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Updated 06/17/2014 |
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10/01/2006 1:00 a.m. So far, we are calling the dog "Beast" . . . sort of short for "Uber Beast" & definitely only a nickname until one of you comes up with something way more fitting! We'll post pictures of him in the next day or so, as well. We look forward to seeing what you come up with for this 80 lb (give or take a few) friendly giant! Also, in case you didn't pick up on it yet, we got rid of Matilda (no heater, and boy was it getting cold at night . . . running a generator for a space heater wasn't going to cut it, to say the LEAST! Do not be concerned, we are doing quite well in the new 32' 6" Winnebago Outlook! Beautiful inside? Uh, YEAH! Smooth ride? YOU KNOW IT! Heat? WITHOUT A DOUBT! -- Let's just say this next/last leg of production is going to be much more of a snap, now! Things are looking up, folks, and we really are grateful for the love, support and kindness all of you are showing to us. MICHAEL FEY had to be put off several times until we were able to get things taken care of prior to getting Matilda 2, and we thank him so much for his patience! No more delays, and all of you being interviewed for the movie (YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) should ready yourself for a phone call from the director, Jeff Partin, or myself, Jennifer Moore, over the next week or two, as we schedule the next round of interviews! If you are following our path, then you will have a good idea of when you will be coming up. Even better, we will be getting together a much more detailed schedule and time frame, so that all of you will soon know EXACTLY when to expect us and where! 10/05/2006 5:17 a.m. It's been a fantastic past few days! Jeff and I have always enjoyed making this movie, in every way, but having this new home to roll along in makes working a lot easier to take care of since we don't have to continually concern ourselves with how to pay for repairs to make it to the next interview. Our interviews in Louisville went very well, and we look forward to putting up some video clips soon to give everyone an idea of what people are saying. We've spent the last two days in South Bend, Indiana . . . very close to the school of Notre Dame. The KOA here is clean & beautiful. We fit in a little more in the new RV, or should I say "blend" in? We really miss the stickers, of course, but luckily have some very understanding fans in all of you! They are already on film, and some of the photos have even been posted online here, and sometimes you have to make sacrifices. This was a necessary AND beneficial trade-off, we assure all of you! It is still a huge shame we had to miss Jeff's father's wedding due to being stuck in a box disguised as a vehicle, and we are so sorry about that. The pictures we have seen of the newlyweds are gorgeous, though! I'm so dead-tired right now, but nothing really allows for sleep in the world I live in. I grab what I can every now & again, but somehow the work MUST get done. It won't take care of itself. We all know that would be a nice change if it did. There is SO MUCH catching up we have to do as far as posting things online. You see, we are actually very well-organized and have very large ideas when it comes to this movie production. Things have been designed and written out, while much of it has not been implemented or posted for viewing. We're so excited to have the chance to concentrate more on these kinds of things now! So, I guess I will get some sleep for a little bit, and then get my butt back in high gear to make this website hum right along! 10/05/2006 9:41 p.m. We stayed in South Bend, IN at the KOA (really in Garner) for the last 2 days. As we left this morning we decided to get some footage of the Notre Dame campus. I looked at our atlas and tried to map out a path. We drove the 6 or 7 miles to the school and just planned to make a loop around it. We did so but could not get as close as we wanted for a few shots and needed to shoot from the other side as well. We decide to make the loop again and try to somehow get closer. Upon doing so, I made a wrong turn and had to turn this big ass thing around at a TV station. Then I drove about 7 mph down Notre Dame Ave. (twice), which the speed limit is only 20 but we did have a pretty good line a few honking morons behind us (always awesome). I also stopped in the middle of the road 3 or 4 times. Whatever it takes to get the shot! Regardless it was a lot of fun and we got some great footage of the beautiful campus. I hope my erratic and extremely slow driving didn’t piss those Catholics off too much … uh … Go Irish?! 10/06/2006 12:31 a.m. I would just like to make a short observation. As we were driving today, west on Michigan’s Hwy. 12, I noticed there was an over abundance of “DO NOT PASS” and “PASS WITH CARE” signs that obviously correlated with the middle yellow line being solid or dotted. I mean every time it changed on both sides of the road there was that small upright rectangular sign. Again, ALL changes in the lines were marked with a sign! Does Michigan not teach the meanings and differences of the middle line? What if it’s half solid and half dotted? That’s tough. No worries, Michiganders, your state government will just waste millions in small road signs so as you’ns ain’t gotta think too much when you’re drivin’ … Come on … This is absurd to think about. There were well over 50 of those signs and at a relatively conservative guess of $100/ea., that’s, at a minimum, $5000 on a 15-20 mile stretch of flat 2-lane highway. Nice. Where has common sense run off to in government? That wasted money could have gone to bettering our entire education system, which needs drastic changes and improvements before our country is too stupid to be a superpower. Education is just one of many serious problems facing our great country today, and as we decline there are still hundreds of outrageous bureaucratic programs like and unlike this in every state in this country frivolously wasting your tax dollars. Pay attention, take a stand, speak up and be heard! 10/08/06 2:21 p.m. We are currently sitting at a truck stop just outside Davenport, IA on I-80. Our next interview is in Kansas City, KS on Tuesday. Today will be designated to updates and a little NFL football. How bout them VOLS! Tennessee posted an incredible 51-33 victory over the Georgia Bulldogs in Athens last night. Unfortunately I was unable to watch it but had a couple people keeping me informed. Missing most of football season is something I am not used to, but this opportunity has given me more than watching any game ever could. The venture into the unknown world of filmmaking and the production of “Dream States” have been life changing and extremely rewarding, and I would not change a thing, even for tickets to any and every game I could ever want to attend. 10/09/2006 5:26 a.m. Well, it's really 4:26 a.m. here in Iowa, . . . but I am still posting in my home time zone's time. I wonder what time zone Jeff is using? haha Anyhow, what does it matter, right? It's one of my duties to keep the website updated, and I must admit to everyone that I am not doing the BEST job. I hope that all of you will notice improvements as time progresses, though it isn't the easiest thing to keep up with considering the enormous amount of information we come up with on a daily basis! We'll probably start posting quite a few polls to get your opinions and thoughts, and we have a lot of contests in the works, so we hope you really like those! This is the second week we have had this new Winnebago, but I have yet to drive it! Some of you may not be too shocked to hear that, considering I ran the last one into a bank and about took the entire drive-through ceiling out! (If you have missed the story or photos, you should try to catch up.) On the other hand, there has been so much road construction going on throughout our recent route that I am glad not to be the one responsible for squeezing this Winnie between the "safety barrels," as I will call them. We recently shot our first "city at night" footage of Chicago, and it was gorgeous! It's really shaky footage, I bet (haven't reviewed it yet), but beautiful nevertheless. I'm sure there MUST be a fantastic solution to how to film steady in a bouncing, moving vehicle . . . but I haven't figured it out yet. I've tried pressing the camera against pillows, against the hard frame of the vehicle, AWAY from the vehicle, and so forth. Any experienced camera operators out there with advice, I welcome it. Perhaps there is some expensive piece of equipment that I am unaware of (not to mention, unable to afford) that would solve my problem. Otherwise, I'd be grateful for any tips. A couple of days ago, we interviewed our pre-selected subject, Todd Barwick, in Madison, Wisconsin. First of all, what a GORGEOUS area he lives in! WHO KNEW that Madison, Wisconsin was a hidden little gem up in the cold states!? hee hee Seriously, though, I called him for directions, and at one point he actually stepped onto his balcony to figure out what to tell me I would see when getting close to his house. Do you get what I am saying? It is just the perfect mix of wide-open yet hilly, that he really could ACTUALLY step out onto his balcony and see FOREVER at the views all around him! It doesn't hurt that everything in the area seems landscaped with such darling detail that you feel like you are already on a movie set for some picturesque suburban neighborhood. Back to the interview, Todd (or "Googy" as his friends call him,. . . we love it!) was extremely kind and open. We actually forced him to STAND during his entire interview, and that was a first . . . but his balcony was too inviting to not use, and he was so tall that standing in the corner put him in the perfect sunlight to look great on-camera! Todd, we are sorry for making you stand, and admire your willingness, acceptance and patience. You didn't complain one time, and we hope it will prove to be worth it. Also, listen to this everyone, he told us about this really kick-ass idea for a road trip . . . and until I review the footage with Jeff this week, I am going to guess at what he called it: I think it was called "Coaster Quest" . . . I'm almost sure of it. Anyway, it seems he & some friends would get in a car & just go on a, you guessed it, search across the country for the most fun roller coasters!! No maps, no destinations in mind, and no pre-booking hotels or stuff like that! Jeff and I are pretty wild about roller coasters, so this kind of trip would be really awesome to take sometime in the future! No doubt! All in all, we had such a nice time talking to Todd, that we found it difficult to leave when the interview was over. He generously gifted us with a bottle of wine (no worries, we don't drink and drive, people!) which we are saving for the perfect moment on the trip -- when we are plugged in and chilling at a KOA for a few days, . . . and perhaps even needing to celebrate something. Speaking of celebrating something, the wine actually WAS perfectly-timed because we had just found out we were mentioned in a very flattering and highly inspirational article written by Sara Miller of Charleston City Paper!! WHAT?! YEAH!! So, I compare it to this, if you want to know exactly how I felt. Wait, first, let me preface this explanation by saying that I have lived in Charleston for seventeen years now. The Charleston City Paper is what most hip young adults look to for anything cool in the Arts and Entertainment industry, especially local things to do around Charleston. That said, when I am in town I will almost always pick up a copy when I am out. (I say almost always because, and don't laugh, there are actually times I may not get off of Wadmalaw Island for more than a week! Is that bad?) I'd have to say I get it from what used to be Med Deli most of the time (now called Med Bistro -- FREAKING DELICIOUS WRAPS, BY THE WAY! OMG, NOW I AM HUNGRY FOR THE MED WRAP YET SITTING IN IOWA!! Frack.) Ok, so back to the paper. Obviously, we cannot get it while we are on the road. So, thanks to MySpace, I have them in my list of top friends. The other day, the front page picture of the marquee with the words: "UNDEREXPOSED CHARLESTON'S FILM COMMUNITY" absolutely caught my eye. I'm fascinated with sucking up information, especially when it pertains to the things I LOVE MOST! Anyhooooo, I was sitting next to Jeff on the couch and as usual started reading the article to him about the growth of our local film industry. You see, since I've lived in Charleston awhile, I am very aware of how long they have been trying to get someone to sit up & take notice of the hotbed of talent and passion we have there when it comes to the industry. I won't get into all the details, but needless to say, I GET IT and the article was bringing it to the forefront again. And, one of the major reasons Jeff and I decided to open our production company in South Carolina is because we DO have enormous plans for being a major part of the industry's growth explosion coming soon. We know we have winning ideas, and that they will only aid in putting South Carolina on the map. Now, if we were just big enough for OTHER people, the BIG people, to notice US, too. Well, THANK YOU to Sara Miller and The Charleston City Paper! Why? For helping to jump-start the vehicle necessary to open the doors to our dreams coming true, which we cannot do alone. No man is an island, I have heard. And neither should an independent film production company be, right? The article focuses on specific talent and projects coming out of South Carolina, and presses on the completely valid point that we MUST work together to make this all come to fruition! Yes, yes, yes! Why is it that some industry peeps want to guard their industry trade secrets rather than share the knowledge so that we can all do and be our best? It is like a high school thought process . . . where the cliques won't "allow" you in, . . . not because you suck, but because there is that SLIM chance that you could, in fact, be just as good as or even better than them, leaving them behind. The attitude should instead be, let's SHARE OUR KNOWLEDGE with each other, Carolinians! Let's build each other up and help each other out with all of our pooled resources. That's what the article is saying, and it is true that it MUST happen for South Carolina to make it on the map in the film industry the way that we all want it to. Don't be afraid of lending a hand to someone out of fear that it will put them ahead of you in the game . . . if you have your own skills and talents, along with your own original ideas, then what is there to worry about, really? Jeff and I don't currently have the financial means to support ANY of our future projects, at this time, but that will never stop us because we have complete faith in our abilities and our collective desire to succeed in this career. It will take perseverance and patience, but we know that if we just continue to work hard, and to request and accept advice from other skilled filmmakers, that someone will notice the potential inside of us . . . and it will all be worth it in the end. So, I never actually told you how it happened . . . how it felt: Jeff & I were sitting on the couch as I read the article out loud to him. We loved the kudos being given to Charleston's underexposed film community, and felt so very excited to know that this was OUR WORLD they were talking about, and also thrilled to know it will only get better as time goes on. Then, I got to the section called "The Players," at which point I paused and said to Jeff, "Well, here are 'The Players.' We're not in here (yet, I meant), but here they are," at which point I proceeded to read that section out loud. I eventually get to a paragraph about documentaries . . . and quit reading as my jaw about hit my lap, and stared in disbelief as I said something to the effect of, "Hey, that's us! We ARE in here!" I looked at Jeff and he, too, was staring in shock as he gently knocked my hand out of the way to make sure he was reading it right! Don't get me wrong, we feel worthy of the mention for sure, but feel it is a great honor to be included in such an article, especially with our love for supporting local businesses and talent. We have big city desires with small town loyalties, if that makes sense. We're down home people with an urging in our hearts to achieve something spectacular! It is a blessing to us to be able to have this opportunity, on our first movie's behind-the-scenes site, to share our birth in the industry and our continual growth with you . . . that includes the ups AND the downs! So many of you have followed along from the start, and are so aware of what we have already endured as far as the hardships go -- in making this production a possibility -- and it is a JOY to now be able to also share some of the really amazing things that can happen, too! So, how it felt to me when we first read our names in that article, along with the mention of "Dream States" -- I felt like I imagine a budding musician feels when he or she is (as they always show it on TV or in the movies) riding/driving down the road in a car, and they hear their own song being played on the radio for the first time! I went silly crazy, I admit it. Is that wrong? I jumped up and down on the RV couch . . . I'm 31, but yeah, I did it! And, I will do it again next time, too, I bet! I am STILL freaking excited, and the week is almost over, which means the article will be last week's news . . . but NEVER forgotten, especially by Jeff and me! Today, we'll start heading in the direction of the next interview, which is in Kansas City, Kansas! I don't think I have EVER been to Kansas, and I am really looking forward to seeing what it is like there. On top of that, the interviewee Kathryn is a deep tissue massage therapist and it just so happens Jeff has been having massive issues with his shoulder (not to mention his never-ending back pain), so I may actually ask her if I can treat him to a session after the interview. The production is going VERY WELL, and we continue to add new interviewees to the schedule, in the areas we have not yet visited! After Kansas, we have three guys in Colorado to interview. I've put out a request for anyone in Wyoming, Oregon and a few select other states to contact us if they are interested in becoming involved. We have an interview up in Washington state, and would love a few others along that (most likely) gorgeous route up into the cold areas. Feel free to pass the word to friends or relatives, or even associates, you may know in those areas. If we are able to add some new cast members, that would be terrific. Otherwise, we are very happy with our past interviews and sure they will only continue to please us, so it is more than okay if we just have to stick with the states we already have scheduled for that part of the USA. Alright, like I said, I have a ton of website updating to do. Time to get back onto that . . . I have been writing this for an hour! -- THANKS, EVERYONE! We appreciate you keeping up with us! Oh, wait, one more thing:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOE BAILEY in CHARLESTON, SOUTH
CAROLINA!!! 10/09/2006 10:32 a.m. Triple D Supply L.L.C
10/09/2006 6:17 p.m. Oh, My Goodness! We ate at a place called "Bob's Your Uncle Pizza Cafe - Eastside" today and it was DEEE LISHHH USSSS! It has renewed our desire to review the places we eat while on the road, as per our original plan! It IS worthy, it IS worthy! Look for that soon in the "grub reviews" section! Alright, time to get moving again. Just stopped at a rest area to bum the free WiFi for a second, to get some of the website updates online! 10/10/2006 12:15 p.m. Crap! I forgot to update everyone on my D.C. arrest and subsequent court appearance, most likely because the end is not as exciting as how it all began. I tried to call the court to change my date, like every officer told me was possible, but was told by that fantastic lady whom obviously loved her job that I would need to come there in person with my driver’s license to change the date. Ok, well I was arrested for not having a valid license and I am calling because I not only live 750 miles away but will be on the road all summer thus the reason for needing to change the date. Who gives a damn if you live out of state or 4 states away or in California? Not the Capitol police and definitely not the chipper young lady at whatever desk I ended up with after being transferred 4 or 5 times. I was sure at that point they only want you to be there to get some money out of you. We had taken a break from our travels and were in Charleston for that and other business, like fixing Matilda for 10th time. I acquired my South Carolina driver’s license after only 3 short trips to the DMV. First to find out that owning a business in SC is not proof enough that you are a resident, a DirecTV bill is a better choice. The second was to get my license, and the third happened to be my fault because I did not check my name until Jennifer caught it at home, I was Jeffey! Sweet! So up to the Capitol we went to pay my fine and whatever else there is planned for us criminals. We arrived on time and after only a few minutes of sitting, a few talking to the prosecutor and showing her my new license, and never seeing a judge, it was finished. No fine, no ticket to pay, nothing … only the trouble and expense of driving there and back. See, nowhere near as good as the first story! 10/15/2006 The day after we interviewed Mark Smolin. He was kind enough to invite us out to meet him & his friends to watch football at the local Fox & Hound. We played a little fantasy football while we watched, & Jeff actually won! He got a free appetizer, a free hat & long-sleeved shirt and a free hour of pool (although that last one is still not cashed in!) . . . so it was a great day of relaxation with some really good people. 10/17/2006 3:30 p.m. OK, SO WE ARE WAITING OUT THE
BLIZZARD-LIKE CONDITIONS NEAR SALT LAKE CITY BEFORE HEADING TO OUR NEXT
INTERVIEWS. We haven't had consistent WiFi since
before our Kansas City interview, and in the last two days we have taken
over 1,000 still photos alone, 10/17/2006 3:32 p.m.
Moab and
the drive in on
The Greatest
short Stretch of Road Ever is Utah Highway 128 between I-70 and
Still in Moab, Utah . . . and heading up to the Salt Lake City area this weekend for an interview with Evan Sevy! We have a day of filming here again tomorrow, and will then head to the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary to see the fantastic work those folks do every day for the rescued animals from all over . . . it is a really terrific no-kill shelter and we look forward to visiting the animals there! After Utah, our next interview is in Vancouver, Washington . . . unless we hear from someone between here & there that is a good candidate for an interview. Tonight, we're adding TONS of photos to the websites, so we hope you will check back tomorrow for pages and pages of new information. It is no secret by now that we are in LOVE with Utah! We HIGHLY recommend it to anyone that travels to other places. Come to this place! We hear there is no other terrain like it in the world, and we believe that with ease! At the same time, we don't want Moab or the surrounding areas overrun with people, . . . so, stay away! haha We'd planned to let the visitors name our new rescue dog . . . but he loves "Beast" already, and so do we! Boy, he is extra-friendly! And, here in Moab, Utah, EVERYONE has a dog! And NOT one of those little accessory dogs . . . not that there is anything wrong with little canines (love them all), but it is nice to see a lot of big dogs walking around town here. We met some cool people, Jeremy and Liz, that run a dog supply shop here. They definitely made a great decision to move here & open the shop, with all of the dogs it is a shock there aren't more shops like that one. What they do have are outdoor/adventure shops. Expensive, expensive, expensive. If I ever seriously get into rock-climbing, I guess I better take out a loan first. Right after I get a really good life insurance policy, too. I HAVE always wanted to try that. Jeff is ready to go bungee-jumping, but there is nowhere around here that we have seen that . . . yet. We'll get to it, and I will film it, without a doubt! 10/20/2006 2:27 a.m. Waaaah! We are leaving here too soon! As I type this, I have had to repair some corrupted photo files I noticed on the websites, which is tedious but must be done. Gee, get away from the internet for a week, and there's a stack of "virtual" paperwork waiting! Today (in the next eight hours!), we will leave this fantastic Canyonlands Campground in Moab, Utah and head out for a full day of filming footage at some of the awe-inspiring national parks around here . . . we want to see the arches and the windows everyone mentions. We have a lot to post, STILL, and we want to come up with a MUCH easier way for everyone to be able to quickly identify what pages on our websites have new information. Jeff's sleeping, and I am going to fall asleep here at the keyboard if I don't follow suit soon. There are some interviewees that I haven't posted pictures of yet, and I was at least hoping to get that all done tonight. Plus, we haven't posted a lot of restaurant reviews we have written in one of our many notebooks. As for going to check out bands, we must admit we haven't seen any shows lately for several reasons, but we hope that will soon change. Those that have a show it would be possible for us to see according to when you play and where we are, please contact our Music Supervisor at music@islandhippie.com. Let her know when & where you are playing, and how much it would cost us to get in. We'll be happy to come to your show & let others know about it, too, if it is physically possible for us to be there at that time. Alright, in order to get a bunch of new photos posted, I am going to keep this short for now. BUT, you all know good & well that I usually spill a LOT a once, and next time will be no different. I've been saving up so much since we were without WiFi, and so has Jeff, so we are gradually getting opportunities to get all of that online. I haven't gotten to talk about Colorado or Utah much at all! WOW! Gorgeous! Oh, wait, have I said that about a hundred times already? OK, going to grab a snack to get some renewed energy, if I can muster it! 10/25/2006 2:15 a.m. Just inside the border of Oregon . . . I think at Exit 376 . . . where some moron has actually PARKED his truck BEHIND US in our own ONE CAR parking spot. So, let's just say we are literally TRAPPED at the Pilot station until DRUNKO wakes up & leaves. Seriously, I'm pretty sure it was a 40-oz. I saw him holding, as I stared in shock when I saw the headlights pull up behind us in our own space. There is not even a way for us to pull forward, due of course to the parking BUMPER. To try to let the dope catch a hint, I actually pulled out my camera and starting taking FLASH PHOTOS of him behind us. He proceeded to put up his sunshield & go to sleep. I then took out the massive flashlight & shined it into the truck, where there was a space. He attempted to peek and then hid. About five to ten minutes later, a cop drove by . . . so I am pretending, at least, that he MUST be trying to hide from them, and pulled in here in a hurry to pretend he had been sleeping here the whole time. Anyone looking would assume we are together, since we are "sharing" a parking space. I, on the other hand, find it utterly infuriating. Thank goodness we were & are planning to SLEEP here. If idiot is there in the a.m., he will have a VERY RUDE awakening, without a doubt.Drunk or not . . . WHO DOES THAT?
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