Pirates Again

Here I am, finishing up a working weekend, and another of our Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End pieces is up on the internet!



It's pretty satisfying seeing this short featurettes going up; if only they started using these as tv spots...

Celebrity Sighting

Had a pretty cool enocunter with a genuine Famous Person today. Will, Daniel, Morgan and I went to lunch at Healthyca, where I sat across from a man with serious tattoos, especially across the neck. Knowing I knew him I narrowed it down. Not college... not a former co-worker... but I'll be goddammed if it wasn't Jeffrey Sebilia, the winner of Project Runway Season 3!



For those of you not familiar with the show, it's a reality show that I actually consider to have some quailty and character. You follow a bunch of fashion designers as they navigate various challenges and limitations, until one is chosen the winner. What I like about it is it is far less about silly and artificial drama than it is about truly talented peoplepracticing their craft in interesting ways. And, even knowing nothing about fashion, I really enjoy seeing the process of design and creation, and can appreciate the finished products.

Yes, the showrunners use editorial to create drama and petty fights, yes there are a couple pretty faces and live wires at the beginning of the show to keep it interesting, but as the season progresses, it gets more about the clothes. Which I admit can be fascinating. And unlike Top Chef, I can truly examine the finished product over the airwaves.

Anyway, I saw Jeffrey today. And I thought it was a solid sighting.

Travolta

Today in the IMDb news, there's an item about "tiny Owl's Head, Maine." Owl's Head is, of course, the town my parents lived in when I was born, and where I spent the first 6 months or so of my life. I thought it was pretty cool to see this village getting some national press. Even if it's only because Travolta is a jerk.

You can check out the story at this link here.

Owl's Head, ME (courtesy of Google Maps)

Pirates 3

Someone just told me that some of the promotional pieces we've been cutting for Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (the third in the series, out on Memorial Day) are online now. This a project everyone at the company has been busting their butt on, so it's pretty gratifying to see the results available for all.



Comingsoon.net has the exclusive clips as of now; they're available on this page here. Just go to "Featurette 1" and "Featurette 2 - 'Captain Jack Sparrow.'" You may have to control-click (right-click) the link for whichever format you chose and select "Download Linked File," and they play the clip from your desktop, as some people here at the office haven't been able to get it to work through the browser. But I hope you enjoy them, we're all pretty proud.

My Dark Materials

First off, I've only read the first two books of the "His Dark Materials" series, and while I haven't been blown away, they're enjoyable enough. That being said, I do have fun with the idea of the dæmon, and thought this looked pretty cool:

http://www.goldencompassmovie.com/

There's a section on dæmons, and you can go through a personality test to find out what yours is. And I can't complain a BIT about the results. Here she is— Meet Eumelia:

Maybe the shy thing is a bit of an exaggeration, but I can say I like to *think* this is what I'm like. This button is actually a link for friends to judge whether or not you agree with this dæmon, so feel free to check it out (it does expire in 12 days, though, when my dæmon will "settle" into it's form). And then you can go through and get one assigned to you...

Fire on the Mountain

Looking to the south-east here from the Herzog Cowen offices, a big fire has sprung up on the Hollywood Hills today.

Photos taken with my laptop camera, so no zooming or easy framing. This is probably about 2 miles away, and has been spreading fast. Wild. Reminds me of fire season 2 years ago, when, while working the night shift, the mountains to the north looked exactly like volcanos. The fires were that big and bright.

We're safe here in the office, though, and while it's a windy day, the wind is not blowing the fire towards us here at work, nor is it in the direction of my apartment. Winds blowing North/East, and West Hollywood is South, so that's comforting.

Tracy just found this link to a KTLA news post about the fire.

I feel bad for anyone whos home is near this raging beast.

EDIT: This is about 30 minutes later:

Word is that Warner Brothers and Universal have evacuated. Totally nuts.

Christmas Photos

Posting a little behind schedule; it's been a busy two weeks, and I had a one-two punch of flu followed by cold. Still working on the cold.

Anyway, here're some photos I took using PhotoBooth on my new laptop; lots of style and effects applied. My usual digital camera has been broken for a month or two now, so this is all I'e got for the moment. I'm thinking I might put some Christmas money towards a real digital SLR, most likely a Nikon to be compatible with the 35mm camera and lenses I already have.

Pay special attention to my brother's photogenic smile.

Tracy. Looking inquisitive.

John, Andy, Ian, & John K. in my parents' kitchen.

And again.

Tracy & her Dad.

Tracy & me.

Ian.

Me.

John.

Caitlin.

Andy.

Ian.

Tracy.

Me.

Tracy.

Caitlin.

A Wicked Good First Post

Howdy, Everyone-

My New Year's Resolution, 2007 Edition, is to get better about communication. As all of you have certainly noticed, I have been all too frequently remiss when it comes to staying in touch with friends and family. I am bad about returning calls, replying to e-mails, and making plans with those I leave close to.

Please trust and believe me when I say it isn't personal, and I love you all.

So, in an effort to get better about all of this, I welcome you to come and check out The Wicked Good Blog. I intend this weblog to be just another in a stream of personal journals people self-publish to the Internet-- basically an informal journal about me, what I'm doing, and anything that happens to be on my mind. Sometimes it'll just be general thoughts, other times I'll have specific comments for some people, news on big events in my life, pictures when I have them, links when they're appropriate. A way to stay updated on the life and thoughts of Hutson Hayward.

Now, don't worry, this is not the only strategy I plan on using in my goal to meet my resolution; this will not replace either phone calls or e-mails, as I intend to up my rate of both. Rather, this is a good way for me to get into the habit, and think about ways to put myself out there and get in touch.

I can't wait to hear from you all, and invite you to comment whenever you feel the inclination, be it to mock me, say hi, or respond to a thought.