Back from the Dead
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 02:08AM Howdy folks.
Despite a (somewhat) popular belief, I am not dead. Just very, very busy. We went in to overdrive to finish the rest of season three. All in all, you'll have twenty episodes (this includes season 2.5, which yes, is officially season three. But don't get me started on that, as it's still a sore spot.)
We finally finished last week. So, we've been working pretty much non-stop for about a year now. We started filming season two in April, and we really didn't get a break between season two, season 2.5 - ahem - I mean season three and, the official season three episodes. So that's, what? 33 episodes?
So yeah; we laugh, we cried, we threw tantrums, I wrestled a certain Russian and had many adventures.
Now I'm back home and spent the majority of last week doing little things. I got to catch up on some movies. A lot of good one's that I'd recommend. I caught Watchmen a few weeks ago. I thought it was pretty moving. I never read the graphic novel (but I know I'll get people suggesting that I should, but before you write to me, just know that I already bought the book and it's sitting on my desk) and I purposely decided just to see the film without any expectations. I really like Zack Snyder's filmatic approach. It can be summed up in one word, well, two: f***ing epic. My favorite sequence is the opening montage. He tells a story in a slowed down photographic moment. It's much more creative than the usual speed-it-up copout that a lot of filmmakers use for the opening credits. Just my two cents.
Another inspiring film is Milk, directed by Gus Van Sant (directed some other decent flicks like Good Will Hunting) which is about the first openly gay politician, Harvey Milk. I didn't know anything about Harvey Milk, and usually biopic's can be pretty melodramatic. I saw Kinsey a few years ago, which tried to make Kinsey (the famous psychologist who studied sex) out be some sort of inspiring hero, and it just seemed kinda laughable. I dunno, unless you're Leonidus or some other kind of war hero, it seems hard to paint a person out to be inspiring. I guess it's in the eye of the beholder. But Milk was pretty damn good. Obviously, a lot of insecure people will pass it by because of the homosexual themes, but at its heart it's just about a person standing up for who they are while also trying to make a difference in the general community. James Franco, who's probably one of my favorite actors, does pretty damn well here.
Last night, I decided to dumb my mind down a bit and check out Fast and Furious. I've never seen the first two, but I did check out Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift (go figure) and I liked it. So Serg and I checked it out, and honestly, it was a lot of fun. Bad ass cars, gorgeous (yet not all incapable) women and a good ol' fashioned revenge plot. Michelle Rodriguez is always delicious. I dunno, something about a smart, tough lady who can put up a fight...
Today I saw Observe and Report, mainly because it has one of my favorite actor's, Anna Faris. There was actually a pretty interesting article about her in Entertainment Weekly recently, where it sums up pretty much all the reasons why I love her. She's fearless. And she always looks like she's having fun behind those eyes. I always love the dumb, blonde character, especially when it's done right. You'd think that playing dumb and blonde wouldn't be hard, but actually, it's an art form. Lots of people try to pull it off and fail miserably. I played one in a high school play years ago in a play I wrote, entitled The Young and the Dateless. It was pretty hard. (And no, I didn't play a female blonde. No cross-dressing for me). Report was cool.
So I won't bore ya'll with all the films that I saw, but I also checked out Magnolia (pretty damn good) and I Love You, Man which I HIGHLY recommend. It had a lot of great, memorable moments. Glad to see Paul Rudd in a good starring movie. Couldn't stand him in 40-Year-Old Virgin. Didn't get around to see Haunting in Connecticut, mainly because horror movies bore me and I also heard it blew. After all these years, Hollywood has only been able to get one paranormal story right - The Exorcist. To be honest, though, that's not the reason why I love it. Cinematically, it's a f-ing masterpiece. Story-wise, it's also brilliant. I'm glad it won an Academy Award for the screenplay. Superb.
I also just wanted to report that FIELD TRIP #3: RETURN TO MOTHMAN was killer. About 100 people showed up. We had to keep this event smaller because it was a really small town. But people seemed to have a lot of fun. It's just a fun little town to hang out in with fellow paranormal enthusiasts. We let people see a fresh episode of PS, ate dinner with them, had some lectures, went out to the TNT area to hunt for Mothman, chatted, etc. It honestly was the best Field Trip yet. There weren't any problems. In May, we're returning to the Trout Lake with FIELD TRIP #4: UFO RANCH. Tickets are on sale. It includes meals, lectures, activities and more. There's gonna be live music and some special other little events that we can't yet mention. Other than that, we're going to announce the last two Field Trips for the year within the month. We have a brand new Field 
Trip site coming out within a week or so, and it'll have all the juicy info.
We also did an AGH event in March where we all traveled to Los Angeles. It was a very laidback event. Mostly for social purposes, but it was good, clean fun. Unfortunately, I had to do some work in L.A. so I had to miss most of the daytime stuff. But the circle chat by the beach was a lot of fun. Some damn good questions.
It was honestly a lot of fun to just cruise around L.A., which we got to do a lot of. There were a lot of familiar Field Trippers at the AGH event, which was great. Also a lot of new faces, for both AGH and PRS events. Always good to see new people.
While at the event, we got to take one of the best photos of all of us in a while. I tried to get all of us to jump in the air for the photo. Unfortunately, there was a lot of dirt, so every time we jumped, lots of dust (and orbs!) showed up in the pic. Nevertheless, the photo below is pretty damn hilarious. Especially Chad's pose.
Good times all around.
So now what? Well, we're done for now. Time to travel a bit, do some other projects and get back in touch with friends and family that's been missing me for about a year now. Only got to see my family once the past year, which really sucks. So I'll probably go home. Yes, I DO have a book coming out, I swear. In fact, my co-writer and I have been working on it the past week. Gonna be some interesting stuff.
I'm also doing another film project or two. One will be announced shortly. But that's all I can say about it now. The bosses who run it are pretty uptight about keeping it a secret.
Other than that, it's 2am and this long blog needs and ending. So, take care all.
Peace.
View Printer Friendly Version
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (118)
He's alive!
hey Ryan i was just looking though the web and i found this blog and i think its pretty cool how you show poeple your other side thats not work. i think its great the things you do to help alot of poeple. you inspire lots of poeple to do much more in their life. stay strong and awsome in the things you do. peace.
Good to hear from ya Ryan and looking forward to seeing you at IndyParaCon with Chad and Chip!
I just took a ride on the roller coaster of Ryan Buell's life for the past year. And it doesn't look like it is ending any time soon, lol. Movies, books, tv series....but ya know, my favourite time with Ryan buell is reading his well though out WRITTEN blogs. OK, the video blogs are cool, but as a fellow journalism/English grad, I dig the way you write. Free flowing and thoughtful but also definitive. Beginning. Middle. End. Like we were taught by all of those Creative Writing II profs!!!! Thank you as always for filling us in with where have you been and what have ya been doing. Time to de stress and watch some clouds with Xander. Also time for you to get that boat out and do some wake boarding!!! We will check out some of the films (well, maybe not F and F) but want to see "Milk" and "Observe and Report." And we will keep updating the PRSAS site, ahem, so the Chief and the White Russsian will know what they're "up to." See ya somewhere sometime. Dream big. Sleep lots. Unwind.
xo.
Hey Ferris, so nice to have a blog to read thru! I'm definitely fond of your stream of consciousness writing, and can really appreciate how well you write. Yes, you really do have a good style, so please don't stay away so long!! You NEED time to de-stress and unwind; like Lin said, take some time to stare at the clouds with Xander. That completely sucks that you only got to see your fam once in the past year!! Well, you and that Russian need to jump in the car and just go, just go and have no commitments but have some fun and maybe an adventure or 2.
I always enjoy your movie reviews. Will have to go see a few, rent a few, haven't done that in ages! And I know I'm in the mood for movies when I surf the movie channels on cable, and just stop at one already in progress and sit there like a zombie soaking it in!! I am awaiting Angels and Demons, altho from a preview I saw they are taking artisit license and saying in the movie that Langdon was known for his work solving the DaVinci Code. (Angels and Demons came first in the series, so of course that will be a point the critics will tear apart)
OK, Bueller, get some sleep, don't stay up all night...unless you are writing another blog...and relax! And yes, we will keep updating the PSAS page so you have something entertaining to read. LOL
Debs
I haven't seen any of those movies yet, but I'm looking forward to Observe and Report. I agree with you that Anna Faris does a great job.
The jumping pic is awesome... those can be really good if you can get everyone to actually jump at the same time, but mostly you just get these great pictures of everyone attempting to jump with really hilarious looks on their faces.
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for the *major* update. Enjoy your break as much as possible, and try to get some sleep. :)
Ahh.. finally.. from spotlight to friends & family. I am excited for all of you! Be good to yourselves, and spend at least a little time just being the friends that you are, OUTSIDE of the job you do. Life is too short to be anything less than normal at least some point in your year.
Thanks for sharing your work with all of us, by the way. These monday night distractions from lives like mine that are full of stress and ugliness... it's a gift and a treasure for myself and for my husband. (yes he gets your show sent to Iraq, and shares it with his men.) Never forget that while your work and research is so important to all ofyou and the families you touch, it is also a welcome change of perspective.. if just for a short while, from what it is that makes trudging through life difficult at times. Ya'll make me smile, think, examine my own point of view, and perhaps.. maybe a little.. grow as a human being. It's a gift we treasure on this end of the planet. With that being said.. sleep in, laugh often, and love as much as you can.. and we'll call it even.
And YES.. the @#$# cookies ARE coming.
Tryst
Ryan, you sure had a busy year. Good that you can unwind a little. I feel bad I missed you when you came to Cranford NJ. I live right around the corner...Love the show and have been a fan since the beginning. I haven't seen A Haunting In Connecticut yet but heard it wasn't that good. Best to all of you!
Renee
Nice to see you are doing well. Hope you get rest and catch up on life.
Take care...
Cool dude. Pretty excited for the ufo field trip.
Hi Ryan it was awesome meeting you at the AGH event in Hollywood. The circle chat on Venice Beach is definitely memorable. LoL I was wondering where you were on the rest of the event but I guess work follows you wherever you go. I'm sure you heard all the crazy stories and especially about the bum smokin a joint that almost got hit by a bus?? Glad your team is safe and finally done shooting. Get some well deserved rest. Oh....and the Haunting in Connecticut....yea, you're not missing much.
To the rest of Ryan's readers, if you get a chance to go to one of their Field Trips or even an AGH event it's definitely worth every penny. They're all very welcoming and down to earth people. The memories are priceless.
Glad to hear things are going well!
Looking forward to a book!
Good night, that's a lot of movies!!!!! I don't think that my husband has taken me to that many movies in the 12 years we've been married! Though I'm glad to hear you're getting stuff done and spending some time with friends/family, finally.
You may not be interested in this, but just in case....as per my e-mail, I've been researching how the paranormal affects people with autism (especially since my kids are both on the spectrum) for a possible future book. I am shocked at how many paranormal groups so far have been willing to provide me with their own observations and pass along my request---and how many families that have contacted me wanting to share their stories. There doesn't seem to be much in the way of documentation on this, so it I may have stumbled upon something ground-breaking here.
A paranormal magazine has asked me to write an article for them on the topic and one of the paranormal radio talk shows has been in contact and may have me on as a guest. It all makes me a little nervous since I just began to seriously research this over the last month; but when I hear, "What a coincidence you e-mailed me about this now...." over and over--I know something interesting is happening! I'm thinking that I need to start searching for a literary agent/publisher relatively soon. Any suggestions? If this does go all the way, being experienced in this field, how would you feel about looking over the finished manuscript several months from now and possibly adding your own contribution or review?
Well, I'll let you get back to your Xander-lovin', Russian-wrestlin', movie-watchin', tax-filiin', friend-contactin', investigation-free day!
Charyl-
P.S.---If I can work things out, I may see you guys in Indianapolis next month. :-)
Ryan....i love your show...I just came across your blog last night after the show aired
and i was checking you out trying to snowboard.Must say i was alittle jealous but oh well!!
I will be okay...i wanted to let you know that i love the way you took care of Laura"666" case.
You was just so d@mn real! I mean you took care of her as if she was your own flesh an blood.I
love the way you handle yourself with your clients....I am a big fan of you but your whole team
are really professional....you cant forget about Chip!!! Looooove him!! Keep up the good work...I Love
Monday's when i know you are coming on....i will watch each episode!! Re-runs an all...even though
i already seen them all....................Your Biggest Fan
Oh, I should probably include--in the book I plan on featuring mostly personal accounts, but also including some neurological/psychological information on ASD and how the biology of a person with autism may contribute to having paranormal and/or divine experiences. Just letting you know, in case you happen to run across any info on this. :-)
Charyl-
Speaking of 'epic' (ps good use via blog), that picture of you and serg...
I just wanted to introduce myself.. Im Kelli!!..I as so happy to see that you are a blogger, as I too, am a fellow blogger. I have been a huge fan of your show and have always had an interest in the supernatural but have been too big of a chicken to do anything about it!!...lol...So, thanks for letting me live through you!!..If you are ever in East Tennessee, you should come visit. I can take you to some place here in Ktown that has even been on Unsolved Mysteries (you remember that show???)..
Anyhow, I hope to chat soon and feel free to visit my blog if you like...
the buell does exist. wow!.. glad to see that you are still alive.. time to relax and have some fun. you and the group work too hard.
Blogging at 2 am is usually the best time for stream of consciousness although you do put it together way more succinctly than I could ever hope too. Sometimes it's the only time to shake off the echoes of the day in your head. But late night writing does also significantly raise the risk of drunk blogging, never a good thing. Comes right after drunk dialing.
Excellent episode last night by the way! Makes me want to make reservations. Well, there, the Stanley and the Lizzie Borden bed and breakfast. hehe...
Well, sounds like you had a really crazy fun and busy year. Looking forward to the book and finding out where the last 2 field trips are going to be. Take care and enjoy your down time!!