Seasons Greetings. So here are some pictures from our holiday photo shoot. Our friends Shawna and Rich have been taking interesting photos of themselves throughout the years and sending them out as holiday postcards. So this year I was the photographer and they dressed up as the painting
"American Gothic."
I took the photos in their yard with their cute little cottage as the backdrop. They were dressed up as the farmer and his wife. We didn't have a pitchfork so a rake and a weed wacker made do. It came out great. So I sort of, sort of, copykated the idea and had Shawna and Rich take photos of Jeff, Leonard and I at Greenfield Lake. Which is right across the street where we live and a huge "park" of our lives. So I thought it was appropriate to take our holiday photos there. So here are some of our 2008 holiday pics, and also a picture of Rich up in a tree.

We love to walk the dog and ride our bikes around the lake. It is a beautiful very southern style lake complete with beautiful birds and wildlife, even a bunch of alligators. Don't be afraid. They haven't eaten anyone yet. One just bit a drunk guy who jumped in the lake in the middle of the night. I think he may have jumped on the gator. So that's what you get when you're drunk and jump on top of alligators.

I wrote some film reviews for the Cucalorus Film Festivals catalog but I missed the deadline so the reviews didn't make it in. I had not been feeling well when they were due and I messed up. But the Festival is awesome if you want to check it out. It's in Wilmington, NC,
Nov. 12th to 15th. We will be showing over 100 independent films.
It is an amazing weekend celebrating film, art and creativity. Come visit.

Here are my reviews. I think they came out pretty good. -m

Cucalorus Film Festival Reviews (2008)

Prometheus’ Garden
Director: Bruce Bickford

Bruce Bickford’s film, inspired by the Greek myth of Prometheus, is a surreal journey into a world where one thing blends into the other causing the viewer to be mesmerized and repelled at the same time. Bickford has inspired countless animators over the years. Though still living in somewhat obscurity he has been touted as the “master of claymation.” Prometheus’ Garden takes us on a journey of Prometheus, a titan who created the first mortals from clay while stealing fire from the gods. Bickford is indeed “The Master of Claymation” and this is a must-see for those interested in the work of a true artist. Not for the faint of heart.

Warning: EXTREME CLAYMATION!!!

Countdown
Director: Josiah Aiken-Drake

Countdown is a short animation film that puts an interesting spin on all types of countdowns. Counting down is not just for numbers anymore. This is Aiken-Drake’s first adventure in film animation with a non-narrative structure.

For the Love of God
Director: Joe Tucker

Graham (voice Steve Coogen) is an overgrown man-child who lives in a
Christian bookshop with his very pious Mother and an eavesdropping
Jackdaw (voice: Ian McKellen). As Graham retreats into a fantasy world he begins an unholy fascination with God. His Mom catches on and tries to put the kibosh on it.
“For the Love of God” is fascinating, funny, strange and yet amazing.
Check it out. It has one zinger of an ending.

Winner-Best Animated Short

Chicago, Rhode Island and Santa Barbara Film Festivals.

Official Selection:

Sundance Film Festival, Festival de Cannes and Telluride Film Festival

Open Your Eyes
Director: Susan Cohen

Sometimes life gives us more than we think we can handle. Then we learn that we really can handle anything that life throws our way. Julia, played by Traci Dinwiddie, is struggling after her diagnosis of breast cancer. Who is she now that she is not the same woman anymore? While attending a bridal shower she meets an interesting, outspoken woman, in of all places, the bathroom. She realizes life is not about what you lose. It’s about what you find. Open Your Eyes is a heartwarming film about all women and our struggle for identity and grace in the face of challenges and life changes.

Winner

American Film Institute

DWW Jean Picker Firstenburg Award for Excellence.

Wait
Director: Meg Lansaw

Wait is beautiful film written and directed by Wilmington’s own director Meg Lansaw.
It is the story of a reclusive writer, haunted by an idea that keeps playing over in her head. Each night she types the same story while envisioning the brutal attack of two sisters. The story is loosely based on an actual occurrence in director Lansaw’s life. At 19, Lansaw and her sister were attacked at gunpoint. She was locked in the trunk of a car and shot at twice while her sister made a narrow escape. Luckily, because of a thick wallet in her back pocket, Lansaw escaped without a scratch. But the incident lit a fire under her. She has not stopped since. This is her second film at Cucalorus. “80 Windows” was shown at Cucalorus 12 (2006). Wait is a treat to watch. The lighting is superb and the simple setting lends to an interesting and suspenseful mood.

Last week was so much fun here in Wilmington. It started out on Tuesday night 10-21-08. James Taylor played at the Greenfield Lake Amphitheater for the Barack Obama campaign. Right across the street from our house. It was awesome. I have never been a huge JT fan,
but right in our own backyard. You could hear him singing from our patio. Super cool.
He sounded so clear and exactly like he sounds on his records. We didn't get tickets but we tailgated in the park. Our friend Katie went down early and snagged us the perfect spot with a view of the stage. We tailgated with or neighbors Katie, Lisa, Ray and their kids. Lisa made a delicious salad and we all brought food and chilled. The weather was beautiful.
What a wonderful evening.

On Wednesday night I went to see "Mulligans Wake" with my Mom and Aunt.
Which is dinner theater. Basically it is an Irish dinner within a play. The members of the audience are part of a fictional funeral party. Rory Mulligan has died and everyone is at the pub for a meal and a good send off. It was great and extremely funny. I didn't know my mom was such a quick wit. When asked if she knew that she had $847.52 bill for whiskey and Guiness. She said she did, and that she enjoyed every minute of it. She got a good laugh for that.
Later when my Aunt Eileen was asked to tell a story about how the deceased Rory helped her during his life. My Mom squeeked out, "He carried her home when she was drunk"
That got a really big laugh. I almost fell off my chair thinking about the visual.
My aunt Eileen being carried home as a drunk-to funny. My Mom is quite silly.

Friday night we went to UNCW to see An Irish Homecoming. It was the Band Cherish the Ladies and a bunch of Traditional Irish musicians and Irish step dancers. It was amazing. I had no idea what to expect. It was great and well worth the 20 dollars for tickets. It was actually worth way more than that. We got a real bargain. Mom and aunt Eileen enjoyed it tremendously.

Saturday was the Fall version of the Wisteria fest. The weather was beautiful and only a bit of rain in the morning. There were 6 bands and lots of people camping over night. Jeff played with The Clams and he is also now sitting in with Low Victor Echo our singer songwriter friend Steve Sellers band.

Sunday night closed out the week with The Steve Miller Band playing at Legion Stadium. A few doors down from us. Now you could really hear that. It was loud. We could hear it in the house with the windows closed. Never been a fan but I had no idea how many hit songs he had. Jeff and I walked down there and grooved to the music.

What a great week. We hardly left home and experienced such diverse entertainment.
We are amazingly lucky to have found such an awesome place to live. Kudos to Wilmington.

My very good friend Author Shawna Kenney had a book signing for her new book "Impostors" at Jengo's Playhouse in Wilmington, NC on 8-29-08. It was a great night with a bunch of folks coming out to hear Shawna read from "Impostors" and sign her books. "Impostors" is about the characters on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Shawna did the interviews and a photographer from Philadelphia took the photos in this very interesting coffee table book (Available at amazon.com). We also were treated to a, as of yet, unreleased version of a film about the same folks as the book is about. Coming to independent theaters soon.
Here are some snaps from the evening. I love being the roving photographer. It keeps me busy and I don't have to make to much small talk. Oh yeah, I included one of my freshly straightened hair. I had gone to have my hair done that day and I had a straight and sassy look. I loved it. But I can't do it my self so I'm back to being a curly top. Enjoy...

Earlier in the day Shawna was a guest on the morning show with Foz on Z107 a local radio station. She discussed the book and invited everyone to come to the book signing and to see the film at Jengos. Again I was in my favorite roll as the paparazzi. Jeff hooked it up for her. Kudos to Jeff!!!

So what's been happening lately? We had our first official hurricane since we moved here.
But by the time it got to us it was Tropical Storm Hannah. Mind you it was a very strong tropical storm with 60 mph winds, but not a hurricane. That's Ok. But I had a headache for two days because I was so stressed out. I just didn't know what to expect. I was told by friends to get a deck of cards and booze and ride it out. It's time for a hurricane party. Party , no party I wanted to worry. Worry enough for everyone. The news does not help. It just goes on and on with possibilities and warnings. I got myself in a tizzy over it.
But I did put together a smashing hurricane kit (flashlights, duct tape etc.) 7 gallons of water per person, and made sure our tubs were filled up with water. I think that has to do with toilet flushing. I'm not sure, but the news said to do it, so I did. But we made it through.
Actually it was pretty boring and anti-climactic.
Oh well at lest I got my hurricane kit ready. Just in case...

So here's Shawna smell'in the flowers at Port City Java. Or PCJ as we call it. This is our usual hangout for tea and chatt'in. If ya wanna join us, your more then welcome. Shawna just back from Denmark and Sweden gave me the scoop on her adventures. She had a great time and I got a really cool eco friendly food shopping bag with multicoloured reindeer on it and some wash cloths with fancy Swedish designs. Thanks Shawna I love them.

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to wake up really early and go to Wrightsville Beach to see The Saurus Dance Festival opening ceremonies at sunrise on the beach. Well lets just say I was on the fence about the whole idea. Yes, I would love to see the sun rise over the ocean.
But really, I have to leave before 5:45 am. Well, I'm wasn't to sure about that.
But I bit the bullit, also my friend Dixon did a little coaxing with "come on, it's gonna be so fun".
So I did.

Wow, was I ever glad I did. What a gloriously spectacular morning. The sunrise was awesome.
But the dancers combined with the ocean and the beautiful morning sunlight was heavenly.
I took the most amazing pictures that I do not take any credit for. It was the beauty of the morning. The place, the subject and the light all came together and simply made magic.

Our friend Sylvia has returned to Iceland. She had been living here for over a year working as a Chaplin at the local hospital.
So we had a girls night out to say Bon Voyage to our Icelandic friend. The girls, Me, Shawna, Sylvia, Alison, Anna and Emily went to Indochine. Which is one of the best restaurants in Wilmington. It is a Thai/Indonesian Restaurant. Let's just say it is yummy, yummy, yummy!!!
Indochine is one of our favorite restaurants and we find ourselves going there for all special occasions. Birthdays, anniversaries etc. We had a great night. I brought my camera and got to take lovely photos of the gardens and patios surrounding the restaurant. We sat outside on a side patio that had this amazing Buddha shrine behind us. There are Buddhas all around hidden in the gardens. I had fun trolling around with my camera photographing them all.

So I'm finally back from the land of post surgery yuckiness. I feel fabulous. Still a little tired and sore but the pain, that I have had radiating in my lower back for about
10 or 12 years is gone, gone, gone. I'm amazed at how much different I feel. I think I had gotten so used to living in pain that it had become normal to me. So yeah, yeah, yeah!!!
Now I have started exercising to build up my strenth and I'll be ready to roll.


Jeff and I had a casual get together with some friends by the pool yesterday.
His band "The Clams" played and we barbacued and hung out.
We have a lovely pool and a gazebo that you can rent out for the afternoon in our complex.
I forgot my camera but here is a photo of "The Clam's at the last Wisteria Fest.
Which is an overnight musical and camping hippie fest extravaganza. Ten bands play all day and night it's free and "The Clams" are the house band. Tucker is the ringleader of the Fest.
It's his land and he puts on the party. What a party, there were 500 people there last spring. There is one comming up this fall if anyone wants to come. We will fill you in on the details.

I'm going to have a bit of surgery on friday. Right now I'm trying to get my house ship shape for when I'm out of commission.
Think good thoughts for me. Until then, here's a little ray of sunshine for everyone.
Keira Bella Dennison.
My cousin Maureen's baby.
Isn't she a doll?
Cheers

June 10, 2000

So tomorrow is our 8th wedding anniversary. I think we have reached a comfortableness in our relationship that was not there before. It's a good kind of comfortableness, not a boring one.
We like each other immensely. We get along very well. But most of all we make a great team.
Thats the most important. I think that we have both grown tremendously since we met. We have allowed each other to explore things that we may never have if we were alone.
But again what I have realized, in this coming of our 8th anniversary, is that as a team we are better than we are sperate. We have a better life, happier times and lot's more fun.
Like yin and yang we just work together. Don't get me wrong there have been plenty of bumps in the road. Year 7 was not a walk in the park. But one year later looking back, I see that everyone needs those bumps. So that we can see what is really, really important to us and how sticking together and working through the rough spots and being a team is what love and life is all about.

Here are more photos from that day....

About two weeks ago we had a lovely weekend when my Cousin Katie and her husband Rodney visited with their two boys. The Kids are on soccer teams and every May they have the finals here in Wilmington. It's a great family reunion. They stayed at a beautiful hotel right on the beach.
After the games were over we sat by the hotel pool sipping cocktails with the family. My Mom and Aunt hung out and my Uncle came down from NJ to see his Grandchildren play. It was a beautiful day with fabulous weather and a great family to hang out with.

Today is going to be a hot one. I just checked the weather and it say 96 by 3:00.
Jeff has a cold. I'm taking care of him to get him all better. I imagine it's from all the AC cranking. I guess we will go hang out at the pool when he gets home from work. It's so lovely to have the pool and also to be so close to the beach.
I have to take a ride downtown later. I'll take some photos and put them up tomorrow.
I usually meet Shawna downtown at Port City Java for a quick coffee and a chat. It's one of my favorite things to do. Wilmington has quite a few cafes. It's not uncommon to walk into a cafe for a quick cup and bump into some friends and have a quick chat. It's great. You always see someone you know. Not to mention the coffee is great too. Here are some pics of Wrightsville Beach... Oh yea, that's Leonard at the beach. He likes the sand but is not to crazy about the waves trying to wet his paws. He runs away when the water comes near him. He is very silly.

Here is Jeff doing his thing for Radio La Gran D.
He is producing local commercials to be broadcast on the station.
This is one of his favorite things to do. He loves his new job.
He's getting tons of great experience and he looks super cute sitting at the board.
Stay tuned for great things to come...

Here are some pictures from our memorial day party and from last weekend hanging out by the pool with friends. That's Jeff and Tucker (He's in Jeff's band "The Clams") and Barbara and Tim, neighbors. Then there is Josh, Dylan (Clams) and our neighbor Zelito jamming in the living room. The last picture is our good friends Shawna and her husband Rich and Matt (where's Alison? She must be sunning herself by the pool.) We live in a great place with a lovely pool.
We really take advantage of the beachie lifestyle here and have as many parties and get togethers with friends as we can. The Wilmington look is.... flip flops, shorts with a slight coconut suntan lotion smell. It's a nice life.

So I started up this blog and then I put the ball down. So here I am again blogging away.
My friend Shawna seems to want me to pick that ball back up. She has been emailing me,
instant messaging me on myspace, whatever, just to get be back on the stick.
Soon she will be channeling me through my dreams. She's a writer and teaches writing.
So she has a lot of respect for the written word and it's magical powers. So here it is Shawna...
I've picked up the ball and I will not put it down again. Here's a picture of Shawna at
Flaming Amys Burrito Barn. She loooooooovvvvveeeeeesssssssss herself some hot sauce
almost as much as she loves the written word. Thanks Shawna