One Year On

Has it really been a year?

As I hit publish on my last post I had no idea it would be thirteen months before I posted again. So much has happened in that time that it could easily have been twice that amount and I wouldn't be surprised. Divorce made final, (then) lawyers, vindictive and bitter ex family members, new business opportunities, a new place to live... And always, my beautiful children. As much stress as all the rest caused, having my boys with me every single day has been a worthwhile trade. They bring me joy, laughter, hope, frustration, affection, pure love, and even more stress just about every day. And I wouldn't have it any other way.

So I'm half way through my Sophomore year in college. I just finished another term and know I've secured at least one "A" out of the deal. (Human Biology even!) I keep checking the grade page online for my other class because I'm hoping to squeak through on that one to keep my 4.0 intact. For a guy who couldn't be any less bothered over grades in high school (or even passing the class on many accounts), I've become pretty grade focused as a college student. I figure I'll need all the help I can get if I end up deciding on law school. To be honest I need to be more education than grade focused in my studies. I got so busy over the last six months that I barely studied at all. I'm fairly lucky in that I retain fairly well the stuff that does sink in, so last minute papers and cramming for finals haven't tripped me up so far. That's going to change though. I want to enjoy school, rather than just fly through it. While also baking cookies and wiping butts and chauffeuring kiddos and color grading indie films and...

Lots and Lots of Homework

Five weeks ago I began a project that's only about 27 years overdue. Last week I hit midterms in my first semester as a college Freshman. I'm a student at Columbia College (of Columbia Missouri), and am taking my courses online. As such, they are abbreviated into eight week courses. Because of the magnified workload the maximum number of classes I can take is two. And yes, I am glad for that. Now...

Before starting I lamented (to myself because there is no one left with whom to lament such things) that I'd sure like to take three or four classes so I can get this thing done quickly. Yeah, that would have been a mistake. The biggest lesson I've learned so far is that I haven't changed much in 27 years where school is concerned. From the first assignment I was reading half the description and then going off half cocked to finish the paper without bothering to read anything else. The next lesson I learned was that school hadn't changed all that much either. My instructors kind of expect me to turn in what they've asked for. Imagine that! What hasn't helped is that I can usually get a decent grade even when doing it 'my way', but decent isn't good enough anymore. I want 95-100, not 92 or 86. The good thing is that I've found I have other habits which are actually helpful in school.

I tend to be inquisitive and am usually not content with generic answers and explanations. These classes aren't self directed but they are self motivated in that there are no lectures. I have a list of things to read and a list of assignments to write based on what I've learned from what I've read. Two of my textbooks are great. The other one sucks. Either way, I end up online looking for more no matter what the assignment is (and no, I don't usually look to Wikipedia for those answers). And I'm getting better at reading all the instructions now as well.

If I had more hours in a day I might be able to juggle homework and the kids and taking the older one to school and back and band practice and getting my company off the ground. As it is I'm grabbing for what I can when I can. Like most people, I'm sure... Anyway, I'm having fun. I'm really liking my English Composition class. More than I thought I would, actually. If I could figure out how to make a decent living at 50 with an English degree I might chuck my previous plans and do that instead. It doesn't hurt that I seem to be doing well in the class. Then again I'm doing well in American Government too but the passion is definitely in English. I may even post one of my assignments. It was a compare/contrast essay. It almost looks like something for my Government class but only because I'm still a follower of the political stuff. At least it's not writing about getting divorced!

Hey! Where You Been?

It's been a busy time around the OldManC estate. The papers are signed and I'm just waiting on a 'divorce orientation certificate' from the other then my attorney can submit it all to the court. The state of Utah makes parents take a class when divorcing that basically says don't badmouth your ex or the kids will suffer. Good sentiment, actually. Do you think they could get certain in-laws to take it as well? Hopefully in the next few weeks it'll all be over.

In the meantime, I've been slammed with homework at school and kidlet responsibilities, plus I'm trying to get my home based business up and running. Hey, it' the only way I can get some income without sending my boys to daycare for 50 hours a week! I just hope I can pull it off. I'm working on the website and a Facebook group to promote it. Take a look if you want:


Here's the website.

Here's the Facebook page.

They (whomever 'they' are) say to do what you know, so it looks like I'm still a colorist for a while! The independent film market is really exploding with DSLR Cinematography and Utah has very few resources for filmmakers doing post finishing. I'm hoping to fill a niche there. It's a work in progress and I'm still trying to get some needed equipment (DIY style on eBay of all places), but I'm far enough along that I can do projects now and have been working on a few small things.


My bay.


Here's how it looks when I'm actually working (which is why I need sunglasses even on a cloudy day) :)




These are what I look at to see what, where, and how I'm going to adjust stuff (to get a pretty picture). Right now I have to point, click, and drag everything to get it done. For a guy who's been playing with joy balls for 15 years, it's a very frustrating workflow!


Here's the next thing I need. See those blue track balls? The plan is that I'll play with those and people will give me money. Isn't this a great country? I found a guy in Austria who's selling some (there are two panels there) in the exact configuration I need. I'm trying to work the deal right now so we'll see... So you can't say I've been sitting around moping!

Got Any Prayers to Spare?

I have a court date tomorrow. The way things are going lately it's probably the first of many. If any of you out there are the praying type I would surely appreciate one on my behalf. The thing I've prayed for in all of this is that the best outcome for my sons would be achieved. There are no winners in a divorce. At least not this one. All I can hope for is to minimize the fallout. When I think of what this has the potential to do to my kids I feel guilty for ever having gotten married. They don't deserve any of this.

Day by day. That's all I can do right now.

What Now?

I guess at this point I should lay off the blog posts and see what the attorneys have to say about things. I know there were a few people reading this blog (and I literally mean a few), but things have gotten to the point where games are being played as if this is some sort of whizzing contest. And from my end, it's not. At all. I was gutted by this whole thing and still am, but that doesn't mean I'm crying about it anymore. I'm more than a little bit angry now, and when it gets to that point it's better to shut up and let the experts take over. I'm out for a while (at least as far as this divorce thing goes). See you on the other side.