The Guild Season 5 - Day Twelve

Another EPIC day on set of The Guild season Five. These are the last few days of principal photography. We were out in Van Nuys today so the commute from my place wasn't that bad. It was a long shoot day, lots of extras and activities but all in all another fun day. I got some great interviews for the companioncast. I'm really excited for this seasons companioncasts. I think they are going to be pretty special.. chuck full of awesome bits from actors, extras, and crew. Gonna take some major editing but the end product and the fans reactions make it all worth it.

Another great thing about today's shoot is I got to play host to a VIP Guildie. Lydia (@tibits) from German was in town and hung out on set watching them film. It was fun sharing the experience of being on set with a fellow guildie. We had a great time.

Felicia posted a BTS video, which is pretty hilarious.

Thor

Tonight I went to the Arclight theater in Sherman Oaks with my friends Teal and Ali to watch Thor.

Now I know nothing about the Thor comic, it never really interested me but the previews looked pretty good and I'm a sucker for comic book movies.

I really enjoyed this movie, from the special effects to the story to the acting. This movie introduces you to Thor's world and his history nicely. It doesn't go into great detail but gives you enough background for you to understand why things are happening. It's also a very good set up movie for the Avengers movie coming out next summer. Not to say that this movie isn't great as a stand alone but when it ends it leaves you wanting more, which is always good.

The acting was really good, there is always fine line between realistic and cheesy when it comes to comic book movies and they did a great job at being both.

The special effects were fantastic but it's what I've come to expect from these big budget comic book movies.

I felt this was similar to Ironman, I had no interest in that character or his story but after the first movie it really draws you in and makes you care about these people and that world. Thor is the same, I can't wait to back into this world and visit these people again.

I plan to see this again with Harry in the next few weeks as he wants to see it and I'd love to see it again.

Dinner & A Movie

Tonight after work I got to hang out with one of the sweetest people I know, my friend Teal and her boyfriend Ali. Teal and I hit off on the set of Season 3 of The Guild and have been friends since. We try and have dinner and hang out every so often as both of our lives are so super busy so tonight was the night. Our original plan was to hang out at her place, order pizza and watch a DVD. But that morning she called and asked if I wanted to see a movie and have dinner out and it sounded great. I haven't been to the movies in six months so I was up for it. She wanted to see Thor which was great as I too wanted to see this movie.

So we opted to go to the Arclight in Sherman Oaks and have dinner beforehand at The Cheesecake Factory which is just below the theater.  The restaurant was packed but luckily I had gotten there 15 minutes early and put our name down, there was a 45 minute wait. Teal and Ali showed up a little pass 8 and we waited for our table. We caught up on each other lives and enjoyed each other's company. The movie wasn't until 9:55pm and we had assigned seating so we have plenty of time to just relax and chat.

Around 9:30ish we headed up to the theater and found our way into the theater and watched Thor (review will be in another blog).  It was a great night, sharing it with great friends, good food and a good movie. Could ask for a better dinner and movie night. Thanks guys for hanging with me.. it's just what I needed after a pretty horrible few days.

Quidditch Practice

Tonight after work I went out to Burbank for our 2nd Qudditch practice. I was still a little sore from the previous practice but I know it will get better the more I do this. Tonight we had six people again, not the biggest turn out but enough for us to do some warm ups and a 3 on 3 mini game.. which is a ton of fun. Our next practice it on Sunday in Hollywood but I don't think I'll be able to make it as I'll be on set of The Guild.

One thing I did find out about myself this practice is that I thought I'd be too old and overweight to be a chaser and settled that I'd be best for a beater but I'm not actually that bad as a chaser and if I can build up my endurance I think I might try out for that position.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You

I just want to Thank all of you who have called, hey telled, posted on facebook or tweeted to me your love and support for me and my family. I am such a lucky guy for having such wonderful friends, both online and in real life. I know if I ever need a shoulder to lean or cry on several of you would be there for me in a heart beat. I'm trying to stay positive, but it's tough at times. I did cry on my commute home but then realized that we don't know the full details yet and it doesn't do me any good to get upset at something that may or may not happen. So I'll stay positive and wait for the news on Tuesday. Thanks again everyone for being so supportive.

The Worse News

NOTE!!! Blogger removed my previous blogs about this so I am trying to remember what I typed last time. They say they are going to re post the them but have yet to do so and I want to make sure this is in my blog since it's huge news in my life.

Today my dad went in to see his "main" doctor who asked if the doctor that he had sent him too last week did a biopsy and my dad said no. That all he did was check out his neck and set up an appointment with a nose/throat/ear doctor. Well this "main" doctor was very upset (as am I as it looks as though if we would have caught this a few weeks ago we could have started therapy and increase the odds of surviving). He said the only reason he sent him to his doctor was to get a biopsy. This main doctor said from here on out he'd be handling my dad's case personally.


It's been little over a month since my dad has had this infection in his neck area and a few weeks since the lumps started appearing, there are now three. The main doctor took one look and said that this some sort of lymphoma cancer and it's very aggressive. So they decided to immediately to take a bone marrow sample to see if it has spread and that from visual observation that the cancer is in stage 2. But will find out this coming Tuesday what stage it is and how they will start treating it.


Best case scenario is it's stage 2 and it's only in the isolated lymph node and they can be removed and chemotherapy will eradicate the rest of the cancer cells.


Worst case scenario is that it's stage 3 or 4 and that it's spread to his bone marrow or other organs and there isn't anything they can do.


Of course we are hoping for best case scenario which isn't 100% guarantee survival. Dad had Hodgkin's about 18 years ago, fought it and won and he will fight again.


I'm trying to stay positive as we don't know how bad things are yet. Come Tuesday will know and I'll do what I have to do.


I'll keep everyone posted here on my blog, twitter and facebook.

New Business Cards

Got my new Business Cards in the mail tonight. Because I love podcasting and honestly most people I meet know me from one of my podcasts I went with a podcast theme. I crammed every bit of information about me online on this one little card.. but I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think??

The Guild Season 5 - Day Ten

Took a half day at work today so I could hang out on set for day ten of the fourteen day shoot for The Guild. As always I can't talk about what is happening on set but man some big things happened. I also go to be an extra once again and I've lost count how many times I have been an extra this season,(will see how many of those shots make it into the episodes).  I got some great interviews and over all it was a fun albeit a short shot day for me.

Uncle Kenny #2

Though my brother called me a few weeks ago to tell me that Lora, his wife was pregnant with baby number two, I didn't want to get my hopes up because the home test is known for not being reliable so I was waiting for their first doctor visit and I just heard and saw the sonogram and yep.. she's preggers again. Doctor said the baby looks great and it's has a strong heart. So Kenobi is going to get a little sister or brother. I know my mom is hoping for a little girl but I'll be happy with either as long as she/he is healthy. She's seven weeks along and due on Dec. 24th.. gonna have a great Christmas this year.

I do know Michale has been suggesting they name the baby if it's a girl Sky Walker.  Love the name Sky but not Walker and I don't think my Sister-in-Law will go for it again.. I mean she agreed to name their child Kenobi.

I'm sure they have other names picked out just in case. I'll keep everyone up to date on the progress.

I LOVE BEING AN UNCLE!!!!

Our 1st Quidditch Practice

After being on set for The Guild all day I was extremely tired but man I have been so looking forward to tonight... Tonight was our very first Quidditch practice for the new LA community Quidditch team The Hollywood Harpies.  Since it was mother's day we didn't have a big turn out, only six showed up but man did we have a great time. We practice throwing and catching one handed to a partner, we played a little dodgeball one handed, and dodgeball on brooms. We practice throwing balls into hoops and blocking balls (keeping).

I had the time of my life, I was in my element. I've have been wanting to play Quidditch since I found out that they played Muggle Quidditch. I played a bit aggressive, but when watching the Western Cup this sport is full contact. But everyone seemed to like how I was playing.

I think I'm the oldest one in the group and man am I so out of shape. I could last about five minutes before needing a break. I know it will get easier and easier as I continue to work out. I think this is going to be great for helping me lose weight. We practiced for about an hour and half and afterwards, though exhausted and sore, I was on a high... I think this is just want I needed to release some of this stress. Can't wait for our next practice. If anyone in the LA area wants to join me please let me know... it's tons of fun.

The Guild Season 5 - Day Eight

Another EPIC day on set for The Guild Season Eight. Once again we were in Pasadena and once again we had a few "special" guest stars and once again they tweeted about being on set so not many secrets left. I got to be an extra once again for some scenes and one particular extra job was AWESOME. The scene starts with "someone" talking to me then shaking my hand before I cross camera.

I'm not going to confirm any of the guest stars.. as those who tweeted may have been visiting set, which some did and some were actually in the show.  But I got some GREAT interviews with cast and "special" cast members... oh man I did an interview with someone that I greatly admire and it was such a great interview. I also did an interview with one of the geekiest girls I have ever met and it was fantastic. These season five companioncasts are going to be EPIC as well.

EDIT!!! Here's a video just posted from Day 8 shoot.