Every Beginning Has an End, But Every End is the Start of a New Beginning: 2010 in a Nutshell.

It’s been one hell of a year: I quit my PhD program. I founded IGORoamandreport. I had my car stolen. I made a documentary. I suffered unemployment for three months.  I worked on a movie set.  I went broke.

Yes, 2010 has been a wacky year filled with dramatic personal highs and unspeakable lows. Leaving graduate school, I was thrilled about breaking the chains of an unhappy future and jumping head-first into unknown waters.  At times, however, I’ve felt lost and alone on my journey. At other times I’ve celebrated incredible breakthroughs.

Drawing by Katie Beck

For good or bad, I feel as if 2010 was a year in which adult life decided to beat me over the head with a shovel on more than one occasion. It was a year in which the comfortable routine of 17 years of schooling disappeared to reveal the inner me, a kid in his early twenties, stripped naked and trying to make sense of the greater world around him. 

A Community Bands Together – Premiering “Stories from Boston’s Emerald Necklace.”

The Final Mini-Doc in the Six Part Series!

The past two weeks have been amazing and equally as hectic.  On November 3rd, my full 23-minute “Stories from the Emerald Necklace” documentary was finally premiered at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s annual meeting.  I was told it was met with gasps, sighs, laughter, and applause.  I have no personal recollections of this since I was transformed into a zombie-like state as soon as the screening started – unable to comprehend my surroundings, out of tune with the movie, and generally perplexed and stupefied that the big moment had finally arrived.  Nevertheless, I was assured by those attending that they liked it very much.  In the middle of all this commotion, I have worked as a Production Assistant on a feature film over the past two weeks – 12 hour days and little sleep.  More juice on that experience here.  Let’s get to my last “Story.”  Roger Gottlieb, a master storyteller and author of A Spirituality of Resistance: Finding a Peaceful Heart and Protecting the Earth, recounts a time when city dwellers had to unite to save the west bank of Boston’s best kept secret, Jamaica Pond, from apartment developments.  Roger is a fascinating individual and I hope you enjoy his story.

Only on YouTube: My extended interview with Roger.

See last week’s premiere here – Restoration and Revival of the Muddy River

Restoration and Revival of the Muddy River – Premiering “Stories From Boston’s Emerald Necklace”

The Fifth Short Documentary in the Six Part Series!

On November 3rd, in three days, I will be premiering the full, twenty-three minute masterpiece that combines all six “Stories” documentaries into one film at the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s Annual Meeting.  I can’t tell whether I’m more excited or nervous as I look ahead to 200+ pairs of eyes viewing my work.  I’m fairly certain the masses are gonna like it though and I’m crossing my fingers that another project will present itself out of this showing.  In the meantime, enjoy another installment of the “Stories Project.”  Bob Nesson, documentary film maker and producer of “The Muddy River Chronicles” recalls a lifelong connection to Boston’s Muddy River. From memories of a dirty and ignored waterway in the 1970s to today’s Riverway restoration and revival, Bob provides insight into the history of the Muddy River and how he was inspired to make the “Muddy River Chronicles” in an effort to build awareness of this part of the Emerald Necklace.

See last week’s premiere here - Nora Lutz and the Pond Jam

Premiering “Stories from Boston’s Emerald Necklace” – Running the Necklace with Mark Lowenstein

The Third Film in a Six Part Series!

Millions of people step foot on the historic paths of the Emerald Necklace every year.  Mark Lowenstein, author of “Great Runs in Boston,” addresses the functional and recreational importance of the Necklace’s linear paths for Boston’s commuters, walkers, runners, and bikers.  Mark also explains how the Emerald Necklace inspired him to write running guidebooks for the Boston area.

See last week’s premiere here – Spending a Summer in the Necklace: The 2010 Green Team