From Goodbyes to New Beginnings: First Stop, Los Angeles
Early Morning Farewells and Packing Madness
Where do I start? This journey had barely begun, and already, I felt the excitement and emotions colliding. Yesterday, I got an early start with my usual online networking group, and then suddenly, it was time. One hour before departure, the frantic packing began – last-minute, as always. Luke was with me, going through the checklist like a hero, calmly reminding me what to grab as I tossed things into bags and double-checked my gear. After all the prep, the real challenge was saying goodbye to Hobbes, my little buddy who doesn’t know why everything suddenly shifted. He senses the change, though, looking at me with those big eyes, wondering why our normal routine is unraveling.
That last night, there were no treats or bedtime cuddles with him. Missing that little ritual made it feel real – like the road ahead was opening up and stretching far beyond where I’d been. But as much as I missed Hobbes, this was it. I was ready. I had planned this journey, and the pieces were all coming together.
A Quick Stop for a New Companion: The Cobra SC 400D Dashcam
First stop: Best Buy. I swung by to pick up a Cobra SC 400D dashcam, something I’d been excited about for weeks. This wasn’t just for safety; it was a way to bring all of you along with me in real-time. I’ve often driven these roads, seen incredible sights, and thought, I wish someone else could see this too. Now, I finally can share that. The Cobra SC 400D captures everything in crisp 4K, and somehow, knowing that I’ll have this footage has made me more aware, more in the moment, noticing details in the landscape I might’ve missed before.
Once it was all set up, I hit the road. The route from San Diego to LA felt familiar, yet this time, there was a different energy to it. Traffic was steady, but luckily, nothing too crazy. I watched the miles go by, a stretch of open road that felt freeing, and about three hours later, I rolled up to my friends Dave and Jason’s place in LA.
Friends and Inspiration: A Reunion with Dave and Jason
Dave was there to greet me with his usual energy and creativity. He’s an old friend and a constant inspiration in my life – always involved in new projects that make you stop and think. His career is a fascinating one, with deep roots in interactive storytelling and immersive design. Back when I worked with SIGGRAPH and Nickelodeon, I was already captivated by that world. I loved blending technology with storytelling, and seeing Dave’s work at Thinkwell – creating experiences for theme parks and events – was like a glimpse into my dream world. Recently, he’s been working on The Arkham Asylum Files: Panic in Gotham City, a unique board and AR game set in the Batman universe, and he’s also designing an interactive experience room for the Make-a-Wish Foundation. Imagining the impact this will have on families warms my heart and gives me new creative energy.
Jason, Dave’s partner, recently started a new role as a flight attendant with Jet Blue, which means he’s been collecting his own set of stories and travel experiences. Together, the two of them remind me of the Halloween Horror Crawl days – an annual tradition of hitting up the best haunted spots in LA, a series of creative, spooky displays that rivaled even Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights. They’re an incredible pair, and I’m lucky to call them friends who continue to inspire me, each in their own way.
Dinner, Tacos, and Reconnecting with Dee and Omar
Later that evening, after a quick unpack and a bit of time to settle in, I swung by Casitas, my go-to taco shop in LA, and headed over to catch up with Dee and Omar. Dee and I go way back to our Nickelodeon days, where we worked together in production. I developed a FileMaker Pro system that revolutionized Nick Digital’s workflow in 2007, turning it into a cohesive, user-friendly process for production. Dee was initially hesitant – she likes her systems tried-and-true – but as we worked together, she came to see how it streamlined our projects. Over time, she became a key collaborator, pointing out ways to improve the system and make it more intuitive. Now she’s a Post Production Supervisor, and I have a ton of respect for the hard work, attention to detail, and resilience she brings to every project. Sitting down with Dee feels like catching up with family; we pick up right where we left off.
Omar, meanwhile, has a creative side that constantly surprises me. Lately, he’s been building a Jurassic Park-themed terrarium – just for fun! He also has a passion for finding ways to blend his family’s Mexican heritage with creative projects. His mom even taught me how to make tamales once – the ultimate gesture of hospitality! I love how these friends from my past continue to bring new insights, passions, and memories into my life, and it was amazing to see them after all this time.
After catching up, Dee and I played a game of Mario Party. She wiped the floor with me – as usual! But it’s those little moments of shared laughter, competition, and nostalgia that remind me of the quality of friendships we have. Time passes, but with Dee and Omar, it’s like no time has passed at all.
Capturing the First Timelapse of Many
Once I got back to Dave and Jason’s, I got to work on editing the footage from my drive. The dashcam video turned out beautifully, and the timelapse from San Diego to LA captured every moment of the journey in just three minutes. There’s something surreal about watching the trip play out so quickly, each mile captured in stunning 4K. It’s a new way to share the beauty of this journey with all of you, and I’m excited to keep creating these along the way.
As I posted the video on social media, I felt a wave of gratitude for everyone following along on this adventure. The comments, likes, and shares – even from unexpected people – have been incredible. This support reminds me of my fieldwork days in Australia, where I documented Luminous Streets, an arts festival in rural Victoria. Back then, knowing I had people in mind while I was documenting gave me a sense of purpose. This time, I want to share the journey with you all as it unfolds, creating a collective experience. So, thank you – your support gives meaning to every mile I drive, every new view I capture, and every story I share.
This is only the beginning, and I can’t wait to see where the road takes me next. Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and timelapses as Miles with Micro keeps rolling forward.
If you could hop in for one leg of this trip, where would you join me and why?