Back From The Dead

Some I’m going to try this again. I know I haven’t done a posting since way back in July because, well hey I got bored or tired or I just got lazy. It’s hard to keep up a blog for me because I’m not so great at writing, and I really want to try. I just get really lazy and well that’s a really stupid reason isn’t it and a bad excuse.

Actually some great stuff has happened to me in the past few months that I feel like was worth mentioning. There’s all the stuff that happened in Scotland where I stopped posting half way through. There’s the entire month I spent in Maryland that’s hopefully I will do  its own entire post because it deserves its own post, it was an incredible once-in-a-lifetime experience. I am also currently working on a new project right now at the production company where I work, even though I have not worked on a show there for a long time which is a great relief to me. I’m actually working on something that’s not related to cats or animals, it’s actually related to  construction which is pretty cool and different. Those are all things I hope to post about in the upcoming future.

The main thing that actually made me want to try to give this another try was something I found out this week. A show that I worked on over the summer is finally airing on TV. It’s called Fabric of the Cosmos and it’s all about science and astrophysics. This was when I was working for a WGBH and I was only there for a few months, and the production…was interesting but the show looked really cool. So I heard from my family that apparently the first episode aired last night and surprisingly enough my name was in the credits. I couldn’t believe it, I had only been there for maybe three months and I only did archival work so I didn’t think that was worth a mention let alone credit at the end of the show. But sure enough I recorded it last night and there was my name in the credits

It was honestly nice surprise and I know doesn’t seem like that big of a deal, but that now means there are now two shows with my names in the credits. Two shows that air nationwide and I know not a lot of people are going to notice or care that it’s there, but it feels like a really nice accomplishment for me. I got to say I’m really excited about this. It shows that while it is small steps, I am making some progress in you know what I want to do as a career and in my life.  I suppose it is a nice feeling.

So yea that’s really it, not to be like “oh look how awesome I am” to by my first post in a while, but this whole thing is devoted to the adventure of my life, and I do consider this one a good mention. Hopefully I can actually get back into this and make something work and maybe it will actually be something people will be interested and want to read maybe? Eh who knows.

Sudden Adventure: New York Crazy Times

So it has been a very long and intense week so far. My apologies for not updating this every day as I had hoped. These past few days I only get enough time to get home eat and pass out. It’s been very intense but also very rewarding and educational. So with that said here is a quick run down of the fun stuff that happened to me in New York.

Monday: Ok nothing really that special. Spent the day driving down from Maine because of a few delays here and there we didn’t actually arrive in New York until 4:30pm a good seven hours after we had left. Luckily it was just a travel day so at least we also didn’t have to shoot something on top of the long drive. I met up with my cousin who was being very kind and letting me crash with him for the time I was in New York. Yeaaaaa for some reason the production company (not mine the Canadian one) didn’t have enough money for me to have a hotel room in NYC? Yea I didin’t get it but whatever, it was nice to see my cousin whom I havent seen in forever. Also it was my birthday on Monday so I had a birthday beer in congratulations and then got rested for the busy week ahead.

Tuesday:  Got up nice and early was able to figure out now to use the MTA with out getting totally lost and met up with the crew for our first interview. Went to The Poets House for our first interview. I have never been in this part of NYC before and it didn’t seem like the same place. It was quiet the ocean was right there and there were a lot of people walking happy puppy dogs. I helped set up for the interview then went with one of the producers to help scout for possible locations for future interviews for the week. We then had to go to another location for later in the week. However there were two downsides to this. One all these locations are basically right next to Ground Zero, so everything is under construction and it is a nightmare to drive through. Secondly because everything is under construction there really is not any where to park. I couldn’t leave the car where it was parked because it was too far away so I had to think of how I could keep the car close to the crew. Originally they said it would only take 20 mins to scout out all the locations. I pulled up to The Millenium Hilton Hotel and threw my hazard lights up hoping it would be not so long and no one would get pissed at me. While idling one of the doormen came up and asked me what we were doing. I explained to him about the shoot and what we were doing and he thought that was pretty cool. We started talking and when I explained I was from Boston he told me that he used to live in the South End. So were having a pleasant conversation when I find out that it might take over an hour for the crew to finish scouting. When I told this to doorman he was like “No prob you can keep you car here.” I asked him if he was sure and he responded “gotta look out for my fellow Bostonians”. It was amazing thanks to him I didn’t have to keep driving around or park the car which would have cost another 20 bucks. Despite myself and the doorman getting screamed at by multiple cabbies I was able to keep my car there with no Hassel. Doorman #1 even introduced me to his friend and we got to chat too and he was helping us fend off angry cabbies as well. They were really amazing guys and only wish I could have given them a bigger tip as thanks.

Wednesday: That day was particularly long. We did not start until 10 am but we didn’t really end till 10:30 pm that night so it was good over 12hr day for us. We had two interviews that day one was ironically in The Millenium again. Thanks to my doorman friends I was able to make friends with a 3rd one who helped me stash our equipment in a side room in-between our interviews. The 2nd interview was at the World Trade Center Museum. If you never been its a really nicely done place that not only provides information on what happened 9/11 but also serves as a fitting monument to all those who passed. Our 2nd interview took place in the museum itself. All I could really do during the interview was look at this giant wall that had photos of people who had passed away. It was very beautiful and also very very sad as well. It’s a nice way to never forget those we have lost but seeing all those photos really puts a visual enormity to it all. Instead of seeing a list of names you see a list of faces you get to see sort of briefly who they were and what they were like. It’s very very moving. Finally after a particularly long  interview we were all set for the day and called it a night.

Thursday: Yesterday was the big shoot day of the entire week. We were covering 4 different people with dogs, 3 different locations and two camera crew! We met up at this  dogpark and then got the day started off. As the crews went off to interview and get footage of our four people I had to lay back and keep an eye on all of our equipment. We now had double the equipment and a lot more personal belongings. Luckily we had a hand cart for the day and the second crew brought there own PA. We got to hang out and make sure nothing bad happened to the equipment. We also got to be on dog watching duty if one of there owners needed a rest or anything. The first location seemed to go well so we moved onto the 2nd one of the day, the Fireman’s Memorial Wall.

Sort of like on Tuesday it was a little crazy to get there but replace a car with a cart full of equipment. However we reached there with out incident and was soon there, that’s when my next big role came in. Because there were so many people there and large group of people + dogs = a large group of people suddenly on camera. I had to run around and get every person who appeared on camera or spoke to our subjects to sign an appearance release.  Now I have done this before but there was such a huge mass of people I was running around like a chicken with it’s head cut off. However I did meet a ton of lovely people and families from all over the world. I met two great families from Ireland and we briefly bonded over how I have family originating from Sligo. I met a huge family from Sweden very nice but did not speak that much english so that was a little challenging. I met another couple from Australia that is just doing a world wide vacation tour. By the time I was done and we moved on I think I had close to 20 different releases.

Finally we  hit our final location a chapel right near the site. There all 4 of our people who had been either involved or effected by 9/11 with there dogs got to look around at the memorials placed up in the chapel. While there we were running low on batteries, however luckily we were right next to The Millennium Hotel! I ran in and met Doorman Friend #3 and explained my situation and how I needed to charge our batteries. He was able to let me hook up our battery charger in the luggage closet for me, I gotta tell ya these guys are beyond awesome.  It was a very touching thing to see. By the time we were done, we had got a great amount of footage but we were all tired including our wonderful helper dogs.

After the shoot despite being tired I did get a chance to meet up with a good friend of mine in the city and grab dinner and some drinks. I think it was needed for the entire week I have just been in work mode the entire time and then just sleeping. It was the first time I could relax and just be me. With our biggest shoot out of the way I was able to crash and then get ready for the next day where we would say good bye to New York.

Which brings us to today. Today was just getting B-Roll of the area and some iconic shots of New York. We have now made our way to our next location in New Jersey. Tonight will be the first night in 4 days that I might be able to get more then five hours of sleep, yea in other news when I come home I am going to sleep LIKE THE DEAD. Huge thanks to my cousin who let me crash on his couch for the week even if it was a leather couch and he had no AC I’m still very thankful. Also I have learned always be kind and courteous to your doormen at hotels. There harding working great guys and if you make friends with them they will get your back. Seriously to the men at the Hotel you are like my new best friends forever. THANKS!

So only two days left in this Sudden adventure before I make my way back home. Also sorry for saying this would be a quick post, clearly that was a grievous lie.

Sudden Adventure Day 2: More Puppy Dogs and Beach’s

So today continued more filming of search and rescue dogs. The crew and I met up at around 6:30 in the am and was out to the Kennel by 7. We got there early so we could see one of there finest tracking dogs in action. We went out to this great big field with a lot of tall grass and even a pond. They would place three different markers in this field with out the dog knowing where it was. The owner would then command the dog to go out and find each on in turn. This was called a “Blind” find. It was remarkable how fast this dog went and how quickly he found each marker. We would place the marker into a new location every time and he would find all three and bring them in under five minutes and that is really impressive because the markers were over 15o feet away. At the same time he would still take directions from the owner, she could shout out a command or blow a whistle and the dog would know that it meant to either stop or go in another direction. Like I always knew that dogs were awesome but seeing this really did prove that there are just a really incredible creature.

Then second part of our shoot was a main interview with our story subject. Sadly because it was a very small room I could not be there for the interview. I waited outside to make sure no one came into the area. However it was ok because I got to hang out with these guys.

I swear I wanted to just crawl in there and nap too. The idea of napping with over 15 lab puppies seems like heaven.

Once the interview part was over we were actually wrapped for the day. We said goodbyes and the rest of the crew and I got to enjoy the rest of the day. Because it was so nice out we actually decided to go to Old Orchard Beach. One of those giant beach’s where everyone goes to in the summer time, and I can understand why it was great. So I got to spend some time hanging out on the beach and reading my book.  As work days go, filming adorable dogs/puppies then hanging out on the beach, this was pretty stellar.

And with that, that is a wrap on Portland Maine. Tomorrow we gear up and get ready to head in NYC, and I get to deal with the fun insanity that is driving through downtown Manhattan again.

Sudden Adventure!

So funny thing happened two days ago. I was on the deck talking with my folks about how because of how these next two months are going to be mad crazy scheduling wise I didn’t know when I might get my next gig and then a half hour later I got a call asking if I could do one.  My production company needed a PA for a Animal show the only catch was, it started yesterday and I would go on the road until the 18th. Well it does not take much for me to take a sign like that I happily said yes. Scheduling wise this works out pretty well if not a little crazy. I am now on the road until the 18th and then two days later I then leave for Scotland for a week and a half so life just got super crazy real fast.

I packed up a new car with new equipment and left the apt this morning at around 9 am. I am currently in South Portland Maine, I will be here until Monday, where I then drive down to NYC for a full week of taping. What am I helping out on this time? Here this is what I dealt with most of the day.

 

PUPPIES!!

Well Search and Rescue dogs but the first part of the day was getting footage of adorable Black & Yellow Lab Puppies. We had to get footage of the 3 month olds and then the 6 week olds. And I had to be puppy wrangler to make sure none tackled our DP. So needless to say it was amazing!

The rest of the shoot was getting footage of the rescue dogs going through obstacle courses and simulated destroyed terrain. Trainers would be on this mountain of wooden pallets and the dogs would have to go over all of them when they were uneven it was really amazing to see these dogs go. I learned a great lot today. One I didn’t realize Labs were used as rescue dogs but after today I can see that they are perfect for it. Second I didn’t realize rescue dogs can be used not only for search and rescue but detection dogs for things like Cancer now, its really just amazing how awesome dogs really are.

Are shoot went real well and we were all wrapped up by 6 or so.  Myself and the crew then went to celebrate a job well done by having beers. Tomorrow will be more adorable Lab dog and puppies. Then come Monday I make my way down to NYC. It was a good start to a shoot week but right now I feel this tired.

So let this week of crazy shoot of adorable dogs begin!

Wedding Adventure Season Has Started Up Again

So there has not really been much to report going on as of late. I’m still doing my thing at WGBH working on SCIENCE…well space SCIENCE. However there has been really nothing new of note to  really mention about it.  However with the warm weather finally here its time for wedding season to start all over again.

Last year I did a few weddings here and there, and I must have done something good because I was asked two months ago to cover some different weddings that are only just happening now. The first one took place this past Saturday with my good friend Lauren at the helm. We met up in the afternoon at the Colonnade Hotel. I met up with Lauren and our third shooter a lovely girl who recently graduated from Emerson. It was a typical schedule for a wedding shoot. We go in and tape; Bridal Prep, Ceremony, Reception, Toast, After Party. That’s pretty standard for most Weddings and we were lucky to only have a eight hour work shoot for us. Some weddings can go from 10 in the morning to 2 in the morning, and being on your feet filming for that long is not that fun.

We were only at the Hotel for about less then twenty  minutes before  we went on our way to the church St. Cecilia’s. One of the reasons why I love doing different shoots is because every shoot I do always get to see and learn something new no matter how big or small. On this shoot I got to see/do two brand new things. I was able to sit in a stretch suv limo and I got to see the inside of St. Cecilia’s, I don’t go to many church’s but damn this was a nice looking Catholic church. Seriously you should check it out. Also what was nice is because the church was so big and roomy we could set up pretty much wherever we wanted to get our desired shots for the ceremony. I was on Bride and Groom duty and was asked to get close ups of the happy couple during the ceremony. We also put the Lav mic on the groom so we would be able to hear there vows and it was really cool/cute to hear some of the small words you heard between the bride and groom during the whole thing. I don’t go to many Catholic weddings but the entire thing was only about a hour and change and that included doing communion and everything, so that seemed pretty short to me, but again I”m used to Jewish Bar Mitzvahs that can go on for hours and hours.

Back at the hotel we were able to get some down time while the set up the reception for the guests, I was able to meet the photographers & DJ. I always thought that a TV series based around wedding videographers would be really interesting. Because every wedding you shoot you always meet not only different types of brides, families and guests, but also different types of DJ’s and other workers. I mean I have only done a few of these but already I have seen a wide spectrum of personalities from good and bad. I really think it would be a good idea.

For the rest of the evening we got some footage of the cocktail hour, the entrance of the family and the toasts and cake cutting. The rest of the night was just getting different shots of people partying on the dance floor. I”m sorry no matter what I will always chuckle when I see the older couples dancing happily to “Shout” and then be a little confused but still reluctantly dance when the song changes from that to some crazy dance version of Lady Ga Ga’s “Bad Romance”. It really does make me smile I”m sorry.

Once ten thirty struck we were all wrapped and done. We had shot over 3 to 4 hours from each of us, our bellies were full of really good food, and our feet were killing us but all and all it was a pretty good wedding. Personally I hope I get the chance to do more of these during the summer months. It gives me a chance to see and learn something new, I get to see people totally in love start there new lives together, and I get to see intoxicated family members dance to ridiculous songs. Not bad, not bad at all.

Weekend Day Adventure

So last weekend I was able to given the chance to help out a coworker do some shooting for a show. She called me up a little while back asking if she could borrow my camera for some casting tapes. She also mentioned that if I would like to come along I could be allowed to see how the casting would work. Considering I have not done any shooting for a bit I was happy to do it.

We met up on Saturday and were going to interview a number of different people around the Boston Area for this show. This show is not related to Must Love Cats and is on an entirely different network. We had to go too four different experts in different fields. It was to show the type of people they are and weather or not they would be good for the show.

Our first expert had great personality and seemed to be a local type that anyone watching could be like “oh yea there totally from Boston”. He was very friendly and very knowledgeable and seemed to have passion for what he does. The best part though was after we were done we met his dog who had this amazing trick of getting the mail for you. I know it has nothing to do with the shoot but it was just so cute and honestly it was a nice change to see a dog do something instead of a cat (that being said still totally love cats).

Our second expert was very different from the first, however she was really good. The idea of her was to present an image that even though she was a woman she was a guys  girl. She seemed very friendly and knew many different things in her field. She was a little nervous at first but because it was just me and my producer, and because my producer is awesome at making people feel relaxed she opened up and made the casting a whole lot easier.

As we were making our way to the third interview, we received a phone call and found out that they had to back out. While it was unfortunate I”m not going to lie I was happy because that interview would have been outside, and well shooting outside in February on a windy day is not the funnest thing in the world. I would have done it happily but still not complaining it did not happen.

Our final interview took place in the historic North End. We went into this shop, a type that I have passed by hundreds of times and always thought “I should check it out” but I never did, well until now. Our last interview was a great, tons of personality and had great character. All the things he talked about were unique and there were a few things I have never heard of before. I always enjoy it when I have a chance to learn something new and that interview did that.

So after our fourth interview we were all wrapped the sun was gone and it was cold, but I think we interviewed a few great people. Sorry for being so secretive but I cannot really say what the show is or what the topic was, but that is the nature of the beast. I was just happy to have the chance to do some shooting again. As odd as it sounds it was a great way to spend a Saturday.

Hopefully more shoots in the future!

Yea You Must Love Cats!

So this past Saturday was the big premiere and it was every bit as awesome as I thought it would be. It was crazy crazy surreal to see the project I worked on to be on the TV and knowing thousands of people were watching it too. The best part for me though had to be this.

Its the first time seeing my name in the credits of a TV show. This has been my first TV show its such a great accomplishment to me I feel really proud and honored.

Anyways! on the big night I had two old High School Friends come over to see the show. There was a lot of food and beer and I was really happy to see my friends enjoying the show, not just because I worked on it but because for what it was. No sooner was the show over I received a call from my mom to tell me what they thought and from my grandmother to tell me as well. For a first episode they showed our time in the north west in Seattle and California. Now I have seen the episodes so many times now because of the logging I had to do but its completely different watching it with friends and family on the actual TV. On Sunday I did it all over again. I got even more friends to come by to see the show along with the Fella. They seemed to really enjoy the show but also really loved hearing about the behind the scenes things that happened. My friends seemed to really enjoy Klepto Cat and Cooper the Photography cat the most. My friends are now inspired to put a small camera on there Corgi and see what happens.

People seem to really enjoy it and I hope everyone will continue to watch the other episodes coming up in the next few weeks. As I said earlier I’m very proud of this show and the work we all did on it. So with that all I have left is to ask.
What did you think?

Freelance, Must Love Cats, & With These Hands

So this past weekend I was able to do some more freelance for my production company. I was asked to get some more footage for a project I helped out with a few months back about a new possible reality show. with the shoot we did a few months ago they were able to  compile a trailer and then the development section of production company pitched this show idea to a few different networks. The reviews they got were positive and so they asked for some more footage, so that is where I was called in.

On Friday I met up with my producer and our subjects for the show. I would like to say that everything went off with out a hitch but well that would just be all out lying now. Sadly there was a pretty big issue that happened right off. Because it was just myself and the producer we were not using that much equipment. Really it was just me with the camera and using either two wireless lav mics or the cameras internal shotgun mic. However I noticed as I was setting up the camera that there seemed to be an issue with the audio. I noticed that for whatever reason I was not getting any readings from both channels. After checking the settings, plugs and inputs I could not find a solution. It was pretty nerve wracking telling your producer “hey I’m sorry can you give me some time to figure this out?” I felt really bad, I have used this particular camera for a while now. It was the same type of camera I used as a B Camera for MLC, and I do know the settings on it really well. So the more I sat with it, the more frustrated/guilty I was feeling, the more time was wasting. I made some calls including the shooter who had used it previously the day beforehand, and after three different sets of advice I realized that I could not waste any more time. I called the office and asked if they could deliver a second camera. There was only one channel of audio working but I could not get it to satisfactory levels, but my producer wanted us to tape something while the second camera was being delivered. So we did with what we could and our second camera arrived. I had the guy look over the first one and he agreed that there was something messed up with it. I felt a little better that it was indeed something wrong with the camera and not me being totally incompetent. The second camera worked fine and we were up and running for the rest of the day.

For the most of it we were just there to see what action unfolded and get it all on tape. We did get some great scenes that I think will help out. We saw our subjects work and interact. We then went with out main subject back to there home. We saw them interact with there family and even went with them on a walk. Where they live has this amazing marsh/park area and while there was deep deep snow (like up to my waist) it was still very pleasant. Once the sun was set that was a wrap for the day and I started making my way home. On the way though I received a call from one of the producers asking if I could also help out the next day as well, which I agreed to happily.

Saturday was a little of the same thing except with a bit more travel. Our main subject had two different events to attend, so that meant a little bit of traveling back and forth but it was still great to capture. During the first event I thought my camera’s audio was wigging out again and had a momentarily silent panic moment but I realized that my mic just needed new batteries. Sadly because of our first event we were a little late to our second one so there was not that much to tape, but it was all very real and I am sure it can be used one way or another. It was not that long of a shoot day but when factoring having to return all the equipment to the office, drop off the tapes for the editor and having to drive all the way back to Nahant to return my car, I did not get back home till close to 10 so it was a nice long day. I do not know wether or not this will help sell the show or not, but if it does we could have a whole new series I might be able to help out with in the future.

So with that out of the way I am here to deliver another plug about Must Love Cats. It premieres THIS SATURDAY AT 8! Seriously you should check it out, it is really well done. Get a chance to finally see what I was referring too for all these months.

Lastly my friends and I have been continuing work on our web series With These Hands! We just made Episode 3 live check it out!

roughweek.org

So that’s it for now, once a new adventure happens you will be sure to hear about it.

Till then!

 

 

 

Random Jobs & Announcement Time

So as January has rolled around I am still doing the fun unemployment thing. But I have had a few good random jobs here and there. Weather it’s taping Bar Mitzvahs, or editing projects I have had something to do to bring in some cash here and there. Until a new show starts up at the production company I work at I just sort of have to sit tight. However I have been lucky enough to help out back at the office for the past few weeks.

A good friend of mine who also works there has called me in a few times to help out with various things. A few weeks ago I helped set up for a photo shoot that was going to be used for promotion of a new show. Funny enough the show was actually one of the shows I helped crew on. So it was nice to see the cast and crew of that show again even if it was for a  day. I was able to do fun things with green screens, learn more about lighting because I sort of suck a lot at that. I was even allowed to take some still photos on a fancy Canon camera. I know a few things backwards and forwards about video cameras, however I have not really had that much of a hands on experience with professional Still Cameras. Nice to know that allot of the same concepts apply, and it was fun just getting my hands on a new type of camera I have never really used before.

I also helped out yesterday as well. Last night was the premiere of a new show on PBS called Making Stuff that our company helped produce. While I was not able to do as much technical stuff as I would like, it was nice to help out for the premiere and well right now jobs a job and money is money so I’m really not going to mind. So I really do not know when I will start up a new show, all I can do is just keep waiting and see what unfolds next.

ok so BIG ANNOUNCEMENT TIME!!!! The show I was working on last year. The show I pretty much started this whole blog for is going to be premiering very soon! The show will be premiering on Animal Planet on February 12th at 8PM!  All of you should check it out and see what all this crazyness I have been talking about for the past year has been for. No seriously its going to be a great show, with a great host and a huge ton of great cats. Check it out in about 3 weeks.

Get Ready

Adventures in Bar Mitzvahing

So over the past holiday weekend was my last day on my show at Animal Planet. So this now ushers in my time of not knowing where my next pay check is going to come from. Recently a good friend of mine who shoots and edits Weddings and other Events asked me if I wanted to tape a Bar Mitzvah because she could not on that day. Considering I know my way around Jewish Rights of Adulthood and I know how to shoot I happily accepted it.

Now I have had my own Bar Mitzvah, I said my prayers in front of friends, families, and loved ones. I was traditionally pelted with hard candy, and then I had my Bar Mitzvah party. Now I personally think that my Bar Mitzvah was better the most. For one it was not on a weekend so my service was no more then a half hour. Also for my party we had it at The Hard Rock Cafe in Boston, and was transported by Limo. Now right now that may not seem like much, but at the time when your 13 it is beyond the bee’s knees. The one I went too was at this nice function hall where the kids got a whole room to themselves to play games and have there own food. Once again may not seem that thrilling to us but when your 13 and your surrounded by friends and classmates its a big deal heh.

I arrived at this banquet hall in Randolf. The building was nice and clearly does nice events there it just sucks that its right next too the highway and well less reputable places around it. I’m pretty sure there is a strip club on the opposite side of the parking lot from it. I met up with the DJ, The Photographer and the DJ’s Assistants. Most Bar Mitzvah parties will have themes to them, this kids was Baseball themed, so the Assistants were dressed up like referees. I also made sure to introduce myself to the mother and soon the celebration was underway.

There were a few things to cover for the evening. The Entrance of the family members, the traditional lighting ceremony of the candles, the prayers over the challah and wine and then finally any other party games and dancing that might occur.  Everything went pretty smoothly through out all of it and there was only one moment of pure terror. In a very wise move my employers gave me a second camera in case the venue was big enough I could put it on a tripod and let it go and get a wide angle shot. Sadly the room was not big enough to get a decent shot so I put the camera too the side. After the candle lighting ceremony my Camera battery was about to die out. That made sense its a 3rd party battery and it was close to two hours in. So I run to my camera case and throw on the second battery. I try to turn it on and nothing happens….I try turning it on again….and nothing happens. So I’m going all SHIT SHIT SHIT WHAT TO DO WHAT TO DO. Realize ok I have 2nd camera I quickly grab the second camera throw on the battery and exchange the tape and rush back to my spot annnnnd I’ve missed the toast to the kid. However right after that was the blessing of the wine and challah by the kids 90 plus year old grandfather so I’m sure between the two the family would be happier to get that then the toast. After that it continued to be smooth for the rest of the night.

While there I relearned the fun that is the game Coke & Pepsi. That was one of the game we used to play all the time and was allot of fun, I completely forgot about it. I also think it could just be a game played at Bar Mitzvahs because I asked three different friends who had never been to one before and had never heard of the game before. I also learned that kids know songs and know how to dance to songs that they really should not know at there age! This is just me getting on my old man not so old man pedestal but I don’t think 12 – 13 year old kids should know the lyrics to Low by Flow Ryder nor should they know how to dance to that song! Frankly any type of Lyrics that are featured in most Girl Talk Albums should not be know by kids but eh I guess that’s the culture today.

So all and all a good night. Made some good money and had a pretty easy time to do it. One of the nice things about doing Bar Mitvahs is unlike weddings or other events when kids see a camera they all want to pose and do ridiculous things in front of it.

L’chaim!!