The Chowline

As I said in the previous post – my adventures in early August did not end with attending a spectacular air show in Michigan.  In mid July I was contacted by a close ‘re-enacting’ friend regarding being an extra in a film being produced in Michigan.

This friend had be contacted by a film studio – Ten West Studios – to discuss the viability of providing uniformed reenactors as extras in an up-and-coming WWII movie they were producing.  The film, Return to the Hiding Place, follows the exploits of Dutch Resistance fighters during the German occupation of Holland during WWII.  Principle shooting was to occur in Holland, Michigan as well as at the historical location of Harlem, in the Netherlands.

My friend was able to locate a good number of volunteers to participate in the filming, but additional people were required – and to say I was flattered when he called me to see whether I was interested or not is an understatement.  Thankfully my work schedule – and already existing plans to be in Michigan during the scheduled shooting dates – allowed for me to participate without much problem.  After finalizing details of my involvement and arranging for needed uniform changes (the uniformed extras were to be wearing SS uniforms, which I don’t have), I made the requisite plans to attend.

Arriving on location on Wednesday afternoon, I was informed that all the uniformed reenactors scheduled for that date were ‘On Call’ for shooting that evening, and that I was to remain with the rest and wait for the call arrive on set.  We spent the majority if the evening playing cards and getting to know one another – a few of the faces were familiar to me, but a few hours of losing at playing cards and making inappropriate jokes with one-another builds a considerable amount of camaraderie.  At around 3am, we considered ourselves off the hook and many of us attempted to sleep.

Thursday we spent enjoying the sights and sounds of downtown Holland, Michigan.  This quaint little town has amazing architecture and a thriving artistic element.  I couldn’t believe the amount of street performers that arrived to entertain on what appeared to be a veritable ‘shift’ system.  I spent the majority of the afternoon at ‘JP’s Coffee House’, which also is home to the MidWestern Barista School.  JP’s offered WiFi internet service through a contracted company called WEBbeams.  While I am not a fan of ‘Pay-to-Play’ WiFi internet usage at commercial locations, I understand the profitability that is possible through harnessing this as a consumable product (especially when you consider that WiFi as a consumable product may not exist for long before it is eclipsed by Mobile-Hotspot enabled devices [read, Cellphone or other peripherals]).  The service was satisfactory, if not expensive.

Thursday night, we were told to arrive on set in the early evening, and we were all eager to do so.  Actor Gary Moore visited us upon our arrival and posed for pictures, his excitement and wonder at our gear and equipment quite evident.    We then posed for a group shot in front of Holland’s replica Windmill, giving ‘Windmill Island’ where were shooting its name.

The German 'Extras' pose before the Windmill in Holland, MI - the author standing at left.

The shot we were being used in that night involved our German element proceeding down a rural road with one of the trucks (the one that I was riding in) transporting eleven civilian prisoners, ostensibly for their incarceration or execution.  Our three vehicle convoy comes under attack from elements of the Dutch resistance led by the main character, Piet Hartog (played by actor Craig Robert Young).  In the ensuing firefight, I am killed in particularly spectacular fashion by the main character when I snatch up one of the civilian passengers and attempt to use her as a human shield.  This sequence of  shots was filmed from twenty or so different camera angles and required the entire night’s worth of filming.  It was exhausting, but absolutely exhilarating.

Friday morning I left Holland, MI and journeyed to visit friends about an hour north in the Grand Haven area for the afternoon, before continuing on to Ypsilanti for the Air Show until Sunday afternoon.

From the airshow I spent a night south of Jackson, MI with friends, before carpooling on Monday with another extra to Manistee, MI.  Tuesday we arrived on set at the Douglas Valley Organic Vineyard Community north of town for a sequence of shots spanning the afternoon and into the evening.  It was there that I had my first encounter and experience with ‘Make-Up’ for a film production, with Daniel Phillips covering up my blemishes and powdering my nose.

The Author being filmed.

The Author relaxing (center) with the principle antagonist of the film, at right.

Near the end of filming on Tuesday, I was approached by the movie’s Visual Effects Supervisor, Dustin Solomon, regarding whether I would feel comfortable delivering some lines the following day.  With excitement – and also some trepidation – I accepted.

The final day of shooting found me quite nervous – I spent the majority of the afternoon pacing by myself in an empty section of the cavernous 10 West Studios main soundstage – an old Iron Foundry near downtown Manistee.  We recorded my scene in the afternoon, captured it from multiple angles, and later re-recorded my dialogue in a ‘soundbooth’.  The final shot for me on set was a sequence of me and two other uniformed extras patrolling the ‘city street’ built within the foundry’s main sound stage.

I can honestly say that I was absolutely floored by my involvement in this production, and how exciting and amazing the whole experience has become.  The simple advice given to me by a close friend before my involvement -

• Say ‘Thanks!’
• Volunteer.

… was perfect.  I can only hope to be so lucky to experience something like this again.

I’d like to extend a sincere ‘Thank you!’ to all who made this a reality.

As many of you are aware, I’m a WWII reenactor.  I’ve been participating in this awesome hobby since the fall of 2000, and the experience has been nothing short of exceptional.

I’ve met amazing people, traveled across the US to attend events, and been given back-stage access to amazing collections and museums.   I’ve participated in public displays and shows for crowds as large as 40,000.  I’ve met veterans with emotional stories, met celebrities, and been up-close-and-personal with priceless vehicles and aircraft.  Yes, its an expensive hobby – but the rewards have far out-weighed the cost!

The group I’m a member of – the reenacted 2. Panzer Division (HRS) – is comprised of 50-something members from all walks of life and vocations.  I have told countless people how exciting it is that my hobby brings together people from across the spectrum:  where else will you find a garbage truck driver rubbing elbows with an art teacher, a retired railway police officer, someone making six figures beside someone who is unemployed?  And then, for all those individuals to share a common bond and enduring friendship and companionship, despite their diversity?  Its an incredible group!  This exceptional group has, in addition to its amazing membership, an incredible collection of original vehicles and weaponry – worthy of inclusion in many outstanding military collections around the world.

Unfortunately my work schedule precludes me from attending most events anymore – as our busiest days are weekends – but I still do my best to attend our ‘big push’ events.  This summer I was fortunate enough to attend ‘Thunder Over Michigan’, an impressive Air Show held in Ypsilanti, Michigan.  For the duration of the event I was in ‘command’ of my group’s element in attendance.  Safety remains my one of my primary concerns for all involved parties, and this role – primarily being responsible for everyone and ensuring their safety -  is something I welcome without much complaint (it is no great mystery why good friends refer to me as ‘Captain Safety’).   The event wasn’t just work, work, work, however – there were some lighter moments:

Thunder Over Michigan Pipe interview with \’SovietTaco\’

In addition, some great photographs were taken at the event:

The author photographed at 'Thunder over Michigan', leaning on the Opel Blitz truck of 2. Panzer Division

But wait, there’s more!  In addition to this great Air Show, I was fortunate enough to be asked to participate in a movie production.  More on that in our next post.

Things are fixed.  Time to resume regular posting!

Thanks, MindPackStudios!

Musings on an online financial forum from 8/24/2009:

“Even during the American Revolution, there was a large measure of the population who were either indifferent or unwilling to stake their livelihood on the balance of the struggle.

I think a general misunderstanding many of us have is that this – whatever it is we are expecting will happen – will cause the great majority to stand up and unanimously decree that change within our governmental policies is needed. I don’t know that that is realistic.

The ‘struggle’, if you want to call it that, will need to snowball, much as it is doing now. I still say the greatest thing that you or I can do at this point is just simply talk to our friends, family members, and most everyone who will listen. This has been my mantra for the last two years in regards to my misgivings regarding the two party system and the political process, the war in Iraq, Torture as a state policy, etc. Too often I feel that people are too ambiguous as to their own beliefs on the matter – either from lack of definitive information (because they haven’t really looked for it), or outright ignorance. This has to change, and it can’t be forced down their throat – they have to seek it out.

Unfortunately, too many people haven’t needed to search out for the answers, or looked beyond the end of the month in regards to seeing the big picture. This blog has helped me immensely in questioning the data that I was receiving – it has has helped me formulate my positions on various topics that directly influence or correlate to fiscal responsibility – it has helped me understand where I stand as a citizen in this country.

We just need other people to do the same on their own volition. We can’t wait for circumstance to force them to change their ideology. We need to communicate with them and help them find out for themselves. Invariably we may not agree with each other on all the finer points, but I firmly believe that a level of self-realization is required on the parts of a great multitude of the US citizenry before any tangible headway can be found.”

Followed by a further addition:

“I further think the public conception of the ‘Revolution’ is that it was some sort of sudden ‘paradigm shift’… The shift happened, but I think it happened gradually as the public leveraged one way or the other. There were flash-point moments that accelerated the process (and ultimately led to outright rebellion), but before that occurred there were whispers and conversations in the taverns, commonhouses, and sitting rooms throughout the Colonies.

Maintain the public discourse.”

The Market Ticker, and its Forum.

New netbook laptop, new motivation, fast approaching New Year.  Seems to be a sufficient time to begin a new drive to write and publish thoughts, musings, and snippets of work for the web to chew on.

Winter is always an interesting time for me – I become restless yet reclusive.  The cold weather makes me want to remain at home as much as possible, only venturing out when I absolutely have to.  At the same time, my mind becomes agile and agitated – thoughts bounce off of experience and new input, converging and de-converging on new concepts faster than I can sometimes comprehend.  A select few friends receive the brunt of this intellectual excitement as I regurgitate my musings to them often ‘out of the blue’.

In years past, I have used this time to great advantage by focusing this creativity into specific outlets – lets see if I can do the same in the early Spring.

Here’s to a fresh start!

The following was a note I found while perusing through some files on my computer.  Although time stamped to over a year ago, I found it to be an interesting piece now.  Enjoy.

————–

Stop –

Look at your hands.

What do you see? If you are like me, they bear the scars of a life definately lived. They’ve been cut, bruised, ripped up, chewed up, squished, smooshed, you name it.

But there are other scars, the ones that don’t show on your hands, but are there. The scars of action. The scars that reside from where you know what your bones, deep in the marrow, know they can do. What they can take. What they can give.

I was at a Re-enactment a couple weekends back… my buddy Dane was joking about how I ‘know my body’. I know when I need to eat, when I need to shit. These may seem like relatively primitive concepts that we all have mastered years ago… but I dunno, its somehow different – in the morning, I was dangerously dehydrated. I gave myself a time-out and sat for a bit, quickly devouring 3 cans of pinenaple and all the syruppy goodness. I could feel the energy return to me.

The we moved. Hiked. ‘Fought’.

Later in the day, we trudged on. Tired. Out of water – I was at my apparent end.

Dane knew, as always, that there was a reserve hidden inside me. A burst of energy, waiting to come out. And it always does. It surges forward, some sort of explosion of that thing that lurks in the marrow of my bones.

He and I chatted about all number of things last night, as we usually do as he works from home, managing some installation at whichever one of his bonehead clients isn’t where they need to be (hence warranting his excessive long work day).

I talked to him about that energy that sits inside. I have trouble talking about it, just ‘willy nilly’ with just anyone. Most who know me think I’m probably just full of shit, or talking out of my ass about being the proverbial ‘Johnny Badass’. But its not that.

I don’t know what it is, but it baffles me – and scares me, at times. Were it a voice, I would not think it was a inherently ‘bad’ voice. I don’t feel like it whispers into my ear that I should terrorize my neighbors and destroy without control. But rather, the voice pipes in, every once in a while, that there is something more there. That I can always turn to that other solution.

Checking that surge, and controlling it, is something I’ve grown used to my entire life.

Fundamentally, it comes down to applying the right pressure, at the right moment. That single monumental moment that allows for maximum effect.

What does that even mean?  You probably want a context, to better understand what I am trying to get at.  On any given night at work – a place that still is wondrous to me, even now six years later – we hear all manner of crazy justifications and disclaimers for inappropriate behavior.  The explanation d’jour as of late has been ‘My dad is a lawyer…’

I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around this – with mixed success.  Is this a proverbial ‘get-out-of-jail-free’ card?  Does having a lawyer for a father mean that you can do no wrong?  That his ability at defending clients in the courtroom would preclude any of his relatives from ever being found guilty of stupidity or wrongdoing?  Or is it supposed to intimidate me? Should I be naturally wary of what his father could do to me or my place of employment?

The more I thought of it, however, the more I came to realize that I just believed that his ‘educated’ father had raised a complete tool of a son – in many respects.  That, in the face of punishment, he had raised his son to shirk and hide in his shadow.  That, despite the fathers venerable legal career, the son has no appreciation for the power of law, or the back seat of a police car, or the permanency of a criminal record.

The best way I can describe this is as ‘Anonymous Name-Dropping’.  Name-Dropping, for those of you who aren’t aware, is what spineless sycophants do when they want to appear more important than they actually are.  Its a sure-fire way to reveal to me, or to people like me, that the person doing the name-dropping is a complete douchebag who lacks any credibility or character.  Name-dropping shouldn’t be confused with attempting to establish a ‘link’ – ‘Do you know my friend James?’ is not name-dropping.  Rather, name-dropping is when someone says something like this:

D-bag: “Yo, what up?”
Bouncer: “Yeah?”
D-bag: “Why won’t you let my boy in?”
Bouncer: “He doesn’t have his I.D.”
D-bag: “Yo, dawg, c’mon.  He’s twenny-one.”
Bouncer: “Great.  Where’s his I.D.?”
D-bag: “He dinn’it bring it, but he’s twenny-one, dawg.  He’s my boy.”
Bouncer: “Gotta have I.D., sorry.”
D-bag: “C’mon, man! Why you gotta be like dis?  No dis-respec, but thats bullshit, man!”
Bouncer: “Sorry.  Perhaps he should have brought his I.D.”
D-bag: “That’s bullshit.  My boy [unidentified bouncer] lets him in, can’t you call him?”
Bouncer: “Oh, [unidentified bouncer] does?”
D-bag: “Yeah!”
Bouncer: “[Unidentified bouncer] doesn’t work here anymore.”
D-bag: “So can he come in or not?”
Bouncer: “…”

So what is ‘anonymous name-dropping’?  When people name-drop people that you don’t know, but that they think will intimidate or ‘wow’ you.  People, most often elusive, not-present-as-of-yet family members who are in positions of relative authority, hence ‘My dads a lawyer,’ or ‘my dad is the sheriff of [xyz] county’. I’ve had guys take this to unprecedented levels – referencing ‘The Chicago Outfit’ and other lofty, yet deliciously dangerous, threats.  More often than not, those guys just piss me off.

‘My dad is a lawyer…’ – How do I feel about this now?

“Well isn’t that special!  Does dad know you are a douchebag?“

I’m a bit adventuresome in the kitchen – I have no qualms about mixing and matching typically unconventional items to create new dishes, something my roommate finds incredibly … interesting.  He finds my pairings downright absurd sometimes, but that is to to be expected.

All that aside, I’m left with the idea that this is how new dishes are created!  You just go with it, and see where it takes you.  Sometimes it works really well, other times it fails miserably (I’m trying to remember, but I think I combined tuna with a pasta sauce, that was about the biggest failure I’ve ever thought of.  Downright disgusting, really…).

I made a veggie-stir-fry Saturday night using my typical ingredients: green, red, and yellow peppers, diced onion, whole garlic cloves, and some frozen veggies.  I had recently opened a bottle of generic Korean Stir-Fry sauce, and so that topped it.  With the way I eat, this only created two helpings, and so I put the leftovers into the ‘fridge for Sunday.

Feeling adventuresome last night, I decided I’d do some experimenting.  I took some large pasta shells that I had cooked previously, placed them on a plate, and then proceeded to ‘stuff’ the shells with the left-over stir-fry.

Then, I took some mozzarella cheese, sliced into inch-long sections or so, and placed them atop the shells openings.  This I then microwaved.

The end result was this:

Korean Stir-fry Stuffed in Pasta with Melted Mozzarella

I may be biased, but it was good.  Sweet yet with a bit of zing from the stir-fry, but mellowed by the cheese.  I think the only improvement would have been to have had more sauce – but to somehow mellow the sauce so as to not over-power everything.  None-the-less, the end result?  Success.

As I’ve said before, I purchased 8 bottles of German wine after christmas, and have been enjoying drinking them since.  I seem to be drinking about one a week, give or take, usually in the afternoon and during dinner.

Whats in a name?

St. Christopher 2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen Riesling Kabinett

So what does that name mean?  Some things are obvious – like the vintage: 2007 – but what about the other, more cryptic names?  I’d been asking myself that very question, and so I sought out an answer.  Lets start with the basics of what I found out…

According to this wikipedia article or alternatively from this personal website, German wine law defines four overall quality categories: Deutscher Tafelwein, Deutscher Landwein, Qualitätswein bestimmter Anbaugebiete (QbA), and Qualitätswein mit Prädikat (QmP).  These can be loosely translated as: German Table Wine, German Land Wine, Quality Wine from a Specific Region, and Quality Wine with Predicate; German table wine is the most common, with Quality Wine with Predicate being the most select.

Prädikat wines are differentiated from the three other categories by further governances (as described on the aforementioned website), the most commonly encountered are Kabinett, Spätlese, and Auslese.

Now that we have that loose basis to understanding German Wines, lets return to the bottle’s label:

St. Christopher 2007 Riesling Kabinett

We can see the following information prominently displayed on the label:

St. Christopher
2007 Piesporter Goldtröpfchen
Riesling Kabinett
…
Mosel-Saar-Ruwer

So what are we to make of this?

• ‘St. Christoper’ is the Winemaker.
• ’2007′ is the Vintage
• ‘Piesporter Goldtröpfchen’ is the name of the vineyard that the grapes were grown on
• ‘Riesling’ is the grape variety
• ‘Kabinett’ is the level of Prädikat
• In small print is assorted information regarding the Alcohol level by volume, the distributor information, etc
• ‘Mosel-Saar-Ruwer’ is the name of the region where the grapes were grown.

So, going off of that – how do we interpret what all this means?  This wine, produced in one of the most prestigious wine-producing regions of Germany on a well known vineyard, is a less select bottle of the higher ‘mit Prädikat’ wines.

Mostly described as sweet and fruity, some will say that it has a degree of acidity, as well.  Unfortunately my pallate is not yet refined enough to distinguish subtleties in flavor as some gourmands.

For the price – somehere in the vicinity of $10.99 – this Kabinett is enjoyable, but I may attempt to seek out one of the more select Prädikat bottles.

Every day I typically follow a quick routine of checking various e-mail accounts and certain notable websites, one of which is CNN.  This morning I stumbled upon an article discussing Obama’s recent advocation of more funds to complete the border barrier here on CNN.  Initially I found the article interesting, until I found the following two quotes:

“I’ve flown before and come back and had 70-plus [illegal immigrants logged in a tracking book],” Smith said. ” I know guys who have gone on a flight and come back with 100-plus illegals in their logbook. Now it is in single digits, typically.”

And:

“This used to be a very high-trafficked area, and now it is not,” Lowrie told us.

Asked to define “high traffic,” Lowrie says, “In the Yuma Sector, we would get about 800 a day. Now, 25 maybe, or 10.”

Nodding toward the barrier, he continued: “Numbers don’t lie. We didn’t have it three years ago, and we were getting massive numbers of illegal entries. We have it now, and we don’t.”

Now, that sounds like good reporting, right?  As I read this, I was thinking the same thing.  Then suddenly I got a nagging feeling, like the math wasn’t right.  For some reason, I seemed to remember an article I read published on TUESDAY of this week on CNN reporting that immigrant workers were returning southward because they couldn’t make a living here anymore.

Now tell me, if you re-read the initial article, doesn’t something seem amiss suddenly?  Yeah, no wonder the border is relatively quiet – our economy is in the ****ing tank!  Sounds like a good time to jump the fence illegally and look for work, right?

Come on, CNN.  I expect better from you.