3 Rad Things

Not much time lately to update- but that doesn't mean things haven't been going down!

1) The film was finished last week- final sound mix - the feelings that come with realities anti climatic nature- and finally, a screening on a real theatre's big screen. Which was great- except I can't remember the film being played at all, and somehow in my speech to the audience I talked more about voting for Barak Obama than thanking the people I was supposed to- oh well, next time.


2) Best "celebrity" sighting thus far (at least in my own context). I was sitting in my favorite diner Fred62's www.fred62.com - which I hadn't been to in almost two months- check it out (and if you come to visit me, ask others who have, you will be taken there) so yeah, I was having a production meeting with the director of the next film we are shooting and I looked up to see a singer from a band I like come in- only it took me a moment for it register (this guy and band have very distinct look, not just skinny guys in t-shirts with emo hair) that I knew this person, not from daily life, but from countless shows. I caught myself before I did an obligatory nod of "Hey!" as I realized who it was. Again, most people wouldn't care about this "celebrity sighting" but from my own history, knowing me and the amount of times I've seen this guy perform, or read his work in comics, etc. what are the odds of all the alternative vibe diners, in all the cities, at all the random times of 4 30 on a Thursday, would we be at the same place. I left it at that, I didn't want to be a douche and annoy the guy, so I finished my meal satisfied with just the rad coincidence. Of course, we leave and stop at the movie theatre on the corner to see what's playing- Nick and Norah is playing, which I saw, and thought was only okay, as it wasn't really made for me, but the film resonated with me in a weird way because the characters literally go around NYC going to clubs for shows, all clubs I have been to many times over. I mean I almost cheered when they went to the Bowery Ballroom... the point is I was explaining this to my friend when the "celebrity" walked past with his wife/gf? and I thought ironically how he was of one of the acts I'd go and see so much in the city... Finally, the story ends when I went into the indie book shop next door, the book I wanted Infinite Jest, was on the employee picks shelf- only one copy so I went the section to find a "fresher" copy. There was none so I turned the corner back to the employee picks shelf only to find the guy was standing in the way, I awkwardly had to slip past him to grab the book and I quickly got the hell out of the store- finding the whole experience to be way too surreal. Of course the kicker was I walked back to my car and got in and the guy and girl walked past me hand in hand, the whole time I was analyzing the situation in my head, they were right behind me. Awesome!


3- I went to the Red Wings Kings game this week - again a great night on the town. I finally found some live NHL hockey and actually (Compared to the Colesieum) the place was pretty full- lots of Wings fans, who I decided to root for- since based off the isles start of the season it's going to be a long few years- First of all, it's incredible to root for a team that talented- it's like of course they're going to come through. It felt like the Wings slept through most the game, but my favorite player Zetterberg (Conn Smythe winner from last season's playoffs) had a goal, OZZIE played in goal and had an assist and to top it off it went to a shoot out- Osgood (sogood) stopped every shot and Zetterberg netted the winner! I love hockey!



That's it for now- Halloween is almost here!

Taken this all the way to the White House

I hope everyone watched the third, and final, Presidential Debates that took place at Hofstra University. I was so proud when Hofstra was named at the location, but even more exctied on Wednesday night, as at a cafeteria I proudly wore my 'Stra t-shirt as Obama and that old guy both thanked Hofstra for having them. Many years ago, Hillary Clinton stopped by our campus when she was running for the senate, and in my last year, Bill Clinton came by to give a talk. Unfortunately I was unable to score tix to see Bill, but I remember how it felt to have him on campus. It's not easy for me to feel pride for a school. Let's face it, I've been to a lot. But for some reason, Hofstra has always been a place I'm proud of. I think it's because of the surprises I found there, I ended up transferring there, unexpectantly. All I ever thought of the school was that it was a Long Island school located next to the Nassau Colesieum, which didn't hurt my reasoning for going there. But really, it was the people I met there, some of my best friends, who I realized, as I watched the debate, have all gone on to their own paths, but whatever bond that was fused there, in 916b, our suite, is enough to keep us connected. Also, Hofstra changed me academically. A lot of people don't discover themselves in college, but really, my interests in writing, literature, art, and cinema seemed to grow on that campus. I remember how excited I was to go back, and start my Masters their after I had started teaching. (Even though I started the film program I am in now, I still wish I could have finished that degree, even if it would only be for piece of mind). I had professors their who helped me focus on my aspirations- I guess that's what makes me reflect on my time their with such fondness. It's so different reflecting on Hofstra, then say my time in high school, Hofstra was such a short blast of time, and a lot of my memories take place outside the school- my few years of living in Nassau County was a vehicle to so many shows, movies, adventures, and a better appreciation for living so much closer to New York City.
But that's in the past- and today- (though I'm still in school, forever in school it seems) I'm like so many people, pirched, watching as we get closer and closer to an Election, that I think many of use agree and realize is the most important of our lives... to see Obama at Hofstra just gave me a good feeling, a little more of that hope that I (and many others) have been able to attach to him.

Today, I recieved my voting site, as a California resident. I figure I needed to change my luck from the last election- ( I think I was in Stony Brook then, but Stony Brook was no Hofstra, not by a long shot).

Other updates:
We are finishing sound design on our little films, next Saturday is our big screening. Then it's on to the 2nd half of the semester. It's tiring, I'd be lying if I hadn't noticed I crossed the two month's to go marker before I get to return to NY for the holidays...Soon enough.

Two Minutes for Euro Tripping

Don't mind the pun in the title of this entry.

So first, we are deep into post-production on the film, we're in good shape as we are under the maximum 5 and half minutes and have a week and half to work on sound- So all should be good and we'll be ready for the big screen screening on campus on the 25th!

I went to a roller derby match the other night - which was quite a fun night. It was my friend's birthday, and she's been going non-stop to Los Angeles Doll House for an aggressive and violent sport that involves girl on roller skates knocking each other over. Also they're all a bit alternative styled girls which makes it even more exciting! I really appreciated the hard work the entire DIY league goes through to make it happen. I rooted for #516 because her name was Long Island Lolita, so I figured she was my home town hero. Skating and hard hitting - if only there was another sport like that, starting a new season this weekend...

Oh right!

I've caught a little bit of the opening games for the NHL - this season two teams were playing two games in Prague and two teams playing games in Stockholm - this is the second year that the league has sent teams to open games in Europe. This has started the debate on whether the NHL is ready to start expansion in the European market. It would be a whole division with teams in hockey hot beds like Prague, Stockholm, Helsinki - amongst others...

I think this would be a brilliant move. Frankly, the league is so niche that I find admitting hockey is my favorite sport gets laughs - this used to be the reaction soccer fans only received. The climate is perfect to push the boundaries of professional sports. There's a global community - ever connected through internet and economy- the NHL can take the progressive step forward by creating the closet thing to a global league. The fact that Boston Bruins could have game versus a team in Belarus or the Calgary Flames could have a game versus the Prague Vampires (just a thought) is fascinating. Free agent signings will become a whole new game- as European players (who make up 30% of the league can be NHLers in their home countries or how about players looking for top dollar being able to sigh huge NHL contracts in EUROS !

The league is already too big at 30 teams and I suppose the NHL would probably try to do expansion, which would bump the league to 34 or 36 depending on what they were thinking. I would hope that they would look to sell off certain franchises first. I rather see teams in Scandinavia or Russia then in Phoenix, Florida and Atlanta. I realize this could also lead to the moving of my beloved New York Islanders to London or Helsinki - which would lead me to throwing chairs around my apartment, like when my favorite players are traded.

Baseball has the World Series, which really doesn't involve the world. Football as the SUPER bowl which when you think about sounds like the cheesiest name for a championship game- The Stanley Cup is the greatest trophy in sports, and I think it's time it had the chance to be won the in the countries were the passion for the game is explosive.