9/2/13, 4:44 PM PDT
WOOPWOOP! Finally finished summer homework, awwwwwww yeaaaah! Well, technically, I still have to watch the videos for APUSH, but those are a piece of cake anyway.
Anyway, what to do now... I guess I should probably work on the titles story, which I still have to start, even though the due date is in TWO DAYS and I have a metric F TON of stories to write.
Better get to it then.
Same day, 7:34 PM PDT
Wrote the outlines to most of the stories, but still have a HUGE CHUNK to go through. Eeeeeeeesh.
Anyway, let me take this time to thank you guys so much for taking the time to read my entries! Even if only read a single entry, I'm thankful for you. I had loads of fun writing about the ridiculous, boring, funny, and strange things that happened during my summer and I hope that you guys had fun reading about it. Hopefully, you guys laughed at least once reading my entries.
I'll of course be doing this next year as well, so if you have any suggestions, either write them on your knuckles with a really runny marker and with the same hand punch me on my right cheek for me to look at later in the mirror, or write them below in the comments!
Thanks again, guys! Here's to another year of school!
RFotD: One could create an amateur permanent tattoo by lightly cutting into their own skin and writing over the wound with a Sharpie.
Summer Goals Achieved: Caught up on Doctor Who, made TWO short films, restarted my Minecraft server, bought nicer clothes, shrunk my backpack size, and watched a few movies including "Death of a Superhero," "Star Trek Into Darkness," and "Pacific Rim."
Monday, September 2, 2013
Day Eighty-Two: English While Holding on to the Last Threads of Summer
9/1/13, 11:24 PM PDT
Okay. I should not have procrastinated. SHOULD NOT HAVE PROCRASTINATED. Because now, I have effing TEN ENGLISH ENTRIES TO COMPLETE AND 30 PAGES TO OUTLINE.
Well... I suppose it isn't too bad. I mean I did knock out a huge chunk of work today, which is FANTASTIC.
RFotD: Roughly 20% of people call themselves "chronic procrastinators," where they routinely do everything either at the last minute or after the deadline.
SGAT: Worked on summer homework, EFFING YEAH.
Okay. I should not have procrastinated. SHOULD NOT HAVE PROCRASTINATED. Because now, I have effing TEN ENGLISH ENTRIES TO COMPLETE AND 30 PAGES TO OUTLINE.
Well... I suppose it isn't too bad. I mean I did knock out a huge chunk of work today, which is FANTASTIC.
RFotD: Roughly 20% of people call themselves "chronic procrastinators," where they routinely do everything either at the last minute or after the deadline.
SGAT: Worked on summer homework, EFFING YEAH.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
Day Eighty-One: Cards Against Humanity
8/31/13, 1:15 AM PDT
Learned quite a bit about menstruation, courtesy of a late-night half-Skype call with Rhea (half-Skype call in the sense that I was the only one talking while Rhea typed out her messages). She went into incredible detail about the process, such as the explosion of blood that happens every time she laughs, or runs in PE. Or sneezes.
You know, it's things like menstruation that make me thankful I'm male. I don't really feel like turning into a red shotgun that fired every time I sneeze, because come Spring, I'm pretty sure I'd die from blood loss or drown from my room flooding.
Same day, 9:55 PM PDT
Played Cards Against Humanity with Rhea and the Skype Group (heh, that almost sounds like a band).
The amount of laughter I've had from this game is unquantifiable. My lumberjack-like cackles probably woke the dead, and the nearest graveyard from my house is at least a hundred miles away from me. I probably dislocated one of my spinal discs from recoiling too hard when I laughed. Also stabbed my desk a few times with the clicky end of a pen from the RIDICULOUS CARDS that got pulled out.
If you don't know what Cards Against Humanity is, it's pretty much Apples to Apples clone, but with REALLY politically incorrect responses. And it's the GREATEST THING EVER, if you can tolerate the ridiculously offensive answers.
God, my head's EXPLODING from all this laughter, so I can't explain it as well as I'd like to. Here, just play the online version of it, see for yourself.
RFotD: The first expansion pack for Cards Against Humanity sold out in three days.
SGAT: Summer homework.
Learned quite a bit about menstruation, courtesy of a late-night half-Skype call with Rhea (half-Skype call in the sense that I was the only one talking while Rhea typed out her messages). She went into incredible detail about the process, such as the explosion of blood that happens every time she laughs, or runs in PE. Or sneezes.
You know, it's things like menstruation that make me thankful I'm male. I don't really feel like turning into a red shotgun that fired every time I sneeze, because come Spring, I'm pretty sure I'd die from blood loss or drown from my room flooding.
Same day, 9:55 PM PDT
Played Cards Against Humanity with Rhea and the Skype Group (heh, that almost sounds like a band).
The amount of laughter I've had from this game is unquantifiable. My lumberjack-like cackles probably woke the dead, and the nearest graveyard from my house is at least a hundred miles away from me. I probably dislocated one of my spinal discs from recoiling too hard when I laughed. Also stabbed my desk a few times with the clicky end of a pen from the RIDICULOUS CARDS that got pulled out.
If you don't know what Cards Against Humanity is, it's pretty much Apples to Apples clone, but with REALLY politically incorrect responses. And it's the GREATEST THING EVER, if you can tolerate the ridiculously offensive answers.
God, my head's EXPLODING from all this laughter, so I can't explain it as well as I'd like to. Here, just play the online version of it, see for yourself.
RFotD: The first expansion pack for Cards Against Humanity sold out in three days.
SGAT: Summer homework.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Day Eighty: Awkward Times With Corgis
8/30/13, 4:05 PM PDT
Read for the most day, then watched Wipeout with dad and Megan.
You know, I've always wanted to run a Wipeout course. It looks SO EFFING FUN. Even if I don't make it past the qualifier, I just wanna run it. Just two more years, baby.
Same day, 5:20 PM PDT
So apparently, there's an ice rink near my house that I never knew about. Seriously, I thought the closest ice rink to me was all the way in La Jolla. Wow.
We didn't do much there. We just looked around, signed up my sister for skating lessons, and played table ice hockey, which is kind of like table soccer, but with hockey. It's not air hockey, mind you. It has the controls of table soccer and... know what, I'll just show you a picture of what it looks like.
(PICSOCCER)
I played one side while my dad, my sister, and my mom played the other. AND I WON, BABY. AWWWWW YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH. I'd like to thank years of parkour, playing Smash Bros., and Tetris at level 20 and higher for my reaction times.
Then, we went to North Coast mall to avoid the effing SEARING heat. Dear GOD, did today suck. So effing hot, and the air was so stale. Felt like Philippine air.
Anyway, sister and I went to the pet store, saw some adorable as heck animals, most notably this dachshund that pressed its tiny little paw against the glass for FIVE MINUTES STRAIGHT.
We also spotted this dog, who looks like he's had enough of his dead-end life.
Oh, and we saw a corgi too, playing with some other fluffy dog.
Initially, my sister thought that the other fluffy dog was in danger because the corgi kept biting at its neck. But I reassured her that they were just playing.
That's around the time where the corgi started humping the other dog. IN THE MOUTH.
We immediately left.
Oh, and there's this giant gumball machine thing in the mall that asks you to guess how many balls are in there. Person that gets the closest wins 500 dollars. So naturally, being an unemployed high school student who wants to buy loads of crap, I wanted that money.
But I wasn't about to just randomly guess, or count how many balls are in there. I'm gonna use math. Took a picture of my sister standing next to both of the machines (which are effing HUGE, by the way), then took a picture of a ruler on top of my sister's face for size comparison. Later, when I get home, I'll open up both pictures and use my sister's face to get a rough estimate of both the size of the machine and the size of an individual gumball, find the volume of both the machine and the gumball, divide the volume of half of the machine by the volume of a single gumball (half because only half of the machine was filled with gumballs) and submit my answer.
Effing MATH.
RFotD: Formulas for sphere packing, or the arrangement of non-overlapping spheres within a containing space, don't account for the large amounts of waste space generated from random placement.
SGAT: Read books.
Read for the most day, then watched Wipeout with dad and Megan.
You know, I've always wanted to run a Wipeout course. It looks SO EFFING FUN. Even if I don't make it past the qualifier, I just wanna run it. Just two more years, baby.
Same day, 5:20 PM PDT
So apparently, there's an ice rink near my house that I never knew about. Seriously, I thought the closest ice rink to me was all the way in La Jolla. Wow.
We didn't do much there. We just looked around, signed up my sister for skating lessons, and played table ice hockey, which is kind of like table soccer, but with hockey. It's not air hockey, mind you. It has the controls of table soccer and... know what, I'll just show you a picture of what it looks like.
(PICSOCCER)
I played one side while my dad, my sister, and my mom played the other. AND I WON, BABY. AWWWWW YEAAAAAAAAAAAAH. I'd like to thank years of parkour, playing Smash Bros., and Tetris at level 20 and higher for my reaction times.
Then, we went to North Coast mall to avoid the effing SEARING heat. Dear GOD, did today suck. So effing hot, and the air was so stale. Felt like Philippine air.
Anyway, sister and I went to the pet store, saw some adorable as heck animals, most notably this dachshund that pressed its tiny little paw against the glass for FIVE MINUTES STRAIGHT.
 |
| I see you, Jake Sully. |
We also spotted this dog, who looks like he's had enough of his dead-end life.
 |
| Just let me die. |
Oh, and we saw a corgi too, playing with some other fluffy dog.
 |
| I'm willing to bet his name is "Nick." |
Initially, my sister thought that the other fluffy dog was in danger because the corgi kept biting at its neck. But I reassured her that they were just playing.
That's around the time where the corgi started humping the other dog. IN THE MOUTH.
We immediately left.
 |
| Nick the corgi. Wanted for sexual assault. |
Oh, and there's this giant gumball machine thing in the mall that asks you to guess how many balls are in there. Person that gets the closest wins 500 dollars. So naturally, being an unemployed high school student who wants to buy loads of crap, I wanted that money.
But I wasn't about to just randomly guess, or count how many balls are in there. I'm gonna use math. Took a picture of my sister standing next to both of the machines (which are effing HUGE, by the way), then took a picture of a ruler on top of my sister's face for size comparison. Later, when I get home, I'll open up both pictures and use my sister's face to get a rough estimate of both the size of the machine and the size of an individual gumball, find the volume of both the machine and the gumball, divide the volume of half of the machine by the volume of a single gumball (half because only half of the machine was filled with gumballs) and submit my answer.
Effing MATH.
 |
| High five for staying in school! |
RFotD: Formulas for sphere packing, or the arrangement of non-overlapping spheres within a containing space, don't account for the large amounts of waste space generated from random placement.
SGAT: Read books.
Day Seventy-Nine: Metronome Blisseys
8/29/13, 7:58 PM PDT
Edited my film for the most part. ONE MORE SCENE. JUST ONE. AND WE'RE DONE. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH.
Also, played Pokemon Showdown with Hellen, heh. Absolutely wrecked her in the first game with my Toxic Stall/Metronome team, so she decided she wanted an all-Metronome battle for the rest of our rematches. We both picked six Blissey with max HP, holding Leppa berries and made their only moves "Metronome" and "Recycle" and we FOUGHT.
First game, I got ridiculously lucky with a Mean Look+Perish Song combo, followed by an Imprison, which forced her team to use Struggle since we both knew exactly the same moves. Oh, and I also pulled out a Heal Block on the same turn that she got a Synthesis. HAH.
Second game? She pulled out an effing Aqua Ring on one of her Blissey and I COULD NOT KILL IT. IT WAS IMMORTAL. DAMN IT.
We fought four games in total, and we each won two. So tomorrow, we'll fight for the CHAMPIONSHIP.
RFotD: Michael forgot to set the autopost schedule again.
SGAT: Short film edit.
Edited my film for the most part. ONE MORE SCENE. JUST ONE. AND WE'RE DONE. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH.
Also, played Pokemon Showdown with Hellen, heh. Absolutely wrecked her in the first game with my Toxic Stall/Metronome team, so she decided she wanted an all-Metronome battle for the rest of our rematches. We both picked six Blissey with max HP, holding Leppa berries and made their only moves "Metronome" and "Recycle" and we FOUGHT.
First game, I got ridiculously lucky with a Mean Look+Perish Song combo, followed by an Imprison, which forced her team to use Struggle since we both knew exactly the same moves. Oh, and I also pulled out a Heal Block on the same turn that she got a Synthesis. HAH.
Second game? She pulled out an effing Aqua Ring on one of her Blissey and I COULD NOT KILL IT. IT WAS IMMORTAL. DAMN IT.
We fought four games in total, and we each won two. So tomorrow, we'll fight for the CHAMPIONSHIP.
RFotD: Michael forgot to set the autopost schedule again.
SGAT: Short film edit.
Thursday, August 29, 2013
Day Seventy-Eight: Wrote All Day
8/28/13, 11:59 PM PDT
WRITING, OKAY. WRITING ALL DAY.
Well, maybe a bit of Pokemon Showdown too, but still, WRITING. AAAAAAAAAGH. SO TIRED. AND SO SCARED THAT MY NEWEST STORY WASN'T THAT GOOD.
Also, Rhea posted some online slander of me on Tumblr, which sucks. But I bribed her to take it back, so all is well now.
RFotD: There is a Corruption Perceptions Index which measures the world's corruption by nation. "Corruption" in this sense includes nepotism, extortion, and yes, bribery.
SGAT: WROTE. HOLY HELL, DID I WRITE.
WRITING, OKAY. WRITING ALL DAY.
Well, maybe a bit of Pokemon Showdown too, but still, WRITING. AAAAAAAAAGH. SO TIRED. AND SO SCARED THAT MY NEWEST STORY WASN'T THAT GOOD.
Also, Rhea posted some online slander of me on Tumblr, which sucks. But I bribed her to take it back, so all is well now.
RFotD: There is a Corruption Perceptions Index which measures the world's corruption by nation. "Corruption" in this sense includes nepotism, extortion, and yes, bribery.
SGAT: WROTE. HOLY HELL, DID I WRITE.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Day Seventy-Seven: Filming and Sleeping
8/27/13, 7:26 PM PDT
Absolutely EXHAUSTING day of shooting today. The sun just made EVERYTHING a lot more tiring.
But we did manage to get a lot done. Acted as a stunt double for Nick and filmed a first-person shot of me taking out a few grunts, which was pretty cool. However, I planned the shot literally the day before, so it might not look as good as the stuff Freddie Wong pulls out. But whatever. Baby steps.
Oh, and got Nick to stab Kayla in head as well. Finished the bulk of our movie, with only the very end chase sequence left to film, along with a few retakes.
Also, a lot of weird laughter went on during the shoot. Told Cody I wanted an evil laugh and he just gives me this cackle akin to a crack smoking dolphin. I don't know what the hell it was, but I'm putting it in the movie for sure.
Immediately PASSED OUT when I got home, didn't wake up until 5 because of how tired I was. Now gonna read the rest of The Secret Life of Bees. Assuming I don't fall asleep while reading it anymore.
RFotD: Heat makes warm-blooded creatures more tired because their bodies have to work harder to regulate their temperature in heat. As such, cold-blooded animals, like reptiles, actually feel more energetic in hot conditions/
SGAT: Filmed a bit more of my short film.
Absolutely EXHAUSTING day of shooting today. The sun just made EVERYTHING a lot more tiring.
But we did manage to get a lot done. Acted as a stunt double for Nick and filmed a first-person shot of me taking out a few grunts, which was pretty cool. However, I planned the shot literally the day before, so it might not look as good as the stuff Freddie Wong pulls out. But whatever. Baby steps.
Oh, and got Nick to stab Kayla in head as well. Finished the bulk of our movie, with only the very end chase sequence left to film, along with a few retakes.
Also, a lot of weird laughter went on during the shoot. Told Cody I wanted an evil laugh and he just gives me this cackle akin to a crack smoking dolphin. I don't know what the hell it was, but I'm putting it in the movie for sure.
Immediately PASSED OUT when I got home, didn't wake up until 5 because of how tired I was. Now gonna read the rest of The Secret Life of Bees. Assuming I don't fall asleep while reading it anymore.
RFotD: Heat makes warm-blooded creatures more tired because their bodies have to work harder to regulate their temperature in heat. As such, cold-blooded animals, like reptiles, actually feel more energetic in hot conditions/
SGAT: Filmed a bit more of my short film.
Tuesday, August 27, 2013
Day Seventy-Six: The Day Michael Realizes He's Bitten More Than He Can Chew
8/26/13, 2:49 PM PDT
AAAAGH, I HAVE TO DO SO MUCH STORYBOARDING. SO STRESSED OUT.
Same day, 11:53 PM PDT
Today has been the most exhausting day of summer ever. Finished an 18-page storyboard, came up with a crude shot list, uploaded audio we need to rerecord on YouTube for future reference, cleared and charged my camera, made a faux lavalier microphone out of my iPhone and the headphones it came with, and I STILL have to catch up on my reading schedule.
BUSYBUSYBUSYBUSYBUSYBUSY. AAAAAARGH.
RFotD: MICHAEL CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH WORK WHY DOES HE KEEP OVERLOADING HIMSELF.
SGAT: WORKED ON MY FILM SO MUCH JESUS CHRIST.
AAAAGH, I HAVE TO DO SO MUCH STORYBOARDING. SO STRESSED OUT.
Same day, 11:53 PM PDT
Today has been the most exhausting day of summer ever. Finished an 18-page storyboard, came up with a crude shot list, uploaded audio we need to rerecord on YouTube for future reference, cleared and charged my camera, made a faux lavalier microphone out of my iPhone and the headphones it came with, and I STILL have to catch up on my reading schedule.
BUSYBUSYBUSYBUSYBUSYBUSY. AAAAAARGH.
RFotD: MICHAEL CAN ONLY TAKE SO MUCH WORK WHY DOES HE KEEP OVERLOADING HIMSELF.
SGAT: WORKED ON MY FILM SO MUCH JESUS CHRIST.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Day Seventy-Five: Michael Realizes He's Neglecting Things
8/25/13, 12:25 PM PDT
Went to church, then Fashion Valley. Aww yeah, just like I wanted to in my note yesterday.
Also, I'm simultaneously working on the outline to my story due on Wednesday. Won't reveal too many details, but I'm shooting for a pretty moody piece.
Same day, 10:09 PM PDT
Went to the Carlsbad Outlets to buy a bunch of new clothes. And by a bunch, I mean six pairs of pants and four button-up shirts. Meh.
Then went home, where I watched Brave. OH MY GOD, IT'S SO GOOD. I thought it'd suck based on the trailer, but it's REALLY GOOD. Should probably stop judging Pixar movies before I watch them.
Best prepare for our shoot on Tuesday. Lots to do, lots to plan.
Same day, 11:54 PM PDT
OH GOD. I am so sorry that this blog's become so boring lately. I am just SO FRICKING BUSY with all the stuff I have to do before summer ends and it's hard to take the time to sit down and write in this blog now.
AAAAAAAAAAAGH. I promise I'll make it more interesting before summer ends, so help me GOD.
RFotD: Some animals have similar sleep cycles as humans. However, no one knows if other animals dream or not.
SGAT: Bought new clothes so I don't look like that much of a square anymore.
Went to church, then Fashion Valley. Aww yeah, just like I wanted to in my note yesterday.
Also, I'm simultaneously working on the outline to my story due on Wednesday. Won't reveal too many details, but I'm shooting for a pretty moody piece.
Same day, 10:09 PM PDT
Went to the Carlsbad Outlets to buy a bunch of new clothes. And by a bunch, I mean six pairs of pants and four button-up shirts. Meh.
Then went home, where I watched Brave. OH MY GOD, IT'S SO GOOD. I thought it'd suck based on the trailer, but it's REALLY GOOD. Should probably stop judging Pixar movies before I watch them.
Best prepare for our shoot on Tuesday. Lots to do, lots to plan.
Same day, 11:54 PM PDT
OH GOD. I am so sorry that this blog's become so boring lately. I am just SO FRICKING BUSY with all the stuff I have to do before summer ends and it's hard to take the time to sit down and write in this blog now.
AAAAAAAAAAAGH. I promise I'll make it more interesting before summer ends, so help me GOD.
RFotD: Some animals have similar sleep cycles as humans. However, no one knows if other animals dream or not.
SGAT: Bought new clothes so I don't look like that much of a square anymore.
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Day Seventy-Four: Sleep Reconditioning
8/24/13, 3:04 PM PDT
Today begins reconditioning to waking up early for school. Even though I stayed up until 2 AM last night editing my short film, I forced myself to wake up at 7.
Since my alarm fails to wake me up anymore, I decided to outsource the job of waking me up to my parents by posting a Post-It note on the door to my room, telling them to wake me up at 7. It worked.
...But then I went right back to sleep, waking up at 8:30. Still a bit of an improvement compared to waking up at 10 or later today. But god, am I exhausted.
Quickly read more of The Secret Life of Bees, which got DEPRESSING really quick. Now about to start my two English entries for the day while blasting EDM through my boombox in an attempt to keep me awake. Reconditioning demands that I do not nap at all, and I'm far from the happiest person in the world when I'm tired, so forgive me if I snap at tiny things, anyone that talks to me today. Or tomorrow. Or any day until reconditioning is over.
Same day, 5:35 PM PDT
OP. MISSION FAILED. FELL ASLEEP WHILE READING THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES.
Oh well. At least my head doesn't hurt anymore. Now to edit!
Same day, 11:54 PM PDT
Lots of editing done today. Finished my roughcut, resulting in an eight-minute movie so far, which is pretty good.
Also looking in to external iPhone microphones since my DSLR's audio is miserable and I don't want to ever reshoot because of audio again. There's one I found online that's really pretty called the "VeriCorder Minimic," but it takes three days to ship, which will be too late for my movie. Probably gonna persuade my parents to go to Fashion Valley tomorrow so I can look into mics at the Apple Store. If I can't find anything, I'll probably buy the VeriCorder because it's just SO COOL.
Also gotta start writing the titles stories as well as the weekly story which will be coming out on Wednesday, as promised. Wow, am I busy.
RFotD: Ribbon microphones (the big, rectangular metal ones that look like this) were invented in 1931. Variations of the ribbon microphone are still used today.
SGAT: Finished roughcut.
Today begins reconditioning to waking up early for school. Even though I stayed up until 2 AM last night editing my short film, I forced myself to wake up at 7.
Since my alarm fails to wake me up anymore, I decided to outsource the job of waking me up to my parents by posting a Post-It note on the door to my room, telling them to wake me up at 7. It worked.
...But then I went right back to sleep, waking up at 8:30. Still a bit of an improvement compared to waking up at 10 or later today. But god, am I exhausted.
Quickly read more of The Secret Life of Bees, which got DEPRESSING really quick. Now about to start my two English entries for the day while blasting EDM through my boombox in an attempt to keep me awake. Reconditioning demands that I do not nap at all, and I'm far from the happiest person in the world when I'm tired, so forgive me if I snap at tiny things, anyone that talks to me today. Or tomorrow. Or any day until reconditioning is over.
Same day, 5:35 PM PDT
OP. MISSION FAILED. FELL ASLEEP WHILE READING THE SECRET LIFE OF BEES.
Oh well. At least my head doesn't hurt anymore. Now to edit!
Same day, 11:54 PM PDT
Lots of editing done today. Finished my roughcut, resulting in an eight-minute movie so far, which is pretty good.
Also looking in to external iPhone microphones since my DSLR's audio is miserable and I don't want to ever reshoot because of audio again. There's one I found online that's really pretty called the "VeriCorder Minimic," but it takes three days to ship, which will be too late for my movie. Probably gonna persuade my parents to go to Fashion Valley tomorrow so I can look into mics at the Apple Store. If I can't find anything, I'll probably buy the VeriCorder because it's just SO COOL.
 |
| LOOK AT IT (via amazon.com) |
Also gotta start writing the titles stories as well as the weekly story which will be coming out on Wednesday, as promised. Wow, am I busy.
RFotD: Ribbon microphones (the big, rectangular metal ones that look like this) were invented in 1931. Variations of the ribbon microphone are still used today.
SGAT: Finished roughcut.
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Day Seventy-Three: A Broken Stick
8/23/13, 3:02 PM PDT
Watched Broadchurch as I ate my breakfast at 11 AM. Nice plate of pancakes with syrup and strawberry jam while David Tennant yells at Andrew Buchan. And yes, I did have to look up that second guy's name, mind you.
But WOW, is it intense. And it's only the third episode. You guys should watch it, it's pretty good so far. Especially seeing David Tennant, who is FANTASTIC in the series.
Wow, I'm using A LOT of caps, aren't I? Probably should stick to italics.
Oh, Skype'd with Hellen and Rhea again while reading The Secret Life of Bees. Worthy of mention.
Same day, 8:55 PM PDT
Finished today's scheduled reading of The Secret Life of Bees, which took FOREVER. Now gonna start editing our short film.
Oh, and on a more serious note, there's a pretty bad gash in the Mikabranch Skype Group, which I feel really bad about. Some backstory first.
So Angela suggested about a month ago that we all match in our ID/yearbook pictures. We were all willing to do it and we chose a pretty simple shirt that we could all get our hands on. A plain white baseball shirt with blue shoulders.
Then, Angela left for Mexico and the rest of us never got around to buying the shirts, much to her disappointment. Now that wouldn't have been that bad. We could've just told her that we didn't do it. She probably would've been fine.
But nope. I had to be stupid and lie, pretending that we actually did it. Now she found out that we didn't actually do it. And she's pretty mad.
I feel really, really bad and now I have to make up for it somehow. But I have no idea what to do.
I'll sleep on it, see what I come up with.
Same day, 11:46 PM PDT
Edited a bit more for our short film while chatting with Rhea about being treasurer and secretary in her bed club. It's hard to explain, lol.
Anyway, I have to say, the film's turning out pretty good so far. Still have a few ways to go before we start shooting again on the 27th, though. I have to come up with a shot list and a basic storyboard so everything runs smoothly since it'll be the last chance we get to film all summer.
Baby steps, Michael. Baby steps.
RFotD: Ever feel uncomfortable that you haven't finished a project you started? You're experiencing the Zeigarnik Effect, where your mind constantly tugs at you to finish something you've already began.
SGAT: Worked some more on my short film, which, based on the pace I'm going right now, is probably gonna take a few weeks to finish. Not counting time to compose a musical score and an introduction animation.
Watched Broadchurch as I ate my breakfast at 11 AM. Nice plate of pancakes with syrup and strawberry jam while David Tennant yells at Andrew Buchan. And yes, I did have to look up that second guy's name, mind you.
But WOW, is it intense. And it's only the third episode. You guys should watch it, it's pretty good so far. Especially seeing David Tennant, who is FANTASTIC in the series.
Wow, I'm using A LOT of caps, aren't I? Probably should stick to italics.
Oh, Skype'd with Hellen and Rhea again while reading The Secret Life of Bees. Worthy of mention.
Same day, 8:55 PM PDT
Finished today's scheduled reading of The Secret Life of Bees, which took FOREVER. Now gonna start editing our short film.
Oh, and on a more serious note, there's a pretty bad gash in the Mikabranch Skype Group, which I feel really bad about. Some backstory first.
So Angela suggested about a month ago that we all match in our ID/yearbook pictures. We were all willing to do it and we chose a pretty simple shirt that we could all get our hands on. A plain white baseball shirt with blue shoulders.
 |
| (via http://sportheadband.com) |
Then, Angela left for Mexico and the rest of us never got around to buying the shirts, much to her disappointment. Now that wouldn't have been that bad. We could've just told her that we didn't do it. She probably would've been fine.
But nope. I had to be stupid and lie, pretending that we actually did it. Now she found out that we didn't actually do it. And she's pretty mad.
I feel really, really bad and now I have to make up for it somehow. But I have no idea what to do.
I'll sleep on it, see what I come up with.
Same day, 11:46 PM PDT
Edited a bit more for our short film while chatting with Rhea about being treasurer and secretary in her bed club. It's hard to explain, lol.
Anyway, I have to say, the film's turning out pretty good so far. Still have a few ways to go before we start shooting again on the 27th, though. I have to come up with a shot list and a basic storyboard so everything runs smoothly since it'll be the last chance we get to film all summer.
Baby steps, Michael. Baby steps.
RFotD: Ever feel uncomfortable that you haven't finished a project you started? You're experiencing the Zeigarnik Effect, where your mind constantly tugs at you to finish something you've already began.
SGAT: Worked some more on my short film, which, based on the pace I'm going right now, is probably gonna take a few weeks to finish. Not counting time to compose a musical score and an introduction animation.
Thursday, August 22, 2013
Day Seventy-Two: Japanese Bug Fights
8/22/13, 6:00 PM PDT
I've spent the most of today catching up on summer homework. Read a bit of Secret Life of Bees, but still three chapters behind on my summer schedule. But that's okay, since I have five spare days scheduled in to buffer.
My apologies if I've been really lax with the entries lately, I've been getting more and more busy as school's about to start. Hopefully, something interesting happens before school starts so I can at least end this blog with a bang!
Oh, and by "end this blog," I mean end it for this summer. I'll definitely be keeping this blog for NEXT SUMMER, so don't you dare take it out of your bookmarks just
Same day, 10:46 PM PDT
Finished a few entries for English, then spent practically all day editing my short film.
Actually, I lied. Spent two hours on a Skype call with Brandon and Kayla watching JAPANESE BUG FIGHTS. THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER TO HAPPEN TO THE INTERNET. LOOK AT IT. LOOK AT IT.
For the NSA person that's tapped into my computer microphone because of allegations of Internet piracy, I hope you had a good time listening to our yelling and screaming over insect battles. Please tell me that you shared our excitement over Mantis King, who absolutely WRECKED everything he fought against in Season Two.
Same day, 11:56 PM PDT
I can't stop. I just can't stop watching Japanese Bug Fighting.
Seriously. I think this is an addiction. Help me.
RFotD: Insect fighting, notably cricket fighting, dates back to the Tang Dynasty.
SGAT: Roughcut on short film and summer homework.
I've spent the most of today catching up on summer homework. Read a bit of Secret Life of Bees, but still three chapters behind on my summer schedule. But that's okay, since I have five spare days scheduled in to buffer.
My apologies if I've been really lax with the entries lately, I've been getting more and more busy as school's about to start. Hopefully, something interesting happens before school starts so I can at least end this blog with a bang!
Oh, and by "end this blog," I mean end it for this summer. I'll definitely be keeping this blog for NEXT SUMMER, so don't you dare take it out of your bookmarks just
Same day, 10:46 PM PDT
Finished a few entries for English, then spent practically all day editing my short film.
Actually, I lied. Spent two hours on a Skype call with Brandon and Kayla watching JAPANESE BUG FIGHTS. THIS IS THE GREATEST THING EVER TO HAPPEN TO THE INTERNET. LOOK AT IT. LOOK AT IT.
For the NSA person that's tapped into my computer microphone because of allegations of Internet piracy, I hope you had a good time listening to our yelling and screaming over insect battles. Please tell me that you shared our excitement over Mantis King, who absolutely WRECKED everything he fought against in Season Two.
Same day, 11:56 PM PDT
I can't stop. I just can't stop watching Japanese Bug Fighting.
Seriously. I think this is an addiction. Help me.
RFotD: Insect fighting, notably cricket fighting, dates back to the Tang Dynasty.
SGAT: Roughcut on short film and summer homework.
Day Seventy-One: Andrew Almost Kills Us
8/21/13, 3:43 PM PDT
Orientation today. Took forever to get my ID card because for some reason the booth that they took my photo in took SIXTEEN YEARS to print the card compared to the other booths.
But I look okay in this ID, so I guess that makes up for the wait.
Went to In-N-Out with Andrew and Khai, a trip which unnerved me a bit more than our usual post-school trips because ANDREW DROVE US THERE.
But we managed to make it to In-N-Out with only three crashes and six pedestrian casualties. Not too shabby.
After that, went to Sushi Hut, where I absolutely ROCKED OUT with an impromptu drum set consisting of a pair of chopsticks as my drumsticks, two overturned sauce holders and the lid of a disposable cup as drums, a sheet of paper as a cymbal, and the floor as my bass drum. Since it was after the lunchtime rush and Sushi Hut was really empty, I got a lot of weird stares from the staff. But I don't care.
Oh, and we went to Petco too. Look at this champ of a rat that we found.
When I grow up, I wanna be just like that rat.
Same day, 11:13 PM PDT
Oops, wasted a good chunk of the day watching Cr1TiKaL's videos on YouTube. They're more addicting than drugs, I swear to god.
Better read more Secret Life of Bees so that I can say that today wasn't completely unproductive.
RFotD: Rats are sensitive to electromagnetic fields. When bringing a pet rat home, it is recommended to keep the rat in a place with minimal electrical activity until the rat learns to trust you.
SGAT: Read. That's about it.
Orientation today. Took forever to get my ID card because for some reason the booth that they took my photo in took SIXTEEN YEARS to print the card compared to the other booths.
But I look okay in this ID, so I guess that makes up for the wait.
Went to In-N-Out with Andrew and Khai, a trip which unnerved me a bit more than our usual post-school trips because ANDREW DROVE US THERE.
But we managed to make it to In-N-Out with only three crashes and six pedestrian casualties. Not too shabby.
After that, went to Sushi Hut, where I absolutely ROCKED OUT with an impromptu drum set consisting of a pair of chopsticks as my drumsticks, two overturned sauce holders and the lid of a disposable cup as drums, a sheet of paper as a cymbal, and the floor as my bass drum. Since it was after the lunchtime rush and Sushi Hut was really empty, I got a lot of weird stares from the staff. But I don't care.
Oh, and we went to Petco too. Look at this champ of a rat that we found.
 |
| Some legends are born. Others are bred. |
When I grow up, I wanna be just like that rat.
Same day, 11:13 PM PDT
Oops, wasted a good chunk of the day watching Cr1TiKaL's videos on YouTube. They're more addicting than drugs, I swear to god.
Better read more Secret Life of Bees so that I can say that today wasn't completely unproductive.
RFotD: Rats are sensitive to electromagnetic fields. When bringing a pet rat home, it is recommended to keep the rat in a place with minimal electrical activity until the rat learns to trust you.
SGAT: Read. That's about it.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Day Seventy: WRITING
8/20/13, 11:59 PM PDT
I'M TIRED. SPENT ALL DAY WRITING. STILL NOT DONE. CHECK TOMORROW FOR NEW ENTRY ON BOTH BLOGS.
RFotD: MICHAEL IS REALLY TIRED.
SGAT: WROTE THINGS
I'M TIRED. SPENT ALL DAY WRITING. STILL NOT DONE. CHECK TOMORROW FOR NEW ENTRY ON BOTH BLOGS.
RFotD: MICHAEL IS REALLY TIRED.
SGAT: WROTE THINGS
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Day of Immaturity: Writer's Block
8/19/13, 1:10 PM PDT
Oops, forgot to set the schedule on yesterday's post, so I uploaded it this morning. My bad.
Knocked out the first three chapters of The Secret Life of Bees. Gonna work on my English entries for the work now, back in a bit.
Same day, 6:29 PM PDT
Went to the park with my sister. Pretty dull since no other kids were there. But she suggested that we play "Weeping Angel Tag."
I happily obliged, then proceeded to SCARE THE HELL OUT OF HER BY SPRINTING TOWARDS HER EVERY TIME SHE TURNED HER HEAD. BWAHAHAHAHAHA.
Oh, and also, I HAVE WRITER'S BLOCK. I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what to write for Wednesday's story. Oh no. Better use an online plot generator.
Same day, 11:32 PM PDT
OKAY. I figured out Wednesday's story, after much deliberation. Also, probably gonna do a story involving my Tumblr next week, so look forward to that!
I'm tired now. Good night.
RFotD: SCP-173 was actually created months before Weeping Angels were.
SGAT: None really.
Oops, forgot to set the schedule on yesterday's post, so I uploaded it this morning. My bad.
Knocked out the first three chapters of The Secret Life of Bees. Gonna work on my English entries for the work now, back in a bit.
Same day, 6:29 PM PDT
Went to the park with my sister. Pretty dull since no other kids were there. But she suggested that we play "Weeping Angel Tag."
I happily obliged, then proceeded to SCARE THE HELL OUT OF HER BY SPRINTING TOWARDS HER EVERY TIME SHE TURNED HER HEAD. BWAHAHAHAHAHA.
Oh, and also, I HAVE WRITER'S BLOCK. I have ABSOLUTELY NO IDEA what to write for Wednesday's story. Oh no. Better use an online plot generator.
Same day, 11:32 PM PDT
OKAY. I figured out Wednesday's story, after much deliberation. Also, probably gonna do a story involving my Tumblr next week, so look forward to that!
I'm tired now. Good night.
RFotD: SCP-173 was actually created months before Weeping Angels were.
SGAT: None really.
Monday, August 19, 2013
Day Sixty-Eight: In Memory of a Cricket
8/18/13, 9:27 PM PDT
Headed home, at last! Stopped by Applebee's to eat delicious chicken broccoli pasta alfredo, took a two hour nap, and caught up on all my blog entries today. WOW, I'm tired.
...And I still have to finish all my summer homework. And my short film. And some third thing. Probably the stirling engine, which I told my French teacher that I'd be building.
Wait, crap. I said I'd be making an RC car. Better get on that.
Same day, 11:01 PM PDT
Oh god. So apparently, Kevin's finished one book for Honors Amer Lit already and I've just barely started. Everyone else seems to be starting as well. Should I be worried?
Yeah, I should be worried.
Same day, 11:24 PM PDT
There is an OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD cricket in our house. Even with my headphones on, blasting dubstep, I could hear it chirping as if it were right next to my ear. So I look around, can't find it, but it sounds like it's coming from my parents' room. So I decide to warn them about the cricket.
Mom comes over, finds it pinned to the fibers in our potted plant. It's stuck and crying for help. Poor little guy. If you've read my blog before, you probably know that I hate spiders. But I love crickets. They're harmless. They make nice music in a group. They're high in protein. So I always let crickets live. So I stood there, thinking about how we could get this poor guy off the plant when my mom immediately takes off her slipper and KARATE CHOPS THE CRICKET IN THE FACE WITH IT. It survives and manages to wedge itself out of the potted plant, all while I'm screaming "NOOOO, DON'T DO IT!"
And I held my mom back. I HELD HER BACK. BUT SHE BURST THROUGH JUST AS THE CRICKET ENTERED MY SISTER'S ROOM.
And she killed it. My poor cricket is dead.
RFotD: Female crickets do not chirp. You can calculate the temperature based on the frequency of a cricket's chirps by using the following formula: Number of chirps in 15 seconds + 37 = Temperature in Fahrenheit.
SGAT: None really.
Headed home, at last! Stopped by Applebee's to eat delicious chicken broccoli pasta alfredo, took a two hour nap, and caught up on all my blog entries today. WOW, I'm tired.
...And I still have to finish all my summer homework. And my short film. And some third thing. Probably the stirling engine, which I told my French teacher that I'd be building.
Wait, crap. I said I'd be making an RC car. Better get on that.
Same day, 11:01 PM PDT
Oh god. So apparently, Kevin's finished one book for Honors Amer Lit already and I've just barely started. Everyone else seems to be starting as well. Should I be worried?
Yeah, I should be worried.
Same day, 11:24 PM PDT
There is an OBNOXIOUSLY LOUD cricket in our house. Even with my headphones on, blasting dubstep, I could hear it chirping as if it were right next to my ear. So I look around, can't find it, but it sounds like it's coming from my parents' room. So I decide to warn them about the cricket.
Mom comes over, finds it pinned to the fibers in our potted plant. It's stuck and crying for help. Poor little guy. If you've read my blog before, you probably know that I hate spiders. But I love crickets. They're harmless. They make nice music in a group. They're high in protein. So I always let crickets live. So I stood there, thinking about how we could get this poor guy off the plant when my mom immediately takes off her slipper and KARATE CHOPS THE CRICKET IN THE FACE WITH IT. It survives and manages to wedge itself out of the potted plant, all while I'm screaming "NOOOO, DON'T DO IT!"
And I held my mom back. I HELD HER BACK. BUT SHE BURST THROUGH JUST AS THE CRICKET ENTERED MY SISTER'S ROOM.
And she killed it. My poor cricket is dead.
RFotD: Female crickets do not chirp. You can calculate the temperature based on the frequency of a cricket's chirps by using the following formula: Number of chirps in 15 seconds + 37 = Temperature in Fahrenheit.
SGAT: None really.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Day Sixty-Seven: Frodo's a Pedophile
8/17/13, 7:29 PM PDT
Up early. The entire group of six or so teenagers, including myself, went to the arcade to play pool/random arcade games. Played Metal Slug with Adrien, then made tie dye shirts. Well, the little kids made tie dye shirts. We sort of just watched and harassed them.
Got bored and accidentally stabbed my pinky playing 5 Finger Fillet, then rock climbed against Adrian. Won one because I had a head start, then lost the other two times. In my defense, he's going into his sophomore year of college and I haven't picked up anything heavier than myself and a 5,000 dollar camera all summer.
Then we all swam. And holy crap, was this the funniest part of the day.
So we're just swimming, minding our own business. The pool's only four and a half feet deep, so us teenagers swam with the tiny kids, who were playing with my sister's inner tube. One of the little kids (Kayla) was currently inside the inner tube, minding her own business.
Suddenly, this blue figure moves across the ocean. Is it a shark? Perhaps a dolphin that's lost its way?
Nope. It's a little white boy in a blue rashguard that looks a lot like Frodo Baggins. Nowhere near as graceful as a dolphin (though, probably just as perverted as one). And you know what he does? HE TRIES TO SWIM INTO THE INNER TUBE, CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY A LITTLE GIRL.
And you know what makes it worse? HE MISSED. AND ACCIDENTALLY STICKS THE TOP OF HIS HEAD ON KAYLA'S BUTT. And of course, Kayla's having NONE OF THIS. She's panicking and flailing and screaming "SOMEONE'S HEAD IS IN MY BUTT" and at this point, I'm just going CRAZY with laughter. Eventually, my sister gets in the inner tube and the same kid tries again. Aw hellllllll naw.
AND HE SUCCEEDS IN BEING IN THE SAME INNER TUBE AS MY SISTER. Being a pacifist (err, coward), I do nothing as my sister manages to free herself from the tube and run away screaming, while the kid's just standing there, oblivious, hiding underneath his scuba goggles.
The kid proceeds to cause general ruckus in the pool, such as swimming under my legs, following a large Mexican guy around the pool (to which the Mexican man exclaimed "He's following me!" after discovering that he has a new follower), and stealing a mermaid tail.
Frodo's a pedophile.
Oh, and we also rented karts and played Egyptian War. Sister and I rode this one kart that was a two-seater, she freaked out about how fast I was going. Worth it.
RFotD: Egyptian War's origins can be dated to a game called "Beggar-My-Neighbour," originating in Britain during the 1860s.
SGAT: None really.
Up early. The entire group of six or so teenagers, including myself, went to the arcade to play pool/random arcade games. Played Metal Slug with Adrien, then made tie dye shirts. Well, the little kids made tie dye shirts. We sort of just watched and harassed them.
Got bored and accidentally stabbed my pinky playing 5 Finger Fillet, then rock climbed against Adrian. Won one because I had a head start, then lost the other two times. In my defense, he's going into his sophomore year of college and I haven't picked up anything heavier than myself and a 5,000 dollar camera all summer.
Then we all swam. And holy crap, was this the funniest part of the day.
So we're just swimming, minding our own business. The pool's only four and a half feet deep, so us teenagers swam with the tiny kids, who were playing with my sister's inner tube. One of the little kids (Kayla) was currently inside the inner tube, minding her own business.
Suddenly, this blue figure moves across the ocean. Is it a shark? Perhaps a dolphin that's lost its way?
Nope. It's a little white boy in a blue rashguard that looks a lot like Frodo Baggins. Nowhere near as graceful as a dolphin (though, probably just as perverted as one). And you know what he does? HE TRIES TO SWIM INTO THE INNER TUBE, CURRENTLY OCCUPIED BY A LITTLE GIRL.
And you know what makes it worse? HE MISSED. AND ACCIDENTALLY STICKS THE TOP OF HIS HEAD ON KAYLA'S BUTT. And of course, Kayla's having NONE OF THIS. She's panicking and flailing and screaming "SOMEONE'S HEAD IS IN MY BUTT" and at this point, I'm just going CRAZY with laughter. Eventually, my sister gets in the inner tube and the same kid tries again. Aw hellllllll naw.
AND HE SUCCEEDS IN BEING IN THE SAME INNER TUBE AS MY SISTER. Being a pacifist (err, coward), I do nothing as my sister manages to free herself from the tube and run away screaming, while the kid's just standing there, oblivious, hiding underneath his scuba goggles.
The kid proceeds to cause general ruckus in the pool, such as swimming under my legs, following a large Mexican guy around the pool (to which the Mexican man exclaimed "He's following me!" after discovering that he has a new follower), and stealing a mermaid tail.
Frodo's a pedophile.
Oh, and we also rented karts and played Egyptian War. Sister and I rode this one kart that was a two-seater, she freaked out about how fast I was going. Worth it.
RFotD: Egyptian War's origins can be dated to a game called "Beggar-My-Neighbour," originating in Britain during the 1860s.
SGAT: None really.
Day Sixty-Six: Film Camp, but with 100% Less Film
8/16/13, 12:30 PM PDT
Woke up at 8 to pack for our family camping trip. So at home, I scream a lot because, well... it's my own home and I can do whatever I want. So while packing, mom told me to bring pillows. I grabbed three of them and ran to the kitchen screaming "PILLOW. PILLOW." in as high a voice as I could muster.
Unfortunately for me, our neighbor was standing right in front of our open front door. And he heard everything.
Ah well. Deal with it.
Now at Denny's, eating food things. Went to the bathroom to wash my hands as per usual and THE STENCH WAS MISERABLE. I swear to god, based on the texture of the floor, I'm willing to bet that someone had explosive diarrhea and wasn't exactly a sharpshooter. UGH. I speed-washed my hands and got the HELL out of there.
Appetite ruined. Good start to a three-day camping trip, huh?
Same day, 7:06 PM PDT
Arrived at camp and immediately went for a swim in our camp's lake.
Oh, did I say lake? I meant pool. Yes. A chlorinated, heated, concrete pool. While camping. Because we're at Kampground [sic] of America.
Anyway, afterwards, more people started showing up. Met this girl named Gail. We went for a bit of a walk outside KoA's gorgeous lakeside view, right on the underbelly of the SR 54. Found a neat little pseudo-cave in the rocky concrete slope outside the camp. It's hard to describe the area, but basically, it's a mini cave, about 8 feet long, with walls of concrete, in the middle of a slope filled with rocks that are coated in concrete. And there was a cardboard bed in it, complete with a matching cardboard nightstand and a cardboard-colored plastic bag as a makeshift pillow.
It was a Hobo Hut. A pretty cool one, too.
Head back to camp, where we played pool. Using my impeccable accuracy, I easily and effortlessly won, performing a perfect break and sinking all of the solid balls without error. She stood in awe as I swept.
...Nah, I won just because she accidentally sunk the 8 ball in. She would've won no matter what.
After that, we climbed trees. I don't know.
OH. And she has DOGS. Look at Kuma.
And their tiny dog, Tootsie.
One of her brothers that came later brought another dog. I think its name was... Kaiju? I can't remember. But it has nice eyes.
They're all really nice dogs. Kuma and Kaiju really like wrestling. Should've caught it on film.
Same day, 10:00 PM PDT
Played a bit of soccer, where one of our goals was a car parked right in front of the tiny grassy field that we were playing at. Sorry, whoever owns that car. It probably has a thousand dents in it now.
RFotD: Kuma in Japanese means "bear."
SGAT: None.
Woke up at 8 to pack for our family camping trip. So at home, I scream a lot because, well... it's my own home and I can do whatever I want. So while packing, mom told me to bring pillows. I grabbed three of them and ran to the kitchen screaming "PILLOW. PILLOW." in as high a voice as I could muster.
Unfortunately for me, our neighbor was standing right in front of our open front door. And he heard everything.
Ah well. Deal with it.
Now at Denny's, eating food things. Went to the bathroom to wash my hands as per usual and THE STENCH WAS MISERABLE. I swear to god, based on the texture of the floor, I'm willing to bet that someone had explosive diarrhea and wasn't exactly a sharpshooter. UGH. I speed-washed my hands and got the HELL out of there.
Appetite ruined. Good start to a three-day camping trip, huh?
Same day, 7:06 PM PDT
Arrived at camp and immediately went for a swim in our camp's lake.
Oh, did I say lake? I meant pool. Yes. A chlorinated, heated, concrete pool. While camping. Because we're at Kampground [sic] of America.
Anyway, afterwards, more people started showing up. Met this girl named Gail. We went for a bit of a walk outside KoA's gorgeous lakeside view, right on the underbelly of the SR 54. Found a neat little pseudo-cave in the rocky concrete slope outside the camp. It's hard to describe the area, but basically, it's a mini cave, about 8 feet long, with walls of concrete, in the middle of a slope filled with rocks that are coated in concrete. And there was a cardboard bed in it, complete with a matching cardboard nightstand and a cardboard-colored plastic bag as a makeshift pillow.
It was a Hobo Hut. A pretty cool one, too.
Head back to camp, where we played pool. Using my impeccable accuracy, I easily and effortlessly won, performing a perfect break and sinking all of the solid balls without error. She stood in awe as I swept.
...Nah, I won just because she accidentally sunk the 8 ball in. She would've won no matter what.
After that, we climbed trees. I don't know.
OH. And she has DOGS. Look at Kuma.
 |
| Fricking HUGE. |
 |
| D'aww. |
And their tiny dog, Tootsie.
 |
| Comparatively smaller than Kuma. Also noisier. Significantly noisier. |
One of her brothers that came later brought another dog. I think its name was... Kaiju? I can't remember. But it has nice eyes.
 |
| Get the Jaeger. |
They're all really nice dogs. Kuma and Kaiju really like wrestling. Should've caught it on film.
Same day, 10:00 PM PDT
Played a bit of soccer, where one of our goals was a car parked right in front of the tiny grassy field that we were playing at. Sorry, whoever owns that car. It probably has a thousand dents in it now.
RFotD: Kuma in Japanese means "bear."
SGAT: None.
Friday, August 16, 2013
Day Sixty-Five: Computer Cleaning
8/15/13, 1:43 PM PDT
Ooh, reached 1,000 views on this blog, which is pretty awesome. Almost half as popular as my writing blog now, which is great!
Speaking of my writing blog, got a disappointingly low number of readers on the newest story, which sucks. Ah well, I advertised it too late, that's what I get. Next week'll probably have more readers.
Same day, 5:11 PM PDT
Caught up on Broadchurch on BBC today. It's pretty good so far. Pretty hyped to see Arthur Darvill and David Tennant in it. Don't know what else to say, since I've only seen two episodes of it.
Also, went to the Teen Writing Club ten minutes late. Oops.
Anyway, they had a poetry writing session, which was pretty nice. Focused on metaphors and managed to make a pretty good poem in less than an hour. Not too shabby.
I'll probably post the poem on my Tumblr. Maybe
Now I'm at Carl's Jr. Swear, my friends and I have been here so frequently that we might as well call it out second home.
Same day, 10:34 PM PDT
Before I go into the bulk of the day, I'll get the small things out of the say. Went for a bit of a run, which I'm pretty proud of. Also watched Olympus Has Fallen, which was ridiculously violent. Pretty good patriotism movie though, since even my mom, who usually hates gratuitous violence, yelled in excitement when spoiler alert the main terrorist guy gets stabbed in the skull.
Anyway, to the main point. So our family computer, used by my sister and occasionally my parents, is EXPLODING with viruses. Up until a few days ago, they've been tolerant with how slow their computer's been running as well as how many popups come up when they use it.
Then they got a virus that looks like this.
See that tiny little box on the top left? Yeah, that takes a picture of you with your webcam. And it FREAKED OUT my sister when she saw this, so much so that she CRIED and got really scared that she'd go to jail.
Ooh, reached 1,000 views on this blog, which is pretty awesome. Almost half as popular as my writing blog now, which is great!
Speaking of my writing blog, got a disappointingly low number of readers on the newest story, which sucks. Ah well, I advertised it too late, that's what I get. Next week'll probably have more readers.
Same day, 5:11 PM PDT
Caught up on Broadchurch on BBC today. It's pretty good so far. Pretty hyped to see Arthur Darvill and David Tennant in it. Don't know what else to say, since I've only seen two episodes of it.
Also, went to the Teen Writing Club ten minutes late. Oops.
Anyway, they had a poetry writing session, which was pretty nice. Focused on metaphors and managed to make a pretty good poem in less than an hour. Not too shabby.
I'll probably post the poem on my Tumblr. Maybe
Now I'm at Carl's Jr. Swear, my friends and I have been here so frequently that we might as well call it out second home.
Same day, 10:34 PM PDT
Before I go into the bulk of the day, I'll get the small things out of the say. Went for a bit of a run, which I'm pretty proud of. Also watched Olympus Has Fallen, which was ridiculously violent. Pretty good patriotism movie though, since even my mom, who usually hates gratuitous violence, yelled in excitement when spoiler alert the main terrorist guy gets stabbed in the skull.
Anyway, to the main point. So our family computer, used by my sister and occasionally my parents, is EXPLODING with viruses. Up until a few days ago, they've been tolerant with how slow their computer's been running as well as how many popups come up when they use it.
Then they got a virus that looks like this.
 |
| Well then. (via http://deletemalware.blogspot.com) |
See that tiny little box on the top left? Yeah, that takes a picture of you with your webcam. And it FREAKED OUT my sister when she saw this, so much so that she CRIED and got really scared that she'd go to jail.
Of course, it's all bullcrap, but considering the fact that it locks the desktop, prevents Task Manager from opening, and some third malicious thing, the virus problem for my family computer was no longer ignorable. Which means they called me in.
AND IT TOOK EFFING FOREVER to fix. Eventually figured out that I had to go on Safe Mode and do a system restore. So I did.
Only problem? I cleared out a bunch of unneeded programs and virus-like things from the family computer two days ago and the latest restore point was the day right before that. SO ALL THE VIRUSES CAME CRAWLING BACK. Went back to uninstalling more unneeded programs, like before, but for some reason it couldn't uninstall them this time around because all of their uninstallers HAVE ALREADY BEEN UNINSTALLED.
"F it," I said. I deleted them from the Program Files manually, restarted the computer and BLACK SCREEN. Desktop doesn't show up anymore. Just the mouse and the void.
I gave up at this point. This entire thing took FOUR HOURS. Tell my parents that they'll have to run in Safe Mode here on out, I'll figure out the problem tomorrow. Probably.
RFotD: The term "pudding" used to exclusively refer to savory dishes, not the dessert that we all know and love.
SGAT: Kept up with my running program.
RFotD: The term "pudding" used to exclusively refer to savory dishes, not the dessert that we all know and love.
SGAT: Kept up with my running program.
Thursday, August 15, 2013
Day Sixty-Four: Pacific Rim
8/14/13, 6:02 PM PDT
NEW STORY OUT! CHECK IT: CLARENCE PORTER, URBAN SURVIVOR.
Watched Pacific Rim with Kayla, Angela, Christina, and Brandon. Little word of advice, spoiler alert for the movie coming up, so if you want to watch it later, skip the next paragraph.
OH MY GOD, IT WAS SO FRICKING GOOD. THE PART WHERE THEY EFFING BEAT UP KNIFEHEAD IN THE FIRST PART WAS FREAKING AWESOME AND THE GUY'S BRO DIED WHICH WASN'T THAT SAD BUT HOLY EFF WERE THE SPECIAL EFFECTS AWESOME. I THOUGHT IT WAS KINDA BULLCRAP THAT THEY PULLED OUT THE SWORD OUT OF NOWHERE IN THE DOUBLE EVENT WHEN THEY WERE FALLING OUT OF THE SKY, BUT JESUS, THAT SEQUENCE WAS AWESOME. THE FALL LOOKED REALLY GOOD. THE END WAS A BIT ANTICLIMACTIC SINCE THE FIGHT SCENE WAS SHORTER THAN THE DOUBLE EVENT, BUT STILL THAT ALIEN WORLD WAS MODELED SO WELL AND THE UNDERWATER NUCLEAR EXPLOSION WAS REALLY GOOD TOO. MAKO WAS SO PRETTY TOO, AND I LOVED ALL OF HER SCENES, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD BECAUSE I WAS AMAZED AT HOW WELL THAT KID COULD ACT SCARED IN A GREEN SCREEN ROOM. THE MOVIE WAS A BIT LONG AND I THOUGHT THE DOUBLE EVENT WOULD BE THE LAST ACTION SCENE BUT ALL IN ALL IT WAS AWESOME AND YOU SHOULD SEE IT.
Spoilers are done. Anyway, roamed the mall a bit with them. Hit up Old Navy and took pictures with the headless mannequins. We pretty much used them like the cardboard paint things in faires where you poke your head through the hole and make your face look like it's on someone else's body.
Anyway, Kayla and Angela were the only ones thin enough to make the head replacements look realistic, so they were the only ones that took pictures with them.
Afterwards, went to Ross, where Kayla bought this weird giraffe urn. That wouldn't be the last of her strange purchases today though. Although I didn't grab a picture of the urn, I did manage (after several photobombs by Christina and Angela) to take a picture of this:
Yeah, I don't know either. Kayla getting her molars violently ripped out of her skull must've affected her cognitive judgment.
Later, we went to Panera, where most of us ordered bread bowls, except for rebellious Angela, who ordered a panini. Brandon refused to eat anything, preferring instead to follow his culture's tradition of filter feeding. Talked for a good hour about a lot of things before Angela remembered to give us our gifts from Comic Con. LOOK AT THE THING BRANDON GOT.
But more importantly, look what I GOT.
THAT'S RIGHT. It's the 11th Doctor, IN EFFING CAT FORM. Awesome, isn't it?
Later, head off to Aaron Brothers, where I bought A FRAME FOR THE 11TH DOCTOR CAT.
We found a credit card on the ground belonging to a Ms. Karen Tran. I ran over to Barnes and Noble and dropped it off with the security guard, then jumped into Alex's (Angela's brother) car. I hitchhiked to Target and they punished my parasitic actions by blasting "Niggas in Paris" in the car and repeatedly opening the window closest to me. Everyone was raving in the car and all I could manage to do was facepalm.
Same day, 11:29 PM PDT
Skype call with Hellen. Helped her figure out that she could use her debit card to order online. She previously thought that she couldn't buy online because everything asked for a credit card and she only had a debit card. Ridiculous, huh?
Rhea hopped on later in the evening too. She was the first person to read my latest story, which I'm pretty happy about. She asked me if I was high after reading it, which was a bit funny. But OH MY GOD, I am AMAZED at how fast she read the story. The entire thing literally took her less than a minute to read in its entirety and I know she wasn't skimming because in three seconds, she says
"What the? Where'd the baby come fr-Oh, it's the doll."
THERE WERE TWO WHOLE PARAGRAPHS BETWEEN THE BABY SEGMENT AND THE DOLL REVEAL. TWO. AND SHE COMMENTED ON BOTH IN THREE SECONDS.
Upon inquiry, she said that her eyes just scan the text really fast and her brain automatically processes what's happening in the story. Damn, I want that skill. Takes me 15 minutes to read five pages of The Secret Life of Bees.
Oh, and I finished my roughcut too, or at least, from the footage that we already shot. Hot damn, 30 minutes of film. I haven't trimmed it down yet, so of course it'll be shorter, but still, that's a lot.
RFotD: The average reading speed is 200 to 250 words per minute (WPM). Roughly calculated, Rhea read 169 words in three seconds, putting her at 3,380 wpm.
SGAT: Finished the roughcut for my film.
NEW STORY OUT! CHECK IT: CLARENCE PORTER, URBAN SURVIVOR.
Watched Pacific Rim with Kayla, Angela, Christina, and Brandon. Little word of advice, spoiler alert for the movie coming up, so if you want to watch it later, skip the next paragraph.
OH MY GOD, IT WAS SO FRICKING GOOD. THE PART WHERE THEY EFFING BEAT UP KNIFEHEAD IN THE FIRST PART WAS FREAKING AWESOME AND THE GUY'S BRO DIED WHICH WASN'T THAT SAD BUT HOLY EFF WERE THE SPECIAL EFFECTS AWESOME. I THOUGHT IT WAS KINDA BULLCRAP THAT THEY PULLED OUT THE SWORD OUT OF NOWHERE IN THE DOUBLE EVENT WHEN THEY WERE FALLING OUT OF THE SKY, BUT JESUS, THAT SEQUENCE WAS AWESOME. THE FALL LOOKED REALLY GOOD. THE END WAS A BIT ANTICLIMACTIC SINCE THE FIGHT SCENE WAS SHORTER THAN THE DOUBLE EVENT, BUT STILL THAT ALIEN WORLD WAS MODELED SO WELL AND THE UNDERWATER NUCLEAR EXPLOSION WAS REALLY GOOD TOO. MAKO WAS SO PRETTY TOO, AND I LOVED ALL OF HER SCENES, ESPECIALLY WHEN SHE WAS A CHILD BECAUSE I WAS AMAZED AT HOW WELL THAT KID COULD ACT SCARED IN A GREEN SCREEN ROOM. THE MOVIE WAS A BIT LONG AND I THOUGHT THE DOUBLE EVENT WOULD BE THE LAST ACTION SCENE BUT ALL IN ALL IT WAS AWESOME AND YOU SHOULD SEE IT.
Spoilers are done. Anyway, roamed the mall a bit with them. Hit up Old Navy and took pictures with the headless mannequins. We pretty much used them like the cardboard paint things in faires where you poke your head through the hole and make your face look like it's on someone else's body.
Anyway, Kayla and Angela were the only ones thin enough to make the head replacements look realistic, so they were the only ones that took pictures with them.
Afterwards, went to Ross, where Kayla bought this weird giraffe urn. That wouldn't be the last of her strange purchases today though. Although I didn't grab a picture of the urn, I did manage (after several photobombs by Christina and Angela) to take a picture of this:
 |
| It's an inflatable unicorn horn. Spyke sure looks happy. |
Yeah, I don't know either. Kayla getting her molars violently ripped out of her skull must've affected her cognitive judgment.
Later, we went to Panera, where most of us ordered bread bowls, except for rebellious Angela, who ordered a panini. Brandon refused to eat anything, preferring instead to follow his culture's tradition of filter feeding. Talked for a good hour about a lot of things before Angela remembered to give us our gifts from Comic Con. LOOK AT THE THING BRANDON GOT.
 |
| Brandon's life motto right here. |
But more importantly, look what I GOT.
 |
| Cats are cool. |
THAT'S RIGHT. It's the 11th Doctor, IN EFFING CAT FORM. Awesome, isn't it?
Later, head off to Aaron Brothers, where I bought A FRAME FOR THE 11TH DOCTOR CAT.
 |
| Interestingly, I have no pictures of my family in my room. Only this cat. |
We found a credit card on the ground belonging to a Ms. Karen Tran. I ran over to Barnes and Noble and dropped it off with the security guard, then jumped into Alex's (Angela's brother) car. I hitchhiked to Target and they punished my parasitic actions by blasting "Niggas in Paris" in the car and repeatedly opening the window closest to me. Everyone was raving in the car and all I could manage to do was facepalm.
Same day, 11:29 PM PDT
Skype call with Hellen. Helped her figure out that she could use her debit card to order online. She previously thought that she couldn't buy online because everything asked for a credit card and she only had a debit card. Ridiculous, huh?
Rhea hopped on later in the evening too. She was the first person to read my latest story, which I'm pretty happy about. She asked me if I was high after reading it, which was a bit funny. But OH MY GOD, I am AMAZED at how fast she read the story. The entire thing literally took her less than a minute to read in its entirety and I know she wasn't skimming because in three seconds, she says
"What the? Where'd the baby come fr-Oh, it's the doll."
THERE WERE TWO WHOLE PARAGRAPHS BETWEEN THE BABY SEGMENT AND THE DOLL REVEAL. TWO. AND SHE COMMENTED ON BOTH IN THREE SECONDS.
Upon inquiry, she said that her eyes just scan the text really fast and her brain automatically processes what's happening in the story. Damn, I want that skill. Takes me 15 minutes to read five pages of The Secret Life of Bees.
Oh, and I finished my roughcut too, or at least, from the footage that we already shot. Hot damn, 30 minutes of film. I haven't trimmed it down yet, so of course it'll be shorter, but still, that's a lot.
RFotD: The average reading speed is 200 to 250 words per minute (WPM). Roughly calculated, Rhea read 169 words in three seconds, putting her at 3,380 wpm.
SGAT: Finished the roughcut for my film.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Day Sixty-Three: Running. Just Running.
8/13/13, 7:09 PM PDT
Finished my story a few hours ago. Oh, I really like it, heh.
Went out for a bit of a run, from my house to Seafood City and back. Not very far, I know, but a big improvement from being stagnant all day in my house. Added with the fact that I've been doing roughly 40 pushups a night for the past month, I think I'm more than ready to take on real-world parkour. Tomorrow, probably gonna scout for parkour places and just go.
Gaaaaaaaah, I haven't done parkour in so long and I've gotten so fat. This is awful.
Oh, and while running, I ran into Mrs. Takei. Also ran into Emilee (didn't spell her name wrong this time, hah!) on my run back too. Pretty cool.
Sorry if this entry's just sprawled everywhere, I'm just so tired from running.
Same day, 11:51 PM PDT
A bit of work on the roughcut, then watched Death of a Superhero online. It's a nice little movie, though I can't really rate it right now since I'm a little under halfway done. But it's nice so far.
Oh, and I finished my story! I think I already said that though. Did I? Let me check.
...Yep, I did. Ah well. I finished!
RFotD: The fastest mile time ever recorded was run by Hitcham El Guerrouj, finishing at 3:43:13 in 1999.
SGAT: Worked on the roughcut, ran a bit.
Finished my story a few hours ago. Oh, I really like it, heh.
Went out for a bit of a run, from my house to Seafood City and back. Not very far, I know, but a big improvement from being stagnant all day in my house. Added with the fact that I've been doing roughly 40 pushups a night for the past month, I think I'm more than ready to take on real-world parkour. Tomorrow, probably gonna scout for parkour places and just go.
Gaaaaaaaah, I haven't done parkour in so long and I've gotten so fat. This is awful.
Oh, and while running, I ran into Mrs. Takei. Also ran into Emilee (didn't spell her name wrong this time, hah!) on my run back too. Pretty cool.
Sorry if this entry's just sprawled everywhere, I'm just so tired from running.
Same day, 11:51 PM PDT
A bit of work on the roughcut, then watched Death of a Superhero online. It's a nice little movie, though I can't really rate it right now since I'm a little under halfway done. But it's nice so far.
Oh, and I finished my story! I think I already said that though. Did I? Let me check.
...Yep, I did. Ah well. I finished!
RFotD: The fastest mile time ever recorded was run by Hitcham El Guerrouj, finishing at 3:43:13 in 1999.
SGAT: Worked on the roughcut, ran a bit.
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Day Sixty-Two: Waffle Fries
8/12/13, 3:01 PM PDT
Approximately 20 days left of summer, which means I'm about to get WAY busier. Not only do I have to catch up on summer homework, I'll also be getting back into my writing blog, working on planning/finishing the rest of my short film and... some other third thing that I'll write down later so that I can follow the rule of threes.
Same day, 7:01 PM PDT
Went to Vons to fill up our water coolers. Saw Ivan there, skipping to get a shopping cart like a sissy. Easily asserted my dominance by forcibly pulling out a shopping cart with force equaling a hydrogen bomb.
Went to Chick-fil-A to eat while working on the outline for Wednesday's story. Gonna be a good one, I promise. Also talked about the physics of making crisscut fries. I proposed some sort of machine that cut the slices in curve shapes, but after a few minutes of debate, my dad looked it up on YouTube and we saw a guy dragging a potato's stupid face against a glorified cheese grater. Lame.
Same day, 11:05 PM PDT
Knocked out a few chapters of The Secret Life of Bees for summer reading. It's a pretty decent book, as far as I can tell. Really noticing a few similarities between Bees and The Help, mainly the theme of race and the black servants. I don't know.
RFotD: The earliest recorded account of a person eating french fries was in Belgium, circa 1680. The origin of crisscut, or waffle fries, are unknown.
SGAT: Read a bit.
Approximately 20 days left of summer, which means I'm about to get WAY busier. Not only do I have to catch up on summer homework, I'll also be getting back into my writing blog, working on planning/finishing the rest of my short film and... some other third thing that I'll write down later so that I can follow the rule of threes.
Same day, 7:01 PM PDT
Went to Vons to fill up our water coolers. Saw Ivan there, skipping to get a shopping cart like a sissy. Easily asserted my dominance by forcibly pulling out a shopping cart with force equaling a hydrogen bomb.
Went to Chick-fil-A to eat while working on the outline for Wednesday's story. Gonna be a good one, I promise. Also talked about the physics of making crisscut fries. I proposed some sort of machine that cut the slices in curve shapes, but after a few minutes of debate, my dad looked it up on YouTube and we saw a guy dragging a potato's stupid face against a glorified cheese grater. Lame.
Same day, 11:05 PM PDT
Knocked out a few chapters of The Secret Life of Bees for summer reading. It's a pretty decent book, as far as I can tell. Really noticing a few similarities between Bees and The Help, mainly the theme of race and the black servants. I don't know.
RFotD: The earliest recorded account of a person eating french fries was in Belgium, circa 1680. The origin of crisscut, or waffle fries, are unknown.
SGAT: Read a bit.
Monday, August 12, 2013
Day Sixty-One: The Benefits of Circular Gallifreyan
8/11/13, 2:48 PM PDT
Woke up at 9, went to church, no big deal. Just like every other Sunda-OH GOD, IT'S MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY AND I COMPLETELY FORGOT.
Ah well. Dad's alright with me forgetting. He'll just beat me with a giant belt to compensate. (To my readers, note that the last sentence was a joke and my dad doesn't really physically abuse me, he's actually a pretty cool guy.)
Anyway, went to Target to buy new school supplies, including a new, much needed backpack. It's a THOUSAND TIMES tinier than my old one, which is great because now I won't look like a turtle every day. Gonna scratch that off my summer bucket list now.
Speaking of which, I finally got around to updating that list. Looking back, I wrote some pretty strange stuff on there. Not dumb, per se, more like really impractical. I mean, I guess learning Circular Gallifreyan is cool, but aside from Tumblr and Doctor Who episodes, when is that really gonna be something I brag about?
I guess that's a plausible scenario. And wow, does it feel good to write again. Speaking of which, gonna be releasing another story this Wednesday, so look out!
Back to school supplies. Found a notebook with Yoga Animals on them.
I don't even know.
Same day, 2:50 PM PDT
OH WHAT, THERE'S MORE OF THEM?!
Wh...why?
Same day, 5:07 PM PDT
Played giant chess with my sister. It was her first time playing, but she picked up on the rules pretty quickly. When I put her in check mate, she kicked my king in the face and said "I WIN" really loudly.
Grandmaster chess player right here.
Oh, and we bought some strange candy called "Bubu Lubu." Haven't tried it yet, but it looks delicious.
Mmmmmmm.
Same day, 9:13 PM PDT
Absolutely stuffed myself at Okami. Also got around to fixing my Fig Rig.
Got PVC glue on finger, which sucks. Washed it off, but now it hurts.
I'll probably have to amputate. Comment below on what I should do with the finger when it's gone.
RFotD: Fig rigs, because of their simple design and usefulness, are incredibly popular tools for amateur filmmakers. However, they don't see much use in professional shoots, partly because cameras are heavier and need less stabilization. Also, they look pretty silly.
SGAT: Fixed my fig rig. Still no progress on my rough cut, which I should get to working on.
Woke up at 9, went to church, no big deal. Just like every other Sunda-OH GOD, IT'S MY DAD'S BIRTHDAY AND I COMPLETELY FORGOT.
Ah well. Dad's alright with me forgetting. He'll just beat me with a giant belt to compensate. (To my readers, note that the last sentence was a joke and my dad doesn't really physically abuse me, he's actually a pretty cool guy.)
Anyway, went to Target to buy new school supplies, including a new, much needed backpack. It's a THOUSAND TIMES tinier than my old one, which is great because now I won't look like a turtle every day. Gonna scratch that off my summer bucket list now.
Speaking of which, I finally got around to updating that list. Looking back, I wrote some pretty strange stuff on there. Not dumb, per se, more like really impractical. I mean, I guess learning Circular Gallifreyan is cool, but aside from Tumblr and Doctor Who episodes, when is that really gonna be something I brag about?
I pulled the cigarette away from my lips and the smoke seeped from my mouth like a toxic gray fog. Bored, my eyes slowly wandered the maroon bar. Wooden tile floors, with the occasional dark spot signifying a stain from a spilled drink. A handful of people, some in pairs, some in groups, some talking, some staring at the wall mounted television closest to them. A bartender yawning as his hands wiped the inside of a shot glass with a white cloth.
There, in the corner of my eye, I saw her. She wore a black one piece dress which ended in a short skirt. The skirt's folds sat still against her thighs, showing off her smooth, slender crossed legs as she sat on a barstool, drinking a martini and gazing at an uninteresting point in the wall. The tips of her black hair just long enough to touch the top of her neck.
Despite her attractive physique, not a single man approached her, as far as I've seen. Perhaps because of the time. Quarter to on a spring Wednesday night. Not exactly happy hour. Or it could be that her aura sent mixed signals. Her body created natural curiosity, but a few nuances, such as the way she held her drink and the apathetic glances she threw around the room, make her seem intimidating, unapproachable. Almost scary.
I took one last puff of my cigarette and buried its tip on a glass ashtray. I stood up. And I walked toward her, taking the seat right next to her. I paid no attention to her as I lit another cigarette. Taking my time, I purposely flicked the thumbwheel several times to create dramatic tension. Flick. Flick. Flick. And the cigarette was lit.
I brought it to my lips and inhaled, taking in its sweet, sweet poison. I glanced at her in the corner of my eye, noticing that she had turned to face me. She was curious.
I exhaled, pulling the cigarette away from my mouth. I turned to her. Looked straight into her piercing eyes. And I said.
"I know Circular Gallifreyan."
And she was putty in my hands.
I guess that's a plausible scenario. And wow, does it feel good to write again. Speaking of which, gonna be releasing another story this Wednesday, so look out!
Back to school supplies. Found a notebook with Yoga Animals on them.
 |
| What the... |
I don't even know.
Same day, 2:50 PM PDT
OH WHAT, THERE'S MORE OF THEM?!
 |
| WHAT |
 |
| OH JESUS |
 |
| WHAT THE HELL |
Wh...why?
Same day, 5:07 PM PDT
Played giant chess with my sister. It was her first time playing, but she picked up on the rules pretty quickly. When I put her in check mate, she kicked my king in the face and said "I WIN" really loudly.
Grandmaster chess player right here.
Oh, and we bought some strange candy called "Bubu Lubu." Haven't tried it yet, but it looks delicious.
 |
| Sounds like something I'd say while sleepwalking. |
Mmmmmmm.
Same day, 9:13 PM PDT
Absolutely stuffed myself at Okami. Also got around to fixing my Fig Rig.
 |
| It's okay, baby. I got you. I got you. |
Got PVC glue on finger, which sucks. Washed it off, but now it hurts.
I'll probably have to amputate. Comment below on what I should do with the finger when it's gone.
RFotD: Fig rigs, because of their simple design and usefulness, are incredibly popular tools for amateur filmmakers. However, they don't see much use in professional shoots, partly because cameras are heavier and need less stabilization. Also, they look pretty silly.
SGAT: Fixed my fig rig. Still no progress on my rough cut, which I should get to working on.
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Day Sixty: Sleep Schedule
8/10/13, 2:38 PM PDT
Up early-ish, fixed family computer from the tons and tons of viruses that my sister accidentally installed from playing a bunch of online games. There was one that was particularly annoying because it ran a program on startup that made it look like it was scanning your computer and finding a thousand viruses on it. A trojan, essentially. But what made it a pain in the neck is that it auto-closed Task Manager, prevented me from opening other browsers, and slowed the computer to a crawl. But I fixed it. After smashing the keyboard a bit, yes, I fixed it.
Watching Cloud Atlas now, back in a bit.
Same day, 5:41 PM PDT
Cloud Atlas was AMAZING. Oh my god, it's BEAUTIFUL. Especially the Neo-Seoul segment, which looked absolutely GORGEOUS. Pretty much every genre of film is in this. Romance, action, comedy, sci-fi, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH. It's a masterpiece. Go watch it. GO FRICKING WATCH IT.
Same day, 10:53 PM PDT
Wow, film camp really fixed my sleep schedule. I used to sleep at 3 AM, now I can barely stay up past 11. On one hand, I'm a bit annoyed that I can't tap in to the more creative part of my brain, which only comes out late at night. But on the other, I'm relieved that I (probably) won't be falling asleep in 5th period in school.
Ah, who am I kidding. I could sleep for two years straight and still fall asleep right after lunch.
Oh, and got another college letter. Heh. Rice university.
That's right. Mashed potatoes.
RFotD: William Marsh Rice University has a monthly event called the "Baker 13" where students run around at 10PM wearing nothing but shoes and shaving cream on the 13th and the 31st of every month (or the 26th on months with fewer than 31 days).
SGAT: Slept in, after running on less than five hours of sleep the entire week.
Up early-ish, fixed family computer from the tons and tons of viruses that my sister accidentally installed from playing a bunch of online games. There was one that was particularly annoying because it ran a program on startup that made it look like it was scanning your computer and finding a thousand viruses on it. A trojan, essentially. But what made it a pain in the neck is that it auto-closed Task Manager, prevented me from opening other browsers, and slowed the computer to a crawl. But I fixed it. After smashing the keyboard a bit, yes, I fixed it.
Watching Cloud Atlas now, back in a bit.
Same day, 5:41 PM PDT
Cloud Atlas was AMAZING. Oh my god, it's BEAUTIFUL. Especially the Neo-Seoul segment, which looked absolutely GORGEOUS. Pretty much every genre of film is in this. Romance, action, comedy, sci-fi, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH. It's a masterpiece. Go watch it. GO FRICKING WATCH IT.
Same day, 10:53 PM PDT
Wow, film camp really fixed my sleep schedule. I used to sleep at 3 AM, now I can barely stay up past 11. On one hand, I'm a bit annoyed that I can't tap in to the more creative part of my brain, which only comes out late at night. But on the other, I'm relieved that I (probably) won't be falling asleep in 5th period in school.
Ah, who am I kidding. I could sleep for two years straight and still fall asleep right after lunch.
Oh, and got another college letter. Heh. Rice university.
 |
| Wonder what they serve for lunch there? |
That's right. Mashed potatoes.
RFotD: William Marsh Rice University has a monthly event called the "Baker 13" where students run around at 10PM wearing nothing but shoes and shaving cream on the 13th and the 31st of every month (or the 26th on months with fewer than 31 days).
SGAT: Slept in, after running on less than five hours of sleep the entire week.
Friday, August 9, 2013
Day Fifty-Nine: Godzilla
8/9/13, 7:24 AM PDT
Aaaaaagh! Sorry I haven't been up to date on this blog for the past week, I forgot to set the posting schedule for my previous blog entries. Silly me. I'll update first thing when I get back from camp, don't you worry.
Same day, 8:25 AM PDT
Still waiting outside class. They're having an awkward dance party thing on the roof of my classes.
Nothing like seeing grown men and women awkwardly dancing out of sync to pop music.
Same day, 6:42 PM PDT
We finished our video! Check this shizznizz out!
Didn't get to write many notes today when class started because I've been editing so much, so let's see what I can remember.
OH. We saw Takeru again. HAHAHAHAHA. He asked us how we were doing and if we finished our video, then just walked away.
Also, my sister's watching Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla. I used to be a HUGE fan of Godzilla, but no matter what, I can't get over how weird that baby Godzilla is. Always weirded me out as a kid. I never liked that guy.
Same day, 10:03 PM PDT
So after unsuccessfully looking for a link for Blackfish to watch online, I think I'll just watch something else.
Mama sounds like a good movie to watch. Gonna go for it.
Same day, 10:17 PM PDT
FUCK THAT. NO. NO.
NO. JUST NO. Gonna watch Cloud Atlas instead.
RFotD: A video called "Bambi Meets Godzilla" is ranked 38 in The 50 Greatest Cartoons by Jerry Beck. This is the video.
SGAT: Finished my last film for film camp!
Aaaaaagh! Sorry I haven't been up to date on this blog for the past week, I forgot to set the posting schedule for my previous blog entries. Silly me. I'll update first thing when I get back from camp, don't you worry.
Same day, 8:25 AM PDT
Still waiting outside class. They're having an awkward dance party thing on the roof of my classes.
Nothing like seeing grown men and women awkwardly dancing out of sync to pop music.
Same day, 6:42 PM PDT
We finished our video! Check this shizznizz out!
Didn't get to write many notes today when class started because I've been editing so much, so let's see what I can remember.
OH. We saw Takeru again. HAHAHAHAHA. He asked us how we were doing and if we finished our video, then just walked away.
Also, my sister's watching Godzilla vs. Space Godzilla. I used to be a HUGE fan of Godzilla, but no matter what, I can't get over how weird that baby Godzilla is. Always weirded me out as a kid. I never liked that guy.
 |
| Just look at him. Disgusting. (via http://changermonnom.tumblr.com) |
Same day, 10:03 PM PDT
So after unsuccessfully looking for a link for Blackfish to watch online, I think I'll just watch something else.
Mama sounds like a good movie to watch. Gonna go for it.
Same day, 10:17 PM PDT
FUCK THAT. NO. NO.
NO. JUST NO. Gonna watch Cloud Atlas instead.
RFotD: A video called "Bambi Meets Godzilla" is ranked 38 in The 50 Greatest Cartoons by Jerry Beck. This is the video.
SGAT: Finished my last film for film camp!
Day Fifty-Eight: Pure, Unobstructed Editing
8/8/13, 5:06 PM PDT
Woke up late, which was nice for a change. Got to class at 8:45 as opposed to effing 6:50. Class starts at 9, by the way.
Also, I think my group hates me for being so strict. But I have to be strict else we'll make a bad movie. Although with one week to write, film, and edit, it's hard not to make a bad movie.
Same day, 11:23 PM PDT
Up really late so I can download all of the clips, audio, and pictures I'll need for editing tomorrow. Also made an EPIC intro.
...Which got deleted because After Effects crashed and I forgot to save.
But that's okay, I made it again and I edited it to be EVEN BETTER. If this intro doesn't win me the spot at presenting tomorrow, then I don't know WHAT will.
RFotD: Adobe After Effects has an autosave feature. Interestingly, it's turned off by default.
SGAT: Worked on my video for DMA.
Woke up late, which was nice for a change. Got to class at 8:45 as opposed to effing 6:50. Class starts at 9, by the way.
Also, I think my group hates me for being so strict. But I have to be strict else we'll make a bad movie. Although with one week to write, film, and edit, it's hard not to make a bad movie.
Same day, 11:23 PM PDT
Up really late so I can download all of the clips, audio, and pictures I'll need for editing tomorrow. Also made an EPIC intro.
...Which got deleted because After Effects crashed and I forgot to save.
But that's okay, I made it again and I edited it to be EVEN BETTER. If this intro doesn't win me the spot at presenting tomorrow, then I don't know WHAT will.
RFotD: Adobe After Effects has an autosave feature. Interestingly, it's turned off by default.
SGAT: Worked on my video for DMA.
Day Fifty-Seven: Taking Candy From Strangers
8/7/13, 8:31 AM PDT
Film camp again. I'm actually thankful that I got here early today since I fell asleep while storyboarding last night. Quickly got that finished.
Also, interesting sight today, I saw a large, middle aged man slowly walking towards a brown seagull with a hobble in its leg. The seagull had the hobble, mind you, not the person. But it was weird, he just walked past me while I was storyboarding and continued slowly walking towards the seagull for a good five minutes. The seagull didn't even try to fly away, it just... walked. It was the weirdest game of tag I've ever seen.
Made me laugh hard. Should have caught it on camera.
Same day, 12:54 PM PDT
Lunchtime. So I told my group that I saw a few kids in my school wearing their snapbacks in an odd fashion. Not to the side. Not backwards.
They fold the back into the hat and wear the hat with the brim pointing straight up. It's stupid.
But apparently, here at Digital Media Academy, it's caught on because of Justin. Ever since I told him how they wear it, he's worn it all around campus, saying it's "Mira Mesa" style. Pretty funny.
So, after lunch, we walked outside the cafeteria, talking about swag when we see the swaggiest thing in DMA.
A kid. With his lunchbox on his head. He looked like an English guard.
WE LAUGHED. SO HARD. And apparently, the kid noticed because he look in our direction and IMMEDIATELY took off the lunchbox.
We felt bad afterwards.
Same day, 4:19 PM PDT
Just about finished filming for the day. A bit of green screening, which was problematic, along with a bit of zoom reveals and lavalier use, which was interesting.
But the highlight of today? So we filmed at this REALLY crowded place in UCSD. A Japanese guy named Takeru passed by and asked us what we were doing. We told him that we were making a movie and he walks away.
...Only he doesn't. He turns back around and asks if he can watch us film. To which a person in my group instinctively responds "yes." So he starts walking to us while we're punching ourselves in the face, thinking "WHAT THE HELL DID WE DO?!"
He sticks around for a bit. And by a bit, I mean AN ENTIRE HOUR.
But it wasn't that bad. He was a pretty cool guy, even though he had a pretty thick accent. He asked a few questions, then offered us candy as thanks for letting him watch.
He had brownie bites, Hi-Chew, sour gumdrop things, reverse Pocky (sticks with filling in the inside), and caramel cubes, all unopened and factory-wrapped. It was much needed food for five hours of shooting.
He also asked us for a picture as a group while holding the candy. He had a blue flip phone, which was interesting because I expected him to have a smartphone. But whatever. Finished filming and said bye to Takeru as a group, then divided up the remaining candy. I got the brownie bites.
After hearing about the incident, my teacher commented that it was the sketchiest thing he's ever heard of. In hindsight, a Japanese man watching children, asking to take pictures of them, and giving them candy does sound pretty sketchy.
But it was some damn good candy, I'll give him that.
Oh, and our TA made this adorable giraffe card.
Same day, 10:34 PM PDT
SO TIRED. I'll write the rest tomorrow, I'm EXHAUSTED.
RFotD: Michael is only human and sometimes forgets to set his posts to "schedule" when he's tired.
SGAT: Almost finished filming. Does that count?
Film camp again. I'm actually thankful that I got here early today since I fell asleep while storyboarding last night. Quickly got that finished.
Also, interesting sight today, I saw a large, middle aged man slowly walking towards a brown seagull with a hobble in its leg. The seagull had the hobble, mind you, not the person. But it was weird, he just walked past me while I was storyboarding and continued slowly walking towards the seagull for a good five minutes. The seagull didn't even try to fly away, it just... walked. It was the weirdest game of tag I've ever seen.
Made me laugh hard. Should have caught it on camera.
Same day, 12:54 PM PDT
Lunchtime. So I told my group that I saw a few kids in my school wearing their snapbacks in an odd fashion. Not to the side. Not backwards.
They fold the back into the hat and wear the hat with the brim pointing straight up. It's stupid.
But apparently, here at Digital Media Academy, it's caught on because of Justin. Ever since I told him how they wear it, he's worn it all around campus, saying it's "Mira Mesa" style. Pretty funny.
So, after lunch, we walked outside the cafeteria, talking about swag when we see the swaggiest thing in DMA.
A kid. With his lunchbox on his head. He looked like an English guard.
WE LAUGHED. SO HARD. And apparently, the kid noticed because he look in our direction and IMMEDIATELY took off the lunchbox.
We felt bad afterwards.
Same day, 4:19 PM PDT
Just about finished filming for the day. A bit of green screening, which was problematic, along with a bit of zoom reveals and lavalier use, which was interesting.
But the highlight of today? So we filmed at this REALLY crowded place in UCSD. A Japanese guy named Takeru passed by and asked us what we were doing. We told him that we were making a movie and he walks away.
...Only he doesn't. He turns back around and asks if he can watch us film. To which a person in my group instinctively responds "yes." So he starts walking to us while we're punching ourselves in the face, thinking "WHAT THE HELL DID WE DO?!"
He sticks around for a bit. And by a bit, I mean AN ENTIRE HOUR.
But it wasn't that bad. He was a pretty cool guy, even though he had a pretty thick accent. He asked a few questions, then offered us candy as thanks for letting him watch.
 |
| Maybe one of these characters says "Cyanide." |
He had brownie bites, Hi-Chew, sour gumdrop things, reverse Pocky (sticks with filling in the inside), and caramel cubes, all unopened and factory-wrapped. It was much needed food for five hours of shooting.
He also asked us for a picture as a group while holding the candy. He had a blue flip phone, which was interesting because I expected him to have a smartphone. But whatever. Finished filming and said bye to Takeru as a group, then divided up the remaining candy. I got the brownie bites.
After hearing about the incident, my teacher commented that it was the sketchiest thing he's ever heard of. In hindsight, a Japanese man watching children, asking to take pictures of them, and giving them candy does sound pretty sketchy.
But it was some damn good candy, I'll give him that.
Oh, and our TA made this adorable giraffe card.
 |
| IT AIN'T GOT EYES. |
Same day, 10:34 PM PDT
SO TIRED. I'll write the rest tomorrow, I'm EXHAUSTED.
RFotD: Michael is only human and sometimes forgets to set his posts to "schedule" when he's tired.
SGAT: Almost finished filming. Does that count?
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Day Fifty-Six: One Advanced Potato
8/6/13, 7:28 AM PDT
Early again. GOD, my head hurts. I've barely had sleep this entire week.
I'm trying to find a comfortable position to sleep at UCSD even though I don't have a backrest or anything for support. Unfortunately, when I find a comfortable spot, some goddamn seagull flies overhead and force me to look up to see if I'll get bird bombed.
I hate seagulls. A lot. Any other bird is cool. But F seagulls.
Same day, 8:38 AM PDT
Found a chair and fell asleep. It was pretty comfortably. When I woke up, I saw five people staring at me.
Huh.
Same day, 5:08 PM PDT
First day of filming. Well, first we had more lecture where I sort of fell asleep because I'm just SO TIRED. But it's okay, because it was all review. Or at least, I hope it was review.
Anyway, first day of shooting, and once again, I'm the lead role. I'll be playing a mad scientist that can do parkour. I'll be manning a potato that can jump dimensions and they'll be calling me "Doctor" throughout.
Sounds like my kind of role. And look at our props!
Also, on the way home, my mom told my sister to stop laughing while she was eating or else she might choke and die. So while we were eating fruit snacks, my sister and I heard a news story on the radio where the reporter said quote:
"The man was just on the operating table when his appendix EXPLODED."
We were eating fruit snacks at the time and we just kind of looked at each other, frowning to try and suppress our laughter.
We swallowed the snacks.
And we screamed in laughter. BAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. THEY COULD HAVE SAID "BROKE." THEY COULD HAVE SAID "RUPTURED." BUT NO. THEY SAID "EXPLODED." And we're just imagining a guy on an operating table, calmly looking at the ceiling when BOOM. APPENDIX CHUNKS ON THE ROOF. ON THE PATIENT'S EYES. ON THE FACES OF BABIES IN THE NEARBY NURSERY.
He's okay, the news lady said. So it's okay to laugh.
Same day, 11:32 PM PDT
AAAAAGH. Storyboarded the HELL out of my group's video. I'm so tired.
RFotD: Archaeologists have discovered that Romans wore socks and sandals. SOURCE.
SGAT: Storyboarded a lot of my second video for film camp.
Early again. GOD, my head hurts. I've barely had sleep this entire week.
I'm trying to find a comfortable position to sleep at UCSD even though I don't have a backrest or anything for support. Unfortunately, when I find a comfortable spot, some goddamn seagull flies overhead and force me to look up to see if I'll get bird bombed.
I hate seagulls. A lot. Any other bird is cool. But F seagulls.
Same day, 8:38 AM PDT
Found a chair and fell asleep. It was pretty comfortably. When I woke up, I saw five people staring at me.
Huh.
Same day, 5:08 PM PDT
First day of filming. Well, first we had more lecture where I sort of fell asleep because I'm just SO TIRED. But it's okay, because it was all review. Or at least, I hope it was review.
Anyway, first day of shooting, and once again, I'm the lead role. I'll be playing a mad scientist that can do parkour. I'll be manning a potato that can jump dimensions and they'll be calling me "Doctor" throughout.
Sounds like my kind of role. And look at our props!
 |
| It's a dimensional interlacer. |
Also, on the way home, my mom told my sister to stop laughing while she was eating or else she might choke and die. So while we were eating fruit snacks, my sister and I heard a news story on the radio where the reporter said quote:
"The man was just on the operating table when his appendix EXPLODED."
We were eating fruit snacks at the time and we just kind of looked at each other, frowning to try and suppress our laughter.
We swallowed the snacks.
And we screamed in laughter. BAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. THEY COULD HAVE SAID "BROKE." THEY COULD HAVE SAID "RUPTURED." BUT NO. THEY SAID "EXPLODED." And we're just imagining a guy on an operating table, calmly looking at the ceiling when BOOM. APPENDIX CHUNKS ON THE ROOF. ON THE PATIENT'S EYES. ON THE FACES OF BABIES IN THE NEARBY NURSERY.
He's okay, the news lady said. So it's okay to laugh.
Same day, 11:32 PM PDT
AAAAAGH. Storyboarded the HELL out of my group's video. I'm so tired.
RFotD: Archaeologists have discovered that Romans wore socks and sandals. SOURCE.
SGAT: Storyboarded a lot of my second video for film camp.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Day Fifty-Five: Directing, In More Ways Than One
8/5/13, 6:55 AM PDT
In the car again, up really early for week two of film camp. Having a debate with my sister on the origins of Godzilla. I say nuclear radiation, she says lightning strike. I know for a fact that it's nuclear radiation, and since I will not baby my sister, I will defend my position TO THE DEATH. REGARDLESS OF ANY EMOTIONAL DAMAGE I MAY INFLICT UPON HER.
Same day, 6:56 AM PDT
She used her superior debating skills to both prove that Godzilla has lightning origins and that Wikipedia is an unreliable source that should be neglected.
I'm crying.
HAH. Just kidding. I schooled her and now she's mad and refuses to believe Godzilla has nuclear origins.
She'll get over it.
Same day, 9:11 AM PDT
Awkward frisbee game during check in, pretty much the same orientation but with a smaller class. Not as many people, definitely, especially in my film class, which has a staggering 8 people now compared to the 22 in the previous week.
The advanced week is pretty much the same as last week, were we start with a day of shot composition and framing and get separated into groups later. We haven't been separated right now, but James, the guy that came up with the idea of Banana Guns, is in week two as well. I'm hoping that I don't get in a group with him again since he's kind of annoying, but I have a 50/50 chance of being in his group. Hope and pray. Hope and pray.
Same day, 3:23 PM PDT
Almost fell asleep in class because I'm running on four hours of sleep and the lecture's all review. Walked a bit around UCSD, and now we're sitting in the Price Center, about to divide into group.
THIS IS IT. MOMENT OF TRUTH. PLEASE. NO MORE BANANAS.
Same day, 5:05 PM PDT
YES. No Banana Guns 2, not paired with James. He's a pretty cool guy, don't get me wrong, but he's really disorganized and has generally bad ideas.
The group I was put into? A girl and two guys, all 13 years old, which is fantastic, because it lets me have a leadership role in the group as the eldest. We've already come up with a great premise, it'll have a way better plot than Banana Guns. Fun fact, Banana Guns had no script. So take that as you like.
Taking the bus today again. While waiting for the shuttle right outside my film camp that'll take me to the MTS, a group of eight or so Chinese exchange students approached me and asked for directions to Gilman Drive. It was hard to understand their accent, but I told them to go on the shuttle and get off at my stop, which was right on Gilman Drive.
Or... Was it Gilman Drive? Maybe it was Gilman Street, or Gilman City, or maybe I didn't even stop at Gilman anything and I just saw it in the map while plotting my own route home. Needless to say, I checked my phone an awful lot to see if I really stopped at Gilman drive, which I did. But we're they asking for Gilman drive? Now that I thought about it, it sounded more like Hilman drive, or maybe Geelman drive. Aaaagh, what if I'm leading them the wrong way?!
Nah. I led them to the right place and they all said "bye" in unison, which made me feel pretty important.
But wow, was I nervous. Direction-giving is hard. Especially since I don't know what streets go where. I just memorize where I turn and hope for the best.
Seriously, that's the only way I've been able to navigate the UCSD shuttles. I count how many turns have passed since I got on and just leave at a certain time. Probably not a good game plan, especially since I sometimes lose count. It's hard to count to seven and play Tetris simultaneously.
Oh, and a guy on the trolley had some pretty cool steampunk glasses on. Well, less reading glasses, more like adjustable focus craftsmen glasses, with the four or five lenses attached to the right eyepiece. Pretty cool.
Same day, 10:00 PM PDT
Made the long commute home. Just EXHAUSTED. But I can't sleep, since I'll be semi-scripting out our next short film. I'll be keeping it a secret on here in case any of my fellow filmmakers are reading in and doing some corporate espionage. Michael's work is as infinite as his imagination.
...Someone slap that last line on a t-shirt. I'll definitely wear it.
Nice little Skype conversation with Hannah. Admittedly, I was nodding off a bit during our chat because I'm just SO TIRED. Five hours of sleep, no naps, and a two-hour commute saps the energy out of you surprisingly quickly.
RFotD: People who slept less than 6 hours a night on average have a 12% higher chance of dying earlier than people who slept 8 hours a night. Interestingly, people that slept longer than 8 hours a night on average had a 30% higher chance of dying earlier than 8 hour sleepers. SOURCE.
SGAT: Started preproduction on our second film for camp.
In the car again, up really early for week two of film camp. Having a debate with my sister on the origins of Godzilla. I say nuclear radiation, she says lightning strike. I know for a fact that it's nuclear radiation, and since I will not baby my sister, I will defend my position TO THE DEATH. REGARDLESS OF ANY EMOTIONAL DAMAGE I MAY INFLICT UPON HER.
Same day, 6:56 AM PDT
She used her superior debating skills to both prove that Godzilla has lightning origins and that Wikipedia is an unreliable source that should be neglected.
I'm crying.
HAH. Just kidding. I schooled her and now she's mad and refuses to believe Godzilla has nuclear origins.
She'll get over it.
Same day, 9:11 AM PDT
Awkward frisbee game during check in, pretty much the same orientation but with a smaller class. Not as many people, definitely, especially in my film class, which has a staggering 8 people now compared to the 22 in the previous week.
The advanced week is pretty much the same as last week, were we start with a day of shot composition and framing and get separated into groups later. We haven't been separated right now, but James, the guy that came up with the idea of Banana Guns, is in week two as well. I'm hoping that I don't get in a group with him again since he's kind of annoying, but I have a 50/50 chance of being in his group. Hope and pray. Hope and pray.
Same day, 3:23 PM PDT
Almost fell asleep in class because I'm running on four hours of sleep and the lecture's all review. Walked a bit around UCSD, and now we're sitting in the Price Center, about to divide into group.
THIS IS IT. MOMENT OF TRUTH. PLEASE. NO MORE BANANAS.
Same day, 5:05 PM PDT
YES. No Banana Guns 2, not paired with James. He's a pretty cool guy, don't get me wrong, but he's really disorganized and has generally bad ideas.
The group I was put into? A girl and two guys, all 13 years old, which is fantastic, because it lets me have a leadership role in the group as the eldest. We've already come up with a great premise, it'll have a way better plot than Banana Guns. Fun fact, Banana Guns had no script. So take that as you like.
Taking the bus today again. While waiting for the shuttle right outside my film camp that'll take me to the MTS, a group of eight or so Chinese exchange students approached me and asked for directions to Gilman Drive. It was hard to understand their accent, but I told them to go on the shuttle and get off at my stop, which was right on Gilman Drive.
Or... Was it Gilman Drive? Maybe it was Gilman Street, or Gilman City, or maybe I didn't even stop at Gilman anything and I just saw it in the map while plotting my own route home. Needless to say, I checked my phone an awful lot to see if I really stopped at Gilman drive, which I did. But we're they asking for Gilman drive? Now that I thought about it, it sounded more like Hilman drive, or maybe Geelman drive. Aaaagh, what if I'm leading them the wrong way?!
Nah. I led them to the right place and they all said "bye" in unison, which made me feel pretty important.
But wow, was I nervous. Direction-giving is hard. Especially since I don't know what streets go where. I just memorize where I turn and hope for the best.
Seriously, that's the only way I've been able to navigate the UCSD shuttles. I count how many turns have passed since I got on and just leave at a certain time. Probably not a good game plan, especially since I sometimes lose count. It's hard to count to seven and play Tetris simultaneously.
Oh, and a guy on the trolley had some pretty cool steampunk glasses on. Well, less reading glasses, more like adjustable focus craftsmen glasses, with the four or five lenses attached to the right eyepiece. Pretty cool.
Same day, 10:00 PM PDT
Made the long commute home. Just EXHAUSTED. But I can't sleep, since I'll be semi-scripting out our next short film. I'll be keeping it a secret on here in case any of my fellow filmmakers are reading in and doing some corporate espionage. Michael's work is as infinite as his imagination.
...Someone slap that last line on a t-shirt. I'll definitely wear it.
Nice little Skype conversation with Hannah. Admittedly, I was nodding off a bit during our chat because I'm just SO TIRED. Five hours of sleep, no naps, and a two-hour commute saps the energy out of you surprisingly quickly.
RFotD: People who slept less than 6 hours a night on average have a 12% higher chance of dying earlier than people who slept 8 hours a night. Interestingly, people that slept longer than 8 hours a night on average had a 30% higher chance of dying earlier than 8 hour sleepers. SOURCE.
SGAT: Started preproduction on our second film for camp.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Day Fifty-Four: Filming, Day Two
8/4/13, 9:48 PM PDT
Second day of filming today! Only Nick, David, and Diana showed up, which was a bit disappointing since we wouldn't be able to film the rest of our intro scene, but we made it work. We filmed a lot, including a fight scene with David and Nick which took awhile to choreograph, but we made it work. Poked a few holes in David's cheek with a shotgun, but no big deal.
We also moved out most of the stuff from my fridge for a shot, which was a little problematic. Had no idea that we had so much alcohol in our fridge. Probably should start some awesome huge secret party with illegal underaged drinking. Police, if you're reading this because my blog pinged something on your huge NSA spying web, I'm not really gonna throw a party, but feel free to visit. I could use extras in my short film.
After that, played with potions and color changing eggs, then made my dad drive down Westonhill at mach 7. It was pretty awesome.
Oh, and before I forget, here's all the props we've used in the two days.
Week 2 of film camp starts tomorrow and immediately after that, I'll be camping with my parents and their friends for a few days, so I'll be RIDICULOUSLY busy this month. Getting all anxious that I won't be able to finish summer homework, so I'll start a schedule for that too.
Speaking of things I have to do soon, I'll need to complete a rough cut of the movie during this week along with repair my steadicam since mine broke today while shooting, which sucks.
Lots and lots to do, so sorry if I neglect this blog a bit while juggling!
RFotD: A New York woman was visited by the police after looking up "Pressure cookers" and "backpacks" on Google. SOURCE.
SGAT: Worked on a lot of my film again.
Second day of filming today! Only Nick, David, and Diana showed up, which was a bit disappointing since we wouldn't be able to film the rest of our intro scene, but we made it work. We filmed a lot, including a fight scene with David and Nick which took awhile to choreograph, but we made it work. Poked a few holes in David's cheek with a shotgun, but no big deal.
We also moved out most of the stuff from my fridge for a shot, which was a little problematic. Had no idea that we had so much alcohol in our fridge. Probably should start some awesome huge secret party with illegal underaged drinking. Police, if you're reading this because my blog pinged something on your huge NSA spying web, I'm not really gonna throw a party, but feel free to visit. I could use extras in my short film.
After that, played with potions and color changing eggs, then made my dad drive down Westonhill at mach 7. It was pretty awesome.
Oh, and before I forget, here's all the props we've used in the two days.
 |
| My sister's room looks like an armory. |
Week 2 of film camp starts tomorrow and immediately after that, I'll be camping with my parents and their friends for a few days, so I'll be RIDICULOUSLY busy this month. Getting all anxious that I won't be able to finish summer homework, so I'll start a schedule for that too.
Speaking of things I have to do soon, I'll need to complete a rough cut of the movie during this week along with repair my steadicam since mine broke today while shooting, which sucks.
 |
| Don't worry, buddy. I'll fix you. |
Lots and lots to do, so sorry if I neglect this blog a bit while juggling!
RFotD: A New York woman was visited by the police after looking up "Pressure cookers" and "backpacks" on Google. SOURCE.
SGAT: Worked on a lot of my film again.
Saturday, August 3, 2013
Day Fifty-Three: Filming, Day One
8/3/13, 10:21 PM PDT
Big, big, BIG day today. Filmed from 1PM to 6PM, which was EXHAUSTING. And all while running on four hours of sleep.
Agh, didn't get to write notes of what happened today like I usually do with my entries, so I'm basing this entirely off my memory. Let's see...
Well, Nick was the first one to show up, so we just started with his scene in the backyard. Angela came next, and after than, everyone else. Diana brought her tiny dog too, which was ADORABLE. It peed in my backyard, but I don't care.
Then we filmed the intro scene while my neighbor watched in the background. Laughed at Angela's pathetic knife stab acting, then went to the nearby pool. And by went, I mean walked. Under an overhead sun. While my actors were all wearing full black.
Needless to say, we were all tired after arriving. Quickly filmed a running scene, then walked to Breen Park. We took the long way, for some reason, and Angela ran back to go get her sunglasses, which she couldn't find. She got lost and I had to give her directions.
Filmed in the men's bathroom, which Angela had to enter despite being female. Laughed when Rhys failed to catch Nick when he was falling in the bathroom, and laughed even harder when Nick had to land on his face in the bathroom floor and missed the magazine that was supposed to protect his face from the ground.
Auuugh, I'm exhausted. I'll write more in-depth tomorrow.
RFotD: Big budget movies typically take one to three years to complete, from pre to post production.
SGAT: Worked on my short film.
Big, big, BIG day today. Filmed from 1PM to 6PM, which was EXHAUSTING. And all while running on four hours of sleep.
Agh, didn't get to write notes of what happened today like I usually do with my entries, so I'm basing this entirely off my memory. Let's see...
Well, Nick was the first one to show up, so we just started with his scene in the backyard. Angela came next, and after than, everyone else. Diana brought her tiny dog too, which was ADORABLE. It peed in my backyard, but I don't care.
Then we filmed the intro scene while my neighbor watched in the background. Laughed at Angela's pathetic knife stab acting, then went to the nearby pool. And by went, I mean walked. Under an overhead sun. While my actors were all wearing full black.
Needless to say, we were all tired after arriving. Quickly filmed a running scene, then walked to Breen Park. We took the long way, for some reason, and Angela ran back to go get her sunglasses, which she couldn't find. She got lost and I had to give her directions.
Filmed in the men's bathroom, which Angela had to enter despite being female. Laughed when Rhys failed to catch Nick when he was falling in the bathroom, and laughed even harder when Nick had to land on his face in the bathroom floor and missed the magazine that was supposed to protect his face from the ground.
Auuugh, I'm exhausted. I'll write more in-depth tomorrow.
RFotD: Big budget movies typically take one to three years to complete, from pre to post production.
SGAT: Worked on my short film.
Day Fifty-Two: Nothing But Filmmaking
8/2/13, 7:43 AM PDT
Woo! Actually got to wake up later than 5:30 today.
Woke up at 5:31. Damn it.
Same day, 4:11 PM PDT
FIVE HOURS OF STRAIGHT EDITING. Just BARELY finished the short film, with probably seconds to spare. I think it's pretty okay, for a week-long project and a 5-hour edit. We all had to do our own version and in my opinion, I think mine was the best out of the entire group. Not to sound stuck up, but my edit was pretty damn good. See for yourself.
Since we had five videos per group and five groups, only one person's edit per group would be shown. Half of my group left before the exhibition, so we would be showing either mine, Malia's, or Luke's. Malia didn't want to show hers, and Luke's wasn't that great, so of course, we chose mine to be presented.
...Except Luke was REALLY insistent on showing his, and seeing that he's only 13, I let him have the limelight.
Come the parent exhibition, we showed ours second to last...
And only my mom laughed really hard.
Speaking of the parent exhibition, the other films were pretty interesting. There was one group that made a movie where a guy got paranoid from an avocado that hit his head. Another group made a pretty cool black and white horror film with red in it, kind of like Madworld (the video game) or Sin City. One group made a superhero movie, and the last group made a commercial for Febreze where they would kill people off one by one and they'd smell something nice every time someone died (kind of like this picture).
Pretty good group, I'd say. Really excited for the advanced class next week though.
Oh, and I got a pretty little diploma thing. It comes in a fancy little folder.
8/3/13, 2:17 AM PDT
AAAAAAGH. Up late prepping up for tomorrow's shoot. Annotated a lot, bought parts for the knife belt, actually made the knife belt, got Zach's shipment of props, and made a quick little name plate for Diana.
Cool little thing about Zach's props, he made a detachable silencer using Legos, superglue, and a cardboard tube.
RFotD: In real life, silencers don't muffle gunshots to the degree shown in movies. Rather, they only diffuse the gunshot so that it's more difficult for the targets to figure out where the gunshot came from. Subsonic ammunition can more accurately replicate the "silenced" effect in movies.
SGAT: PREPPED UP TO MAKE MY MOVIE. Also finished my film camp's first movie.
Woo! Actually got to wake up later than 5:30 today.
Woke up at 5:31. Damn it.
Same day, 4:11 PM PDT
FIVE HOURS OF STRAIGHT EDITING. Just BARELY finished the short film, with probably seconds to spare. I think it's pretty okay, for a week-long project and a 5-hour edit. We all had to do our own version and in my opinion, I think mine was the best out of the entire group. Not to sound stuck up, but my edit was pretty damn good. See for yourself.
...Except Luke was REALLY insistent on showing his, and seeing that he's only 13, I let him have the limelight.
Come the parent exhibition, we showed ours second to last...
And only my mom laughed really hard.
Speaking of the parent exhibition, the other films were pretty interesting. There was one group that made a movie where a guy got paranoid from an avocado that hit his head. Another group made a pretty cool black and white horror film with red in it, kind of like Madworld (the video game) or Sin City. One group made a superhero movie, and the last group made a commercial for Febreze where they would kill people off one by one and they'd smell something nice every time someone died (kind of like this picture).
Pretty good group, I'd say. Really excited for the advanced class next week though.
Oh, and I got a pretty little diploma thing. It comes in a fancy little folder.
 |
| Pretty, huh? TARDIS blue too. |
 |
| It's like a high school diploma, only it's not. I don't know, it's late and I'm out of jokes. |
8/3/13, 2:17 AM PDT
AAAAAAGH. Up late prepping up for tomorrow's shoot. Annotated a lot, bought parts for the knife belt, actually made the knife belt, got Zach's shipment of props, and made a quick little name plate for Diana.
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| This took effing WEEKS to make. It's not even funny. |
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| Here's the first step to making the knife belt, which is connecting it to a metal beam. |
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| Completed product, currently stabbing me. |
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| Completed product, on table. |
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| PROPS. |
Cool little thing about Zach's props, he made a detachable silencer using Legos, superglue, and a cardboard tube.
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| He described it as "ghetto." I describe it as "genius." |
RFotD: In real life, silencers don't muffle gunshots to the degree shown in movies. Rather, they only diffuse the gunshot so that it's more difficult for the targets to figure out where the gunshot came from. Subsonic ammunition can more accurately replicate the "silenced" effect in movies.
SGAT: PREPPED UP TO MAKE MY MOVIE. Also finished my film camp's first movie.
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