rEaDY fOr sOmeTHinG nEw

So, in this ever changing thing called life I have come to a few realizations. . . .

God can do whatever he wants with me, and I need to be as prepared as possible when he calls upon me.

Doing life in community with people is hard, situations change, people change, life throws you curveball's- and you need to be able to wait on them to crush that curveball.

I am not defined by my job, my body type, my income level, my education, or my sense of style. As much as the world tries to put me in a box I will try my hardest to claw, naw, and climb my way out of that box, and every box here-in-after. The one true thing I strive for in this life is the one TRUE FATHER!!

My eyes are set upon His life for me, I am but a humble servant striving to change the world through the gifts that he has given me.

So I'm a sentimental guy

As I watched The Open at St. Andrew's yesterday, yes I watch golf, the story lines during the broadcast were the wind suspending play, Tiger's day out on the golf course and the scores after the suspension. Tom Watson started coming up the finishing holes, Tom Watson is an older player that is still one of the best in the game.

As Tom finished up what was probably his last time playing St. Andrew's it was a very sentimental moment for the fans who were lucky enough to watch one of the greats finish up his last round at the birthplace of golf. I'll admit that I did have a tear in my eye and a smile on my face as Watson walked across the Swilcan bridge coming up 18. He stopped, kissed the bridge's railing, and then stood on the bridge for a picturesque moment for the fans and press. The best part of the whole experience for me was what happened next. Tom walks up to his second shot and hits a beautiful chip shot that just missed falling in the cup for a final shot, final round, Eagle. That alone would have been amazing. . . . . . .

I love the game of golf, love playing it, love watching golf on TV and the best part of it is the history and lore that surround the game of golf.

Switchfoot "The Sound" Official Music Video

A. I suck at blogging.
B. I love this song, this band, and this video.

Make sure you watch the whole thing. . . the line by John M. Perkins at the end. . . . is. . . well. . . pure awesomeness.

Enjoy!!!

I have no idea anymore. . . . .

It's been said that my updates on Twitter and Facebook are too depressing, it's not that I'm depressed it's just little thoughts that creep into my mind and I need to let them out. I would say they're not depressive but simple questions, simple questions about life, love and why? But then again that could just be me wanting to justify my actions. Who knows?

I will say that I'm in a better place today than I was yesterday, and tomorrow will be better than today. -Does that sound depressive?- I think not.

Moving on. . . . .

So, if you follow me on twitter or facebook and see something that could be considered depressive, comment on it, reply to it, retweet it and let questions fuel our/your world. But do hear me say this,"I AM OK!" I use social networking for a place to put my ideas out there, it's like an online journal to me. This is my journey. . . . . and I'm taking it one step at a time.

I invite you to do the same. . . .

Life and love and why
Child, adult, then die
All of your hoping
And all of your searching
For what?
Ask me for what am I living
Or what gives me strength
That I'm willing to die for

Take away from me
This monstrosity
'Cause my futile thinking's
Not gonna solve nothing tonight
Ask me for what am I living
Or what gives me strength
That I'm willing to die for

Could it be this
Could this be bliss
Could it be all that
I ever had missed
Could it be true
Can life be new
And can I be used
Can I be used

Give me a reason
For life and for death
A reason for drowning
While I hold my breath
Something to laugh at
A reason to cry
With everyone hopeless
And hoping for something
To hope for
Yeah, with something to hope for

Could it be true
Can life be new
Could it be all that I am
Is in You
Could it be this
Could it be bliss
Can it be You
Can it be You

-Switchfoot

Guitar and Bass tone. . . . What does it all mean. . . .

A litte back story to the guts of this post.

So, last night I went and saw Switchfoot at the pageant. It was the first time I've seen them in a couple of years so I was super pumped for many reasons. 1.I absolutely love Switchfoot, I've listened to them since I was 13 and they've been one of my favorite bands since then. Jon Foreman, the frontman and major songwriting force, is an amazing songwriter and performer. Tim Foreman, the bass player, is one of the bass players I attempt to mimic when I play and a great performer as well. The whole band plays with so much energy that you can tell they leave everything they've got on the stage. It was an AMAZING show!

The interesting thing is what Jon and Tim were playing through. In the past they've both always had fairly large pedal boards for their tone. (I'm a gear hound, so I always look when I go to shows.) This time around they were both playing through Line 6 modeling amps or effects units. Tim had the newer Line 6 LowDown Bass Head through a GK 412 and I think Jon was using either some sort of POD through a "PHAT" amp, thats what the front of the amp said I think it was a VOX AC30. OR he was using a Line 6 amp. They both had FBVII pedalboards on stage.

All that to say that I've always respected Switchfoot's guitar and bass tone. It was always something different and good all at the same time. As soon as I saw the Line 6 amps something in me said, "Wait, is the tone still gonna be there?" I'm not sure why this happened but in the one minute discussion in my head that followed I decided to wait and hear what it sounded like, not let my eyes do the hearing for me. And it sounded absolutely amazing all night. -Aside, Drew, their other guitar player had a 65 amp with his normal pedalboard.-

So, what does this all mean to you non-gear heads that read this blog? Oh wait does anyone actually still read this thing. Moving on. . . . .

Through out the night I was so excited to be at this show. Singing along with all the other switchfoot fans, hearing Jon's unique scream and worshipping God through their music was what my soul, mind and body needed. I've had a few discussions with friends who were at the show and some who weren't about what it take for good tone and have come to this realization.

Do what ever it takes for you to have good tone, whether that's learning how to play your instrument better, saving up for a new instrument that is of a higher quality, or buying all the pedals and toys you want to. Here's the big thing for me as a follower of Christ and one who enjoys playing music for the Church. Play for the glory of God no matter what gear you've got. If all you can afford is a Line 6 Pod then master that piece of gear and make it sound good for the glory of God.

That's the big thing that matters in worship, that you bring your best stuff to the table to praise God for all he's done for us.

For me I will be doing a lot more research into amps, cabs, and pedals. So, master your craft and bring the best that you've got to the table for the Lord. . . . .At least that's my plan.

Next Goal. . . .

250 lbs. by May 1st.

Here goes another 50 lbs off. After that it will be another 50 to go. . . . . .