Content makes poor men rich

I had to have my “Financial Aid Exit Interview” this morning. That’s where you give the school human references and sign the paperwork saying you are aware that you and your family will be hunted like fugitives if you decide not to recoup. The lady who’s job it was to inform me of my deficit seemed depressed, like the loans were hers to pay. If I remember correctly, it started to rain, I stepped in dog poop as I walked out the door, and a kitten was hit by a car.

Debt is real now. I always knew it was there. I’ve been preparing. It’s time to put on the red puffy gloves and face the challenges ahead. It’s time to be confident in my budgeting, freed from the shackles of money, thrifty in my spending, thankful for my blessings, and trusting in my God.

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?
26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his lifea?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
- Matthew 6: 25-34

I’m accountable in 6 months to begin repaying politically correct bookies the money I owe them. I’m going into an industry that will soke up my time and my life If I don’t stay awake. I’m marrying a woman who makes it all bearable. I think things are going to be great.

Filed under: Life , Challenges, Debt, Finances, Full Sail University, God, Life, Loans, Matthew 6: 25-34, Quotes, School, Worry

Plenty strong and plenty wrong

Two months of pre pro and 7200 feet of 35mm footage shot in 5 days. Our biggest school project is out the door and ready for the cutting room floor. We made a movie.

And I’m burnt to a crisp.

A mistake I often make is never resting. Many times I’ve robbed and disrespected myself of renewal and refreshment. My heart says I’m a machine but my body says I’m a pudding pop.

I think personal sabbath days are a requirement for sanity. A time set aside for reflection is necessary for growth and rejuvenation. This means I’m both mentally and emotionally short and crazy.

Next up if Brent’s will be done: Resume, Videoing, Graduation, Job Hunting, Wedding

Next up if God’s will be done: a pride fall, a faith strengthening, a compassion sprouting, a priority rearrangement, a new surrender.

Filed under: Life , 35mm, Change, Faith, Filming, Full Sail University, God, God's Will, Relax, Renewal, Rest, Sabbath, Strength, The Future

Moment of the Week

On Friday around 8:30pm, before we started production the next morning, The two Directors Mike Dalton and Mike Lloyd, and myself sat in the office portion of our set untying shoe laces for a scene later on in the week. Our instructor James walked through the sound stage, and this happened.

James: You guys are still here?

Me: Just making some last minute preparations.

Dalton: Yeah, we’re getting pumped for tomorrow

Lloyd: We’re too excited to do anything else!

James: Well, that’ll change in a few years.

Dalton: I hope not.

(pause)

James: Yeah, me neither.

Filed under: Life, Movies, Whatever , 35mm, Excited, Full Sail University, Good times, Heart, Moment of the Week

Like a kid in a highchair with Spaghetti face

I’ve been an introverted mess the past few weeks.

The millstone of financial responsibility and the greedy, self serving decisions that are triggered by the weight. The duties of film school and a thesis project that will be cut short on prep time due to a Holiday break. A spirit of sloth and despondency when the goal is growth and improvement on adult life and the challenges of the future.

A giving and selfless life.
Courage under fire.
Burgeoning faith and hope.
Unconditional compassion and love.
Honor.
Principle.
Sincerity.
Rectitude.
“in spirit fierce and free”.
Let this be me, Father.

Filed under: Life , courage, Freedom, Full Sail University, G.K. Chesterton, God, Integrity, Love, Messy, Prayer, Responsibility, Shame

Fluorination

The trailer was posted way back. Brandon finally came to a final edit, so here it is.

Documentary is something I’ve always loved, and I hope to be able to do some more.

As usual, searching “Video Post” in my tags will take to you previously posted videos (with a little side information), or clicking on the Youtube or Vimeo links on the right.

Filed under: Personal Projects , Dentist, Documentary, Fluoride, FluoriNation, Full Sail University, Health, Teeth, Video Post, Water Fluorination

A year in Florida

What an incredible piece of my life. My time in “The City Beautiful” has been heart molding, brain burning and spirit strengthening.

The Girl——————————
Before I left, I was in a relationship that was getting serious. I knew I was in love, and wanted to be with this funny, gorgeous, joy bringing, heart stopping, level headed, maturely immature beauty.

At the same time, I knew this was my opportunity to follow my dream. To make something happen. To make a difference. To find out what I’m really made of.

I had to go. But I couldn’t let this once-in-a-lifetime chick go either. She was too good to pass on. I selfishly took both. We tried to make it work.

…and it has! We’ve grown together in ways we never could have in other circumstances. We’ve built a relationship on the heart things that matter. And I’m still in love with her.

The Growth————————-
New brothers in my life. Old brothers still around. Understanding how to be a better person, and how to have a positive contribution to this world. Understanding what courage is, what compassion is, what manhood is. Understand who God is, what His will is, and what His will is not.

No human event or circumstance is pure black and white. There is always a gray area, always a factor or an experience that someone else has had that is part of why they do what they do, and what makes them who they are.

Taking the time to look at every perspective and to walk, run, and jump in someone else Nike’s can make all the difference. It’s all the more reason not to judge. Because we just can’t.

Trustworthy, graceful, merciful, forgiving, compassionate, courageous, loving, wise. All words that I want to be my life adjectives.

The Graduate——————–
The reason I’m 2000 miles away from the girl I love and the comfort zone I knew.

I’ve always loved storytelling and visuals. Learning how to translate that into f-stops and amperage is the road I’m traveling. Film, Graphic Design, Broadcast Television, Music, Video, Electronics, any medium of Media. I want to be good at them all. And I’ve taken steps forward this year.

Thanks Orlando. Thanks Bros and Chicks. Thanks Blogs. Here’s to the years ahead.

“I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. ” -Isaiah 57:15

Is your love really Love?
Is my love really Love?
I think our love isn’t Love,
Unless it’s Love to the end.

Is your god really God?
Is my god really God?
I think our god isn’t God,
If he fits inside our heads.
- Clouds by As Cities Burn

Filed under: Life, Music , As Cities Burn, courage, Florida, Full Sail University, God, Isaiah 57:15, Love, Quotes, Stephanie, Wisdom

Get excited…and…sandwich.

Ever since Brandon got his new bike he has jinxed my walking to school.

The first day I guess I could take a little blame for walking to the wrong building, and by he wrong building I mean the one in exactly the opposite direction of the one I need to be at.

Yesterday I knew I had it right. and a bunch of us were at one building. But Dave called our instructor, and it turns out it was at the other building this time. In the opposite direction.

Despite offers for rides, I stubbornly decided to blaze my trail back. And when I got to the right building, I couldn’t get in because I didn’t have m I.D. and they were checking for them. The first time they’ve done it since I’ve been a student.

Probably the first time ever. They were probably provoked to do so because they saw Brandon riding on his bike and got so angry at the goofy sight that they thought they would do something to make everyone pay.

Restricting my internet use to 15 minutes a day in honor of lent by the way. I chose to use about 12 minutes of it typing this.

Filed under: Life , biking, Full Sail University, lent, walking to school