Tag Archives: wisdom

*Ahem*

Sometimes, the answer was looking at you in the mirror.

For years I have had numerous people tell me that I should look into doing voiceover work.

Well, after seeing some postings online for making money doing just that, I’m gonna do it.

I used my tax return to, among other things, purchase the tools necessary to start doing voiceover work from my house. These tools are essentially, a professional condenser-type mic, an audio interface to connect to my laptop, and the necessary software to record and edit my voice (Pro Tools Essentials).

I’m not at all going to discontinue my attempts to make it as a web designer, but if there’s even a slim chance I can make some reasonable money doing something I’m already very capable of doing well, that I also enjoy, then I owe it to myself to give it a shot.

Also, I’m writing this blog from a desktop blog program called Blogo. We’ll see how well this works.

Oh, and I did get an xbox360.


On Church Productions of any kind.

Here are three aspects or possible goals of planning/creating a production at a church:

  • Entertain people in your church congregation and your community.
  • Evangelize those outside Christianity among your community with the gospel.
  • Involve more members of your church in ministry to build community.

Your only chance of success with the production is to choose two of those and focus on making them happen.

Your best chance of success is to pick one.

Perhaps this needs more elaboration, but for now, I had to get this concept written down.

Thoughts?

allen.

Well, I’m sitting in Hanahan, SC at my grandma’s house.

I’m actually on her ancient PC. Tweaking it a bit to get a bit more life out of it.

Chrome, Thunderbird, whatnot, etc.

What a weekend. I regret ever losing contact with the Allen family I have.

It was… just… absolutely delightful catching up, reconnecting, re-knowing these people who have been theoretically close to me for so much of my life…

I just can’t tell you how it feels to hear and say “I love you” to people and that you and they mean it. Because you’re family.

I had all but forgotten the very special connection the Allens share.

It was bliss to feel it again.

“A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.” – The Godfather

Pics and video coming soon.

a poem i wrote.

my lack of punctuation
in our text communication
is a subtle demonstration
of a fast-growing frustration
with the current situation
and i’d rather face damnation
than be just this far apart.
all or none of your heart
not this awkward part
tiny little piece I now hold
reminds that i’ve been undersold
by my own damned self.
at least i’ve got my health.
but it’s failing as i’m flailing
desperately
to change the way you look at me.

Jordan was right. This is worth reading.

I mean, do you really expect a 20-something to give you time-tested spiritual advice about the world? There’s no truth in that. Go read a book that’s not a best seller and go talk to someone that’s three times your age. You’re dying every second – you might as well learn how to do it gracefully from someone who’s been dying a lot longer than you.

via Ending The Letter: Rant: Your spirituality sucks..

this one’s reasonably important. I’d love your thoughts, too.

my life is pretty much in time crisis mode nonstop these days. it’s made me stop and think.

I apologize by the way, this post is not supremely eloquent or very well thought out. Editing and revising a post on my personal blog is a luxury that possibly august will afford me.

I am turning my social knob down.

I don’t want to, really. But i have no other choice.

This is a phase in my life (read:single) wherein i have a unique opportunity to pursue the interests I want to, to grow and learn things in all the ways I really desire to. Many married people have told me while they don’t regret their marriage at all, they are jealous of that kind of freedom.

The problem is… i’m so socially motivated. I make friends easily. I tend to open up and love good, deep conversations, and love going to movies, and catchphrase, and pretty much if i can convert anything into a social event, I will.

This sounds good, but in the end i have

a.  a large number of acquaintances (you’re all awesome)
b. a pretty large number of good to very close friends
c. a constantly changing list of people who are good friends of mine that are angry because I haven’t spent enough time with them recently.
d. nothing all to show in the way of progress toward any of the goals I have set for myself in life.

I have a high list of things that demand, nay deserve my time and attention, but I am too busy hanging out to give any.

I find myself neglecting responsibilities like working out, reading, or practicing drums (things I am passionate about growing in myself) for hanging out/catching up time with a certain friend or friends. This post isn’t about any particular group of friends, because they have all played that part numerous times.

If I were caught up on everything (which I will be someday soon), I might be able to be as social as I am now. but sometimes, growing up and being a responsible adult means saying no. “I can’t do that, really. I’d love to, but I have some things I have to take care of tonight. or today. or this morning. or whenever.”

Anyway. I just felt the need to write that here.

I don’t think anyone will notice a huge change per se. But I am doing, my self, my future, and my eventual wife a disservice to not chase dreams, grow, and learn all I can now at this phase of life. (including discipline.)

PS ON THE OTHER HAND,

At the band’s last show (Saturday Night), I noticed a trend: People not coming to the show because they had no one to go with. Please, I ask you not to make that a reason. See, what you might not know is, on any given night in gainesville, I have to be at or near the venue we play at until 2 am. We arrive by around 8 ish usually. Our set is usually 30-45 minutes. After that *I* am there and wanting to hang out with people (read:you). I can’t tell you how many times I have been alone at a venue ten minutes after we play. Don’t get me wrong I understand some people might have to get up early and so they leave after we get done. But still, I’m a lot of fun to hang out with and after we play, I’d love to actually have people there TO hang out with. So, come. If you can “survive” 45 minutes of stunning soul music while standing alone, then I’ll make it up to you by being extra witty afterwards.

i’m at cc.

For an idea of how I feel like right now, listen to “Time to Pretend” by MGMT while reading The Lord’s Prayer aloud. That’s the battle in my mind/soul.

Is it weird to want to rid of myself of purity for the purpose of not worrying about it?

How do you mud wrestle in an all-white tux and not get dirty?

I know this one Guy, s’posed to be be the best at getting stains out.

Friday night I experienced some new environments. I was pleasantly surprised at some parts, and not surprised at all by others.

Saturday I spent at the beach with people I love and who love me. The beach always leaves me refreshed and contemplative. I felt the inklings of a desire to… more actively engage/embrace/figure out my faith.

For the last two years or so this has always meant starting with The Lord’s Prayer. I can’t explain why completely, except that many times I have no idea what else to pray, and that is the most sure, true, simple thing I can think of as a starting point. It has always meant a lot to me in that respect.

Sunday I played drums at church. It is a uniquely satisfying experience. Then Mike Patz serendipitously decided to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Strike One.

Had a great lunch with Glenn. Remembrance. I spent a lot of time that day reflecting on life.

Sunday Night I watched The Soloist. What an amazing film. More amazing than the story of commitment, community, friendship, love was the moment closer to the end of the film that finds a major character emotionally reciting the Lord’s Prayer, slowly, intentionally. Strike Two. I went to bed, unsure of what steps to take ( I know what hasn’t worked and what I DON’T want to be like) but not willing to throw out the baby with the bathwater.

Monday Morning. I sit down at work, open my email, where I receive a Daily Text from the Moravian Church, just a couple of quick verses and a short prayer for the day; I highly recommend it, by the way. Many days it’s the only Bible I get.

Today, for the first time ever in these emails, the prayer was, indeed, the Lord’s Prayer.

Strike Three. Now what?

I don’t know, but I’m hopeful.

“Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand.”

Saint Augustine

random thoughts on a lazy sunday.

I’m down to 254 lbs. It feels good.

It’s kinda weird playing shows out of town. I can easily see why performers/entertainers/musicians would drink in that situation. You’re kinda lonely in an immediate sense, but you also feel weird, especially as part of the entertainment, initiating awkward conversations with strangers so you’ll have someone to talk to. So, a couple drinks take the nervous edge off of doing that. Any more than a few though and you risk looking very foolish.

I met Curtis from Summerbirds in the Cellar. He just happened to stop by the Peacock Room after we’d finished playing. Good times though. Look forward to seeing what he does next musically.

Fun Friendship is still better than Romantic Loneliness. This is my current theory, or as I’m famous for saying, “modus” or “paradigm.”

Anyway, I really miss my “M” friends. I have been mattless since monday and I don’t even remember the last time I hung out with mary. It’s killing me.

Adventureland was more serious than I was expecting, and uncannily appropo for me to watch.