CJ Townsend

As I shared earlier, I am officially part of both cast and crew on an upcoming horror/thriller to be released in 2019, entitled ‘Home By Sunday,’ from Tri-Rahn Pictures. I’m excited for the experience!

In addition to working on this film, I have been working regularly on recording new music, both originals and covers, and filming accompanying videos for them. I have released 2 new videos recently (links in previous posts) and have plans to do many more in the upcoming weeks and months.  I think the ball is rolling faster for these projects than before, and I hope to be able to finally release much of my pending music projects.

The final announcement, is that in addition to the feature film I am working on, the executive producer of the film, Dale Johnson, and I have met regarding other projects we would like to work together on, in collaboration.  We have big plans, that with time, effort, and funding, I hope to see develop. Due to the project’s infancy, I cannot disclose much information about them, however, I can say the first project will likely be a very unique web series that comic book lovers should enjoy.  This is, of course, pending the successful production of a pilot episode. 

I am very excited to see where these film projects go, and I hope to begin creating things that I have been passionate about for years!

FAIL

No this is no joke. This was really in my yard.

Practice run, stitched together, with no effects or filters, and no studio mic.

Being in the public safety profession is quite the double edged sword.  It’s something that requires sacrifice, not only from those in it, but those who marry into it.  I’ve seen countless brothers whose significant others come and go with the wind, because from the start, the foundation is lacking.  Being with a firefighter or EMT, is rarely glorious. The hours alone open doors to complications of many natures, days and nights away from home.  The pay rate then furthers the problem by forcing firefighters to find second and even third jobs. The average work hours for a firefighter often surpasses double that of a full time 40 hour work week.  The time that IS spent at home is either used catching up on homefront duties or catching up on sleep.  The average schedule for a firefighter is 24 on and 48 off, that’s 4 months every year spent away from home.  Factor in second and third jobs and you approach 7 or 8 months. Holidays are missed, events are skipped, and time is lost.It’s not hard to see that it is difficult to hold a family together. It is not for the faint of heart to be part of that lifestyle.  Those who learn how to cope, how to acclimate, and how to live the life, must be saluted with the same respect as the firefighter or EMT themselves. For those who become involved and cannot adjust, must know, it is not the firefighters fault.  Many times, I have seen my brothers come into work, gearing up, with broken looks and a slow pace, because the last thing they did before leaving their home was argue with their spouse regarding their absence.  The job is hard. But the home life can be harder.  I can promise, he does not want to leave his children or his bed, but he has a duty.  He (or she) takes the hours he (or she) desperately needs to sustain the ability to pay the bills.  He does not want to miss Christmas or a birthday, but the shift rotation often forces him to.  If he agrees to cover extra shifts on holidays so his fellow firefighter can spend those holidays with their dying mother or newborn baby, it does not show anything but comradery, integrity, and selfless sacrifice.There are no weekends and holidays as much as there are rotations and needed coverage, because emergencies take no vacations. Never forget, the fire department is a brotherhood, and we will always have our brothers backs.  Those we work with are family too, and we will make sacrifices for them, both on and off duty, because like me, my brother misses time with his family too. If you cannot accept the life, or the hours your spouse works, do not condemn him. His job is hard and his hours are long.  He needs your love and support. Do not forget, his shift may have involved a close call or a disturbing medical call, and he wants nothing more than to be home, but he is strong and fights on. For those who know, and stay, and support, and love your firefighter spouse, your acts are not to be overlooked, and are equally as selfless as his or hers. Thank you to those who understand. And thank you for your strength.  There are few of you, and fewer of us who find you.