The most significant thing about this year compared to the last is the closeness to my family. My wife and I are best friends and without her I don’t know what I would do. I enjoy working hard to accomplish things more than I do enjoying life, but now through the lessons learned in 2009 things are different and I am looking forward to my new perspective.
Cheers to 2010-
Time
I find it very amusing how quickly life speeds up. I don’t know if it built on the theory that we only begin to learn at the age of 25, or I reached this conclusion as I am months from reaching 30, that my time on this Earth is short. As depressing as it sounds, I don’t mean for it to be depressing, for it’s important to have perspective on what is and is not important in life. I would like to think that, while my sudden midlife crisis is apparent, I am more worried about not doing enough in my life. If I could find a better relationship among my goals, intentions, and results, I would be much happier. It’s hard to say you only want to put in 50% when you really want to put in the full amount. But, I never seem to take into account the elements of life that I cannot control or don’t take the time to think about the elements I can control such as caring for my family and, more directly, not missing the time with my family. I feel bad when my son and daughter are growing up without me being there to experience it all. It reminds me of the things people tell us as words of wisdom. They seem strange at first, until you experience them for yourself, and then feel obligated to share them with someone else. I would like to think of having children of your own as a good example of this. While I recall people always telling me how “You will understand what I mean when you have kids,” I understand it now, and as much as I believe I am a very odd fellow who thinks differently from others, I am still inherently just as connected to everyone else.
Revisions
So, I am going to reinvent this whole blog purpose. I think I already did that, but when has it ever been bad to repaint your room each year? As I write on various areas on the internet I think it’s important that my purpose for each blog is understood.
Purpose—
The purpose of this blog is going to be to document my life and experiences as they occur—almost like a living journal or biography of sorts. I want to focus on trying to get inside my head and pay careful attention to events that have a specific impact on my life. I will try to post a new blog posting each month and ask that anyone reading please take the time to interject his or her personal feelings on the events of my life.
Before you can start anything new, you must catch people up on the past~
Paynes Prairie Gainesville, Florida
After being in business for more than two years, my partners and I decided it would be best to reshape Life Is My Movie Entertainment. We closed our offices in Lawrenceville, and outside of independent films, closed all doors leading to or through the traditional corporate or commercial video company. Nothing wrong with this field; it was just not for us.
We continued with the book and film for An Inconvenient Tax. The film has taken longer than we expected, but we believe that, as filmmakers, it was more important to say the right thing than rush something out to the public.
My wife and I moved from Georgia back to Gainesville, Florida. She took a huge pay cut to go to Florida Gator games and be able to meet Tim Tebow.
I was granted an assistantship through the College of Fine Arts at the University of Florida where I am paid very little but working toward growing stronger as an artist and furthering my creditability to teach in higher education. Overall, I could not be happier with where I am and what I am doing-
The summer of ‘09 was one of the best summers of my life. My wife, children, and I enjoyed the great state of Colorado with no plans or road maps. We simply hopped in a plane and brought a tent…. It sounds crazier than it was, but overall, it was an amazing trip worthy of its own blog posting in the near future.
Hike at Maroon Bells, Colorado
Today (September 27, 2009)
We have released the newest trailer for An Inconvenient Tax, and if you have not seen it already through my countless attempts at self-promotion … lol, do so now! Oh, and sign up on the mailing list while you’re at it.
[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/6651819[/vimeo]
As we speak, I am working hard to try to sell the film during October and doing everything I can to get the message out there. Unlike any project I have ever worked on, I feel great about this film! I cannot wait to have the opportunity to share the knowledge and understanding of an issue I think many know so little about. As hard as it is to keep people’s attention on the screen, I think the film will do that very well. Whereas the issue is large, we will be releasing a supplemental piece of material going much deeper than the film, but which is meant more for educational materials as opposed to a feature film. Partner Nathaniel Thomas McGill and I have also made sure to revamp the book and add an ending we feel serves the issue best. We’re going to wait until the film is released to complete the book. It’s important when writing a book about the making of a film on an issue such as this that you prepare yourself for getting the most from the work.
After a longer than expected posting, I hope you feel caught up on my life, until tomorrow…
I use my Twitter account as a journal as well and will give you more than enough information about my life. Hope this blog posting finds everyone in good times, and I look forward to days ahead.
I never thought it would come to this. So here I am… Feeling sad that I have put so much time into this relationship. It is so hard to end a relationship like this… The money I have spent… The devotion I have shown… The countless hours I have spent trying to make things work. I am sorry, but things are going to have to change-
As of June 1, 2009, I am officially divorcing the coffee shop I once loved. Starbucks Coffee and I, Vincent Vittorio, will no longer be in a relationship. Please understand that it is not for the many reasons you might think.
It’s not the change in music being played in the stores, not for the closing of many locations, not the falling price of my one share of stock I have with ticker symbol SBUX, not that you suddenly open late and close early—it is the simple fact that I just don’t like the taste of your coffee or espresso. Either my palate has changed, or you have changed your recipe. I prefer something that does not taste burnt. Don’t know why I did not complain when we first started seeing each other. Maybe it was the honeymoon stage? I don’t know, but I really want this to be a clean break and refuse to go deep into the specifics any more than I already have. I have used all my gift cards, and I will just keep my one share in my not-so-large stock portfolio. So, I have no more reasons to come into your store anymore. I hope it does not hurt your feelings if you see me entering some other coffee shop. I am sorry things had to end like this, but I think it’s just better for us both.
(photo taken by my wonderful wife Jessica during my last visit 
After getting setup in our new place in Gainesville the kids and I made a special visit back to Georgia to see my wife on her special day. She is finishing out the year teaching and we miss her lots!
(I am updating my blog from the wordpress app on my iPhone so please excuse the errors.)
Next Tuesday (April 27th, 2009) we will be moving back to Gainesville, Florida. Have not blogged in ages, but have lot’s to say…
To Be Continued-
Before this blog posting the previous posting came on January 8th… Or so it appears…
After finding out that a Direct TV installer was using my account for other receivers that were activated in someone else’s home… I thought it was worth a long blog posting to vent why I dislike the company. A venting that included images and long detailed stories of what had gone on with my problems with Direct TV… The posting closed with a comedic dialogue with the installer at 2am… When I found out who the installer was through technical support in India… They actually gave me his name and number… Hmmm go figure-
The night after that posting was live on this site my entire server went down. All of the sites and all of the information was gone. Keep in mind this does not include just my site. The server holds many different companies and personal websites other than mine… It was not down for more than 6 hours… It was the dead of night… Restored by Network Solutions everything was back to normal…
Or what it? The only thing not restored was my blog… Most of my pictures from old blog postings were gone as well as the posting and images for the Direct TV post.. hmmm…
If it stopped right there I would think nothing of it.
Last week I received a call from Direct TV in which they informed me I disputed a charge from them on my American Express and I could only pay through Western Union or by Personal Check. I tried to explain I would look into it with American Express and that I was not aware of any type of dispute in December. Not caring what I had to say they shut off my service immediately.
I called American Express and as I suspected… There was no dispute with Direct TV. They show no record of ever having any dispute with the company.
Ironic? I would like to think so…
I just witnessed such an amazing event on Twitter… I felt so moved that I just had to blog about it. So, as I am updating my tweets I get this…
“i just can’t wait one minute longer to ask you this. Will you marry me? i want to share the rest of our lives together.”
Grant Robertson (grobertson) proposed to Christina Warren (film_girl) on Twitter… She responded not just with yes… But, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
I think this says so much about how apart of our life technology has become. We rely on it more and more to do things for us, but also use it in special times such as an engagement. I wish the two of the the best-
After a long 2008 I am glad to meet my new friend 2009. Although, 2008 was filled with events I will always remember… There are lots I am glad to forget. But, unlike any other New Years 2009 brings something different. There is a type of understanding that never existed in my life before. Many negative experiences have cut me down, but each of them have given me the strength to understand life differently. I now feel as if I can battle so much more with this new profound understanding of life. I credit it to having such a special family.
My son has become a little man. I love spending time with him and see so much special goodness inside of him. My daughter which is now at that age where her personality has come alive and the cute sassy thing only wants my attention at all hours she can get… Not to forget the person that helped to make this family possible… My wonderful wife Jessica. I could not be happier with how we have grown together so strong as a family unit. Even though my wife and I don’t see eye2eye on everything in our life we have an understating that I cherish.
In my other world as a filmmaker… The current film has helped my partners and I realize just how political politics can be. It’s amazing to me just how powerful our film about taxes has become. It’s a much bigger concept that I believe will change the way the world understands taxes and will speak to audiences in a much bigger picture. The release date for An Inconvenient Tax has still not been announced, but I can assure everyone that it will be soon. Not to mention the book which is also coming along great. Much different than the movie the book will give you the inside look at what we had to go through as filmmakers to make this film. While also giving you an overview of some of the content in the film. It comes out on April 15th and should be a special read for anyone that likes politics and independent film…
Also, if you have not already… Please be sure and buy a copy of the 2008 film Dangerous Calling. This was our collaboration with the infamous Daws Brothers. The film is very special and written from the heart of these two talented directors. If you have not had a chance to buy it on DVD in 2008, make sure it’s on your list of things to do for 2009.
And last but not least I have to let you know the plans for 2009. Resolution…
1- Live life with a positive outlook.
Seek the positive and only let that exist. I used to be Mr. Positive and it has escaped me in the years behind me. I want to bring it back like taB. Which can ironically enough still be purchased at many shopping establishments as an energy drink.-
2- Live a purpose driven life in which all actions are looked at as the big picture.
Not the exact same as the Dr. Rick Warren book, but still holding many of the same principles. I want to look at every decision I make in my life as a husband, a father, a filmmaker and a person that wants to contribute to society.
3- Make the most of your time.
As the American Naturalist and father of the conservation movement once said… “I still find each day too short for all the thoughts I want to think, all the walks I want to take, all the books I want to read, and all the friends I want to see.”
John Burroughs Anyone who knows me well understands I work crazy hours. But, in 2009 I am going to try and evolve to the normal hours of man. I will start by living my life with a presidential schedule. Just like the new president himself has every hour of the day planned out I will attempt to do the same. I will budget my time and make sure I am not giving anything outside of my family more time that I should. Because without them I have nothing-
Sorry for the long post, but it was a long year-
V.
Disney Recess
The episode we watched was great! Had a nice theme of believing in the spirit of Santa and understanding that it’s good to have faith in something that not everyone believes… But, the Santa involvement in the plot pointed out that it was fake and illustrated many of the misunderstandings of the myth. This had me thinking… I don’t want my kids to not enjoy their childhood, but does Santa really make it any better? Keep in mind I am not planning to tell them it’s a myth just worried about trying to defend it as they get holder. I mean using the fat guy in the suit as a way to get your children to behave seems to be the norm. Just the other night when my son Lucca was acting up… Another child tried resioning with him… Asking him to behave. ”If you don’t follow directions Santa won’t bring you any gifts.” Wow, did this kid have more tact than me? He was only 3… I just feel bad using the myth to get him to follow directions. Besides if it worked all of the time I might consider it.
I know the logo above is an old one… But, I am feeling very old-school as I write this blog. As crazy as the last few months have been with finishing the current film… “An Inconvenient Tax” (gotta plug whenever I can…lol)… Anyway, this weekend I am doing something that is not all about the film. My daughter Abrianna’s first birthday is on Sunday…. And, on Saturday I am going to the SEC Championship to watch the #4 Florida Gators take on the #1 Alabama Crimson Tide. (BCS rankings of course…) Not going to make any predictions, except that it will be a good game and I am excited to be able to attend. Outside of the game itself, I have to say I am proud to be a Florida Alumni because of the man wearing #15. As good as he is on the field, it’s his actions in the classroom and in the community that impress me the most. Being a father in a world that is looking darker everyday, it’s important to see someone with professionalism in a star role that can do the things he does. Tim Tebow is the type of athlete I want my children to look up to.
The negative light has shined so bright on the idols/stars culture today. It’s disappointing to me when I remember not hearing so many negative things associated with the stars. Maybe I was just naive, or the news outlets were more about news than they are today… Whatever the case may be, I am proud to see a star like this play for the Florida Gators. I hope that the trend of professionalism and good morals will be followed by others entering stardom.