The reason I haven't written in a while is because "oh nothin, same ol, how bout you" isn't my idea of a rousing entry. But amidst adapting to the new boss, fruitless apartment searching, and fruitless jdate surfing (a blog I've tried and failed to write several times), there are two sweet moments I've soaked in of late. One is my sister's graduation (the subject of my previous entry, below). The other happened just 6 hours later...
A golf ball sat at the bottom of the 10th cup at the Highfields Golf & Country Club in Grafton, MA. I was standing in the rough... on a hill... 105 yards away. This was no ace, not even a birdie... "just" a par save (which--if you don't golf--means I was royally f-ing up this hole prior to the aforementioned shot of my life). A younger Jayme would have certainly lamented: "That's an eagle shot if I didn't screw up my drive." He would eventually pat himself on the back for overcoming thick grass and a headwind. But on this day, after a single Mickelson-esk leap, I stood there for a solid minute (it's cool, there was no one with or behind me) and calmly absorbed this perfect Now. I didn't overcome the wind, the rough, nothing... I existed with it all. Pros know how to place the ball on the right slope of the green. Even plenty of amateurs can spin the ball back or sideways. Frankly, folks, I ain't that good. But on Saturday, May 17, 2008, I co-achieved perfection in a single shot.
I'm still striving for that hole-in-one. And when I get it, I'll strive for another. It's not about obtaining (the mantra of my former self), but creating--again and again. One of my two sports heroes, Nolan Ryan didn't set out to toss a record 7 no-hitters. He took the mound each day to co-create the most perfect Now he could. He just did it 7 times... with a lot of talent, 8 teammates, and a little luck each time.
One final thought: This is my 13th year playing golf. My longest hole-out prior to this day was from 30 feet. And I never owned a sand wedge until 2 hours before my 55-degree Nike hit that shot. If that's a not a reminder that passion only goes so far without the right tools... I don't know what is.
Rube
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Chapter 3, page 1098
My sister, Emily, graduated from Boston University's Center for Digital Imaging Arts this weekend. Besides certified photographers (like Em), CDIA has produced a slew of talented graphic and web designers, audio producers, 3-D animators, and digital filmmakers.
While all of them have proven quite capable of creating product, commencement speaker Steve Maler of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company challenged them to collaborate in order to reach a higher goal: tell a complete story.
Three years has passed since Newhouse Dean David Rubin charged me and my colleagues to do the same. Since then, I've filed more than 1200 reports. I've edited a few policy briefs and co-created three brochures... but I still haven't told a story the way I want to. In fact, I'm not sure what that way is. Not only am I still searching out the right story to tell--I'm still searching for my voice.
That's the one challenge I was not prepared to face.
They told me it's tough to crack in. They told me the money would suck. They told me to combat competition with persistence. But no one told me I would devote some of my work shifts to proofing meeting agendas, FedExing packages, and covering for the receptionist along the way to finding my story and my way of telling it.
I am not discouraged. When friends complain about the menial tasks they perform at the job they thought they wanted, I remind them (and, in turn, myself) that "all of this will make for a great Chapter 3 in your inspiring memoir someday."
My one piece of advice for Communicators of the Class of 2008 is this: Chapter 3 can be lengthy.
You can choose to see that as a daunting challenge or an exhilarating journey. The choice is yours. I've felt both at different times. But whichever way you prepare for it... prepare for it. Appreciate that your experience as a key grip, a copy editor, or photo assistant will not only influence today's product but also your own method of storytelling down the road. And, to quote a magnet Mom keeps on the fridge: "Find Joy in the Journey."
I'm writing this as much to myself as I am to you...
J
To read Emily's take on her journey, I encourage you to click:
http://www.frozenoranges.com/2008/05/nowhere-to-go-but-up.html
While all of them have proven quite capable of creating product, commencement speaker Steve Maler of the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company challenged them to collaborate in order to reach a higher goal: tell a complete story.
Three years has passed since Newhouse Dean David Rubin charged me and my colleagues to do the same. Since then, I've filed more than 1200 reports. I've edited a few policy briefs and co-created three brochures... but I still haven't told a story the way I want to. In fact, I'm not sure what that way is. Not only am I still searching out the right story to tell--I'm still searching for my voice.
That's the one challenge I was not prepared to face.
They told me it's tough to crack in. They told me the money would suck. They told me to combat competition with persistence. But no one told me I would devote some of my work shifts to proofing meeting agendas, FedExing packages, and covering for the receptionist along the way to finding my story and my way of telling it.
I am not discouraged. When friends complain about the menial tasks they perform at the job they thought they wanted, I remind them (and, in turn, myself) that "all of this will make for a great Chapter 3 in your inspiring memoir someday."
My one piece of advice for Communicators of the Class of 2008 is this: Chapter 3 can be lengthy.
You can choose to see that as a daunting challenge or an exhilarating journey. The choice is yours. I've felt both at different times. But whichever way you prepare for it... prepare for it. Appreciate that your experience as a key grip, a copy editor, or photo assistant will not only influence today's product but also your own method of storytelling down the road. And, to quote a magnet Mom keeps on the fridge: "Find Joy in the Journey."
I'm writing this as much to myself as I am to you...
J
To read Emily's take on her journey, I encourage you to click:
http://www.frozenoranges.com/2008/05/nowhere-to-go-but-up.html
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