Well it’s that time again for me. It’s 24-hour Movie Marathon time and this should be the sixth installment if I am correct. Sadly for me, this time I do not get to pick a movie due to the luck of the draw, or unluck of the draw. Anyway, it should still be fun and the fact that the 6th marathon is now taking place means that I’m one step closer to the 7th one taking place where I should get to pick a movie again. I mean I already have it picked out, so I’ve been jumping out of my skin to actually watch it with the crowd.

I was thinking about the crowd that comes to these movie marathons and they are a diverse bunch, but all enjoy movies. Most of them are active participants in the rogue gang that films comedic shorts called “Shoot Shorts for Absolutely Nothing,” so it’s a mix of actors and videographers. Many of this group and many other visitors are current or graduate film majors. There are are also a couple animators, me being one of them. Another large portion of the group is that of musicians that comprise a couple bands. Then there are always the random friends or new visitors. It’s like a giant pool of creative people all gathered to watch movies.

The best part of having this talented group of creative people is watching the homemade video intros before all of their movie picks. Armed with the best video equipment, superior video editing skills, and loads of creativity, this group can make some high-quality and very funny videos. Of course everyone still specializes in their area of expertise. The musicians make funny music video spoofs, the animators use animation, and the actors act. I just know I’m always excited to see what they come up with in addition to what movies they will pick.

Side note: ABC News recently did a story on a movie called “The Room,” which has been deemed the best worst movie ever. This was voted the best movie at a previous movie marathon by us before the huge press. So yes, we know how to pick great movies to watch for fun and yes, that movie is that badly good.

Next week I’m on vacation. I’m naturally really excited and can’t wait to get on the beach, but before I do, I have to make my lists and check them 100 times.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a list maker. I have to admit that sometimes I don’t follow my lists or I let them go, but the act alone is extremely effective in keeping me focused, and also in eliminating some of my worrying. Every time I put on paper what needs to be done, I feel more at ease. You would think it would make me worry more seeing all of the items that need to be checked off, but it actually calms me down. This way, I don’t have to rely on memory alone and when I do choose to check items off, I can see that I’m actually making progress, instead of just having this phantom bunch of tasks I know need to get done floating in my head.

Lists of course help me at DDA. I found out that my web mail has a built-in list maker, which is awesome. I can add in all of the tasks that need to be handled that day and then click them to check that they are done, or cross them off if something changes. I of course still do the paper ones, but it’s nice to have a back-up system.

Today’s list will go something like this: on-location video production quote, interactive eLearning portal description, timeline, and technology statement, and putting the finishing touches on a rather giant custom programming application proposal. Oh and checking in on some of the animation, website design and development, and video quotes already sent out.

See, don’t you feel better already?

Reading too many articles about statistics and figuring out financial breakdowns on different projects can get really tiresome. So I’m switching from those analytics to a fun subject–ICE CREAM. July, I found out late yesterday is National Ice Cream Month. Since its “invention” by the Romans in the 1550’s ice cream has evolved into a very sophisticated and often craved dessert. Americans, it turns out, eat the most ice cream of any country in the world, the average American consuming 15-20 quarts a year. I’m going to have to record my sorties into ice cream land, but that sounds like a lot for me!

American ice cream producers sell more than 800 million gallons a year. Few more American statistics: we buy more ice cream on Sunday, than any other day and the first ice cream parlors opened in New York in 1776. I wonder how many places sell ice cream today. The favorite flavor? Would it be one of the new exotic blends, or maybe it is chocolate or strawberry. No, vanilla wins hands down. So try coffee or chunky coconut, or rum raisin or mango power, but be sure to come back to the tried and true, vanilla.

At DDA, we celebrate staff birthdays every month. Due to vacations and projects, we could not find the “right” day. So July 30, the last day in our work week will see us singing off key (our talented graphic designers and their programming counterparts, and those of us who support their efforts) cannot sing.  We torture the birthday song. Thankfully, no client has been present for a birthday celebration, so it is our little secret. But back to tomorrow: we will sing to Laura, our lead writer, Andrew, our photographer, business development assistant, project coordinator and writer, and Amy, our senior programmer, and wish them a wonderful year!