Red Light Ticket

  So a few months back I ended up running a red light. I currently live in California and wasn't sure of the penalties regarding traffic violations. I moved here from Maryland and had no idea of what to expect. Turns out I was right. My ticket is for 490$ dollars. I thought that number was absurd so I decided to look up what the red light tickets are in Maryland. To my surprise they are only 75$ dollars. Thats insanity. I cant believe how much higher the cost is in this state. My mind is completely blown over this whole thing. I wondered if the rest of the country was as high as Cali. I found out that only a few states actually have red light cameras as part of their traffic laws. Only 21 to be exact. There are 9 that prohibit the use of red light cameras and 20 that have no law for them.

  I really don't have any idea why California's tickets are so high. Where is all the money going? I am sure a bunch of people's pockets are getting fatter off of this. California has one of the highest red light ticket cost in the country. Oregon beats them by 30 bucks. But thats only if you happen to run the light in a school zone. If not its only 260$. I know all the states generally don't hold each other to the same standards but I still don't feel like I need to pay that much money. Its really annoying especially when you are not working. Rent and grocery money going down the toilet. I should hit up the ticket clinic and see if I can get out of this ticket. It is short notice since I have to go to court on Friday. Worth a shot tho.

Here is the link to the site I got the state red light costs from. State Speed and Red LIght Camera Laws

Unemployed

I dont know exactly how long I've been without work. It has been sometime. My money is running out too. I look for work in the field I received my degree in but so are thousands of other people. Its tough waking up not knowing if/when you will work again. My degree happens to be in film as in moviemaking. I can go on a set and do all of the behind the scenes jobs that are there. Like directing, grip, producing etc. Granted there will need to be a bit of training to do the job to the standards of the person hiring me. What's annoying is searching for work and having to sign up for tons of different websites. Some are free and some are not. I use the free ones and a couple of the paid ones but it just pisses me off to have to give money I don't have to these sites. Now I am sure you are thinking that if I sign up for ten different paid sites that one will pay off. But that 10-30$ could get me my next meal or be part of rent. I guess it is one of those damned if you do damned it you don't situations. I am staying positive through this whole situation but I may have to move in with Moms if things don't pick up. Well I'll just have to wake up tomorrow and get back at it again. If nothing comes of this I may have to get a civilian job. Shudder. :/

RIP Paul Walker

     Paul Walker passed away on November 30^th 2013. I didn’t know him personally but like most of his fans, I shared a connection to him. He seemed to be really grounded as a person. Not overcome with all the Hollywood hype that affects most in his position. He was a fan of cars and the racing lifestyle. He was an actor. But he was more than that. He was a philanthropist working to help those less fortunate than himself.  He donated a great deal of money from his own pocket while raising funds for his charity.

     I find it weird to have an emotional connection to a total stranger. But maybe that makes me a good person. I was in my apartment watching Black Snake Moan when I found out about his passing. I didn’t think it was real since celebrity deaths have been faked before, especially on social media. I finished watching my movie and checked my twitter again. The story was confirmed by Paul’s team on his personal twitter.  I felt sadness after reading that tweet on my timeline. Tears swelled in my eyes. I remember him just days ago tweeting about the new Fast and Furious movie. Now he is gone. 

      I decided to go to the site of the car crash that took his life and the life of his friend Rodger Rodas. I got in my car and took the 30 min drive from North Hollywood to Valencia/Santa Clarita. It happened near the Automotive Performance shop Always Evolving. It was a somber scene at the crash site. A little less than 50 people were there when I arrived. More came and went while I was there paying my respects. It sunk in for real at that point, just seeing all the mementos people left there.  Flowers, Candles, pictures, toy cars, dvd’s, and even some bottles of beer.

I cant imagine what his daughter must be going through. My condolences to her and the rest of the Walker family. 

Comikaze Expo

  Friday November 1st I went to the Comikaze Expo. The Comikaze Expo is a nerd fest. If you are a fan of comics, horror, sci-fi, gaming, and cosplay this is the place to be. It started in 2011 to be Los Angeles' answer to San Diego 's Comic-Con. So far it seems to be doing just that. Stan Lee was there the first year. He liked it so much that he put his name on it. Stan Lee's Comikaze Expo became its new moniker. I volunteered in 2011 with plans to do it again the following year. I wasn't able to do it due to work. So third times the charm. In this case it wasn't. I emailed the expo to see if I could do it again this year.  No one replied to my emails so I just went as a spectator.
    I decided to go on Friday because there was a panel on screenwriting I was interested in. The expo is held at the Los Angeles convention center. Which is about 35-40mins from me in North Hollywood. Thats not counting the time I might have to spend in traffic. Since I didn't want to drive I decided on taking the subway there. I walked to the Universal City station and got on the train. It takes about the same time to get there, but without all the hassle of traffic. I got off at my stop and started walking to the convention center. I happen to walk by a Red Mango with one of the employees standing outside handing out samples. I was a bit hungry and decided to purchase on of the smoothies to tide me over.
    When I arrived I had a couple of hours to kill before my panel started. I entered the main hall to have a look around. Lots of vendors to be had. I ended up at the Hot Topic stage to watch AMC movie talk panel. When that ended I made my way to the room where my panel was being held. The only bad part about the panel experience is that I forgot my notebook to take notes. I absorbed what I could during the panel. After it was over I made my way downstairs to the main hall again. I saw my favorite comic artist Marc Silvestri doing sketches and signings. I went to one of the vendors to by a comic that he had drawn to get it signed. After that I caught the Fangasm panel. Fangasm was a show on SyFy about a group of fans of pop culture that are vying for a chance to work for Comikaze.
  All in all I had a great time at the expo. I missed a bunch of cool stuff and people only going one day. I plan on going again next year. Hopefully I can go for more than one day.

Fetishes

   Fetish as defined by Webster's is a need or desire for an object, body part, or activity for sexual excitement. There are people into some weird stuff. I look up some fetishes and I couldn't believe what some people like. I found one that I'm into. Pygophilia is the buttock fetish. And I must admit that I do enjoy a nice booty on a girl. Paraphilic Infantilism involves people dressing up like a baby. I'm still trying to figure out why someone would want to dress up like a baby to get pleasure. It boggles my mind. And don't think that I'm putting someone down for wanting to do it. Just seems strange to me.
  I found out about one fetish watching Real Sex on HBO back in the day. People dressed up in furry animal costumes having sex with each other. But that is not what actual Furries are into. They just like dressing up for the most part. The sexual side of that is called Plushophilia. They tend to get together to get busy. Now that I found that out I feel like HBO did some editing or found the one horny guy to follow around.
  Some other weird ones include noses, eyes, mucus, old people, obscene words, trees, and more. Check this list out and be amazed. Such a weird wild world we live in. I guess if it's not hurting anyone go ahead and do it. Some of those need to be done behind closed doors. But of course there are fetishes that take place out in public. Any who do you and get your freak on.

The Princess Bride Live Commentary

I found out about a screening of The Princess Bride with live commentary from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science. Weeks before I purchased my ticket in anticipation of the event. The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies. And to see it with  people who actually worked on the film talking about it live would be a new experience. In the listing of movies screening this month from The Academy it said that director Rob Reiner and star Cary Elwes would be doing the commentary. And it would be hosted by Jason Reitman son of Ivan Reitman.

The night of the event came and I headed to the theater. I got there hoping to find a spot in the main parking garage. I pull up and the attendant tells me to go to on of the other two garages. I go to the second one. That one is full too. So I get sent to the third. As I pull up I see the lot full sign and get discouraged. But as the attendant working sees my car she waves me to the entrance of the garage. I drive a Mini Cooper perfect for parking in small spaces. Of which there was one left in the garage that my car was able to fit in. I parked, thanked the attendants, and walked to the theater.

I walked in did the security check and went to find a seat. Once the waiting ended the introductions were made. The CEO of The Academy introduced Jason Reitman and he in turn introduced Rob Reiner.  Cary Elwes was not in attendance for the event. The movie started and the commentary was underway. I have never watch the movie with commentary on the DVD. So this for me was an amazing time. Finding out about production, pre-production, and post. This was the first ever live commentary event and it didnt disappoint.

The only negative about the entire event was the woman sitting behind me. She was in her late 30's early 40's. She ended up bring her mother to the screening. The mother had never seen the movie before. I honestly don't know why you would bring someone who had never seen a movie to a screening with commentary. The woman kept wanting Jason and Rob to stop talking so she could watch the movie. Hearing her voice in my ear was annoying. If you wanted your mother to see the movie just show it to her at home. Don't bring her to this type of event and complain the whole way through. Besides that I had a great time.

For a girl

Fuck your face and how it makes me feel.

The way you stare at me.

The way you smile.

Your nose, your lips, your eyes.

I think about you all the time.

I long for you when we are apart.

The way you bite your lip deep in thought.

You’re so beautiful when you’re sleeping.

Even more when you’re awake.

I have never felt like this before.

You’re whom I adore.

I love you.