The Metaphorical Magpie

Aww mom, Is camp really over?

Video boot camp was an intense blur last week. I learned so much. We were taught a method for shooting that makes it possible to have excellent footage every time if we do it correctly. There were lectures on editing with Final Cut Pro, capturing audio and storytelling. The camp was hard. I had to do things I don't normally do. I've been in the newspaper business for almost twenty years but I've always done a job that keeps me in the office, assisting, teching or editing. Last week, we were unceremoniously thrown out into the street and told we had three hours to bring back a story. That is stress! I felt like I was on a reality show like The Apprentice or Oprah's Big Give as I drove around wildly, muttering to myself, trying to find, someplace, anyplace I could make a story. When I actaully found subjects that agreed to let me shoot it was exhilerating. We shot a piece on the first day and the third of camp. The difference between the two pieces was astounding. That's how quickly our skills expanded during the program. One day I was near tears unable to grasp the concept of seperating  and layering audio and video tracks. A few hours later, I was past that hurdle and humming along.

Despite being fantastically frigging tired out, I felt great building new skills. Better than that, I'll be  able to put them to use regularly when I produce short video pieces weekly for our online presence. I'll have one day a week to shoot, edit, write a script and do a voice over for one piece.

Any of you NJ peeps out there that have story ideas, please, oh, please send them my way. I'm looking for interesting people doing cool things. They don't have to be grand things. Small stories are just as interesting as big ones. If you know someone in NJ that you think would be a good subject, drop me an email. Not just this week but anytime in the future, feel free. Just this weekend alone, I ran into a great character at a garden center I'd never been to before, a woman succeeding at her third career. Now instead of coming home and telling Sweets or one of my friends about the cool person I met today, I'll be able to tell lots and lots of people. I'm pretty much consumed with this right now. This video boot camp injected my brain with new ingredients, shook them up with all the curiosity and creativity that was already in there. I feel like a very potent cocktail. And I'm  feeling pretty buzzed.

This is the second piece I shot. I'm pretty proud of it. It's only a minute long, so I hope you take a look and tell me what you think. I need all the feedback I can get right now.

With eyes shut, it's you I'm thinking of

JPo turned me on to the RCRDLBL podcast last month. I've discovered a few bands each week that I have the urge to look into right away. The day I first heard, Lykke Li, she was playing in New York. Missed her this time but she's on my radar now.

Learn more about this Swedish supernova while you download some tracks from her profile on RCRDLBL. I'm offering up two from her today. She's just too cute.

Lykke Li- "Little Bit"

Lykke Li- "I'm Good, I'm Gone"

I heart this opening shot. Who listens to tapes anymore?

 

Let me love you like you're the shit, girl

I guess I should point out that the titles of the posts this week are quotes of song lyrics from the featured video. If you don't watch the video, you're not going to get that. And your not going to be highly entertained by all this dance around in your underpants kinda spring fever soundtrack.

We saw this band, Boy Crisis, open up for Black Kids on Sunday at Bowery Ballroom. They killed it. I could have left without seeing the headliner. That means alot since I have been sweating those Black Kids for months. I love it when an opening act sneaks up behind me and steals my affection. Talullah described them as "sexy nerdy."

I'm thinking they will be high on my rotation list this summer.

Check out Dress to Digress by Boy Crisis. It's a live video, I couldn't find anything else. Hmm. Maybe these boys are having a music video crisis. Maybe I can help them out with that after I finish my video training. This track and several more on their MySpace page. Where, incidentally, they describe their sound as "a computer having sex with a beautiful bird or something." Yeah. Just watch the video already.

Ooh, girl, shock me like an electric eel

Is that line not the most awful/amazing pickup line rolled into one? I love it.

MGMT- Electric Feel

The words on the street and it's on the news

Last month, a message went around at work announcing video training would be available to interested staffers. I leaped out of my chair at the notion. After all, learning to produce and edit video is #24 on my 101 Things in 1001 Days list. So many of us responded enthusiastically, "yes, teach us, please" that a new message went out with a catch. Anyone interested had the opportunity to check out a video camera for a four hour block of time to produce a three minute segment on the subject of our choice. Immediately, I knew what I wanted to do my segment on a person doing something interesting, offbeat and  a wee bit feminine . I'd just met Susannah at a blogger get together hosted by Kristen. She's been working on a terrific art project that I knew would be perfect for a video. I got in touch with her and luckily, she was gracious enough to let me come over one morning to interview her, document her process and tag along for an installation at the New Brunswick train station.

Inspired by the Hope Revolution and other bloggers doing artful acts intended to uplift and inspire, Susannah calls her work winged messengers. There are posts on her site where she explains the concept of her messengers further and one documenting our time together. These gorgeous images are what made me certain I wanted to learn more about her project.

I'd never even picked up a video camera before so I was more than a little nervous about the assignment. The night before the shoot, I put together some very basic storyboards and talking points for the video. Once I got together with Susannah, we clicked, easily collaborating on the shots. Because I only had three minutes to tell the story and no ability to edit, I had to be very judicious in what made it into a take. After filming the interview and tutorial segments, we were already over the alloted time. So, we reviewed the tape, decided how to tighten it up and shot those segments again. I then had about a minute left for the installation segment at the train station. When I turned in my tape, I was satisfied with the work. I knew the competition was stiff so I wasn't sure  how  my work would stack up against the other tapes. There are so many talented people here, many with much more experience than I have. But I felt a sense of satisfaction in the act of making something. Of telling someone's story. I would love to do it again.

On a recent afternnoon, a photographer sitting across from me told me he just got an email that he'd made it into the training program. He's already been producing videos for our website for months in addition to being a photographer for years. At that point, my hopes sunk. My inner doubter kicke into full gear. How can I compete with all the talent in this room? About a half hour later I was shocked to receive an email telling me that I had also made it into the  program. Can I get a whoop whoop? Wow. I was floored. Honored to be part of this. Psyched. And scared completely shitless.

I picked up an equipment kit  that includes a new laptop, a video camera and all sorts of other thingamajigs that I have no idea about but I'm sure I'll find out soon enough. Tomorrow, I'll be joining the other lucky participants from our newsroom in a week long ntensive video training program run by Rosenblum Associates. They've been pioneers in hand held video applications for television and other news organizations. Their blog has a post up about working with our newspaper. I'm sure there will be some further updates there throughout the week. This post in particular has me excited about the new directions newspapers are moving in. How I will be part of that process intrigues me immensely.

I never got a copy of the tape I made on Susannah, so I can't show it here. I hope once I get going, I'll be able to return to do an even better segment with her.

I'm looking at a minimum of twelve hours days every day this week with training and commuting. Plus I'll have  to be out of the house at an ungodly hour. Blog posts will probably be scarce. I think I'll post some cool music videos to keep y'all amused in the interim.

Today's select is the catchiest song I've heard in years. it's been looping in my brain for months. We're going to see the band perform at the Bowery Ballroom tonight. I present "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend" by Black Kids.

Let's Go!

I was driving to work today, listening to Ben Kweller, and this photo I shot while we were away popped into my mind. I think they work well together.

"Run" by Ben Kweller

Over hill
Over dams
I run with you
If it works
If it fails
I run with you

Since fifteen
I have ran
Everywhere
You can run
But together is much better
So let's run let's run let's run

Empty hands
Tired feet
I run with you
On the sand
Over concrete
I run with you

Since fifteen
I have ran
Everywhere you can run
But with you
It's much more fun
So let's run let's run let's run

It doesn't matter that they say we'll never make it
It's so strong that nothing can ever break it
You and I can tackle anything of any size
All anyone can ever want is a co-pilot
Someone to leave this town and
Up and start a secret
And when you sneak out at night
I'll kiss you right between your eyes

Over hills, over dams
I run with you
Down the mountain
Through the trails
I run with you

Since I was fifteen
I have ran
Everywhere you can run
I'm not done with my traveling
So let's run let's run let's run
I'm not done with my traveling
So let's run let's run let's run
I'm not done with my traveling
So let's run let's run let's run

Self Portrait Challenge: Fresh air suits me

Last weekend Sweets and I celebrated our first anniversary. We decided to to take a long weekend break from work and all of our ongoing projects to just be with each other and relax. We took a city vacation in January when we visited San Francisco. For this trip we wanted a country experience. Afternoons of hiking, long moments of silence, hearty breakfasts, window shopping and exploring. These photos were taken at High Falls Conservancy Area in Philmont, NY. The night before we ate at a little local bar that was touted as having great food by our innkeeper. The food was indeed hearty and tasty. Committed to locally sourced ingredients wherever possible. The atmosphere local and comfy with a dog strolling around, a man with a gorgeous voice singing to his girl and playing guitar. The bar owner asked if we'd been up to see the falls. We didn't even know about them. A mill, now long idle, used to be powered by the falls. He told us lots of local people had never bothered to go up there while he gave us some basic directions. The next day we went up for a look. We stayed for quite a while watching the falls and scrambling around on the rocks further downstream. I bet it's a fantastic place to dip your feet in the water in summer.

I feel so recharged when my lungs are filled with fresh air, my ears full of the call of red winged blackbird, my eyes taking in rolling meadows and my heart full of love for my Sweets.

Photo Credits: Top photo by Sweets. Center and Bottom by me.

Enjoy more freshness this week at Self Portrait Challenge.

Morning, My Dears

I'm becoming an earlier bird these days. My schedule at the paper has changed because of some changes being made at our printing plant. The paper needs to be done slightly earlier to accomodate. Thus, I'm going in, and getting up, earlier, too. With the exception of one year, I've been working a night shift for the past fifteen years or so. When I first started at this paper, my shift was 5pm - 1 am. It's knocked around over the years. It's been 1-9 pm for several years. Now, I'm going in an hour or two earlier. Twice a week, I'm out the door earlier than the alarm clock would have been blaring a month ago. It's taking some adjusting. My blogging time is usually in the morning. Today's the first day I felt coherent enough to pop in to say "hello, friends."

There are loads of photos I want to share with you soon but right now I've got to hop skippitty  out the door to meet my carpool partner. We started meeting yesterday and we plan on driving in two days a week. The carpool lot was overflowing with cars. I was afraid we weren't going to find a space to leave one of our cars.

Quick question for all my foodies out there: Can you suggest a natural sweetener that I can use in coffee and tea that is lower calorie than sugar or honey? I can't eat aspartame, it makes me sick, and Splenda seems to contribute to my chronic inflammation. So.. agave? Brown rice syrup?

Nervously rubbing two nickles together

With the cost of gas rising by leaps and bounds, my el cheapo instincts are eerily sharp right now. Last week, I sat in a gas line waiting to catch the $3.17 price at the parkway rest stop before they changed their price the following day. The fact that the parkway rest stops in NJ only change their prices once a week was once a little know secret but on that particular day every tv truck and newspaper was out there crowing about it. Hence the long lines. I had a flash back to the 70's, sitting in the back of my mother's Honda hatchback, happily drawing, smelling the crayons warm from the sun beating in the windows as we waited for gas. Are gas lines going to be the new norm? Sweets may fill his tank once every few weeks or so unless we take a longish trip to New York or Philadelphia. I commute 100 miles a day, so my tank is hungry twice a week. Today I paid $42 to fill her up. Oi!

It's time to get as creative as possible here. A recent attempt to carpool with one coworker didn't make it past a week. I'm going to try again with a woman in my department. We went to our department head and asked for our shifts to be the same on two days a week so we can carpool. On the other three days, I may have a slim chance of traveling with the man I was driving with earlier. Or I may attempt taking the train occassionally.  As gas gets more expensive, this option may become more financially attractive. Right now it's more trouble than it's worth.

Anyone who knows me in real life, knows I am super thrifty. The other day my sister was telling me a story about her son and said, "he's like us- cheap." The two of us can stretch a dollar like salt water taffy. There for a while, I was relaxing, trying not to be so thrifty. Even Cyndemouse, who's taught many a thing about thrift, told me last year that sometimes I can be downright cheap. There is evidently a fine line between financial responsibility and freaky. Recently I took this book, "America's Cheapest Family Gets You Right on the Money: Your Guide to Living Better, Spending Less, and Cashing in on Your Dreams," out of the library and realized I am not nearly as cheap as this family but I'm getting there. (Note: I took it out of the library instead of buying it)

I notice I've been getting really weird and hoardy feeling about groceries. One of the tips in the book was to grocery shop less frequently to avoid impulse purchases. Great tip. I also find it helps to have a menu plan for the week and and a grocery list with me once I hit the store. We usually shop on Sundays but I'll often pop in midweek for something additional. This week, I found myself going in just to cruise the clearance sections of the store. I scored big time on Sunday when I stumbled upon the produce boy marking down spring mix, shitake mushrooms, and vine ripened tomatoes down to 59 cents a package. Basically, the yuppy vegetables aren't selling. Which tips me off to something being off for real in how other people are spending these days.

A few stories I came across this week, prove to me I am not the only one behaving differently lately.

Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal had a story about people stocking up on groceries and  the New York Times had one about women buying themselves lipsticks as a treat instead of bigger ticket items.

Usually, I keep my free flowing thrifty tips off blog but in light of the times, I think I'll begin talking about how I'm pinching every penny's cheeks before I let it slip out of my fingers. I'd love to hear how you're doing it, too.

Culture Shock Report: March/April 2008

Last month, I had a lovely March culture shock report all typed up and then Typepad balled it up and threw it out the window. I didn't have the energy to go at it again. So this is a double issue.

Television:
The Riches
Men in Trees
The Office
30 Rock
Greys Anatomy
Real Time with Bill Maher

Film:
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story- I really, really want to like anything that comes from the Apatow gang... but this film was self indulgent, a total lift of big chunks of material, tasteless, mean spirited and in big chunks simply unfunny. What a let down.

Gone Baby Gone- I missed seeing this Oscar buzzy picture before the awards show. It kept me up the night I saw it. Not just a procedural cop drama, this film poses tough moral questions in an even tougher Boston neighborhood. I give kudos to any film that utilized Morgan Freeman and decided not to have him do a voice over. Thank you, Ben Affleck.

Lars and the Real Girl - I liked this. This is the type of film that can quickly turn to a heavy splash of quirk or uncomely humor. Lars did not go that route, choosing to play it straight. I chose to go with it, accept Lars' delusion and appreciate the fine performances by the ensemble cast including Ryan Gosling, Patricia Clarkson and Emily Mortimer.

Smart People (in theater)- I saw Sarah Jessica Parker on The View and I was swayed to go see her in this small film. The cast was great, Thomas Hayden Church, Dennis Quaid and Ellen Page (who filmed this before Juno). Unfortunately, the story was thinly drawn and it felt like a bit of borrowing was done from Wonder Boys and The Savages, which I would wholeheartedly implore you to see both if you have not. Smart People isn't special like these other two.

Listening:
So much music came into the house in the last two months. In March, I special ordered from Amazon UK discs by Adele and Operator Please.

There have been repeat listenings of recent acquisitions, Vampire Weekend, Lima Finn and Kate Nash. Spring leads me to places on my ipod that have been neglected for a while- The Clash, The Old 97's, The Stone Roses, The Shout Out Louds, the Futureheads.  I think this season is looking to be particularly full of music you can dance to which suits me just fine. It feels good to bust a move.

Other incoming records worth mentioning include:
The Kills- Midnight Boom
MGMT- Oracular Spectacular (loving the track, "Electric Feel")
The Raconteurs- Consolers of the Lonely
Erykah Badu- New Amerykah, Part One (4th World War)

Live Shows:
The Raveonettes, Black Acid- 3/30/08 at Maxwells, Hoboken, NJ
Kate Nash, The Trachtenburg Family Slideshow Players- 4/19/08 at the Trocadero, Philadelphia

Reading:
Magazines: Martha Stewart Living, Bon Appetit, Fortune, Elle Decor, New York, Entertainment Weekly, Body + Soul, Budget Travel, Girfriend Getaways (came bundled with my Budget Travel), Everyday Food