The Year of Second Chances

Welcome back to the Circular Journey Cafe. I’m so happy you’re here, because I have some exciting news to share. I wish I could shout it from the mountaintops—but coastal living doesn’t offer many of those. So instead, the towering heights of the 600 block of Castle Street will have to do, if you’ll join me that is.

"Finally!" exclaimed Princess Amy, my imaginary critic and part-time life coach. Her tiara was practically vibrating with excitement. "We can dust off our press credentials and get back to what we do best."

“Remind me, exactly what it is we do ?" I asked, genuinely curious about her assessment of our track record.

She mused on the question before answering. “Well, I’d say eating craft services food and taking abstract photos of background extras is our specialty."

She had a point. Our previous attempts at documenting film productions have gone about as smoothly as folding a fitted sheet. I’m sure my track record hasn’t helped: getting lost, parking illegally, and being turned away by security guards is basically my signature move. Still, we learn from our mistakes if what I hear is correct.

"This could be our big break," Amy continued, "We could become the unofficial chronicler of Wilmington's film scene!"

"Unofficial being the operative word," I reminded her. "And let's not forget that 'big break' and 'spectacular failure' have been virtually synonymous in our recent attempts."

“Still,” I hurriedly added, “I’m cautiously optimistic. Ms. Wonder has been coaching me on what she calls ‘strategic preparation.’ Just yesterday, she said, ‘Genome, maybe this time you could research the filming locations a little more thoroughly. Maybe even contact the production office ahead of time.’”

"She even suggested investing in a proper camera instead of relying on my phone for 'professional' documentation. Amy, I'm telling you there's none like her. She..."

"No, don't say it," said Amy. "I know all about her wonders and the mysterious ways she works them. You don't need to say that every time you mention her name."

"I do repeat myself a lot," I said. "I'm working on that."

Amy simply nodded, sipped her cappuccino, and left the table to reorder or something—she sort of evaporated from my imagination the way she often does.

The truth is, I’m genuinely excited about RJ Decker. For months, we’ve watched other cities land the big productions while Wilmington’s soundstages stayed quiet. So having an ABC pilot choose our fair city feels like a much-needed vote of confidence in our local film industry.

The new series is described on IMDB like this: 

"Ex-con photographer RJ Decker reinvents himself as a private investigator in South Florida, chasing down bizarre cases with backup from his journalist ex-wife and her cop wife. It's questionable whether his newly invented self will save him or destroy him." 

When do we begin stalking the production office?" Amy asked, returning to our table, where I imagined her eating a cheese danish and sipping a fresh coffee. 

"We observe," I corrected, although I knew shed nailed what we actually do. "We observe from a respectful distance. After obtaining proper permissions."

"That sounds like a suggestion from Ms. Wonder," she said, "and to be honest, it sounds boring." My ears pricked up when she said, 'it sounds boring,' and I knew right away that she was already planning our reconnaissance mission.

That's about all there is to report from our fair city at the beginning of 2026. And so, I say, here's to RJ Decker—may it bring thrills to our screens, jobs to our community, and with any luck, blog material that doesn't end with me being escorted away by security.