Here's to the crazy ones.....

It was a sad day yesterday, a true legend of our time passed. Steve Jobs passed away yesterday Oct 5 2011. The social networks were run amuck with RIP Steve, quotes, gratitude and even some ill timed jokes. Apple.com's web page is of course a tribute to him even with a way to remember Mr. Jobs by sending in an email.

It was an event that I felt like we all knew was coming, yet it was still a shock to me. Steve did have a long time battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

I have long been one of the Apple faithful, or "cult-of-mac" as some people have put it.... I use Apple products at home, I use Apple products in my video and audio editing and my job revolves around Apple technology. So I am thankful to Steve for his "magical" products that have revolutionized the way us creatives tell stories.

This is one of my favorite quotes from Apple advertiseing -

Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do. - Apple Inc.

While this quote may not be attributed to Steve Jobs I think it is. I hope that I fit into this quote somewhere, I want to be that different. I want to be that last part the most, and I feel as though I am on my way to re-shaping how the world sees me, and the way the world around me sees life. I believe that I am on my way to changing the world through my talents and skills.

Mr. Jobs, it was a pleasure to work for you in Apple retail for 2 years. I thank you for your ingenuity, vision and drive to change what technology looks like. Your drive to reshape the digital age will be missed.

What I learned from my first pot of Chili....

I made Chili for the first time on Saturday, I made it in the crock pot that my grandma gave me from her house. If you follow my tweets you know that I was also sick over the weekend. I had only been to the doctor's on Friday and so Saturday afternoon I was getting fairly stir crazy. Instead of going out, which would have been the wrong thing to do, I started dicing up onions, peppers, and garlic to make my first pot of Chili. I let the chili simmer in the crock pot the rest of the day Saturday then put it into the fridge overnight. It ended up staying there until today when I called in sick to just rest today.... The chili has been warming all day and it's starting to smell really nice.....

But what would I do next time is this... Make the chili with ground beef and not steak meat... use to types of beans instead of one... and figure out some way to thicken up the broth....

I also learned just like this chili takes time to set-up, cook, and be right. I also take time to heal, it takes time for me to physically heal from sickness. I've also learned that it takes time for me to re-energize from late nights of good conversation. If I'm not getting enough sleep then I'm unable to live life to it's fullest, I'm unable to fulfill my obligations to my church, to my job and to me. Because of me getting sick I've had to take time off work, had to step out of mixing a weekend, and not been able to spend as much time with a certain girl.....

The biggest thing I've figured out from all of this is.......... I'm weird....

Thoughts....

A lot of things have been changing lately... I have many thoughts going through my head... Many good, some scary and some that I need to shelf and give up to God. Relaxing on the couch by myself needs to happen more....

We are in a ever moving state of change, we look into ourselves for answers when we should be looking upwards. We set boundaries and now we must keep them. We ask God for help and he shows us the answers, the question becomes will we listen to his answers.

Just thoughts... my little piece of the internet my get busier in the coming months. Stick around... it's gonna be a fun ride.

"I'll catch ya on the flipside"

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. . . . . .

The Dreamer

Dreamer's scare people, some dreamer's are the artisans of this world.
Dreamer's live in this world, some dreamer's live for another world.
Dreamer's are the breath of life, some dreamer's can't appreciate life.
Dreamer's love intriguing conversations, some dreamer's love no conversation.
Dreamer's are emotional, some dreamer's don't know how to convey their emotions.
Dreamer's work to live, some dreamer's live to work-when said dreamer gets their dream job.
Dreamer's are the enemies of practicality, some dreamer's are enemies of the state.
Dreamer's enjoy shaking things up, some dreamer's shake to hard to fast.

To live the life of a dreamer all you need to do is imagine.

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one
- John Lennon

Unsure. .

I have become unsure of the world that man has created. It is such a dark and faithless place, it is not ours to run, yet we try and rule it. It is time for a change, it is time for God to rule over this world. It is time for love to rule, once love has found a way life will feel right.

Life is just sitting there waiting for us to grab a hold and run with it. When will you grab your life and run with it? Or do you just want to sit around and have life handed to you.

Merry Christmas!!!

So, instead of a mass text Merry Christmas I decided to do this.

"Merry Christmas to all, I hope your family and yours have a wonderful day.
May your day bring you hope, peace and a little something special in your stocking.
Let there be food in your belly, warm clothes on your back,
And a little bit of rest for your soul.
To the musician's, artist's, and creatives, enjoy your gifts this holiday time.
Use your gifts to make others smile."


Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

Things I've been thinking about. . .

Ok, so in no specific order-

•why does it seemlike everyone thinks that you have to be totally put together to find someone to love?
•What is out there for a younger person who wants to work for the Church but has his own ideas and wants to do church in a different way?
•What happened to my childhood?
•I love crisp fall days. .
•I'm wonder when I will figure it out
•Why does the physical body matter so
much to people?
•When do I get paid for having a degree?
•Why did I go to college?

Cool "quote". . . .

"The world does not consist of 100 per cent Christians and 100 per cent non-Christians. There are people (a great many of them) who are slowly ceasing to be Christians but who still call themselves by that name; some of them are clergymen. There are other people who are slowly becoming Christians though they do not yet call themselves so. There are people who do not accept the full Christian doctrine about Christ but who are so strongly attracted by Him that they are His in a much deeper sense than they themselves understand. There are people in other religions who are being led by God’s secret influence to concentrate on those parts of their religion which are in agreement with Christianity, and who thus belong to Christ without knowing it…" - CS Lewis

Some days I'm not sure where I'm at in this manuscript, it's rather long for a quote. . . isn't it. . . .

Feeling the need to create

So, I haven't created anything in awhile. It feels very weird, it's like apart of me is not living right now. I want to make music, create experience's, and just explore the mind that God has given me. But, I also need to re-create myself at the same time/before I can completely figure out what God wants me to do with myself, how am I doing this?

I'm going to try and read more, explore myself more and just enjoy what God has given me.

Here's to re-creating Steve. . . . . .

Re: The new traditional church

This is a response to an article I read over at monty hobson's little piece of the interwebs.

It states that more churches should be involving the hip-hop/r&b genre into their worship services because itunes says that a good portion of the people who buy their music on itunes purchase hip-hop. I'm not giving the right numbers but that's not really the point.

IF the Church were to embrace hip-hop/r&b as a style of music to be used during corporate worship wouldn't it bring up the question, "how do people sing along with someone rapping or flowing?" To me the music style used in worship does matter, but not to the point that people can't sing with it.

Of course all this to say I don't think that I will ever find my "style" of worship this side of heaven. I can adapt and meet God in most styles of music. But for me to enjoy and not have to stop thinking to worship I need music with a little more grit and punch to it. And then there's the whole function of how to mix it well for a worship service.

Which is another topic for another night? Maybe I will start adding to this blog more often again. . . . . . .

The in between time. . . . .

So, it seems that I can't really figure out what to do right now. . . . I'm desperately trying to have faith in God to provide during this time. It seems to me that this is my lot in life though, I feel like I've been in a holding pattern forever.

So, during this time I'm going to try and get some of my creativity out in a productive fashion. That is going to be interesting because a lot of my creativity comes in the form of how to set a stage for worship, and how to make lights pull people into worship, as well as mixing. Now, it has been suggested that I use this blog to out pour my creativity but I'm not really sure how to do that through a blog.

Maybe I just need to be fine with where I am in life. . . . .

Thoughts from behind the console. . .

So, I got to mix this weekend, all weekend, it was a good, different, moving weekend. We did a "low tech" weekend which didn't mean that there was that much different for me. I still had to make sure that everything sounded good, and it did. But I have to give credit to the awesome musicians who came prepared and did amazing jobs of leading people in worship, without great musicians I can't do my job right.

Greg. . . . . wow Greg kicked my ass every single service. The talk that Greg prepared was so thoughtful, insightful, and moving that I teared up every single service and had to still make sure that everything sounded good. And let me tell you that is hard.

But Greg said things that I needed to hear to prepare for Easter, he reminded me that the Cross is so much more than a holy relic, a piece of art that people associate with church. The cross is where we see a man go through the most excruciating pain for me, for you, for a broken world that for the most part seems to want nothing to do with Him. YET, He still took on the crap of the crap of the world, He took everything about our "2% SUCKING SELVES" and laid down His life for me.

The great thing is that it was an awesome reminder that the Cross is so much more than something to just put on top of a church, so much more than a cool tat- though it will be in my next piece. The cross is what made Grace possible, the cross made the best thing that ever happened to us possible.

So what does the cross mean to you. . . . . .

Dreams.. . . .

I've been having some weird dreams lately, the one I had tonight actually woke me up so much that I haven't been able to go back to sleep and it's already 5AM. . . . . I've been trying to figure out what the meaning is behind the dreams and watching movie trailers on quicktime. The dreams are not scary or anything like that, they just make me think about stuff. . . . . .

and "I'm on a boat" just came on Fuse. . . . . .

Ralph W. Goodwin

Goodwin, Ralph W. Friday, March 27, 2009. Beloved husband of Nelda (nee Stevenson) Goodwin; dear son of Epsia Goodwin; dear brother of Geraldine Brown and Phyllis Clinkenbeard; beloved step-father of Linda Schwarz; Grandpa Ralph, brother-in-law, uncle and good friend. Services: Funeral at HUTCHENS Mortuary, Florissant, Mon., March 30, at 10 a.m. Interment Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials appreciated to First Baptist Church of Ferguson TV Ministry. Visitation 1-5 p.m. Sunday.