One month into the new year already... It’s crazy how each year seems to be going by faster and faster. This year I’ve made a resolution to write more, like I should. So now that I’ve got it out there, you should see the blogs more regularly. I was going to make a resolution to get back into exercising like brother Eric, but... yeah... well...  we’ll take care of the writing first, aye?

IDDC 2013 is going well, and with just over 2 months to go to, everything’s shifted into 5th gear. We’re in the middle of rehearsing and filming our video segments, and tomorrow promises to be a lot of fun- especially considering  I have the co-ordination of an orangutan on a sugar rush.

What else is new?

Oh, I’m now officially working as part of Ogilvy, which is exciting. Before anybody mentions the whole job-hopping thing, I would like to point out that it’s more of a transfer than a new job... I was kind of involved with Ogilvy in my previous role, and while not technically part of Ogilvy... you know what, never mind- it’d take too long to explain...

I’m kind of sad, as I’ll be saying adios to one of my long-time friends. The US version of The Office is in its final season. 9 great years- well, more like 7 years... (The show never really recovered from Steve Carell leaving in the 7th season... )And so, like the great predecessors before it- Friends, Seinfeld, and Scrubs- I must bid farewell...

It probably sounds weird being attached to a program like that- especially when you see the Coronation St and Shortland Street fanatics- but think about it... In a sad sort of way, with all the people who come and go in your life, TV programmes tend to last longer than the relationships you build with people. When you grow up with them, and have gone through their trials and tribulations with them, year after year, I guess it easy to become attached to them. They’re like a constant, reliable friend you know is going to be there.

I guess it’s not that bad- even if the series does finally end, at least you know, thanks to reruns and DVD’s you can see them again.

... And besides, I still have Big Bang Theory and Modern Family...

~ Chetan

As we say goodbye to the hype and anticlimax of 2012, GreyView is back into action with the weekly meetings, as we gear up for IDDC 2013.

One of the questions I get asked is ‘Why are you into script-writing?’

I like using the analogy of car racing. Watching TV / Movies is a lot like watching a car race. Each of us tune in for our own reasons- some watch for entertainment, some watch to admire the drivers’ skills, some are engrossed with car aesthetics (and/or the grid girls...), others just want to see crashes and explosions...

And while I can appreciate the joys of being a spectator -for me, the true joy / thrill is being behind the wheel. Call me crazy, but there’s something more appealing / exciting about being the one pushing the pedal to metal, than sitting up in the stands watching the cars run their laps.

And of course it’s not about the trophies, money, fame or girls......... Let me rephrase that... It’s not just about the trophies, money, fame or girls...

Aaaaaaanyway, as you will have seen from our other pages, Team GreyView is stepping up to the mark again with IDDC 2013. So if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to find my racing gloves...

Chetan

So we say goodbye to another round of Olympics, and again I feel that certain sadness as another enjoyable event comes to an end. Am I sad because it’s the disbanding of a joyful world gathering? Am I sad because we only got a glimmer of the Spice Girls reunion? Or is it because, yet again, I have to say goodbye to the Pork McRib?

Not just with the Olympics, there’s a lot of other things in life where I hate ‘goodbyes’... I’m preferential to ‘see you later’. I know the Olympics will come around again 4 years, and its little sibling, the Commonwealth Games will be along before that... and let’s not forget the not-quite-as-major-but–still–important ‘World Cup’ cousins. I guess I think more about the other things in life where I’d have liked it to be ‘see you later’ rather than ‘goodbye’... But that’s life, right? A lot of good things will come and go. It takes some getting used to, and you have to learn to move on to the next thing... I guess if anything, though, you can at least look back on the good parts- the hightlights- the bits that made you happy... 

Sometimes I think I’m a bit too sentimental for my own good. I’m the type that likes taking photos on trips; keeps all my friends e-mails like a collection of pen pal letters; I’m even in the habit of keeping little mementos from special occasions... I kept a few copies of the programme from our first stage play ‘I Don’t Do Coconut’- you know, for when GreyView hits the big time...

 The best $1,200 I’ve ever spent was not towards a TV, a car, or anything relating to my Playstation collection-  it was for a camcorder. 

We’ve just had my brother’s 21st Birthday, and a tradition which started with my Sister’s 21st, was a video presentation from the family of all our memories and recollections of said siblings. This year my cousins and I took it a step further- in fact everybody took it up a level. It was a $#%&ing awesome experience...not just hearing the stories and experiences about my brother, but the fun that everybody was having in making the video- my cousin donning a ginger wig and presenting a news type segment (I swear him and his brother are destined for comedy...); seeing my sister in a crazy umbrella hat; doing numerous takes because my relatives can’t keep a straight face... and perhaps the best surprise of all- seeing my mum and dad working together on a comedy routine (let's just say my mum is usually the quiet reserved, serious type...). And even though the video is about my bro, it’s seeing little gems like that, which made the experience all the more worthwhile...

 While I’ve constantly seen my Dad laugh and chuckle, for the first time I saw him really crack-up... really, really, really crack-up. And while it could be just another fleeting memory, to have it caught on camera is just awesome... it’s my favourite blooper of all time...  So yeah, best $1,200 I ever spent... Sure money can’t buy you happiness, but it certainly doesn’t hurt in getting you there- you just gotta know how to use it...

Here’s to memories, been and gone... and for the ones to come... I’ll be waiting... with my camera...

  ~Chetan

Sometimes it’s not just the destination, it’s the journey that takes you there too...

It’s going to be close to a month since we’ve completed the 3UP, but I swear it feels like just yesterday we were at rehearsals, taking bets on which prop Lee would break next, or waiting to see where the next ‘That’s what she said’ would come from...I miss it all already... I’d like to think that Lee and Rebecca had as much fun as I did- not just on performance night, but also in the lead up, with rehearsals etc (I can’t speak for our poor stunt dogs, which had the shiitake kicked out of them).

Once again I’d like to thank everyone for their continued support of the 3UP: from the people who came to see our show through to our own the cast and crew.

IDDC looms in November- it won’t be too soon before the months left will turn into weeks.., and with the fun and memories of the 3UP, I don’t think it can come soon enough.

In other news: I have no other news.

It’s been a bit of a wind down after the 3UP excitement. And apart from starting to plan for IDDC, I’ve had a bit of downtime getting away from everything in Wellington. While down there, I’ve learnt a thing or two:

• When in the CBD it definitely helps to have a map, cos you’re sure as hell will get lost. The last thing you want is to end up in the rough parts of Wellington where all the dodgy / shady characters hang out i.e. Parliament buildings
• The equivalent of Auckland’s Queen Street is Lambton Quay. And while Queen Street may have a greater hive of activity, Lambton Quay is less likely to be the setting for local Police Patrol shows... Also parking in the CBD is free in the weekend!
• If you’re gonna be staying in the CBD, try and stay somewhere more ‘central’ than The Terrace- there’s bugger all to eat, and it’s a bastard walking down to where all the city restaurants are. Try and stick to somewhere closer like Cuba Street- there’s an Irish pub right next to some Indian restaurants...
• Don’t bother sharing your jokes regarding Wellington and the wind with locals- they’ve heard them all. And if you’re from Auckland they’ll most likely give you crap back about the Blues.
• Unlike Auckland, you can end up doing more than 60kmh on the motorways...
• Jokes aside, Wellington can get really windy. Windbreakers, in spite of their name, will not help you (nor do they have anything to do with the other type of, um, ‘breaking wind’). However, most people there seem used to it. Much the same as Aucklanders put up with their own jack-in-the-box weather.

There is still much to learn about our capital, and I hope to impart more as I continue my travels.

As someone who has dreams and aspirations for film, it’s only natural I have an affinity for Wellywood. Except for the nickname of course. I kinda wish they’d come up with something else- something a bit more original. Why have a nickname that suggests it’s a wannabe rather than ‘doing it’s own thing’? Same goes for Bollywood. It churns out more films than anybody else (and no, we’re not going to get into the whole argument over quality versus quantity), and yet it can’t come up with an ‘original’ name... You know what I mean, right? Can you imagine what’d happen if Pepsi was called something like Cokesi; if KFC was named Chicky Hut; or if One Direction called themselves the Backdoor Boys?

I don’t live in Wellington, but I’m definitely glad they didn’t put up the ‘Wellywood’ sign. Nothing to put visitors off than having some ugly erection out in the open...

...That’s what she said...

...sorry, that one was terrible... some habits die hard... it’s like a reflex that can’t be controlled- they just keep coming hard and fast.............. That’s what sh- No. No. I‘ll stop now, otherwise I’ll be at it all night long... 

~Chetan

I recently had the joy of experiencing a middle ear virus. Of all the colds, flus and viruses to catch, it’s one of the most annoying. You’re basically relegated to either sleeping, or sitting there with your eyes shut. Imagine you’ve just spun yourself around 100 times really fast- the sensation you’d get from that is essentially what it feels like if you open your eyes. With other colds and flus, at least you can also rest by reading or watching TV... but when you’re relegated to just listening to your iPod...

Anyway, in my absence, Eric has done an outstanding job in stepping up, and taking care of the 3-UP material- the readings, advertising & marketing, venue organisation. He may not admit it, but he’s doing an awesome job as the 3-Up Producer- especially considering this is his first foray into the role.

With the third reading now complete, I’d like to thank everybody who attended, and also give my thanks for the invaluable feedback. Massive props to Rebecca and Lee for the awesome work they did on the script... It’s not easy to get other people to follow ideas which are well conceived within your mind- so it’s a great feeling when the actors play it how you imagine it. It was exciting to get a glimpse of how our line-up is shaping up. We’re entering crunch time as scripts now need to be finalised and rehearsals start very, very soon.

Today is of course a special tribute to our unsung heroes. Like Father’s Day and Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day is a great day to honour the blood, sweat and tears our loved ones have gone through, for us, the other 364 or so days... Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being cynical or anything- I always go with the flow and make sure I get something my Mum will like / enjoy- like a new vacuum, or a great set of bakingware to make our desserts... Jokes. I can’t speak for other cultures, but I can definitely say that a lot of traditional Indian Mothers I know are some of the most selfless, loving people out there. It kind of saddens me thinking about how a lot of them give up their dreams and ambitions to be the loving mother and wife (and sometimes daughter-in-law) for their family. I’m not sure how people can say there’s no such thing as true altruism...

I’ve spoken before about the trials and tribulations my Mum has gone through...  I’m grateful for the things she’s passed on... she is the reason I’m so well versed / well-read... Without knowing it, my inclination towards Commerce seems to be genetic, as her brief foray into Uni life was in Economics. She has worked tirelessly for our family without second thought. And so while the generations past pave the way for the rest of us, I guess there is a silver lining, as my mum gets to see my sister, my brother and me follow our dreams and goals.

So yeah, it seems funny we spend just the one day trying to somehow thank one of the people who has shaped who are (and who we will be). It probably sounds cliché to talk about being eternally grateful, and never really being able to thank my Mum for doing what she does... she’s an inspiration and a role model. And anybody who wants to call me a ‘momma’s boy’- I’ll take it as a compliment.
 ~Chetan

Prep for the 3UP is going well, as we get set for our 2nd group reading at
the end of the week. With the venue locked in and marketing about to get under
way, there’s been a lot of script writing going on. With Easter been and gone,
it was a good  4 days of write, write, write.

The 3UP has presented some interesting challenges- some for the better.  Although I like writing the type of comedy where everybody plays off everyone else’s reactions (i.e. an ensemble cast), the challenge has been to write with less characters from my last draft.  Like Eric says: it’s about being smart, and being able to work with what you have. He’s exactly right, and to be honest the story has become a lot better for it- it’s a lot more focused, and I think it’s worked out a lot better. I guess the adage ‘less is more’ rings quite true.

In other news I’ve moved on to another job. I feel really bad with all the job hopping- but given the situation, sometimes you have to think of yourself, or rather, the overall picture...

My friend has also just been through the process of changing jobs. As she was going through the trials and tribulations of job hunting, I recall her words were “Man, nothing is easy in this world is it?” My response was something along the lines of “Yeah, you're right- nothing in this world is easy... except Paris Hilton”... 
I know, not the classiest response- sometimes I have a bad habit of responding like I’m in a sitcom or something...  I wonder if it’s some sort of affliction / syndrome from script writing... 

Aaaaaaanyway the main point is, I agree with her- especially with the good / important things in life- there’s a lot of work involved to get anywhere or anything . And now as I’m writing and thinking about it, there’s a few things I would add to her statement.

I think part of society’s problem- mine included- is that we  look to take the easy way out too often. Things like procrastination (one of my biggest vices), doing things half-pie, or just letting things slip...
Sometimes I think the world has become so obsessed with streamlining, cutting corners, and generally making life easier, we forget what it’s like to actually put in the hard yards and get the satisfaction after putting in a good slog. In some ways, I’m glad that some things aren’t easy- there’s greater satisfaction in being made to work for something- it feels more deserved.

Probably not the best example, but one case in point- food. While the occasional
junk food binge does appeal, it’s hard to compare with something DIY like a BBQ
(yes, I’m talking about you, bacon-wrapped chicken fillets...). Probably more
relevant- Tendulkar’s 100th century. While an awesome achievement, I’m sure he, and everybody else, would’ve liked to see it raised against someone like the
Aussies.

 I guess one of our other problems is we’re so averse to risk- it’s a subject I’ve touched on before.  A lot of the time we’re comfortable being reactive, rather than proactive. Sometimes it’s because we’re afraid of the risks involved, and what’s at stake. One of my biggest problems has always been my complacency as I remained comfortable within my cotton wool surroundings... Going back to my job-hopping-I took a risk with my previous job. Even though it didn’t quite go as expected, I don’t regret making that decision. Through the process, I believe it’s helped me become one of those people who is more willing to put their feet in the water, rather than stand there, looking, and say “Nah, screw it, looks too cold to me”. Of course that’s not to say I’m just going to suddenly take a big leap and just cannonball in... 

If anything, it’s the willingness to accept that sometimes things won’t go as planned, and be willing to fail trying, rather than wonder about what could’ve been, and flitter away lost opportunities. As Mr Shakespeare says- It’s better to have loved and lost, than to never have loved at all...

It’s also about having the patience and perseverance, and not just take the easy way out- especially with the things- or people- that matter... 

 I think my script writer’s syndrome is starting to play up, so I’ll wrap things up.

 Yeah, nothing in this world is easy. It just depends on how important those things are, and how far you’re willing to go for them...

So, yes, currently I look forward to taking on the challenge of the 3UP. Stay tuned.