Gifts

"Right on, doctor."

This is immense. Mr. Michael Warnecke and Mr. Joel Limbauan are reppin' suits on this fine Wednesday. Straight up immense.

SO. Last week, I complained and whined about the whole "blue suit" mixup. Well my friends, I am here to tell you, the complaining and whining was a bit premature. After that post was posted, my friend and teacher, Mr. Matthew Weathers, sent me an email reminding me of something:

"Hey Morgan, 

I have your blog on my Google Reader, so I check it out every month or two. I saw your latest post (http://emliv.blogspot.com/2012/05/sportz.html) where you said:

Today is the last Wednesday of the semester. Typically, I wear the powder blue, 1984 Los Angeles Olympics suit. Today, I forgot. And it's really too bad.

But a year ago, you did it on the Wednesday of finals week: http://emliv.blogspot.com/2011/05/finale.html - so you still have a week."

He is completely right, I have made this mistake before. No surprise there. Here's a side note, Mr. Weathers is one of the greatest teachers I have ever had. He teaches "Nature of Math," an general education, entry level, math class. Yes, it is entry level, but throw Mr. Weathers into the mix, and the class becomes the primo education event of the year. Let me show you a video that explains why:





I was taught math by a YOUTUBE CELEBRITY.

And he reads this blog and fixes my previous misconceptions about blue suit habits.





Something big happened this week. I live with three dudes: Mr. Joel Limbauan, Mr. Ben Jacuk, and Mr. Michael Warnecke.  I have lived with these three dudes for the entirety of my Biola career, three years. In these three years, there is not a posed picture in existence of just the four of us. There are countless photos of three of us, different combinations, different additions, but just the four of us? Doesn't exist. Next year, living situations are changing. I am moving on, into a house that will definitely be a complete change in scenery. Fact is, now that I am moving, if the three dudes who I have lived with for three years and myself do not take a picture together, we have no physical proof of our massively incredible and memorable three years as roommates. So we had a photoshoot. Because we just had to.

I am exceedingly glad we did this. These dudes are family, they will be as long as we're alive. And before this lil photoshoot, there was no proof this little unit existed.

Just look at us, we're weirdos. We don't belong together. We're completely different, different interests, different styles, different ways of living our lives. But we live together. And it works. Somehow.

Imma miss these dudes. BIG. Way too many memories, laughter that exceeds skyscrapers, stories that fill libraries, experiences that define life.

Yikes, I'm getting all nostalgic.


One of the greatest things about this blog is this fact: these memories will never be lost. Many of the memories are contained within this strange blog I keep up and when reread, welcome to the time machine: right back in the moment, remembering the experience like it happened five minutes ago.

And THIS, my friends, is why this blog exists.

This semester is over. It's finished. Summer is here. Does it feel like it? No. Should it feel like it? I guess. Where did the semester go? It took off running, got faster, and then BOOM, finished the race. Incredible. So many things happened that if I tried to list them all, I would have an empty list because I wouldn't know where to start. So many great things happened this semester. New classes, new assignments, new friendships, new conversations, new experiences, new memories.  It's been a blast, every second of it.

And WHAT?! Leaving TROP?! This place has been so good to us. The pool is heaven sent (as is the balcony), the atmosphere is super dope, and I told my roommate I wouldn't mind living here for 20 years (that may or may not be true).

The weird thing about semesters is how drastically different each one is from another. The ebb and flow of people and connected friendships are incredible. This semester was COMPLETELY different from the last, both GREAT in their own individual ways. Because of this consistent track record, I have no problem believing next semester is going to be a complete surprise, full of new new new. I pumped, excited, and maybe a tad nervous, about what is to come, but you know what the best part is? I have absolutely no reason to worry because I trust a God that leads my roller coaster of a life in every which way. I know He's in control, in the good and the bad, and I am thankful for the learning experiences in it all. Next year's going to take a fierce learning curve; BRING IT ON.





To all of you who I have spoken with this semester, thank you for exchanging words. Conversation is a gift and the fact that we have been able to talk with each other this semester is incredible.

To all of you who I have joked with this semester, thank you for sharing laughs. Laughter is a gift and that fact that we were able to connect on a humorous level this semester is incredible.

To all of you who I have studied with.....  oh wait, that never happened.

To all of you who I have shared life with this semester, thanks for living it up with me. Life is a gift and the fact that we have been able to do cool, bizarre, fun, serious, outlandish, random things with each other this semester is incredible.

To all of you who I have collaborated with this semester, thank you for boosting my creativity. Collaboration is a gift and the fact that we have been able to create new, fresh ideas and content together is incredible.


You people make this college experience the best a person could ask for. We're just getting started.





LES GO.

Scholar

The semester has started. My second to last semester of college has started. My potentially third to last semester of college has started. The semester has started and it is already going 1,000,000 mph. Miles per hour. A million. FLYING. But, this may be one of the first semesters that I am STOKED for most, if not all, my classes. Not only will important information be presented, but useful, applicable, beneficial information will be presented, and that, in my opinion, is a rarity. BUT, it's the first week, my hopes and dreams may be just that, hopes and dreams; hopefully, they come to fruition.

So, it's Wednesday again. I'm back writing this blog and it seems natural. It's something I've done almost every week of ever school semester since my senior year in high school. It just feels right, it just feels good, it just feels like I've always done it. Should it? Will it ever stop? Will it stop at the end of my stint at Biola? Will it stop this week? We'll have to see. You have just as good an idea about it as I do. It's been fun though, it really has. One of my favorite things to do when I'm just a tad bored is look and read through old blog posts. Use that lil "Random Post of the Refresh" button in the upper right corner. Read old stories, look at old photos, watch absolutely ridiculous videos. This stuff has been embedded in the internet and is here for keeps. It's fun to revisit it every once in a while, relive the moments.

This semesters going to add to this list of keepsakes. There will be stories. There will be moments. There will be memories. And they will be written down.


Sentimental, much? I laugh when my writing sounds sappy.


Moving forward. Over the winter break, I was asked by my home church, Simi Valley Community Church, to produce some videos to set up 3 weeks of sermons. We went into the project not having any idea how it would play out and, honestly, I couldn't be happier at the response we received. Provoke your thoughts my friends. How would you answer these questions?


What Do You Most Value In Life? // Pt. 1/3 from Morgan Lott on Vimeo.



What Do You Worry About Most In Life? // Pt. 2/3 from Morgan Lott on Vimeo.



What Do You Want To Achieve In Life? // Pt. 3/3 from Morgan Lott on Vimeo.






Got me thinking, hope you thought a little bit as well.



And that may be end of this post. I don't have much to report on, I don't have much to say. School's started and it's NUTTY.







LES GO.

The Blues

It's one of those weeks where everything that potentially can happen, has happened, is happening, needs to happen, and will happen.  The to-do list is absurd and unfortunately this blog isn't too high on that list.  It is what it is.

Today is the last normal Wednesday of the semester. If you've been around a while, you know that this means the powder blue 1984 Los Angeles Olympics suit is pulled out and worn. This is a tradition that has held strong since mid-high school.  This year is a little different, however. Somehow, someplace, sometime, the powder blue 1984 Los Angeles Olympics necktie disappeared somehow, someplace, sometime between leaving my house for the summer to arriving at Biola for the semester. This story is further, further detailed, in this blog post: http://emliv.blogspot.com/2011/09/backs-and-forths.html (aside: that's a pretty great blog post, super random stuff in that there week). So, that said, I ran around tie-less today. It was sad. I was on the verge of tears. This is a family heirloom and irreplaceable. I told my roommates I would pay up to $100 for a new powder blue 1984 Los Angeles Olympics necktie.  I also told them I am going to write a hand written letter to Levi's (the official 1984 Los Angeles Olympics clothing sponsor) just to see what they can do. Seriously. Heart-breaking.

Know what isn't heart-breaking? Watching movies from your childhood, but let's start from the beginning. Last Friday, Mr. Austin Axen organized a fantastic family dinner and it was fantastic.  I'm not quite sure what inspired it, but Mr. Axen has a knack for making normal things, like dinner at the caf, an event to remember. Thank you Austin.  The annual Biola University Christmas Tree Lighting followed and boy, it never fails to be spectacular. Carols, the King, candlelight. Perhaps the highlight was the showing of this video and watching this "adorbs" couple light the massivity of a Christmas tree themselves. Enjoy:





And then, to top it all off, Mr. Kyle Norman and Mr. Scott Weir had this brilliant idea (an idea I was unintentionally unaware of) to invite all sorts of people to my apartment to watch the movie we grew up loving, continue to love, and will always love: SPACE JAM.  I had talked to Kyle a few weeks ago, we talked about how great of a movie Space Jam is and then all of a sudden, people are at my house watching it.  Because I did not organize, I do not have a clue how or why people showed up at my house, but BOOM here they and BOOM we proceed to watch the triple-Oscar winning film SPACE JAM featuring Academy Award winning actor Michael Jordan who has also won some other sort of basketball awards.  Here was the group in alphabetical order: Mr. Austin Axen, Ms. Laura Cook, Ms. Sierra Falco, Ms. Sarah Hau, Mr. Ben Jacuk, Mr. Joel Limbauan, Ms. Melanie Lott, Ms. Sarah McAlpine, Ms. Melanie McLaughlin, Mr. Kyle Norman, Mr. Josh Suaverdez, Ms. Moe Tucker, Mr. Michael Warnecke, Mr. Scott Weir, two other guests (I'm embarrassed for not knowing their names), maybe one or two people I forgot, and then myself, Mr. Morgan Lott.

Following the movie, a game of charades broke out, spontaneity at its finest. Acting took place, laughing followed. Solid crew, solid film, solid good times. I've heard from a few people that Friday night was one of, if not THE best night of the semester. I'm not going to lie, friends, it was up there. When the Looney Tunes joins your party, it's a night to remember.

And now I have two random videos for you:

They are artsy, watch out:






And THAT, Ladies and Gentlemen, is the post for the last normal Wednesday of the semester. To think we start just a short few days ago... wow, time flies... as always.


Drink something for dinner you haven't tried in a while. Like cranberry juice with ice. Try it.

Dear Diary

It's to the point where I feel like it's Wednesday everyday. Days feel like hours, weeks feel like days, months feel like weeks, years feel like months, decades feel like years, centuries feel like decades, millenniums feel like centuries.  Time is cruise, cruise, cruising along, not waiting along for stragglers.  All that to say, life's nuts and it's just getting nuttier.

I'll prove it to you. Are you familiar with the Sleep Talk 100 project? If you aren't, I've been recording my sleep talking each and every night and posting the results here: sleeptalk100.tumblr.com. Anyway, take a listen to last night's words:

http://sleeptalk100.tumblr.com/post/10488589505/deep-breath-i-have-no-clue-what-to-do 

I don't want to claim I know what I'm referring too, but it just might relate to the intensity of LIFE.

If you have been a consistent reader, for which I am very grateful, you will remember that last semester was ridiculous, a DOOZY, if you will. It was testing, difficult, and immensely challenging, but served as an INCREDIBLE learning experience, for which I am also grateful. However, for the majority of the semester, work was #1. There was no time for relaxation, sleep, or a social life.

Yikes.

So, that said, this semester, I intentionally signed up for less units, and, more importantly, less studio classes (film + art classes). BUT, because I'm me, I'm still unbelievably busy. Imagine that. Here's what's cool though: the busyness finally includes a social factor, doing things with other human beings. Before, it was "I've got four hours to complete 3 projects." Now, it is "I've got four hours to complete one project and hang out with some peeps."  Do you know what this means? More stories, more memories, two of my favorite things. I'll prove more to you: last week, stories were the name of the game. Here's the post if you haven't seen it:

http://emliv.blogspot.com/2011/09/spontaneity.html

Stories. Lots of them. Memories. Lots of them. This is how it should be. And last week is was. And it was excellent, most excellent. Be spontaneous. Seriously. Last year, the loads of work got in the way of spontaneity. This year, making memories is on the agenda, and last week shows it's an attainable goal.

Now, more than ever, this blog feels like a diary. I feel like I got all emotional and stuff and spilled my guts to the world. I hope you enjoy gut spilling. Sometimes it's necessary. And sometimes it fun.

And with that, there's not much more to say. 

But there's more to watch.

First, on May 20th, 2011, the day before the hoax-of-a-claim of the return of Christ, Mr. Kyle Dietz, Mr. Scott Weir, Mr. Connor Cabalka, and myself flew through the air at the speed of gravity. We sky dove. It was incredible. It was fantastic. And now there's a video, a video of which is decently long so if you want to, skip the middle part; the beginning and end are definitely worth a watch:

Secondly, I ran across a filmmaker who has become in the last week one of my biggest inspirations. He is a one man jam and his work is absolutely incredible. And the best part? He is using his gifts to spread the love of Christ.  Breath=taken.

 
[Fo'tis'ma] from Salomon on Vimeo.


And finally, live performence music video by the ridiculosity of a band, Sleigh Bells. The reason I share this is not for the performance in itself, but in the video production. The editing BEAUTIFULLY reflects the chaotic nature of Sleigh Bells' music and their absurd live shows. Naturally, I'm a fan.



Sleigh Bells "A/B Machines" (Live) from Phil Pinto on Vimeo.



And that's the post. I gave a shout out earlier to all the consistent readers. I really am grateful for you, regardless if I know you. In the beginning stages of this blog, it was all about records, recording events in the life of Morgan Lott to be remembered. Technically, it still is around for that purpose BUT, even through the urges to quit, it's great to be able to share current happenings, interesting findings, and everything else under the sun to the internet community.  To those of you I know personally, I want to thank you for reading and investing some time in this bizarre dude you know. To those of you I don't know personally, I want to thank you for reading and investing some time in this bizarre dude you don't know.



Invest your time wisely.  Invest your money wisely. Invest your relationships wisely. Invest your life wisely.

Be wise.

Blask

Another Wednesday, another experience, another opportunity.  It's February, the month that is difficult to pronounce because of that sneaky "r" chillin' after the "b."  January was a breeze, a little spark that set the fire of 2011 ablaze.  January was an inkling of thought, just a wee little bit of a start of something, but didn't pick up and moved on after January didn't pull it off.  What am I talking about?  You have just about as much a clue as I do.

We started the 2011 Spring Semester this week, let me tell you, it's going to be a DOOZY.  Classes are intense and the work load is going to be nutty, but guess what? It's time to learn, that's what college is all about, and if that means cramming as much material into this little head of mine and learning how to manage time well, let's do this thing.  It's going to be a challenge, no doubt, but it's going to be one swell set of 16 weeks.



So last week, Mawwiage Films released our second wedding Moment for Chad and Rachel Glazener.  This wedding was a great experience, the ceremony and reception were absolutely beautiful and everybody involved were just top notch.  It was a good time and the video turned out really well, and now, for your enjoyment, it sits below, waiting for you to return January 8, 2011 and enjoy this moment.


Chad & Rachel from Mawwiage Films on Vimeo.



Other than that, I don't have a whole lot to talk about.  I feel like something has changed with this blog.  It used to be that I would come up with topics to discuss, even if it is as amateur as watching paint dry (which is a brilliant experience by the way); either way, I used to discuss topics on this here blog, that hasn't really happened recently.  It's too bad, maybe I'm just not inspired.  Strange.  Maybe that will change soon.

I have some video for you though, maybe that will serve as the inspiration.



Scratch that, I have something to talk about albeit short.  Last Saturday, the final Saturday of the massive 6 week winter break, a group of guys and I headed down to San Deigo to hit up Soma to experience a concert.  The lineup? Underoath, Thursday, A Skylit Drive, and Animals As Leaders.  We had been looking forward to this jam of a time for quite a while and now it was here and we were ready to ROCK.  I'm not going to get super detailed, I'll just touch on a few things.  First, Animals As Leaders absolutely RIPPED.  3 dudes: a drummer and two guitarists, no vocalist, no bassist.  However, the 2 guitarists both jammed on 8 string guitars and the drummer was out of this world.  The guitarist's fingers could have beat a cheetah in a footrace and the drummer's polyrhymic power was overpowering.  These guys had talent flowing out of the ears and they rocked the place!  Soma just sat and watched in awe of these fellas and the music they were producing.  ASD and Thursday proceeded to play, which were good, but I just don't have time to write about them. Sorry.  Underoath came on next.  Underoath is one of the bands that I jam to that I've never seen live for whatever reason, don't know why, doesn't make sense.  So, that being said, I had been waiting years for this moment.  Let me tell you, UO does not disappoint, they put on a killer show, played old and new, had way legit video projections behind them (I think they were made by Daniel Davison, the drummer, and his production company Isthmus Studio. I may be wrong.  Either way, the video was straight up krill).  I still can't believe it happened, I had the time of my life.

Concerts in general are fun.  You get to get sweaty and run into people and listen to super loud music and go nuts and other things.  Concerts are rad.  I dig 'em.


So, NOW, there's some video for you.  Fun fun.



This first guy just get's me pumped.  It takes you back to childhood and then slams into adulthood for the ride of your life.  The ultimate slip 'n' slide, no preparation necessary.  Looks like a blast.  That'll serve for some inspiration.







This next one is set here for sole enjoyment.  I've never seen anything like this, it's nothing that special, but it when it comes down to it, you kinda just sit in curiosity to what is really going on.  Inspirational.

Click the anywhere in the box below to begin. 



So concludes.  Craziness craziness.




Enjoy your day today.  It's a good one.

Twenty-Tow Truck

Here's the deal, last week's post was the best ever, it had the most interesting content that has been posted on this here blog in it's existence, no other post comes close.  This isn't only my opinion.  The response from you, the reader, was alone enough to blow all the others out of the water.  I really don't blame you, anything that says "YOU'RE IN FOR A TREAT: gnarly car accident, craziest day of my life, R+M wedding, it can't get much better than this! CHECK IT OUT!," I'd be a sucker and click on it too.  I'm still aghast that all went down.  If you're reading this and you haven't read last week's post, you've missed history.  Luckily for you, the internet is scriviling with history, so all you have to do is click this link: http://emliv.blogspot.com/2010/12/story.html or simply scroll down until you hit the post labeled "THE STORY."  That's all there is to it.  Enjoy.

So here it is, this week is piddly compared to last.  Although fun and surprising, the sheer monstrosity of last week overpowers this.  I digress (Shout out to Schmidt).

We finished out the semester this week.  Un-be-lievable.  We just started, we just finished.  I'm I'm full fledged into a couple weeks of break, head back to the Bible Institute Of Los Angeles and complete an absolutely ridiculous three weeks of learning the Spanish language.  8 AM - 12 PM: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday.  It shall be a memorable three weeks.  After this, the spring semester begins.  Here's my schedule:

It's going to be busy busy busy.  I guess that's the point to college right?  Stuff that brain with all the good stuff, preparing you for the world beyond.  Let's do this.


I am at home right now.  I was at home on Friday.  On Friday morning, my mother prepared a special "Brunch," a very secretive brunch.  My sister and I knew it was a big deal because bacon was being made.  My mother invited two guests over the very secretive brunch, two VIPs from the Joshua Wilderness Institute, Ms. Cheyenne Wedel and Ms. Julie Nicolas.  I was very surprised (although I figured out the surprise prior, but hey, you never REALLY know) and enjoyed the very secretive brunch very much.  The events that followed were Christmas shopping and a grand tour of the city we all know and love: Simi Valley.  It was great way to spend the first day back at home.

The next day, we set out to Oma's ("Grandma" in German) house in Walnut Creek, California.  6 hours in the Monster (our vehicle) and Ms. Cheyenne Wedel as a guest, the trip went relatively smoothly, save for the 4-lane-blocking accident on the 5.

Oma's house was fun, a good relaxation.  I destroyed my brother in chess and we never played the rematch he demanded.  Not much went on and it was great.  The epitome of "break."

Now I am at home.  It'll be a few days.  Christmas is soon.  Very soon.  Disturbingly soon.  When did December start?



I don't have much more.  Here's a video:







Yikes, I forgot how heavy that video was.  I had saved the link from a few weeks ago because I didn't have the opportunity to embed it, and now that I have; it's quite the video.  Really makes you think.









Wow, interesting ending note, huh? 



A young businessman had just started his own firm. He'd rented a beautiful office and had it furnished with antiques. Sitting there, he saw a man come into the outer office. Wishing to appear busy, the young businessman picked up the phone and started to pretend he had a big deal working. He threw huge figures around and made giant commitments. Finally he hung up and asked the visitor, "Can I help you?"

The man said, "Sure. I've come to install the phone!"




Imagine that.  Know what you're dealing with, don't tell lies, be yourself.

Be prepared.







Have a brilliantly beautiful day today.