Archery Upgrades

Since it's been getting cooler bit by bit these last few days, I've found more time to go outside (in the evening, too hot during the day) and shoot my recurve bow. I also went to Dick's Sporting Goods and got a few upgrades, mostly meaning my gear.

First, there's this. My new quiver, designed on the inside to keep arrows from falling out, and it has a screw-on lid. The whole thing is made of two tubes, one of which you can adjust to fit any arrow length. This will come in handy someday when I have a longbow, because I will need arrows that are both longer and heavier.

 

Two new arrows that I bought because I was missing a few. But hey, archers replace their arrows all the time.  A word of advice. Get bright colored arrows like these when you can, because there is a smaller chance of losing them if you are shooting on a grassy lawn like I always am (there aren't any archery ranges I know of nearby, and my three acres are big enough)

New arm-guard, and the only comfortable one I have ever seen. It fits like a glove, feels like a sock, and actually covers my arm unlike the strip of leather I've strapped to my arm (and get a bad itch) several times before.

 

Look closely at this, and tell me what you see...













HA! Seriously though, I hit the tree by accident. See, I shoot at a hay bale with a target spray-painted onto it, and somehow the arrow skipped off the top and sort of jumped out of the way into the tree. Crazy, huh? That this is a way-out-of-the-way tree, about thirty feet away from the target. And as you can probably tell, I couldn't resist taking a few pictures.




I also taught my mom how to shoot yesterday. The day before, she said she wanted to learn how, and I let her use my first bow with three of my longest arrows. I watched the technique and all the little details, which make the biggest difference when shooting arrows. I've never taught anyone how to shoot before, so this is definitely something new. As it gets cooler out, I'll be shooting more often and getting more practice in.

Getting Outside to Shoot

Kind of ironic that in the summer I am not into going outside, well because its too hot out. But today is different. Today was actually a good day to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. About time, too.
I picked up my recurve bow and walked down the street, maybe a mile (I've never exactly measured it) to hang out with my twelve year old cousin Caius for the afternoon. he had his compound bow, which has a fierce draw weight.

    After I got there, we set down the bows and arrows to go for a joy ride in the truck that is still in good enough condition despite it being over thirty years old.I'm telling ya, Caius can really drive that thing. going fast, over bumps (just in the gigantic yard, duh), etc until finishing after a few minutes.

    After getting out of the truck, we shot our bows, aimed at a hay bale positioned in the yard. the only problem was that a couple times his cat Rocket would walk nearby and Caius had to get him to leave. But I'd say we're doing better. I picked up a way to aim and hold the bow by seeing THE HUNGER GAMES and from watching the Olympic archers with my uncle in New York. I held the end of the arrow to my jaw with the bowstring next to my nose, positioning the arrow point exactly where I wanted it to land. After releasing it, it came out as a pretty good shot. Now all I need is more practice.

    On my walk back home I ran into my friend Hali on the road and chatted for awhile. It always feels good to see my high school friends, which I am hoping to do a bunch of times this year and after.

    A few hours after getting home I decided to practice some more since it was getting cool enough in the evening. So I picked up my stuff and walked out into my own yard, shooting the same way at the hay bale I spray-painted a black and orange target onto last Halloween. I'm definitely getting better, but again I just need more practice. Now that I actually know how to aim a bow, I don't have to do as much experimenting as I have since I was sixteen. And hopefully it'll keep getting cooler over the next few weeks and I can get outside more without dying of the heat.

    Another good sign is I'm actually getting some muscle pain in both my arms and little bruises on my fingers. Normally wouldn't sound like good news, but it means I'm doing it right. So all I need left is practice

Freshman Orientation and Summer 2012 Movies

I'm putting my flash-drive and journal memoirs away for now, at least until I start my college freshman year at Mont Co. But I guess I can use my blog to update on the cool stuff. Its kind of odd that right after I stop updating my 'journal', the cooler stuff starts to happen.

For instance, I went to freshman orientation and found one of my friends from elementary/middle school who I haven't seen since! I hung out with him most of the time while paying as much attention as I could to what the professors were saying, but it's not easy to when the lectures go on and on, you know? I stuck around for a small campus tour afterward despite it being two small buildings, since I figure it'd be better to have a feel for the place in advance.

Last week I went with my family of four to see THE HUNGER GAMES at the $2 Carmike Cinemas, it being my fourth time seeing it an my dad's first (he never read the books like me, my mom and sister did). A few days later, I went by myself to the new Carmike in Pottsgrove to see Diary of a Wimpy Kid 3: DOG DAYS, and you'll never guess what... NO ONE WAS THERE (except for maybe two employees hangin' around)! I had the lobby and auditorium to myself until a few more people showed up. And what happened about halfway through the movie, well... The power went out! Yeah, the screen blinked, the lights dimmed and brightened up, and then an employee came in and said they'd have it working again. I could hear the rain pound and the thunder outside. Thankfully it got fixed.

Also, for a few days now me and my cousin Caius have been working on preproduction of a movie called JINXFLINGER, about two wizards. We just started writing the script and I've been working on my costume. I need to measure Caius before I can do his, so I have to wait. Both of us are gonna star, direct and edit this movie, which is exciting since we wan this one to be over an hour. I bet this'll be our best film yet, and we've made quite a few already.

My first time in New York City

Last night I got back from a New York trip with my mom and big sister to see THE LION KING. I kept a notebook in my pocket the whole way and kept track of as much as possible. We took a bunch of pictures as well. To make my blog a bit more interesting I decided to put what I wrote in my notebook. It came out near eleven pages but that thing is small. So I can't tell how long it is, but either way, why not?


6/23/12

7:18 AM
We just got to the 'bus stop' about 40 minutes early. We've been listening to THE LION KING soundtrack on the way here. Well, not the whole way. Kaitlin turned on the radio first thing, and it was somehow on the 'Asia' station. A song called "Heat of the Moment" blared on, and we spent the time laughing, pointing and cocking our heads. The song had played in the episode of SUPERNATURAL we just watched last night, so "What are the odds?" I said.

7:31 AM
We just went through (what used to be) an old diner for bus tickets and are in some blank and ancient waiting room. Bit by bit people come in, and there are only 3 benches and 1 small candy machine in a corner. The room isn't 'big' but its big enough to hold more benches for people to sit on. More people are coming in as well. I just hope it doesn't get too crowded and the bus doesn't run late.

8:11 AM
Three buses pulled in: 1 for Philly, 2 for NYC. We got on the big bus, me sitting at the window with Kaitlin next to me and mom opposite. Its chilly now but it's supposed to be about 85 later. So, I like it.

9:31 AM
After passing so many trees and plain roads, we're on highways surrounded by construction, dumpy abandoned buildings and we've been on bridges. Mom pointed in my direction and I looked out the window. "That's incredible." I said, seeing an amazing view of New York City, just minutes away. So many tall buildings, more than i can count. God knows I'm gonna have plenty of stories to tell after today. New Jersey train is visible, parallel to the bus. I think that's the train my friend Hannah went to NYC in before. I'll have to mention it.

9:53 AM
The bus stopped in a parking garage darker than the tunnel we just got out of. After getting off, we walked through a station that looked mostly like an underground mall.

10:59 AM
Ok. Now that I've settled, I can recount following events. After getting out of the station, we came out to a large crowded street, buildings so high that just looking at the tops made me dizzy. Amazed, I took a bunch of video clips with the camera. We walked through Times Square and into a a huge three-story M+M store. There was a lot of themes merchandise, and tall glass tubes holding SO MANY colors of the candy. The tubes ran up to the third (and smallest) floor. I took a picture from there to show how high up we were. After walking out, we went across the street to a Hershey store. Now, what got my attention were the huge $40 Hershey bars, "world's largest." After going with Kaitlin to a music store called Colony, and settling by a large fountain while mom and Kaitlin ate bagels, I looked around wondering "What next?" The city is amazing and there's so much to see. I don't know what to do next.

12:12 PM
Ok, right after that stop, we walked down the street till we came to a huge toy store called FA-O-Schwartz. It, on the inside, was enormous. After walking past the huge stuffed animals, a small set of steps led to a wide assortment of candy, including boxes of NERDS the size of cereal boxes and fish-bowl style containers of stuff like rock candy and Starbursts. On the next floor, there was a shelf of Harry Potter stuff like LEGOs and scarves. nearby, HUNGER GAMES figures, dog tags and shirts. Just less than 20 feet away was a hallway filled with stuffed animals of all sizes, and past it was a section with different types of rocks. Some of those rocks even went on necklaces. Past that, it was the best. The big floor piano that you play with your feet is, as I've just found out, where Big was filmed with Tom Hanks. Walking by it led to a while section of LEGOs. I recognized and pointed out most of them, and saw the new Lord of the Rings sets. "When the video game comes out, that's all I'll be doing for days." I said. After we headed out, it seemed like we'd been in there forever. Just a short way down the street came Central Park, where I sit and write now.

1:47 PM
After resting on a bench, we wandered the park. And let me tell ya, the rocks are AWESOME! It was more like a small mountain, with a dirt trail around it. Mom and Kaitlin to the easy way and went up the trail. I climbed up the jagged side and then down the other after meeting them at the top. Later, we took pictures on a stone bridge above a big pond, and made it down the trail to an even bigger rock! Yeah, I looked at the sides and found one just hard enough to challenge me. Once I got to the top, Kaitlin took a few pictures and I took another tricky way down the rock. We left after getting water and lemonade (Kaitlin) and walking to a McDonald's. Unfortunately, it was way crowded and we only had a half hour left before the show. So we got our food to go and high-tailed it. We got to the theater and stood in the shade, eating as much as possible.. We didn't finish (at least I didn't) but then after chucking the rest, we walked in and took pictures of the posters. Ahead was a wide set of doors where bags were checked, and then two escalators with a wide set of velvet-covered stairs. We ran up the stairs. MUCH FASTER. After using the restroom fast, I was tempted to take pictures of the decor, but I didn't want to risk it before the show. Me, mom and Kaitlin went into the theatre through a nearby door, found our seats and settled. The curtain has a cool design on it, and we got some good seats on the ground floor (other section of seats suspended above).

3:25 PM
So far, the show is breathtaking. For the first song I was lightly crying, it was so good. Its so cool seeing all the African detail and culture, the props, and pretty much everything else is amazing, almost too amazing. The stampede scene was made intense, and the funny characters like hyenas were done perfectly. When Act 1 was over, me, mom and Kaitlin went to the souvenir stand and got two yellow t-shirts (big lion symbol) and went back to our seats. What I seriously can't wait for is to see how the second half looks. 

6:10 PM
Ok, back up to Act 2. It was an amazing spectacle. There were all kinds of stage effects to make stuff like lightning flashes and clouds looked realistic. It was a bummer to have it end, but we gave a good standing ovation when the cast gave their bows. After the show, we went past the counters, took pictures of the displays and then left the building. It took me a minute or so to get used to the sunlight after being in a dark theatre, but it was nice and breezy out so it wasn't too hard. By Kaitlin's suggestion we wet to Cold Stone, and she recommended to me ice cream with peanut butter and crushed REESE'S CUPS. It was delicious for my first order at any Cold Stone. I didn't finish it, though. Hey, it filled me up quickly. After ice cream, we went back to the station, "Goodbye New York City," Kaitlin said. Well, we had time to kill, so we looked around in a bookstore, Kaitlin got a smoothie, and now we're here, waiting with a bunch of other people to get on the bus.

6:54 PM
We're finally on the bus, its moving and we're going home. Its still light out, but it won't be when i get through all the videos and photos at home.


After going through all the photos and videos, cutting them together with music from the show, I was able to make this in less than 24 hours.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Van1WQHcho&list=UU5U6Kg2xlQShMi9aHr87OJw&index=1&feature=plcp

Fun with Beaded Bracelets and Necklaces

OK, lets see... before my graduation, my big sister got back from a trip to Africa, during which time she learned how to make bracelets with fishing line and beads. She taught me how and we've both made a bunch of 'em. Pretty much each one I've made relates to a part of me, so I don't make them randomly.

 

This is my first beaded necklace, which I just made today. I've gone through a bunch of strings and chains to go with this "Airbender" dog tag (first one I ever made), and now this one fits perfect.

 The one on the left is ny newest bracelet, made to represent my prequel series to Darastrix Arcaniss, called BLACK VAEX. On the right is my first beaded bracelet, made with camouflage colors and a leaf to represent Ranger's Apprentice, one of my all-time favorite book series.

(top) Water Tribe, and (bottom) "Airbender"

This is Fire, to look like something worn by a Pyromancer (a.k.a. a Fire Wizard) in the online game Wizard101.

These are really fun to make so i would recommend it (along with reading a book) to anyone who just needs something to do when they're bored.

Film Festival 2012

    Just a short time ago I came home from the OJR film festival. This is the eighth one, and the second one i've been to. I went to last year's because I had still been trying to figure out if I was going to take video production, and I liked the films a whole lot. They were well-done by the students and I was excited to in the future be one of them.
    Unfortunately, none of the four films I entered git in. But I can't say I'm surprised seeing as I only took one semester of class. But hey, these other students have been doing it their whole high school lives and I made it into the running with "Oscar the Pig Interviews." I told myself I'd go whether my films get in or not, and I enjoyed it. I told myself this last year, in fact.
    A select few of the films were scary/dramatic, but most of them ridiculous/funny/comedic/made me want to burst out laughing. It's a good thing I noticed the dvds sold in the lobby or I'd forget some of them or rely on the students to put them on YouTube. But not this time. This time I bought a dvd with the films on it, and I do not regret this since it was only five bucks and the films are really good. I should have gotten one of these anyway since this is the year i graduate.
    Wish this year to end soon, I do not. But I don't intend on thinking about that too much or it will end sooner than I think. Making the best of it is all I can do, and its what I will do. I hear we get yearbooks next week, and hopefully soon in the middle of June I can get my "2012 Seniors" documentary done and posted. A lot of my friends who were in it are excited to see the results, and I can't wait to show it to them. In the editing process, it looks great so far. So I'm really itching to put it up and see what they think.

    I'm not sure what else there is to say, other than I recommend Video Production for Owen J. Roberts students, 'cause its really good. At least the first class is (I can't tell the other ones 'cause i didnt get a chance to take them). Talk to y'all later! :D

"Fly by too fast, this year has."

    On August 29th 2011, when I was seventeen years old, I walked into the school saying to myself "It's good to be back." Now it's May 6th, I've been eighteen for nearly two months and I've done so much this year, more than I could have expected then. Directed and edited over half a dozen short films, four of which have been entered for the Film Festival and one of them is a trailer adaptation to my book series, Darastrix Arcaniss. I've taken a great acting class and in doing so I have met some of the best friends I've ever had and ever will. I even made a music video about our good times in "Drama and Theater 1" in thanks!
    I've read and seen THE HUNGER GAMES (saw the movie four times, once with just one friend), made my own camouflage cloak for Halloween and hiking in the woods, and recently attended Post Prom again like last year, pulling my second all-nighter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NekDltwvR08
My best video blog by far is the one that talks about post prom. I swear it was one of the best days/nights of my senior year, and I'll never forget it or my junior post prom either.
    The first day of senior year feels like just over a week ago. Now the year's nearly over and I'll be graduating in a month. I really wish it didn't have to end so soon, but I guess everyone's has to. After I get through college, I will hopefully get into film and turn my books into movies. That I have to look forward to, and starting at the beginning of this year I've aspired to be a good filmmaker.

    In fact I've already started making an actual script. Yeah, I researched script format and I'm using it to start it. I bet it will turn out great when it's done. It's my dream, to create "the next big thing." I just hope that I can.
    But I'm trying not to look too far ahead, know why? Otherwise I'll lose sight of what I've got now, and I love seeing my friends at school too much to risk that, with the little time we've got left. I intend to make it all count and So Far I've managed to make this year the best of my entire life.