Once more, and with a bare minimum of planning, I find myself about to fly overseas - this time for a few days in the Czech Republic. Unlike previous excursions, I don't intend to immerse my arms in latex or attend any events. This will instead be a genuine holiday, albeit a short one. Despite a light itinerary; I'll be visiting Prague, and hopefully getting over to the Sedlec Ossuary for a bit of traditional sightseeing.

Although it's been over twenty years since the Velvet Revolution, my 1980s Geography education still compels me to refer to the region as Czechoslovakia. I must try not to make too many awkward socio-political faux pas when over there. Picking up the language should be an interesting challenge, but I'll no doubt adopt the standard technique of shouting random European words while gesticulating frantically.

As usual, I'll be spooling the minutiae of the experience via my Twitter and Flickr feeds - assuming of course I can find decent internet connections along the way.

Of course, today is a most ominous date to travel, and it would be wrong to not at least acknowledge that. The way I see it; the best way to remember such a terrible day is to not succumb to fear and carry on with life regardless. The alternative is unthinkable.

However, if anyone asks what my business is, I will make sure I pronounce 'tourism' very carefully.

It's been a long time since I've taken opportunity to reflect on my life's direction.  Although I had hoped to be back in the US by now, or at least globetrotting in some capacity, I remain land-locked. The momentum built up during last year's adventure is still there, however. Just trundling along amid other distractions.

The main distraction of the moment is the full time web-development job I seem to have fallen into. I'd normally be able to balance such a grown-up responsibility with everything else that's going on in my life, especially as the office is less than half an hour's commute away.  However, within a few weeks of my starting, I found my role upgraded to de-facto team leader - a challenge approached with the usual level of dumbfounded bewilderment.

Although it's a great opportunity to brush up on my PHP and Javascript skills, the additional responsibilities have been somewhat draining - hence the lack of blog updates and general life-living.  I'm learning enough to help spruce up my website and others when I get the time, so it's not all that bad.

The Seven Wonders in Seven Days excursion seems to be on hold for a moment, pending sufficient funds. Although I can't say I'm surprised, I hope we make it out at some point. There's been a lot of effort behind the scenes to pull things together, so I'm still along for the ride. (And it's nice to see fellow traveller Alissa popping up on Coronation Street recently!)

Closer to home, I'm still thrashing out CGI for 'On the Shoulders of Giants'.  Although I was a lot more productive prior to the whole gainful employment thing, I'm still churning out various scenes and monitor effects in my spare time.  In an ideal world I'll be doing this full time, but for now I do what I can when I can.  Now the film's coming together, I find myself rather impressed with how it's turning out, and look forward to putting together a genuine demo reel to flaunt my wares.

The movies I worked on overseas are also coming to fruition. 'The Breakup' has already premiered at the 2011 San Antonio Film Festival, where it received an encouraging reception.  At the end of the month; 'Amounting to Nothing' will be released to an eager local audience at the Josephine Theatre in San Antonio, hopefully to much mirth and merriment. I'm really happy for both film crews, and just wish I could be over there to share in the glory!

Sometimes you get the breaks. Sometimes you get broken. Life goes on, and there's plenty more opportunity ahead…

The first trailer for "On the Shoulders of Giants", the retro sci-fi film I'm working on, has been released - and I have to say it's pretty darn awesome! Spaceships, Robots, and a Theremin soundtrack: What more could my inner geek desire?

Although none of my effects made it to this cut, the trailer both looks and sounds great. We're all working hard to finish off the CGI effects sequences, and I have plenty of work to keep me occupied during the next few weeks. The movie is due to come out Autumn 2011, but we plan to finish the effects a few months before that - allowing for plenty of editing and tweaking to make them the best they can be.

As for my own future, stirrings are afoot that may take me overseas again - but things are too early to say just yet. I've always got to keep things interesting!

Place to B Productions are definitely making progress on the comedy movie Amounting to Nothing.

As well as the new trailer shown below, there's a new pledge page up on Indiegogo which we all hope can garner enough generosity to finish the film off in style. Shooting is nearly done, and production is well on the way to a Summer release.

If you're a fan of politically incorrect humour, this is sure to raise a titter!

Indiegogo Pledge Page

A wonderful bit of publicity for my good friend Sergio of The Darkness FX infamy. Although he only made it to the second round of Face Off; his time on the show has granted a life-long dream to appear in Fangoria magazine. As well as being featured in a recent issue, he's also been interviewed on the website regarding his time on the show:

"FACE OFF": Second Casualty

Proof positive that greater challenges are on the horizon.

Once again, life has thrown another exciting opportunity my way. After a chance email from a friend, I've landed a rather impressive gig doing something I love.

For the next few months, I will be assisting with CGI Effects and Video Composition for a locally shot sci-fi movie - "On the Shoulders of Giants". Produced by Water on the Rock, this film promises to be a retro homage to classic science fiction movies - from what I've seen it looks like it'll hit the mark. Despite my inherent nerdiness, digital effects are virgin territory for me, so I have much to learn with both Blender and After Effects. Luckily, the rest of the team seem encouragingly enthusiastic, so I hope to get up to speed quickly enough to make a significant contribution. Alas, there'll be no preview pics or videos until the film is ready. But after that I'll be sure to flaunt a significantly bloated portfolio.

The only drawback, if drawback it be, is that I've finally had to assimilate myself into the Facebook collective. A necessary evil, as this will provide the best way to collaborate with the rest of the team. Later on, I'll see about tying it all together with the rest of my internet presence.

Still looking for another paying job to help replenish the coffers, but at least I won't be sat around twiddling my thumbs all day.

This week sees the launch of Face Off, a new reality show on the SyFy channel in America. As I mentioned previously; Sergio Guerra, head honcho of The Darkness FX and my (informal) boss when I'm over in San Antonio, auditioned for the show. It was no surprise that he was picked to be one of the twelve contenders!

So, American viewers, catch the show on the SyFy channel at 10/9c this Wednesday 26th January, and cheer the big man on!

(For some reason, the blog decided to double post then delete this. Reposting.)

As expected of seasonal employment, the customer service job I've been languishing in since October has come to an end. I can't say I'm surprised, and if truth be known the work was starting to get be down a little. Nevertheless, it would have been nice to know before I'd paid for another month's train pass. So it goes…

It wasn't all bad. Met some new, interesting people, and made a few good friends along the way. And I'm sure I've got a foot in the door next time there's a rush on.

This leaves me with an abundance of free time, which I'm already putting to good use by working on some more scripts. As is the way of these things, I find my writing gets better the more I practise it, especially compared to the scripts I was scribbling out a year ago. Once I'm sufficiently relaxed and re-focussed, I'll be sure to spill my creative juices in other media as well.

I'm still looking for more work, obviously, with an aim towards something more akin to what I actually want to do with my life - or at least a close approximation. Money may be getting tighter, but I'll find a way. I always do.

Speaking of customer service, I have to give a huge shout out to Plusnet, my new Internet Service Provider. Not only are they apparently cheaper and faster than my old one; but they went out of their way to hook me up ahead of schedule when my old ISP disconnected me a day early. This was amazing service, especially as they took the initiative to help after reading a mildly frustrated tweet I made this morning. Proactive customer service is an excellent first impression. (Disclosure: That Plusnet link up there is a referral link. I'm a whore.)

So, here's to free time! Now to catch up with everything I've missed over the last three months. Can't believe it's already been a year since I first went to America.