The Newsroom

(Watch before you read)

There is finally a new television show that will smack you in the face by questioning your intellect while keeping you on the edge of your seat... for a complete 60 minutes.  We all fall victim of reality television or garbage sitcoms that do nothing to stimulate our minds.  They make us feel better about ourselves.  Shows such as Teen Mom and Jersey Shore simply remind us that our lives aren't so bad. That we made it out of high school without buying diapers and that we can actually handle our alcohol.

HBO's brand new T.V. series, The Newsroom will do the exact opposite.  You will question your contributions to the world and just how educated you truly are.  The show will bring attention to some of today's real life political, economical, and environmental issues.  The Newsroom isn't afraid to step on toes or question society.  As you can see from the video, they aren't even afraid to say America is no longer the greatest country in the world... something I think we all need to hear.  And something we need to hear from the faces we should trust the most.  The people who used to carry so much respect. It brings accountability back into journalism.

This video, along with The Newsroom shines a new light and introduces new accountability to our generation.  Many of my peers say they don't pay attention to politics because they either don't care or they feel their voice doesn't make a difference.  The "don't cares" don't stop at politics.  They are attached to education, environment, health care, and even the right to vote.  Issues that our ancestors fought and died for.

Many of the reasons our country has fallen behind are due to our perception of what's important.  Take a look at your DVR list.  We love to watch television for entertainment.  But how many shows on your DVR actually make you think or leave room for debate?  If you can't find one, do yourself a favor and add The Newsroom to your list.

If watching real credible news is unbearable, at least do something to introduce yourself to appealing issues through informing television.  Ignorance is a choice.  America was founded on the idea that we can always do better.  That we can always improve. That our tomorrow should be better than our yesterday.  I can't say this is currently true for the Red, White and Blue.  We have become complacent at the top.  We have become lazy and negligent.  We are unaccountable and arrogant.  We are no longer the head of the class.  We are average.

The pressure to again introduce ourselves as "The Greatest Country in the World" rests solely on our shoulders.  But first we must swallow our pride and admit to slipping.  We shouldn't feel ashamed by doing so.  We should only feel ashamed if we do nothing as individuals to reattain it as a group. America is one hell of a country.  But if we don't take advantage of the opportunities that are in front of us, how can we expect to live up to our full potential?



 

Work Smarter, Not Harder

"Hard work pays off it takes time to progress.  Life's full of ups and downs and I'm not settling for less.  Life is what you make it, you want it? Go and take it. It doesn't happen over night, it all started in the basement.  I work hard to be the man and i'd be damn if I waste it."

When you are spending a desirable amount of hours busting your ass for minimal progression, you are simply wasting your time.  Everyone likes to pride themselves on their work ethic.  For the mostpart, hard work seems to be the most admirable.  There is a certain misconception that simply because you work hard, you are being productive.

I may be the largest advocate for "work smarter, not harder".  A man (or woman) isn't defined by the blisters on his hands or the dirt under his nails.  He is defined by the accomplishments and improvements that were possible through the hard work.  These achievements can be reached without breaking a single physical sweat.

There certainly are occasions that call for hard work and dirty hands.  But this isn't the case for every situation.  It is important to understand the difference between hard work for a purpose and hard work to appear busy.  

There are 2 types of workers; doers and thinkers. Doers will never make a difference in this world.  They will continue to do what has already been done.  Little by little they will make the world more efficient.  Thinkers have the ability to make the world a better place.  They will think of solutions to create improvements.

It is those who think then do that actually leave an imprint on this world.  The Steve Jobs, the Richard Bransons, the Mark Zuckerbergs who actually believed in their thoughts enough to make it a reality.  Something you could touch.  Something you could see.  There is no one who will believe in you or your ideas more than yourself.  Innovation is the result when thinkers become doers.

If there is one thing I can take from the past year, it is no matter how full your schedule seems to appear, it is important to leave a black space.  A space capable to fill at any time.  A space to take a few minutes to clear your mind, to grab lunch with a friend, or to call a family member you haven't spoken to in months.  When we are constantly working hard we tend to forget what we are working for in the first place.


Work smart, work hard, but most importantly take a few deep breaths to enjoy your pursuit.

Wedding Season

I can't think of many people who didn't find themselves in a church over the weekend.  June 16th seemed to be a popular day for all newlyweds.  And as many of my close friends know, I finally made the final cut on the invitation list to a wedding.  Yes, the "Mark" curse has finally been broken and I now expect to receive wedding invitations by the handful.  I just hope the weddings in the future come close to matching the wedding from the weekend.

What started off as a car of 4 desperately attempting to find the church while weaving through horse and buggy's ended with a disappointing failed phone call to Papa John's.  Everything in-between was done with a smile and a drink in hand.  Love was in the air and nothing could change that... not even the Wicked Witch of the West as the bartender.  This wedding truly gave me the desire to someday say the words, "I do".

Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson did a pretty decent job teaching us how to enjoy ourselves at a wedding while Corinthians 13 has defined Love for quite some time.  But for some odd reason, I feel like that was all redefined over the weekend as everyone in attendance had the opportunity to witness everything a married couple should be.  It gave us a modern explanation of love.

Not the misconception of "love" that we see in movies or on TV.  The love you create a family around.  Not the baby talk and mushy gushy love we thought we had growing up.  The love that can't be explained through words and kisses.

Weddings serve as the reminder of what love is by celebrating a new bond between two individuals.  Weddings are the only place where it is acceptable for your best friends to dance with your oldest family members.  It is a reminder that youth is internal and optional.  That "growing up" is something the Rugrats did and failed at miserably.  They bring together the widest array of strangers while reuniting old friends.  It is the only place where a dollar is well spent because for a few seconds you get to dance with the bride.  Weddings are the licking of the envelope for the letter of love.

Love can't be duplicated, feared or fully attained.  It isn't a reality show.  You're not intended to "tune in next week".  You live it every second of every day. It's not a 30 minute episode.  Love is constantly growing and improving.  It can't be touched or seen.  It simply is what it is.  Our actions create it and our feelings manipulate it.  There isn't a doubt in my mind this couple will wake up with a smile on a daily basis. They have truly created something special.  Something we should all strive for.

Something so special I think we should get together and do it again every year.

And who knew I could sing and dance to country music with the best of them?! Congratulations Mr. Dale and Nicky Neff! 

Ohio University 2012 Graduation (Part 2)

A return visit to any place you formerly called, "home" is awkward.  You realize how much has changed yet remained the same.  The houses seem familiar but the faces are foreign.  Athens, Ohio much like all college campuses around the world is a revolving door.  Our time on campus gives us a sense of entitlement.  We feel as if we run the campus.  There aren't many occasions we think of the past or the future students.  It isn't until you return that you realize the campus will continue to thrive after your departure.  

Graduation is a completely new experience when you are not wearing a cap and gown.  The names that are called are unknown.  The commencement speech isn't directed towards you.  The multiple rounds of applause are not to congratulate your accomplishments.  You are now the support.  You are now contemplating your past rather than your future.

As I sat in the Convocation Center I reflected on the past year wondering if those graduates in their cap and gowns were as hungry as myself.  They have replaced my graduating class and now have the chip on their shoulders to succeed.  It is their turn to take their first step in the real world while using everything they have previously learned as a resource to achieve their goals.  As incoming freshmen, they were promised the world.  As anxious soon-to-be college graduates, they are congratulated for their achievements and celebrated by their friends, family, and only in Athens, OH... Bart Simpson.

The Ohio University graduating class of 2012 had the pleasure to be addressed by Ohio Alum, Nancy Cartwright, an Emmy award-winning actress and voice of television superstar Bart Simpson.  Although her words were primarily intended to inspire and motivate the students, I still felt as if I was the only person in the building.  Unlike the commencement speaker from a year ago, I related to the words spoken by Cartwright.  Throughout her entertaining address, she challenged graduates to:

1. Do what you love.

2. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your dreams.

3. Hitch your wagon to a winner.

4. Trust your instincts.

5. Decide exactly what you want to do. 

All encouraging bits of advice as I continue to pursue my personal dreams.  I am confident saying I have accomplished 4 of the 5 while actively attempting to fulfill the uncompleted challenge.  Where I grew up people constantly mock dreams and ambitions that seem "unrealistic" or "unattainable".  Or in my eyes, challenging.  Even today, as a 24 year old I come across individuals who talk behind my back and can't understand why I want to achieve certain goals.  These same people are those who don't understand because they have either already given up on theirs or never fully set goals for themselves.

"Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your dreams" - By far the most important piece of advice.  You will constantly be put in a situation where you must defend your dreams.  But it is necessary to have a comfort zone when with friends to let that guard down and relax.  I believe it is important to have so called "haters".  They can certainly turn into your greatest motivators as long as they aren't the people who call themselves your friend.  These are the "friends" who will want nothing to do with your struggles but will have their hands out during your success.

It has been a pleasure of mine to continue to feel blessed for my inner circle of friends and family.  They seem to always know the right things to say to either spark an internal fire or take me down a few notches.  Without them I still believe I would be where I am today but it sure would have made this road more challenging.  We are all significantly different with our career goals and ambitions yet we continue to find common ground to show our support of one another.

One of the hardest realizations for myself was to understand everybody lives life at their own pace.  You can't expect to speed them up or slow them down.  You can only hope to surround yourself with people who can keep up and the few who will push you to go faster.  These are the people who will motivate you on a daily basis.  These are the people who can only elevate you.

It was an awkward experience; celebrating my one year graduation anniversary at the same place I graduated.  And when I say awkward I mean amazing.  Watching my brother walk across the same stage while listening to my mother's whistle and my father's clapping.  It will forever be a memory I hold close to my heart.  Closer than my own graduation.  It was everything I needed a year after my departure.

And who knew a 10 year old animated boy could provide it for me.  Thank you Nancy and congratulations to all 2012 Graduates.  

Ohio University 2012 Graduation (Part 1)

Over the weekend I took a walk down memory lane as I returned to my alma mater, Ohio University for the 2012 graduation ceremony.  This time I watched from a different view while experiencing new emotions regarding the graduation process.

It was just a year ago, I found myself standing in front of my brother's bathroom mirror rushing to tie my tie before sprinting to my own graduation ceremony.  The night before consisted of the traditional "last court street shuffle" with my best friend throughout college.  It was our last hooray and we made sure we re-lived every memory from our time on the bricks while anxiously anticipating the road that lay ahead.  Again, the moments with my peers and the memories we created were far more valuable than following the rules or the guidelines of the university.  It only seemed right that we both arrived a few minutes late.

This year I returned to Athens to watch my brother take his own stride across the stage.  Unlike the previous year, I woke up with a sense of urgency.  I can honestly say I would have been far more likely to miss my own graduation than his.  Not because my graduation wasn't important to me or that I wasn't proud of myself.  There was never a doubt in my mind that I would someday turn a tassel from the right to the left.

It is hard to witness your own progression and to actually feel personal growth.  Sure, we can look back and compare where we were to where we are, but to physically appreciate the progression is difficult.  With friends or family, we have a front row seat.  We understand whether or not they are heading in the right direction.  This is why it is so important to speak up when we see them take a wrong turn or to encourage them when they deserve a pat on the back. With my brother, I have been blessed to watch his transition and his progression.

Always older and 2 steps faster, my brother was in my eyes, my only competition.  In sports, in school, while eating, I even wanted to wake up before he did when we were little.  As the younger brother I was fortunate to learn from his mistakes yet still make my own decisions.  Growing up I always thought it was difficult to walk in his footprints.  Now I understand the advantage of having a worn path to walk on.

My family, friends, and enemies can all agree my arrogance is challenged only by Kanye West.  It's been 24 years but I finally feel comfortable admitting where I gained this self-confidence and who I can thank for permanently instilling it into my personality; my brother.  You see, as the younger brother I always gave the perception that I truly believed I was better than my brother at everything.  Even though every bone in my body told me otherwise.

What I lacked in height, weight, speed, muscle or even facial hair (which I still have a hard time with) I made up for with confidence.  I came off so fearless that I eventually made others take notice.  Of course I was faced with the constant pressure to ensure my words were backed with actions but this is also where I became comfortable with pressure situations.  Comfortable to the point I actually thrive on them.

Watching my mentor walk across the stage and to see the smile on my parent's faces was far more valuable than my 5 seconds in the spotlight a year ago.  My brother has faced many trials and tribulations.  Because of this my parents have also faced many situations that affected the color of their hair.  But not once did they give up on their first born.  Instead they supported him with love,  encouragement and belief.  The same formula all parents should use with their children.

My brother and I have been very fortunate to have parents who understood which life lessons must be taught and which life lessons must be explored first hand through trial and error.  Whether they did so intentionally or not, it gave us the opportunity to allow us to become who we are today.

Graduation gave me the opportunity to reflect on the previous 24 years and to realize my brother has never been my "competition".  He has always been my motivation, my inspiration, and my shoulder to lean on.  He has always been my big brother.  And just like he instilled my overflow of confidence when I was young, I promise to do the same to him throughout his next chapter in life.

Congratulations Jake!  These words nor any other combination of words can explain how important you have been to my personal accomplishments and outlook on life.  All I ask is for you to look at life much like an old game of one-on-one in the driving way.

Now it's your ball.  Show me something.