Well, yet another good day past! Yesterday on Monday I was able to be part of a short film for Corinth's new Civil War webpage, with me as the face and intro to it. The crew was great to work with "Anne, Jason, Wes, Derrek and Kristy the Tourism director". Pretty simple shoots, but well done. Everyone knew what they wanted rather quickly.
Though it took 3 hours and I forgot many lines, it was great to be doing something I love. I've made the point earlier in other posts that you should do what you love if you can.
Afterward we went to a Philly cheese sandwich place and I was asked by the very cute waitress "Are you one of those Civil War reenactor guys?" Though stuck with sounding like a nerd I said "Well, yes I am, BUT I have found a way to make money with it, I just got back from filming."
So she got a photo of me in my uniform uttering the words "Oh that is Hot". Ha Yes! Women love a man in uniform..... even if it is 140 years out of style.... Of course I also had to make the joke of how hoop skirts drove guys wild and how they liked big bums! Ahh, the 19th century, so many funny little facts and great pickup lines.
Another interesting thing the waitress said is when I mentioned that most people don't like my blue Federal uniform, She then said "What, because Union troops didn't fight for Slavery?" Although the subject VERY simplified here, she, well, was pretty correct. Everyone had many reasons for fighting, but yeah, the South pretty much fought for it and the North LATER fought to end it AND bring the states into a peaceful Union again...
Also everyone on the film crew had no issue with my Blue uniform. I really think there is a new south that is appearing and that people are waking up and figuring out the past better than they ever have before. Hopefully I can be part of the Civil War education in the future and helping people discover the past, with a moderate modern view.
Anyways, until then, out to the Wild West once more in Fort Bridger, Wyoming. 4th Season there.... I totally need to get more creative with how I do things out there. Well, Hopefully I'll have plenty of company this year!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Of tours and war...
Well yet another great tour over with. Only 1 left now.
First one was pitifully small, only 5 people, 3 from a family of a head of the welcome center, a reporter from the local paper who was truly fantastic to have along, and another great fellow from Long Island NYC. Much different to have a small tour. Easier to judge the crowd, but being the first one, lots of kinks to work out and get my feet. Also, having a flash light to disarm the house is VERY helpful.... Thank god I got it off in time.
So, maybe not big, BUT with the article written, it has lead to bigger tours and better ones seeing as I could do a good test run with people I didn't know. Easier for some reason. Had a good chat with the 2 guys afterward.
Second one was important, being as it was 150 years, to THE day, that Fort Sumter was fired on, April 12th. I felt honored to give a Civil War tour on that day.
Though quite a few rednecks were on the tours, had many out of towners. They usually appreciate things more, but plenty of Corinthians enjoy the tours. I try to put little facts of the town in, stories of the buildings and draw people back in time. Make them see Corinth in another light, another era. So at the end I got a good tipping and after a good chat with some people from Michigan.
Now, tonight's tour, I thought I wasn't on my game as much as I was the last one. I forgot a few details, I stumbled and I didn't feel confident. However, having done the tour enough I could go along easy enough in the end. Usual people would interject, some groans of the Federal Blue Uniform I wear would occur, even disinterest or scowls of sorts. Course on the tour before that had happened, I AM down south and ALL of this group was local. But all that was limited and soon would go away once the tour started going.
So explain bout every, ruffle a few feathers and speak of the Saloons and houses of "ill repute", AKA Whore houses and the lack of sanitation.
But at the end of the tour I talk about the Battle that raged on that very ground. How men died where we are walking. Speaking of the fight and reminding them this was the worst of the war. This might seem like a nice town, but in fact, it is just like Shiloh, except its not a field that has signs. I make the point that Confederates after were welcoming of former enemies, and would help them if they were touring. Giving modern number comparison of deaths and wounding. Be the modern equivalent of 20 million, Killed, Wounded "in body and mind" and captured and sent to POW camps. And that War is a sad thing and we should think about the human toll. Not just ideas, but that real people died.
Also added that there was a mass grave at Davis Bridge battle for Rebel troops and 3 lonely tomb stones for 3 troopers from Ohio and that, they died young, never lived life and died in some godforsaken place and are most likely not visited.
That is what I want to convey, REALLY think about death in war, that war is really horrible, get people thinking of the toll of war and think that we are now Americans, North and South, are united now and forever.
I thought I did bad on this tour...... but I got double the tips on this tour, asked if I had done acting before and someone mentioned to the effect that at the end of the tour it was like "All quiet on the western front themed".
I hope I made a difference. To sound all kooky too, I had read the part of my "Battle of Corinth and Iuka" that covered the battle IN the town, and driving tonight all seemed extra dark and spooky. As if the tours were bringing the spirits of the dead back... That or I read too much and think on that stuff too much as well.
So, now, few more days and I'm off to boring Fort Bridger. Just keep an eye out for the odd post here though.
*Personal rant, warning!-
I don't usually think about being patriotic, but in the face of pro Confederate people, people who want America in their own twisted view with no compromise and not following the higher ideals of America. I'm proud to be American and I'm unashamed that being, ONE nation, the UNITED States of America and compromise together with the Union, is THE best option. Maybe I don't agree with much nowadays, or what the nation does, but in this little way, the events of 150 years ago, I am proud. So very proud of those Soldiers in Blue that fought and died so that I, and so many others didn't have to fight a Civil War later on.
First one was pitifully small, only 5 people, 3 from a family of a head of the welcome center, a reporter from the local paper who was truly fantastic to have along, and another great fellow from Long Island NYC. Much different to have a small tour. Easier to judge the crowd, but being the first one, lots of kinks to work out and get my feet. Also, having a flash light to disarm the house is VERY helpful.... Thank god I got it off in time.
So, maybe not big, BUT with the article written, it has lead to bigger tours and better ones seeing as I could do a good test run with people I didn't know. Easier for some reason. Had a good chat with the 2 guys afterward.
Second one was important, being as it was 150 years, to THE day, that Fort Sumter was fired on, April 12th. I felt honored to give a Civil War tour on that day.
Though quite a few rednecks were on the tours, had many out of towners. They usually appreciate things more, but plenty of Corinthians enjoy the tours. I try to put little facts of the town in, stories of the buildings and draw people back in time. Make them see Corinth in another light, another era. So at the end I got a good tipping and after a good chat with some people from Michigan.
Now, tonight's tour, I thought I wasn't on my game as much as I was the last one. I forgot a few details, I stumbled and I didn't feel confident. However, having done the tour enough I could go along easy enough in the end. Usual people would interject, some groans of the Federal Blue Uniform I wear would occur, even disinterest or scowls of sorts. Course on the tour before that had happened, I AM down south and ALL of this group was local. But all that was limited and soon would go away once the tour started going.
So explain bout every, ruffle a few feathers and speak of the Saloons and houses of "ill repute", AKA Whore houses and the lack of sanitation.
But at the end of the tour I talk about the Battle that raged on that very ground. How men died where we are walking. Speaking of the fight and reminding them this was the worst of the war. This might seem like a nice town, but in fact, it is just like Shiloh, except its not a field that has signs. I make the point that Confederates after were welcoming of former enemies, and would help them if they were touring. Giving modern number comparison of deaths and wounding. Be the modern equivalent of 20 million, Killed, Wounded "in body and mind" and captured and sent to POW camps. And that War is a sad thing and we should think about the human toll. Not just ideas, but that real people died.
Also added that there was a mass grave at Davis Bridge battle for Rebel troops and 3 lonely tomb stones for 3 troopers from Ohio and that, they died young, never lived life and died in some godforsaken place and are most likely not visited.
That is what I want to convey, REALLY think about death in war, that war is really horrible, get people thinking of the toll of war and think that we are now Americans, North and South, are united now and forever.
I thought I did bad on this tour...... but I got double the tips on this tour, asked if I had done acting before and someone mentioned to the effect that at the end of the tour it was like "All quiet on the western front themed".
I hope I made a difference. To sound all kooky too, I had read the part of my "Battle of Corinth and Iuka" that covered the battle IN the town, and driving tonight all seemed extra dark and spooky. As if the tours were bringing the spirits of the dead back... That or I read too much and think on that stuff too much as well.
So, now, few more days and I'm off to boring Fort Bridger. Just keep an eye out for the odd post here though.
*Personal rant, warning!-
I don't usually think about being patriotic, but in the face of pro Confederate people, people who want America in their own twisted view with no compromise and not following the higher ideals of America. I'm proud to be American and I'm unashamed that being, ONE nation, the UNITED States of America and compromise together with the Union, is THE best option. Maybe I don't agree with much nowadays, or what the nation does, but in this little way, the events of 150 years ago, I am proud. So very proud of those Soldiers in Blue that fought and died so that I, and so many others didn't have to fight a Civil War later on.
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