Relatively Random

I'd say this post in relatively random, not because it's during a random time or day (it is not a random day; it is Wednesday, just like always), but because the subject matter I will be addressing may seem to you like they are random. Some of these articles have been issues I have been contemplating for quite some time now, others- [laughs] -just came to my attention rather recently.


Dress Pant Cutoffs- I see jean cut-offs absolutely everywhere, even sold in stores (which I think is an absolute irony), and they are undoubtedly very popular. Now I don't want to sound [not sure what the word is], but in August 2008 (proof: link), I made my first pair of dress pant cut-offs. I highly recommend making a pair: be ready for extreme comfort. There is one problem, however. Dress pants are often times expensive, so, as a result, you may be wary of "cutting" a nice pair of pants. I'll suggest a solution with a story: today I took a trip to Goodwill and purchased a pair of comfortable dress pants for 99¢ and proceeded to make a nice pair of dress pant cut-offs.

"The Most Interesting Man In The World"- Absolutely brilliant advertising. I know it is advertising Dos Equis alcohol and do not support this, but as far as advertising goes, absolutely brilliant.



"His blood smells like cologne."
"He is a lover, not a fighter...but he is also a fighter, so don't get any ideas."
"If he were to mail a letter without postage, it would still get there."
"He once punched a magician...that's right, you heard me."

Stay thirsty my friends.

The significance of clapping- this has been an interesting topic of thought for me over the years. Yes, we know clapping signifies amazement, congratulations, and the like, but do really mean these things when we clap? For instance, when we clap for a song. Have you ever clapped slowly and without enthusiasm? Then you are not using the clap correctly. Sorry if that sounded harsh. I just think clapping has turned into a necessity instead of an emotion or symbol of enjoyment. Also, as a musician, clapping seems like it should be a sign of appreciation. If there was no clapping, would you feel offended? I think most of us would, except I don't think it should. It's kind of like a rating system. Clapping should be a reward. I really don't know where I'm going with this, and I'm not sure my spiel makes sense, but it makes sense to me. Writing thought is tough, especially when it is as philosophical as the significance of clapping.

Youtube- This one is pretty outdated, yet relevant (unless you participated). Before I left Simi weeks and weeks ago, I spent one night with a few buddies and we snacked at a few choice spots including Donut Time and Tutu's Ice Cream. I took video with my Creative Vado HD camera and now it is featured on this blog, imagine that:

THE DONUT


TRIP TO TUTU'S




RELEVANT:

As for me, this week has been great. Because I have been and will be home for less than a week, I decided to hang out with a different person or group of people everyday. I tried to hang out with as many buddies as possible, but because I was/will be home less than a week, a obviously missed people. So if that was you, I'm sorry. I will be home one more week all summer, so let me know if you want to hang out!

So on that note, I leave again tonight. The week my church, Simi Valley Community Church, is at Hume Lake, I will be on the same mountain at Hartland playing drums for high school camp. I am saddened because last year at Hume was so incredibly awesome; however, I know I have graduated and this year will be vastly different from last, so I am glad I am "trying something new" at Hartland. We learned this is economics, the situation is a trade-off. Hume is, don't get me wrong, an awesome place to be, but I think the benefits of playing drums at Hartland outweigh the benefits of going to Hume again by a nice margain.

That's enough of me. Enjoy your day.

Hartland : lotto text

So as you know, I was/am the drummer for the band Remember at Hartland Christian Camps for Junior High 1 and then for the last week of July for High School 1.

Going into the bands first week at Hartland, I had no idea what to expect, absolutely no idea. If you think about it- would you? How could you possibly know what it is like on “the other side of things” with out actually being there? Before going up to Dinuba the week before (it has been a while so this is almost a vintage story), my pop told me to pack 4 Sharpies and that the kids will fall in love with the band, as #1 fan falls in love with a celebrity. I didn’t believe him for two reasons: one: I thought bringing four sharpies for autographs was a bit overkill so I brought two as a compromise and two: being a regular attendee of Hume for most my life I knew that the band really were celebrities and with that, never seen in the “hang out” mode. I was right for half. EDIT: for explanation on my definition of "celebrity," check out the comments. If you have any doubt, read it.

I’m not really one hundred percent sure what to say from here on out. I could definitely highlight a few things, explain a few things, but no matter what I say, you, as the reader, will not get an accurate representation of the experience. I apologize in advance: sorry.

Here are a few “items:”

Over the week, our, as the band, objectives changed drastically. The week before, we focused primarily on music and our objectives as spiritual leaders to the campers. We determined we definitely did not want to be worshiping FOR the kids, but worshiping WITH the kids. We wanted to “perform” as if we were not there for the kids to watch. Now, with this, this part being my greatest concern prior to the week, where is the fine line that determines “worship through music” from “music concert?” I’d say a verdict was discovered: to have as much fun, on and off of stage, as possible. At first, I was wary. I was afraid it would turn the chapels into concert then speaker. After playing for the kids a week, I came to my own verdict: kids are wild. I thought about this a little bit: in order for us to have a good time and feel comfortable with other people, what needs to happen? We need to have similarities. So back to the “kids are wild” complex. If kids, naturally, are energetic and, may I say it, insane, then how should, in order to completely relate to the kids and create a comfortable atmosphere, the people on stage behave? WILD. You might think: this is making worship a concert! However, riddle me this: our “sound guy” Eric told us this the last morning of camp: he, in all his many and many years at Hartland has never seen the kids worship as genuinely as the final chapel of the week. He also told us there were a few visitors (this could really apply to anybody above junior high age) who were, at first, unable to appreciate the music and performance we put on. However, upon recognition of the campers in the crowd, the visitors recognized the genuinity of the worship and then (this blows me away) began overlooking their own specific preference and began worshiping themselves! God is good.

The cool thing about this whole experience is that it is only half done. The last week of July marks the second week of camp band for high schoolers. It is all up from here. We are not going to be “first timers” any longer. Call us “second timers.” All I can say is I’m pumped. I do not know how high schoolers will compare to junior highers, I guess we’ll have to wait and see. It will also be different because our female vocalist for JH1, Kailee Rodenbeck, will not be returning for the second week. We did know this in advance, but, nevertheless, it is sad for not only her, but the band as well.

EDIT:Nevertheless, our mission will be the same: to honor God in everything we do. Like I said, we want to worship with the kids, be part of their walk with Christ, and be an accurate imitation of Christ. This is, at least it is mine, a goal I will strive for.






See what happens.

GASP

So this next Wednesday will be the first Wednesday arguably ever I will not have a new post. This is because I will not have internet access for a week, so, as a friend, do you understand? I hope you do and I hope, maybe, you take a trip to yesteryear and read maybe earlier posts, maybe 6+ months back or somethin', you gnow whut I say'n?

Practice makes perfect

Ok, I do not know how much time I have so we'll have to play it by ear. This week I am away. As you may have read last week (if you haven't, go read...just scroll down a little bit and read), I am playing drums in a band at Heartland Christian camps next week and two weeks after that. SO, this week, I am practicing with the band so we sound like we are a band, make sense? Let me tell you, it's going to be rockin' without a doubt. We are changing up the songs to make it ours (like adding post-hardcore breakdowns) and I'm pumped to be playing this stuff! It's a good time here. Most days I work with my cuz Mr. Micah Hiett trimmin' trees or haulin' fruit or sweatin' more than I have in the last year or fixin' overflowed toilets that leak through the ceiling and send a stench of mildew to our place of sleep. Then we head over to the Laemmlen's to practice in this pad with some unbelievable gear. It's hard to explain through text as you are not here to see it and I do not have a photo and, as you know, pictures are worth AT LEAST one thousand words. You know how that is.

I'm in kind of a dilemma. I want to explain some of the events that have happened here but it may be in vain. It may be easier to explain some of the events that have happened here in person, rather than attempting to explain some of the events that have happened here through text. I'll give you one event

So for the Heartland gig, we (the band) borrowed a whole lot of equipment from this guy Mr. Rick Robbins. In return, we were "asked" to help him set up a gig he was doing for two weeks for a Celebration Church camp in Sonora, CA. Let me tell you, it was the whole shebang. Two phat light rigs piled high with automated lights. Four subwoofer boxes each with two 18" subs read to rock. The list goes on. Basically, a sound system that will "blow your face off." Incredible. Anyway, we need to drive there so we begin driving. Long story short and four stops later, a little-less-than-three-hour trip took a little-more-than-five-hours. AND, to add to the suspense, I was riding with Mr. Dustin Laemmlen, and, in 114 degree heat, our air conditioner would go out pretty consistently every twenty minutes, AND, as we drove, the Volvo we were driving in would overheat, SO there we were, 114 degree heat, heater blasted, windows yanked down, shirts down, panting like dogs. It was quite the trip.

I really don't have time to add much more so I'll leave with this. I hope you are having a good day today. You must not be too busy because you have time to read this. I always have a business problem but the thing is I find time to do what I do. I guess you could call it priorities and motivation...time management per se. Anyway, please enjoy this time you have. Time is of the essence. Enjoy every second of everyday with no regrets. Hear hear!