Never Losing Sight of the Dream

It was about four months ago when Todd (my boss) mentioned to me that his company would be celebrating it’s ten year anniversary this year. I remember quickly running the math in my head and noting that would have made him about 24 when he started his company. Wow, that means he was shortly out of school. It also immediately hit me that it really was no surprise. After having worked with Todd for about six months I knew what a passion he had for business and a genuine love for running with challenges. Setting up his own company right out of college seemed only natural for a guy of his character.

Me, on the other hand… I did not expect to find myself setting up my own company at age 24.

I’ll keep the story short, as it’s not what I really came here to write. As many know, since last winter I have been producing a web video show for Bellarmine University, The College Buzz. After producing four shows for Bellarmine last Spring they budgeted for the upcoming school year and got funding for two shows a month. When I told Rob the good news he suggested that I set up my own company so I could skip the extra step of running financials through his company.

I told my parents and also told them I’d probably have to choose a new name and leave my childhood business name, “RitArt” behind. Pretty crazy, though, how the things you imagine as a kid can become a reality. There is a cardboard sign I still have hanging on the wall of my bedroom at my parent's house with my original “RitArt” logo that I made when I was probably about 10 years old.

The most difficult step for setting up this new company (for me) was choosing a name. Now, Rob had told me “this isn’t that big of a deal”, but he doesn’t know my family and that I name inanimate objects down to my cameras and cell phones. I inquired some ideas from my brothers and both had some clever suggestions and I almost settled on one of my own until Pa threw out one with “Knob End” included.

For those unaware, Knob End Meadow is the field located on the deepest point of the Valley. For a number of years I have had thoughts of one day having my own home on this territory.

Amid my pondering for a name I thought about the series of events that had led to the need for one at all. Then I thought about the series of events to follow. I have never known exactly what I wanted to do with my life as far as a career is concerned. The only thing I have always been certain of about my future is that I want to raise a family in The Valley. To live the simple and good life. Since graduating from Bellarmine, as great as life is, there are times when I have felt a little lost; a little helpless. I have often wondered how I am moving towards that goal in any way. But each day I say a small prayer asking that God guide me in every tiny decision I make so that they are the right, best decisions to lead me to where He wants and needs me to be.

Part of my dream of living in the Valley includes the hope of working from my own front porch. Here I am, a year and a half out of college, and all the work I have done during this time is setting me on a path to run my own business from anywhere I wish.

At the same time I am beginning to better understand the craziness of the career world and how easily it sucks us in with expectations and responsibilities. I never want to get so caught up that I lose sight of the thing I’ve always wanted in my life; the place I want to end up. Naming my own company after that very place is to be a constant reminder of why I am doing all the work I am doing from day to day; a reminder of the stepping stones God places for us that will lead us to where He intends for us to inevitably end up.

With a lot of questions about my life constantly circling my mind, I remind myself of the many things I have that so many do not. I know what I want and I know it from deep within; therefore I know that desire comes from somewhere beyond myself. Also I know that because I look and ask for it on a daily basis, God is helping me fulfill that desire. As long as I have that, I know I will get there and that every day is a step of progress.

Revisiting Desiderata

I'm pretty sure a lot of (if not most) people who happen upon this page have read this before, but I'm posting it anyway. There's still the chance that someone I know who has not read it will find it and I am happy to give them the chance to. Even if you have read it, poetry and philosophy can always be revisited for a new or deeper meaning. I've highlighted the lines that were of particular interest to me.


DESIDERATA
Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

-Max Ehrmann

Building The Hype

I've always said that the anticipation of an event is half of what makes the event a success. If you can build hype for something, it's going to be a success. So much of life is mental: get your head in the game and you're ready for anything. We've all heard it, but the cliche speaks truth: attitudes are contagious. That's why I love getting pumped up about any big event/shindig I'm involved in. Spread that enthusiasm and by the time the event arrives, there is such excitement that it doesn't matter how things pan out, the combined enthusiasm of everyone there makes it memorable either way.

But you have to be creative in building the hype. You've got to talk--that's a given. You have to get people involved so the word can spread. ("Did you hear that 'Gress' is going to be there!?") You share pictures and videos to bring back the memories of past experiences that were equally memorable. Then you give it it's own flare. For our first Glory Hole Party we gave out giant pixie stix. At Christmas Micah brought a signature drink and we had Lemon Crush play live music. For track conference parties we always set a dress theme and posted the challenge of coming even though we never returned from meets until past 1 a.m. (and you had to stay up til sunrise). For Gress's going away party we got tshirts. At New Year's we had a new bar installed at the location of the gathering. St. Patrick's Day we made tshirts to wear out.

This weekend, instead of attending Thunder Over Louisville events downtown we (as in Dani and myself) have collaborated with The Man Clan to plan festivities of our own at our houses. (Which is quite convenient when we live directly across from each other.) With teams of two (one guy, one girl) we'll have eight events throughout the day to determine an overall champion. As usual, I created a Facebook event to help spread the word to all of the right people. This is definitely the first time, though, that so much hype has built through the use of FB. By allowing the Man Clan to become administrators to the event the competitive fire is already being fueled. It began with Jaso adding to the event description, "Jaso Rules!!!" only to have Steve change it to "Jaso<===GAY!" shortly thereafter. Ben jumped in on the trash talk soon thereafter and Jaso stepped it up a notch by changing the event picture to his own piece of art he created. (A picture of Steve that he'd added his own personal touch to.) The competition for the best event photo only fueled the fire more. Given, one of these guys is likely to be my partner, I couldn't help but get into the fun with them.

Now it's the day before our inaugural "Drunk Funk Thunder Games" and with the weather as beautiful as it is, I can hardly focus on anything but all that is upon my friends and I. Tonight we will shop for needed supplies and iron out the final details. For awhile we were worried about who would or would not end up showing for the event, but at this point, with the anticipation built as it is, tomorrow is bound to be a success even if it is no one but the Man Clan, Dani and me.

College Buzz Promo with Sarah East!

Sarah and I gave the FN Crazy fans a little briefing on The College Buzz. Thought I should share it here too. Hopefully there will be some actual material to show you! (And, YES, I know I am chewing gum and I shouldn't have been. I realized this as soon as Sarah and I watched it after videoing, but this was a courtesy shout-out--and I'm not a professional in front of the camera--another reason I stay behind it!)

College Buzz nearly ready for its launch!

While I am no longer spending my days working on FN Crazy, I am more than pumped to not be done with web video and the awesome people I've been working with through it. I'll let you in on a little project that has been in the works for a few months now...

Back in November I met with Bellarmine's communications office--where I previously held an internship while a student. With my involvement with web video they contacted me to express their ideas and interest in creating a show of their own. Being that through VuPal I already had the resources and connections to produce such a video, we decided to work out a business deal through Rob's company, Jotzel Media, which also produced PopCrunch.

We are on the verge of launching the pilot episode of the College Buzz. The website has yet to be developed but I'm hoping to gain some following on Twitter and YouTube (as well as other video sites) until then.

A big thanks has to go out to my VuBallers and their willingness to take on a new adventure with me: Joe Bennett (writer), Jay Bowman (Director), Sarah East (Talent/Host), Luke Stallard (Editor).

All Cliches Spring From Some Underlying Truth, Right?

It may only be one week until it comes out on DVD but I still decided to go to the cheap theater to see the movie Twilight. I read the book in November at the hype of the theatrical release but never managed to make it to a viewing on the big screen. So why not pay three bucks to see it on a big screen when next week it is going to cost me that much to rent it at Blockbuster?

My desire to see the movie developed from two things: having read the book and the Edward Cullen obsessions of my friends. (Which, I admit that the latter reason was also my reason for reading the book in the first place.)

I think, though, that I figured out why it has been that while the movie tends to be pinned to teen girls, I have found so many friends my age (and older) are also in love with Edward Cullen. At the same time, any guy I know who dares admitting he actually saw the movie (as well as the guys who refuse to be come anywhere near it) insist it's simply a crappy, cliche love story. Or, as my friend put it, a movie made for "13-year-old girls who have never had the opportunity to have a boyfriend."

Interesting...because I think all of my friends who have talked it up so much to me have at least had the opportunity to have a boyfriend. In fact, some of them are married.

After watching the movie tonight I think I figured it out. Nearly any girl can watch the film, read the book and want what Bella has. Every girl wants a love story and every girl wants the love and loyalty that Edward gives Bella. Girls relate and understand what Stephanie Meyer was conveying in her story. Guys, on the other hand, cannot relate to Edward. First of all, they aren't vampires. Beyond that, Edward is nothing but a fictional character to them and nothing of reality. This makes the whole storyline a cliche love story.

I think the story and the love of it I have seen from both those "13 year-old-girls who have never had the opportunity to have a boyfriend" and from my 23+ year-old friends who are in serious relationships or married proves that the story strikes the chords of love in girls of all ages and experiences. Perhaps less cheesy or cliche, but somewhere inside, every girl wants her own love story of sorts.

Leaving My Mark

One of the best feelings in the world, if you ask me, is knowing that you had an impact on somebody or something--that you left something behind. I will be the first to admit that my talents as a runner were never the number one asset for the Bellarmine track team during my four year tenure. I will quickly be a name that came and went on the roster, as any records I was ever a part of setting have probably already been surpassed with the quickly growing and bettering team. However, it brought a smile to my face and a small tug at my heart to realize what I did leave behind: a tradition of fun.

I recently found on the Facebook profile of a former teammate a picture of her and some of the 

others I used to run with along with several unfamiliar faces in the lobby of Knights Hall dressed in crazy colors, goofy hats and tall socks. The 2009 season has started...and Coach Washington's running group had Wacky Friday. 

As a sophomore at Bellarmine myself and the other girls in my running group initiated a 

day-before-meeting tradition of dressing ridiculously for our light practice. We were an extremely close group with many of us living in a suite on campus together. The following year we had a strong group of freshman who embraced Wacky Fridays for all that they were. By my senior year most of the girls who'd 

Top to bottom: 

2006 (The first Wacky Friday ever), 2007, 2008, 2009

set the precedent with me had moved on from their collegiate athlete days. Even with the team dynamic changing quickly, Friday practices not always being run the way they once were and many of those who "understood" Wacky Friday being gone, I couldn't let my tradition die before I left. Wacky Friday lived on by my seniority enforcement.

I honestly thought without the understanding of it's origin or the originators around the goofy ritual would surely be over. But indeed it is not. Girls I've never known or had any running connection to put on their wacky attire and headed to practice a week ago. Smiling and posing together I can look at those pictures and know, "Washington still has a good group of girls running with him."

It makes me so proud of last year's freshman to have carried on that bit of fun and team bonding I helped show them last year. I can't help but feel a little pride myself, as well though, to look at those pictures and think I did that. There is a piece of RitaPeat that lives on with Bellarmine Track, and the fact that piece is an element of fun and not an outstanding record, almost makes me more proud.

Read here the blog post I wrote for my writing for the web class my junior year to learn the history of Wacky Friday and how it came about.