I hope to one day do a full write-up of all my separate experiences, and I'm gonna try and work on that and doing more personal writing here. But, geez, man. I've got a lot to get through.
I've already chronicled my eye-opening experiences visiting New York City for the first time, which was incredible. But that was just one of many amazing, fantastic experiences I've had this year.
In May I got a job writing for examiner.com as the Manassas Movies Examiner. It's a pretty cool gig; you write articles, they pay you based on traffic. Recently the site shifted their focus over to a local-based model, so basically, they want you to write articles related to your area (mine being Manassas). Which, being in Manassas, and writing about movies, makes it really hard to find a local spin to my articles. Some days I just say 'screw it' and don't even bother, but there's crafty ways of doing it. Overall, it's a good experience, and something to go on the resumé.
In early June I took a 5-day trip to North Carolina with my dad and one of my many brothers. We went to visit my dad's parents; it had been years since I'd seen them, and it was great. I have kind of a hectic lifestyle, so it was nice to slow down for a few days. I got to see my aunt and uncle (it had been a while since I'd seen them as well), go to the beach for the first time in many years, go to the pool, go to my uncle's family reunion on the beach and meet his family; lots of great memories. Some of the best ones are just when me and Caleb (my younger brother) would play Red Dead Redemption late into the night, or when my dad got me a special gift in the form of cigars for me and him, and we just sat out on the porch and talked. I really got to see and interact with my father on a very personal level on this trip, and that meant--and means--a lot to me. I don't think I truly conveyed to him how special that was, but it really had an impact on me.
After getting back from North Carolina, it was only two more weeks until I was hitting the road again, this time driving with my youth group up to Assateague National Park in Maryland, where we camped on the beach for three days. This trip was so enriching, I can't wait to do it again next year. I made and strengthened friendships that will last me a lifetime, and really got to bond with my church family in a special way. Lots of shared memories, like ghost crab hunting, fireworks on the beach, our little Hibachi grill, and a thunderstorm that was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Yes, we all got sunburned (although I came back looking like a day-laborer; I guess I tan pretty well), but ask any one of us, and we'd do it again in a heartbeat.
In between all these amazing experiences were writers meetings with a couple of guys that I'm doing a new project with. Those have really helped me with growing as a writer and collaborator, and helped to give me more drive and motivation to pursue my passions that much more. The guys are hilarious, and we spend most of our meetings laughing our heads off, and actually getting stuff done (amazing, I know). I'm excited and nervous at the same time to be working with other people that are just as creative and funny (if not moreso) than myself.
In mid-July, we had some interesting problems come our way; the main one in the form of Child Protective Services knocking on our door. Apparently, all that's needed to spark an investigation is an anonymous phone call (with mostly-fabricated details) and they'll send someone over that day. We were not thrilled, to say the least. But we complied, and after seeing that my siblings are not neglected, but instead intelligent, happy, fun-loving kids, they pretty much had no leg to stand on; however, there was a week of super-intense house cleaning that went on after that. Despite the attack on our family (anyone who knows anything about us is always extremely surprised when I tell them what happened, proving the ridiculousness of the claims), we managed to grow closer together through it.
Late July brought about the wonder known as Comic Con. This was the first time I'd been to California, the first time I'd flown in about five years, and the first time going to any sort of convention like this. It was the singlehanded most exhausting experience of my life, and it was amazing. I could write a book on that experience by itself. San Diego was gorgeous. The amount of people there was unimaginably insane. I met people I've been a longtime fan of, and some people I've just seen on TV or in movies. I made new friends. I became closer with old friends. I waited in a metric crapton of lines. I also got a lot of useless swag (but swag is awesome anyway). It was really inspirational for me.
Over the course of this year, my passion for filmmaking and entertaining has been growing at an exponential pace. I finally know what it feels like to really have a passion for something. I thought I knew before, but I've never felt this way before; it's really unexplainable. It's like this burning desire to do something that just grows and grows with every day, and every new opportunity just feeds the fire so much more. It's kind of scary, but I'm loving the drive and determination it's given me.
I just bought a book on improv to try and help develop those skills in spontaneity and comedy, but also on how to tell a good story. It's as much to help me become a better performer, as it is to help me become a better writer and director and public speaker. I'm only a chapter in, but so far it looks promising. The book's called "Truth in Comedy: The Manual of Improvisation" and it's written by Charna Halpern, Del Close and Kim "Howard" Johnson.
After getting back from Comic Con, it really motivated me to get a longtime project of mine, the Absolution Movie, underway. So I spent all day yesterday preparing and sorting footage, watching it, writing, etc., to get this thing moving. As I write this, I'm sitting next to Nathan as he begins to edit the first couple scenes of the film, and it's exciting to be in the Director's chair once again. We have a lot of cool ideas that we're working on, and we're really excited for everyone to see them. But it's a long road to haul.
Throughout everything this year, one of the constants has been my amazing girlfriend, Lizzy, who's been just amazing. She's incredibly supportive of me and my crazy ideas and crazier schedule. She's been patient and understanding, and that means a lot to me. We got together on December 21st (her birthday), so she's one of the big changes this year for me as well. It's scary, 'cause she's smarter and prettier than me, but she's modest too and doesn't like to rub it in my face (much). She gets along great with my family, and she's pretty much all you could ask for in a girl, and I'm very happy.
I've got other projects and ideas rolling around in my head, including several short films I'm going to write and produce in the coming year or so, but those shall stay locked inside my cranial vortex for now. And yes, that's a scientific term. Cranial vortex.
Don't quote me on that.
Random note: I think I may have slight astigmatism. Kinda wanna get my eyes checked. Hm...
Until next time I take the time to let you all know what's going on, adios; and never slow down. There's not enough time to slow down.
-Micah
