DAVID DREW BAUER
David-Although the name David has a meaning, dating back to the days of the Old Testament, it has little to nothing to do with why it's my name. My maternal grandfather was named David, and I was named after him.
Drew-As the story goes, my paternal grandmother wanted to name my dad Drew. However, her husband disagreed and he was subsequently named Andrew. My dad just decided to pass the name onto me.
*bonus-the order of my name came from flow. I've been called Drew my whole life, and that was the preferred name my parents wanted me to be called, but "Drew David Bauer" didn't have the flow and ring to it as "David Drew Bauer."
Bauer-It's the proper German spelling (thanks for letting us have that, immigration!!). In Germany, the naming conventions were similar to English by way of lower born folks were given surnames based on their occupation and not namesake lineage. "Bauer" in German means farmer. Due to this naming convention, I'm not related to many Bauers such as Eddie and the entirely fictitious Jack Bauer.
Essay
I suppose to give the greatest example as to who I am is to describe my life through my past, my desires, and my interests. After all, you are what you love.
I am the third born of three children (yes, I'm the baby) to Andrew and Diana (then) Bauer. I was born in Okinawa, Japan while my father was stationed at Kadena AFB. I don't remember my parents ever being together, as I was very young when they separated and divorced. My dad had primary custody of my brother, sister, and myself. Not as to say that my mom was out of our lives, we saw her frequently. Being an "Air Force brat" I had to move around a bit in my youth. Bounced from North Dakota to South Dakota and then to Idaho. When I got to Idaho I started developing friendships, friendships not only with other children of military members, but people that had been born and raised in that town. I envied those that had friends that they had known since kindergarten. Those people had roots while I did not. Of course, those people envied my having moved around and seen more places, and vowed one day to leave that small burg in the rearview mirror. I guess the grass is always greener on the other side.
After I graduated high school I went to Boise State University. I was a Theatre Arts major with an emphasis in dramatic writing. While attending school I started performing stand up comedy at the club down the street. I was dedicated not only to writing material, but developing the timing and performance of the joke as to build up my onstage persona. After the academic year was over I moved to Citrus Heights and continued to do comedy while preparing to enter the United States Air Force.
While in the Air Force, I deployed four times. I have over 300 combat flights to my name, one divorce, and one extraordinary daughter. I met some of the most creative, intelligent, and loving people in my life while serving my country. While I didn't agree with some of the military policy, and some of the policy being made by the government during that time, I wouldn't have traded that experience for anything. It gave me so much in my life that I will continue to enjoy until the day I die.
Now I am back in school pursuing a business administration program. I hope to use the information I learn and skills I develop to create and run a successful business. There's business in so many fields, including the arts, which I would one day like to break into. Being a producer, director, writer has been a desire of mine for quite a long while.
Having a daughter has wedged an overwhelming desire into my life: the desire to see her excel. Finding that balance of support and criticism, discipline and exploration, assistance and not being over her shoulder is something that I don't ever think I'll have a plan for and just hope I do right by her when the situation arises.
As you'll come to learn in reading further, I love music and film. I've been playing guitar since I was 12 years old and acting and writing since i was 13, though my love for those two art forms span longer than my involvement in them. I also am a comic book lover and collector, catching up on the newest Batman happenings and occasionally dip into the X-Men universe if the story strikes me. I draw, design, cook (very little) and exercise regularly. My dad, who is an avid hobby collector, likened the mind to a tool box. He always told me, "Every new thing you learn is a putting a tool in the tool box, and any good man has an awesome set of tools."
After I graduated high school I went to Boise State University. I was a Theatre Arts major with an emphasis in dramatic writing. While attending school I started performing stand up comedy at the club down the street. I was dedicated not only to writing material, but developing the timing and performance of the joke as to build up my onstage persona. After the academic year was over I moved to Citrus Heights and continued to do comedy while preparing to enter the United States Air Force.
While in the Air Force, I deployed four times. I have over 300 combat flights to my name, one divorce, and one extraordinary daughter. I met some of the most creative, intelligent, and loving people in my life while serving my country. While I didn't agree with some of the military policy, and some of the policy being made by the government during that time, I wouldn't have traded that experience for anything. It gave me so much in my life that I will continue to enjoy until the day I die.
Now I am back in school pursuing a business administration program. I hope to use the information I learn and skills I develop to create and run a successful business. There's business in so many fields, including the arts, which I would one day like to break into. Being a producer, director, writer has been a desire of mine for quite a long while.
Having a daughter has wedged an overwhelming desire into my life: the desire to see her excel. Finding that balance of support and criticism, discipline and exploration, assistance and not being over her shoulder is something that I don't ever think I'll have a plan for and just hope I do right by her when the situation arises.
As you'll come to learn in reading further, I love music and film. I've been playing guitar since I was 12 years old and acting and writing since i was 13, though my love for those two art forms span longer than my involvement in them. I also am a comic book lover and collector, catching up on the newest Batman happenings and occasionally dip into the X-Men universe if the story strikes me. I draw, design, cook (very little) and exercise regularly. My dad, who is an avid hobby collector, likened the mind to a tool box. He always told me, "Every new thing you learn is a putting a tool in the tool box, and any good man has an awesome set of tools."
Passions
Film
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| If this were a can of "Whoop-ass" it would be family share size |
I've been going to the movies and watching them at home since I could produce a memory. My family would go the movies almost every or every other weekend it seemed. The effects, the music, the performances, getting lost in the world...film enchants me. It's tougher to go to the cinema nowadays considering manners have gone out the window, but I still go. I hope to work in/with the film industry one day.
Music
I've been playing guitar and writing songs since I was in junior high. My voice eventually came along and I play around the area doing covers and originals. As a kid that had to move around and develop new relationships, having music be a constant really kept me attached to emotion while I was learning to adjust to new people and places.
Seattle Seahawks
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| Go Hawks! |
This is my wife and I at a Seahawks game in Seattle. We were witness to the team overcoming their biggest point deficit to win in franchise history. As a kid growing up with Joey Galloway's poster on my wall and the QB carousel, 2013 was a good year for 'Hawks fans.
Art
Vincent VanGogh "Crows in a Wheatfield"
_-_Wheat_Field_with_Crows_(1890).jpg)
Widely known as his last painting, the story of it only adds to its haunting nature. VanGogh had asked a friend of his to borrow a rifle to go hunt crow. He walked out to the wheatfield and took his own life. When going through his home they found this painting, his suicide note of sorts. I've always loved the vibrant yellow and green. It seems to cheerful. Then the flight of the crows lead up to the ominous and foreboding sky. The painting gives me very mixed emotions, but ultimately one that makes me remember that whether he knew it or not, VanGogh was loved and I should always remember in my darkest moments there is the light and life of the wheatfield here on the mortal plain.
"If" by Rudyard Kipling
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Batman (1989) movie poster
All over LA back in 1989, bus stop display cases were being destroyed just to steal these posters. When this movie was coming out, the hype machine that may only now be considered tame, was in full sway. And why not?! Look at it! Modern movie posters just try to give a bunch of photoshopped images as a barrage to give you as much of an idea as possible as to what the movie is, but not this. There's not even a title. It's this beautiful graphic image that can't even be contained by the parameters of the poster, but you know exactly what it is. A great "show, not tell" piece of advertising. I love it.
Foo Fighters Foo Fighters (1996)
This is the album cover of the first Foo Fighters album. This will always be one of my favorite pieces of art because it's a part of my childhood I remember fondly.
My dad was going out of town for some training or meeting and he wanted me, when we went to the city, to try and find this album. He said, "Drew, when you go to Target look in the music area for a band called Foo Fighters. The cover has a ray gun on it." I replied, "Food fighters?" My dad laughed, "No buddy, "foo" f-o-o." I went to the store, found the ray gun, and in a short time after hearing the music on the album, Foo Fighters became my favorite band, and still are to this day.
The cathedral at Köln, Germany "Kölnerdom"
I had to put in a few samples of such an amazing structure. I first encountered images of this church when I was taking German in high school. It's the epitome of gothic architecture, which showcased the rib-like structures known as "flying buttresses." It's beautiful and intimidating. At night it's lit at over a thousand points to have its form made out clearly to all those that pass, and you can see that in the day it stands as this black sheep amongst the the angular, modern architecture Germany embraced after World War II. I would love to see this place in person before I die.
Music
"Everlong" Foo Fighters
Hello
I've waited here for you
Everlong
Tonight
I throw myself into
And out of the red
Out of her head she sang
Come down
And waste away with me
Down with me
Slow how
You wanted it to be
I'm over my head
Out of her head she sang
And I wonder
When I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when she sang
Breathe out
So I can breathe you in
Hold you in
And now
I know you've always been
Out of your head
Out of my head I sang
And I wonder
When I sing along with you
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You gotta promise not to stop when I say when she sang
[Whisper:]
"So Dad would take the Sunday's off,
And that's the only time he could ever get any rest,
And so, because we were loud on Sundays,
He'd make us hold his construction Boots over our head, till we'd sleep
And they were really heavy Boots and id used to say dad come on please
And like start crying, cause they're too heavy."
And I wonder
If everything could ever feel this real forever
If anything could ever be this good again
The only thing I'll ever ask of you
You've got to promise not to stop when I say when
My favorite song of all time. This song really came to me in my teenage years and being a bit of an emotional type, the tempo of desperation along with the slowness of the melody really drew me in. The wall of sound guitar, the drums thrashing all over while keeping the feverous beat, everything about this song was me, and I still love it.
"Crowing" Toad the Wet Sprocket
Been waiting
To find
You could've been happier
Given the time
If he'd make up his mind
You'd give yourself to anybody
Who would cross that line
And it was never a question
He was crowing for repair
You'd give him love and affection
But you couldn't keep him there
Get over
Regret
While you were sleeping with the angels
He was under the bed
And the more skin
That you shed
The more that the air in your throat will linger
When you call him your friend
And it was never a question
He was crowing for repair
You'd give him love and affection
But you couldn't keep him there
Staring at a cold little hand
Reading fault lines
Of a shell of a man
You were waiting for a word from above
Wouldn't you know it
No answer ever did come
And it was never a question
You were crowing for repair
You'd give him love and affection
You couldn't keep him there
Again, this song in an emotional one. It really gives the portrayal of someone who is clinging to someone they're about to lose. They just keep wondering and calling out fo what they can do, but sometimes there is nothing you can do.
"All I'm Losing is Me" Saves the Day
The moon hangs like the blade of an axe tonight,
and it's poised to drop sometime soon enough on this dump truck where I lie mixed up with the morning's trash.
There's a piece of glass sticking in my back and tar covering my mouth.
But it's okay cause I'm still breathing and my hands are free of the heap.
and it's poised to drop sometime soon enough on this dump truck where I lie mixed up with the morning's trash.
There's a piece of glass sticking in my back and tar covering my mouth.
But it's okay cause I'm still breathing and my hands are free of the heap.
And I think that I see that big blade falling.
And I think that I see that big blade coming.
And the pressure is getting to me and the waste in which I sit is just lurking beside me.
And I can't tell if it's me or the meat that's rotting.
I'm gonna have to give up sometime soon.
But it's okay cause I'm still breathing and my hands are free of the heap.
And I think that I see that big blade falling.
And I think that I see that big blade coming.
You can watch me disappear.
You can watch me.
All I'm losing is me.
And I think that I see that big blade falling.
And I think that I see that big blade coming to slice open a great canyon through the earth so you can watch me disappear.
I'm a very big Saves the Day fan. The music coupled with the refrain "All I'm losing is me" is my favorite portion. I always see this song as my favorite "atlease you have your health" type of song. If i've been beaten and broken and thrown out to the trash, I still know I'm breathing and I can move on from it.
"My Life Story" MxPx
I was on my way
To be with you today
well you know it's true
Because I wouldn't lie to you
First my car broke down
So then I had to hitch a ride
I was almost there
When the motor died
Don't hate me forever
I'm better late than never
I failed you
I'm sorry
That's simply my life story
I know it's much too late
To take you on a date
I know that it's no use
But this is my excuse
I was in a plane
And it was falling from the sky
I knew I had to survive
So I could say goodbye
To be with you today
well you know it's true
Because I wouldn't lie to you
First my car broke down
So then I had to hitch a ride
I was almost there
When the motor died
Don't hate me forever
I'm better late than never
I failed you
I'm sorry
That's simply my life story
I know it's much too late
To take you on a date
I know that it's no use
But this is my excuse
I was in a plane
And it was falling from the sky
I knew I had to survive
So I could say goodbye
Don't hate me forever
I'm better late than never
I failed you
I'm sorry
That's simply my life story
You change your mind
Like I change the time
That I was gonna call you
Or say I was about to
You change your mind
Like I change the time
I said that I would be there
But then I didn't have a thing to wear
You change your mind
Like I change the time
That I was gonna call you
Or say I was about to
You change your mind
Like I change the time
I said that I would be there
But then I didn't have a thing to wear
Don't hate me forever
I'm better late than never
I failed you
I'm sorry
That's simply my life story
I'm better late than never
I failed you
I'm sorry
That's simply my life story
Truth be told, this is the very first MxPx song I ever heard, and it started me on the ride to music discovery throughout my teenage years. The pace, the voice, the lyrics, it was different from what I was hearing on the radio at the time, which was rap rock. I pick this song not really for it having some semblance of me in it, but more for being the song that broke door wide open.
"So. Central Rain" REM
Did you never call? I waited for your call
These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
The trees will bend, the cities wash away
The city on the river there is a girl without a dream
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Eastern to Mountain, third party call, the lines are down
The wise man built his words upon the rocks
But I'm not bound to follow suit
The trees will bend, the conversation's dimmed
Go build yourself another home, this choice isn't mine
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Did you never call? I waited for your call
These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
The ocean sang, the conversation's dimmed
Go build yourself another dream, this choice isn't mine
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
The trees will bend, the cities wash away
The city on the river there is a girl without a dream
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Eastern to Mountain, third party call, the lines are down
The wise man built his words upon the rocks
But I'm not bound to follow suit
The trees will bend, the conversation's dimmed
Go build yourself another home, this choice isn't mine
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
Did you never call? I waited for your call
These rivers of suggestion are driving me away
The ocean sang, the conversation's dimmed
Go build yourself another dream, this choice isn't mine
I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry
I've been listening to REM since I was able to walk. They are one of my dad's favorite bands, and many a Saturday doing chores was spent hearing them on the speakers, blaring throughout the house. This song to me, like many REM songs, is one about identity and not confining yourself to your "station" in life. It gives the refrain of "I'm sorry," but in truth he isn't sorry for being true to himself.
Films
Bladerunner (1982)
The seminole dystopian sci-fi film. Directed by Ridley Scott, just off the heels of his sci-fi horror classic "Alien." The film examines what it means to be human. The instinct and drive to survive, to thrive, to basque in all the great things life gives you. This is Roy Batty's (an android on the hunt for a way to keep his 4 year life cycle going) classic scene where he describes events in life that should not be taken for granted, and hints at his lack of legacy.
Network (1976)
To watch Sidney Lumet's "Network" today you'd think it's practically a documentary about modern media, but in 1976 this was a satirical dramedy bordering on science fiction in some parts. This film moves me through it's monologues. Howard Beale riles me up with anti corporate rants, Arthur Jensen will enrage you and make you shrug at the hopeless truth he spills about corporatism, and you will regain faith in humanity with scenes like this one featuring aged producer Max.
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride (1987)
My favorite film of all time. A swashbuckling fantasy I enjoyed as a kid, only to rediscover the wonderful and clever humor as a teenager. I know practically every line and have it about 100 times. I enjoy every aspect of this film.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Another one of my favorites of all time. So clever, smart, and a great science fiction film. I LOVED the Ghostbusters growing up. The subsequent cartoon show following the film was one of my favorites. The toy line they released had a wearable proton pack with neutrino wand and ghost trap. I begged for that thing and for my birthday my dad delivered. Not only did I get the pack, but he also got me a kid sized flight suit that I could suit up in and run around the house busting ghosts.
Batman (1989)
I'm going back to school to pursue a degree in Business Administration with a focus in entrepreneurship. My goal is to one day own a business. Although the nature of the business I hope to one day own is, at this time, unknown, I do have a few desires related to how to operate it. They center on family, innovation, and being a trusted name in the community.
Batman (1989)
This movie blew my top! It's dark and beautiful, and aside from being Batman, this script was clever. Of course, a few tweaks during shooting made for some nonsense, but Sam Hamm's script was great. It didn't treat itself as a cartoon. This movie, along with the animated series of early 90's really shaped my imagination and attitude toward storytelling.
Personal/Professional Goals
I'm going back to school to pursue a degree in Business Administration with a focus in entrepreneurship. My goal is to one day own a business. Although the nature of the business I hope to one day own is, at this time, unknown, I do have a few desires related to how to operate it. They center on family, innovation, and being a trusted name in the community.
When I was in the service, they used to say "people always." Though many times people had stuck up for that mantra, it seemed to take a sideline to, or was begrudgingly granted over, the other which was "mission first." Now, business is not national security but the point remains the same. Americans work more hours per week than any other nation, and we're one of the least happy. On top of that, it seems seems in several surveys to indicate, we don't even like the job we're dedicating so much time to! I believe treating the staff as family and having consideration for their loved ones isn't dooming a business to fail. Many companies that rely on non/low skill labor pay their employees less and accommodate for employment turn around, constantly hiring and training new employees. I believe that if you treat the people well, they'll stay with you. Better yet, people being happy with what they do has shown to better the quality of their work...imagine that.
In the commercial world, we have institutions. You go into a clothing store, you walk up to a rack, find something in "your size," maybe go back to a fitting room and try it on, then either put it back or go to the counter and pay. In a movie theater you buy the ticket, follow the herd through a line to get popcorn and soda, and then crowd into your stadium seating. There are countless examples of how most, if not all, businesses run. It is what is known and therefor what is accepted. However, that doesn't mean that it's the best way to run them. If a clothing store had a body scanner that linked your measurement to all the brands' matching sizes, it could make for an easier and more accurate shopping experience. Many people, depending on the time in which they go out will say, "Let's get something to eat then go to a movie." What if the theater you went to already had the menu and facility for you to sit down before the showing and eat an actual entree, or better yet, allow you to order and eat the meal while you're watching the movie? It's not just allowing technological advances into your business that makes for innovation, that's a how method. There is also WHAT your business is doing to be a stand alone and unique one.
As stated before, there are institutions of business and industry. Entire towns built to populate the workers on oil, steel, and coal. The economy has become stretched wider these days with the automotive industry, department stores, and assorted factories being the largest employer in a town/city. Many of these towns didn't have much of a choice in how to feel about the company. They had a job, they were grateful, and for the most part, that was that. Others, in a community that had a bit more to offer, they had to be competitive to keep people there. There is also a concept of giving to the community, donating to local endeavours, letting those on the outside know that you're not just the mysterious building on the top of the hill. Even some mediocre companies are able to be respected simply for the fact that they love the people and place where they are. Now, I don't want to be a mediocre business owner, but I would like those on the outside to know that it's not just about business with me. They help me grow, I help them grow.
There are my desires, my focuses, my goals. While I desire to prosper, I am not interested in just gaining monumental profit. If I become focused on just "the bottom line," then I risk people seeing that. If I have a structure that employees dread, they emit that to customers. I know for many, the experience doesn't have to be cosmic. They are just there to get their thing and get on with their lives, but will they come back? If they feel uncomfortable about their experience, do they carry that with them out into the world? Great experiences beget great experiences. I'd like my business to be a great experience.
Three Things I Excel At
Making a Joke
Taking Pictures of My Daughter
This may seem like a cop out, but in all seriousness, she wasn't always cooperative for pictures and you'd have to take at least 8 or 9 to get a decent one. That aside, I took then, and take now, the best pics of my little ham.
Playing Guitar (I guess)
What Others Say
Kaylin Bauer- Wife
Drew Bauer is… remarkable.
At your worst you can be selfish, insensitive, arrogant, and stubborn. But at your best you are crazy smart, charming, sweet, and funny. You are loud and talk over people on occasion. You give the impression of being supremely confident but most people don’t see your insecure side. You are absolutely brilliant when it comes to writing and composing your own music; and you are just as brilliant when you stand up in front of people to play for them. You are both intoxicating and infuriating; you draw people in and they want to know you, but you have a tendency to be static and unwavering in your opinions. You hide you emotions behind a sarcastic, flippant, and sometimes, angry demeanor; but you’re absolutely one of the most beautiful people I know when you’re smiling, laughing, and loving. You’re a wonderful father: sweet and gentle with your daughter, but firm enough for her to respect you.
You’re a nerd, an athlete, a musician, a writer, and an artist. You’re a protector, a comedian, a loyal friend, and an adventurous soul.
Drew Bauer is my husband, my home, my love.
Robert McCracken-Friend
Andrew Bauer- Father
Father
Performer
Comedian
Pop Culture maven
Comic book fan and critic
Observer of the human condition
Husband
Veteran
Music fan
Devoted
My Son
Diana Porter- Mother
Who is Drew Bauer? First, the obvious, he is my son, my "baby boy". He was born on Monday July 8th 1986 on the island of Okinawa. He was 10lbs. 9oz and 23 inches long. He was big by our standards and a giant by Japanese. He was given the name David Drew Bauer, David for my father and called Drew to lessen the confusion. He was a child of great strength and natural athletic ability. Due to his size and strength it was easy for him to keep up with his older brother and sister and within years surpass them. As a toddler I would find him breaking into the refrigerator and whisking away eating cold tortillas. But don't be fooled by one year and a mouth full of teeth he was eating steak, something he does just as zealously today. He excelled in academics as well and at one point the school had wanted to move him forward a grade. Even with an athletic gift he did not participate in sports for very long. But it was great while it lasted. In baseball he couldn't make up his mind on which hand to favor the left or the right and was good with both. In football he stood out in the crowd, literally. He was a head taller than the other boys and sported a black helmet. How exciting is it when you hear other parents make the comment, "good deal today Bauer is throwing the ball". As he continued to grow so did his other interests. He did well in Drama, Speech and Debate. The one that has kept him most interested is music. He plays guitar, he sings and writes. He has performed stand up comedy, competed and won and has been paid for it! What else makes up David Drew Bauer? So, so much more. He served in the Air Force. I watched him take his oath a the MEPS center in Sacramento days before Thanksgiving. I knew then his life his going to change in ways I don't think he had ever imagined. He is the father to my feisty, beautiful and smart granddaughter Evelyn. He is a husband to Kaylin. He is a best friend to a select few and an acquaintance to many. He is all of this and so much more. To me, he is my heart and pride of my life, he is my son.
Linda Bauer- Step Mother
There are so many answers to this questions…I will try to keep on topic.
Drew Bauer is the man I consider my baby even though I did not know him as a baby---but I don’t think that is where you want me to go. I love you so much and I always will---no matter what!
You are the most intelligent person I know. You remember things so much easier than anyone else I can think of… I am prejudiced but what can I say, I call it as I see it. But it is more than your memory---you are innovative and creative and you have so many cool ideas and dreams. I don’t know how you can make them all come true but if anyone could it will be you.
You have many skills and I know you could do anything you really set your mind to do.
You are a husband and ex-husband and have continuing responsibilities to both relationships which I think are handled pretty damn well considering the emotions that have to be present.
BUT the most important thing you are is Evelyn’s father. This might not be where you want me to go but I think it needs to be mentioned. You have had to be a good father through some trying circumstances like separations and divorce but I think you have done a great job. Evelyn is shaping into a wonderful person.
You are my son which is very important to me. I love and admire you so much for the things I know about you. AND I know there are so many things about you I don’t know and that is OK and the way life is supposed to go even though I am curious about the things I don’t know. You are one of the great loves of my life and I am so lucky to know you
I love you and hope you got something out of my rambling.
Ms. Linda- Classmate
5 Memories
Watching Eddie Murphy's "Delirious" for the First Time
When I was a kid my dad used to say the lines, "Lemonaaaade, that cool refreshing drink," and "Wanna lick? PSYCH!" all of the time...and I had no idea what he was talking about. When I was (I guess) age appropriate, my dad rented the comedy special and we watched it, as a family, and it lit me up. I was in stitches and was amazed by his presence, his impressions and delivery...and the skin tight red suit (though that had little effect on my fashion sense in years to come). I finally understood the references my dad made and was no longer on the outside of the joke. It's a special that influenced me to try comedy when I got older and definitely affected my sense of humor as I went through puberty.
Listening to Sugar's "File Under Easy Listening" on Long Trips
When you're a kid, a long a trip is anything over an hour...and that's being fairly liberal. When I was very young and living near Grand Forks, North Dakota, the family: Me, Dad, my brother and sister, would sometimes drive out to Fargo, and it was a bit of a drive. I remember it raining every time we drove home, and my dad was very into Sugar's second album which had come out recently at the time. He popped in the tape and I remember being soothed by Bob Mould's melody while the wall of sound guitar and catchy drum beats played loudly through the car. Music is very much a bonding experience in my family.
Playing a Song that I Wrote In Front of People for the First Time
I was in 8th grade, I wrote an awful song that was literally two chords (as opposed to the standard three that I use now!) and although it was, from memory, atrocious, it made me want more. I'm used to preparing and going out and knocking stuff out of the park, but this was a great experience. First of all, I'd never played my guitar and sang in front of a crowd before and it was a skill I was in the very early stages of developing. Second, it was a song I had written and I was very scared to put that out there. Third, I was not a great singer compounded with being a novice (putting it lightly) guitar player. I don't know what I was thinking at the time going out there to do such a thing, but I wasn't boo'd (school talent show so it would've been in bad form) and people even made an effort to compliment me. I know it didn't sound good, but I was encouraged nonetheless. When I didn't win, my dad just said "You think Nirvana ever won any talent shows?" I was immediately uplifted. I didn't need a trophy and a picture taken for the school paper to feel that I had done a good job. That memory sticks with me to this day in any endeavour I pursue.
My First Deployment
I arrived in Iraq in the dead of night. We were cramped onto a crappy little bus with our gear, driven onto the base and I kept looking out to see if I could see anything clearly. I was in this country I had seen on the news so much, here to take part in the war effort, I wanted to see what it really looked like. It may just be me, but when I go to foreign places and see what the landscape looks like, breathe the air there, I'm reminded that I'm still on Earth. It's an odd thing to try to explain. Well on the base all you could really see was cement barrier after cement barrier. It was only when morning came that I got to see my surroundings clearly. It was a memorable time. Temps reaching in the 120's, rain during sandstorms, turning into mud before it hit the ground, laying on the ground during rocket attacks. It was the marker for my three subsequent deployments, and one that I learned so much, and have fond memories of.
My Daughter Being Born
September 1, 2009 my wife at the time went in to get induced. She was over a week past due and didn't seem like it was going to happen in the next few days so we went in. it was 7 AM...on September 2, 2009 shortly before 10 PM, and after an emergency C-section, my daughter Evelyn finally arrived. They handed her to me and she opened those alien black eyes and looked right at me. I was the first thing she (kind of) saw. I was in love instantly, and I remember it like it was yesterday.
5 Influences
My Father
Whether for better or worse, to know your dad is to be influenced by him. I'm lucky to have such a great influence of fatherhood, manliness, and mentorship. He's a true role model to my brother, sister, and myself. He's the greatest man I know.
My Mother
Defied the odds. Graduated high school with two kids. She's walked for nearly every food joint under the Sun (it seems) and made her way up. All of that struggle and long hours were for the purpose of trying to give us a better life when we were with her. She strives to have a good relationship with me and I wish I was more open with her, but I go to her when I have a heavy load to carry and she never lets me down. She is my biggest fan of my life.
My Daughter
How can your children not influence you? How can you hold them to your heart and love them and not feel the desire to be better than you've ever been? It's a gift and blessing to have that in your life, and they don't impress upon you. They don't scold or lecture you or look down on you..or even actively boost you in order to motivate you. They learn, you watch them learn, smile, dance, laugh, you see them grow and something inside of you says "Give them all you got, and I know there's more in you than what you've been giving."
Dave Grohl
Dave Grohl was the drummer of Nirvana and is the lead singer and guitar player for Foo Fighters. He is also a film director, a producer, a father, a bit of a philosopher, and all around cool guy. I love his freedom, his songwriting, his voice, and every interview I've ever read or watched featuring him. He is true to himself to the core and he has only prospered because of it.
Patton Oswalt
Even before I got into Louis CK, there was Patton. A brilliant writer who paints such vivid pictures in your mind with such witty and creative diction. He is the biggest influence not only on my wanting to start doing stand up but the biggest influence on my style itself.
