It's In The Can

Whenever I'm in post production, I'm reminded of the Bauhaus song "She's In Parties", which is all about the Hollywood filmmaking thing.

Freeze frame screen kiss
Hot heads under silent wigs
Fall guys tumble on the cutting room floor
Look-a-likes fall on the cutting room door

She's in parties
It's in the can

That being neither here nor there, I got Saturday's footage from Jessie and have started the edit. Using Brian Chase's original Dogfish track, "All The Same" (chopped way down) for the opening music. It punctuates the titles nicely.

The footage looks great, and it's easy to work with (once we transcoded it down from HD to 720 DV quality (it's a webisode, so we don't need to be mucking with HD just yet, although it's nice to have the raw footage in HD for any potential need down the road.

Here are some stills. I knew if I didn't post anything now, I wouldn't get a post up all day. And with that, back to the edit...

Made It.

I didn't relate the results of our meeting with Jim Demonakos on Wednesday night. Sorry. Jim's been a friend for almost a decade, and has signed onto the Duo production as an associate producer, in an effort to help secure interest, resources and perhaps investment in the film. He gave us some excellent suggestions, and Dan & I both felt like meeting with Jim and bringing him on-board was a great step in the right direction.

Yesterday was a roller coaster, for sure. For whatever reason, Matt's absence was felt more acutely this year. For me, I think it was because I want to be able to share these amazing new changes in my life, and can't. He's been gone 36 years and I still miss him. Funny how that works. Maybe I miss the potential that was Matt, or the memory of our brief time together, and the dynamic personality and intelligence that was already manifesting when he made his exit.

I mean, how can you really miss someone you only knew for a couple years, right?

Wrong. If he was your brother, or your son, you miss him. Time is not a factor.

I was propped up by contact with friends and family, and had the distraction of watching history being made last night.

It's been a really profound and emotionally exhausting week, and I'm looking forward to hosting my second football party of the year tonight, with good food, good friends and maybe* some alcohol. And some girlfriend time for the long weekend.



* No "maybe" about it. We're seeing out summer with margaritas and daiquiris.

I'm With the Band

TJ Sherrill @ Hotwire North

So after dealing with a full day of stomach issues (yet still somehow able to do a load of laundry, a load of dishes and get Tyler to and from school), I decided to brave another live music night.

This time, I would be taking Raechelle and Kayleigh, an all-ages show and not ending too terribly late. I almost canceled, but thought it would be a Good Thing (TM) to get out there and support my friends. Picked Raechelle up at her place and headed up to Shoreline in the rental car. Had a quick dinner at Shari's. Even though I was starving, I could only eat a small portion of the giant plate of comfort food. I did drink about 4 Sprites, which helped settle me some.

Mmmmm. Leather chairs.

Got to the Hotwire North just before the show. Talked with Kyle about Duo and not only his track but also about him producing Raechelle's song for the soundtrack. Saw Brian Meredith and his 8yo daughter. After a few songs by TJ Sherrill, we switched seats and ended up next to the stage in a couple leather chairs. Kayleigh climbed up on my lap and we cuddled through the sets. Raechelle snapped a pic of us with her phone...

TD & his little girl

Kyle Stevens @ Hotwire North

TJ and Kyle are similarly-styled singer-songwriters (the difference being Kyle also fronts a rock band). They are both talented, and really own their instruments on stage. Kyle has a bit more energy, moving around and really rockin' the ol' acoustic. And he did a cover of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" that rocked our balls off. Amazing cover, really.

The Hotwire Cafe, being a coffee/internet joint, provided the customary noisy, boisterous environment you'd expect, however TJ and Kyle had enough presence that I was really able to ignore the hiss of the espresso machines and coffee orders being called. It was a fine, energetic acoustic set.

Dropped Raechelle at her apartment and headed home immediately. Kayleigh collapsed in her bed, Tyler in his, and I popped online long enough to check my girl's blog (as she mentioned doing a post last night), and was happy to see this. Went to sleep calmer and more serene than I have been all week, and before my bedside clock said 10:30. Slept straight through 'til 7AM with no disturbance.

And this morning I get to drive back up to Shoreline to pick up Sportacus. Damn squirrels.

42

I love that Coldplay put a song on their new album that happens to be the answer to life, the universe and everything. For all you Douglas Adams fans, you know that is 42.

Tyler is off at summer school. He put up a small battle this morning, but he went. He knows I'm not going to do his education for him. He knows if he doesn't go, he will have to repeat the whole year of 8th grade (doubly embarrassing since his little sister will be going there in September). I'm sick of the fighting. He knows I care, and he knows I will hold his feet to the fire, but he also knows that he will ultimately sink or swim on his own. And as a parent, I have to hope Sam & I gave him a good enough foundation to succeed. I think we did. I think I've done a pretty good job as a solo dad for the last three years. And I think having an alpha female around is helping balance him out.

I just went into his room to help him find socks this morning. Hadn't been in there in days. Oh. My. God. I don't know how a human being can live like that. At the height of my teenage rebellion, I was never this bad. I was about to wonder where he gets it, and then I remembered that when I met Sam, her room was like that (sorry, babe - it's true, and I still have the photos you took to prove it). Which illustrates how much like his mom Tyler really is - both the positive and the negative. He's super smart, tactical, funny, good-looking, generous and often loving... and at this point in his life, he's also not concerned with the cleanliness of his body or his environment. I can only hope this too shall pass. Please discover girls please discover girls please discover girls.

For this reason, I got a citrus-based odor-absorbing pot for his bedroom. I actually got a second one for the kids' bathroom next to the cat box, which should illustrate what his bedroom smells like. Oh well, at least I know where 50% of my dishes, cups and utensils are.

Raechelle called again last night. She'd eaten some lasagna with beef in it, and her system (which is mostly attuned to tofu and fish) rebelled. So she spent most of yesterday sleeping. Apparently this time apart is catching her up to where I am on the whole relationship/emotional spectrum thing. That's really good.

My sister and niece get back from Paris today. Those of us in Seattle are converging here for a homecoming/BBQ thing this evening. Looking forward to seeing them. Also talking over Deep7 stuff with Gavin.

Dan called yesterday and informed me he was going to try to set up a meet-n-greet with the main guy at Titan, so he could see who he's dealing with on Duo. At this point, it's just a question of Titan matching an investor with the project. Fingers crossed. Fortunately there is a plan B (and C, D, E & F) if Titan is a no-go. Still, fingers crossed.

I'll leave you with a bit of 42:

Those who are dead are not dead
They're just living in my head
And since I fell for that spell
I am living there as well

Time is so short
And I'm sure
There must be something more

Chris Martin, get out of my brain!

Independence Day

Got various Asian foods for dinner last night. Tyler actually awoke to eat. Raechelle arrived with her vacation suitcase in hand and a bag of last-minutes from Target (one of them being a new case for her digital camera). She wanted to stay up late in order to be able to sleep better on the plane, so we popped in The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra (another must-see for film geeks, as it's such a great parody of cheesy sci-fi/horror flicks of the late '50s/early '60s).

Then I put in some Extras. The girl seemed to like 'em. It's like The Office, but for the film industry.

Note to self: sharing a bottle of wine = good. Sharing two bottles of wine = bad.

Ended up getting about 2 hours sleep, then woke up and got Raechelle to the airport. Halfway there, Raechelle realized she'd left her camera in its new case at my house. We joked that "it's not really a vacation unless you leave something at home." I suggested she get something specifically travel related that she could leave at home on purpose in the future.

Came home and was too wired from having driven to the airport to go back to sleep. Poked around online for awhile. Then went downstairs to collapse, only to have my cell phone start blowing up with texts. Family plans, sister pinging from Paris, friends and their dreams.

I tossed and turned until about 10AM and decided to give up. Plus, I hadn't had anything to eat yet. Still haven't. I'm in a "grrr" place right now, and I'm not sure if it's because I'm hungry, tired, or sans girlfriend for a whole week. [shrug] Well, two of those I can do something about, so here goes.

Oh, Dan got a revised Duo budget off to Titan yesterday - we'll see what they think.

Have a happy and safe 4th of July!

A Bullet List for Thursday

Things I Am Pondering.

1. Those pics from the dual 40 birthday party make me look fatter and balder than I perceive myself to be. Crap.
2. I don't "feel" what 40 is "supposed" to feel like. As Raechelle is so fond of saying, "I love my sixteen year-old boyfriend," whenever I say something sophomoric or raunchy. Which is often.
3. I have always felt no older than about 25. That's when time stopped for me. So I've always felt "younger" even before I had a 33 year-old girlfriend and despite having the life experience and wisdom of an 80 year-old. People usually tell me I present younger than my chronological age, too. It seemed like I didn't even think of going gray before Sam died. Then it was like life caught up with me for a time, and I've spent the last three years beating back the clock as best I can.
4. Other fortysomething friends have told me that this is usually the prime time, when age and wisdom meet the physical body (and as long as you take care of yourself, it can be very rewarding). I can get behind that.
5. In two years, Tyler will be the same age I was when Sam & I got together.
6. I will miss Raechelle while she's in WV for a week, but I'm so happy where we're at right now, and the time apart will be great perspective.
7. The Duo stuff should be making me quake in my boots, but it's not. I feel challenged, but not intimidated.
8. I'm getting weird hits on the blog from places like Dubai and Indonesia, as well as France and China. I know where the Australia hits are coming from (hi, Ali), but I know nobody in Dubai.
9. I'm also getting multiple daily hits from an IP address with a masked location. Ah the intrigue!
   
10. I was considering leaving a note for the blog-stalker from Raechelle's past who is now hitting mine, but I won't waste the energy (except to say "Come on, dude. Move on. She has"). And that's all I have to say about that.
11. I want Randy to fly up and hang with us.
12. I want to hear about my sister's trip to Paris when they get back next week.
13. I love thunder.
    
14. Wiley is being obnoxious.
    
15. I need a shower. Stinky man.

Peace out.

[MUTE]

So I still can't mention the Really Good News in this rather public forum yet, so just hold your horses. And if you don't have any horses, find a kitty or something.

I've had zero energy today. I lay awake quite late last night, head abuzz with this new professional turn of events.

Today has mostly been laundry and a few networking calls, some texts with Dan regarding Duo budget line-items (because I live for Duo budget line-items), and trying to wrap my head around how different this place is than the place I was in three years ago (or even one year ago).

In other news, Elvis Catstello has been living out in the house with the rest of us, and Wiley Coyote Super Genius is finally starting to accept his presence and leave him alone. James Brown, the Godpig of Soul, is still kickin'.

I have no clue if anyone will understand that last paragraph.

This Just In...

I cannot yet spill the details, but on the way back from lunch with Raechelle today, I got a call from Dan. Apparently the main financier from the production bond company LOVED the Duo pitch. There's more, and as soon as I get the okay I'll share it with my loyal readers. But for now just call me elated!

Still Standing

Disclaimer: I was waiting until Raechelle got her post up before I posted this, due to her complaining that I was making her look bad with my prompt and plentiful posting (gotta love alliteration). But I just talked to her and she told me to go ahead. She's not going to have time to post until later and "our public is waiting for an update!"

Wow. The weekend was a lot more packed with activity that I thought it would be going in. But here we are, as the title of the post says.

Friday. Raechelle came over from work, bag packed, ready to spring into action... with a hacking cough and no energy. Dropped Tyler at Gavin's and I took my girls to Ann's birthday dinner in U-Village. Doug had brought some T-shirts back for us from his trip to a brew pub in the Sacramento area. And Sam's mom had made a beautiful stained glass panel for Kayleigh to hang in her window, so Doug brought that along.

Dinner was fun; we have plans with Doug & Ann later in the week. We came home, dosed up on NyQuil and went straight to bed.

Saturday. Woke early and got ready for breakfast with Raechelle's godparents. Picked them up at the hotel and drove out to Fisherman's Wharf in Ballard. Great folks - lots of fun. And I think they liked me. Came home and Raechelle took Kayleigh out shoe shopping down in Westwood (she ended up with a pair of flip-flops). I met up with them later at the Starbucks in Barnes & Noble and got them frappucinos - how incredibly Seattle of us. We came back and crashed for a bit, then Raechelle and I finally had a productive conversation we'd been putting on hold. Did wonders for me and I daresay it moved some stuff for her too.

We took Kayleigh and headed over to Carol Long's house for a grad party for Caleb. Shandalla had planned this big surprise to-do and a bunch of folks had bailed on her. It was nonetheless successful, and it was good to see old friends. Got to introduce the girlfriend to some of the old skool West Seattleites (some of whom I've known since they were kids themselves). I got several private comments of approval. Feels good to get backup from friends and family. Came home and watched Shag, which I'd never seen. It was cute. Back to bed in prep for day three.

Sunday. Raechelle awoke not feeling like she could handle the planned trip to Bainbridge. She got in the shower and I walked to Starbucks for coffee (because I'm the Best Boyfriend in the World), and that improved her outlook and energy level. Gavin came over to watch the kids (they went out to see Get Smart), and we went out to Dan & Trish's apartment to pick them up. Had breakfast at Shanty, then headed over to the Bainbridge ferry. Had a nice couples expedition to the winery in celebration of Dan completing the Duo pitch and getting it to the financier. Had a tasting of four different varieties, and I have to admit that, although my palate is more attuned to the intricacies of beer, I'm picking up some actual opinions on wine. We picked up half a case of various offerings. I now have a counter-top wine rack in my kitchen. I'm dating a wino. I'm doomed.

We skipped the winery tour, opting to head back to town to drop Dan & Trish at their apartment. They went shopping for cheese and bread and fruit, then came out to the house and we had a little indoor picnic with the first couple episodes of Deadwood, which nobody else had seen (and the topic had come up at breakfast). Gavin brought the kids back (who promptly scattered to the game consoles), and there were introductions and re-introductions. Gavin left (we need to take him to dinner, Raechelle), Dan & Trish left (happy vacation, Dan!), I was feeling that kind of melancholy resignation when I know Raechelle is going to have to go back to her apartment, but was pleasantly surprised when she said she didn't have to go immediately.

I think she likes me.

She finally left at almost 8:30PM. I took Tyler's friend Miles home, had a nice chat with Tyler in the car. Put Kayleigh to bed and took a hot soak in the jet tub before collapsing in bed and realizing that although Raechelle brought her camera everywhere, we snapped not one photo all weekend. How's that for being in the moment?

It's a new week. More plans, more action. I'm surfacing from the stupid flu/cold thing just in time for the sun to return to the Seattle sky, and I'm hoping to reclaim my yard. Lunch plans and dinner plans and happy hour plans and then next weekend with the joint birthday party for Dan & me. It's all charging ahead, take no prisoners...

* * *

We're losing some good ones. George Carlin, we'll miss you.

Today's Horoscope

Taurus

Overview
You'll be trying a few new things today, which is very good. But in order to keep a good attitude, you should remember that not all of these new things are going to pan out successfully -- it's just a fact. The good news is that any pathway you walk down today will lead you to a more enlightened place. You will learn more from today's mistakes than today's successes, so don't be afraid to fail. This attitude will help you take more risk, and enjoy more rewards!

Daily Couples
After a period of squabbling, you and your honey are able to reach an true understanding. The good news is, your struggle to find common ground has brought you closer together.

* * *

Oh, by the way, Dan called today and informed me he'd been in touch with the main funding contact and that the door was wide open to the Duo pitch. We should be handing it in this weekend. He was very receptive. Fingers crossed.

Decided to celebrate with dinner at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Chinese Horoscope

Earth Monkey - You'll be doubtlessly happy in love, and you would be more so if you made an effort to soften down your character. You'll have original ideas capable of enabling you to progress in your career. Beware of a big cold or tonsillitis; eat starchy foods such as fresh pasta or whole rice. Keep smiling under all circumstances. Your relationships with your entourage will prove explosive: very touchy, you'll hardly bear criticisms, even the mildest ones; if you can control your emotions better, then the climate will improve clearly.

Wow. That clicks with my current situation on so many levels. The good news is that the cough has been pulled mostly under control and I awoke with more voice than I went to bed with.

Dan has locked in the Duo budget for the pitch. We're just about ready to go.

It's the last day of school for the kids. As soon as Kayleigh is off to the bus, I'm going back to sleep.

Radio Silence, Maybe

As "my woman" just said in her last blog post, this is a busy weekend for us. I may or may not be able to post for the next couple days, depending. So no promises, except there will be a full download come Monday.

Kayleigh gets back from her camping trip today, and Katherine is coming over to chill with the kiddos while Raechelle and I go on our dinner/comedy concert thing. Last night, Tyler and I had male bonding time in the form of Cup o' Noodles (which Tyler pronounces "noobles") and Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back, which is probably the world's most expensive 104-minute dick & fart joke. And it's even an *in* joke at that. But we're in the *in*, so it's hilarious to us. Plus there's a monkey. God bless you, Kevin Smith.

I finished the Duo poster (at least the pre-pitch marketing version). It's weird seeing Eric Riedmann and Devielle Johnson standing on the comic page in place of JD & Steve, respectively. But Dan dug the heck out of it, and that bodes well. I like it too - and I'm excited as hell to make this film. After walking so long in the worlds of sci-fi and fantasy, it's really nice to step outside of that and do a romantic comedy. Dan and I already have a John Hughes-esque coming-of-age period piece in mind for later down the line, and I may have mentioned another romantic comedy concept to Raechelle, too. Of course, after the Duo, the next project to pursue is the OA series. I'm thinking screening films at STIFF this weekend will rekindle some gumption to work on the OA series pilot.

Can gumption be un-kindled in the first place? And why does the word "gumption" make me think of a denture adhesive? "Trouble eating that corn on the cob? Try new and improved GUMPTION! For superior long-lasting hold, that's GUMPTION!"

Also, my friend Shawn Telford's film, Gimme Music, Gimme Shelter, is playing at STIFF in the block before Dan Humphrey's Rectify. So we may have to step in a bit earlier on Saturday. Darn.

If Raechelle isn't completely sick of me by the end of the weekend, I daresay that's a good sign.

Have a great weekend, all. Onward.

Still Raining

What the hell?? So, summer temps and late winter weather has made my yard into what will be a massive, impenetrable jungle in another week. I really need it to dry out a bit this week so I can mow.

Had lunch with Raechelle at Siam yesterday. Always a good break in the week, and the scenery is much nicer than the view out my office window at home. (Awwwwwwww.)

Got a good portion of my tax stuff done. Having multiple tiny streams of passive income is kind of a pain, but it beats not having them.

The kids now have set chores to do in order to collect their allowance. "You mean we have to work for what we were getting without doing anything?? That sucks!" Yeah. I'm such a meanie.

The kids had never seen Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, so last night we peeped that while we ate our dinner of chicken & broccoli Rice-a-Roni and salad. There may have been fresh Washington cherries involved as well. I love summer.

Tyler had an awesome week last week (as apparent by my lack of incessant bitching in the blog), but he's reverted to his 14yo emo-kid habits this week.

Kayleigh is leaving on a three-day school camping trip to Blake Island and Tillicum Village. She decided last night that she was going to attempt to shave her lower legs using my shaving gel. Kind of an incomplete job, to be sure, but she gave it the old middle school try. Finally gave up and packed for the trip.

Chatted with Raechelle on the phone. Made her laugh until she nearly hacked up a lung. Good times.

Today consists of getting K to school early for the camping trip, a lunch phone meeting with Gigi on the Nobody Knows short, and finishing up the Duo poster for the pitch presentation. Raechelle is coming over after work. We'll get some dinner and then head down to Southcenter, where I have an appointment with a new pair of slacks at Men's Wearhouse. The slacks are to go with the new shirt I got from my mom for my birthday, and I can also get my suit pressed for free while I'm there. Gonna need all options available for the weekend ahead.

The adventure continues...