Chad's Blog Stuff...

I'm alive...

2008-10-09T17:03:00.000-05:00

...but busy. But really... who isn't?

Tosca Lee's second book Havah: The Story Eve releases on 10/10. I of course got an advanced signed copy, but have only been able to read a little bit as I continue to update her websites & social sites.

Eric gave me a rough cut of "Wednesday" for me to comb through & hopefully finish and submit to the fourth annual Omaha Film Festival.

"How I Met Your Mother" season III should be arriving at my door step soon, thanks to an Amazon gift card.

My new job is going well & keeping me very busy. I enjoy it, the days go by quickly & lately the creative juices have really been flowing.

With all that is going on - my book remains on the backburner along with the screenplay and "Table for Two" pre-production & my all pages aside - writer's blog, although there might be an upcoming Q&A with author Tosca Lee.

Shows that shouldn't be on tv....

2008-10-06T07:08:00.000-05:00

1. "Paris Hilton's My New BFF"

IMDB credits two people as coming up with the concept. I'm speechless.

2. I Want to Work for Diddy

It is 2001 and you are searching on Google...

2008-10-02T07:54:00.001-05:00

Google.com/search2001.html

Are You Addicted to Social Media?

2008-09-26T07:02:00.000-05:00

39%

This quiz was provided by - Search & Social - Media Experts

Filmmaking podcast...

2008-09-23T07:05:00.001-05:00

Eric & I were interviewd for the Off the Edge Filmmaking podcast about RoomMate Productions' current & upcoming film projects.

Hear the interview...

A chapter ends, one begins...

2008-09-12T17:35:00.002-05:00

In this case, I'm not referring to chapters in a book - I'm referring to chapters in life.

For one month shy of five years, I have worked at the same company. I recently landed a great opportunity to give my career an upgrade in the field of marketing at another company here in Omaha.

Today marks the last day at one company & Monday will start day one of a new company.

Many people asked why I'm not taking time off between jobs.
I get bored easily and didn't feel like sitting around at home.
Any trip I really want to take would require more time and funding than I have right now.
Plus, I'm anxious to get started.

I'll miss being able to wear my jeans & Omaha Film Festival shirt to work, but so be it.
Dressing up a bit more business-like might be a nice change.

I've decided having more variety in life is overdue - those variety categories have not been selected - yet.

I'll probably blog about day 1 at my new job... stay tuned!

All Pages Aside...

2008-09-03T10:39:00.000-05:00

(My writer's blog is finally up & running!)
If an idea comes to me, I usually can't shake it until I put a few pieces of it together & put it out there. It is a blessing & sometimes a curse.

So, instead of working on my other dozens of projects that I keep putting off, I decided to start a new one.

...a blog, a blog for writers...

My personal blog will remain what it is, random stuff & observations... but 'all pages aside' will focus on the life of an aspiring writer & all things writing related.

Third Day...

2008-08-28T07:47:00.000-05:00

Last night, I headed to Lincoln for the Nebraska State Fair to see a free Third Day concert.

I met up with my roommate who already had a great place in line. Once they let people in, we made it all the way to the front row!

Since Third Day has a new album out which I haven't gotten yet, they played songs from that CD. So I didn't know all the songs very well. As usual, they did play some songs I do know including "God of Wonders" as one of their encore songs.

Of course it was a good show, despite them not playing some songs I would have requested. I haven't see 'em live for a few years.

One cool thing my roommate & I noticed was a cop stationed in front of us singing along & taking pictures.

Speaking of pics, here is one from my professional camera (aka cell phone)

Peer pressure...

2008-08-28T07:39:00.000-05:00

Previous stories:
Do you want a pack?
Cigarettes or no?

She did it again, she asked me if I wanted cigarettes as I placed my munchies on the counter at the convenience store.

Questions raised.
Is she trying to get me to start smoking?
Does she ask everyone if they want a pack or is she picking on just me?
Does she get a cut of the sale if she gets people to buy cigarettes when they weren't planning to?
Do her parents know she is pushing cigarettes on young kids like me?
Is she trying to find out who is smoking because if she smokes, she has someone to smoke with after the sale?
How can I get her to quit asking if I want to buy cigarettes?
Will I eventually break under pressure?
Can I find another store or cashier to go to?

What other questions come to mind?

Six years ago...

2008-08-22T07:43:00.005-05:00

Six years ago today, Eric & I started this little filmmaking adventure called RoomMate Productions.

Six short films & two feature films later, we have gained experiences, met & worked with some great people.

Thank you to all who have worked with us and supported us and who will continue to do so.

Links:
Films Page
RMP on MySpace
RMP's Blog
RMP on YouTube
ScreenMag TV Article

Go go gadget...

2008-08-21T07:37:00.002-05:00

Good ole Inspector Gadget... remember that cartoon in our more careless & bill-less days?

Google has a whole set of gadgets for your website or blog.

The list never-ends. I've added a few to my new blog I started that Google/Blogger shut down and hasn't restored despite my pleads & bribes.

Ahh websites & blogs, there are always tweaks to be made...

Writing-related quote...

2008-08-18T07:21:00.000-05:00

"I can't understand why a person will take a year to write a novel when he can easily buy one for a few dollars."
~ Fred Allen

Do you want a pack?

2008-08-13T07:41:00.001-05:00

(see previous blog)

The same woman at the same store was stocking the cigarettes when I came to the counter. While since she was stocking, she asked if I want a pack.

I politely declined while reminding myself that I don't smoke.

Maybe one day she'll recognize me & refer to me as "that dude that randomly comes in for pop."

What color is a yellow taxi?

2008-08-11T07:59:00.000-05:00

On my morning drive to work I saw a Yellow Taxi (company) van that was white.

The other office...

2008-08-08T15:00:00.002-05:00

I'm working out of a 'remote' office today. Catching up on some work for one of my new clients. There are way less distractions here than home. I'm spending too much time on one aspect of the project, but I keep thinking of new things!

On my way to lunch I drove by a Starbucks and saw two people sitting outside. One was reading and the other listening to muisc. Both reached for their coffee/smoothie at the same time. Ahh - Friday mornings at Starbucks...

Coming soon...

2008-08-07T07:37:00.000-05:00

In the near future, a few days, a few hours maybe... if not today - I'm expecting a call from my friend Mike to announce the birth of his son.

This means I'll be an "Uncle" again which at this point I've lost count of how many "nieces" & "nephews" I have. I'd estimate 2 dozen.

So, pre-congrats to Mike & his wife!

Mail for Mr. & Mrs. Chad...

2008-08-01T07:36:00.000-05:00

Lately I've been receiving a lot of mail to Mr. & Mrs. Me.

I find it odd considering I'm not married - though I know it is junk mail.

However, if I am married & don't know it - I'd like the post office to send her over. I'd offer to pay for shipping. (no people, I’m not talking about Russian brides)

In the meantime, these places that continue to send mail to my 'wife' & I can live in their delusional world for a bit longer.

Puff, Gulp, & repeat...

2008-07-31T07:57:00.003-05:00

While walking from my car to the office this morning, I saw a guy standing by the smoking area. In one hand was a half-smoked cigarette, in the other was a can of Mountain Dew.

I got the sense that he was running late as he quickly consumed both one after another.

Puff
Gulp
Puff
Gulp

He did this back & forth until the point I past him. I assume he finished both, but he never rushed past me.

Hopefully both the nicotine & the caffeine can give him that boost he was looking for this Thursday morning.

Now it is time I find an energy boost of some sort.

On the side...

2008-07-30T12:40:00.001-05:00

Seems like lately my side projects consume my non-work & non-sleeping hours.

My web traffic consulting business is slowly but surely picking up clients. During the time I was completing a project, I received 3 inquires from different potential clients.

Meanwhile there are some websites I'm updating & even more websites I'm revamping.

Thus all things web-related aren't leaving time for all things writing-related - making for an unfortunate circumstance.

The homestead seems to be suffering as well. If you are keeping tabs: I need a personal assistant, an errand boy/girl, a housekeeper, a groundskeeper, another personal assistant, and more private funding!
- - -
In other good news, my sister & her new hubby are nearby to raise support for their mission work through Campus Crusade for Christ. If you would like to know more about what they do and how you might support them, contact me (chadbring at hotmail dot com).

It was excruciating...

2008-07-25T07:41:00.000-05:00

Last night I was minding my own business while working on a project and watching reruns of "How I Met Your Mother".

It hit me. The left side of my mouth started to throb. It was excruciating. It was the worse toothache I've ever experienced and it went on for most of the night. I picked up some recommended meds at Walgreens, but that didn't seem to do the trick. I even Google'd emegency dentist+omaha. I finally decided to try and get some sleep while hoping the pain would go away.

This morning I could barely feel the pain, I mostly feel tired from my lack of sleep.

I scheduled an appointment with my dentist for a routine checkup and asked why I might do in a similar situation after hours.

I'll blame it on my co-worker who has some tootsie rolls she was trying to get rid of.

Crash Into Me...

2008-07-23T12:41:00.001-05:00

I've never been a huge fan of the Dave Matthews Band. DM's voice is an acquired one, however, his guitar work is top notch.

I have his live acoustic CD with Tim Reynolds - Live at Luther College and an EP. I am familiar with many of his songs.

Tuesday night, I went with my roommate to the Qwest Center to see DMB as a last minute fill in for an extra ticket he had. I wouldn't have normally gone, but I've heard great things about Dave's live show and I knew if I didn't go now, I never would.

Singer songwriter Ingrid Michaelson opened. I've heard a few of her songs. Her harmony with her backup singers was ear candy.

Dave and his band came on and played for almost 3 hours, including encore. The band's violinist was incredible. I will always love the sound of an acoustic guitar, but the violin playing was up there! Our seats were far back, so our view may have not been great, but the sound was what I expected. There were a few a cameras going so I could watch the musicians up close. The lead guitarist had a serious look on his face the entire time, but he could rock! The drummer had a smile glued to his face and never missed a beat and at the same time, contributing backup vocals. There was a lot more music playing that singing. Some songs went on and on and never seemed to end. Not a complaint, just describing the night's performance.

My only complaint is that they didn't perform "The Space Between" or "Warehouse".

Review: Dave Matthews Band jams out at Qwest
By Kevin Coffey (World-Herald Staff Writer)

Electronic Ink...

2008-07-23T07:04:00.000-05:00

Esquire First Publication To Use Electronic Ink

Owner Hearst said the 75th anniversary issue will feature a cover across which various words and images will scroll, news-ticker style.

Be invisible...

2008-07-21T12:46:00.000-05:00

Growing up, my mom had this simple saying, "be invisible" to my sister and I when we would go outside and play. To this day, my sister & I (nor my dad) quite understand the logic.

She says, "After traffic accidents, the driver always says, 'He came out of no where. I didn't see him.'"

So our argument was, "well, if we are invisible then they won't see us and hit us." Then we'd proceed to scratch our head in further confusion.

What my mom means is (we'll... we think.), play/ride your bike/be careful so no one ever has to say, "I didn't see him/her".

(Thanks for the history bit Chad, what is the point of this blog?)

So, today I was shopping at Best Buy & Target. They are close by work & I had some prices to check. I must have been invisible because at both places, I was on my side of the aisle browsing items, minding my own business & was positioned far enough one side to allow shoppers with a shopping cart room to get by. Both places, I got hit, not hard, but after the second time I decided to find a mirror to make sure I was alive & at least I could see myself.

Getting hit once isn't odd, but twice on the same day, within the same our? That is odd.

I imagine those customers talking to the security guard, "That shopper came out of no where and I hit him."

I imagine my mom saying, "See what I mean?" Then I can hear my internal thoughts. No mom, I still don't get it. I was there, the shoppers saw me, hit me, and only one said 'excuse me'.

Insert joke about being a superhero here _______.
By day, Chad is a mild-mannered blogger.
At night, he is The Invisible Man

Let me know if this is an invisble blog or not.

I'm a celebrity?

2008-07-18T07:37:00.002-05:00

According to weblo.com I might be!

Autographs at 11...

Moving... again...

2008-07-15T12:14:00.000-05:00

Alas, I am never content with my area of the (work) office. I've since given up how many times I've moved. (Last blog about moving)

With some recent shifting of people around the office, I am once again going to be moving cubes. The positive thing about this move is that I'll get a big window (again) that overlooks the courtyard.

In other 'related' news:

I'm still trying to get a 'good' permanent home office area set up. My little side consulting business is starting to pick up. I'm finishing up a project for one client, meanwhile I received another inquiry for my services. In addition, I have one who plans to contact me in a couple weeks after he can focus on what he needs to do to increase traffic. Check out 'Bring' the Traffic website consulting.

All I need is a big desk area, surrounded by very little clutter, and a good amount of organization in some room in my house where I'm not easily distracted.