Your random Life and Happenings thread

Did ya like it CJ?  As the reporter said to Paul Newman in "Slap Shot"...I was trying to capture the true spirit.  Deez,doze, dem and us, it's how we talk in Chicago.  Come to Chicago and I'll show you the best Pizzas "In da world".  

I changed my profile.  Tell me what you think.

I've only been through Chicago once, years ago, but I have to confirm it was one of the best pizzas I've had anywhere in North America.

Don't forget the classic Chicago-style hot dog (mind the belly-busting "sport peppers"). One of my first jobs was in Chicago and I spent a summer there (with several chapters later on). Delicious fried smelt sandwiches from a shack on the lake, Kingston Mines blues greats every week, Sam Kinison (before he became a famous comedian)  screaming his holy messages at the Belmont el turnstile every morning. 

I am blessed to have been born in Chicago.  We have a HUGE selection of pizzas to choose from...thin, thick,oven, and every kind in between. We have some of the best restaurants in the world.  I'll show you the very spot where the St. Valentine's day massacre occurred.  The State of Illinois bldg. where "Running Scared" was shot.  Our museums are second to none.  Our Magnificent Mile makes Rodeo Drive feel very small.  The 30% tax credit from Illinois makes Chicago very attractive to shoot movies.  

We have the largest supply of fresh water IN THE WORLD.  No tsunami's, nothing in the water that can eat us, no earthquakes, mud slides or avalanches.  No forest fires or anything in the woods that can eat, bite or sting you. 

It is much cheaper to live in Chicago than New York or L.A. 

There's only one thing that is not fun in Chicago...Our winters suck the big one.  Some more than others.  But hey, global warming is making our winters tolerable lately.  

Your biggest fan,

P.S. You forgot the Italian beefs sandwiches and our homemade giardinare (My homemade giardinare has no vinegar) Kaye.

I really miss Chicago and seriously think about relocating there. It was my home for over 10 years total. I used to walk from downtown to the North Side even in winter! Just living in Chicago makes you a hardy sort I think. But rents still seem pretty high now and that's discouraging.

Okay so now I have to ask, what happens to gardiniara made without vinegar, does it ferment naturally and so is higher in probiotics and other good stuff?

Come back Kaye.  The city is calling out to you.  Nothing like Christmas in Chicago.  

A word on winter...I HATE THE COLD!  Nothing like putting on wet fire gear in the winter.  The cold make manly men whimper like little girls.  We'll sacrifice a rookie to man the fire lines when the wind is blowing and the water spraying on your face.  

Giardiniera means gardener in Italian.  Giardiniera is a relish generally made with vinegar.  In Chicago, it's spicy and put on another Chicago favorite, Italian beefs.  I make my giardiniera with no vinegar and it's VERY spicy.

New profile looks great, Anthony. Hopefuly, one day, I'll come visit you.

On the second day of advent, my true love sent to me....

A massive bill for pandemic related extra expenses.

Happy December everyone! 

lol Derek, I appreciate the sing along. I saw an internet meme today, A cartoon of a man yelling at birds in his kitchen about his long distance phone bill. There were four calling birds. I guess that was yesterday.

Oh what webs we weave for our scripts.

Name of the LLC is Truck 26.  I have begun my 1st production to show experience, when I apply for grants. 

People in the entertainment business are not very dependable.  Cinematographers and related fields ARE ALL NUTS!  When it comes to money and what they charge for services (which is negotiable) and try to talk bull shit on what customary charges are, are quickly embarrassed.  My previous profession was estimator in the construction trades.  For example, they tried to convince me an electrician gets paid $800 a day.  When I asked him that's $100 an hour, he began to back pedal that his days are 12 hour days.  When I showed him what a UNION electrician gets paid in Chicago, he didn't know what to say.  That's when I learned...ALL RATES ARE NEGOTIABLE!  As in the trades, when everyone is working, it's hard to find a (worthy) tradesman. In this business, many are not working.  Set to shoot a poem I wrote Jan. 4th, 2022.  I'll post it on my scripts page.

Oh what webs we weave for our scripts. 

I heard you only wash them irregularly.

Something to do with a baby goat, a child's pool, and a stolen bottle of washer fluid.

Hello all you crazy people who write.  MY QUESTION TO ALL OF YOU...Why do we do it?  Why do we write?  

To keep you updated, the name of my company is not Truck 26 productions (wife nixed the name), but Fireside Productions, LLC. 

We did not shot January 4th but January 23rd.  Yours truly caught Covid, New Years eve week. Thanks to my vaccinations, it wasn't no big deal. The video is being edited and should be ready to watch within 2 weeks.  I hope you all watch it.  Total cost $500.00.  

Lets get together soon.  Come on CJ, pick a date.

Question for CJ..What does Joyce use for his editing?  Premiere Pro...Final Cut...

Your buddy from the "City of Big Shoulders"

Tony Rodriguez

Tony, you amaze me. You're a burst of energy that I don't have. I love the name Fireside Productions, excellent choice. Only $500? Good job! And please take care of yourself.

Why do I write? Free therapy.

I can't wait for your comments and perception.  You are one of my 1st teachers.  

In a Chicago accent..."Tanks babe"

As a bilingual hard of hearing Canadian:

You're welcome.

De rien.

Disclaimer: If you fail, I take no responsibility.

My 1st production of my new company...Fireside Productions, LLC.  I hope you like.  Comments are welcomed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ep7OyNvsy6A

Tony, sweet little soliloquy. The music and crackling fire is definitely a nice compliment.

This is obviously near and dear to your heart, so please don't take this the wrong way. I'm just wondering why the film wasn't done as a monologue.

Your input is what I need Lily.  It does me no good to hear only nice things. I used sound to intensify emotion.  In my opinion, sound is a factor many independents fail to use.  Now, I have decreased the decibels of the background music playing because I thought it took away from the actress. Experimenting.  It has to be entertaining to others when you tell a story.  In my humble opinion, no matter how important a story may be, it MUST maintain the interest of the viewer.  Thoughts?  

You did a good job with sound, and thanks for enabling captions. It's always nice to have that option.

My thoughts are the same. Still wondering why the actress, who's sweet enough, only voices thoughts and doesn't talk to the audience. Neither soliloquies nor monologues are bad, but for film (as opposed to stage plays) viewers tend to expect some action, even if it's only the actor's body language. Monologues call for action, soliloquies often don't. I'm not saying this is a hard and fast rule. There's no rule for anything. It all depends on your intention. If emotional impact is the intention, a bit of body language would have helped.

Interesting picture lily.  Talking directly in the camera. Body language.  More. 

Tanks,

Tony, I think you're on the right track. You got the right idea, no doubt about that. The disadvantage of talking to the camera only without body language for longer than say a few seconds, it can come across as uncomfortable. 90% of communication is non-verbal. This film, as sweet as it is, is only 10% of communication, maybe 11% including facial expressions. Of course, if discomfit is your intention, then you're already there.