Offbeat Thoughts and Ideas
I have been gone for a couple of weeks. We taped the video show with Chris. I think that it went well. I started a new company to help people out with Documentaries. I call it Doc Helpers.
I think that I was away from Chicago for too long. It was very easy to fall into old habits, and I am just now getting back into my Chicago frame of mind. I will have to be more vigilant to not allow the old habits to creep back.
Been having a great time. I am back together with Virginia. Things are going well with the show. Enjoying my time here in Champaign.
Saw Super Bad last night. It was a good movie. Teen Comedy with a little heart. Not the greatest by any means, but it was worth watching.
Final Cut group, set building, and a visit to WILL. Not a bad week. It is interesting to see what I am doing from a new perspective. I like the independent stuff. I know that whatever happens it will be up to me. Good or Bad it is on me. I think that those are good odds, but maybe I am biased. 🙂
Electrician came by and got a lot of stuff ready for the show. I have the lights up, but need to do some finalizing with the set before I do a final lighting set up. Should have everything working tomorrow for out run through tapings and then finals on Tuesday and Wednesday. Everything is still moving along like it should.
Openingbands folks got together for some kick ball. It was a beautiful day for it, and I joined in on the fun. It was a light turnout (only 8 of us), but still enough for fun. Some of the regulars were there, but there were a couple of new one. Guy named Brian did the Brians proud by kicking a homerun ball. Cary Judd was in town. Don’t know if he can sing, but that Wyoming guy can sure play some kick ball. Looks like he is playing with Ryan Groff for a few dates, I’ll have to check him out.
Just been working today. We got a bunch of finishing touches for the set. I will start lighting tomorrow, and hopefully taping on Monday and Tuesday. I think that it is going to look really good. I love it when a project comes together.
Video Show is coming along. Worked out some of the paperwork side of things. Lights came in so we can start lighting this weekend. Looking forward to the show.
Went into WILL today. Had lunch with Farzo and talked to many of my former co-workers. It was weird being back in the building. It is nice to walk in and not feel responsible for anything there. I didn’t have to look at a single edit bay while I was in. There were times when I would dread going in, because I knew it was just going to be a day of fixing other peoples problems. I like that the only problems that I fix now are the ones that I caused.
Went out to the Iron Post tonight for Kilborn Alley. Andy is such a great guy. Love his blues performance. It is always a fun night when he is there. It was especially fun tonight, because Lillie and Farzo were there having fun with me.
Back down in Champaign. I will be doing some shooting for the video show that I am producing. Looking like it is going to be a great show.
I had a lot of interesting things happen on the way down here. As I just get on 57, the clouds roll in and the sky turns dark. Rain starts pouring down, ’til I can’t even see were I am going. I have to pull over to take a bit of a break from driving. Get a call from Chris and he says that there was a tornado going through where I was heading. Looks like I missed it by 15 minutes or so. Not really a big fan of tornados, so I was happy that I missed this one.
On the way down I had to pick up a TV that is part of our show set. Got to the house at a break in the storm, but couldn’t find the guy that I was looking for. Apparently he was a little inebriated and resting a bit. Chris told me that he might be at the neighbors, so I went knocking over there. Neighbor guy was really nice. He said that the guy was probably sleeping and tried knocking, but no answer. The TV that I was picking up was out in the open, so neighbor guy and I got it into my van and that was that.
Here in Champaign, I decided to go out. Kayla Brown and Mad Mardigan were playing at the Cowboy Monkey. Mike Ingram started the night DJing some 80s tunes. I have to admit that I love the 80s. I grew up with it and love how fun that music is. Even now it is hard to not start moving when you here the classics.
Kayla Brown went on and did her usual great show. Love her voice. So sexy. She played some song that I hadn’t heard before. Loved the whole set.
My friend Jack is the lead singer for Mad Mardigan. He has been trying to get me out to one of their shows for awhile now. I have heard him do solo sets, but this was the first time that I had heard the full band. They were definitely something different for this town. I liked it a lot. They were loud as hell and I liked it.
Went out to the Chicago Final Cut Pro User Group Meeting. It was great to see people who really knew what they were doing. I learned a lot just by being there. I had always hoped for the CU Video group to be something like that. Good demos, good discussions, new warnings to look out for and prizes. I will make a point of getting out there every month.
Improv and Writing are both going well. The writing is quickly becoming a very interesting class. I can see the steps that we are taking and I am starting to actually write things that could turn into sketches.
Went to the free improv session at the e.t.c. It was again fun to see what the pros can do. They were shorter, quicker sessions tonight.
Back in Chicago, but just for a few days. I did the stupidest thing tonight. When I was unloading the car, I unlocked the back door of the van and left the keys in the lock. I walked out of the garage and the door locked behind me. I was stuck in my back yard with no keys and no way to get out. Luckily my roommate was home and she let me in. Not very bright on my part, but it could have been worse.