HSM3!!!

I love HSM... I'm a closet fan - well, I guess not so much anymore. But this makes me laugh every time I see it!

Miaken... I'm using you... Hope you don't mind! :) Enjoy.

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Rock and Roll

There is a song I have been hearing for about a year, but recently have had a different take on it. It is a good, catchy song called Rock & Roll by Eric Hutchinson. Its one of those songs that makes you want to sing along and get up dance to, but the message is pretty interesting. The chorus is:

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If they wanna rock they rock
If they wanna roll they roll
They can roll with the punches
Long as they feel like they're in control
If they wanna stay they stay
If they wanna go they go
They don’t care how they get there
Long as they get somewhere they know

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The premise of the song lies in the decisions these individuals are making are dictated by societal norms, which, really are not out of the ordinary. What caught my attention is the two lines referring to control and a place of comfort. Which, is exactly what I think most individuals do; fall into a cycle of going nowhere. A place called no-man’s-land. A place where one isn’t really happy, but they’re not really unhappy enough to do anything about it. One sits in a rut, going through a life of mediocrity not getting uncomfortable to do anything about it. And to me, I think I struggle at times with the idea of doing something, knowing I’m falling into that rut. There is a tendency to get lost in our days of punching the clock, eating dinner, making plans with friends and family for the weekend, etc. Not that we all don’t fall into familiar patterns, but I think it is the patterns that enable us to maintain a status quo that become dangerous. Sitting in that place where we find comfort but not joy puts us into a kind of trance, a full-fledged rat race that keeps us struggling with the same thing every day. As a Christian, more specifically a person who longs to continue to build a stronger relationship with God, the biggest obstacle to get over in developing that relationship is that comfort zone. That area in life allows us to believe we’re on track and doing fine. Its not until we get out of the rut that we realize the difference. So if this world is one which in many ways promotes mediocrity, how is it that we continue to strive for greatness? How do we as individuals continue to create opportunity for ourselves? What do we do to keep us from being average? Not that average is a bad thing, that isn’t the issue at all, the issue is in the not knowing. Many “average people” are able to do great things with the tools they have. The question then seems to become: how do we wake up the average person? How can we open their eyes, encourage them to take the red pill, nudging them up out of the rut? How do we do that for ourselves? How do I personally get out of the rut I find myself in from time to time?

I think the answer is in action. It lies in doing. The foundation of seeking God first, creating and building the relationship which will foster further opportunity in life. Opening the eyes of non-believers and believers alike through example. During Jesus’ time, and shortly after when Paul was bringing new believers daily to God, the biggest and most contentious individuals were believers. That in itself should say a lot about the history of religion. Knowing that, understanding that we can get lost in “feeling in control” and “getting somewhere we know” is where we as human beings get lost within certain confines. We get so tied up in our current ideas and the ideas that have been impressed upon us, that we enable ourselves to get caught up daily.

As I go forward, it is my purpose to find ways to improve upon myself daily. That involves prayer, quiet time, exercise, community, and compassion & tolerance. I believe that we all hold a purpose, and I want to believe that each and everyone of us hold within us a purpose filled life. The challenge is finding ways to wake up that dormant purpose and make it something we all can act on consciously. I think we need to do that for each other. We need to do that for our brothers and sisters in Christ, and for those who have yet to find God. To encourage greatness in each other, to nourish accomplishment through servant leadership, and to continue to come to God humbly, transparent, and honest.

Rodrigo y Gabriela

I have to send props to my friend Julie for introducing me. Wow! Check these videos out and tell me you're not impressed. I dare you! And while you're at it, might as well find out if they're playing anywhere near you. I know they will be in denver in July, and I'm doing whatever I can to try and get there to see them!! enjoy.

big pimpin'

This has got to be a factor on why I like the acoustic guitar.

John Mayer

Took this video last year at the blues & brews. Found it on my computer. Enjoy...
notice that its snowing!

Blues & Brews 2007

Another year in the books, and another year at the blues and brews. And here I am, sitting here, soaking it all in. The party, the after party, the friends who could come and those who couldn't; thank you. And for all of you who have yet to experience this festival, maybe someday you will... its absolutely amazing. I can only hope that you all have the the chance to make the trip down here someday... and hopefully I can be here to experience it with you! The highlights this year: Los Lonely Boys, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Mofro, Eric Lindell, Keb Mo', The Black Crowes and Ana Popovic. They are in no particular order... and ask anyone else they may give you a different list, but for me, those artists made the festival worth it! Well, and few stories :)

One story worth noting, during the Black Crowes, a highly intoxicated gentleman (I use the term gentleman loosely) continued to tug on the fellow's jacket standing in front of him proclaiming that he couldn't stand there because he didn't have a clear view. Granted the drunkard was 5'5'' and the person standing in front of him was over 6'1'' so I can understand the drunk logic behind it. Now the 'heckling' went on for 45 minutes, which to his credit, the taller fella' exuded plenty of patience. Shortly after the concert started, a four-foot-nothing woman was dancing like a wild-woman in front of my dad, she somehow bumped the patient guy who had been doing his best to ignore the drunk guy behind him. At this point he turned and (literally) checked her into my dad with his forearm. After catching her, and propping her back onto her feet, looked at my dad, thanked him, and then resumed flailing about. The guy then turned to my dad and apologized for knocking the woman into him. Go figure. While all of this was going on, there was some guy behind my dad screaming over and over again to 'turn up the mic!" Granted, the sound system wasn't up to par, and we were having a hard time hearing Mr. Robinson's voice, but after 45 minutes, to continue to yell during and between every song... give me a break. At some point he leaned towards my father and yelled to him... "hey, tell them to turn up the mic.... pass it on!" My dad then leaned forward and to the guy's satisfaction appeared to pass the message forward. The head scratcher of the evening was the twelve kids, non of them in their teens, running around in front of the stage between the crowd and the band. Now this is a concert where marijuana is being passed around (among other drugs I'm sure), people are drinking heavily, and very clear not an environment for anyone under the legal drinking age, but for some reason, for half the concert, these kids were free to do as they wished. I mean... what's up with that?

So now, I'm sitting here in the Durango Airport. I've been bumped while the rest of my family has flown out to their respective destination.
I mean, what airline knowingly overbooks a flight? Whatever, I get a free ticket out of the deal! And when I do get home... make sure to come back and check out some of the photos!

Only a Man

I love this song. I can't stop listening to it. And well... a repost is in order. I hope you enjoy the lyrics as much as I do.

I used to live my life in fear, was worried all the time
From waking up to lying down, I had no peace of mind.
The world became a darkened place, a struggle without end
Although bitter times those were, the days that I became to understand
I was only a man

I grew up singing songs in church with questions in my mind
And turned my back and ran away from God who gave me light
Then one night, his presence fell, I wept and shook and then
I fell down and cried dear Jesus rescue me again
I understand I am only a man

And He said:

What will it be now?
Will you choose me or keep swimming upstream now?
I've been inside your head hearing you scream out
Well here I am just take my hand and
I'll take out all of the pain and all of the fear
All of the fear

I give you my burdens

I'll give you peace

All of my desires

I'll give you what you need.

And what about these chains Lord

I'll set you free

But they're so heavy

Lay them at my feet.

I'll lay them at Your feet
Just promise You won't leave

I'll never leave

So where do I go from here Lord?

Just follow me, Just follow me.

I'll follow You, wherever You lead
Wherever You lead..

Karma

karma

I swear, it must be karma.

Today, I got the opportunity to hear one of my favorite michael jackson songs hours before I expected to get up. How lucky am I?!?
Let me tell you...

It was a call to let me know that another store, not mine, was not open. Not only that, there was no one to be seen. No one who could open the doors anyway. So after a couple phone calls, I dragged myself out of bed, called my store to let them know I would be heading to another location... and off I went.

I walked into a mad-house. The keys were dropped in my hands with a "thanks" ...and the store was mine for a day. I look around, there are two employees, both new, both pretty green. I rushed back, put myself back into the computer and headed out into the madness. From about 7am to around 1:30 we were without any downtime, on top of it, I was in the process on scheduiling interviews, making drinks, brewing coffee, training, finding coverage for the afternoon, and lets not forget taking questions from my store. Essentially, I felt like I was on a tilt-a-whirl.

It was productive though. Through all of this, I got 4 people hired... one for my store, two for the mad-house, and one for another store. Found people to work for the day and the upcoming weekend... because the schedule had too many gaps to even try opening the store.

I walked out around 5pm.... looking back with a half smile, knowing i'm one more day closer.

I'm telling you... Karma.