My friend Lindsay got married this summer. I had the privilege of walking down the aisle with Mr. Sam Martin. (can you tell he is high energy?) Sam is a musician who also loves film.  Sam is the friend of Lindsay’s husband Matt.  Matt does film and also loves music.  See Spot run.

When Matt and Sam join forces–stuff happens.  Oddly enough they thought I would be able to pull off the role of “heart breaker” in Sam’s newest video. Well, I gave it my best shot boys. And here is the video. (no, I am not the one in the water.)

Music Video: Samm – “This one has flown”

I almost forgot. Camera man #2 was Sam’s brother Connor Martin, who I can only describe with the word “special.” I thought Sam had energy, and yet, after dancing with Connor at Lindsay and Matt’s wedding I think I can safely say I have permanent whip lash and a re-fractured ankle.  Thanks Connor.

Special family those Martin’s are….Check out Connor’s alter ego as: Conbrochill.

p.s. Sam is dating a lovely woman named Joy…but it’s not me…in case there was any confusion. I know, I know…someone else named their child Joy?? Madness.

Samm on iTunes

Question Submission: From a single Mom, “Can men see me for who I really am, or are they always going to see me as “mommy me?”

P.S.

My friend Kathy told me a long time ago that if I was going to do “video responses” that I should have some type of shtick. (That might not have been her word of choice, but I have always wanted to see that word written out.)  She felt like it needed to be something consistent like a sign-on or sign-off that stuck in peoples mind. Like Arsenio Hall’s arm thing or Walter Cronkite’s “That’s the way it is…”

As you will see, I have not mastered this…at all.  “Cheers!” Really?

Any ideas?

Westmont College in Santa Barbara California is where I chose to spend my life from September 2000 to May 2004.  In 2008, the Tea Fires were an overnight destroyer of much of the area’s lush landscape.

Amidst the fires that were moving at 70 mph, certain parts of the area were completely wiped out. It was a huge blow to Westmont College and faculty. Something that amazes me though, is that during the fire, it burned everything around our little white picket fenced chapel, but left everything inside untouched.

I loved that little chapel because it was a consistent and peaceful staple to our campus.  It’s also where I did a segment of my Public Discourse project and transformed the chapel lawn into Arlington Cemetery. That’s partly why I have always said with enthusiasm “I love World War II.” That rarely goes over well. It’s where I sat and prayed during some pretty low points at Westmont.  And then of course my first interaction with the little white chapel was during Freshman orientation when our leader said it was the only building on campus open 24 hours a day. So naturally I asked if people ever got caught making out.

No one thought that was funny.

I took pictures yesterday when I was visiting campus, and while it’s no longer as dramatic as when I saw it last August, you can still see the marks of the fire.  The singe spots on the surrounding trees are still visible, but some foliage is starting to grow back.

It was great to be back at Westmont–there are many memories that I hold from my time there. Some of which are in the past, some which I would like to burn and forget, but many of which layed the foundation of who I am now.  I was challenged to think critically about my faith, make decisions, and take responsibility for myself and my actions.

I hope I have become something kind of like that chapel…consistent, peaceful and able to withstand flames that try to destroy.

Tomorrow I have the privilege of speaking at Pepperdine University with Dr. Ken Canfield on a fun topic.

Porn.

I wouldn’t call myself a resident expert on the subject, but I am very passionate on how I see fantasy affecting my generation. A couple months ago, I shot a video on fantasy to share some stories and hopefully get people engaged on the topic.

Ask my friends…I love talking and learning about porn and fantasy. With a grin on their face, many have asked me, “So how exactly are you doing research?”

I often joke to keep it light, that’s just who I am by nature.  So for those who don’t know me, I need to say that I take the repercussions of pornography and fantasy very seriously. It can be heavy and disturbing to study.  Amidst my joking, my heart is to help.  Please know that.