The Seven Stages of Dog

The long awaited, much anticipated film is now on general release. After a good reception at the Stamford Film Festival, where the critics are known to be some of the sternest and harshet in the business, I’m pleased to present: The Seven Stages of Dog.

Part 1

Part 2

Outtakes

Some special features are only available on the limited edition 7 Stages official DVD.

Bear Mountain – Salisbury, CT

Stop the presses – I’ve had a revelation. I realised I should make the most of my time away. And whilst holed up in Stamford, not getting very far with actually figuring out anything to do with that time away – length, future plans, places to go and all that kind of malarkey – I found I really wasn’t making the most of anything. Apart from the well stocked off-license right across the street. Ahem.

So rather than sit on my tush the whole time, I got out of the house for a day and took a jaunt up to Bear Mountain in Northwestern Connecticut. I found out about the “mountain” by doing a search for “things to do in Connecticut” and goshdarnit if the very first hit didn’t prescribe to tell me everything there was to do in this wonderful state. Well, after a solid two to three minutes extra research, it turns out that perhaps there wasn’t a great deal to do in this wonderful state*, but the powers that be did seem very proud of their Bear Mountain, boasting the highest peak** in the whole state. So it seemed like a worthy cause, in spite of the 160 mile round trip to get there.

Once there, it was about a 7 mile circular hike with sections along the Appalachian Trail. It was hardly K2 (at 2300ft / 700m it wasn’t even Scafell Pike) but it was a pleasant enough escapade out in to the fresh air, even if I had ever so slightly underestimated how thick the snow was still going to be and foolishly dismissed the idea that clambering up steep slopes, across icy rocks, in the thick snow, whilst holding on to a leash with a psychotic dog at the other end wasn’t sensible.

The interesting thing about the day was the reminder that you don’t necessarily have to travel thousands of miles to see some spectacular sights. Indeed, amazing, beautiful, inspiring and challenging things sit right on our doorstep. For example, the views from parts of the Michoacan State in Mexico were arguably more beautiful than those from the top of Bear Mountain. But I often wonder if people instinctively look to further afield for the inspiration or getaway that they hanker after, convinced that it can’t possibly be right where they already are. I’m guilty of it – I know I am – and I’m pleasantly surprised to find myself appreciating beauty in so many more, different things and places, every day.

I will always encourage anyone and everyone to get out there and see the world. The revelation is that you can see it thousands of miles away in the middle of Africa or a couple of miles up the road.

Both are equally valid, in my book.

* For a 27 year old male. And a dog.
** But NOT the highest land OH NO! Intrigued? The highest land in Connecticut is on the slopes of Mt. Frissell which has its peak in neighbouring Massachusetts. So now you know.
*** The wind did a good job of drowning out my commentary. I believe I say: “This is Matt, at the top of Bear Mountain. 2300 ft… or thereabouts. It’s a little bit chilly.”

New York

New York, New York. The Big Apple. Don’t think I’ve actually seen any apples, but it’s great being here anyway. Strictly speaking, I’m in Connecticut, staying with my brother in his new house in Stamford, but it seems that anyone within about 3 hours of said massive fruit describes themselves as living in New York.

I just need to get this out the way first: we were robbed. Rugby, that is. I don’t care what any of my South African friends say – we were robbed. (OK, maybe not robbed*.) But nevertheless England were the better side and a far-cry from the side that got drubbed 36-0 by the Springboks earlier in the tournament. Our attacking game was strong and that try could have gone either way. From where I was standing – about 12 foot from a widescreen TV in an Irish pub in Stamford, with at least one pair of beer goggles on and about 50 other English, South African, American and Irish people in a similar state – it was a try. Lewis Moody dropped the trophy for us, though, with that outrageous trip tackle – it was totally unnecessary and 6-3 would have been a much easier position from which to recover. But alas, it was not to be, and fair play to the Springboks for 80 minutes of solid defence. But equal amounts of fair play to Brian Ashton and the whole squad – nobody was expecting England to do so well and I’m pleased they were able to flick some V’s at the unbelievers. We can now look forward to regaining the cup in 4 years time.

Quick question: what the heck is the “biscuit” you get at KFC here?

For anyone reading who hasn’t seem them on Facebook, there are a few photos from, well, me getting drunk:

• Drunk in NY 1
• Drunk in NY 2
• Misc Stuff

I’d love to say that I’ve been making the most of time here, but that would probably be a lie. I mean, I’m getting pretty good at Tony Hawk’s Underground Wasteland, which is probably not time well spent. Since this is my third (maybe fourth?) visit to NY, I think the gloss has worn off a little, and so I’ve only been in to the City once. (It’s a one hour $20 train ride. And even that ended with a hangover.)

The crazy winking gal over there is my brother’s new dog – she’s a rescue dog from the local shelter who arrives later this week. She’s apparently a german shepherd collie mix, though we now suspect there may be a bit of bull terrier in her as well. She’s currently named Rain – so that’s clearly changing – and top of the list at the moment is Iggy.

I’m staying here for a few more days to help dogsit before moving on again. It’ll be good to get “on the road” again.

-MT

P.S. If you’ve never played, check it: Beer Pong – much amusement. (Being reasonable darts players ensured that my brother and I showed those sorry yanks a thing or two!)

* Let’s face it, if we lost we were sure to have been robbed.