One of the many reasons I’m glad winter is over would be that I can wear short sleeves. But not for any reason you would initially think of. My front door has an incredible personality. To start, while I’m wearing long sleeves, he would try to catch it every time. I could hear him frying eggs when I was able to slip my sleeve from his crevice. Then there was this one time…

Like Mar and I do at least twice a day, I suited up the dogs to go for a walk. They were anxious to get outside today. While having the double leash wrapped around my right hand with the force of an 80lb and 60lb dog ready to leave, my sleeve gets caught. “I got you sucka! Try and get your keys!” Says the door. It has me stuck in a way where I cannot get to my pocket with my left hand. The dogs in their confusion of not walking yet are pulling harder and harder. I’m stuck. I was able to muscle the 140lbs of pup back onto the stoop so I could get my keys. The door laughed at me for a week straight.

But he got even a better laugh before this event. While we were in Australia, we had some friends staying at our place and taking care of the dogs. The wife went to the laundromat while the husband was going to walk the canines. While strapping the harnesses on the dogs, one of them begins to make noises notifying him that the pups about to puke. In a haste, he shoves her out the door so she doesn’t barf inside, but the door closes behind him. He and pukey are standing outside while the leash is running under the door and the other dog is stuck inside along with the keys. The leash is currently unusable because it’s stuck. So he took off his belt, walked the sick dog to the laundromat to pickup house keys and then walked back to unlock the inside dog and free him from the leash the door held onto.

March 31, 1999, The Matrix premiered in theaters. After seeing trailers and advertisements, I had to go see it. The Matrix was the first movie to use a new cinematographic technique called “view-morphing”. This process used still cameras to take photos nearly simultaneously in a sequential order to create what they coined “bullet-time“. Skip ahead a few years and someone created a robotic controller called Milo where you can maneuver around very fast on a track using robotic arms and a single camera without the need of editing still images. I was not only captivated by the new visual techniques of 1999, the movie started to really mess with my mind. “What if that was a possibility?” Even if it was completely fiction, my reality was under doubt as an 11th grader.

What if what I am currently in is actually an augmented reality? I’ll be a bit transparent and say that it took about a year for me to stop thinking about things in a Matrix kind of way. Fast-forward to 2012 where graphics are even more realistic, movies are now shown in 3D and even 4D.

When I was not absolutely sure of what I wanted to do with my future, I was easily swayed by the influences that media had on me.

Three weeks after its premiere, I saw the Dark Knight Rises in the theater. I know for a fact that this movie did not get the movie-going response that was expected due to James Holmes walking into a Colorado theater during a midnight showing of the movie while killing 12 people and injuring 58 others. He declared himself as “The Joker” to authorities while the gas-masked gunman threw a smoke grenade and then began shooting with 3 different guns. This seemingly “was a great kid growing up” was charged with 142 charges. One of each pair of the 24 murder counts is for acting with deliberation and intent, the other for displaying “an extreme indifference to the value of human life.”

The even more disturbing news in addition to James Holmes shooting spree inside the movie theater is the fact that people are rallying in support of Holmes, calling themselves Holmies. What could cause such a mindset that people would want to go through with an act like this or even support an act like this?

Anytime you hear about someone doing a disturbing act, you will find followers of them. After the September 11th attacks, there was a 15-year-old that was in support of Osama bin Laden that he stole a small plane and crashed it into a Bank of America building in Tampa, Florida.

One of the first things the news latches onto is what kind of music these people are listening to. After the Columbine shooters in 1999 went through the school killing classmates and then committed suicide, all eyes were on Marilyn Manson and Rammstein.

I state all of this information to ask a simple question. What media influences you?

If you say that none of it, that is a crock. Do you watch the news every day or read the paper every day? There are keywords and phrases used in the news that is conversational hypnosis techniques. The job of the news is not to tell you all of the facts but to keep you watching and coming back day after day. It is a show. It is a production that draws your attention while giving you facts from the point of view they wish to deliver them to you in order to keep you watching or reading.

What is your point?

I am bringing this up not to simply regurgitate things you have already heard about. It is simply a suggestion to open your mind about what you are allowing to influence your life. Music, movies, games, shows, news… things like this can have positive or negative impacts and unfortunately in recent months we have seen a slew of abnormal behaviors and I credit the media for it.

To take it steps further because maybe you feel you are already well-balanced, what about the people around you? You already have a good head on your shoulders, so maybe there are people close to you that do not have a steady head on their shoulders.

James Holmes used to be surrounded by people and then became a loner. That means that friends and family ceased to be part of his life even so much as to keep him accountable for things he decided to do. If one of his previous classmates took the time to talk to him and when decided to drop out, actually give him a call, would that have been enough to prevent this situation from happening? Hindsight is 20/20 and no one on earth can answer that question. But there is that “What if” factor.

What if someone had gone out of their comfort zone to simply ask him how things were going with school?

Personally, I miss a lot of opportunities to be selfless. I can tell you time after time that I should have spoken with someone but I would rather go about my own business. Not only in school, but family members, church members, people updating upsetting Facebook posts or even people on the train.

Selflessness could save someone’s day, or even someone’s life decisions. Pay attention to those around you because they may need you more than you need them.

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When some are asked, “What are you going to do different in 2012?” you hear the general simple responses of:

• work out/lose weight
• eat healthier
• quit smoking/drinking
• put away money in the bank
• volunteer
• floss…

But then by the time February 1st comes, those simple goals are given up on. Let me ask you, are these goals either too simple or not detailed enough? Sure, anyone can make a goal but when are you going to take the time to plan out the HOW so giving up on yet another resolution is not as simple.

2011 has been such a stretching year but my wife and I seemed to accomplish a lot of our goals due to detailed planning. New Years 2011 we were living in Tampa with full time jobs and we were surrounded by family and friends. Our resolution was to find jobs in New York and then move there over the summer. That is not something that can be done on a whim and with a lack of planning. As detailed as we had to plan a life change such as that, what makes you think the list above does not require some details? You are not going to quit smoking one day because you feel like it. You are not going to quit drinking while being with the same crowd that frequents the bar every Friday and that is the only time you spend with them.

What about a change of mindset or work ethic? In the past month, I feel like I have given initiative-based advice and recycled phrases due to peoples circumstances, so, I might as well make it public and someone else can benefit from it.

Ask yourself these questions: Are your work ethics on the offense or defense? Do you take action when you see it is necessary or do you wait for an action to then deliver a re-action? If your new years resolution is to get a better position at work or at another job, what actions are you taking to do so? Or are you waiting for your boss to recognize how you work to then give you a raise? If that sounds like you, maybe some things that I have gone through can help you create a more detailed 2012 new years resolution.

I enjoyed reading and listening to The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss. I got the book for my mornings lunches and nights and I also got the CDs for the car. While you cannot follow this process word for word unless you are trying to create a start-up business, follow along with it and see how similar principals can be applied to your life. The primary phrase that I live by daily in my work ethic is, “Are you productive or are you active?” I have this taped on the top of my monitor. There were some many things that I did day to day that just made me active but I did not feel like I was being very productive.

I assessed my daily routines and figured out what could be altered so there was not unnecessary repeated processes. My main one was to take my Outlook off of the “refresh every minute” mode. Is it absolutely necessary to interrupt your production to get your email updates every minute? Or could you possibly have your notifications to come through every 10 minutes? I have increased to not checking emails for an hour and eventually, I want to get to the point where the duration is longer than that. There are so many things that can be done when you do not have the audible and visual notification that you need to stop what you are doing and see that you have another spam message or something that can be taken care of later. If it is absolutely important, generally people would call for immediate assistance.

Every year, I take a step back and actually think, “What can be changed this year?”  Do not let another resolution fade away. Set a goal, jump in the driver’s seat and get it done. Do the necessary planning that will keep you accountable and tell others that are as excited about accomplishing their resolution too. Are you being productive or just active?

I had an interesting dream last night, considering I typically don’t dream. Usually I stare at the back of my eyelids and the highlight of my slumber would be waking up and feeling refreshed. Last night, I had a dream but it does not make a lot of sense but the difference between this dream and any others I have had, I remember details about this dream. Usually everything is vague. That is why I want to document it while I still remember it.

I was sitting on a bench in a small theme park near a carousel on a spring day. Colors seems a bit more vibrant than reality so I was just taking in the sights. While sitting and people-watching, two guys walked close to me and one had an ice cream cone in his hand. The one without the ice cream cone was telling a funny story that seemed to be wrenching his friend into deep laughter. I wish I could have understood them and hear the funny story but they were speaking in a language I have never heard before.

Then, after he was finished telling his story, he pointed at the ice cream and said something. I translated it to be, “can I have a bite of your ice cream?” The friend either did not understand what he was asking or was trying to avoid the question. He asked again with a little bit of a louder voice and a joking manner. The friend hesitantly handed over his newly purchased melting treat and then pointed at the bottom of the ice cream cone and said something. I understood, “take a bite from the bottom because I do not like eating the cone.” The holder of the ice cream dessert pointed at the bottom and said a very questionable phrase, lifted up the cone and then just kissed the cone.

The purchaser pointed again and in very clear wording seemed he was instructing, “If you want to take a bite, you eat the cone because I do not want it.” He took a bite and received no ice cream because the waffle was woven too tightly to let any of the creamy goodness pass through. He put his other hand out and said what appeared to be, “are you happy now? I took a bite and tasted no ice cream. Here is your cone back!”

That was the dream. Why did I dream about two friends arguing in a different language over an ice cream in a theme park next to a carousel? Or maybe this was the point. I could understand the conversation without knowing their language. I understood them better then they understood each other. And why was the purchaser so stingy with his ice cream? If he would have had the sharing spirit and gave his friend a small bite, the friend would have been satisfied and there would have not been any confrontation. They could have kept walking but because of selfishness, they had to stop and discuss the ice cream while they could have been at their next destination in the park.

Any thoughts on this?

Well, that’s just embarrassing…

On Wednesday, I was on the phone with GoDaddy about the sluggish speed of all of my hosted websites. After about 30 minutes of talking to them while going through and erasing unnecessary files and folders, I must have erased the very theme that BrettRush.com uses. My website was white for a few days and I had quite a few people visit during this time thinking that I erased my blog. I did, sorta. But not on purpose!

This gives me a reason to work with a new look anyway. Enjoy!

I have a difficult time working with others sometimes. It’s not because I am not a team player. On the contrary. Usually I’m able to get the team to work together. My difficulty with working with others is when people are not giving work 100% of their focus. Often do I find someone kind of working or not really giving too much effort and this is what upsets me. Am I a perfectionist? Yes, and I want to make sure all of my work best represents who I am.

One case recently stands out while I was at my church. I am the lead sound engineer for Element Church in Tampa. We put envelopes and welcome cards out before the service and if I see they’re not out before 9:30, I start putting them out myself. On this morning, someone put them out but just threw the envelopes and cards on the chair. In my mind, the seats looked like a wreck and not very welcoming. I went behind this person and straightened every envelope and card. One comment I received was, “No worries, I just won’t do the cards anymore and we won’t have this problem!” Another comment was, “Crazy?” 1. Wrong answer and 2. No. If you can give something a little more effort, do it. Don’t do a sloppy job and then condone someone for cleaning up after you to make the job look like it was done properly. I would rather exceed someones expectations than to just do what was asked of me.

I strive for perfection even though I always fall way short. That doesn’t matter though. What matters is I actually give 110% every time I do something whether it’s work or play. My wife and I take ballroom dancing lessons and the running joke every Monday is, “What did you injure this week Brett?” only because frequently I’m either trying something new or pushing myself to be better at something.

Why am I writing this? To vent a little and to encourage you to think about your work ethic. Are you giving it your all or are you spending too much time in la-la land that could be well spent focused on a project? How do you think your co-workers, peers, family and friends see you? Do they trust they can give you a project and you’ll do it as accurately and as quickly as possible or are you the procrastinator? Do less multitasking and more single job focusing if completing tasks is an issue. That’s my suggestion.

April Fool’s Day is among us once again. That means one thing. I’m another year older than I was last year. What do I want to do different while I’m 29? I’m still trying to figure that out. I do have some personal goals that I don’t want to blog about but as for right now.

What have I accomplished this past year? I took over as lead sound engineer at Element Church. Our house church, CasaRush, has grown in size and spiritually together, I’m getting more proficient at WordPress 3.0, I hosted my first concert benefiting Amnesty International, I took on a night job at Busch Gardens as a haunted house tech, I went to Cornerstone Festival for the first time and I grew even closer to my beautiful and loving wife.

This year, I plan on traveling more, hosting more concerts, finding new friends and working out more. I’m sure you really wanted to know that! p

Wanna get me a gift? I’d rather you donate the money to Element Church! If you’d like to “give me a gift”, you can donate here through Paypal.

It’s good to swap out your template every now and then. Give people that actually look at your stuff a different flavor of blog.  So…poof! New look to BrettRush.com and soon a new discussion. Lemme know what you think.

“That’ll be $5.25 for your Cafe Con Leche sir.” Ugh… My taste buds say, “What are you waiting for! Pay the lady and sip up!” My first thought always is, “Someone else could use that $5.” I’ve tried to turn those thoughts off and indulge but it’s not easy. “Shut up brain and let me enjoy my tasty beverage! I barely ever get this anyway! It’s not like it’s all the time!”

The problem is I’m passing 4 homeless when I’m driving to Cafe Hey in downtown to go get my caffeinated liquid bliss. “But it’s not like I have $5 cash, I’m using credit.” There’s excuses we can keep but all in all there are definitely people that could use a little more help that would last more than my 10 minutes of creamy coffee heaven.

Sometimes I just want to ignore the person on the side of the road. “You can get a simple job and get off the street” I’ll try to tell myself. The problem is, I’ve spoken with these guys. It’s not that simple to go down to McDonalds or Walmart and get a job when you don’t already have a physical place of residents. The Salvation Army doesn’t count when trying to get hired. Most companies would look at it as unreliable. Another thing I’ve heard mentioned is, “well, they’ll just use the money on booze.” How do you know that? You don’t. You’re completely assuming that is the action they’ll take. We have no clue what they will do with the money we give them. I was talking with a guy recently that has a wife and kid that were sitting on the other corner. They were just trying to get enough money for some necessities and to pay for their hotel room.

So, I drank a Cafe Con Leche this morning and felt convicted by doing so. No, I will not be able to single handed take care of the homeless issue. Yes, I try to help when I can, when I have cash in my wallet. What are your thoughts on this topic?