The Many Faces

Jeff Thornberg, most commonly referred to as the Episcopal priest, but mainly by himself alone. I have always and will always see Jeff as the plaid wearing, 80's short shorts pelvic thrusting, Don Juan's obsessed, always up for a good time, smile big enough to share palanca with everyone, tender caring, politically charged guy with the red jeep. We've had many a spiritual talk, but your profession doesn't define who you are. Jeff Thornberg cannot be confined to a title. How else could he throw the best beer-pong parties resulting in a massive consumption of alcohol and rampant fun for all who go? Or give a talk at a Catholic retreat? Or date a Catholic from a strong conservative background? There's more to Jeff than that.

And don't worry friend, moving is just geography. How else can you spread your love to more people if you stay in one place? Get excited to start your ministry, but more importantly, start a new sequence in your life that has the potential to change the world. Don't sweat the small stuff, because you can do great things.

I'm going to miss sneaking downstairs to defy Trudy's law and the late night Jack-in-the-box drive-thrus, but you're needed in New York. Make us proud.

Por Medio

Inspired by Ms. Castro's very own website (http://www.cristinacastro.com/), I have decided to continue writing in my blog.

The only thing on my mind is the only thing I've been working on the past couple weeks. Por Medio de mis Heridas (through my wounds) is the name of my latest documentary. I must say, it was the most incredible filming experience I've ever had. I feel like we accomplised something real and meaningful. We captured a story worth telling and made friends with people I will hold in my heart forever.

The "we" refers to my two wonderful partners, Damien Brockmann and Juan Valadez. Thanks be to God for their patience, unceasing dedication, and love. The patience refers to Damien's calm presence after I yelled at him in front of everyone in the DV lab and threw my headphones down before storming out, leaving him to work on the project alone. The unceasing dedication refers to Juan translating until three in the morning after taking care of his child all day. And the love. The love for the project we shared and the people we met and call friends. The love that made the story come together because we cared. The hugs, sarcastic remarks, and a kiss on the cheek after a hard night.

Now I'm left with a great movie and a satisfaction only earned after tears, dissappointment, and delirium. Not to mention the laughter, the joy in finding the perfect footage, and a sincere affection for my partners and the boys who told their stories. Who would have thought such strong feelings could come from hours in a cold, dark editing room?

To Damien I have to thank for driving this project and keeping me together when I wanted to fall apart. I admire your commitment to social justice and human rights. You have changed perspectives, and I am confident that where ever life takes you, you'll be saving the world then too.

To Juan I must say, you have an incredible family. Your daughter is painfully adorable (I have the bite marks to prove it), and you've done an amazing job raising her. It must have killed you to leave her in order to put so much energy into this film. Thank you. We could not have done it without you...seriously.

A Osmon, Marlon, y Jorge. Muchisimas gracias. Cambiaron mi vida. No hay palabras para agradecerle. Compartieron sus historias privadas y dolorosas. Le quiero mucho y nunca me olvidaré nuestra amistad. Le voy a extrañar mucho cuando regreso a Houston.