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Ramblings
The Other Half Of Writing.
11.12.08 | Permalink | 8 CommentsI’m working on a script for our spring drama at ALC , and it has been an interesting process. As many of you know, I design visual presentations for a living - mostly for lawyers. While I enjoy working in that medium, I have always liked writing. More accurately, I like to “have written” more than I actually like the process of writing. At least that’s the case right now - with a few exceptions.
When it comes to graphics and multimedia, I have years of tricks, techniques and experience from which to draw. I can do something half decent without much effort. But while I have been writing in short bursts for many years (eg. skits, short sketches, etc.) - I have not written anything this lengthy. I really don’t have any tricks to fall back on when writing something like this, so it is definitely work. I have to get in a zone in order to focus enough to be coherent - usually with some Beck or Coldplay running in the background. I am learning a lot about the process, and the further I get into it, the more I think I’m starting to enjoy the actual writing. The challenge is keeping my mind focused enough to keep the story flowing properly. I am trying to use tools that can assist with organizing my thoughts. For example, I’ve been trying some mind-mapping software with limited success. As a visual thinker, I see the scenes in my head as they are to be performed on stage, but without a cohesive plot line, they are just a series of scenes. So, I determined that the best way for me to work is to write the scenes as I see them - in no particular order, then add hooks to connect everything. That’s seeming to work, but I think I will be able to do that most effectively once I have all the scenes written. I still have a few to go.
I am also interested in the idea of adding multimedia to the show. I am writing the script to integrate video, music and lights. We have a programmable lighting system and nice big video screens that will add a cool component. I am hoping to use video as another cast member - which could be cool. It will be nice to be able to add to the story with these familiar tools.
I hope to be done with the script this week. If anyone is going to be in the Plano, TX area in March, please drop by ALC and check out the performance. Stay tuned for specific dates.
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Ramblings
Election Fatigue
11.01.08 | Permalink | 5 CommentsSo after taking a few online tests to see where I fall on the issues, I’ve learned that I am a bit of an anarchist. Those of you that know me, and think that I lean liberal, might be surprised to hear that. As such, I don’t really want the federal government to control anything. But how can this be? How could I argue for big government one minute, then no government the next? The fact is - I have never wanted big government. But I get so freakin’ irritated at the attitudes of those on both sides, that I end up - in typical fashion - playing devil’s advocate to the arguments that annoy me the most. And until recently, I have been most annoyed with the Republicans and their moral superiority complex. But lately, I have to admit that Barack Obama hit a nerve with his “spread the wealth” tax speeches. I don’t think I’ll ever be convinced that anything other than a flat tax is fair. You want the rich to pay more? Great! That’s the beauty of percentages - they do pay more.
Very early in this election season, I was a bit of a Ron Paul supporter. I have another friend (an Obama supporter) who also said back then that she might consider voting for Ron Paul. It’s interesting to see how a few key issues can take someone from being supposedly left wing to extreme right wing - yet they would never consider voting Republican … supposedly somewhere between the two.
I’m not looking to get in a debate based on this post - really. I understand the arguments from both major parties, and I’m really sick of hearing them. But I believe that I may have found a party that I can get behind. Turns out, I may have been a Liberatarian all this time, and I just couldn’t see it. It’s not quite anarchy, but it’s pretty dang close. I know - it just transfers control to the state, but it goes a long way toward getting the government to leave me alone. Plus, they don’t care who marries who, whether I have a gun or not, and while they (supposedly) care about the environment - they think the federal government would just screw up any efforts to preserve it. They are against censorship, they are essential pro-choice (that’s a toughy), and they care about privacy. All of that sounds pretty good to me.
So what do I do now? Do I “throw away my vote”, and vote Liberatarian - or do I try my best to overlook my problems with the two major parties and cast my vote in one of those two directions?
I guess I’d better hurry and figure that out.
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Ramblings
You Gotta Keep ‘em Separated.
10.24.08 | Permalink | 4 CommentsChurch culture. I guess that term means different things to different groups and denominations. I come from a denomination where separation is emphasized. You often hear the verse “come out from among them, and be ye separate” as a source of supporting scripture.
What does it mean to be separate? Does it mean that our women wear skirts when everyone else wears pants? Does it mean that I don’t go to sporting events or movies? Does it mean that I isolate myself from the rest of the world? Maybe. Honestly, maybe it does. But I don’t think so.
Could it mean that you behave differently than what one might consider typical? Do you return that $20 bill you saw that person drop without noticing? Does it mean you don’t curse at that driver that cut you off. Does it mean that you show mercy when someone else might take advantage? I think that’s a start. The truth of the matter is that a lot of people behave decently - Christians, athiests, Buddhists, Muslims. So in light of that, what makes us separate? It should be God’s light shining through us. It should be us doing good as a reflection of Him. It should be less judgment and more support. We should be a refuge to those who need it.
I’m really tired of church culture. I hate to generalize, but when something runs rampant and unchecked, it can become twisted and ultimately a distortion of its original intent. We often turn into an arrogant bunch of elitists with a distorted view of the world and the people in it.
I love my church. But I spent my first 8 years not being a part of any church organization. I was allowed to watch Bugs Bunny and Speed Racer, my parents listened to the Beatles, I went roller skating and saw Raiders of the Lost Ark at a theatre, I didn’t feel out of place at family get togethers, and I felt like a normal kid at school (well, sorta). I learned to appreciate that most people out there are good people - whether they label themselves a Christian or not.
When I became a Christian at 8 years old, it was an adjustment, but I thank God that he found my family. I understood the sacrifices we made, and I knew why. It is a part of the journey that transformed my life in a positive way. I thank my parents for bringing me up in a Christian home.
That being said, I don’t regret having a healthy exposure to the culture around me. To this day, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
I’ll probably have more to say on this, but I’ve gone on long enough for now.
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Ramblings
Official B.S.
10.01.08 | Permalink | 5 CommentsYes, that’s right. Belief System.
I think it’s probably a good idea to get some of my core beliefs in writing. You know - to let people know that I actually have some. Why should you care? I’ll assume you don’t. But it’s like putting a public declaration in the classifieds section of the newspaper. It’s for me. It’s a written record. It’s also a way for you to come back and call me out if I change my mind or screw up. Lucky me.
Maybe I’ll write a mission statement as well in an upcoming post. Maybe it will be worthy of engraving on a placard or something that I can put on my desk.
I’m going to start out simple. It may seem random, but it’s a start.
OBS - Part 1
- I believe that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - known as Yahweh - is the one true God. There may be others, but none come before Him.
- I believe that there is no positive version of the afterlife that does not include that God. I believe that after death, you will be either a) be with God in Heaven, b) be without God in Hell or c) your soul will completely cease to exist.
- I believe in the separation of church and state. I think this benefits the state, but more importantly, it benefits the church.
- I believe that abortion past a certain stage of development is murder, and should be allowed only in emergency situations. I do not know what that stage is, so I’ll just leave it at that and thank God that I will never personally have to make that judgement call.
- I believe that gays should be allowed to be legally married in the eyes of the United States government. The fact that I am personally opposed to the lifestyle, and that it does not conform to my view of biblical marriage, does not mean that gays should not be given the same financial considerations that I enjoy as a citizen.
- I believe that you will certainly go to hell if you watch too much reality tv.
- I believe cussing is ok if it’s after 10 pm and you don’t take the Lord’s name in vain.
- I believe in protecting our borders.
- I believe the war in Iraq was a mistake.
- I believe in the right to bear arms.
- I believe I can fly.
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