It all starts here. Jan 01, 2012. A new start and new beginning. I was drinking a Flying Dog variety pack, and trying desperately to catch up on end year business for this very website, paperwork for new film  "Longfoot", and personal depressing financial detail- My tradition every year. Irony pulsing through my veins as Flying Dog was Hunter S. Thompson's beer company. I relish the opportunity to turn out 3 articles under deadline ( this one being 1 hour and 45 min away), some changes to TJPASONS.com that many may not even notice. But the spirit was there. Tackling the future before the future is the present. I got some satisfaction felt ok. It's 11:45. This is the new age. I Google "live streaming ball drop New Years". God bless Google- its there in front of me in 1.5 seconds. I felt I was missing something in the world - pushing ahead on the most celebrated days of the year - I needed to join in the celebration or "a" celebration of some type.

Enjoy yourself. Take a break. At times I can't turn the gears off (despite Melatonin, Theanine , Gaba, Valerian and "more", but I made a conscious decision to disengage. Switch gears- Let's check out the modern miracle Dick Clark - who knows how many years he can defy logic and science- lets take it in, in all its glory. 5 min- No Clark. Drake took the stage. The kind of guy that looks like you'd want to have a beer with.  But I started sliding into confusion.  Perplexdom. Back to the Mc's and was uninspired and energy was awry. I still can live with this it's NEW YEARS!!!. Wrong stream? It's ok - I can Cope. This is an internet society. I can live with the stream I am given.  On stage jumped an amped Cee-lo Green. His song "F%$# You" or "Forget you" as the pop world would know it- embodied many of the feelings of this year that somehow I was not able to articulate on several levels - anticipation.  He pulled back in his insanely expensive fur coat, to expose a gold watch as glitter fell, and the camera zoomed in on his face and his jewelry as he was in the middle of  John Lennon's "Imagine".  His head reared back during the lyric " Imagine no possessions, I wonder If you can, No greed or no hunger.." Gold and bling reflecting in the cold New York light. Then I saw the adverts of Times Square, overpowering the sentiment of the lyric.So much so .. so freakin' much.

The hats with product placement, the billboards: I'm dizzy.

I started to feel physically ill.

So really, suffice to say 30 sec left.

20 seconds is the countdown. No one can take that away. It's the euphoric mouthful New Year's food, the 20 second orgasm, something that we all share in the spirit of a nation with collective consciousness. I was able to ignore all the product placement. This moment in my mind defined moving forward despite all the things that I cannot understand. Where I am. Who I am. I walk out to the porch. Pop a bottle cap off and breathe deep. On the horizon I see flares of illegal fireworks shot over the tree tops  with power of tradition over local formalities casting shadows across the tree lines silhouetting an outline of the horizon, beauty and  perseverance despite restrictions. And in my soul I feel proud and happy.

There are quite a few people that took a chance on me this year. I am thankful for having a good feature LONGFOOT "in can". I'm Thankful for new connections, & new friends. I'm thankful for New direction, and hope despite odds and all the naysayers.

These are crazy times. People are struggling to find their place in society. People are struggling to find solace, comfort, jobs, and a reason for living. And a small part of me isn't afraid to be a media whore anymore. So when you see that friend invite, or that questionably titled article remember that I am that small town boy that went away learned great things and moved back in hopes that I could move back and be accepted.
The vision hasn't changed despite the barriers and cynicism. You are a laborer? Consider yourself lucky. Four years of college many, many thousands of dollars in debt and Local TV wishes to pay $7.25 (won't mention any names ) an hour for camera operator and editor. At least with fast food you have the possibility of bringing home leftovers once in a while to help survive- you can't eat video or graphics.

I'd just like you to know: How hard of a year it is to sell art. Art "IS" my reason for living, and it helps to have the few people behind me that I have and in these morning hours after new years it is only fitting to give credit where credit is due.

I wish to thank this year:
Tom Haun -------------"LONGFOOT"
Starship ED----------- Production resources
Matt Chellini---------- Web Admin & Sound
Luke Walker----------Sound and Inspiration
Dolemite---------------Props and Intuition

And to all of the Social Network friends who are engaged with my posts, comment, share, retweet and do their best to help my cause - Hat's off to you all. Everything you do is very much appreciated.

To everyone- have a good beginning to the NEW YEAR. I wish prosperity and health to you and your families - and I look forward to sharing some fun and excitement with you this coming year. Thanks to everyone for all that you do.

Best Wishes,

TJPARSONS

@tjparsonsfilms on twitter

Tom Parsons

The founder of Uddershiet Films and film enthusiast, maintains a fun collection of movies that he regularly references for technical examples, discussions with colleagues, friends, students, and production staff. Although there are particular films, shorts, and videos that he prefers over others, seldom is there a movie that he doesn't like.