Week B started off a bit rough for the staff, sort of like last year, the staff still in ST-Shock and the campers picking up on our dizzy dance of chaos. By Thursday I think we had finally gotten into our groove, the kind that should last for the rest of the summer, keeping the music playing smooth and loud. Machinima is going very well I think, there is a bit of discipline issues with our actors and their abilities to ruin film-shoots with hand grenades, but kids will be kids and once we made good on our promise of “No Game Time” for abuse of the weapon systems I think they finally understand how smoothly things could go if they just jump in, film, and jump out. Plenty of time for killing after the shoot. Just like last year, the two girls of the class had their films finished by the end of the second week, and are eligible to switch classes, if they so desire. One of them, I think, ranks as youngest Machinima director of all time, at 8. She may also have the most tasteful if not most artistic film of the first session, a The Movies film about life and finding love. Her sister had a little something more to my general movie taste with a tale about Zombie Bunnies, and the chick who beats them all up. Animals seem to be the big subject this year, we've got killer monkeys, cows, bunnies, chickens, and even rats! I also started learning a bit of Japanese from Corey, an awesome Jr. Teacher here, with any luck, maybe I won't be so lost this August when I make the big trip to Tokyo.

Dodgeball was off and on for me this week. My arm still pains me mid-way trough the session, but my catching game has improve ten-fold thanks to the forced focus. I played my first game of soccer this week, and with the help of 3 young ladies from Europe, who have promised to return to the field on Monday, my team won! On a related note, the campus is extremely crowded this year, hundreds of students from Europe and elsewhere have come in for summer exchange classes, and have just about run us off. It got so bad at lunch Thursday that I literally had nowhere to sit. Last year was nice, because the students who came from abroad were fewer in numbers, and that made it easier to meet them and make new friends. With so many, everyone just clusters with who they know, and that's no fun. Anyway, we got kicked out of the main cafeteria anyway, so we really have no choice but to stick together now.

The weekend was rather uneventful, slept till 1pm (god did I need it) and we just watched movies in the lab between food runs. (Raising Arizona, Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas, Superman, season one of Star Trek, and Enter the Dragon) I also enjoyed the Day of Defeat free weekend.

There went Week A, fast as a speeding bullet, and full of good times. As far as classes go, we had the largest turn out, with about 12 students, and only enough computers for 8. I think we really got them going into the whole thing both feet running, drawing concepts, writing scripts, storyboards, and taking 2 hours longer than needed to film a 10 second clip. (PLEASE DO NOT KILL THE CAMERAMAN!) Week B starts this afternoon, and it represents the bulk of our filming sessions, I imagine those that really want it, can have their films done this week.

Ok, so now for the major events recap: Monday, Ali, Mike and I all trotted to Manhattan for a little Broadway Under the Stars in Central Park, it was Mikes first trip to the Big Apple, and I think it was a pretty good one. Lots of Dodgeball was played during the week, and at one point on Thursday I hurt my elbow, but I think I'll be good to go this week, as long as I take it easy. Mike has attained camp legend status, the new “gross-out champion,” for eating another mans booger. Sick I say, SICK! Over the weekend we (Mike, Tommy, and I) went with Ali to her house in New Jersey, we saw Superman Returns (excellent film, by the way) and got a wee bit drunk at a cozy little small town bar 'n grill called the Red Wolf. Saturday night at camp was topped off with a fireworks show, and lots of sleep.

Look! Pictures!

I made it! Again!

Last year I was a day early, this year a day late, it all evens out as Steve says.

Lots of crazy memories came flooding back, I had a drink lastnight in hopes of making a few more.

Lot of the staff have their own Nintendo DS, the mutiplayer frag fest has already begun!

A bit of plane troubles has us hold up in the Windy City, my SummerTech logs will begin officially starting on the next update. I'll even setup a special category for it.

Sucks to be a Mavs fan tonight... arg!

Anyhow, Mike and I have been toiling away all week on this crazy new Machinima project. It's so crazy, that our minds explode on a regular basis and we have to pick up the pieces in order to get working again. I'd venture to guess that the earliest we've called it quits has been 2am, on Friday night, to be fresh for our dodgeball game last Saturday.

Well, back to work with me, we've got to finish by Thursday!