Dear Work,

Dearest Fuller,
We’ve had a long and I would argue, beneficial relationship so far. So, to show my appreciation I wanted to give you a picture. I must tell you though, this picture does come laden with exhaustion and some frustration. For you see, lately this relationship has felt very one sided.
Don’t think I’m not appreciative of your gift of a paycheck, twice a month, or the tuition remission of 60% for one class a quarter or even the other benefits you provide (now that I’m full time of course). I value these items very much. But to be honest, that is why I lovingly tolerate my lower than standard pay. I understand that healthy relationships are both a give and take. Besides, I truly believe in your mission, and most times, am proud to be a part of it.
Lately though, something about you has changed. Your distant, cold, so caught up in your own idea of work, that you forgot we are a team. I try to pretend you didn’t mean it the other day when you said you just didn’t have time to care about me. Or that time you suggested that you put up with us because the board said to. I know you didn’t mean that. How about the fact you’ve never once stopped by my office to see what it is that I actually do? Or that time, you tried to cut down my workload by completely eradicating customer service and putting my office in that very large closet in the back of the library. I appreciate the extra space, but I don’t think you understood what I meant when I said I had too much of a work load…

So, let me tell you why I am sending you this picture. This picture is a symbol of why this relationship is important to me and what needs to change if it’s gonna work.

156 Hours of work in 3 Weeks!

I wanted to show what I’ve been doing for 156 hours of the last 3 weeks that I’ve spent at work since you cut my department down to one. Granted, it was only two people to begin with, but remember, that was 80 hours a week of work now being given to one 40 hour position. Lucky for you, I am really good at what I do and am really fast and dedicated. Could you imagine if I didn’t care about my job? Whew! Fullers image would crumble and no one would have access to media. You could have a short tryst with students as you once carelessly suggested, but let’s be honest, their work is not as professional or as satisfying as mine. And then, with new students coming in and out of your life all the time, who would lovingly store your memories for you?

All in all, I just want to remind you that I care about our relationship and want only the best. I am certain we can come to some kind of understanding, both of us being adults, but want to be straight in saying that giving because I love is one thing. Giving continuously while being ignored will only last so long before the relationship needs to end. Let’s not let it get to that. I know we are meant for better things than misunderstanding.

With loving respect, your video department.

Pompla-awesome!

Pomplamoose is a creative duo, Nataly Dawn and Jack Conte, whose music invigorates the tenderest soul and evokes a passionate, freeing spirit from the hipster in all of us. (I know that can be a dangerous stereotype to use, love it or hate it, but they make hipster so much fun.) Basically, they do what they want to do and have a great time doing it, and that really shows in every video they do.

For me, as an editor, I love their videos, not just because their music is so lighthearted and engaging, but so is their post-production. With about 1 video a month, they really take the time to not only give birth to the music through creative instrumentation and beautiful vocalization, but they bring it all together with well-timed and purposeful editing which is just as much a part of the music as the music itself. The amazing thing about it is that they use the same set of editing techniques for all their videos and yet each one is so creatively engaging and fits the musical rhythm originally attempted. Their songs would not work nearly as well, were it not for their willingness to creatively engage every part of the production process. This is evident in the passion evoked in their willingness to be courageous and respectful of the music all at the same time.

Here’s their youtube page, check out how even their period pieces are reflected in their editing and playful production. For example, their sound and editing effects used in “Always in the Season”, evoke a nostalgic comforting Christmas years past feeling that might actually make you feel like your sitting by a fire with a cup of cocoa. Or how about their version of Mr. Sandman, originally by The Chordettes? Their use of the xylophone, accordion and rhythm guitar evoke a sense of simplistic beauty and innocence respectfully supplicated with a hint of supple vocal allurement. Then there’s their cover of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies”. A song I would never admit to listening to, but have to own up to because I turn it up and everyone knows I’m dancing in my office to their version.

That’s just a few biased thoughts, but I’ll leave it up to you to explore. Much like a good indie film that everyone says is great, you can’t give it too much hype, because it must connect with each individual in it’s own way for it to be truly memorable. Luckily, I believe that their creativity will keep that from being difficult, that is if you’re up to a fun laid back experience…

SP500 Journal Week #2 “Celtic-ish”

I don’t usually like to share homework, but this is a personal reflection I enjoyed, due to it’s creativity requirement, and thought I would enjoy sharing it with anyone who would like to read it.

Below are five celtic-ish prayers I was to write and use every day this week.
I say celtic-ish, because they’re not Gaelic or even Irish or Scottish, but rather have hints of Irish prayer elements, such as nature references, trinitarian references and basic rhyming schemes.

(As with anything I write, I hope my lighthearted wit comes across with warmth and not disrespect. Meaning, it’s okay to giggle at my prayers, I like to think that God does.)

Please enjoy!

My journal this week consists of these five prayers I have written and this brief explanation of my journey this week. I have always loved poetry, and while my rhyming pattern has never left grade school, my fondness of creating has developed. That is why I was excited to do this particular spiritual practice. It is in cute rhymes and repetitions that I believe many people learn important life lessons. It is the nursery rhymes of younger years that stick with many of us and their basic values that have an impact on the decisions we make even today in our adult lives. With that in mind, it is a refreshing opportunity to focus on simple and honest lyricism as a way to focus my thoughts this week. What a joy!

A Coffee Prayer:

As I buy my coffee and bagel rye,
I ask your presence to arrive.
Upon my mind and in my ear,
Breathe words of love while I shmear.
While within my belly the sacraments rest,
Provide me wisdom to profess.
And as I need the caffeine’s drug,
May I feel your endless love.
In Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
With my coffee cup I toast.

A Shower Prayer:

Scrubbing high and scrubbing low,
Upon my back, between my toes.
I remove the filth, which upon me lies,
And ask for favor within your eyes.
As I rinse away my sin unseen,
I ask your love to keep me clean.

A Lunchtime Prayer:

As I break to feed my face,
I pause to thank you for your grace.
Holy Spirit, Father and Son,
Thanks that I might enjoy the sun.
As my mind relaxes from the daily stress,
Rest my soul upon your chest.
Confide in me that I might see,
A glisten of divinity.

A Study Prayer:

I read my books and wonder how,
This wisdom learned is truer now,
That you have come into my life,
And taught me naught but sacrifice.
For wisdom learned is never fair,
Unless wisdom learned is ever shared.
I ask your wit to come with me,
As I search eternity.
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Teach to me your uttermost.

A Bedtime Prayer:

I sit on the edge and ponder my day.
Did the mysteries of life unfold in this way?
I ask for your guidance, in life, as I dream,
That tomorrow I wake up refreshed and serene.
The faith I have lived in Son, Father and Spirit,
May my restful slumbers only endear it.
Tomorrow I look to your face as I rise,
From prayers I now speak, when I close my eyes.

Close to Home…

Both locations mentioned in this article are within 3 blocks of Fuller and one is literally across the street from my church.
What would you do if you knew this was happening in the apartment complex next door.

Well guess what, it most likely is.

This, unfortunately, is not that rare, whether it be the city, a small town, or the countryside. It’s there.
Don’t be ignorant, make a difference.

Close To Home

Proper Worship Techniques