10:22pm: random film stuff
So my film group has decided to raise the stakes and produce a "feature". BUT we're going about it in a total loop-hole kind of way. We're going to make a collection of shorts, a la "32 short films about Glen Gould" or "Paris, Je t'amie"... not so much like "Four Rooms"... maybe a bit like the one by that girl from Degrassi High... "Hotel Vladivostok"... only we only have one director (possibly a few more, we'll see if the writers want to step up). We had a big vote today to decided on the central, unifying theme around which we will build our stories. I'm writing one short about a white trash couple that wake up bound and gaged in the trunk of a car, headed for certain death at the hands of a loan shark, but while trying to escape they get caught up in an argument over divorce and cigarettes.

In other news, Kaylin's producing a short that will be shooting this weekend, so I've taken a few days off work to do sound on the four day shoot. Mel's going to serve as 1st AD, so there'll be lots of time to talk about the feature project. Exciting! Technically, I don't think Kaylin will be doing craft service, but she'll likely help out. If you're ever making a film, get Kaylin to do craftys for you. Not only is she a crowned head of cooking, she'll cut your food budget in half.

We're also approaching a place where we're getting close to having enough money to consider buying our own HDV camera, which would be sweet. Sweet like like your first taste of honey after eating nothing but cardboard and lawn clippings for a month - though, before you scoff at the idea of eating nothing but cardboard and lawn clippings for a month, hey, all that fiber would leave you clean as a whistle.

12:13am: When my film group gets together, Heather usually ends up in a bath tub filled with vegetables. The funny thing is, no matter what we start off to do, this is usually how it ends up.

10:49pm: I understand that by 2050 the world's oceans will attain a pH that will dissolve most shell fish shells within 48 hours.

As such, I highly recommend having a big bowl of steamed clams for dinner right now. I just did and let me tell you, when I'm an old man, I'm going to talk about eating animals that don't exist any more ALL THE FREAKING TIME!!!

In other news, I haven't been out on the town in ages. We've been married three months and you never even look at me anymore. Next Friday is party night.

11:25pm: Our Mel can beat up your Mel
It took us nearly all of the 72 hours of the contest to make our little, six minute film noir. We told the tragic story of a prostitute duped into turning her thought-to-be-dead friend over to death at the hands of a murderous thug. We wrote for nearly 7 hours. We filmed for 36. Built sets, curled hair, ran lines, shot, shot and shot. Then, while some of us slept, our truly amazing director, Mrs. Melanie “Bloody Stumps” Jones, headed over to our editor’s house to finish the grueling task of watching, rewatching, then trimming and rewatching every second of the film a million times over. By the end of it Mel had been going for so long there were meth addicts who wanted to free-base her plasma.

As the screening and gala approached, we grew nervous. This had been our first attempt at anything like this. How would we rank? Surely, FSTOP would profit from a good showing. But we would suffer even greater for a bad one... and don't call me Shirley. This was our chance to check our standing in the pre-professional (read: amateur) film scene.

For most of us, the mid-morning screening would be our first glimpse of any of the footage we had shot – let alone the actual movie. Once all the credits had rolled we left the theater fairly content that we had done a good job. Maybe we would even win a prize that evening.

When the nominations came in we were 5 for 5. The judges thought we had something to offer in every category. Best editing, cinematography, actor, directing and best film. Sitting in the packed Caprice and seeing clips of our films play during the nomination announcements was truly exciting. For some reason, take a ten second clip for a 6 minute short you made over three days, show it on a big screen... and you feel like Hollywood (at least, we did).
The results were better than we could have imagined.
Best Actor : Jennifer Wright
Best Director: Melanie Jones
And the loudest cheers in the house (yes, from our own table, that’s totally not the point).

We lost best picture to a group lead by a girl from Emily Carr. They were a powerhouse. Clearly connected with amazing sets, awesome actors, and a few friends with equipment to lend – everything we hope to be by the next competition. They certainly deserved the award this year, and I hope they enjoy it. It’ll give them a fond memory to look back on next year when we crush them so bad they actually start crying, and then they all have to run out of the room because they realize they’re crying in front of a theater full of people and it’s really embarrassing. Prom night all over again, sweetie. I’ll bring you a corsage of bitter sadness to match your flowing dress of salty, salty tears.

All-in-all, a great time. I love FSTOP.

2:17am: So much film
It's been a crazy few days. A few weeks ago a bunch of FSTOP members and associates, led by directing queen Melanie, entered the Raincity 72 Hour Film Noir Competition. At 7:00 on Thursday evening, Melanie and I were given our secret prop and character outline. We met the rest of the writers at the library to begin the 7 hour writing process, then production was on. With two sets to dec and three locations to shoot (one exterior), production was strenuous. - not to mention the period wardrobe, hair and makeup for six people (we went classic Hollywood). But we finished production just before 9:00 this morning. We started feeding our editor, Dave, footage from the get go to get a head start on piecing everything together and we have a really great composer doing a score for us.

There's more to tell, obviously. Things like, how Kaylin and I came to the end of ourselves then went a few more miles, how the boom broke, Icelandic high-fives, laugh/cry/huh and how Fifi LaWhore is now part of film history. But for now, let's just hope Mel and Dave are having a good time editing.

Fingers crossed!!!

3:09am: So, I know Tuesdays have always been mixed, but when did Celebrities become and gay-friendly straight bar??

Aso, a girl bit my eyebrow. It's her thing, apparently.

It's back to the O next weds. Let's see some guys in drag. Sounds like fun to me.

10:24am: Well, starting next week we'll have a new roommate in the apartment. Apparently he hate, hate, HATES Jordies, so things should be smooth sailing for the first month.

Part of me was kind of hoping I wouldn't find anyone suitable, so I could convert Rob's room and my room into a deluxe suit with bedroom and private lounge. Not gonna happen, probably for the best.

3:02am: I'm an artsit, I create
I call this one "Gimme"
It's from my improvised blotter series
It sold for 40 grand

2:14am: So Rob has moved out and Sarah is getting her tonsils out (a cover for a face lift? I dunno, let's keep our eyes peeled to the celeb gossip blogs), which means NO ROOMMATES! So I took the op to redecorate the apartment. Some new furniture, some new art, vacuumed behind the couch, totally fag.


You're going to love it and it's going to make you question your sexuality. Unless you're bi, in which case you have trumps (you know who you are).

2:30am: I want to live downtown this summer.

But I also want a pony.

Decisions, decisions.

7:31pm: posting this entry from my new MacBook!!!

Yeeeeeeee haaaaaaw!!!

11:12pm: This makes me feel like I'm on that TV show "Sweet Sixteen"
It feels like I ordered my comp last week, but it's only been a day.

The wait is going to be painful - physically painful. It's no so much about getting a new computer, it's the thought of being able to write in screenplay format in a coffee shop (which I understand in France are called "Cafés").

I know it sounds unnecessary - "you can do that now with paper and a pen! A PEN, which would cost you pennies!" you yell at me as I pass by your onion farm in my gold encrusted, poney-drawn iCarriage.

The only rebuttal I can come up with is that you're not the boss of me.

Unless you happen to be one of the people who are the boss of me...

I think I'm going to call it Pup, as I will be taking it for walkies.

10:38am: This SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!!!

At the Kerrisdale Alpha Super Dome!

CRANIUM MATCHOFF EXTREEM BATTLETRON!!

With Silly-Car Smashups!

And snacks.

Starts at 8:00pm.

Kids seats are only 15$

This SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!

1:10am: So I ordered my MacBook today.

Some people were not so much for it. Thanks for your concern.

It's not that I don't care about your opinions, it's just that I like having new things.

It won't be here until next week at the earliest.

Up to 8 days for delivery? I've never felt bad about living in Canada before now. It helps if I imagine it being strapped to a dog sled and carried by a team of huskies lead by a burly mountain man over great distances to reach me. Dude, I would totally pay the extra 23$ if they promised a burly mountain man would be the one to deliver it. Especially if, when he arrived, he would say something like, “I’ve got a big package for you,” or, “I’ve been looking forward to getting this package into your hands,” or, “Mr. Reid, please sign on the dotted line.”

Hawt.

1:06pm: Part of me wants to buy a MacBook so I can... you know... write on the go... and so the iMac will have someone to play with (he and the PC don't get along).

Is there anyway I can justify this to myself???

- I should add, I've just received a little cash from the old country, so it's not about the lolly, it's about buying a small, portable version of something I already own.

1:30am: I should be put down
So I found a bag of wigs.

And since I just bought a new camera…

( Ask yourself, do you really want to click???? )

6:13pm: So I have my new camera. His name is David. He's my new boyfriend. He, and Calvin my iPod, Mac the iMac and I are all in a kind of "new age techno four-way" kinda thing. It's all about love.
This isn't the best picture we took together today, but it means the most, you know, to us.

12:37pm: Now hear this
A few proclamations:

1- The internet needs a new name. Instamanet, webosphere, blogamanet and all permutations thereof are fun, but have been corrupted by overuse by the media. It's like when your parents use young people slang.
So, get on that.

2- I'm taking a road trip up North this summer. My goal is to hit the Yukon, probably July-ish, but plans are totally fluid still. In fact, they’re gaseous. Anyone interested in coming, think it over. I imagine I'll be taking 10 days to two weeks off for the venture, so it's likely I'll be going alone - reconnecting and the like. But on the off chance someone is interested, here's lots of notice for you to give input on plans.

3- Random shout outs to: Lana, Christina, and, ummm, Taryn. Holla! ?

4- Sarah moves to K-Alpha is a matter of days. After she moves in I STRONGLY recommend people bring her cookies and other delicious baked goods as housewarming gifts.

4:25pm: Spending money! Horray!!!
So next week I'll be purchasing a Canon powershot A 540. Now all I need is a new cell phone and I'm pretty sure I win at life or something.



Thanks for the advice folks!

Also, Jordie's leaving in less than two weeks, and then Sarah takes his place. Crazy!

Also, boys are great.

1:02am: Tech advice please
So I've been working a lot lately. Like, a LOT. Which rules, as I have money again.

So, I'm finally buying a digital camera!

What should I get? What features are a good idea and what is a waste of money? I'm looking to spend, I dunno, a few hundred - no specific price yet, but I can manage a decent budget - ne need to sacrifice quality to save a few $$. I just want a good camera for personal use. I know it's really lazy to ask here rather than research for myself, but I'm not sure where to start. Point me in the right direction.

Do so, for I have commanded it!

10:07pm: Two things:

On Feb 14th, Jordie leaves for Ethiopia. Sarah then moves in to his room.

Then, on feb 15th, there will be a referendum in Kerrisdale Alpha to decide which is more fun to sleep with, men or women.

Please note the use of plural forms.

1:21am: Party....maybe
So Rob and I were watching some educational movies from the 50's (did you know being a slut does NOT make you popular???) and we came up with the best idea for a party ever.

Science Fair!!!

Plans are in the works. I suggest you start researching your projects now.
Stay tuned for more details.

12:43am: It's this season's Ikea
The first step in getting over an addiction is admitting you have a problem.
So...
Deep breath.
I'm addicted to Metrotown.
I love it's numerous clothing outlets with tight fitting t-Shirts in bright colours.
I enjoy it's curry stall in the food court. Butter chicken and curry vegi combo plate.
I love how Blue Notes cuts thier jeans just for me. Me personally.
I enjoy going to the Payless shoes, trying on shoes, leaving the Payless shoes and immediately going to the other Payless shoes upstairs.

Deep breath.

I enjoy snorting blow off of a prostitute named Charlene’s boobs.

Wait, no I don't. Boobs are gross. What was I talking about?
Man, I'm going to Old Navy. If anyone needs me I'll be at the T-Shirt bin. It's right beside the pants slough.

11:32am: Now hear this

Get well soon Sarah!!!

6:43pm: Running out of things to think
BC Place has collapsed. Let's not be too swift with ruling out the terrorists. Had people been inside they could have received injuries equal to a level 7 pillow fight. I know that statement may sound jocular, but I assure you, anything over a level 4 can be lethal. Just ask Timmy Carelson...when you see him in hell for starting a level 6 at his sister's birthday party. Why Timmy? Was it your mom? The divorce wasn't her fault.


Yes it was.