Skip to main content

Because you know better.

Years ago, Ken Kornacki asked me to help him make a movie for a 48-hour film competition. I am a compulsive Irish storyteller and a former industrial sales representative. In other words, standing in a group and becoming a specific version of myself was not that unfamiliar. We did it. We didn't win. That was it for Ken. Life moved on for all of us.

My Apple Genius mentor, Mitch Rasque, asked me to work with him on a film for the next competition. We made a couple of films. In one of them, I was a serial killer. I don't know which version of myself I used for that role. We eventually did two films together. We didn't win. That was it for me. Life moved on for all of us.

Life indeed moved on. However, my perception of the film changed a great deal from my toe in the water exposure to the craft. For instance, I performed in front of a green screen in Ken's film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNftmgUv7_w

If you look closely, you will find me rowing that boat. If I remember I was actually sitting on a bench. In a later scene, you'will see a topless mermaid swimming through a fantasy scene. For her performance, she followed me in front of the same green screen. Later, I was supposedly deep diving into the briny to find my lost love. I took off my helmet and was able to breath underwater.

I relate this to explain that when I watch a film, I am aware that inches from that couple kissing there is a guy with a reflective material redirecting just the right amount of light on the scene in just the right place, there is microphone hanging over their head and a camera looking up their nostrils. Yes, life goes on, but sometimes the past enlightens the present. (Pun intended)

Life on the shores of Lake Maria continues through this winter. The sky has provided us with more rain than snow. What little snow is still on the ground, is, if you believe the weather forecasters, is doomed as temperatures in the fifties loom on the horizon. When the melt occurs, I'm sure we will see the open water of our lake, during a period I'm going to call, The Wet Season. This is when there is actual water in Lake Maria. Enough water, you may remember from last year, to attract waterfowl. If we have a repeat of last years cycle that will morph into The Mud Season followed by The ideal Breeding Grounds for Mosquitos Season. Isn't nature grand? Can't wait.



Devoid of any more witty remarks on life and the other important stuff, I retire to watch an endless amount of internet news about our current political climate. I need something to put me to sleep. All I have to do is instead of counting sheep, I count the lies, distortions and made-up stuff. I particularly enjoy making a list of solutions to problems that don't exist. Like the thousands of immigrants that are pouring into our country without vetting. Or the millions of illegal voters.

Till next week, I remain, The Poppa Jeff.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Diversity

As we look forward to celebrating the Pride we have in our Gay population, (Yeah, I couldn't resist the pun.) I'm pleased to report that diversity in the mix of our residents here in the Fox River Valley continues to surprise me. Example: As my wife and I waited for friends, in the lobby of the Marcus Hollywood Theater on the west side of Appleton, I witnessed three AfricanAmericann ladies buying snacks. Behind them was a Latino couple. At the end of the line, behind was an Asian fellow with three kids. We represented the WASP's. This is in a community that when I first visited in the nineteen sixties, if a black man walked down the street, he more than likely played football for Green Bay. After that, there was a rather pronounced immigration of Hmong and quieter arrival of Latino's. For a while, the worst keep secret was that the new Italian restaurant was actually owned by Mexican's. Since returning to the Valley, I've grown use...

A rustle in the hustings

I am trying to stay away from politics on my blog. I know that some of my intended readers do not share my feelings. As well, I don't entice dialogue. Occasionally my readers will address something I've written about. For the most part, they are merely saying something like, "Oh yeah, I felt that way too," regarding some experience, that I related. However, I have to share these particular feelings about the new Ryan Healthcare proposal that is sailing through the House of Representatives. Market-driven healthcare provision: This concept proposes that if put on the free market health care insurance will become more affordable. The theory is there will be competition among insurers to gain market share and lowering the prices will be a possible outcome. None of the insurers want customers who are old people or people with a pre-existing health problem ( heart disease, cancer, etc...) Older people, who are not on medicare, have more health care ne...

Ring The Bell

 It appears there is a tradition in the radiology department at Ascension Hospital that patients, upon completing their course of treatment, ring a bell. ( We know not for whom this bell tolls.) Ring the Bell with My Sweetheart Jeanne. Jeanne drove me to all but two of the appointments. Pam Frautchi took me to the other two. Today, after being zapped thirty-two times, I rang the bell. This begins a roughly one-month recovery period where the effects of the radiation abate and, I'm assured, a return to normalcy occurs. In my case, I anticipate more energy and greater awareness. Books, Books, & More Books I am simultaneously celebrating the end of the third year of volunteering for the All Saints Hunger Book Sale. Next week, we will wrap up the preparation for the sale and open our doors on August 3 for the public. I ran into this humourous but quite accurate cartoon on a T-Shirt that shows most of the volunteer's sentiments at this point. If you think the printed and bound p...