I’m so out of the rhythm of posting every day! I was sitting at the table this morning, working on my jigsaw puzzle when I suddenly realized I had to write a post. Two more weeks, then maybe a recovery day or two, and then I’ll get back on a regular schedule.
I worked two days this week but they were the toughest days so far. On Tuesday, I had to meet up with the van in Manhattan at 5:30 am, which meant I got up at 3:30 am in order to take the subway to the meet-up point. Then we drove to a beach on Long Island. It was beautiful in the morning, as you can see:
But don’t let that fool you. It was unbelievably cold and windy all day. And we were outside. No room in the interior of the cottage that was being used, so everything had to be set up outside. I had on three layers: long underwear, two pairs of socks, a thermal shirt, a sweatshirt and a down jacket, along with a hat and scarf. And I was still freezing, as was everyone else.We were out there for more than 12 hours.
Words cannot express how cold it was. All in all, it was a 14+ hour day. Came home, collapsed (after a long, hot shower) and then back at it the next morning. We filmed in Manhattan. Lots of scenes, lots of apparently complicated set-ups. We went overtime until midnight (started at 10 am), so I didn’t get home until after 1 am. The two-day combo knocked me out. I didn’t do anything yesterday but sleep in and laze around the apartment, getting back to the jigsaw puzzle which I had ignored for 3 weeks – no time. Last night, I went to bed early and slept in again. Thank goodness for this 4-day break. Everyone needed it.
It’s raining lightly at the moment. I don’t know if it’s supposed to rain all day. I hope not, as I have a couple of errands to run.
I’ve always heard this: filming is hard work and not at all glamorous. Boy is that the truth! But it is endlessly fascinating and I’m learning a great deal just by observing the process. My hat is off to everyone involved. I can’t conceive of doing this on a full-time basis. (Maybe it’s my age!)
Don and I were relieved not to have to make a big meal for Thanksgiving. He’s home. I’m here. Since our families are spread out across the country, we haven’t really had a traditional celebration in years. And we’re vegetarians.
The girls:
They’re still in these clothes, but I plan to give them something else to wear later today.
Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I had a lovely, low-key day. Don concocted a great meal, there were cupcakes with candles in them, and presents.
In truth, I am so damn tired. This experience has had such highs and lows. But I’m very grateful for this opportunity and that is what I’ll take with me. Gratitude.
More tomorrow. You’ll get three posts before I disappear for 5 days.
Stay safe.
Happy Friday.
Wow! what beautiful beach views! You certainly are earning your money on this assignment! Now I can understand why cast and crew celebrate when they finish a film! Hard work, well done! Enjoy your long weekend!
Thank you, Ellen!
Stay safe.
Claudia — good to hear from you — sorry for the hard work but at least you are learning from the experience AND getting paid, haha!!! cold and quiet here in KY, at least sun is out today. we had family dinner last weekend b/c divorce dictates alternate holidays. it was a busy weekend!! then, Wed the Mr/me celebrated our 50th anniversary alone, like in the beginning!! stayed home b/c covid, nice quiet time together — 50 years is unbelieveable to us !! rest, stay safe.
Happy Anniversary! 50 years is an amazing feat – Congratulations!
Stay safe, Linda.
Thanks for the post. It’s always good to hear from you and to hear all about your latest adventure.
Enjoy your little time off and stay safe.
Thank you, Cathy.
Stay safe.
The schedule sounds brutal, and to be outside freezing all day sounds even worse.
I’m glad you have an opportunity to rest for a few days.
Speaking of freezing…I woke up to snow on the ground this morning!
Take care
Don said there were snow flurries at home yesterday.
It’s definitely cold and windy and wintry out there.
Stay safe, Marilyn.
Good to hear from you, Claudia. Lovely beach scene. The girls look so cute all together. I want that pink hair! Enjoy your much needed time off.
It’s actually lavender hair, April, not pink. She was customized from a base doll called Simply Lilac.
(I love her hair, too!)
Stay safe.
my brother is a freelancer and works such long days, too. brutal is a good word to describe it … but, like you, he has gratitude for and enjoyment of his work (yay … important) and i am glad about that and glad & grateful for him.
glad for you to have several days off in a row to rest/relax and that you had a nice birthday with don.
especially given your limited time, thanks for taking time to post. good to hear how things are going for you.
very cold here so i want get under the covers and watch “the andy griffith show” or read or nap … but that new job is not going to find me. i have to find it! had several appointments in the past eight weekdays (dentist, eye doctor, annual physical … all routine) and shots (flu, second of two to prevent shingles, something in my throat to hopefully stop that quake in my voice). bone-building shots next monday morning … all before my insurance changes to who-knows-what next wednesday.
been able to spend time with some members of my family (big love and gratitude for them and everyone else), sort a lot of things around here (i now have five paper grocery bags of paper to shred … whew … i try not to ever procrastinate, but a lot of things had to wait … couldn’t reach the files (in a closet) due to that broken back) and do a little knitting. feels good.
need to get going so will wish you and everyone else here a happy, safe and warm day and weekend ahead.
kathy in iowa
Wishing you all the best in your job search, Kathy. The right job will come your way, I’m sure of it.
Stay safe, my friend.
I will say again that I do not know HOW you are doing all this, the rigorous schedule, other than that you have no choice and it does have an end. That said, you’ll have a wonderful and cozy Christmas at the cottage; much relaxation. I’m sorry it was so cold, but it was really nice to see the lovely Long Island photos. Thanks for posting during this crazy-busy time.
Our Thanksgiving Day here was low-key, too; frankly, I’ve learned a lot of people’s were; not everybody has the huge family get-togethers; indeed many families have loved ones spread out all over the place in this mobile society of ours, and it’s not possible for all to travel, pandemic or not.
I’m just glad for an ease to the Santa Ana winds of southern Calif. They were so fierce on the morning of Thanksgiving, especially pre-dawn, that I don’t know how/why our power wasn’t shut off (as a mitigation against wildfire; we were at 7 percent LOW humidity) although we were alerted it would happen. A roof off a neighbor’s outbuilding blew into our yard with a huge crash about 5am. I’m glad it didn’t crack our small concrete patio or damage our outdoor BBQ grill. Fortunately, we suffered no downed trees. (Clearly, we knew the wind was coming; had stayed tuned to weather reports. We’d worked hard to secure what we could in advance; had reinforced stakes on newer trees.) We’ve been at near hurricane-force winds and I am SO over it. We were zombies yesterday from lack of sleep; sleep is IMPOSSIBLE in such wind and the rattling of windows, the roar down the chimney, all the noise out there! Yes, though; gratitude; so glad for no wildfires because of course, in this drought and heat (and with global warming), they happen too much here.
My husband and I are still involved in daily whole-house cleanup, slow work (it’s an ORDEAL), since our somewhat-serious kitchen fire of a few weeks back. He tried everything to repair it, but the kitchen range/stove is done; gone; can’t. So, gee whiz, just what I wanted to do right now, is have to buy a new stove, and of course we had to lowball it on pricing because we were not expecting that expense yet (was to come AFTER kitchen remodeling, not BEFORE). But, again, as you say Claudia: Gratitude. Grateful that we can afford what we can afford. I can’t keep cooking with only a microwave oven and an air-fryer. We got a good Black Friday deal.
I’m feeling a real urge to get up Christmas/holiday lights. Ready for some red and green and sparkles!
Get some rest, Claudia; love on Don, love on your new ‘girls’, love on your cottage; wishing you and Don all the best.
I’ve never been as tired as I am now. The hours are grueling, that’s for sure. If this went on for 6 months, as some film shoots do, I’d have to quit! Thankfully, it’s finite – six weeks – and I only have two left. I’m trying to enjoy the ride while acknowledging the not-so easy realities, as well.
Thanks, Vicki.
Stay safe.
I’m so curious as to how the settings you’ve shown us will fit into the story. I can’t wait to see the film — I love Jim P. — but, I know I’ll bawl my eyes out. The girls are all very cute. I have a soft spot for Imogene.
She’s pretty darned cute, little Imogen. I can see why you feel that way!
Thanks, Karen.
Stay safe.
I’m so glad you had thermals! I tried to finish cleaning up the garden that day but the wind blew me back inside. :)
Glad you are learning a lot and I’ll bet all the younger people on set are just as exhausted as you are!
I love your family of dolls. They are so adorable; I can’t decide who is the cutest!
Stay warm- going to be in the low 40s all week.
It’s very cold here, that’s for sure. And WINDY! I have to go out in it, but I may stay in today…we’ll see.
Thanks, Betsy.
Stay safe.
Hard to believe that those idyllic scenes at the beach, were not idyllic at all. Long underwear? Oh my!
So glad to hear you have a few days off to rest and recuperate. They sound most needed. Enjoy your girls…they look well rested at least!
And, enjoy your time off….good luck with the errands. Looking forward to tomorrow’s post! ;)
The girls are getting lots of sleep, unlike their mother!
Thanks, Donnamae.
Stay safe.
That is a tough job! Crazy to work in the cold but I guess they need to take advantage of the clear skies.
I know it takes me days to fully recover when I have to be on the go for a week. I need my down time. Still as you say you are grateful and will always remember the adventure.
Get some rest.
It’s hard for an introvert like me. I am around other people ALL THE TIME and it gets to me.
Stay safe, Kay.
You are a trouper, Claudia! I couldn’t believe it seeing your newsletter today! I have been a total slug this week. Had my baked potato for Thanksgiving – HA.
Thanks for photos – always interesting to see new places. It does look cold & bleak. Your ‘voice’ in your writing sounds clear-headed & energetic. Hoping, despite the lengthy hours, you have a sense of becoming stronger.
A (very belated) Happy Birthday!!!!
Best of luck to all of us dealing with the new variant.
-mg
I’m definitely in better shape – all the walking and going up and down stairs has made me stronger. So that’s good.
Thanks, Martha.
Stay safe.
Good to see a post today!! I don’t know how you are doing it. But you do sound happy! The over-stimulation would do me in.
Glad you had a nice birthday and that the end of your project is in sight. You must be so proud!
The signs of the new variant are quite scary. With a near thousand point fall in the stock market today, maybe that will get the attention of some to GET THE DAMN SHOT. It is beyond bewildering & mind boggling to me. It is just stupid.
Hope you enjoy your restful days ahead and can breeze thru the next 10-12 days. Are there more outside shoots ahead, or do you just get a schedule day by day? Enjoy & take care.
The overstimulation is very hard on me, I just haven’t talked much about it. I’m an introvert but I am around people – a lot of them – 14 hours a day. It’s very wearing.
We have one more outside shoot this week – in the city – on Wednesday. Then we move to a film studio.
Thanks, Chris.
Stay safe.
I’m so glad you got this break. I’m sure this being on a movie set is fascinating and wonderful experience. I don’t think I could handle the hours either. Love your ‘girls’ they are so adorable.
I look forward to getting back home and back into our daily routine. So many people, so much exhaustion and activity – I need some quiet!
Stay safe, Linda.
You’re so sweet to take the time to comment when your time has been so filled with work. Thank you! It’s always great to read your posts!
Thank you for your kind words, Jenny.
Stay safe.
Wonderful experiences aren’t always easy — or, to quote Sondheim, “Art isn’t easy.” Nope. But you are learning so very much. Time for another layer — and hopes you have more indoor shoots!
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.