Cullowhee...check. Wilmington here I come...
During the first part of this summer, I'm working on a recruitment video for a summertime science/math camp for exceptional kids. Yesterday evening, I returned from Western Carolina University over in Cullowhee, NC - and so far things seem to be going along fine with the project (...knocks wood...). Thursday morning we head out for four days in Wilmington, NC for the coastal part of the program. UNC Wilmington will be the host school for this part of the program.
I love the mountains and the past few days were pretty exhilarating for me. I enjoy the vistas, the rushing rivers and peaceful ambience they provide me. We did had some long shooting days (Monday in particular we worked from 8am to 8:30pm) but should have lots of material to work with. Sunday, some of the kids got to go on a white water rafting trip on the Nantahala river. I would have LOVED to have been able to go on the rafts through the exciting rapids (most notably on one with an amazing shave-headed bear guide named Matt....) but our job was shooting footage for the show. So, my co-worked and I drove along the adjacent Nantahala Gorge road, stopping peroidically and perched on rocks with cameras waiting for our groups to drift by (or rush, depending on river speed at that particular point). Other times were less exciting, being in classrooms, dorms, cafeterias, gyms and athletic fields.
Sometimes, I tend to be pessimistic about the future when I see and hear about how bad kids these days have become. I realize that the kids we were working with are in the highest echelons of scholastic achievement to be able to participate in this program, but yet I was gratified to see that while they tended to stay connected with their friends back home via texting and calls, they weren't glued to their technology. They played cards. They loved baskedball and being outdoors. They held mature conversations, said "sir and "ma'am" and always polite and respectful.
They are the people who will be the leaders and decision makers when I'm old and retired. There is hope after all....
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I almost forgot about a funny (yet horrifying incident) at the river gorge. Near the place everyone gets out of the river is one last 3-foot waterfall to be navigated with lots of churning whitewater. A guide (such as the previously described uber-bear Matt...) hops out of one of the first boats to navigate the hazard prepared to help those who need assistance or fall out. There was also a photographer the from the Outdoor center to take pictures. The photographer saw my co-worker and I (she's a woman about 40) and said:
"are you two taking video of your grandchildren?"
I could have shat...after I killed the fucker....
I love the mountains and the past few days were pretty exhilarating for me. I enjoy the vistas, the rushing rivers and peaceful ambience they provide me. We did had some long shooting days (Monday in particular we worked from 8am to 8:30pm) but should have lots of material to work with. Sunday, some of the kids got to go on a white water rafting trip on the Nantahala river. I would have LOVED to have been able to go on the rafts through the exciting rapids (most notably on one with an amazing shave-headed bear guide named Matt....) but our job was shooting footage for the show. So, my co-worked and I drove along the adjacent Nantahala Gorge road, stopping peroidically and perched on rocks with cameras waiting for our groups to drift by (or rush, depending on river speed at that particular point). Other times were less exciting, being in classrooms, dorms, cafeterias, gyms and athletic fields.
Sometimes, I tend to be pessimistic about the future when I see and hear about how bad kids these days have become. I realize that the kids we were working with are in the highest echelons of scholastic achievement to be able to participate in this program, but yet I was gratified to see that while they tended to stay connected with their friends back home via texting and calls, they weren't glued to their technology. They played cards. They loved baskedball and being outdoors. They held mature conversations, said "sir and "ma'am" and always polite and respectful.
They are the people who will be the leaders and decision makers when I'm old and retired. There is hope after all....
<>>
I almost forgot about a funny (yet horrifying incident) at the river gorge. Near the place everyone gets out of the river is one last 3-foot waterfall to be navigated with lots of churning whitewater. A guide (such as the previously described uber-bear Matt...) hops out of one of the first boats to navigate the hazard prepared to help those who need assistance or fall out. There was also a photographer the from the Outdoor center to take pictures. The photographer saw my co-worker and I (she's a woman about 40) and said:
"are you two taking video of your grandchildren?"
I could have shat...after I killed the fucker....