Keurig Chronicles XXVIII: A Weekend Away (sort of)

I’m not going to rant about the lack of time I get to, well, live ‘life;’ however it’s amazing what an extra day can do to give a brief lift to the soul and provide an extra push. Though I wasn’t able to get in all I would’ve liked over a 48 hour period, the time spent was meaningful and beneficial.

I pulled into Bensalem, PA late Friday night. The dog played with the cousin’s dog. That’s what dogs do. I just wish there was a potion to throw at them when it’s time to pass out for the night, to get them to stop – some would say this would be proper training. Well…

Saturday was set for my little cousin’s first birthday party. I was able to spend some quality time at BJ’s with my cousin Rich (rock star life) and was reminded as to why I may choose to never marry (Megan…I am going to run your phone over with my car when I get the chance! 🙂 – cell phones: …for another discussion).

At the party, family I have not been able to spend any time with were there, sans my cousin Sean. It was a nice time conversing with my Uncle Rich, Aunt Cathy, cousins Tim and Rich. Some funny stuff going on. I was also introduced to the fact that I am not a charming individual by Megan…ESTEEM BOOSTER! Uhhhhh…….Megan, I’m pretty fucking charming. References available upon request.

To my Aunt Lisa, my apologies. I should be in the area next week with some vacation time. I’ll be around a few times before the year is out.

It’s fall time. It’s Mum time. This year I have been quite removed from the scene which has made me feel differently about it all. Not aloof, but as though I don’t really have a place…which I think is understandable. It may be a part of my own personality traits (I know, I should seek help for this). To the Ferko band, it’s as if I were there week after week which is a great feeling. It’s tough to walk into an organization that prides itself on attendance, commitment and excellence, knowing that you really haven’t stepped up to your membership role. All things considered, these guys are true brothers. Living in Richmond and going to school, the membership has done more than the imaginable and allow me to continue to be a part of this great thing. I could not be more happy to be wearing a suit this year and cannot wait to celebrate the remaining Sundays of 2012 within the walls of 2630 Bridge Street.

We (the Ferko band) had our Club Crawl on Sunday. It was a great feeling this year…very relaxed. A great time was had at each club we visited and I was able to see some people I had not seen in a while. It goes beyond working towards a 4.5 minute routine on New Years Day. For those that don’t understand Mummery, it’s a tough concept to explain. It’s its own culture. For one day, we line up for battle, prepared to tear the heads off of every other band. January 2nd, it’s back to being a fun-loving community. Thank you to the clubs that welcomed us throughout the day, provided a toast and most of all, that sweet taste of blackberry. It’s a Mum thing.

I had the pleasure of seeing Steve Morrone (www.imaginefactory.com) of whom I was in the Uptown String Band with – he is now with South Philadelphia. We talked a little about Mums, and then talked about a project he is putting together for a museum in Durham, NC. He showed me pics of the foam sculptures he is creating, which he is driving down later on in the month. He’s a great artist and now does amazing work with prop building. Check his work out!

Over the last two years, I have questioned my continuing to put myself through the struggles of travel to be a part of this thing. School is getting extremely demanding and work hours are all over the place. It’s tough, but nothing that is good in life comes easy. I’ve heard over and over again, “I thought you weren’t doing your band thing anymore.” It gets in your blood. Something I’m sure I’ll never be able to shake. You surround yourself with some of the best people to grace the earth. It’s the treasured time you spend with others. It’s those around you that make you a better person. Sure, there’s a common interest (some would say obsession) in the hobby, but there is so much more to it.

Take advantage of every second you are provided in this place. Be around those that make you a better person. Surround yourself with those that inspire and drive you. You may get dragged down from time to time, but get it all out. I am living a very hectic, stressful life schedule. I do this because if I wasn’t, I’d be leaving the important things out…there would be an uninvited void to things. There is no time for this. If you want it, you can make it all happen. If not…what’s the point? There’s a lot out there to do. There’s a lot out there to see. There’s a lot out there to be.

“Would you not like to be, sittin’ on top of the world with your legs hanging free?” -DMB

Keurig Chronicles: XXIII. “Metaphors and Holes in the Wall”

 

 

It’s another one of those nights where I should’ve been in bed an hour ago; but there are many things running through my mind at this time, it’s hard to pass out for the night. Hopefully some Dylan and writing will bring about a sense of yawn and put me down.

Tonight I have completed my second week of ‘Insanity,’ the workout series. Indeed, it has kicked my ass to high heaven but it feels great. I’ve been able to secure a stronger sense of energy throughout the day (since day one), which has made a positive impact to my daily tasks.

Above is a photo of a hole within my brick wall (living room). I have frequently noticed myself staring at this hole during my workouts. Not paying much attention to it at first, my curiosity has risen as to why I am doing this over and over again. I’ve now imagined I’ve figured it all out (took some ‘rocket appliances’ to do so). The hole (and focusing on this) has taken the attention away from the everlasting clock at the bottom of the screen on each ‘Insanity’ DVD workout, which tends to slow down each workout and make it seem as though you will be in pain forever…it’s like watching paint dry (while immersed in one of the most difficult workout programs released). I am able to listen to the commands of the workout, however I visually block out everything else around me.  Just keep staring down the black hole in the wall. It’s not the greatest scenery, but it works.

I then realized that this is what I have been doing ever since classes began last fall (2011). Since my first step onto the VCU campus last August, I have been staring ahead into that ‘black hole in the wall,’ omitting every distraction possible and focusing only on making myself better at the thing I want to do with my lifetime…getting into the advertising business (and overall pursuing a better me. a stronger me). Past worries in life have escaped thought and only desire, will, determination, success have entered their way into my vision.

A basic hole in the wall can teach you a lot. Does that hole eventually end? Does it come to an abrupt block only centimeters into breaking through the blackness? It’s a true mystery. You never really know where the future/goal/dream will lead; yet you focus and drive as hard and fast towards it as you can…never giving up.

For me, the art of focus (deep focus) has made its mark as a new strength. Granted, I am showing a literal ‘hole in the wall’ that I use to assist during my workouts, but that ‘hole in the wall’ really mimics anything that you as an individual strives for…and want bad enough that you will work beyond (what you thought were) your limits to succeed. My true ‘hole in the wall’ is my dedication to education in the creative advertising field. From that point, I will transition this newly learned deep focus to each and every file/client I am fortunate enough to work on/with. Focus helps to understand and appreciate your passions. Focus drives you to push more and more, bypassing the pains and frustrations that some allow to get in the way, awarding you with success and accomplishment.

Keep your eyes on your own hole in the wall. Maybe one day you’ll stare your way straight through it and expose the light on the other side. Your determination and commitments will then be worth every bit of what you are able to see when you break through.