Life's a Stitch

And more recently life’s a creative adventure with some travel thrown in.

When all the world is a hopeless jumble,
and the raindrops tumble all around,
heaven opens a magic lane…

(Over the rainbow, Arlen-Harburg, 1939)

Our house this year, with the 17 year old, has been a struggle. Academics have not been his strong suit and his highlight in the school play was over shadowed by an act of poor judgment. Each day begins with a battle to get him out of bed and often times ends with a pointless discussion prompted by a letter, sent in the mail by a teacher, paradoxically called a progress note. So we grab our successes when we can.

If you have five minutes watch this. Please forgive my bragging, I do try to avoid such behaviour outside of knitting of course. Here’s the boy, in his team’s prize winning 72 hour film festival entry, Capeless. Their requirements were that they use film noir as their genre, use a paintbrush as a prop, and begin or end the film with the line "I’m going to need to borrow your car." Bryant wrote the screenplay, wrote and performed the score and was the primary actor. He won the prize for best composer of an original score and his teammate won for best cinematographer. It proves to us how successful he can be when something catches his interest. We just have to get this guy through traditional high school and on to other things.

PS: If you can’t get the video to run, go to Youtube and search for Capeless. It’s about the second one down.

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20 responses to “Celebrating successes”

  1. Dave Avatar

    Wow, what a powerful video. I hope your son decides to stick it out and continue to bring his message to the world.

    Like

  2. Kristen Avatar

    Congratulations to your son and his friend- very impressive! We had a similar time with our son- made it through school with as little effort as he could possibly expend and still graduate, except for his vocational classes. Now that he is training in a field he wants (aviation mechanics) he is putting his all into it and getting the grades I wish he had in high school.

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  3. Jane Avatar

    It won’t play . I am bummed! How do I find it on You Tube?

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  4. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Please give your son my congratulations on a terrific job. Very powerful and so well done.
    And yes, treasure the successes-I have a feeling there will be more in the future.

    Like

  5. Ellen Avatar
    Ellen

    Congratulations to our B-ry. I’ve watched the movie so many times, I’ve almost learned the dialogue/monologue.
    Keep up the good work on your film-making (and Auntie’s new rule… get your rear in gear for school too). ‘Love you.

    Like

  6. Rosie Avatar
    Rosie

    Wow, it was awesome. Bryant is soooo talented. Personally I think he should have been in a school like The High School of Performing Arts if they have one out there. We bought a MacPro today so I am excited to get it up and running. I hated School too and now I am a teacher. Go Figure. He probably has boring teachers. I had trouble getting Pat up but not Jamie. Julia got a credit for her bracelets because she didn’t accept them. Call me.

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  7. Lynn Avatar

    VERY impressive. The boy has a future in the film industry, that’s for sure!

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  8. Maureen Avatar

    Congratulation to Bryant! Fantastic work

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  9. Susanne Avatar
    Susanne

    wow that is some film noir! Truly incredible! Congrats to him and his artistic friends.

    Like

  10. Angie Avatar

    You must be very proud that your son has a rare talent and the persistence to create a complete film, good friends to do it with and an encouraging environment.
    Anyone can regurgitate facts for a teacher and get good grades with no personality.
    Good luck with helping him find balance in his life so he can have as many choices in the future as possible.

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  11. Angie Avatar

    Purling Oaks has more film focus at her site, purlingoaks.typepad.com. Quite the coincidence.

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  12. eyeleen Avatar

    Well done! Congratulations to Bryant.

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  13. Marianne Avatar

    Living with an 17 year old can be very tough, but when they do thing like this high hopes arise for the future.

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  14. La Avatar

    Wow! That was VERY moving and thought-provoking. Well done!

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  15. sherry Avatar

    Li,
    that is an awesome film, score, the cinematography (my fave pics to take are using B/W film.
    He will make it, and find his way.

    Like

  16. Heather Avatar
    Heather

    How very proud you must be!! It’s a wonderful short film. Kudos to your son & friends!

    Like

  17. Kate/Massachusetts Avatar
    Kate/Massachusetts

    Hi Li! Sandy sent me :-)! Could I please have a copy of your Herringbone Scarf? It is lovely and would make a great holiday gift! Thanks so much for sharing!

    Like

  18. Kate Avatar

    Hi. Sandy sent me… can I have a copy of your herringbone scarf pattern? it looks like a great knit for my latest rhinebeck purchase!
    thanks,

    Like

  19. Ruth Avatar

    Sandy sent me, too … I’d love a copy of your herringbone scarf pattern, if that’s o.k.
    I love your son’s video. He has a lot going for him, that boy.

    Like

  20. Lynne Avatar

    I always felt that some of Ben’s problems were that he was just so stinking smart that he was always somewhere other than the traditional public school education. He has that very creative, non-scientific brain, and I swear is a genious. I’m so proud of him, that he has found his place, and feels a freedom that he never has before. And, we see success in the most amazing ways. I’m happy for you all Li. Teenaged boys are challenging creatures, aren’t they?

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