Dirty Jersey/NYC

Peace out Pittsburgh and off to New Brunswick. Saying goodbye to my mom is always the hardest and it never gets any easier.

Okay, maybe it's easier than a 6 hour car ride with Frank. Just kidding. If I can block out parts of the lectures and avoid talking about Barack Obama, driving with my dad isn't too bad. 

We make the long drive to New Jersey to visit my favorite sister, Krissy. We arrive just in time for us to do our favorite thing together: run. We go to a nearby park and Kris and I do a 3 mile run while our dad admires our awesomeness. 

We pick up some groceries and I cook them a post-run Mexican feast. (3rd non-southern California Mexican meal of this trip for anyone counting)

The next morning my dad left at 11am and let me take this opportunity to say that it's crazy to drive 12 hours in 2 days just to drop me off in New Jersey. But I know my ddd would drive twice that in one day if it meant spending time with his bi-costal daughters and I appreciate that.

Now things can get a little more exciting. Kris and I head into NYC. We take a train to Penn Station and the subway to Robin's Brooklyn apartment. 

Robin had to go to work, Kris and I decide to do our favorite activity again. Surprise! We go for a nice 5 mile run around Prospect Park.

We shower and then head into the city to meet Robin at a vegan restaurant in the village. I figure I should get one solid vegan meal in before I leave the States.

It was pretty delicious and walk to a nearby beer bar to wash it down. Robin would have to help me with the name of it but it's got a massive beer selection, reasonable prices, and terrible service. 

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention that Robin's friend Jess joined us at the end of the night. So, shoutout to Jess: Hey, girl, hey! We get back to Brooklyn around 1 am and that officially concludes my last night in the states.  Leaving for Germany tomorrow!

-Bacon

Sarver: Karaoke Supernova

Sunday is a family day. My Aunt Nancy and Grandparents come to my parents' house to visit. It all happens in a blur and it feels like we're saying goodbye before we even say hello. That's the difficulty of having family so far away, but everyone understands it's the sacrifice I have to make for the life and career I want in LA.

Of course, my trip to Pittsburgh wouldn't be complete without Sunday night karaoke at Rockafellas. Seriously, I plan my trips home around Sundays specifically so I can go to Rockafellas Karaoke with my friends. This is probably because my experience with LA karaoke bars is that they're really packed and full of wannabe actors/singers who are either way too good or take it way too seriously. It's not fun (unless you go with an obnoxiously huge and drunk frisbee team that has a tendency to take off their shirts .. cough.. Retro!). Even so, it takes forever to get on the mic.

At Rockafellas, my friends and I can sing whatever we want and not have to feel self-conscious. If I want to be the white girl who tries to rap Salt n' Peppas "Shoop," I can. If Andrew wants to sing Priscilla Queen of the Desert songs out of key, he can. And if Ben, Andrew, and I want to close out the night singing the best rendition of Elton John's Crocodile Rock that Sarver has ever heard, we can. And we did. Glorious. 

After karaoke, Ben, Andrew, and I chilled on Ben's back porch until around 1:30 am. The seconds slip away until I inevitably have to leave. I don't want to, but I have to get up early and on my way to New Jersey. 

It's so hard coming into lives of people I love for a few days at a time, only to be ripped away again for six months. It makes these short trips home incredibly bittersweet. The only positive that comes from this is that it's impossible to take my time with my PA friends and family for granted. We make the most of it and sing our guts out. I love you all so much. -Bacon

- Megan

Pittsburgh: Toonseum/Art All Night

"Our plan is to meet at the Toonseum at 12:30." reads the text from my More Frames animation buddies.

You jerks, I think. It's 11:30 now and I still haven't gone for my run and my mom is making quiche for lunch. I'm not missing either of those things.

I do a 3.5 mile loop through Harrison Hills Park, my favorite running spot. A hilly, green run through the woods is priceless to Pennsylvanian confined to the concrete and dessert of LA. 

I race down River Run, which overlooks the Allegheny, hopping roots, sprinting the hills, and I feel the peace that is so hard to find in LA.

After a delicious post-run quiche from my mom, I'm on my way to Pittsburgh to meet up with the More Frames guys. It's Jordan, Gus, Adam, Andrea, and the bonus addition of Matt and Jess Kappel! Avengers Assemble!

We check out the Akira exhibit at the Toonseum and our minds are collectively blown. There is a display of individual painted cells from the movie and the complexity of each frame of this technical masterpiece is unreal. Seriously, they did this without CG!?

We all feel like such frauds as animators, that when we turn to the other wall and look at some Bill Plympton drawings, art actually feels attainable again. And that says a lot since under normal circumstances Bill Plympton is incredibly impressive as well.

After the Toonseum, we head to Lawrenceville for the "Art All Night" exhibit. Imagine an enormous old industrial Pittsburgh warehouse packed with art, bands, and hipsters. 

We looked at all of the art and it generally ranged from pretty cool to hilarious. Here are some of my favorites:

That last one is called "Raining Knives." It was painted by a 7 year old girl. I think her future is about as bright as that sun.

I parted ways with the More Frames guys and then met up with my bestie, Jeffrey. We walked around Lawrenceville for a while and admired all of the hipsters who were out in their "Sunday best" for Art All Night. Pittsburgh is really starting to feel like an up and coming city with the emerging art and film scene. It's a few vegetarian restaurants and Trader Joeses away from stealing me back from LA. And just as I'm considering the possibility while Jeffrey and I are watching the Pirates game at a bar, I see this:

Stay clASSy, Pittsburgh. Some things will never change and I love my city's Yinzers.

Jeffrey and I spent the remainder of our time together back at Art All Night drawing a comic that will hopefully never see the light of day, yet will live forever in our minds.  All in all, a pretty wonderful day in my home city.  

-Bacon

Bacon to the 'Burgh

Friday morning I rolled over and woke up next to the remnants of my Compadres burrito and salsa. Now THAT'S how you finish off a good night: waking up next to Mexican food.

Prof Mike picked me up from the hotel, I said my goodbyes to Edinboro, and we hit the road for Pittsburgh.

The long, leisurely ride down I-79 with Mike would've been lovely had it not been for those last 3 shots. I spent most of the ride with my back pushed into my seat, chin to my neck, as if melting into the cushion would keep the food in my stomach. Luckily, Mike spent most of the ride going off on the environmental wrongs of fracking and, luckily, I agree with him, so I didn't have to offer much to the conversation but an occasional affirmation.

We got off I-79 at Rt. 422 where my buddy Ben was waiting. I did a double take.  Standing tall in his aviators, slick haircut, goatee, and blazer, he might've looked like a model if he hadn't stepped out of a P.O.S. car. Anyway, Ben looked good and I hoped into his car for home.

Ben was kind enough to pick me up because we had always wanted to go to this tiny Mexican joint along the way called Rey Azteca. (I don't know why I keep ending up at Mexican places outside of Southern California.)

We walk in the door and immediately the smell of food makes me wanna heave. (Kids, stay in school, don't do drugs, and once you have a job, you can party hard at your alma matter.)  Ben decides it's a good idea to order his food to go.

Ben drives the rest of the way to my hometown of Sarver. The last thing I remember before arriving at my mom's house and crawling into my childhood bed is how blue the sky is, how green the grass is, and how beautiful everything is in bloom. I miss springtime in Pennsylvania. Goodnight and time to recharge!

-Bacon

Edinboro

God Bless Ativan. Seriously.

I conked out for most of my flight from LA to Cleveland and anyone who flies with me knows what a miracle that is. I'm generally the white-knuckled passenger who flinches every bump of the flight. But I'm  working really hard to change that. It's called Ativan. 

I was a hazy mess when I landed in Erie and was picked up at the airport by an Edinboro student named Andy. He was a super nice guy and would later earn the nickname Derpy because of our love of My Little Pony. 

I met up with Brad, my favorite Edinboro professor (just kidding, I love you all the same, but then again, Brad is probably most likely to stumble across this....) He took me to my hotel and I prepared for my talk later that night, aka I slept. 

Next was dinner with the Profs at Edinboro's first non-Taco Bell Mexican restaurant, Compadres. A burrito later, I was in front of a packed lecture hall of eager animation students.  I talked about my animation career and it was probably the closest to feeling like a rockstar that I will ever get.  It was a lot of fun and hopefully the students learned something. 

Edinboro Day 2: Go Big or Go Home

Brad picked me up bright and early Thursday morning for his advanced animation class critique.  I enjoyed the student work and the opportunity to provide feedback.  I ended up critiquing 3 classes that day and I liked that I was able to approach each professor's class a little differently.

Brad- from a filmmaking/story perspective

Steve- from a client/professional perspective

Mike-more technical animation/performance perspective

While I would love to go into a more detailed explanation of the technical aspects of animation, timing, pacing, and story, I will just leave you with this hilarious and strangely relevant cat video:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Veg63B8ofnQ

You're welcome.

Later that evening, I gave another talk on animation.The guys of www.moreframes.com were kind enough to attend and show their support.

 As customary, afterwards we headed to the Coin, which I refuse to call Fat Willie's, for drinks.  And drinks were had. (Damn you, Andrea) All I can say is that I had a wonderful night out with my friends, former professors, and I hope that my behavior at the bar didn't invalidate the "classy" example of a working professional animator I displayed up until that point.  Or maybe it was just a realistic example.  

Anyway, big thanks to my friends at Edinboro University for having me (way to put it all together Gabby) and thanks to everyone who made my visit extra special!

-Bacon

Bacon's Journey Begins

I hate traveling. Don't tell Shenzi. While she loves to adventure, I need a little more coaxing. I'm perfectly content to sit in front of my computer for days on end making things.  I'm comfortable in my LA life, but I'm about to be viciously ripped away from the comfort that I know and love for 6 weeks.

Shenzi is drives me to LAX and all I can think is: last time I'll see my apartment, last time I'll see Venice, last time I'll see palm trees, last time I'll see that I-Hop on Sepulveda. I'm clearly a raging ball of anxiety about being away for so long, but this reinforces my decision to travel. It's too easy to get comfortable in everyday life, and I need an adventure.  It's important to constantly refresh our perspective on the world, and if you have the time and money to do it, why not?

Shenzi pulls up to LAX Terminal 7 and Beruit is playing on the raidio. I'm a teary mess knowing I'm about to part ways with Shenzi for what seems like forever. Shenzi tells me to suck it up and she'll see me in Germany in 3 weeks.

We say our goodbyes. 

That moment is hard, but once it passes, I put my gameface on. No turning back now. I walk into LAX ready for a crazy stretch of travel.  Here is the itinerary:

Tues: Redeye flight LAX -> CLE -> ERI

Wed-Thurs: Edinboro

Fri: Edinboro to Pittsburgh

Mon: Pittsburgh to New Brunswick

Tues: New Brunswick to Brooklyn

Wed: Redeye flight  JFK -> DUS

Thurs: Dusseldorf to Trier by train

Two weeks later, I will reconnect with Shenzi in Germany. Until then, I'm on my own and I'm going to live every second of it to the fullest.

I hate the traveling. I hate the anticipation.  But I'm ready for the adventure ahead. Let's get this show on the road. Peace out, Los Angeles. Smell ya LAter.  

Bring on Edinboro!

Love, 

Bacon