Left Burbank.....Life or Bust!

I wouldn't say that moving is really an adventure except that I moved out when I was 19 and moved every single year until the age of 28 when I finally rented a small guest house in Burbank.....and then for 5 years I took up residence and made myself a home. It was quaint; a small one bedroom little cottage with a front porch and a small yard in which to sit out and enjoy the quiet neighborhood. There was plenty of parking and plenty of beautiful days and nights there as well.

As of Dec. 6, 2007 I have begin a new journey. Last year, September of 2006, I walked off of my job at First 5 LA to work in film and focus more on my writing. But lo and behold when you make a decision like that it requires you give up everything and, with courage and a lot of faith, you just sort of close your eyes and jump!

I won't lie, 2007 has been a difficult year; however, it has been such an amazing year in terms of growth in both my personal and professional life...and isn't that what it's really about, the growth? The experience? The adventure! Well, Christmas is 19 days away (well almost 18 as I write this 10 minutes before midnight), and before you know it, it will be New Years and there will be a clean slate in which to draw and create new promises...and, of course, that is when the real adventure will begin.

The "It's So Gay" Film Festival & Art Expo

After my friends and I had so much fun putting together the Big Bear Horror Film Festival on and after the disappointment of having to postpone due to the fires in Southern California this year, I have decided to put on the first "It's So Gay" Film Festival & Art Expo.

This one will be closer to home; here in LA and will encompass all mediums: film, theater, spoken and written word.

For me info, go to my new blog: It's So Gay Film Festival

A Man's Home is his Castle

So, I was hired to work on a feature film called "Fear House." It's your basic horror film. These people come to this house and the house kills them based on their fears. It's great. And we were filming at this castle in Lancaster. I mean, how exciting is that. A castle! In Lancaster! Now, it's not your typical every day run of the mill castle. It's not the kind of castle that Count Dracula lives in, where's it perched upon a great mountain and overlooks Transylvania with doom and leachery. But it is a castle nonetheless. It's made of stone and brick....has a simple turret and sits on a 1,000 acres of land out in the desert. And this was my home for the weekend while I worked on the film "Fear House."

My first impression of it was awe. I mean, it is a castle after all. And what a great little place. Fire places, alcoves, a dank, dark basement...and a huge moose head that looms over the living room when you first walk in. It doesn't get anymore gothic than that, right?

So even though I was only there for three days it was such a small little adventure. I become friends with people there so quick since we were there day and night with each other. Of course, at night, the wind howled through something fierce. But no castle is complete without the a frightening horrible wind!

Firsts

Right now it's February 26, 2007. My trip is technically over. In fact, I got home last night at about 3:30pm in the afternoon. But seeing how there is no internet connection on a train - I am opting to write about my trip after.

Okay, First #2. My first time at Mardi Gras. Well, this incompasses another first: First #3, I've never been to the South. So, I was excited about spending my 32nd birthday at Mardi Gras. Now, becuase we were actaully staying in Mobile, AL we just went to Mobile's mardi gras - but it seems they have the second largest celebration in the area. It was crazy! They party for two weeks before and then all day on Fat Tuesday.

I wish I could explain how much fun Mardi Gras is. Thousands of people line the streets. Drinking, partying, wearing beads from previous parades. And then the floats start down the streets: and the people are dressed in masks and pretty costumes and they just throw stuff at you from the floats: beads, stuffed animals, cups, coins, moon pies, peanuts, and more beads! I found that so fascinating. Especially since I got 4 stuffed animals myself and about 2 lbs of beads. It's no wonder, seriously, I didn't hurt my back. I definitely recommend Mobile's Mardi Gras to anyone. Also, if you get the chance, check out Mobile's Mardi Gras museum. King and Queen's of Mardi Gras wear outfits with long, ornate trains. This museum houses several of them from previous years.

First #4 Not a big first but kind of fun for me. I'd never been to Florida, So my friend drove us about 45 minutes away to Pensacola, FL for lunch. We drove around and saw some of the pretty houses. I love the white sand that is on the beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. So beautiful.

First #5 My first Gulf Sunset. It was Wednesday night [if I remember correctly] and my friend drove us out to Dauphin Ilsand. And we drove up to the beach there, walked out on the boardwalk and watched the sunset. It was gorgeous. White sands, bright blue ocean, and orange and red on the horizon as the sun dipped into the Gulf of Mexico.

But now I sit on my bed here at home. It's 9:36pm and most people are watching "Heroes" on Tv, but me, I close out on another adventure of my life. It's good to be back. I'm stressing a bit because I have so many decisions to make. And I'm frantically trying to follow up with contacts, and with old friends, and get ready for the next job I have this weekend [which is a short film.] And I had to run to the post office to pay bills and go to the bank to deposit money. So even though the vacation is over, life still continues. And soon, i will go to bed and sleep. And wake up tomorrow for another adventure.

Trains, Mardi Gras, and Southern Hospitatlity

Here it is, Thursday the 22 and my vacation is almost over. I set up this blog to transcribe all of my adventures....and I never got the opportunity to sit down and write. But I have so many recollections of this trip. This trip had many FIRSTS for me.

First #1 This was the first time I took the train. Now, my friend and I were supposed to take the train from Union Station in Los Angeles, CA to Mobile, AL but after Hurricane Katrina wiped out a few bridges....the road stopped in New Orleans. Once we got there, our friends picked us up and drove us the two hours to Mobile, AL. [This consists of driving through Mississippi.]

I found taking the train to be one of the most intriguing experiences thus far when it comes to traveling. Mostly becuase you have to NOT be in a hurry to get anywhere. But also because you get to actually see the landscape and you get to meet so many wonderful and exciting people. They have community seating at dinner....so you never sit wth the same people twice. And it's because of that we actually made friends on the train.

So at Union Station we board the train. And I go on an exploration through our sleeper car, then through the dining hall, next the lounge car, and finally end up in coach where we meet a family of old-timers whose father used to work for Amtrak and were very familiar with riding the train. They started to tell me stories of their adventures. It was great.

I wish I could sit here and regale stories of every person we met. They were all so wonderful...and I was so intrigued by the people who took the train. What was their story; where were they going?

Just a few things I need to say though. Some of this country is extremely beautiful. Texas is WAY too big. And this is the first time I've been too the South - and I LOVE it. One of the neatest things is being able to get out and stretch a few minutes at each stop. Funny thing, my friend and I got off briefly at Beaumont, TX. Just to let you know...it's just a bench! Honestly. They tore the station down because the city didn't want to pay taxes for it. So all you get is a bench and a small platform. Boy was that a culture shock. In Los Angeles, Union Station is so ornate and pretty.

But I am a glad that I was able to take this trip. Since I've quit my job I've worked so hard at my career. Building up my resume as a script supervisor. Trying so hard to finish all of my writing. Meeting as many people as I can; getting my name out there. It's never easy. But I am using this vacation as a turning point. It has been six months since I quit my job. If, when I return, things don't pick up then I will get a full time job. My savings account is almost gone and I will give up my dream for a while longer in order to survive. Needless to say, I am doing a lot of praying and soul-searching. But really, since I took this trip with a friend of mine, and we're doing so many new things....it's just a chance, for me, to get a way and enjoy myself.

New Orleans or Bust

I am on the cusp of the eve of me taking vacation for my birthday,
which falls on Sunday (Feb 18) this year. And I am filled with much
anticipation...not because I'm turning 32 but because it's vacation
and because I'm heading out to Mardi Gras in New Orleans (and in
Mobile, AL where I'm visiting a friend) and I've always wanted to go
to Mardi Gras for my birthday.

But as I finish my last day of filming on Nina Quebrada (which is a
night shoot tonight) and I start laundry and begin packing my
anticipation grows. I am in desperate need of a vacation. Not because my life is difficult, or stressful....which at times it is...but more just because I want a chance to get a way. I quit my job at First 5 LA [which is the best thing I could've ever done] but more importantly I've started my career as a writer and a script supervisor full time. So it is stressful in the fact that this decision to quit my job is life changing.

So I have started this blog, Adventures with Michael, to document my journey on this progression. Whether I take a trip for business or pleasure....check here to join in on my adventure.

So I leave on Friday, the 16th from Union Station and taking the train across the US to New Orleans. I will be staying in Mobile, AL with my friend Kevin Moore and his wife Beth. But I will be landing in New Orleans ON my birthday on Sunday the 18th.