well, good news – Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow! that means 10000000 more weeks of winter, right?? sadly, in SoCal winter has yet to arrive. it’s 70ºF in Los Angeles today, which a lot of people would love – but me…I’m longing for some cold, dreary, and rain filled days.

but the good news is the internet has all sorts of snow sports vids to help tide me over until the snow hits (which will be any day…pleeeeease)

last week I saw one of the best SKIING videos I’ve ever viewed. there are several things I really like about it. it is shot beautifully. it is expertly composed with interesting angles, colors, and movements. it is edited extraordinarily well. the rhythm and pacing works perfectly with the song and has a fantastic build up. and last, but not least it is the most like skateboarding I’ve ever seen skiing.

in fact, this is more like skateboarding than most “street” snowboarding. JP’s lines through the town are so creative and playful. he takes what exists in the environment and then skis it. it doesn’t matter what it is. and he puts together LINES (i.e. groups of tricks/stunts/jumps). to me, the ability to assemble an interesting and creative line has always been the mark of a truly great street skater.

enough talk, see for yourself.

*edit* upon watching again I was reminded that the sound design is also FANTASTIC.

-Luke

this last New Year’s I was fortunate enough to go to New York City and visit my good friends Troy & Daisy (you may remember her from this interview). earlier this year they left Hollywood and headed to the “Big City” and this was my first visit at their new home.

it was still very much the Holidays in NYC. there were lights and decorations up all over. I especially enjoyed the Christmas Trees that some residents of Brooklyn had made. it’s not visible in this picture, but there’s an extension cord running from an upper story window to the top of the tree.

it’s a really gigantic city and in some ways feels bigger than LA. I suppose that’s a bit of what the VERTICAL nature of it imparts. we rode a LOT of different subways around the city. Troy knew the routes quite well, which was good because there are so many ups & downs, different platforms & different train lines it could get quite confusing! the subway system really wonderful and amazing. so easy to get from one place to another…and I’m sure you know how much I enjoy a good public transit system.

one thing I especially enjoyed was the art work in the subways. there were sculptures, mosaics, stained glass, and even a few un commissioned pieces.

we did a lot of walking as well. the weather really cooperated with that. on only one day did it got down to below 30 degrees. and for the most part it was sunny. the idea of the City covered in snow is compelling, but at the same time – not freezing at all times was pleasant as well.

of course, no trip to a new city would be complete for me without sampling the local cuisine. we had pizza, mexican (go figure), street dogs, cannoli, pastrami, egg creme, and an amazing dinner at the restaurant Marlow & Sons. it’s one of those places that is constantly changing up their menu as they secure new, fresh ingredients. it was remarkable food. we all ordered different dishes and each was amazing. I imagine it’s quite fun to be a chef at a place like that.

Egg Creme Soda (no egg included)

the museums were also incredible. I think one could easily spend a week doing nothing put exploring them and STILL not see everything they have to offer. the MET had an incredible collection of Impressionist works. and an amazing amount of Monet’s…since that is my favorite movement AND my favorite artist I was in heaven. I can’t wait to go back and spend more time with their collection.

here is one of my favorites.

however, I can’t say the same for this kid – who was content to play a game on his iPad, surrounded by one of the most impressive collections of art I’ve ever seen.

KIDS THESE DAYS!!! (amiright???)

it was a really great trip. so much fun to explore a new city and spend time with my good friends. I can’t wait to go back.

lots more pictures on my flickr right here.

-Luke

p.s. check out my winter beard! it’s back =)

last month, I was walking around Hollywood and saw something unusual. now that in itself isn’t that unusual because I see odd things all the time. but it’s not often you see an eyeless orange stuffed lion…

I posted the picture on facebook and encouraged my friends to help write the story with me. two people responded – Vanessa [V] and Lola [Lo]. below is our story, plus some pictures that Vanessa found. as usual, I’m [LG].

anyone want to continue the story here in the comments?

-Luke

[LG] The Lonely Lion sat down on the curb and leaned against the street lamp. As the sun began to set on Hollywood he thought about the events that lead him here. It wasn’t long ago that…

[V]‎ ….it wasn’t so long ago that he was a featured performer in the Des Moines Circus, eight shows a week for Iowans of all ages.

[Lo] ‎…he had fallen deeply in love with the aerialist and elephant trainer, Miss Moines, a bonnie lass. But there love affair quickly fell apart when suddenly the shame of their interspecies relations came down upon her and she left him for a slack-jawed clown of mediocre talents. His heart burned for her but he threw himself into his work…

[LG] which by and large had to do with letting various things be put into his mouth. sometimes he was to bite, sometimes not. occasionally there was a balancing act that involved a very cantankerous seal named Abernathy – but that is a tale for another day. so the Lonely Lion poured his heart and and soul into not biting people’s heads. and all was well, the crowds would roar* for him and it became his reason for living. then one day the Circus Master, Cyrus B. McGillicuty decided to take the troupe on the road…

[V] ….McGillicuty assembled the troupe inside the tent to announce his plans. The performers sat where their audiences had sat for the past four years, on bales of hay with peanut shells at their feet. Miss Moines’s heart leapt at the news — she’d been working on an edgier act and longed to perform in a bigger city. She held her breath waiting for MCgillicuty to say “Chicago,” and sighed dejectedly when he announced they would instead head southwest to Topeka. Slacky the Clown loosened his bow tie and cleared his throat, imagining all the extra work that would be required of a traveling troupe — running about honking his nose, tumbling out of a prop car with 18 other clowns PLUS breaking down and setting up the tent in each different town? Wooing Miss Moines had already taken so much energy. As the performers dispersed to pack their things, Lion stood behind Dainty the elephant’s leg and watched Miss Moines move slowly back to her trailer, and he wished she was still his to comfort….

[Lo] Topeka seemed a cruel city when they arrived in the fall of 1924. The Iowan cheers turned to jeers of unsatisfied revelers, drunk on bath gin, and bootlegged bottles of booze. No act seemed spectacular enough for the crowds. Leo Tanner “the Lonely Lion”‘s act was the exception, the blood thirsty crowds went wild for him. And one day Leo attracted the attention of a slight, hairless and serious fellow, who said to him “Hello Leo, I’m Sam, Sam Goldvyn, I vant you to come with me to Hollyvood, I vant you to be my lion.”

[LG] Leo was conflicted… would he take Mr. Goldvyn’s offer and travel to Tinseltown finding fame but abandoning the object of his adoration? Quickly he bounded to Miss Moines tent – he must consult with her! But when, upon throwing open the door he saw his Beloved in the midst of a “carnal embrace” with the Slack Jawed Clown…he knew what he must do. His roar equal parts pain and fury said one thing clearer than all – “Yes Mister Goldvyn…I will be your lion.” Soon he was on the train to Los Angeles (first Class of course). As they steamed across the plains, Leo sat in the dining car – lapping at a saucer of milk. It was just then the door to the dining car opened and…

[V] in wafted the scent of Chanel No. 5 over the Beef Bourguignon and Pall Malls. Every man and most women in the dining car stopped with their forks in midair and eyed the woman who’d not only appeared in the doorway, but seemed to have taken ownership of it. She rested there a few moments, coolly roving her eyes up and down the aisles as if she had allllll the time in the world. Several men dining alone sat up taller and straightened their ties, but her look of recognition was not for them. When she finally saw who she’d been looking for, a smile lifted one corner of her mouth and she sauntered over to Leo. “Is this seat taken?” she asked in a half-whisper, indicating the spot opposite him. Leo blinked, milk in his whiskers. “No,” he sputtered, “No.” He swiveled around and saw that yes, there were plenty of other empty seats available. The woman slid cozily into the seat and introduced herself. “I’m Jezebel. Sammy — I mean, Mr. Goldwyn — asked me to check in on you.”

[/END]

hope the new year is off to a smashing start for you. I’m on the tail end of a work trip that took me from Pheonix to New Orleans. I was hoping we’d end up somewhere colder, but hey I can’t complain about going to New Orleans. I really love LOVE this city and have gotten to eat some amazing food.

here’s my “edit suite” in the Big Easy….

it’s time for my yearly “Top 10.” in case you’re new to my blog, I like to do a random sort of collection for a top 10. there will be music, projects, food, films, travel, and so on…here’s 2010 and 2009. in this list there will be a LOT of links, including many to past blogs where I go more in depth…so feel free to click through for longer stories and more pictures.

honorable mention: SHERLOCK
my good friend Micah recommended this BBC mini-series to me and it sat in my netflix queue for FAR too long. when I finally got around to watching it I was astounded. I love everything about it; the music, the way it was shot, the pacing, the cast, the story, the acting, the and marvelous modernization of the story.

if you have netflix, you MUST watch it. here’s a little taste – the first meeting between Sherlock & Dr. Watson.

10.) Apache – Milky Way
I really don’t watch a lot of music videos anymore, but this one has stuck in my head all year. there’s something really amazing about it’s simplicity and playfulness…yet it goes deeper than that. I get goosebumps when I watch it. and for some reason, it makes me think of traveling east to live in NYC.

Apache from oneedo on Vimeo.

9.) Continuing the Lunch Tradition
after going freelance one of things I missed the most were my lunches with my fellow editor Bruce and our client Davis. it’s a little harder for us to schedule now, but we’ve kept meeting up for lunches. one of our favorites has been Sri Siam in North Hollywood. they have a crispy rice salad that is spicy, sweet, salty, and sour. it’s soft, crunchy, and fresh. probably one of the most amazing dishes I’ve ever had.

8.) DRIVE
this was THE movie of the year. much like INCEPTION last year – it was the film that everyone in my peer group was obsessed with. we talked about it, we listened to the soundtrack, we visited the locations…and I often found myself driving around with a toothpick.

take a look at this amazing opening scene here.

(side note: the location where he pulls behind the truck and turns off his lights is in my Sing It Loud video.)

7.) Wood & Vine
I’ve never really had a local spot until this place…it quickly became my “Cheers.” (you know, everyone knows my name.) great food, delicious drinks, and an amazing staff. I really love hanging out there.

6.) Snowboarding in June
the winter of 2010/11 was a great one. I had SO many good days on the hill…at least by weekend-warrior status. one of the most memorable was from a June trip to Mammoth Mountain. I was expecting warm sunny days – t-shirt weather, but instead we got fresh snow. it was really remarkable.

5.) Film Critic HULK
earlier this year I read a tweet from @mrbeaks about how everyone should read this essay about editing action movies. since I’m interested in editing & action movies started in on the essay. little did I know that it would be 120 pages of ALL CAPS HULK SPEAK.

for example:

SO WHAT MAKES ACTION WORK?

THE BEST PHRASE TO NARROW IT DOWN = AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION.

THE AUDIENCE DOES NOT SIMPLY “WATCH” ACTION. EVERY SINGLE BEAT SHOULD IDEALLY WORK AS A 4 PART PROCESS: AN AUDIENCE MUST FIRST ANTICIPATE THE ACTION, THEN THE AUDIENCE MUST UNDERSTAND THE ACTION (WHAT THEY ACTUALLY SEEING), THEN THE AUDIENCE MUST FEEL THE ACTION, AND ULTIMATELY REACT TO THE ACTION. AND WHEN YOU DO THAT? THE ACTION BEAT WILL WORK LIKE FREAKIN’ GANGBUSTERS.(1)

that’s correct, the author writes in the voice of the Marvel character The Hulk. and quite simply, Hulk’s writings have had a profound effect on my creative process. they were extremely instrumental as I wrote a new screenplay at the end of the year…

if you like film and care about making better stories, you NEED to read Hulk’s work. anycrap, don’t just take my word for it, find out for yourself here.

4.) Trips Home & Carpentry
another advantage of freelance is the ability to go home more often and for longer. I spent more time in WA this year than…well probably since I first moved to LA. it was great getting to spend more time with my family and help with their remodel. I also got to spend more time with my Grandparents.

this was my reward after spending a day painting their deck in the hot summer sun.

keeping with the whole manual labor thing, I went to our place in Sheep Ranch and did some work on the house there. it was the largest project I’ve undertaken absent my Dad or Grandpa… and while I was working on it I also started a new screenplay. more about that trip here.

3.) Writing a Screenplay
with each screenplay that I write I feel like I learn so much. each time it becomes a little less of a mystery. or maybe I just realize how much of a mystery the last one was? heh. at any rate, this year was the first time I was able to REALLY focus and write something. all my other writing been done after work, on the weekends, etc. this time I was able to focus soley writing. aside from the aforementioned carpentry, all I did was work on NIGHT HAUL. I didn’t know what it would be like writing for 4+ hours a day when I was used to just writing for about 1. would I be able to maintain creativity & focus for that long each day? I have to say, I was beyond stoked to find out that I could. I wrote the first draft, 117 pages in 15 days.

2.) touring with CERTIFIED
last year was all about making the film, this year was about getting it out there. I was very fortunate to get to travel all around with it. this past year I went to Atlanta (GE), Bend (OR), Eerie (PA), Big Bear Lake (CA), as well as a few festivals and screenings in the Los Angeles area. the most incredible place I travelled was definitely Cannes, France. what an amazing experience that was. it was so busy, so glamorous, and gave me so much to strive for. aside from the film stuff, I became better friends with the cinematographer of CERTIFIED, John Matysiak. and I got the chance to visit my cousins.

1.) Visiting My French Relatives
my Corsican relatives moved to the United States in the early 1900′s. and thankfully, they kept in touch with the “old world.” when our family went to Europe in 1999 we were able to meet some of the relatives who still lived in Corsica. since then my Dad has been writing letters and emailing with several other relatives who live on the mainland of France. one such family lives just outside of Montpellier in the South of France. well, I was going to be going to the South of France. it seemed silly to travel halfway around the world and then not go the last 300km to visit them.

I am SO glad we did. it’s almost hard to put into words how welcoming the Casanovas were to us. we aren’t the closest relations, but they treated us like we were as close of family as you could be. it was amazing. I was reminded what it truly meant to be “welcomed with open arms.” here I was with people that I’d never met, in a different country, that had a separate life – but yet we were FAMILY. that made the world feel a little smaller. it made me feel connected to something larger than my own day-to-day existence and that my friends was really awesome.

sorry for the lack of posts recently. I’ve been celebrating & traveling around the country. should have some fun stuff for your in a couple of weeks, including a new “Top 10″ list!

but until then, I hope this great claymation video will tide you over.

-Luke

here’s something I saw recently, it’s inspired by one of my all time favorites “Calvin & Hobbes.”

and here is a Holiday classic…

The Real Luke – Holiday Greeting

Luke Asa, Filmmaker | Myspace Video

-Luke

happy holidays all! hope you are having a wonderful time filled with family, friends, and delicious noms!

this week I’ve decide to post a little interview I did for the Shriekfest newsletter. I’m LG and the festival director Denise Gossett is DG.

[start interview]
DG: What is your name and company URL?

LG:
My name is Luke Asa Guidici, my production company is yetiesque and my website is www.lukeasa.com.

DG: What is your specialty…filmmaking or screenwriting?

LG:
I write, direct, and edit. I really enjoy all three aspects of filmmaking, both in my own projects and when I collaborate with others. Experience in each one helps inform the others. Since I have experience editing, I know just what moments I’ll need to get on set in order to make a scene work. By having directing experience I’m able to better evaluate writing and examine the feasibility of production. And writing helps ensure that the films I make have the tonal & thematic aspects that I find most compelling.

DG: Impressive! What are you currently working on?

LG:
Right now I’m in the midst of a film festival tour with my short film CERTIFIED and I’m working on several feature film writing projects.

DG: That’s great! Have you been a finalist or winner in any festivals or competitions?

LG:
CERTIFIED has been a finalist at The American Pavilion in Cannes, Dragon*Con, and the HollyShorts Film Festival. It was also the Best Super Short at this year’s Shriekfest.

DG: Yes, if you haven’t seen it guys, you must! Why do you think the horror/scifi genres have such a large following?

LG:
For me sci-fi, fantasy, and supernatural tales have also had a huge attraction. There is something very compelling about tales that can take us to strange, far flung lands. The ability to dream and imagine is a unique and special part of being human – and these sorts of films tap into that.

DG: What do you love most about this business?

LG:
The creative process. I love the entire process from the scribbled notes in a sketchbook, to the script, to preproduction, to being on set, and to seeing it all come together in post production. I love talking about film, art, and stories. I love the problem solving that comes with trying to communicate an idea or get a certain shot. I guess you could simply say I love making stuff.

DG: I love your passion! What do you dislike most about this business?

LG:
Waiting! Filmmaking is such a collaborative art form that you inevitably spend a lot of time waiting for other people. Patience and grace go a long ways and I’m getting better at having more of both.

DG: LOL I hear you! Any advice you’d like to give to newbies?

LG:
Don’t worry about what you think others want to see, make work that reflects what you care about. People respond to authenticity and passion, so follow yours.

DG: Thank you! Anything else you’d like to say?

LG:
Check me out at twitter.com/lukeguidici. I talk about what projects I’m working on, films I’m watching, and a bit about snowboarding. Also feel free to say “hi” – I always @reply.

DG: Thank you for taking the time out to chat with me!

[/end interview.]

and, I’m happy to announce CERTIFIED’s first festival of 2012 – the Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema!!

last week I missed out posting because well…I was in “the land without internet”!!! haha as strange and removed as that might sound, it was actually just in Northern California. And I was only a 20 minute drive or so from actually having internet.

going from “always connected” to without cell, internet, and even regular phone service was a bit of a system shock. not only that, but I was the only one staying at the house…so I was super isolated in general.

which was ok. I had two main goals for the trip.

1.) Install banisters on the front porch
2.) write a new screenplay

and for the next 4 days, I ate, slept, wrote, and carpentered (is that even a word??).

here’s what I started out with:

original

and here’s what I ended with:

final

the writing was all done in the kitchen. it is after all, closest to the food…and coffee. also, the nook was right next to the wall heater and was probably the warmest parts of the house.

the kitchen

I didn’t do my writing on this…but you gotta love seeing a Candy iMac still around. reminds me of an Apple Jolly Rancher.

overall, the writing actually went really well. it took a couple days to get into the story, but after that it really started to flow.

my schedule would be something like:

wakeup
coffee/write
breakfast
carpentry
lunch
nap
carpentry
write
dinner
write
sleep.

I should have liked to do an after-nap writing session, but two things prevented this.

1.) it got dark at 5pm
2.) I’m not a very fast carpenter – so I needed as much daylight as possible.

the trip taught me a few things. first off, if I really truly dedicate myself to writing I can get a whole lot done. but, being alone in Sheep Ranch gets lonely! I’d love to go back with a group of writers. during the day we could all split off and do our own thing then meet up for meals. hmmm…

it was great being cut off from the distractions of the modern age, but at the same time I missed the social aspects of being so connected. perhaps having a few friends up there would be the best of both worlds.

an added bonus was that early December is a very beautiful time to be in the foothills of Northern California. colors in the trees, blue skies, crisp air, and guests of wind would send leaves showing down all around you. plus the roads are really fun to drive.

-Luke

here’s a Thanksgiving essay I wrote a few years ago… hope you enjoy.

—–

waxpaper
by Luke Asa Guidici

It was 2:30pm and the dough wasn’t even rolled out. And I was supposed to be there at 4pm. That wasn’t enough time to bake the pie, even if I had it made. I was already feeling nervous about going to Ana’s for Thanksgiving Dinner and meeting a bunch of new people. Having a good Apple Pie seemed like a great way to make my entrance, unfortunately I was having issues.

Somehow I’d thought that I didn’t really need wax paper to roll out the crust. At the pizza shop we just threw down some flour, smashed the dough and rolled it out with a big pin.

Easy, right? But it wasn’t working.

The dough now had so much flour in it that it felt like a rubbery old tortilla. I threw it away.

I mixed together the flour, oil, salt, and water and tried again. This time with a flattened cereal bag in place of wax paper. I rolled forward and flattened it, but as I rolled back the whole thing curled up like a slap-on bracelet. The pin, the dough, and the cereal bag were hopelessly stuck together.

“More flour…maybe that’s what I need.” I peeled the crust-to-be off, added more flour, and tried again.

This didn’t have the desired effect. Now only pieces of the crust stuck to the rolling pin.

It was now 3:15pm. Just enough time if the pie was completely assembled and I didn’t have to drive anywhere. But it wasn’t. And I did.

It was “ok” to be a little late, right?

Finally, I realized that stubbornness wasn’t an appropriate substitute for wax paper.

I headed to the corner store. It wasn’t actually on the corner and the only thing I’d ever bought there was Mexican Coca-Cola.

They had no wax paper.

Next was 7-11 – they have cooking stuff, right? Wrong.

Then the Latino Market. No luck.

Now I was getting really nervous. If I had to drive somewhere I was going to be really late. There was still one option, the Drug Store across the street.

They had it.

By 3:45pm I was back in my kitchen. It was amazing how easy the process was when I had the right tools. In almost no time I had the dough rolled out, the apple filling in, and the butter cinnamon topping on.

If it went in the oven now, I could still make it to Ana’s by 5pm.

The oven in my small Hollywood studio is probably about as old as the building, which is from the 50’s. It’s a small, 1/2 sized gas stove, without an electric igniter.

The way it works is that first you turn the oven on to the “light” setting. This starts the flow of gas into the oven. Next you hold a flame by the hole and when the flame “flickers” you know the oven has lit. Then you shut the door and turn the gas up to the desired temperature.

Not exactly an exact science.

I’d only lit the oven a couple of times. And both times my sister was there with me.

It took a couple tries of turning on the gas, trying to light it, it not lighting, turning the gas off, turning the gas back on, finally I saw it flicker. I held my hand inside and it felt warmer, so that must have meant it was on. I shut the door and went back to assembling the pie.

First I dripped melted butter over the top of the filling. Then I placed the top crust on and crinkled the edge. Using a butter knife I made a few slits on top so heat could escape. Finally I began to sprinkle the remaining sugar and cinnamon…

BOOOOM!!!

My heart jumped and then it was quiet.

I wasn’t sure what had happened. My heart pounded in my chest. I could feel adrenaline all the way down to my fingertips.

The door of the oven had blown open, but was that the only thing? A thought crossed my mind, “what if I blew up my apartment, would I know? Could I be dead and not realize it?”

I didn’t really know what it would be like if I were dead. I checked my pulse. I had one. But I could still see and hear, so that didn’t really prove anything. If I was dead and I would still see and hear, then it only stood to reason that I’d still seem to have a pulse.

The room seemed in order, there weren’t flames or charred marks anywhere. But once again, if I had blown up the apartment, and died instantly, would I know what the blown up apartment would look like? Or would I recreate the apartment how I remembered it?

I felt like I needed to talk to someone in order to prove I was still among the living. Most everyone from my apartment complex was gone for the Holiday. So I did the only thing I could think of, I called home.

The phone rang and rang…

“Hi, you’ve reached the Guidici’s. No one is here…”

Great.

I called my Mom’s cell phone. No Answer.

My Dad’s cell, nothing.

My Sister’s cell, no answer. This was getting ridiculous.

Oh right. Thanksgiving. Everyone’s at the Grandparents’ for dinner.

So I tried the phone again. This time I called my Grandparents’ number.

Strangely I wasn’t that upset. It was like I was resigned to the idea that I might have blown up myself and my studio. Heck, the entire apartment complex for all I knew.

Maybe I was a little in shock. But for some reason dealing with my mortality was easier than dealing with someone else’s; several month’s ago I had to do just that.

The whole family was in Boston to see my sister Teal graduate. After the ceremony, the dinner, and the fanfare, there was one more piece of family business to attend to.

I had to drive my Grandma to Cape May, NJ to visit her sister, Shirley. As if driving 370 miles through 4 states and New York City on unfamiliar roads with a 72 year old wasn’t stressful enough…there was a good chance this trip to visit Aunt Shirley was going to be her last.

Grandma’s older sister had been in a nursing home since her stroke. Since my Grandma lives on the West Coast…and doesn’t travel by herself, Teal’s graduation was probably the best opportunity she’d have to see Aunt Shirley. The most recent news we’d heard from her husband, Uncle Lou was that her health was “failing fast.”

At 4:30am we boarded the “T” and headed to the rental car facility at the airport; by 6am we were on the road. All in all it went pretty smooth. The number of toll roads was amazing. It seemed like every 10 minutes we were slowing down to throw 35¢ into a bucket. And a bridge? Forget about it. $5 if we were lucky.

After about 7 hours, we reached our exit and headed down a windy Cape May road.

The trees were green and full of leaves. There were bits of smashed clamshells on the grey pavement.

After a few wrong turns we found the building. A nondescript brick thing near the hiway.

I parked and as we walked towards the building said a quick prayer. Nursing homes aren’t the nicest places and our reason for being there wasn’t exactly a happy one.

The lobby looked more like an Eagle’s Lodge than a nursing home. Giant landscape paintings hung on the chestnut brown, wood paneled walls. A large hearthstone occupied one wall and a dark leather couch sat vacant to the side.

Uncle Lou had planned on meeting us there. But now he wasn’t answering his phone now, so Grandma asked the receptionist.

“Shirley Melchiore please.”

“She is in the recreation room.”

Well that sounded good.

As we walked down one hallway and into another, the rich browns gave way to pastels.

Sounds of music came from the recreation room. It sounded like karaoke, well maybe a cross between a wedding singer and karaoke.

As we walked into the recreation room, my heart sank. It was one of the saddest things I had ever witnessed.

I’ll start with the least sad, the singer was a mid-40’s man, slightly overweight. He had cargo shorts, a floral print shirt, and a comb-over.

He was singing into a mic hooked into a small PA. A CD boombox sat on the stage playing the music, on top of that, a toy hula girl danced.

Next was the room, this was obviously a big event here at the Seashore Care Center because the room was full. Old men and women watched the man perform songs from their youth, or from the looks of some, their middle age. Some seemed barely lucid, others asleep. A woman tapped her hand to the music, another danced as much as she could in her wheelchair.

I scanned the room from right to left. As I reached the far left side I saw my Uncle Lou. The last time I’d seen him I was 16 and he was pretty much exactly as I remembered. White hair combed back, a cream colored polyester shirt, white pants, and white dress shoes.

He smiled big and waved Grandma and I over. Next to him was a white haired old woman in a wheelchair. Her head was supported and she listed a little to one side. This was Aunt Shirley. Hugs were exchanged.

The singer finished up and began to pack up his gear. Residents slowly started to wheel out. Lou suggested we leave this room and go somewhere quieter where we could visit. I thought this sounded like a great idea.

Before leading us out, he walked around the room saying goodbye to a bunch of people. It was kinda odd to see, but it actually looked like he was “working the room.”

We walked down a hallway and then off to the side. I can’t really say where we went. I think those places are designed so everything looks the same. They have an almost casino like quality of trapping you inside. Only instead of flashing lights and gaudy games, there are Thomas Kinkades and pastel painted walls. We stopped and sat at the end of a hallway. It wasn’t Shirley’s room and I wasn’t really sure why Lou picked this spot.

Grandma sat close to her sister and held her hand. She and Uncle Lou talked about Shirley and her condition. Grandma talked to Shirley – and she responded! Not like you or I would, but it was a response nonetheless. It sounded like she was saying Grandma’s name. It was clear that she recognized her sister and was obviously excited that she was here. Uncle Lou said this was the most responsive she’d been since the stroke.

We talked more. It was a mix of talking about the family, talking about Shirley, and talking to Shirley. She continued to show interest and respond to a few things. It seemed strange that they’d discuss her condition right in front of her when it was obvious she could comprehend some things. I guess the whole situation was a little strange to me. Eventually Shirley started nodding off and Lou determined it was time for us to go. We walked her to her room and he called the orderlies so they could put her into bed. Grandma gave her sister a hug and kiss and said good-bye.

As we walked to the front of the building, Lou was cheerful. He greeted all the staff by name and with a big smile. Grandma and I were quiet.

Pastels gave way to wood paneling and once again we were at the front of the building. Uncle Lou remembered he had to ask a nurse something and quickly walked back to the nurse’s station.

My Grandma stood there silent, her head down. She sobbed softly. I walked over and put my arms around her. She leaned her head against my shoulder and cried. I held her tight and tried not to imagine myself in her position. I didn’t want to think of my sister or Mom or Dad…or her like this. I didn’t want to think about how one day, I would have to say “good bye.” My eyes grew wet, but I knew I needed to be strong. So I shut those thoughts out of my head. I could think about those some other day. Today I needed to be a man.

I told her how happy Shirley was that she was here. I told her it would be alright. And I told her that I loved her. Uncle Lou came back and I held up my hand, “just one more moment.”

Grandma gave me a little squeeze and lifted her head from my shoulder. I kissed her on the forehead.

That night we ate fresh seafood by the bay. The next morning we drove back to Boston.

“Hello”

The voice on the other line surprised me.

“Hello?”

“Hi Grandma…”

The phone was passed around and Thanksgiving greetings were given. I made no mention of the explosion in my apartment, I didn’t see a reason to upset anyone. It felt good talking to my family. At least if I had blown myself up, I’d gotten to say good-bye.

Shutting the oven door, I looked around my kitchen. It was a disaster.

I decided to cook the pie at Ana’s. It was now 5pm and ghost or not, I was hungry.

—[/end]—-

Happy Thanksgiving everyone. Give someone you love a hug.

-Luke

not too much happening this week. I’ve been continuing w/ using the program AVID to edit footage from my family’s 1999 trip to Europe. it’s been a slow process, I work for a bit, encounter a problem, head to the internet and do some research, figure out the solution and continue. it really makes me appreciate how well I’ve come to learn Final Cut Pro over the years. using that program is really second nature for me – I don’t even really have to think about it – I just “do” it.

also been writing a bunch, but there’s not really anything to share at this moment in regards to that. awesome stuff on the way!

here’s a incredibly gorgeous video that shows Earth from space. personally I’d rather it be classical music… but the footage is so compelling that it’s ok.

Earth | Time Lapse View from Space, Fly Over | NASA, ISS from Michael König on Vimeo.

from the website:

Time lapse sequences of photographs taken by the crew of expeditions
28 & 29 onboard the International Space Station from August to October,
2011

these shots from space help remind me that we are all in this thing together.

-Luke