Taking Flight

I have the sudden urge to fly somewhere. It doesn't matter where. Who's with me?

The cross country invitational today was fun. In tribute to a past runner, the guys wore tube socks and pre-wrap headbands. I looked sexy in my 80s running style. It was a good race.

As usual on invitational days, I am now pooped. So even though I have a buttload of stuff to do, I am taking the night off. After we got home, Alaina and I laid around my house for three hours.

I want to talk about the future. I named this blog "Trekking to Adulthood." I am definitely trekking. But I can trek to wherever I want. And right now, I like where I am headed. I know who I am and what I want to be.

For instance, I know that I am going to follow my dreams. I want to be a filmmaker. And everyone else can suck it. That's right, I said it.

My old religion teacher (one of the best teachers I ever had) once said that there is a big problem with today's education system. It is geared toward the goal of getting kids good jobs that make a lot of money. He said that somewhere along the way, teachers forgot to tell their students to go after their dreams. And he told us to dream every day.

Unfortunately, he was right. Filmmaking is not a "safe" job. Art is not a "safe" job. Fashion is not a "safe" job. Writing is not a "safe" job.

Who cares?

I am currently working on an essay for a scholarship program. The program wants to know about obstacles that I have overcome - along the lines of family death, hardship, poverty, etc. Well, I haven't had to endure any of those. But I have had other obstacles.

Living in a small town, I have tried to make movies. No film classes. No budget. No support from city managers.

Most people in my town stare at me like I'm looney when I tell them my intended major. You want to know the truth? I love that blank stare. I just smile.

Most people in my senior class are planning to be physician's assistants, engineers, doctors, whatever. Great for them. If they love it.

I am going to do what I love. Luckily, I have supportive parents. Thank you mom and dad. And my friends and role models are there for me too.

I am not afraid. I am taking a chance. I not interested in money. I am interested in passion. I am actually going to attempt to go somewhere outside of my city's limits. People want to know why in the world I would want to go to school so far away. Distance is not an issue to me. I can get a job and hop on a plane.

I'm not sure where I am going with all of this. But I think that some things in live are worth it. I don't want to be one of those people that choose a "safe" life and then regret it for the rest of forever. Everyone out there (that means you Alaina and Christina), don't give up.

I submitted my Florida State Film School personal statement last night. It was about my motivation to become a filmmaker. It ended with "The adventure starts here."

Arcade Fire has their new album Suburbs out. This is "Ready to Start." I like it.

Entering the Cocoon

I can't wait to curl up in my blankets and go to sleep. As I do, I will be entering a cocoon. Tomorrow when I wake up, I will legally be considered an adult. I will be eighteen.

Will I suddenly become a man? Will my friends and family recognize me?
In reality, I will eat some Oreo Blizzard cake from DQ (yum) at some point and life will go on as usual. I've been so busy with college applications and such lately that I haven't had time to reflect on this adulthood thing. By the way, a few minutes ago I officially began editing the short film - I pieced two clips together. Whoot! Whoot!

Turning eighteen isn't really a big deal. I'm not in to dirty movies. However, it has served as a gentle reminder that high school is going to end. Which is weird but cool. The rest of my life is going to start in a year, and I need to get ready. My mom will no longer be available to tie my ties for me! (Don't worry - I'm learning.)

Anyway, I should get some sleep, but first...

I like fall. One of my favorite things about my birthday season is the movies! Besides Toy Story 3, Inception, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, the summer films kind of sucked. Autumn seems like it is going to come to the cinematic rescue!

So really quickly, here's Chad's fall movie preview:

1. Never Let Me Go
September 15th


During my sophomore year, I read an online interview with my girlfriend Keira Knightley. She talked about a movie she was working on based on an awesome book - Never Let Me Go. I borrowed the book from my teacher and read it in a week. I thought it was beautiful. Plus, Keira and Carey Mulligan are involved in the movie: heaven. It will probably be depressing... I'm excited.

2. 127 Hours
November 5th

I mentioned earlier that I have a love obsession with Danny Boyle (28 Days Later, Slumdog Millionaire). So naturally, I have to check out his new movie. I just saw the teaser trailer yesterday. It's based on a true story and stars James Franco as a dude who gets stuck in a Utah canyon. Looks cool.

3.The Social Network
October 1st

Alright, I've been hearing buzz about this movie for forever. Apparently the script is really good. And David Fincher is brilliant. Plus, I think Jesse Eisenberg is funny (Alaina thinks he is cute... eww). The Social Network has already been called a classic and generation defining. Ever since I read The Great Gatsby, I have been waiting to watch a moody film. This is it.

4. Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows (Part One)
November 19th

I'm a big fan of the crew that made the last two Potter films. From the looks of things, they outdid themselves on the finale. I could pee myself just thinking about it. Nothing else needs to be said. (Except that Emma Watson will be wearing a red dress)

5. Tron Legacy
December 17th

I don't really know much about this one. But I've been reading about it for the past two years... seriously. Tron was an eighties movie with Jeff Bridges (I never saw it). It sort of started the whole CGI animation thing that led to Pixar and everything else. It's a certified nerd classic. The new one has Jeff Bridges too and is apparently going to be awesome. I'll have to rent the original and then go see this one with my boys.

Alright... it's late! I need sleep for my big day. This is minor Chad signing off for the last time. Night!