D.C. or Bust!

The Bearcat Bands are on their way to tomorrow's football match-up of the University of Cincinnati VS. Virginia Tech.  The last match-up of these schools was January 1, 2009 at the beloved Florida Orange Bowl.

In terms of travel arrangements, this means 5 full charter busses, 250 band members and staff members, and one very large (and full) semi truck is on the move.

Am I excited for the trip?  You betcha!  Traveling approximately 1000 miles in just over two days with 250 of my closest friends in a whirlwind weekend performance is always a great time for an alumni band member!

GO BEARCATS!

UC Band: Recruitment Mode!

There are exciting things happening today in the world of UC Bearcat Bands Recruitment!  The UC Bearcat Bands are performing at a BOA (Bands of America) marching band competition in Kentucky, and I just finished a new version of the UC Band recruitment DVD!  Take a sample look:

With the exception of the physical creation of the DVD menu template and the C-Paw (which is being used in accordance with the branding specifications set by the University of Cincinnati), everything is my original creation.  I took each of the four pictures visible within the scrolling DVD menu at last season's 2011 Liberty Bowl with my DSLR.  I shot and edited each of the three short Band videos using a combination of my DSLR and through the use of a friends Canon XL1/Canon XHA1 video camcorders.

This video, the TUCBIDG Recruitment Info listing above, is the newest of the three videos.  By new, what I really intend to say is the most recent edit of an existing video.  I repurposed a previous video I made last year to better work as a recruitment tool by making it exist in more of a slideshow format that can easily be repeated on loop.

Personally, I think the whole project looks pretty spiffy.  What do you think?

Guten Tag!

One of my more touristy moments while visiting
Salzburg Austria--Mozart's birthplace!

It has already been over three years since my summer studying abroad in Munich Germany.  I had a great time and visited Berlin, Paris, Prague, Deggelsdorf, Salzberg, and hiked in the Austrian Alps.

Oh Germany, how I miss thee...

Luckily, I live in Cincinnati and Cincinnati is a 'sister city' to Munich.  I have already visited one of the several Oktoberfest festivals in the vicinity and have easy access to Hofburhaus--just across the river.  Since I flew home on my 21st birthday, I have not missed out on any of the delicious beverages (Radler  beir excluded) that you can drink at age 16 in Germany.

Nepolitaner bars!

While in Germany, I found it hilarious that I could buy dozens of flavors of fruit spreads, but grape was not an option!  Some of the items that I cannot seem to find in the US however include Apfel Saft (an apple juice soda), Mezzo Mix (Coke mixed with Orange Fanta), Radler Beir (Lager Beer and Fizzy Lemonade-it is much better than it sounds), and Original Nepolitaner.  One item, much to my delight, has recently found its way to the shelfs of my local Walgreens!

My beloved Original Nepolitaner, or in the US labeled as Hazelnut Cream Filled Wafers, are currently in stock at my local Walgreens as part of a small effort to promote Oktoberfest (which doesn't make complete sense since Manner Bars are a product of Vienna Austria).  As you can see from the picture above, I delightfully bought several of both the Hazelnut option (pictured) and the sweet Lemon variety.  For the moment, I am happily delighted to have found one of my favorite German treats :)

Tschüss! 

It's not that I am dieting...

...but I decided to track what I was eating for a few days and really surprised myself with how often I consume multiple servings without intending to do so!  I know that most restaurant meals are larger than they 'need' to be, but it had never really occured to me that I was preparing the same size meals at home too!  My day one clocked in at over 2300 calories with no exercise.

This is how the above meal counts itself calorie wise!

The weekend experiment has left me deciding that I should be a little bit more conscious of what I am eating, for health's sake.  To the right you can see a dish I made for dinner.

This yummy meal, including baked tilapia and cheesy broccoli, is much lower in calories than what I was eating before, clocking in at a total of 342 calories.  Plus the tilapia is high in protein, I skipped butter and used the 'healthy fat' olive oil instead, and was still able to allow for cheesy broccoli!  Everything was baked in my oven for 425 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Because I am trying to show myself what individual servings should look like, I took the time to measure out the recommended serving sizes for this meal, for the first time in a really long time.  I surprised myself when I realized what one cup of broccoli looks like and that adding 1/4 cup of mild cheddar cheese (one serving) really seemed like too much cheese!

I should also mention that the meal also looks jumbo sized in the picture, but it is actually sitting on a small salad plate.

Today, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two small snacks will clock in at 1329 calories--> 267 calories 'under budget' in respect to the suggestions that http://www.everydayhealth.com/ gives me based on my height, age, activity levels, and fitness goals.

Coffee Cappuccino?

It all started because I have the day off work.  After a yummy lunch out, I returned home desiring a tasty sweet treat.  Usually, I fulfill this craving with ice cream.  Deciding to seek a lower calorie option today, I hit the web for a homemade cappuccino treat.

I don't own anything too fancy when it comes to my kitchen utensils.  I do not have an expresso machine or a milk steamer or even a simple blender for that matter.  My Mr. Coffee is a Keurig wanna-be and suits my needs for a much lower upfront cost.  I continue to save money by using refillable K-Cups too.
"Reusable Filter for Keurig Single Cup Brewers" (Google Affiliate Ad)

After reading a dozen or so recipes, I decided to take a stab at my own by combining the ideas I found online with the items my kitchen has to offer.

How I made a Coffee Cappuccino!

Step 1: Brew some strong, tasty coffee.  I made two 5 ounce cups.

Step 2: Microwave milk and sugar in a microwaveable container.  I used one-third cup of 1% milk, about two to three teaspoons of sugar, and a pyrex glass measuring cup.

Step 3: After microwaving the milk and sugar, froth it with a wire whisk.  I microwaved in :30 second increments, whisking furiously to grow frothy bubbles.  I repeated this until the milk volume doubled to around two-thirds cup.

 

       
                 

Step 3

Step 4

Step 4: Add the milk (but not froth) to the coffee.  Use a spoon to keep the froth so it can be added slowly.  Step 5:  Add the milk froth and top with a dash of cinnamon!

Step 6: Enjoy to the last drop! Sisters ♥

It's time to CHARGE DOWN THE STEPS

UC Bearcat Bands at their last marching performance:
December 31, 2011 Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee!

You don't want to be late!  Make sure you get to your seats at least 20 minutes before the start of the game so you can see the UC Bearcat Bands CHARGE DOWN THE STADIUM STEPS!!!

For all my Bearcat fans out there, you know what this means!  Today is the University of Cincinnati Bearcat Football opening game and the Bearcat Bands are a huge part of gameday traditions!!!!  All this said, it means I have the pleasure of resuming to my post as the Bearcat Bands Videographer, complete with my season press-box credentials for Nippert Stadium :)

I am a very lucky person to get to work with the awesome people that I get to see each time I help out with the UC Bearcat Bands.  It is an organization that I loved being a part of for the four years I was on the field, and I love that I have been able to continue working with the organization in another role that better suits my skills.  If you're lucky, I might have another band video update soon!

If you want to check out some awesome updates about the band, please visit the UC Bearcat Bands website or the UC Drum Major Society Blog.

How I Saved 30% with Snapshot

You may remember way back to the end of March when I found out how much I was going to save as my preliminary discount with Progressive for participation in the Snapshot Driving Discount program.

No?  Well, fear not, for I have the hyperlink here: <http://hardinln.blogspot.com/2012/03/30-discount-yes-please.html>

The little device was kept in my car for a total of 5 months.  I recently mailed it back and was awarded the full 30% savings on my Progressive car insurance plan based on my driving habits.  This is a savings that I will get to keep as long as I choose Progressive as my insurer!  The grading rubric, as you could call it, is a savings based on how much I drive (miles), when I drive (time of day), and how aggressive I drive (i.e. hard breaking: a decrease of at least 7 mph per second).

This is a sample of what I saw online.  It defined the areas of
judgement regarding my driving, as well as updating me daily
regarding my mileage and number of hard breaks, which made it
easy for me to mentally keep track of my driving habits. 

Before I signed up for the discount, I read about other people's not so positive experiences posted on other blogs.  I don't know all the details about how they drive, but I do know that I signed up anyway because of how little I drive.  I live in an urban environment and I walk to work almost every day.  I bought my car at the end of September last year and have yet to drive 4,500 miles.  My car will last forever at this rate!

You can ask my friends about my experience though, and they will tell you the only reason I stuck it out was because of the possibility of saving money.  I don't have the greatest driving record...so with two tickets and an at fault accident, this means that my 30% savings was almost $300 for a 6 month plan!  However, knowing that someone would be judging my potential discount based on the little info the device sent to Progressive made me a very paranoid driver.  I avoided driving at almost all costs and was very extremely passive when I did drive.

Overall, all frustrations put aside, it was well worth my energy to have participated in Progressive's Snapshot driving discount, because I will save $600 this year alone!

One reason I love going Home...

...is Maggie.

This little girl thinks she is a Queen.  She is in the exact same spot on my bed as when we left two hours ago.  And if the food in her dish isn't up to her standards, she will sit next to it until someone puts some fresher food out for her.  Like I said, Miss Maggie is a Queen!

I know it is Friday, but...

I have decided that Wednesday is seriously the best day ever to have a birthday.  Seriously.

I have always thought that my birthday fell at the perfect time of a month: the end.  This way I had the whole month to get excited for and to look forward to my special day!  Well, this year it also happened to fall on a Wednesday.

My delicious Oreo®  Dream Extreme Cheesecake!

Because Wednesday is the hump day between two weekends, I started early on Sunday by visiting with my little and grand-little (whom calls me grandma-LOL) at our favorite place, the Cheesecake Factory.  I had my leftover sandwitch for breakfast on Tuesday and my delicious leftover Oreo® Dream Extreme Cheesecake for my birthday breakfast--breakfast of champions! Right?



Monday I again dined out.  I partook in Longhorn's succulent bacon covered steak with a loaded baked potato and a brownie ice cream sundae for dessert!  It was a tiny bit healthy.  I started with a salad and had plenty to take home!

By Tuesday, you can probably tell I had a few leftovers in the fridge!  I ate my leftover steak and potatoes for dinner.  It was just as good reheated!  And then I enjoyed the company of a good friend as we went out for UDF deep freezes.

Happy Wednesday was the best day I could have asked for!  I had cheesecake for breakfast, my co-workers brought me cupcakes at lunch, I had an ice-cream sunday at I-Hop (where I was also sung to for the first time in a restaurant and used my first of several birthday email coupon offers!), and was surprised (after a 20 minute car ride filled with 'maybe' as the answer to each and every one of my questions about where and what we were doing) with a M&M Ice cream log cake by Dairy Queen!  And I got to keep the leftovers!

My Godiva birthday truffles, Maggiano's full size
entrees to go, and Tiramisu for the road!

But since I-Hop had not been my first choice in birthday dinner (I got off work late on Wednesday and didn't feel like getting dressed up for a nice dinner), I was able to have a rain check for Maggianos for today!  I had cheese ravioli, spinach bacon salad, and tiramisu! And the best part about our trip to Maggianos isn't the birthday coupon, is the complementary full size entrees to go!

And to top off a week filled with great food, I used my birthday coupon to Godiva to buy truffles!  I got one free truffle as a monthly reason to visit, and ten dollars off any purchase of ten dollars or more.  All in all, I walked out with 7 super yummy looking truffles for $3.60!!!!

Whomever said the last fun birthday is '21' clearly has not met my friends, family, or email birthday discount offers.  My 24 has probably been the best birthday yet AND I still have a weekend with my parents and sister to look forward to, AND a trip to pick out my birthday present with my significant other!  (Sperrys to replace my hole filled moccasins!)


What has your best ever birthday been?                                       

Welp ... It's been a while...right?

Monday marked the official seven month-aversary from graduation!  yay?

But of course on Monday I let the last seven months of job rejection and negativity get the best of me.  Let's just say I haven't been helping myself create worthwhile memories as of late.  The Simpsons and books from the BF's Mom's bookshelf are great and all, but lets get honest--they can't help me solve my job woes.

I have ended my streak of 'every job interview I've ever had ends in a 'you are hired' invitation' streak.  Actually, instead of 'ended,' demolished or decimated may be better choice word.  Let's just say that being a 'student' was the best job reference and excuse for lack of experience I could ever use for shelter.

I am not a student anymore though and I need to figure out how to make a success of myself without the shelter of school above my head.  This is me picking myself up.  I know I have potential with what I spent the past five years wanting to do, but I need to figure out how to turn the potential into something more.

I have a few idea paths in mind for exploration and a few people to talk them over with.  I need your suggestions, your support, and your help.  I don't like asking for help because it implies a sense of weakness, but this is me asking because I want to meet the next phase of my life from a better place than I am in today.  And please, if you have a suggestion, please let me know!  Thanks!

Last week's Scorned Adventure!

I had the opportunity to work as an electrician on Scorned last week as a one day fill in.  I am hoping to  get the call to drive out for another shift or two before the end of the shoot.  However, due to the contract I signed, I am not able to take any pictures of the set to share.  Even though I cannot show you any of the awesomeness from set, I will be excited to see the finished project.  This will also be my last post on the subject, as I do not want to let any secrets loose now that I know more about the story than Google could tell me!

Scorned was both my first paid gig and my first feature length movie set.  I saw many lighting designs that I have only ever read about, such as bounce cloths, 12K lights, and a DM 512 control board working in action.  Despite the bulk of some of the equipment, the results are really awesome.  Even with my basic knowledge, I definitely enjoyed the learning opportunity.  After all, kindergarden taught us that we need to learn something new every day!

And speaking of lessons, another lesson I learned, is that it is not a good idea to drive two hours to a job, work almost 12 hours of labor intensive work in the summer heat, drive two hours home, and go to your day job with 4 Monster energy drinks in hand.  When the opportunity presents itself again, I hope that I will have a little more notice so that I can plan more for a crazy work schedule.

Nothing bad happened during my extended day, but I was very very tired by the time I went home.  After being up for nearly 32 hours (19.75 hours of paid time between both jobs) I most definitely deserved the solid 11 hours of sleep I slept that night.

Scorned: My first Paid Gig!

As you may remember, I was hired for a small two day project for the UC Health Cardiovascular institute a few weeks ago.  I worked the gig, knowing I was an unpaid volunteer, simply so I could get my name out and meet other Cincinnati area freelance media professionals.

I think that effort and hard work has gotten me my first paid gig!

Yesterday I was called to see if I was available for a three week shoot that started today.  Since my regular part time job is entering the busiest season of the year, I obviously cannot take that much time off with such short notice.  I offered my availability as is without inconveniencing my current employer and got a good news phone call today!

Tomorrow I will be working on Scorned in Portsmouth, Ohio as a Production Assistant Intern.  If all goes well, I will also have the opportunity to assist the grip and electric with the lighting set ups for a few days at a time until the end of the shoot!  I imagine there will be a lot I can learn--apparently part of the filming will take place in the woods at night which means I will get to learn about generaters first hand as well as controlling shadows when you can't move the source (a tree)!

I do not have much info about the project, but based on what Google told me, Scorned is an independent movie.  The thriller involves the girlfriend seeking revenge on the best friend after learning that the boyfriend cheated with the girlfriend's best friend.

(: Monday :)

It happened again.  The weekend has left the building.

But if you are like me, you made the most of your time off the past few days!  This past weekend, I picked up an online order at the store (free shipping), I went out to dinner to help a recent graduate and his family celebrate, I saw MIB3 at the theater (which is an awesome suggestion if you need something fun to do) and I did several weeks worth of laundry.

With everything all said and done, the start to the new week is among us.  I will be staying on the outskirts of Cincinnati for the next few days catsitting two very different, but very adorable cats.  What this means to me is that I will have a morning commute. 

Lightning: The lovable, purring, attention seeking cat.
This may be understating the qualities of Lightning...

As per my manager's recommendation regarding traffic, I followed her instructions and left for work at 7:00 am.  Considering I don't need to be at work until 8:30 am I thought it might be a little bit early to leave, but I didn't want to be late.  I got to Clifton at 7:32 am ... so I went to my apartment, hung around for a little bit, and then walked to work as I would have any other day.  Although there was a little bit an overestimate for my drive, I was definantly not late!

The cats however are well worth the trip!  Have a great Monday!

BTD5...

... is awesome!!!

Level 102, Rank 55, RBE 1,002,500

Level 110, Rank 58, RBE 771,420

As much as I loved playing BTD4 (Bloons Tower Defense 4), the upgrades, new tracks, new towers, and new features of Ninja Kiwi's BTD5 blow BTD4 out of the water!

My favorite new feature is the Daily Challenge.  During one such challenge, I needed to pass levels 85-95 on difficulty medium starting with $200,000 monkey money.  Not only did I pass the mere ten levels filled with MOAB Class bloons, I managed to make it past level 124.

I have read rumors online that a level 200 exists, but I cannot imagine that my circa 2007 model computer would ever be able to handle such strain.  Anyone that has ever played any of the BTD games can attest to the sever degree of lag that begins past the 50th or 60th levels.  During the 110's and 120's that I played, I estimate my computer was only able to process 3-6 frames per second.

Level 121, Rank 62

I know that taking 20+ minutes to play a single round of the game is a huge waste of time, but I had sooooo much firepower on my board that I was honestly wondering whether or not I would be able to loose the game.  I don't believe I have ever played so many rounds without loosing a single life!

In this epic rendition of bloon popping game, I leveled up from rank 50 to rank 64.  I literally popped millions of bloons in that time.

For anyone unfamiliar with BTD, the lowest level bloon is red.  A blue will be popped and turn into a red.  A green turns into a blue.  Then there are yellow, pink, black, white, zebra, ceramic, and three classes of MOAB Class bloons--each harder to pop than the predecessor.  To make it even harder, the MOAB Class bloons award fewer monkey dollars in consideration to the firepower it takes to pop one!  Re-growing heart shaped bloons in every color are a new way the game tests your firepower.

Level 120, Rank 62, RBE 1,152,760
So much firepower :)

The game gives you time to prep your board for more hoards of incoming bloons as, with most games, the upcoming level is going to be a little bit harder than the level before it.  Special agents are a new feature that work with your towers.  I'll let you try those out yourself.

From the pictures to the right, you can see that one of my favorite towers is the Super Monkey.  The Yellow Sphinx like tower is the Sun God.  This used to be my favorite Super Monkey Upgrade.  But the Technological Terror upgrade in BTD5 is even better.  By the end of my game play, I had built:

• Thirteen Technological Terror Super Monkeys
• Three Monkey Town Monkey Villages
• Three Viral Frost Ice Towers
• Two Banana Investments Advisory Banana Farms
• Two Sun God Super Monkeys
• One Bloon Liquifier Glue Gunner
• One Absolute Zero Ice Tower
• One Aircraft Carrier Monkey Buccaneer
• One Monkey Pirate Monkey Buccaneer
• One Tempest Tornado Monkey Apprentice
• One Summon Phoenix Monkey Apprentice
• One Bloon Impact Bomb Tower
• One Spike Storm Spike Factory

This was an epic game for me.  Sure, it may have been a waste of time, but I killed the game.  If you haven't tried BTD5 (or any other Ninja Kiwi BTD game) I am highly recommending you give it a chance!

This is what I saw after the game had a freak out during
Level 125.  It was a very disappointing end to such an
epic game, but it was probably for the best.

Do you have Goals or Dreams?

This morning the regional manager came to our Monday Morning meeting so my work team can prepare for our summer goals.  This is a person that, like my dad, always has some kind of good advice to share.  As a part of our team discussions, our regional manager told us something that has helped him achieve his goals during the past few years:

"A dream is not a goal until you commit it to paper"

Basically, until you take the time to write something down, your are only dreaming about what you can do.  Once you actually write it down, you have a goal you are working toward.

I would argue that you can have mental goals, but on the other hand, if you won't take the few minutes to write down what you actually want to accomplish, are they really things you want to accomplish by a deadline?  Or are you just dreaming about things you think you can do when you have some time?

As a work team, we will be taking time to write down both work and personal goals before our mid-year review session.  I look forward to seeing on paper what I have planned for myself!

Take a minute and think about the quote.  Let me know what you think in the comment box below and have a Marvelous Monday!!

May is Wrapping up!

We used the fire escape
for great angles in our
48 hour shoot!

April Showers bring May Flowers!

While I can't say that I have really seen many 'May Flowers' aside from stores, I have been enjoying a month full of lovely weather and personal opportunity.

Besides the great weather,  I have...

1. Successfully assisted in the compleation of a 48 Hour Film Project as the Gaffer!
2. I was awarded an achievement award for being one of the top employees in my work region!
3. I met and worked with a group of freelance media professionals on my first gig as a production assistant!
4. And I realized that I officially own 60% of my car!



This is just a sample of what I helped
create on a freelance project last week!

5. Surpassed 2,000 overall page views on this blog!

I know these aren't the most exciting positive experieces for everyone, but I am excited for these successes, no matter how small they may seem!

I hope your month of May was as good as mine was!

The Gig: Day One Follow-up

I have had an awesome few weeks filled with opportunity.  As I previewed last week, I was able to go to my first non-school, non-48 Hour Project filled with friends lighting shoot.

So the shoot was technically at and for school--but at and for the university, not for a grade!  UC Health has a number of really smart scientist researching a number of ideas that will one day (hopefully) help people survive and recuperate better from heart attacks.

While I was not paid (I told Zach that I wanted to help out even if there was not room in the budget to pay me), I am confident that I made a good impression with the other people on set.  Several of them told me they want to keep my contact info so they can call me about work in the future!  We'll see what happens, but I hope they call!  I had a lot of fun!

Being the smart person I am early in the morning, I left my camera at home.  So, all the pictures I have from the set are with my lovely 2.0 MP camera phone!  I know they aren't the greatest quality, but I think you will get the idea of what the lighting crew did to make the set look AWESOME!

We used a combination of 3 Dedo's with party color from
behind as well as a KinoFlo Barfly from the front to accent and
highlight the array of science equipment in the background.

Each of the researchers we interviewed had a KinoFlo Diva
as their key light.  Here, you can also see the results of the
party red/patterned Leko we used to accentuate the heart
poster behind our subject and the party yellow 300 watt
fresnel separating the background wall from the darkness.

Our DP and Gaffer lining up the next researcher in the frame
and tweaking the lights.  And might I mention that the DP
had some really awesome equipment!

Your exclusive behind the scenes look at the array of lights.
On the far left, you see a dedo with a party red color accenting
the shelf.  Next is the party yellow 300 watt fresnel adding a
splash of color to separate the background from darkness.  The
third light is a splash of blue on the pillar next to the heart poster.
We added it part way through the shoot to break up the red from
the leko.  Lastly, on the far right is another dedo with party green
that is accenting the bottom row of science equipment.

Thanks for taking a few minutes from your day to check in and see what I am doing.  When I find my phone again I'll update you with what we did in our Day Two of the UC Cardio shoot.  You might even get to see a mouse heart!

Until then, Have a Marvelous Monday!

I have a gig!

So, I am still having some amount of difficulty finding a full time position in media.  But, thanks to my 48 Hour weekend, I was able to talk to one of my previous teachers!  Zach Riggins is the owner of GripMeister Lighting here in Cincinnati.  His business philosophy is to “Help the small producer grow and in turn, we will grow.”  It seems to be working well for him because his business has been growing steadly since he started GripMeister in 1995.

Anyway, while I was talking to Zach this past weekend, he was contacted about lighting a commercial for UC Medical Center tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday.  As an individual that is seeking experience in media production, I would be crazy to not ask if I could help out! 

Zach is trying to find a piece of the budget to pay me something for the two full days of work, but I assured him that I want to help out even if he can't pay me.  Seriously, I need experience and Zach has A LOT of GREAT media connections in Cincinnati!  I'm sure that whatever he can offer me in gaining experience will be well worth my time.

The better part of the story though is that aparently Zach had no idea that my current employment is only part time.  Since his assistant recently left, I am hoping that if I make a good impression on the set the next few days that Zach would consider hiring me!  He seemed interested when I told him that I typically have about three to four days of availability each week.

We'll see what happens!

48 Hour Update: The Wrap-up

It's official.  KeenOver Productions made it to the end of our 48 hours in one piece.  We didn't have any major hiccups this year and our project, now named The Tenant, was turned in with 5 minutes to spare :)

Because we chose to have the conclusion of The Tenant take place at night, I was able to attend my Band Formal and Awards Ceremony!  DH and myself even took a good picture at the same time without too many attempts!  If you know us, then you know that hardly ever happens!

Also in the realm of good news relating to Band Formal--DH was awarded the Director's Award for having significant contributions to TUCBIDG during his time as a band student!

Also because we chose to have the conclusion of The Tenant take place at night, we were up very late on Saturday night to wrap up shooting.  I threw my sleep schedule a little out of wack so I am am just now getting these awesome production stills uploaded!

By late night, what I really mean is I didn't leave downtown until after 3:00 am.  And I have a super awesome boyfriend that will stay up until I call him at 3:00 am to ask him to pick me up so I can go home and go to bed.  Thanks!

For this project, I designed all of the lighting setups and was the head Gaffer!  We were also able to have one of BK's talented friends compose and produce an all original score--and let me tell you--it is awesome!

What I am sure to be the most interesting thing today is the film stills that you are waiting for!  Here they are!

This is part of the intro.  We had cat toys ready to help keep
Yoshi's attention!  

One of the awesome things about this shoot is the infamous jib!
Even though it was large and bulky (despite being the smallest
one we could rent) we all absolutely loved the movements
the jib allowed us to make with the camera!

Part of the basis to our story is the history of this elevator.
Since it was so small we had to get a little creative with the
lighting--notice the light on the iPhone.  I Hollywood-ed
(hand held) a KinoFlo Barfly 4 bank with tungsten tubes
from outside the elevator as well for a different camera angle.

This is the reverse shot of the picture
to my left!  Despite what you see in
the camera in the picture, it was a
really awesome edit for our film!

The shower scene.  Every great thriller
has at least one!  Here, our villian (black)
is trying to 'reach out to' (suffocate)
our leading lady!

Please not that the blood on our leading lady is FAKE!  Also,

please note that I did not take this picture (the rest are mine)

We were shooting downtown Cincinnati on 9th Street and

were freaking out everyone that came by!  We explained it

was for a contest submission and our leading lady assured

all of the pedestrians that she was not injured in any way :)

48 Hour Update: Halfway There!

Sorry for the short post!  KeenOver Productions is very busy this weekend!  Take a few minutes to enjoy the pictures we have so far!

I'm proud that I was able to fit all the lighting equipment in my car!

Us getting creative by shoot from a balcony

Abrah Kadabrah Alakazam!!!!

The Countdown to the Festival is...

...OVER!  

Or has another one just begun?

I'm excited to say that I have just picked up my lighting equipment from Gripmeister and am headed to our home base for the 2012 edition of the 48 Hour Film Project Cincinnati!  (YAY!)  As of 7:00 pm I will be working with an awesome group of friends to plan, shoot, and edit a short film that we must finish and submit by 7:00 pm on Sunday night!

What will our topic be?  Last year we made a Sci-Fi film involving an alcoholic that believes he is a robot that is seeking love.  Something tells me that our project will be equally as special this go around as it was last.

I am working with most of the same people that were part of the group for last year's participation, so I am hoping that we can do even better this year!  There were thirty (?) or so teams last year--and a similar number of teams this year--and we came in the top ten.  Hopefully we will do even better this year!

As per the official rules of the competition, I will not be able to release any more than a 48 second trailer--so you will have to wait until the premier of the cities films to see it--sorry!  What I will be able to do this weekend though is provide you with a few behind the scenes pictures!

Check back later this weekend for a sample!  I think it will be worth your visit!

I Got an Award!

This was awarded to me yesterday morning at an awards breakfast for my company.  I am excited to have been invited to be a part of the very first Champions Club Award winners  I was one of the top 25 employees in my market for the first quarter of 2012--which says something because there are 92 different branches with employees in a number of positions up for consideration!  I should also note that my employment credentials (including sales numbers, cash balancing, customer service ratings, etc) were stacked against full time employees--not just other part time employees like myself.

I don't mean to brag, but I just strive to do my best everyday.  I think my parents are the first people that taught me to do that when I was a child.  Thanks for the lessons--they are paying off now!  As Olympic Champion Steven Prefontaine is quoted to say, "To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift."  This is one of my favorite sayings.  While I first encountered it as the back of a Cross Country shirt my team had in high school, I have found that it is a great way to live my life in the variety of academic and professional settings I have encountered.  I mean, what is the point in taking the energy to do something if you aren't going strive to do well?  And while I don't need an award from my company to tell me I am doing what I set out to do, I won't lie that it feels nice to have my accomplishments recognized by higher up managers.

My assistant manager, who was one of the other top 24 employees, gave me my invitation in the beginning of May.  Of all the branches in consideration, mine was the only branch to have two employees invited!

If you would like to see my award (and me) in person, come find me at work!  Our regional manager joked that he made sure that the award placard met our company's branch appearance standards so that we could all proudly show it off!

Thanks Mom!

Happy Mothers Day!

Thanks for everything, Mom!

This is an annual celebration that has origins dating all the way back to the ancient Greeks spring celebration to Reah, a maternal goddess.  The Romans held a similar festival honoring Cybele, also a maternal goddess.  Centuries later, Mothering Sunday emerged in the Christian faith on the fourth Sunday of Lent.  As a part of honoring mothers, children would give gifts and flowers to their mothers as a tribute for their work.

Today, Mothers Day as we know it has greeting cards, phone calls, candy, chocolate, flowers, gifts, jewelry, and nice restaurant meals.  Through the years, I believe we have provided all of the aforementioned items for my mom.  If you haven't done anything for your mom yet, it isn't too late!   Here are some low cost bank account friendly ideas you can try:

• Some home made cookies/cupcakes/mom's favorite _____
• Dinner Night: Mom's choice--or cook at home for her and wash the dishes
• Movie Night: Mom's choice of Redbox!
• Forget snail mail.  Try a free animated E-Card straight to your mom's email
• Coupons to clean or cook or take mom out to her choice of adventures
• Your choice of Mothers Day Cards with a promissory note you can locate below
• A simple hug and kind word of thanks
• A fresh cut bouquet of your May Flowers :)

$56.40: Guest-imations of what I would owe
Mom if this was a real organization and cause!

As a part of this year's Mother's Day Celebration, I found an awesomely hilarious website: The American Coalition for Labor Reparations.  The ACFLR is a factious organization.  The 'purpose' is "for the effective, impartial calculation and repayment of motherly labor."  You can even email an invoice with your intent for repayment to your mother!

Anyway, at this website, I imputed my guest-imations of the trials (stretch marks, weight gain, forced sobriety, etc) that my mom had to deal with in the nine months before my arrival in the world.  These inputs all have an associated price that determines how much I 'owe' my mom for her labor.  Since I am a 'good offspring' because I plan to recognize my mom tomorrow, the ACFLR website says I am granted an 80% discount!  This brings my total due to mom to $56.40.

While some aspects of Mothers Day may have found themselves commercialized, I believe the original intent is still apparent: honoring mothers.  Regardless of what you think about the celebration, take a few minutes tomorrow and thank your mom for all she has done throughout your existence.

Thanks for everything, Mom.

The Childhood Fantasy Nobody Has EVER Accomplished...(and for good reason too)

Remember when you were a little bitty squirt-kid?  I do.  And I'm willing to take a bet with you about something you thought about doing.

Do you accept?  Keep reading if you do!

Take a minute to think about it first.
...
...
...
...
...
Good.  You accepted!  I'm willing to bet that when you were a little bitty kid, you dreamt of digging a hugely ginormous super big hole in the ground and planned to tunnel to the other side of the world in China.

You thought you could dig a hole to China.  Right?  I think almost every little kid growing up in the US thought that.  I know I did.  I vaguely remember an episode of Rugrats suggesting the idea to me.

Anyway--onward to the picture below:

http://www.antipodemap.com/

This is a picture of my antipodes map.  I would end up in the Indian Ocean near the western coast of Australia (assuming I didn't burn into a hot melted mess in the center of the earth first!)

Click on the link here and find out where you would end up!  Leave me a comment below to tell me what you discover!

P.S.  I hate to break it to you, but if you won your half of our bet...there is nothing physical you actually won.  But I'd love if you let me know you won!

The Weekend has Left the Building

But boy do I feel like I made it a great one!

I'm all smiles!  Happy Monday!

Saturday after work I...

1. Cleaned my apartment (by compiling my piles of dirty laundry)
2. Officially reserved lights and a jib for the upcoming 48 Hour Film Festival! (11 days!)
3. Went out to lunch...and dinner :)
4. Bought a new dress at St. Vincent De Paul for my upcoming Formal...for $3.59!!!
5. Saw a new movie The Avengers.  I do recommend it!
6. Enjoyed some quality hang out time with D and his family

Sunday I...

1. Had a chance to sleep in a little
2. Attended a non-traditional sermon series at Horizon Church where skeptics, doubters, and explorers put the minister in the 'hot seat.'  See more about that here.
3. Mowed grass with D as a surprise for when his parents got home!
4. Washed my laundry
5. Took a nap!
6. Began my freelance editing project for Greater Impact Ministries a few days early
7. Chuckled when, as predicted, D's neighbor had to mow the grass since his was no longer shorter.
8. Thoroughly enjoyed the AWESOME weather!
9. Squeezed in a few episodes of Bones.

I hope your weekend had as much fun filled busy-ness that mine did!  Happy Monday Everyone!

My Countdown begins!

May has arrived!  Which means the flowers should be here...  But more importantly...

...Also arriving in May is this year's 48 Hour Film Festival Cincinnati Edition!  After last year's success with both 'best song' award and a top ten finish for Cincinnati, I am ready to again embark in an exciting weekend journey with KeenOver Productions to seek for an even better end product.

I am excited to be able to use my four and a half years of E-Media training on a productive, and fun, project.  As I was last year, I will be the gaffer and lighting designer.  I also assume that I will assist in costuming, idea creation, site planning, and qualified opining making for other editing related activities.

The 2011 film project was the first weekend in August.  This year it is the middle of May.  Who knows?  Maybe KeenOver Productions will take a weekend to venture to the event in Columbus this July!  I'm sure my parents will be happy to host our busy minds! *hint*hint*Dad*

This is a sample from our 2011 project "Punch
Drunk Robot" where out genre was SciFi.  

Regardless of what happens in July, I am excited to begin my Cincinnati countdown.  The project begins in 16 days!

Who Are You?

I know!  You should...

I'm trying to do this, and so should you!

Despite my search for all things positive in nature, a little part of me kind of feel like it shouldn't be surprised that yet another company has declined to offer me an open position after what I thought was a successful interview...but it still is one quick and easy way to make me have a bad afternoon.  Take note: don't ever take interview advice from me! (unless I am telling you to be persistent with job requisition activities!)

Back to the positive thinking: I know that once I do find a full time position, it will be a job worth waiting for.  It is hard to see now, but I know it will be a true thought when I look back to today from somewhere in my future.

I'm just impatient in this department of life.  I know I have several options that will help me in my quest, but choosing the right one is a place where I am getting stuck.  Stick around and I'll disclose my plans another day.  

Ultimately, whatever I do choose will be the best decision for me.  And I am who I am, because that is the best person I can be.  Thanks for the awesome words KK.