Best Day of Break 2007-08
Yesterday was by far, as the title says, the best day I have had this entire winter break. This break has been so awful for most of the time. I was throwing myself into something I really didn't want to do just so that I could occupy my time that I would usually spend doing what I WOULD want to do so that I wouldn't end up associating movie making and writing with negative emotions. These are two activities that I truly prefer only to do when I am in a positive state of mind.
It wasn't until two night ago that I finally let go of a lot of the major baggage that has been holding me back, and boy golly gee am I glad I finally did. Brittany called me in the morning as a wake up call and to check on me because of the previous nights Final Confrontation I had to put myself through, and I woke up happy as ever for the first time in MONTHS. It was a beautiful feeling, and because of that this post is probably going to feel a little sugary for anyone who actually reads it. I hope you do though, because its what sounds like me being honestly happy for the first time in months.
Yesterday I went on an epic journey with some members of the Future Film Makers Club, including Thomas, Michael and James. It was really cool. I drove down to Bethesda to grab Thomas, checked out his pad, and finally started getting to learn more about the people around me in general. Did the same over at Mike's, although that was a longer drive but it was fun cruising in the car with Thom and listening to Megadeth of all things. I don't think I'm a big metal fan, honestly, but it's fun to listen to on the Beltway as I weave in and out of traffic. When we got to Mike's we watched a lot of INSANELY STUPID internet videos that are just too much fun not to laugh at, and checked out his room. Mike's really working on the new project my site is going to put up, a webcomic about the Bodyguard MacGuffin character I had created a few months back for the purposes of a Spy Wars vs. Atavist Splinter crossover story. Its good stuff really, but the main problem is I don't exactly have a story yet! I was using the character for the purposes of getting out my emoness, but now that that's finally starting to subside (fixations are still around but not prominent) it's getting harder to make art based off of a negative mindset! I think his drawings are going to be really good for it though, and he came up with a great visual design for the lead character's special ability!
So we joked around, I stole Michael's snack cakes, got addicted to this WAY TOO CUTE VIDEO that you must watch! I have never enjoyed anything this damned cute and evil at the same time. I usually despise it, but I could listen to this forever. I was really in a good mood obviously, and it was great, all my fears had finally left my back and even if it had been the last 24 hours of my life I would have died happy knowing I could feel that way again.
So we left Mike's house after re-getting James's directions and started our drive to Crofton. It was definitely a worthwhile experience seeing where one of my main dudes from SU lived, his family and his room and everything. Dude seriously DOES have a lot of old junk, but its like my basement- Holy Nostalgic Memories Batman! He even let me take a wooden training sword off of his hands, which I REALLY appreciated because I've been dying to get something broad-sword style or Chinese Sword Jian weighted to practice with, and because of its simple and generic design I can practice both with it, and also do some crazy Devil May Cry style choreography. I showed the guy's my new knife, the ability to throw it, and showed Mike that he can learn how to do it too, and DAMN he did once and it was pretty fuckin great. We decided to forget the hour long so drive to Muvico by James's recommendation and simply proceed to the Annapolis Mall.
MY GOD it was the right choice! and for a number of really great reasons. I mean, at first we didn't know what we were exactly doing, we HAD decided to wing most of the trip (and I'm glad, scheduling something between more than two people takes way too much strategy, it's much better to just work it on instinct) so we didn't even know when the movie, Cloverfield, was playing at the theater. When we got there we saw there was a 7:40 showing and a 10:15 showing. It was around 6:30 so obviously we wanted to hit up the earlier time but...IT WAS SOLD OUT! I cannot believe this movie has exploded the way it has!
People that go to movies these days are getting dumber and dumber, but I suppose I'm one of the few people I know who actually appreciate the concept as something more than just The Blair Witch Project Meets Godzilla. The Blair Witch project is something that, if you went into the woods and there was some nutjob out there, COULD VERY WELL HAPPEN ON THIS PLANET. Cloverfield, however, was something we had been watching on Saturday Morning Sci Fi channel specials since we were kids, and yet it was still done in a way that made it feel like we were experiencing it freshly and creatively for the first time. This is the most original action or sci fi film to hit theaters in probably a year and a half, and it is totally worth the 10 dollars just to be shaken as hard as possible by the roar of the monster and the reverb of the speakers.
So we decided to get tickets to the later showing, eat at the foodcourt, and then just check out the mall. Well we just so happened to end up in a Gamestop (I know, I really can't believe it myself!) and looked for things we all knew that we wouldn't buy, except James, who always buys stuff. I swear if he trades in Dirge of Cerberus before I borrow it and write about how bad it is I'll be VERY annoyed. I did end up buying something though, for a very amusing reason.
I don't think it was exactly pathetic, because I've been looking for something pretty realistic to play for a while now and it was only 5 bucks, but I bought this random Rainbow 6 game for the original Xbox if only so that I could engage in conversation with the girl working there without making her boss get...bossy. I figured if we had to exchange business I could probably actually talk to her for more than five minutes, because she had already been talking to me for like 20 minutes but I could tell her boss was starting to get grouchy so I wanted to save her the trouble and buy something so he wouldn't bug her. I don't know if that's the actual politics of the store, but I only thought it mannerly. Her name is Kim and she's nice enough that I asked her if she'd like to meet up with us for the movie after work. Sadly I hadn't known that it already sold out, because she wanted to come along but couldn't and I felt bad about that. When I figured it out later I came back and told her that I was sorry for inviting her to something she couldn't come to, and if she'd like a raincheck or something if I gave her my number. She pretty much ordered her boss to get her a piece of paper and I quickly whipped out a pen and exchanged digits. Now I'm not saying I'm incredibly infatuated with the girl or intent on anything, I'm just saying it's nice to know I was back on the ball for a change. REALLY nice. However, there was a flip side to her not coming along that was good too. I'll get to that later though.
So I bought a five dollar video game and left the store for a bit to get back into whatever the guys were doing. I figured it was best to let them interact amongst themselves for a change anyways, because I don't want to be the pinion that binds them together forever! I'm the president of the club dammit, and I want the people in my club to get to know each other and become good friends too! I caught back up with them, went with Mike to borders and he bought me the Gungrave Archives on a "money loan." I guess I'll provide him with lunch or something a couple of times at school in exchange, but he spotted me for now and I was able to show him the art style I'd like him to take notes from for the aforementioned web comic. So far, including gas, food (Mike also covered cause his aunt lent him a lot of money for the weekend), and the art book I hadn't spent money on anything except my movie ticket and the video game. It was great! These guys have been incredibly helpful to me and I couldn't thank them more. I was on Cloud Nine all night.
When we finally got up to the movie theater at around 9:45 I saw the most terrible thing ever: A poster for Rambo IV or whatever it's called with Stallone's face done in a mock up of Che Guevera. ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. I will have pics up soon of it if Thom downloads them to his computer from his phone. Seriously "wtf" situation.
We went into our theater, grabbed seats, and found a decent set of four, not too far back, not too far to the side (at least for me anyways) and directly in front of a bunch of Jock Douchebags who wanted to insult Michael for looking at my art book. Oh if only they had known what kind of person I really am...heh. I told Thomas and James later that my response to any other snide remark they would make at a point was going to be the following: 1) Douche Bag says something to dis my friends without thinking they heard it 2) I say to my friends, loud enough so that Douche Bag can hear "You know guys, this has been the best day ever, and you know what would make it better? Kicking the absolute CRAP out of somebody," at which point I'd turn on my best Jack Nicholson expression and give the guys behind us a wolfish grin, and then if they started shit, oh well, it would have been FUN to try out my new moves. Arrogant and stupid, but fun, because let's face it, if I ever start going to bars it's just going to be for the fights. I didn't have a chance to say that though, but it was quickly forgotten anyways, because a Theater Manager came to the front of the office to tell the audience a Very Important Message. Apparently the show had rapid-fire sold out, and they knew what kind of crowd they were dealing with (the dumb animal kind) so they wanted to make sure everyone could get a seat. They recommended people scoot over.
So this really pretty girl and someone who I suppose is her mom decided to scoot closer to me! I was on the end, so I ended up talking to this girl for almost the entire 15 minutes before the movie started, telling her about what I do at school, showing her a clip of my movies on my Zune (genius purchase, now I just need a good movie on it), and hearing her stories about Frostburg and LDR's as well. Sadly, I don't remember her name and didn't get her contact information, but I gave her mine. I need to network, finding a date isn't even the PRIORITY I just need to spread my movies out there a LOT if I'm gonna make it big without selling my soul to Hollywood. It was really fun, and when the movie started I was half glad the other girl didn't end up coming, just because it gave me the excuse to practice my Public Conversation Initiation Technique Level 6 a little more. I hope she gets back to me!
The movie started, and well, I'll write a full review later, but suffice it to say seeing Cloverfield in a theater is possibly the best thing you can do this weekend. Even James, who apparently read mostly negative reviews (it has a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, and nothing with that size hype in the last four months has had anywhere near that good of a score) was completely GLUED to the screen at one point! Mike and Tom and I all enjoyed it thoroughly also, and walked out feeling really energetic and wiped out at the same time. I'm so glad I did all of that. It was completely worth it.
We drove James back, said our goodbyes and that we'd see him next week, and proceeded to back track to Michael's. Damn I'm a good driver and navigator. We took Michael back, hung at his house for a bit while he found caffeine for me just in case, and watched some more crazy-dumb internet vids. It was all good though. Climbed back in the car with Thomas afterwards, and proceeded to Navigate back to his house...which was a bit more difficult cause we couldn't find 495, so I took BW Parkway anyways cause I'm just that awesome, and got him back home. He let me borrow his airsoft rifle and The Last King of Scotland, we re-exchanged our movies back, and talked a bit. Thomas is a really good guy and I'm glad as hell I'm training him in running Future Film Makers. He might go for President someday, and if he does I have faith he'll be handle it with the rest of the current Freshmen helping him out. It's like my dream for this club to succeed probably just as much if not more than going to Hollywood someday and getting my name in lights, mainly because this actually effects people on a really intimate level if they make the most of it. I know the kids are glad they have it, or at least Thomas has told me so.
I then drove back to Gaithersburg, and after texting her if she was awake or not, gave Kim the Gamestop Girl a call and talked to her on the way back home to help me stay awake. Really worth it. She sounds like she could be some fun, but even if she's not going to go out with me or anything (cause I'm not going to do anything really long distance again) it's good having someone to talk to on the phone late at night if I'm bored and can't sleep (it settles me, what can I say?). We ended up talking all the way into the house and for maybe an hour extra, and decided we'll see if we can meet up before I go back. Dunno how that's going to work out, but it could be fun if it does.
All in all though, I'm very glad I did what I did that day, and even more glad I did what I did with The Previous One the night before. It was about damned time I stopped holding a torch for someone who is just going to end up not caring about me and transferring it all onto someone else. I'm not going to make myself be made anymore of a victim than I already am, if I can help it. So, barring any other crazy scenarios that come into my life from this point on, I should HOPEFULLY be ok. Two more insurance classes to go and I'm back at Salisbury, back in the studio and back at work.
This year is going to be AMAZING.
It wasn't until two night ago that I finally let go of a lot of the major baggage that has been holding me back, and boy golly gee am I glad I finally did. Brittany called me in the morning as a wake up call and to check on me because of the previous nights Final Confrontation I had to put myself through, and I woke up happy as ever for the first time in MONTHS. It was a beautiful feeling, and because of that this post is probably going to feel a little sugary for anyone who actually reads it. I hope you do though, because its what sounds like me being honestly happy for the first time in months.
Yesterday I went on an epic journey with some members of the Future Film Makers Club, including Thomas, Michael and James. It was really cool. I drove down to Bethesda to grab Thomas, checked out his pad, and finally started getting to learn more about the people around me in general. Did the same over at Mike's, although that was a longer drive but it was fun cruising in the car with Thom and listening to Megadeth of all things. I don't think I'm a big metal fan, honestly, but it's fun to listen to on the Beltway as I weave in and out of traffic. When we got to Mike's we watched a lot of INSANELY STUPID internet videos that are just too much fun not to laugh at, and checked out his room. Mike's really working on the new project my site is going to put up, a webcomic about the Bodyguard MacGuffin character I had created a few months back for the purposes of a Spy Wars vs. Atavist Splinter crossover story. Its good stuff really, but the main problem is I don't exactly have a story yet! I was using the character for the purposes of getting out my emoness, but now that that's finally starting to subside (fixations are still around but not prominent) it's getting harder to make art based off of a negative mindset! I think his drawings are going to be really good for it though, and he came up with a great visual design for the lead character's special ability!
So we joked around, I stole Michael's snack cakes, got addicted to this WAY TOO CUTE VIDEO that you must watch! I have never enjoyed anything this damned cute and evil at the same time. I usually despise it, but I could listen to this forever. I was really in a good mood obviously, and it was great, all my fears had finally left my back and even if it had been the last 24 hours of my life I would have died happy knowing I could feel that way again.
So we left Mike's house after re-getting James's directions and started our drive to Crofton. It was definitely a worthwhile experience seeing where one of my main dudes from SU lived, his family and his room and everything. Dude seriously DOES have a lot of old junk, but its like my basement- Holy Nostalgic Memories Batman! He even let me take a wooden training sword off of his hands, which I REALLY appreciated because I've been dying to get something broad-sword style or Chinese Sword Jian weighted to practice with, and because of its simple and generic design I can practice both with it, and also do some crazy Devil May Cry style choreography. I showed the guy's my new knife, the ability to throw it, and showed Mike that he can learn how to do it too, and DAMN he did once and it was pretty fuckin great. We decided to forget the hour long so drive to Muvico by James's recommendation and simply proceed to the Annapolis Mall.
MY GOD it was the right choice! and for a number of really great reasons. I mean, at first we didn't know what we were exactly doing, we HAD decided to wing most of the trip (and I'm glad, scheduling something between more than two people takes way too much strategy, it's much better to just work it on instinct) so we didn't even know when the movie, Cloverfield, was playing at the theater. When we got there we saw there was a 7:40 showing and a 10:15 showing. It was around 6:30 so obviously we wanted to hit up the earlier time but...IT WAS SOLD OUT! I cannot believe this movie has exploded the way it has!
People that go to movies these days are getting dumber and dumber, but I suppose I'm one of the few people I know who actually appreciate the concept as something more than just The Blair Witch Project Meets Godzilla. The Blair Witch project is something that, if you went into the woods and there was some nutjob out there, COULD VERY WELL HAPPEN ON THIS PLANET. Cloverfield, however, was something we had been watching on Saturday Morning Sci Fi channel specials since we were kids, and yet it was still done in a way that made it feel like we were experiencing it freshly and creatively for the first time. This is the most original action or sci fi film to hit theaters in probably a year and a half, and it is totally worth the 10 dollars just to be shaken as hard as possible by the roar of the monster and the reverb of the speakers.
So we decided to get tickets to the later showing, eat at the foodcourt, and then just check out the mall. Well we just so happened to end up in a Gamestop (I know, I really can't believe it myself!) and looked for things we all knew that we wouldn't buy, except James, who always buys stuff. I swear if he trades in Dirge of Cerberus before I borrow it and write about how bad it is I'll be VERY annoyed. I did end up buying something though, for a very amusing reason.
I don't think it was exactly pathetic, because I've been looking for something pretty realistic to play for a while now and it was only 5 bucks, but I bought this random Rainbow 6 game for the original Xbox if only so that I could engage in conversation with the girl working there without making her boss get...bossy. I figured if we had to exchange business I could probably actually talk to her for more than five minutes, because she had already been talking to me for like 20 minutes but I could tell her boss was starting to get grouchy so I wanted to save her the trouble and buy something so he wouldn't bug her. I don't know if that's the actual politics of the store, but I only thought it mannerly. Her name is Kim and she's nice enough that I asked her if she'd like to meet up with us for the movie after work. Sadly I hadn't known that it already sold out, because she wanted to come along but couldn't and I felt bad about that. When I figured it out later I came back and told her that I was sorry for inviting her to something she couldn't come to, and if she'd like a raincheck or something if I gave her my number. She pretty much ordered her boss to get her a piece of paper and I quickly whipped out a pen and exchanged digits. Now I'm not saying I'm incredibly infatuated with the girl or intent on anything, I'm just saying it's nice to know I was back on the ball for a change. REALLY nice. However, there was a flip side to her not coming along that was good too. I'll get to that later though.
So I bought a five dollar video game and left the store for a bit to get back into whatever the guys were doing. I figured it was best to let them interact amongst themselves for a change anyways, because I don't want to be the pinion that binds them together forever! I'm the president of the club dammit, and I want the people in my club to get to know each other and become good friends too! I caught back up with them, went with Mike to borders and he bought me the Gungrave Archives on a "money loan." I guess I'll provide him with lunch or something a couple of times at school in exchange, but he spotted me for now and I was able to show him the art style I'd like him to take notes from for the aforementioned web comic. So far, including gas, food (Mike also covered cause his aunt lent him a lot of money for the weekend), and the art book I hadn't spent money on anything except my movie ticket and the video game. It was great! These guys have been incredibly helpful to me and I couldn't thank them more. I was on Cloud Nine all night.
When we finally got up to the movie theater at around 9:45 I saw the most terrible thing ever: A poster for Rambo IV or whatever it's called with Stallone's face done in a mock up of Che Guevera. ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. I will have pics up soon of it if Thom downloads them to his computer from his phone. Seriously "wtf" situation.
We went into our theater, grabbed seats, and found a decent set of four, not too far back, not too far to the side (at least for me anyways) and directly in front of a bunch of Jock Douchebags who wanted to insult Michael for looking at my art book. Oh if only they had known what kind of person I really am...heh. I told Thomas and James later that my response to any other snide remark they would make at a point was going to be the following: 1) Douche Bag says something to dis my friends without thinking they heard it 2) I say to my friends, loud enough so that Douche Bag can hear "You know guys, this has been the best day ever, and you know what would make it better? Kicking the absolute CRAP out of somebody," at which point I'd turn on my best Jack Nicholson expression and give the guys behind us a wolfish grin, and then if they started shit, oh well, it would have been FUN to try out my new moves. Arrogant and stupid, but fun, because let's face it, if I ever start going to bars it's just going to be for the fights. I didn't have a chance to say that though, but it was quickly forgotten anyways, because a Theater Manager came to the front of the office to tell the audience a Very Important Message. Apparently the show had rapid-fire sold out, and they knew what kind of crowd they were dealing with (the dumb animal kind) so they wanted to make sure everyone could get a seat. They recommended people scoot over.
So this really pretty girl and someone who I suppose is her mom decided to scoot closer to me! I was on the end, so I ended up talking to this girl for almost the entire 15 minutes before the movie started, telling her about what I do at school, showing her a clip of my movies on my Zune (genius purchase, now I just need a good movie on it), and hearing her stories about Frostburg and LDR's as well. Sadly, I don't remember her name and didn't get her contact information, but I gave her mine. I need to network, finding a date isn't even the PRIORITY I just need to spread my movies out there a LOT if I'm gonna make it big without selling my soul to Hollywood. It was really fun, and when the movie started I was half glad the other girl didn't end up coming, just because it gave me the excuse to practice my Public Conversation Initiation Technique Level 6 a little more. I hope she gets back to me!
The movie started, and well, I'll write a full review later, but suffice it to say seeing Cloverfield in a theater is possibly the best thing you can do this weekend. Even James, who apparently read mostly negative reviews (it has a 78% on Rotten Tomatoes, and nothing with that size hype in the last four months has had anywhere near that good of a score) was completely GLUED to the screen at one point! Mike and Tom and I all enjoyed it thoroughly also, and walked out feeling really energetic and wiped out at the same time. I'm so glad I did all of that. It was completely worth it.
We drove James back, said our goodbyes and that we'd see him next week, and proceeded to back track to Michael's. Damn I'm a good driver and navigator. We took Michael back, hung at his house for a bit while he found caffeine for me just in case, and watched some more crazy-dumb internet vids. It was all good though. Climbed back in the car with Thomas afterwards, and proceeded to Navigate back to his house...which was a bit more difficult cause we couldn't find 495, so I took BW Parkway anyways cause I'm just that awesome, and got him back home. He let me borrow his airsoft rifle and The Last King of Scotland, we re-exchanged our movies back, and talked a bit. Thomas is a really good guy and I'm glad as hell I'm training him in running Future Film Makers. He might go for President someday, and if he does I have faith he'll be handle it with the rest of the current Freshmen helping him out. It's like my dream for this club to succeed probably just as much if not more than going to Hollywood someday and getting my name in lights, mainly because this actually effects people on a really intimate level if they make the most of it. I know the kids are glad they have it, or at least Thomas has told me so.
I then drove back to Gaithersburg, and after texting her if she was awake or not, gave Kim the Gamestop Girl a call and talked to her on the way back home to help me stay awake. Really worth it. She sounds like she could be some fun, but even if she's not going to go out with me or anything (cause I'm not going to do anything really long distance again) it's good having someone to talk to on the phone late at night if I'm bored and can't sleep (it settles me, what can I say?). We ended up talking all the way into the house and for maybe an hour extra, and decided we'll see if we can meet up before I go back. Dunno how that's going to work out, but it could be fun if it does.
All in all though, I'm very glad I did what I did that day, and even more glad I did what I did with The Previous One the night before. It was about damned time I stopped holding a torch for someone who is just going to end up not caring about me and transferring it all onto someone else. I'm not going to make myself be made anymore of a victim than I already am, if I can help it. So, barring any other crazy scenarios that come into my life from this point on, I should HOPEFULLY be ok. Two more insurance classes to go and I'm back at Salisbury, back in the studio and back at work.
This year is going to be AMAZING.