What led you to decide to partake in the career path you have chosen?

[|Zach|]

I am always interested in hearing people talk about their careers whatever they may be. Hearing them talk about why they do what they do.

What led you to choose the career path you did?

Do you love your job? Why or why not?

When did you feel like you knew what you wanted to do? (if applicable)

[stevieray]

I was tired of having to do girls up the butt in porn movies.

[go bo]

there's that partake thing again...

[|Zach|]

I was tired of having to do girls up the butt in porn movies.
You have always been a survivor.

[go bo]

You have always been a survivor.ROFL ROFL ROFL

[|Zach|]

ROFL ROFL ROFL
What was it like going through law school if you dont mind me asking

[Miles]

Professional student isnt half bad if you dont mind being somewhat broke most of the time.

[|Zach|]

Professional student isnt half bad if you dont mind being somewhat broke most of the time.
What are you studying?

[Miles]

What are you studying?

Tax law. I know it sounds boring but i really like it for some reason.

[Phobia]

I chose technology. It was great until I could no longer find employment as a consultant. I couldn't hack the politics in a corporate environment and technology decided it had enough of me.

So, I'm now a blue collar home improvement guy - which I chose because I'm good at it. I don't like it at the moment, but I will once I build the business large enough to where I can do the things which interest me and delegate the rest to employees.

[|Zach|]

So, I'm now a blue collar home improvement guy - which I chose because I'm good at it. I don't like it at the moment, but I will once I build the business large enough to where I can do the things which interest me and delegate the rest to employees.
So your dream would be to make the transition of being able to manage and oversee the transformation from old to new from your own design?

[|Zach|]

Tax law. I know it sounds boring but i really like it for some reason.
It is not something that intrests me but it is def something I wish I had a better knowlege of if that makes any sense. Damn that has to be a lot of work man. So many ins and outs.

[go bo]

What was it like going through law school if you dont mind me askingmy first semester was terrifying...

i was surrounded by people who had maxxed their lsat and had graduated with 4.0 gpa's from big name schools...

and almost all of them were filthy rich...

by the second semester i was quite comfortable because most of them didn't have much common sense and/or real life experience to draw from...

smart, but not scary any more...

i enjoyed the second year the most, but all of it was too much reading...

i think i was particularly intriqued by the whole notion of precedents and such niceties as using rules creatively to acheive your goal...

i loved the lecture courses with 20 or so students, lots of interaction between the profs and the students...

after that first semester, i enjoyed the verbal jousting with other students in class...

i was lucky to be in law school during the roe v. wade arguments and decision...

we spent a lot of time researching the case law and trying to predict how the case would come out and what legal bases the supremes would use to support their decision...

i took the position that a mother's choice to seek abortion (under most circumstances) would be found to be a consitutional right, under the existing case law at the time...

god, it was so much fun to argue those issues with brilliant legal minds and judges to be...

the summers after my first and second year, i worked for jerry ford's old law firm and got some real world experience as a (almost) lawyer...

i liked litigation (particularly criminal defense and plaintiff's work, which the firm didn't much like), so i concentrated on courses in my third year that would help me in the courtroom...

i was joking around with some older guy in the dean's office one day and after some good laughs, the dean introduced me to potter stewart, who was a yale grad...

he had a hell of a sense of humor for a supreme court justice...

[|Zach|]

god, it was so much fun to argue those issues with brilliant legal minds and judges to be...

What an amazing experience, that is really cool.

[Miles]

It is not something that intrests me but it is def something I wish I had a better knowlege of if that makes any sense. Damn that has to be a lot of work man. So many ins and outs.

Yeah that makes sense and was kind of how i got into it. I just took the basic income tax class and kind of got hooked on it. Its some pretty complex shit but the application of it is pretty cool...to me at least.

[|Zach|]

Yeah that makes sense and was kind of how i got into it. I just took the basic income tax class and kind of got hooked on it. Its some pretty complex shit but the application of it is pretty cool...to me at least.
What is an example of the application beyond the act of paying taxes?

Socioeconomic impact? Or the way way it impacts businesses?

[Miles]

What is an example of the application beyond the act of paying taxes?

Socioeconomic impact? Or the way way it impacts businesses?

Its probably easiest to generalize as tax planning and tax litigation. The planning aspect mostly comes from economic transactions and minimizing the tax consequences. It can be individuals or businesses.

The litigation side is pretty arguing with the government with how they treat tax issues. IRS audits and litigating what it owed is probably the most basic form of it. This is the stuff i really like.

[|Zach|]

Its probably easiest to generalize as tax planning and tax litigation. The planning aspect mostly comes from economic transactions and minimizing the tax consequences. It can be individuals or businesses.

The litigation side is pretty arguing with the government with how they treat tax issues. IRS audits and litigating what it owed is probably the most basic form of it. This is the stuff i really like.
Good stuff

[LTownChief]

I got my BSE in sports management, I still live in Lawrence and I am now selling advertising off of commission to companies around the area. I basically sell and then have a colleague hang up the ad in local stadiums and arenas. mostly the Allen Field House and Memorial Stadium, but there are also plenty of other venues that sell, but those are the main two around here. It doesn't really pay that great but the job is ok. I don't love nor hate it.

[Miles]

my first semester was terrifying...


Man thats sounds like it was a great experience. From what i have heard lawschool was much more intense and cut throat back then. That may just be from reading Scott Turow's 1L and seeing the paper chase though.

[LTownChief]

if I could go back in time I wish I would have done pharmacy.....oh well.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Formerly newspaper writer, now film critic and graphic artist...

started newspapering because it was available -- I could write well, knew the style, and grew up in the industry. My degree is in film, so that was a natural fit to become film critic for the newspaper. Moved over to graphic arts from writer because I hated the news department. DOn't care for any of it, except the film critique... but really I'd rather make movies, which is my dream job.

ANd since I have three jobs, I'll continue.

Also work as the director of music for my church. DOn't like it, either, but I gotta pay for my wife to go to school.

Third job -- assignment editor (overnight) for KC television station. DOn't like it either, but took it as a foot in the door a year and a half ago... my foot is getting sore from having said door slammed on it over and over.

[Miles]

if I could go back in time I wish I would have done pharmacy.....oh well.

Yeah academic regrets kind of suck, but not much you can do about it. I mostly just wish i would have studied a lot more...

[WilliamTheIrish]

Jerry: "I told her you were a marine biologist."

George: "A marine biologist? Why? You know I always wanted to pretend I was an architect."

[|Zach|]

Formerly newspaper writer, now film critic and graphic artist...

started newspapering because it was available -- I could write well, knew the style, and grew up in the industry. My degree is in film, so that was a natural fit to become film critic for the newspaper. Moved over to graphic arts from writer because I hated the news department. DOn't care for any of it, except the film critique... but really I'd rather make movies, which is my dream job.

ANd since I have three jobs, I'll continue.

Also work as the director of music for my church. DOn't like it, either, but I gotta pay for my wife to go to school.

Third job -- assignment editor (overnight) for KC television station. DOn't like it either, but took it as a foot in the door a year and a half ago... my foot is getting sore from having said door slammed on it over and over.
Thats interesting. I have a definate intrest in the same general field. I know I am very interested in media but I am having a hard time narrowing it down. Right now I am leaning to videography. I love film but don't have much intrest in doing a "hollywood" type thing. Maybe commercials or corporate videography.

I also like media analysis...photography, photojournalism...graphic design...internet design type stuff...

I think it would be cool to work behind the scenes of a newscast. There is also this little part of me that wants to take a stab at being a camera man for NFL Films.

[LTownChief]

Yeah academic regrets kind of suck, but not much you can do about it. I mostly just wish i would have studied a lot more...


ya, it was actually my dream to work for the Chiefs so thats why I chose Sports Management, I'm still young, I never know what will happen. I was 19 when I chose that major and now I'm 27 wishing I would have done a different thing...

[Phobia]

So your dream would be to make the transition of being able to manage and oversee the transformation from old to new from your own design?

Dream? Nah - not at all. It's going to happen and happen soon for me to remain in this line of work. I don't have any desire to do the filthy, nasty work. I'd rather direct that piece of the business.

[Miles]

Jerry: "I told her you were a marine biologist."

George: "A marine biologist? Why? You know I always wanted to pretend I was an architect."

Oh. It's a fascinating field!

[Phobia]

ya, it was actually my dream to work for the Chiefs so thats why I chose Sports Management, I'm still young, I never know what will happen. I was 19 when I chose that major and now I'm 27 wishing I would have done a different thing...

My little brother has a masters in sports management and interned for the Rockies. He can't even get a sniff from the Chiefs.

[|Zach|]

Dream? Nah - not at all. It's going to happen and happen soon for me to remain in this line of work. I don't have any desire to do the filthy, nasty work. I'd rather direct that piece of the business.
Ya rereading that it made it sound like it was some far away thing I didn't intend that. I wish things could have worked out for you in KC but I understand where you are coming from. I hope things pan out for you and your business man.

[Miles]

ya, it was actually my dream to work for the Chiefs so thats why I chose Sports Management, I'm still young, I never know what will happen. I was 19 when I chose that major and now I'm 27 wishing I would have done a different thing...

Yeah picking a major in undergrad sucked. I had no clue what I wanted to do and just went with the flow and kind of lucked into something i was interested in. Still if you ever consider going back to school your undergrad major likely wont hold you back.

Hey did you manage to kick floyd out yet?

[Phobia]

Ya rereading that it made it sound like it was some far away thing I didn't intend that. I wish things could have worked out for you in KC but I understand where you are coming from. I hope things pan out for you and your business man.

They still might work out in KC - though it will pretty good fortune to keep us here now. I'm kinda soured on the place and the wife isn't too enamored either.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Thats interesting. I have a definate intrest in the same general field. I know I am very interested in media but I am having a hard time narrowing it down. Right now I am leaning to videography. I love film but don't have much intrest in doing a "hollywood" type thing. Maybe commercials or corporate videography.

I also like media analysis...photography, photojournalism...graphic design...internet design type stuff...

I think it would be cool to work behind the scenes of a newscast. There is also this little part of me that wants to take a stab at being a camera man for NFL Films.
The videography thing is a lot of fun... I don't lean towards Hollywood film type -- to much into indie work. But I will admit I'd sell out once or twice to be able to self-fund my indie stuff. I've always liked the idea of doing video work like NFL films or even just the camera guy for concerts. Honestly, though, big time enjoyment for me is editing. I like it just about as much as anything. Behind the scenes at a newscast ain't that great... did that at KSHB Channel 41 for a while. Wouldn't go back. Too much ego with the "talent."

[go bo]

Man thats sounds like it was a great experience. From what i have heard lawschool was much more intense and cut throat back then. That may just be from reading Scott Turow's 1L and seeing the paper chase though.i think that was true of most law schools in those days, but yale always had a different approach...

when i was there, it was pass fail and very much a place of sharing ideas and working together rather than a competitive atmosphere...

it's one thing i really liked about going to school there...

[LTownChief]

Hey did you manage to kick floyd out yet?


lol, no Floyd's still here.....

[WebGem]

it was actually my dream to work for the Chiefs
If I could have any job in the world, it would be head coach for the Chiefs. But, I know that's not possible.

BTW I'm currently a Pre-Business major at Arizona State University. This is my sophomore year, I'm still 19.

[|Zach|]

They still might work out in KC - though it will pretty good fortune to keep us here now. I'm kinda soured on the place and the wife isn't too enamored either.
Well I hope it does. It seems like from a previous post a big problem was employee's. I will never forget one day me and my family went to dinner and my mom mentioed that things at Lunar Bowl seemed to be going very well...he just looked up and said "Its really great, we finally got a great group of people who are not stealing from us." But at the end of the day you have to do whats best for the fam.

But why move back to Texas? I hear South Dakota is a nice place. Great schools.

[Miles]

i think that was true of most law schools in those days, but yale always had a different approach...

when i was there, it was pass fail and very much a place of sharing ideas and working together rather than a competitive atmosphere...

it's one thing i really liked about going to school there...

Very cool...I didnt realize Yale was doing the pass fail grading scale back then. Im kind of suprised it hasnt been copied heavily since then by other schools. But it may only work that well since they are the top and most selective school.

[|Zach|]

The videography thing is a lot of fun... I don't lean towards Hollywood film type -- to much into indie work. But I will admit I'd sell out once or twice to be able to self-fund my indie stuff. I've always liked the idea of doing video work like NFL films or even just the camera guy for concerts. Honestly, though, big time enjoyment for me is editing. I like it just about as much as anything. Behind the scenes at a newscast ain't that great... did that at KSHB Channel 41 for a while. Wouldn't go back. Too much ego with the "talent."
What are some different avenues I should research more? As someone who is interested in videography and editing as well? What would you reccomend.

[RealSNR]

I decided when I won a Young Artists' Competition for my local symphony orchestra in high school that music was my thing. I had always been an intense music student, but soon I began to eat, breathe, sleep, sweat, and shit music. When I got to college, I decided it wasn't possible at all for me to do anything else while still remaining completely happy.

I've managed to sell my dream of performing for not becoming a starving musician by teaching, but I like it. I still get opportunities to perform in front of large crowds, while training music students just like I used to be (and technically still am. Never done improving as a musician).

[Miles]

lol, no Floyd's still here.....

That sucks. I actually had a similar roomate in undergrad, except he was a terrible drunk instead of a pothead. The sloppy mean drunk type. I was living in a 4 bedroom appartment and one of my roomated kind of just started leting the guy share his room. Shitty deal.

I still have that pick of your roomate around...

[|Zach|]

I decided when I won a Young Artists' Competition for my local symphony orchestra in high school that music was my thing. I had always been an intense music student, but soon I began to eat, breathe, sleep, sweat, and shit music. When I got to college, I decided it wasn't possible at all for me to do anything else while still remaining completely happy.

I've managed to sell my dream of performing for not becoming a starving musician by teaching, but I like it. I still get opportunities to perform in front of large crowds, while training music students just like I used to be (and technically still am. Never done improving as a musician).
Thats great. I have always been involved in choir which isn't quite the same but has a lot of parrelels. I have never envisioned it as the thing I want to do so I have tried to be involved as much as I can and still do the other school stuff. I am going to try out for a contemp. acapella group at SMS this fall. I hope it works out it would be a dream. I know I have the skill to make it happen I just have to do it.

I have been getting into classical music a lot more these days I must admit.

[go bo]

If I could have any job in the world, it would be head coach for the Chiefs. But, I know that's not possible.

BTW I'm currently a Pre-Business major at Arizona State University. This is my sophomore year, I'm still 19.that's ok, we still like you...

and slayer and jensen and a few others are younger than you too...

asu is a fine school...

do they still have those parties in the desert during the winter months?

damn, i got really drunk down there a few times in '66...

[Phobia]

Well I hope it does. It seems like from a previous post a big problem was employee's. I will never forget one day me and my family went to dinner and my mom mentioed that things at Lunar Bowl seemed to be going very well...he just looked up and said "Its really great, we finally got a great group of people who are not stealing from us." But at the end of the day you have to do whats best for the fam.

It's everything, really. Employees, customers, and my partnership with my old man isn't all it was cracked up to be. I moved up here partially because I thought he was gonna open the purse strings and build a big company. But he's so cheap, he would rather sit on the nestegg until it hatches, I guess.

It's not ANYTHING like I envisioned and part of that is probably my fault as much as anything. I'm moderately depressed right now. Heh heh.

[Miles]

I still have that pick of your roomate around...

Nzoner probably going to bust me for stealing his material. :D

[Fire Me Boy!]

What are some different avenues I should research more? As someone who is interested in videography and editing as well? What would you reccomend.
Just do it. That's the most I can tell you. I have bachelor's in film production, not studies. Two months after graduation I produced and DP'd my first feature film. In the four months we took shooting the film I learned more about film and filmmaking than in the entire four years I was in school.

As far as editing goes -- edit, edit, edit. Edit anything you can get your hands on. Shoot stuff for yourself, take famous movies and re-edit, tape newscasts and re-edit packages, etc. Since you're a student, get a copy of Avid Xpress DV (about $300) and learn that mother like the back of your hand. If you want a job editing, spend the money to become AVID certified -- it's a written test, to my knowledge.

If you're interested in videography, buy a camera -- I HIGHLY recommend Canon's XL series, it has an interchangable lens system which will teach you a great deal about different lenses. It has a wide angle (which is probably my fav. lens), a 20X zoom, and the most difficult to use, but most valuable, 14X manual zoom. THe last lens is completely manual -- manual control ONLY of fstop, shutter speed, zoom, and focus... the interchangable lens system is why I recommend the XL series. You learn a LOT about lenses and different looks by using different ones.

Get a job at a news station and soak it up... when you're employed, most stations don't care (and actually will respect you more) if you try to learn as much as you can. Tell your supervisor you're interested in editing (even if you're just a production assistant) and would like to sit in with an editor on your own time.

[Miles]

Zach, you have somehow managed to make a serious late night thread...has this ever happend late night on a friday before?

[Nzoner]

I started out wanting to be a writer,won a few awards in high school for short stories etc and even had over 150 pages to a novel at one time but ended up trashing it.

After a few years as a freshman in college I decided to go into sales and got a job at the daily paper selling subscriptions door to door in hopes that I could work my way into the advertising department and still be able to use my creative writing for ad copy etc.

I got told I had to have a college degree to sell advertising so I got pissed and quit and went to work for a weekly advertising paper.

Long story short,I married my then boss at the weekly paper and we've owned our own direct mail advertising booklet for 14 years and I've become a major pain in the ass to the daily paper that told me I had to have a degree to this line of work.

[go bo]

Very cool...I didnt realize Yale was doing the pass fail grading scale back then. Im kind of suprised it hasnt been copied heavily since then by other schools. But it may only work that well since they are the top and most selective school.i don't know if they're still doing it or not, i doubt that they are...

there were a lot of complaints that no gpa put grads at a disadvantage for clerkships, so they gave honors to people signed up for clerkships and pass to everybody else...

165 started in our class in 1972 and 165 graduated together in 1975...

at places like harvard, the first year class tends to shrink drastically or so i've heard, and things really are cutthroat...

overall, i was very happy with not having any competition for grades...

[|Zach|]

Just do it. That's the most I can tell you. I have bachelor's in film production, not studies. Two months after graduation I produced and DP'd my first feature film. In the four months we took shooting the film I learned more about film and filmmaking than in the entire four years I was in school.

As far as editing goes -- edit, edit, edit. Edit anything you can get your hands on. Shoot stuff for yourself, take famous movies and re-edit, tape newscasts and re-edit packages, etc. Since you're a student, get a copy of Avid Xpress DV (about $300) and learn that mother like the back of your hand. If you want a job editing, spend the money to become AVID certified -- it's a written test, to my knowledge.

If you're interested in videography, buy a camera -- I HIGHLY recommend Canon's XL series, it has an interchangable lens system which will teach you a great deal about different lenses. It has a wide angle (which is probably my fav. lens), a 20X zoom, and the most difficult to use, but most valuable, 14X manual zoom. THe last lens is completely manual -- manual control ONLY of fstop, shutter speed, zoom, and focus... the interchangable lens system is why I recommend the XL series. You learn a LOT about lenses and different looks by using different ones.

Get a job at a news station and soak it up... when you're employed, most stations don't care (and actually will respect you more) if you try to learn as much as you can. Tell your supervisor you're interested in editing (even if you're just a production assistant) and would like to sit in with an editor on your own time.

I have a pretty good handle on Adobe Premier but it seems as though I need to branch out and check out this Avid Xpress.

I really appreciate the info man. It will be interesting to see where this takes me...

[Nzoner]

Nzoner probably going to bust me for stealing his material. :D

Hell,I'm just glad someone got it the first time around.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I have a pretty good handle on Adobe Premier but it seems as though I need to branch out and check out this Avid Xpress.

I really appreciate the info man. It will be interesting to see where this takes me...
Premiere is a lot like AVID. I live and breathe Premiere, but have found in my job search there's not a lot of respect for Premiere. Everybody wants AVID. So now I'm saving up my money for AVID Xpress (my wife's still a student, so she's about to buy it for me... when we have the money. Maybe after taxes come in.)

[go bo]

It's everything, really. Employees, customers, and my partnership with my old man isn't all it was cracked up to be. I moved up here partially because I thought he was gonna open the purse strings and build a big company. But he's so cheap, he would rather sit on the nestegg until it hatches, I guess.

It's not ANYTHING like I envisioned and part of that is probably my fault as much as anything. I'm moderately depressed right now. Heh heh.buck up, me laddie...

you're still young and healthy and have 3 beautiful daughters and a wonderful wife...

life is good... :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

[|Zach|]

Zach, you have somehow managed to make a serious late night thread...has this ever happend late night on a friday before?
Not that I know of. I don't know I have been trying to make threads that seem to bring out the best in CP. I love fart jokes and stupid shit but I need threads like this to remind me every now and then why I spend so much time here. I think for a long time this place has brought out the worst in me and I want to minimalize that. I really dig the amount of information on here that is for the taking. Kind of like the "What have you learned at CP thread" I think most people are suprised at the things they learn here without being cognizent of it. I think it is a part of this "what the hell am I actually going to do phase" I am seem to be going through. It is like I putting what I am good at in a pot and then adding what I am interested in and hoping to god something matches. ROFL

[|Zach|]

Premiere is a lot like AVID. I live and breathe Premiere, but have found in my job search there's not a lot of respect for Premiere. Everybody wants AVID. So now I'm saving up my money for AVID Xpress (my wife's still a student, so she's about to buy it for me... when we have the money. Maybe after taxes come in.)
In my video classes I hear a lot of references to final cut pro as well...should I make it a point to soak that in?

[|Zach|]

Long story short,I married my then boss at the weekly paper and we've owned our own direct mail advertising booklet for 14 years and I've become a major pain in the ass to the daily paper that told me I had to have a degree to this line of work.
Nice....

cool story bro.

[Miles]

i don't know if they're still doing it or not, i doubt that they are...

there were a lot of complaints that no gpa put grads at a disadvantage for clerkships, so they gave honors to people signed up for clerkships and pass to everybody else...

165 started in our class in 1972 and 165 graduated together in 1975...

at places like harvard, the first year class tends to shrink drastically or so i've heard, and things really are cutthroat...

overall, i was very happy with not having any competition for grades...

Yeah Yale still has the P/F grading system. Its unbelievably difficult to get into and it has consistantly been ranked as the #1 school for a while.

As far as i know Harvard's attrition rate is extremly low now. I imagine that its still extremly competative buy they dont really fail anyone now. I think thats the common trend nowadays for most law schools at least. Harder to get in but dont fail out too many. Its less than 10% for most schools and even less for the top ones.

[Fire Me Boy!]

In my video classes I hear a lot of references to final cut pro as well...should I make it a point to soak that in?
Final Cut Pro is a Mac platform wannabe Premiere, IMO. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've NEVER seen an edit booth with Final Cut Pro. But I could be wrong. I use a PC, so FCP has never been an option for me to even look at.

[|Zach|]

Final Cut Pro is a Mac platform wannabe Premiere, IMO. I wouldn't worry too much about it. I've NEVER seen an edit booth with Final Cut Pro. But I could be wrong. I use a PC, so FCP has never been an option for me to even look at.
Gotcha

[Miles]

Just do it. That's the most I can tell you. I have bachelor's in film production, not studies. Two months after graduation I produced and DP'd my first feature film. In the four months we took shooting the film I learned more about film and filmmaking than in the entire four years I was in school.

As far as editing goes -- edit, edit, edit. Edit anything you can get your hands on. Shoot stuff for yourself, take famous movies and re-edit, tape newscasts and re-edit packages, etc. Since you're a student, get a copy of Avid Xpress DV (about $300) and learn that mother like the back of your hand. If you want a job editing, spend the money to become AVID certified -- it's a written test, to my knowledge.

If you're interested in videography, buy a camera -- I HIGHLY recommend Canon's XL series, it has an interchangable lens system which will teach you a great deal about different lenses. It has a wide angle (which is probably my fav. lens), a 20X zoom, and the most difficult to use, but most valuable, 14X manual zoom. THe last lens is completely manual -- manual control ONLY of fstop, shutter speed, zoom, and focus... the interchangable lens system is why I recommend the XL series. You learn a LOT about lenses and different looks by using different ones.

Get a job at a news station and soak it up... when you're employed, most stations don't care (and actually will respect you more) if you try to learn as much as you can. Tell your supervisor you're interested in editing (even if you're just a production assistant) and would like to sit in with an editor on your own time.

Man you are doing some really cool stuff. :thumb: As you know film has been kind of a a hobby of mine for a while but your actually doing some of it.

Also watching some random ass movies seems to be part the background your were talking about as well.

[go bo]

Yeah Yale still has the P/F grading system. Its unbelievably difficult to get into and it has consistantly been ranked as the #1 school for a while.

As far as i know Harvard's attrition rate is extremly low now. I imagine that its still extremly competative buy they dont really fail anyone now. I think thats the common trend nowadays for most law schools at least. Harder to get in but dont fail out too many. Its less than 10% for most schools and even less for the top ones.yeah, we thought it was number one back then, too...

quite a trip actually...

as in head trip, or even mildly psychedelic trip...

i still wonder how the hell i got in there...

i had gotten a b.ph. at an experimental college after 2 years...

no grades, no prescribed curriculum, nothing...

but i'm glad i did get in, it was a fun 3 years...

[Miles]

Hell,I'm just glad someone got it the first time around.

I don't have a pot to piss in or a window to throw it out. All I got is f*ckin' Floyd.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Man you are doing some really cool stuff. :thumb: As you know film has been kind of a a hobby of mine for a while but your actually doing some of it.

Also watching some random ass movies seems to be part the background your were talking about as well.
I've been a serious film viewer for about 15 years (I'm only 26 now)... don't really know where it began either -- my parents always liked movies, but didn't subject me to anything really out there. I started watching foreign films when I was about 12, starting with Cinema Paradiso. I did that on my own, since my parents and brother don't "want to read a film." It was probably The Godfather that got me hooked. My mom went out of town and my dad decided 11 was the right age to first see the Corleone family at work. Mom was pissed.

I'm trying film, but it's hard. I have a ton of my own equipment, high enough quality to do a good indie flick, but I don't have the money. Right now, my production company and partner is in preproduction on a web serial to shoot. This should be relatively cheap and we'll show it on the web. Go from there. In the least, it'll give us some good material to take to potential investors for the feature we're preparing for.

We'll see.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Zach, if you have ANY questions just ask... I'll be happy to tell you what I know (or think I know).

[Nzoner]

I've been a serious film viewer for about 15 years (I'm only 26 now)... don't really know where it began either -- my parents always liked movies, but didn't subject me to anything really out there. I started watching foreign films when I was about 12, starting with Cinema Paradiso. I did that on my own, since my parents and brother don't "want to read a film." It was probably The Godfather that got me hooked. My mom went out of town and my dad decided 11 was the right age to first see the Corleone family at work. Mom was pissed.

I'm trying film, but it's hard. I have a ton of my own equipment, high enough quality to do a good indie flick, but I don't have the money. Right now, my production company and partner is in preproduction on a web serial to shoot. This should be relatively cheap and we'll show it on the web. Go from there. In the least, it'll give us some good material to take to potential investors for the feature we're preparing for.

We'll see.

Maybe I should take up writing again

[|Zach|]

Maybe I should take up writing again
We should put together a collection of your Chiefs Planet posts and make it into a book. :)

Joe: The Man Behind The Game Room

[Fire Me Boy!]

Maybe I should take up writing again.
I receive scripts quite a bit... too bad most of them are complete crap. Whenever someone asks, I take 'em. Even if we don't use them (we've only optioned one script in four years, so...) I always offer up a critique. I'm also always looking for ideas. We have a writer on staff who takes care of most of our needs.

[Miles]

I've been a serious film viewer for about 15 years (I'm only 26 now)... don't really know where it began either -- my parents always liked movies, but didn't subject me to anything really out there. I started watching foreign films when I was about 12, starting with Cinema Paradiso. I did that on my own, since my parents and brother don't "want to read a film." It was probably The Godfather that got me hooked. My mom went out of town and my dad decided 11 was the right age to first see the Corleone family at work. Mom was pissed.



Very cool. I have been into movies as long as i can remember but i only stared watching some of the heavier stuff a few years ago. I probably started really appreciating some of it as art about the same time.

I just saw Cinema Paradiso less than a month ago and really liked it...definitly among the best I have seen. The sentimental reflection and the music is really great (an the Italian chick is uber hot) I actually ment to watch the directors cut earlier tonight but didnt get around to it.

BTW i think the first movie they showed clips of at the Paradiso was from that Renoir movied that recently got released by criterion "the lower depths".

[Nzoner]

We should put together a collection of your Chiefs Planet posts and make it into a book. :)

Joe: The Man Behind The Game Room

There's one for the 99 cent rack at Waldenbooks

[|Zach|]

There's one for the 99 cent rack at Waldenbooks
At least its not on one of those tables outside of the entry way that make it look like they would not care if you stole it. ROFL

[Miles]

Im geting caught up on Nzoner approved ficks. I watched The Falcon and the Snowman a few weeks ago and is was pretty damn good. Im kind of suprised that its not more well known. I have a copy of At Close Range but havent gotten around to watching it yet...probably will this weekend.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Very cool. I have been into movies as long as i can remember but i only stared watching some of the heavier stuff a few years ago. I probably started really appreciating some of it as art about the same time.

I just saw Cinema Paradiso less than a month ago and really liked it...definitly among the best I have seen. The sentimental reflection and the music is really great (an the Italian chick is uber hot) I actually ment to watch the directors cut earlier tonight but didnt get around to it.
I prefer the original to the director's cut. To date, Cinema Paradiso is still my favorite foreign language film... my biggest problem is a film critic is my tendency to watch everything now with a critic's eye. A lot of times now I'll see a mainstream film with the wife and be comlpetely unimpressed because I see flat characters, no chemistry, poor editing, improper music, lack of direction, etc. in what most people enjoy and five years ago I would have. I have to consciously turn that part of my brain off or most anything isn't any good.

[Nzoner]

I receive scripts quite a bit... too bad most of them are complete crap. Whenever someone asks, I take 'em. Even if we don't use them (we've only optioned one script in four years, so...) I always offer up a critique. I'm also always looking for ideas. We have a writer on staff who takes care of most of our needs.

I have yet to see a movie that was like the novel I was writing some 20+ years ago.In those days though I didn't go a day without staying stoned most of the time.

My creative writing teacher was reading it chapter by chapter and was shocked when he found out I had trashed it.I still remember him telling me,"A writer is his own worst critic."

Maybe I should start getting high again and revisit the story. ;)

[Nzoner]

Im geting caught up on Nzoner approved ficks. I watched The Falcon and the Snowman a few weeks ago and is was pretty damn good. Im kind of suprised that its not more well known. I have a copy of At Close Range but havent gotten around to watching it yet...probably will this weekend.

I'm envious......oh to be able to see At Close Range again for the first time.You must let me know what you thought.

[Miles]

I prefer the original to the director's cut. To date, Cinema Paradiso is still my favorite foreign language film... my biggest problem is a film critic is my tendency to watch everything now with a critic's eye. A lot of times now I'll see a mainstream film with the wife and be comlpetely unimpressed because I see flat characters, no chemistry, poor editing, improper music, lack of direction, etc. in what most people enjoy and five years ago I would have. I have to consciously turn that part of my brain off or most anything isn't any good.

I still enjoy many of the mainstream movies but im not as easily impressed as i used to be. I have always enjoyed a good action fick and i usually dont have too much of problem with shuting my brain off and just enjoying it for what it is. What kind of gets me is viewing more serious movies with the same eye for detail you are talking about. Luckily there is a huge backlog of great old and foreign movies i still havent seen yet.


I edited my previous post so im not sure you saw this:

BTW i think the first movie they showed clips of at the Paradiso was from that Renoir movied that recently got released by criterion "the lower depths".

[|Zach|]

Any of you movie buffs seen Buffalo '66?

[KcMizzou]

Any of you movie buffs seen Buffalo '66? Yeah... I liked it. Everyone I know hated it.

[|Zach|]

Yeah... I liked it. Everyone I know hated it.
I liked it as well...you know the main guy was the writer\director?

He was an amazing presence IMO.

[KcMizzou]

I liked it as well...you know the main guy was the writer\director?

He was an amazing presence IMO. No.. I didnt know that... and yeah, I agree.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Any of you movie buffs seen Buffalo '66?
Haven't seen it... typically, Gallo is a pretentious jerk for me. But I'll try any movie twice (I always say twice, because sometimes, the first time you see something you just might not be in the right frame of mind). For instance, the first time I saw Apocalypse Now I hated it... I mean HATED it. But I know now I was in a completely wrong mood to watch it. Watched later, when I was in a different kind of mood and loved it... now it's one of my favorites.

[Miles]

I'm envious......oh to be able to see At Close Range again for the first time.You must let me know what you thought.

Cool, ill let you know what i think of it. I really love Penn and Walken.

Are you the one that really liked Wages of Fear? I read about it on here and have been meaning to see for quite a while. I had it on my DVR but it went bad on me. Its next in my netflix que though. I really liked Diabolique by the same director.

[Miles]

Any of you movie buffs seen Buffalo '66?

Its been on my DVR for a while but i havent gotten around to it yet. I got it off IFC when you said it was good.

[KcMizzou]

For instance, the first time I saw Apocalypse Now I hated it... I mean HATED it. But I know now I was in a completely wrong mood to watch it. Watched later, when I was in a different kind of mood and loved it... now it's one of my favorites. I'm glad you came to your senses.

[Nzoner]

Cool, ill let you know what i think of it. I really love Penn and Walken.

Are you the one that really liked Wages of Fear? I read about it on here and have been meaning to see for quite a while. I had it on my DVR but it went bad on me. Its next in my netflix que though. I really liked Diabolique by the same director.

Yeah,I own the criterion dvd of Wages Of Fear,once you've seen it check out a 70's movie called Sorcerer starring Roy Scheider,it's a remake and a damn good one.

[|Zach|]

Its been on my DVR for a while but i havent gotten around to it yet. I got it off IFC when you said it was good.
Well sit down and watch it you punk ass bitch.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I'm glad you came to your senses.
Yeah, I actually suspected it immediately after it was over... I told myself, "what am I missing -- everybody says this is great" so I planned to make myself sit and watch it again... probably a month later I rented it again.

[KcMizzou]

Well sit down and watch it you punk ass bitch. ROFL

[Nzoner]

Well sit down and watch it you punk ass bitch.

It's on my list to see yet..................bitch

[|Zach|]

It's on my list to see yet..................bitch
If you don't have a TV I could lend you one...


ROFL ;)

[Miles]

Haven't seen it... typically, Gallo is a pretentious jerk for me. But I'll try any movie twice (I always say twice, because sometimes, the first time you see something you just might not be in the right frame of mind). For instance, the first time I saw Apocalypse Now I hated it... I mean HATED it. But I know now I was in a completely wrong mood to watch it. Watched later, when I was in a different kind of mood and loved it... now it's one of my favorites.

I usually give em twice as well...but sometime i have to be talked into the second time. I i hated it the first time it usually has to have a great reputation or some of my friends have to be nagging me though. The only one i can think of that I still cant manage to give a second shot is Raging Bull. I know i should, but i really hated how boring and cold the movie was the first time it really left a bitter feeling with me.

[Nzoner]

If you don't have a TV I could lend you one...


ROFL ;)

:D

[Miles]

Well sit down and watch it you punk ass bitch.

Sex with animals...theres no time man.

[KcMizzou]

Sex with animals...theres no time man. Oh hell.. wow. Wtf?

[|Zach|]

Sex with animals...theres no time man.
Weird, I think im being horny...

No, oh no. I am def not done...

haha another good episode...

This is a ebooger sent on the snot network!

[Fire Me Boy!]

I usually give em twice as well...but sometime i have to be talked into the second time. I i hated it the first time it usually has to have a great reputation or some of my friends have to be nagging me though. The only one i can think of that I still cant manage to give a second shot is Raging Bull. I know i should, but i really hated how boring and cold the movie was the first time it really left a bitter feeling with me.
:shake:

That's a no-brainer -- try it again. Dammit. :harumph:

[|Zach|]

Oh hell.. wow. Wtf?
http://www.mcpeepants.com/frames/405edork/frame17.jpg

[Miles]

Oh hell.. wow. Wtf?

Do a search for super crime...girls in trouble...and press release...how to.

[KcMizzou]

:shake:

That's a no-brainer -- try it again. Dammit. :harumph: I could say the same about Apocalypse Now...

It's all a matter of personal opinion.

[Nzoner]

The movie I've heard most people say no way to a second viewing or even making it thru the first was Requiem For A Dream.

I've seen it five times.

[KcMizzou]

Do a search for super crime...girls in trouble...and press release...how to. Ah, it all makes sense now.

[|Zach|]

Do a search for super crime...girls in trouble...and press release...how to.
maybe i took that one the wrong way

[Miles]

Weird, I think im being horny...

No, oh no. I am def not done...

haha another good episode...

This is a ebooger sent on the snot network!

ROFL Damn that episode is great.

Oh wait a monkey drinking his own piss YEAAH!

Thats a really nice...chicken.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I could say the same about Apocalypse Now...

It's all a matter of personal opinion.
You people are making me sad... some things shouldn't be left to personal opinion.

[Fire Me Boy!]

The movie I've heard most people say no way to a second viewing or even making it thru the first was Requiem For A Dream.

I've seen it five times.
Requiem for a Dream is great... makes me wanna kill myself after I see it... but I've seen it three or four times myself.

[Miles]

maybe i took that one the wrong way

I told the Drizzle youd mess this up.

[Fire Me Boy!]

maybe i took that one the wrong way
This comment should be copied into the anal thread.

[|Zach|]

ROFL Damn that episode is great.

Oh wait a monkey drinking his own piss YEAAH!

Thats a really nice...chicken.
Thousands of years ago, before the dawn of man as we knew him, there was Sir Santa of Claus: an ape-like creature making crude and pointless toys out of dino-bones and his own waste, hurling them at chimp-like creatures with crinkled hands regardless of how they behaved the previous year. These so-called "toys" were buried as witches, and defecated upon, and hurled at predators who were awoken by the searing grunts of children. It wasn't a holly jolly Christmas that year; for many were killed!

http://www.mcpeepants.com/frames/213cyberneticghostofchristmaspastfromthefuture/frame13.jpg

[Nzoner]

Requiem for a Dream is great... makes me wanna kill myself after I see it... but I've seen it three or four times myself.

The first time was unforgettable,I actually felt ill,Aronofsky took me so deep into their world I couldn't wait to get out.That's what makes it a great movie to me.

[Miles]

The movie I've heard most people say no way to a second viewing or even making it thru the first was Requiem For A Dream.

I've seen it five times.

Mad it though the first time around...thought it was and excellent movie but I really dont have too much interest in seeing it again. Not becasue it wasnt good just that its messed up.

[Miles]

:shake:

That's a no-brainer -- try it again. Dammit. :harumph:

Yeah i know...but it was just so painful to watch the first time around. The acting by DeNiro was F*cking brilliant but it was just so slow and i didnt care about any of the characters at all. I can handle slow movies (hell i loved Solaris probably the slowest movie of all time) but this one was just boring to me...

Still i really know I should give it another shot.

[|Zach|]

Jeez, I should have gone to bed hours ago. Have a good one guys.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Yeah i know...but it was just so painful to watch the first time around. The acting by DeNiro was F*cking brilliant but it was just so slow and i didnt care about any of the characters at all. I can handle slow movies (hell i loved Solaris probably the slowest movie of all time) but this one was just boring to me...

Still i really know I should give it another shot.
Solaris -- original or remake? Out-slows 2001?

[Miles]

Solaris -- original or remake? Out-slows 2001?

The Origional. It was ultra slow. That driving on the highway sceen may be one of the longest takes but it was needed. I also really liked the Soderberg version as well.

I never really feel that 2001 personally was that slow because i always appreciated everything about that movie. Though i realize it is in fact slow as hell and i have had some friends bitched about it.

I still think the origional Solaris may be the slowest move ever made.

[Fire Me Boy!]

The Origional. It was ultra slow. That driving on the highway sceen may be one of the longest takes but it was needed.

I never really feel that 2001 personally was that slow because i always appreciated everything about that movie. Though i realize it is in fact slow as hell and i have had some friends bitched about it.
I love 2001, don't get me wrong... I think 2001 had an awful lot to do with how sci-fi films are made today and appreciate it as probably the science fiction film ever made. But it's pretty damn slow. Almost 30 minutes before there's a spoken word... classic.

[Nzoner]

Night guys.

Miles enjoy At Close Range,there's a scene between Walken & Penn you're gonna love.

Hope you get to see Sorcerer as well.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Night guys.

Miles enjoy At Close Range,there's a scene between Walken & Penn you're gonna love.

Hope you get to see Sorcerer as well.
Later.

[Miles]

I love 2001, don't get me wrong... I think 2001 had an awful lot to do with how sci-fi films are made today and appreciate it as probably the science fiction film ever made. But it's pretty damn slow. Almost 30 minutes before there's a spoken word... classic.

Yeah when watching it with some friends they were really irritated with some of the long ass shots with the classical music playing.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Yeah when watching it with some friends they were really irritated with some of the long ass shots with the classical music playing.
That's some great stuff... besides, it's full of stars.

[Miles]

Night guys.

Miles enjoy At Close Range,there's a scene between Walken & Penn you're gonna love.

Hope you get to see Sorcerer as well.

Night man. Look foward to watching it.

[Miles]

That's some great stuff... besides, it's full of stars.

Hey thats from the sequel ;)

Still im hard pressed to think of a slower movie than the origional solaris.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I know... but it fit. Sort of.

I'm getting The Greatest American Hero on DVD tomorrow... that'll be fun. Believe it or not.

[Miles]

I know... but it fit. Sort of.

I'm getting The Greatest American Hero on DVD tomorrow... that'll be fun. Believe it or not.

Yeah its a great line...almost kind of wish it was in the first one.

Did you ever get around to seeing A Very Long Engagement. It finally opened at a theater by me and I really need to see it. I really love Jeunet's movies and i kind of have a thing for Audrey Tatou.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Yeah its a great line...almost kind of wish it was in the first one.

Did you ever get around to seeing A Very Long Engagement. It finally opened at a theater by me and I really need to see it. I really love Jeunet's movies and i kind of have a thing for Audrey Tatou.
Nope. Been super busy and never got an invite.

[Miles]

Nope. Been super busy and never got an invite.

Yeah that always sucks when things are busy. I have been like that for a few weeks now after a decent strech of free nights. I have been only watching about a movie a week over the last few weeks. Though I did finally get around to seeing Network last night and really liked it. That movie was loaded with good acting even though some of the middle portion of it seemed a bit dated.

Just curious do you get DVD screeners for your job or do you just find time to go to them for your reviews.

[Rausch]

I decided I wanted to be a writer when I discovered I was completely full of $3it and had no other marketable skillz...

[Miles]

I decided I wanted to be a writer when I discovered I was completely full of $3it and had no other marketable skillz...

Nahh you selling yourself short. Writing is very marketable and especially if you are full of shit.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Yeah that always sucks when things are busy. I have been like that for a few weeks now after a decent strech of free nights. I have been only watching about a movie a week over the last few weeks. Though I did finally get around to seeing Network last night and really liked it. That movie was loaded with good acting even though some of the middle portion of it seemed a bit dated.

Just curious do you get DVD screeners for your job or do you just find time to go to them for your reviews.
Network is good.

I go to the theaters to see the screeners. I could get the DVD screeners, but opt for the theater -- the movies are meant to be seen on the big screen. It's a completely different experience.

I just got Raging Bull special edition the other day, and for Valentine's Day (we celebrated early this year since she works Monday night) my wife got me the three-disk Black Hawk Down...

Watched Owning Mahowny on Thursday night... that's a great movie. First lead role for Phillip Seymour Hoffman -- really outstanding. He's so good, I can't understand why he doesn't get more roles. Maybe it's the fact that he's not a typical leading male type... too bad there's not more roles like that out there. There are so many fantastic actors that don't have leading male looks. Same for female roles.

[Fire Me Boy!]

I decided I wanted to be a writer when I discovered I was completely full of $3it and had no other marketable skillz...
Except you've PM'd me twice about sending me a script and never have.

[Miles]

Watched Owning Mahowny on Thursday night... that's a great movie. First lead role for Phillip Seymour Hoffman -- really outstanding. He's so good, I can't understand why he doesn't get more roles. Maybe it's the fact that he's not a typical leading male type... too bad there's not more roles like that out there. There are so many fantastic actors that don't have leading male looks. Same for female roles.

Yeah i saw that one a while back. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was really badass in that movie. He is probably one of the best actors out there but like you said he doesnt seem to get big roles for the reasons you said. Owning Mahowny is probably the only movie i can think of that he had the lead part in. The guy is really an amazingly great actor.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Yeah i saw that one a while back. Phillip Seymour Hoffman was really badass in that movie. He is probably one of the best actors out there but like you said he doesnt seem to get big roles for the reasons you said. Owning Mahowny is probably the only movie i can think of that he had the lead part in. The guy is really an amazingly great actor.
He's got a couple of others: Love Liza from 2002 I think and one coming out this year called Capote (he plays Truman Capote)... I'm really looking forward to that one.

[Rausch]

Except you've PM'd me twice about sending me a script and never have.

Yeah.

My buddy was going to sent me some formatting software for screenplays and he's almost as bad about mailing stuff as I am.

So I've been trying to reformat it between reading horrid shat like "Pamela" and "Moll Flanders" for lit class and editing our lit book at Lincoln.

Monkeys fling $#it that stinks less than my poetry but the stuff I've been looking over makes me feel like the love child of Robert ****ing Frost and Maya Angelou...

[Miles]

He's got a couple of others: Love Liza from 2002 I think and one coming out this year called Capote (he plays Truman Capote)... I'm really looking forward to that one.

Is Love Liza worth checking out? Seriously i think he is among the best actors out there. Plus he played Brandt.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Is Love Liza worth checking out? Seriously i think he is among the best actors out there.
Haven't seen it yet... the Hastings next to my house has it used for sale. The previews look really interesting.
Plus he played Brandt.
Ha, haaaaaa..... that's amazing.

[Miles]

Haven't seen it yet... the Hastings next to my house has it used for sale. The previews look really interesting.

Ha, haaaaaa..... that's amazing.

Yeah i have seen the box at blockbuster so it looks familar but havent gotten around to seeing it. Another great Hoffman movie was Happieness. Its one of those movies i dont care to ever see twice only because it was disturbing...but Hoffman was excellent in it.

Thanks the DVD-R media advice a while back by the way. I pick up some ultra cheap ones at frys and they seem to work great.

Also if you get a chance i highly reccomend picking up a copy of the recent Yo-Yo Ma plays Ennio Morricone CD. Its a great take on many of Morricone's movie tracks. I couldnt give it a stronger reccomendation.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Yeah i have seen the box at blockbuster so it looks familar but havent gotten around to seeing it. Another great Hoffman movie was Happieness. Its one of those movies i dont care to ever see twice only because it was disturbing...but Hoffman was excellent in it.

Thanks the DVD-R media advice a while back by the way. I pick up some ultra cheap ones at frys and they seem to work great.

Also if you get a chance i highly reccomend picking up a copy of the recent Yo-Yo Ma plays Ennio Morricone CD. Its a great take on many of Morricone's movie tracks. I couldnt give it a stronger reccomendation.
I'll check it out...

I picked up like 100 DVDRs and cases for $160 a while ago from meritline... still working on using them all up.

[Rausch]

Yeah i have seen the box at blockbuster so it looks familar but havent gotten around to seeing it. Another great Hoffman movie was Happieness. Its one of those movies i dont care to ever see twice only because it was disturbing...but Hoffman was excellent in it.


That movie was twisted all to hell. I was working a video store when it came out and it was on the "recomended view" list.

:shake:

[Miles]

I'll check it out...

I picked up like 100 DVDRs and cases for $160 a while ago from meritline... still working on using them all up.

Its one of those suggestions like Rules of the Game. I couldnt reccoment that CD any stronger.

I picked up a 25DVD R+ stack at Frys last week for $6 with a $5 rebate ill probably never see. I wouldnt have picked them up if you hadnt said the cheap ones work...thanks :thumb:

[Miles]

That movie was twisted all to hell. I was working a video store when it came out and it was on the "recomended view" list.

:shake:

Happieness? Yeah I probably wished i had never seen it...can imagine it being on a reccomend view list :shake: The petterass guy was extremly disturbing.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Its one of those suggestions like Rules of the Game. I couldnt reccoment that CD any stronger.

I picked up a 25DVD R+ stack at Frys last week for $6 with a $5 rebate ill probably never see. I wouldnt have picked them up if you hadnt said the cheap ones work...thanks :thumb:
Is Frys online or what?

[Miles]

Is Frys online or what?

Its outpost.com online but they have really great deals in their stores. They are mostly in TX and CA as far as i know. Its like an electronics store the size of a super walmart.

I have been watching the end of Cinema Paridiso on my computer. The scene with footage of the girlfriend on the wall is amazing...the final scene is with the clips f#cking great as well. Damn thats a great film.

[Gaz]

Even as a wee thing, I love mathematics. The logic appealed to me. It was like a puzzle. When I went to college, I wanted to be a mathematician.

Unfortunately, you cannot make a living as a mathematician unless you are:
1. Brilliant enough to do pure research
2. Willing to teach

After due introspection, I concluded that I was not brilliant enough [and let me tell you folks, THAT is a crushing moment for a wannabe mathematician. And I lack the patience for crap that comes with teaching, so that was right out.

Thus endeth the dream. Gloom, despair, agony, so forth.

Engineering provided the solution. A chance to toy with mathematics more advanced than algegra. A vocation that channeled my love of logic into a useful outlet. And it paid the bills. The ÜberCool “Engineer Geek Chic” image was an unexpected bonus.

xoxo~
Gaz
Lucky victim of circumstances.

[FloridaChief]

Happieness? Yeah I probably wished i had never seen it...can imagine it being on a reccomend view list :shake: The petterass guy was extremly disturbing.

Happiness was probably the most ironically titled film of all time...

[Hammock Parties]

There is also this little part of me that wants to take a stab at being a camera man for NFL Films.

I once thought about doing this. I then realized I would never be happy doing anything related with the NFL on gamedays, because I'd rather be watching the Chiefs.

I hope you consider that.

[Skip Towne]

I once thought about doing this. I then realized I would never be happy doing anything related with the NFL on gamedays, because I'd rather be watching the Chiefs.

I hope you consider that.
Just a quick question for you, gochiefs. How do you know when it's time to flip the burgers?

[Hammock Parties]

Just a quick question for you, gochiefs. How do you know when it's time to flip the burgers?

I wouldn't know. I had my taste of the food industry right after high school and decided I would never ever do it again.

[cdcox]

When I was 5 I wanted to be a carpenter. When I was 9 I wanted to take over for Len Dawson. When I realized that wasn't going to work, I decided that being a mad scientist and blowing up the world sounded good, then decided to settle for being a chemist. This was around 6th grade. Finally, by the time I went off to college, I decided chemical engineering was the field for me. After all, graduates were getting 7 to 10 job offers.

Well by the time I graduated, more than half our class was without jobs, including yours truely. Since I wanted to get married, and they would pay me for going to graduate school, I decided to get an MS in Environmental Engineering. Why Enviornmental? There was an opening for a student with my qualifications in that department at the time.

So, when I finished my MS, my advisor told me I had a good mind for research and that I should get my PhD. I had never considered it before, and was ready to go into the workforce. Still the seed was planted.

After working for a couple years, I reached a cross roads with my employer. I had the opportunity to move into a pretty responsible position in sales management. But I really didn't think that would suit me. I wanted something more metally challenging. So I decided to go for my PhD and try to land a university gig.

I've been doing that for 14 years now. When I first started, I was more interested in the teaching aspects of my job. Now I am more into the research aspects. I have changed my research area from environmental engineering to systems biology, which is the application of systmes engineering principals to understanding biology.

The thing I really like about my job is that I can work on whatever problem interests me. No one told me to change research areas nor did I even have to seek permission. I just did it. I'm pretty much my own boss. I get to have a big hand in selecting the courses I teach. My department head asks me to fill various service roles, but these are minor (<10% of my time) and I can occasionally say no without repercussion. I get evaluated once a year. Other than that, it is like not having a boss.

On the flip side, I need to bring in and execute a couple hundred thousand dollars of research funding a year to keep all the balls in the air. There is always stress and I don't get to spend as much time with my family as I would like sometimes. But I'm pretty sure the stress and time thing would be there for any job I would be interested in. Just the way I am wired I guess.

[siberian khatru]

Growing up I wanted to be an aerospace engineer. But my junior year of high school I took a physics class that kicked my ass royally. I had always been good in math, but once I took geometry and then calculus, it was like I lost my muse. I was completely lost. Too bad, because I found physics and calc interesting. Just couldn't crack the codes.

So having flamed out in the sciences, I was fortunate to realize that I got good grades in writing, enjoyed writing, and was a huge sports fan who idolized two columnists: Peter Gammons in The Sporting News and Bob Matthews in The Rochester Democrat-Chronicle. So I went to J-school at MU, became a sports writer and sports editor for 5 years before switching gears and moving to editorial writing, which I've done for the last 12 years.

[ZepSinger]

I wanted a webpage for my band at the time(1994), but didn't want to pay for it. Downloaded an early version of Hot Dog, and the rest is history. Well, mine, at least.

[2bikemike]

I had no idea what I wanted to do. I just joined the Navy picked a job (Gas Turbine tech.) that provided "excellent opprortunity for advancement" After 6 years of that. It was time to get out and use what I learned in the Navy. I applied at a power plant thinking everyone needs electricity. Been there for almost 19 years now. I love my job I love the schedule even thought I work nights and weekend including holidays. But I get 7 days off every 5 weeks and I can't imagine working 5 days a week and only getting 2 days off.

[|Zach|]

I had no idea what I wanted to do. I just joined the Navy picked a job (Gas Turbine tech.) that provided "excellent opprortunity for advancement" After 6 years of that. It was time to get out and use what I learned in the Navy. I applied at a power plant thinking everyone needs electricity. Been there for almost 19 years now. I love my job I love the schedule even thought I work nights and weekend including holidays. But I get 7 days off every 5 weeks and I can't imagine working 5 days a week and only getting 2 days off.
So what do you do there?

[2bikemike]

So what do you do there?

Post on the planet.


Seriously I just babysit the plant. When it acts up I straighten it out. Fortunately for me the plant is full of very reliable equipment. So in a typical 12 hour shift I will take readings on the equipment and do a few water samples. I will probably spend about and hour to an hour and a half doing actual work. However if something goes wrong I am there alone and will have to bust my ass but that is rare.

[|Zach|]

Post on the planet.


Seriously I just babysit the plant. When it acts up I straighten it out. Fortunately for me the plant is full of very reliable equipment. So in a typical 12 hour shift I will take readings on the equipment and do a few water samples. I will probably spend about and hour to an hour and a half doing actual work. However if something goes wrong I am there alone and will have to bust my ass but that is rare.
Ever have an "oh shit" day? ROFL

[Ultra Peanut]

Thats interesting. I have a definate intrest in the same general field. I know I am very interested in media but I am having a hard time narrowing it down. Right now I am leaning to videography. I love film but don't have much intrest in doing a "hollywood" type thing. Maybe commercials or corporate videography.

I also like media analysis...photography, photojournalism...graphic design...internet design type stuff...

I think it would be cool to work behind the scenes of a newscast. There is also this little part of me that wants to take a stab at being a camera man for NFL Films.Wait, I don't remember posting in this thread...

[|Zach|]

Wait, I don't remember posting in this thread...
Ha, you feeling the same way?

[Ultra Peanut]

I used to make little "highlight videos" with a VCR, a camcorder (for feeding the video into the VCR), and a CD player (for music) when I was around 10 or 12. It was a ton of fun, and every time I see a good sports highlight package or whatever, I think, "man, it would be awesome to be involved in putting together stuff like that." General video editing or production or what have you seems like it would be really neat. Challenging, to be sure, but enjoyable.

It's probably #1 on my list of "I think I'd like to do that," with maybe photography or something (specifically sports photography or scenic photography... taking pictures and getting the "right shot" is an amazing feeling) being a #2, but I dunno...

I'm a really indecisive person when it comes to what I want to eat for dinner, much less what I want to do for the rest of my life.

[2bikemike]

Ever have an "oh shit" day? ROFL

Oh hell yeah! I got pissed off one night when everything was going wrong. I was ontop of a cooling tower and threw a strap wrench and I'll be damned that strap wrench hit a 2" PVC water line and stuck. Water spraying every where. I got fugging soaked trying to Isolate it. I thought I was going to have to call somebody in to fix it at 2 in the morning. But luckily I had every thing on site to rebuild the line.

Oh shit! is not what came out of my mouth though. And I will never throw anything in anger again. Lesson learned.

[|Zach|]

. Lesson learned.
Thats why they pay you the big bucks.

[Rain Man]

I love trivia and geography and math. Demography and market research is one of the few fields where you can do all three.

I worked as an engineer prior to getting my master's degree, and then from there I went to work at an economic research firm. During my six years at that firm, I more or less figured out how to make my own job by winning my own contracts, so I gradually moved from doing fiscal types of studies to demographic and market research types of studies. I then left that firm and started my own company.

[Rain Man]

I feel cheated that this post didn't include a story about your former boss.

Am I that predictable?

(I started to type one, and then deleted it.)

[BIG_DADDY]

The reason I chose my path is for money beyond time and effort at some point. You gotta love residual income. Second reason is knowing how to invest with what I have. The third reason is we should be big enough in a few years to start being in that network of people that provides you with opportuninties to knock the cover off the ball and live a life very few are able to.

What I don't like is calling people all day. Oh well it's not that bad.