CPI Update -- Ready to Roll

With e-mails going back and forth regarding the progress of my little project on The Owl Garden, it's back.

A few days ago, I was quite concerned about my software program, Adobe Premiere Pro 1.5, when I finally realized that it doesn't quite do the job with .mpeg files. The files that it does its best work is .avi files, but first, I needed a converter.

I found a pretty good one (and free!) and started to work. But I needed to find the right codec so it could be compatible with my program. At first, I was not finding the solution for my video and audio needs (with .mpeg files, the audio and video were out of sync -- not a good situation for me), but I've finally come to the conclusion that I'll convert the video to .avi and convert the audio to .mp3, then link the video and audio files in the program.

That means with all my old footage, I'm going to have to convert them all to .avi and .mp3 formats, which should take some more time (and more memory on my computer). But in the end, it's all worth it.

With summer vacation just a week away and Robb agreeing to the interview sometime this month, we're good to go. It's just going to take more time than I had expected, so I'm still shooting for the August release.

New DVD's

With the birthday come and gone and a few dollar bills in the mail, I took the opportunity to expand the ol' collection.

• Bobby
• Death of a President
• Flags of Our Fathers
• Letters from Iwo Jima
• Nosferatu
• The Girls Next Door, Season 2

The massive collection has now hit 441 titles in all ... to see the collection, click here.

Freaky

Last night, the past came alive with a TV show that I usually watch (when I actually watch television).

There's a show on the Sci-Fi Channel called "Ghost Hunters," in which the TAPS team was called in to investigate the Waverly Hills Sanitorium, located near Louisville, Kentucky.

Right away, when I heard the "sanitorium," my mind raced back to more than 10 years ago with our personal experiences with the local sanitorium. But watching this show and looking at the building itself, Waverly Hills was much bigger than the actual Riverside Sanitorium that I knew so well back in the days when I was in high school.

As the TAPS team and the camera roamed the hallways (5 floors at Waverly, compared to 3 at Riverside) and the basement (including the morgue), the halls were decorated with graffiti, much like they were at Riverside. I was literally back inside Riverside once again, feeling the same creepy feelings that I once felt once I stepped inside and into the impending darkness.

These sanitoriums were built for a specific purpose: to house the tuberculosis patients that had contracted the illness during the 1920's. Both of the sanitoriums were built at the same time to accommodate the patients and the architecture was almost similar in design (more internal than external -- Waverly Hills's architecture is much more striking).

My personal experiences with Riverside was one that was more curious than anything. There is was: an empty shell of a huge building, windows all busted out with paint peeling off the walls. A few office desks and broken bed stands still remained, but other than that, nature took its course at Riverside. At the back of the building, there was once a large, sweeping lawn that stretched itself down to the Minnesota River, but was now occupied by heavy undergrowth and trees.

I was a senior in high school (fall of 1995) when I first stepped into the ruins of Riverside. Our main purpose: just to explore. We all had heard the rumors of Satanic rituals that would occur in the basement of the building, so we decided to check it out ourselves. Of course, the only time we would go out there would be after football games on a late Friday night (bringing some girls with us in the meantime) and we would walk the building, armed only with flashlights.

Later on, as we became more accustomed to Riverside, we would plan "scaring raids" in which people would already be situated out there (wearing masks or make-up paint) and we give tours to scare the shit out of people. It was never in my mind that Riverside was haunted by any means, but still -- it gave a person the biggest case of the whillies when anybody stepped inside.

Unfortunately for Riverside, it meet its fate a couple of years after I had graduated from high school. Watching "Ghost Hunters" and seeing the TAPS crew investigate the Waverly Hills Santorium really brought back great memories, almost to the point that I was going to call a few people up because they had to check this out!

Another Day, Another Year

Yours truly turned 29 early this morning (4:40 a.m. to be exact) and I awoke feeling somewhat refreshed.

Usually people gripe about becoming older, but at this stage in life, I'm currently embracing it. Sure, I still like to have "my kind" of fun, but at this age (yes, so close to the critical stage of 30 years on this planet), I realize that my responsibilities are increasing.

With only two years out of college, I'm finally starting to balance out my life. I'm realizing what is more important to me in this world.

And who would've thought I would make it this far?! I sure as hell didn't. When I turned 21, I figured that I was invincible and I couldn't even imagine getting through college, finding a career, and doing all the other things typical "grown-ups" do. But I'm there now, living the life.

My 29-year resolution: stop moping around. Stop feeling sorry for myself. I want to continue looking ahead at new opportunities and possibilities and patiently wait for the next obstacle to overcome.

Most of my students today knew that it was my birthday, but they saw something new -- a glow -- that I haven't exhibited since my First Year of Teaching. I was literally giddy today ... a sign of the things to come.

Crash Publications, Inc. Update

It's tough to believe that it has already been four months since my initial filming began on the project. But things have slowed down quite considerably since then due to financial and scheduling conflicts, but once I have some more time with the end of the school year, things should be back on track.

The only real thing holding me up is Robb's interview. I don't care what anybody says ... we need to get his! I've already passed up on Jarrod's interview, but getting Robb's is essential. He's basically the "Godfather" of The Owl Garden and without his interview and his blessing, there is basically no project to complete.

I still have plenty of thoughts in my head about the overall "look" of the project and I think that if I put in 150% of effort into it, it should be really good! I just need the motivation and Mike has been giving it.

I would really like to return to the court in the near future for some more footage (since the trees are in full bloom now -- reminiscent of the summer court-ball days of years past) so I can add some of that in.

A Good Weekend

At first, my weekend started as somewhat unusual ...

My washing maching starts on fire. Huh.

I figured that it would be a nice weekend to do some laundry, hang the clothes on the line, and all will be well. After smelling the smoke and the hearing my basement fire alarm go off ... yeah.

Mike gave a holla in the early hours on the afternoon. It was time for a little fellowship and a little beer. It also gave me an excuse to haul my dirty clothes once again to head back to the Home Town and drop them off at the folks.

I personally was happy that Mike called. It showed me that through the time and trials of the past couple of weeks, Mike and Lacey seem to be getting better. I'm sure we all would like things to get back to normal, but there will always be that empty hole in all of our hearts for little Lincoln.

Although I've commented on this before, coming Home is always so ... peaceful. In P-Town, all I have is work and the stress of things past. Back in the Home Town, it's like a mini-vacation; a sanctuary from my worries.

It was a good day ... although the temp dropped like 30 degrees in two hours. But we all, including Sean and Tami, explored the reaches of Mike and Lacey's large freshly-mown lawn with a healthy game of bocce ball. We also didn't deny a great go-around game of Bean Bag, reminding myself that I'm not in softball tournament form for those in-between-game battles.

But I tell ya ... the beer flowed. I had more than my usual that night ... but what scared me the most that the next morning I really didn't feel the effects. I didn't sleep well that night (another excuse not to make church), but it wasn't due to the effects of a hangover. I was just plain tired.

I've been drinking lots of beer lately. I'm not sure if it's a bad thing, but it's something that I think about. Usually when I come home from a long day of teaching or coaching, I gotta suck one down. But by the end of the night, it's usually 2 to 3 before I hit the sack.

In the meantime, I'm keeping good care of myself. I've started jogging every night (when summer hits -- probably in the morning) and I do my daily routine of push-ups to keep my strength up. I'm just starting to feel the burn-out of the school year -- 8 more days of school left -- and then the summer.

I simply cannot wait for my redemption!

Hold On!

I'm slowly starting to stretch out my "writing" legs once again. With the end of the baseball season approaching this week (and summer vacation's just right around the corner), I just might have something to write about ... finally.

Some top topics to hit up on:

1. Crash Productions, Inc: We only need to get Robb's interview (plus a "maybe" on the software upgrade) and a little bit more filming out at the court (since things are nice and green out there once again).
2. Softball: Will I even play this year? Teams are going strong and it seems like I'm still a "free agent" ... asking people from the Home Town and even here in P-Rock, with little or no avail. Hopefully I can squeeze myself on a roster so I can get a few games in ... considering that I'm in the best shape of my life right now.
3. The Career: Year Number Two is coming to an end and I'm preparing for Year Number Three -- quite possibly my last year in the Educational field. Simply put: it's not that rewarding.

To Lincoln John...

Dear Lincoln,

Hey there, little guy.

Ever since that day your parents told me that they were expecting you, I never felt so happy in my life. It was news that made me forget some of the bad things that were currently happening in my life. Just to see your parents so happy ... smiling ... a great anticipation filled the room that night.

I was envious. That's all what we hope for in life ... two people form an unbreakable bond of love and you were the result! I couldn't even put it all into words, but all I could say was "Wow." I already had visions of what you could be capable of: somebody who could run like the wind and jump 20 feet into a sand pit; or somebody who has the biggest, caring heart in the world who could always take some time to listen to anything.

But, it wasn't meant to be. Unfortunately, things went beyond your control and they couldn't be helped. That didn't stop me from caring, giving what or any kind of support to your parents. It just wasn't from me either ... it was from family members, close friends, and just random people from the community.

Ever since the 1st of May, you were what I always thought about. Simply put, nothing else mattered. I was concerned about everything ... what your parents were going through, the rest of the family ... what could I do? I felt so helpless.

Yesterday was a difficult day for all of us. But something happened to me that day ... I felt at peace. While listening to the pastor's sermon, I actually relaxed a bit and could breathe a little easier knowing that you were in a safe place with God. Again, I had visions of what you could be doing: bouncing around, smiling, and waving ... and that brought me comfort.

I can only hope that as the days go by, your parents can feel the same comfort and peace.

I asked earlier ... what could I do? I will tell you about two people through my own eyes.

I've known your father Mike for nearly 15 years. We met back in high school -- 9th grade -- and for the next few years, we pulled some stunts that now days, we can only shake our heads at. Whether it was sports in general, the Raft Trips, the Owl Garden, or taking our famous road trips, we all bonded together. But there is something special about your father: he has a deep, kind-hearted soul. It was very rare to see him get all worked up over something (reminds me of a fight we once had and immediately afterwards, he wanted to patch things up).

Your father and I had something in common: the ability to show our appreciation in the written word. We were creative at best, whether it was writing simple stories (your father is a great poet ... if you didn't already know) or expressing ourselves on videotape. During those times, he instilled an inspiration in me to create some of my own works, including the new film I'm currently working on (if you could have only seen what your father could do on the court!).

With all that, I have to thank him. It's great to share some of the same creative-ness and that is what has worked to keep our friendship intact all these years.

And your mother, Lacey. I haven't known her as long as your father, but with that aside, it seems like I've known her for years. Your father and I have gone through similar situations in our life, but when your mother entered your father's ... it was almost indescribable.

She awoke in him the passion for life, love, and pure happiness. As I got to know your mother a little better, it was obvious that they were meant for each other. She could light up a room like none other, and with that contagious laugh of hers ... it was tough not to laugh along with her.

But together, they are an unstoppable force of support. Last summer, I was going through some really difficult times. Besides my family, I could always depend on your parents for comfort, advice, and more support. I always felt comfort in talking about things, getting them in the open, especially when it was with your Mom and Dad. At the end of the day, they did whatever they could to help me feel better about my situation -- like stay awake until the early hours of the morning!

Now, Lincoln ... if they could do that for me, just imagine what they could have done for you! You would've had the best in the world, as far as care ... advice ... love! And it doesn't matter that we will not be able to see you take your first steps, write your name on a sheet of paper, or run the 100-meter dash in 10 seconds flat, everybody -- including your parents, family, friends, myself -- still love you and think about you every single day.

I just wanted you to know who and what your Mom and Dad are all about. Quite frankly, they are the best people in the world.

Please keep an eye on all of us ... keep us all safe ... and I look forward to seeing you one day...

With much Love,

Tony