Tired talk

My good director friend Marc Morgenstern has been offered a full-time job as a director, which is pretty impressive but also means big things for me. I know I claim to not depend on people but this gets me closer to what I want. I don't plan on asking him to "hook me up", I realize a lot of hard work goes into what we do, so I plan on impressing him with my own short films. He hasn't said it but I know he considers me his protege. He just let me borrow his HD camera so I have two cameras (the others is Nazeems) to record interviews with celebrities (I'll get to that afterwards). Tomorrow I will be on set with him at Pie in the Sky studios in downtown Toronto shooting a commercial. I remember more than six months ago when I was first about to hit the set for a Saturday shoot and I was nervous as fuck. I know a lot of you remember this because I kept telling everyone how scared I was because of my lack of knowledge and experience, it was my first time on a real set and I didnt know what was coming my way. It really talk me never to ignore an opportunity regardless of how seemingly frightening it can be because it turned out to be a terrific shoot. People were unusually friendly towards me, the producers, the PA's, the photographer all liked me, which is uncannily contrary to what I've heard of stories of showbiz crews. They were guiding and gave useful advice, and I swear I learned more on that one day on set with those people than I did in four years worth of film courses at UofT (then again that was all theory). Since then I do my best to say no to even the shittiest opprtunity.
Tomorrow I'm actually looking forward to seeing these guys again. I'll be honest, I'm not really excited to do all the physical work I did, but I'm trying to ignore it because this is a learning experience for me and I have it at my fingertips, no saying no now. The producer really likes me, I can tell because he drove me and the other PA's home, but gave me advice on what to have if I do decide to be a production assistant part-time. I'm lucky to have found this people, I consider myself blessed. There's also free food on set, and the caterers will be raided...by me.
Marc and I.

As for the celebrity interviews, yes I'm working with a freelance reporter for Vervegirl magazine(Sharlotte Lawrence) as an unpaid videographer/photographer. Unpaid because I've known her throughout my four years and UofT and I'm looking to expand my portfolio rapidly within the next six months (and it's going much better than expected). This videographer gig is allowing me to better my technical knowledge of video and sound equipment, and Nazeems camera and Marc's camera work well enough for me to apply a high degree of creativity to the shoots (mind you creativity is limited while shooting an interview). It's funny how my friend Abdi was with me during last weeks shoot and he and Sharlotte are hounding me about how I want the shot; it's not until I finish explaining to them the layout of the interview and how I want it done that I realize, My God, I sound like a professional director. Look at me! Haha. We've already interviewed three Canadian bands, next week is Billy Talent!
Sharlotte, Crystal Antlers, Abdi.

I realize that a lot of people would desert their companions in the prospect of fame. But when fame leaves them they have nowhere to turn to, unless you have a forgiving friend. I've seen and heard of stories like this on TV and in autobiographies and it makes me wonder, if I'm presented with an opportunity like that would I act the same way? I certainly wouldn't leave my friends or family, but there would be an absence while I work my way up. Remember these words loyal readers, because if I do go missing one day you can rest assured I'm coming back for everyone who was there for me...EVERY one; and I have a good memory so I know who falls into the category of EVERY one. Even the littlest speck of respect or an available helping hand, you will be rewarded greatly. If you think I'm lying, or you feel like I will when I'm off and it looks like I'm not coming back, just know this blog will be here forever (unless blogspot crashes), so just copy/paste the last paragraph of this blog and send it to me and I will reply with an assuring comment, letting you know my promise is still valid. To the EVERY ones, you know damn well who you are, I know half of you are reading this right now. But remember, the promise is only initiated if I get that opportunity. Key word: IF.



-PEACE OUT LOYAL READERS-

The Good Life

This week will by far be the busiest week of my life. I've more celebrity interviews on Friday which I will attend as videographer/photographer, and two on-set PA dates (Saturday and Sunday), paying at like one hundred bucks per day. These are all 13 hour days, so I will be exhausted and won't have any time for blogging except after the day is over. As usual I'm half as nervous as I was this second time around. I know half of the production team very well and have them all on facebook. In fact, the producer personally visited me at my workplace and invited me to come "play" with the team on the weekend, which I thought was very cool. I can tell these guys love their job and they like me, which I'm happy to know. When I'm famous they're all getting Bentleys. Next blog in t-minus a week (or less).

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A Storm in my Brain

After the Russell Peter's concert yesterday I came to realize that this goof is more than just a good comedian, he's an observant intellect. I admired his knowledge of cultures (aside from his impeccable impressions of them) and his capacity to know and re-present foreign slang right to the letter. When he talk about Soo-soo meaning "tits" in the Filipino language, Devin turned to me and said, "That's true." Then Pradip turned to Devin and said, "It means take a piss in Indian slang". Right then RP switches up the act and talks about exactly that. I was shocked at how well he did the Irish, the Rastas, the South Africans, the Palestinians, the Tamils (we're easy) and especially the Italians. Furthermore I loved that he performed brand new material.
You know who was just as knowledgeable as Russell Peters? My late grandfather. He knew everything about everyone. I'd like to believe I can do that same, it would be great to know about every culture out there.
My grandfather (Canaganyagam Suriyakumaran) was extremely famous in Sri Lanka. Just google that name and see. When I was small I was forced to learn about the presence of other cultures and religions in Sri Lanka. If you're done googling, you'll know he worked for the United Nations and he travelled everywhere. Of course I don't have money to travel the world (yet), but it's not a hassle to read up on shit like this.
So I am announcing the revelation of a brand-new blog in the fishtank. I'm still thinking of a title and maybe I'll have more than informative/humourous info on other cultures in it. My crew consists of more than fifteen people and nine different ethnicities : Greeks, Filipinos, Indians, Sri Lankans, Eritreans, Somalians, Tanzanians, Guyanese, Trinidadians, and my little baby cousin is half Italian, that little cutie. It would be a shame to hang around with these people and not learn about where they came from while I'm at it. Like my Greek friend Greg said just half an hour ago before we called it a night, "maybe everything happens for a reason."

What?

When some people say, "What", why do they squint? Is it because they need to adjust their vision in order to hear what you're saying? Some common reincarnations of WHAT that annoy me:

Wha?
Ha!?
(high-pitched squeal) what!

Blown to Oblivion/ Southpaw's Latest

For the loyal readers keeping up with my blog, you'll know that I aforementioned a scenario I encountered where I was playing Call of Duty 5 and there were a couple of uncanny players in the same arena as me who were talking trash to Farhan and I. Turns out one of them has resurfaced on the battlefield, just last night! I let him have a taste of my newfound powers. Every promotion (I'm at corporal level 2 now, which is like level 44 or something) you unlock these acquired skills which you can choose and combine to create a distinct soldier for online play. So this pile of goatfuck who calls himself MASTAKILLAH had his mic on. I remember him clearly because he had an unforgettably elementary username. I forget the name of the other low-life who he tag-teamed with when I last played him, but anyhow let's continue. So the match starts at an arena called Makin Atoll(COD5 players will be familiar with this map).
As part of my soldier attributes I have two pressure-activated mines( called bouncing betties) which detonate when another player steps into its proximity, blowing them to oblivion. I set two down in popular spots on the map and go around shooting people. I'm not trying to look good here or anything but I am fairly good at this game, and I ended up second out of eight when the match was over. So our boy MASTAKILLAH over here ends up walking into my mines, not once, not twice, but five times over the course of the whole game (because when you die you respawn with two more mines). I also met him a couple of times and gunned him down. Seemed he had trouble landing a bullet on me without the help of his foul-mouthed comrade.
I could tell this loser was getting frustrated with me. I don't think he even remembered me from earlier, when my experience was low and my badge negligible. Anyhow I could hear him over the mic calling my name (Centurion87) and being so sure of my defeat.
I could hear other people talking too, telling him to shut up, to which he would respond with a fuck off or I'm coming for you next. The whole match I didn't respond to him, I just loved seeing his frustration and I was high on kicking ass. By the time the match ended I had come in second and he seventh, of eight people. So, just to confuse the shit out of him, I sent him a personal friend request, straight to his PS3...LOL. (No response as of yet).

In other news my neighbours and good friends George and Greg have asked me what my next big project will be. I won't ruin anything yet, but my all-new stop motion subjects arrived by air mail from Korea a couple of weeks ago. There are eight of them and other accessories which I'm going to take full advantage of in the next video. I know some of you know exactly what the subjects are and believe me I will animate them like nothing you've seen before. For those who don't know, just know that my next video will be based on a very popular video game, one that has spawned numerous sequels and recreations on different consoles. A game I've been playing for more than half my life. I'm giving myself a lengthy amount of time to do this, with an indefinite ready-to-air date. Forgive my stalling, but I hope you will all enjoy the finished product.








Post-script: if you haven't realized what I'm doing by now you don't deserve to be reading this blog.


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Goodbye in a Thousand Languages

"A guy told me one time, don't let yourself get attached to anything you are not willing to walk out on in 30 seconds flat if you feel the heat around the corner."-Robert De Niro, Heat (1995)

Have this song running while reading this blog:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-_dkKK062w

I broke my own rule not even within two months. Luckily a good friend was there to guide me. I was foolishly hounding a girl I barely knew. All I know is she was staring at me and I stared back. This girl I haven't heard of my whole life has suddenly become it. Marcus tells me this is a foolish pursuit, that dreams come first. And I have a big one. I've decided to give her up. Sure I'll see her and she'll see me every weekend, but falling in love is not worth a pause in my life. This whole ordeal has given me a mirror into which I've seen my own friends, their true faces in such a circumstance. Jealousy and betrayal are just two of the many words I can use to describe them. It seems people I thought were friends would leave me in a second for a girl, the same one I'm trying to hook up with. Enough was said at the pool hall last night when three of them left Abdi and I at our table to go talk to women, for about an hour.
The only solution is to forfeit my pursuit and stop this altogether. As a friend of mine put as his facebook status last week, "Focus on women and you get less done," I see how right you've come to be. I'll never invest attention in her again.
My mother and father left each other when I was a year old, I've seen love crumble before my very eyes. I may be just as confused on the subject as you reading this. I'm still deciding whether such a thing exists. Because if there is marriage, but no heaven, then you only have a lifetime to spend with each other. After that, if human existence vanishes into thin air, a black vacuum of nothingness, what to do? That's why I believe immortality only exists on Earth, and I've made clear my definition of it; do spectacular things in your lifetime and be remembered forever. Or else be raked away with the leaves of the past where you are remembered for no more than a generation. Thetis, Achilles' sea-dwelling mother told him in The Iliad that he could either live a life of happiness at home or fight at Troy and die only to be remembered forever. He of course fought and died in Troy.
Think about your great-grandparents or great-great-grandparents. Do you still think about them? Be honest. I want my children for generations to know what I was about.
I feel somehow that this is all a sort of mindset training. Makes sense because the only thing coming out of this sacrifice is strength. If that's so, then soon I'll be powerful and no, working out won't save you from heartbreak.

He Who Makes Republicans Look Bad

On an exhausting trek from downtown Toronto(Yonge and Dundas) to Uptown Toronto (Yonge and Eglinton) yesterday afternoon with two friends (walking mind you) I came upon a folded-open newspaper on a park bench. The article that struck my eye was entitled The O'Reilly Question, obviously referring to television show host Bill O'Reilly, who a lot of people seem to have problems with due to his strict criticisms and sour, straightforward opinions. The article was referring to the death of a doctor who ran an abortion clinic, the same doctor that Bill O' Reilly publicly shunned on his program. The only reason Billy boy is on my blog is because he thinks he's too much of himself as a GOP advocate to understand what really goes on in the world. Here's a sample quarrel betwee him and Snoop Dogg with no holds barred:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIq3uKJXuDA&feature=PlayList&p=971B2CCCE1125A7E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=21

I'm sorry but Bill O'Reilly really makes the Republicans look bad (as if Bush hasn't already). The thing about the above hyperlink is that O'Reilly's show, The O'Reilly Factor, is apparently the most-watched program on cable news. Now there's only two reasons why the relevant viewers here would watch the program: either because they enjoy the discussion of controversial issues and admire his debates with guests, or they absolutely loathe him and love to feed fire with fire, waiting for the rare guest on the show that will outwit the host. I'd say the latter is particularly masochistic on the viewers part. They watch it because they love to see how angry he will make them the next day and the next day after that.
In writing, this is how you make a villain infuriating. At the same time, it keeps you watching the film doesn't it? You won't stop watching the film because the villain is so bad he's unwatchable. No, you'll keep watching to see how justice will coincide with him/her.
On The O'Reilly Factors' site he quotes, "Other interview news shows are guest-driven, the O'Reilly Factor is driven by me. I will not stand for spin. I look for guests who will stand up and verbally battle for what they believe in."
Very admirable Bill, but what kind of interviewers twists stories and falsifies statements to win the debate? You were caught in the act Bill, here's the footage:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beJ9yJpR_DA

It's funny how the Republicans supports Bill, but in reality he's exploiting your trust...fools. He knows very well you're not going to take the time after the show to read his reference sheet to confirm all his facts, so in the end you're the one being fooled. I believe that if you're going to watch shows like The O'Reilly Factor, be conscious of the facts as they're presented to you. In today's media, everything is sugar-coated, that's why it's important to eat healthy.

P.S.
Here's a little bonus video because I dislike Billy boy so much:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xjOQYtgsiw&feature=related

Wafflehouse, maximized

Now that I've figured out how to put pictures on my blog, expect to be seeing a lot more of them! I see that there are more people reading my blog now, which I'm extremely happy with. I love the attention, so tell your friends! :D

Pay it Forward

I was downtown today by Spadina and Queen when five girls approached me as I was waiting for the light at the corner. In all honesty I thought they were promoting Sick Kids donations or something along those lines, so naturally (don't act like you wouldn't either) I tried to avoid them and not make eye contact. One girl ultimately puts a hand on my shoulder to get my attention and I think to myself, This is it. She's going to cute-talk me into emptying my bank account to sponsor a less fortunate kid in Africa named Majumbo. Instead, she gives me this:

And smiles and tells me, "Have a great day." How odd. My first thought was I'll be blogging about this tonight and this was followed by a sudden awareness that the people waiting around me at the corner had also received a variety of Canadian-logoed apparel. I didn't think much of this free gift as I was walking, I just held it in my hand until I got on the streetcar. While sitting down I examined this white cap, which peculiarly resembles the baker hat I used to wear at Tim Hortons, and I noticed the message on the front end of it:

Now I'm a fair guy. When someone gives me something and says pay it forward, I will. But, how do I do it? I'm not going to give this hat to someone else am I, the purpose of the gift is entirely lost. On top of that, I didn't ask for the gift. In fact, I didn't even ask to be a part of your "pay-it-forward" chain, so I can choose to break your chain right now instead of frantically looking for another good deed to do to someone else. But, I am a fair guy, so I will keep your chain going. I will keep the hat! But your chain will go on.
I believe in karma. In fact I didn't know I believed in it until I met this librarian last month. You see, at a certain building on the UofT campus all the exits are guarded by those security systems that get set off when you've stolen an item. Unfortunately I always beep because my laptop has a sticker on it (which I have yet to find) that triggers the alarm, and when it beeps the doors shut immediately, preventing your exit. It's like walking into a wall; not only do they beep like a car alarm gone awry, they shut so that you faceplant yourself into them. Anyways, predicting the outcome of my exeunt of said building, I told the librarian to take my laptop and hand it to me on the other side of the security system or else it would ring and everyone would stare at me, the deer caught in the headlights. So I approach the desk, give this guy the laptop and he hands it to me after I escape the clutches of grand, metallic bouncers and he tells me, "Thanks for being honest, "...I don't know, don't ask..."You could have stolen all the books you wanted but frankly I believe in karma so it would come back to you." This wasn't meant as an insult, I would have disfigured his face if it was, this was more of a conversational preaching. We both kindly bid each other adieu and I thought to myself Hey, I believe in that shit too!
So if I break this chain I will suffer the consequences of my own actions, so I believe. I'd like to think that that shifty "High School Student from York-region" hadn't placed an indomitable curse on me, including me in her conga line of interpersonal appreciation. Fact of the matter is, she didn't. I'd like to view this as more of a gift that gives me an opportunity to do something good for myself. And that, loyal readers, is how you should view any problem in life, as an opportunity to better yourselves and the lot of us. I'm ninety-nine percent certain that I'll never see shifty York-region student again, even if I did, I'd pass by her without a second thought, not remembering who she is or what she did for me. The point is that helping each other can remain anonymous, it doesn't need any recognition. However, if this post does change your life and you're suddenly struck with fame from the heavens, don't forget my name because, remember...karma.





Just kidding.

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