Journey with Janelle » California

Photo of the Week 1/14/11

Janelle K. Eagle — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 09:00:07 +0000

I’ve got a great camera, but not the best camera. As a result, I get very disappointed on a regular basis when the lens doesn’t seem to capture the colors of the world as my eyes do. In this picture, I was ecstatic to see that the beautiful yellow/green of the fallen leaf shown in all its glory. Juxtaposed with the steel gray of the background and the composition in the frame with scattered brush, I love the way this picture turned out. Courtesy of SF Golden Gate Park.

Photo of the Week 12/21/10

Janelle K. Eagle — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 09:00:39 +0000

For this picture, I have to give the majority of credit to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for good lighting and incredible skeletal reconstruction. I recently revisited the aquarium with my mother and godfather and joined all the small children in being in complete awe of all that the water has to offer. It tooks quite a few takes to get this shot because I could not use a flash, so I’m ecstatic that the skeleton appears “floating” in frame, just as it did in its tank at the aquarium.

Photo of the Week 12/7/10

Janelle K. Eagle — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 09:00:19 +0000

I had the honor of being a member of the crew of the film “A Marine Story.” This film has done incredibly well on the festival circuit in the last year, winning 15+ “Best Of Festival” awards along the way. While filming, we were on location on a hilltop in Saugus, CA. One of my favorite pictures from that day flared the lens and reflected the sunset off an old and rickety white picket fence. It was one of those moments that you know you could never create, you just had to be present for.

A REVIEW | Monterey Bay Aquarium

Janelle K. Eagle — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 18:59:25 +0000

I can remember being a small child and going on a field trip to the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Jumping off a bus with my packed brown-sack lunch tucked safely into my small pink barbie backpack, I joined the line of my peers at the entry gate. The aquarium had only been open a short time when I was that young, and what a treat it was to return recently in the 25th year of the Aquarium’s heroic residence in the outskirts of the San Francisco Bay Area.

KIDS
The exhibits are state-of-the-art and extremely interactive. If bringing small children, take them over to the Splash Zone, a hands-on experience equipped with kid-friendly exhibits and complimentary antibacterial hand spray.

All of the various displays are colorful and include great signage and explanations, though it will be important to have a guide (either a parent or teacher) be present for the multitude of questions that small ones will have about this invisible world under the water. If you don’t feel qualified to lead a personal tour, worry not! There are plenty of helpful staff members floating throughout the aquarium and some helpful pamphlets, movies, and public speaking sessions throughout the day to take the pressure off.

A jelly in Monterey

ADULTS
For the mature animal-lover, the highlight has to be the exhibit on Jellyfish (obviously kids will enjoy this one as well). Each tank is superbly constructed to encourage the fish to float effortlessly right in front of your eyes. The beauty and majesty of these flowing creatures is a rare treat and in my opinion, worth the price of admission on its own.

Throughout the experience, you’ll be reminded on a rather constant basis (sometimes annoyingly so) that humans pollute and hurt the underwater ecosystem. If you’re a fish eater, be prepared for a guilt trip you may not be expecting- Disneyland sure doesn’t make you feel bad for eating salmon for dinner. Alas, they also give quite a few useful and easy suggestions about how to be more responsible, and why not stare at some penguins, pink flamingos, and sea turtles while being taught how to be a responsible human?

FINANCES
The price tag is getting up there, I must say. Even a child costs $18 with regular adult admission skirting ever-so-close to $30. The good news is, it’s worth it to cough up the dough, especially when you consider that the admission ticket actually goes to fund much of the environmental programming that the aquarium supports.

If you’ve got some money to spend, I’d highly recommend investing in one of the boutique experiences the staff at the aquarium offer. From diving into the reef exhibit, feeding the otters, sailing with the staff and even a New Year’s Sleepover, there are some awesome opportunities to get up close and personal with out friends in the water.

LOCATION
If you’re coasting up or down the 101 Freeway, take a little detour into Monterey. The surrounding Cannery Row restaurants are rather kitchy and definitely overpriced, but the view of the bay and marshlands feels like a welcome departure from the bustling California metropolises that I’ve come to associate with the Golden State.

Parking can be difficult and pricey, but once again- it’s all worth it.

San Francisco Silhouettes

Janelle K. Eagle — Mon, 22 Nov 2010 22:51:31 +0000

I had a much needed vacation in San Francisco this past weekend. I decided to bring my still camera for a change and ditch the video. It was fun to point and shoot again. Loved how often silhouettes showed up.

Feast your eyes:

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LGBTQ Jew

Janelle K. Eagle — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:40:24 +0000

Elissa & I present our research

This summer, I’ve spent a lot of time talking about what it means to be both an “out” Lesbian and an “out” Jew. It may seem surprising to hear that you have to “come out” as Jewish, but the truth is- in each of the communities I am a member of, I always have to come out.

When I am in the Queer community, doing work on behalf of LGBTQ equality, I proudly announce that I am a practicing Jew. That I have no qualms with my religion and it has no qualms with me. I want to break the stigma that you can’t be religious or spiritual and also be gay.

Similarly, when I am working in the Jewish world, I am proudly open about the fact that I am gay. My home synagogue knows I am gay- and my straight rabbi there recently spoke from the bimah or raised platform in front of the congregation about his demands for equality. Every day that I go to work at the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, my colleagues embrace me and my partner- who also works here.

It is rare that I am surrounded by a majority of LGBTQ Jews. When I do- it’s like a special home; a rare treat. Twice this summer, I have participated in conferences that have surrounded me with LGBTQ Jews from around the world.

This past weekend, I presented at the World Congress of LGBT Jews at UCLA with a dear colleague and friend of mine, Elissa Barratt. I was proud to conduct a survey of young LGBTQ Jewish women and share our results to an invested crowd.

A picture of Elissa and I leading the session ended up being the featured picture of a recent feature in the Jewish Journal and our research and presentation is also mentioned in the attached article.

Check it out: CLICK HERE TO READ

#80: Sleeping Under the Stars

Janelle K. Eagle — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 19:46:42 +0000

I’m not sure how long it would have taken me to cross #80 off my “life to do list.” You see, sleeping under the stars (i.e. camping) is something I used to try when I was little. I’d set up a tent in my parent’s backyard, bring a book and a flashlight and attempt to be brave enough to sleep outdoors. Inevitably, a bug would fly near my head or the roar of the crickets and frogs nearby would freak me out and I run back into the safety of my childhood bedroom by the end of the night.

Then my dear friends Adam & Jen decided to have their combined bachelor/bachelorette party be at a campground in the middle of nowhere. In particular, it was at the San Pedro Lake in Northern California… oh and it was 107 degrees outside during the day. And there was no electricity. And no restaurants. It was just 20 of us… in tents… on a lake… and it was amazing.

We had such a blast and it was so amazing to get WAY outside the city and WAY outside my comfort zone- exactly the point of putting this item on my life to-do list in the first place. I cherish my friends and I cherish when they are present and supportive and challenge me.

And I had such a good time… I would even do it again sometime!

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Let the Film-Fest begin!

Janelle K. Eagle — Sat, 19 Jun 2010 00:09:40 +0000

“Word and images matter!” That was the battle cry pounded into my head during the three years I spent working for a media advocacy organization called GLAAD (The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation). I was part of a team of staff that holds Media accountable for what they put on the big screen, small screen, and in the papers and magazines decorating our coffee tables. The organization also famously celebrates the achievements of media that got it right in the form of their annual “GLAAD Media Awards.” I left the organization in order to become one of the filmmakers creating the culture-changing work that I had spent so much time celebrating.

In just the few short years since I left, I’ve had the distinct pleasure of working on not one… not two… but THREE films featuring LGBT content and filmmakers. I am incredibly humbled and honored to be alongside such talented artists and technicians. It’s amazing the bravery and vulnerability they all show each day they show up to work to tell these stories.

Given the talent involved, I was completely unsurprised when I found out that two of the films I worked on (the third being in post-production right now) called A Marine Story and Elena Undone were headliners at this year’s Outfest Film Festival in Los Angeles.

I was completely floored however when I was nominated to head up the Outfest Legacy Awards this fall and make an even greater contribution to the LGBT filmmaking world by protecting the images and stories in this canon of film for generations to come. If you live in Los Angeles and are interested in attending or joining me at my table… please inquire within.

In the mean time, I was asked by www.gaytravel.com (an incredible new website and social networking site which I highly recommend becoming a part of ) to share my thoughts about why I think Outfest (and therefore LGBT filmmaking in general) is important. Here are my thoughts:

Why is Outfest important?

- Because cultural change happens in our living rooms and around the dining room table, not in ballot boxes
- Because the diversity of our complex community and its allies is rarely even touched on in entertainment- so having a bevy of options celebrating that diversity is a rare treat
- Because some of the most talented filmmakers in the business are members of the LGBT community and they make good work!
- Because creating a legacy of moving images that tell stories that have the capacity to change hearts and minds is invaluable

Why am I involved?
- As a filmmaker and storyteller, I care how my life and the lives of my friends are portrayed
- Because I believe that film and television can reach beyond borders and walls and this is the way that I choose to create change
- Because the talented pool of individuals that are showcased this year are often undersupported and overlooked in the wider entertainment arena and it is my pleasure to be part of giving them their well-deserved spotlight

Why should you be involved?
- Because it’s one of the only places that you will get to see many of these films on the big screen
- Because your financial support in the form of movie tickets will actually go to a cause you can be proud of- encouraging more LGBT films and filmmakers to keep making incredible work!
- Because they throw amazing parties

I threw a lot of stuff out there, so here are the links for follow up items:

1. To learn more about the 2010 Outfest Film Festival, Click HERE
2. To purchase tickets to one of the films I worked on, click HERE:
(A MARINE STORY)
(ELENA UNDONE)
3. To learn more about the 2010 Outfest Legacy Awards, click HERE
4. To learn more about GLAAD, click HERE
5. To join me on Gay Travel’s incredible network, click HERE

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Day 1: All You Can Do is Keep Bleeding

Janelle K. Eagle — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 18:04:00 +0000

Me still smiling before leaving LAX airport

My personal in-flight television screen says that we have traveled 1585 miles from Los Angeles. It’s hard to tell because we are surrounded by 360 degrees of the Pacific Ocean. It’s blue skies and sea blue all around. My medical mask hugs my face, simultaneously keeping my breath warm and my lungs from interacting with swine flu or other airborne gross-ness.

It’s happening. I’m on a plane headed to Nepal. My best friend is sitting next to me, my camera pack is in the overhead compartment and I’m off to make my first movie. It’s a claustrophobic-bathroom, swollen-footed dream come true.

Because we’ve been anticipating this journey for close to six months, Patty and I are extraordinarily prepared. We’ve thought through every possible ailment, taken every precaution, and set ourselves up for success. Now comes the waiting and crossing of fingers. Will “the story” we hope to tell actually exist? Will we be able to capture it on tape? It’s leap of faith time.

All signs point to a raucous adventure, indeed. I awake to find a text message that Patty has already lost her ipod and we haven’t even left LA. My roommate Tara and I arrived at Patty’s house to load the car with our luggage and get on the road to LAX International Airport. After knocking on the door, Patty offered me an English Muffin for the road. I gladly accepted. I should have declined.

Patty displays her disbelief in her ill-timed injury

While cutting the muffin, Patty sliced her finger. Badly. Right before we are about to head to the airport. Through tear-soaked eyes she asked me whether or not we needed to head to the ER and get her stitches. I remained calm, looked at her profusely bleeding appendage and made the uneducated medical decision to forego stitches in favor of Neosporin and a band-aid. The good news is, that was the right decision. Patty stayed all in once piece and we hopped into the car.

During the ride, we listened to Ingrid Michelson’s recent album. One of her singles is entitled “Keep Breathing.” The irony of said instruction is beyond humorous as you’ll read on. At the end of the song, the talented vocalist builds musical tension by repeating the mantra “All You Can Do Is Keep Breathing.” A fitting mantra for the ever-stressed 20 something, Patty and I have repeated those very lyrics on multiple occasions. For the purposes of embracing the morning craziness, I jokingly changed the lyrics to “all you can do is keep bleeding.” Patty pointed her bandaged finger to me with a smile on her face and said “I hate you.”

Upon arrival at LAX, we head towards Terminal 4- the acclaimed Tom Bradley International terminal- and wave goodbye to my roommate. Then we learn that our flight is in fact leaving from Terminal 7. We have six bags, two English Breakfast tea lattes, and about a quarter mile of space between us and our actual destination. We scurry our way down to T7 and arrive panting.

Patty and I simply laugh it off

After waiting in an extended check-in line, we hurry over to Security. I let them know in advance that my entire carry-on is filled with camera equipment. Wires, harddrives, lenses, mics… we are loaded and there is no way to simply take it out of the bag and place it in one of those white bins. I mentally prepare myself to have to go through special security and am immediately told that my assumptions were valid. It was me, a private security officer, and a shrinking window of time before our flight was to depart.

While I was mentally prepared for additional security, I was not mentally prepared for the officer to remove every. Single. Individual. Item from the bag. He scanned them separately. He brought the monopod (think tripod with one leg) back to his supervisor for even more security because it looked too much like a weapon. But Patty and I must have been on happy pills because we handled the entire thing with grace, and ascended the escalator towards gate 76 with a smile.

Our smiles faded quickly when we reached the summit of said escalator. The voice over the loudspeaker greeted our ascension with “Final boarding call for flight 891 with service to Tokyo. Final boarding.” Oh yeah, you betcha. We are the farthest distance possible from our gate and have to RUN.

In case the mental picture isn’t self-evident, think back on those movies or cable crime dramas where someone is rushing through the airport. Perhaps McCauley Culkin chasing after his assumed father in Home Alone. And we know how that sprint ended. He’s fatherless and alone in New York.

In our case, the terminal is packed, most folks are leisurely wheeling carry-ons, and then there is us. We are sprinting like there is no tomorrow. The experience conjured up 9th grade physical education when my teacher told me I wouldn’t get an A in the course unless I ran a mile in under 8 minutes. Ever the over-achiever, I arrived at the finish line at 7:56 with a burning pain in my chest. I got there, but it hurt.

We booked it across the entire airport today, folks. Barely avoiding collision and barely permitting air into our lungs, Patty and I got on the plane. But it hurt.

And the Ingrid Michelson song has come full circle. As we claim our seats on this journey, panting and gasping to regain a normal heartbeat, I smile and think “All we can do is keep breathing.”

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#13: Take in the Aroma

Janelle K. Eagle — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 20:57:00 +0000

Bottles of Pinot Noir from the Laetitia Winery

Obviously I’m a bit addicted to traveling. In particular, I get a kick out of experiences that feel fancy but, in fact, are rather affordable. When my dear friend Patty asked me to travel with her to Central California in order to support a mutual friend’s theater project, I thought, “Let’s kill two birds with one stone!” And alas, we decided to cross off #13 from the “Life To Do List” and go wine-tasting as well.

The drive from Los Angeles up to Santa Maria is about 2.5 to three hours up the 101 Freeway. The views of the famous cali coastline did not disappoint and we truly couldn’t have asked for better weather. While singing along to whatever our iPods threw at us, we made the following “Journey with Janelle” videos about visiting Laetitia Winery.

Grapevines at the Laetitia Winery in Santa Maria, CA

We were particularly lucky in that the day we arrived happened to be an “Open Cellar” day on the winery. They had live music and had opened all of their cellars and brought out their professional staff to tell us about everything that goes into making their incredible product. The entire experience cost only $10. We brought along our $5 footlongs from Subway and after buying a couple of bottles for our own expanding vino collection, had spent about $50 for an incredible and lush experience.

As a Pinot Noir lover, I can tell you, Laetitia makes one of my favorites. If you’d like to take a similar adventure, you should visit their website and find out more about the next time they are opening up for guests!

http://www.laetitiawine.com

EPISODE 1

EPISODE 2

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