Sunday, April 29, 2007

alexandra in april

Okay......so my posts sort of fell by the wayside for the month of April. What can I say? I've been busy.

But I'm not the only one. Little Alex is growing like a weed, and accomplishing a number of firsts. I unfortunately have been away at work for much of it, but fortunately with digital technology, we've been able to capture some of these momentous events.

While we haven't taken too many pictures (and may have accidently deleted some), I have recently uploaded a number to my flickr acount so go check it out.

We've also managed to capture a few videos as well. Some of the events include:

First Easter (with family)

First (semi) solid foods.

First unassisted sitting.

First assisted steps.
(The jury is still out on this one. Mom says she walked. I'm a little more skeptical. Have your opinion heard in our comments section.....now open.)

First teeth.
(Note: As I write this, mom was heard screaming upstairs as Alex sunk her new teeth into mom's hand while getting her evening bath.)

So much happening. And I'm bound to miss more as I have to head out and play secret agent for a week. When I emerge from the shadows this weekend, perhaps there will be more to report.

(maybe even a Spider-man 3 review)

(if I'm brave stupid enough to attend on opening night)

Saturday, April 28, 2007

jessica mae stover

"It is time that we stop focusing on what we are not and start focusing on what we are. Long ago, I chose me. I chose to believe." - Jessica Mae Stover
(photo courtesy of Jessica Stover Dot Com)

I do not recall the exact instant that I decided to join the RCMP, but I know it happened early on in my high school experience. It was then that I abandoned my previous ambitions as a designer of architecture and started focusing on a career path as an officer of the peace. Strangely enough, it was also during this time that I really started to explore my creative side. There are probably a number of teachers who could attest to the fact that I put more time and energy sketching new superheroes in my binder than on graphing parabolas on the x and y axis. Whether it be art, or movies, or music, playing role-playing games after school or writing short novella's or haiku in Mr. Goddard's creative writing class, I spent more time with my head in the clouds than focusing on the rather academic leaning of my course load. To a certain extent, this trend continued into university, though I was able to reign it in a bit (and working 30 hour weeks on top of a full university course load kept me occupied). There was even a time that I considered abandoning law and pursuing a career in the entertainment industry (as a writer/director of television or movies), but considering where I am today, we all know what decision I ultimately made.

To me, Jessica Mae Stover is the embodiment what might have been; the other path. She is someone who I have come to greatly respect and admire over the course of the last year since making her introduction.

Avatar of the Awesome.

I first became acquainted with Jess, an actress/(screen)writer/industry insider, through Wil Wheaton.

(yes....of Star Trek fame)

(no....I don't know him personally)

Wil has a rather popular website and linked to a rather hilarious string of posts in which she visits the Nerds lining up outside Grauman's Theatre in preparation for the release of Revenge of the Sith (even though it wasn't screening at Grauman's). The piece was aptly titled Revenge of the Nerds. It was enough to get me to start reading her website, Jessica Stover Dot Com (JSDC) on a regular basis.

Now at this point, I could go on at length about Jess' biography and adventures and poems and hilarious posts and etc etc, infinity x2. But I won't. Instead I'll direct you to JSDC where you can explore for yourself. Take the time to visit the different areas and read the cleverly archived posts. It's well worth it.

What I would like to do here is talk about some of the interesting projects currently underway.

One which I have talked about here before is The Silver Legacy, which is the full-length epic screenplay that Jess is trying to get greenlit for production. An audience Demand has been initiated to start a grassroots movement supporting this project, and if it's something that appeals to you, I encourage you to support it.

There are also new Limited Edition Prints of concept art from TSL available for purchase, the proceeds of which are now going to fund Jess' new project, a sci-fi fantasy short film (codename: AAE) that she has written and is executive producing. Anyone purchasing one of the prints (I already have mine....just waiting to be framed) or donating at least $5 to the project will have their name listed in the credits under Special Thanks. Isn't that worth five bucks (or a sweet limited edition print, numbered and signed by the author and artist)?

I've been following the exploits of this spirited lass from Virginia (now in L.A.) for well over a year, and can tell you that I have no doubt that she is going to be successful and become a famous screenwriter and important artist in the genre of film. Now....so I don't have to say "I told you so", why don't you join me here on the ground floor of something big?

Seriously.

I'm not going to ask you again.