Pulling Out the Flannel Sheets and Long Underwear

The word of the day is vituperative. It has nothing to do with my post, but I just discovered it and think it's a fantastic word.

Things are moving along rather smoothly yet hectically if that makes any sense. I've been up to my neck in work lately as I probably mentioned in my last post, but I've been staying on top of things pretty well and actually maintaining a good schedule (something I've generally been crap at).

I had guests this weekend who ended up being exceptionally self-sufficient, making my life a whole lot easier, especially with all the crap I've had to get done lately. Sunday, Marliese came in to shoot some scenes for my movie which went really well except for a semi-large setback that I found out about today. Unfortunately, because some knob was too stingy to spring for decent mini-DV tapes, the heads on the camera were clogged and therefore about 1/3 of my footage from my Thursday and Sunday shoots drops out intermittently, rendering large chunks of video totally unusable. There's really no way of knowing this is happening whilst shooting, save for rewinding and checking every second of tape immediately after recording it. This is completely unfeasible, however, as it would practically double the amount of time spent shooting.

Needless to say, I created a "small disturbance" in the Avid lab with copious screaming and swearing. My teacher offered his sympathies as he claims "he's been there," although this did little to soothe my frayed nerves. The entire scene I shot with Marliese is now completely useless and needs to be redone, and a small (but easily re-shot) scene with my roommate, Gordon, needs to be done-over. Time is short, however, as much of my lost footage was shot outdoors and the weather is getting damn cold, damn quick. Otherwise, shooting has been going great. Everybody involved has been doing a really good job which will make post-production much easier.

I am also working on an audio project for my other class which is almost done. I like the way it's shaping up. I'll post it on youtube or something next week when it's finished.

Despite working my ass off, I'm still indulging in some of the finer things in life. Wednesday night I will finally get to experience Zappa Play Zappa. I'm banking that it'll be one of the most incredible shows I've ever been to. Not only will I get to hear Zappa's music performed live (and done correctly) and in an amazing venue, I will also get to see Steve Vai and Terry Bozzio in concert. Also, Eric will be in from Colorado on Friday to visit and go to the Belgian Beer Festival the following day. We traveled to Belgium together this year during Spring Break, so it'll be appropriate to be reunited for such a capital occasion.

I guess that's about it. I've been extremely absorbed with my work and personal life so I've barely been keeping up with current events, which I regret. I am vaguely aware that apocalypse slinks ever nearer with international order slowly crumbling away as a result of a new era of nuclear proliferation, genocide, horny congressmen, dwindling oil reserves (despite drops in gas prices), racist popes, global climate change, and the general clusterfuckery that is world politics, but haven't had much time to read up on details. Also, I'd like to be following the election race more closely, but it's been tough. I hate rooting for Democrats, but when you're stuck with a one-or-the-other scenario, that crowd always seems to be slightly less sociopathic. As the general cycle of politics go, isn't it about time for a Democratic House anyway? My sense of logic tells me it's a waste of time hoping for a better tomorrow by way of elected officials, but you gotta hope for something, right?

"I look to the future because that's where I'm going to spend the rest of my life." -George Burns