Who’s ready for a ROCK SHOW!?

Here’s a list of some upcoming shows that I’m eager to see. Let me know if you want to come with. I mean, no one wants to go to a show alone, right?

Dawson Wells, Some Hot Chicks & Bob (myspace)
February 5, 2007 @ 8:00 p.m.
3rd & Lindsley – 818 3rd Ave. S; Nashville, TN
Cost: FREE

Lovers Electric (myspace) (video)
February 6, 2007 @ 8:00 p.m.
The Basement1 – 1604 8th Ave S; Nashville, TN
Cost: FREE

Lovedrug (myspace)
ACOUSTIC SHOW w/ Thornton & Will Holland
February 28, 2007 @ 9:00 p.m.
The Basement – 1604 8th Ave S; Nashville, TN
Cost: $5.00

mewithoutYou (myspace)
w/ Sparta and Aloha
March 18, 2007 @ 7:00 p.m.
Rockettown – 401 6th Avenue S; Nashville, TN
Cost: $13.00

death comesto matteson (myspace)
THIS IS A PLAY FEATURING THE LIVE MUSIC OF death comesto matteson
March 22 & 23, 2007 @ 8:00 p.m.
Public Theatre of Kentucky; Bowling Green, KY
Cost: TBA

You should come to any or all of them! It’ll be fun!

 

Frugality

I look up to my father in a lot of ways–one of them being his, umm, “frugality.” See, my dad isn’t what some people would call “cheap.” He just wants to get the most out of his hard-earned money–I mean, who doesn’t? The following is just one example of his frugalness.

As many of you know, Kroger has this promotion where if you spend $100 or more on groceries in a month with your Kroger Plus Card, you will receive 10 cents off per gallon the next time you fill up. Most people would just take their car the next time it needed fuel, get their discount, and let that be it. Not my father. No sir.

He waited until all three of our families vehicles were in need of a fill-up. So, we caravaned ourselves to the nearest Kroger, positioned all of the cars around the same pump, and he then proceeded to fill up every car on the same receipt so we could all benefit from the discount. We saved almost $5.00! That’s five Jr. Bacon Cheeseburgers from Wendy’s (plus tax)!

Does your dad do anything that cool? …ridiculous? :-)

 

Everybody’s doing it…

…SEA-DOO! Anyone else remember that commercial? …No? They used to play it all the time on The Weather Channel about 10 years ago? Still not ringing a bell? Hmph. Oh well.

I miss Opryland. Yes, “Opryland” still exists as a hotel and such, but I’m talking about the theme park. Most of you probably have no idea what I’m talking about. You see, before the evil Opry Mills existed, there stood a very decent theme park in it’s place. No, it wasn’t of Disney caliber, but it was way better than that sorry excuse for a Six Flags–Kentucky Kingdom.

Have you ever been sitting at work (or anywhere else) just going about your business when you suddenly realize that you have a big, dumb smile on your face? Not that there’s anything wrong with smiling, it’s just an odd thing to realize. I mean, you’re just sitting there thinking about something happy, but to everyone else there is no apparent reason for your smiling. Am I making any sense?

I remember that during my first few months of driving (when I had my learning permit) I was terrified of other cars on the road. I would take less-traveled roads just so I could avoid coming in contact with other vehicles. I’m totally comfortable now, but I’ve realized that we, as drivers, are way more trusting in others (and in God) than we may realize. Think about it… Why am I so comfortable going 55 MPH in a 2-ton box of steel, all the while, passing other 2-ton boxes of steel, going in the opposite direction, and coming within just a few feet of colliding with me? So, just remember, if you ever think that your faith in God has become weak, go for a drive.

I bought a book. I don’t read books often. It’s called “Before You Leap” by Kermit the Frog. It was in the “Self-Improvement” section at B&N. It’s pretty good so far. Did you know he was in the banjo club in high school? Oh, Kermy…

I did absolutely nothing today. I really should have done some laundry. Shoot.

 

Subtlety…

“It pays to be obvious, especially if you have a reputation for subtlety.” ~Isaac Asimov

 

Death Comesto Matteson

As many of you may or may not know, my favorite band is Death Comesto Matteson. Unfortunately, with a band name like that, many people are misled into thinking they are some sort of screamo or hardcore metal band. Those of you that have had the opportunity to see them perform know that this isn’t the case at all. So why the name? I’ll let a quote from Peter Matteson, the founder of the band, answer that question.

The following is an excerpt taken of an interview it the June 27, 2005 edition of the Nashville City Paper:

Why the name? Partly it’s because I am a Christian and a big part of that that I’m still figuring out is, there’s this Bible verse that says, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.” It’s taking that as a concept, trying every day to remember that there’s Peter Matteson the name and all the history that comes with it. And there’s the Peter Matteson that I can be today and remembering no matter what’s happened in the past, today is new and fresh and whether it’s good or bad, it’s still joy because it’s amazing to be alive and a human. … I think you kinda have to kill your dreams to some degree to find what they really should be.

Below are the lyrics for the song, “Fascists,” from their upcoming full-length album, “Ship of Fools, or Ship on Fire.”

Click here to listen to the song! (Right-click, “Save As…”)

All you fascists unite,
Around the flag of perfect hindsight,
And wake to find yourself alone.

Whether communist or catholic,
We’re infected with the sickness,
Of this green and dying world we call our home.

You may call it love,
In the name of pride,
Tell me what’s it gonna take
For you to face the guns tonight?

If you’re tired of losing face,
Put on your mask again,
And walk into the church with your head held high.

But the teacher in me,
Will go out to find some thieves,
And show them how to make everything alright.

You may call it love,
In the name of pride,
Tell me what’s it gonna take
For you to face the guns tonight?

Falling around the sun,
Finally I can see that
Flying is so much fun,
And we are all falling.

You may call it love,
In the name of pride,
Tell me what’s it gonna take
For you to face the guns tonight?

I hope this cleared up the misconceptions some of you may have had about my favorite band. Hopefully more of you will be willing to come along the next time a show comes around! (CD Release show in January anyone?) To hear more:

• http://www.myspace.com/deathcomestomatteson
• http://www.purevolume.com/deathcomestomatteson
• Just ask me!

 

Shooting Stars

As I was walking from the car to my front door moments ago, I happened to see a shooting star. “What a rare treat,” I thought. That is, until I saw four more in my short journey to the house! My dad happened to still be awake and I told him about what I saw, so we both went back outside to have another look. We ended up seeing about 10 more in the short time we were outside.

Apparently were in the midst of a meteor shower. Just another beautiful and awe-inspiring gift from God! The sky is so clear tonight that I lost myself in the sea of stars for a moment. So cool.

Oh, and yes, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t make a few wishes on said shooting stars. I hope they come true! ;-)

 

Sick and Voiceless…

I had a lot of fun rock climbing with my pals yesterday, but, as it turns out, it probably wasn’t the best thing to do when you’re sick. Those of you that saw me yesterday may remember how bad my voice sounded as the evening progressed.

Well, as of this morning, I’m feeling pretty darn crummy and basically have no voice to speak of whatsoever (ha, no pun intended). I didn’t know this was possible, but I can actually whisper LOUDER than if I try to speak normally.

I’m going to try and make a doctor’s appointment in the morning, that is if the person on the other end of the phone can understand me. It’s gonna be a pretty awkward and frustrating conversation if they can’t.