Yeah so I didn't make the title random...
For more than 18 years have I listened to old people gripe and complain. "Things just aren't like they were" and "I remember back when..." Yeah yeah Wrinkly McWrinklson, we got it. Things change, time passes, the future is always bleak and horrid and in the past are the glorious days of "olde." When the world shined like a new 1944 Ford and people in paper hats were trusted friends at the local diners. Those of us that grew up not so long ago have heard it time and again and frankly we can see nothing but hope in the future because complaining old folks won't be around to tell us that our music stinks and that the people we're peers with are terrible compared to their own generation's. At least that is one way of looking at it.
I'm starting to see things differently now. Perhaps time does flow like a river and history does repeat. From generation to generation, from empire to empire, and from legend to history. I'm starting to see their side of the story. I still see such great promise in my future but I've gained a greater appreciation for my past. A certain respect, if you will, to what feels like a good friend that I've lost.
My carefree years are waning and soon the darkness of adulthood will eclipse my life and I'll live it grasping for one flashlight of a good memory to the next. Don't get me wrong. Life doesn't end until you let it. There is still much fun to come, but this post is created for my newfound respect for the past. I'd like to take a moment to think back and share with the world the 10 most happy or influential moments (I use the term moment loosely) for me during the year of our Lord, two thousand and four. Sit back, relax, grab a cup-a-joe, and enjoy the read...because it's a long one...
...a long time ago...before WilmingSloan began...
#1-THE SENIOR PROJECT: April-ish
Probably one of the biggest most stressing events of the year and, yes, my life, this project nearly got the best of me. I had to write a paper my Jr. year about film making and why I wanted to be a filmmaker. That's all good, but that's just the first part of the project. For the senior year portion of the project you had to created a "product" that shows your growing and learning of the job area of interest for you as well as make a presentation of your project to a panel of judges. Glups!
Thankfully my Dad, through his advertising adventures, has known a man by the name of Jim Cando for quite some time now. Jim is a commercial filmmaker with his own studio, Take One Productions, in Cary, NC. I was so lucky to have Jim be so willing to help me out. I wrote up the idea for this documentary on a man who goes to my church who was a WWII tail gunner on a B-17 flying fortress. His plane was shot down and he bailed out into enemy territory over Germany. From there he was taken to Stalag 17-B and he just had a great story. Sadly, as time went on certain difficulties arose and it became apparent that things weren't going to work out as planned.
Panic-strickin with only about two weeks to go I had to think of a solution. I ended up doing a 3 minute trailer for the story as if it were on a history channel. I'll admit that Jim, in his infinite kindness, did a large majority of the editing work and with his great equipment and experience it came out looking like an absolute gym. Then it was time for the presentation. Armed with a foam board standup and a copy of my tape I waltzed in there and gave my 6 minute speech.
Strangely enough, though I was still horridly nervous, I managed to smoothy flow through it. I was decently happy until people started talking around the school. I don't mean to sound a braggart but apparently I had given the best speech of the entire bunch. My english teacher told me that I got the only perfect score that one of the judges had ever given. In the end all of the judges gave my speech a perfect score and thanks mostly to Take One, my product also got a 100. WHAT A RELIEF!
I went from a project in shambles to the perfect grade in just a couple of weeks! The grades were enough to counteract my laziness in the rest of my English class and score me a B for the semester. I had my first experience working with real filmmakers and discovered an apparent hidden talent, public speaking. Who knew?
I still say the senior project is a bunch of bull...but looking back on it I'm glad I was made to do it.
#2-WAITING LIST: April-May-ish
So far I've led a relatively wonderful life. Pretty much anything I wanted within reason has been mine and noting really stopped me. At one point I considered going to a small arts school here in North Carolina but fear of the long and competitive admissions process kept me away. Feeling a little bit lesser of a person for not going for it I applied late for one school, the only other one I had considered. The University of North Carolina at Wilmington.
I knew that application volume for Wilmington had been rising in recent years but with a 3.4 and an 1110 I assumed that such a school would accept me handily. Checking their previous year's acceptance stats I noted that I was safely within the mid to upper range of the students the had admitted the year before. Once the dust for my senior project settled and I went on a relaxing trip to San Diego and Hollywood (I have pictures!) I settled down and waited for that formality of an acceptance letter from Wilmington.
It never came.
What I got instead through me headlong into the worst fit of depression I think I've ever experienced. I wasn't accepted, I was wait listed. The letter informed me that I could request to be wait listed or not and that if I'd been accepted to any other university to please accept there because nothing could be finalized. the year before they had only taken the top 5% of the waiting list but the year before that they had taken over 50%. Heartbroken I was sure that I was totally doomed to the far reaches of the most doomed planet.
I'll never forget a letter my dad wrote me that night telling me that it didn't matter what the school thought, he still thought I was great...(or something to that affect.) Nothing helped at the time however and I spent the next 3-5 days in the biggest pity party I've ever experienced. I even got out of work for being so depressed! Not being one to enjoy such a state I tried to pull myself out as quickly as possible.
Within a week I had sent my late application (with appropriate fees) to East Carolina University. I toured the campus with my sister who had just graduated the semester before there and was accepted within a week. Though not particularly happy with the direction I gradually warmed up to the idea of being a pirate (after all...that is a really cool mascot) and just moved on. Fate-it would seem-had other planes. I'm sure due mostly to the fact that 'GreenviSloan' doesn't sound good at all, it sent me another letter just before graduation. This one, an acceptance to UNCW.
I thought I would be ecstatic at the sight of it but at this point I was torn. Where should I go now? We know how it ended but think of how close I came to having a completely different life. Being wait listed for an additional few weeks gave me a big wide pimp slap on the cheek and told me that I can't take things for granted. Some stuff isn't going to fall in my lap and I better appreciate the opportunities I've been given. Appreciate them I do!
#3-Exiting the Kerr: Second week in May
Before getting my job at Kerr Drug of Benson back in August of 2003 the only work experience I had outside of Caswell, which is just a summer job, was working for about a month and a half at an Andy's Cheesesteaks and Cheesburgers. That was a HORRIBLE experience that almost made me lose hope in the society as a whole, not to mention my ability to work with the scum of the earth. Thankfully I was blessed with the admittedly quirky, strange, and moody BUT nice folks that work(ed) at the drug store. My friend Matt got me the job there, well, Boone got me the job there but Matt was instrumental. For nine months I enjoyed the meager salary while getting along well with the folks I worked with. All in all a good bunch. There was Dwane the daytime photo guy, who introduced me to old school RPGs. Anthony the "Big Man" Assistant Manager who, while temperamental, was a man of most excellent humor. Boone, the quite but friendly Manger who shared a love of fig cakes with me, and April, quite possibly the sweetest lady in the world, with some darn cute kids. Mix all of them together with my best friend Matt, smart-alecky Nick, and the whole part-time crew...oh yeah, and all those "other guys" back in the pharmacy, and you have a recipe for an awesome work environment. As much as it felt like I hated working there I really hated leaving them more, as I really don't know the next time I'll be lucky enough to work with a bunch like them. Alas! Caswell and college called so I had to do it. Farewell Kerr Drug! I won't forget to visit!!!
#4-GRADUATION: May 24
You've either been there or you will be there soon. High School graduation not only marks your first step into the real world but it marks a turning point in you social and home life as well. No more is home really the same as it once was for me. Now it's the place I go every few weekends rather than the place I spend the majority of my time. The people I went to school with for 4 years...some of them for 14 (counting pre school) are pulled along different paths and I know well that I may never see them again. The celebration of this great departure from our old lives was, for me, a beautiful experience. ((bleigh))
Surrounded by family and friends and graduating with grades the just squeaked me into the school I wanted felt good and gave a brief sense of relief to what had been a chaotic time. No real rest for the weary though...as within 24 hours I was packed and heading out again.
#5-Caswell: May 25th-August 8th
Try as I might there is absolutely NO WAY I could fit everything about Caswell into this post or even five posts. This wasn't my first stay at the coastal retreat and conference center located on Oak Island NC. The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina purchased the site of the civil war and WW training facilities and forts from the federal government to use as a camp and convention center for their affiliated churches. I've always known Caswell as a camper but it wasn't until summer 2003 that I experienced it for the first time as a staffer for the summer. My sister worked in 2001 and again with me in 2003 but this past summer of 2004 will have been her last and the last one I'll have had to share with her there. That made the summer a pretty special time alone but add to that the 60 some people that I met and grew to love and be friends with, along with the amazing time I spent with God, and you've got an truly unforgettable experience. I got to know my beloved "building #2" or "LongBay", the largest of the barrack buildings and, actually, the largest at the assembly. Every day my helper (or was I her's?) Abby Hinton and I would wander over there and give the place a good clean up. Disgusting toilets and showers aside it was a great job. It also allowed me to keep close with the cafe staffers when I made biscuits and toast right behind my man, Mark Hardy, who was always hard at work on the pancakes. You gotta love those line girls and, after my first summer, dish roomers will always have a place close to my heart. I could go on for hours about all the people I got to know there and the good times I had but this post is already lengthy so I guess I'll just cut it short. If you're out there and you're one of my Caswell peeps just know that I love you all and I think about you a lot. Hope to see you at reunion! If you aren't a Caswell peep and you're still confused as to what the big deal is, just ask me sometime when you've got a couple hours to burn.
#6-UNCW Orientation: 5th session...sometime in late June
Taking a break from Housekeeping at Caswell for a day and a half was pretty nice, but the real beauty of Orientation at UNCW was the splendor of the campus and the excitement it gave me for the college life. I met my parents in Wilmington at the school and we hung out for a bit. They presented me with my beautiful, fresh Apple iBook G4 which I drooled over for a few hours before heading back for the first night. I don't mind saying this now because I'm nearly certain that there is no way he'll ever find his way to this page, but the guy I roomed with at orientation (don't remember his name) was a complete and total idiot. Dude was straight up dumb. Other than him the other people I met there were nice and I still keep in touch with a few. (Just before Christmas I ran into McKenna, who I met at orientation, in Barnes and Noble in Cary. CRAZY HUH?)
#7-UNCW Welcome Week: Aug 15-21
I...think...I'm...going to...be sick...
That was the general feeling in the pit of my stomach for welcome week at UNCW, as well as the weeks that followed. I moved in during a hurricane...in the rain..on Sunday the 15th and for a week tried to tell myself everything was going to be ok. My roommate was a complete and total shocking change from the roomies I had just a week before at Caswell. I didn't know anyone there aside from Tommy who lives off campus, and spent a great deal of time in the room. My family was worried that I was being a hermit and I was ticked at them for bringing it up. Just an all around ugly time but hey, it was a big adjustment. I'm just glad that I had the guts to stick with it and I'm happy to say the bad things of the first week aren't so bad any more. My roommate is still the same but he's cool and I'll give him a high five like woah. My boarders have extended, I'm now in a few campus organizations and I have a lot of dorm buddies. Classes didn't kick my butt despite my lack of effort in them...life is good! If you've never been there let me just tell you, there is nothing like those first few days or weeks at college. It'll open your eyes, make you hate life, then make you love it all the more.
#8-Freestyle for Friends of the Wild West: September 1
The day I created and first posted on WilmingSloan, the very blog you're now reading. I have a confession to make...I never even heard of a blog until a couple of days before that date and the original WilmingSloan was almost a carbon copy rip-off of my cousin Stephen's Blog. (theatremarine.blogspot.com)
(My other cousin David also has a funny random blog, 'meamdavid.blogspot.com', but I didn't discover it until a few weeks after I made WilmingSloan.)
I posted for a week before I let anyone know about what I was doing and then I let it slip out to my small circle of friends. As it turns out a blog was just the ticket to help a kid in college advertise himself and allow people that didn't really know him to get to know a little more about his personality online. After a few weeks of ripping off "The Ferris Wheel of Shame" and making fun of my roommate (JUST FOR LAUGHS, NOT FOR REAL!!!) I realized how lame I was being and I started to find my own blogging style. Interestingly enough it involves more posting than any of my friends, which I'm assuming is due to my apparent lack of "life."
For whatever reason my friends and family keep coming back (AS THEY SHOULD!!!!) and I'm getting a lot of random stranger hits. I'm now up to a crazy 150 hits a week!!! Though I'm sure this is largely due to my college popularity, ha ha, i'll keep writing even if I'm the only one reading. WilmingSloan has been a fun place to be random and stupid but it's also been therapeutic at times. I hope you have enjoyed reading it a fraction of the amount that I've enjoyed writing to you. If so, I'm well pleased.
#9-T.P. and Wilmington's One Take Film Festival
Ok, let me start this one out to say that I'm by no means bragging. Those of you who have seen the 4 minutes T.P. know that there is nothing to brag about in terms of total appeal. What is good about it is that we made it in 24 hours and with no budget. This little festival made it onto the list because it's the first time I've gotten real recognition for something that I've even just had a part in making. Honorable Mention and Crowd's Favorite are both great considering the time we had to make it and the number of people who entered. Me and 4 other people worked hard to make it creative and fun and we did it well. I can't wait for the spring festival! First Wilmington....then the WORLD!!!
or at least Four Oaks...
#10-Relationships With People (collectively)
No single moment in a year can come close to touching the many moments I had with my family, friends, and certain "special" other people throughout the year. I'm not going to go into too much detail on that last part but those of you who know me know that such is par for the course on that particular topic. Those people whom I've had ...close...relationships with (there weren't many) have, for better or for worse, helped shape me as a person a little more and I'm happy for them. The staggering number of friends and/or friendly acquaintances that I've made at Wilmington have been a true blessing and I can't even count the number of occasions I've been with someone and heard "the funniest thing ever" or had someone around to talk with me about the stresses of school and whatnot. The people I literally lived with at Caswell shared so many fun and so many encouraging moments with me and for that I thank you. My friends from high school are still awesome and I miss you greatly. Well, except for Matt ;-) My family has always been there for me and I'm thankful for their love and patience. Whoever said that things weren't important but rather, people, was "playing it straight." In the end you can never get the joy out of owning a material item that you can out of the time you spend with people who are special to you. Everyone..and I mean EVERYONE who is reading this and knows me personally, no matter what you think, I really appreciate your role in my life this past year and in years past. It has, and will continue to mean a lot to me.
Here's to next year!
[Now for the current Update]
As for the Slonowan update I'll be heading out to Caswell tomorrow for summer staff reunion. YAY! I can't wait to see all my friends again! The reunion will last until the third at which point I will pack my jank and move straight into the dorm (as it would be on the way home if I were going anyway.) No updates until the third or fourth. Thanks for reading if you've made it all the way though (you should get a prize or something) and I wish you the happiest new year possible.
Duck...Roll...and Spring! Am I'm talking tactical movements or Chinese food?
Friday, December 31, 2004
Thursday, December 30, 2004
To the Hier of the Kingdom of Polygons
A small awards ceremony
As a warm up for my post on my favorite moments of 2004, which I will be putting up tomorrow, I thought I do a less serious...more random post about some of my "Best Of"s of the year. LET'S GET STARTED!!!
NATHAN'S "BEST OF" AWARDS, 2004!
BEST COFFEE SHOP:
-Port City Java
With a chain of stores now spanning the country PCJ gets my nod for best coffee shop because it was started downtown in Wilmington back in 1994. Plus they have a delicious roast and some great shakes.
Runner Up...
Java City in Randall Library
BEST LOCAL PAPER:
-The Independent
Based in Raleigh and full of some of the funniest personal ads on the face of the planet, the Independent wins on originality of content and their excellent local concert listings.
BEST BEVERAGE:
-Capri Sun
It's deliciousness is unmatched and it comes in at least 6 flavors. As if that weren't enough you also get a great pouch to sip it from.
Runner Up...
Yeah right
BEST ALBUM...
-The Postal Service: Give Up
Hard decision but when it comes right down to it I just listened to the postal service more than anything else. Excellent album, I love almost every song on it. If you don't have it already go buy it.
Runner Up...
Halo 2: Original Score and New Music
BEST OFFICE SUPPLY:
-Stapler
Think about it. Nothing else matters without the stapler. If you don't have it then nothing holds together and you fail everything.
Runner Up...
Paper Shredder
BEST MAJOR OF STUDY:
-Spaaace
A degree in Spaaace can get you lots of places in life...like, Professor of Spaaace or Elementary Spaaace Education...
Runner Up...
Zooombies
BEST ELECTRONIC DEVICE:
-Remote Keyless Entry
I can't tell you how much I love just unlocking the car with the remote. It's like a game with friends to see who can unlock their car from the farthest distance away. Not to mention all those times I try to unlock my friends cars with it or...unlock my house door. Man they're great.
Runner Up...
Ice Sculptures
BEST FILM 2004
-Napoleon Dynamite
If you haven't seen this film see it. You won't walk away thinking it's brilliant but in fact, it is in it's simplicity. Such a great short and different movie. I love it when someone breaks in with an original and fresh story to tell.
Runner Up...
Collateral
BEST CAT
-Pollo
One of the tigers at the CPT I visited yesterday. He wasn't all that bright but he was playful. As we drove away in the truck he chased it all the way down the fence like a playful kitty.
...Only 799 pounds bigger..geeze I'm glad he didn't catch it...
Runner Up...
Stupie Kitty
BEST VIDEO GAME
-Halo 2
Halo 2 is awesome. All of you Half-Life 2 kids still clinging to your hopes and dreams please, just let go. Master Chief Came and wiped up the mess that Half-Life one was while still managing to best the sequel handily. The best game in the world just got better.
Runner up...
Pong
BEST ALL-AROUND 2004!!!
-Schwinn Bike
It falls apart weekly and the brakes don't work like they're supposed to but it gets me anywhere on campus in 5 minutes or less. HEY! That's pretty cool.
Runner Up...
Kittyana Jones (ask for details)
So there it is...my personal "best of" for the year. If I think of any more I'll tell you.
Until next time remember...
...umm...
I forgot
As a warm up for my post on my favorite moments of 2004, which I will be putting up tomorrow, I thought I do a less serious...more random post about some of my "Best Of"s of the year. LET'S GET STARTED!!!
NATHAN'S "BEST OF" AWARDS, 2004!
BEST COFFEE SHOP:
-Port City Java
With a chain of stores now spanning the country PCJ gets my nod for best coffee shop because it was started downtown in Wilmington back in 1994. Plus they have a delicious roast and some great shakes.
Runner Up...
Java City in Randall Library
BEST LOCAL PAPER:
-The Independent
Based in Raleigh and full of some of the funniest personal ads on the face of the planet, the Independent wins on originality of content and their excellent local concert listings.
BEST BEVERAGE:
-Capri Sun
It's deliciousness is unmatched and it comes in at least 6 flavors. As if that weren't enough you also get a great pouch to sip it from.
Runner Up...
Yeah right
BEST ALBUM...
-The Postal Service: Give Up
Hard decision but when it comes right down to it I just listened to the postal service more than anything else. Excellent album, I love almost every song on it. If you don't have it already go buy it.
Runner Up...
Halo 2: Original Score and New Music
BEST OFFICE SUPPLY:
-Stapler
Think about it. Nothing else matters without the stapler. If you don't have it then nothing holds together and you fail everything.
Runner Up...
Paper Shredder
BEST MAJOR OF STUDY:
-Spaaace
A degree in Spaaace can get you lots of places in life...like, Professor of Spaaace or Elementary Spaaace Education...
Runner Up...
Zooombies
BEST ELECTRONIC DEVICE:
-Remote Keyless Entry
I can't tell you how much I love just unlocking the car with the remote. It's like a game with friends to see who can unlock their car from the farthest distance away. Not to mention all those times I try to unlock my friends cars with it or...unlock my house door. Man they're great.
Runner Up...
Ice Sculptures
BEST FILM 2004
-Napoleon Dynamite
If you haven't seen this film see it. You won't walk away thinking it's brilliant but in fact, it is in it's simplicity. Such a great short and different movie. I love it when someone breaks in with an original and fresh story to tell.
Runner Up...
Collateral
BEST CAT
-Pollo
One of the tigers at the CPT I visited yesterday. He wasn't all that bright but he was playful. As we drove away in the truck he chased it all the way down the fence like a playful kitty.
...Only 799 pounds bigger..geeze I'm glad he didn't catch it...
Runner Up...
Stupie Kitty
BEST VIDEO GAME
-Halo 2
Halo 2 is awesome. All of you Half-Life 2 kids still clinging to your hopes and dreams please, just let go. Master Chief Came and wiped up the mess that Half-Life one was while still managing to best the sequel handily. The best game in the world just got better.
Runner up...
Pong
BEST ALL-AROUND 2004!!!
-Schwinn Bike
It falls apart weekly and the brakes don't work like they're supposed to but it gets me anywhere on campus in 5 minutes or less. HEY! That's pretty cool.
Runner Up...
Kittyana Jones (ask for details)
So there it is...my personal "best of" for the year. If I think of any more I'll tell you.
Until next time remember...
...umm...
I forgot
Wednesday, December 29, 2004
Your New Aesthetic
Mr.Tiger
Originally uploaded by link5001.
...so the snarling is actually affectionate?
Always on the lookout for a new adventure I decided to follow up on my roommate, Brett Roach's offer to visit/work at the big kitty place he volunteers at all the time. The name of the place is the Carnivore Preservation Trust and it's all the way up in Pittsborough. I forced myself out of bed this morning and crawled out the door to make the hour or so long drive out to Brett's house in Apex.
Once there Roach reunited me with the lovely rat, Snuffles, (she constantly sneezes) who I spent a month with back in September as a third roommate. She crawled under my arm and behind me, under the couch cushion...I guess that means she was happy to see me again too. My stay at the Roach abode was brief as it wasn't long before the call of the wild beckoned Brett to venture out and to the CPT.
Once there we pretty much sat around for a good while. Then, Roach, his brother Christian and I stuffed toilet paper rolls with raw deer meat and straw to make a delicious, yet annoying treat for the smaller cats. Then it was out to the pins to "shift" the cats. What is shifting you ask? I didn't know either until Roach showed me.
We piled into an old Nissan POS truck and Roach pretended to know how to drive a stick all the way down the hill to the tiger cages. We were greeted by the loudest scariest form of purring you can possibly imagine. At first one's instinct tells you to run into the truck and hide from the 500+ pound cat that's pacing around just five feet away, only separated from you by chain link fencing. Then you realize that the noises they're making are because they're happy to see you. Much like a house cat the big white tiger just flopped down on the ground and rubbed his head against the fence and made his strange big kitty snorting noises. Roach switched them around to different cages via a pulley hatch system and the "shifting" was done. Then it was just time to wait for dinner...and wait we did.
I couldn't help but notice as we traveled back up to the main complex, how all of these vicious killing predator's names were names like "Jellybean", "Hannah" and "Romeo." As if death at the paws of a big cat weren't bad enough it seems someone thought it would be best if you were killed by a cat with a cutesy poo name. Well, I guess that makes it better.
Imagine my joy when the white van pulled up with a trash can in the back labeled "USDA CONDEMNED." On went the blue gloves and we spent the rest of the trip hurling chicken carcasses over the unusually high fences. Most of the cats just waited for the sound of the chicken, (if you've never heard a wet chicken carcass hit the ground after being lobbed about one story in the air you're missing out) but some attempted to catch the tasty treats in midair.
Of course there was the after feeding clean up of that HORRIDLY disgusting trash can and the knife but l got to see a lot of cool cats before we left...like the 23 year old jaguar and some leopards and a WHOLE lot of smaller cats that I can't remember the names of. It's just a shame that Roach didn't bring some of his infinite peanuts to share with the kitties. I could swear I almost herd one of them purring, "Hey Roachy, let me hit up the peanus man!"
MAIN CAPACITOR IS AT MAX VELOCITY CAPTAIN!!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
State of the Blog Address
Follow me and we'll get you out of here buddy...
An early SotBA? That's right! The usual monthly post that pops up on the first is popping up on the 28th of December for this month. Why? Because I'll be gone from January 1-3 and may not be able to update the old blog until the 4th. So without further adieu, here is your update.
As you can see I've made leaps and bounds in the Title Banner department. The sky is (almost) the limit now with the cool things I can put up there. The rest of the blog will remain largely unchanged for the time being but keep your eyes open for some interesting cameos on that banner.
Everything else is pretty much smooth sailing. I announced a drawing contest last week in one of my posts but so far there are no submissions...so if you send one in chances are good that I'll put it up. SEND!
Hits just keep a rising and a rising. Old WS is now up to around 150 hits a week, which I'm pleased with. Sadly I 'm fairly certain that at least half of those are from me...
(just kidding)
Keep telling your friends to come him...or rather, trick your friends into coming here. They'll only hate you for a little while I promise!
Finally, do be sure to keep checking back over the next three days and after the 3rd. I have some REALLY interesting posts coming up, not the least of which is my "Top Ten Moments of 2004" post that will but up at midnight on December 31st. In addition, tomorrow I have a promise to keep...to an old friend. DON'T MISS IT!!!!!
Today I spent the day at a sound and speaker place where a fat man treated me like a obnoxious child. I don't think there is any need for me to go into any further detail.
...seems like an ice fall is quicker than a regular one...
An early SotBA? That's right! The usual monthly post that pops up on the first is popping up on the 28th of December for this month. Why? Because I'll be gone from January 1-3 and may not be able to update the old blog until the 4th. So without further adieu, here is your update.
As you can see I've made leaps and bounds in the Title Banner department. The sky is (almost) the limit now with the cool things I can put up there. The rest of the blog will remain largely unchanged for the time being but keep your eyes open for some interesting cameos on that banner.
Everything else is pretty much smooth sailing. I announced a drawing contest last week in one of my posts but so far there are no submissions...so if you send one in chances are good that I'll put it up. SEND!
Hits just keep a rising and a rising. Old WS is now up to around 150 hits a week, which I'm pleased with. Sadly I 'm fairly certain that at least half of those are from me...
(just kidding)
Keep telling your friends to come him...or rather, trick your friends into coming here. They'll only hate you for a little while I promise!
Finally, do be sure to keep checking back over the next three days and after the 3rd. I have some REALLY interesting posts coming up, not the least of which is my "Top Ten Moments of 2004" post that will but up at midnight on December 31st. In addition, tomorrow I have a promise to keep...to an old friend. DON'T MISS IT!!!!!
Today I spent the day at a sound and speaker place where a fat man treated me like a obnoxious child. I don't think there is any need for me to go into any further detail.
...seems like an ice fall is quicker than a regular one...
Monday, December 27, 2004
We'll Always Have Paris-
"No reward is worth this" ~Han Solo
Hey, the milk is gone!!!! No really, he took all of it...totally raided the fridge...THAT PUNK!!!
So Santa came and went to spend another year at his polar abode, leaving us goodies on the way. I got some pretty cool stuff and gave some pretty cool stuff. All in all I'm quite happy about the outcome of Christmas except for one present. One of my gifts is a speaker rebuild at a place in Raleigh. I went ALL the way up there (50 miles) today, IN THE SNOW, only to have them tell me that they didn't have enough time to get it done tonight and that I'd have to bring it back tomorrow. So tomorrow I'll have to bring my car up....sit around for an hour...then find something to do for another 3 or so hours until i can bring it back to have it reinstalled ...which will take another hour. An ENTIRE day just to get a speaker fixed. I'm seriously considering just not worrying about it.
Sigh
But on the bright side I did get a wide angle lens, a couple of cool DVDs and a U2 shirt. That's cool.
There is nothing else really to talk about but there are some interesting stories coming around the bend. Look for a State of the Blog address before Friday and some extra special posts for the new year and the next semester. Including an update on my roommate that's bound to be entertaining! ((slither slither))
As always, if you fail to check back regularly you will disturb my pet 'million angry dragons', and you really don't want to do that...
A hot glue gun and a mentally disturbed mall gift wrapper are all that stand in the way of my world domination!!!
Hey, the milk is gone!!!! No really, he took all of it...totally raided the fridge...THAT PUNK!!!
So Santa came and went to spend another year at his polar abode, leaving us goodies on the way. I got some pretty cool stuff and gave some pretty cool stuff. All in all I'm quite happy about the outcome of Christmas except for one present. One of my gifts is a speaker rebuild at a place in Raleigh. I went ALL the way up there (50 miles) today, IN THE SNOW, only to have them tell me that they didn't have enough time to get it done tonight and that I'd have to bring it back tomorrow. So tomorrow I'll have to bring my car up....sit around for an hour...then find something to do for another 3 or so hours until i can bring it back to have it reinstalled ...which will take another hour. An ENTIRE day just to get a speaker fixed. I'm seriously considering just not worrying about it.
Sigh
But on the bright side I did get a wide angle lens, a couple of cool DVDs and a U2 shirt. That's cool.
There is nothing else really to talk about but there are some interesting stories coming around the bend. Look for a State of the Blog address before Friday and some extra special posts for the new year and the next semester. Including an update on my roommate that's bound to be entertaining! ((slither slither))
As always, if you fail to check back regularly you will disturb my pet 'million angry dragons', and you really don't want to do that...
A hot glue gun and a mentally disturbed mall gift wrapper are all that stand in the way of my world domination!!!
Friday, December 24, 2004
Most Convincing Wig Ever
Christmas Cheer
Originally uploaded by link5001.
You know, nothing quite says "Christmas" like three armored men with big guns.
I doubt that you can blow it up big enough to see this but if you look at the guy on the right in the foreground, dude looks totally Bad. Like, I think he should have his own theme song or something...
"Christmas in DANGER"
(da da da duuun dun dun)
"I'm gonna kill EVIL"
(da da da duuun dun dun)
"Nothing can stop it"
(doo doo daaaa doo da)
"'Cause I am so BAD!"
(Dun duun da da daaaaa!)
Oh well, that sort of works. I'm sure he'd approve anyway...
So the terror threat that is always around isn't looking abnormally high this year. That's good, maybe it means those pansy's are either out of money or out of disposable people bombers. You have to figure that there are only a handful that are going to run around with a bomb strapped to them and, well, once they're gone they're gone you know?
Hmmm, I just got this eerie feeling that I've now been put on an Al-Quieda Hit list somewhere.
MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
There it went, I knew you were waiting for it. My sincere wish is that you all have a happy and safe holiday and that you take just a few moments at least to say thanks to Jesus for the gift he's given you. Happy birthday Jesus!
The older I get the more important that "real meaning" seems but sadly, the less I see it celebrated. Our employers can make us say "Happy Holidays" at work but there is nothing stopping us from sharing what it's all about with a resounding "MERRY CHRISTMAS" at Wal*Mart or the taco stand or anywhere else we go. JOY TO THE WORLD! THE LORD IS COME!!!!
...but a miniature sleigh and a million angry dragons...
Thursday, December 23, 2004
It's Like a Never Ending Chain Gun for Your Family's SUV
According to Johnson
Just in case any of you are wondering who "webley" is let me calm your nerves now. It isn't the address for a new blog of mine and wilmingsloan isn't moving. It is my friend Matt Johnson's blog and it could be a pretty cool place if he ever gets some posts up. Check it out!
(The contents held in the above link are those of their creator and do not represent the opinions or beliefs of WilmingSloan or it's employees)
So how about that night before the night before Christmas? I'm surprised that some of my friends aren't out opening Christmas presents already. You know what annoys the p i double "s" out of me? Families that open crap on Christmas eve. CHEATERS. I was made to wait until Christmas morning EVERY YEAR for my entire life!!! What the crap do you think you're doing with your Cheatmas celebration over there? If you're going to push it back to the night before why not get a little more impatient and just exchange presents a week before? heck...lets just have Christmas whenever we want!!! I WANT PRESENTS NOW MAMA!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAA!
please...please...get a life and open your presents in the morning.
I love you.
Now where did I put that evil potion cauldron of mine?
Just in case any of you are wondering who "webley" is let me calm your nerves now. It isn't the address for a new blog of mine and wilmingsloan isn't moving. It is my friend Matt Johnson's blog and it could be a pretty cool place if he ever gets some posts up. Check it out!
(The contents held in the above link are those of their creator and do not represent the opinions or beliefs of WilmingSloan or it's employees)
So how about that night before the night before Christmas? I'm surprised that some of my friends aren't out opening Christmas presents already. You know what annoys the p i double "s" out of me? Families that open crap on Christmas eve. CHEATERS. I was made to wait until Christmas morning EVERY YEAR for my entire life!!! What the crap do you think you're doing with your Cheatmas celebration over there? If you're going to push it back to the night before why not get a little more impatient and just exchange presents a week before? heck...lets just have Christmas whenever we want!!! I WANT PRESENTS NOW MAMA!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAA!
please...please...get a life and open your presents in the morning.
I love you.
Now where did I put that evil potion cauldron of mine?
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
My New Wooden Liver
Have you gone out of business yet?
Hello hello! My, how good it is to talk once more to all of my adoring fan, as well as to the rest of you that are forced to visit due to an otherwise total lack of brain activity! There are several cups out there that you all could be successfully drooling in but I'm honored to have you drooling on your keyboards for the sake of this blog instead. I'm fast becoming the #1 way to totally waste 5 minutes of you life every day. In accordance with this growth I've taken in upon myself to spruce things here up a bit with a newly designed title banner. For the next short while it'll be decorated with the face of my beloved sister Melissa totally "rocking" hardcore. I hope someone out there enjoys this image as much as I do.
Refusing to stop at my title banner, Melissa is also the inspiration for tonight's blog topic which focuses on retail clothing company "Big Dogs." Before I begin my post I'd like to make a safety statement to all those reading. I, myself, own a Big Dogs shirt. That being said, let the harshness commence.
For almost ten years we've all, (or at least those of us in North Carolina), been plagued with ridiculously tacky shirts featuring everyone's favorite St. Bernards doing various humorous deeds and spoofing just about every popular movie, musician, ect. The shirts, while mildly amusing at times, are ultimately an undeniable festering pimple stain on the face of humanity. It would seem that at some point, a single or collective "creative genius" decided that it would be really cool to make a large dog do several things you would normally see a human do and market it as a brand. I don't know about you guys but when I dream of ideas for success in a market like retail clothing brands, a cartoon St. Bernard in a jersey dunking a basketball isn't anywhere near what comes to mind. So, like, is the whole joke is that the Dogs are doing things that people normally do? Wait! Is it a joke or am I confused? If it is, is it an inside joke? If it isn't a joke what could possibly be running through these people's minds? What kind of mindless idiots create a brand that is so completely and totally pointless and expect it to be successful?
Oh but wait just a second...
That is the wrong question to ask.
These people are really brilliant after all.
The question to ask is this.
What mindless idiots are buying this stuff? Because obviously the company is successful.
How did this ever get popular?
Why are they still open?
Nothing makes sense!!!! I mean nothing! For Pete's sake I have one and I can't for the life of me explain why. The only conclusion I can draw is that somehow a few shirts got out and people just started buying them and no one ever stopped to ask why. Pretty soon it was big enough to get people to buy it regardless because the only reason they needed was that all the other clueless consumers were purchasing it. It's like the computer virus of the clothing world. It corrupts the system and lowers the quality of life for everyone but, sadly, you can only control it....you can't eliminate it. Lately I've seen fewer and fewer proud people sporting a Big Dogs shirt but by some baffling act of mathematics or weiiiird science it manages to keep it's head above water and it's retail outlets stocked and running.
I'm not asking that you throw your Big Dogs shirts out or that you never go there again. All I ask is that the next time you're struck with sudden urge to shop there, simply ask yourself why. If you just ask why and think really hard about it, I'm sure we'll reach a reasonable conclusion at some point in the future.
((BigDogs fanboys, please direct all hate mail to link5001@aol.com))
"Sloano-Spray effectively eliminates 80% of visible facial rust!"
Hello hello! My, how good it is to talk once more to all of my adoring fan, as well as to the rest of you that are forced to visit due to an otherwise total lack of brain activity! There are several cups out there that you all could be successfully drooling in but I'm honored to have you drooling on your keyboards for the sake of this blog instead. I'm fast becoming the #1 way to totally waste 5 minutes of you life every day. In accordance with this growth I've taken in upon myself to spruce things here up a bit with a newly designed title banner. For the next short while it'll be decorated with the face of my beloved sister Melissa totally "rocking" hardcore. I hope someone out there enjoys this image as much as I do.
Refusing to stop at my title banner, Melissa is also the inspiration for tonight's blog topic which focuses on retail clothing company "Big Dogs." Before I begin my post I'd like to make a safety statement to all those reading. I, myself, own a Big Dogs shirt. That being said, let the harshness commence.
For almost ten years we've all, (or at least those of us in North Carolina), been plagued with ridiculously tacky shirts featuring everyone's favorite St. Bernards doing various humorous deeds and spoofing just about every popular movie, musician, ect. The shirts, while mildly amusing at times, are ultimately an undeniable festering pimple stain on the face of humanity. It would seem that at some point, a single or collective "creative genius" decided that it would be really cool to make a large dog do several things you would normally see a human do and market it as a brand. I don't know about you guys but when I dream of ideas for success in a market like retail clothing brands, a cartoon St. Bernard in a jersey dunking a basketball isn't anywhere near what comes to mind. So, like, is the whole joke is that the Dogs are doing things that people normally do? Wait! Is it a joke or am I confused? If it is, is it an inside joke? If it isn't a joke what could possibly be running through these people's minds? What kind of mindless idiots create a brand that is so completely and totally pointless and expect it to be successful?
Oh but wait just a second...
That is the wrong question to ask.
These people are really brilliant after all.
The question to ask is this.
What mindless idiots are buying this stuff? Because obviously the company is successful.
How did this ever get popular?
Why are they still open?
Nothing makes sense!!!! I mean nothing! For Pete's sake I have one and I can't for the life of me explain why. The only conclusion I can draw is that somehow a few shirts got out and people just started buying them and no one ever stopped to ask why. Pretty soon it was big enough to get people to buy it regardless because the only reason they needed was that all the other clueless consumers were purchasing it. It's like the computer virus of the clothing world. It corrupts the system and lowers the quality of life for everyone but, sadly, you can only control it....you can't eliminate it. Lately I've seen fewer and fewer proud people sporting a Big Dogs shirt but by some baffling act of mathematics or weiiiird science it manages to keep it's head above water and it's retail outlets stocked and running.
I'm not asking that you throw your Big Dogs shirts out or that you never go there again. All I ask is that the next time you're struck with sudden urge to shop there, simply ask yourself why. If you just ask why and think really hard about it, I'm sure we'll reach a reasonable conclusion at some point in the future.
((BigDogs fanboys, please direct all hate mail to link5001@aol.com))
"Sloano-Spray effectively eliminates 80% of visible facial rust!"
Sunday, December 19, 2004
The Paperweight of Life
A three parter
Those of you that have been neglecting your Coldplay I feel I you owe it to yourself to at the very least check out their video for their song "The Scientist." It's been out for quite a while and I haven't seen it lately but I was reminded of it today when I walked into Hardee's and "Clocks" was blasting over the speaker system. If you have the iTunes music store (which, if you believe in legal music downloads there is just NO better way to go...the cheaper services don't offer anything Apple's software does) you should click on the videos section and click on back towards the last pages. There you will find the glorious video of which I speak. (iTunes is a free download for Windows or Mac!!!!) I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone who has yet to view it but its extremely clever and strangely emotionally moving. CHECK IT OUT.
For those of you that don't like cryptically soft "little english boy" rock I have another important announcement. It's time for the WilmingSloan NEW YEAR drawing contest!!! Here are the rules. All drawings must be done IN PENCIL with NO COLORING and be submitted either by a CLEAN scan or CLEARLY VISIBLE in a photograph. You may have seen the pictures I drew for the site a while back. I want to see what my readers can do. Be sure to darken your lines as much as possible or the white from the computer will bleach them out! The best drawing(s) will be prominently displayed with honor and all high marks on WilmingSloan with an original post by yours truly, (whoopty frappin' doo) sometime in the new year. Send your stuff to Link5001@aol.com with subject heading "Drawing Contest." Have them in by Jan. 1, or...really anytime after. Good Luck....ya filthy animals.
Does anyone else not understand what the big deal with the George Foreman Grill a few years back? Honestly, I don't care to use the thing but every once in a while. On the commercials they show that woman using the little fork "cleaner" to scrape the fat and grease off of the grill and WHAMMO! It's clean. This was never the case in my experience. I usually used the fork for about 1 minute and then threw it in the sink because it never quite got the crap out of the little raised pieces at the bottom. I'd then spend the next 10 minutes using half a roll of paper towels to get the solidified animal fat out out the cracks around the side and bottom. A good sponge bath never seemed to relieve that thick fatty coating. Then you're left to wonder if it's safe to cook with next time (3 months later) when you pop it open and that tacky crap is still there. Yeah, it makes a delicious burger but you spend more time cleaning than you do enjoying it. Oh well....I'm a sucker for ex-boxers with catchy sell phrases. "I WANT TO KNOCK OUT THE FAT GEORGE!!!"
It's always fun to shock yourself with disposable camera capacitors!
Those of you that have been neglecting your Coldplay I feel I you owe it to yourself to at the very least check out their video for their song "The Scientist." It's been out for quite a while and I haven't seen it lately but I was reminded of it today when I walked into Hardee's and "Clocks" was blasting over the speaker system. If you have the iTunes music store (which, if you believe in legal music downloads there is just NO better way to go...the cheaper services don't offer anything Apple's software does) you should click on the videos section and click on back towards the last pages. There you will find the glorious video of which I speak. (iTunes is a free download for Windows or Mac!!!!) I don't want to ruin the surprise for anyone who has yet to view it but its extremely clever and strangely emotionally moving. CHECK IT OUT.
For those of you that don't like cryptically soft "little english boy" rock I have another important announcement. It's time for the WilmingSloan NEW YEAR drawing contest!!! Here are the rules. All drawings must be done IN PENCIL with NO COLORING and be submitted either by a CLEAN scan or CLEARLY VISIBLE in a photograph. You may have seen the pictures I drew for the site a while back. I want to see what my readers can do. Be sure to darken your lines as much as possible or the white from the computer will bleach them out! The best drawing(s) will be prominently displayed with honor and all high marks on WilmingSloan with an original post by yours truly, (whoopty frappin' doo) sometime in the new year. Send your stuff to Link5001@aol.com with subject heading "Drawing Contest." Have them in by Jan. 1, or...really anytime after. Good Luck....ya filthy animals.
Does anyone else not understand what the big deal with the George Foreman Grill a few years back? Honestly, I don't care to use the thing but every once in a while. On the commercials they show that woman using the little fork "cleaner" to scrape the fat and grease off of the grill and WHAMMO! It's clean. This was never the case in my experience. I usually used the fork for about 1 minute and then threw it in the sink because it never quite got the crap out of the little raised pieces at the bottom. I'd then spend the next 10 minutes using half a roll of paper towels to get the solidified animal fat out out the cracks around the side and bottom. A good sponge bath never seemed to relieve that thick fatty coating. Then you're left to wonder if it's safe to cook with next time (3 months later) when you pop it open and that tacky crap is still there. Yeah, it makes a delicious burger but you spend more time cleaning than you do enjoying it. Oh well....I'm a sucker for ex-boxers with catchy sell phrases. "I WANT TO KNOCK OUT THE FAT GEORGE!!!"
It's always fun to shock yourself with disposable camera capacitors!
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Hear You Me
Is it a Shirt?
Originally uploaded by link5001.
What a lovely shirt! It's the return of Indiana Sloan!
Yeah, this is a picture of my awesome Indiana Jones shirt that I received today from my excellent friend Matt Johnson. Yes, the same Matt Johnson that was in the Batman costume and is soon to be sporting some Boba Fett armor. In case some of you readers don't know my history with Indiana Jones I'll go into a little back story for you.
About 2 years ago, (summer 2002) I was stuck at home for quite some time. I had loved George Lucas' Star Wars Trilogy for quite some time by this point and decided to turn to his other classic trilogy, Indiana Jones. I researched Harrison's costume for countless HOURS. I must have logged over 100 hours on "Club Obi-Wan", the indygear.com prop forum. I found out more about that costume that anyone that didn't work on the set should know. I spent that summer, fall, and winter in total dedication to collecting all the authentic parts to the costume worn by the adventuring archaeologist himself. I got an ACTUAL WW II British Mk VII gas mask bag from the costumer that provided them for the movie...as well as a custom tailored authentic Jones (crusade style) Leather Jacket from Wested Leather (also maker for the movies). I picked up a few other items but never really got the whole thing together due to lack of funds.
This brings us to this shirt. At the time of my collecting the Noel Howard shirt was $90 and not really accurate. Noel made them for the movie but these were just too expensive and not what I was looking for. Now he doesn't even offer his Indy stuff. I shelved the project.
NOW 2004...Merry Christmas! My best friend Matt picked up a thread online with some useful information on getting an authentic shirt made. He had it put together for me and I must say I'm impressed. GREAT GIFT! Will this new bit of treasure re-ignite my flame for the Jones costume? Probably. The hat is the next thing in my sights!
Another plume of smoke shaped like Ron Howard's head???
The Breakthrough Is Patented Technology!
"Not another serious post Nathan!"
Though I have a good deal of confidence in myself and the power of a dream in the hands of someone with extreme determination it is hard not to look at a field of study, such as my own, and not feel a little tinge of worry when it comes to what the future will hold for me. Film Student? In North Carolina? Nathan, what are you going to do with that? If you're a drama student, a writer, a fine arts student, ect. ect. you know the feeling I have. You either teach it, take a job in some random and unrelated field, or you wander the streets in search of the direction that will lead you towards success. Is Wilmington the final destination for that success for me? Almost certainly not.
Wilmington, at one point, had a booming film economy. It was by no means as big as it's west coast relatives but with it's beautiful locations and third largest studio outside of Hollywood in the U.S. there was a great feeling of promise for old port city and film. From the early 80s to the early 90s several great films were made at or near Wilmington. All through the 90s films were made in locations all around North Carolina. It was a huge boost to the economy with increased tourism and jobs in the film industry but also lent a feeling of pride to the locals who saw their beloved state as the backdrop for big-budget films screened nationally and globally.
Sadly, since the mid-90s, rising production costs in the state and much much lower ones in states like Arizona, which offer incentive packages to filmmakers, as well as lower costs in Canada and overseas, have aided the decline of the industry not just in Wilmington, but in the entire state. Wilmington is but a dry petal of the once blossoming flower it was. The lack of an incentive package from the state could kill what little influence we once had on the film market. Wilmington's luster might fade. Which could leave me in a bit of a pickle.
I know that I don't want to be just another cameraman. Just another production assistant. Just another slobberingly alcoholic writer on the verge of breakdown. I want to nose in and make it as big as I possibly can. Strong words for a relatively quite joke of a kid from middle-of-nowhere North Carolina, but if I'm going to do this, I'm going to go for the whole sha-la-la. Which brings me to the question of should I do this? If I'm going to be a real filmmaker I first have to learn what I'm doing, then prove to everyone that I have the talent to do it, then I have to beat my way though a sea of other excellent talent to somehow (through luck or will of God) find a place in what may be the most competitive job market on the planet. I can't see that happening in a place where the biggest production jobs are second rate TV dramas and commercials.
If North Carolina doesn't pass the proposed film incentive package this January, it could be the end for me and film...or me and North Carolina. A move out of state and a decision to follow film could be the kiss of death to my or my family/friend's hope of a normal life for me. No 9-5. No wife, not for a long time. No kids. What direction is this going and what direction am I going? I guess the truth is that I don't need to nor am I supposed to know. I know that whatever happens I'll be taken care of and, hopefully, though perhaps bit reworked, my dreams will still come true.
If life is a day long then I'm at 5 AM. The sun is just breaking over the horizon and I have a long and mysterious road to travel. But from birth we all started at the same place and somehow found our ways to the paths that we felt most suited us. Somehow I feel this unpredictable road ahead of me is just the road I was made for. The road I've been stumbling in the dark to find for all these years. With God's guidance I trust it will lead to a wonderful place and a happy ending.
If you like me and want me to live hear please contact your representatives or research more out the proposed film incentive online or through other means. Let them know how much this stuff means to you!!!
For those of you bored to tears/skimming out of indifference...never fear. I have a post of me showing off my Christmas present from Matt coming soon! STAY TUNED
Though I have a good deal of confidence in myself and the power of a dream in the hands of someone with extreme determination it is hard not to look at a field of study, such as my own, and not feel a little tinge of worry when it comes to what the future will hold for me. Film Student? In North Carolina? Nathan, what are you going to do with that? If you're a drama student, a writer, a fine arts student, ect. ect. you know the feeling I have. You either teach it, take a job in some random and unrelated field, or you wander the streets in search of the direction that will lead you towards success. Is Wilmington the final destination for that success for me? Almost certainly not.
Wilmington, at one point, had a booming film economy. It was by no means as big as it's west coast relatives but with it's beautiful locations and third largest studio outside of Hollywood in the U.S. there was a great feeling of promise for old port city and film. From the early 80s to the early 90s several great films were made at or near Wilmington. All through the 90s films were made in locations all around North Carolina. It was a huge boost to the economy with increased tourism and jobs in the film industry but also lent a feeling of pride to the locals who saw their beloved state as the backdrop for big-budget films screened nationally and globally.
Sadly, since the mid-90s, rising production costs in the state and much much lower ones in states like Arizona, which offer incentive packages to filmmakers, as well as lower costs in Canada and overseas, have aided the decline of the industry not just in Wilmington, but in the entire state. Wilmington is but a dry petal of the once blossoming flower it was. The lack of an incentive package from the state could kill what little influence we once had on the film market. Wilmington's luster might fade. Which could leave me in a bit of a pickle.
I know that I don't want to be just another cameraman. Just another production assistant. Just another slobberingly alcoholic writer on the verge of breakdown. I want to nose in and make it as big as I possibly can. Strong words for a relatively quite joke of a kid from middle-of-nowhere North Carolina, but if I'm going to do this, I'm going to go for the whole sha-la-la. Which brings me to the question of should I do this? If I'm going to be a real filmmaker I first have to learn what I'm doing, then prove to everyone that I have the talent to do it, then I have to beat my way though a sea of other excellent talent to somehow (through luck or will of God) find a place in what may be the most competitive job market on the planet. I can't see that happening in a place where the biggest production jobs are second rate TV dramas and commercials.
If North Carolina doesn't pass the proposed film incentive package this January, it could be the end for me and film...or me and North Carolina. A move out of state and a decision to follow film could be the kiss of death to my or my family/friend's hope of a normal life for me. No 9-5. No wife, not for a long time. No kids. What direction is this going and what direction am I going? I guess the truth is that I don't need to nor am I supposed to know. I know that whatever happens I'll be taken care of and, hopefully, though perhaps bit reworked, my dreams will still come true.
If life is a day long then I'm at 5 AM. The sun is just breaking over the horizon and I have a long and mysterious road to travel. But from birth we all started at the same place and somehow found our ways to the paths that we felt most suited us. Somehow I feel this unpredictable road ahead of me is just the road I was made for. The road I've been stumbling in the dark to find for all these years. With God's guidance I trust it will lead to a wonderful place and a happy ending.
If you like me and want me to live hear please contact your representatives or research more out the proposed film incentive online or through other means. Let them know how much this stuff means to you!!!
For those of you bored to tears/skimming out of indifference...never fear. I have a post of me showing off my Christmas present from Matt coming soon! STAY TUNED
Thursday, December 16, 2004
Flamboyantly Heterosexual
Take the garbage out...and while you're at it why do you do my life for me too
another AMAZING day of sleep. Only until 12:30 this morning..err uh...afternoon. I really hate sleeping the day away but I just can't seem to straighten myself out. I got up and went through the usual stuff. Dad calling me and asking me to do something. Me going to his office and spending the day. The usual "on break" ritual. Then something struck me. I don't know if its the extreme amount of Halo I've been playing or what but I just didn't feel like wasting hours away online or gaming. I broke out the old Final Draft Pro and decided I was going to learn how to use it. Final Draft Pro (for those of you not in the movie/theater scene) is a lovely piece of software that does all the formatting of screen/script writing for you. Just a few clicks of a mouse and taps of the return key between passages and everything else is taken care of. I spent about 10 minutes learning the ropes and then, randomly enough, completely scripted out the lunch I had with my father earlier today. It ended up being about 5 pages and taking place entirely inside the restaurant, well, almost anyway. I sat amazed at how easy and fun it had been to play it all out. Now, given, "Nathan chews burger" isn't going to be winning an Academy Awards any lifetime soon but for a practice round I was well pleased! Screenwriting, with the help of this software, could prove to be a fun hobby of mine. (It's great for stress relief!) Dear lord I sound like a infomercial lady. "GEE BOB! WHAT ELSE DOES IT DO!?!?!?!?
I was originally going to post the script in it's entirety on this page but then I realized people would hate me for doing that, TOO MUCH WORDS NATHAN...ME NO LIKE READ!!!, and I'd probably wake up tomorrow with speared and skinned cat carcasses sticking up out of my lawn, so I decided to refrain. If, however, you aren't a primitive "native" and you would like to read my script I'll be happy to email it to you. What's a coffee break without a screenplay from an obscure screenwriter about lunch? Hit up my email at Link5001@aol.com with subject heading "git me sum er day fancie wrote stuff" and I'll respond with the script. You my also email me with subject heading "I want a million dollars NOW... and I have exotic pets!" ...but honestly, I'll likely just ignore that one.
Hey...let me hit up the peanus yo! ((burp))
another AMAZING day of sleep. Only until 12:30 this morning..err uh...afternoon. I really hate sleeping the day away but I just can't seem to straighten myself out. I got up and went through the usual stuff. Dad calling me and asking me to do something. Me going to his office and spending the day. The usual "on break" ritual. Then something struck me. I don't know if its the extreme amount of Halo I've been playing or what but I just didn't feel like wasting hours away online or gaming. I broke out the old Final Draft Pro and decided I was going to learn how to use it. Final Draft Pro (for those of you not in the movie/theater scene) is a lovely piece of software that does all the formatting of screen/script writing for you. Just a few clicks of a mouse and taps of the return key between passages and everything else is taken care of. I spent about 10 minutes learning the ropes and then, randomly enough, completely scripted out the lunch I had with my father earlier today. It ended up being about 5 pages and taking place entirely inside the restaurant, well, almost anyway. I sat amazed at how easy and fun it had been to play it all out. Now, given, "Nathan chews burger" isn't going to be winning an Academy Awards any lifetime soon but for a practice round I was well pleased! Screenwriting, with the help of this software, could prove to be a fun hobby of mine. (It's great for stress relief!) Dear lord I sound like a infomercial lady. "GEE BOB! WHAT ELSE DOES IT DO!?!?!?!?
I was originally going to post the script in it's entirety on this page but then I realized people would hate me for doing that, TOO MUCH WORDS NATHAN...ME NO LIKE READ!!!, and I'd probably wake up tomorrow with speared and skinned cat carcasses sticking up out of my lawn, so I decided to refrain. If, however, you aren't a primitive "native" and you would like to read my script I'll be happy to email it to you. What's a coffee break without a screenplay from an obscure screenwriter about lunch? Hit up my email at Link5001@aol.com with subject heading "git me sum er day fancie wrote stuff" and I'll respond with the script. You my also email me with subject heading "I want a million dollars NOW... and I have exotic pets!" ...but honestly, I'll likely just ignore that one.
Hey...let me hit up the peanus yo! ((burp))
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
Filled With Anger: Also Justice!
...I have laundry to do...
You know, I really would hate having nothing to do for the rest of my life. To me, not having a scheduled work day would be total death. I sit around all day and twiddle my thumbs while playing Halo and talking to people online when I'm stuck at home. That's kind of...depressing. You know what else is depressing!? Blogs where depressed people talk about depressing things ALL the time, which is why I'm going to stop my tear jerker of a story dead in it's tracks. Instead I'll take a look at the horrific excuses for blogs that there are out there. Usually just some drama queen (male or female) that likes to talk trash about people and *pretend* that the people they're talking about don't have access to the page. Meanwhile the rest of the world that blogsurfs, like myself, waste valuable seconds and yes, even minutes of our lives, looking at your widely available cry party online. Cheer up! There are plenty of things in life to be happy about like...spiky "dog collar" bracelets and cheap tattoo artists. Next time you're feeling bummed out just think of how quietly tortured you look in black and how awesome that is because you've been working for years to perfect your "void of soul" face. And if you aren't that kind of depression blogger but the relationship kind you have plenty of things to smile about as well. Take your 24th boyfriend for instance. He's sure to pop up in the next couple of weeks! Wonder what nifty way he's going to choose to NOT meet your expectations? Sorta like a game huh? Or how about those friends of yours? You know! The ones that you say are losers just because they think the same person is cute but then you have to cry on their shoulder biweekly after the latest drama. Those people are reliable and support your horrid cycle. Think of what it must take to do that! What great friends!!!
I'm being a bit pointed with this post but the real point is that no one wants to read about how crappy your life is. Write a post about grilled cheese sandwiches (coming next week to WILMINGSLOAN!!!) or a very natural fear of clowns that you may have. That's interesting and people like to see that jank. I may, at some point in the future, write a post about how stupid blogs are for companies and organizations. Blogs are PERSONAL ...we don't want to see your Heating and Air Conditioning company's diary! Oh well, free country...and without bad blogs would go blogs be so good?
I hear an old man just a-churnin' some butter and if there's one thing I can resist it's churnin' butter and makin' lye soap!
You know, I really would hate having nothing to do for the rest of my life. To me, not having a scheduled work day would be total death. I sit around all day and twiddle my thumbs while playing Halo and talking to people online when I'm stuck at home. That's kind of...depressing. You know what else is depressing!? Blogs where depressed people talk about depressing things ALL the time, which is why I'm going to stop my tear jerker of a story dead in it's tracks. Instead I'll take a look at the horrific excuses for blogs that there are out there. Usually just some drama queen (male or female) that likes to talk trash about people and *pretend* that the people they're talking about don't have access to the page. Meanwhile the rest of the world that blogsurfs, like myself, waste valuable seconds and yes, even minutes of our lives, looking at your widely available cry party online. Cheer up! There are plenty of things in life to be happy about like...spiky "dog collar" bracelets and cheap tattoo artists. Next time you're feeling bummed out just think of how quietly tortured you look in black and how awesome that is because you've been working for years to perfect your "void of soul" face. And if you aren't that kind of depression blogger but the relationship kind you have plenty of things to smile about as well. Take your 24th boyfriend for instance. He's sure to pop up in the next couple of weeks! Wonder what nifty way he's going to choose to NOT meet your expectations? Sorta like a game huh? Or how about those friends of yours? You know! The ones that you say are losers just because they think the same person is cute but then you have to cry on their shoulder biweekly after the latest drama. Those people are reliable and support your horrid cycle. Think of what it must take to do that! What great friends!!!
I'm being a bit pointed with this post but the real point is that no one wants to read about how crappy your life is. Write a post about grilled cheese sandwiches (coming next week to WILMINGSLOAN!!!) or a very natural fear of clowns that you may have. That's interesting and people like to see that jank. I may, at some point in the future, write a post about how stupid blogs are for companies and organizations. Blogs are PERSONAL ...we don't want to see your Heating and Air Conditioning company's diary! Oh well, free country...and without bad blogs would go blogs be so good?
I hear an old man just a-churnin' some butter and if there's one thing I can resist it's churnin' butter and makin' lye soap!
Tuesday, December 14, 2004
I Got Your Audio....You Got My Video
gift giving...behind the bunk
Has this ever happened to you? You're out somewhere and someone starts to buy something but before they can someone else says "WAIT DON'T GET IT!" because they want to get it for them for Christmas. There is a small percentage of times when I think this is ok but lets face it. If you've got to struggle that hard to get someone a present you're totally defeating the purpose of getting a present in the first place. It's not exactly thoughtful to stop someone from buying something they want and make them wait two weeks to get it just so you get a lame "easy out" for their gift this holiday season, in fact it's down right rude. That is almost as thoughtless as buying a gift card. Look, give 'em cash so they can buy whatever they want but better yet invest the time to think of a heartfelt gift. The bottom line is, if you don't want to get someone a present then you just shouldn't, even if they're family or something. So what if this means that some people get no presents for Christmas? If this rule were in force then maybe it'll help to give those people a good idea of their social standing with everyone and encourage them to work on not being hateful losers for the rest of the next year. Then if they win some people over they'll get presents next time. When presents stop being from the heart then they're just obligatory "niceties" like say, tipping your waitress. At first people tipped waitresses because they did a good job (or were really hot.) Now no matter HOW sucky the person is you have to leave them something. Waitresses get paid less by their employers now because of it and we all have to deal with the extra $6 loss at a nice restaurant for the 2 refills and extra bread he/she brought us. Geeze. I'm off to frolic in grumpyville for the rest of the evening. JUUUUST kidding. I'm quite happy as I'm about to play some halo2!
I once knew a guy that could choke a grizzly with a coaxial cable!
Has this ever happened to you? You're out somewhere and someone starts to buy something but before they can someone else says "WAIT DON'T GET IT!" because they want to get it for them for Christmas. There is a small percentage of times when I think this is ok but lets face it. If you've got to struggle that hard to get someone a present you're totally defeating the purpose of getting a present in the first place. It's not exactly thoughtful to stop someone from buying something they want and make them wait two weeks to get it just so you get a lame "easy out" for their gift this holiday season, in fact it's down right rude. That is almost as thoughtless as buying a gift card. Look, give 'em cash so they can buy whatever they want but better yet invest the time to think of a heartfelt gift. The bottom line is, if you don't want to get someone a present then you just shouldn't, even if they're family or something. So what if this means that some people get no presents for Christmas? If this rule were in force then maybe it'll help to give those people a good idea of their social standing with everyone and encourage them to work on not being hateful losers for the rest of the next year. Then if they win some people over they'll get presents next time. When presents stop being from the heart then they're just obligatory "niceties" like say, tipping your waitress. At first people tipped waitresses because they did a good job (or were really hot.) Now no matter HOW sucky the person is you have to leave them something. Waitresses get paid less by their employers now because of it and we all have to deal with the extra $6 loss at a nice restaurant for the 2 refills and extra bread he/she brought us. Geeze. I'm off to frolic in grumpyville for the rest of the evening. JUUUUST kidding. I'm quite happy as I'm about to play some halo2!
I once knew a guy that could choke a grizzly with a coaxial cable!
Friday, December 10, 2004
The Folk Dance of Hickbillies: A Brief History
"Complaint Department, this is Nathan speaking...could you please hold? Thanks." ((now where is that 'smite caller' button?))
Ok ok, so I didn't update for a little while there and my earlier posts were garbage.....WHATTAYA GONNA DO???
It was exam week. I was busy...but the good news is that as of thursday at 3:30 PM I'm DONE. What does that mean for you? Why it means more canned beef giblets and a NEEEEEW CAAAAAR. Or like...a '93 model year car but its the best I can do!
Ok so now I'm going to tap dance around my exams because I don't want to go into painful detail about how horribly I did on them. ((rattata tap taaa ti tappy tap tap taaap))
Ok..I couldn't make it one more week without talking about how screwed up the weather is again. So, here goes.
THE WEATHER IS FREAKING SCREWED UP! Why is it 71 degrees in DECEMBER? I'm starting to freak out. I think I read somewhere that when stuff like this happens that a million angry dragons shower down on the world...or something. Maybe I read that somewhere. Oh well...
To all my UNCW buddies I have this to say. You all can only hope to one day be as cool as me and I'm sorry you have to go 3 weeks without seeing me. I'm sure if you drink heavily or continusouly shock yourself with a cattle prod it will momentarily alleviate the pain of my absence in your life. Don't fret! Because when I come back I promise to give you all hugs and say a couple of things to you (pending your smell status). Keep your chins up!
No seriously I miss you guys and I hope you all have a happy holiday! Keep checking back!
Why is maple syrup pouring out of my left eye?
Ok ok, so I didn't update for a little while there and my earlier posts were garbage.....WHATTAYA GONNA DO???
It was exam week. I was busy...but the good news is that as of thursday at 3:30 PM I'm DONE. What does that mean for you? Why it means more canned beef giblets and a NEEEEEW CAAAAAR. Or like...a '93 model year car but its the best I can do!
Ok so now I'm going to tap dance around my exams because I don't want to go into painful detail about how horribly I did on them. ((rattata tap taaa ti tappy tap tap taaap))
Ok..I couldn't make it one more week without talking about how screwed up the weather is again. So, here goes.
THE WEATHER IS FREAKING SCREWED UP! Why is it 71 degrees in DECEMBER? I'm starting to freak out. I think I read somewhere that when stuff like this happens that a million angry dragons shower down on the world...or something. Maybe I read that somewhere. Oh well...
To all my UNCW buddies I have this to say. You all can only hope to one day be as cool as me and I'm sorry you have to go 3 weeks without seeing me. I'm sure if you drink heavily or continusouly shock yourself with a cattle prod it will momentarily alleviate the pain of my absence in your life. Don't fret! Because when I come back I promise to give you all hugs and say a couple of things to you (pending your smell status). Keep your chins up!
No seriously I miss you guys and I hope you all have a happy holiday! Keep checking back!
Why is maple syrup pouring out of my left eye?
Monday, December 06, 2004
They Fear the White Tray
3 more days...2 more exams....1 more box of Kapri Sun
Yesterday I experienced my first bit of school spirit when I attended the Seahawk basketball game against Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU are the defending champs from last season. Now I'm no sports enthusiast but I have to say I got quite rilled up at the game when, in the second half, The Dub came back from a 10 point trail to win it 68 to 63! Hoo AH! now that's excitment, I guess. That's what the scary bald men in the Atheletic Department tell me excitment is anyway.
I promise more interesting posts soon as the garbage I've been putting on here is making me sad to have a blog. Please accept my apologies and continue visiting. It'll get better, just let the exams pass.
Brake for moose, it could save your life!
Yesterday I experienced my first bit of school spirit when I attended the Seahawk basketball game against Virginia Commonwealth University. VCU are the defending champs from last season. Now I'm no sports enthusiast but I have to say I got quite rilled up at the game when, in the second half, The Dub came back from a 10 point trail to win it 68 to 63! Hoo AH! now that's excitment, I guess. That's what the scary bald men in the Atheletic Department tell me excitment is anyway.
I promise more interesting posts soon as the garbage I've been putting on here is making me sad to have a blog. Please accept my apologies and continue visiting. It'll get better, just let the exams pass.
Brake for moose, it could save your life!
Saturday, December 04, 2004
I May Destroy Your Entire Village
DasMoousee
Originally uploaded by link5001.
I think this photograph of my roommate speaks for itself. I added the type in to give it some color.
So I took my first exam today. I FAILED WHY WHY WHY....ok maybe I didn't fail but I probably did. What is the most ironic part? It was my FILM class. He had all sorts of stuff that I just don't even remember him talking about. I guess it would have helped if I had read the book and took good notes. I really don't know how to study. School bites!
Friday, December 03, 2004
Kid Tested, Mother Approved...
Napoleon Dynamite
Originally uploaded by link5001.
I'll read when I'm good and darn ready...
So I went to see Napoleon Dynamite for the second time last night at the Cinema Grill off Shipyard Blvd. Again I'm reminded of how great a movie it is. Not because there is necessarily anything obviously brilliant about it except that it's just inherently brilliant. Made on a shoestring budget and shot entirely on location in Iowa this film utilized masterfully constructed extremely memorable characters and excellent casting with some of the best actors of the day. Fresh and funny I'd recommend this film to ANYONE! A movie about nothing with a great ending! When you leave you'll be asking yourself why you liked it but even with no reason you won't be able to deny it. It's being rereleased in theaters this christmas season by MTV films (who were smart to snatch it up when they did) and the DVD will be on shelves December 21. I know I'll be in line to pick up a copy, you should too!
Now I'm off to read as this is the university's scheduled "reading day" ugh...Reading is for weenies and extremely intelligent lab monkeys.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Salt Sweat Sugar
Nathan on the Nines
Originally uploaded by link5001.
...just 3,888,000 blinks later...
I've had this picture all semester but somehow it's eluded WilmingSloan for all this time. In the end it's perhaps more fitting that I post it now, on the last day of classes, since it was taken on the first. UNCW did a big firework display right outside my dorm to "kick off" the school year and I just happened to be right next to some roving reporters looking for the usual village idiot commentary. Happily I obliged.
It makes a neat desktop wallpaper if nothing else.
So the semester is over? Well, there are still those exam things but they'll be over in another second. I'll never again enter the warming comfort of my beloved first semester classrooms. It's almost sad. After just one more semester I'll no longer be a new kid. I'll be that slightly new kid and there will be all these new little freshmen. I guess it's just a part of getting older. I'm at the point where all I can do is study and cross my fingers for what comes next. Hopefully I'm not a total academic failure. If I am I'll pick up the slack in January. GOODBYE SWEET FALL SEMESTER. You held many laughs...some sad times, some sweet times. I saw my oldest sister get married and I saw my dorm room ceiling for hours as I lay sick in bed. I waddled through the political marsh of an election and met so many good, kind, and occasionally extremely attractive people. All in all, I loved you, dear dear sweet semester. It is my sincerest hope that you truly rest in peace.
...Tina come get your HAM!
Wednesday, December 01, 2004
State of the Blog Address
Way better than all those other "State of" addresses...
Sniff sniff? What's that smell? Why, i'm pretty sure I wouldn't be mistaken if I said that were the sent of a blog that's been left out for 3 months. Why yes it is! Ahhh mi amici! Today marks that wondrous quarter year milestone for WilmingSloan. Just to bring you up to date on "what's goin' on" that little thingy that tells you about my site. Yeah, the "profile." It's broken! This is a known problem that the people at blogger.com are supposedly "working on." The last time that information was updated was September 19th. At that time I had 15 posts and around 4,500 words. I'm proud (or really embarrassed depending on your view of it) to say that this post marks my 62ed since September 1. I likely have WELL over 10,000 scrumptrulescent words for your reading pleasure and a growing public photo album on flickr.com. In case you want to check them out either click on any one of the photos and go to my photostream or just copy and paste this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56841558@N00/. Pictures make me happy. You know what else makes me happy?
Women!
Haha! Had you for a second there! no no, women only bring heartache and suffering!
Comments make me happy. If you want to receive that oh so special (and completely imaginary) WilmingSloan gift basket this Christmas you won't forget to post your thoughts on my posts. Remember, when you comment you can do so under "anonymous" as to keep from having to create a blogger account but if you fail to leave me your name within the comment it is quite possible that a million angry dragons will crash through your ceiling and obliterate you. Just a little heads up.
The only other blog news I have to offer is that I plan on doing some form of major cool "remodeling" to this place. I'm not really digging the default floral banner at the top that makes me feel as if I'm a part of some Lifetime original event. At any moment I'm fully expecting some emotional woman to bust through my door and tell me how my blog changed her life, and I blame is solely on that banner, so it must go. Of course all the super cool changes and additions are pending that I remember my HTML and that blogger hasn't somehow made their templets totally impossible to change. DIG IT!!!!
In non blog related news the night before last I had a dream I played backup guitar for David Bowie. No lie! Before you get all excited let me stop you, there were absolutely NO sexual encounters in that dream. At least I really hope there weren't...
Bee Keepers...proof that stupid/pain ignorant people reap sweet rewards!
Sniff sniff? What's that smell? Why, i'm pretty sure I wouldn't be mistaken if I said that were the sent of a blog that's been left out for 3 months. Why yes it is! Ahhh mi amici! Today marks that wondrous quarter year milestone for WilmingSloan. Just to bring you up to date on "what's goin' on" that little thingy that tells you about my site. Yeah, the "profile." It's broken! This is a known problem that the people at blogger.com are supposedly "working on." The last time that information was updated was September 19th. At that time I had 15 posts and around 4,500 words. I'm proud (or really embarrassed depending on your view of it) to say that this post marks my 62ed since September 1. I likely have WELL over 10,000 scrumptrulescent words for your reading pleasure and a growing public photo album on flickr.com. In case you want to check them out either click on any one of the photos and go to my photostream or just copy and paste this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/56841558@N00/. Pictures make me happy. You know what else makes me happy?
Women!
Haha! Had you for a second there! no no, women only bring heartache and suffering!
Comments make me happy. If you want to receive that oh so special (and completely imaginary) WilmingSloan gift basket this Christmas you won't forget to post your thoughts on my posts. Remember, when you comment you can do so under "anonymous" as to keep from having to create a blogger account but if you fail to leave me your name within the comment it is quite possible that a million angry dragons will crash through your ceiling and obliterate you. Just a little heads up.
The only other blog news I have to offer is that I plan on doing some form of major cool "remodeling" to this place. I'm not really digging the default floral banner at the top that makes me feel as if I'm a part of some Lifetime original event. At any moment I'm fully expecting some emotional woman to bust through my door and tell me how my blog changed her life, and I blame is solely on that banner, so it must go. Of course all the super cool changes and additions are pending that I remember my HTML and that blogger hasn't somehow made their templets totally impossible to change. DIG IT!!!!
In non blog related news the night before last I had a dream I played backup guitar for David Bowie. No lie! Before you get all excited let me stop you, there were absolutely NO sexual encounters in that dream. At least I really hope there weren't...
Bee Keepers...proof that stupid/pain ignorant people reap sweet rewards!
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