It was over 47 degrees Centigrade today. That is around 117 degrees for you US people. Damn, it’s hot. The bad thing is that it is still dry out there. Pretty soon the humidity will rise and the heat will be unbearable. I am glad that I get to stay inside for work. I feel sorry for the construction guys in weather like this. I read that they are going to switch them to night working pretty soon. At least it is only in the 90’s at night.

It is funny that I am such a cold weather person in such a hot place.

Forgot to mention that I found some great soup earlier this week. Long time ago I had a friend who worked at an Indian/Middle Eastern restaurant. That place had the greatest Lentil soup that I have ever had. I loved that stuff. I have been searching ever since for something that could come close to that. Seems that lentil soup is very varied. I guess that I had to be in the Mid-East to find a replacement. Mmmmm, it is so good. Cheap, too. Nice to have finally found it. Now I just need to learn how to make it myself so I can have it anytime.

So, I’ve been busy back at work. Seems like things would have slowed up a bit now that the students are off for the summer, but I have been busy getting the equipment list ready for next year. Also been spending some time getting the RED camera up and running. There are a lot of variables that I am trying to work through to find the best workflow. There is a training program out in LA in July that I will be attending. It will be nice to be back in the states again. I didn’t think that I would be back at all this year, and that will be my second trip.

Just paid off my first credit card today. I still have a ways to go with the others, but it is nice to make some progress. I got behind very quickly last year, but looks like things are getting better now. Hopefully early next year, I will be debt free.

Just got the RED One camera up and running at work. I just shot a little test footage, so that I could have something to work with. I am already impressed with the look of the files. It was relatively easy to get things up and running, both with the camera and in post. I am just getting into the basics so there is a lot more to learn, but I am looking forward to seeing what the students will be able to do with it in the coming years.

I’ve written about Lindsey‘s zine and podcast, You Are Among Friends, before. She describes it as “aimed at girls 10-30, with the goal of empowerment through advice, education and encouragement regarding everything from school to sex, credit cards and heartbreak to living a life of wonder (and not being afraid to peek below one’s own skirt).”

Right now she is expanding that zine into a full on book, including the original material as well as “guest editorials from influential, smart, confident and creative women.” I loved her original podcast and am looking forward to her expanding on that idea. I am not an adolescent girl feminist, but as I have a daughter whom I hope will be one day, I am very supportive of Lindsey’s efforts.

In order to get the project underway, Lindsey has posted her project on the website Kickstarter. This new website lets creative people collect money to get their projects started. What a great idea. Click here to donate or find out more about You Are Among Friends.

While you are at the site check out some of the other projects going on. It is interesting to see what people are coming up with. It is always nice to support other creatives, too.

I am back home. It was a very busy two weeks. Lots of good information for work from both Evanston and Vegas. I also got to see Joy and Virginia. Joy is such a great little kid.

I got into town last night around 7pm. I got some sleep last night, but am still pretty tired today. I think I am going to take a nap and get some work done later tonight.

Thanks everyone for the Happy Birthday wishes. It has been such a great year. I am exhaused though. Time for bed.

Went out to see the Las Vegas strip tonight. Had dinner at the Paris, saw the water show at the Bellagio, and watched the volcano erupt at the Mirage. Also played a dollar in a slot machine. Not really my thing, but I had to do it.

In January, a teacher at Second City, Joe Janes, started writing a sketch a day. I was so impressed by that, that I thought I might be able to kick myself in the but and get some writing done if I challenged myself in a similar way. I decided to write a poem a day and post it on my brianparis.com website. Well, right after I decided that, my internet went out, and I made a lot of excuses and wound up not even getting started.

Then last Friday as I was flying into Chicago, Joe found my blog and posted a comment asking where my damn poems were. I don’t know if it was that friendly kick in the ass or the fact that I was back in Chicago, but I started writing. It was a horrible week timing wise, but I have been posting everyday since then, woo, woo. It isn’t all poetry, and I am cheating with a multi-part story, but I have put something up there everyday. Even if it is just a sentence about bacon.

Well, after a wonderful (and busy) week in Chicago/Evanston, I am out in Vegas right now. I am here for the big NAB show. All of the big video, broadcast, and digital cinema people will be announcing and showing off their new products this week. I am also attending the Director of Photography workshops. It will give me a chance to see some of the new equipment being put to use by industry professionals.

Just wanted to commemorate the tick on the life goal list. Woot.