lukecastle123

[lukecastle123]

My Bio.

Posted: 11/28/17 I have to submit my “Bio” quite often to various people for interview and things like that. I’m using this place to hold it because I’m tired of retyping it or I am limited to 400 characters. If you think I should add anything to it let me know!

Luke Castle is a daydreamer, loves to dance on occasion and belts his heart out on pop songs he loves. Like any experienced daydreamer he has learned to embrace failure while only letting his feet touch the ground long enough to regain the momentum to keep his head in the clouds. The Internet is his second home and claims to have 'read all of it'.

Luke is one of the founders of the Royal Starr Film Festival, an annual event held in Royal Oak, MI every fall. He now serves as President of the festival and just finished another successful year. He has worked on various film projects throughout Detroit, including the documentary series, Motor City Rising. Luke also works as a REALTOR for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices HWWB in Birmingham, Michigan so if you are interested in buying or selling a home drop him a line. Luke has a continuing passion project called the YONDRR Project where he captures peoples stories on video from all over the world. He considers himself a pop culture geek long before it was cool, and he has the photos and scars from high school to prove it. Luke is interested in just about everything for at least 10 minutes until his ADHD kicks in, he is a sponge for information. Books, documentaries, travel, television, people watching, video games, and old folks are only some of the sources where he finds his “highly” reliable information. Luke can be found exploring the different nooks and crannies that Detroit has to offer and is always excited when a guide offers to show him around. His ethnic background is Filipino-American, but get mistaken for a Mexican all the time. It could be attributed to the burrito he always seems to have in his hand, his equivalent to the blue potion in Zelda.

[lukecastle123]

Why I "Like" Photography

I was on a dating site and someone asked me "Why did I like photography." What followed might have been to long and deep for a third message.

That is a difficult one to answer in words. I guess that's the very reason I love photography. I don't need words. I let the work tell the story. For example there is a very famous photo of a man kissing a women in Time Square on V-J day by Alfred Eisenstaedt. I'm sure there was a reporter there at the same time as Alfred, s/he most likely wrote about what was going on, I'm sure it was great. But it was this spontaneous photo by Alfred that stood the test of time to connect us with that moment. Because you witness the embrace of the sailor, the packed crowded street, the woman's slightly lifted leg as this stranger kisses her. Because it is your eyes seeing it, it make it personal. Because you draw your own conclusion on what you see. Alfred captured this moment in time as an artist. He opens the window for us to come to our own conclusions. Our own experience.

V-J Day in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt (1945)

#photography

[lukecastle123]

Crossroads

I find myself at the crossroads of life, at the precipice of many paths some I asked for, even prayed for, and many I could have done without, but all converging on one point. Now. And they await my decision. Knowing full well that there will forever be a Before and an After.  I find myself being challenged to let go of what was past in order to lighten the load for the future. To let down walls that I have toiled to build brick by brick in the many years Before. I don't know what part if me to trust. Heart, Logic, Ambition, Fear... But tonight I fall asleep with a #heavyheart for the decisions I face in the near future.

[lukecastle123]

More then I thought I could be.

So far this weekend I have negotiated a bowling feud, held plenty of hands for reassurance, comfort and crossing streets. Explained that the homesickness is just temporary (we have only been here 1 night so far), that if you don't have money you cannot buy anything in the snack shop, that the small scrapes will not kill you, I have danced longer, sang harder to overplayed pop songs then i'm willing to admit. Hugged and been hugged more times then I can imagine, walked there, then turned around and walked back because they forgot this or that, then walked there again... Then walked back because I forgot this or that. made a cooler out of a garbage can and bought 3 dorm fans, I have fixed a broken heart with YouTube videos, reassured another that their internet girlfriend would call, that patience is key, that some times bad stuff happens. I have celebrated their victories and calmed them during the losses. I have been crushed on, asked to dance, of course I couldn't /wouldn't refuse. I have talked an anxious one off the proverbial ledge, ate more bad college food to last a good year, or five. This has been my weekend thus far as a chaperon for the Special Olympics and we have one more day to go. Tomorrow tears will flow and more hugs will be given as we say goodbye and I find myself reluctant to do so. . . I look around the 3,000 participants from all over Michigan and think this is GOOD. . .

I have already promised to come back next year.

Pictures linked below

https://goo.gl/photos/iy3h2zQMPurye2Go7

#special olympics

[lukecastle123]

Lets talk the Philippines: the culture.

Thirteen years ago I visited the Philippines with my family. For me, the trip was not an enjoyable one. I was a difficult, bratty, moody 17-year-old teenager. It was hard to experience the culture with me not being open-minded or mature. What I learned back then despite the widespread poverty, Filipinos have great faith and are filled with happiness and joy. I can't name any culture the exhibits this trait as well as they do. They so damn happy, and joyful and giggly!

That was seventeen years ago.

I have now returned as a grown man. More mature, a lot more laid back, and now I have the freedom to experience the culture at my level, and searching for what I missed out on the first time. I wanted to make sure I got it right this time, to keep my eyes open and not on myself. I wanted to be Filipino.

OK, lets start off with this. It is really hard to be Filipino when I am more the twice their size. I am a giant here in the land of little brown people. Everything is just too small. Chairs. Ceilings. Doorways. Cars. The list goes on and on. I can't tell you how many times I have crammed myself into a small space.

My ass can't take it anymore folks!

I now know now what those giants you see on TV and the papers must feel like. And everyone that meets me here always makes this comment in amazement

"wow, you're so big"

as they try to wrap their arms around me for a hug. Just one time I want to say "yeah it's part of the American breeding program, better profits for McDonald's and the Yum! Corporation" or something silly like that.

#philippines

[lukecastle123]

Just a little off the top...

“Your father is the one who circumcised me. “

The man said with a smile as he introduced himself.  I replied with a with a less than endearing "Wow, that is really amazing." As I went back to eating my pagong soup (Turtle Soup) I don't think he picked up on my sarcasm cause he replied with a "Your dad was the best at circumcision in the province." At that point, two things occurred to me.

One, my father with no medical or religious background was the go to circumcise guy in the area.

Two, I guess everyone does really have a talent. (I wonder how this would fair on Americas Got Talent?)

At that point, I stopped eating my Pagong soup which is a good thing cause I found out later that eating turtles is illegal in the Philippines. So now I can cross off  "Eating an endangered animal" of my bucket list, whether it was on it or not.

It has been an interesting few days since I got here to the Philippines. How was the trip here you ask, long read the post before this one.   When I got here it was hot and humid. Manila is crowded. Traffic is like a chaotic ballet with beeping and tooting and honking, all which mean something, but I have not figured out the cipher yet. There seem to be no traffic lights in the 5th most populated urbanized place in the world.*  But whatever they have figured out here it seems to work well, I never see any accidents and traffic seems to always keep moving. Also another note on vehicles here. People Frankenstein their own vehicles here. They just build a Jeep. Making it look as close to a wrangler as possible.  And it is not a hobby, it's normal practice with no real auto manufacturer here on the islands, the guy with a ratchet set and a welding machine become the new Ford or GM. Oh and they seem to last FOREVER. With the option of making a stainless steel body with a diesel engine (diesel fuel is cheaper here), they never quit.

The food here has been and experience. Besides the endangered Turtle soup. I have had a variety of things I want to talk about in a future post, both very American and the farthest thing from it. I don't want to give too much away yet, but if your wondering I haven't had balut. The beer here is mostly San Miguel, the country's most popular and locally brewed beer. It's good I have had both the Light and Pale Pilsen versions of it. And I don't like beer, but I really enjoyed the taste of both, but more of the Pale Pilsen. Also, I have raided every pili nut stand every time I see a new way it is prepared. I call this research. I don't care what you call it... :p

I'm having a great time between the interesting stories, culture, food and atmosphere there is so much to look forward to. I will soon be adding photos to all the post, so check back. Also Like below and share! If you really want to be a fan you can subscribe in sidebar section to the right.

#philippines

[lukecastle123]

Leaving in a jet plane...

So the time has finally come. I am leaving this afternoon for Chicago, spending the night there and then its a 24 hour flight with layovers to the Philippines. We land at midnightish' we wait until morning and shop for more equipment. Then it's a 9 hour drive to the general area where I will be working.

In the past few days I have been preparing. I bought my boots, water proofed them. Did sidearm training. And ate much fast foods I could, Taco Bell - sigh. I've also been root and hacking all my devices. I'm about to put the "Lucas tech spin" on this business.

So why am I going back? Canarium ovatum or pili nuts . A unique nut grown mostly in the area where my dad is from. It has the highest fat content,  it also high in calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, and rich in fats and protein. But mostly they are delicious. When raw, it resembles the flavor of roasted pumpkin seed, and when roasted, its mild, nutty flavor and tender-crispy texture is thought by some to be superior to that of the almond. I'm making it my business the know as much as I can about them and bring them to America.

I haven't been back since I was 17. Now 31. I sorta know what to expect, but I am excited to see how the country has changed. With the growing popularly of mobile computing, smart phones, and even the internet boom - I will be interested to see the impact it had on the country. It seems to me even Facebook has its social media clutches on even the most rural communities. May I could introduce them to Google+.

Well that is it for me right now stayed tuned right here for more on my adventure...

#philippines

[lukecastle123]

My Day.

My Day: Went to work with a messed up leg. Filmed in Detroit Central Station, Thought it would be a great Idea to Climb to the top, took 40 mins, Got 2 flights of stairs away from the top before My producer called and said I was need down stairs ASAP. I hobbled down the stairs as fast as I could until one of the last flights where I triped and fell down it. I was carrying a Cannon 5D, a monopod, and a light stand As I fell I cradled the camera in my arms as if it was my child and rolled down the stairs. . . The Camera is fine. Still haven't been to the Top of the Train Station. After we filmed a bunch of other stuff, me and my shooter (cameraman) were given an assignment to do a time lapse of the sun set over the ambassador bridge. So where is the best place to get the ambassador bridge and Detroit Skyline. . . Canada. So at the last minute we head over to Canada using the bridge. We get to the little Mounty in a Booth (Sounds like a gag gift), he take our passports, he asked us a bunch of questions like its the SATs and hands us a yellow paper.

They have to search out car. . . I have ALL the film equipment on me. So many boxes and bags that it fills the back of our Warwagon (minivan). they go through every single bag. And power our laptops on and look at our pictures. They even read my notes on my Comedy routine I've been working on. Then we have to go to immigration and check in. All this for a 2 hour time lapse shot. we get to Imagration. and after a bunch of waiting. We are DENIED!!! We were not fit to enter Canada! So we cross back over to Michigan. Find a spot along the river and set up for our shot before we lose daylight. We met Tony a local detroiter that was fishing there. After we set up the time lapse shot we ended up talking to Tony or "Old Detroit" as we called him. about the old days in detroit. the shot was beautiful. and the ambiance was unexplaneable. . . I just sat there sore leg, beat up, wet, dirty, and tired - with the biggest smile on my face while drinking one of "Old Detroit's" Faygo Orange Sodas. It was a moment I wish I could have shared with everyone. I love today. I love my Job. I love my City. See what I learned from "Old Detroit" is that you can't keep a real Detroiter down, we just keep going, broken or not...

#detroit #filmmaking

[lukecastle123]

Manic Monday

Day three, it was interesting. I started with the children's group, we had two sessions. One in the morning. One in the afternoon. It got off to a rough start, but we got better through out the day. Little brown kids where everywhere. I felt like I was at a Del Castillo family reunion! No matter how unprepared we were, those children's face's expressed such joy to see us. Some the the missionaries formed an "arm tunnel" and the children ran through it as they entered the church. They where so excited, it looked as if they had the price is right and where told to "Come on Down!" When you see children like that it's infectious. I think that’s what Jesus was say when he said

"Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children." (Matthew 19:14)

I think this is why everyone should be around children. Even if you're a grumpy old lump that not to interested in children. You should watch them. I'm sure in no time you'll have a smile on your face and a bit more warmth in your heart.

Also today I started the interview portion of my "Documentary". I think it's going to be a good piece of work given the sound comes out clear. I love listening to each of the subjects stories and their relationships with each other. So Far I have a Father and an adult daughter, A young married couple, a family of four with  two teen boys, and a mother five here by herself. I'm excited to see what comes of each story. I started to figure out what music I want to use in the doc also. It's shaping up to be really cool.

In other news... Stephen still has our game of slaps going. The kid is like a midget ninja. A Minja! We held a truce most the day so we could concentrate on the mission work but that quickly ended as we left the church. Running Score for the week 34 Stephen, 27 me.

[lukecastle123]

Sunday, Slap Happy Sunday.

Day two in Costa Rica. I'm getting to know my fellow missionaries better. People from all walks of life are on this trip with me. SO far I've met a Veterinarian, Lawyers, a dietitian, interactive media specialist, an optometrist assistant, an engineer, I"m sure there was some teachers in there, a motor-head, a few college students,and a slap happy 12 year old. (more on that later). But it seems to me that no matter what walk of life or career path chosen. God all called us to this moment in this location. Here we share a common bond. A purpose. A journey. I've enjoyed listening to all the stories that everyone has and hopefully I will have a chance to catch them on camera for my doc.  But no matter what the story is they all converge here in a little city of La Carpio, Costa Rica.

One of my favorite people on the trip right now is Steven. Steven is a slap happy 12 year old. He came on the trip with his Dad and older sister. For some reason, I don't know why, he has taken a liking to me. I let him use one of my video cameras and I showed him how to use it. (I'm always up for teaching my craft.) I guess he got comfortable with me because I was talking to another Person on the trip when I got a slap on the face followed by a "Thats one!" sang in a taunting manner by Steven. Unbeknownst to my knowledge I was already participating in a game of 'slaps'. A game where you have to slap your target in the face when hes unaware of you or your impending attack. And I'll tell you what, Steven is really good at this game. I would be getting on the bus and Steven would be waiting, patiently like a panther ready to pounce on it's prey. One time today I was talking to a group of people and out of nowhere, seriously -nowhere I got the coveted double slap on each side of the face from behind followed by "That’s 4 AND 5!!" as Steven retreated to a safe distance. But don't for one minute think that I was a victim of this crafty 12 year old’s game. Yes folks, I played along. I don't really slap. I'm more of a sarcastic touch on the face kinda guy. I didn't want to hurt the kid, even if he was starting to leave hand prints on my face. by the end of the night the score was 18 Steven, 14 me. But the game continues for the rest of the week. So I'll keep you posed on the outcome.

On a more serious note. I went to church to night. I/we were warned ahead of time that the service is a two and a half hour service all in Spanish. I didn't know what to expect still, I didn't even know if I would get the message of the service. I don't know how to say this except in this statement. I felt in the presence of power tonight. Even though there is a language barrier and I didn't understand a word that was said tonight. I felt what they were saying.  I felt what they were saying. It was like there was another language there tonight. Not Spanish. Not English. Something deeper. Maybe it was love. The language of love. The one language that is constant, it transcends race, creed, color, age and tradition. I understood their love for God, for their community and for each other. I felt God saying to me "Yes Lucas, I'm here too." and I was moved. Tucked back behind the rolling mountains of San Jose, among the makeshift shanties on a plot of land we might call a "reservation" God was there. I can't say I was surprised or I didn't already know this. But it's nice to be reminded that "God is here too".  No matter the circumstance, they know God is here too, and now so was I, he brought me and my friends here. The work starts tomorrow. Stay tuned...

[lukecastle123]

I’m not a minority anymore!

I landed in the Land of Costa Rica, and there are brown people abound. It's wonderful. I just wish I would have studied Spanish more. I think I might when I get back. It was a long day getting here. I was up all night then got on a plane for Miami, Florida then on to Costa Rica from there. I've not had the chance to start my mission work yet, that's tomorrow, I look forward to it. Tonight I got to know my fellow missionaries. I am very bless to be traveling with a great bunch of people. Jamie, one of my best friends, is traveling on this trip also which has added a new flare to the adventure. We have this thing where we are both are totally fine riffing inside jokes off each other. Some are hit, some are a miss. All in all it pretty fun/ny. After we landed and got through the airport to our bus we where whisked away to this outdoor restaurant where we had delicious chicken and rice. I loved it! We came back to the hotel relaxed and powwowed for a briefing on what to expect this week and it was off to dinner where we had... Chicken and rice (and beans). I'm sure this is going to be a recurring theme though the trip. At least I like it, lol. It's a lot like home food for me. I'm really excited to go to church here tomorrow.

I want to say thank you to all that gave up their time and money to help me get here. I'm capturing as much video as I can and will post a finished project some time after my trip. If you feel called to donate, my trip is only half way funded.

[lukecastle123]

Annie Mae stole my heart.

Long ago there was this girl, and in my adolescence I fell in love with her. We had a wonderful time together. She understood me when no one could understand me and my often times dramatic teenage angst. Oh the “woe is me days.” Annie Mae had it all. But like all young love,

this teenage romance had to come to an end. I had out grown her, and she was lost to me for the years of young adulthood.

Sounds familiar? I bet half of you are saying “Yes! I dated a girl just like her” and the other half are saying “Yeah I out grew the giant robots and over hyped and drawn out kung-fu battles of anime also.” Well second group, good job in seeing though my story. You know me, you really know me (large tear on top my for head). Yes Anime, animation haling from Japan. Those large eyed, proportionally drawn cartoons most often associated in my youth with giant robots, flying kung-fu heroes. I use to love them along with my cousin and friends, Dragon Ball Z, Gundam. I can’t really name more than that, to be honest as a teen I wasn't exposed to much more than that, and I believe thats why my love relationship with anime ended as such a young tender age. I want more, and instead of looking for it, I found another hobby. So from then on anime was just that children stuff. Well until recently...

Back during my film school days, I had a friend lend me “Spirited Away” a Hayao Miyazaki film from Studio Ghibli. The film tells the story of Chihiro Ogino, a sullen ten-year-old girl who is in the process of moving to a new neighborhood, but ends up in a mysterious world of spirits and monsters. There, Chihiro must find a way to restore her parents' true forms by working in Yubaba's bathhouse. (straight from Wikipedia). Well to my surprise I found the film not only entertaining, but the story was rich and deep with meaning. This I was not use to. Loony Toons never gave me this. It was always “What up doc” kind of humor or “Micky Mouse Storytelling” of obvious happy endings. Well I couldn't stop there. I started to watch all Miyazaki films Castle in the Sky, Howells Moving Castle, Grave of the Fireflies, Porco Posso, Kiki's Delivery Service, Princess Mononoke. Then I watched Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind and it hit me. As a child I did watch this stuff because I remembered the 'big rolly pollies' in Nausicaa. It was a very scary and intense scene for me. But I was young and the film went right over my head except the giant stampeding rolly pollies of course, they looked pissed. Then I understood. Anime wasn't just for children and teenagers. Anime actually, and most of the time assumes an adult audience often touch on mature themes, I'm not just talking sex (which is a different type of anime entirely) but themes of Global responsibility, and struggling with real issues deep inside a character. It was amazing, they became more than cartoons. But that's where it ended for me. I only trusted in Miyazaki for anime. Well until recently...

After the LARP event I decided start on my check list of “NERD THINGS TO DO”. Due to Netflix Anime of all types became very accessible to me. So I decided to test the waters and watch a TV series staying away from the Giant Robots, Kung-fu, and Fantasy Genres, didn't want to get caught up in that again. Then I found it. . . Washington DC . . . Modern. . . Political. . . Bingo! Eden of the East. I watched all 11 episodes. WOW. This was. IS the best storytelling I have ever seen in any format. I love it! I had to have more. The I started to throw the rules out the window, Girl that's really is a wolf. I'll bite (haha) Spice and Wolf: Season one, 13 episodes. Wonderful. More. I was addicted but still didn't want to see Giant Robots. So the next series I watched was Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit. 22 episodes!! Awesome! Needless to say I barely got any sleep that week. I needed to take a break before I overdosed. But it was too late I fell in love with “Annie Mae” all over again. I came to terms that I didn't really outgrow Annie Mae she was already ahead of me waiting for me to be all grown up and come home to her again.

So here is the call to action Geeks, Nerds, Dorks and every one else. Anime is really cool. When you get past the giant robots of course. If you don't watch anime, I suggest starting out with “Spirited Away” for all my anime virgins out there and just about anything else from Miyazaki. Then check out the other shows I posted here. I will also make a list of AWESOME ANIME and post it soon. As for me, I'm going to keep watching and trying new things, I might even watch one of those giant robot anime series, I was told Marcoss was good. :)

Whats your favorite Anime? Comment below!

#anime

[lukecastle123]

It's all about size...

It's here! Spring. I've been wakeing up early at 4am to get as much work done as I can before the afternoon when I spent time with my family and friends or have to attend meetings. I'm not a morning person but I sure do enjoy it. I love seeing the night pushed back by the on coming day. Nothing will stop it. It so reliable. But my favorite thing to do is have a cup of coffee and maybe a pastry or bowl of cereal and open the window and let the morning ambiance in. The cool air comes in, the birds are right out side my window at their feeders, it's really a relaxing thing for me to do. I'll stop everything to do it. Usually by this time I've been working three of four hours already and it's a nice break, I work from home so at this time every one is gone and it just me . . .  and my thoughts. I prepare myself for the day ahead. And I feel better about the day, it changes my whole outlook as opposed to rushing to get everything done and running out the door. The small amount of time maybe 15 minutes, and a small cup of coffee changes my whole day.

I have a lot of these small things that I do through out my day and week that make my time more enjoyable. For instance I keep a planner with all the things I need to do and look forward to doing, but I do another unique thing with it. I write down the movies I saw that day that interested me with a rating and later go back and read them. I feel a sense of accomplishment when I look at my planner and not from all the appointments and work I've done but from the movies I've made time for. So I've come to the conclusion that one needs to take time. Make time to find or enjoy the little things.

Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.  ~Robert Brault

What are the little things you enjoy that might help get you through your day?

[lukecastle123]

Journey Into the Heart Dorkness

So I don't know what to say. I'm you average geek. I love computers, movies, video games, comic books all a little bit more then the 'normal' person. But I have had this yearning to go totally nerd, or at least toy with the idea of letting go of my preconceptions and go full hard core nerd.

This week was a big step for me. I had been invited by some friend to attend a weekend LARP session. My lips said YES! Even before my brain could stop me to think of the repercussions. For those of you who don't know what LARP is, its Live Action Role Play. You create a character by picking race, story, skills ect. and then you role play that character out the whole weekend, even while sleeping, at a camp ground or some other area. Now like I said I'm just your average geek, I've never played a table top role playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, I've never Cos-played, I don't get heavily involved with comics, or conventions, or anime. That being said I've never LARPed either, and frankly I became more nervous and sacred as the day approached when I would have to don a foam sword and tabard. LARPing has seemed to me to be Dark Territory in the geek world. That corner that even the geekiest of people seem to look down on. But it wasn't that. I didn't fear being social outcasted by my friends in the real world or even family for that matter, no matter how many times they made fun before I went, it didn't bother me. No, I was afraid that when I got there I wouldn't fit into this new world and new social dynamic based on fiction. I didn't know what to expect. Would I have to talk funny? Dress funny? I would soon find out.

I arrived at this private Jewish Camp that the LARP Chapter rents out. This camp is huge. I registered, still nervous, and put on my costume provided to me by the chapter. Baggy pants, a tabard, and a vest. I decided I was a Male Human Gypsy with a longsword. My Longsword was made of of PVC piping wrapped in foam, this is also know as a boffer. I went through weapon orientation where they tough me the rule of fighting with my boffer. The man teaching me was a minotaur not in character yet. He was really nice, cool guy, answering all my question and concerns (and I had a lot) but at the end of the training he informed me that when we get in game that he would be a prick because that's the character he played. I did my best to stay away from him for the rest of the weekend afraid to upset his in game character (I really didn't want to piss off a minotaur).  Actually many people warned me that if they where rude to me in game that it was all part of of their character. While I was in game I learned that everything is fair game. People could attack you at anytime even in your sleep and did. I was lucky enough not to be attacked in my sleep. Not that it would have mattered cause I was out by the end of my first night. It's a lot of work being someone else and killing bad guys.

During my first day the action started right away we all where in what is called the towns Tavern it's where all the characters meet,trade and most important eat (the food was great!) Bad guys, I couldn't tell you what they where except bad, started coming in the tavern and attacking and they would come in waves all night long. I had no idea what to do. You know that feeling you get before you get up to sing in karaoke in front of people you don't know for the first time, that silliness and possibility of failure and ridicule. That was I was feeling as stood frozen in the corner most the night. I finally made that first step after getting over that feeling. I was here to go all in. I wanted to experience it, I gripped my foam longsword tightly and made those steps to the door where out side a group of people where having a battle. I watched how it was done and then jumped right in and tapped a bad guy... once. "4 damage"  I yelled quite loudly. I must have been building up in me all night. No one looked over at my vocal eruption. But it felt good. this weird sense of satisfaction. The next bad guy came up and I was ready. "4 damage,  4 damage, 4 damage" I confidently called out. (you have to call out that damage your doing for every strike.) The weekend went on like this playing out storylines and save the world plots and the like. When we where not fighting I talked to people in the tavern and enjoyed everyone's company.  I shivered in the cold with them for 3 and a half  hours during an epic battle where the more experienced character protected and 'healed' me while the big bad guys kept on coming, bonds where forged and friendships formed. Sunday came too soon, and I found myself sad to leave because I had these new fictional bonds with people. This was something I was so scared to do, but when I left my preconceptions behind along with my pride and ego, I really found something that was a lot of fun to do. I'm now looking forward to going to my next LARP event, picking out costumes and writing the back story to my Male Human Gypsy character Alrix Sno.

This was just another chapter in what I'm calling my Nerd Chronicles: Journey Into the Heart Dorkness. What other Geek/Nerd/Dork culture things are out there? I might try it, leave your comments  and ideas below!

#LARP Geek Nerd

[lukecastle123]

Life as a Lego Man.

So I had an enjoyable and educational Holiday season this year. Spent Christmas with my family. Always nice. And New Years Eve with my amazing friends. But enough about that...

Do you remember Legos as a kid? I remember getting my first set of Lego's. The possibilities were endless I made Spaceships, planes, cars, tanks, forts, houses, even dinosaurs! I would play with my Lego's for days on end, and I would get a new type of Lego part like gears or what not and the rush of possibilities ran through my mind on what I could build next. I figured I would never stop playing with my Legos...  I'm starting to find that as I go through life I start to acquire more knowledge and it opens up Ideas and the Possibilities start running though my mind. It's like after every struggle and new lesson I come out newly equipped with the wisdom to handle new situations that before stopped me dead in my tracks or just plain perplexed me.  My resolution this year is to continue approaching each  new hurdle and struggle as an opportunity to learn something new.  As for my Legos. I still have them, packed away in a box at my parents house waiting for when I have kids, so I can help show them the  possibilities.

I look forward to 2011. and I wish you all the best out there in the year to come.

Also added bonus. If you liked Lego's as a kid there is this new game out there called Minecraft. You are a Lego man type guy and you  mine blocks to build with. Pretty neat game try it out. Video below. https://youtu.be/m_yqOoUMHPg

#minecraft #lego

[lukecastle123]

I have No Clue

Some days I feel like don't even know what I'm doing. I have no clue, and I wonder if the people around me think this. Apparently not. Or maybe they also have no clue. Now we are a group of clueless people. We just keep doing the best we can with what feels like at times no direction. But for some reason, some way everything comes out fine. Some times even better then expected. It is one of life's little surprises. It baffles me every time. I don't think I can ever get use to this. For example on projects I work on I'll think "wow this is crap" and then after Final Edit people are just ecstatic on what comes out. They love it. Then I love it. Or at least like it. And I don't know what i did? I don't even know if I could even do it again. I just thank GOD for keeping me half awake while I did it.

Life it like this also. No one gave me an instruction manual on how to handle things. I finished High School. I finished College. I read the Bible. I went to Church. and From Time to time I listened to my parents. But in the end I still don't know what I'm doing. I stumble through life just as I did when I learned to walk or even ride a bike for the first time. I would try to attempt to take a step, to balance myself, then I would fall on my face, I would get a few scrapes or bruises that reminded me "this really hurts", but it never stopped me. I'm happily walking member of society that rides a 2 wheeler bike. So I guess things turned out fine. I never gave up no matter how many times I fell. And the Scrapes and bruises turned from reminders of pain to badges of accomplishment.  As in life I don't know what I'm doing. I have an idea. And that like many other Ideas change from time to time.

I fall. I fail. I get up. I fly. As is life.

[lukecastle123]

I love fall

I just got back from a brisk walk/run with Chubbs (My dog). It was about 4am. The world was silent with the exception of the wind blowing through the trees. As I made my way through the quiet suburb my parents live in, I could hear myself think. To me Fall is the most romantic time of year. It’s a time of bonfires and hoodies. College Football and Homecomings. Apple orchards and Pumpkin Patches. Fall is the shedding of summer past and the transformation in to a new beginning. Fresh pencils. Blank paper. A Fresh start. I hate to be sappy here but there is nothing like sitting in the country under a clear night sky, next to a warm bonfire under a blanket with some one you love. It’s perfect. But this entry and what seems to be the first is the next beginning. My new beginning. It been a year. (I’m not going to say for what, I know and that enough) But it’s been a year and I’m ready to start over. But this time I’m going to be my best. I want to be disciplined, focused. Because this beginning is for “all the marbles”. I’m ready to become the man that God intended me to be. Am I happy about this. lol. Not really to be honest. I really enjoyed my life as a vagabond, experiencing people, families and culture at it’s root. I have loved the freedom I have been blessed with the last 11 years. But I’ll be turning Thirty in less then 7 months. . .Thirty. I thought it would never come. And it’s right around the corner. I know it time for change, and this is the perfect season for it… So as I begin this journey. I embrace this romantic season and the road I face ahead of me with enthusiasm and obedience.

. . . I love fall.