December 17, 2004 WOW! It appears that it has been a long time since I had the occasion to write an update to my journal. I seem to start a lot of these entries sort of the same way, but maybe it helps to build dramatic tension. I can not even begin to explain how pleased I am that school is over this term. For some reason it was considerably more “challenging” than the past terms were for me. It’s difficult to clarify what I mean by that. Just trust me when I say… it was tough and I’m relieved it’s over. One ironic thing about telling people that it was difficult is that there is an assumption that my grades will be poor, but in fact I’m getting straight A’s. Go Scott!

        Then again, I missed out on a lot of stuff to keep on track with my “school career”. I missed my nephews first birthday. I missed out on quite a bit of training that last part of this term. I dealt with a video project that has been one of the demanding and strenuous I have ever taken on. But I guess the pay off is pretty good, because I got straight A’s!! I’ve never done that before. (Without the little minuses next to the A’s) So I’m still on track to meet my goal of graduating this spring with honors. It will be a pretty cool accomplishment for coming back to school with a 2.1 GPA.  Which is something I’m sure I’ve mentioned many times before, but what the hell… I’m working hard at this stuff so cut me some slack.

I was able to shoot a couple projects this fall in one of my classes. It was in conjunction with the theater department and their actors. One of the projects was a super short scene from a feature film which was relatively quick and painless. The other was done with considerably more effort. It was one of my short screenplays, Customer Service. We rehearsed for weeks. The actors really put in a lot their time. I started working on it at about 7AM and didn't get done shooting until 9PM. There were several of my friends and a professor who helped out. Then that night I tested the footage and saw that it was all BAD! That was crushing. I checked the camera twice, but it all looked good. So we got together again a couple days later to guerilla shoot it AGAIN. It didn't turn out how I hoped, but it gave one of those horror stories about a shoot of my own. I'll be putting the movie up on the site soon. Please check it out.

I’m on Christmas break. Though I do appreciate the time off I’m not too excited about the holidays. I am going up to Salem to visit with family and I will be looking forward to a Christmas camp reunion that will be happening just before New Years. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but I think it’s pretty much certain that I will be going back to camp this summer. In that padded time before I have to start paying off my extensive student loans. Unless someone knows a wicked wealthy person who wants to simply pay it off for me… yeah… that’s what I figured. Me either. he he 

Actually I think I’m more prepared for working back at camp this time. It was a real transition for me this last summer into a “supervisor” role. Though I didn’t make all the friends I had sort of grown to know as part of my experience at camp I was able to make a stronger friendship. Kind of consolidating a barrel of friends-lite into one really good friend. And Jason will be coming back this next summer as well. I actually made the effort to write many of the people I worked with from camp over the fall and only one wrote me back with not much to say. Anyone who knows me, knows that typically I would be hyper sensitive to that type of response, but this time it made me chuckle a bit.

Been pondering what I might do with myself after I’ve graduated. I think I can safely say that I will do my level best to do whatever I can to enjoy what I decide to do. (Boy was that a run on sentence, guess they aren’t teaching grammar these days) However when I graduate that diploma will be more than a certificate for my accomplishments. It will be a receipt for about $50,000. I’m sure that will do a great deal to influence my decisions on where to go and what to do. Right now I’m trying to decide between moving back to L.A., or some other big city, to begin working on my chosen field. Where ever I can find a great job. OR… I might actually go on to a graduate school. I would prefer to do that abroad. So I’ve been looking into some schools in Australia, New Zealand, and England. Might be cool to get a masters degree or even a doctorate. Stay tuned for the results of this cross road.

Next term I’m going to be writing a feature length screenplay for credit. It’s an idea that I’ve been working, or should I say “not working on”, for a bunch of years. It’s an idea that I am very partial too and I think will be a really good script. In the best case scenario it will pay for school. Seriously, wouldn’t that be fantastic. Still have to write it. Then, magically, sell it.

I seem to have rattled on for a long entry (see! I rattle on in writing just like in conversations), so I’m going to call it a night. I do intend on adding more right around the New Year. I’ll start making notes on what I want to put in the next journal entry so that I won’t miss something that I think is worth noting. As always, thank you so much for reading about what I’ve been up too. Though I may not know who reads this it means a great deal to me that you would spend the time and energy to read through all this basically to see how I’m doing. Take care and Peace.

September 29, 2004 Summer seems to have slipped away and now it’s time for me to focus on school again. I did earn college credit over the summer for which I earned A’s. Technically I earned a 4.0. Thus raising my once basement level GPA to a respectable 3.32. My goal for this year is to be able to graduate with honors. Which might be even more daunting with all the irons in the fire I will have this year. Most important is school. I’m also going to be on the track team this year. I will also be involved with two school clubs, the Native American Student Union and the Filmmakers Club. In addition to whatever independent project I take on.

I’ve had two days of classes and I’m already excited about this upcoming year. I’ve changed my major from Mass Media Studies to the newly formed major of Media Arts with a Video Production emphasis. So that should mean that I’ll be doing a lot of projects this year. And since I really focused on school last year and less on other things I won’t need to take as many classes through the year to graduate. Right now I’m editing together 3 different projects. A short I shot with my roommates Jason and Shawn that we did on impulse. Mostly because we realized that too much time was being wasted on part and we needed to be more proactive. Then we shot the first part of a “commercial” parody. That was fun. And I’m still cutting away at the Silver Creek Camp Promotional video, but this is a huge project and will take some time. I’ll also be getting credit for editing it, so I will be doing through the term.

Camp has been over for a little over a month now, and it took some doing to re-acclimate to being at home. To put in the simplest terms, it A LOT quieter. Camp was good for me on a few levels. I think this year was a great opportunity for me to give back to a camp and a camping program that meant so much to me growing up. Camp was very different in another regard. Anyone that knows me from that time can recall a immature, attention seeking loud mouth running around camp causing havoc, but this year was about letting others take the spot light and for me to really focus on camp and the campers. I had an excellent opportunity to establish a great friendship with a couple of guys from camp that really kept me sane (basically). In addition to the friendship, I have throw out some extra love to the Schrader family for putting me up and being absolutely awesome to me over the summer.

One more announcement. LOST IN HEAVEN won the PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD at the Wreck-Beach Film Festival.

Love hearing from people. I really appreciate you reading what doing with myself and I hope that you will drop me a line to say hi. Take care.

August 7, 2004 Camp Camp Camp… That’s what’s up with me recently. I have to say I still love it. It’s beautiful. The weather has been great. Being around the positive energy of children is good for me. That’s also why I haven’t written for some time. (Again) Time screams by at camp. There is hardly a moment that isn’t planned out, or when there is we are getting ready for the next activity. We do get about 20 hours off Saturday through Sunday. This is about enough time to sort of recharge the battery and get back to camp for the new campers. I’m on the only real break we get and that’s why I have time to write now.

Camp, to me, seems to remain timeless in so many ways. Year after year the camp and its characters seem to hang around. It struck me recently that it is similar to a Broadway play that is on an incredibly long run. The world around it may change; the global outlook flows with the passing wind, and though the actors in the cast have changed the play remains basically the same.  

Camp Silver Creek is much different for me because I’m (more) grown up and now my role is not the same as unit director. Those two things have kind of pushed me out of the loop from the counselors. Now I’m one of “them” and must not know what is happening and couldn’t understand what they are going through. Odd. I don’t feel any different and yet still I am. One thing that has obviously changed for me this time around at camp is that I can honestly say I’m here for camp and the campers first and foremost. Not simply saying that’s why I come to camp. I think that this camp has done so much for me and provided me with such extraordinary experiences that I’m proud to be able to try and give what I can back to the camp and help keep it going. 

Been doing all the camp type things. Swimming. Boating. Hiking. Losing my voice. I’ve been shooting footage for the promo I’m doing. I’ve taken about 1300 pictures so far. I’m sure I’ll post a bunch when I can. I was fortunate enough to come across a bunch of historical pictures from back as far as the 30’s when the camp was being built. It’s pretty wild seeing the camp from so long ago.

It would seem that I don’t have much else to add to this. I realize that it is sort camp topic heavy, but that’s where I’m at right now. Thanks for checking in on me. Hope things are rocking along in your world.

June 18, 2004 WOW-O-WOW… Can’t believe it! I’ve finished with one school year. ALREADY! I know it sounds cliché, but time really does fly. And the grades are in… Drum roll please… Made the dean’s list with straight A’s. I took 16 credit hours and I have to admit that I’m pleased with the results. I must admit that two of the A’s were tagged with a minus. What’s particularly funny about that is how bummed I was with one of the minuses. About as bummed as I have been at getting a C or a D in the past. Well, anyway, if you know anything about my past academic experience you’d understand.

School has been good and I feel pretty good about what I was able to do this year. I came into college on academic probation as a sophomore and with a GPA of 2.1 As of now I’m a Senior with a GPA of 3.2 and needless to say there were a lot of puzzled looks when I had my professors sign my probation paperwork. Which I’m off of by the way.

So now I’m getting geared up for camp this summer. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but I’m going back to Camp Silver Creek for the YMCA this summer. I’m changing my camp name by request from the classic moniker of Blotto to something a little more P.C., SHREK. I took the name, because, like Shrek, I have layers. I was also thinking about Hulk, but that as cool as it was I think it’s too angry for me. Either way I’m big, green, and ugly. Ha Ha.

We had our program staff retreat last weekend. I met the other program staff from camp and we talked about the direction we wanted to take with camp this summer. There are some really great people and the retreat was a great experience for me. There are few of them that I think are really spectacular and I’m looking forward to getting to know them better. Wink Wink. Kidding. That just made me laugh. Sorry… Anyway, It will be a challenge in some regards, but I think it will be healthy for me to be around “camp” people again.

I’m also getting college credit for that. I’m going to be shooting a promotional video as well as a short documentary about working at Silver Creek. My intention is to capture as much of the magic that I know from the camping experience at this specific camp. Bottled lightning.

            I haven’t given up on training either. I’m taking some throwing implements with me to camp so I can squeeze in some training here and there. Next year will be awesome I think. My school load will be lighter so I can focus on throwing more. My goal is still the same… set the school record and win nationals. And I believe I can do it.

I guess that’s about it for now. Thanks for taking the time to read and please feel free to drop a note to let me know how you are.

Peace. Take Care.

5.15.04     Instead of studying I thought I’d take the time to update my journal and add some stuff to my webpage. I know it’s not the best approach for stellar academics, but some times I have to be more under the gun to really feel motivated to finish my homework. Things are moving along much the same as usual for this year. Staying busy with school, training, and work. Not to mention whatever little projects I can get myself into.

        The track season is basically over. I didn’t throw as far as I had thought I would, but that’s a big reason I took this season off as a red shirt. I really put most of my effort into school so that next year I can take fewer classes and still get done by spring time and focus more on the throwing. I was also curious this year if my body could hold up over the course of a track season. As it turns out my very sedentary life style of the last decade necessitated a year to get my body ready for a year of serious training. So I’m already looking forward to getting started for next year. I’m planning on coming back from my time at summer camp and getting right at it. I have one specific goal for next year… to throw 200 feet in the hammer and win nationals. I have no doubt I can do it if I do all the training.  

        School is moving along pretty good this term. I haven’t felt overwhelmed (yet) and have basically enjoyed my classes with one exception, math. I’m taking a statistics class that I’m not real partial to. It’s similar to the other science classes I’ve taken. It reminds me why I’m not a science major, I’m too much of a left brain thinker. Ha Ha At least the best excuse I can come up with. 

        I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before, but I do work part time as well. Busy boy, huh? I’m working the door of a local club. I had thought my days of bouncing were over, but it works very well with my school schedule and I’ve met some great people.  

        Summer is almost here, and I’m looking forward to camp. It’s been a long time since I work a whole summer at camp. One thing is changing this year, I have to change my camp name from the classic moniker of Blotto. Acquiescing to the politically correctness of the times. So… I have to come up with a new camp name. not sure what it will be, so if you have an idea please feel free to let me know.  

        I’ve really enjoyed my studio production class this term. It’s given me a great opportunity to learn how to shoot in a studio environment with a full control room and a three camera set up. I like the professors I’ve been able to work with because they are great about teaching and letting us go and apply what we are learning. I have project coming up that I’m looking forward to shooting. We are doing a “Tonight Show” type of variety/ interview show. I’m going to be hosting as well putting it together with my good buddy Jason. I think it will be pretty funny. I’m sure I’ll put it up on the website when I’m done. Going to start rehearsing for FRAT BOY soon. It’s been a real challenge to get Garrett (the actor I cast) and my schedule in sync to start, but I think we are on track now. 

        Well I guess that’s about all I can think of for now. I do want to thank you for reading what’s happening with me. I do appreciate it. Don’t forget to email me some time too. Peace and take care.

3.24.2004  Spring break is here!! Woo Hoo… Winter term is over now and I can’t begin to express how pleased I am with that. For some reason I just struggled this term getting into the rhythm of my schedule and never seemed to get into step with everything I needed to do. I was really prepared for a huge drop in my grades from last term. I recall at one point to turning to my roommate Jason and saying that I was setting myself for C’s this term just to get it finished. I reached a place that survival seemed more important than grades. So when my winter term grades came in I have to admit it was an excellent surprise when I made the dean’s list again. Though I didn’t get straight A’s, I did get a 3.5 GPA. Keeping in context with my academic history, aside from last term, it’s pretty freaking awesome. I’m pleased needless to say and a bit more prepared for next term. 

I’ve made my plans for the summer now. I was recruited to work at Camp Silver Creek as a Unit Director this summer. Silver Creek was a major part of my life growing up and I’m excited about the opportunity to go back and work there again. I’m going to shooting a couple things while I’m working there. One is a promo for the camp to help market it and bring it back to its days of splendor. The other is a short documentary on working at a summer camp. I’ve never shot a doc before, so that could be interesting. The thing about documentaries is you never know if the content will interest people to watch.  

Well my training suffered a bit of set back when I hurt my lower back I was simply bending over to pick up a shot put and TWEEK! I knew it was going to hurt and it did. I was down pretty good for a couple weeks. But fortunately I’m back at it and cruising along ok.  

I’ll be adding a couple things to the website soon. Going to be tossing up a couple new poems and I’m going to be streaming an interview I did some time back on Kelly’s Short Movie Party. It turned out good and I finally have the time to put it up. 

Well that’s about it for now. If you are reading this sentence now, I want thank you very much for showing that kind of interest. It does mean a lot to me when my friends and family show an honest interest in what’s happening with me. Thanks. Take Care.

2.15.2004     I shaved my head!... Not that it would be really something news worthy, but this is my “universe” so I thought I’d share. To honest, it was an incredibly surreal experience for me. Not sure whether I like it or not, but I’m sure as hell going to learn to live with it. For awhile at least.

For some reason school has been more of a chore this term. I think it has a lot to do with how school started for me. Being sick seemed to take me out things from the get go. And having my class schedule so scattered has made it difficult to get into a good rhythm this term. But think that it will pay off next term and the terms to follow, so I will struggle through. What I find particularly funny about college this time around is that I get the exact same sick feeling in regards to my grades, but this time it’s cuz I don’t want to get a “B”. Whereas before I was worried about passing.

Been training pretty well recently. The break from Christmas and being sick following that really took my feet from underneath me. Not only did set me back as far the training was concerned it messed with my motivation as well. I’m sure that affected my school too. I feel good about my pace this year all things considered. I’m still focusing on getting my body into good enough shape that it can take a full season worth of beating next year. I’m actually less than 300 pounds for first time in many years. We are having our first track meet of the year next week. Should be interesting.

I’m planning on holding auditions next week some time. Already talking to several musicians who are interested in helping with the score of the shorts.

1.21.2004     Why, I wonder aloud, do I keep forgetting to write in the journal more? And when I do remember, I can’t seem to think of anything that interesting to write or share. However there is one thing of recent that I’m pretty happy about was a letter I received from the University. These always make me nervous, so tentatively open it and it says that I’ve made the Dean’s list. Which is quite an honor. I the first school administrators list I’ve been on that wasn’t for being in some kind of trouble.

I’ve recently posted casting notices for a couple more short movies that I’m intending on shooting within the month. I’m planning on getting a good crew together to shoot these.

Lost in Heaven will be playing in a couple up coming film festivals. I might be able to slide in a couple other movies as well, but we’ll see on that one.

I have been asked to do an interview for a Seattle t.v. show soon. I’ll be talking about my movies and my inspirations. It should be a cool thing for me to do.

I’ve been sick recently so my training has suffered. I’m feeling better now, so I’m going to get back at it tomorrow.