALWAYS curious, as to who and what they are snapping at. I will even, quietly, calmly, raise my hand above my head in hopes to get some semblance of a shot of whomever it is.....but just for fun. Now, I saddled up to the side of the building, Duvet, again, across the street from our studio, and watched these crazed fiends drool over an actress/model that I was unfamiliar with. But what I was interested in most, was them. so I snapped one photo....one flash mind you, and they yell to me, "NO PHOTOS!" my mouth dropped.

You know what I did.....I took photo, after photo, after photo, just for the sake of saying (without actually talking), "hey you JERKS, you don't own the sidewalk, nor the right to photograph on the street, I, IAN SAVAGE, will take a photo of WHATEVER I DAMN WELL PLEASE." All this was accomplished with a simple push of a button. I walked away smiling. Knowing that i would not be followed for they dare not leave their precious post.

I dropped the footage off at the studio, imported it with the editor, walked out at 8pm, and realized, MAN, this has been a long day, I think I need a COCKTAIL! and that's when i stumbled across a new little gem, the The Lonesome Dove......worthy of a seperate post, coming right now!

Brunch with Abe

2006-12-21T09:39:00.000-05:00

While working for the Children's Museum of the Arts I have been really lucky to have met and taught a lot of amazing kids. Kids today are so different from when we were their age, as i think is the case for all generations. The youth of today at age 7-11, some as early as 5, are already computing, animating, filming and recording....these guys are just huge sponges for technology. But all the technicial knowledge in the world, whether youth or adult, doesn't do you a scrap of good if you have no imagination.

The most amazing kid I've met is Abe:

Abe is one of the smartest, and most imaginative kids on the planet earth. He has taken many classes with us from animation to filmmaking, sculpture to comics. He, to quote himself via a documentary of one of the classes, "loves to think up ideas." It is only too obvious that he is good at it as well! He never ceases to amaze me. I think his parents and the environment they have created around him play a large part in all this. His father is a producer for the radio show, Jazz @ Lincoln Center. The house is filled with old radios of many kinds, old records (vinyl!) in shelves to the ceiling, and a lot of blank paper for writing stories and comics. His pop is really into shortwave radio and I hope to feature him in a future rocketboom episode, I was fascinated by our discussion on shortwave....check this out, he uses a SLINKY as an antenna!

They have an old House in Brooklyn, compared to my apartment it seemed a masion, in the sense that they had multiple rooms and three floors. They had some really interesting things inside that I had never seen, such as this speaking hole, in which you can talk into the hole in the wall and the "servants" in the kitchen could do what you bid of them:

Mostly now they use it for kicks. They also had the remnants of a buzzer type device that was in the floor and was probably placed under the dining room table, where the "master" of the house could have stepped on said buzzer, to alert once again the "servants" in the kitchen that something was needed, without having to ever disrupt the dinner party.....fascinating!

I am just so pleased to have Abe and his parents in my life. Everytime I see Abe I leave with a smile on my face, a chuckle in my gut and my mind overflowing with new ideas. Thanks Abe, for keeping my brain on it's toe's.

And the posts begin...

2006-12-21T09:10:00.000-05:00

I have been wanting to post on a few subjects lately, a few daily events I feel worth mentioning, so here we go. A day of a triple post!

I think I want to start a series, in which I post a photo of a sunset or a sunrise, taken from my window. Everyone loves a good sunrise/set! Here's one that looks a bit like a forest fire. Taken around 4:30pm this past Friday.

Now, on friday morning i woke up and had been bitten by the bug. No. Not a bug of sickness, but a bug for SONG! The Karaoke bug. So that night we ventured to a new venue, a new singing frontier, at Karaoke 17

Click on the photo to see more pics of us rocking out! After Karaoke Sheila took me to a new dining experience called Shabu Shabu at this restaurant:

It was DELICIOUS and FUN. You get this boiling bowl of water and you throw in veggies and greens to make a broth and dip meat into it for like, 30 seconds, then dip the meat in a sauce, then rice, then you put it in your mouth. It was a lot of fun. And while reviewers complain of the wait, we showed up at 10:30pm on a Friday night, sat right down at the best table in the house (in the front booth, where you feel like your the only ones in the restaurant) ! The next morning I was on the train and ran into a reindeer:

OK! Not a real reindeer, but I appreciated this woman's spirit. She struck up many a conversation with strangers on the subway, which I am also a big fan of doing (talking to strangers that is.) And finally for this post, I saw this graffiti in the subway and it reminded me of a piece that we recently featured on rocketboom with Mechanical Sculptor Stephen Gerberich

Dr. Gerbeau did a piece called "Amer-o-matic" commenting on 9/11. Within the piece were several pencils sharpened down to the nub. The message being, "live life to the fullest." I like this image and the message attached. Let's all get out their and wear our pencils down to the graphite BABY! What have we got to lose? I'll tell you what...nothing, absolutely nothing!

3 posts...coming to a blog near YOU!

2006-12-19T12:15:00.000-05:00

I've had some long days, some fun days, and one gluttonous evening. I want to tell you about it. Coming soon to a Blog near you! (well...ok...THIS BLOG)

:)

Amazing Line Rider

2006-12-16T17:03:00.001-05:00


A few weeks ago Rocketboom covered Line Rider in an episode or two. It is constantly going through changes and becoming more complex. I find it totally addicting, but also extremely hard....and thus....for me, frustrating. I can only imagine the time it took this guy/gal to do this. By D4n3Train http://youtube.com/watch?v=2SVMFCZgvNM

America's Finest

2006-12-15T16:42:00.000-05:00

So I was walking around today and came across this scene:

Apparently America's finest isn't always at it's finest. This looked like a pretty bad wreck. Not sure who's fault it was, but I blame the men in blue. Don't get me wrong, I have NO problem with cops, they do a lot for everyone and have for me in the past. But honestly, how many times have you seen cops illegally parked, running red lights or speeding. Did you know that if their sirens aren't on they are bound by the same traffic laws as you and I. Sometimes I feel like sticking my head out of the window of the car and doing a "wooooowooooowoooo" sound. Citizen's Arrest!

Today my good pal Joe stopped by, we were working on a film class edit that is really awesome. I'll post it when it's done, it's HILARIOUS! So I grabbed a few of his business cards and scanned em in for his archives (of which I control and monitor.) I think they are just so freaking awesome!

He also brought by a little clay rocketboom figure. We want to start incorporating him into the episodes as a regular character, on the news desk, talking with Joanne, pulling things out of his head. This guys is just a prototype:

Ideally we would like to build a custom armature and make him out of lightweight aluminum (red) complete with little rivets and a hinged top. Anyone know of a good machinist or engineer?

Photo Essay of a Day in December

2006-12-14T08:17:00.000-05:00

Shoot, I lapsed again. I get so many ideas for Blogs but have been scrambling around like a chicken with it's.....awww you know the phrase. Anyhoo, to make up for my lapse I have decided today to post a photo essay of sorts. Day in the life style. Click on the Photos for their relevant link! here we go.

So for Rocketboom, I need to be connected to the world wide web 24/7, in order to be able to approve rough cuts of the edits remotely. There have been a few cases where I haven't been near any wifi and thus, the editor had to wait on me. SOOOO, after having a lame, regular, STUPID phone I have had to upgrade to a new and improved, SMART phone. I have joined the Blackberry front.

Noooo....that thing around my neck is NOT a result from technological whiplash, I think I slept on it wrong, it's actually been plagueing me for two weeks now, this stiff neck. I don't have an electric heat pad, so i had to buy some of THESE which is what I'm wearing. If anyone has a cure for stiff neck, please let me know.

Moving On

Every year I do most of my shopping at the Union Square Holiday Market and the Virgin Records across the street. Not only have is it extremeley convenient, and always succesful, but it makes for a heck of a nice holiday day. The Market, both Holiday and Farmer at Union Square always provides endless entertainment. Such as this:

I had no idea there was such a thing, let alone it was a seasonal treat....."enjoy the little pearl of pure garlic!"
Keeping with the theme of Veggies, I also took note of this wonder:

Apparently it is very good....wit BUTTER. But hey, isn't everything good with Butter. I like brussel sprouts with butter.
Continuing through the farmer's market I was struck with an image that transported me instantly to my childhood:

I have the first season of Fraggle Rock on DVD, so if anyone needs to get me a Christmas present....I'll hold off on getting this. The themes and messages in this show are still, if not more relevant today. Jim Henson knew even then how important it would be to create a show that spanned the globe. In fact, it was the first show created in the US to be translated in Russian. i could go on and on about Fraggle Rock, but maybe another day.

But oddly enough, after I visited my childhood in the form of visions of doozer towers and song, I came across this booth that was most amusing, yet......

CREEPY! They are just so still and motionless, with their mouths open and gaping.... I felt that they were watching me. i shuddered. Ok, so I bought some stuff at the market and left. I was close to the temporary Rocketboom office, so i decided to stop in and say hello.

here we have Boom. The last remaining pet of our beloved trio Rocket, Boom, and Dot Com. I am looking into how to optimally care for goldfish so we can keep this guy going. Again, if anyone is wise in these matters, let me know. I love our temporary office. You walk into the lobby and the two men behind the desk have set up speakers, facing out, playing only the BEST Christmas album in the world, A Charlie Brown Christmas. If you don't own this album, please, spend the $7 and pick it up, you won't regret it. It instantly fills me with the holiday spirit. I thank Dale and Kevin everyday for playing non-stop. They are Brave men.....brave...but Wise.

So I leave the offices, and as it is with me, Mr. Impulse, I veered into one of my most favorite stores (without even thinking of it) and in under 5 minutes was walking out with a new bag.

I have a thing with bags. I believe one must have a plethora of bags for many occasions. Sometimes I want a real small bag, to carry wallet, keys, phone, journal, and a pen. Sometimes I need a larger bag, to carry a laptop, a book, Ipod, and headphones. And sometimes I have a lot of camera gear and a tripod and I need an even BIGGER bag. Well whatver you need, the Bag House is the place to go. My mouth drools just thinking about all their bounty. Cause I am carrying around my laptop and digital camera everyday, i felt I needed to recruit a new soldier into my bag army. So I got, appropriately The Blogger. I'm quite pleased with it.

And finally, I will leave you with this. I saw it from across the street, as i was exiting said Bag House:

I've never thought of Mrs. Clause as being a sex symbol. But like I said, it caught my eye.

The End :)

New Logos

2006-12-05T11:32:00.000-05:00

So yesterday I had a morning meeting with my good friend Joe. Illustrator, artist extraordinare. We had both been whining for several months how we've been doing these B-day party + Bar Mitzvah gigs sans business cards. So I finally got these perforated ink jet sheets so we could design our own.

Joe is really an amazingly talented artist. This guy doesn't even have to think about it, it just comes naturally to him, I am extremely jealous. We designed him a simple card with a blank spot in the middle, leaving him room to do an original drawing on each. Here's the first two he did:

Seeing how great his were, I decided I needed to get something out of this meeting, so I put him to work re-invigorating my own logo, the almighty, adaptable ROLLIBOAT. He came up with some killer designs:

It took a bit of finagling of the print settings to figure out how to get the best print out, and they didn't always print centered, which is a bummer, but overall for $17 with a $5 rebate you can't beat the price.

Best Sunday EVER

2006-12-05T00:57:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was a gloriously (cold) fun-filled day in Shelton, CT. The Clan gathered to partake in some good ol fashioned tailgating and some Christmas Tree Craziness.

Click the picture to view Photo's from the whole day

A fun time was had by all, and I highly recommend you visit if your in the area, or HECK, even if your nowhere close, you should find a way. It made for an absolutely memorable holiday.....DAY! The subject at top of Blog links you to their site. In other news... I hereby declare today.....MAKE YOUR PARENTS PROUD DAY!

This is for my Mum:

8 Shirts, 5 pairs of pants, 3 pairs of underwear (one longjohn's) and two pairs of socks for $201.44! An overal savings of $65 Mom. Check me out! My Mom will hopefully be proud that a) I purchased new clothes, as I have a tendency to wear my stuff into the ground and THEN six feet under that and b) the good deals.

I'd like to take this opportunity to Praise Old Navy. For years I could walk into an Old Navy, grab a pair of 32x30 Boot-cut jeans and walk out without even blinking. This perfect shopping relationship went on for many years, until Old Navy decided to fuck things up. They stopped carrying the jeans I liked in favor of the Boot-cut "special edition." Special Edition stands for twice as much money and comes with holes ALREADY in the jeans. I prefer to wear my own holes in, thank you very much. So I walk in to the store today, and head towards the jeans, finally, after maybe 2-3 years, I was going to purhase the overpriced monstrosities, as I have never found the Old navy's Boot-cut equal. WOAHHHHH! What's this?! Old Navy has brought back the original Boot-Cut! I was tickled. I was also tickled to find that I can now wear a 31x30. This opens me up for greater success in obtaining said jeans. I beleive 32x30 is always a popular size and difficult for me to find, so with the extra waistline option, I am very pleased.

This is for my Pop:

My Father once said to me that "having a lot of keys is a sign of responsibility." Well Dad, I have 20 keys on my chain, and I'm feeling PRETTY DARN RESPONSIBLE.

Well, I've had a long but productive day...it's off to the sack for me. Till the morrow.

Ack!

2006-11-30T11:16:00.000-05:00

Guys, guys, GUYS!

I'm totally gonna slam you with posts.....any second now.

wait for it.......WAIT FOR IT!

Only at 6:30am

2006-11-27T08:32:00.001-05:00

One benefit of getting up early is the morning sky.

I recently purchased a new "point and shoot" digital the Panasonic Lumix LX2 and I absolutely love it. The 16x9 option I am finding addictive.

I have a lot of Belated Blogs to post, I had my 10 year High School re-union, Joanne and I interviewed David Blaine, my friends and I had our second annual TURKEYFEST. I'll try to post them soon.

But for now, enjoy the day, it looks like it's gonna be a nice one.

Black Friday is SOOOO overrated

2006-11-24T15:10:00.000-05:00

Black Friday is ridiculous. Yes, I was shopping this morning at 7am. Yes, there was a drastic increase in traffic and parking lot circling. But did I save a dime today? Barely. My little niece turns two on the 27th, so I needed to get her some B-day gifts today. I had a few items I wanted to pick up, and I definitely wanted to avoid the Waterford Crystal Mall like the plague, so I hit up Target first thing. I bought her some toys, two Shel Silverstein books (The Giving Tree and Where the Sidewalk Ends), and myself the new Tenacious D album and threw myself into the mammoth line. But you know what, In under five minutes I was checking out in the express lane and walking out the door. All in all, I spent 15 minutes in there. I wanted to get her a few more books, and I forgot to get wrapping paper, so I headed across the street to Borders.

Borders was a ghost town, completely empty. I solicited the help of a sales agent to find the books I was looking for and hopped in line. Again, once I had made my selection, I was out the door in five minutes. It was in Borders that I saved a BIT of money, getting three Dr. Seuss books for the price of two, maybe a savings of $10.

Then I went to Best Buy to get an I-pod car charger / FM tuner so i could rock out to my tunes on the way to my 10 year High School re-union later this evening, not too mention on the way home, back to NY on Saturday. Now HERE, is where I ran into a REAL line. Waited 45 mins, but the line moved quickly, it was well organized, and there was plenty of stuff along the way for me to grab and look at (and buy, I purchased the classic TV special Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer).

But Again, I am sorry to say, overall, I got jack shit in savings. Where was the store wide 10% off deals....where were the blue light specials and red tagged items? Black Friday, you dissapoint. I beat you Black Friday....I beat your black ass into the ground.

I continued on to a little specialty toy store in Old Lyme, CT called BoweryBird, nice little store. They opened at 10am and I was there at 9:55am. I was walking out the door at 10:08am, arms full of fun bath toys. With my trunk wieghed down from all my present booty, I came to another realization. I have a problem. A disease I like to call SPOILHERROTTENITIS.

Observe:

But COME ON....can you look HER in the face and tell me she is not worth it! Look at this face!

Rain and Fiction

2006-11-18T20:29:00.000-05:00

Thursday night I went to see Frances at the Cake Shop. And BOY was it raining. I mean, really coming down, cats and dogs style. I wondered what Neanderthal man did when it rained like this, back in the day. Did he fashion an umbrella of sorts, or did he just tough it out? A friend suggested they just took the day off and hung out in the cave. What do you think?

I had a lazy day today. There is nothing more pleasant and rejuvinating than lounging in bed until 3pm. Last night I discovered Lychee flavored Sake which to say the least was delicious and will be highly recommended by me.

Nothing says Holiday season approaching more than a cool fall day and a cup of Italian Hot Chocolate. That and a movie to round the day off and I'm in Heaven. I saw Stranger than Fiction and loved it. It is not often that I walk out of a movie and feel really, really good, and this is just the case. Will Ferrel was great, and it was just a really nice and smart story. I laughed out loud a few times. Maybe it was because I had a warm hand in my own that filled me with a warm fuzzy feeling. Maybe it was the idea that an inanimate object could have feelings for it's owner. Or maybe it was the larger idea of accepting death, living life, and self-sacrifice.

Or maybe it was all the above. I left the theatre smiling and was happy to have had someone to smile with. Don't see this one by yourself, It's a great date flick.

Back in the States

2006-11-14T21:18:00.000-05:00

I'm back int the ol US. Had a blast in the BVI's. It was extremely difficult work but really rewarding. No rest for the weary though, I am officially working fulltime as a producer for Rocketboom.com. I'm stoked. I'm also extremely exhausted from my long trip and playing some major catch up. I'm gonna try my best to keep up with this blog for all you folks out there. Give you the scoop om my day to day with Rocketboom and anything else that is going on.

I had the second best date of my life last night. I think that's blog worthy. No kiss and tell for me but I will say that the first best date was with the same girl.

Isn't it nice when someone comes out of seemingly nowhere and just knocks the wind right out of you? That is truly a nice feeling.

Hello

2006-10-14T10:36:00.000-04:00

Boy oh boy, it's been a while, old friend. You rascally blog you. I have neglected you, I know. There, there, it's alright.

Don't cry :)

Anyhoo. I'm keeping myself busy. I have added some new links of to the right there. I got two, count 'em TWO MY SPACE pages. I've been working for ROCKETBOOM.COM and a few photographers, mainly, Ken Kochey. He's great. We are going to the BVIslands at the end of the month for a photo shoot. It's going to be wicked. I broke up with my girlfriend :(

So......(geez this is awkward).....blogosphere......how have YOU been?

:)

Mmmm...Glutius Maximus.

2006-03-28T07:16:00.000-05:00

This past Saturday I visited the Bodies Exhibit at the Southstreet Seaport Museum (title is linked). I am not a squeamish person, but I tell you, there was 2 minutes in the beginning where I thought I might not be able to go through there. The Bodies exhibit is an exhibit of real people, their bodies have been preserved by replacing all the water with a polymer. The first thing I saw made me really think. A human body where I could see all the bones and muscle and organs that you and I have within. And our muscles look just like meat.

We are meat.

I mean, upon staring at the muscles, i could think of nothing else than the countless cuts of Beef I have consumed in my life. To some degree, it justifies cannabalism for me. I mean, we are animals on this planet, juts like the ones we eat. Animals attack and eat humans, and I certainly don't blame them. And if I were marooned on a cold mountain in the alps after having survived a plane crash, I would not think twice about cutting a slice from my friends ass to survive. We are, after all, just made of meat like any other animal.

But once I was able to put the image of that out of my mind, the exhibit was truly amazing. I learned a lot about my body, OUR bodies. Most interesting was to see what our blood vessels looked like. MAN we have a lot of blood vessels. To see a glowing, floating shape, all red, in the shape of an arm, was really cool. The section on conception and birth, showing the stages of pregnancy from week to week was also amazing. It would make any pro-abortionist think twice about their decisions. When you see how fast we develop into a little tiny person, the size of the tip of my pinky ( I think 4 weeks).

So, if you live in the NY area, you should check it out. If you have a week stomach....don't. Pay the extra $5 for the audio tour, and try not to go on the weekend, it's a madhouse. I'd like to share with you some interesting tid-bits of info I walked away with:

- Muscles provide heat to maintain body temperature. We shiver to warm up.
- If all our muscles could work together, we could lift 10 tons.
- A baby has 300 bones, an adult has 206.
- Children's bones grow faster in the spring.
- The human brain is 80% water.
- Nerve cells create electrical impulses that reach speeds exceeding 270 mph.
- Every drop of blood passes through the heart once per minute.
- There are 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body.
- Every woman is born with all the eggs she will ever have at birth, 250,000.
- The largest cell in a woman's body is her egg, the smallest cell in a man's body is his sperm.
- After conception, everyone spends one half hour as a single cell.

why?

2006-03-22T14:37:00.000-05:00

A very simple question...maybe someone knows the answer. Why is it, that on my MAC, I can't link things. But on my PC, I can link things. Vice Versa, on my PC, I can't upload images so easy, BUT, on the MAC, no problems there.

What gives?!

And Bob Jinglehopper....if you read this, no need to make any snide remarks on how MAC's are stupid...cause it just doesn't answer the question.

Hey...I have a BLOG!

2006-03-19T22:32:00.000-05:00

It's not that I forgot I had one, but it seems like that. I haven't written in a long time. Mostly because every spare moment I've had I have found something to do. It wasn't until someone googled my name, and my blog came up that it dawned on me. Oh YEAH! I do have a blog.

My life is undergoing an overhaul right now. And by my life, I mean, me. I'm overhauling myself. Big changes. More focus.

I have wasted so much time here in New York. Well. Maybe wasted is the wrong word. I have misplaced much of my time. So. I have decided, to now, only focus on the things that will further myself in my career. No more jobs that are not related directly to my field. If it's not directing, photographing, filming, editing, or animating...I won't do it. Of course, today I worked two B-day parties at the Children's Museum, but if I have nothing booked, why not make some money working with kids.

So what have I been up to? Well, for starters, I updated my website: http://www.iansavage.com.

It's my first crack at designing a website all on my lonesome. I have also been working on a few other's for friends. I'll post them too, when they are more complete. I am working as a freelance assistant to a photographer and focusing very hard n getting more freelance film work (hence, the website overhaul.)

I am also quite domesticated these days. I have a beautiful girlfriend whom I'm very serious about, and she has been a great source of support and guidance for me in my new path. But she also goes to bed early, and now, so do I. Early to bed, early to rise...isn't that what they say. I never fancied myself a morning person, but you know, it's alright. I find productivity runs high in the wee hours of the morn.

So speaking of bed...I'm off to it. And if you happen to have a myspace thing going, I joined that bandwagon too, so throw me a friend request! http://www.myspace.com/ianpsavage

Talk to you later.

Harrison Ford + My 50th post

2005-11-27T15:37:00.000-05:00

Well hallo, hallo, HALLO!

I am back baby. New and improved. Better tasting. Less filling. Energy efficient and rain forest friendly! It HAS been a while my dear friends and family. And I apologize for such an extended abscence. But as a wise friend once said....." Real life has to take precendence over the virtual." Only too true, too true.

SOOO! My part time work at the Children's Museum of the Arts turned into a full time position (good), then the full time position (only two weeks old now) turned into more than full time (mmmm). But be not afraid my dear readers, for I am ready for the challenge. It has been too long now for me, not having a regular gig. Now that I have that, along with teaching more animation classes to kids in several schools, and doing some handy-man work on the side....not to mention the side projects that quench my artistic thirst.....well.....I'm very busy.

I have also been spending some time with someone very special. You know my new motto, no names, no gritty details, no blog mess. But it is convenient that she is as busy as myself, so every stolen moment we have is a gift. Absence does make the heart grow fonder, because I am extremely fond of her.

And now, my first little story, in celebration of my return and my 50th post. So, I'm working at the CMA yesterday and who walks in but Harrison Ford and Calista Flockhart. I think the kid was hers. They were very discreet and quiet, kind of just checking the place out. Now, on the weekends I'm a "floor manager," so it's pretty much my job to make sure everyone is having a good time, answer questions, etc. I said hello to Mr. Ford. He said hello, and kind of shyly looked at his feet. I thought that was funny. Everyone at the museum pretty much gave them the distance we thought they would want. They are just regular people after all, like you and me. Unfortunately, the kid, I don't think was into the museum. He might have felt that is was for littler kids. He seemed to be about 7 or 8. So.....they left, maybe they were there for about 10 mins. I mulled it over my head, if there was anything that I could have done to get the kid interested, or more engaged. I don't think so, he just wasn't into it. And if the Kid's aren't into it......there's probably nothing you could do to change their mind.

But the kicker for me, was when they were gone, it was only then that I remembered that my jacket is a custom tailored replica, from the same company and pattern, that his original jacket in Raider's of the Lost Ark came from. Might have been funny to wear it standing next to him and see if he noticed....."Hey, how's it going? You like my jacket? HEEEYYAAAAA" That's when I would have pulled out the whip that I keep hidden in the back of the jacket.

Not really. But it was a funny and amusing thought for a short film. Harrison Ford in his everyday life and a whacko fan following him around, trying to get his attention, imitating moves and scenarios from the Indiana Jone's trilogy, but he never seems to notice at all. :)

bzzzzzz

2005-10-03T23:41:00.000-04:00

I'm a busy bee these days, I have a smattering of work at the Children's Museum of the Arts. But in the meantime I am teaching myself Flash, Dreamweaver, and Adobe After Effects. This shall lead to some very exciting stuff. Just need some time, so excuse my absences. I'll try to get to you whenever I can.

annnnd....:)

2005-09-19T12:24:00.000-04:00

You're an Expert Kisser

You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity
You've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off
And you're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave
When it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable

What Kind of Kisser Are You?

I am a sweet talker....I guess that's about right

2005-09-19T12:16:00.000-04:00

Your Seduction Style: Sweet Talker

Your seduction technique can be summed up with "charm"
You know that if you have the chance to talk to someone...
Well, you won't be talking for long! ;-)

You're great at telling potential lovers what they want to hear.
Partially, because you're a great reflective listener and good at complementing.
The other part of your formula? Focusing your conversation completely on the other person.

Your "sweet talking" ways have taken you far in romance - and in life.
You can finess your way through any difficult situation, with a smile on your face.
Speeding tickets, job interviews... bring it on! You truly live a *charmed life*

What Kind of Seducer Are You?

weird dream

2005-09-19T11:52:00.000-04:00

I awoke several times this morning, realizing I was having a very abnormal dream. I would wake to my alarm, hit the snooze, and proceed to go right back into the dream where I left off. I don't remember my dreams that often anymore, but this one in particular was odd and vivid.

It was the day I was to be married. My bride was a girl I knew from high school Kristy Moreau. She was a petite blonde. I knew her well enough, but never had anything going on with her, so it was odd, that 10 years later, that I am dreaming that we were to be married. The thing was, that on our wedding day, I completely blanked. I am there in my tux, she is looks beautiful, all my friends and family are there.....but the THING is.....I don't remember her. I know who she is, but I tell her that I am confused because I don't remember anything about our relationship, where and when we met, how long we were together, when we moved in together, when I proposed....nothing. I don't remember any of it, not a thing. So we postpone the wedding, on the day of the wedding, and the rest of the dream is mostly conversations with her trying to remember, piece together our relationship, hoping it will spark some memory. I finally awoke, never having remembered anything from our relationship, but feeling extremely bad about it all.

Any Psychiatrists out there? What the heck does this dream mean I wonder.

9/11 Anniversary

2005-09-11T13:42:00.000-04:00

Four years ago we lost thousands of lives to terrorists here in NY City. I remember that day, it's a hard one for any of us here to forget. I was supposed to be working at an industrial lighting gig that day, downtown not far from the towers, but had decided the night before that I wasn't going to go in. Around 9 am I got a phone call from my cousin Jane asking if I was ok, because....and she proceeded to tell me what was going on. At the time I was living in Williamsburg and could see the towers from my front stoop. I had a friend stop by, he was on a motorcycle going over the Williamsburg bridge. He was confused at all the papers flying through the air and the gridlocked traffic, so he stopped by to find out what the deal was.

I went into the city that night to see the ordeal first hand. I remember the smell. The smell of burning, but with an air of something worse, and that was only at 14th st where the barracade started. I have a page from a dictionary from the towers. Terrible enough it is the "blood" page. I keep it in a frame to remind me of one of the worst events that has happened here on our shores.

So, today I'm thinking of all those innocents lost. All the brave firefighter's and policemen who lost their lives trying to rescue their countrymen. And how 4 years later, the man responsible has yet to have been caught and there has only been more terror since. Let's all keep those that sacrificed their lives for other's in our thoughts today.

"Only the dead have seen the end of war"
Plato

I left my heart in Ocean City....

2005-09-07T12:33:00.000-04:00

So I went back to get it! I scored 4 days and 4 nights at Casa de Vena for the Labor day weekend. It was a glorious few days, the sun was shining, the water was at about 78 degrees, the air was warm during the day and cool at night. Nothing beats sitting on the beach all day doing nothing, occassionally hopping on the boogey board. I have returned with a wonderful carrot / bronze tan. We spent our nights on the boardwalk, where much fun was had.

Here for instance, we are partaking in a staple boardwalk delicacy....the Funnel Cake. I thought it would be like CT's fried dough, but NAY!. This one is covered in chocolate chips. It was messy and delicious and also the last upon a string of fries, lemonade, pizza, and Dippin Dot's ( Ice cream of the future!)

We had the wonderful pleasure of some other house guests, Bob Byrd and his wife Ginger.

Bob and Joe can be seen here, deep in a conversation revolving around either children or booze. Bob is a Children's book author and illustrator. Visit his site at www.robertbyrdart.com and you can see some of his work. I think it's beautifully done. He was just one of the nicest, hippest guys I've ever met. He's part of an exhibition coming to NY which I'm really excited to go see. He saw our animations and was a donor for our short film The Barista, so he's wicked supportive, and in my book, that makes him wicked awesome......wicked I say.

In the morning, like a Bruce Springsteen concert, we would line up outside of Brown's for some of the boardwalks best.....

DONUTS! Lindsay in particular grew attached to this treat, you can see the crazed look in here eyes and the saliva beginning to form at the corner of her mouth. Down girl! DOWN!!

You have to save it and flip it, but I like this shot of the "Music Express" ride. We never went on it, we were to interested in "The Swings." This ride is fun though and I thought, particularly photogenic.

We ended the whole trip with another Boardwalk delicacy....the Caramel corn.....pronounced "Carmel" corn. This is serious business, as it is delivered by tub, hot, and the caramel strings off. I know it can't be good for you, but then again, isn't everything that's NOT good for you the most fun and desireable. What's the deal with that one?

I'm missing Ocean City already.....perhaps again, we will meet....again.

Ocean City

2005-08-31T16:40:00.000-04:00

Just so you don't think that I am totally lost, I should have posted this yesterday, before all the sorrow. This weekend I spent two days down in Ocean City at my good friend's family summer casa. I had a blast.

this is the whole crew, feasting on homemade wine, kielbasa's, sausages, brocoli and pasta salad. Grappa, coffee, and canoli's for dessert.

After dinner we headed to the boardwalk. We had frozen custard, we thought about doing one of those old time photo's, but they were closing and being jerks. We rode the ferris wheel, shown here in this cool shot i took from my stomcah. Overall I really was psyched to be there, it was inspiring my visual eye to pop out of my head. Upon previewing most of my shots I was pleased, but of course you can never tell if they are in focus until you dump them from the camera, alas, my little cybershot might be reaching the end of it's life.

I love this shot, and the three others that I took that were similar. This swing ride has always been my favorite out of all rides. I like how it looks like a giantic mechanical mushroom from Alice in Wonderland...maybe with a bit of an S&M spin with the chains.

Now we're actually on the thing. I believe we had a few sceptics, that did not think it was "adult" enough to get on. everyone changed their mind when they realized this thing went a lot faster, or felt like it did, than when we were all little kiddies. Joe is in the front, then Linds, and the green blob is my pal Ad.

Last day on the beach, I bought a giant shovel, all the kids had them. We worked with Joe, the master sculptor to create a whale, complete with a 3-D tail. It didn't last long, but long enought to draw a small crowd. The beach there was a blast. Adam and i played tennis ball, a game entirely made up by us, where you throw the tennis ball and try to dive to get it. The next day we played "Kadima" the paddle ball game. Yesterday I noticed that my right forearm is about 50% bigger than my left, probably from all the throwing and hitting in the two days, it's all swelled up.

The last night we couldn't help ourselves (well, most of us, Lindsay was a straight up party pooper) we had to hit Atlantic City before we left. Paul had been schooling me over the weekend with the rules and strategy of Craps, so we hit the $10 tables as soon as we could. I started with $40, he started with $200. After the first two rolls, his and mine, we were both up, I believe I was up $60 (up being profit, not including what I started with). But after 30mins of bad rollers I lost all my profit and my $40. So.....having time left before the 12:20am bus back to NY, I grabbed another $40. This one lady was hot, and at the end of the night I was back up. I cashed in my chips for $168, making a profit of $88. Not bad for the first time. Paul, being the more experienced and bigger gambler, walked away with winnings of $375.

So I had a great weekend, followed by a crappy Wednesday. That's life for ya.

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2005-08-31T16:22:00.001-04:00

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2005-08-27T16:25:00.001-04:00

Sorry!

2005-08-24T00:06:00.000-04:00

Sorry! Sorry! I'm teaching an animation class all this week, and even though it's like a beautiful paid vacation in comparison to my "real" job, it's taking a lot of my focus (a great thing). I will try to get a meaty blog in here ASAP!

Children are a wonder. Thier minds are so open and vast (and for the most part) refreshingly honest. It is, in fact.......refreshing.

...they aint leavin till 6 in the....6 in the mornin!

2005-08-18T15:53:00.000-04:00

Last night I had my first foray into being on the opposite side of the bar then I usually attend...the side where there is less drinking...well....kind of. The host of my travel show is the music consultant of a SoHo club. I had expressed interest into learning how to sling our modern day poison. She passed on my request and thus, I got to train behind the bar last night, and hopefully other nights to come.

The club is really nice and Wednesdays are a slow night in retrospect. They had DJ's playing house music and their was much dancing. I showed up at 9pm, I don't think we saw a person until 11pm. By Midnight the crowd was getting thicker. From 12 to about 12:45am it was a bit busy, and then the pace slowed to like a drizzle until about 3am. By then, there were maybe 6 people left, by 3:15 am they closed entry, and by 3:30 am the place was empty completely. I stayed until about 4:45 am, watching my trusty mentor, Tristan, a very good looking (in that typical Bartender/NY fashion) close out, count money, wash glasses, etc.

I was originally set to "shadow" him, meaning follow and watch, but it became very appearent that for me to actually learn anything, I was going to have to....like...do stuff. So, slowly and surely, I started to make drinks and grab beers. Beers are of course way easy, $6, Corona's get a lime. I made anything else that didn't require much thought, i.e., Gin and Tonic's, Vodka with this, vodka with that. Anything that I didn't know how to make I just asked Tristan to make and then I watched. I got a lot of waters and sodas.

So all in all, once you know the more "complicated" drinks, i.e, cosmopolitan's, silk panties (Vodka, peach snapps, with a splash of Cran), kamikaze shots, margarita's and such, and then you have a feel for how the computer system works, and how much everything cost......well....that's really all there is to it. I quite enjoyed the experience. Being behind the bar, was way better then being in front, that's for sure. In the course of my first night, and not even being anywhere close to an actual bartender, I received three kisses on the cheek, two winks, a request to dance. That's more action than I have had in months.

Tristan explained the scenario. "Women like to feel powerful over the guy behind the bar. I don't know what it is, they just like it. It's not the same way with men and female bartender's." I would have to agree, having done my share of "hitting on" female bartender's. I wonder why that is?

I did learn some very interesting things about bars in general. This might surprise some, this first bit makes me want to open a bar. The establishment makes a profit.....after the first drink they sell. For example. A Vodka Tonic at this establishment cost $8......that's with well liqour mind you. Now, $8 is a bit pricy, even for Manhattan and especially for well liqour. But the BOTTLE of Vodka....the entire bottle cost $6. So that one drink just threw that whole bottle into the 100% profit range after one drink. So it makes sense, points out my mentor, that for the extra dollar, you might as well buy top-shelf liqour.

So after really only 4 hours of actual bartending, but 8 hours of work, including setting up and breaking down.....I was curious, on this slow night, a Wednesday, how much my mentor made. The bar-back, who did nothing but cut limes and lemons and buss glasses was tipped out $75 from the bartender, he tried to give me $50. I told him that wasn't fair, I was here to learn and I really didn't do too much, so he gave me $30, which I accepted and half went into a cab home. All in all he walked away with $290 himself. The bar made about $1,400. A quarter of what it makes on say, a Friday or Saturday, but then of course there are three bartender's and not just one.

So let's throw these numbers into perspective, from my point of view. Let's say you work three slow nights a week, like a Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Let's say you average $300 a night......$900 a week...that's like $3,600 a month....which ends up being $43,200 a year.......under the table mind you...so to speak. And that's only 3 days a week.....12 days a month...roughly 40% of the year......Out of 365 days, you work 144.....and have 221 days off!?!?!?!

Am I insane, or is that crazy? No wonder so many people put themselves through college bartending, and no wonder so many people bartend through the summer non-stop and then take extended vacations. And that's just all figuring that your working slow nights. What about the people who bartend on Friday and Saturday and make a considerable amount more than the slow nights?

This is all very interesting. Something I think would be perfect for my interim between the end of this job and possible Peace Corps service. And it's such a good fall back skill. Anywhere you go in the world, you could always find a job bartending if you had the experience.

I love fall-back skills. You can never have enough of em. So I work next Wednesday too, I probably won't stay till close, because I'm doing this animation gig that week, which I'm STOKED about, because it means I won't be working in the office at all. But I hope I can keep this thing going for a while, I mean, I'm not getting paid, so what do they have to lose?? And then maybe I can scoot right in there at a later date, or start bar-backing for pay, or just use them as a reference for another bar.

Doing the bull dance...feeling the flow.

Sharp Curve Ahead...

2005-08-13T04:53:00.000-04:00

Yes. Yes it's getting clearer. I am ready for a life change. A typical Friday night turns into a not so typical evening, details to follow.

I went to a movie with some friends tonight. We saw "The Aristocrats," A movie about the lore of a single joke told among the comedian circuit. It was very amusing. OK, normal so far, you with me? We leave the theatre and head to a bar for a few pitchers. What's a few pitcher's between friends? I have a sandwich as well, still normal. This group begins to part and split and head in different directions. For some reason I am not tired, so I decide to join my best bud Greg in his further escepades to meet up with his wife and some other friends at a Karaoke bar. We arrive, stay for aboput an hour. Singing was good, singing was bad, drinks were spilled, laughing was to be had. I didn't take the mic tonight, but joined in on a few, and helped some people keep time. The teleprompter in this place was not top notch. This group breaks up now too. It's 2 something am I think at this point. Not even the hint of drowsiness. On the way out I had a good laugh at a guy doing a very entertaining version of "Patience" by Guns N Roses.

Life changing moment getting closer.

Now I'm in an area of a city that is particularly like, a dead zone to me. It doesn't make sense to take a subway one stop just to wait for another train, so When in the East Village I usually walk to my transfer stop and just wait for one train. It's a warm night, hot, but pleasent, so I'm looking forward to the stroll.

Phase 1 of Life Changing Moment occurs. I feel very lonely. There are cuoples staggering about. I think to myself, "shouldn't these be the best years of my life?" And here I am alone in a New York. I wish I had someone to share this evening with.

I get on the J-train at about 3:20am, take it deep into the ghetto of Brooklyn. I get off, crab a coke through a revolving bullet-proof glass window, and notice a commotion across the street. Normally, or after my neighborhood experiences I bet you would think I would just keep on walking past. But I don't, there are about 40 people gathering in a crowd, something is up. A fight breaks out between two women. The men let it go mostly, it grows in intensity, it moves into the street and stops traffic. 15 minutes go by and it's still escelating. No cops in sight.

Phase 2 of Life Changing Moment occurs. The women takes a bat out of her car and beats the living daylights out of the other women, more jump in, people are rolling in the middle of the street, still no cops. A car next to me, that had been there at LEAST 5 minutes total, throws on some lights and hits a siren. An undercover car...that did NOTHING. They drove close to the quarrel, but still, no law enforcement stepped out of the car until everything was already over and people were breaking up.

What the hell was that all about? I wondered. Now I start thinking, maybe it's time for me to think about other people other than myself. What can I do to change the world? To help others?

Phase 3 of Life Changing Moment, I enter Peace Corps into a google search and start bookmarking like crazy. I think it's time I leave this country and go do something for someone else...for a while. Maybe build a school, or teach english somewhere, or help an endangered species proliferate. Dig irrigation or plant corn, or help sick children.

Sound crazy? Not to me it doesn't. Not tonight. I'm seriously considering this. Get myself out of the miniscule debt I have compared to others and just leave.....leave for good, to do good. Just the thought lightens my mood.

I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of research and reading tomorrow.

NY Underground shopping

2005-08-11T17:19:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I spent the day with my Aunty D and my cousin Hannah. They came into NY for half a day to do one thing and one thing only. Shop. And not just your regular shopping.....but UNDERGROUND SHOPPING.

These two might look all innocent and nice but these two are capable of shopping where no man dare shop before! I knew that they wanted to get certain...shall we say....contraband, only to be found in NY City. I happen to know the general area where these items could be obtained (although I did have to call a female source to confirm). The first item was a bit tricky to find. I had seen them before, I looked for 30 mins up and down Canal St. to locate this rare item. I had no luck. However, the two pictured above, my flesh and blood, have noses for shopping. Straight out of the cab they were able to locate item #1 on their list

Yes. They came to NY to buy baby turtles! This is of course, not legal, for selling or purchasing. One turtle cost $10 but 4 only cost them $25....what a deal !! I am very pleased to say, out of all patrons of the underground turtle racquet, these two have the best intentions. They will bring these cute little buggers back to CT, raise them for a while in a roomy, heated tank, where they will dine on shrimps, and when large enough they will be released into a very cool and clean, coi pond on the farm. Yeah for the turtles!

The second item, found with a little more effort, I'm sure you ladies will recognize.

The coveted Louis Vuitton designer knockoff, the original can be seen here; http://www.vuitton.com/
Now, I will never understand the fascination with these bags. If you ask me, they are very ugly. I just don't see the appeal in the design, but I guess it's a women thing. These things go for hundreds if not THOUSANDS of dollars for the real thing. I have known for a long time that you could get knock-offs in Times Square and Chinatown. Wherever you see a gaggle of woman pushing eachother around waving dollar bills, or huddled close together peering into a dark bag on the ground, you can place your bet that Louis Vuitton bags are what they are after.

But....I had never needed to get one...ya know.....for real, so I was surprised when in Chinatown and we were actually LOOKING for one, that I couldn't find a damn one. How interesting I thought, that they are never around when you need one. That is.....until I heard....the voice. From a little Asian women on the side of the road comes, in a hushed almost imperceptable (not the word I'm thinking of, nor probably a real word at all) tone, "purses, desinger purses."

So I make a B-line toward the voice and I look at her and return in a quiet tone, "Louis Vuitton?" I say with a raised eyebrow. She smiled, "yes, yes, come with me." So we follow this woman half a block to a little shop with purses hanging on the wall. The woman meets another woman at the front of the open store and kind of block it off. The guy at the cash register gives a look. I repeat the password, "Louis Vuitton," he takes one more look out to the side walk, turns around......and.....opens a SECRET DOOR! Secretly, I was ammused. We step into a very hot, enclosed room, into walls covered with the bogus booty. We took our time, chose two of the new models, paid the man $110 cash, and we were done. I went to push our way out of the door and was quickly stopped by our salesperson, "no no no no, wait, wait." I stepped aside as the man walked up to the door and kind of lifted this little flap, scanning the sidewalk for possible cops. All clear. And we were off and on our way with some bags. I just find it so hilarious that this whole process and deceivery exist. Truly, only in New York!

After that we did some sunglass shopping. I bought a pair of green mirrored aviators for $5, still in Chinatown. I'm quite fond of them. Here's me wearing them later in the day in Times Square after I saw the movie, The Island, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Then again I enjoy every movie with Scarlett Johanssen.

And here's just a picture of me at work today, very bored, nothing unusual here!

The Healing Waters of Hopeville Pond: Deux

2005-08-08T11:59:00.000-04:00

View Previous post before this one.

This is Jeremy, doing what we call, the "Waterbird." Look at his wings of water! We had a blast in the pond. Some of us got water in our ears, I'm still waiting for mine to come out :( , some of us went underwater and lay on our backs to look at the sun, and some of us got nibbled on by fish.

My second purchase for camping was my new camping vest. I have been lookinf for a vest like this for years. Light enough to be worn in the summer, with as many pockets as I could find. Picked this badboy up at an army navy surplus store, it's a fishing vest. It held my wallet, cell phone ( which remained off for the entire trip) matches, lighter, camera, Deet, Afterbite, my utensils, a gerber, some Ibuprofen. I'm sure there were other things as well. I have flour all over me, and for good reason

This......my friends.....is our dessert Pizza. We made this after Breakfast on the last day. We had been discussing it the night before but never got around to it. Sure, we did smores too, but like I said, we like to up the anty every year in the "kitchen." We also make fluffer nutters with marshmallows and peanut butter on a hot dog bun. But this pizza was loaded. Rolled out with flour, and then sprinkled with sugar. Once one side was done, we took it off and plastered it with Peanut Butter "sauce", sprinkled it with Marshmallow "cheese" and then for good measure threw on some pieces of chocolate, crumbles up "Twist-os" which are like oreo's and then put on some Vanilla Wafer "pepperoni's."

Some of us didn't feel to good after, especially the ones who washed it all down with Grape Soda. But it was delicious nonetheless....delicious and SO bad for us.

All in all, the whole weekend cost each person $50. That was for all day Friday, Saturday, and half of Sunday. Pretty cheap if you ask me. That covered all the food, cost of the campsite, and even all our "Road Soda's, " which is code for Beer, because your not supposed to bring in alcohol.

I had a blast, and am very bummed to be back in the big city. But hey, only 364 days until we do it again!

The Healing Waters of Hopeville Pond

2005-08-08T11:42:00.000-04:00

Camping this weekend, as it always is, was awesome. In my book, there are two kinds of camping. The first kind is the isolated, carry everything on your back, If you take it in, take it out, extreme camping. I have done this kind only twice in my life, both times at the Sequia National Forest in CA.

The second kind is the kind my friends and I try to do every year. It's more like family camping. There are campsites, they are numbered and right next to other campsites. You park right on your site, there are showers and bathrooms, and a store is only a few minutes away. I first started going to Hopeville pond with my buddies Greg and Prior, when we were in middle school. As we got older, we decided to keep the tradition alive. We fell off the horse for a few years, but we stuck with it this year.

The Amazonas portable hammock, you can buy at www.byerofmaine.com for $20, is being enjoyed here by Lindsay. In fact, this hammock was a huge success for this year. It has the amazing ability to slip the user into a long and deep coma. You really have to be careful, as I fell asleep for 4 hours on Saturday and missed out on lunch and throwing a tennis ball in the water.

Camping at Hopeville is great. A typical days Itinerary looks like this:

- wake around 9am
- start fire, eat Breakfast
- Convene in the "party tent"
- Swim and fun
- Lunch
- Nap
- Swim
- "Party tent"
- Dinner
- Nightime stroll
- Smores
- Douse fire and sleep around 1 am

But the beauty of the Itinerary is it's interchangeable, you can always swap around an activity for another one, swim when you feel like it, read a book, take another nap. We pride ourselves in the eating part though, that's a big deal. We plan out the menu ahead of time for each meal. This year, we had several tricks up our camping sleeves and a few surprises.

The first surprise was this. These are Venison steaks that we scored from Bernadette's step-dad, Kirt. We swung by their house to grab some firewood, and paid a visit to their locked cooler full of Venison goodies, steaks and sausage mostly. It was really choice meat and was enjoyed by all.

A new activity enjoyed was the Handstand contest. Witness the majesty of Bernadette's form as she blows away Jeremy. We also adapted this contest to a Handstand fight the next day, where two or more people Handstand at the same time and try to knock eachother down with their feet. Last legs standing wins. We also made up a frisbee game where two pairs of people throw frisbee's across from eachother and try to knock the other pairs frisbee out of the air.

For dinner one night we did Pizza. yes, that's right, Pizza over the open flame....ohhhhhh so good! This one is half mushroom and half venison sausage and peppers.

Following the Pizza, Lindsay wowed us with this camping goodie, hollow out an Orange, fill it with Gingerbread, wrap in Aluminum foil and place in hot fire embers for 30 mins, unwrap and enjoy! Only problem with this one was we were stupid enough to mistake Grapefruits for Oranges, so it was a bit more bitter than we wanted, and some of them rose too much and kind of exploded. I'm sure we will refine our technique next time.

I need to repost to squeeze in more pics.

Nobody views my profile

2005-08-04T11:54:00.000-04:00

I have been doing some research on other peoples profile. it is to be noted that i have only 116 views of my profile. I have noted that there is a big difference in numbers for men then there are for women. Thoughts on that?

How cute is my cousin?!

2005-08-04T03:01:00.000-04:00

I know, I know, they are still sideways. I still haven't figured out why. I promise you if you save any of the pics to the desktop, you will see, that they are saved right side up.

But MAN, I can't get ober how great Violet Dove is. Can I get a WITNESS!

I am a man of my word

2005-08-04T02:21:00.000-04:00

I am a man of my word, as you can see. Although I did only get two donuts as opposed to three. But watch what happens next. Chocolate cream is my 3rd favorite donut. Boston Cream my 2nd, and Chocolate Frosted, but only from Flanders Bakery in East Lyme is my number one pick. I just don't get this...

This Chocolate Cream donut has no chocolate inside. Now, I just want to know....how can this happen. There is someone in charge of making the donuts, are they not consist, or checking, or do they just don't care? I guess maybe I wouldn't care if I had to make donuts everyday at like 4 am. But then hey, maybe they shouldn't be making donuts if they don't care. This is NOT the first time this has occured, and I'm sure it won't be the last.

Quick update form the Bed-Stuy Bulletin. I came home at about 11:30 pm tonight. There were cop cars slowly rolling down the street, not one but two. Then I'm standing outside my place, talking to my neighbor and the security guard who watches the new building next door, and a cop strolls by with a flashlight. I inquire to my neighbors. Apparently I missed some cops chasing down a drug dealer who just got in a shipment. He ditched his stash, so they were looking for it. Well....ok, not surprised there I guess. I was surprised however to find out that they didn't get him, because the cop was a large man. From the giggling from my neighbor, it must have been a comical sight to witness a spry, young, athletic drug dealer sprint through the street followed by a very large man who, as she put it, "looked like he was barely moving. Like he was runnin in slowmo."

Sigh. Ghetto Fabulous my friends, Ghetto Fabulous

Going camping this weekend with some friends in CT, so i bought a Thermarest and a portable hammock today. Super excited to see these in action. I also went to see the movie "Stealth." it was to my surprise, pretty good. It had one of the best visual explosions I have seen since "Swordfish," and one of the wierdest end lines I have EVER heard in a movie. Now I'm not saying they should have ended the film on this note, per say, but I applaud the Director for sticking to what was obviously a choice on his part.

This line might ruin this film in a sense, that is, if you go to see an action movie and are expecting or hoping to get a love story to boot.

The line was from the female lead to the male lead, "Just tell me you love me you pussy." annnnnnd CUT TO: BLACK.

Hilarious I say, Hilarious!

Also of note, i have added a few new links, most notably to the blog section. Take a gander if you like.

Donuts

2005-08-03T11:03:00.000-04:00

I am having an annoying day at work. I have been working at home because my laptop is in the shop. I was up early, 7am, which is wierd, I usually don't get up after only 7 hours of sleep. It's either like 5 or more than 8, it runs the gamut. And low and behold, my e-mails will not be sent due to some kind of server error? What gives!

It is hot in my little office, and I am annoyed, so i shall brave the streets of my ghetto and venture to Dunkin Donuts, where I shall treat myself to 3 donuts of my choosing and a very cold and big ice coffee. I have been very good with cutting down on the sweets and soda and eating more stuff that's good for me, but today my friends, is not going to be one of those days.