Wellington to San Francisco (Patreon)

Hey Patreonizers! I'm back in San Francisco, and sooo happy to be back home. I've been feeling really off and it's a relief to be back in an environment that feels familiar. You know, sheets that smell like you and a bathtub that has your hair in the drain. Comfort.

With that said, being in New Zealand was fricking magical. WETA workshop is like an amusement park for makers, and I got to apprentice for a couple of days with a bunch of their departments. We made a thing, that is a thing, that is definitely something. Here are some vague, partially blurred out photos, that will hopefully not make any sense. There will be a video at some point that will hopefully make slightly more sense. Any guesses as to what we made are greatly appreciated.

I also got to hold the hand of a real actual troll. He complained about that trolls are getting a bad rep since the rise of the internet.

I also got to try Magic Leap! Remember seeing one of their promo videos years ago, and thinking about the amount of math that must go into making an AR experience like this makes me want to take a very long nap.

Did some casting and got to wear the most badass PPE that I've ever seen. 

AND AND AND!! I GOT TO WEAR AN ACTUAL ORC SUIT! One that was used on camera for Lord of The Rings! I think this might be one of the happiest moments of my life. I could not stop smiling. Which doesn't make you a very convincing orc, but whatever.

And last but not least, I got to have lunch with Peter Jackson. Intro courtesy of Adam Savage. I still can't really believe this happened. I arrived at his post production studio, got escorted from the lobby to a waiting room, then escorted by another person into another room where lunch was put out on a table between two couches. Then after some waiting, Peter Jackson cruises in, barefoot, because that's the type of stuff you can do when you're him. We spent an hour talking about electric vehicles and the Beatles. I even forgive him for shouting "APPALLING!" when I showed him a photo of Cheese Louise. She's not everyone's cup of tea.

Now I'm back home, trying to get my health together. These last couple of weeks have been a bit of an uphill battle. Had a really shitty day yesterday, and went to the PO box to pick up letters from y'all to cheer myself up. It works every time. I can't thank you enough for that. Or for being here on Patreon. Just knowing that I can pay rent next month even if I'm not well enough to work is such a fricking privilege. So thank you.