If I believed in karma, I would never have children. Because, boy, would I be in for some doozies. When I was a wee lass, I was... terrifying. My parents deserve medals and my babysitters deserve so much more than the five dollars an hour they were paid for having to deal with me.
Let's just say, I've never been a very patient person. Like.. at all. This is probably why I enjoy driving so fast. And why traffic is my own personal version of hell.
Of course, being an impatient person living in this day in age can be pretty exhausting. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that teleportation devices and knowledge-filled-brain-disks make an appearance while I'm still alive so I can experience the wonders of never having to wait for anything. But in the interim, I guess I'll just have to accept the idea of 'later'.
Like I said, that's never been a word I really enjoy hearing. 'Now' is much more preferred.
I want that dress now. My stomach wants food in it now. I could use that job right about now. How about we drop everything, act on an impulse and get that tattoo now? It's like the word 'later' never even shows up as a blip on my brain's radar. So this whole 'figuring out what I want to do with my life later on down the road' has always been something I'd rather not give much thought to.
Until now.
Because now I'm only 13 credits away from graduating from university (hallelujah). And now I'm almost 24 and still living with my parents. And now it's finally struck me that I may actually be a little bit of an adult. So later is approaching a lot faster than I thought.
Later used to be this far off place where dreams come true and money just appears in bank accounts and I always look really stylish and have a Julia Roberts laugh... Later was a place where I was a successful fill-in-the-blank who lived in a really cool city and life was a grand adventure.
Don't get me wrong, now ain't too shabby. I mean, I have a great job that allows for plenty of adventures, fantastic friends and I'm working really hard on that Julia Roberts laugh.. it still sounds a little forced, but it's coming along ;)
But now I have to start factoring in later. If I want to be a successful fill-in-the-blank (which has all of a sudden become 'high school teacher slash author' -- who saw that coming?? Probably everyone but me..), I'll need to put in the time and effort... and patience. Gah! There's that word again! And yet, for once in my life, I'm actually looking forward to the process. I'm staring down the barrel of the gun, so to speak, that is my unknown future and I'm not freaking out. I have a legitimate plan that isn't wishy-washy or airy-fairy and I'm putting it into action now.
Granted, this plan literally came into being about a week ago, but I've never felt so at peace. The plan, of course, being that I finish my undergraduate, go to teachers college and eventually become a high school English teacher (with maybe some drama and history classes thrown in as well). This job would not only allow me to be involved in the lives of dozens of teenagers everyday (something I'm actually looking forward to - I may need to be checked into the nearest asylum), but it would give me the ability to be a writer as well. And, the drama geek in me would probably try to use the summers off to be in as many plays as possible too.
As usual, I'd still like to treat this plan like something that I've penciled in for my life story, whereas God still has complete control over what'll be written in stone, but it feels so cool to actually have an answer for that perpetual question: now what?
That being said, it's now past midnight and my body and my brain are telling me it's a good time to hit the hay, so I think I'll do that. I just hadn't blogged in a really long time, and with the whole new 'life goal' constantly being on my mind, I thought I might as well share it. Next blog post I'll try to talk about something more interesting and relevant to the world.. like, say, the Avengers. (life changing!!) ...But until then,
Keep it real!
Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label adventures. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
life in the fast lane
Today, when I was speeding and weaving through traffic for no reason other than the sheer joy and excitement it brings me, a lightbulb went on in my head. I realized that my desire to be a stunt driver is a lot stronger than I originally thought.
This idea was probably first sparked yesterday when I was driving my sister to Hamilton and she commented on my driving. She mentioned the fact that we didn't need to get there before 6 and was clearly intimating that, at the rate I was going, we'd be early. I was going to tell her that I wasn't doing it on purpose -- it's just the way I always drive -- but I decided against it when it dawned on me that normal people probably find my need for speed a little.. abnormal.
But, really, that's neither here nor there, as I have grown to accept and embrace my abnormal-ness at this point in my life. So.. moving on!
Back to the idea of taking the stunt driving dream seriously. Maybe it was Ryan Gosling's character in Drive or maybe it was the seizure that is Speed Racer ... or maybe it's just my life-long obsession with hot cars, fast driving and all around stupidly dangerous activities... Whatever the case, I've got a serious desire to get behind the wheel of a car and make movie magic. And for some reason, it took today's commute to school for me to fully realize this.
You'd think that, as the girl whose favorite scene in movies is always the car chase scene, this realization would've come a little sooner, or at least wouldn't have been this much of a shocker.. But, like most things in my life, it took a while for me to catch on.
Now that I'm up to speed though (aha! get it?), I'm pretty excited. Sure, I know I need to keep my focus on school for at least the next few months and then I should probably pay a little bit of attention to the river of school debt threatening to drown me.. And yeah, I also need to factor in the fact that when I don't get a chance to write often enough I feel as though my world may implode.. Oh, and there's also the fact that training for this 'new' passion of mine will cost a pretty penny..
But all those things aside, the thumpity-thump-thump of my heart beat is telling me that this is a severely cool new thing on my horizon that I can't wait to sink my teeth into!
I had a taste of it a year or two ago when I took my first stunt-driving course, so I've got an inkling of what I'm about to throw myself into, but there's really no telling how far this can go. Maybe that's what excites me most.
Actually, that's a lie. The thing that excites me most is the idea of having a back-seat driver that isn't saying "slow down!" but rather "SPEED UP!" ;)
Lars out.
Keep it real!
This idea was probably first sparked yesterday when I was driving my sister to Hamilton and she commented on my driving. She mentioned the fact that we didn't need to get there before 6 and was clearly intimating that, at the rate I was going, we'd be early. I was going to tell her that I wasn't doing it on purpose -- it's just the way I always drive -- but I decided against it when it dawned on me that normal people probably find my need for speed a little.. abnormal.
But, really, that's neither here nor there, as I have grown to accept and embrace my abnormal-ness at this point in my life. So.. moving on!
Back to the idea of taking the stunt driving dream seriously. Maybe it was Ryan Gosling's character in Drive or maybe it was the seizure that is Speed Racer ... or maybe it's just my life-long obsession with hot cars, fast driving and all around stupidly dangerous activities... Whatever the case, I've got a serious desire to get behind the wheel of a car and make movie magic. And for some reason, it took today's commute to school for me to fully realize this.
You'd think that, as the girl whose favorite scene in movies is always the car chase scene, this realization would've come a little sooner, or at least wouldn't have been this much of a shocker.. But, like most things in my life, it took a while for me to catch on.
Now that I'm up to speed though (aha! get it?), I'm pretty excited. Sure, I know I need to keep my focus on school for at least the next few months and then I should probably pay a little bit of attention to the river of school debt threatening to drown me.. And yeah, I also need to factor in the fact that when I don't get a chance to write often enough I feel as though my world may implode.. Oh, and there's also the fact that training for this 'new' passion of mine will cost a pretty penny..
But all those things aside, the thumpity-thump-thump of my heart beat is telling me that this is a severely cool new thing on my horizon that I can't wait to sink my teeth into!
I had a taste of it a year or two ago when I took my first stunt-driving course, so I've got an inkling of what I'm about to throw myself into, but there's really no telling how far this can go. Maybe that's what excites me most.
Actually, that's a lie. The thing that excites me most is the idea of having a back-seat driver that isn't saying "slow down!" but rather "SPEED UP!" ;)
Lars out.
Keep it real!
Sunday, September 11, 2011
muay thai!
Have you heard of the new perfume by Chanel called 'Muay Thai'?! It's totally rad, man. I bought, like, five bottles the second they hit the shelves...
Not!
This blog is titled 'Muay Thai' because it's about Muay Thai - the real Muay Thai. As in, the mixed martial art that I'm told some people in the UFC are trained in. Oh, and me. Yep - I'm now going to make the list of people trained in Muay Thai. Yesterday was my first class. And can I just say,
Owww!
My ENTIRE BODY is sore today. Literally. Every. Muscle. Aches. Except maybe my fingers, which is why I'm even able to write this post.
But despite the stiff, ache-y muscles, I am in love.
We started off with a warm up. At least, that's what my instructor called it. I call it 10x more of a work out than I've ever done in my life. Forty-five minutes later (I was sweating buckets), we actually started in on the learning of fun martial art stuff.
To say it was intense would be putting it lightly. When we were doing our boxing stuff (like jab, cross, kick, etc), any time any class member dropped their hands away from their fighting stance, the entire class would have to do ten push ups. I can now say that I've been told to "drop and gimme ten". Which - contrary to most people, I'm sure - is something I've always wanted to hear. :)
So if you see me not sitting for the next few days, it's because it's too painful to move that many muscles at once. And the floor is so bloody far.
And yet next Saturday I'll be driving to my second Muay Thai class with a big fat grin on my face, eager for more.
There's just something about training the body - I find it fascinating. My instructor (his name is Kevin) doesn't make us do push ups and sit ups and crunches and skipping (and everything else under the sun!) because it will give us sweet abs or make us lose ten pounds. He does it to keep us in peak condition so that we can do more. Not look hotter or whatever other reasons people have for losing weight and getting fit. And when I find myself being able to do more, it feels so amazing. Just the fact that I made it through the entire warm up yesterday made me feel fantastic. Because I knew there was absolutely no way I would have been able to get through it if I had tried it a year ago. But since I've been training my body and keeping it healthy, I was able to keep up.
And then there's always the bonus of a certain confidence that accompanies most martial arts. Knowing that I could defend myself if I'm ever in the wrong place at the wrong time? Pretty dern sweet if you ask me.
So yeah. First archery, now Muay Thai. I'm loving all these new discoveries I'm stumbling upon.
Which reminds me.
General public, here is my statement to you: get out there and find something incredible to do! Make discoveries and go on adventures and just DO things. Because you only have one life. And it has so much potential for awesomeness.
:D
I'm still on a bit of a 'work-out high' I think. They're pretty much the best.
Anyway, I'm going to go write a book. So...
Keep it real!
Not!
This blog is titled 'Muay Thai' because it's about Muay Thai - the real Muay Thai. As in, the mixed martial art that I'm told some people in the UFC are trained in. Oh, and me. Yep - I'm now going to make the list of people trained in Muay Thai. Yesterday was my first class. And can I just say,
Owww!
My ENTIRE BODY is sore today. Literally. Every. Muscle. Aches. Except maybe my fingers, which is why I'm even able to write this post.
But despite the stiff, ache-y muscles, I am in love.
We started off with a warm up. At least, that's what my instructor called it. I call it 10x more of a work out than I've ever done in my life. Forty-five minutes later (I was sweating buckets), we actually started in on the learning of fun martial art stuff.
To say it was intense would be putting it lightly. When we were doing our boxing stuff (like jab, cross, kick, etc), any time any class member dropped their hands away from their fighting stance, the entire class would have to do ten push ups. I can now say that I've been told to "drop and gimme ten". Which - contrary to most people, I'm sure - is something I've always wanted to hear. :)
So if you see me not sitting for the next few days, it's because it's too painful to move that many muscles at once. And the floor is so bloody far.
And yet next Saturday I'll be driving to my second Muay Thai class with a big fat grin on my face, eager for more.
There's just something about training the body - I find it fascinating. My instructor (his name is Kevin) doesn't make us do push ups and sit ups and crunches and skipping (and everything else under the sun!) because it will give us sweet abs or make us lose ten pounds. He does it to keep us in peak condition so that we can do more. Not look hotter or whatever other reasons people have for losing weight and getting fit. And when I find myself being able to do more, it feels so amazing. Just the fact that I made it through the entire warm up yesterday made me feel fantastic. Because I knew there was absolutely no way I would have been able to get through it if I had tried it a year ago. But since I've been training my body and keeping it healthy, I was able to keep up.
And then there's always the bonus of a certain confidence that accompanies most martial arts. Knowing that I could defend myself if I'm ever in the wrong place at the wrong time? Pretty dern sweet if you ask me.
So yeah. First archery, now Muay Thai. I'm loving all these new discoveries I'm stumbling upon.
Which reminds me.
General public, here is my statement to you: get out there and find something incredible to do! Make discoveries and go on adventures and just DO things. Because you only have one life. And it has so much potential for awesomeness.
:D
I'm still on a bit of a 'work-out high' I think. They're pretty much the best.
Anyway, I'm going to go write a book. So...
Keep it real!
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
adventure in the great wide somewhere
I'm officially on summer break. ...Let me just say that again. I'm officially on summer break! Oh man, it feels so good to be able to say that. I seriously never thought this day would come and yet it's actually here! *Sigh* This is nice.
Anyway, over the last few months I haven't been able to do very much besides focus on school so I plan on taking full advantage of the four summer months ahead of me to remedy my adventure fix.
Watch this short video and maybe you'll understand where I'm coming from...
And you wonder why Belle was always my favorite Disney 'princess'. I don't think there was anything about her that I couldn't relate to. She longs for adventures, she loves reading and she didn't just settle for the first guy who showed any interest in her... (but that's another topic altogether).
So, these adventures of which I speak - you may be wondering what they'll be. Or maybe you're not even reading my post anymore because after that clip you just had to go rewatch Beauty and the Beast. I think I'm okay with that. But if you're still with me, I'd like to talk about the adventures I'm most excited to experience this summer - and maybe inspire you to go on a few of your own.
Well, I'm hoping to get back into archery. Like I said, school kinda took over my life for a while there and I haven't picked up my bow since, like, January. So I'm stoked for that. I also plan on taking kickboxing classes because that's something I've been wanting to try for about two years now. Of course, taking classes is nothing like guest starring on Nikita or being the next female super action hero, but it's definitely something. I can't tell you how excited I am about it.
The last 'planned' adventure I have for this summer is a roadtrip to New York City with my closest girlfriends. I've never been to New York City before but I've been wanting to for years. If this roadtrip comes together, I'll be a pretty happy lady.
And I almost forgot! One of my best friends is getting married in August! I'm in the wedding party, so that day (and all the days leading up to it) is definitely going to be a blast. I can't wait!
Other than that, I don't have too many other adventures planned just yet. I don't think I'm going to do any skydiving or stunt car driving like previous summers, but you never know. My weekdays will probably be filled with the daily doctors office routine unless I suddenly publish a best seller or get an agent that actually gets me gigs... but truth be told, I'd be totally fine if neither of those things happened. I like the people I work with and my evenings will be so jam packed with fun stuff that I don't think it'll matter that I'm not currently in the field of work I'd like to be in.
Anyway, those are my summer adventure plans. As always, I'm hoping this summer will totally exceed my expectations -and they usually do. I think it'll be a lot of fun.
But right now I'm going to enjoy my first day off in I don't even know how long by watching an episode or two of Nikita (I've recently become addicted and I can totally justify lounging around today - it's pouring rain outside). :D I don't know what your summer plans are, but I hope you've got an adventure or two thrown in there. Because what's summer without a few epic adventures??
Keep it real!
Anyway, over the last few months I haven't been able to do very much besides focus on school so I plan on taking full advantage of the four summer months ahead of me to remedy my adventure fix.
Watch this short video and maybe you'll understand where I'm coming from...
And you wonder why Belle was always my favorite Disney 'princess'. I don't think there was anything about her that I couldn't relate to. She longs for adventures, she loves reading and she didn't just settle for the first guy who showed any interest in her... (but that's another topic altogether).
So, these adventures of which I speak - you may be wondering what they'll be. Or maybe you're not even reading my post anymore because after that clip you just had to go rewatch Beauty and the Beast. I think I'm okay with that. But if you're still with me, I'd like to talk about the adventures I'm most excited to experience this summer - and maybe inspire you to go on a few of your own.
Well, I'm hoping to get back into archery. Like I said, school kinda took over my life for a while there and I haven't picked up my bow since, like, January. So I'm stoked for that. I also plan on taking kickboxing classes because that's something I've been wanting to try for about two years now. Of course, taking classes is nothing like guest starring on Nikita or being the next female super action hero, but it's definitely something. I can't tell you how excited I am about it.
The last 'planned' adventure I have for this summer is a roadtrip to New York City with my closest girlfriends. I've never been to New York City before but I've been wanting to for years. If this roadtrip comes together, I'll be a pretty happy lady.
And I almost forgot! One of my best friends is getting married in August! I'm in the wedding party, so that day (and all the days leading up to it) is definitely going to be a blast. I can't wait!
Other than that, I don't have too many other adventures planned just yet. I don't think I'm going to do any skydiving or stunt car driving like previous summers, but you never know. My weekdays will probably be filled with the daily doctors office routine unless I suddenly publish a best seller or get an agent that actually gets me gigs... but truth be told, I'd be totally fine if neither of those things happened. I like the people I work with and my evenings will be so jam packed with fun stuff that I don't think it'll matter that I'm not currently in the field of work I'd like to be in.
Anyway, those are my summer adventure plans. As always, I'm hoping this summer will totally exceed my expectations -and they usually do. I think it'll be a lot of fun.
But right now I'm going to enjoy my first day off in I don't even know how long by watching an episode or two of Nikita (I've recently become addicted and I can totally justify lounging around today - it's pouring rain outside). :D I don't know what your summer plans are, but I hope you've got an adventure or two thrown in there. Because what's summer without a few epic adventures??
Keep it real!
Sunday, October 3, 2010
shine bright, white night!
I'm an aesthete. Or so I've been told. The truth is, I'm usually only an aesthete when I'm feeling lazy. Oscar Wilde is an example of a super hard core aesthete - he thought there didn't need to be any reason at all behind art and it should be loved for no other reason than the fact that it's art. (When you boil it down, the notion is beauty for the sake of beauty.) Sometimes I agree with his stance, other times I really like relating art to life, so I see a practicality in it.
The great thing about nuit blanche is that there is art there for all types of people. Art with a purpose, like exposing issues, and art whose only purpose is to be enjoyed - however that looks.
I went downtown last night with a group of about ten friends just to see what all the fuss was about. I had heard a wide range of opinions about the night, so I wanted to see it for myself. And at first I was not impressed.
Let's begin with the fact that driving into Toronto always causes a little bit of tension, so trying to relax after finally finding a parking space was a little difficult, but we managed. Once the group had re-gathered (we'd travelled in two different cars) we set out on our adventure.
It took longer than I had expected for the evening to turn into a truly artsy one, but it did eventually. It wasn't really until we went to the distillery district that the experience began. We went into galleries, saw some live dancers, took a quick two minute dance class (and failed miserably - all of us), and discussed our various opinions about art with anyone willing to listen. I saw some really interesting stuff.
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The best part of the night was definitely the bubble wrap part, though. We were strolling along a cobblestone road (within the dist. district) when we heard what sounded like wild yet sparse applause. The five of us (Our numbers had dropped by then) looked up to see an enormous line of people jumping and the mob was growing by the second.
"Is that bubble wrap?" Sharon asked in confusion. That caught everyone's attention, even the people within earshot of our group.
"BUBBLE WRAP!!" We all screamed as we ran towards the mob. I didn't look back, but I could see in my peripheral that I definitely wasn't alone. Tons of people were running with me, screaming about bubble wrap, anxious to get in on the fun.
And then we jumped around on bubble wrap for at least three or four minutes. There was a long, long strip of it, so everyone had a spot. I felt like a three year old again which was great. But what made it even better were all the other adults around me screaming and laughing rambunctiously like three year olds too. I love what something as simple as bubble wrap can awake in a person. That was definitely art.
After examining a few more art exhibits we decided it was time to head home. As luck would have it, just as we turned the corner to begin our 45 minute walk back to the car, the free shuttle bus (which happened to be a double decker bus) arrived at its stop by the curb so we gratefully jumped on. That was probably the second best moment of the night. You haven't really experienced a bus ride until you've driven through Toronto on the second (roofless) floor of a bus. Toronto's beautiful at night and the bus ride was icing on the cake.
"No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist."
-Oscar Wilde.
All in all, my white night was great fun and so much better than I'd hoped it to be. Every time I get an experience like that under my belt, I feel like my life has become just a little more enriched. It's a good feeling. If you didn't get a chance to go this year, I'd highly recommend trying to make it out next year. (It lasts all night, so you hardly have an excuse!)
Anyway, I have to get back to reading some books for my American Lit class... side bar: Benjamin Franklin was a pretty impressive person - I'm just starting to realize it now with this week's reading material... but that's a subject for another blog entirely... or maybe a thesis for bigger and better educational aspirations... So I'll just leave it alone for now...
The great thing about nuit blanche is that there is art there for all types of people. Art with a purpose, like exposing issues, and art whose only purpose is to be enjoyed - however that looks.
I went downtown last night with a group of about ten friends just to see what all the fuss was about. I had heard a wide range of opinions about the night, so I wanted to see it for myself. And at first I was not impressed.
Let's begin with the fact that driving into Toronto always causes a little bit of tension, so trying to relax after finally finding a parking space was a little difficult, but we managed. Once the group had re-gathered (we'd travelled in two different cars) we set out on our adventure.
It took longer than I had expected for the evening to turn into a truly artsy one, but it did eventually. It wasn't really until we went to the distillery district that the experience began. We went into galleries, saw some live dancers, took a quick two minute dance class (and failed miserably - all of us), and discussed our various opinions about art with anyone willing to listen. I saw some really interesting stuff.
Disclaimer: the following photos were not taken by me because I, like an idiot, forgot to bring my camera. My friends didn't however. Unfortunately, they're slow to upload them on their computers so I took images from scotiabanknuitblanche.ca. I've only included pictures from the exhibits I actually saw.
Auto Lamp
Arrivals/Departures
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Endgame (Coulrophobia)
1850
The best part of the night was definitely the bubble wrap part, though. We were strolling along a cobblestone road (within the dist. district) when we heard what sounded like wild yet sparse applause. The five of us (Our numbers had dropped by then) looked up to see an enormous line of people jumping and the mob was growing by the second.
"Is that bubble wrap?" Sharon asked in confusion. That caught everyone's attention, even the people within earshot of our group.
"BUBBLE WRAP!!" We all screamed as we ran towards the mob. I didn't look back, but I could see in my peripheral that I definitely wasn't alone. Tons of people were running with me, screaming about bubble wrap, anxious to get in on the fun.
And then we jumped around on bubble wrap for at least three or four minutes. There was a long, long strip of it, so everyone had a spot. I felt like a three year old again which was great. But what made it even better were all the other adults around me screaming and laughing rambunctiously like three year olds too. I love what something as simple as bubble wrap can awake in a person. That was definitely art.
After examining a few more art exhibits we decided it was time to head home. As luck would have it, just as we turned the corner to begin our 45 minute walk back to the car, the free shuttle bus (which happened to be a double decker bus) arrived at its stop by the curb so we gratefully jumped on. That was probably the second best moment of the night. You haven't really experienced a bus ride until you've driven through Toronto on the second (roofless) floor of a bus. Toronto's beautiful at night and the bus ride was icing on the cake.
"No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist."
-Oscar Wilde.
All in all, my white night was great fun and so much better than I'd hoped it to be. Every time I get an experience like that under my belt, I feel like my life has become just a little more enriched. It's a good feeling. If you didn't get a chance to go this year, I'd highly recommend trying to make it out next year. (It lasts all night, so you hardly have an excuse!)
Anyway, I have to get back to reading some books for my American Lit class... side bar: Benjamin Franklin was a pretty impressive person - I'm just starting to realize it now with this week's reading material... but that's a subject for another blog entirely... or maybe a thesis for bigger and better educational aspirations... So I'll just leave it alone for now...
Keep it real!
Sunday, July 18, 2010
ARCHERY
My first archery class was just last Thursday and I learned how to hold everything properly, how to aim, how to release the arrow... all the basics really. So I shouldn't feel like Legolas just yet, but I still get ahead of myself and pretend to be him anyway :)
Seriously, when I'm holding a bow and arrow, I feel the most graceful I've ever felt. 'Cause I don't really see myself as a graceful person - graceful, elegant, ladylike... yeah, I don't really fit any of those descriptions. And sure, I had many a clumsy moment during my first archery lesson. Twice in a row I did the 'twang' (of the bow string) - arrow falls to my feet instead of flying majestically through the air... but you have to start somewhere.
For two days straight my fingers hurt and I had rug burn on my arm from the release of the bow string, but it was so worth it and will continue to be worth it over the next two months of the course.
Another great thing was I went to the course expecting to see a whole bunch of macho jocks trying to be cool and macho, but instead there were just average, everyday, normal people like me who just wanted to learn something ridiculously awesome. And I'm doing the course with my dad, so it's an interesting way to have father-daughter time. I like it. All of it.
But that's okay. Maybe someday I can teach someone archery and look as cool as those two.
Anyway, just thought I'd share my enthusiasm for archery with some people outside of my class. My dad keeps trying to convince me I need a bow and arrow for my birthday but I'm still in the video camera or big screen tv camp - not that either of those are actually possible... and it would be super cool to have my very own bow and arrow... We'll see.
Keep it real!
Friday, May 21, 2010
not your average day at the office...
Oh MAN! I don't know why I didn't write about that stunt driving course as soon as it ended... oh yeah, my life got insanely hectic and has finally slowed down just about twenty minutes ago... that's why.
So 'how did the stunt driving course go' you ask? At least, I hope you ask because I'm about to answer regardless! It was SO MUCH FUN! Not nerve-racking at all! And here's the weirdest part: it felt so natural; like... well, not like I was born to do it, because I'm sure there's plenty of things that could fit into that strange, cliche category... but everything just clicked. Does that make sense? I didn't have to do a lot of thinking, the impulses were just there. The 'teacher' would tell me how the stunt works, demonstrate and then let me take the wheel and boom - I'd do a 90 degree slide into a parallel parking spot. (Which, by the way, is one of the funnest experiences EVER!) In the one day course I learned how to do most of the 'money shots' that you see in your basic car commercial. The skid to a stop on a 45 degree angle about a foot away from the lens of the camera (we used pylons, just in case), the skid into a parallel parking spot and the 180 degree turn (driving forwards, not reverse 180s... I'll have to try that one on my own) and then we just did a combination of those and a few easier stunts.
Unfortunately minivans aren't the greatest car to practice with, so I won't be able to do any of these stunts in my neighborhood. Plus, the stunt cars had this crazy awesome breaking system. One break petal was attached to the rear wheels to allow for skidding, while the normal break petal was attached to the front wheels so when you stepped on that one your car actually would stop. My next car is definitely going to have that tripped out breaking system... as well as about 50,000 spare tires, because those wear out FAST when you're skidding all over the place.
So, not only did I enjoy an entire day behind the wheel without someone yelling at me to slow down, but I also met a bunch of really cool stunt drivers. Apparently they're legends within the industry and they had the stories to prove it!
Bottom line: I'm going back. Maybe not until I'm done school because I, sadly, am not even close to being made of money, but I will go back to learn more... or just to have fun. Either way, I already know I won't regret it.
That's all I've got for now...
Keep it real!
So 'how did the stunt driving course go' you ask? At least, I hope you ask because I'm about to answer regardless! It was SO MUCH FUN! Not nerve-racking at all! And here's the weirdest part: it felt so natural; like... well, not like I was born to do it, because I'm sure there's plenty of things that could fit into that strange, cliche category... but everything just clicked. Does that make sense? I didn't have to do a lot of thinking, the impulses were just there. The 'teacher' would tell me how the stunt works, demonstrate and then let me take the wheel and boom - I'd do a 90 degree slide into a parallel parking spot. (Which, by the way, is one of the funnest experiences EVER!) In the one day course I learned how to do most of the 'money shots' that you see in your basic car commercial. The skid to a stop on a 45 degree angle about a foot away from the lens of the camera (we used pylons, just in case), the skid into a parallel parking spot and the 180 degree turn (driving forwards, not reverse 180s... I'll have to try that one on my own) and then we just did a combination of those and a few easier stunts.
Unfortunately minivans aren't the greatest car to practice with, so I won't be able to do any of these stunts in my neighborhood. Plus, the stunt cars had this crazy awesome breaking system. One break petal was attached to the rear wheels to allow for skidding, while the normal break petal was attached to the front wheels so when you stepped on that one your car actually would stop. My next car is definitely going to have that tripped out breaking system... as well as about 50,000 spare tires, because those wear out FAST when you're skidding all over the place.
So, not only did I enjoy an entire day behind the wheel without someone yelling at me to slow down, but I also met a bunch of really cool stunt drivers. Apparently they're legends within the industry and they had the stories to prove it!
Bottom line: I'm going back. Maybe not until I'm done school because I, sadly, am not even close to being made of money, but I will go back to learn more... or just to have fun. Either way, I already know I won't regret it.
That's all I've got for now...
Keep it real!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Zoom Zoom?
Tomorrow I will be taking an all-day stunt driving course. I think I'm the only girl registered so no pressure... SOMEone has to break the stereotype that all women are horrible drivers... Tomorrow it'll have to be me. Like I said, no pressure. I've been excited about this for weeks, but now that it's almost here I'm mostly just nervous. I mean, I haven't driven a standard car in at least two years... but I'm very confident behind the wheel. Arguably too confident, if there is such a thing. My parents think so. I argue with that...
What possessed me to take a stunt driving course, you ask? Well, I'm tired of watching awesome action movies with fantastic car chases etc and then getting into my minivan where the best thing I can do is weave in and out of traffic at high speeds. I don't want to be a dangerous driver - I don't like those guys. But I want to be able to drive fast, safely and *with style*. Plus, learning how to skid into a parallel parking spot is always a handy trick to know. That is apparently something I'll be learning how to do tomorrow.
I can't believe how nervous I am about this though. I'm just taking the novelty course. It's just for people who want to do a few tricks that they see in the movies. In a couple years I plan to actually become a certified stunt driver. That would look good on a resume, eh? But tomorrow's just for fun. All I need to do is relax and enjoy myself. I'm positive it'll be a blast. I love cars and I love stunts - what more could I ask for?
Anyway...
On a completely different note, I discovered that I have shin splints, so it means I can't run for a while until they go away. I bought new shoes so hopefully when I start running again the expensive shoes will keep the shin splints at bay. It sucks a little that as soon as I get into the groove of regular jogging expeditions I have to stop for long enough that I'll have to start back at square one again. A couple weeks ago I did 4K in 30 minutes. I was pretty proud, even though that's not spectacular by any means - it's still the best I'VE ever been able to do. So now I just use all the other equipment at my gym to make sure I don't fall behind even though I'm not running.
On Monday me and three friends are going to Niagara Falls for a two-day adventure. I would have loved to go to New York City, Los Angeles, or (best of all) Australia, but seeing as we are all poor students, we settled for Niagara for now. Traveling is traveling - it's always an adventure no matter how close you are to home, I guess. I'm looking forward to it. And then it's back to the daily grind... working at the doctor's office. Everybody's finding things for me to do there. It's fun enough. I can't wait 'til I have a job that I love. Still wondering what that'll look like, nevermind feel like. There are so many different things I'm becoming interested in. And yet, all of them are still within the film industry: actor, writer (of books OR screenplays), stunt something, director... all of those jobs sound appealing to me. Who knows?
I'm gonna go now though. I was in the middle of watching episode 6 of 'The Mentalist' Season 2... it's a good show. Hopefully I'll find time to write again soon. I'll probably have to rave about the stunt driving at some point. Though what I'm really looking forward to is not telling people what I learned, but SHOWING them. :D
Keep it real!
What possessed me to take a stunt driving course, you ask? Well, I'm tired of watching awesome action movies with fantastic car chases etc and then getting into my minivan where the best thing I can do is weave in and out of traffic at high speeds. I don't want to be a dangerous driver - I don't like those guys. But I want to be able to drive fast, safely and *with style*. Plus, learning how to skid into a parallel parking spot is always a handy trick to know. That is apparently something I'll be learning how to do tomorrow.
I can't believe how nervous I am about this though. I'm just taking the novelty course. It's just for people who want to do a few tricks that they see in the movies. In a couple years I plan to actually become a certified stunt driver. That would look good on a resume, eh? But tomorrow's just for fun. All I need to do is relax and enjoy myself. I'm positive it'll be a blast. I love cars and I love stunts - what more could I ask for?
Anyway...
On a completely different note, I discovered that I have shin splints, so it means I can't run for a while until they go away. I bought new shoes so hopefully when I start running again the expensive shoes will keep the shin splints at bay. It sucks a little that as soon as I get into the groove of regular jogging expeditions I have to stop for long enough that I'll have to start back at square one again. A couple weeks ago I did 4K in 30 minutes. I was pretty proud, even though that's not spectacular by any means - it's still the best I'VE ever been able to do. So now I just use all the other equipment at my gym to make sure I don't fall behind even though I'm not running.
On Monday me and three friends are going to Niagara Falls for a two-day adventure. I would have loved to go to New York City, Los Angeles, or (best of all) Australia, but seeing as we are all poor students, we settled for Niagara for now. Traveling is traveling - it's always an adventure no matter how close you are to home, I guess. I'm looking forward to it. And then it's back to the daily grind... working at the doctor's office. Everybody's finding things for me to do there. It's fun enough. I can't wait 'til I have a job that I love. Still wondering what that'll look like, nevermind feel like. There are so many different things I'm becoming interested in. And yet, all of them are still within the film industry: actor, writer (of books OR screenplays), stunt something, director... all of those jobs sound appealing to me. Who knows?
I'm gonna go now though. I was in the middle of watching episode 6 of 'The Mentalist' Season 2... it's a good show. Hopefully I'll find time to write again soon. I'll probably have to rave about the stunt driving at some point. Though what I'm really looking forward to is not telling people what I learned, but SHOWING them. :D
Keep it real!
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