The Beauty of Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt was a genius.  She knew her place in live and lived it.  President Roosevelt may have stepped on her, but she knew where she was in life and lived it peacefully.  People may step on me, but I will not let that make me feel inferior.  As the great Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." 


I will no longer give people the consent to make me feel inferior.  As a person struggling to find employment after graduation from college (back in December 2009), I allow other recent graduates to push me down and make me feel that they are better then me.  Well, yes they got a job- but that is not what the Lord has planned for me.  He wants me to struggle to make a way and a name for myself.  Without a struggle to reach my goal (currently a career), my goal would not be something fulfilling to reach.  My struggle is making me a stronger person and I need to thank God for that.  The stronger a person I become, the better person I become.  


Like the beautifully intelligent Eleanor Roosevelt once said, "It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan." I can wish as much as I want, but without planning that wish will never become the truth.  From now on I will plan my future instead of wishing for my future.  When stuck in a horrible situation, I will plan a way out, instead of wishing a way out.


One last amazing Eleanor Roosevelt quote I want to focus on is, "The future belongs to those whose believe in the beauty of their dreams."  My dreams are beautiful and I will make them my future.

B.E.D. Montage Pre-production

Batteries are charged. Lights are packed & ready to go. Camera is in the passenger seat, along with the production book.  It's the day before the first official freelance shoot.
I will be filming the B.E.D. weekend and all events that pertain to it.
I am constantly double-checking everything- is there enough tapes, are the logistics set, talent release forms ready?
So much to do and so little time. The week before BED is crazy in the office. It's interesting working on both the marketing side and the cinematography side of the event.
Not only am I starting tomorrow, the event goes through Sunday. I wonder how many hours of sleep I will get. Probably not much- probably comparable to a crabber's sleep schedule. I am not complaining though. It is the life I want.  This event will be launching pad hopefully for my future.

Come back to hear more of my weekend tales.

Light Graffiti

Who would have ever connect, the artist, Man Ray to the new art medium of light graffiti.  Man Ray used long exposures and moving a light source in front of the camera to create his work, 'Space Writing.'
A long time may have pass since 1937, when Man Ray created this piece, but his idea has influenced many young artists.
Light graffiti is fascinating to look at- it catches one's eye.  This style would be a great new medium to use for advertising.  Seeing your first piece of light graffiti will stick with you.  Seeing it will make you want to research it- find the history of light graffiti and find out what the artist was trying to say with their piece.

Light Graffiti por Jan Wöllert and Jörg Miedza


People working in marketing and graphic design should really grasp this new medium. It would be a great eye-catching ad or picture that will make people stop and look closer.

Next Topic: Non-profit artwork

Coffeehouses.

What is a coffeehouse? The name coffeehouse sets the tone to most. A place were one can sit and peacefully enjoy a cup of well-brewed coffee. One thinks of the smells that infiltrate your nose the moment one walks into the shop.

Most coffeehouses have a neutral color scheme-very earthy. There are also expectations of music at coffeehouses—peaceful and something that can stand in the background of conversions. Not all coffeehouses portray this sigma though.

A local coffeehouse in Racine, Mocha Lisa, is a former farmhouse turned into a coffeehouse about 6 years ago. The interior colors are not earthy, rather bright and artistic. The shop specializes in local artist’s work. Beautiful artwork sprays the walls; along with the usual coffeehouse mugs and pots one can buy. I particularly like this coffeehouse, because the baristas are friendly and are willing to joke around with the customers, but they realize when the customer is busy with work to leave them be.

The baristas make everyone feel as if they are a regular and help a new customer (or even a regular) make a wise decision when trying new drinks out.

While, Mocha Lisa recently went through a changing of hands, owners-wise. The new owner, Sue Brucker, kept the feel of the coffeehouse the same as the previous owner had set.

http://www.mochalisacoffeehouse.com

Bristol Palin PSA

This past year has been a roller coaster, or maybe a trip on quad skates. I am training to try-out for roller derby in the summer. Eek! I know, me on skates and not stable ground. So far the work out is hard, but I am loving every moment.

Recently I began interning at Serve Marketing. I love my internship and the people I work with. Working here, has helped me realize that I want to continue working with non-profits. I love helping people. I also love educating the public, though sometimes the public tends to be very finicky with accepting the truth.

For instance, the Bristol Palin PSA that recently came out was created by Serve Marketing for the Candies Foundation. People do not realize what the PSA is saying. Everyone is saying it is an abstinence only ad or Bristol is saying she has it easy, but those who do not have a rich family will not be so lucky. She is not saying either of those things. The ad clearly states, "Pause. Before you play."

What does "pause, before you play" mean? It could mean a variety of things- did you take your birth control, put on a condom, or I'm not ready.

Bristol is saying also she has it hard being a teen mom, but she is lucky to have a supportive family. There are many teen moms that are thrown out of their houses, and have to drop out of school. Some teen moms scrape to get by. Do you want this life? Pause, think about the consequences before you do something you may regret.

Brain Storm

4 months is all I have to figure out my future. I am scared, but after thinking about it I think I know what I want to do. I want to start my own business. Not a normal business, have I ever been normal? But a documentary film company aimed for motocross riders, mainly freestylers.
One night I was watching a show on Jeremy "Twitch" Steinberg and he was commenting that he wished he could ride all day out on the dunes, be filmed, and get paid for it. Skateboarders and snowboarders get to go out and ride for one of their sponsors making a video showing off their riders, then these riders get paid for it. People get to see the final product out at X-Games, Dew Tour, and Red Bull X-Fighters, but these are planned out runs.
I want to be able to film freestylers off the tour circuit and out having fun. Take multiple riders out to the dunes, film them, then edit them together with music and throw in a few interviews and create something people will watch. Give the riders some air time for every FMX fan to enjoy.

Paris

Paris has come to an end. I have been back in the States for a week now, and I am still in reverse culture-shock. I want to walk across the street to a pasterierre, and get a pan au chocolat and a cafe con creme. I think Alterra coffee is too weak! That is insane. Alterra is one of the strongest brands of coffee there is. Esh...
I miss Paris, I want to go back to Sacre Couer and look at Paris below. I never got to the Moulin Rouge--Not to see a show, but rather to see the outside of it. A show at the Moulin Rouge costs 120 Euros. Plus... Its not like the movie.
The atmosphere for film in Paris is amazing. I went to Studio 28, which is one of the original theaters people went to see films. It is surreal going there. They have cinemas dedicated to playing old American classics, and theaters that are Art Houses. Art House isn't a dirty word in France either. We hear a movie is playing at an Art House, most shy away from it, but the French embrace it. They play movies in France, that will not get theatrical releases in the USA, and if the film does- it has been severely changed- ie. Anti-Christ. Warning: Do not go see Anti-Christ. It has nothing to do with religion, it is just emotionally jarring and will give anyone nightmares, even those who love gore movies. As Stephanie said, "It makes Tetsuo look like a Disney film." I look at a scissors and I scurm.

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the fathers out there, especially my Grandpa Benner. He has made it to Father's Day, and that is all we could have asked for. Though the outlook is grim (for the family members), we must remember soon he will no longer be in pain, but rather with Our Father in Heaven. We must cherish each and every day we have with our fathers because we never know we it will be the last time we see them. Every day I pray that my Grandfather with be miraculously cured, but now I know it is time for me to ask for peace for my Grandpa. That is all I can ask. I no longer want him to suffer, I want him in a place that is painfree. It will hurt us, but we must hope for the best for him, no matter how much it hurts us or makes us cry.
Give your father a hug. Tell him how much you love him. Caitlin if you read this, or Mom, give Dad a hug and a kiss for me, and tell him how much I love him.

Photos. Photos. Photos.

Marie Antoinette's Estate.

Cementary

La Femis

Versailles

Here are four new albums I thought I should share. I am loving Paris and maybe after I finish my homework tonight, I'll add more to the blog.

Short blurb.

New Pictures!!!

I have a lot to share. I just do not have the time to sit down and write it all down... Yesterday we went to Studio 28- the first real cine in Paris. It is amazing and to make it even better, we saw Looking for Eric, which played at Cannes. It was a great film. I recommend it. Something a little funny though- the thick British accent was sometimes too hard to comprehend and I found myself using the French subtitles to figure out what was being said! Talk about irony!
For those that do not know, Studio 28 is in the Montemarte District of France, also known as the Artist District. We were entertained by a gypsy balancing a fishbowl on his head while eating crepes and a drunk (or at least I hope) singing about cheese to our professor.
After the film we walked to Sacre Coeur (Sacred Heart) Cathedral. It is beautiful. We were there at 9PM, so we couldn't go in, but I want to go back so bad. It looks amazing. To top it off, the cathedral is at the top of the Amelie stairs!!! Amazing! If you have never seen Amelie- watch it now!
Today we received the chance to visit Cinematheque Francias. It is amazing. I wish it was bigger. They had more of Edison's inventions, and none of Lumiere's. It was frustrating. Then they didn't mention Bioscope or Edison forcing the Lumiere Bros out of the United States. It was like they wanted to make Edison look like the good guy, which i know is false. Edison actually was a greedy man, like all business men.
I did buy 3 bottles of wine today... all together they cost 4Euros. They are sitting pretty on my shelf right now.
So that is a brief blurb about the past two days... Now a video for your entertainment.

I feel like we are going to go back home and try to pay for everything with quarters- Steph.

Notre Dame is amazing. It is so beautiful- inside and out. The worst and best part is the climb to the top of the building. It is all done in circular stairs and its so tall! Everyone was so tired and Zach compared us to someone one was doing drugs. We were quite delirious. I am so sore. It was quite ridiculous.
The most zen part of Notre Dame for me was lighting a candle for my Grandfather, Lloyd Benner. It meant so much for me. So right not, there is a candle burning for my Grandfather in Notre Dame. How extraordinary. There was so much I saw, but it is so hard to describe.

Some extra pictures...

Here is the link to some more pictures that will not fit here.

MORE PHOTOS!

if that link doesn't work, try copying and pasting this:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2561388&id=8626184&l=c0fad6f696

A Brief Summary of the past couple days...

I have tried so many new foods while being here. I tried escargot, frog legs, crepes, creme brulee, and so much more. Some are interesting and others well... I don't know how to explain them.
I just came back from the Eiffel Tower lighting they do every night. It was so beautiful. The tower itself is UGLY!!! Beautiful from far away, ugly up close. But once it got dark and the tower lit up, the atmosphere changed. Then it sparkled- I don't really know how to explain it.
So for my birthday, one of my favorite professors came and lectured to us- fantastic! Then... we went to the Louvre. Mona Lisa isn't that cool. It's a painting on a wood board. The only reason it's so popular is because DaVinci actually kept and didn't give it away or destroy it.
I was more interested in the Medieval Louvre than anything else. You can see the former parts of the castle and the city walls and hear the history behind it before it was cut down and build over. The new Louvre is MASSIVE!!!! I took pictures trying to capture it, but I don't think I was able to show the massive size of it. We actually went back to the Louvre on Saturday, but we were kicked out because they closed at 6 and we arrived at 4:30ish... I don't think we even finished one wing. I think we will be going back soon cause I want to see the Egyptian exhibit and take some pictures for my sister. I think it is interesting that their are so many unfinished works in the Louvre that are considered priceless because of who did not finish them- Michelangelo, for instance. I really love the statute of the Sun King- King Louis XIV.
We walked by the statute of Joan of Arc and it was covered in flowers. I want to go back there soon and take a picture. That is one amazing woman.
So earlier today we went to the Picasso Musee. The museum itself was a maze, like his works. It was kinda intense. We kept finding random corners and dead ends while looking at his works.
Of course we have gone out, and going out here is a little different then going out back home. But some things do not change- i.e. guys wanting to get with girls. But it doesn't matter- all that matters is that we were having fun with our group. I have been a party pooper and heading to bed early the past couple days, but I feel a lot better then the rest of the group the day after.

I think I found my new home...

I am totally and completely in love with Paris. First of all- the metro system is amazing and organized! Even if you get on the wrong train, you can still get where you were originally heading to with ease!
I saw Roman baths that were recently unearthed.
I also went to my first film here in Paris, a River Phoenix movie (for those who did not know- American cinema influenced French New Wave). We also walked through the Latin Quarter. Amazing! We will definitely be heading back there. We will be heading to Versailles this weekend! I am soooo excited! And it sounds like we may make a trip to Italy next weekend.
So in a few hours, I will be heading to the Louvre for a walking tour of it. I am really excited for it. Did you know it use to be one of many palaces? There are so many palaces here in Paris.
I am in love with the architecture here. The architecture back home is so bland, but here- it is so intricate and beautiful.
The food, oh the food! It is amazing! No matter what you can't go wrong... actually-lie. Camenbert is horrible! None of us can stand it. You know all the expensive cheese in America? It's the cheap cheese here, that everyone eats. It is so good. The croissants are so flaky and the coffee is amazing. Though their version of coffee is espresso, which is fine. The portions here are usually smaller, but still so filling. The pastiserries are amazing. I have never seen so many crazy and delicious looking desserts before in my life. And every meal comes with bread and salad.
When you go to the cinema here, do not expect popcorn or a concession stand- most theaters do not have them...
The French are not bad as people make them to be. Attempt to speak French and be courteious and you will be fine. Everytime you enter a building say "Bonjour" or "Bon soir." Everytime you leave a building say "Au Reviour." Some of my group don't get this, but I have learned it helps out a lot. Also, the French love exact change! Try to give them exact change or close to. It helps things move faster.
My French is getting better. I think the survival French will help my French get better and I cannot wait.

Sunset...

I went to bed and saw this...
The random chick is my roomie- Stephanie. She was in a Pocahantos mood.

Pigeons can die...

Pigeons are too stupid for their own good. So I went to open the window- you know fresh air and like five tried to fly in on me!!!! They flew at me! Freaky! Then one was outside of our window and we had our blinds closed, so it looked like it was inside, not a good moment for me or Stef- my roommate. Everyone here is amazing. I guess I am a really smart American since I was able to use the metro system on my own yesterday. Supposedly it's too hard for Americans to usually use. I thought it was quite simple-quite superior to American transportation systems. Oh by the way... Madi would love it here, they all drive stick!
I love the view from my room. It is so amazing to say I wake up and I see the Eiffel Tower! I think it really hit me that I was in Paris when I saw the Eiffel Tower. I am excited to see it when the sun goes down soon. It is almost nine at night here, so another hour or so before the sun goes down.

Day 2 - View From My Room

So I looked out the window today and this is what I saw. I took many pictures of the Eiffel Tower. We had baguettes for dinner- yum... I'm not really sure what I had for lunch... It had seafood in it and it was decent...

Day 1 Part2...

Paris Opera House. The Metro actually stops under it. It was cool to walk under.


Bastille!!!


Anyone read any Shakespeare? Falstaff???

Start of Day one...

I decided to finally put some pictures up...

Maybe I should get a flickr... I'll add that website soon.

fact of the day: mcdonalds you get free wifi, but have to pay to go to the bathroom...

Interesting facts, I also learned the French do not like ketchup as much as we do. I am eating dry frites... aka french fries. Though, everything is made fresh as you order and ordering espresso is norm. The flight here was not bad, and I was able to stretch out and sleep- though I wish I was able to fly business where their seats turn into beds and they are given laptops. I did get to watch The Office (3 episodes) on the way over. The worst part of the flight was Chicago to Boston, we kept hitting air pockets and dropping- scary, but we made it.
Getting around Paris using the metro is very easy, but I did make a mistake- right train, wrong direction. I made it to the hostel, though I am not allowed in my room until 2PM/ 14:00. I figured I should get use to Parisian time. Even the employees of McDonalds have a full uniform- including special pants!
Yes, all the cars are tiny. In a bit, I will be walking around Paris to take pictures after I lock up my computer and backpack.