4th Annual P. S. Bunn Reunion

Sunday September the 21st was the date and the 4th annual Bunn reunion was the occasion. I always enjoy Bunn reunions because I personally know how crazy a bunch of Bunns are when we all get together. It is quite a experience let me tell ya. Although I am a little disappointed on the vibe that seemed to be floating around... It seemed more like a hello-sit down and eat-goodbye kind of deal to me. It just didn't have the familiar Bunn feeling I guess you could say. I don't know but it definitely felt different than the previous years. I guess I am a bit frustrated that nobody didn't lift a finger or anything to mention our loved ones that have passed. That's what its all about. To honor of our family history. For this trip, I of course had my camera but I also had another friend that I have become really close to here lately and it's called my video camera. Trying to shoot both is harder than what you think. I managed to get a few good ones so I'll post them for you to see.

The 2008, P. S. Bunn Reunion. See you next year.

We thought it would be a good idea to get a big group picture since we haven't done anything like this lately.

Jesse Mae is the sweetest lady you will ever meet. She has a heart of gold and plenty of funny stories to tell. It is truly an honor to know and be around Jesse Mae.

Looks like someone has got an itch!!!

Here are the two greatest women on the face of the earth. From left to right, this is my mom Mary or Kitty is what everybody calls her and my wife Shelly.

Rockingham mills

After the Bunn reunion, I decided to take a trip to Rockingham to see a good friend of mine that I haven't seen in almost five years... thanks yet again to MySpace. I decided to go through east Rockingham for a change of scenery and noticed every mill was shut down and being ripped apart. Such a shame too, I remember when all of these mills were running. When I sit and think about seeing all the employee's vehicles in the parking lot of these mills, it really goes to show how times are changing... and fast too. Here are just a few photos of a couple of the mills.

Gasoline or Gasoleft?

I don't know about the gas situation where you live but here in Matthews... it's not too good. Thanks to hurricane Ike, the metro-lina area is suffering big time. For the last two weeks now, we've been having to search for the few gas stations that seem to have a little gas; but now, it's every station that's empty. There are a few places that are getting a shipment of gas but you better get there early and plan on waiting in line. You know... this is the kind of stuff that goes right through me. Shelly and I were out for an hour or more Wednesday night looking for gas. We finally got in line at a shell station just on edge of SC only to see the clerk putting bags over the pump handles once we got in the parking lot. The same at another station. While exiting the store lot we see a couple of rednecks that had several containers full of gas in the back of their truck. Now tell me, if you're sitting line waiting for gas and some jerk doesn't have the consideration to share something we all need, how would you feel. What makes me even more angry is the fact that we never seem to learn anything. Remember Hurricane Katrina. You would think that knowing how hurricane Katrina affected so many lives that they would have some kind of back up plan during times like this. Surely this situation is no where near as bad as Katrina but you get my point. We can't stop hurricanes but sure have state of the art devices that can warn us of any possible threats. In a time like that is when a back up plan should take affect. Is Texas the only city that has our oil refinery? I don't know... I'm asking. Why is it that we have to suffer before there is any kind of action taken? I'm not just talking about hurricanes. What about 9-11.

I'm gonna leave you with this final question. Have we learned anything from the catastrophic damage from hurricanes or plane hijackings of the previous years or is our government really that stupid? Why does it take destruction before we proceed with any kind of survival plans?

Planet Earth

If you like documentaries of wild animals, breath-taking waterfalls , and anything else that roams around planet earth then you might want to invest in this DVD box set. It will set you back fifty buck-a-roos but the scenes are amazing. A good friend I met at school let me borrow hers to watch and it's by far some of the best footage I've ever seen. It's so good that It's hard to stop once I get started. Here is the link my friend sent that got me hooked. Be sure to turn up the volume because the music will give you the goosebumps.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/mpd/permalink/mY1CNGJBCAS6I

Mustang car show

First of all, let me say that I could care less about car shows. Second of all, did I mention how my camera has changed everything. Nope, I still don't give a rats crack about car shows but I love photography. To be honest, a friend I use to work with was going to be there and wanted me to see the decal that I designed for her motorcycle club. I thought this would be a good chance to do something different too. One thing is for sure. It is almost impossible to get a good shot at any kind of event like this. Every time you go to take a shot, a family of ten walks by. Places like this are covered with people walking everywhere and nowhere at the same time. The one thing I did notice was that these people invest a lot of time and money into their cars, especially if it's real old. More power to em though, they can build it and then I'll take a few pictures of it. Sounds good to me. Here are a few car photos I did get.

Here is the decal that I designed for Rebeccas friend that got killed on a bike ride in the mountains. As I was talking to her she told me that around 50 people bought this decal.

Long story short, Gus goes everywhere Stephen goes. He is a good doggie... and cute too!

You know I was thinking about something. It would probably add a little flavor to these photos if I would write what year each of the cars are. I can tell you this much... they were all mustangs. That's about as far as my car knowledge goes.

Funny email

I normally don't post emails but I just couldn't resist this one. I received this email a few days ago and thought it was too funny to delete. Check this out:


I went grocery shopping recently while not being altogether sure that course of action was a wise one. You see, the previous evening I had prepared and consumed a massive quantity of my patented 'You're definitely going to Poop yourself' chili. Tasty stuff, albeit hot to the point of being painful, which comes with a written guarantee from me that if you eat it the next day both of your cheeks will fall off.

Here's the thing. I had awakened that morning, and even after two cups of coffee (and all of you know what I mean) nothing happened. No 'Watson's Movement 2'. Despite habanero peppers swimming their way through my intestinal tract, I appeared to be unable to create the usual morning symphony referred to by my next door neighbors as 'thunder and lightning'.

Knowing that a time of reckoning had to come, yet not sure of just when, I bravely set off for the market (a local Wal-Mart grocery store that I often haunt in search of tasty tidbits). Upon entering the store, at first all seemed normal. I selected a cart and began pushing it about dropping items in for purchase. It wasn't until I was at the opposite end of the store from the restrooms that the pain hit me. Oh, don't look at me like you don't know what I'm talking about.
I'm referring to that 'Uh oh, gotta go' pain that always seems to hit us at the wrong time. The thing is, this pain was different. The habaneros in the chili from the night before were staging a revolt. In a mad rush for freedom they bullied their way through the small intestines, forging their way into the large intestines, and before I could take one step in the direction of the restrooms which would bring sweet relief, it happened.

The peppers fired a warning shot. There I stood, alone in the spice and baking aisle, suddenly enveloped in a noxious cloud the likes of which has never before been recorded. I was afraid to move for fear that more of this vile odor might escape me. Slowly, oh so slowly, the pressure seemed to leave the lower part of my body, and I began to move up the aisle and out of it, just as an elderly woman turned into it. I don't know what made me do it, but I stopped to see what her reaction would be to the malodorous effluvium that refused to dissipate, as she walked into it unsuspecting. Have you ever been torn in two different directions emotionally? Here's what I mean, and I'm sure some of you at least will be able to relate. I could've warned that poor woman but didn't. I simply watched as she walked into an invisible, and apparently indestructible, wall of odor so terrible that all she could do before gathering her senses and running, was to stand there blinking and waving her arms about her head as though trying to ward off angry bees. This, of course, made me feel terrible, but then made me laugh. Mistake.
Here's the thing. When you laugh, it's hard to keep things 'clamped down', if you know what I mean. With each new guffaw, an explosive issue burst forth from my nether region. Some were so loud and echoing that I was later told a few folks in other aisles had ducked, fearing that someone was robbing the store and firing off a shotgun.

Suddenly, things were no longer funny. IT was coming, and I raced off through the store towards the restrooms, laying down a cloud the whole way, praying that I'd make it before the grand mal assplosion took place. Luck was on my side. Just in the nick of time I got to the john, began the inevitable 'Oh my God', floating above the toilet seat because my bum is burning SO BAD, purging. One poor fellow walked in while I was in the middle of what is the true meaning of 'Shock and Awe'.

He made a gagging sound, and disgustedly said, 'Son of a b*&*h', then quickly left. Once finished I left the restroom, reacquired my partially filled cart intending to carry on with my shopping when a store employee approached me and said, 'Sir, you might want to step outside for a few minutes. It appears some prankster set off a stink bomb in the store. The manager is going to run the vent fans on high for a minute or two which ought to take care of the problem.' That, of course, set me off again, causing residual gases to escape me. The employee took one sniff, jumped back pulling his shirt up to cover his nose and, pointing at me in an accusing manner shouted, IT'S YOU!', then ran off returning moments later with the manager.
I was unceremoniously escorted from the premises and asked none too kindly not to return. Home again without having shopped, I realized that there was nothing to eat but leftover chili, so I consumed two more bowls. The next day I went to shop at Albertson's. I can't say any more about that because we are in court over the whole matter. Jerks claim they're going to have to repaint the store..

Random thoughts

It never fails... every year I'm either working or something has me tied down to the point where I can't even get to the TV to watch the stories unfold about 9-11. I really like to watch what has been documented and how they show it. I certainly don't have to have a TV program to remind me what happen but it definitely keeps me humble. It was such a sad and tragic day and when I think of what people went through that day brings me to my knees. I know that life goes on but it seems like people have forgotten about our roots here in America. That's all I'm saying about that. People have changed that's for sure.


Well, I'm still be in the same boat of never getting anything done... or at least it seems that way. Let me put it this way. I have just consumed myself with so many things that are so enjoyable to me that I can't get one thing completed before I start on something else. I'm serious... I've got like ten projects on hold. I've either started on them or started sketching out ideas to get started. I even give myself a hard time when I forget about something I wanted to do but just haven't got to it yet. I have a voice recorder and sticky pads all over my desk. That's just the way I work for some reason. A while back I wrote down everything on a sheet of paper instead of all the fluorescent sticky pads but that didn't seem to work as efficient as dozens of bright pink, yellow and blue notepads all over my desk. I'm gonna try something here... I'm gonna see if I can take you through a journey of my flooded mind and see if I can show you what I put myself though everyday... this may seem silly but here goes nothing:

9 am: aaaaaahhhhh man I'm so freakin tired, I don't feel like getting up. Let me see if anybody has sent me an email or something....BIG YAWN... man my stomach is about to eat my rib cage.... Oh man I don't feel like going to stupid crap cycle gear for work... I wish I could stay home and just work on my projects.

1o am- 12 noon: Oh Lord here we go again... wonder what kinds of dummies are gonna come in the store today... I wish I was back home in bed.. BIG YAWN...I'm so freaking tired. I need to get that video finished when I get off today. Oh shoot... I forgot to work on my business cards last night. Oh well guess I'll get-em after I get finished with the video.

1:30-5 pm: Man I sure would just love to head to the house. I'm so behind on all of my projects... Holy crap... here it is the 23rd of the month and I haven't been writing in my blog like I should have been. I hope I can find my sticky pad with everything I was gonna try to write about. Gosh I've got so much to do. This crap hole called cycle gear is getting in the way of everything. Why in the world is some of these people so dumb... They call themselves motorcyclist and they don't even know what kind of battery their bike has. Let me hold their hand a little here...friggin people. Man I wish it was time to go home. I've got so much to do... Wonder where me and ole Shell-Bell are gonna go eat tonight. After we get back I have really got to get busy with everything.

5:30: I sure can't wait till my love-muffin gets home...man I'm so glad to be home from that crap hole cycle gear. I get so behind when I'm there.

8pm: Man there is no way I'm ever gonna get caught up. I wish I had the money to go somewhere on a photography trip. Great... phone bill just came in... just freakin wonderful.
I need to get busy with lets see... either I'll work on my blog... Oh man.. that reminds me... I've been meaning to work on some photoshop projects I've been wanting to do. Oh Lord, I have flash next quarter... I'm gonna need to start playing with that a little so I won't be so lost.


10 pm: I sure wish I didn't have to work tomorrow. I've got so much to do. What I really need to do is get my butt outside while it's still nice out and get to exercising. I've put on 25 pounds since I started school. Whew... I swear I don't feel like working tomorrow. Oh lord here it is going on midnight and I haven't gotten a dad-gum thing done tonight. I sure wish we could move out of this town. Need a better job for that though...

1:30 am: I guess I should go to bed now. Man I'm never gonna get my work finished...



The end.

That's almost everyday give or take.

History of Motion Media

While one of my instructors was someone I hope to soon forget, it was my Motion of Media instructor that impressed me. The only thing we did all quarter was talk about the impact of the media on our society and film making. He was one of the best intructors I've had and one that really left a impression in my life. Funny thing is, I don't even know his first name, all I know is Mr. Thomas. After a few weeks into the quarter I'd always stay after class and talk to him about my passion in life and the things I want to accomplish. He was always interested in listening to what I was saying. That to me says that he cares about what I do and where I go in life. It's not just me though, he shows that very same demeanor to everybody that came to him about something.

It all started when one of our assignments was to write a short film. After giving it some thought, I decided my short film was going to be about the story I wrote last year about me being stranded on the side of the road in that old geo storm. Remember that story, it was called... Alone on 742. If you don't remember you can check it out here. After I told my story to the class, he approached me afterwards saying this story could really be a short film and that I should look into filming this story someday. Not long after that Mr. Thomas seen my Adrenaline of motocross video before It was played at the McGlohon theater and the student lounge at school and he again thought I had a good story line and that I should keep thinking of ideas to start filming. At first I thought he was just patting me on the back... but I found out later on that he really meant what he was telling me.


I never will forget what he said to me when I told him that I felt like all the good ideas and all the good stories have already been filmed or wrote... especially by the time I get out and into the field. He simply shook his head and said, "Yeah but your stories haven't been filmed yet". That is something will stay with me till eternity. On the last night of class we talked a little more about a few things but it was when he begin to tell me that I need to make a digital package of my motocross video and send it off to some companies along with some other things and that he would be glad to help. That was what really blew me away. He felt like if I keep sending that package out, sooner or later someone will bite. That really impressed me. Mr. Thomas was a journelist back in the day and knows quite a bit about being a visual kind of person. One thing is for sure... this class was just another sign that film making is most definitely what I want to do in life. It's people like Mr. Thomas that are the real heros in life.

The final project

It was a little over half way through the quarter when my instructor told the class that we will be designing a website for a nutrition specialist instead of something of our own. So we started doing our thing of drawing sketches and writing down questions of what the site should look like and what kind of information it will have... and this is how it all went down.

First of all, we all got to meet Mary, who is the nutritionist that we were building the site for. We tried to pick her brain on what she was looking for and then gave her our thoughts on different ways to re-design her site. Basically she just through a few things together and got it on-line and that's it. There was a ton of information and the colors were a little sour... and what I mean by sour is her using lime green and purple. Yeah, those colors don't mix very well. Ok... so we are all set and she is all excited about the class re-designing her site... but wait there is more. Whoever has the best looking site will be hired by her to switch everything over. Now lets fast forward a bit to the last night of class. Here we all are with our site we designed for Mary the nutritionist and one by one we all "show and tell" so to speak of our site. I'm not going into all that detail but I do want you to know that after everybody presented their site, neither our instructor or the freaking nutritionist lifted a finger or anything to any length to tell us... "we did a good job", "oh this is gonna be hard to choose from"... "great work guys"... you know, some constructive criticism on our project. All we got was..."Ok guys that's it, maybe I'll see you in the hallways next quarter or something". That is where the emptiness comes into play. I spent so many hours studying her site and trying to make it easier to navigate and user friendly and all we got was nothing. Not even a kiss my tale. I'm glad it's over but I think I still have a little bit of anger towards that instructor. I sure hope I don't ever get her for anything else I have to take.

So here is the site. Like I said I'm not going into any detail other than the green part would be the outside of the screen while the light grey is the information part. In other words, if you went to her site this is what you would see if I were the designer of her site. Check it out.

Final project layout