Finding Balance: The Seemingly Impossible Dream

Getting involved at college is a great thing, never mistake that, but getting lost in the rush of things that you get involved with is not such an amazing thing. Actually, it's quite far from it.

I learned that first hand this past week, and it came at quite the price.

This week I've been doing about ten million things, and all of it was pretty much my fault. My typical day this past week ran something like this: wake up, go to class, write a story for The University Journal, turn story in, go to class, edit story, go home and sit down for ten minutes, change into my techie blacks, hurry to get something to eat, run to the theatre, do costume crew for The Philadelphia Story, get home at about eleven or later, and try to slow down enough to manage to fall asleep. Crazy, no?

The ironic thing is that last Sunday I was asked to speak in Church the coming Sunday on a talk based on a talk called "Living a Balanced Life." At that time I thought it was a simple sort of idea that I had in the bag, but then the week actually happened.

By the time I got to Saturday night I had shadows under my eyes, one of my legs was threatening to give out, and I still had yet to write my talk. The next day I got up in Church and told the congregation exactly what my typical day was like, and then I explained that I had gotten something of a wakeup call thanks to the topic of my talk. I had forgotten to balance my life, and because of that neglect I was floundering.

As students and people we can get so caught up in all of the craziness we get involved with, and when we do that things manage to get out of control. We tend to worry so much about our employers, our families, and other aspects of our lives that we forget the duty we have to ourselves. Craziness, right? Isn't getting all of your work done and calling your family and helping your friend with their problems doing our duty to ourselves? Think about it, though. During your week did you take the time to take care of yourself? And did you do something that was completely spastic but made you happy? I know I didn't.

That's why in the coming week I am going to try to make sure I get things done but still have time to relax every once in a while. I'm going to take fewer stories for the Journal and get everything done at the first chance rather than waiting until the last moment. Now the challenge is what can you do to make your life a little more balanced?

That Look In My Eyes

Determination is a scary thing.

Those of you who know my really well know that when I get my mind settled on something specific strange things begin to happen. The first sign of danger is when I get "that look" in my eyes, which is usually followed by the dooming proclamation that I have an idea. What happens next usually varies depending on the situation, but suffice it to say that the trademarks are relatively easy to follow should you know what to look for.

I pity my friends here at SUU. The other day I got "that look" in my eyes.

Here at SUU I have found that making movies makes me a very happy person, and I have always been very disappointed that there are no real film classes offered. This Christmas, however, my family did a brilliant thing by giving me a video camera (an amazing one to boot) to make all the movies my little heart desired. Well, I got to thinking about what kind of project I wanted to do next, and that is when dangerous things began to happen. Enough with the short films, I thought to myself. I wanted to learn something more, and that meant kicking it up another level.


Currently I am working on writing the script for my first feature length movie, which I plan on filming this spring. Now usually this would seem like a rather crazy attempt since I am a poor college student, but I am planning on seeing if I can't get help on the monetary front. Here on campus we have the UGRAS program, which grants undergraduate students funding for things that will help them learn things and further their field. Since I am a directing major I can probably get at least some money from them after doing some budgeting and finishing the script. Epic, no? I'm also going to talk to my professors and see what help I can get by way of mentoring and advice, and I am also going to get all the help I can from the Media Center in the library.

My plan of action is clear, and look out! Before you know it I may be the next discovered director because I plan on entering my movie in several film festivals around the nation (supposing it turns out like I think it will). Wish me luck!