Jump David Jump

Thank You Kung Fu (FINALLY!)

 

I purchased a book for Lori on our last anniversary. Each page has a small little exercise that both of you fill out so you can get to know each other a little better. One of the pages asked us, "What are you the most proud of?" I thought that should have been a pretty simple question for me to answer, but it wasn't. I've had the opportunity to participate in some amazing things, fantastic projects, and incredible random events. But I couldn't figure out what I was the most proud of. And then, like a right hook, it hit me...

It's this damn book. Never have I put this much hard work into a single project, never have I cried so many tears, never have I struggled so much to know what to and not to include. But here we are. It's done.

I have previously said before that no one knew all of the details in this book, even my wife Lori who only discovered the details when she read the book just before it was printed. All that to say, I have emptied my guts into this book. The ridiculous things I've done, the miserable decisions I've made, the horrible moments that have left me in shock. It's just, I feel like it's just all too much. And as I say in the preface, I'm absolutely positive every single one of us has heard crazier stories, but this one is my story to tell.

I get to own this story. 

I hope that you find some sort of wisdom in this book, even if that wisdom is, "TO NEVER EVER DO THIS!" But that is what true stories should be about. Helping express both the good and bad decisions we make and hoping that people can learn from them. I love all of you for participating in this with me! Thank you!

Feel free to stop by The Sparrows Coffee Shop (1035 Wealthy St.) this Saturday to pick up a signed book, whether you paid for it through Kickstarter or you'd like to purchase it then. I'll be there all day! If you'd like to purchase this online, go to Mascot Book's site and purchase it there. 

Still Waiting for this book... SO LET'S BREAK THE RULES!

I'm so tired of waiting for this book to be printed! So I'm breakin' the rules and sendin' out a chapter RIGHT NOW! 

If you took part in my Kickstarter Campaign and haven't already updated it, I NEED YOUR CURRENT ADDRESS, especially if you have moved since the summer of 2015! Please email me your new address and I'll make sure you receive your books. 

Please enjoy this chapter as we wwwwwaaaaaaiiiiiitttttt for the final printed version. If they don't have it done soon, I'll post another chapter next week!

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Download Preface - The Hut

 

 

New Life, New Hopes, & New Motivations

This year has been crazy, but at the same time, it has been so good...

The day before the new year, we learned that Lori and I were pregnant with our 3rd child! Shocked, yet in some way accepting its ridiculous inevitability, we realized how insane our life would be this year. I realized that due to our rising health insurance costs, the horrific cost of my daily seizure pills, and my lack of relevance to the business world after writing two books, I needed to make a change. With our third baby on the way, I choose to take a job (for the first time in eleven years!) at AUXILIARY Advertising & Design. I worked there for five months before it became clear I wasn't a great fit for their awesome team they have put together. I was let go the week before our third daughter, Henrietta Jane Wenzel was born on August 30th, 2016.

Since then, our life has been a wonderful, psychotic, wacky blur. The promise of a bi-weekly paycheck was lost, and RobinHood Ink. was back on the market looking for business with three screaming, laughing, and wild girls at home. The thing I can't help but laugh at though, is that God knew ALL of this would be happening, so during this past year He made it possible for a new website to be created for RobinHood Ink. by Mighty in the Midwest, a local and highly reputable web company. Click on the image for the link:

I look back at the projects RobinHood Ink. has been a part of and am shocked at how blessed I have been. I've worked to create films inside Polish prisons, at the base of the Atlas mountains in Morocco, shaping massive Mona Lisa replications in barren deserts, and worked with elaborate set ups in the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California. I have been hired to write books for wonderful clients like Josh Shipp and Erik Wahl, while also writing additional articles for fish mongers and breweries in Beer City, USA. I have been sought out to co-write multiple TED Talks to help individuals truly share their messages. And now, I am pleased to say that RobinHood Ink. is available for hire again! If you have any questions about whether or not RobinHood Ink. can help you as a writer, a speaker, or even your entire company, please write me an email. I would love to chat with you to see if I can be of help. If nothing else, I would love to say hello!

On top of that, YOU have made my dream come true by helping me fund the writing of my own book, Thank You Kung-Fu! I've had tons of people asking me about when it will be released, so I am setting a date right now! I have no idea who is interested in its release, so I am inviting EVERYONE. If I have touched your life, made you laugh, or made you cry, please join me for the release of my one and only memoir where I will vomit up my entire life. We'll have readings from the book, fantastic live music, great food, drinks from the beach house's famous outdoor Airstream bar, and tons of outdoor games. This restaurant has everything but a pool, but don't worry, Lake Michigan is right down the road! It is my hope that we can fill out this whole restaurant all day with all of you, the wonderful group of people who have helped make this dream come true.

Join us for an all day party on June 7th, 2017 at Sandy Point Beach House in West Olive, MI
 

So, here's the recap!!

First, our new baby, Henrietta Jane Wenzel! (We call her Etta!)

 

Second, my new personal website and my new business website for RobinHood Ink.

And third, the new all-day book release date for Thank You Kung-Fu at Sandy Point Beach House.

I'm thrilled, I'm nervous, I'm nearly overwhelmed, but I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Lord who walks before me, also walks behind me. I am never forgotten. I am (constantly) bent, but never broken. Thanks to ALL of you who have been following my story. Let's continue to live intentionally, work extremely hard, love everyone we come across, focus on living day by day, and finish each of them with a beer in hand. I hope to catch up with you soon in this lovely ragged battlefield we call life.

Much Love to all of you!

 

IT IS FINISHED!

THANK YOU KUNG-FU IS COMPLETEY FUNDED!

I am a complete mess right now! Tears and laughter and sniffles and text messages flying all over the place! I have no idea what I'm even feeling! I shot a video of me thanking all of you, but it's laced with so many tears I don't think I can post it and still call myself a man!

First off, thanks to Jason Murray, the final contributor who put me over the top! And thanks to Gorilla, who put together an insane campaign video and helped with such a large contribution, when was that, YESTERDAY?

 

But even more, thanks to ALL OF YOU! I am honestly stunned this actually happened. I knew the physical cost of the time it would take to write this book, but was warned by so many people that $40,000 was too much. But I had to trust my gut and ask you for what was appropriate for me. If it didn't happen, it didn't happen. But knowing this funded campaign just happened, I am so pleased to know my wife Lori, and our two girls, Marian and Viola, will be properly taken care in the following months. YOU have given that comfort to me. 

I get the idea that you helped me create the time to write a book. Sure. But it's so much more than that. This story, Thank You Kung Fu, carries the weight of what I felt when I was ten years old. When I was given a glimpse of what my future may hold. You have taken part, first hand, in what I truly believe is a miracle from God. I know it surely feels that way to me right now.

This story will carry the weight of who my girls will one day remember as their father. It carries the weight of properly capturing the unbelievable and miraculous circumstances that landed Lori and I together. It carries the weight of my journey through this horrible battle with cancer. But at the end of the day, I truly hope there is something in there for you and the inevitable struggles you have or may one day encounter. 

Cheers to you my friends. I don't know what else to say other than I love all of you who have chosen to walk this road with me, knowing full well it is a long and narrow road.

All of my love.

Tonight, On Your Omaha Evening News...

I have been supported by people from all over the country, but there has been an influx in, what Counting Crows would call, “Omaha, somewhere in middle America”. I was born there, left for England for four years, then returned for my first week of kindergarten. I lived and went to school there from my first day all the way through my Graduation from Papillion LaVista High School in 1999. Omaha has always been my home, where my parents and some of my best friends still live.

Some people don’t care for high school, but I absolutely loved it. “Papio" was a large high school, graduating about 550 in ’99. And being an extrovert, I felt I knew just about everyone in my class. And there are a few moments I will never forget… Standing naked on stage wearing only a fig leaf covering for Mr. Monarch, which led to winning our annual male beauty pageant, playing trumpet solos on the 50 yard line at halftime for our powerhouse football team, singing and dancing in A Chorus Line, and being named Prom Prince. 

But really there is only one story you will ever hear about me from any Papillion alumni. On my 16th birthday, I was offered the role of “Tracy’s friend Eric” in Alexander Payne’s movie “Election”. My fellow classmates will remind you of my single line delivered to Matthew Broderick that I’ll always be remembered for. “What happened to your eye?” I can’t explain how many times this was uttered at our ten-year reunion…

I also remember a scene that got edited out of the final movie. In this scene, I asked Tracy Flick (Reese Witherspoon) on a date while we were painting her posters. She turned me down because she was far too busy with her ongoing campaign for Class President. Nevertheless, I used that to my advantage off-screen and explained that I couldn’t end up being turned down by her in the end. She smiled, agreed, and we “went on a date” to a local coffee shop across the street. And, of course, at the wrap party she pulled me out onto the dance floor. I was so incredibly nervous. I didn’t even know how to dance, let alone with a celebrity! I expressed hesitation but her enthusiasm finally convinced me. And then what happened? Slow dance… as if the DJ knew. So, yes, I slow-danced with Reese Witherspoon. She was always such a nice girl. 

These stories, like having a one-on-one breakfast with Matthew Broderick in his trailer, watching his pinball skills, or explaining to him why we had to change the lyrics from “Tits and Ass” to “This and That” in order for our version of Chorus Line to compete at a state level. These stories (and more!) will be highlighted in my upcoming book if we can figure out how to raise that final $2,700!

This is going somewhere, trust me.

I remember my first day at Papillion LaVista High School. I walked into my Forensics class and saw the most gorgeous blonde, Brandi Petersen. She was from Papillion Jr. High and I was from LaVista Jr. High, but when we reached high school the two schools combined. I played it cool. Not pushing anything. Took my time. I suppose in some ways she was the female version of me. She was a Forensics genius, played all of the major roles in our school plays, had an incredible voice as she sang in our choirs, ended up being the Homecoming Queen and, eventually, Miss Nebraska. And you know what she’s up to now? She’s the Evening News Anchor for KETV in Omaha, Nebraska! 

Recently, she interviewed me and explained my full story on her blog. It was fantastic how she captured the story through her own unique voice. As always, Brandi did it right. But here’s something I bet a lot of people from my high school didn’t know…

She was my first kiss! I kissed an evening news anchor!

So we’re bringing back the love as she continues to be such an amazing long-distance supporter through this crazy journey in my life. Check out her recent blog as she shares my story to Omaha natives in support of my Kickstarter campaign.

OK! We started out the day with $3,300 left and we're already down to $2,700! Let's keep it going!

Gorilla Steps Up!

Last night my phone beeped. Fully understanding my inappropriate relationship with my phone these days, I picked it up to see what had come through. I looked, my mouth dropped, and my eyes widened. I couldn't believe what I saw. 

Gorilla, the same film company who put together my trailer for KickStarter, had offered $10,000 to my campaign! Concerned it could have been a mistake, I immediately called Eric Johnson, head of Gorilla. He explained that he and his company have been behind this project from the very beginning and saw I needed an additional bump to bring this home. And was he ever right! 

I remember the first meeting I had with Eric earlier this year. I had previously sent him my book proposal and when we sat down to meet he looked me directly in the eye and said, "David, this book has to be written." At that time I was still so scared about putting this concept in front of the public, but because of Eric's support that morning and his dedication to giving me one of the best KickStarter videos in history, I decided to take the next step. And well, here we are! There are two days left and only $3,300 to raise.

So here's the crazy part. Eric and Gorilla are in production of their first major motion picture. I am well aware of how much they need the money right now! They have written a teen comedy, Camp Manna, that I've read and think is ridiculously brilliant. As I've kept a close eye on my twitter feed, I see they are actually beginning production right now. I've been in their shoes before! When you begin production, everything else disappears. There are so many different elements where Eric and his crew at Gorilla need to focus on right now.

But they didn't leave me behind. They chose not to leave me alone in the middle of my campaign. I just don't know what to say in response to that. Thank you? You gave me the video that made my project happen? You financially saved my project? You helped provide the money for me to write this book for my daughters? There are no right words for moments like this.

And I find myself overtaken, once again. The people that have surrounded me and, when facing these final days, returned to the Kickstarter site to raise their donations and continue spreading the word via their social media. I feel there are simply no words to express my gratitude to all of you. It's further evidence that God always seems to come through. Of course, not before He takes me to the edge of a cliff, shows me how ridiculous my ask was, requiring too much commitment from my friends. And as I come to grips with the fact he's probably right, then and only then, does He show up to come through and provide again and again. 

To Gorilla, I thank you! And to the rest of you supporting my campaign, I thank you!

Now, let's finish this off! Let's dig under the couch cushions, rifle through the change drawer in your car, find dollar bills in old pant pockets, and donate the final $3,300!

Countdown to Launch...

Today is my cancerversary!

It marks six years of surviving (and thriving) with brain cancer! I am so appreciative of the support, love, and friendship you have offered me each and every step of my journey. Each of your comments fill me with such gratitude that you still haven't given up on me and you are still following this crazy story. On this day last year, I shared with you the speech I gave to my friends and family when I was officially declared a "Cancer Survivor." But this year I have a new announcement to make!

Every time I've considered writing this post (which has been months, maybe years now) I think of this quote:

"When it feels scary to jump, that’s exactly when you jump. Otherwise you end up staying the same place your whole life. And that I can’t do.” 

Looking back ten years ago, that's why I named this blog, Jump David Jump. I knew life would require risky and sometimes dangerous jumps to go from “Where I'm at” to “Where I want to be”. And this week, against everything my rational mind is telling me, I'm ready to take my next jump. Here it goes...

I want to be the author of my own story. 

This year I am dedicating eight months to face my fears and tell my story (currently titled, Thank You Kung-Fu) as it actually happened. I’m going to pick up my shovel and start digging. I’ll dig through my childhood dreams, my successes and failures, leading towards my terminal cancer kung-fu confessional. I’ll dig through the loss of my dearest relationship, the years I so badly want to forget, let alone write about. I’ll dig even deeper into my public ridicule and personal shame regarding my unplanned pregnancy. But eventually, I’ll dig deep enough to strike at honest truth. The truth that God is yet to turn his back on me, and, in fact, has been digging next to me this entire time.

I want to tell a story that produces hope through my tears, creates bravery through my cowardice, encourages public acceptance through my public shaming, and that speaks life through my death.

Would you please join me in support as I launch my new Kickstarter campaign this week? (note: The campaign is NOT live yet.)

If you are in support of this book being written, I ask you to please utilize your social media skills to get your friends and family behind it. To reach my goal and make this book happen, I'm going to need your help! And seriously, if you are excited about this idea and feel you have a strong enough public following, please contact me so we can figure out how to utilize your network to help me reach my goal. Whether you are an author, a speaker, a desk jockey, a blogger mom, an athlete, an entrepreneur, a musician, a newscaster, a president of a small nation, I would love to partner with you!

In order to get you prepped for this upcoming book, I have placed two sample chapters on this site! Under "More Info", click "Thank You Kung-Fu Chapters". Please read, share with your friends and family, and get excited for the rest of the book.

I hope you are enjoying this Sunday as much as I am. Today, I celebrate with Lori, Marian, and Viola, as well as the rest of my family and friends, another year of survival as we continue to pray for many many more!

Tell all your friends to join me later this week as I officially launch my Kickstarter Campaign!

My Story, For Sale

I admit I have a strange sense of what 'public' means. Like I can make something public over there, but not over here. I imagine this to be a residual effect strengthened by my series of surprises over the past five years.

Nevertheless, I publicly made this so I suppose I should publicly share it here. 

(And damn you, Ben Arment for pulling this out of me...)

My Story, For Sale

Every Riven Thing

A friend of mine just sent me an "On Being" interview of poet Christian Wiman, by Krista Tippett. It is quite a fascinating interview of boy who grew up in a strange combination of a violent, yet conservative culture. In time, he became both a poet and agnostic. Christian later faced death as he was diagnosed with a bizarre blood cancer. Later, as he fell in love in his thirties, he remembered God and his place in the world. He just came out with a new book, The Bright Abyss and has published books of poetry over the years including Every Riven Thing, a book published after his diagnoses.

He is wrapping up his time as the editor of Poetry Magazine, and will soon move to Yale Divinty School. This is an amazing, humble interview about faith, doubt, belief, death, life and well... poetry. Enjoy!

This poem, read during the interview, was written after three years of poetic silence after learning of his diagnosis. 

God goes, belonging to every riven thing he's made sing his being simply by being the thing it is: stone and tree and sky, man who sees and sings and wonders why

God goes. Belonging, to every riven thing he's made, means a storm of peace. Think of the atoms inside the stone. Think of the man who sits alone trying to will himself into a stillness where

God goes belonging. To every riven thing he's made there is given one shade shaped exactly to the thing itself: under the tree a darker tree; under the man the only man to see

God goes belonging to every riven thing. He's made the things that bring him near, made the mind that makes him go. A part of what man knows, apart from what man knows,

God goes belonging to every riven thing he's made.

- Christian Wiman, a poem from Every Riven Thing

Beige Expectations - Written for The Podium

Recently, the The Podium asked me to write an article regarding Story and it's impact on my life. I figured I would also place it here on my blog. Last year I wrote a chapter in a book published by Moody, called Inciting Incidents. If you're interested you can purchase that book here. Enjoy!

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I was a “Goonies” kid. If you aren’t familiar, it means that when I was young, my bike represented my entire existence: my independence, freedom and social status. At nine years old, it was urgent my parents’ ears finally heard my complaints that I had outgrown my faithful red mountain bike. I was surprised to hear my dad propose that he wanted to build me a new bike, because, you see, my father is a handyman and I am not. This was determined very early in life when I was continually dragged to the garage as an unwilling apprentice with the single task of searching for random tools as needed. The effects of this torture are long-lasting, and I still suffer bodily twitches each time I enter Home Depot.

At this suggestion, I recalled several previous collaborations: the crafting of a model U.S.S Kitty Hawk, the second-grade log-cabin made from reeds discovered by a local creek, several winning pinewood derby cars and a DC Talk father/son remix we performed one Sunday night at church. (Long story, don’t ask.) Based on these past successful partnerships, I felt positive my dad wasn’t going to let me down. A custom bike built by my flesh and blood, the handyman, would only increase my Goonie status.

But as to be expected from any working father with four kids, his intentions were probably a little too grandiose for the time available.