Scientists + friends have long debated the existence of the Bernie J. This bipedal humanoid creature belongs to the scholar family and is said to inhabit Southeast Michigan where the majority of sightings have occurred. The Bernie J is primarily a nocturnal creature and can be identified by its unique hat-like features and its habitually long conversations. The Bernie J is known for surprises + hypothetical creations. They are only dangerous to those who don’t have time to talk.
This last weekend, I had the fortunate experience of a Bernie J encounter at my apartment. I conversed with this intelligent creature for 9 hours straight. We talked about film and the changes throughout our lives. We drank Bailey’s and ate multiple chocolate bars. It was almost 9am when the conversation ended. Before we went our separate ways, we lit some sparklers and I was able to snap a quick picture to prove my encounter.
He does exist!
Bernie J
[This inside joke may not be amusing if you've never spotted a Bernie J... sorry if that's the case.]
I had just finished my second year of college while living a semester homeless. It wasn't the experience I hoped it would be... lacking a certain sense of adventure... mainly because I became focused on passing all 18 credits that term and didn't seek out my original goals or ideas...
I was searching for a sense of freedom... that I didn't attain... so after later reflection on my homeless experience, I made a new plan in my head: I would graduate from the University of Michigan, pay off all my student loans, and then get "lost" by backpacking throughout the 50 U.S. States. Perhaps I would be gone a year... maybe more... maybe I could get a taste of this freedom I was looking for...
I graduate from school in May 2008. I meet Kelly during Fall 2008. Spring/Summer 2009 Kelly and I start dating and begin to fall in love. Throughout the summer, my plans change as I realize Kelly would be coming with me on the journey. It would be for the best as I would have someone special with me to share the experience. Somewhere along the lines the route changes. Instead of all 50 states, we decide to go to Alaska and from there, go all the way to Argentina. And thus, the Pan-American Dream was born.
September 2009, I take a job through a grant at Eastern Michigan University to create and facilitate after-school filmmaking clubs at three high school sites including Wayne Memorial H.S. where I graduated. The job is one of the most rewarding experiences I've had. May 2010, I find a colleague to replace my position as Kelly and I prepare for our trip. However, I want to continue working with youth in film and the creative arts so Kelly and I decide we'll teach free film/photography camps to communities we visit on our route.
March 2010, I pay off my student loans and I am debt free- a fantastic feeling.
May 2010, Kelly graduates from UofM's School of Art.
May/June 1010, Kelly and I continue to prepare for our expedition through research, networking, and fund-raising.
July 6th, 2010, We will depart Ann Arbor, MI and begin our journey.
Everyone can help make this dream possible in a number of ways:
1. You can make a pledge or "Back Our Project" on Our Kickstarter Page. A minimum pledge is $5 and if we get enough people to support, that $5 will go a long way.
2. If you can't make a donation at this time, you can help us by following our blog, Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube while sharing with your friends.
3. And one of the biggest ways you can help our dream is to simply believe in it. Positive energy goes a long way. This can be done with attitude and word choice. For example, if you tell a friend about us, don't say, "Check out what they want to do," or "Check out what they're trying to do." Instead, say something like, "LOOK AT WHAT THESE TWO ARE DOING," or "THEY'RE MAKING IT HAPPEN!"
If you have an idea, project, dream, or goal on your mind, I encourage you to create your own Kickstarter project and make it happen!
I Like apples, okay. I might even include my liking of apples as an Interest in my Facebook Profile, okay. Worst-case scenario, I may cry out for help when feeling blue with a Status Update that says, 'I like apples!'
BUT, I'm not gonna create a Page or a Group to express my Interest for apples.
The new Facebook update has destroyed my Interests in the simple pleasures of life: such as apples. I can no longer tell the world with my Profile that I simply like apples… I must have a Page on my Profile that says, 'I LIKE APPLES.' Then, I could gather Fans from all around the world who like apples too! Facebook could help me gather statistics from all other Fans of apples. And if I reach 1,000,000 Fans for my liking of apples, I would start planting apple trees everywhere…
I worked hard on my Facebook Profile, okay…
4 years of belligerent college photos, 2 years of ‘WTF I'm outta college what do I do with my life now’ Status Updates, and 6 years of acquiring hypothetical Interests and trying to figure out who I am and what the internets are... and for what? So Facebook can turn all my Interests and most intimate hobbies into Pages with its newest update! Come on!
You can say I'm not a Fan of the new Facebook update... But hey, things change… for better or for worse… But, I really don't care enough about it to spend my internet efforts rallying '1,000,000 Against the New Facebook Update.’ I could care less… I’ll settle for a new profile and spend the unnecessary time venting through this blog post.
So check out my Facebook Profile and meet the new me: One with very few interests, no political or religious views, no sarcastic profile responses, and my support for random Pages, half of which I don’t even know what they’re about.
Cheers!
[These are Faceapples. They're prototypes for the next Facebook update. I'm the apple on the right because I will not support this next update.]
I didn't know what I was doing after I graduated from university. Nor when I started this blog. But I've stumbled upon CHANGE. This blog has become a document of things changing in my life and the world- but mostly my life. I generally focus on happiness, health, food, film, art, and "What the heck am I doing with my life?" It contains a variety of stuff I don't fully understand and probably never will...
Everyday in Every Way I'm getting Better, Better, Better, and Better: Physically, Mentally, Emotionally, and Spiritually. I live rather simply, healthy, and happily. I sometimes work as a filmmaker and teacher. I don't know what my purpose in life is yet, or rather how I'm going to make a difference, but I'm working on it.
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