Episode 42: Trouble in Paradise

Devin is right; this project is hard. It isn’t hard like lifting a heavy weight or beating Contra without using the cheat code. It’s hard in the same way it’s hard to stick to a new exercise program or diet. It’s just so damn long.

We started this project on a whim. It was an off-the-cuff almost joke idea that we began to run with. That was July. Six months later we are just about to hit the halfway mark, and we all have a much better idea of what we have gotten ourselves into.

The reality is that 88 Nights is a mixed bag of fun and frustration. There have been times when we were all excited and couldn’t wait for the next night to come; there have also been times when the project seemed to be demanding every spare moment and emotion it could squeeze out of us. Those moments are less fun.

There is no magic way to blend four sets of goals, four opinions about what makes a video good or bad, and four (increasingly busy) schedules. But as long as we keep finding a way to get together and eat that next meal the project keeps moving forward. For now, here’s to another meal eaten. 42 down; only 46 to go.

Tonight’s menu: the number 42 – hamburger.

Episode 9: Doubts

You know those old episodes of Batman from the 60s? The ones that would end in a cliffhanger, and the audience would be left wondering how Batman and Robin could possibly escape the Joker’s grasp this time? Well night 9 was kind of like that for us.

I think every big project comes with a few moments where doubts start to creep in. How long will this project take? Will we be able to stay enthusiastic about it the whole time? What if real life intervenes at some point? For the first time we talked as a group about the possibility that we might not finish, but we also talked about how much fun we are having and how badly we all hope we do. Even though this is our project, we are still waiting along with everyone else to see how this pans out.

Devin and Todd running out of GAS? Dave and Chaz full of BEANS? Will the Cinco Four finish the whole ENCHILADA?… Or have they finally bitten off more than they can CHEW?

Find out later this week… Same taco time… Same churro channel… We’ll be watching too.

Tonight’s menu: the number 9 – enchilada, chicken taco, rice, beans & salad.