So as I was expressing concern to Marylynn today about what I’m going to write about for my blog-a-day commitment and she (being my voice of reason in my life that she is) suggested that I stretch my writing muscles and post up a story, chapter by chapter. This struck me as a great idea, and after some thought, we agreed I should post up a story that I’ve already started.

While contemplating my career choices and my future a few weeks ago, I decided to revisit one of my old passions, writing. I haven’t really written anything since I was in High School, but I really loved it. While my long-term dreams still involve filmmaking, I came to realize that it all starts with writing. And that’s something I can do in the here and now.

Tentatively entitled “Freshcut”, it’s my autobiographical account of my adventures as a teenaged anti-racist skinhead in the Utah ska scene. It will document four years of my life (from 15 to 19) and the stuff that happened during that time.

Two years ago, I was able to consult documentary filmmaker, Brandon Smith’s on his awesome documentary, “The Upbeat”. It focused on the Utah ska in the 90’s and I was able to point him to a lot of good people to talk to and share stories and whatnot. Unfortunately, do to geographical circumstances, I never got my chance to sit down in front of the camera and tell some of my stories. When I finally saw the finished product, I was really really impressed with how well it turned out and how throrough it was. Then I started to picture how a dramatic narrative of the same story would look on screen (much like “Lords of Dogtown” was adapted from documentary “Dogtown and Z-Boys”). Then I started thinking about my own stories between going to shows and my life at home, I realized there was a lot of good material there.

I started by writing my story and the more and more I wrote the more I realized it could be a solid book on its own. And if it turns out to be quality, I’d love to see it adapted for the screen (either big or little. Whatever.) So at this point, I have a few pages written and a rough outline sketched out of stories I think are noteworthy. My goal is to get the story published on this here blog chapter by chapter over the next year or so (or however long it takes). If people read it and like it, cool. If not, I don’t mind. I just want to get it written and out. I would love to get feedback and questions down in the comments section.

So with my commitment to blog every day this month, it gives me that much more motivation. But don’t worry, I’ll mix it up. I won’t get stuck on this for the next 27 posts.

You can expect the first chapter up early next week.

(can you find me in this picture?)

Last month, I had the privilege of going out to a small camp site in the woods somewhere in PA (Near Allentown I think?) to be a staff man on the New Warrior Training Adventure. If you recall, I did my my own weekend a year ago and it profoundly changed my life in many ways.

It rained pretty heavy for the first couple days, but by saturday and sunday, it cleared up nicely. That meant mud. But it was great. We also were blessed to have Rich Tosi, one of the Co-Founders of the Mankind Project on staff with us.

I was so stoked to be able to help support other men in their own work and to give them the opportunity to look within themselves and see what wasn’t working in their lives. I saw some amazing transformations that weekend in the eighteen initiates, and also for myself.

I learned a lot that weekend, and probably the biggest thing I took home with me was the knowledge that God will always provide. Things have a way of working out. I waste so much time worrying and fretting over things that aren’t in my control because I forget that my life is in The Lord’s hands and that things work out on His schedule. I just need to step back, give up some control to Him while doing what I can do to make things happen. That was a huge lesson for me at this time in my life and my state of unemployment. Things WILL work out. It’s my job to do all I can and then learn patience.

I had an amazing time staffing the New Warrior Training Adventure. Like most things with The Mankind Project, it was incredibly intense, physically and emotionally challenging, insightful and was a whole load of fun. I got to hang out with old friends and meet a lot of new ones. I’m anxiously looking forward to my next opportunity to staff. (But not until after I have a job! I promised Marylynn.)

Yesterday, John sent out an open challenge for all his fellow bloggers to post every day for the month of July. I decided to take him up on the challenge and so I posted about Lily’s swimming party. Looks like Marylynn’s in on it too. So you can expect a lot more content here for the month of July. I have a few things I still want to blog about floating in my head, and I figure if I can include even half of the junk I post on Facebook every day, it shouldn’t be too difficult. But we’ll see. I know I’m planning a couple trips this month and who knows? Maybe we’ll even move! Well, there will be that much more to write about. So here we go, daily posts in July. Awesome. (and no this post doesn’t count.)

So little Lily had her FIFTH birthday party on Saturday, which is totally crazy because it seems like just yesterday she had her Fourth Birthday Party and I was blogging about it. This time John and Jaime had the party at their neighborhood swimming hole and we all got wet and sunburnt (ok maybe just me) and had a blast. I got some pictures too! Check ‘em out:

I’m a Human Floation Device. Yeah, I spent a large part of the afternoon being climbed on. It was fun… for a while. Until kids I didn’t know started climbing on me. Then it got weird and I ran away. True story.

Cricket Loves Swimming!

That hairy guy is me. I’m holding my niece Liily and my son Buster. My nephew Tyler is in the water. Where did Cricket go?

Finn caught a picture of the rare flying water cricket. She loved me to throw her up in the air. Thanks to Finn for getting this awesome shot. (And the clouds cleared up later.)

It can get cold getting out of the pool!

Cricket and Lily, being the rockstars that they are, strike a pose for the paparazzi shortly before Lily got to open her awesome presents.

“When I’m not smoking, I’m drinking coffee!”

Buster’s Choco-stache – This happy accident inspired us to paint a mustache on Buster every morning as we get him dressed. Now he can get in to clubs way easier.

Our friends little boy, Marcus was demolishing his cupcake. It was so cute, I had to grab a picture.

Look out Gollum! There’s a guy with a carpet on his back behind you!

Little T Enjoying the Party

Thanks to John and Jaime for throwing such an awesome party!

Seriously? What’s going on here? I had just finished my post about Farrah Fawcett when I heard about Michael Jackson. I was too blog-exhausted to post anything about it. But yeah… this is weird. RIP Billy. Now we’ll have to find someone else to yell at us to buy stuff.

(oh and in case you forgot, I was Billy Mays for Halloween last year)