Rapid Reaction from NYC

Just yesterday I was walking around the sloppy rain filled big apple for the first time in my life. If you haven't ever been, make an effort to before you get old and don't want to travel. But the trip wasn't necessarily for my inner tourist, it was to talk with my Great Uncle Blair for the first time on camera.

He lives in Vauxhall, New Jersey at South Mountain Rehab Center. Basically, it's a nursing home. But Blair is more than capable of taking care of himself, but he recently had a triple by-pass surgery, added on with a knee replacement which has landed him in this place. One might say his HIV has caused his ailments, but he made it known that HIV has only given him a pudgy stomach. Otherwise HIV has done nothing to him.

Before this trip/talk with Blair, both of us had our apprehensions. I was worried he wouldn't open up to me, and that everything I had perceived in this relationship between him and his brother/family were untrue. This trip allowed that apprehension to disappear. We both opened up to each other talking about anything we could in this 4 hour visit. I even had lunch with the rest of the patients at the center. He showed me his now permanent home, introduced me to nurses and patients, and I showed him some of my work as a filmmaker, plus some old home movies. It was a give and receive day. We couldn't catch up on all aspects of life since we haven't seen each other in years, but the plan is to keep visiting, and continuing to share. I would say we both enjoyed this eye opening moment.

Once I dig threw the few hours of footage I shot, I will have more of in depth blog entry. In the meantime, if you haven't, read up on what this film is about, and subscribe or follow the blog. I think it might turn into something special.