My media production class presented me with many challenges and definitely forced me to step outside my comfort zone this quarter. I admittedly despised the course for its contra-customary "hipster/artsy" expectations and its emphasis on pathological appeals understood by only margins of our culture. Last night reminded me of the capacity of the creative process to bring people together. It was a genuine throwback to the reckless abandon of junior high and carefree attitudes of our younger years. It felt good to be laughing with those who I held close and to feel the familiar adrenaline rush before pressing the record button on my camera, knowing that my friend on the other side was ready to do something stupid or utterly dangerous for a good laugh. I'm thankful that I am surrounded by audacious, carefree, genuine people I can call my friends. It was really something to watch Chris stand amidst the crowd at PC, summing up the courage to challenge the gradients of societal norms by intruding upon well established boundaries of privacy. It was really something to observe the footage we took last night. It was inspiring to see that he was genuinely able to affect people with the passion embedded in his poetry and his deliberate, confident declamation. I know that this video doesn't necessarily ebb with the flow of the masses, but my TA challenged me to go beyond my comfort zone and I feel that I successfully met her challenge. The concept of this project was to emphasize the merit of emotion. Violating public space, we juxtaposed a computer generated mp3 of Chris' poem with Chris reciting the poems himself; the former representing substance devoid of emotion while the latter represented the epitome of it. Few people reacted to the boom box. In the best of circumstances, people would turn around, stare for a moment or two, and continue on with their business. The moment Chris filled any space with his deep voice, however, people did not only listen but they also stopped in their tracks to grasp his message. I'm amazed at the attention he commanded. Words are nothing in the absence of emotion. They can be read, they can be recited, but few can really deliver the feelings behind words printed on paper. My friend is truly a talented individual and it was a pleasure working with him. He took the time out of his day to help Diana and I with our project and I'm really thankful for it. Thanks to Grant and Rishi for helping me film segments of the video and especially Diana for being an amazing partner. Original piece, written by Chris King Wong chriskingwong.tumblr.com I don't know you. And I don't want to. But I have something I'd like to say. I hope you took a five-minute break from playing call of duty today just to tell her how much you love her. I hope you picked up the least rotten flowers at the gas station that you work at just to surprise her for a change. I hope that when she pours her heart out to you you're not just nodding your head and saying uhhuh. I hope that you're everything I couldn't be. I hope you see that even stumbling she has more grace and elegance than a boy like you could ever hope to comprehend. I hope you treat her right. I hope you know that she's always loved it when you bite her bottom lip. The stupid say a girl is made in her hips but the truth is in her eyes. I hope you know they're green. I hope you know that she's not a morning person, drinks her coffee black, speaks art like her first language and took sailing lessons just to see the other two-thirds of the world. She robbed every bar in the city with just her smile. I don't claim to be an expert. But I'd be a fool not to know that she squeezes her toothpaste from the bottom because she's always planning ahead. She doesn't smoke or drink because she'd rather read in bed. And I'd give anything if I could just be her man instead. I hope you know that. I hope you know that her favorite color is white. She's captivated by firework light. And you will nerve have an unnecessary fight because she She is as patient as a flower in winter. And when she springs I hope you're ready. Because she can set your soul on fire with just a touch. Now this may be a bit much for you to manage. But I guess those are the struggles of having the personality of a cabbage. So let me break it down for you. I thought I was having a heart attack the day I first saw her. My heart was as rhythmic as a child banging on pots and pans. Because she She is dynamic. Love at first sight is an understatement. No, to me She is all five senses. Ground and blended, she is more potent than the most copious amounts of caffeine. She will keep me up for days. And I spend those nights thinking about how she came into my life, took my hand, drew me close and whispered something in my ear that I'll never forget. She said I love you. I love you for the words you give me the strength to say and The songs you give me the audacity to play. I love you for the way you send my h