Tuesday, January 24, 2012

James, Don't Leave Us!


Don't leave us, James. We make party for you. College is overrated. It's cold out east, and they got no burritos like the burritos we got. Sure. We're proud of you, young prodigy boy-man, in college at sixteen, but you gotta come home, 'cause you're a homey, a Bird, a robo-disco-STEAM-inventor, and we aren't the same without you. Go, see what they know, then come back, and we will make more party for you.


In the meantime, we just cry, waiting, thinking of you in snowland.


The Good-bye For Now and Good Luck in Kawledge party we had for James was a working party, 'cause some of us are still in regular skool, and there are movie projects to complete. The Bird House has been the scene of movie making for a couple of weeks now, and our big screen has become a big green screen. How cool is that? Okay, it's also messy, haphazard, and slightly inconvenient, but really, mostly just cool.


Lighting is probably the most challenging obstacle to filming in our living room. Did I mention that this film has been somewhat plagued with setbacks and blood? Yes, it's actually been a very tough assignment to complete, due to scheduling conflicts, technical difficulties, and a very nasty stunt accident to McRae's brow. Working title of this film: There Will Be Blood.


If they can get credit for rehearsing, for taking precautions, for planning, for rolling with the punches, for working around the setbacks and obstacles, for not giving up... well, then they're in good shape. After all, learning is the objective, and I think they learn a lot more when things don't go smoothly.


Where would we be without our friends?

I tell you, all the posts for the next six months are going to be mushy and sentimental, as I look at the faces of these dear people and think about them growing up, and growing away, and doing all the things we have been hoping for, for themselves... it's just so hard. I am not ready, I tell you. Not ready at all to let them go, to miss seeing them play and hear them laugh, and follow their stories from the front row. We have been so blessed with our family, and our circle of friends, who are like family, and these days and activities... and I am not ready to let any of it go.


We won't be totally abandoned, not just yet, not all at once. But it is going to be a lot quieter here, in the Fall. Of all the phases in my life, this one is the most confounding to me.

Oh, dear.
It's the curse of blessings.
Makes me greedy, attached.



After feeding the cast and crew three dinners in a row, it occurred to me to ask for film credit. Tatiana, just a mention of "Lady Betty Oprington... 'Foundation,' or 'Productions,' even 'Catering,' and I have a logo if you want to add that too. Thank you.


Chocolate cupcakes and chocolate-peppermint buttercream frosting. If you get into college, we make cupcakes for you and decorate them with fancy, coordinated doodads. That's how we roll.


Claire came by, too. She and Maria shared magic tricks, and talked about the fashion show, last spring. Claire is already hard at work preparing for this year's fashion show.


Outside of his brothers, James is William's best friend. They are working on some pretty neat things together. After filming, and sitting in the ER with McRae, James and William stayed up all night, for one last creative-inventive-planning session, before summer break. When I hear their ideas, listen to their plans... I just want to open doors for them, give them room, watch them build.


A green screen is a bit of magic. You can project any place or object onto the screen, and create a whole world. It's something like these young people... they just need a wide open space where they can project the amazing things, ideas, and places they imagine and believe in, and with some work, and play, it all comes together, and becomes real. I like watching behind the scenes, and seeing the finished project... of course, when is a great work of art ever really finished?

9 comments:

judy in ky said...

I LOVE how you roll! The most creative, exciting things go on at your house, Natalie. I love seeing them. I can just imagine the noise and commotion and fun. It's so quiet here with just me, my Mr. and the cats. Yes, there are blessings and there are curses, and often they are one.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Judy, you are a gem. I know all the good that you do... for your nieces and family, for me, for those blessed kitties. Thank you for always giving us a shout of support!

nikkipolani said...

Congrats to James and condolences to the rest of you! But it looks like you all have plenty of creating to do until James can join you again.

judy in ky said...

Thank you, Natalie. I just had a second look at your photos and noticed... is that Kamen Maria is holding? Also, look at that last photo; what wonderful role models Maria is growing up with. I love the look on her face.

warren said...

It's not a party unless someone goes to the ER? Hmmm....yeah, agreed!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

You have a sharp eye, my friend!

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

That is Kamen, and she is fully recovered. I don't know if she'll lay again, and she is still a bit extra flighty, but she is back in the coop with her chicken family... it's amazing.
You're right. Maria is surrounded by some really great role models.

Natalie, the Chickenblogger said...

Well... then this is our first *real* party!
I think I will stick to soirees, gatherings, festivals, and shindigs, but no more parties, thank you very much!

Janece said...

I keep rereading this post and wanting to say something profound and as full of impact as this post is to me. The last paragraph has made me cry with every read.