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Hello all, it's time for a monthly update, and what a month it was. I know, I say that basically every time. Sensationalism brings in the crowds, what can I say? 
Over the post-Christmas break we were blessed to be able to take a road trip to Salt Lake City, Utah, something we had done every year after Christmas for about 5 years until 2005. So it was great to be able to return there.
Barely returned from Utah I re-packed and headed for the great state of Texas for the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival. Didn't submit anything this year, but it was an incredible time meeting old and new friends and filmmakers, and seeing some incredible films.
The view driving to Utah is lined with beautiful snowy mountains and landscapes. Including....
The world-famous mountain that kinda sorta looks like it could be mistaken for the one in the Paramount logo, if you had never seen the Paramount logo before.  I took this picture cause it did resemble it a bit. Interesting fact: Even though the modern photo shown on the real logo is of Mount Everest, William Wadsworth Hodkinson, founder of Paramount, sketched the original logo from mountains he had seen as a child in ....yes, Utah! Hah, so there!
Believe it or not this was taken to the side of a gas station.
Enjoying a hot tea from Starbucks, outdoors, in 6 inches of snow. What's wierd about that?
"Moochie's Meatballs and More". Saw this place on a show on Food Network hosted by that guy in the picture (his actual name is in fact "Guy") and we just had to check it out. The best philly cheesesteak you'll ever taste.
Next morning headed to Park City, the ski resort town near Salt Lake, where many of the Winter Olympic events were held in 2002.
I'm still trying to figure out a logical answer.
Downtown Park City, lots of small-town shops and buildings.
Including, of course, every snow sports athlete's staple for pulmonary health, the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company. Sure it's covered in caramel and chocolate, but it's healthy because it's fruit right?
Happy New Year! Fireworks could be seen right outside our hotel room at midnight.
New Years day we headed to the slopes, and as we suspected most people were too "tired" (notice tired in quotes) from the previous nights "activities" (notice again) to go skiing/snowboarding, so it was a comparatively light crowd.
Probably the hardest part was getting on and off the lift, with one foot bent sideways attached to a heavy 40" snowboard. I would tell you what happened the first time I attempted this, but even I deserve to hold onto a small grain of dignity.
Either this is a bunny hill or it's a black diamond with the camera tilted to the right so it look flatter. I'm gonna say it's the second.
Check out the two smooth sailers. This was a great shot as usually we weren't so close.
In the interest of full disclosure, this was actually the more prevalant position in most of the photos taken.
Jamesy had been a few more times than me so she already had the hang of it.
Mom and dad in the main courtyard.
One of many amazing giant rocks with a road having been excavated through it on our way back home. Just amazing.
And finally a beautifully painted sky passing through Nevada.
Five days later I'm deep in the heart of Texas! When in San Antonio, you must do as the Antonions do, so we took photos in front of the Alamo without actually going in or touring.
Jon decided to get a little more creative.
Jon Courville and his brother Josh joined me in San Antonio and we shared a room at the Crockett Hotel, a very nice establishment about 5 minutes walking from the convention center.
Before the festival we had a Christian Filmmakers pizza pre-party. Rob makes some announcements while Jon b-lines it for the food.
Nate Bluedorn was by far the best documentarian (yes, that is a real word) throughout the festival.
Ahh here we are, the first night's opening ceremonies.
You know, maybe they should make the breaks a little shorter.
Yeah they definitely need to curb the free time of festival attendants.
Look at this, the entire Duggar family was at the festival, while being filmed for their show on TLC! Pretty exciting.
Some of the filmmakers out to dinner
The Von Trapp children were there and they sang for two nights. And yes they're the actual great-grandchildren of Georg Von Trapp.
They had just great voices, it's amazing that they inherited that.
Kirk Cameron and Stephen Kendrick gave a "behind the scenes" talk on Fireproof, definitely one of the highlights!
The celebrity sightings didn't stop there. Who came on stage but Dean Jones, to accept a "Lifetime Achievement Award" from the festival. I knew he was a Christian, but until he spoke here I didn't realize he was a very strong and dedicated one who loves the Lord more than anything.
Doing a "round table" with the directors and producer of a new Bible series he's starring in. They premiered them at the festival and they're probably the most well-done Bible presentations I've ever seen.
He sits perched in a high place, waiting for the perfect shot.
Out to a very healthy fastfood lunch at the mall food court across the street.
It seems like all we do is eat, but really I just didn't take any shots in between lunch and dinner. Sam Ramsey (of last year's "The Photographer") and Josiah Einwechter are two of a large group who went out to "The Lone Star" on the Riverwalk.
The final night award ceremonies. George Sarris hosts.
The Duggars introduce one of the catagories and winners
I won't post all the winners, just the two main ones. John Moore and "The Widow's Mite" won audience choice. It was an incredibly well done film, I was amazed at what they did.
And they were back on stage for a second time winning the grand "Best of Festival" award, along with the $101,000 prize. Wow! Good job guys!
Nathaniel Sisson and I after the ceremonies. Thanks for hanging out Nate!
Jon Courville, myself, Jon Kayser and his wife Alicia. Great to see you guys!
Sam Ramsey and I. Sam always wears the coolest suits.
Technology. Can't live without it, can't live with it. On Sunday before Josh and Jon took me to the airport, we were trying to find a supposed air museum with their GPS, and it promptly led us to a Target parking lot. So we sat in it for an hour and talked about Top Gun.
It was a non-stop couple of weeks there, and I enjoyed every minute of it, but glad things are winding down now. Thanks for reading!
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| | Posted 1/22/2009 11:27 AM - 126 Views - 6 eProps - 5 comments
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Glad you had a good time! Talk to you soon! You're fat.