Realization: Wrap Party

Okay, I figured out the third bar I went to on my birthday because, coincidentally, it was the official location of the wrap party. It was at Trace on Clark Streen in Chicago, and I say "official" because we actually ended up somewhere else afterwards. It was a rather odd place and the dj's were wearing turbins. Definitely a different piece of culture. Either way, it was nice to get together with the few who actually dopped in... Now I must pack... I'm coming back to Texas today! Yee haw!

mp3-pack 105

1. Chantal Kreviazuk - Leaving on a Jet Plane / Better than the original
2. Our Lady of the Highway - Elegant / Acoustic R.E.M.
3. The Flaming Lips - Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots Pt. 1 / Carefully contemplated; magnificantly structured

Irony.

cowards_use_ignore: 'I feel sorry for reptylinin2 ...it is clear to me that their parents & system of education has not provided the adequate teachings to further you. Go read a book & learn something...Meet my IGGY BUTTON'

The Theater Fire.

"We hate it when our friends become successful..."

...Unless they're talented. I vaguely know one or two of these guys and was happy to learn of them from David's Lowery's blog. The band's called The Theater Fire and I can't wait to see them live.

mp3-pack 104

1. Coach Said Not To - Series of Near Misses / really spectacular
2. Suzanne Vega - Marlene On The Wall / live recording
3. Richard Thompson - Tim and the Bears / guitar instrumental

See Disclaimer

Value.

Okay, so I just got back from a Walgreens, where I bought some toothpaste and various other in sundries. I go up to the check out counter and am told that the Colgate Total Whitening Paste is $4.99. I dispute this, informing the clerk that this was a "Value 2 Pack" and should therefore be priced the same as if it were one tube. "What's the point of a 'value pack,' then?" I ask. To which she responds with a price check. A manager comes back and says that the toothpaste must have been placed in the wrong spot (along with the single tubes for $2.79). I simply stated there were three others like it in the same place and that I couldn't be bothered trying to figure out Walgreen's deceptive pricing method. And further, that I wasn't going to pay for two tubes of paste when all I needed was one. Moreover, I hadn't the time to walk back to the aisle and pick up another tube that would probably be mispriced as well. The other people in line snickered as the clerk rung me up for $2.79.

mp3-pack 103

1. Iron and Wine - Fever Dream
2. Division Day - There Is No Telling
3. Summer at the Shatter Creek Over Mogwai - Burn Girl Prom Queen

See Disclaimer

Amazing Adventures of Scott & Ernest... Among Other Things.

is a new comedy by Chicago playwright, Sean Miller. It chronicles a fictional tale based on the real-life friendship of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway. The play introduces Fitzgerald in the beginnings of his decline due to his alcoholism and unbearable social behavoir. The audience quickly becomes aware that Fitzgerald had been in a plight for quite some time now, and had not been meeting his writing obligations. In an effort to spark the young drunkard, his publisher at Scribner's sent for Hemingway. Upon coming to a mutual agreement, Hemingway darts off to Paris (he's currently residing in the Florida Keys) to rile Fitzgerald. He tells an elaborate mythic tale about a king and his treasure; and finally convinces Fitzgerald to join him on an expedition to Mexico in order to find said treasure. Cut-to a jail cell in Mexico and the bulk of the play which explains in detail how and why they got there--after Gertrude Stein makes an entrance.

While I thought the play ended rather abruptly, I rather enjoyed its candor approach to the dynamic between Fitzgerald and Hemingway. The clever quips and sardonic wordplay, proved a fascinating viewer experience. I especially enjoyed the smart use of offensive language and offensive social situations.

And yes, I noticed the typo as well.

I saw the play the evening of my birthday and then proceeded to Sushi Samba, where I met a friend of mine who lives in Chicago. We then went to Y Club for bottle services and socialiting. After which, we found ourselves at Moda and then somewhere that I can't remember. The night was long and drawn out, but at least it wasn't on my tab. *winks*

Realization: Shooting Day Six & Seven

The last two days of shooting were pretty laid back. On the sixth, we shot in a commercial loft and on the last day, we shot one scene outside. The experience was really well worth it, and I've since spoken to my buddy, David Lowery of Road Dog Productions, about helping out with his upcoming film, The Outlaw Son. I've decided I'm going to get back into the business, however haphazard my schedule will be. I'll just have to make time to foster my creativity again. :)

As for now, I'm looking forward to the wrap party. I love wrap parties.

Wishlist.

I'll be twenty-five on November ninth. Other than renting a car, and possibly a break on my insurance, I'm not exactly sure if I really give a damn. I'll be a quarter of a century old. A quarter of a century!!! That's a freakish feeling for some reason. So now that I'm having my mid-mid-life crisis, here's my list.

1. The 2006 Mercedes SL500 Roadster (a girl I went out with here in Chicago drove one of these and I instantly fell in love).
2. The Apple 60 GB iPod with Video (I can't deny my desire anymore).
   
3. The Sony Cybershot DSCN1 8.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (brand new from Sony, available November 16th).
4. A new pair of glasses.
5. A blow-up doll, or a real girl!

Okay, back to the real world.

mp3-pack 102

1. Jamaraquoi - Canned Heat (because I just can't get enough Napoleon Dynamite)
2. Rogue Wave - Kicking the Heart Out
3. Spoon - I Turn My Camera On

See Disclaimer

Realization: Shooting Day Two, Three, Four, Five & Six

Days two and three were pretty hectic and tiresome. It's totally worth it though because I've met some great people and have had a whole lot of fun. It is so unbelievably refreshing to be doing something creative and fulfilling once again. Not so much different than the first day. We had Chipotle for lunch the second day, and home made lasagna the third!

The fourth day we shot at the famous Art Deco, Pickwick Theater in Park Ridge, IL. I was an extra in the theater! Whee! Shooting a fifteen second scene outside proved to be relatively difficult, due to the busy intersection where the theater is located. That, and a drunken shopkeeper demanded attention and would not leave until we placated his base, onlooker desires.

I was only available for a short time on day five, at the director, Samir "Sam" Salem's house in Chicago. Today, day six, was shorter than scheduled, due to a rain-out. However, it appears as though all the necessary shots were captured and satisfactorily so. The picture featured in this post is one of today's location, Wilson Hall, located at the Fermilab. We shot in front of the building for half the day, and the other half on a bus in front of the building. I'm looking forward to the last two days of shooting!

Oh yeah, and here's a link to Realization, for those who want more information on the project.