Salon to the Rescue

Salon.com is a daily web read and because I too was so enraged with what was said about Parkinson's disease by that mean-spirited creep Rush Limburger I thought I'd include some quotes from other readers who feel the same way. Bookmark SALON and you too can get your fix of thought-provoking opinions.

The Limburger Nation-
"The limburger nation, along with the confederacy is the republican base. Baseholes, if you will. They're the ones that think Dickless Cheney's okay for saying "let's play bobbing for Muslims", they're the torturers, the enablers, the fearmongers who want our borders to look like East Germany's did. These assholes are on the wrong side of history and it's coming to bite them in their flabby butts on November 7."

Unbridled Evil -
"Limbaugh, Coulter, Hannity, Beck and Savage are rabid hyenas. Were they labeled "animals" they would have been shot a long time ago. Unfortunately, some people insist that these noxious creatures are human. Let us figure out a way that this stinking rot that these abominable creatures are can be thrown out of public life."

It Costs $59.95 Just To Look At Rush's Web Site -
"I cannot even research this situation, find out what Rush Limberger has to say for himself, because he charges $59.95 just to take a look at his web site! (People need to "join" for a year in order to get in and take a look.) Is this like W.Bush's "public" appearances, where only vetted Republican contributors can attend? Or is this just greed? I would sooner flush sixty bucks down the toilet than give it to Rush."

Republicans, Party of Death-
"Fascists and pharisees fight to save discarded embryos while real children starve to death and real soldiers die for Helliburton in the desert. republikans give lip service to life, and push policies that kill people. Lots of them. Of course, republikans also give lip service to congressional pages, but then that's their social life. If you like death and locking gays in the closet, vote republican."

Limbaugh, etc. -
"I have always regarded Rush Limbaugh as the epitome of mean-spiritedness, and thought I had seen it all. The horror of watching him ridicule Michael J. Fox revealed, however, that he is worse than mean-spirited. He is certifiably psychopathological. His abject lack of empathy is clear evidence of personality disorder. Might I suggest a diagnosis of antisocial personality disorder. Also, if Limbaugh is what neocons like to watch on TV or listen to on the radio is it any wonder the Bushies cannot fashion a foreign policy superior to that of fourth grade boys taunting and bullying one another on the playground."

Stumping for A Solid Winner

As if you can't tell by reading my blog by now I'm a registered Democrat and proudly admit it. It probably isn't a fiscally wise move to flaunt this fact seeing as I need freelance work from whatever party is willing to pay right now. However, this year is so incredibly important. This year it's time that we Dems even the playing field by taking back control of United States Congress and the best man for the job is actually a woman. Her name is Kirsten Gillibrand and regardless if this narrows my freelance opportunities I'm shooting her campaign commercials and loving every minute of it. It wasn't as tough a choice as I first feared. My conscience always comes before coins as does Kirsten's. She's running for the 20th district congressional seat against against incumbent U.S. Rep. John Sweeney.

At the behest of his wife Hillary, President Bill Clinton flew to Albany today to support Kirsten. About a thousand supporters rallied with banners and posters shouting for change while Kirstin and Bill took to the stage. It was wonderful being back in the mix of covering politics, especially with my former favorite President. His larger-than-life personality, quick wit and heartwarming speech won everyone over and it was just what I needed to reassure me that I'm doing the right thing. Be watching locally or check out Kirsten's website for video I captured.

Political Angst in Panama

Yesterday was a historical day for Panama. Voters approved a referendum to build a third set of locks between the Pacific and Atlantic by 2015. The canal is becoming outdated and overcrowded and needs major improvements. But critics like my Panamanian friends contend the expansion will benefit only the rich and increase corruption within the Canal Authority. They would love to be proven wrong but I bet they won't be. The new locks will generate 40,000 new construction jobs but the 40% that live in poverty will not be hired. How could they be? These are highly skilled labor-driven union positions. What do the poor know about unions, management or construction? What do they know about spelling, nutrition or even proper hygiene for that matter.

Funding is not going where it's needed most, first on the poor and second on the roads. The highway stretch between Panama City and Colon is disgraceful and I was thankful I didn't pop a tire or crack the wildshield. There are sinkholes, shattered glass and loose stones on every turn. Hundreds of rusty commercial billboards stymie a perfectly beautiful view of the rainforest. Garbage and rotting roadkill is strewn across crumbling blacktop. Waste Managment would be a god-sent in this country.

During the drive green "Yes" and red "No" posters dotted nearly every telephone pole. The vote divided the population into the have's and have nots more than usual. It's interesting to note that even the sale and public consumption of alcohol was banned for 48 hours due to the referendum. The government wanted everyone to stay nice and sober until after the votes were tallied. This ruffled a few feathers in Portobelo but over all everyone stayed focus on the Cristo Negro celebration.

What will become of Panama in light of this new historic signing? My friends are reluctant to think anything positive. Unfortunately, the oft-cliche "only time will tell" is all anyone can do go on right now.

Powerful Portobelo

I made it to Portobelo! It took 1 night sleeping in a strange bed, 2 hours driving in the dark on a crumbling road and 3 hours perched on the back of an 18 year-old motorcycle clocking in at 100km/hour. Life sure is an adventure! The Christo Negro festival was in full swing when I arrived. Thousands upon thousands of people trekking up a steep hillside to witness and worship an age-old celebration. Those that have committed really bad sins (murder) come crawling on hot asphalt on all fours. Scraping their backs against the rocky pavement, they are bloody and bruised and chanting forgiveness from Saint Christo Negro. Some bear heavy crosses on their shoulders. Others have hot wax poured on their arms and legs while they plead for mercy. Of all the religious ceremonies I've videotaped - this by far is the most dramatic, powerful and chilling. It took everything out of me to keep from weeping with the rest of the patrons. Now, I'm off to the canal watershed to capture more unbelievable foootage for my uncoming documentary/travel series. Stay tuned

Flying from the Seat of My Pants

As I sit typing from 10,000 feet above sea-level I'm literally flying from the seat of my pants. I don't know Spanish and have no idea where I'm staying. I know nothing about the highway system or the traffic patterns. I'm not sure if my camera will be welcome to take photos inside the Portobelo Church. The friends that I was suppose to stay with haven't confirmed anything since I wrote a week ago. Meanwhile, PilotGirl Productions has been inundated with requests for projects this weekend. What am I doing? I need the money but yet I'm flying on a wing and prayer hoping that my ambitions and goals breakthrough this cut-throat business of television programming. Can I really make this happen? The sun is bursting through an open cloud and is spraying light in my direction. Might that be a sign? Is that a good omen? Am I on the right track? Am I doing the right thing? Bloggers everywhere unite and assure me I'm flying in the right direction.
Thank you kindly!

Mama Mia Back to Panamia

Mama Mia - what a week! Today I brought the family to enjoy the broadway musical 'Mama Mia' and we wept with joy hearing Abba's greatest hits. I come from a sappy family, what can I say? I didn't have time to do much weeping though. Tomorrow I fly the friendly skies back to Panama to document more footage for a doc I'm pouring my blood, sweat and moola into. Another quick adventure to document an annual pilgrimmage that draws 60,000 attendants. In the meantime, please read the August trip online at GoNomad. The video Travel Shorts can be found here and here. Enjoy and see you in a few days!

Richard's Mom on My Mantle

My Uncle's good friend Richard passed away in September at 87 yrs old. He lead a privileged life growing up - taking trips around the world, Paris, Miama, Vienna, Salzburg etc., at a time when the 1930's depression was hitting home hard. Later in life he married a woman he absolutely adored and happily stayed together for 40 years until she died in 1993. Richard was an only child and had no kids of his own. This weekend my Uncle handed off boxes and boxes of old 16mm film reels taken by Richard's Dad of him when he was a boy.

I knew Richard. He was a comedian, a chain smoker, a traveler, a shorty, a fancy dresser, and a kind gentle man with a heart as big as they come. Knowing how I love old Cine cameras, Dad dropped by to pass on the nostalgia. The dusty cardboard reaked of nicotine but most of the contents inside stayed airtight and free of oxidizing or drop-outs. Naturally, old film stock degrades badly but restoration can clean up most of it.

"Hmmmm....wonder what this sealed vault contains?, Dad asks. He pauses, tips it from side to side, tries to rattle it, then it dawns on him. He slowly puts the box down and takes a step backwards to breath again. It's Richard's Mom! Yes, all 6 pounds of her in a tiny black box that's been buried with old film stock for 40 years. She was cremated but Richard was buried 2 months ago - a little too late now to include her ashes with her only son. What to do? What to do?

I decide to volunteer an option. "Since these old film reels have been home for her 40 years I'll take her", I offer. "She was a traveler, I'm a traveler, she hung out with cameras all her life - so do I, she loved adventure and risk taking - so do I. It's a natural fit". So, it's settled beams Dad. "Richard's Mom stays with you". And that's how I've come to find myself with one more housemate this week. It would have been nice if she could help with the morgage but I'm sure we'll manage just fine together.

Treehugger TV too!

I carry an organic hemp bag, subscribe to wind energy, avoid styrofoam and paper plates, bike to run errands, use Earthtones for my long distance and recycle, recycle, recycle. As if I have time to do more I've found myself reading Treehugger for more sustainable tips on how to protect the planet. Green principles, concepts and materials is like combining my favorite Coldplay song with a Bueno Vista beat. Who wouldn't want to use ordinary products made ten times better with a few minor adjustments? Like the new hand dryer, the Airblade by Dyson, said to use 83% less energy than similar dryers. It's rated at 4.4Whr. Or, scientists in Japan inventing the first motor to be powered by bacteria. The micro-motor relies on bacteria gliding along a silicon track to spin a silicon dioxide rotor...(read more). Or buying Bono's (U2) red products like i-pods, clothing, watches, shoes where $10 from each sale goes directly to the Global Fund. This site even offers treehugger tv shorts that maybe I can find time to contribute to someday. It's so cool to be an unconventional today!

Lifting is a Man's Job

I awoke to a quandary this morning. How to get my mammoth blue couch, circa 1995, out of my livingroom and into the garage so's to make way for my production equipment. Due to my impatience of tv commercials I abandon sitting and watching the idiot box years ago. Until I get TiVo I refuse to rot whats left of my attention span on meddlesome marketing mantras. Who in the world can sit through 14 minutes of rhetoric wrapped around a 13 minute show? I surely can't. So, it's out with the couch and in with a new supply room for my video equipment. But, again, how to move a behemoth couch when it's just me doing the lifting?

Knock, Knock....

I peak out the door. Why lookie who's here right in the knick of time - it's everyone's friend Bobbie E! A strong, capable, semi-young (or at least young at heart), strapping man who can heave this couch straight over his shoulders and toss the thing right out the door. Bob grabs one and I grab the other. Mutti and little sis do what they can. It's an team effort after all. We push, we pull, we squeeze and we shimmy. We tip it one way and then another. We mangle the sides and tear up the door frame and crack the hinges but it's still as far from the garage as it was before Bob arrived. So much for testosterone lifting. Furniture lifting is no easy eandeavor and even with 4 of us it takes several minutes to spring the couch from it's inner sanctum. Finally, with one last mighty shove the beast is out on it's end.

Whew! Wonder how long she'll sit in the garage until I find another brawny man to help me haul her to the dump....any volunteers?

Thift-Shop Couture

Last week the Bethlehem Chamber of Commerce had a gathering of it's members at the new Senior Center for a meet and greet. PilotGirl Productions, my own baby, is the latest entry on a growing roster of homegrown businesses in the area. It sure was nice to vent to other start-ups about the initial costs, tax preparation, long hours and continueing costs. It seems that my pricetag toward venture capitalism dwarfs everyone else's by a huge huge margin. We're talking tens of thousands. Unlike the thift-shop opening on the corner of Kenwood and Delaware mine is more than five and dime hand-me-downs from Grandma's dusty closet. PilotGirl is a full-service production company with all the bells and whistles that major film companies own. Sure, debt is a scary thing but working for a boss that cares little about it's employees is definitely scarier. I'll take the debt and responsibility and enjoy the freedom from that attitude anyday. And due to a strong marketing campaign, PilotGirl's list of high profile clientele keeps growing everyday. This week alone I shot for 'Montel', HGTV's 'Small Spaces, Big Style' and again 'The Rachael Ray' show. Whether you own a thift-shop or a coffee house or a retail internet site, there's nothing better in life than being self-employed. Am I right?

My Car Has Wings

My car has wings! In 4 short days I've logged enough miles on my little black Malibu to equal a cross country trip to California. Honestly, today alone I drove a little under 1000 miles for a production job way out near Erie, Pennsylvania. 12 hours of drive time for a three hour television shoot on a 1 minute segment for 'The Rachael Ray Show'. Can you imagine. Be watching for Julie next week - a woman needing advice on healthier eating habits, a sagging waistline and smile lines.

I had to dart out of the house at 3 o'clock this morning and navigate through blinding fog and major road construction to get to her house by 9am. Occasionally the thick patches of fog would lift and my headlights would catch acres of corn fields and beautiful changing colors. But my eyes grew tired fast transfixed on white lines between lanes so I had to literally torture myself to stay awake. I slapped my legs until they were raw and then shoved my left arm out the window freezing it in the cold wind. Then, when those two methods failed, I blasted my XM radio as loud as it would go and sang out loud until my throat was soar. Finally, desperation sank it around 8am and I had to stop for a coffee. I snub the stuff because it usually gives me a splitting migraine but that sounded more appealing that falling asleep at the wheel. Starbucks helped loads too. They jacked up the caffeine level in my cappuccino with twice as many 'shots' as they usually use. Thank you Starbucks. A headache never felt so good.

It's not over yet though. I'm back home briefly for a quick cat nap and then off again into the wild blue (or fog) yonder again tomorrow!

Serenity Now

"Oh Cool! Check out all the FCP widgets and plug-ins I just downloaded from Digital Heaven Mutti, I holler from my downstairs home office.
"Vhat? Vhat are saying? Vidgets? Vhat are Vidgets?"
"Oh, forget it"

When techno-talk like widgets becomes 'cool', it's definitely time for another break from editing. Think I'll take Mutti on a quick Adirondack adventure. It's getting late in the afternoon and it looks like rain but we're off to explore another page ripped from our recent book purchase - 'Quiet Water Canoe Guide of New York State'.

Getting the canoe strapped to the top of the car proves harder than canoeing. I drive shy of 55 just incase my knotting and double knotting fails me. Ahhhh, the freedom of self-employment, I think to myself as we start on another mini-adventure. Our euphoria only slightly dampened by the wet and overcast conditions. We double around a little town called Victory north of Saratoga looking for the area listed in the book. A man emptying his car of groceries helps get us to where we're going when we seem lost. Ah yes, there's the little creek! I exclaim.

It's flowing northward towards us and the rain had subsided some. We lock up the car and take off threading our way through the narrow passageway. We spot ducks, cardinals and low-flying whooping cranes. The current isn't all that strong and negotiating it seems easy enough. The authors of the book claimed to have a belted kingfisher pace them up the river - we instead are outpaced by ugly bottom-feeding carp. They can get pretty big though and give both of us a scare when they disrupt the water. Autumn leaves gently fall from the trees landing on a carpet of slow-moving Saratoga Lake water. What's that floating up there? Might that be a message in a bottle?

Nope - it's instead a large empty bottle of Martini & Rossi. We definitely look like drunks with it sitting in our craft but we do the right thing and pick it out of the water for proper disposal later. We pass a Rod & Gun Club upstream and continue our journey toward a set of rapids listed on the book map. Unlike Saratoga Lake, whats nice about this little creek is there are no powerboats just the faint sound of Route 29 and 32 in the distance or a red-winged blackbird excercising his lungs from a passing oak.

Yes, good times, good times. Serenity now...longer editing nights later.

Saratoga's Native American Festival

This weekend marked the largest local gathering of Native Americans in more than 300 years - the Native American Festival in Saratoga Springs, NY. Luzerne Productions hired PilotGirl Productions (that's me) to shoot footage for an upcoming television program. Saturday's events included the Grammy winner guitarist Bill Miller, dancers, vendors, storytellers and even a smoke dance competition. Groups of Indians from the Abenaki, Mohawk and Oneida tribes wore their colors and heritage with pride. Around the pow-wow circle paraded dozens of costume-wearing Indians stomping to the beat of drums and tribal chants. Unlike today it was a nice dry place to listen to the Akwesasne Women Singers and watch intricate Wampum making.