Day 289: New Segment

Whelp the SchutzHappens blog seems to be ever evolving... which is good... I like that... it keeps me fresh. I have to say that I am enjoying the videos quite a bit and it also seems like you guys have been enjoying them. It has become a much needed creative outlet that I look forward to each month. And actually it is time to start April’s movie. I am very excited. This month I will be working with a new editing program. Up until now, I’ve been getting used to the media... as in working on the computer. For those that know me well, you will remember that I spend the summer of 1999 in Manhattan going to film school. And to put it bluntly... they didn’t use computers there... on purpose. Instead they made us do everything by hand: 16mm film reels, a blade, splicing tape, and a huge flatbed Steinbeck editing machine. It was pretty awesome. I learned a lot... but not having a 16mm or regular access to a Steinbeck... my days of movie making went on hiatus. At least until now... ten later two things have happened: 1) I have a little expendable income and 2) the prices of computers and cameras that are, at least, capable of processing video editing have become affordable. So here I am... finally getting back to my roots. Not that I am producing anything over complicated right now... I’m just getting my confidence back and learning a lot about what I can do on the computer. Little by little right!

Anyway, so I’ve been using Windows Movie Maker... which is an okay program, but I feel like I have out grown it pretty quickly. So, I am moving on... I should probably stop typing and start installing... but before I started my diatribe, I meant to give you a teaser for a couple other things... first, over the next few months of Schutz Happens I will begin moving from blogspot to another location and I plan to enhance the site with some fun extras... so be on the lookout for “schutzhappens.com” coming late this summer! I think it is going to rock! Don’t go now... this is just a teaser!

Also... because I have a warped sense of humor and I like to include people in my warped sense of humor... and well...combined with the fact that we are many, many miles away and I thought it would be a fun way for all to stay connected, I now present to you:

“Ask the Schutz’s!” That’s right, ask us anything that is on your mind... and if we like the question... we’ll feature it on our blog and maybe even in our movies. It can be anything from questions about life in Belgrade or living overseas... to questions about Grayson... or ask Grayson a question... ask Grayson to teach you to use a hammer! Now that would be awesome. Okay I will stop. You get the idea. I not only want to keep this blog fresh... but I want to create a platform for Gray to interact with people directly... in a disconnected sort of way. Follow me?

Anyway, start sending in your questions to schutzhappens@gmail.com today!

Day 284: May Day Swinging

Day 280: Video, "Mom Drives Like a Serbian"

Day 274: Branching Out

So, here we are at the end of a much needed four day weekend, coinciding with Orthodox Easter. You would think that our decision not to travel for the weekend would have meant a nice relaxing do nothing weekend... not at all... because evidently... we are Rock Stars. We started our epic weekend at home with a small get together at our place. Grayson’s best friend/girlfriend, Heather, from preschool came over with her parents for a very nice early afternoon cook-out. They are also an expat family, but British. This was the first time since arriving in Serbia that we’ve broken away from the American contingent and enjoyed a nice afternoon lounging in the garden. Little did we know that this little get together would lead to a much larger outing the next day... for we got along famously with Iain and Su, Heather’s parents.

Serena, of course had met Su a number of times through Grayson’s preschool. And I had the privilege of meeting them a couple weeks ago at Heather’s third birthday party. They had intended on a small family only celebration, but Heather insisted that Grayson be in attendance... so a much bigger party came to be. Serena was out of town for the party, so we were still unable to get the whole crew together. So, Friday afternoon was the first time.

On Saturday morning, we received a text message from Su, inviting us over for a dinner time bar-bq at their place. Apparently, Iain had been inspired. So, we spent the day toiling around in the yard and finally headed to their place in the early evening... and had a blast. They had taken the time to invite about three other couples from the British expat community. Although, we hadn’t expressed the facts the previous day, they must have noticed our need for socializing “outside our circle”. Although I love my American counterparts here, I do work and live and socialize with the same people every day. It was nice to break away. And I have to say... the Brits no how to throw a bar-bq... we were there for almost six hours.
On Sunday, we jumped back into the garden once again and prepared for our third bar-bq of the weekend. Serena had met another American couple (non-Embassy community) who has a son about a year younger than Gray... so it was time to foster that relationship... and yet again... we all got along famously. I see many double dates without the kids in our future.

Wow, it is amazing that we have been here for over five months already. Anyway, everyday is still an adventure... and it never slows down... except for the three hour nap I took this afternoon... now that was glorious. I will probably be up until 2 in the morning... but the nap was glorious while it lasted... and I am feeling much more human right now.

BTW: Grayson and I have discovered “The Penguins if Madagascar” TV show... it rocks!

Day 259: A Love Song for Orange Juice

So... quite often I am asked... is there anything that I miss from the States? “Not really” is my normal reply. Frankly, between the local market and the commissary, I can get anything that I want... minus particular American brands (like Yuengling) and the fact that most produce is available seasonally. Anyway, my point is that I'm not really missing anything... well... wasn't... and then it all hit me like a pillowcase full of bricks. Orange Juice. I love orange juice... but I am an orange juice SNOB!
In the States I would only purchase Minute Maid or Tropicana... there was just something odd about store brand orange juice that I still to this day can't put my figure on... except for the fact that Kroger (for example) orange juice tastes AWFUL. Why does it taste awful? I have no clue. To me... it has this weird unfresh taste and smell... I have always claimed it is the result of preservatives... but Krogers, much like other super market chains claim that she don't use preservatives in their orange juice. Well... let me tell you this... they use something. And in Serbia... they use the same thing... times 100%!!! It is gross. Just smelling the juice makes me want to... (I will spare you the details)... I just can't handle it. I wish someone could point out what I am smelling and tasting... because for years people, like my wife, think that I am crazy. But I swear... there is something unnatural in the orange juice... something that Minute Maid and Tropicana (although from concentration) do not use.

Anyway, I haven't had any orange juice in four months... until today! And it was glorious! I finally broke down and bought oranges... and squeezed my own... for the first time... a task that seemed much more daunting before actually doing it.

So... my friends... next time you have a glass of truly great prepackaged orange juice think of me... and how envious I am.

Day 242: "We're not going to Australia" - Salute to February

Day 241: Ask and You Shall Receive

Whelp... our video is too large to post on blogspot...

BUT, it is on my facebook page!

BTW: Today Grayson told me that his mama drives like a Serbian. I am not joking... he really said it. I’m not sure what that means... but it made me giggle.