Goodbye Rain

This morning, I woke up early to go for a run. It poured (and even lightning was involved). However, I did not mind. In fact, I absorbed as much rain as I could. Tomorrow, I leave for L.A. I will not see rain again for at least three weeks.

I'm heading to L.A. because I got a scholarship to attend a two-week digital film camp at UCLA. While there, I will also spend an extra week with my cousins to explore and visit colleges- USC, LMU, and Chapman.

This will undoubtedly be the biggest adventure of my summer, and as I ran around the travel section of Wal-Mart earlier today, the excitement set in. Hopefully, I'll find some time to blog while I'm with my cousins. If not, I'll write about all of my adventures when I return to Johnstown.

Tonight, I'm hanging out with Alaina and our peeps. For now, I should go pack. I haven't started yet.

Toy Story 3!

For a late Father's Day gift, I decided to treat the family to a movie-going experience. The outing came with a price tag of $53 which is ridiculous, but it was probably only the second time that my whole family went to the movies together.

Anyway, Toy Story 3 was awesome! The movie opened up with an exciting reintroduction to the characters. I couldn't help but smile because I can still remember going to see Toy Story 2. Seeing Woody and other characters I grew up with on the screen was like a rebirth of my childhood.

The new Toy Story was interesting because I am now in the same boat as Andy as he heads off to college. I guess it's not all bad though. I started to gather together things for my California trip tonight, and I'm pretty excited. The message of Toy Story 3 was being able to move onto the the next chapter in your life. It also had a strong sense of family (which may bring a tear to your eye). I don't know what lies ahead, but I have my friends and family who will always be there for me, which is exciting in itself. Summer adventures, here I come.

What Kind of Stories do I Want to Tell?

Yesterday, I went out to lunch with a few friends. While we were waiting for our food, my friend Megan (who looks like she could be my sister) turned to me and asked me what kind of movies I wanted to make.

I didn't know.

Ryan and I watch the Next Food Network Star on Sunday nights. Last week, a girl went home because each time the judges asked her what kind of food she wanted to make, she didn't have a clear answer. We felt bad for her. I don't want to be that girl. I need to find my film voice.



Really, I have plenty of time for self-discovery. I have always admired directors like Danny Boyle and Steven Spielberg because they manage to work in many different genres, but still tell great stories. That's what I want to do. I'm up for anything as long as there is a good story involved. I want to tell stories that inspire and entertain - stories that matter to me.

The only things I can definitely rule out are slasher films and depressing suicidal movies (unless they have a point).

But to me, the story, the characters, and the people (both those who help make the film and those who watch it) are the most important things.

From there, why can't I make horror movies, thrillers, action extravaganzas, romances, comedies, and family dramas? In fact, who says I can't mix them. Horror meets romance. It's all up to me.

Facial Hair Count

I realize this is a gross picture, but Alaina insisted that I do a dark facial hair count (and I secretly enjoy it).

Anyway, I believe the count was 26. As of now, I have 26 dark hairs on my chin, and each time I shave, that number increases. While I do not believe that facial hair makes a boy a man, it certainly helps a boy look like a man.

Live Spontaneously

Today, I woke up early and broke my daily routine.

First, I finally learned how to brew my own coffee. This epiphany is both beautiful and terrifying. Only the future will reveal the consequences.

Then, brother bonding day began. Together, Ryan and I trekked to the Beginnings building. Beginnings is a wonderful non-profit organization that helps children in need. Ryan and I are on the Jr. Board. We volunteered to help prepare the new newsletters for mailing. 1,500 newsletters. Fold. Stick. I'll be going through those motions in my sleep.

After six hours of the fold-stick process, we made up stories about the people in Central Park, ate at Coney Island, attended the film festival (the films were pretty awful), made disgusting frozen food, and even storyboarded for a future short film (this is where the pictures come from).

Today was crazy and hectic, but I actually had fun. Ryan and I went with the flow and made our own fun. So, there's the advice I want to give people. Wake up tomorrow and forget your daily routine. Live compulsively for once. Do what you feel like doing (without breaking any major laws). And most importantly, have fun in whatever you do.

Exposition! (Part Ten)

Meet Ryan.

Oh goodness.

He's my brother - three years younger than me. I felt obliged to include him because he plays a pretty big role in my life. We often argue, but he too is my partner in crime. Together, there's nothing we can't do.

I come from a family of six - mom, dad, me, Ryan, Tyler, and Addison (who is girl in case you were wondering - I have met boy Addisons). We're crazy, but we're family.

Exposition! (Part Nine)

Meet Alaina.

My Bonnie.

I didn't ask for her permission to do this, but I don't think she'll mind (too much).

To set the record straight, we dated for about three months freshman year. We ran cross country together, and I thought she was cool. Unfortunately, I was awkward and weird, and she was adventurous. Plus, I was terrified of her.Not to mention, I still had a baby face (as evidenced in the picture below).

But then last summer, we reunited. Together, we live for summer days, sunsets, and thunderstorms.