Exile

So is it possible that John Kerry's comments were offensive because there is truth in them? I think what he said is stupid, and he's stupid for saying it regardless of the original intent, but the Army HAS lowered its standards, and is meeting goals with increasingly predatory behavior aimed at low-income groups. Anyone serving our country is a hero, bar none, but the issue of who is joining and why is important. I don't want it to be "I can't afford college so I guess I'll join the military." Ideally it'd be a choice on the part of patriotic young people made with other options available. Maybe it's naive to think that way, but people are pissed at John Kerry and there is an element of sad truth in what he said. Just what lengths is the military going to to meet their quotas?

Anyways. The title of this post refers to my trip this weekend into the Netherworld, aka the Laurel Mountains. I decided that I need an exodus, a trip into the wilderness, in order to really make progress on HFTH. I had a great time in Philadelphia the weekend before last - highlights included Whole Foods vegan cookie, watching Dave escape from a locked bag while handcuffed and feet-cuffed, sleeping next to Steph and calling each other hilariously awful things. But I also, with help, got an entire (and complicated) scene roughly cut together. With the exception of Dregr's scenes, the only thing that remains to be digitized and edited is the other major fight scene. Maybe I'll be able to find some vistas in the Laurel Mountains that can substitute for shots that will eventually be in the film...

The whole thought is terribly exciting, because here's where I'll be staying. This description was written by my, um, step-sister I guess, of the trailer where I'll be staying the weekend:

"The Trailer"

First let me apologize in advance if the trailer is lacking in anything. I haven't been up since Labor Day so don't know what condition you'll find it in. Hope this info helps.

The key is for the front door of the trailer. The door is hard to shut sometimes so you may have to slam it. You don't need the key to relock it, just turn the dial on the knob inside.

When you walk into the trailer you will be facing a small (very small) "island" between the living room and kitchen. Along the upper left side (by the table) there are a number of keys hanging. There should be a key ring marked "outhouse and shed" or "outhouse and grill". This key will open the outhouse and the shed which is in the same out building. The door for the shed was broke so it may not even be locked. The shed contains chairs, hotdog forks, propane lanterns, etc. (At least it should but since the door is broke who knows what may be gone by now!)

There is a television in the living room that gets one station. There is also a VCR that works and a bag of tapes somewhere in the trailer.

There are bedrooms to the left and right. There should be electric space heaters in each one. You can move them around as needed. There is also a furnace for the whole trailer if you need it. What you have to do is open the door to the closet in the hallway. The heater is inside. Leave the door open the whole time the heater is on to avoid fire. Then continue down the hallway to the bedroom that is near the road. The breaker box is on the wall on the left. You have to flip one of the switches to turn on the furnace. I believe it is the one marker "dryer" but usually I just start flipping switches until it comes on!! To turn off the heater just flip the switch back.

Occasionally a fuse may blow so you might need the breaker box for this too. Just flip the switches. It happens sometimes if there's a lot of stuff plugged in along the one wall.

Be sure to bring a flashlight because I don't know if there are any working ones up there. There is a strand of light bulbs across the driveway that can be plugged in on the outside of the trailer. There should be an extension cord already out there. There is also a light in the outhouse. If any of these don't work, start flipping switches in the breaker box!!

There are totes full of sheets, pillows, and blankets in the bedroom with the breaker box. There are towels on top of the fridge in the bathroom. There are paper products in the totes in the bathroom.

The fridge in the kitchen should be empty. We had a power outage and had to throw away all the food inside it. There is a tote with snacks in the kitchen. The fridge in the back should have pop and water bottles. Help yourself to whatever you can find. The water in the jugs in the bathroom can be used for clean-up etc. but it is not drinking water!! You should probably pack whatever food and drinks you think you might need because I really don't think there's much of anything there. But like I said, help yourself to anything you can find. There is no running water at all, sorry! The toiler in the bathroom does not work, that's what the outhouse is for! You can dump water down the drain in the bathroom but I can't remember if we fixed the sink in the kitchen or not so that drain may be broke.

The restaurant at the bottom of the hill, the "Laurel Mountain Inn" has good, cheap food and drinks. Also, if you go down to the bottom of the hill and make a left you should eventually come to a little gas station/convenience store on your left. They have good coffee and some supplies if you need anything. If you continue down that road you'll eventually come to a Giant Eagle on your left if you need major supplies. There's also a Burger King, Italian Oven, Dollar General, and a beer distributor around Giant Eagle. If you happen to get lost trying to get back just ask anyone where the Laurel Mountain Inn or Kooser State Park is.

If you want to start a fire in the fire pit there may still be wood stacked under a tarp up there. If not, you'll have to search around for some. There's plenty of wood all around!! There should be newspaper in the closet behind the front door to help start the fire. Bring your own lighter or matches because I can't say if there's anything up there or not.

When you leave, just make sure the front door and the outhouse are locked (and the shed too if there's even a door!). Make sure all lights are off. Also make sure the furnace and all space heaters are turned off. If you have any garbage you'll have to take it with you. There is no pick-up for the trailer and we can't leave it up there.

I hope you enjoy your stay!!

p.s. Some of the neighbors are crazy but harmless. The ones that live up there year round keep an eye on the place for us. So, if someone comes by and asks who you are just tell them that Joe Butler is your uncle. They all know his name up there and then they'll know you're ok to be there. Oh yeah, and if Charlie offers you some homemade moonshine just say no!!! Trust me on that one!!

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Isn't that awesome?!?! I'll be Michael Douglas from "Romancing the Stone," drinking out of found bottles of rum and running from Danny DeVito. I can't wait. What will I do without the internet? This will be the first time I really just head out... I've been fantasizing about picking up and "leaving" for a year now, just heading off somewhere, away, far away, and this is close to what I was looking for. Part of me wishes I had a gun just in case. I'll take my sword and sleep next to it in case any bears want to go medieval on me. My favorite part is the crazy neighbors who make moonshine.

Wish me luck. I'm taking a camera to document the experience, so hopefully I'll have something to report back. At the very least, I'll come back with a movie that is much closer to being done :)

martin