Blow’n Town

Greetings All. Anyone blow off any fingers in celebration of our nation’s independence? Not I…in fact, I don’t think I’ve lit a firework since Andrea nearly blew off her hand and my ear in the mid-80’s. Good times those days were down at the big lake. Harlan County lake for those not in the know.

Some day, when I break my streak of working every 4th of July…it’s been well over a decade now (I’ll take the viewpoint of pride this year in lieu of despair). Anyway, when I break the streak I’ll take my hubs and X to the big lake for a bonafide Fleming 4th. Which should include at least one roman candle falling over and shooting at the neighbors. When I was a kid the neighbors were elderly…but they ran fast.

X had a surprise overnight guest. His cousin V. The boys played and fought like brothers. While I was a work all day, Steve said the boys primarily fought over toys. Which explains why there were toys in odd high places all over the house. It was funny because when V’s folks came to pick him up, the boys parted like English gentlemen. “You can come back anytime,” X said. “I would love to come back, thank you.” V said. Then they hugged. toddlers….

I’m going on an extended work trip in a couple of days. I’ll be gone for about three weeks, with a couple days at home smushed between. I suppose I should be packing and fretting about what to take. But I’m more concerned about having enough audio books to listen to on the drive. Other than that I haven’t given much thought about the trip because I don’t want to feel excited about it, mainly because Steve will be left to fend for himself and the boy…and I feel guilty for leaving. I wish I could experience some of these places with them for the first time. But, I guess I’ll just consider it scouting for future family vacations.

I’ll be traveling to different National Park sites in the region and covering five states, seven or eight parks. The biggest of them all…I think, will be Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Which, frankly, I never knew about until this year….

I believe I’m the right person to be doing this video project for NPS. I mean I’m pretty much completely oblivious to any park outside of the one I work at, which in my mind is an asset. I won’t go into great detail as to what the project is, but I can say I’ve hit a recognition about myself that is paramount. Because at last I’m comfortable with my method. Which I imagine would drive most folks in the video business crazy. Which is much like this – I gather and hoard bulks of media, then take it and throw it at the wall, see what sticks, and go with what feels right. The idea of storyboarding, to me – if I’m the one that has to draw up the storyboard – feels like an anchor, no where to go with the inability to drift. I must have the freedom to let the project unfold realtime. I can produce the desired impact…but how we’ll get there, is unpredictable.

For some crazy reason, the weird and wacky path life has taken me on continues… Which is great. I get wanderlust, and here comes this opportunity. I wish I could pack up the family of course and haul them around with me. But, we’ll make a point to do that in a couple of months hopefully.

So, fingers crossed for good weather. Health and bravery to my hubs, my boy and anyone left in charge of the boy while I’m gone. Here’s to the success of a project I’m totally winging and loving every unpredictable minute of it. And here’s to all the jerky and coffee I’ll be consuming while burning up the miles. Ok, maybe I’m a little excited…but just a little…