we are wizards ::: documentary

I've got a few projects I'm working on right now. They require me to do quite a bit of reflecting and pondering. Each one addresses elements of our lives, and the interconnectedness of it all. I have no idea what the finished products will be -- which, really, is a big part of what attracts me to these things. Of course, when they are done, or when the time is appropriate, I'll certainly update everything here and let you all know what exactly is going on. Let's just say I'm very excited, but I don't want to jinx anything -- so that's all I'll say about that.

Anyway, part of my process when working on any project is taking time to write, to think, to change a few small parts of my daily routine so that I am forced to see the world just a bit differently. And I really, really enjoy exploring the work of any and all artists I can find. You just never know when something may trigger the perfect thought needed to take an important step.

With this in mind, I spent much of my down time last weekend writing and searching one of my favorite websites -- snagfilms.com. It's a website devoted to sharing and promoting documentary films. I've written about this site perviously on my blog.

With a mindset of trying to find a film that could trigger some thoughts -- and this is going to be fairly melodramatic, so fair warning -- of what it means to live in this big ole' world of ours, I stumbled upon an Harry Potter documentary.


"Ok," I thought to myself. "We'll get back to the deep thinking later. Right now I'll check out this Harry Potter brain candy and just not think for a while."

And I found myself initially chuckling at the "characters" in this documentary. But about a half hour in, I realized I was watching a very poignant example of a need we all have -- the need to be a part of something bigger than ourselves, and the need to fit in.

I have never read a Harry Potter book, though I have seen all of the films (except the most recent -- maybe soon). And I admit to chuckling at the rampant fanaticism some people have towards this franchise. That's actually what drew me to watch this film in the first place -- a chance to have a little entertainment at the expense of some folks that just seem to be a bit too into this stuff. Don't get me wrong, I don't want to mock them, just stare in wonder at the devotion they have to this young wizard.

But this film is incredibly well directed. Once I got over myself a bit, and stopped judging and gawking, I began to see this film as a beautiful display about a group of people who want to lead extraordinary lives. Isn't that what we all want to do?

Wether you find the people in this film odd or not, I do thing there is one thing that should be admired -- their willingness to push their lives in a direction that is their own. They refuse to live they way "society" says the 'should", and instead have found a community of comfort -- all because of this Harry Potter character. And, of course, they do it whether or not the rest of us think it's a cool think to do.

And in the end, it's is just that kind of living that -- I think anyway -- IS pretty darn cool.

So give this film a watch. Keep your mind open. Then come back and tell me your thoughts.

~wj

Happy St. Patty's Day !

Found a live version of John Mayer's tribute to the holiday. Hope no one is being pinched too much today!

Name This Photo ~the backstory

The video above will give you an idea of how Jamie and I spent our ninth anniversary. That's not us in the video (thank goodness), but it is the same stage where we participated, and that event was one of the challenges we "enjoyed".

It started with a business trip to Los Angeles. We both had some work out there, and originally had planned to come home just as soon as we were done. At the last minute we decided to stick around for one more day and spend it together. It was our only day without work obligations. We rented a car. We bought sunscreen. We had so many options but only one day to complete them. After kicking around lots of fine culture ideas -- museums, theater, art galleries -- we finally settled on a choice. High culture lost. Pop culture won. We went to Universal Studios.

We did the typical things. Toured the backlot. Rode the new Simpsons ride. Watched the Shrek 3-D movie. In general we were having a pleasant enough time and feeling like teenagers again. While eating lunch we heard an announcement over the PA that casting calls for the Fear Factor -Live! show would begin in fifteen minutes.

"Let's do it," Jamie said to me through a wide-eyed smile.

"Seriously?"

"Yes. C'mon. It'll be fun"

"I dunno about the food part, Jamie. I don't think I can do that."

"Sure you can. C'mon. It'll be an adventure."

"OK. But we make a pinkie promise. Either they pick us both or they pick neither of us. Deal?"

"Deal."

We were picked. Me, Jamie, and four guys from California. It wasn't as tough as we thought it would be. There were six slots available. Six of us showed up. That's it. So we all were in. Who says Hollywood is tough to crack?

I won't go into the minutiae of the show. Those details are much better when Jamie and I act them out. But I can tell you this. It involved hanging from thirty feet in the air, reaching into a tank full of live eels, maneuvering across a spinning floor, struggling with American Gladiator-style opponents, flying around the stage tethered only to a very thin cable, an inverted bicycle-thingie, electricity (LOTS of electricity), and, of course, a smoothie. Ahhh, the smoothie.

No need to offend you with what was in the smoothie. I'm sure you've probably got some idea. Multiply that thought by a hundred. I still can taste it. Uggh.

But the worst part? Well, there's two things actually.

The first are those awful spandex outfits. I think I would have preferred to be naked. You know the dream where you walk into a room, then become horrified because you realize everyone is dressed and you're as nude as the day you were born? I have that dream several times a year. I lived it last week. I need therapy now.

And the second? This requires a short story from the show.

At the start of the show they had us lined up backstage. Our only instruction was to run out on stage "and show some energy. We've got a packed house of a little over two thousand." OK. Now I'm nervous. And naked.

We run out on stage. Five guys and Jamie. Four of them from California with family and friends rooting them on. Jamie is the only girl. And then me. And all I can think is, "just don't embarrass yourself." Too late. The spandex sold me out on that one.

The hosts start on Jamie's end with the introductory interviews. One of the California guys is first.

"Give it up for Mike everybody!" The host is working the crowd.

Mike gets a few cheers. Not overwhelming but certainly respectable. He says something, but I don't really remember what it was because all I could do was think about how ridiculous I must be looking. Next is Jamie.

I figured since she was the only female the crowd would pull for her. Boy did they ever.

"And how about a hand for Jamie," shouts the host.

Eruption. Yells. Whistles. Thunderous ovation. Two thousand people stand and cheer as if Jamie just hit the game winning homerun in Game 7 of the World Series. She was quite charming, and I was glad to see her finally get a chance to use her theater degree in Hollywood. I was very proud of her.

The other contestants are introduced, and while none received the ovation that Jamie got, they all had nice little fan clubs in the audience. I was happy for them as well.

Finally the judge came to me. "Be humble and witty and charming. Be humble and witty and charming. Be humble and witty and charming," I whispered to myself. I was definitely nervous and my mind was racing. Or perhaps the tight pants had just cut off circulation to my brain.

"And how about a big cheer for Jamie's husband Will !!!!!"

Here comes my moment. My time to shine. I'm going to be discovered now and my life will change forever!

I lift my head and step forward.

Crickets. Nada. Nothing. SILENCE. In a room full of people -- have I mentioned it was over two thousand? -- not a single person cheered for me. They did not clap. They did not whistle. They did not yell. They did nothing. I brought the show to a screeching halt before it ever really began. It was now quite obvious that I wasn't as witty and charming as I thought. But I couldn't quit, so I mumbled something stupid and got off the stage as quickly as I could.

Not only was I naked. I was insignificant. At least to this crowd. As I climbed the stairs to get to my platform where the first event would take place, I began repeating my mantra, "It's never as good as it seems. It's never as bad as it seems." Moments later the platform fell out from beneath me and I was left dangling from a bar, thirty feet in the air, with no choice but to hold on. I didn't know how long I could do it, or how the people beside me would fare. Only time would sort that out.

I guess it was an odd little metaphor for what had just happened, and for what was about to happen. Crazy stuff shows up in life, and it's usually not the way we expect it. Especially when we try things we're not accustomed to doing. We're cheered, revered, ridiculed, ignored -- often all in one day. But we keep moving forward. So that's what I did.

Oh, and the significance of the photo? That's me and Christian. We made it to the finals.

He won, and I was happy for him. Yeah, it would've been nice to win. It would've been nice to thumb my nose at that crowd, show them that I could succeed even without their affection. But who really cares. Nobody there would've remembered anything about that show the next day. Nor would they care. And the prize wasn't really that great anyway. But deep down, I knew I didn't quit, and that I did the best I could.

I got much more out of this adventure with my wife than potential victory on a live version of a show that is no longer on the air. I had a fun time with my best friend on our anniversary, and now I've -- we've -- got a pretty cool story to share at parties.

If you've read this far, thank you. I wish you the best. I hope you got a little chuckle out of this.

Now, go try something scary, then come back and tell me all about it!


~wj

We have a Winner !

well, two actually.

Susan Solo and Ruth Rackley (how's that for alliteration) both submitted the correct answer about the same time, so I decided to declare them both the winner. I'll post more later when I have time, but for now, the photo below should give you an idea of what the answer is (if you haven't already read their comments)

Final Clue . . . .

OK. My "Name This Photo" Contest will probably end sometime tomorrow. You can see the photo and rules by scrolling below, or by clicking HERE.

So, here are a few more clues.

1. It is not skydiving.

2. It involves a TV show.

3. It was a contest.

4. We needed mouthwash.

And that's about it. Guess away!

~wj

A clue to help with the contest

While I take a quick break from editing photos, I thought I'd provide a little clue to the contest below.

This, of course, does not count as the "next post" (see rules below), so feel free to continue guessing.

And now your clue -- or riddle

an unexpected life event
a nervous climb, but quick descent
my love, we thought, we'd make a team
but then the laughs, perhaps a scream
so unity we lost too fast
'twas not to be, 'twas not to last
our struggles through our common fears
we'd pondered much throughout the years
such strength, such guile, and bravery
but still a taste unsavory
to reunite, we found our way
to chuckle at our sudden day

Anymore guesses?

Good luck !

~wj

Name This Photo ~contest

OK. That's me on the left. Christian is the guy on the right.

If you can guess the significance of this photo, I will reward you with a $20 iTunes gift certificate!

Here are the rules.

1. You have to post your answer here
2. You have to at least be relatively close to the answer. I don't expect anyone to get it exactly right, but I do at least expect you to be somewhere near the ballpark.
3. Only answers posted before I make my next blog post are eligible. Sometimes I post several times a week. Sometimes I take a little more time. What I'm saying is, I'm not sure when my next post will be.
4. Sorry, family. You're not eligible because I've already told all of you about it. Please don't ruin it for the others. You can post, just don't reveal the secret.
5. And along those lines, I've already told many of you non-family members. So y'all are out for now as well. Maybe next time.

So, if you meet this criteria, guess away. I'm anxious t hear what y'all have to say. Just know, that there are some hints already in this post.


Take care.

~wj

What's your pirate name?

So Captain Jack Sparrow is back this week with the newest Pirates of the Caribbean movie. I'm very excited to see the latest installment. On my family's first and only trip to Disney when I was ten (or was it nine? Eight? Seven, maybe?) we were soooooo tired of standing in long lines--this was before the "Speed Pass" or whatever they call that thing--heck it was even before Epcot! Anyway, we stumbled upon the Pirates. . . ride, and the line was the shortest in all of the Magic Kingdom ! So we rode it over and over and over--seems like it must have been 20 times in a row.

To honor this, here is a fun little quiz to find out your pirate's name. Here's mine.

My pirate name is:

Mad William Rackham

Every pirate is a little bit crazy. You, though, are more than just a little bit. You have the good fortune of having a good name, since Rackham (pronounced RACKem, not rack-ham) is one of the coolest sounding surnames for a pirate. Arr!

Get your own pirate name from piratequiz.com.
part of the fidius.org network

Not so sure about the crazy part--but oh well. I'd rather be a crazy pirate than a scared one!