Thursday, May 28, 2009

The Return of E-3

Holla,

After disappearing for a couple of months, E-3 is back. Here is the link to the original entry regarding our favorite superhero. I met with the producer on Tuesday to record a small voiceover, and received an almost-finished copy of the video. While I was in the production office, he asked whether or not I would like to see it, and I responded with a resounding "yes".

While we were walking into the conference room, the producer started asking other people if they would like to view the video as well. Since it had been a significant period of time since the original filming, I had forgotten some of the more embarrassing portions that I had put myself through. Namely, wearing an all spandex, red suit. So I was okay when we walked into the room with 10 other people in tow.

As soon as the lights went out, and the first shot of the video hit the screen, I was immediately mortified. There I was, standing in full spandex, trying my best to act like a superhero. I wanted to run out of the room and huddle behind the bushes in front of the building. It was awful. Every moment was excruciating embarrassment. If I had entered into a room and peed my pants, while singing the Star Spangled Banner, I would have less embarrassed.

The video is only about 10 or 15 minutes long, and the production value is actually pretty good. There were some cool special effects that they incorporated into the scenes. I was impressed. Unfortunately, my acting did not match this quality. There were some facial ticks and some nose scrunches that I didn't know I was capable of, but looked generally awkward in the overall scheme of the movie. A superhero is supposed to look undaunted and noble, even in the face of adversity (or in my case, an oversized power outlet named Overload).

Although I think that I could have done a better job, in the end, I have a funny video to show friends and family. Even if I'm giving further humiliating ammunition to my little sister. I've tormented her for years, with comparisons to the "beast from the woods" to her resemblance to a small boy, so I guess that I'm getting what I deserve.

As a last, little treat, I will include the opening comic book sequence from the video. I'm not sure that it will translate to a blogging format, but it will give you a general idea of what I've put myself through. Enjoy!



More to come...

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Living Within Your Means

Holla,

Sorry that it has taken me so long to get back to this. It has been a crazy couple of weeks in the life and times of Micah. I got a job, purchased a car, headed to Vegas, and entertained a visiting group of friends in the span of three weeks. The experience has left me exhausted and in extensive debt.

At the time that I received my job, my bank account was entering into some desperate times. It had taken a beating for a full year and was now seeking refuge from my constant barrage of punches. It had done so well in covering up the bruises, but at this point, people were starting to ask questions.

-He's not contributing anything to this relationship. Why do you stay with him?
-How could you let him treat you like that?
-Don't think about the past, when direct deposits just magically appeared every two weeks. Why don't you think about your future?

The bank account and I had reached rock bottom. Thoughts of moving back into my parent's house started to creep back into my head. Selling body part and organs seemed more and more appealing. And then, I received the call. I had a job! Oh happy day! The bank account and I might be able to salvage the relationship that had been so successful in the past. Happier times were on the horizon.

The tip money that I received on my first night of work should have gone directly into my bank account. That would have been the appropriate thing to do. I know that now. But in my head, I started to envision all of the things that I could purchase with that money. I had an entire wish list of things that I had been coveting since leaving employment last year. An actual list, that was saved on my computer, which has been growing at an exponential rate.

While living in the unemployment line, I had turned up my frugal-ness to an 11. I would spend entirely too much time in grocery store isles, comparing the price per ounce of different food products. I would purchase food that I knew that I didn't enjoy, just because it was 7 cents less than the more enjoyable item. I can't begin to tell you the anger that I felt when Subway stopped offering the $5 footlongs. I purchased socks at a swap meet. I found a bottle of shampoo for $1, and it was like winning the lottery. Each dollar that left my wallet was like ripping off a band-aid.

And then I had a job again, where I actually received money in-hand at the end of every night. Holding $100 is much different than having it floating around in check or electronic format. It was scalding my palm. I had no choice, I had to spend it.

So, I bought a car, and some new clothes, and shoes, and booze, and chips at the casino, and music, and the expensive ham at the grocery store. It was glorious! I couldn't help myself. It was a three week binge of purchasing things that I had avoided for a year, and I didn't want it to stop. I wanted to buy more, and not worry about budgeting any longer.

That was the case, until I woke up this morning, and checked my fragile bank account. Even with the money that I had been earning, I was still in debt for the month. My bank account was still huddled in the corner, in tremendous need of some gentle carressing.

Now that I'm headed back to reality (somewhat) I need to dial things back a little bit. The tip money is going directly to the bank for a while, in hopes that I can actually save money for a month. As much as I like the thrill of spending money, the depressing reality of seeing your life savings dwindle down is much worse.

-More to come...

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Living a Lie

Holla,

The blogging has been a little slow lately, and for that, I apologize. For about a month and a half, I have been going through an extensive interview process for a job. I haven't written much about it, in hopes that I wouldn't jinx the opportunity or inflate my expectations. I felt dirty every time that I wrote about "life in the unemployment line" while I was heading in the direction of "life in the employed line".

Last week, after three interviews and countless emails back and forth, I finally received the position. You are now reading the words of the newest employee of Confidential bar and restaurant. After going through one of the most exhaustive interview processes of my life, I am a barback and food runner for a restaurant in San Diego. I know what you are thinking. How could I attain such a prestigious position? How did I get a job where I am essentially a glorified dish washer?

My only answer to these questions is hard work, grit, and a little luck. Fortunately, I will no longer have to collect bottles and cans in the alleyways of North Park to make money. I have a job that is going to allow me survive a little bit longer in San Diego. The only drawback is that I have an entirely new routine. I have been getting home between 3 am and 4 am every night that I've worked, and it is taking me a while to adjust.

Once I get fully acclimated to the working routine, I will concentrate on blogging once again. It may take a little while, but I'm committed to the craft of on-line writing. The tone of the blog may change, as I am not unemployed any longer, but I hope to provide some interesting stories from my nightly activities.

That's all for now. Thanks for continuing to read.

-More to come...