A sunset on the Oregon coast...

      I do so love a beautiful sunset. I’m kind of a bit of a sunset chaser, actually. I mean… not over the top or anything… but kind of a sunset chaser. So while on the Oregon coast I knew I’d just have to photograph a sunset. As usual with me and sunsets, it was a spur-of-the moment decision one evening. But the walk to the beach was short and I had plenty of time.

      The sunset was gorgeous. It just was. The massive globe of orange fire slowly shrank as it pulled away and plummeted towards the grand, dark sea. The ocean cooed out its lullaby to the sun as the waves broke on the beach, wetting the sand at its constant rhythm. And before I knew it, it was gone. The sun had said its final farewells before pulling its bedclothes over its fiery head and going to sleep beneath the horizon of waves.

      I do so love sunsets. No matter where they are, they’re sure to impress me each and every time I get the opportunity to watch them.

Scotsmen only!

      I’ve quite decided that this blog of mine has far too few Scottish-related posts. In an attempt to remedy that very thing, I thought it might be clever for me to blog about the sign I purchased while I was in Oregon on a family vacation this last week. Already I’m sure you’re asking what this has to do with Scotland, and how I could make a post concerning the Oregon coast and signs somehow related to Scottish-ness. Well – just read on, dear reader.

       While visiting the Oregon coast, we went shopping in one of the larger towns and came across a wee Celtic shop. I was not about to pass by such a pleasant little sales-place, so I popped in and glanced about at the peddler’s wares. The gentleman was hawking a lot of interesting items, but one particular one caught my fancy. Well – enough for me to just about buy it up on sight. It was just that awesome. ‘Twas a sign. What’s so great about a sign? Well it was manufactured locally – which I found to be incredibly great. But the best part was really what was written on the sign. Check it out!

       Funny stuff, right? I thought so, anyway. It was totally a must have for me. If you don’t know the significance of the ‘City Ordinance’ date on the bottom right corner, you must not be Scottish. That date marks the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath at Arbroath abby. A declaration by Scotsmen of freedom from English rule. That occasion, one buried in historical intrigue, actually plowed the furrows for modern-day democracy and even remained something of a basis for the American Declaration of Independence. So it really is a very significant date! Though, how that date is really associated with the content of the sign is not really all that apparent to me…

       …Still, the sign is great. And buying local was an added benefit. It was all win.

The sign doesnae lie, Laddie!

My Guild Experience Part Six: Guild Wrap-up...

         I guess by now I’ve written quite a bit about the Guild and the time I spent in the Mohonk mountains, learning from master craftsman of the dramatic arts. So I believe I’ll make this my final post on the subject. It was certainly an experience I will never forget. I attended the Guild, hoping to get experience in Drama and Voice-Overs. I received just that, but more as well. Additionally, I met many young people who I regard as friends. Hopefully our time together at the Guild was only a precursor to the fabulous relationships that will arise from our acquaintance. Many of us made plans to collaborate on different personal projects, and we look forward to what comes of our combined forces. Also at the Guild, I made contacts that could prove very valuable in my prospective career in V-O, which was very encouraging. But most of all… most of all, I met the Lord. I hadn’t expected such an incredible experience. I hadn’t imagined such a life changing occurrence. But it happened! I felt the Lord’s presence. His pleasure was evident and could be felt by all as we praised his name.

The view from Eagle Cliff...

The view from the far side of the lake...

Cathy Buchanan, Todd Busteed, and John Campbell...

I had so much fun those five days I attended the Guild. And without a doubt, I would suggest it to anyone at all who was interested in visual or dramatic arts. If you enjoy painting, acting, videography, sound-design, music-composition, photography, and script-writing, I’d highly recommend saving your pennies for Guild 2013, because if it is anything like Guild 2012, it will be an experience of a life-time.

You can check out the official Guild home-page Here.

Sean, Michael, Me, Brandon, Cody, Ben, Sammi, Alex, Jonathan, and garret. (Photo courtesy of Cody)

I already miss all the great people I met at the Guild. So many like-minded individuals. Everyone was exceptionally friendly and decent, it was impossible not to quickly make friends. We all had our areas of expertise, but we all were willing to stretch a bit too. Interacting with so many students might have been a headache, but it wasn’t. Like me, all were there to learn, and showed the utmost respect to both their fellow students and their teachers, which I appreciated immensely. We laughed a lot, cheered a lot, sang a lot, talked a lot, and certainly learned a lot. From each other, and from our teachers.

The flight home...

In the end, it probably goes without saying that I’m very thankful that I attended the Guild. I praise the Lord for giving me this fantastic opportunity. I pray that I will use my talents and passions to bring glory to Him.

I also want to thank those who helped get me to the Guild, either by buying books, contributing to my fund, or even just supplying moral support. But thank you for all your prayers, most of all. You guys are all the best ever!

My Guild Experience Part Five: Friday and Farewell to Friends

      Friday was the final day. We rose from bed, reveled in the beauty of the mountains for one final time, pondered the scriptures, packed our bags, and headed off to breakfast. I met several of my new friends' families and we spoke over one final Mohonk Mountain House breakfast. After we had eaten our fill, we moved off towards the parlor where we were delighted by Cathy Sarah's students' theatre presentation. All did splendidly. After the performance's conclusion, we were directed to the Conference Center where the other teachers presented the other work we had contributed to. It was such a wonderful time, where many a-back received a friendly pat and cheers were lifted in admiration. We closed with Phillip Telfer's beautiful song "Pour It Out"... the song that had touched so many of us when we had sung it Wednesday night. The teachers were then called up onto the stage and the students were given the opportunity to beggar them with questions for about an hour. When the questions had been asked and the jokes uttered, the masters stepped down and allowed us all shake their hands and thank them for their wonderful instruction.

      And say goodbye. These masters, mentors, teachers, where our family. They had passed on their knowledge to us, and we were doleful to bid them adieu. Hands were shaken, hugs were given. Goodbyes spoken in a tone of sorrow.

Cathy Sara, stage-acting teacher, and I...

      Lunch remained the final meeting-place for us students and many crowded to the tables to eat our final meal together. We laughed and joked, sang and spoke. More hugs, more shakes of the hand. After lunch, group pictures were shot, final farewells were given, contact information was exchanged, final hugs, final fist-bumps... promises to write, to collaborate, to further our relationships. We laughed, if not to keep from crying. We smiled, if not to keep from grimacing at the thought of long separation. Brotherhoods had been formed. They would not be broken, our new friendships not severed. Finally we had to tear ourselves away as we headed off on our separate paths. But I know I will never forget those faces. We behaved boldly to encourage each other, but we pained to say goodbye. This band of brothers formed, this fellowship of minds... it cannot, nor will it, come to an end. Great things will come of our companionship, our camaraderie.

Cody (Never did gave him a nickname...) and I...

Alex (Frodo), Me, Ben (Joisy-Boy), and Garret...

The Roommates...

      Honestly - the days I spent at the Guild were entirely unforgettable. It was a wonderful time and a valuable business choice. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. And while saying farewell to my new friends was bitter and also sweet, I look forward to strengthening those relationships as we live on and encouraging each other in Godliness, like iron sharpens iron. Until we meet again, Ladies and Gents!

My Guild Experience Part Four: Wednesday and Thursday

      Wednesday Morning a number of us planned to climb out of bed before the sunrise, hike up to the tower, and watch the sun rise from there. The heat never calmed, and we hiked in sticky humidity, laughing and enjoying ourselves despite the temperature being what it was. Once at the tower, we goofed about until the sun finally began to poke its head up and over the far hills. It was such a gorgeous sight.

Me and Brandon (Scarecrow)...

       Brandon was another one of the totally awesome people I met at the Guild. The guy was so energetic and fun to be around. He is absolutely on fire for the Lord and has such a flare for style. It felt so weird to talk with him, because so often it felt like I was talking with myself. We were just so like-minded! He's also a speech-accent enthusiast, and while he hasn't quite gotten the Scottish accent down, he does a Jack-Sparrow impersonation which is even better than Johnny Depp himself... absolutely fantastic stuff!

      Wednesday evening Phillip Telfer spoke about pouring ourselves out to the Lord. His message was meant to encourage us to give our all for the Lord, that He would be able to use us as His servants to further His kingdom. Phillip's words were not ignored. They were taken to heart by all who heard him. When his message came to its conclusion, he lifted his voice to the Lord and taught us a song that he wrote called "Pour it  Out". It's just
a simple song, which he played quite well on his guitar, but the lyrics were so genuine and heart-filled I was really touched and impressed. And as we all lifted our voices to the Lord, to praise His holy Name and pour out ourselves to Him, I felt the Lord's presence in the building. My spine was devoured by chills of excitement and streams of tears ran down my face. It was an incredible time of worship. Mark Hamby called those who were inclined to come up to the alter, that they would be able to pray and dedicate themselves to the Lord. After the worship service we all just hugged each other and reveled in what we had just experienced. It was such a fantastic time.

      I slept well that night, though. When the voice-over coaching was at its end, I went right to bed as soon as I could. So many early mornings and late nights were really taking their toll on me.

      Thursday was also a whole lot of fun. Todd Busteed, John Cambell, and Cathy Buchanan all put their heads together, with a whole lot of the dramatic arts students and we brainstormed the characters and story for an audio-drama. Then a fist-full of script-writing students left with Cathy and got the script written out, while the rest of us auditioned for the audio drama's many colorful characters. Once all the roles were filled, and the run-away script was found and brought to the teachers, they worked on getting it all recorded and edited. Then Todd added his affects magic, and John added his music. It was just so great.

       Also - here is what a typical breakfast at the Mohonk Mountain Resort looks like. It included, but was not limited to, miniature Belgian waffles, bacon, eggs, French toast, sausage, scalloped potatoes, and toast, not to mention unlimited amounts of nearly every fruit and large amounts oat-meal (Yucky...). Also - bottomless mugs of REALLY good coffee, which I appreciated most of all. I ate like a king while at the Guild, it was just the best thing ever.

My Guild Experience Part Three: Monday and Tuesday

           Monday evening we were introduced to the 'special guest' we had heard so much about. All afternoon Mr. Hamby walked him around the Mohonk grounds, disrupting whatever classes he passed. We were asked not to speak to him all afternoon, and told instead to wait until that evening when we would be formally introduced.

       Yeah... yeah... He does look like George W. Bush. I was taken in, too. I fell for it to the last. I was tricked, fooled. But it isn't actually him.He's a George Dubblyuh Bush impersonator. (A really good one...)

      He was so funny, though. I laughed so stinkin' hard. He wasn't bad on the guitar, either.

      That evening was also the first of the Voice-Over coaching with Curt Morse and Allen Hurley. Of the one-hundred students attending the Guild, sixty of them wanted to be coached in the Voice-Over Sessions. When I found out about that, I kind of started to freak. I mean - that was the entire reason I came to the Guild! Would I not get an opportunity to get coached? Obviously not everyone would be able to get that opportunity... So they put together a raffle. If your number got called, you got to get your voice recorded. So, for an hour and a half, I heard other students get their numbers called and get their voices recorded. When the final raffle was announced, I figured my number had been a dud and that I should have dug around more for a better one. But when Curt Morse called the number, no one stood up to take their place. He called another. Nothing. He dug around in the can, shook it a bit, called another number. Nope. I began to despair. I wasn't going to get called. Maybe tomorrow. He called another number. I glanced at mine. They were the same. ... I leaped up, out of my seat, and marched up to the microphone. It was so much fun standing behind that mic'. It's a feeling that I doubt I will ever forget.

      Anyway - we were supposed to record the voices for a commercial. Curt Morse played the commercial for us so that we had an idea of what it was supposed to sound like, then we got right to recording. Everyone before me tried their best to sound as close to the voices in the commercial as they could... I decided to take a more original route (Who am I kidding... I'm a ham, and it was an opportunity to show off and impress people.). Once I opened my mouth, the room erupted in an explosion of laughter. Even the people who were trying to record with me lost control and couldn't help but to laugh. It was quite the difficulty recording the radio-spot with me. I was just so funny. Hilarious, even.

      You can check out all the radio-spots at the Guild's official blog. Guild Voice-Over Blog Post (Mine's the fifth one.) It was the Guild favorite. Everyone laughed their heads off when it played, and it got played a lot. Heck. After that whole experience, I had people walking up to me all week, requesting that I use my accents. It was quite entertaining.

      Tuesday morning they showed this incredible video. Such a powerful video with such an important message. I was very much impressed by the quality of the video, too.

      That afternoon I had some free time, so I went canoeing with Alex, one of the many awesome people that I met at the Guild. Such a wonderful time, rowing about the lake like a couple members of the fellowship in Elven boats (That's the whole reason we chose a canoe... silly, nerdy us!).

      After returning to shore, we still had some free time, so we decided to try to reach the tower that could be seen down on the Mohonk Mountain House's porch.

Up there... On the left... up high...

      The climb was absolutely exhausting, but far more than well-worth it. The tower was built out of awesomeness. Oh! And between that awesomeness was more awesomeness! So it was all win.

      Inside was almost as awesome as outside. And up on top was awesome-est of all. From up there the Mountain house, which I should be continually referring to as massive, looked like a tiny little thing.

Alex (Frodo) and Me (Barbarian)...

      It's so good to think of the times I had at the Guild. I already miss all my new friends. I hate goodbyes of any kind... And this whole trip has been full of them. My next post will allow me to think more on my awesome time at the Mohonk mountain house, so I look forward to that. And I hope all you readers of mine look forward to it too...

My Guild Experience Part Two: Orientation and first classes...

My Guild Experience Post Two: Sunday and Monday...

"It looks like a bloomin' castle!"

Did I mention that Mohonk is absolutely gorgeous? Because it really is. This place is entirely unbelievable. Not only are the grounds themselves quite impressive indeed, but the interior of the mountain house is so awesome. Arriving here and then walking all around and exploring the place made me feel very much like one of the children from C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe who get sent off to the country to live in the house of one Professor Digory Kirke. Maybe it's because the mountain house frowns on all running, speaking noisily, and touching of artifacts that are expensive and breakable...

Thunder and lightning did end up keeping me inside for a short while on the day of my arrival, but it ended fairly quickly.

Sunday evening was when the teaching began. Mr. Hamby is an incredibly gifted speaker. He speaks from his heart, and his heart is moved by God. His insights are quite Biblical and his teaching is very informative. He's also got a great sense of humor. The guy knows how to be really humorous, but he knows when it's appropriate and when it isn't, and I've really appreciated his thoughtfulness and seriousness.

All the teachers are incredibly kind and easy to speak with. They're all very Godly people who yearn for righteousness and obedience to Jesus Christ. Every one of them is gifted by God and their talents are very much evident. 

    Todd Busteed is absolutely hilarious. The guy has so much raw energy, his sessions were very energetic and a whole lot of fun. He focused mainly on sound-design and a bit of voice-acting. He's a really fun guy to learn from.

 

      Phillip Telfer and John-Clay Burnett hosted an elective talk on documentary film making. It was a very informative talk, and I really appreciated both of their insights. Also, Phillip Telfer is an incredibly accomplished musician. You can check out his stuff at his personal site:  www.philliptelfer.com Seriously, the guy is incredible - and it's because he's driven fully by God.

      Cathy Sarah taught the acting class. It focused the most on imagination and boldness. She has a great way of cheering up the rooms she enters and is absolutely brilliant when it comes to encouragement. She also has the most lovely English accent.

      Curt Morse and Allen Hurley are the primary sound guys. They were doing voice-over coaching and video making/ video sound editing. Curt Morse has the perfect radio DJ's voice, and he's a great sound-booth engineer. Both these men have been a lot of fun to learn under.

       John Campbell is the genius teaching the music composition classes. The man has tallent out the ears. We gave him three random chords, and from those he added whatever came to mind and crafted a beautiful piece. I wish I could spend even more time around him and seeing him composing.

      Sorry these pictures might be blurry. The master-teachers here have trouble standing still. That and I was so busy laughing, it was impossible to get a nice picture. Also - I guess I forgot to get a picture of Cathy Buchanan. But they were all amazing. She was the script-writing teacher and also incredibly insightful. Monday we listened in for an hour to each speaker. They all only tempted our palettes with their amazing skill and know-how.

     

 I know it's a short post, but with everything going on, I just haven't had time to write up anything cool. I have so much more to write about, but that will have to be in my next post.