my new pet project

my new pet project (aka a gratuitous visual)

ok, so i didnt get a pet dog. and it's not just A project either. so let me get this straight then. ive got myself a few new projects to work on now that the big book is completed.

first off, had a dinner meeting with the officers of the ateneo alumni association here in new york. and they've welcomed me officially to the core group. in line with the personal goal of creating connections between different people, ive initiated a mentorship/buddy program to pair up the "oldies" with us "youngies." so far ive gotten the yes of five of the veterans—the former organization president, a psychologist, an immigration specialist, a systems analyst and a hedge fund professional. ive sent out a quick email to friends/peers and some have already expressed interest. im looking forward to getting the pairs together sometime soon. should be a great opportunity for both parties especially that the veterans go as far back as being here since '80 and the newbies as recent as 3 months maybe. should be a good exchange of perspectives.

next off, things are going lightspeed well in the office. ive been appointed as lead art director for a documentary that we're doing (and the lead art director as well for the tv commercial). i must admit it might be sort of "unfair" for the others coz i seem to always get to do the "fun stuff." but whatchagonna do, watchagonna if they come for you. bad boys. bad boys. oops, i digress. anyway, we've been having pre-production meetings—talking about casting (woohoo, will be going through all those polaroids once again), locations (since it's too cold to have an outdoor shoot here in NY, we just might fly elsewhere), budget (wow, at least $400K, nice nice, now if only i can get a percentage of that, but of course it wont happen). i've been watching directors' and editors' reels and will probably have a good say as to which ones get chosen. im just hoping the european folks' reels get to the office soon so i can get those geniuses to come over. or better yet, maybe they'll fly my ass over there to do post. but anyway, enough. just quite happy that i seem to have been given the license to "shoot." i can make the decisions i want. and make my own mistakes as well. although of course, they trust me not to make too much of them. well, we'll see about that.

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just came from rick's (an art director officemate) show somewhere in a basement bar/lounge in broadway. the show was ok. im not much of a cabaret/lounge crooner show sort of type of person but it was great to see how people in the office pursue interests outside of what they do in the office (which is hardly, if at all, the case in the philippines). nils, another art director, played the banjo for a number as well. quite good being surrounded by great talent in the office. and out.

now if only i could get myself into playing the guitar. finally.