Up a hill and back down and then back up!!

The last couple of days have been hard but amazing!! I mean a lot of fun too but a lot of climbing!!! A LOT ...

I was getting a little tired today and my negativity almost got the best of me but I didn't let it win ... I just started chanting and was able to talk myself down (no pun intended) ... it was some work but I was able to turn my attitude around.

We were about 9000 ft up ... the highest I've ever been. I also got to ride on Ski-doo and a snowcat.

I really will come back changed and looking @ things a little differently.

We also decided to shave!! Whoo hoo ....

I can't repeat enough how nice everyone is.

So tomorrow ends my first week of shooting. Amazing .. that's all I have to say.

Climbing for Dummies

That would be uhhh ... mee??? Pics to follow ... So I got down to the basics ... I still am not sure how to tie a knot but I have a pretty good idea about this climing thing. It was so beautiful today ... in the middle of heavy huffing and puffing ... I had to laugh cuz I was like, THIS IS MY JOB ... how amazing ... life is truly good ... I know keep saying that but it's true.

I napped hardcore after the climb tho and then ate a nice dinner.

Made the mini movie and now off to learn lines and then bed!

Tomorrow is the first day of shooting and we're doing the scenes where we're struggling with trying to Summit and have to come back down.

Good times.

Beaches and Glaciers

I'm about to pass out from finally moving and driving for about being in car for about 11 hours to get to Long Beach, WA ... It's beatiful ... the longest beach Peninsula in the US ...

I'm staying @ the Whale's Tale ...

As you can see it has wireless internet access ... whoo hoo!!!

Only 3 years ago, you'd be hard press to find anything like this ...

Crazy ...

Anyway ... I decided to go here to find some peace and quiet while I prepare for the beginning of the shoot next week!

The Motel is ummmmm ... rustic ... I'm going to have to see if there's a non-smoking room that I can be put in cuz man ... I don't think I can manage the smell.

I went by the beach and saw the Sunset, then got some supplies and gorged on Mexican Food.

Started to put together the script but couldn't watch some of the research DVD's cuz my brain is fried.

I'm having a blast tho'.

Tomorrow ... it's reading the script again and then breaking down my scenes.

As well, I officialy have a beard and some hair on my scalp ...

I don't even recognize myself ...

Watch out!!!

Movin' out and movin' on ...

I'm about 90% done packing my stuff for the move this weekend ... I really got into throwing more stuff away. I just don't need it.

I'm going to the Oregon Coast this weekend, Astoria to be exact where they filmed Goonies. I've been everywhere along the coast except for there. I'm taking a quiet couple of days off to memorize and prepare for the role.

I got the cast list with most people and I don't know anyone except for Eric Johnson on the show which is good cuz I'll be able to make some more new friends.

I'm still trying to solidify the accent. It's getting there.

I was basically editing and coaching all week so I'm looking forward to the time away by myself ... some peace and quiet.

Although I have to leave Oregon at like 5 am so I can catch my 2 pm flight to Calgary. I can do it ... I remember driving back from Burning Man to go to Japan.

Xavier is handling this move thing OK I guess. So I have to put my script together with all the revisions.

Just a couple more loose ends and then I'm outta here.

Namaste, Thik Chha, Dhanya Baad

Had a great Nepali lesson and now into full force of my research with the part.

Amazing stuff. The character I play is really fascinating. I read yesterday that he climbed the summit 5 times!! He also died so young @ 33. He would be 51 today if he were still alive.

To see Sundgare's BIO, go to this LINK:

http://www.everesthistory.com/sherpas/sungdare.htm

I've wrapped up two classes already and it was hard not getting emotional as I told the guys I would miss them. I know it's only two months but it's having seen some of the actors learn, grow and evolve ... it's tough ... but we'll all be OK from it ... I can't wait for the party that one of my gang is throwing.

I'm starting to realize that this is a big deal but just going to be a great adventure. I'm just have to get done and moved before I go that's all.

I'm having a packing party this week. It's all worked out nicely ... I don't have to pay rent for a couple of months and my stuff is stored in a safe place.

Rhythm towards the mountain.

Nam myoho renge kyo!

I'm turning Nepalese ...

Mystically, I got invited to the first annual Nepali film festival. It was like they knew we were filming this project.

The political situation in Nepal is tense since the king formed his own government last year. Riots and disappearances occur almost regularly.

So I saw a doc about that. Then this really charming but sad feature film about a woman who's husband dies and she ends marrying this second guy who causes ruin for the family. In the end they just keep on going with their lives although they lose their home and livelihood. I got to understand a fair bit about their culture from this film alone.

I've also caught a little flu bug or something and I CAN'T GET SICK. I've had to draw the line and turn down numerous coaching gigs, cuz I have to take care of my health! It's killing me cuz I love teaching so much but I have to really concentrate on me. I don't know what it's really like to be working on something for so long. I'm used to a week here and there but that's it.

I realized that I've been keeping myself busy and enjoying taking care of so many people but I can't even remember when I've really had the opportunity to just take care of myself ... a little bit here and there but I'm going to have to really concentrate and focus for at least two months on a role, henceforth on ME.

I got the pink revisions and the script is getting clearer, deeper. My character is definitely a bit more defined. I heard from the production co-ordinator that there are actually going to be a couple of Sherpas on the shoot.

I'm still not sure when I leave which will decide on whether I move out in April or mid-may. I'm just enjoying knowing what I know and surrendering to what I don't.

This is starting to become real ...

I'm starting to tell my students that I'm going to be away for at least a couple of months ... telling my fellow Buddhists that I'm not going to see them for a while. trying to get used to the idea that I'm not going to be in Vancouver but in the Rockies. I also have to try and figure out moving my stuff from my apartment because my friend has decided to sell the apartment. Not sure how I going to make all of this work but I have faith. Man, it's been so long that I've stayed in one place ... being settled but maybe it's time I had a little adventure! And to be travelling while acting ... HELLO??

The more I research the more I realize what a historic event this whole Everest Expedition is ... so wild being part of recreating history ... CANADA RULES!

I'm not allowed to cut my hair or shave soon ... this is going to be interesting ... because I always shave my head (not because i'm Buddhist but to smooth out that good 'ol receding hair line, it's going to look interesting!) Oh, for my art ... I've NEVER had a beard in my life ... that's going to be fun too!!

This part is going to make me a MAN!!

My shoot dates - FINALLY!


So it begins ...

I FINALLY got my dates ... now I can finally plan the rest of my life. Well, for the next couple of months or so, it's mountains and snow!

It turns out that the production decided to not shoot in Switzerland. Which sucks but makes sense. I mean, if you can't shoot Everest in Nepal then why bother. I guess I'll just have to go to Switzerland on vacation.

I picked up the scripts today with some of the research notes.

I was supposed to start my lessons on Monday but I got the times screwed up and my Nepalese instructor lost my address. So we rescheduled on Saturday.

I have to admit, I was starting to have panicked moments. This is all new to me. It really is. Then I started worrying about my students and if they were going to be OK while I was gone. I also found out that I have to move from my apartment. That is kinda stressful. Really truly. But it's part of the adventure.

Still not sure who's going to be in it.

I was watching the Everest documentary that was made in '96. The storyline was weak but it made for great research. I really have to come from a spiritual, strong and still place for this character. That's my role in this whole thing. I think I'm going to be chanting LOTS on this shoot for myself, the rest of the cast and crew. I'm going to be OK.