national film challenge

Anyone do anything fun this weekend? I had a long, but great, weekend.

This past weekend was the National Film Challenge, where you have to make a film in one weekend, including writing the screenplay. Talk about pressure. Friday evening around 7 we got our film requirements, briefly sketched out a story, and then I was sent off to a corner to write for about two hours.

My pulse was racing when it was time to show everyone else the script and go through the first read through. But hey, it's hard to show off a work in progress, especially when it's been awhile since I studied and wrote screenplays. I think that it turned out ok, and the actors were great.

So here's the cool thing: having something done with my writing. It was neat to go through the read throughs Friday evening and as the actors became more familiar with the lines and the characters, it was really great to see what they did with their character. And the on Saturday, seeing the scenes played out. And on Sunday I spent most of the afternoon with the director while he edited and that was really awesome, seeing it all come together.

It's already changing the way I watch things, even just with one weekend. It's one thing to know that films are shot out of order, and over and over again, but it's different to actually watch it.

And it was fun. Definitely a lot of fun. And we'll have a great blooper reel, which is also part of the process.

capitals

So this weekend was my very first hockey game. Ever.

And I have to say, it was a lot of fun. I've never really watched hockey, but I always thought it'd be a sport I would like. And I always wanted to go to a Stars game, but that just...never happened. So I didn't really know what to expect.

First thing: I'm glad I wore a sweater. It was a little cold in the stadium, which is of course to be expected. I kind of thought that as the seats began to fill up, it would warm up a little.

Second thing: It takes some concentration to get into the groove of watching the game. You know, in soccer, you can generally follow the ball because it's big and it's not gliding across a large ice rink. In the beginning, the puck would go from one end to the other and I wouldn't even know it. And to be honest, I kind of missed the first goal because there were a few players huddled around the net, and then of course the goalie and his massive padding, and then this tiny black puck that got lost, to my eye, in the shuffle. But I'm a quick learner. I soon was able to follow it. For the most part.

So those are my main observations from the hockey game. No fights broke out, but there were several slams against the wall. Which is to be expected I suppose. A few dirty moves, of course. That happens in sports.

One other interesting observation, and I think it's seen in any sporting event, but I just happened to catch it more because I was actually there. And that is the opinion of the fans. In the beginning, everyone is cheering and urging their team on, especially when there was a goal. Through the first two periods, it was light and great and supportive. But in the third period, after the Devils had scored their third goal, that tone turned...aggressive. I don't know if I'd say annoyed, but there was a lot of "Come on, what were you thinking?!" and it wasn't directed to the refs. Or the other team. And some comments akin to "get in the game!" because I guess the players hadn't been playing for the last oh forty-five minutes or so.

It was...interesting.

So...in conclusion, I had fun. And I'm thinking maybe I'll adopt the Capitals as my team. I don't really have any loyalties to any team since hockey was never a big thing around me. And I feel like I should follow some team in DC since I live here now. DC United hasn't replaced my FC Dallas, and...sorry DC...but I've still got my 'Boys. I don't really follow basketball either, but I am partial to the Mavs. And I'm not really a baseball fan. So...maybe the Capitals should be my team. What do you think?

*Proof that I was there!

julius caesar: a biography

I finished this book a short while ago and have wanted to post a review, especially because I highly recommend it. In his introduction, Philip Freeman says that the inspiration for the book partly came from his students after he started talking about Julius Caesar, and that not a lot is known. I know that even though I love classical history, I didn't know a lot about Caesar.

It was a great introductory book to Caesar. If you're looking for something much more comprehensive, then a standard...oh let's say history book, might be a little better. Because it will have more dates and more little details. But if you're looking for something to read, to learn more from, but don't necessarily have the time to delve head on into Caesar's life, then I think this is a great read.

I think it can go without saying that Caesar was a great man, larger than life. Reading through the book, there was so much that he accomplished when the odds were seemingly against him. But I wouldn't necessarily say that he was gambling so much on so little. His risks were calculated and he was a great strategist, learning from his mistakes and from his enemies.

As to the book itself, I think it was written in a very accessible way, going back to my comment that you needn't have studied classical history to really understand or retain a lot of what's presented. And I'm actually kind of looking forward to reading it again in the near future. Caesar led a very full life, and there's more to pick up on than I did during my first read, which I also admit was fairly quick because I have got a full stack of "to read" books. I need to work on getting through those too.

monday recap

I had the day of today, and it was a pretty good day. My weekend was a little busy, so it was really great to just have an extra day to do whatever I pleased.

So, needless to say, it was a bit of a slow morning. I woke up earlier than I wanted due to some noise outside, but that was fine. I ended up watching the last hour of this three hour movie I had and didn't finish the night before. Then of course there was the leisurely drinking of the coffee over a book and some writing.

But in the early afternoon I got my act together and went out. And what I'm excited about is that I went to a different coffeehouse to study and drink some iced soy chai, and I really liked it. I don't care to go to the coffeehouses right around me, because I like to feel like I'm going somewhere when I go to hang out. So I studied for a little while before heading back home to cook.

And so that's how I finished off my day. It may not have been the most exciting of days, but it was a needed day. I'm looking forward to visiting my new coffeehouse next weekend with a book and get a coffee and some breakfast there. I used to do that a lot back in Texas and California, but not so much here. I kind of miss those languid mornings.

Anyone do anything fun for the long weekend?

tortoises

Ok, so I should apologize for my absence. This time, partly due to circumstances beyond my control. In my mind I was drafting up some new posts based on some articles I'd seen, and then last week as I was about to sit down and write one of those...my internet was down. For nearly all week.

At first on Monday night, I didn't mind too much. I spent the evening catching up on some reading and it was kind of nice. But then on Tuesday...I started to get a little antsy. But it's better now. For now. So I'll continue with the article I wanted to mention.

A couple of weeks ago I saw this article on the BBC: Extinct tortoise can 'live again'

The headline sounds kind of mad scientist, doesn't it? Which I think was the point. Anyway, so there was this species of tortoise on the Galapagos island that became extinct many, many years ago. But scientists have discovered another species that is remarkably similar to the Geochelone elephantopus on another island. It's thought that these were in essence survivors from whaling expeditions that took too many turtles, and so sent some back. These tortoises went to a different island from where they originated, and slowly mixed with the other species on the island.

But because their breeding and maturation process takes so long, they retained many of the characteristics of the extinct elephantopus tortoise they originated from. So the article thinks that with a little cross-breeding, and of course about 100 years or so, the elephantopus can essentially be brought back to life. No playing with genes in a test tube or a lab required.

Anyway, I just thought it was really kind of fascinating. Oh, and on a side note, I finally bought a plant yesterday. It's a small spider plant...sort of a "test" plant. Growing up I didn't have the best track record with plants, they either died or took over (I had a mint plant that completely took over the other herbs). But in college I had a beautiful, leafy bamboo plant...until my cat ate it. And at my last office, I kept the plants there green and leafy and yes, I was proud of them. So if this one thrives, I'm going to take it to my office and then get a larger plant for my apartment.

But I've been wanting/meaning to get a plant for a very long time. And I'm excited now that I finally did. Wish me luck with it!