Face Time
Today’s technology is truly miraculous. It gives us the tools to communicate and work together over vast distances and get much more work done that we otherwise could…because of this, I’m a huge fan. Still, there are some things technology can’t replace, like passing time in one another’s presence.
Yesterday, I had the great pleasure to spend the day with @dougkarr. We’ve been working on the HardFork film series together now for nearly two months. Doug is based in New York City and I live in St. Paul, Minnesota so this is the first time we’ve met face-to-face.
After so many years in the business you begin to develop an instinct for people. I had no trepidations about Doug at any point in these last few months. Spending eight or so continuous hours with him only confirmed what my instinct told me was true.
The day began with a great breakfast at the Longfellow Grill in Minneapolis. We sat on the patio under a bright blue sky, ate some great vegetarian hash with an egg on top, drank way too much coffee, and shared more about our individual backstories. We quickly learned we had a lot of similar interests. Both of us were drawn to creative careers at a young age and have been in the business for a very long time. We also both meditate (and have for a long time) and like to travel. After the caffeine revved up our brain cells we trailed off in a discussion about details of our film’s plot and the exciting potential that augmented reality (AR) will lend to our series. Anyone eavesdropping on our conversation probably suspected we were either: 1. Up all night doing copious amounts of hallucinogenics; or 2. time travelers from the distant future. We’ll be sharing much more about our augmented reality ideas soon, they’re going to give us some exciting possibilities in our film’s plot.
After we filled our stomachs we decided to take a drive to Minnehaha Falls and burn off those calories hiking.
Doug brought some of his filming gear with him, including the impressive Osmo high-resolution camera, so he also was able to shoot some footage for a marketing piece we’re working on.
There were also a few cool moments of serendipity yesterday. Doug and I had just discussed contacting Noam Chomsky about our project, during our walk from the car to the waterfall. A woman approached me (obviously because of my Chomsky is my Homeboy t-shirt) and told us that she wrote Noam a few years ago and asked him to attend a meeting she was holding in Wisconsin, to her surprise he accepted and showed up. Without us telling her about our previous conversation she said, “If you write him, he’ll probably answer.” We took this as a message from the universe that we need to contact Noam asap.
We hopped back into the car to find another wooded path that I know about. This trail takes you to the top of a waterfall hidden within the woods and at the end of the trail you’re rewarded with a picturesque view from a perfectly flat rock perched high above the treetops.
During this hike, we found this strange insect that looked like it would be more at home in the Paleolithic era.
After all of this hiking we burned off the calories from our breakfast, hours before, and we were extremely thirsty. We could think of no better solution to this dilemma than a cold beer and a delicious lunch at the Surly Brewing Company in Northeast Minneapolis.
We found a shady spot on their expansive patio and talked about life, cryptocurrency, filmmaking, and world domination (just kidding about that last one…maybe.) As you can see, the food did cost (slightly) more than our beers…this means we were responsible, right? : )
Nothing in the world beats face time and I’m not referring to the Apple video chat app. We accomplished more in three hours than we could’ve in three weeks working remotely. The day was effortless, productive, and fun. We both agreed that we can’t wait to get together with the other core members of the HardFork film series team in Lisbon for SteemFest2 in November…it will be epic.
Doug stepped into my car at 8am yesterday morning a fellow Steemian, friend, and creative cohort but we departed brothers and if my intuition is correct, very likely lifetime friends. If only I had a crystal ball to see what all we will accomplish in the coming years but then that might spoil the surprise and that's half the fun.
Please follow our film’s progress on the HardFork film series account by clicking here.
*I am an American novelist, poet, traveler, and crypto-enthusiast. If you’ve enjoyed my work please sign up for my author newsletter at my website. Newsletter subscribers will receive exclusive updates and special offers and your information will never be sold or shared.
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It was such an amazing day and I felt so inspired I spent the entire day writing today. What an amazing feeling to be getting to know an incredible kindred spirit. Thanks for everything so far Eric, so unbelievably excited to see what our future holds as collaborators, friends and brothers.
It truly was an amazing day, Doug! My creativity has been on overdrive too, I have a feeling we could bust out a season in a week if we lived closer. Thank you for sharing your craft, your talent, and your friendship! This is going to be a fun and rewarding journey. When we're old we'll sit around and tell people about what it was like to make this happen, the new process, SteemFest2, all of it. Of course, I'll be old way before you. Lol. It's so cool to blaze this trail through uncharted territories with you, @andrarchy and @the-alien!
Absolutely agree!! Every day I am walking around this awesome world, and I am in awe of it. The technology that allows me to work and live in any part of the world as I wish or desire. That's the power of the world and our choices. We have the capacity to create the world we want, using the technology that's present. We just have to put in the effort. :)
That is so true! The world is totally amazing once your eyes are open and you're living in the moment. Technology gives us great flexibility. As a person who worked in a corporate office environment for two decades it was a bit of a transition to this new, more flexible, world but I love it.
I agree. I love living in this world right now. I am so grateful to be alive. :)
People inspire,they motivate, they comfort,they even charge you with a good energy and motivation.We are getting busier and busier with the work, and more far from each other in the developing technological era.It's important to stay connected not only via phone but also through meetings and hanging outs.Just yesterday I watched "Surrogates" movie which made me wonder if we are going towards this "direction".I hope not))))Thank you for sharing
Yes, technology is advancing more quickly than we can adapt to it. I hope, in time, humanity learns it's important to strike a balance. I feel that mobile phone use is way out of balance. I can't imagine what a disruption virtual reality will be. I predict there will be many people who won't even leave their houses. Time will tell. Thank you for reading!
Yeah,the movies about crazy technology future don't seem that crazy anymore, it's quite scary)))Thank you for sharing🙂
Hope things go well with your project looks like you're having fun.
Thanks! We're having a blast.
Eric I think you always have had good instincts when it comes to people. I think Doug was meant to be part of your life for a good reason. It is rare when you meet someone and then instantly know that it was meant to be. Maybe in a previous lifetime your paths crossed and created this bond that you have. Life is a series of miracles because every so often something so special is thrown your way. The beauty of what you are experiencing is the culmination of all those past days of self doubt, challenges, obstacles, detours, & steps backwards but despite it all you kept going forward. You deserve every happy moment in the now. Take care! :D
There's is such poetic wisdom in your comment! I believe things happen in life for a reason. We must be present to see the reason. It gets easier with practice though. Thank you very much, as always! Are you going to be at SteemFest in Lisbon? I would really like to sit down and talk face-to-face.
Things do happen for a reason and that is why so much good is entering your life. Your vibration level is so high that you draw in so much positive energy. You are so grounded & it is amazing how real and wonderful you are. I am very glad to call you a friend.
I can't go to Lisbon but thank-you asking. In the past 2-3 months my daughter had gotten ill but with all the support she is doing so much better and getting back up to par. Then about 3 weeks ago our loving dog was diagnosed with lymphoma. We have taken her to an oncologist specialist and Lady, our dog is presently on an oral chemo drug that seems to not affect her in any negative ways. But we have to keep a close watch on her. So I need to be close to home at this time.
I have been blessed with inner strength and positive energy so even though this year has been challenging, I am able to find peace, happiness and hope. We are all doing fine and we always find happiness in all things that come our way. I guess being so old, I find wisdom in all things and I am thankful for each day and each learned moment. Wishing you nothing but the best!!! :D
This is amazing guys! I'm glad you had such a great time :)
Can't wait to see you guys in person!
Thanks my friend! It's going to be a lot of fun for the four of us to spend some face time in Lisbon!
Cool! Can't wait to see what you guys have in store for us . . I do love the fact that we can now talk to people on the other side of the world face 2 face for free!
Real life is better, however I can't physically get to see all my relatives in America, Germany and Nigeria, so Whatsapp video calls just rock my world!
Cgee
My family lives far away from me too so I'm very thankful to have technology as an option to communicate! Thanks for your comment @cryptogee!
It truy in amazing how much we have accomplished technologically. It is weird to think that just a couple of decades ago nothing on this scale would exist and we will say the same when a couple more decades pass and we develop more amazing things.
It is always great to meet someone with the same interests. The even better thing is that you met because of steemit and I absolutely love how great the community is and how it is like a big family.
These are some spectacular photographs @ericvancewalton. However, that strange insect did give me a little fright haha! :)
I totally agree, @arckrai! I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. That thing was creepier in person but strangely beautiful, the antennae were yellow and the wings were purple. It kind of looked alien actually!
That is a timely and vivid sign. Curious to hear how that invitation turns out.
There are friends that stick closer than brothers. Sounds like you and Doug are on that rewarding path together.
This was a sign that I simply could not ignore! I'm definitely going to pursue this. So true! They say, "Friends are the family you can choose." I very much believe that.
Still, there are some things technology can’t replace, like passing time in one another’s presence.
Telepresence (virtual reality) will change that real soon now..
Good point! AR will change everything.