Saturday morning I woke up and decided I needed to get out and do some serious filming. I couldn’t help myself. Had to do it. Vivian was nice enough to cover for me at the video store (Viv, have I told you today you’re the best?). I also wanted to tell Mom what I was up to, but she was knocked out. (Worked two 12-hour shifts straight. Don’t ask me how she does it.) And there’s nothing I hate more than bothering her when she finally has a chance to catch a few zzz’s. So, I left her a note.
Anyway, I grabbed the camera Vivian borrowed for me from her school. Filled my backpack with granola bars and juice boxes – yes, I’m in the third grade. And I headed out in what can loosely be described as a car. I drove through the Ocean State and got a bunch of b-roll. Also visited the house where Grandpa grew up, wandered the woods where he used to play, met the folks who live there now. It was like walking in his footsteps, and with every step I missed him more. I don’t know how much of that you can catch on camera, but I tried.
Gosh, it felt good to be out there. On my own. Just me, the camera, and the world, with Grandpa looking over my shoulder. All in all, not a bad way to spend a couple of days. The only thing missing was Mom.
I’m sure your grandpa would be very proud of all the work you’re doing now, Amelia!
I hope so, Carson. I’d like to think he had kept everything for a reason.
Sounds like a very eventful day, Amelia. (: My mom is a nurse who works 12 hour night shifts so I know what you mean about your mom needing to catch some zzzs!
Maybe next time she’s awake, you can ask her what day she’s free (: That way maybe the two of you can plan to do something fun together!
Yeah, planning isn’t usually my thing, Rachel. I’m really bad at it. But you’re right. For Mom, I can try harder to do that.
So honored and happy to be on this adventure with you, Amelia, and all of my dear new friends who are active in this discovery. Onward and upward! Dream wonderful dreams of the future, one and all.
*Huge smile on my face* I don’t think I could have said it better, Geren.
Can’t wait to see some of the footage you took, and to see your Grandpa’s house. All so very exciting!
I love that feeling, when you accomplish something. I just feel like yelling “I AM THE SMARTEST WOMAN ALIVE!”
YEAH! WOO-HOO!!!
Oops. I think I just scared a few customers.
So awesome, it is amazing how we can take the past for granted. They just closed every school at the military base I grew up on in Germany and are going to close the rest of the base at the end of the year. The German government is going to bulldoze everything down then along with my entire childhood! It’s like my entire childhood will be erased from history! But as the country song goes…who needs pictures when you have a memory like mine. Oiye, nostalgia.
Your memory is a gift, Timothy. With it, you have the power to keep the past alive. Grandpa taught me that.
Amelia,
Getting actual film in the can is huge! It does not matter if it ends up B roll or not. I think each time you frame a shot, each time you try, that’s learning. And to walk where Carlos walked? Very cool. There seems to be alot going on for you and this group of folks along for your adventure – so let me be the first to propose that yougive serious thought to extending your stay with us…with all due respect. i for one, wouldlove to keep hearing of your adventures. (except for the car.)
Ah, Kevin. Thank you for your encouragement. I like what you said about learning because I’m really big on that. I have no problem falling on my face as long as I’m learning something, you know? And with all of you, I’ve learned more than ever. About myself. About my family. About the goodness of people. Yeah. In case you haven’t noticed, I’m kind of enjoying taking this unforgettable journey with all of you. :’)
i’ll be at EPCOT today. if anyone thinks of anything that should be looked at, tweet me @baseballmickey
Amelia, we are proud of you so many people just say what there dream is and never actualy take any steps towards achieving it. You are making the motions and although you will hit some snags along the way, it is those challages that make the journey so great! Carlos would be proud of you!
Geez, you all are making my eyes water tonight. What’s up with that? Or maybe Vivian and I just need to dust the shelves again, here at the video store. Yeah, that must be it. *sniffle*
Amelia, I am very impressed by the tire change – I tried once myself, and decided to call AAA if it ever happens again!
Believe me when I say I’m not just saying this, but if I can do it, you TOTALLY can.
I think its great that you did all this filming! You really were walking in your grandfather’s footsteps. I am excited to see all your footage. Did you get to interview the people who live in the house? Also, you should really put some of the footage into a behind the scenes video! Every time I work on a movie (even documentary), I create a behind the scenes video for everyday of shooting. All you have to do is talk about where you went, what you did. Then just use some of your voice and footage, over your b-roll video taken onsite.
Gosh, D.Z. I kind of love that idea.
Sounds like a wonderful and peaceful day (minus the flat tire)! How was the weather for your day?
Heard reports that it was going to rain on Saturday. Thought it might, but it didn’t. Lucked out.
Third graders would have added a peanut butter sandwich or pixie stix. Possibly both.
Sound like a productive day – sometimes you need some alone time to refocus, especially with everything you are discovering.
I think I had bologna and cheese sandwhiches, chips, and a juice box. Amerlia isn’t too far off, haha.
Hey, Robert. Guess who made that exact lunch last week? Yep. Twice.
True. Sometimes you do. BTW, the PB sandwich and candy sounds really good right now.
Anyone else got the feeling this picture is pretty random? Unless it is a hint. I did some research and found this Midget Autopia car on display at the Walt Disney Hometown Museum in Marceline: http://www.yesterland.com/autopia3.html
The color is almost the same as Amelia’s car. Plus: It is one of the cars from the same ride as the one in Disneyland, Wallace’s Tommorowland map pointed to. Coincidence? What do you guys think?
BTW I have only been passively been following this story for the past couple of days and thought it was time for my first post. I hope I’m not too late to join the party?
It’s never too late, Steffen. And the only thing I can tell you is that I really wish that was my car. SO adorable.
Or perhaps its not the car or color and the spokes from the center on the hubcap. Seems like a reoccurring theme.
….*BUT the spokes….
Sounds really fun Amelia!
Thank you for sharing this adventure with us.
Just wanted to say I’m honored to be following this great adventure. Just starting out and hope to contribute more in the future. Good luck, Amelia! You are awesome!
You should really get her involved somehow. If not now; put something together about this and show your mom. She might come around and be glad to have discovered you’re into your grandfather and more about him. Good luck; and enjoy your grandfather’s spirit; I bet he’d be proud.