da blogs da thang

I attended the funeral of a friend’s Dad yesterday. It was a simple dignified affair that involved military honors. I’ll confess… the flag ceremony always gets to me. The simple act of presenting the family with the flag that draped the casket of the fallen comrade has always been a moving experience. I thought Jack had a good send-off befitting the good husband, father, veteran and man he was.

Yes, I am of that generation who are now burying our parents. And some day we will be the generation who will be burying each other. And the best that we can do is to continue doing our best… making each day count.

There was a gentleman… a friend of Jack’s from the Elk’s Lodge he belonged to, who in his personal eulogy said, “For the past year me and the guys talked about coming up here to visit Jack… ” The implication being that “dammit, we should have.” I felt for him… because how often have we said that when it was too late?

In my own life I have been a victim of my own inaction… and regret quickly followed. Then attempted self-forgiveness with the cop out excuse, “Life got in the way.”

I guess what I’m really trying to say here is… we either allow circumstance rule our lives or get on with the business of living. That includes, work, play, and making the most of when we are together sharing the same space and experience.

I will not indite those who have not responded to my invitations over time because I have been just as guilty for putting off invitations made to me. It doesn’t have to be a huge production number either. It is amazing how even 5 minutes of catching up and fellowship can be a mutually beneficial boost to the spirit. Afterall… if we don’t have each other, who do we have?

But today is a new one and that can be remedied. Sometimes we just need the reminder. Thanks, Jack… even by saying happy trails to you I was reminded about living.

Yeah, I had big plans for the weekend. Sure, most of it was work related but I had plans to crank them out… for the sheer sense of accomplishment (and free time at the start of the week) as a reward. Since most of this was to take place on the computer I thought some maintenance was in order to help speed things along. Alas, it was not to be.

I was right about performing maintenance though. Both machines needed lots of love and I’m glad I did it. However it did set the timetable planned back a bit… quite a bit. As a result, everything I had to accomplish over the weekend will suck up the next 3 days. No matter… it will all get done.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Encouraged (and spurred on) by my latest film I am in pre-production for my next 3 minute movie. (For the uninitiated that means writing a script, casting, scoping out locations, etc) Yeah, I’ve caught the creative bug again… which is a good thing.

I’ve been sitting on this particular scenario for a bit now and I think it is time to cultivate the darn thing into fruition.  There are few details I can offer except the title – “Los Musicas Muetos” (The Music Of Death) and there will be no dialog. Also, I’m not doing it on an external deadline (aka… a film festival, etc) so, this work will be entirely self motivated – haven’t done that in a while.

So… yeah… things are turning around… only because I’m making it.

What’s up with that? No, I have not been slacking… been busy actually. Mostly shooting video and editing. (Yeah, you may see some of the results of that come Friday. (I can almost hear the silence of your non-anticipation.)

IN OTHER NEWS:

An owl might have taken up residence close by. “Hootie” has been making his presence known the last 3 nights. In all the time I’ve lived here this is the first that an owl has made it’s presence known. We’ll see if it sticks around.

I (finally) got to make another 3 minute movie… and I’m pretty pleased with how it has turned out. You’ll see it Friday. I made it for this.

A good friend’s Dad passed last night. He was one of the good guys and will be missed.

That’s it for now.

MANTIS – RIP

The passage of time and probably the cold nights finally done him in. Mantis was such a fixture in my gazebo that visiting friends would always check on his whereabouts. For a while he was just another mantis until one day he impressed us by snagging a bee in mid-flight employing stealth ninja moves. In fact, this picture was taken on that day. He is probably regaling that tale in mantis heaven. Goodbye mantis… some called you a showoff but you will always be a cool ninja to me.

THE BLUE DEVIL…

… was sold yesterday. Here is a picture of it being resurrected (by Mako) after 2 years of just being parked in my driveway.I will miss it but I’m sure it will by serve the new owner well. Not only was it a great utilitarian vehicle but also ferried me safely on several journeys out of town. Always reliable and with a powerful core that would always kick in when needed. So, the days of late night tail-gating meetings, stress free drives to and from work and play as well hauling equipment and sundry goods are over… at least for me and the blue devil. Here’s to good times, memories and adventures we shared.

Though I have to say that basically at heart I’ve always been a pedestrian… having grown up in a city where public transportation and convenient walking access was the norm. In fact, when I got the blue devil friends were surprised because they didn’t quite envision me as much of a driver… let alone a truck driving man. I have owned several vehicles since my early solely pedestrian days and as useful as they were… I really only utilized them “only when needed”. So it will be back to the pedestrian life for me… at least for now.

And so it goes…