Gearing Up

So I found this band The Script, and really into their music and lyrics, plus they’re from Ireland and appeared on The Today Show St. Paddy’s Day.  If anyone’s looking for a new band I would definitely check them out, and recommend them.

Also, tomorrow is a pretty big day for us film majors on Southeastern, it’s the 180 Film Festival and we’re screening some pretty good student films (from what I hear), so looking forward to that tomorrow, which I’ll be runnig… as well as working the morning on-call and break down, editing two videos, meeting with my AD for Sundays film, had a RAW-TV show this past Wednesday, Dr. Rutland’s last chapel, and coming up this week is more work, a couple exams, three book critiques, 12 pages of reflection papers, editing a film, and working all weekend for the Florida Divisional Youth Councils in Orlando… so a pretty busy end of the month so far.  However, April is starting to gear up with 6 RAW-TV episodes, a film I want to get off the ground here and shoot, and possibly a second one also, getting ready for summer classes, living, a job, internship, and projects such as a feature, and two shorts of my own, and visiting people with some vacation time.

Well, that’s a lot, but even though it’s jam packed, exhausted days here, I’m really enjoying all the things I’ve been doing and getting ready for the many many more projects ahead… oh, and by the way, try not to get in touch one day before to make plans to go out of town for the weekend… doesn’t work out too well right now, jump on the waiting list for that… but, a movie, or starbucks, or some dinner wouldn’t be bad (locally)… then again, that also depends.

Well, I better get some rest so I can get these videos out tomorrow, start production on a short, work on pre-prod for two shorts, development for two more, some photography, and whatever else comes in between!!

A Nice Long Week

Well, another week has gone by, and pretty busy, as well as the up and coming one.  But, no fear since Spring Break is almost here, however it’s short because of The Forum, and possibly a film shoot, or two.

But, I’m working on a couple new scripts for some projects, and also one for my film I want to shoot soon, possibly my next script due in Screenwriting class.  Other than that I enjoyed RAW-TV this past week, work, all-night prayer, and everything else in between that hogged my time.  And looking forward to the future projects before and after Spring Break: new script and film, promo video, PSAs for local network, and music video.  Plus, Youth Councils weekend shoot, Sunscreen Festival, and whatever else that takes up my time (involving comm projects obviously).

Also, still working out my summer plans, pray that God leads me and I listen, so far LA looks gone, as well as Alaska, and might end up staying here taking summer courses, interning in Orlando and a feature film (or two) and work (need money).

Last note: Jeff Dunham is coming to Lakeland next Thursday!!!

Film & Theater

So it’s Preview Days at our school here and I had a couple friends in a theater play at our school that’s playing this weekend.  Had a couple friends  wanting to go, and I was invited, so I checked it out.  Turns out I’m so glad that I went, a real great time to end off a nice long day of work… not that I don’t enjoy work, just 8-5 is a long day.  So, now, I’m tired then, especially after an extremely busy week, and last couple in fact.

On the other hand I had a friend recommend a film Shower.  A Japanese film that I found to be an amazing story!  Loved it just as much as Amelie.  I really enjoy those films.  Another I’m currently starting for the night is Changeling, a Clint Eastwood film, which has another intense story about many different events.  This is the reason I love filmmaking, because of the art and creativity behind each one, and I know just how time consuming and stressful it is.  But, now I need to get cooking on some more projects now that my schedule is full and settled.  Next week looks like this:

Classes, Work, RAW-TV, Pop-Up Rehearsal, Dance, Meetings, Get-Together, Church, Film Class Project, and anything else.

Swing Dancing and Valentine’s Day

So, it’s real late at night now and roommate’s watching Friday the 13th online, lol.  But I really had an amazing weekend! Went swing dancing Friday night with some friends at an awesome ballroom floor decorated and with a live band! Awesome!!

Saturday, Valentine’s Day, I actually found someone to be my Valentine, and we had a great night, and my mom came to eat lunch with me for my birthday coming up.  But, my date and I went to Buca di Beppo’s, then the Florida State Fair, Taken at a Drive-In Theater, and then Starbucks.  Another awesome night!
Today was also just as great, going to church with a friend, eating lunch, doing some homework, meeting my Valentine and walking around Lakeland, then another night of swing dancing!!

Swing Dancing

Last Friday went swing dancing at UCF Swing Knights, and definitely going again. That was my first time swing dancing and it was so much fun and the people I met from it built such cool relationships!  In fact, one, whom I just had met at dinner, also the one invited me to come and just spur of the moment random decision to go, but so glad I did!!

I’ll be going tomorrow though, and Sunday in Tampa!  Well, have to get through hosting tonight, PopUp Players meeting.  And keep in prayer for RAW-TV positions I applied for and also Media Services for the interview Monday!

New Glasses

I just received my new glasses today from Optical4less.com, Hong Kong. I am loving them and will spread the word to anyone who wants to pay only $35 starting out, which I added an extra UV Protection and added up to $65, but definitely a whole lot cheaper than $300+ at LensCrafters, and they got here in two weeks time, even though it could take up to a month. But, don’t go anywhere else.

Bad Luck… Good Week!

So, I’ve recently picked up some new hobbies, such as Bonsai and growing a pot of shamrock from Ireland.  Also renewed a student subscription to the Wall Street Journal. Pretty cool stuff, but the Bonsai has taken quite some money for maintaining it, but it’ll be worth the investment.  Classes started this week, and so far have only had one, because the other was cancelled and the rest are on Tuesday.  But, all unpacked and settled in the room, enjoying time with people here and to myself.  Last night went to eat dinner with two good friends, then to the movies with my roommate, to run into a group of people from school while waiting in line, nice crowd.  Since I’ve seen them at every meal on campus, so, a sign?  The girlfriend’s out of town, so been only spending time with friends, but not bad.  Pray for this upcoming week as changes are made.

Also, I found out that Ireland may not be working out, a 5-10% chance I’ll still be going, and if not then LA, if I can get a nice deal worked out through DeBorde.  If not that, then I’ve received another job offer in Alaska, so that may open another door for networking and such, but who knows, depends on which road the Lord sends me down, He just needs to stop splitting the paths, why can’t one just lead to another?  I mean let there be a right or wrong, but not two that aren’t wrong!  But, I guess that would make life too easy.

Well, yesterday I came across the camera technique of HDR photos, and was real interested in it.  I went to get my tripod and camera to find out I was missing the shoe mount for the tripod, this really upset me because you can’t take HDR shots without a tripod!  So I found one online, but with S&H came to cost $15.  I tried running around to Best Buy, Ritz Camera and Circuit City to find no luck, so while out by Walmart I picked up a cheap $20 tripod that would get me through temporarily until I decide to spend $15 on that small piece, and also provide a tripod now instead of waiting the entire week.  Tonight, as I was putting the camera up, my UV filter fell onto the street and chipped the glass, so that’s next on my list before the shoe mount now.  But, I went out in the freezing 40 degree weather (freezing to us in Florida) and took some shots of downtown Lakeland, trying out the HDR technique and taking some other interesting shots in RAW format.  The photos came out lovely.  I love photo compositions, and when a photographer doesn’t just take a shot of something unique or beautiful, but can edit it just the way they want a viewer to see it, turning a photo into a painting.  Photographers are more than just the average picture-taker, they just don’t use brushes to create their artwork, but tools that can be brought together to make paintings and doing some of the craziest things that most people wouldn’t just to get that right angle.  Even if freezing your fingers off, or getting a parking ticket, or holding on for dear life at the edge of a cliff with a deathly fall, and such things… those have never happened to me… yet!

Well, again, writing late at night, so it’s time for bed.  Have to get up early in the morning for church, first time back.  Peace out!  Pray for this week!

Back Home?!?

Well, earlier this afternoon my roommate and I returned onto our on-campus dorm at Southeastern University.  It was great coming back to where friends are, going out to eat with Ashley and her sister, and my roommate, and getting unpacked and settled in.  Also was able to get in touch with a couple good friends online.  Unfortunatley I forgot the coax cable back home, so no cable TV, and missed the Oscars, but that’s ok… thank God for the internet and time consuming projects and outings, lol.  It was great.

Missing back home after being there for 3 weeks and having nothing to do, no priorities, just relax all day and hang out with friends and family.  But, can’t always have everything, at least I can still spend time here, then also back home, before the future of after-college begins… it is coming quick!

Well, I’m extremely tired, and should be off to sleep now after this long day!  Missing mom and Godiva, my baby!!

Home for the Holidays and Missing Ireland

So it’s been a week since arriving back in America and I’m enjoying home but missing Ireland so much. Not just the place, it was largely the people: our team, the staff and the youth.
Christmas came fast once home, but didn’t feel like the time until really that day when opening gifts and relaxing. A different Christmas, spent at home, eating lasagna, watching movies and playing xbox. Not cold enough for a fireplace, which we don’t even have. Who needs one in Florida? After I relaxed at home, lazy was the game. Spent time with Taylor and Dave the past couple days catching up on films, looking at stores, wishing I could buy it all or even just spend money, and wasted lots of gas.

It was nice giving my testimony at church on Sunday, which they may never let me do again. 5 min was 15 min to me. But really was great to share my experience, and that I’d like to go back in the summer for 3 months and somehow need to raise $4,000. Lots of prayer, somehow wasn’t that successful at raising it the last time, just had a generous mother, and some few people.

Northern Ireland Final Day

So yesterday was the last day as I’m on the plane flying over the Atlantic Ocean right now, a nice 8 1/2 hour flight to Atlanta. But yesterday and last night really ended the trip great. Looking back at it, I have been changed.

We started out by attending Dundrum Methodist Church. Real interesting and very traditional. After that and lunch, we took a nice drive to Dundrum Castle and Castlewellen Castle to explore and take many many beautiful pictures. Dundrum Castle was real beautiful, just ruins, but such a marvelous view of Dundrum Bay and the town. Castlewellen was still kept up, but private property so we couldn’t go inside. After those wee visits we went down to Newcastle Town Centre for some quick shopping. I was able to buy a nice purity ring with the Karas (if that’s how it is spelled) and it fit my ring finger. We then went home to have tea and then to Oasis to prepare for the concert.

The turn out was phenomenal as about 30-40 young people showed up and literally packed the place. It was truly awesome and a great night of singing and dancing. After everyone left our group kept dancing to songs and having fun, Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, Michael Jackson, trying to break dance, a Grease dance with everyone, swing dancing, and so much more. We then headed back to Murlough House to recap the week and day and a final meeting with the team before the trip home and craziness, and sadly as we each will go our own ways with life. We went around and said our favorite parts of the week and some last words and final prayer. I then decided to take a shower, getting ready to leave at 6am, and it was already 3am, luckily I had packed earlier in the day. About half the team stayed up all night and played Mafia (our team’s main stress relief and hang out game). Great times here in Ireland, and very tough saying goodbye to it. But already trying to think about plans to come back, just wish it was with all the same people on this team. God’s work is amazing!!

Well now 6 hours left on the plane and then getting through customs (after pre in Ireland), an hour flight to Tampa, then half hour drive to Lakeland to sleep at school and head home to Fort Myers tommorow.