My Trip Down South

As the wife and are about to embark on our summer vacation, here is a brief photo essay of my last trip out of town.

A Promise to Kim is a Promise to Kim

Kim tagged me to list my top 6 songs. This was good timing to be tagged to list songs since I spent Friday driving up to Philly to meet my beloved at the 30th Street Station. Here are the top 6 songs from the 6 CDs I listened to on the drive:
1. "Re-offender" by Travis from 12 Memories
2. "Taxi Ride" by Tori Amos from Scarlet's Walk
3. "If Credit Matters Then I'll Take Credit" by Hot Snakes from Automatic Midnight
4. "Fermium" by Autechre from Untitled
5. "Blood Embrace" by Bonnie 'Prince' Billy & Matt Sweeny from Superwolf
6. "Soleil de Cristal et Lune d'Argent" by Acid Mothers Temple & the Melting Paraiso U.F.O. from Univers Zen Ou de Zéro à Zéro.

Thanks, Kim! That was fun.

Free Chicken on a Stick with Every Kick to the Crotch

Or...what I did after work, which was attend the 'Preview Party' for CondosatShirlington.com. It was a great idea. Make potential buyers see how many people (lots - line went around the block) are interested in living in the already congested Shirlington area, then have them make appointments for when they can put money down on a place. None of this really applies to us since we can't afford what we want (2BR anything) and have no use for what we could potentially afford (1BR aprt) from this lot. Still, I got a free piece of chicken-on-a-stick and a glass of water for the trouble of standing in line for 30 minutes. The food was courtesy of the Virginia Brewing Company, therefore quality. Still, it was sad when I had to pass up the free beer table as I was heading out the door and to my car.

Back From Basic

The shoot last week went will. We got a ton of great footage. Closer to home, this was my 1st big shoot as a 'director of photography'. The title is a bit misleading, since I rarely directed anything and there was another 'director of photography' - one much more knowledgeable than I - present. Still, it was a big step forward for me, career-wise.

Having spent 5 days in a high-adrenaline environment, I'm having trouble returning to the 9-5 schedule. This week's tasks seem a bit mundane after having shell casings bounce off you and the camera lens you are looking through.

It's a short lull, though. I am off to Philly this weekend and then next Wednesday we are off to Eastern Europe for a visit to the mom, then to Italy for our 1st wedding anniversary.

What the Cat Dragged In

I received my first father's day card this year. It was (miraculously) from our cat, Bean. I was both impressed with the sincere thoughts behind the card and his ability to acquire the money to purchase the card. The card itself boasts a picture of his stunt-double and inside it reads, "Thanks for putting up with my whining". Good kitten.

In The Army Now

I'm going to Ft. Jackson for work next week. Since it's hot in South Carolina - and in the spirit of the corps - I thought it fun to shave my head. Less hair means I'm not so hot as we videotape recruits negotiating their way through basic training. Obviously, I won't be posting next week. Even if I was near a computer I'm going to be dog-tired. In one week, baby.

Chipping for Charity

What we did last night.

Shortest post ever? Possibly.

Let's Go To The Movies

We rarely go out to the movies. HBO, then Netflix, allowed us to keep up with the cinematic arts without leaving the house. Therefore, it's astonishing that I would see not one but two movies this weekend. Friday, the sister-in-law and I took in 'Sin City'. It was noirish, pulpy, graphic, and visually stunning. Great stories, even better visuals; I'm certainly excited at the idea of 'Sin City 2' and 'Sin City 3'. The following night the wife, sister-in-law, and I saw 'Revenge of the Sith'. Another visually stunning movie - albeit different from 'Sin City'. It was amazing to see scenes that colorful and detailed knowing that they began on a greenscreen stage. Overall, a very good conclusion/precursor to 'Star Wars'. I was especially moved by Obi-Wan's rant after the final battle. I felt it tied well into the character developed by Alec Guiness. Good movies, great weekend!

Beans

Cats. Or rather, our cat, Bean...He certainly missed us. Monday's are when he is his most lovey. On the weekends we are always around, but come Monday he is by himself from 8am until 6pm. Right now he is laying on top of my right arm as I type. Does he mind that as I type I move him a little bit? Not at all. In fact he's purring. Gotta love that Bean. Doesn't ask much; just loves to be near his 'rents. Of course, hitting both 'Shift' + '?' hurt my wrist but I don't mind. I'm a sucker for our cat.

Just Like That

Summer has arrived to Washington, D.C. I climb into my car in the afternoon and it is hard to breath until you get all the windows down. Plus you get the new-car chemical-y smell from 5 year-old interior. For me, that's really the only inconvenience. As the summer goes by our neighborhood's pool temp will become more comfortable than it's current chilly temp of 73. Last summer seemed uncommonly cool; the punch-you-in-the-face humidity arrived late and didn't stay long. Typically, it cycles on-and-off so I have a feeling we are in for a hot, hot summer. I'm hoping the worse of it occurs when we are on vacation in eastern Europe. Wouldn't that be a nice treat?

The Flashy Divide

Two weeks after Vegas and I still can't get myself back in gear. Prior to the trip, I was a After Effects tutorial-busting, self-organizing machine. On the down side, I was late to bed and eventually picked up and nasty cough. Opposite the Vegas weekend our schedule is much different - we are entertaining more. We had house guests last weekend, and will have two more guests in just as many weeks. While guests are always a welcome blessing, it means you don't always have time for tutorials and bill organizing, research and emailing (or blogging). Instead, I have been more inclined to relax when home from work with a beer and a game of Madden '05. Once again - something different! My work responsibilities have shifted. Before I was in the midst projects where I could apply lessons at home the very next morning at work. Now - post Vegas - I spend most of the time at work training on a new program. Is there a limit to the amount of training my brain can suck in? Possibly.

In conclusion I should not take things so seriously. As long as I observe moderation at home I should not be so hard on myself. After all I could be someone in these stories.