Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Friday, November 24, 2006
Let Me Hear From You
I have setup a new email account so those of you who would like to contact me. I would love to hear from my regular readers so I know who you all are. The address is followsean at gmail dot com. Even if this is your first time on the site and let me know what you liked and what you would like to see.
Have a great Thanksgiving
Have a great Thanksgiving
Saturday, November 11, 2006
Friday, November 10, 2006
Vermont - My Winter Has Started.
Yes, my winter has started, I saw snow at camp and it's been getting colder here. I finally feel moved in at the new place in Bristol. The thing that made it feel like home are the brand new 32'' Hi-Def LCD flat panel TV connected to Hi-Def Cable. The channels in Hi-Def look amazing. I can't watch football games on regular channels now. Best Buy had the TV marked down from 900 to 700 and I used a 12% off coupon I got for a buck on e-bay for a total price of 615.00. I love this TV. I will post photos later.
I have been working with my brother Ben in his shop making kitchen cabinets. I am also trying to get a job at the local restaurant so I can meet the locals. I will let you know what comes of it.
I have been working with my brother Ben in his shop making kitchen cabinets. I am also trying to get a job at the local restaurant so I can meet the locals. I will let you know what comes of it.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
Driving Song - By Widespread Panic
It is amazing how one song can capture your mood.
The leaves seen through my window pane
Remind me that it's time to move my life again
November sun is felt by none
A chilly breeze has blown my thoughts to what's to come
A cup of warm coffee, some vitamin C
A bowl for the cat, a bowl for the dog, a bowl for me
Choose my bluest tape and unlock my car
An honest tune with a lingering lead has taken me this far
On the edge of the porch in the warm evening night
Throwing the bone for the dog I see two passing lights
Well, I wonder where that driver's bound
Is there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found
A touch of smoke ain't what it seems
Dust and sunshine can also make my eyes look mean
But there's a brown cat sleeping through this day's show
Toppin' off the woodpile, breathing slow
The leaves seen through my window pane
Remind me that it's time to move my life again
November sun is felt by none
A chilly breeze has blown my thoughts to what's to come
A cup of warm coffee, some vitamin C
A bowl for the cat, a bowl for the dog, a bowl for me
Choose my bluest tape and unlock my car
An honest tune with a lingering lead has taken me this far
On the edge of the porch in the warm evening night
Throwing the bone for the dog I see two passing lights
Well, I wonder where that driver's bound
Is there someone, somewhere, someway out there that I've not found
A touch of smoke ain't what it seems
Dust and sunshine can also make my eyes look mean
But there's a brown cat sleeping through this day's show
Toppin' off the woodpile, breathing slow
Monday, October 23, 2006
Last Night in Camp
So it is really time for me to leave camp. I truly hate to leave this place, those of you who have been to camp will understand. So as I sit here writing this I look forward to returning this winter to spend some time cross country skiing with the Leaches. I am so glad I got to see the small amount of snow before I left, it gives you a whole new perspective on camp, with the leaves off the trees the views have completely changed. I will miss the cabin and the peace and quite of the area most. It is really amazing to me that one could get used to such a small space. I hope to be able to tell you story's of a new bathroom next summer.
So what now, Vermont is the next stop on the world tour for the winter or as long as I can take the cold. I do hope to stay until May when I can return to camp, yes it's all about camp. I am not sure what to expect as I have not seen the place I plan on moving into. I am not sure about a part time job so I can ski days or do I hammer out the movie. I plan on having the complete first draft done by December 1st. I would like to get together with a few friends for a writing weekend to go over the first draft and figure out where the holes are and fill them with comedy. I broke through my writers block the other day but started second guessing the idea so I stopped. I think part of the issue has been the amount of traveling I did over the last month. I do think I have the makings of a good if not great film it is just a question of getting the pieces to fall into place and yes they will fall into place, they always do.
As for the pictures, it has been nice to capture some things here I might not normally gotten the chance too. The universe has me right where I need to be and that is nice to know. I felt lucky to get the sunset in VA, it was very brief, under 5 minutes before that shot was gone, I was just taken by all the different cloud patterns and the "Jesus Rays" look killer. Most times you get them coming on a downward angle, it was cool to get the upward. I don't remember a sunset like that ever in that area and I have driven it hundreds of times. The Colors of Fall picture was taken early in October and I was blessed with a cool crisp day for photos. I took a chance and drove about 45 minutes north and hoped for good pictures but the weather was not with me up there so I was bummed to only get shots from and around camp. The Moon over the mountains was another great day. I took a bunch of shots on the digital but I now wish I had a roll or two of real film for some comparisons. I will say I take more pictures these days but still get bummed every time I put my 17-35mm lens on the digital. For those who don't know because the size of the image chip is smaller than 35-mm film your focal length of your lens changes. So my wide 17-mm now becomes a not so wide 26-mm. I can compare to loss as going from a wide screen movie to a fit your TV movie, you loss a bunch on the sides. I put the lens on the film camera and weep at what I am missing. So that will be the next purchase, a wider lens for the digital. I also need to buy a new TV and would like to get a new Apple, so I guess I should get a job in Vermont. All things in time I guess.
I also wanted to pass on a recommendation for a movie I have seen, "Thank You for Smoking" I really enjoyed it. If you enjoy some thinking mixed in with your comedy this movie is for you. I am sorry to say this is the only good movie I have seen in the last few months. I did see the departed and to be honest thought it was to long and was not Marty's best work.
So what now, Vermont is the next stop on the world tour for the winter or as long as I can take the cold. I do hope to stay until May when I can return to camp, yes it's all about camp. I am not sure what to expect as I have not seen the place I plan on moving into. I am not sure about a part time job so I can ski days or do I hammer out the movie. I plan on having the complete first draft done by December 1st. I would like to get together with a few friends for a writing weekend to go over the first draft and figure out where the holes are and fill them with comedy. I broke through my writers block the other day but started second guessing the idea so I stopped. I think part of the issue has been the amount of traveling I did over the last month. I do think I have the makings of a good if not great film it is just a question of getting the pieces to fall into place and yes they will fall into place, they always do.
As for the pictures, it has been nice to capture some things here I might not normally gotten the chance too. The universe has me right where I need to be and that is nice to know. I felt lucky to get the sunset in VA, it was very brief, under 5 minutes before that shot was gone, I was just taken by all the different cloud patterns and the "Jesus Rays" look killer. Most times you get them coming on a downward angle, it was cool to get the upward. I don't remember a sunset like that ever in that area and I have driven it hundreds of times. The Colors of Fall picture was taken early in October and I was blessed with a cool crisp day for photos. I took a chance and drove about 45 minutes north and hoped for good pictures but the weather was not with me up there so I was bummed to only get shots from and around camp. The Moon over the mountains was another great day. I took a bunch of shots on the digital but I now wish I had a roll or two of real film for some comparisons. I will say I take more pictures these days but still get bummed every time I put my 17-35mm lens on the digital. For those who don't know because the size of the image chip is smaller than 35-mm film your focal length of your lens changes. So my wide 17-mm now becomes a not so wide 26-mm. I can compare to loss as going from a wide screen movie to a fit your TV movie, you loss a bunch on the sides. I put the lens on the film camera and weep at what I am missing. So that will be the next purchase, a wider lens for the digital. I also need to buy a new TV and would like to get a new Apple, so I guess I should get a job in Vermont. All things in time I guess.
I also wanted to pass on a recommendation for a movie I have seen, "Thank You for Smoking" I really enjoyed it. If you enjoy some thinking mixed in with your comedy this movie is for you. I am sorry to say this is the only good movie I have seen in the last few months. I did see the departed and to be honest thought it was to long and was not Marty's best work.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Friday, October 06, 2006
Thursday, October 05, 2006
Fall is Upon Us
So it's been awhile since I have written anything. Yes that includes the movie. The last month has been an whirlwind to say the least. I will fill you in on what I have been up too. I saw 6 Widespread Panic shows in 9 nights in 4 states. (*note to "LOST" fans, there is no significance to the numbers 6 9 4 in this post, or is there?) I also had the privilege of taking six friends to their first show and all of them had a great time. My favorite show has to be the Saturday night show at Radio City. Not only did they open with Space Wrangler but Jake and I had second row tickets. The crazy thing about the seats was I was sitting one row ahead of the guy I sat next too at the second Fox show back in April in Atlanta. The show in Vermont was amazing, simply because it was such a small venue. There could not have been more than 700 people total. The show was in what can best be described as the basketball court from the movie "Hoosiers" with a large stage at the end. I had a great time in Conn. with Jodi and Mary Francis who both got to experience what it means to have the universe catch up with me, they could tell you, I can't since I can't do hand gestures in my post and with out hand gestures it's hard to explain. OK, I could explain it but it would take forever and I am just lazy. I have one more show I am going to in Charleston on Friday the 13th.
Camp has been beautiful this fall, the colors have come and gone, in a few days the skeletons of winter begin to appear. I have not gotten many shots this fall due to the amount of rain we have had over the last few weeks. One of the highlights of the Widespread Shows was taking the back-roads from show to show. I did as much as I could to stay of the main highways and I recommend you do the same. My trips may have taken me longer to get there but I would rather enjoy the view. The road I was on when I had to give the guy CPR was one that paralleled the highway, so you never know what happens on the back-roads unless your on them.
So where am I going to spend the winter. I have found a place in Bristol VT, just a few minutes away from Middlebury. It has been years since I have spent a really cold winter. I now have no excuse for not learning how to snowboard so I can finally cross it off my list. I will be around 19 to 45 minutes from three great mountains. My plan is to try and get a job in town at night so I can board in the day. When I say job I talking part time at the local pizza place working in the kitchen slinging pie. It is my true calling if I have to work, pizza is in my blood or at least the sauce runs through me.
Camp has been beautiful this fall, the colors have come and gone, in a few days the skeletons of winter begin to appear. I have not gotten many shots this fall due to the amount of rain we have had over the last few weeks. One of the highlights of the Widespread Shows was taking the back-roads from show to show. I did as much as I could to stay of the main highways and I recommend you do the same. My trips may have taken me longer to get there but I would rather enjoy the view. The road I was on when I had to give the guy CPR was one that paralleled the highway, so you never know what happens on the back-roads unless your on them.
So where am I going to spend the winter. I have found a place in Bristol VT, just a few minutes away from Middlebury. It has been years since I have spent a really cold winter. I now have no excuse for not learning how to snowboard so I can finally cross it off my list. I will be around 19 to 45 minutes from three great mountains. My plan is to try and get a job in town at night so I can board in the day. When I say job I talking part time at the local pizza place working in the kitchen slinging pie. It is my true calling if I have to work, pizza is in my blood or at least the sauce runs through me.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Wednesday, September 06, 2006
My Muse Has Gone Missing - A Haiku for you
Whatever shall I do?
Perhaps an update for you?
Start Waponi Woo?
Perhaps an update for you?
Start Waponi Woo?
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
Notes From the Field
I have finished outlining the movie. I have every key scene set with only the base dialogue for each scene but it is enough to build on. My next step is to finish the dialogue for these key scene's. Once the tone and emotion has been set I can then write up the montages for the movie. Most of these will be longer scene's that get cut down but they are the next step. I hope to have the first draft done by the end of September. I am finding the ideas come at a faster rate the more I dig into the characters. This is what drives the dialogue, backstory. I just want it said here that this movie is going to be great, I am so going to bag Nicole Kidman once this is done.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
Housing Update
I am going to be staying in the Old Forge area as my base until the end of September. Looking at the amount of archive work I have, I will be busy (that term is very relative in my case) durning the days scanning prints and slides. The great thing is, at night my muse comes to visit me with ideas for the movie. Sometimes she comes in differnt forms, brick form, haze form and sometimes hydro form. Ah my muse, how I love thee and all you bring. I am enjoying the peace and quite of the mountains, it is so nice this time of year with highs in low 70's and lows at night around 50. Plus free rent and board. I love it when a plan comes toghter.
Movie Update
So I was visited by the muse last night and was able to completely outline the first act. I have every scene planned and mapped out. I was also able to bring many of the ideas for the movie into focus. I have my base 6 characters and some very funny bit parts for others, "Dick and Fart" jokes mostly :-)
Hi Jacob
Just wanted to give you the shout out for being the most consistant follower of my rantings. The Panic shows will be upon us before we know it. Do you want to get tix for the Chucktown and Macon Shows, they are on a Sat and Fri night shows, get a sitter and the three of us can chill. Now get back to work!
Tuesday, August 22, 2006
OK - So Where Have I Been?
I was going to the beach right after camp but due to the stupidity of others kept me from going. So I have decided to stay at camp and hang here for awhile. I am currently working on a project to scan and archive about 2000 old B/W photos and some 3000 Color Slides. This should keep me busy for some time. The great advantages for me are the free rent and food plus I am getting tons done on the movie. Yes for those of you who don't know I am writing the great summer camp movie. I have about 75 index cards with ideas already done. I believe I have enough to start outlining, which I started late last night. I will put all the ideas together and see just how much I have. I plan on having enough stuff for a 2 hour movie but would cut it down to 90 minutes. I have been choosing different songs I would like to use in the movie, most of them are classic 80's tunes, a good soundtrack can make or break a movie. I will keep you updated as I get the time.
Monday, July 10, 2006
A Real Camp Update.
So I figured it was time to give you a real update about camp. It has been 2 weeks since first session began. It’s 1:30 am Sunday and now seems as good a time as any to finally get all of this stuff down and plus Jake has earned it and I am chilling out to Widespread Panic from the New Years show. (One the top 5 nights of my life)
Pre Camp:
I spent the early part of June moving from Savannah to camp. I spent a few days in both Virginia and New Jersey before dropping into camp. I needed to unload my gypsy wagon into the formally known “Kaczynski Kabin” now renamed the “Decompression Chamber”
So how is camp? There is no easy answer to that question this summer. While on the whole camp is great there is a strange vibe this summer and no one can quite put his or her finger on exactly why. It is as if you can see storm clouds but you are not sure if the are headed your way but you are somewhat concerned just in case. I also think expectations from last year were high and very hard to live up to. On the flip side is we still have 5 weeks to go. Of course most things are the same like the food, the weather, the conversations, the core of camp, which is nice. The drives so far this summer have been OK, the good ones start next week. What makes a good drive, that’s easy, any trip that goes north of camp into the heart of the Adirondack State Park, short or long. I have a trip next week to Lake Placid, while a 2 and a half hour one-way drive, is filled with great scenery along the way so it makes it worth the drive. The bad trips are the one when I go south and have to go into Old Forge and deal with the tourist traffic, which is a pain.
The weather has been great since the fifth day of camp. The first four where nothing but grey rainy days, it reminded me of Seattle. I weather before camp was too good to be true on a few days, low humidity and highs around 73, perfect picture weather. I have some shots that I am going to put up when I get the chance. Most of them are panoramas so I have to find the best way to display them on the web. I have one that I am thinking about trying to sell in the local area, it is the one taken from Bald Mountain. I also got a few great shot while in Vermont. I did miss, but I can still see in my head, as what would be one of my finest shots had I had my camera with me. I was in Portsmouth NH and the mist over the river on the Maine side was glowing from the streetlights on the far dock. Imagine my alleyway shot from Savannah and turn it on its side is the closest I could explain it. I will return to that spot and get the shot this fall, it will not bee hard to recreate, well the weather has to recreate it and since my mystical powers do not seem to effect the weather, at least on a large scale. And no global warming is not all my fault.
So far this summer my “Dr. Phil” sessions with a few of the counselors are higher this year than last. Part of it may be because some of last year’s counselors had winter problems stored up waiting foe me when I got here. But I still think that is my main function at camp. I know at least one person who is having a much better time at camp after a few nights just hanging out and talking. Communication is a wonderful thing; try it some time, especially if you are married. Oh by the way, being single still sucks less than being married, but everything is perception.
I found a great place for North Carolina (vinegar based) BBQ (pulled pork) about 40 minutes north of camp in Blue Mountain Lake. It is worth the drive and the risk of a bout with the gout for this BBQ. The owner is a guy named Willie from Raleigh, NC who moved up here two years ago and he and partner purchased a restaurant with some existing weekend rental cabins. He works out of a chuck wagon while they get the place finished up for the winter season. More of my trips bring me right by him so not stopping will be a challenge. I was on my way back today from Willies with Mark (camp’s jr. mr. fixit) when we spotted a young black bear in the road. I was able to get some shot of him, which should be up soon.
I have begun to form a plan for where I am going after camp and right now the quick answer is I am moving to the North East Kingdom in Vermont for the winter. I know what you may be thinking. You hate the cold, why live all the way up there? Again the short answer is it will give me time to find a place to build my cabin. I am looking for a small plot with lake access of a small boston whaler or a few acres with a great view. I will then put up a place no bigger than 16 x 20 and off grid. This will also give me some time to complete the movie I am working on. I will not give very much away at this point but I am knee deep in story ideas and character development. I hope to have it finished before Christmas so I can start principle photography on it right after camp gets out next summer. I will tell you it is the first of the trilogy I have planned. The base story is there for all three movies with an interesting metaphysical twist that if all three movies get made should work out well. It is a camp movie but you should have figured that out by now. I do have the first 5 minutes done and I believe the opening is going to be great. I may talk more about it later but for right now that should be enough. Oh yeah, I want Kevin Smith to direct it.
Finally I have decided to release the long lost blog from last summer, it is below, enjoy.
Pre Camp:
I spent the early part of June moving from Savannah to camp. I spent a few days in both Virginia and New Jersey before dropping into camp. I needed to unload my gypsy wagon into the formally known “Kaczynski Kabin” now renamed the “Decompression Chamber”
So how is camp? There is no easy answer to that question this summer. While on the whole camp is great there is a strange vibe this summer and no one can quite put his or her finger on exactly why. It is as if you can see storm clouds but you are not sure if the are headed your way but you are somewhat concerned just in case. I also think expectations from last year were high and very hard to live up to. On the flip side is we still have 5 weeks to go. Of course most things are the same like the food, the weather, the conversations, the core of camp, which is nice. The drives so far this summer have been OK, the good ones start next week. What makes a good drive, that’s easy, any trip that goes north of camp into the heart of the Adirondack State Park, short or long. I have a trip next week to Lake Placid, while a 2 and a half hour one-way drive, is filled with great scenery along the way so it makes it worth the drive. The bad trips are the one when I go south and have to go into Old Forge and deal with the tourist traffic, which is a pain.
The weather has been great since the fifth day of camp. The first four where nothing but grey rainy days, it reminded me of Seattle. I weather before camp was too good to be true on a few days, low humidity and highs around 73, perfect picture weather. I have some shots that I am going to put up when I get the chance. Most of them are panoramas so I have to find the best way to display them on the web. I have one that I am thinking about trying to sell in the local area, it is the one taken from Bald Mountain. I also got a few great shot while in Vermont. I did miss, but I can still see in my head, as what would be one of my finest shots had I had my camera with me. I was in Portsmouth NH and the mist over the river on the Maine side was glowing from the streetlights on the far dock. Imagine my alleyway shot from Savannah and turn it on its side is the closest I could explain it. I will return to that spot and get the shot this fall, it will not bee hard to recreate, well the weather has to recreate it and since my mystical powers do not seem to effect the weather, at least on a large scale. And no global warming is not all my fault.
So far this summer my “Dr. Phil” sessions with a few of the counselors are higher this year than last. Part of it may be because some of last year’s counselors had winter problems stored up waiting foe me when I got here. But I still think that is my main function at camp. I know at least one person who is having a much better time at camp after a few nights just hanging out and talking. Communication is a wonderful thing; try it some time, especially if you are married. Oh by the way, being single still sucks less than being married, but everything is perception.
I found a great place for North Carolina (vinegar based) BBQ (pulled pork) about 40 minutes north of camp in Blue Mountain Lake. It is worth the drive and the risk of a bout with the gout for this BBQ. The owner is a guy named Willie from Raleigh, NC who moved up here two years ago and he and partner purchased a restaurant with some existing weekend rental cabins. He works out of a chuck wagon while they get the place finished up for the winter season. More of my trips bring me right by him so not stopping will be a challenge. I was on my way back today from Willies with Mark (camp’s jr. mr. fixit) when we spotted a young black bear in the road. I was able to get some shot of him, which should be up soon.
I have begun to form a plan for where I am going after camp and right now the quick answer is I am moving to the North East Kingdom in Vermont for the winter. I know what you may be thinking. You hate the cold, why live all the way up there? Again the short answer is it will give me time to find a place to build my cabin. I am looking for a small plot with lake access of a small boston whaler or a few acres with a great view. I will then put up a place no bigger than 16 x 20 and off grid. This will also give me some time to complete the movie I am working on. I will not give very much away at this point but I am knee deep in story ideas and character development. I hope to have it finished before Christmas so I can start principle photography on it right after camp gets out next summer. I will tell you it is the first of the trilogy I have planned. The base story is there for all three movies with an interesting metaphysical twist that if all three movies get made should work out well. It is a camp movie but you should have figured that out by now. I do have the first 5 minutes done and I believe the opening is going to be great. I may talk more about it later but for right now that should be enough. Oh yeah, I want Kevin Smith to direct it.
Finally I have decided to release the long lost blog from last summer, it is below, enjoy.
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