Sometimes in this life, we do not give appropriate "thank you's" to those people who have helped us along the ways. You may not know how difficult this blog was to write, in that I wanted to have a customized letter for everyone. I just want to go out an give a general thank you to everyone who has made me the man I am today.
I am a person who enjoys making a fun time for all, and sometimes I can use humor as a vehicle to exhibit my care, compassion or love for individuals. If I have upset you by anything I have said or exhibited a long the way, please accept my apology. I do care for most people I meet...especially those which I butt heads with. Most of the time it is due to a case of me being jealous...of you knowledge, success or other trait.
As I prepare and get ready to continue toward the next chapter of my life, for those people who I was blessed to be in classes with, for those who had aided in my educational experience, for those who have cared for me to allow me to visit their homes at a wonderful 2am just to chat to all my friends...even if we do not agree eye-to-eye on beliefs, convictions or (cough) politics...know that I love each and everyone of you individually. You all have you specific purpose in this life, and I would love to celebrate your accomplishments and screw ups with you. Do not worry, we will all screw up. It is simply a part of this life. I have learned to laugh at my mistakes and always learn from them.
With another year quickly winding down to an end with the temperatures changing, all kinds of wonderful foods being baked in the kitchen, festive decorations being placed and endless lines at the shopping malls...What do you have to be thankful for?
I am not trying to make this an "end of the year" blog which I am sure is coming later. This last week, we as Americans celebrated the Thanksgiving holiday. As this holiday is not celebrated by all countries, we as Americans joined with our friends and families and reflected our thankfulness for ourselves, our country and many more things.
So far, this year has been an incredible one for me. It has brought many different eye-opening experiences for me as I am sure that it has for you as well. For instance, I have learned a lot about how governments work, what I believe in politically, how to treat certain situations and as always...I get more and more tech savvy each day.
For me, the thing in which I am probably most thankful for is the opportunity to be an individual. To be able to learn, think and act unique from anyone else. The best gift of all is human life. Our life is a canvas, and we are the painter. We have the opportunity to paint whatever we desire. All that matters is what we think and believe to be "art."
What are you most thankful for at this wonderful time of year? What has this year taught you?
The other day, I realized how significant each and every minute is. Every moment, time is slipping away, and that is a scary thing. The memory flashed through my mind the other day from when I was setting up my sister's computer. Vista has an "old school" clock widget that can be placed on the dashboard on the desktop. I asked her if she wanted the second hand on there and she said "no, because that will just show that time is ticking by." I thought that is cute, but it is an honest truth. I had the same realization the other day when I was watching running time code in ProTools. (lame, I know...)
Every day, a set of 24-hours slowly breezes by without us second guessing it. That is...1440 minutes per each day, 86,400 seconds...I will spare you the time that measures out to in a week's time. Those numbers are scary to think about. Each and every day cycles happen, that we may take for granted...such as the sunrise or sunset. This brings up a question I have. What have you done today...or even this week for instance to make an impact on the world and better yet those around you? Have you been selfish? Over dramatic, mean, excessively confrontational, helpful? If we take a few minutes each and every day to invest into someone, that would be 365 people in one year that we can have an impact on...assuming that it is a different person each day. That is a humbling thought...
For our generation, you will never look at an Apple the same way. About a hundred years ago, if you looked at an apple, you would think a fruit. When we see an apple today, yes...maybe a fruit goes through our mind, but also the computer company will as well.
We all have unique and specific characteristics that make up our individual selves. We can observe each other and notice how we all are physically different; but also many other factors go into play...such as our beliefs, strengths, weaknesses and many many others which can include things that we wear or use all which make up our individual character.
For myself here, I know what types of items I like. Usually, these are classified as a "name brand," especially when it comes to clothing. As an example, those that know me probably would witness my love for the Abercrombie clothing family (which includes the obvious A&F, Hollister and Ruehl.) On the tech side, I love products from Apple, SONY, Digidesign, GigaByte, Intel...the list continues for days.
This bring up the question, is it okay to be branded...to support the brands in which you prefer? To be honest, I think that it is perfectly acceptable. I desire nothing more than great quality in manufacturing, stylish and ease of use. As I attempted to point out earlier, you can learn a lot about a person by which products they consume and use on a daily basis.
I was having a conversation with a friend the other day, and he informed me (as if I did not know) that I am "branded." I knew that, but in reality...we all are. Even those that choose not to display the "brand logo" on their clothing...they still do a little bit of advertising for the companies they like consumables from.
If you look at Apple's marketing, many of their items sell themselves. Sure...they have television commercials and whatnot but most of their marketing is done through the end user. For instance, whenever you purchase an Apple device, you get along with the packaging two Apple stickers...which you can place on your vehicle or whatever you choose. Then, on every laptop they sell, the chassis has a nice Apple logo with a light behind it. Apple no longer participates in trade shows or anything like that. Their sales are done through the Apple store...and they are doing quite well, if you ask me.
This blog is probably going to be one of the hardest one that I will ever publish.
As some of you may already know, my dog of 16 years passed away a little bit before noon on Tuesday. Her life is a complete miracle. She was diagnosed with a tumor in January of 2008 and was only given at the most six months to live. Needless to say, she lived much longer than that! Hallelujah!
Her name is Dixie. We found her in our yard at the end of the summer of 1993. She is the sweetest puppy you will ever meet. She had a wonderful personality. I know that I could count on her being there after a hard and stressful day.
Her body had developed (what I could consider) a very bad case of arthritis, which inhibited her from walking as well as she used to. She could get up and going, but sometimes she would fall and get stuck which then would require assistance to get up. Her sister, Shadow was very good at reporting that Dixie needed help. It is great how dogs communicate for one another.
Dixie had a rough day on Monday. My mother was telling me that she had started giving a yelp every now and again, which my parents rendered as she could not get comfortable. My mom and dad spent a lot of time with her on Monday night, until she settled down and went to sleep about 12:30am.
The next morning, Dixie continued her yelping. My parents were both very upset at this point. Before my dad went to work on Tuesday, they had discussed what they were going to do for her. My mom spent most of the morning sitting by her side, petting her and just spending time with her. My mom knew that she was not feeling well.
About 11:50am on Tuesday, Dixie took her last breath here with us. Her body was tired after 16 glorious years blessing our lives everyday. Soon after, my mom called my dad and he came home from work immediately. Dad, bless his heart, spent the afternoon in the backyard digging a hole to place her in to rest. They placed her in there with her bed and some rugs that Dixie had around her bed for her comfort. I do not know how they pulled it off, I would have been a complete basket-case if I was there.
Life is a blessing. At the same time, it is a vapor. One minute, someone you love is her, and the next they are gone...at peace. Away from the pains, frustrations and difficulties that this world brings.
I already do and will continue to miss Dixie a lot, as I know that my family is as well. She was a great puppy. We have great memories. She is at rest now. Not suffering or anything. She lived a good life and I am very glad that we got to share the moments we did together. She went to rest on her own. It was not medicated...
Mommy, Daddy and Diana...This is tough for all of us. But I want to thank you for your commitment to her. You are wonderful. I couldn't have even asked for a better family to be a part of. You gave her the best life that was possible, always provided medications when needed and made her be as comfortable as possible while she was sick these last few years. I love you guys. Thank you for everything.
Dixie, I love you girl. I will always have a special place in my heart for you. We will see you again one day. I just know it. I hope you have a peaceful rest.
When I redesigned my website and started blogging in the spring of this year, I set a goal of 100 posts by the end of the year. I picked 100 because I thought that would be a do-able goal...would require a specific amount of commitment, but not an over-commitment in order to reach the goal I had set forth. With that being said, this blog marks my half way point. The goal is still 100, but I am hoping to exceed that.
Yesterday was an emotional roller coaster of an day. It was marking the first official live lab that we had in the main hall at Full Sail University. That was a memorable experience. I was elected to to the simulcast mix on the DigiDesign VENUE (D-Show) digital console. That was a great experience. In addition to that, I made a big mistake in "jumping the gun" in a specific situation at school. That could have drastically effected a relationship with a friend on both a personal a professional level, but luckily it did not. It was a learning experience for both of us. Live and learn. Each day has new adventures for us. Nothing is wrong with doing wrong . . . as long as you learn from your mistake(s).
All in all, it has been fun blogging and connecting with you all through the first 50 posts. Hoping that the next 50 will be just a good if not better!
This blog is difficult for me to write. I've been burned with this very thing. Needless to say, I have learned a very painful lesson, and honestly...glad that I did. So let's jump right in.
During tonight's message at First Baptist Orlando, Pastor David Uth touched on a topic that I have struggled with in the past, and still do. This is not word-for-word what he said, but paraphrased... "Instead of talking "about" someone when you have a problem with them, try talking "with" them."
I am not going into details, on my experience, but I am going to give some observations. Still to this day, I dislike severely confrontations. I remember when I managed a Chick-fil-A. I had to do a large amount of confrontation. It is not fun for me, and I am taking a wild assumption here that there are not many people that would find it fun.
(**Disclaimer: I am using the word "people" in this paragraph not calling anyone out. I am talking to myself as well.**) I see it time and time again. Person A has a problem with person B, and they do whatever means they see fit in order to "call out" that person, but tend to forget the appropriate way of dealing with the problem. Going to that person in private and discussing the matter in which is an issue. How does this help share God's love? How does God look at this? Can the action cause more harm than good?
So, let us keep in mind, we do not have all of the information. I spoke with Scott tonight, and he gave me an example of a situation he was it where a lady wrote a letter to a group of people because he was misquoted by the news media. Scott explained himself to her and told her the situation, and she understood. But did she go and do the correct action to make it right? No.
In my own life, I find that I am a person that will deal with major confrontation issues, but a majority of the time I just let them go. That is something I need to work on. It is the fact that I am completely uncomfortable in those situations. Trust me in saying that I had a situation that happened YEARS ago in which I handled incorrectly and that still comes up to bite me. Did I do what I needed to at the time? Yes. But the person has refused to forgive the wrong doing I inflicted toward him, therefore hindering the friendship from going any further.
If you have never listened or took to heart anything that I have ever said, please take this snippet and apply it to your life. "Instead of talking "about" someone when you have a problem with them, try talking "with" them."
This week, I had the amazing opportunity to connect with some people that I have been in conversation with over Twitter in the last couple of months. I must say, it was a great experience, just knowing and getting to physically know the people you have been interacting with. I told them that it seems to go against everything that your parents have taught you about "meeting people online." You do have to use discretion though. I know a few people if they every brought up the idea of meeting I would "come up with an excuse not too."
**DISCLAIMER: This blog is not about anyone in particular, just an observation that I have made.**
In audio, we use "Phantom Power" to allow Condenser microphones to function which need an additional +48vdc of power. These microphones are more sensitive that traditional dynamic mics or ribbon mics. The fascination I have with this type of technology is the incorporation of the audio signal that is traveling through the cabling and also the added +48vdc of current.
Everyone has friends...or hopefully so. The degree of those friends (how much you speak...see each other...things you have in common, etc) is a variable factor from each friendship to friendship. Some, you can't go a day without speaking or being in communication with each other and the extreme being you can go months and months between conversations. The later is what I refer to as a "Phantom Friend." That term is not being used in a negative or condescending way.
In this "social networking age," we are able to instantly have communication with people from all around the globe in fractions of a second. This can keep is connected through whatever medium we choose to. In fact, many of my friends that I have are a great distance away! From Tampa, FL...Atlanta, GA...Nashville, TN...New Orleans, LA.
Yesterday, I received a message from a friend a few hours away. It has been at least six months since we had a real conversation. It was really great hearing from him, and what is even better is I am glad to see his success.
Even though we had not had a conversation in a number of months, that does not mean that the friendship was null and void. I am sure that there was at least one time in that number of months that we had thought about calling each other, but for some reason, that did not work out. That to me is the fascinating part of this topic...just as phantom power secretly powers microphones, "phantom friendships" secretly powers support and concern for those you call your friends.
"That is great and all, but how does that effect me?" Good question! Find someone, who you consider a friend and have not spoken to in a large amount of time and strike up a conversation with that person. I guarantee that will be good for the both of you, and probably make their day =)
I have always struggled with them. The go great...then for no reason, always seem to come to a screeching halt. Why? Is it that I give up to soon? Have "tunnel vision" and only want thing to go my way...then they don't and I give up?
I believe the correct answer lies as a combination of the two above. I have a set way that I want things to be...and if someone does not agree with that, I take it personal. I have come to the realization that not everyone is going to be marching at the beat of my own drum and that differences is what makes us all unique.
In the fall of 2008, I had a friend that I was getting close to. A young lad that is an amazing guy. One night, we were chatting on the phone and although it was not the best of conversation topics, (meaning something dear to me) he mistakenly said something that did not settle right with me. Did I at that point ask for clarification? Oh no. I got defensive and offended. Was that the right reaction? No.
Days after that had happened, I felt terrible. But I figured that he had given up on the friendship that we had. He too struggles with Friendships just as I struggle. People come and go...no one is one hundred percent committed, besides him. For that I felt terrible for my reaction to the situation. I battled with this for months.
But I worked through some things, forgiveness was given. Tonight, I had the pleasure of having dinner with him at a very nice restaurant, Copeland's in Buckhead. We had a joyful time of fellowship and then the bitter-sweet moment of confrontation of the events last fall.
During that time, we talked through things, and we are on the road to recovery. God works in mysterious ways, but they always turn out for the best. There are still hurt feelings, but I think that time, trust and love will bring healing.
