Traveling Man

I'm pretty sure I neglected to mention that DRAG KING got into a film festival called "Big Easy Shorts Festival" that took place last weekend in New Orleans. I headed out there last Thursday (11/13) and on the plane out, man, I knew this was it for me for a while. I am physically beat down, emotionally drained from the back and forth of family to film, real job to job I wish I had, real life to regular reality. It's rough. All my sick days are gone at work and my vacation days are few. Was it worth it, hell yeah. I think so at least. Let me explain...

What I'm gonna do for my own edification and just to portray the insanity of my last few months is, list where I went and why. Then throughout the week, I'm going to go back over each trips highlights and lowlights and add some thoughts. I need to get back into the blogging swing and also recheck my intentions for each trip and this is a good way. I do better when I write than when I sit and pick at myself in my mind.

Before I start all that though, we WON best doc short at the Big Easy Shorts Festival which was such a trip! I didn't think we were gonna win squat then we won that and a very cool steadi-cam which John and I can seriously use.


I wrote a blog over at Film Threat about it to tide you over till I make my way back to that trip. It was an excellent time, I made some great new friends and it was extra cool to finally win something and at the last fest of our journey to boot. That being said, here is the "Where in the World is Don R. Lewis/Petaluma Films" version 2008.

September 7, 2008 I set sail with the band I manage, five a.m., for a Northwest Tour with the band Sister Hazel. We left at like, 9:00 p.m. on a Sunday night and drove about 5 hours to Yreka, CA where we crashed out then drove all day on Monday, September 8 to Seattle, WA. That was a good 10-12 hour drive in a sort of airport shuttle type vehicle, packed with all my friends and hoping to finally get a much needed boost in our portfolio.

September 9, 2008 I was in Seattle for the first night of five a.m. and Sister Hazel. I really like Seattle but as is par for the course, we didn't get to see much of the city.

September 10, 2008 Portland, OR. My first trip there and again, way too short. Nice easy drive the night before though which was a nice break from the road. The band opened for Sister Hazel at the Aladdin Theater which was awesome.

September 11, 2008 San Francisco, CA where the band finally got to play the Independent. I got drunk and went home to sleep in my bed while the rest of the band scattered around and prepared to leave for L.A. the next day. I spend Friday mornings with my kid so I went home Thursday and planned to meet the band in L.A. Saturday.

September 13, 2008 I drive to L.A. (6 hours) to see the band at the motherfucking House of Blues on Sunset Blvd.!! I was going to stay with a friend but that fell through so I stayed at a hotel on the Strip which was cool but cost money. Not cool and the start of spending outside my means.

September 14, 2008 I drive home from L.A. Urgh. 6 hours again. I make that drive waaaay too much.

From there the band went on to San Diego but I had stuff to do so passed on that one. Great tour and a great opportunity overall though. Whew though....too...much....driving.

September 26-28 2008 Helllllo Birmingham, Alabama! "Drag King" was selected to play the Sidewalk Film Festival and I had a monumental time!

October 16-22 Austin, Texas. TheAustin Film Festival! My favorite city selected "Drag King" to play and I had an awesome time as usual!

October 31-November 3Los Angeles, CA again but for film related stuff...AFI L.A. Fest which I covered for Film Threat. I drove again.....12 hours in total. Ack.

November 13-17 New Orleans, LA and we're back where I started this thing.

That's alotta travel and I'm so glad I have supportive people in my life (Trent, Erica, Story, parents, grandparents, sisters, editors) who allow me to do this stuff. Now, I'm not going anywhere for a long, long time. Unless someone realllly wants me to.....