WTF! Do you want me to finish the film or not?
I get tired of working my ass off for zero recognition. I spent a month putting "Health Care in Black & White" together. And for what? No one gives a shit.
Yes, the recs pile up around my posts but not on them. I guess I should bitch about something or wish someone a happy anniversary.
Or maybe I should just ramble for three screens about what I could easily say in a sentence.
Forgive me. I care about health care.
I write. I rally. I lobby. I travel on wild goose chases at the behest of my fellow bloggers.
So why do I feel like Rodney Fucking Dangerfield?
If the clique would prefer I go, vote with your comments. If you want me to go and never finish the film, vote with your comments.
If you want me to stick around and finish the film, guess what? Vote with your comments.
But don't fucking ignore me after all the hard work I put in. I've done more than just blog. I've acted and put in the sweat of my brow to promote the America most of you want.
Keep blowing me off if you want. I'm on Medicaid. I already have government insurance.
Yes, the recs pile up around my posts but not on them. I guess I should bitch about something or wish someone a happy anniversary.
Or maybe I should just ramble for three screens about what I could easily say in a sentence.
Forgive me. I care about health care.
I write. I rally. I lobby. I travel on wild goose chases at the behest of my fellow bloggers.
So why do I feel like Rodney Fucking Dangerfield?
If the clique would prefer I go, vote with your comments. If you want me to go and never finish the film, vote with your comments.
If you want me to stick around and finish the film, guess what? Vote with your comments.
But don't fucking ignore me after all the hard work I put in. I've done more than just blog. I've acted and put in the sweat of my brow to promote the America most of you want.
Keep blowing me off if you want. I'm on Medicaid. I already have government insurance.
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Dude, your previous two posts don't work for me. I can't see the movie (just a box with a little red X in the upper left corner), and everything below that, including the Comments section, does not show up either (so I can't even tell you that I can't see it).
It's either a browser thing or a TPM problem. I'm using Microsoft Internet Explorer on a Gateway PC -- not exactly an oddball combination.
My other problem is that I just can't get on this thing every day, because I'm still working. (And if I stopped working, I wouldn't have any option to get healthcare -- even if I had plenty of money.)
Believe me, I appreciate your efforts to effect change on the healthcare front. And I'm sure others here do, too. I think it's likely that your posts have been "ignored" due to similar technical problems experienced by others.
I saw a post from someone at TPM where we can report this sort of thing, so I will report it.
Hang in there!
-- ARG
October 20, 2009 8:52 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks for the positive comment. I pasted the standard embed code from YouTube in the post and it shows up fine for me. Maybe a Flash problem? Try updating your Flash Player plugin for Explorer.
October 20, 2009 9:02 PM | Reply | Permalink
P.S. You can watch it directly on YouTube here: http://www.youtube.com/v/hZODuT-ApuY
October 20, 2009 9:23 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hey, Rip. Thanks for posting the link. Suggest you do this as a matter of course in the future (along with the embed -- but just before the embed, please!). I'll check on my Flash...
I have to say, I'm impressed. I see that you've chosen certain scenes for a reason, and I am eager to see the other parts. I don't know how to edit my way out of a paper bag. Always thought it would be fun to learn, but I might not get the chance for another 15 or 20 years. (And by then, who knows?)
"A promising project that tugs at the heart strings. I laughed and I cried." You can quote me in your promotional materials.
Yes, the iron's hot now, but take your time; don't get too stressed out. Life's too short for that.
-- ARG
October 20, 2009 10:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper, I have the same problem with my computer. Better to post a link.
October 21, 2009 3:04 AM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper.
Quit bitchin' and finish the goll dang movie.
I wrecked the debut.
I wrecked the debut deux.
I wrecked this whine.
It will take about 3 and a half hours to download each ten minute segment on my slow server. I'm willing to invest this time SO THAT I CAN RECOMMEND TO OTHERS but I will not recommend blindly.
And if I hear anymore shit about a mother farking clique.................
October 20, 2009 9:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am lost on this one. We loved your short intro that you supplied before.
I must review your blog and get back to you.
I will advertise this in chat however.
October 20, 2009 9:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hard for me to put in a month's worth of work--most of which doesn't show up is wrapped up in Parts II and III--and not have a single comment on the result of Part I of my labors. This is REALLY FUCKING HARD WORK! I put it together so seamlessly that even I don't know all the places I cut frames and re-synced sound! Geez folks, I'm just saying that 30 long nights at a nearly junk keyboard ought to purchase a little reaction--good or bad. And since the payoff won't come until the last two parts, I'm sort of prepared for the bad. But silence?
Fuck, I had to go to the doctor today because my left hand is starting to become numb and tingles all the time. It's my right hand that has nerve damage from the surgery fiasco to correct the Dupuytren's contracture. But now my left? You guys have no idea how hard I've worked on this.
October 20, 2009 9:10 PM | Reply | Permalink
See the nonsensical sentence that begins the above comment? That's my keyboard. Random activation of control keys. Try editing a film with my keyboard.
October 20, 2009 9:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper, I have an almost new keyboard that I hate because it is black and I can't see the damn letters on the keys. Do you want it? I'll go back to my old beige one. Email me at flowerdchild@gmail.com and let me know. I still have the box it came in. Seriously.
October 20, 2009 10:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
flowerchild, that is a beautiful gesture. If it is a USB keyboard compatible with a Mac, I will gladly accept it. Thank you very, very much. It would help me a great deal.
October 20, 2009 10:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is USB and Mac compatible.
Send your address to me at the above email address and I will have it in the mail tomorrow....Thursday at the latest.
:o)
October 20, 2009 10:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
GOD BLESS YOU!
October 20, 2009 11:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rip, all I saw was edits of IAWL, which is a great old flick. What was your point?
October 20, 2009 9:05 PM | Reply | Permalink
The payoff doesn't come until Parts II and III. As for just edits, that's part of the problem. What seems simple isn't. I guess I made it look too easy.
October 20, 2009 9:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
Rip, I understand that you've put a lot of work into it, but I'm with Donal at the moment...even with reading all your prefaces, I can't see where you're going with this, and I'm not sure that anyone without all the prefaces is going to stick with it long enough to get to parts 2 and 3...so if you are hoping to go viral it needs something.
Is there some way to start with something relating to health care, then go back in time to this? Since I can't tell exactly where you are going, the best I can come up with right now is something to the effect of..."we are facing a healthcare crisis in America...I'd like to tell you the story through the beloved character George Bailey..."
I didn't comment before, because I wanted to wait to see parts 2 and 3 before saying anything, to see if the rest makes the 1st part make sense, but since you want comments...that's what I've got. Hope it helps.
Thank you sooooo much for all your hard work.
October 21, 2009 12:27 AM | Reply | Permalink
yes, i thought it was just me. Yes. All I get is its a wonderful life. I understand it is a seamless condensation. But I recall a three minute film that was terrific.
I could not even begin to do what Rip is doing. I just cannot figure out why.
October 21, 2009 1:12 AM | Reply | Permalink
That's all I saw too. It was well done, the edits were very smooth but I don't see what it has to do with health care. If the pay off is in parts 2 and 3 how can you expect us to comment without the pay off?
I've kept silent because I didn't want to say anything discouraging. I'm sure you put a lot of work and effort in to this. But ripper, all you've given us is some clips from an old movie so far. Nothing to connect them together. Nothing to show why those particular clips were picked to give some message. Nothing to make some point with those clips. Sorry, I can't say any more than that and I've only said it because you kinda pushed me to.
Perhaps with the other parts it will come together and make sense. But really, you should be doing this because you're called to do it. Not for some praise from a bunch of relative strangers here.
October 20, 2009 10:51 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am called to do it for an audience. Lacking that, there's no point. I am not Emily Dickinson. Health care is on the table and Parts II and III are coming. It won't change the world, but maybe a few minds. I just want to do something more than write my senators constantly.
October 20, 2009 11:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
BTW, oceankat. Try to think of this as a different movie, as if you'd never seen "It's a Wonderful Life." In other words, come to it with a clean set of eyes and ears. This will be a very different story than IAWL, though obviously drawn from some of the same footage.
Although some of the movie, particularly the latter half, doesn't seem at first to have much to do with health care, remember that in 9 short minutes George Bailey is introduced in turmoil (bar scene shifted to front, St. Joseph as a galaxy/narrator dropped), and grows to manhood as George flashes back to boyhood and remembers a) near-death of brother, b) how he lost hearing in one ear, c) near poisoning of a boy by druggist, d) blood-pressure complaint of mother, e) courting future wife on night his father suffers stroke.
I'll bet you didn't notice the music I added to the scene after the dance. It's a bit of Creative Commons-license music by Mattias Westlund, and I think it actually enhances George and Mary's walk home.
October 20, 2009 11:29 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper,
FYI - any of us using IE cannot access the embeds here (you tube, whatever it is in different posts) and we also can't access the post line to rec and/or comment. It's been an onging problem, very frustrating.
Unfortunately, for us in rural Alaska, where our connections do not deliver the same kind of 'speed' as other areas in the lower 48, even watching youtube is not always feasible.
Is it possible for you to put these on discs? I will be glad to pay for one if it's under $20 (tight budget) and market them here too.
I know how much work you put into this and I am sure it is terrific (why I really want to see it). Anyway, thanks for all your hard work and time. Please reply if you are able to put it on disc and how to contact you to order.
Again, greatly appreciate. Take care.
October 20, 2009 10:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
Aunt Sam,
Why don't you download Firefox, or my favorite Google Chrome. It really is simple to use a different browser. Not being able to see the embeds would drive me crazy.
October 20, 2009 10:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
I switched over to Google Chrome, and I was able to see the embedded video (and the Comments). So I think your suggestion is a good one. I'm going to switch over to the Chrome for my default browser.
-- ARG
October 20, 2009 10:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
Thanks Sal, many have suggested FireFox but too many here have had problems (not sure why) - will look into Google Chrome. And thanks ARG too!
October 20, 2009 10:35 PM | Reply | Permalink
I know most people here are diehard firefox supporters but I find it clunky and don't really need any of its advanced features.
Chrome is very clean and simple so I really like it.
October 20, 2009 10:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I absolutely depend on the spellchek feature of firefox. Does chrome have a similar feature?
October 20, 2009 11:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have been told that the problem occurs when a link is embedded in the blog but not when the link is in a comment. That is how it seems to be for me. Different browsers apparently solve this.
It seems that for a number of reasons that a blogger might want to post without embedded links and then post a comment immediately after with the wanted links.
Nothing posted here will ever go viral if it depends on everyone downloading a new browser.
October 21, 2009 8:13 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sam, that is very nice of you to offer. Believe me, I could use a little help at the moment, but I can't sell this movie because it might put me in greater danger of copyright infringement. My idea is to finish it quickly and let it go viral. But so far, no one's linking it anywhere. I agree with Saladin. If you're able, download the Firefox or Chrome browser suitable for your system. Both are very stable, feature-rich and FREE.
October 20, 2009 10:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay, I will do it. But, it you ever do want to market it, let me know and I can at the very least get the outlet here to stock it and if needed, I will make some calls elsewhere too.
Again, greatly appreciate. But, do me favor please, i lost your email address, if you still have mine, please e mail me so I can have it again. Please!
October 20, 2009 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
Are you dissing my spellng? Ouch.
Both computers I regularly use (one windows, one mac) give me squiddly red lines when I misspell words on any browser I use, not that it helps me that much, I didn't know browsers had a separate feature included, but I am not a super techie (or else I would probably love firefox for some important techie reason)
October 20, 2009 11:24 PM | Reply | Permalink
If YOU think it is worthwhile by all means complete your work. If you are only doing it for recognition, I would suggest you scrap it.
"An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."
Charles Horton Cooley
October 21, 2009 12:36 PM | Reply | Permalink
Then I will finish it.
October 21, 2009 3:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Ripper
Like JNhands says!
I am in way out there bush alaska so I can not watch Utube etc.
Recently there was apparently a few people gaming the rec system so the correction also made it so the drive by browsers can not post anymore. We must now rely solely on the registered users to determine which post is worthy. My last few posts netted a big egg for my trouble, actually DDay left a few encouraging comments.
Keep the faith,
M. Paul
October 21, 2009 5:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
Looks good to me, R. But you know what? You could have found better clips of zomboid brainwashed workers in Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" than Apple's commercial. Might even be public domain, too.
Sorry I missed it first time around. I miss a lot of stuff on TPM - I'm a slow reader. And for drawing blanks in the rec and comment department, I think I've got you beat - ha.
October 21, 2009 7:23 PM | Reply | Permalink