A Still More Glorious Dawn Awaits...

In recent months, the concept of the remix has taken on a new meaning. From the 'Rap Chop' to the Allan Iverson 'Practice Mega Mix' to the 'Billy Mays Tribute,' artists have been using the auto-tune tool to it's full potential. However, I've been obsessively listening to 'Glorious Dawn' by Colorpulse today. So great. It is just Caral Sagan talking about what he knows best, astronomy, science, the complexity of the human brain and the fragility of something as enormous as life itself. Great song. Great video.

Anyway, I'm sitting on my back porch today back home after packing up my things and getting ready to go back to L..A. The weather here in Chicago has shifted to that oh so familiar and wonderfully nostalgic crispness that I yearn for every time I think about my favorite time of year. October is approaching which means still autumn air and the brilliant colors of the leaves as they begin to decay and set in motion the process of rebirth. I'm very happy that I was able to come home for a few weeks. No, I did not do all the things I wanted to, but I still got to be here for a while and recharge. I don't have much time before heading to the airport, so I'll keep the rest brief.

Alf, my cat for the last 14 years, was diagnosed as diabetic earlier this year. I came back this month to find that he had lost over 5 pounds since I last saw him in June and he was not well even with his medication. He took a turn for the worse this past weekend and has stopped eating. He has not eaten since last friday and can barely lift his head enough to drink any water. The noises that he rarely makes now are some of the most sad things I have ever heard and it breaks my heart. We made the decision to put him to sleep today but we could not find a vet who could do it before tomorrow so I will most likely not see him as he draws his last breath.

It has been a rough couple of days because of this. I have spent as much time with him as possible and have realized just how much of a void there will be when he passes. I could never have asked for a better animal and I can only hope that the time I spend with him will be as much a comfort to him as it has been to me...

I'm sorry you're in pain, Alf, but I am relieved that it won't last much longer and am grateful for the 14 years we've had together...



Now Playing: Arcade Fire - "Neighborhood #4 (7 Kettles)"

Home Again...

Here I am. Back in my old Blogging stomping grounds. Sitting in bed, some post-rock playing in iTunes, just finished a reunion tour of some episodes of Frasier and I can't think of anything better to do than muse for a couple hours about what could be in the near future when I should probably be sleeping...

Nonetheless, I am here thinking about my latest few steps into the unknown. My trek to California has proven to be a proving grounds of sorts for me. I have weathered the first few tests with more looming overhead, I'm sure. My extended unemployment certainly has and will continue to be a litmus test for my feelings on living in Los Angeles. I don't know if it is the crisp early autumn/late summer Chicago air, but I've been pretty optimistic today and I can't help but feel that things will get better as far as my career goes. I do see Vick and me this time next year in a better apartment, work under our belts and people calling for our services consistently. Damn the economy and the down-turn it has caused in the film industry, we are going to be successful and I am going to have nice things before I move away from L.A.

The shoot this weekend in Galena went well. Gorgeous countryside provided some excellent inspiration for shooting doc-style images. We go back for the unloading of the kiln next Saturday right before I go back to Glendale. Hopefully we can make it back Saturday night in time for me to catch Leo Kottke with the family.

Dave sent me his short-feature script for a project called 'Negative Zero' and I'm going to read the rest of it in just a minute. Has real promise if it can be flushed out, grammatically edited and given just a bit more depth to the characters. I can see myself shooting it though. No problem. As do I see myself shooting something Jon wrote in a similar, yet a little more stylized fashion. Looking forward to getting back to work. I just need to keep the prizes in sight and writers/directors in my handshake and I will be in that new apartment soon enough...

Now Playing: Explosions in the Sky - "Six Days at the Bottom of the Ocean"

5 Days Away...

Jonathan 'j Ro' Rosales has arrived as our final roommate here in the apartment in Glendale. We have to come up with a suitable moniker for our place of residence stat. My brother unscrupulously took 'Fuck Mountain' a couple years ago, referencing this Achewood strip. This will have to be something that appeals to the entire household, all people in the entertainment industry. 2 Screenwriters, a Production Designer, an actor, a dancer and a DP. Together, we form... *insert moniker here*! So we have a full house and it's good to be complete. As soon as my girlfriend starts talking to me again, all will be well. :P

That being said, I am FUCKING pumped to be heading home for work and catching up with all my people for 3 weeks. It is going to go by way too fast as I have been here 3 months and it feels like a couple weeks, but I will make the best of it. Some doc work the first week followed by plenty of Little Caesar's, B-Dub's, Old Style @ the Corner, gaming and a lot of 'being at home.' Hopefully I can get some work in at the White Eagle to scrape up cash for this month's bills and such. I am not worried (despite the fact I probably should be) because I am coming home... In 5 days I will see my parents and best friends, my bed and my ailing cat who I have known for 14 years. The basement where I spent both my childhood playing NES with my brother and the summer of '04 avoiding construction and depression. Having a dishwasher that actually washes dishes instead of just being a huge drying rack. The neighborhood I grew up in will be in the infancy of it's most glorious season and I will be there to enjoy it's beautiful descent into hibernation. I am hopelessly attached to home because I am one of the lucky few that have one to be hopelessly attached to. Home is the imaginary friend I go to when I am in need of one. I may be sitting on an old, uncomfortable couch in my Glendale apartment, but all I feel right now is that I'm currently going for a quiet walk around the circle on a perfect late summer day.

The Cubs. I am going to watch some Cubs games for the first time since June. Seriously. Big deal.

Now Playing: The Jesus and Mary Chain - "My Little Underground"