Week Six in L.A.

These keep getting later and later. One day late here, two days late there...yada yada...
Lots and lots going on. With every passing day I become more and more drawn to this town. I'm drawn to it. It probably has something to do with the weather in the winter :-) But, also the atmosphere and being so close to the film industry. Not making a solid decision yet, just thinking out loud.
Anyway...it was a good week. I can't believe how fast it seems to be going by. The sad part is that being so busy with class and things that I've had less time than I'd like to really explore and experience Los Angeles. Little bits and pieces, but not as much as I'd like to.
The week started out with an ear infection and too much money spent at a clinic where they just checked what I said was wrong and didn't check anything else. So now it feels better, but still feels a little clogged up. And I know you all want to know about stuff like this.
I've had to refocus a little this week, reminding myself of the song I feel like God put in my heart upon my arrival here:
Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

2. Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

3. Be Thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight,
Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight.
Thou my soul's shelter, Thou my high tower.
Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

4. Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

5. High King of heaven, my victory won,
May I reach heaven's joys, O bright heav'ns Son!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my vision, O ruler of all.

Anyway...the highlight of this week was the opportunity to be a part of "110 Stories," a dramatic reading of accounts from 9/11 to raise money for the Los Angeles chapter of the Red Cross. I helped with Craft Services (Food) for the actors. I spent my day in a room with people whom you'd recognize if I took the time to name drop. Then I got to watch the show thanks to the generosity of the wonderful casting director I have the privilege of interning with. Sitting in the row next to me and my friend was Gary Sinise. I feel different about dropping that name since I didn't actually meet him, he was just watching the show. It was a late night, but so worth it. Great experience.
I finished filming my last project for my MPP class this weekend and am working on the editing now. Look for it on FB in another week or so. Now I can focus totally on the HPW film that I'm directing. That's a load off :-)
So, I find myself really enjoying the time here, falling in love with this exciting town and really loving the February weather here. My sympathies to my East Coast peeps :-)
Well, it's late so that'll have to do for now. Love to you all

Week Five in L.A.

It's hard to believe that week five has passed and we're on to week numero six! It's so funny...during the week I'll think "I really need to remember that when I blog." Then, I forget what it was when I actually sit down. So, let's see what I can remember. On Wednesday I sat down with a new friend of mine for coffee and we talked about life, family, faith, film, and then some. It was such a nice conversation and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It's always nice to get another perspective on things.
What else? I got hired as a production manager for a Census Bureau PSA and that was a good experience. Of course, there's always those moments when you feel in a bit over your head and forget things and feel silly...but, that's how we learn, right? So, that went well until the very end when everyone had left and I locked my keys in my trunk. I had to call AAA and wait for them. Then I hit tons and tons of traffic heading back into LA. At one point it took me thirty minutes to drive one mile. So, I turned the music up and chilled. Unfortunately though, I couldn't allow myself to get too chill since I only got two and a half hours of sleep last night. It's my fault, I admit it. I went to IHop with some friends and had a great time hanging out and chatting. Too fun :-)
I'm gearing up to shoot my second and final project for my MPP class, so that'll be nice and I'll be totally finished with that class on the second of March. However, still waiting on our locked script for the HPW project that I'm directing. I'm super excited about it and am thrilled to be working with the people I'm working with. We'll start the casting process pretty soon and I'm looking forward to that.
Funny story: Heard a piece of a conversation that a boy had with his mother at the park today: Little boy running around in the beautiful seventy-two degree, sunny weather (That's right, I said it) and his mother says, "That's a good work out, isn't it?"
The boy says, "Yeah, but you're the one that needs it." WOW! Anyway...
I got to talk with my family again today. I cried. I know that it's feeling even bigger since I'm tired, but I'm really missing them. If I didn't know that what I'm doing is the right thing to be doing...it would be unbearable. Nonetheless, I miss them greatly.
Well, that's it for me. I love you all and thank you all for your continued love and prayers. It has truly been a spiritually refreshing time for me.

Week Four in L.A.

I've got to tell you that the hardest part about doing this once a week is that I forget what has happened too often.
So, let's see what I can remember for those of you that actually read this :-) I was offered a job as a production manager for a weekend PSA shoot. I took it because, well it's a job, and it's experience, etc. I'm excited about that prospect. I'm loving my internship, working with some amazing people and getting lots experience and gaining tons and tons of knowledge as to how this business works on several different levels.
I really like the city of L.A. It's got a fun "vibe" to it and there's tons of things to do and most of it is within walking distance. I'm thoroughly enjoying my time here. I do, indeed, miss my family and talk to them often. Maybe too often...I'm afraid I'll get home and they'll be, "Oh, hey dad. I know you were gone, but we talked to you every freakin' day, so it was kind of hard to really 'miss' you." I'm sure that's not the case, but it would suck if it was. Blah blah blah
I bought a GPS, so that's cool. I'm pretty pumped about that especially since I'll be traveling some with the PSA shoot and it would be horrible to get lost. Which, by the way is easy to do in this town if you don't know where you are or where you're going. Sunday is Super Bowl Sunday and I'll be heading out to spend the day with my cousin, Erica, and her boyfriend. I think it's been something like 12 or 13 years since I've seen her and I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with family. And using my GPS to get there :-)
What else? I've helped some other students out on their projects and that's been fun and even had some time to sit down to dinner with some new people and start to build relationships. Which is awesome and I enjoy getting to know people.
David and I watched "Serenity" on blu-ray, which kicked some serious booty. Then we stayed up late jumping back and forth between "Blue Harvest," "The Best of Will Farrell," both of which had to constantly buffer, and "What Happens in Vegas." We laughed so hard and it was a great stress reliever. I'm so thankful for good friends.
I'm still picking through the AFI top 100 movies. I keep putting them in later at night and end up falling asleep, so it's taking me forever to watch them. Right now on my coffee table sit, "The Searchers," "Raging Bull," and "City Lights." I'm looking forward to watching them, I just have to start them earlier in the evening I think :-)
Well, I can't think of too much else. I guess if I think of anything I'll let you all know. Thanks again for all your love and support.