Browsing articles from "November, 2011"

Oregonians: Stop Labeling Please

Nov 30, 2011 // by Rick Dancer // Blog // 3 Comments

Oregonians have a problem. I am one so I can say that if I want. We are label happy. Admit it, how many times in a day do you label someone?

I was talking with a leader at a local company the other day. She moved here from another part of the state and said she has never been to an area that lobs labels at people as much as she has experienced in Eugene/Springfield.

Republicans, Democrats, Liberals, Conservatives, Progressives and it goes on and on and on.

Aren’t you tired of it? Don’t you think its time we use our brains and try to describe our neighbors with something other than a label?

Party huggers use labels to discredit one another. They throw out terms like damn liberal or stupid conservative or brag that they hold the market on the term progressive.

I got news for you, when it comes to politics progressive is an oxymoron heavy on the moron.

Just stop it. Labels really are just a smoke screen for laziness. A label is a trap that someone who disagrees with us uses to try to discredit what we believe in.

So, what should you do? Try to catch yourself by biting your tongue. I still slip up but at least I’m trying to be aware of it.

Another thing you can do is when someone tosses a label at you, point it out to him or her and remind the labeler what little thought and intelligence it takes to call people names.

I’m On A Roll and you may not like it.

Nov 30, 2011 // by Rick Dancer // Blog // 4 Comments

I wrote a blog the other day that really irritated some readers and that’s got me on a roll.

Why are we so afraid to ask questions about God, about Church, about the way things are done?

I don’t get it at all.

When we do ask questions folks attack us for being, in their words, critical.

Since when is asking a question being critical?

I wonder that the real reason people pick the “C” word is because they don’t like you questioning their beliefs?

Another thing we do when someone questions is stick up for our personal real estate. Some of us take questions as a personal attack on our little group or real estate. You would not believe how many responses I get from people telling me to come to their establishment because they don’t do that. People assume if you question something you must be against it and that is just not true.

Let’s assume for a minute we are to have a relationship with God. As I understand His word, that’s sort of the purpose of this whole thing.

So, if that’s true, when was the last time you were in a relationship that was question-less?

I made that word up so don’t get all freaked out by it okay.

Some people think I ask too many questions and perhaps you are correct but I learn by asking questions.

There are some things I don’t question because I already understand that God is all-powerful, that Jesus is His son and that He came to set me free.

Some of you still question those things and that’s okay I don’t.

I am not here to convince anyone of anything. God reveals things to me in His own way and when I’m ready.

This is how it works for me. Perhaps if we each sat down and asked God questions rather than each other we might actually learn something.

Rather than reading something someone wrote and jumping all over it maybe we should chew on it, ask God about it, ask if we are over-reacting (I have to do that a lot) and then come to a soft conclusion.

I don’t know, but I will ask the question. So, God, what do you think?

I’ll let you know what He tells me but remember His timing is a little slow.

Lighting with Leonard: TV and Film Makers Pay Attention

Nov 29, 2011 // by Rick Dancer // For Business, Portfolio // 1 Comment

Leonard Henderson is a friend of mine.

If you are in the TV, Film or Video business Leonard can teach you so much about lighting.

Contact: Leonard Henderson Lighting Workshop, LLC

(541) 833-0065

leonardhenderson@comcast.net

www.leonardhenderson.com

ONLY 3 SPACES LEFT IN UPCOMING LIGHTING WORKSHOP DECEMBER 3RD AND 4TH

Eugene, OR (November 22, 2011)

Don’t miss out on your chance to attend the last Leonard Henderson Lighting Workshop of the year. With over 30 years of professional lighting and videography experience including work for Good Morning America, Rosie O’Donnell and The Discovery Channel, Leonard is a seasoned professional who knows how to make learning fun. Leonard ‘s popular 2-day workshops cover lighting techniques for a variety of production situations, and with only 8 students per class, students benefit from hands on experience and immediate feedback.

A recent workshop attendee had this to say about the experience: “Some of the best training in the industry by a top-notch quality professional. Leonard knows it all and his positive attitude will improve your skills and your point of view on life.”

The 2-day workshop will held at the Chambers Media Center in Eugene, Oregon. The workshop runs for 8 hours on Dec. 3rd and 4th on the Chambers campus in Sound Stage 3.

Take your videos and still photographs to the next level of professionalism immediately. Sign up today by going to www.leonardhenderson.com and hit the register button.

My Gutsy Guys

Nov 29, 2011 // by Rick Dancer // Blog // 2 Comments

My youngest son Jess is on his way to Argentina to join us with his big brother Jake.

The two of them are going to tour South America for the next three weeks.

They will travel from Argentina through Chile and end in Peru with a trek to Machu Picchu .

I cannot tell you how proud I am of both of them. The world is a big place and most people are afraid to step out and explore it.

As parents you always hope your kids will do more than you did. You hope that they will make different mistakes than you made and already I see that they are creating their own footsteps while learning from their parents.

Kathy took Jess to the airport this morning. I walked out the door and then came back in because my desire to pray for him was overwhelming.

We stood in the kitchen and I said a prayer over Jess and his brother.

If I were honest I would have to say it made me nervous to pray with Jess. I didn’t want to scare him but I wanted to bless him. I may have done both but during the night I kept waking up thinking about both my boys being thousands of miles away and it made me nervous a little scared and a bit weepy.

I know they will have a great time. I hope they learn something about each other and themselves on this trip. I know they will come back and never be the same and that’s what bothers me.

They were always “My Boy” and the transition to “My Men” is one I’ve never navigated before.

Growing up is hard to do, not just for the kids but also for the parents.

Close Call with a Bear in Alaska

Nov 29, 2011 // by Rick Dancer // For Business, Portfolio // 1 Comment

While in Alaska we had a close call with a 1,000 pound bore. We wanted some good video and boy did we get it. Thankfully the bear was just faking us out but it was pretty scary at the time.