Day Fifteen, Sam's Entry

More editing. We're almost there, having picked out the music we're gonna start with and we've decided how to censor the movie to make it PG-13. Instead of beeping out the profanity, I recorded random words which we'll play over them. Good times. 

Day Fourteen, Sam's Entry

Editing continues. We've managed to get it to under thirty minutes, which will be the version we display on Wednesday. At some point, if possible, we'll make a shorter version which we will put on Youtube. Other than that, not much happened. The process of editing is turning out not to be as intense and thought-provoking about the project as I thought it would be. I suspect that's because we've already thought about all of this stuff at length. Because we are so genius.

In other news, Austin Bening has officially forfeited his stake in Blog Race '09, because he is dumb. Sam wins the trophy. Hooray.

Day Thirteen, Sam's Entry

We just finished filming our conclusion bit for the video today. We realize we're going to have to write reaction papers as part of the project itself, but we felt like this was necessary as otherwise the film would just end all of a sudden. We came to some interesting conclusions.

The stuff I talked about mostly had to do with how the internet is wearing away at people's personal relationships and their ability to interact with other people face-to-face in a meaningful way. So much of getting to know another person is the way you react to their quirks and physical traits, not to mention the way they talk. This stuff can all get lost in blogs or other text online.

This stuff applies to our generation in particular. We're the ones who are really embracing these new methods of communicating, and it presents an interesting paradox. With just a cell phone, people can be constantly connected to other people, but they aren't really connecting. They're good ways to keep in touch, sure, but it's hard to base meaningful relationships on text messages and facebook wall posts.

Austin talked more about the idea that people are very much afraid of rejection. We don't say hi to people who look interesting on the street or hot girls at parties because we're afraid of what they might say. And that means we're shutting ourselves out of so many different opportunities for such a stupid reason.

In addition, we both came to the conclusion that loneliness is a choice. The only thing keeping you from talking to other people is you. Which is to say, get over that fear of rejection and take a chance. The worst that could happen is you experience an awkward moment, and if that happens, it'll be good practice, because life is just full of them.

I don't want to say too much more because we cover all this in the video, which we will be posting to youtube, in addition to a longer version that we'll display at the project showcase. Stay tuned.

Day Twelve, Sam's Entry

Not much to say about today (or for the rest of this week) as we're going to be editing for most of the time. This process does lend itself to plenty of introspection, though, as we're basically going to be watching and re-watching what we've done, and then watching it again.

For example, during our conversation with Bob at the Sunrise retirement home, while we were talking about the courts and the system of checks and balances, one of the attendants, a guy in an orange shirt, said as he was passing by, "It's to keep the USR out of our USA." All any of us could do was laugh nervously. Later, and completely out of nowhere, he talked about how he just hopes they give police and firefighters all the money they need. It was such a sharp contrast between Bob, who as an older person is expected to be sort of out of it but seemed very much his own man, and the attendant, who was maybe in his forties and didn't seem all that bright, really.

We're going to go out for one more day, I think, and the rest of the time will be devoted to editing and composing our final reactions about the project. There's also this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VcV6Jvhso4

For the record, it wasn't my idea.

Day eleven, Sam's Entry

We set up at Sunrise Assisted Living, an old folks home in Gahanna, today. We went into this day with pretty high expectations, and Austin's mom, who runs the school's service board, had close ties with this organization, which meant we would be in a very receptive atmosphere. In fact, the woman who we contacted to get permission, Yolanda, made sure to inform people that we were there and told them what we were doing. We only had an hour there, as they wanted us out because of a music guy who was going to perform, but we still managed to have some very interesting conversations.

The first people to approach us were Bob and Betty, although Bob did most of the talking. He said he'd just come out of a Bible study, and his first question was how we felt about the phrase "under God" in the pledge of allegiance. At first we were kind of wary about how we answered, as we figured we might have another super-intense religious person on our hands. But the next time he talked, it was about the courts overstepping their bounds, and as an example he cited the 2000 election. We could both tell that Bob was very much a free thinker. Both he and Betty realized that we needed the courts and why, but they both also didn't want them to intrude too much into the legislative arena.

So they were pretty cool. We also talked to Ray, and I say talked because we did most of the talking. Ray couldn't seem to think of any questions, but he seemed content to just have someone to listen to. He apparently had been at a nursing home previously, and cherished his newfound freedom, as at the home he had been dressed, was showered personally, his meals were all served in his room, etc. We then met Rosemary, a woman who was unable to walk after surgery confined her to a hospital bed for 4 months who wanted nothing more than to go home. We also spoke to Leo, who used to work in a Mormon church and told us a bit about that.

Unfortunately, that was about when we had to leave. That truly was a shame, because we met some of the most interesting people of our project there in my opinion. I really hope we can go back before next week ends.

Day Six: Austin

Hey look, my name's Sam Korda and I write up-to-date blogs. Butthole

When we first began this project, Easton was the first place we really thought of. Easton hosts an eclectic group of people in a shopping environment where they have oodles of free time to just wander and hopefully ask us questions. But, being the Easton nazis we all know, when we asked if we could set up our stand, we were met with some interest, and then a resounding no. However, we did find a way around said road block by writing "I will answer any question honestly" on the front of white t-shirts.

As we made our way though Easton, we were asked very few questions, which leads me to believe people aren't terribly attentive or interested in what others are wearing. Eastoners asked us such insightful question as: Do you like llamas? Why do cats sound like they're dying when they mate? and What movie should we go see today? While we stewed over these brain busters, we did have one of my favorite questions so far: What is your most cherished memory. It seems quite simple and mundane, but that was the first time someone has asked us a question like that. Usually people ask about the most embarrassing moments, and sadly I was able to respond a lot quicker to the embarrassing than the most cherished.

 Tired from walking, we decided to pop inside Brookstone to sample their message chairs While sitting and being pampered, we had a great conversation with a Brookstone Employee named Patrick. We talked about public vs. private schools, the feel of the north vs the south (since he was from texas), and how we thought Obama was doing in office.

Days nine and ten, Sam's entry

We spent the past two days editing rather than setting up shop anywhere. Good thing, too, because we started out with about 220 minutes of footage, and it took us practically all of Wednesday just to get the video onto the computer.

Good news is, the editing was pretty smooth. Austin and I were in agreement over most of what to include and what to cut,although we still need to add titles and in some cases subtitles. These past two days have allowed us to step back and gain some perspective on the project and how we're dealing with doing it. The senior project in general is an odd period of time, just because I have so much free time I don't really know what to do with it. Austin and I decided that because of this, this week is alternately the best and the worst week ever. 

During the editing process yesterday, I was very into it. I was pacing back and forth, getting pretty animated, and the librarians had to tell us a couple of times to keep it down. Then when we were done, I was suddenly exhausted. Which was odd, given that I hadn't been the least bit tired at any point of the day until then. That's pretty much the best indication available that apparently I love our project. Not that I didn't know that already.