too much news

Okay... so there is so much happening in the past few days and days to come I can't contain it. So in order to keep the attention to those that do read my rambling blog every so often, I shall keep the events short and to the point while still keeping my wittisms and mannerisms that make my blog true to it's nature of indoobness.

First, I learned yesterday that my church has been confirmed to receive a grant worth $30,000! That's thirty-thousand dollars. It mainly goes to our after-school program that we recently started this past spring and will start again this coming fall.

Secondly, we are awaiting notice of confirmation (which is most likely going to happen within the next week) of a 2nd grant for our church worth $400,000. That's four. Hundred. THOUSAND. Within that hunk of money lies my Mac and whatever else I might need in my studio which is being realize soooo much sooner than I originally planned. What's also in that grant? Paychecks for people who work for the church--which is actually surprising to me--includes me on the payroll. Why? I'm the A/V technician and webmaster. There are other people who do great work for the church too, so they would also be paid by this grant. Most excitingly would be my dad, whom is the pastor, would get paid from this so he would no longer have to suffer driving an hour away everyday at a job that pays him so little for the amount of work he does... PLUS having to leave work and be a pastor which is a much more demanding and important job. Sigh. But alas, this will be so much better for him and I'm so happy about it.

But that's not all. There's one more grant we're waiting for confirmation from. This grant actually sent us two letters so far saying it's on the way. How much is this grant worth? Over Six Million. I was literally in tears yesterday morning after hearing this news. Not only me, but my dad, my mom, my sis, my brother-in-law, and my grandmother. A few other were in tears too... those that know how much we struggle in our personal lives trying to do all we can to make ends meet both at home and the church. There's a reason why it seems like God makes His people suffer. Long story short: It's a test. Moral of that test: Don't lose faith. And rest assured, we won't in the least. Just the opposite. More faith. Woot!

But wait! There's more! Our wonderful grant-writer whom I've known as Rev. Richardson is going to open up her own corporation and is putting in a grant for herself on Wednesday. She included us in on that grant. I don't want to say how much it is just for the pure shock of it. I mean I thought the 6 mil was a head trip, but she's got us practically set for life. Nevertheless, the money will be used for what it's intended for. Overall, enlarging the Kingdom of Heaven. What's that mean? Helping those who need help, like the sick or the lost or what have you... The things churches are supposed to do. That's been my dad's mission since he started this church 3 years ago. And we've never stopped doing what we could since we started. And no, it wasn't easy. In fact, no one said it would be. Even more fact, people doubted we could do it. Sigh... Ye of little faith. That there was something my dad said that really shook me up inside... In the name of God, he's planning on taking over the city of Middletown.

As for other news, I'll be coming home to work very, very soon. Wednesday they will install our cable and phone. thursday we are supposed to get out chairs. Over the past weekend they installed the special program we need on our computers to take them home. All we need is the routers which will be shipped to our house. So my original countdown was off a week, and the new one might've been overshot. We'll see since it all depends on when the router arrives.

All of this news is really exciting, altogether. But I'm taking it in stride, day by day. I can't lose my focus on what I need to do. Even with all the excitement, I still have other projects I need to work on. Sam Cooke for instance. I need to have the screenplay written before the month is over. I was thinknig of holding off until I received Erik Greene's book on his uncle's life. I read an excerpt on Amazon.com, and from that alone I think I know how to start and end it. I'm still going to read the book, but I at least need to start it. Plus it's a screenplay... The majority of it will always be constantly rewritten even while it's being filmmed. In any event, I need to have a complete script by the end of August to meet my challenge deadline as well as have something to show my uncle. Hey, I might as well get ready for the Hollywood world, right? I've always wanted to be the exception to the game, so maybe I will make my own deadlines and play by my own rules and take my Tyler Perry-esque stake in Hollywood.

Did I mention I'm excited? Yes yes yall.

treatmenting and desking

I would like to believe I completed my treatment for my Sam Cooke retro-concert film project. There's gotta be a better way to say that. Anyway, I've finished it, which means I can probably start working on the script. I'd much rather send it to a friend or two for a quick review. The tricky part about doing that is I feel it would help if whomever reading it would be familiar with the album it's based on. That way they could follow along with the events that's going on.

In any event, I sat here quietly tapping away the rest of the story that's been plotted in my head for the past few months to a year. I sat here typing as I listened to Sam Cooke singing the scenes I see in my head. Well I actually started out listening to The Rascals "Beautiful Morning" and "Groovin'" because those are the only songs I know from them and like. Plus, have you ever really listened to "Beautiful Morning" on a beautiful morning? It really sets the mood for the day.

I was tempted with food, which I easily succumbed to. I was also tempted with going out with friends, but I never left the chair since the text messaging kind've dwindled down. And I knew I had to be done by 10pm to catch Psych. So there was that... My grandmother made lasagna last night which I didn't eat because I was at a buffet. I had some tonight though. What is with her (and my family (and my friend Michelle)) trying to get me to eat hard boiled eggs? I do not like them at all! My grandmother put them in the lasagna! I never remembered her putting them in there before! What's the deal?! Come on!

I decided after finishing my treatment, to see what was going on over at IMDb.com and checked out Sam's board, which I haven't done in a while. I guess there are others trying to get a Sam Cooke pic off the ground. Specifically a biopic. I'm not trying to touch a biopic at this point in my career. I'm still a newbie and I'm not ready to take on the challenge of writing, directing, or even starring as my hero. I mean, I'd take up the challenge someday in life. Just not, like, tomorrow.

For the past couple of days I've been working out my desk, getting used to it, since I'll be here a lot more often soon. The thing I'm missing is a chair.

I borrowed one from the dining room. I was using this tiny one before that will killing every piece of my butt like you wouldn't believe. I'm mean I'm a thin guy, so I thought I could handle it. I was severely mistaken. Wedgies galore. This chair is better, but it's not my style. No cracks at it's design, my mother will hunt you down.

I neglected to mention my shelf. The reason why? At the time, it wasn't built. I wasn't going to build it until my hand healed after building the desk, but I gave in. It was a bit easier than the desk, since I realized how to screw in the thread cutting screws. It still hurted like you wouldn't believe since my hand was already sore. So I wrapped a sock around the screwdriver that caused me so much trouble. And yes, that is the 2nd season of Psych you see on the shelf next to the jar of salted peanuts. I'm not 100% sure where it's going and 85% sure it'll be used to store empty DVD cases... since the DVDs live in a house all their own.

Hey look! It's my Silver Station, iPizzle, my watch, my Hard Rock cafe arm bracelet thingy, phone charger, chain necklace, a coaster, an empty cup and some instruction manuals for the lamps lighting this image!

building a dream

A couple days ago I was chatting with my cousin about building my studio and what I'd like to see done to it. In my mind, equipment-wise, it starts with the camera and a Mac. Specifically a Mac because what it's capable of doing with video processing and all that good stuff. Yes, I used to be a hater of Macs... which is wrong. It's like being prejudice... Like a Macist or something. But after using them while at school, I wished I had one sooner. I still love my PC, especially my Toshiba Silver Station... But the Mac will be one of the main hardware for the heavy stuff 3S:FX will produce, while my Toshiba laptop will handle lighter but still highly significant tasks like scripts, web surfing, maybe it will share in the music handling, and of course... blogging! ;o)

Since I now have a camera, even though it's not the best, it will get the job done. Sadly I can't connect it to my laptop with what technology I currently have, but it's ok. After I get the Mac, I should be set. Well, for a start. And I'm thinking I'd prefer something like an iMac. I thought about about laptop, but I think I'd rather have it one place, so I can settle down into my studio atmosphere and get to work. No need to tell me all the fun I could have bringing my work with me via laptop, but that's what the Silver Station is for. It's the #1 warrior in my creative hardware arsonal.

Down the road, microphones are on my list. All kinds. Oh, and wires and battries and tapes and DVDs (eventually filters and lens and other little gadgets) and bags to carry all this stuff. Eventually a man-servent will be added to the list. But yeah, microphones would be next. Then lights. Those are expensive. But I'd get a light set, like what photographers use. Technically, I'm taking pictures. And it's only until I can afford better or more lights. And I don't see myself giving or selling too much stuff unless I absolutely don't need it or won't use it and know it can go to a better cause.

Of course at some point I'd hope to be making money so that would help in my funding. I would possibly take on side projects unless the project of my choice is actually paying. But starting small, I don't mind not getting paid for the work, especially if it's work that I love.

Even though I'll be working at home in the next few weeks, it'd be awesome to work at home and be my own boss, then eventually have my own studio/office. That'd be cool.

I keep typing to give my phone time to send the pictures I took of my desk and it's taking f o r e v e r. I do not like it.

....Finally. This is before my desk...

And here is after...

So now my family won't feel like I'm being antisocial since this room is located directly next to the living room. It's a plus for me because during the day I can listen to the TV.

My desk is still pretty empty, even though I'm using it as I write now... It needs the stuffs that my desk at work has. I can't wait.

the hoax slayer! (and google hq)

http://www.hoax-slayer.com/true-emails.html

Quite stunning emails that I have and haven't recieved that are in fact, real... Well, mostly. Furthermore, the website itself is a debunking website devoted to protecting the innocent against hoaxes and such from email we like to call "spam" and other junk mails. 9 times out of 10, I can recognize junk when I see it, but I will admit that over the years, they've bet getting better at disguising that. Especially if they claim to be from a service you actually subscribe to.

For your own good and reference, check out that site and educate yourself. And with most cases, when in doubt, it's probably not real, so hit delete.

Read http://www.hoax-slayer.com/google-office-photographs.shtml



Moving around: A slide allows quick access from different floors ... There are also poles available ... they are similar to the ones used in fire stations.



Food.Employees can eat all they want from a vast choice of food and drink.



Work Station: Each employee has at least two large screens. There are 4-6 'Zooglers' per office.



INOVATION:: Large boards are available just about everywhere because 'ideas don't always come when seated in the office' says one of Googles managers.



LEISURE.Pool tables, video games etc. are available in many areas.



Communication... On each floor, there are private cabin areas where employees can attend to personal affairs.



Health: Professional masseurs (euses) available.



REST ...This room provides massage chairs that you control ... while you view relaxing aquariums ...



Ambiance ... There are many books in this library ... even some about programming !!

And yes, I do want to work there... Or at least I'll build 3S:FX to be that way. ;oD