Friday, July 9: Great summer, or the greatest summer?

I'm having the best day.
I actually did write out a post for yesterday, but I didn't press publish. I only realized this right now, so I deleted it. It wasn't that interesting anyways, and today trumps yesterday.

I've been going to Green Gables early in the morning for the last few days to shoot inside the house when nobody is around. The staff at Green Gables have been fabulous with letting me take up vast quantities of their time, move props, hold my bounce, etc. One even gave me a very long interview that's going to be gold for my Anne piece.

This morning as I was finishing up filming at Green Gables, I got a call from David of PEI Kiteboarding, asking if today was a good day to shoot for me. FINALLY! I GOT TO SHOOT KITEBOARDERS!

Let me tell ya, they make my job easy. David even soared over my head and gave me the most spectacular shot of water dripping off the board as I followed his arc. Amazing. I can only imagine the freedom they feel when the kite picks them up and the wind sails them through the air. It's the feeling that makes me continue to ride roller coasters and challenge heights; that skin-prickling kick of adrenalin that so many are thirsty for.

It was an extremely windy day, gusts pushing past 30 knots, so there were only 2 kiteboarders willing to brave it. Unfortunately, one of them got hurt in the process, and the day ended after about 10 minutes of footage. I'm OK with that; I'll go out again and it's all gold footage. The kiteboarder wasn't seriously injured.

You know you've been thinking about film too long when someone crashes and as you wade over to see if they're ok, somewhere an evil part of your brain is checking that you are still recording. Now I know how paparazzi get so annoying; it comes with experience and the thirst for the shot.

After my awesome morning, I went back to Dalvay to check out the footage and charge the batteries, then headed back to town to do one more shoot before work was over. Nothing could ever trump the morning though.

Photo of the day: a picture of my screen. A preview of some of the shots that I acquired (with no risk to the camera, don't worry guys!) that really made me feel like a professional. Subject matter is everything.

Wednesday, July 7: OMG SUN

Today was super hot and sunny! It's the first day I've been able to go out and shoot in awhile, and I was extremely eager. So when one of the plover monitors told me she was working on the flight pen for the plovers coming from the Moncton Zoo, I was all over it.

I took some very nice shots and did a time lapse while I helped Jessie sew mesh fencing together. I tried to get as involved as I possibly could without annoying/embarrassing the plover monitor to death; she's been so so nice to let me film her all summer. Watching trailers from other videographer's videos is helping me a lot. I'm trying to become more involved in my subjects, and since plovers are quick little buggers it's best to stay away from, that means monitors.

I got a sunburn on my left arm and my left arm only! Talent, my friends. Sheer talent. In the afternoon we had a conference call and I was asked to do more design work. I don't know if I'll have the time to do too much more, I've got so much on my plate right now it's ridiculous. I'll help everyone out as best as I can though.

Here's a few photos from the glorious day.

Mitchell Buchanan would be proud of this time lapse.

JELLYFISH MASSACRE!

We have the purdiest roads.

For my shoot this weekend for a Parks Canada vid. You've gotta trust me.

Tuesday, July 6: Rain rain, go away.

Come again another day when I have more stuff to edit and work on than shoot. Thanks.

After work day, I went to see Eclipse with a friend of mine. Now, I'm not a Twi-hard by any means, but having read the series, I enjoyed it enough to expect some thrill from the movie on half price night at the local cinema. Well, that was wrong.

Because this job has ruined/heightened my movie-going experience, and in Twilight: Eclipse's case, it ruined it. 


I don't go to school for film, and I don't claim to know everything. I do know that shots that look hand-held make me feel nauseated and when sound editing goes bad, it's very, very noticeable. Don't even get me started on the story line. Less talk, more action for the next one, OK?

I DID get a really cool angle that I'm going to steal from Twilight though, so it was worth the price of admission.

Photo of the day: that darn hilarious cat being darn hilarious again. Seriously, is this not amazingly funny to anyone else?

Monday, July 5: I'll see them LIVE.

My sister scored tickets to LIVE with Regis and Kelly for next Tuesday! I'm super excited. I wonder what kind of camera they use? I can't wait to watch the crew in action!

Oh, and seeing Regis and Kelly will be cool too.

I'm super pumped that my beautifull, intelligent, witty sister gave me her other ticket so we can go together. Here's a picture of us looking excited/slightly blue!

I still can't believe she got them. Thousands and thousands of people tried for them.

Today I drove to Greenwich to record a reference video for a company that's going to be updating their video. I AM THE WIND. AND I AM THE SEA. was played to me 4 times. However, I can now tell you an awful lot about the history of the area! The rest of the day was spent organizing interviews and times that I can film at various locations and talking to kiteboarders about how much heads up I can actually get on whether or not they're going out (about 12 hours). It'll make a great video though!

Tomorrow is more Anne filming!

Sunday, July 4: Melting like a popsicle on the fourth of July.

It's so hot in this apartment. I'm keeping this short and sweet so I can go back to laying on my bed in my skivvies surrounded by fans.

I had a meeting with 5 of my 6 bridesmaids tonight and they collectively chose a dress! That's a load off my mind. I'd post a pic, but this is the wrong blog for that talk, and herein lies my problem: What do I do when this job is over? I kind of like blogging on a regular basis. Should I merge the 2 blogs? Should I just change the name of this one to something else and continue? Canada's greatest fall semester doesn't exactly have the same ring to it... I'll figure it out I suppose.

The anticipation of where I might be living in 2 months is killing me. Will I be in Halifax, Fredericton or Charlottetown? I wish schools didn't take so long to get back to me.

No photos today! That's what happens when you DON'T LEAVE YOUR APARTMENT.

Saturday, July 3: Lists.

Since the greater part of today was spent cleaning and blowing up vacuum cleaners (RIP 25 year old Electrolux. RIP.), I've decided to do something a little different today.

So, I give you, in no particular order, the 

Top ten things I wish I knew when I was in high school that I know now. 

 1. Narwhals are real, and they're magnificent.

2. "Tomboy" is not a fashion statement. You'll look back at your choices, slap your forehead and vow to burn every picture of you in shirts vaguely resembling your parks uniform. 

3. Though I feel eternally grateful I never found them to buy them, STOP WANTING JNCO JEANS AND DON'T TELL EVERYBODY YOU WANT THEM.

4. Whatever it is, don't worry about it. It probably won't matter in a few months, let alone a few years. Math finals will disappear from memories, teenage tiffs will resolve and that boy you like won't remember the time you fell up the stairs at graduation. 

5. Do not avoid problems. Do not avoid situations because they're hard and they hurt. When everything's said and done, you'll really really regret not facing your fears and being there. Suck it up and deal with it. 

6. Family is absolutely the best asset you have. Use it. 

7. When you hear a weird scraping noise coming from the engine of your car, don't try to make it home. It's likely a leak in the oil pan, and it will mean the death of your baby. Maybe read a car manual or something. 

8. Chrissy says hi. This is not something I wish I knew earlier, because she has told me to say hi to people in the past, BUT it seems relevant right now.

9. Do not get second degree burns on your back. Please listen to Bachman and wear sunscreen, because when you're 24, you'll STILL have burn marks from high school bathing suits on your back.

10. STUDY. Guess what? The future actually does depend on your high school marks. Pay attention, do everything on time and get extra help. 

There you go! 

Friday, July 2: I forgot.

I thought I blogged on Wednesday, but apparently I didn't. I knew I wasn't going to be able to yesterday.

It was Canada's birthday. It was a perfect blue sky day. I was hanging out with friends, eating bbq, drinking beer and playing washoos. To take time out of my day to blog from my iPhone would be to insult the very day that was provided to me.

I participated in the Rustico Canada Day Parade in the morning and had so much fun! It was my first ever experience dressing up as Anne. All these years of avoidance, and I come to realize that it's extremely fun to look like a fictional character. I won a potato sack race, danced around and handed out tattoos and pins. I also got myself a tanne from the costume(see what I did there?)!

Afterwards, I headed to the infamous camp Misty. Camp Misty is put on by a lady who opens up her yard for camping, her bbq for use and her home for peeing all day and night every Canada Day. I am so happy I went; I had so much fun hanging out with my friends, doing mini photo shoots and poking people taking afternoon naps. At the appropriate time, we went down to Norman Peter's boat and participated in the boat parade!

Unfortunate event on the boat: It was apparently freshly painted, and I leaned against something and when I stood back up, I had white paint on the arm of my new HH black shell jacket. I was a little upset, but I'll talk to Doreen tomorrow. Moms always know how to get that stuff out.

Here's a few pictures I snapped with my iPhone. I've also come to the conclusion that Canada Day may be more fun than my birthday, and slightly less fun than Christmas.

We're on a boat. Notice the new paint job on my jacket.

The legendary Norman Peters.

My favorite picture of myself ever. I love being friends with photographers. Care of Haley!