Chemicals, oh how you flow

An odd day to say the least. Perhaps even a week. My blood has been subject to many highs and lows initiated by emotional responses that manifest themselves in those flutters that release unknown quantities of unknown chemicals.
Madness.

Reprise

Righty oh. It’s been a shit tonne of time between now and my last post. But since time is transient and the only thing that matters is this very present, I’ll push on.

Since May, life has spun around 450 degrees. After being pulled onto a student film shoot in Big Bear, Ca as a PA, I came out of it a Grip ‘n’ Electric guy. A week later, I’m working GnE with the same crew. It was a great month that ended in news of a feature film being shot by one of our guys. Yeah, a gaffer/grip/electrician with no reel to speak of was being pulled onto a self-funded horror shoot in Idaho as the principle DP. Crazy.

Anyway, Idaho. What a fucking beautiful mess that was. From July to mid-August we rigged, lit, sank, swam, and floated. A horror about some ditzy girls who ditch their cellphones in favor of pissing around on a boat for a month in the backwoods of Idaho. Nice!

More from that shoot to come. So much went on I couldn’t possibly do it justice in this post – I’m in the middle of midterms and I’ve got an exam and a four page paper due on Monday…let’s just say I’m not exactly making progress yet.

The sun has set. It’s Hallows Eve. I have pages to write, more to read, and thoughts to think.

Oh, and by the way, if you feel like going to a theater production at UCLA’s little theater, please let me know if you liked the lighting. I helped rig and set it. Cheers, my ego would love it.

Next Post

What is this obsession with the sun and heat? I can’t understand it. Sure the sun is an essential part of all living things, the same way water and air are. But why do people strive and strain to be incessantly coupled with it?

It’s a wretched thing when it beats down on you all day. Making a simple walk to your car a battle, trudging through the heat. Despite wearing shorts and a tshirt, I find myself utter uncomfortable to the point of frustration every time it’s hot. Simply because it makes the most mundane and trivial acts of daily living unbearable.

I enjoy the heat and the warmth when it’s time to relax, perhaps for a couple of weeks a year. But when it’s inescapable as it is in Los Angeles, it’s a chore to live here.

I run hot. As a result I can’t relax or think clearly when it’s anything above 70F outside. I’m much better suited to cooler climates and I’m making it clear right here that I will find a place to call home that isn’t Los Angeles when the time comes. I couldn’t live here and put up with this ridiculous weather.

Yeah. I am ranting about the weather.

All I’ve thought about since it’s hit 100F where ‘home’ is, is going somewhere that sees snow, ice, and rain most of the year. Perhaps washington state or one of the many east coast states is best suited for me. Who knows, hopefully my pursuit of a legal career will see me escape this DESERT and find green pastures in the northeast.

LACMA Visit

Just rolled over to Los Angeles County Museum of Art for their Urban America during Early 20th Century exhibition.

Back After Seven Hectic Months

It’s been seven months since my last post, which is indicative of how the last few months have turned out!

Well, good news is that I’m settled into UCLA now. Having started as a Biochemistry major, I am now firmly seated in the History department as my preparation for Law school begins now! The decision to change my major was by no means a difficult one. I’ve known for months that my heart was with law, so Biochemistry is no longer appropriate for a future in the law (unless I was fascinated with legal aspects of the sciences (patents, paralegal etc.)). I have to confess that I am much happier with my studies now. Reading and writing has always been so enjoyable and it feels good to be back in the writer’s seat and out of the Lab stools.

A graceful transition between Fall and Winter quarters brought me to the High Desert in north LA County. Resultantly, I’ve got a lovely commute to college everyday; I look forward to making the drive more productive with some minor car stereo upgrades. Time to listen to podcasts, audiobooks and self-help material is limited when a 2 hr commute is consumed by listening to music or scanning radio stations in search of decent signal.

 Looking back on all the changes in the past months, I continue to be mesmerized by the way and path of life.

News: UCLA Orientation

Hey everyone,

I know it’s been way too long since my last post. I’ve been very busy getting transcripts and the like together to send off to UCLA, and I’m extremely happy, and proud, to say that I’m going to be starting at UCLA this september (the 25th, to be precise). Not to mention that I’m also going to be majoring in Biochemistry (all this talk of switching majors is quite discerning).

Since biology and chemistry are my two, all time favorite elements of science (along with physics and math hehee) I can’t wait to get into some deep biochemistry.

Also new in my world, I attended Orientation this week – wednesday through friday. This was a really inspiring, uplifting and extremely hepful and informative few days. Not only do I feel much more like a true Bruin, but I have a really clear idea of what’s to come this next couple of years.

I have to comment the faculty at UCLA. It was a first class production on all fronts. Every lecture was well produced and concise, with enough humor and an appropriate amount of intellect thrown out to entertain both the science and art majors in the crow.

Furthermore, I am really impressed by the atmosphere that my fellow new bruins produced. I found that everyone was very easy to talk to, and everyone had an interesting story to tell. Since a most of the students I spoke to were from outside of southern california, it was always nice to hear about the differences between Los Angeles and their hometowns, and some of their stories about visting london.

All in all, these past weeks have been jam-packed with ups, downs, more ups and some sideways moments. But in the end everything has turned out well. I am happy.

Goodbye for now.

Breakout!

I had a great mental breakthrough in the battle between two great career paths. I’ve come full circle. This is going to be fun.

Quick SitRep

Hey everyone,

I have finally arrived in LA, and have been here for just over a week. Everything has come together smoothly so far. It feels good to be here, it’s been a long time coming, but there is no time to relax just yet.

The to-do list is forever growing. I have no doubt that my goals are attainable. Not one of them is going to be a quick fix, nor an easy task; I can only pray that everything I plan will yield the results that are needed.

Pressure makes a diamond.

I had my first Independence Day yesterday. It felt very symbolic. I feel like I am establishing my independence from an empire, and learning a new way of living. Not dissimilar to a young America finding its way in the world.

As with most things that are new, there are many unknowns and there is a lot to learn.

2 Down, 12 To Go!

It’s thursday evening, and I’ve got 12 more exams ahead of me over a period of three weeks. As of now I’m going to dig my heels in and really get cracking. I reminded myself that this is the last time I’m going to be sitting exams in this country, and I’m going to make it count.

I’m blessed with a week and a few days until my next set of exams. That will give me plenty of time to go through what possessions I need, then want, to take with my to LA. I’m hoping that won’t take much time, so I’m going to go through my things bit by bit.

These next few weeks leading up to my departure are going fly by, and I’m ready for anything that’s thrown my way.

Back to revision for now.

Back on it!

Hey everyone,

Sorry about the long stretch since my last post. School has been pretty hectic, and I’ve been clamping down and trying to finish off my revision before exams start.

I’ll be posting my revision setup in the next few hours I hope – dependent on my finding an SD card for a camera at full capacity. Maybe it’ll help some of you who are also studying for your exams.

I’ve got to say I am a complete advocate of Tablet PCs and I’ve used two different tablets over the last two years. They’ve helped so much with everything from staying organized, to keeping the notes I take in class immediately accessible. HIGHLY recommended for anyone who does a lot of writing and is looking for that edge to increase productivity.

At present I am working with a HP TX2050ea. It’s certainly an upgrade from my Toshiba R10-101 in every sense. I’ll post more details about the tech I’m working with – including programmes used for revision – when I find another opportunity to break away from revision!

Bye all!