Noodles Luna Maquire

Noodles,

I'm going to miss you.

Rest In Peace, little buddy.

Love,

Chris

Civil Parsnips and Invitationals

hello x 305.

Today, so far, I've been to my first Civil Partnership ceremony. Man, it was lovely. Nice couple, sweet vows and, to my personal surprise, I didn't cry (I'm a stone cold sucker for lovely love and happy endings) Bravo and congrats to the chaps.

Tonight, a shift in tone, as we head to the traditional and, sadly, FINAL Moran Invitational.

It's been two days packed into one. Like a good sandwich.

(Veggie Delight @ Subway)

I'm rocking to Arrowrock, a digital station that deals in 80's rock. I'm hoping to hear Toto's 'Africa' as I get ready and down Relentless.

I've really, really enjoyed these past few weeks. It's been a nice mental holiday for me.
I'm away from the grind, catching up with people and concentrating on important and exciting things. It may not last that long but, for the moment, it's nice to work on things I enjoy and that I'm passionate about.

Utterly awesome...

We shouldn't have sang in front of people. Not our forte at all.

Please work again. I miss you.

Home sweet home.

Whoops and Loops

Yesterday was incredibly fun (We worked it out that it was at least 8.6 out of 10) and it was great to get away from it all and forget about the chores of adult life for the day.
Theme parks always bring out the kid in us, more so me. I ran around, jumping from ride to ride, scoffing waffle cone ice cream and playing in the arcade. It was a pirate-themed park so everything was just great for me. As well some of you know, I've always yearned to be a pirate (but a nice one)

These be the particular high lights:

- G-Force: A ride which starts with a slow loop and whips you around every which way. I did some swearing and laughing as we dashed round that coaster.

- The Zoo. Tigers are always amazing to look at, so powerful, majestic and dangerous. We also saw a chimp who made a motion for us to 'go away' before, well, endulging himself. He kept looking over his shoulder in a coy, "Is this fun for you?" way. He seemed to be a mildly perverted primate.

- Myself and Moves managed to get stuck half way up a steep climb on a water coaster. We were there for ages, wondering if we should try and get off or smile and wave some more at the gathering of nosey people who had spotted a lovely chance to point, laugh and take pictures. The two kids in front of us were almost creepily calm. Children are made of stern stuff these days. In the early eighties, I got stuck at the top of a log flume and I almost wet myself (with fear)

- I was tired when we got home. Pizza, tea and 'Flight Of The Conchords' and then some hefty zzz. I wish all days could be as free and easy as this.

Audition was strange.

Yikes.

Good coffee though.

Brought a cool electro skull t-shirt and slightly old man-like trousers.

Drayton Manor Theme Park tomorrow. We're going to ride some rides and look at some animals.

Badgers and Blood

Badger?!
If you've ever played 'Dead Rising', you'll know how truly annoying this character is and how glorious it was to do this. I don't even think he can be killed in the game but there he was, lying in a restaurant. It was really strange as he usually zips around, taking pictures of zombies*, mocking your character and shouting insults but, some how, Kent had bitten the dust. I made sure. That game is guilty sick fun.
Thing for £2! Bargain! The thumbs up indicates this. Another toy for the flat.



*Zombies are relevant this week as I've been asked to write a zombie film. For cash.

Auditions tomorrow. Birmingham.

The Best Laid Plans Of Indie Film Makers..

'1001 Leaps Of Faith' was due to film this Sunday.

Myself, Lead Male, Lead Female, Director and Camera Operator piled into a house and went through it all; over and over, ironing out the creases, recording audio in case the following days filming was disturbed and basically working our bums off to make sure that there wasn't any problems.

I was pleased as punch with Camera guy. A great guy with oodles of talent, an eye for the visual and connections galore. He can make our small film much more flashier and epic than it actually is.

He, director and I made/make quite the team, buzzing around as the actors rehearsed their lines in the rooms upstairs.

But---ALAS,

--Lead Actor said that he had to leave to pick up his brother. Lead Female was going to go with him. Odd, we thought.

At about 12:45, They sent us a TEXT saying that they weren't going to do it. No reasons, nothing at all. We were all shocked. Lead Actor was the person that brought us all together months ago, made the connections with me and the director and made out that this project was important to him because he "wasn't an actor to be famous".
He cared about telling stories. Suddenly, hours before filming, he stopped caring about ours.

He literally left us but with no choice but to abandon the days filming, seemingly caring little for the people who came all the way (with equipment) to commit to this film. No explanation. Nothing at all. Maybe we were too 'small time' for these luvvies. Who knows?

A total pro.

I'm being reserved here, keeping it in a little, because I don't want to waste letters lambasting someone.

To be honest, it was not a failure because I'm proud of everyone who wanted to do it and who are more keen than ever. In fact, we're going to do more than just one film. Why? Because big or small, doing this means a lot to us. This makes us happy.


But it's not over by a long shot. It's still on, delayed but not derailed. Some extra good will come out of it, all being well. There is a ton of positives to cling onto.

Redbull Powers My Blogging Action..

I've had a productive couple of days. Ben was right, it's time off to do creative stuff.
I've been doing bits for the film, sorting out costumes and stuff (Well, jeans and cool shirts for characters etc), plotting my journey and chatting to my right hand man who is filming my script '1001 Leaps Of Faith'.

Unlike the last one, folks will be able to see this as much or as little as they like.when it's done. We're taking it to festivals, showing it off.
It's cute despite it's gloomy premise. I have a kind of happy/sad thing going through my stuff. Some of you that have taken the time to read my work will agree with me.

I've met some great, talented people on this little ride so far and this weekend is another loop-the-loop. Hopefully, everything will go to plan and noone will fall out.
I emailed some new scripts to a few interested parties.

-'Mountains and Mole Hills'
-'Matthew, You look Great!'

Both I'm really proud of and I think they would make for nice, little films. 'Mountains..' will be on simplyscripts.com within the next few days.

I'll post the link when I get confirmation from Don.

I'm going out tonight. I don't see why not.

Listening to:

There's a digital radio station that plays birdsong recorded in the country 24/7.

You wouldn't believe how soothing it is, late at night and when you're feeling blue.

I'm okay though. Thanks to the birds, spring cleaning and the odd game of Amped 3 and Dead Rising. I'm playing the waiting game, job wise as I've applied for just about every job going.

Personal Fixers #1: Sigur Ros

Anytime I find myself in a real funk, I always turn to this band. For maximum relaxation, put on some big headphones and lie in a star shape either on the floor or on a bed. Works wonders for me.

Unexpected...

Wow. I did not expect to lose my job today. I did not see that coming. I don't know what I did exactly. I knew it was a temporary but, wow, I didn't know it would end like that.

I actually liked this job and I thought I was doing a good job. They felt I was too quiet and unconfident. My contract wasn't extended because I was polite basically. I worked in an office full of girls so I maintained a gentlemanly attitude. I don't know what they wanted. The office isn't my arena. I just go there to work, make money and go home. I didn't ruffle any feathers, tried my best and thought I was doing okay.

Not so.

I made a few mistakes but I'm new, human and that happens. No one told me that I was doing anything wrong during the six months I was there. In fact, I was always told I was doing well, often thanked for helping out and doing good work. I even used to ask how I was getting on because I didn't have any one-to-one meetings or appraisals. Everytime, I was told that I was doing great. I don't get it. I'm probably not supposed to.
At the end of the day, well, 12:30 I was thanked for being a great help. I don't get it. Was it a test I failed? Was I supposed to beg or plead for a permanent position? Was I supposed to unleash my inner asshole and show them that I'm not really all that quiet? I don't get it.
I left today instead of Friday because, well, what was the point of hanging around like the guy that's been dumped at the party? What was I supposed to do, plow on and work hard with my head held high? I decided to use my holiday and go.
I'm a little sad, feel a little dumped to tell you the truth, but I'll be okay. I can find something else. I needed to find something with better money anyway. I had been working on a plan B.

This weekend, '1001 Leaps of Faith', a film I wrote is being filmed and I'll be there to help out and see it through. That's my true job and one that makes me more happy than anything else. I don't get paid for it but I get to work, meet and create with a group of amazing and talented people.

When that's done and dusted, I'll know I've done a good job.

Lol Chris
'Difficult' indie star pose (the kind of pose that says 'playing the c chord is so haaaard, now gimme some water served in a glass shoe and paint this room yellow. I demand it!' or not)


Kylie and I have a day planned:

Get up early
Go shopping
Put some money on some horses (not literally, that would be cruel)
Tour some bars with out glorious winnings (Kylie won a nice wad last year) and thank whoever for randomness. (I'm ignoring stats on the national this year and going for whoever has the funniest/apt name and cool jockey shirt)
Meet up with my brother, The Moves, Heffman and The Viking for drinks and then some dancing. I figure that if we start earlier, it will give us more of a flair for dancing...or it might just make me hungry for veggie subways again.

Filming next week. All kinds of nervous.

The Doctor Will See You Now...

Personal History

Ten years ago, I was in college, floundering around with, bad dress sense bad hair and bad decisions.
I don't know why I picked history, for example.

I'm not sure what I got from college. It was confusing for the most part and I wore brown jeans. Ugh. Brown jeans with white trainers. A total wreck.

I wanted to be a house DJ too. Mercy.

I met Moves Mansell though so some good came out of it. It's been one of my most enduring, consistant and important relationships. As I sit, bored in the office, floundering in a different way (But with an amazing girl waiting for me when I get home. Love terrified me ten years ago) I've been thinking about the old days.

I remember when I thought The Prodigy were the best band ever.
I remember when I thought that film making began and ended with Silent Bob.

Coffee is good today.