Two weeks in

So wow, it's been almost two weeks since I got here, and I have not had the time to write. Its been a whirlwind, much the same way as Prague was when I first arrived, but this time its because I'm working 40 hours a week. I'm finally just now finishing up editing this conference I filmed when I first arrived. It took about a week to figure out how to transfer and convert one of the camera's footage onto the Mac. You gotta love those PC-only cameras. They did just about everything to keep their PC consumers on a PC. Luckily for me, and a lot of other people (I read a bunch of forums where people wanted to crucify JVC for making a camera that was practically useless on Mac OS), there is a bunch of free software floating around the internet, waiting to come of assistance.

When I finally figured out that hurdle, which took me close to a week, I was able to upload everything and start the editing process. I told management I would be done by the end of the week, and tomorrow I will be finished. It helps having a deadline to keep you motivated.

I would talk more about the conference because it was pretty interesting, and I've been watching it nonstop for five days straight, but I signed an agreement that all information and material having to do with the company is strictly confidential. They don't want their competitors getting any whiffs. So ok, that's fine. The contract I signed was pretty funny, but strict, going into a lot of details about what I can and cannot do while I am at the company (and after, for a specified period of time). Very intriguing.

But not much else has been happening over here, besides me working my butt off. I'm basically lying low until my next paycheck. I was able to hang out with one of my EAP colleagues last weekend. EAP was the program that I went on to Budapest, the abroad program 'Education Abroad Program' to be precise. His name is Jaro, and has been teaching English and messing around in the film industry for a while now. He was the first to come back to Hungary. From everything I've seen I am the second. But it was good to see him, and he's living at this flat that Jamie recommended to him. Her friend Tamas, a Hungarian computer engineer, is her friend from back when she was walking the streets of Budapest, and she gave his information to Jaro. A couple days later, they were housemates. Imagine that! It is funny how things work out.

Anyway I went over to their place and caught up with them. It was pretty nice, talking to people I know. I still had to tell the same stories again and again (something that gets on my nerves now and again), but my origins were already known. The friendship base had already been established. It was a good night.

Honestly there is not a lot happening, not a lot to report (even though I havent put up anything over the last two weeks). I think when I start really getting into the groove here, and I get my own flat (whenever that will be), that I will be able to relax and think of what to say. This office life that I have been thrown into has definitely been something different for me. While I know what I am doing, I still have that overwhelming feeling of 'Ok dont fuck up, the first couple weeks are essential to what everyone thinks about you!'

Yeah...it will be good when those are over.

Budapest Living

I woke up at 4 AM today (no small feat, I couldn't get to sleep last night...probably that combination of anticipation, stress, and fear of the unknown going on), kissed Jamie goodbye, got on the bus, and started on my merry way. It was a pretty uneventful trip, besides the fact that we only stopped once (thankfully my bladder was not going all out against me) in Bratislava, just about my least favorite place besides Spain. But we finally did get into Budapest (pronounced Budapesht), half an hour early. I had to look around a while for an exchange. Meanwhile my big bag on wheels continued to fall apart. Some one on the escalator handed me a part of my bag which had snapped off. Thanks Mister!

At least I was back though. It was pretty surreal walking around the streets again. I went to the Move One office just off of Blaha Luiza Square, and it was housed in the only modern (read all glass and silver) building on the stretch of (main) road. I met a couple office people upstairs. There were probably 100 computers spread out across the entire giant floor, and they were all PCs. Only my computer stood out. The latest generation of iMac. Huh. I thought, Well thank god its a Mac, but jeez, everyone will know who I am. Some of the first words out of Jon's mouth were, So its not great filming weather at the moment in Europe. What do you think of Dubai?

I told him to get me on that plane right then and there.

I'm staying in the company flat, which at the moment houses three other Move One employees. They are all here for the conference I'm filming tomorrow and the next day. They seem to be all heads of offices around the world. For instance, the first of my roommates I started talking with is the station head in Afghanistan. He offered to have me film over there straight away. And the other is station head of all those other '-stan' countries. I can't even spell them, that's how ridiculous it is. My spell check doesnt even recognize them. Hmm. I wonder if that's a sign.

So that's interesting. I went out to eat at Jamie's favorite restaurant. I had goulash and Chicken Kiev. So amazing. I can hardly move right now, I'm so full. My typing skills are completely sub par too for some reason at the moment. But I said it earlier, and I'll say it again. Walking these streets. It's surreal. When I got back after my year abroad, I never really thought I would come back, at least this soon. I proved myself wrong. Thankfully.

Leaving...Two Days Later

My plans have changed, but only by a few days. Hungarian rail workers have gone on strike, over low wages and a one time payment that they feel is owed to each worker (the Hungarian rail corporation was bought out recently, and the workers think they deserve an equal portion of the buy-out, which amounts to 1,440 USD/worker). So when I tried to get my bus ticket, both the Friday and Saturday morning routes were sold out. So much for buying my ticket a few days early. Luckily, Sunday's route still had space, so I leave at 6:30 AM from Prague, and arrive in Budapest around 13:45. Just enough time to get set up for the big corporate meeting that is happening at the Move One Budapest office. It's a two day event, starting Monday, and I get to film it for all those lazy business men and women who are not able to attend.

So tonight is my going away last night in Prague party/Valentine's Day party, but then again, it is not my last night in Prague. I'm sure the party-goers will forgive the inconvenience in the name.

Some (Negative) Thoughts on Prague

As the time counts down to my inevitable departure, I find myself looking back at the times that I have had in this place. Not that I have much choice. I sit on my butt reading or trolling the internet all day for reasons amounting to staving off boredom just for a little while. This, of course, is not my choice. If I were employed in Prague I would most likely be working. But I'm not. And that's not bitterness. It's...a way of saying, 'Ok Prague, you had your chance. Time for something new.' But I do get caught up in the nostalgia. Who wouldn't in this city? I have started writing my thoughts about this very subject a number of times, and have never finished the first sentence. So this time, I'm off to a good start.

Prague is unique. In a bad way. When I'm walking around the little cobblestone streets and admiring the intricate artwork and architecture on the building facades, I run right smack into the person in front of me. Not because I didn't notice the person. No, I am pretty good about keeping my eye out for dog shit on the ground (there is a lot of it, but not as much as in Budapest, hooray!), people on the street, and the facades that I was just talking about. No, people here tend to stop in mid stride for no apparent reason. In the middle of the street. So the bumbling person behind him, let's just say for humor's sake, is me, walks into his heel and makes an awkward scene. No amount of 'sorry' or 'pardon' really does the trick. They don't actually notice you just ran into them. This is their common practice.

I have run into Czechs who stop mid stride literally hundreds of times. I'm pretty sure it's a national pastime of theirs. 'Let's fuck with the people on the street today,' says one. 'No, we do that every day!' says the other. 'Oh c'mon, you know you love it,' the first will say. 'Allright, but make sure they trip and fall down this time!' is the reply.

This is just one of the many problems I have with Czech people. They can't walk on sidewalks. You would think after the millions of American, British, Canadian, and Australian tourists who pollute this city and walk around in droves, that the Czech locals would figure out how to walk in large groups. Not so! My friend Hunter, and yes, his name is Hunter, weird right? Two grown Hunter's in the same city districts. Crazy I know. His favorite game is to walk right into a Czech person and do that weird awkward walk dance. You know, the one where you run into someone, you try to walk one way, they go the same, you try walking the opposite way, and they walk the same, etc. etc. Yes, he likes to do this on purpose, but keeps going the same way the other tries to walk, so it becomes a play on the Czechs' consistent (non)walking habits.

Prague is not unique in all bad ways. The city really is beautiful. And if it were not for all the English speaking tourists and retarded Czechs not walking around where they are supposed to, the city would be encapsulated in the nostalgia of a different era. I've read many books that speak of this very thing. A city steeped in mysticism and magic. Prague really is like that. When you get by all the bullshit that is so in your face, that is impossibly to deny, then you will see it. The city still has that magic touch. But not many will notice, and not many people even know about it. The ones who come here go out for a good time, drink great Czech beer, visit the Cabarets, and stumble back to their hostel; they don't really know what the city is. They see and feel and smell what the 21st century has made it. Which, if you look beneath that sweltering blanket of sleaze, you might see something else. Something that is scary. Haunted.

But that blanket is usually too much for most people. I feel like even the Czechs who have lived here their whole lives don't see the city for what it really is. Even me. I sometimes forget that I am living in such a place, in Prague for Christ's sake. I am too caught up in worrying about money and work and what the next meal is going to be. I lose sight of my being here, which I wanted to always appreciate.

And then I run into someone who just stopped mid stride.

What I said above, about Prague being unique in a bad way: That's not always the case. I am really glad that I came here, that Jamie and I were able to live a different life for a while. But it takes a lot out of you. It's not the cheap destination that everyone says it is. As more and more tourists embark on their quest to conquer the Czech Republic, the more inflation rises. The more the food just absolutely sucks. For all you Czechs: Your food sucks! Really! Go learn from the Hungarians something. Like cooking. That's one of the worst things about living here. What I cook in my own kitchen is better than what 95% of restaurants are dishing out to their customers. The other 5% just got lucky. Seriously.

I guess this has turned into a bash the Czech capitol bonanza for me. Maybe I needed to vent. But all these things have been weighing on my mind for a long time now. Most people I know here are not happy living here. The Czechs who I have interacted with and met, don't seem happy. If they are, they are amazing at acting unhappy and sad. I wouldnt say it was a mistake to move here. It showed me what I did not want in my life. That this was not the place for me. Sometimes, it takes you having to live through those experiences to really understand what you like and what you don't like.

I don't like Prague. Or rather, I don't like living in Prague. I think one day I will come back, when I have money, and I can enjoy the subtle things, like going out, but for now, I look forward to leaving this place for some place I know I love.

Budapest.

Carnal Schism

This little short I just re-edited because the first try had no timing, the photographs were each timed the same, and there was no music. So I thought a few things needed to be done to it. It's actually the first production project I had in school. The following is a much much more cleaned up version of that first project.