Friday, August 14, 2015

Men-eral Spa


Prelude:

My body has taken a real toll over the course of this past year it started just on the brink of last summer when I played on a baseball team for the first time since little league. 

Now while my little league skills hadn't completely diminished I was definitely a little rusty. While playing short stop in maybe my third game I took a line drive to the knee in the ninth inning. Pain filled my knee cap immediately but I figured it was nothing and hobbled it off. The fact that this was a beer league may have added to this thinking. So after continuing the night a little further with some post game camaraderie I found out the following day at a walk-in clinic that I had broken my knee cap.

Being in Robo-cop looking leg brace should have slowed me down but I still managed to travel and keep up with the hustle that was my current situation with working full time and full course load that kept me moving.


While still in my leg brace with just enough movement to work the brake and gas pedal of my Jeep I was T-boned. It did a number on my upper body including a mild concussion and whiplash.
By the time November rolled around I not only sported a dark moustache but also a black cast when I broke my hand. 
But this never slowed me down I still managed to break the case and make the grade in my Media Production major at Red River College.

Truth be told I never gave my body the love it needed to heal because I never had the time, I just barely squeezed in the required physio appointments with all I had going on, everything else took a back seat.

As of late I have been more inclined to pamper and pleasure my pain.

Men-eral Spa


Two weeks ago I visited the Urban Oasis Mineral Spa at the Clarion. I was long overdue for a massage and figured I wanted to really pamper myself so I decided to go the whole nine yards.  I checked in early to check out the spa area 

Friday, August 3, 2012

Back in Flight: The Rise of the Blog


It's best to have failure happen early in life. It wakes up the Phoenix bird in you so you rise from the ashes.
Anne Baxter



The Rebirth of the Phoenix seemed like an appropriate image  to let the rebirth of my blogging soar.
In 2010, the first year of CreComm I was asked to come up with a theme for a blog and upkeep it every week.  After little thought I came up with the name Fight Blog, I thought it was punchy, no pun intended.
To say I am a fan of  Palahniuk, Fincher, Pitt, and Norton, the novel and the movie would be an understatement. 



There was more of a method to my madness than the male bravado, the cool actors and the offbeat writing and directing.

Truth be told, the reason I was such a fan of this novel and film is because  I was no stranger to fighting against myself at that time.

While I was able to put quite a unique spin on this blog for quite some time, somewhere along the way I threw in the towel with out realizing it.

It is time to spread my wings and blog again; this time with a new name and outlook.

I am falling in love with life and possibility, and maybe even the idea of actually falling in love.  I had been jaded for years and while I haven't fell yet, I feel that rather than fighting it, I have faith enough that I could.

I have come to a fork in a road that is paved with possibility and uncertainty and it is exciting. I am seeing the people and the world around me differently, in a new light.

I look forward to regain the interest of old followers and gain new ones as I make the transition from Fight Blog to The Birds Eye View of The Falls and Rises of Life.

A new observation of the world around me coming soon.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

TKO: Bitter VS Sweet




"It is the fight alone that pleases us, not the victory."
Blaise Pascal



To keep up my blog, something that I used to love to do, has been a fight  that I have lost most ungraciously.



Good intentions to keep it up may have paved the way, but with a full course load, my IPP and a full time and part time job, I had a hell of a time doing so.




But Fight Blog is making a comeback, cause  Mama said Knock You Out with more of my words, thoughts, reflections, revelations, opinions and ideas.
So this will be the first again of many more to come.


The above, is a badge I  and the rest of my peers in the Creative Communications program have worn proudly over the past two years.  I am sure I speak for all of my new friends when I say that this experience has taught me so much about myself and my capabilities.

After the better part of a year we all presented projects that we poured our hearts into, and blood, sweat and I am sure some tears over; this past week.

Closes calls, doubt, and anxiety were jabs that were thrown in this fight to the finish, and Relief, Pride, and Success were uppercuts returned. 


For most of us, we will continue to push our creative efforts into the world whether they be novels, products, EP's, repeat events or like myself a short film.

While the stress of the IPP deadline has come to an end, it has left me wanting and feeling a little sad, knowing that the end is near with everythng else.

Time is getting away from us.

Soon, there will be no more access to the College and all of it's perks. 

Seeing all of the peers and faculty that inspire us every day will soon be a thing we may wish we didn't take for granted.

It has been a great journey on this road to higher education, improvement and empowerment, some we car pooled with, and some we just met up with at the rest stops.

A few of us have already got on the off ramp, driving full force into a new future. Some leaving the city.



While we are happy and proud to see them move on, we hate to see them go.

We have all found our own victories in this fight to move forward. 
We have all had our own battles and bouts.

For each one of us it has been a TKO.


We will all go off in our directions, unsure what the next road will lead to, 
unsure what our next challenge will throw our way.

The end of this fight: Chadd VS CreComm is an ending that can be weighted in as Bitter VS Sweet.




My purse: Satisfaction of completing my first short film Victoria


The Trailer:


http://youtu.be/dZVIvc19TvY





Friday, April 22, 2011

"Cool Catt: GULBRANTSON" VS "You may have seen me, VOGELSANG on TV"

   VERSUS            



GULBRANTSON                                                          VOGELSANG                                                                  

                      

                         A Poetic Tribute                        


In one corner is Journalism
In the other is Ad
Their RRC towels have been thrown
Leaving many of us feeling sad
In the ring of life
They are both heavy hitters
But only one of these champs, can be found on Twitter
VOGELSANGSAYS
Why are you telling me this now?
Kent shows us Ad X-Factor
X=Wow

They teach us how to roll with the punches
They get us in shape, and ready
One threw Live Hit Derbys
Other gets us to take our shot at the Eddies
Showing of Art & Copy
Reading of To The Grave
They are both gentlemen and scholars
We are the fortunate; to have learnt by their ways

A webslinger sticker, fills J students with pride
The hep cool cat ad man relates to us with his jive
Steve has a glorious bucket
Kent has a glorious beard
"You may have seen me on tv"
A phrase heard throughout the year

One's been seen on the telly
One's been seen on the stage
Both offer us knowledge
So wise and sage
These heavyweights connect with us
Though their humor and charm
Now one will relax in the praires
While one is off to the mountains to farm

Their teachings are timeless
On a stopwatch of destiny
An unforgetable year full of great memories

Trained us CreComms hard
Now greatness we can achieve
May their new paths lead to great things
As from this one, they leave.

Positions will be covered,
But there's no replacing,
Kent & Steve


The first rule of fight blog is you must comment on fight blog.







Friday, April 15, 2011

Romo & Jullienne


What happens when you mix these two things together?

Well in my fight to come up with doing something for my Creative Writing screenplay assignment I decided to find out.



Romo & Julienne



Logline:
Romo Monstershoes was a clown from the wrong side of the tracks.
Julienne Captivate; a sublime beauty,came from a family with a history of money and coulrophobia.

In homage to Shakespeare and the Silent Film era,
This is one of the greatest love stories, rarely told.








Act One...

A black screen reads: “Two Different Families. One Dispute.  Decades Begrudged.”
A black screen reads: “A Young Captivate at the Circus.”
(B.S.)

1. Int. Circus Day
    
A teenage Captivate is shown looking uneasy with his date in the front row; the ring leader enters the main ring.

   RING LEADER
(B.S.)
“Bring Out The Monstershoes!”

 A band of clowns storm the main ring doing acrobatic and martial art type movements.
The teenage Captivate is terrified.
A teenage Monstershoes brandishes a karate kick inches from the young Captivate’s face.
The young Captivate wets himself, and crowd roars with laughter. Drowning in his own shame, the young Captivate takes the laughter to heart; he stands up, and punches Monstershoes in the nose.

CAPTIVATE
(B.S.)
 “Good for Nothing Clown!”

Captivate hotfoots it out of the big top.
A black screen reads: “Two Teenagers Fathering Shame; Now Fathering Teenagers of Their Own”.

2. Ext. Train Depot- Day

Romo the clown is seen on the platform busking as the hustle and bustle of the arriving train   scurry by while some stop to watch, above him reads a sign.

ROMO
(Sign)
 “Wrong Side”

A train on the other side of the track blows its whistle and slowly steals away from the station revealing the splendiferous Julienne, above her reads a sign.

JULLIENNE
(Sign)
“Right Side”

Romo is blowing up a long balloon when he catches sight of Julienne, she takes his breath away and the balloon deflates.
    

ROMO
Motions “pardon me” and “one sec” to the crowd
    
Romo breathes life into the long balloon; this time twisting it into a heart.

ROMO
(Towards Julienne)
With the heart balloon, gestures it leaping from his chest repeatedly.


At this moment a man snatches Julienne’s handbag and jumps onto the tracks.
Romo sees his fair damsel in distress.

ROMO
Slips his heart over his sleeve and picks up his cane which is at his feet. 

Romo flings himself onto the track and with big strides and in no time, he is neck and neck with the thief; he waves.
    
ROMO
(B.S.)
 “Do you know what season it is?”

The thief looks confused.
    
THIEF
(B.S)
 “Fall, I think.”

Romo sticks his cane out and trips the thief.
    
ROMO
(B.S)
“Me too.”

Thief now flat on his face, attempts to get up, Romo bonks him over the head with his cane; knocking him out.
Romo spins his cane, so the hook is at the bottom, and picks up Julienne’s handbag and totes it over to where she’s standing.
Romo kneels like a knight, Julienne’s handbag dangles at the end of his hook.
    

ROMO
(B.S.)
 “My lady.”
    
JULIENNE
(B.S.)
 “My hero!”
    
Julienne is quite taken by Romo as she fans herself with her handkerchief, she points to his arm.
    
JULIENNE
B.S.)
“You wear your heart on your sleeve?”
    
ROMO
(B.S.)
 “I do for you.  Please take it”

Romo is seen giving away his heart to a blushing Julienne. Julienne takes out a tube of lipstick and applies it to her lips; she crouches down and motions for Romo to turn around. Using his back she writes something on the handkerchief and than kisses it before handing it to him.
    
JULIENNE
(B.S.)
 “You are sweet, but I must go. Come to my party at this address tonight so I may thank you proper.”

Romo takes the handkerchief and kisses her hand bowing ever so slightly. Julienne smiles and while ever so gently pulling her hand away; leaves.

ROMO
(Reading the address on the handkerchief)
 “13 Verona Way.”

He kisses the handkerchief, puts it his pocket and makes his way back to the “Wrong Side” of the tracks.

3. Int. Captivate Mansion - Night

Romo enters the party dressed to the nines and holding a bag.

ROMO
(Bag)
 “Happy Birthday”
      
Romo is taken back, his eyes grow wide and his jaw drops when he notices a banner that reads “Happy Engagement”
Julienne and Daris approach Romo. Romo drops the birthday bag and side kicks it behind him.
Julienne and Romo share a smile and wave while he and Daris share a glare.

ROMO
Kisses Julienne’s hand and shocks Daris with a hand buzzer when he shakes his.

Julienne giggles. Daris glares at Romo and storms off dragging Julienne behind him, she looks over her shoulder at Romo.
     ROMO
Waves and smiles at Julienne

Romo rubs his head and belly simultaneously and thinks to himself.
    
ROMO
(B.S.)
 “If only I could get her alone.”

Act Two...

1. Ext. Julienne’s Window- Night

Julienne is leaning out her window and gazing into the night.
    
JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
“Star light, star bright, where art thou Romo my kooky knight?”
    
Romo’s seen coming up the side of the house on stilts, he notices some flowers in the garden and motions that he has an idea.
Romo cozies up to the Captivate house until he can lean on it firmly. He begins to fashion a rose for Julienne from some balloons he has in his pocket.

JULLIENNE)
(Talking at the night)

Romo inches up the side of the house with the balloon rose blossoming from his coat pocket.                   
When Romo is right outside her window, he takes a glass from his inside pocket and puts it to his ear so he can listen in on her chat with the moon.
    



JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
“Monstershoes. What’s in a name? How would we call a rose anything else and have it smell as sweet?”
     -
Romo takes the glass from his ear and plunges the balloon rose into it. He extends his arm so that it is right in front of Julienne. Julienne is startled, she peeks out her window and her face fills up with joy when she see it is Romo, she accepts the rose. Romo whirls himself around so that he is face to face with Julienne; then begins to lose his balance.
Julienne briskly grabs at Romo’s handkerchief pulling out a dozen; Romo lets his hand off the stilts in attempt to clutch the last handkerchief but is too late and falls backwards into her yard.
Julienne places her hands on her cheeks and is flabbergasted. Romo looks up at Julienne.

ROMO
(B.S.)
 “It appears I have fallen for you!”

Julienne blushes and smiles.

JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
 “And I for you!”

JULLIENE’S MOTHER
(B.S.)
 “Julienne!!!”

Julienne turns around and turns back in a panic; she blows Romo a kiss and exits from her window.  Romo reaches into his inside pocket and pulls out a paper and a pen, after a few scribbles he folds it into a plane and propels it through Julienne’s window. The paper plane is seen landing on Julienne’s bed.  Her hands are seen unfolding it.

JULLIENE
(Paper)
 “Will you Marry Me?? __Yes __No __Maybe

Int. Clown College-Day

An instructor uses a meter stick to point to a chalk board that reads: “Clown College is More Than Just Fun & Games!”
Romo and his best friend Mercury are seen engaged in lavish banter.
The instructor gives them a glare while bringing her index finger to her nose,


INSTRUCTOR
(B.S.)
 “SHUSH!!”
BLACK SCREEN
 “Knock”

An envelope slides under the door, the instructor walks over and picks it up. The envelope reads: “ROMO”
The instructor walks over to Romo and glares while handing him the envelope, than traipses back to the chalkboard.  Romo tears open the envelope and in excitement quickly unfold the paper. Romo jumps out of his seat.

ROMO
(B.S)
“A Yes! I Got A Yes!”

Romo runs out the classroom door.  Romo sticks his head back in the room and tips his hat off to the instructor, than he exits.

Int. Church-Day

Romo runs up the church aisle to where the minister is standing and begins excitedly talking with his hands.

MINISTER
(B.S)
 “Julienne? But I thought Roxanne was the one!”

ROMO
(B.S,)
“No Father it is Julienne and no other. Please send for her, so I may call her my wife by dusk!”

The minister nods.

MINISTER
(B.S.)
 “You may clean up in my chambers”

Romo & Julienne are seen holding hands at the altar, they exchange rings and kiss.
Act Three...



Ext. Train Depot-Day

Mercury and Binvo are playing with yo-yo’s on the empty train platform when Julienne’s cousin Tyson and his friend approach dripping with angst.

TYSON
(B.S.)
 “Mercury! Where’s your pal Romo?”

Mercury looks up and continues with his yo-yo ruse.

MERCURY
(B.S.)
 “I don’t know and I wouldn’t tell you if I did.”

Tyson’s friend grabs Binvo and holds him back while Tyson grabs Mercury and begins to tickle him incessantly.

TYSON
(B.S.)
 “Until you tell me something. I don’t stop.”

Mercury is seen getting tickled and laughing hysterically. Binvo’s face fills up with panic.

BINVO
(B.S.)
 “Stop it! You’re killing him!”

Mercury still being tickled and killing himself laughing suddenly drops to the ground. Romo sees this from the other end of the platform and begins to run towards them.
Tyson’s face drips with dread as he backs away. Romo is nearing and yelling.

ROMO
(B.S.)
“Mercury!!!”

- Romo kneels beside Mercury and checks his pulse; he turns to Tyson livid and practically breathes fire as he speaks.


ROMO
(B.S.)
“How dare you. How dare you make a man laugh loudest laugh last.”

Romo reaches inside Mercury’s coat and pulls out a gun, and points it at Tyson who is in a frenzy. Romo’s hand is shaking as he inches closer to Tyson; gun drawn at his head.
Romo has the gun at Tyson’s temple, he slightly squeezes the trigger as his eyes give birth to tears. Tyson collapses to the ground just before a flag that reads “bang!” springs from Romo’s gun. A newsboy holds up a newspaper.

NEWSBOY
(B.S.)
“Extra! Extra! Read All About It; Platform Foul Play Leaves Romo Banished!”

Int. Julliene’s Bedroom-Night

Julienne is lying beneath a shirtless Romo while he speaks and strokes her face softly.

ROMO
(B.S.)
 “I scared myself half and Tyson to death. I fear I don’t deserve you”

Julienne gazes into Romo’s eyes while stroking his cheek.

JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
 “Fear Not.”

Act Four...
 Ext. Street-Day

Daris is seen about to turn a corner, the minister is seen about to turn that same corner. Daris and the minister bump into each other; they rub heads shake hands and exchange words.

MINISTER
(B.S)
 “So sorry my son. How are you this day?”

DARIS
(B.S.)
“Divine, but will be more so on Thursday when my Julienne and I are Wed.”

The minister quickly hides his dismay with a smile.

MINISTER
(B.S)
“What a day that will be. With much to do I bid you a fond farewell”
Daris and the minister exchange a wave a smile and saunter off in separate directions.

Int. Church-Day

Julienne storms into the church and straight to the minister up in arms.

JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
“Nothing is fair in love and war Father!”

   MINISTER
(B.S.)
 “Save your breath my child, for at the moment they are few and far between.”

The minister reaches into his robe and hands Julienne a bottle that reads: “Snooze Booze”

MINISTER
(B.S.)
 “It will steal your breath for 48 hrs; then you find the clown that steals your heart.”

Julienne wraps her arms around the minister kisses him on the cheek and scampers out. The minister is seen writing “Romo Monstershoes” on a “Send Word” telegram.

 Ext. Romo’s House-Day

A messenger walks up to a mailbox on a post that reads “R Monstershoes” he places the telegram inside and leaves.
- A teenager is seen knocking Romo’s mailbox clear off its post with a baseball bat as he hangs out a car passenger window. The license plate of the car is seen and reads: “CAPTIV8”

Int. Julienne’s Room-Night

Julienne’s mother is at her bedside and tucking her in; she caresses her face and sighs.

JULLIENNE’S MOTHER
(B.S.)
“My last night to tuck you into bed, soon Daris will tucker you out in his”

Julienne blushes and gulps while oozing awkwardness.

JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
 “Mother, please!”

Julienne’s mother smiles and kisses her forehead and makes her way to the door, she stands in Julienne’s doorway for a moment.

JULLIENNE’S MOTHER
(B.S.)
 “May you sleep well.”

Julienne smiles while looking upon her mother with admiration and holding back tears.

JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
 “And may you live the same”
Julienne’s mother displays a confused look before smiling and exiting the room, she reveals the bottle of “Snooze Booze” from beneath her covers and drinks it.  Julienne hides the empty bottle in the drawer of her night table before resting her head and closing her eyes.

Act Five...

Ext. Train Depot-Day

Romo is juggling balls on the platform of “The Wrong Side of the Tracks” when a newsboy walks by holding up a paper.

NEWSBOY
(B.S.)
“Extra Extra! Read All About It! Julienne Captivate Found Dead!”
Romo’s face is slathered with despair and he drops all the balls he was juggling.

Int.Funeral Home-Day

Julienne appears to be dead as she lies in an open casket; her eyes open. Julienne sits up and the minister who is standing near by helps her out of the casket. The Minister hands Julienne a travel bag and points for her to go. Julienne takes the bag, kisses the minister on the cheek and exits. The minister is seen making a cross on his body from left to right, top to bottom.





Ext. Train Depot-Day

Romo grabs the paper from the newsboy’s hands and brings it up to his face. Romo throws down the paper and his eyes begin to well up.

ROMO
(B.S.)
 “I Can’t Go On!”

Romo grabs a piece of cardboard that lies near his feet; he quickly makes a sign and throws himself on the tracks.  Julienne appears on the platform of “The Right Side of the Tracks” holding her travel bag. Julienne sees Romo on the far tracks, she calls out.

JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
“Romo!”
Romo and Julienne’s eyes meet. A train stampedes by. Romo is seen dead on tracks as holds a sign.


ROMO
(Sign)
 “The Tracks of My Tears”

 Julienne is distraught on the platform of “The Right Side of the Tracks” dropping her bag she calls out.

JULLIENNE
(B.S.)
“No!!!”

Julienne runs across the platform flinging her self onto the tracks. A train storms by. Julienne is seen laying on Romo; her hand is draped on the sign covering up “My”

SIGN
(B.S.)
 “The Tracks of Tears”




You can't help who you fall in love with!
There's more to a man, than the size of his feet.

The first rule of fight blog is, you must comment on fight blog.