8/01/2001 - Hot Damn Tamale

Well, as of today the fun and games are over. The heat, the BIG heat, has returned in a major way. The heat is bad. Not unbearable, but considering the lack of shade we've got, particularly at the locations we're shooting in, it is rather uncomfortable. However, it is the wind that really killed us. I've been out to this spot before, and I've experienced some powerful winds here before, but it hasn't ever seemed so harsh. Maybe shooting a film changes the old perspective somewhat. That hot air racing for miles upon miles across the open flats really picks up some incredible speed and intensity by the time it rears up and bowls you off your feet. For a while we were afraid we were going to have to wrap and finish our scenes tomorrow, but we managed to stand our ground and get our shots.

But I'm not complaining. What bothered me was the fire ant that got into my clothing and unleashed an all-out offensive on my chest and back. I've never been bitten by a fire ant before, and I hope to avoid it from here on out. Not as bad as a yellowjacket sting, but not much better. And the bastard keeps at it until you stop him. Grrr...

Torpedo impaled his foot on some spiny desert plant and after some impromptu surgery by Spitfire and N.O.R.D. his foot was declared free of debris. He was still in a fair amount of pain from the massive evisceration Spitfire inflicted on him, but he toughed it out. It is still undetermined whether or not she needed to dig as deep for the splinter as she did, but there's no question in my mind. Heh.

What else...? We tried to get up before sunrise to catch some nice shots of the sun creeping over the distant horizon. We blew it. We'll get it tomorrow. Makuya our wolf decided not to follow orders and run free across the desert for a few hours. Thankfully he returned to camp after dark. More hot springs and a big crash down to sweet slumber.

Photo Addendum - Short-Fuze, Hawk and Muskrat discuss the shot they just missed as Makuya admires the scenery.

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