Random, Contempletive

Proof that the University of Michigan produces the best NFL talent. period.

2011-09-09T11:28:00.003-04:00

Take pride, Lloyd Carr: No draft class in college history has produced the type of contracts that Michigan's Class of 2007 has.
This summer alone, former first-round pick Leon Hall signed a four-year, $39 million extension with the Bengals; former second-round pick LaMarr Woodley signed a six-year, $61.5 million extension with the Steelers; former second-round pick David Harris signed a four-year, $36 million extension with the Jets; former second-round pick Alan Branch signed a two-year, $9 million deal with the Seahawks; and former fifth-round pick Steve Breaston signed a five-year, $20 million deal with the Chiefs.
All together, Michigan's draft class of 2007 earned $165.5 million worth of contracts this summer.

my proposal to make the NFL and it's playoff system better

2011-01-15T17:28:00.003-05:00

Not that I don't love the NFL or that I don't think the playoffs are great... I LOVE them. both. I love the races at the end of the season, knowing that some teams, in the last 2 or 3 games, MUST win to have a chance to get there... so at this point for them, every game is, in it's own sense, a playoff game for them... and they play like there's no tomorrow... this is what makes the game so great...

and this is the aspect my proposal takes off from...

There are 16 weeks in the NFL regular season. There are now reports that the league is looking to move to 18 regular season games. The players are not excited about this for several reasons, the most important being that there will be two more games of regular wear-and-tear on their bodies and also, their salaries remain the same.. but for two more games, witch diminishes each game check. My proposal eliminates all of this and also makes everything about the league and the playoff race even more exciting.

The proposal:

Make the regular season 14 games (15 weeks with one bye for each team, playing each divisional opponent once). Throughout the entire season, teams are playing for seedings and home-field advantage in the new playoff system. The first round of playoffs would start in week 16 (after 14 games for each team) with EVERY TEAM in the tournament. The first two rounds of the playoffs will be inter-divisional based on divisional seedings (1 vs. 4, 2 vs 3 and winner vs. winner in the second round). This will decide the division champions. Once the division champions are decided, these teams will be re-seeded based upon their regular season records and will determine the match-ups for the next two rounds of the playoffs. At the outset of each round, seedings will determine match-ups and home field, just like they do in the current playoff system with the Super Bowl being the final game: AFC champ vs. NCF champ.

In this format, every team has a chance... if you're a team that gets hot at the right time you could shake up the entire picture. And the regular season is not all for naught... you play for your division, seedings and home-field in the playoffs. This would also appease those who want to make the regular season longer with a longer playoff system.

boom.

So, you want to be the next Michigan football coach?

2011-01-06T09:56:00.002-05:00

Perhaps there's a lesson to others in Michigan's woes: If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere.

You want to be the coach to restore honor? Fine. But there's a long list of stringent requirements and preferences, so you might want to make sure you're qualified to be a Michigan man.

1. The only color you hate worse than scarlet is gray.

2. You promise to ask yourself at least once each day: What would Bo do?

3. You must be able to correctly spell Bennie Oosterbaan.

4. You believe whoever dots the "i" in Script Ohio should go on the TSA terrorist watch list.

5. You know all the words to "Victors" and can satisfactorily explain why the last line of a song about winning the Big Ten goes, "the champions of the West." You also won't mind when the band plays it 68 times on any given Saturday.

6. If you consider Legends and Leaders to be goofy titles for the new Big Ten divisions, you'll keep it to yourself.

7. You consider the three most pressing problems facing the nation to be the economy, the war and the seven-game losing streak to Ohio State. You're just not sure of the order.

8. It doesn't matter where you coached last, so long as you two don't end up in court.

9. You have never bought any memorabilia from Terrelle Pryor.

10. You agree that the only place Michigan is supposed to give up 52 points in a game in January is at the basketball arena.

11. You voted for former Wolverine Gerald Ford for president.

12. You wouldn't be caught dead coaching in a vest.

13. If you commit any violations, they will be for overtime parking.

14. You know at least three good Michigan State jokes.

15. You are willing to agree to the following contract clause: You can be terminated for moral turpitude, felony conviction or if Michigan ever loses to Toledo again.

16. You can't understand why the 100-24 combined score of the past three losses to Ohio State has not been declared a disaster area by the governor.

17. You have always been under the impression that the Seven Wonders of the World included the Big House.

18. You won't mind that half your fan base wishes you were Jim Harbaugh.

19. Your game plan will not be based on the premise that if your offense scores 40, you might have a chance to win.

20.. When you were a kid, you thought your dream date was either Raquel Welch or Ann Arbor.

21. You can explain in terms easily understood by the layman why the devil reincarnate is among us and goes by the alias Jim Tressel.

22. You think Olentangy is a silly name for a river.

23. When you need a good stiff drink at home, you pour it into a Little Brown Jug.

24. All you want is a program your helmets can be proud of.

25. You will fill your staff only with coaches old enough to remember the last time Michigan beat Ohio State.

*(courtesy of USA Today)

what's so amazing about grace?

2010-07-30T16:04:00.000-04:00

it's waking up every morning, knowing that the air you're about to breathe is a gift from God.
it's taking one step at a time, understanding that God's path for me is anointed and ordained.
it's seeing four walls around me and a roof over my head and suddenly realizing my perspective of life is not like those less-fortunate.
it's going to work and realizing that I am one of the lucky ones able to provide for my family.
it's having food in front of me three times a day, but understanding that it's only my Savior that sustains me.
it's looking into the eyes of my beautiful wife knowing I never should have done this well!
it's seeing my friends who have been infected with this grace line up one after the other, ready to serve for the greater good of God's kingdom.
it's being completely humbled by looking my sin straight in the face, knowing that what I deserve is eternity in Hell.
it's understanding that the beauty God put in nature and on this earth is only a glimpse of what He is truly capable of.
it's watching my son being born, seeing how perfect he is in every way, knowing that I have done absolutely nothing to deserve to be a part of this miracle.
it's looking in his baby eyes every day that reminds me that if God's grace is for me, then it is for everyone. I don't deserve any blessing I have ever received on this earth, but I will let it be known that it is only by His grace I am blessed at all.
I love you Jesus.

wait 'til next year boys.

2010-07-28T18:14:00.000-04:00

Last week, the Tigers were a flawed team that still had a chance in a forgiving division.

This week, they're just a flawed team.

Their lineup, minus Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge, isn't close to being good enough. Their rotation, beyond aceJustin Verlander, isn't close to being consistent enough. Their bullpen, after losing Bobby Seay and Zach Miner this spring and Joel Zumaya at midseason, isn't close to being deep enough and experienced enough to make up for the other problems.

Yes, it's true, the Tigers are still just three games out of first place. But it's also true that Matt Garza's Monday night no-hitter tells you a lot more about where the Tigers are right now than the standings do.

And that's why, after being one of the more active teams in the weeks leading up to this Saturday's non-waiver deadline, the Tigers could end up being one of the quieter teams at the deadline itself. That's why, if the Tigers make a move at all -- and sources said they're still looking hard -- it will almost definitely be made with at least one eye on 2011.

That's why, despite being a team that always likes to go for it right now, the Tigers of this July should be a team that's all about next year.

The rest of this year could be painful to watch, but the payoff in 2011 could make up for it. The Tigers already figured to be one of teams with the most money to spend this winter, and now that Ordonez's $15 million vesting option won't kick in, they'll have even more.

With Miguel Cabrera in the middle of their lineup, Verlander atop their rotation, Jose Valverde at the end of the bullpen and perhaps $60 million to fill out the roster, the Tigers could turn themselves into a division favorite -- or more than that -- by next spring.

The players they don't trade away this week could be the ones who help them win next year. Or, they could be the trading chips needed next July, when the right move really could help.

Remember, the Tigers were always focused on 2011 and beyond, because so many bad contracts come off their books after 2010. They went into this year thinking that they'd have a chance if everything fell just right, but that they'd also have set themselves up to be a potential powerhouse team next year.

So for three months, enough went right that the Tigers stayed in the race. For three months, they looked good enough to think that maybe a July trade could make the difference -- this year.

The Tigers looked at starting pitchers like Dan Haren. They looked at relievers like Scott Downs. They looked at hitters like Adam Dunn and Mike Lowell.

They were everywhere, and they seemed to be in (at least to some extent) on everyone.

And that was fine, as long as not much more went wrong.

Well, you know what, more did go wrong. Ordonez broke his leg, and Guillen was hurt, too. A lineup that was already weak now looks like Cabrera and a bunch of kids and fringe players.

Would the Tigers have won, even with a healthy Ordonez, and even with a helpful trade at the deadline?

We'll never know, but it's pretty clear that they won't win now, and that general manager Dave Dombrowski couldn't make enough moves to fill all the holes, even if he wanted to.

It could be that the Ordonez injury helps the Tigers long-term. It could be what keeps them from dealing for a rental player who may or may not have helped, while at the same time giving them more money to spend for when they'll have a much better chance of winning.

The Tigers like Ordonez, and they may well try to re-sign him. But it won't be for anything close to $15 million, because 37-year-old outfielders who hit 12 home runs in 84 games (as Ordonez has this year) command less than half that in today's market.

In any case, that decision will come later. The decision to be made this week is much simpler.

If the Tigers can make a move that helps them in 2011, go ahead and do it. If they can't, forget it.

And if it means there are more nights in the coming weeks where the Tigers look as bad as they did against Garza on Monday, so be it.

There's a real chance that the coming years will make up for it.

-article by Danny Knobbler - CBS sports

History Says Matt Stafford To Calvin Johnson Will Explode This Year

2010-06-19T16:11:00.000-04:00

See that smile?

Maybe he knows what we should all know.

While doing some research on my last article—where I compared how the Detroit Lions added players in their first two years of Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts, Donovan McNabb and the Philadelphia Eagles, and Drew Bledsoe with the New England Patriots among other teams—I stumbled across something that might be exciting to see unfold.

While Dallas and Indy both rebuilt around a No. 1 overall pick at quarterback with Troy Aikman and Manning, both teams had a young wide receiver on the team already with Michael Irvin and Marvin Harrison, respectively.

In both cases, when they paired up with the QB, they formed a Hall of Fame duo, but neither WR had distinguished themselves before they had an entire offseason to work with the quarterback.

Let's look at the Dallas situation first.

Irvin was drafted the year before Aikman and head coach Jimmy Johnson came on board, and had a decent rookie season with 32 receptions for 654 yards and five TDs, while starting 10 games.

He was headed toward another decent season in his second year and Aikman's rookie season, when he was injured after six games and out for the season. His stats were six games, 26 receptions, 378 yards, and two TDs.

That's a pace of around 70 receptions, 1,000 yards, and five TDs. Another decent year but nothing really special.

In that offseason, Irvin was still recovering from injuries and didn't get the chance to work with Aikman in his first full offseason.

In his third and Aikman's second season Irvin ended up with only seven starts and 20 receptions. Kind of a lost season for the duo, maybe the "white house" wasn't the best rehab location for "the playmaker."

After that season things changed dramatically. Irvin and Aikman had an offseason to work together and it showed the next season when they teamed up for 93 receptions, 1,523 yards, eight TDs, and Pro Bowl berths for both.

More importantly, it was a return to the playoffs for Dallas where they beat the Chicago Bears only to be crushed by the Lions.

Crushed by the Lions in the playoffs.

That wasn't a mistake typing it twice, I just liked the way it sounded. Of course, they had a QB and we didn't so things changed a little after that game, but it sure was nice when it happened.

Know what? I don't think you guys will mind so I'm going to say it again.

The Cowboys were destroyed by the Lions with Eric Kramer at QB, and the threat of Barry Sanders behind him, 38-6.

Man that felt good.

Anyway, back to our feature.

Irvin and Aikman never looked back, that 93-reception and 1,523-yard season parlayed into five consecutive Pro Bowls and a Hall of Fame career for Irvin.

Oh yeah, three championships in four years, too.

With the Colts, Marvin Harrison was a two-year veteran with a couple of decent years when they drafted Manning.

With an average of 69 receptions and 851 yards in those two years he was an established NFL wide receiver, but he wasn't making any travel plans to Hawaii at the end of the year.

In Manning's rookie season, Harrison came up with 59 receptions for 775 yards and seven TDs.

Of course, he missed four games with injury.

Is this stuff starting to sound familiar?

Young WRs who were good, but not great before the QB got there.

Both WRs injured during the QB's rookie season?

Are we ringing any bells yet?

So what did Harrison and Manning team up for after they had a full offseason to work together?

How about 115 receptions, 1,663 yards, and 12 TDs.

That was the first of eight consecutive Pro Bowls for Harrison, and what should be a future bust in Canton, Ohio.

Are we seeing a connection here?

The young QB had that time to build a relationship with the WR and things just explode.

Think this was just two examples?

Check out Johnny Unitas and Raymond Berry, if you want a little history lesson. Even Joe Montana and Dwight Clark, though Clark doesn't deserve to be in this discussion of great WRs.

Though the roles were reversed with David Carr and Andre Johnson, it wasn't until they had that offseason together that things clicked.

It's not just WRs though, Bledsoe and the tight end Ben Coates did the same thing—decent in the QB's rookie year, but give them an offseason to work together and things just click.

With the Eagles, tight end Chad Lewis went from 20 total receptions in his first two years to 69 receptions and a Pro Bowl berth in McNabb's second year.

By the way, both Dallas and Indianapolis had tight ends step up in the second year for them, too. Jay Novacek went from a previous career-high of 39 receptions to 59 in Aikman's second year, while Ken Dilger and Marcus Pollard picked it up nicely for Manning.

Another coincidence was both the Colts and Cowboys added a first-round pick running back in year two of the Aikman and Manning eras—hmmm.

But this was suppose to be about how top QB and WR duos have formed, and it's pretty obvious that they need a good offseason's work first.

Neither team made a significant change at the other WR spot to free up their guy. It was simply building that chemistry that did the trick.

Some people are starting to question Calvin Johnson a bit, just how good he is after all. But they were asking the same questions about Irvin and Harrison at one time, and things turned out pretty good for them.

I got a feeling that Johnson will be just fine for the Lions and history says that starts this year.

-Blue in Greer

my personal wet burrito recipe

2010-03-13T12:12:00.000-05:00

I made these from scratch last night and they really turned out good!

take boneless chicken breasts and cut them into small cubes. meanwhile, in a frying pan on medium heat put in vegetable oil, diced onions, crushed red pepper (eliminate this if you don't like it spicy!), about a tablespoon of mild jalapeno tabasco sauce (this is more flavorful than hot, i promise) and basil. when this gets to a simmer, put in the chicken cubes and add salt and pepper. when they are cooked through, put a lid on the pan and cook on low for 30 minutes, stir occasionally.

i added black beans (drained) for the last 10 minutes as well to this mix.
use a strainer to get the chicken, onions and beans separated from the juice. save the juice.

okay, for the red sauce.. simple.... two cans of red enchilada sauce + I mixed in about half of the juice from the chicken mixture and stirred it in. this really adds some good flavor!

inside the burritos i put the chicken/black bean/onions in, then i added cooked white rice and mex-mix shredded cheese. i placed the burritos in a 9x13 (with some non-stick spray), drenched them with the sauce, and put more shredded cheese on top of the sauce. 30 minutes at 400.
once out, i added a bit more shredded cheese and chopped scallions on the top.
my sides were refried beans, spanish rice, sour cream, chopped lettuce and diced tomato!

i know this is really different from any other wet burrito recipe, but i just went with my gut and it turned out really good!! it takes some time to do all of it but it was so worth it!!!
let me know if you try it...

some good thoughts I've heard recently...

2010-02-01T16:51:00.002-05:00

When life hits those really dark, painful moments is when CHRIST will bring stability. God can't love you anymore because he loves you fully. God can't be any closer because he's already drawn near. God has not walked away from you, even if you've walked away from Him... He continually pursues you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. You're not alone. FAITH is believing during these dark, painful moments. Jesus IS here, Jesus DOES know, Jesus DOES care Jesus WILL help. To believe all of that does not take away the pain, the suffering, the trials... but what it does do is take away the loneliness, the hopelessness, and the fear. In these situations, not only do you need Jesus, you need people around you who love Jesus that they can love you and encourage you and speak truthfully to you... People who will weep when you weep, rejoice when you rejoice as God does with you... God said in Genesis "it is not good to be alone." The new covenant says we're reconciled to God through Jesus so we're not alone.. we're also reconciled to His people... We're Christians AND the church... this offers love, support, encouragement and hope... we carry each other's burdens (Galatians 6)...

welcome October

2009-10-02T16:12:00.000-04:00

I love this month.

Football: in full swing
Hockey: Just getting started
Basball: playoffs baby
Trees: changing colors
Jackets: I get to wear them

... another consolation is that my birthday is on the 5th... not quite as exciting as that used to be... I'll be 30 this year.

Reading that last sentence is just weird. I can't believe I'm that old already. I guess I always thought that I'd perpetually be in my 20's with little responsibility and virtually no accountability... those were the days..

Now I'm married with several responsibilities... but the funny thing is, I'd never go back. I am blessed beyond what I had ever imagined.

I love this month and I love my life!

perfect...

2009-07-25T09:29:00.002-04:00

I am far from it. I keep learning that more and more every day. Despite this fact, I'm beginning to love mornings. Not because I am a morning person (there is little hope for me there), but because I can wake up and be fully drenched in God's mercies... I love it.

There is something about being still. I think David and the other authors of the Psalms hit it right on the head when you see a little caption that looks like this: Selah

I never really understood what this truly meant until I intentionally practiced sitting and doing nothing, but reflect and let God speak into my heart. There is nothing that recharges me more than this. My soul is at peace... even when my surroundings are in turmoil, I still have the morning to look forward to.

my poor, neglected blog

2009-07-13T10:05:00.003-04:00

Ever since the insurgence of 'facebook' I have rarely posted here... I think most of my once-loyal followers have long since retired from checking this here blog...
I'm sorry random, contemplative.. it's not you, it's me.
You have always been here waiting for me like a faithful, golden retriever... (sigh)

perhaps I'll blog again.
perhaps the millions of followers will once again, someday, see our relationship blossom.

goodbye my LOOOOOOOOOOVVVVEE!!!!

movie critic's corner

2009-06-20T10:43:00.005-04:00

A few nights ago my wife and I rented the movie 'Taken'. I was really looking forward to viewing this film seeing that I am a HUGE fan of 'revenge' movies.

For those of you who are not familiar with this film, let me lay out the basic plot: Liam Neeson (the father figure), reluctantly allows his 17 year-old daughter to travel around Europe with her 19 year-old female friend. Neeson plays a former government operative who has seen too much in his time to feel easy about his daughter's summer plans. Upon her arrival to Paris, such said daughter and friend are kidnapped by unseen assailants, who are involved with trafficking, which puts into motion a well-equipped, knowledgeable yet vengeful father who then takes justice into his own hands.

Now the basic plot of this film had a sense of 'realism' to it. I say this because kidnappings REALLY happen... Human trafficking REALLY happens... and heroic acts to stop these tragedies REALLY happen... With this being said, my expectations were leaning toward a 'realistic' story line. That expectation was sadly unfulfilled due to the 'fantasy' elements that were thrown into the film.

Let me expand on my point by pointing out two very similar, yet different movies... Similar because they are both 'revenge' movies, but different due to 'realism' vs. 'fantasy'.

Movie #1: "Man On Fire" - This movie leans towards 'realism' based on these factors: It was shot in Mexico City, a real place. The film also let you feel, very clearly, that it was taking place in present day. The story line (like 'Taken') includes a former agent (Denzel Washington) who's past and mental scars are unclear, a kidnapping, parents feeling real pain, corrupt law enforcement and a seemingly impossible mission. Washington's character bleeds, hurts, fails, emits emotion from all ends of the 'emotion spectrum'... he is not invincible and ultimately, he does NOT complete ALL aspects of what he sets out to do, but gets done what he needs to get done... by any means possible. Even at his own demise. It made me feel like this story line could actually happen.

Real.

Movie #2: "Payback" - This movie leans towards 'fantasy'. Like the previous two films mentioned above, the main character (Mel Gibson) is motivated by 'something' to get 'what's his'. The films 'Taken' and 'Man On Fire' use human motivation which triggers a more emotional pull on the audience. 'Payback' uses a large sum of money as motivation. Also, the city that the film takes place in is ambiguous, Gibson's character cheats death multiple times and the audience can't relate to the characters because they are written in to stereotypes (ie: mobsters, hookers, assassins, etc.)

Fantasy.

Now back to 'Taken'. The plot elements were 'real-life' and emotionally tugging much like 'Man On Fire', but Neeson's character was all fantasy. He didn't bleed, didn't feel pain, cheated death... all the fantastic qualities you would find in 'Payback'.

Saying all this leaves me to conclude that I wish the director would have chosen one or the other. Fantasy or Realism. Not both. The two elements didn't get along too well in my opinion.

I give this film a 6 out of 10. A great story line with mediocre acting at best. Rent it. Don't buy it.

the end.

Jericho Road Church LAUNCH!!

2009-06-04T11:03:00.001-04:00

This Sunday night we are launching our church services! it's at 2411 Hall Rd (Cancun Connection) right next to Love INC
-Take Apple Ave. east, Left on Sheridan, right on Hall, second building on the right.

Join us for a great time at 5:30 PM!!!

I have a new neice

2009-05-07T17:16:00.003-04:00

jake comes to work with me...

2009-05-06T07:28:00.001-04:00

I think he gets more done than I do there... he's definately busy!

Happy (Late) Easter!

2009-04-20T19:12:00.003-04:00

Acts 2:42-47

2009-03-17T22:23:00.005-04:00

We are planting a church! Our Bible study has been meeting for about ten weeks.. we have seen God move and act in awesome ways during this time and look forward to see how He will continue to use us. This community longs to be what Acts 2 states. More people have been coming each week and it has been convincingly clear to us that God is calling us to this unbelievable privilege!

Feel free to come see what God is doing... We meet on Saturday nights for now (until we lauch, hopefully in the fall) at 6pm at 1683 E. Oakdale, 49444 (otherwise known as Wagenmaker Greenhouses). If nothing else pray for God's wisdom for our leadership team! And if you have any sweet church name ideas, now is the time to give your input.

(:

"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved."

#271

2009-02-08T19:50:00.003-05:00

Dave Matthews has written a few songs with numbers as titles... I think the numbers represent the sequential order of which they were written... thus post 271.

I'm no Dave. So call my title to this post unoriginal. I've decided that there is nothing much original anymore... especially in music. Let me at this time quote the Barenaked Ladies: "It's all been done"

I'm convinced that the only thing that's original anymore is video games. I was playing Madden '09 on xbox 360 last night and could not concentrate on actually controlling the game play because I was so enamored by the graphics. I saw a commercial for the gears of war video game and thought I was watching real footage for a second... then I saw some robots or aliens or something and realized it was otherwise.

I watched the movie The Rocker the other night. Horrible. Completely supports my claim here...

I really don't know where I'm going with all this... I think I just wanted to rant... I was in the mood.

hooray for a new post.

2009-01-20T13:40:00.002-05:00

Hey all... sorry these are so few and far between these days.... it's rare I find time to have internet, and when I do it's usually occupied by catching up on email, facebook and myspace messages so this gets neglected...

so many things have been happening in my life... too many to mention right now, but a few highlights to point out..

* I'm quitting my job at the buckle and will be working in the greenhouses this fall again... this will be good knowing that I'll have my evenings free to spend with my family.

* As my wife mentioned in her blog, a vagabond named Justin is living in our basement right now... he has been a blessing and huge encouragement... we've had many good dialogues and I look forward to see what God is going to do in his life.

* God is continuing to work in my heart with the situation of my brother-in-law Jerry. What the enemy means for evil, God uses for His glory... and I am learning more what that means every day.

Don't give up on my blog ye faithful readers... I'll be back in full-force before you know it!

deck the halls.

2008-12-24T20:29:00.001-05:00

It's been more than five weeks... sorry.... merry christmas to all...

I hope to have internet someday again friends...

per carl's request...

2008-11-16T13:17:00.000-05:00

enjoy.

double bummer

2008-11-02T18:17:00.001-05:00

Bummer 1: I have no internet
Bummer 2: I am selling my computer, so my posts may be fewer and farther between for this season of my life...

sorry blog world.

it's been a while....

2008-10-10T11:11:00.001-04:00

and it may be even longer...
I don't have internet at my house so posts are few and far between....

sorry blog world.

perhaps someday I can be more faithful.

update:

2008-09-07T17:58:00.002-04:00

I found my ring... I'm not taking my eyes off it.

and football is back... I'm loving that.. and the fact that somehow my 15 dollar a month basic cable package includes ESPN and ESPN2.... score.

life is good.

2008-09-02T11:46:00.004-04:00

so a couple of stories for you from the last 9 days or so...
my wedding day:
about 11:30 am I start having back pains... I was golfing so I thought I threw out my back on my approach on the 9th hole. After 45 minutes or so of the pain growing greater and becoming increasingly uncomfortable, I notice my lower, right abdomen in great discomfort and pain as well... thinking my appendix will surely rupture at any second, I summon two friends (who were helping set up for the reception) to bring me to the nearest emergency room.... long story short: I had a kidney stone, passed it, made it to the chapel 45 minutes prior to wedding time, got hitched, the rest is history... good times, good story for the long haul..

fast-forward to last night:
I'm up at my dad's playing in the water with Andrew and David... we we're wrestling around and one of them accidentally pulls my wedding ring off in about 5 foot of mucky water... so... it's gone... if anyone knows a scuba-diver or has an under-water metal detector, please get a hold of me... I'm pretty bummed about it.

but besides that, married life has been pretty amazing... my wife packs me a lunch everyday for work, scratches my back, waters the flowers, etc. etc...

not everyone is this lucky...

I hope you enjoyed this segment of story time with uncle eric...

whew!

2008-08-26T17:25:00.002-04:00

how many times can you say thank you to someone (or multiple someone's) before you just start sounding annoying?
there were so many people who chipped in on this amazing, magical, perfect day. thank you, again, to all of you...
we love you so much... you know who you are!

I will post more later, but I've been really busy 'baking cookies'

yikes

2008-08-21T11:07:00.002-04:00

I'm getting married on saturday.... I'm really excited... PLEASE, for those of you who read this, pray pray pray for good weather... our reception is outdoors!!! It's calling for scattered showers as of now and I know God is bigger than a weather forecast!! thanks!!

my next post will be from the other side... marriage!!!

photo number 3

2008-08-13T21:43:00.001-04:00

if you can guess this, you get two points....

as it stands:

Nick: 1
Jerry: 1/2

I'm

2008-07-26T12:15:00.003-04:00

getting married in 28 days

wow.
(:

photo number 2

2008-07-21T20:30:00.003-04:00

where am I?

time for a game...

2008-07-06T00:28:00.003-04:00

...about a year and a half ago, I did a picture game on my blog and I want to play it again... I'm going to post random pictures of things I see throughout my day... the first one to guess what it is and where it is at gets a point (must be specific) and the winner at the end of the game gets a really neat-o prize! (sorry Jenn, you can't play because you'll know them all, but I love you the most so it's okay)
okay... so here's picture number one...

one more new song posted!

2008-07-03T22:00:00.002-04:00

"The Solid Rock" [play]

my apologies...

2008-07-02T00:38:00.003-04:00

...to the little finch who's nest I had to dig out of the vent in my attic...
don't take it personally.

250 posts

2008-07-01T01:00:00.003-04:00

...dang...

it's july 2008... I can't believe I'm less then two months away from my wedding day... I've been single for 28 years and now everything changes... I can't wait!

It's been quite a journey this life of mine... so much has happened.

so much has changed.

I'm so grateful for my family, good friends, my faith, a good cup of coffee, my job, my beautiful, soon-to-be wife, green grass, the sunshine, the summer months, damien rice, my brother's new lip ring... wait... sorry mom... not sure if you knew about this one.

it's been a busy season planning a wedding, working full-time, etc... I've missed the friends I've lost touch with over this season... I do want to connect with you all as soon as humanly possible... know that I think of you often.

my words for the month are:

-passion
-compassion
-selflessnes
-patience

pray with me that I can live these words...

worship endeavors...

2008-06-10T00:33:00.002-04:00

I've recorded a new song...

I didn't write it....

but I like it so much, I recorded my own version of it...
check it out!!! (it's the first one that plays)

this is an attempt to land some more worship gigs...

it's not every year...

2008-06-04T23:28:00.002-04:00

that you can celebrate like this...

planning a wedding...

2008-05-29T19:00:00.003-04:00

...takes more time than I ever could have imagined!

But

it's coming together... and it's been a fun ride. My favorite part is that Jenni loves all my ideas (:
It's going to be a fun, fun weekend when it finally gets here!

mmm... can't wait to have this everyday!

I'm going to be a part of a whole new family

2008-05-17T23:53:00.003-04:00

OKAY

2008-05-14T18:13:00.002-04:00

I know I said footage of the proposal is coming soon, but I've been way too busy... so here is a post with no footage... but none-the-less, a post.
So, I've been leading worship around Michigan with some really solid musicians at different camps, retreats, church's, etc... and now it's been a few weeks since we've played out... I'm really beginning to realize that I need to be a worship leader... I don't really know what that means exactly.. whether that means on staff at a church, or if it means at camps and events like we've been doing...
I know that I come alive when I'm a part of this... It's so emotional for me... something happens... the stars align... everything is right within me and around me for those moments that I'm using what God has given me and inviting others into the throne room of the Almighty.
I don't know where this is all going, I just know I need to be a part of it.

a marriage proposal...

2008-04-20T23:24:00.007-04:00

should be well planned...

Limo: check
Treasure Map: check
Roses: check
Massage: check
Manicure: check
Write her a song: check
Have her sister's in on the surprise: check
Have families waiting and cheering: check

I will post some video footage soon, but just know that it was a magical day... (:
and she said yes...

I have mice in my house...

2008-03-29T17:04:00.002-04:00

so I've hired an exterminator...

I pay him in cat chow, litter, and good company.

his name is Ninja Turtles... thanks to Josh.

mmm...

2008-03-24T23:22:00.003-04:00

eye game

2008-03-18T23:57:00.004-04:00

There is something wrong with one of these pictures... can you figure out which one doesn't belong?

another week begins...

2008-03-17T07:43:00.000-04:00

I'm confident it will be a GREAT one.

abolition

2008-03-11T22:57:00.002-04:00

I can't believe how perverse our world is... it is so perverse that even Christians have become numb to so much of it. I can't believe what I see Christians doing, watching, saying, allowing into their lives and homes etc... it starts with one compromise which leads to another which leads to another and so on... there is no filter... and after a while we become numb to the conviction of the Holy Spirit and find ourselves slaves to sin and ensnared in something the world has told us is okay. I am beginning to have no tolerance for compromise... it has affected me so closely this week that I refuse to have it be near me... I don't want a 'middle of the road' lifestyle and am ready to call people out who are living there... I firmly believe that we Christians were called to a higher standard and we need to just flat out destroy any trace of compromise... this compromise, this perversity, this numbness within people who claim to be 'followers of Christ' has ruined my day for the last time... the results of it has thrown such a wrench into my world that I want to puke...
it's dirty, filthy, ugly sin... we need to eliminate this detrimental disease... it hurts way too much.

it's time for me to re-think

2008-03-10T17:41:00.002-04:00

I'm pondering lately what God intended 'the church' to be... I see so much pain, heartache and grief caused by churches and people within the church causing people in ministry to say "I've had enough." I see bitterness, betrayal and hypocrisy. I see a multitude of sinners casting stones, thinking they're standing for the cause of justice... but at the cost of grace and integrity. Surely this is not what God intended... there is a place for someone to say that this is the result of a broken world and sin infesting itself among the saints, but I say there is something much deeper at the root of it all... and I think it starts with what the church is supposed to look like... I think what we now know as the church sucks to be honest with you... I think most 'Christians' have missed it... I've missed it, but now I am trying to process this and as I do, I wonder why I've been blinded for so long...I feel like I've bought into something that is 'easy'... I've dwelled in a place where I can hide if I want to... I can choose to live in my crap with no accountability and no community... and if I choose this, no one will call me out on it because it is what I choose... I need a place where someone won't let me or anyone else 'fall through'... and let me just say this: EVERYONE has crap and everyone hides their crap... I hide mine and you hide yours, so let's just give up the 'holier than thou' attitudes... let's drop the gossip about the person who gets caught and realize that if all of our hearts were x-rayed, they would ALL look identical... it's no wonder why there are people who absolutely can't stand the environment, constitutions, make-up, politics, leadership, values, laws, etc. of a church and the 'Christianity' it wants them to buy into... I'm fed up with it. I want something more... I want what God intended... I want to know God and live like Jesus... and to surround myself with people who want the same...

what happened to community? what happened to accountability? what happened to the church?

every guy should be this lucky...

2008-03-07T05:04:00.002-05:00

well, maybe just one guy... (:

hip hip...

2008-03-04T10:53:00.002-05:00

hooray.
I have internet and cable at my house...

and the peasants rejoiced.

The sun is out again today... which always makes for a good day.
As long as I have reasons to find joy, I'll keep embracing those moments!

clarity in confusion

2008-02-27T15:49:00.002-05:00

For so long I have been struggling with inner-peace. I've not been too happy with myself... I don't have a job.. that's the big one. I don't feel like I am contributing anything to society at this point. I have an unbelievable girlfriend.. she is everything that I need... she knows how to love me exactly how I need to be loved... in saying that, I feel like a dead-beat who is incapable of being a provider... For a single mother with three children, that has to be pretty scary. I know I have other things to offer her, just as I know I have things to offer society in some sort of vocation... I do not understand why the hundreds of resume's I've put out has had very little kick-back. I don't understand why I can't pay my bills despite my faithfulness and obedience. I don't understand why there has been so many hard issues that have come our way... If I told you every single thing that Jennifer and I have been through I believe you would be surprised that one of us hasn't had a nervous break-down at this point.
I refuse to believe that God does not have a plan for us.
I refuse to believe that God does not have a plan for me.
I refuse to stay discouraged.
I feel God using me.
I feel God molding me.
I feel God breaking me.
I am humbled.

guess who's coming back to the wings!!

2008-02-26T11:52:00.002-05:00

okay the last post was a hoax... sorry.. I got some awesome reactions though... this time it's real... Darren McCarty is going to be a Red Wing again... and that makes me happy.

guess who's engaged!!

2008-02-24T20:28:00.003-05:00

sunny days

2008-02-24T18:51:00.002-05:00

what is it about the weather that can change your mood? The sun was shining today... it made me happy.

dogs again

2008-02-20T19:41:00.002-05:00

i love these pooches.

again

2008-02-19T00:11:00.002-05:00

stuck.

i hate michigan winters... maybe I wouldn't hate them so much if this particular winter didn't have the abundance of snow/ice/frozen roads/frozen cars/getting stuck in unplowed/unshoveled driveways. I remember last winter getting stuck a few times with my passat and figured that this winter would be fine with my mighty, new grand prix... I am humbled.

I've never been so tempted to want to move.
I've never been so tempted to curse.
I've never been so tempted to trade this piece of crap in for something with 4-wheel-drive.

okay, so if I just didn't have to drive in this God-forsaken weather it wouldn't be half as bad... maybe I could somewhat appreciate a small portion of it's beauty... I'm sure I'd still find more things to complain about... like how cold it is and how my feet and hands and ears and nose are never warm...

the more I think about it, the more I realize that the piles of snow outside are really the least of my worries... I think deep down, if I feel like I can vent about something that's a minor inconvenience, then I feel better about the major inconveniences that are really affecting me... inconveniences that I can't really come out and say...

I wish life had an easy-button.

stuck

2008-02-12T15:54:00.000-05:00

so... I was leaving my dad's house this morning and couldn't get my car out of the driveway... this is the second time in less than a week that I've gotten my car stuck... so here I sit... waiting for someone to push me out of the snow...
Spring, where are you?

brand new

2008-02-04T23:14:00.001-05:00

check out my new music myspace page... if you're on myspace, feel free to add me as a friend.

the things you love will end up destroying you

2008-02-04T20:51:00.000-05:00

it's silly really... but it says so much...

3 reasons why I love/miss my brother

2008-01-25T00:33:00.000-05:00

1) He now has a beard

2) He steals funny hats and wears them

3) He picks people's noses after only knowing them for a week

Come home soon Nick

dog-sitting

2008-01-20T00:30:00.000-05:00

I've been watching my friend's dogs this weekend... meet Lola (blonde) and Franklin (black). It didn't take long for them to find their way into my heart. They have been the best company I could ask for... I can't wait to do this again!!

disclaimer*

2008-01-18T00:03:00.000-05:00

I know the last few months I've posted a lot of things that may seem like my life is one big ball of discouragement... it isn't... I have a blessed life. There are so many things that I am thankful for, but when I'm feeling down, I feel like getting my feelings out there is very therapeutic...

thanks for reading... (:

sometimes...

2008-01-16T00:26:00.000-05:00

...my girlfriend likes to send me pix messages to my cell phone... just to let me know she's thinking about me.... (:

something

2008-01-14T12:52:00.000-05:00

it really is something... everything that's happened in my life over the past 6 months or so. Sometimes when I think about it, I feel like I'm trapped in a vat of seaweed struggling to find daylight... just because it seems to never end... so I try not to think about that too much.
it really is something... sometimes it feels like time is moving on, progressing, and the people that mean the most to me (my family) are regressing... life shouldn't be about this... this isn't what God intended.
I know that the God I serve is in the business of making beautiful things out of broken things... so to this promise I cling... I put my hope there and I find comfort in some serene way... I have found peace within myself... it really is something.

(sigh) 2008

2008-01-02T02:01:00.000-05:00

here's to another year...
I look forward to better things this time around... 2007 kinda sucked.

repressed childhood memory

2007-12-24T13:38:00.000-05:00

I was hanging out with Jenn and her boys a few nights ago when one of them asked me a question... I don't remember exactly what the question was, but it was one that had an obvious answer... not really a rhetorical question, but one more like this: "Eric, is the moon made of cheese?"
Now, that wasn't the question he asked, but it was something that he obviously knew the correct answer to... at that moment a distant, foggy memory came rushing to my brain... and I immediately began laughing.
When Andrea and I were kids and would ask ridiculous questions like this, my mom and dad would say: "what do you think?" and we'd answer the 'obvious' question correctly... at that point my mother and father both would reply: "very good retarded child."
The more I thought about this, the more I laughed... I couldn't believe my parents called us retarded, but I remember laughing about it back then too... but I don't know why I would have thought that to be funny back then as an impressionable, fragile young boy...
Upon further investigation, I asked my dad about this scarring detail in my life... he immediately began to laugh uncontrollably. He told me the 'very good retarded child' line was a punch-line to a joke that he and my mom heard around that time and then just always used it around Andrea and I to make us laugh...
Don't think that my parents would call their children retards... on second thought, that could explain so much...... (:

sometimes

2007-12-21T11:41:00.000-05:00

there is just nothing to write about.

I hate winter

2007-12-07T11:42:00.000-05:00

my car got stuck today and the blower is broken... so no heat and no de-fog... perfect.
I'm so glad I bought a new car that doesn't even work.
I'm selling it and getting something with 4-wheel drive I decided this morning... I might change my mind here in a few minutes... we'll see.

thankfulness series: post three

2007-12-03T01:12:00.001-05:00

with you I'm spoiled, without you I'm soiled...

happy holidays

2007-11-30T12:40:00.000-05:00

let it... ugh... snow?

2007-11-30T12:05:00.000-05:00

the worst part about snow is driving in it...
the best part about snow is that Jen looks like an angel in her little hat... (:

thankfulness series: post two

2007-11-26T14:29:00.001-05:00

Seeing that I have had a lack of Internet and didn't really have any more opportunities to post during the week of thanksgiving, I will just post a collage of other things that I love and am grateful for...

thankfulness series: post one

2007-11-14T11:33:00.000-05:00

Seeing that Thanksgiving is right around the corner I thought I would take some time in showing some appreciation for some of the people/things I am most thankful for… without further ado…

I am thankful for my beautiful mother. I have never known anyone more full of life and passion than this amazing woman. Her heart is so evidently displayed whenever she has something to share… most things being that of love and compassion for others… the way she talks about her friends who need Jesus and healing, orphaned babies in Romania, and especially her family. I don’t think I could even get started on how she feels about her family… I did not realize such love existed… I feel it every time I am around her, every time I hear her speak to me and every time I hear her speak about me. I love my mom deeper and richer than anything I have ever loved (next to Jesus)… Jesus may have loved me first, but my mother loved me the very second He spoke me into existence.
My mom has always been my biggest fan and number one supporter… If there is any self-confidence and social skills oozing from this once shy little blond haired, blue eyed, 45-pound five-year-old it’s because of what my mother has shown me. If there is any hint of respect and honor that I show girls it is because of what my mother has instilled in me. If there is anything I speak about truthfully or honestly, if there is any part of me that shows humility, integrity or if there were ways that prove me to be just, if there is anything inside of me that cries out for compassion, lives for joy or dreams for others, then I can not take any responsibility for these things. These are all things I have seen and continue to see displayed by my mother.
As I write this list, I can hear her specific words of counsel. My mom has always been so gifted in discerning right from wrong. There was never any question while I was growing up distinguishing between the two. It was always black and white and I am so grateful for being raised with that.
If you know my mom, I’m sure you all already know all of this and need to be reminded. If you don’t know my mom, I hope that now, you feel like you do… I would never want anyone else to take her place.

getchyo fitteds

2007-11-05T23:09:00.000-05:00

if you haven't heard my brother's rap side project yet, be sure to listen in.
He's the one who raps second.
I'm sick today. I've felt it coming for a couple weeks... allergies/sinus/cold stuff... sucks...
Meanwhile the Lions are 6-2. It's about time they're playing well.

fall is here

2007-10-24T12:27:00.000-04:00

I love this time of year... I love wearing jackets, long pants, beanies, turning the heat on in your car first thing in the morning to take the edge off the chill in the air. There's nothing quite like the month of October... baseball playoffs, football season, my birthday, halloween, the leaves... it's the best month there is... hands down.
I hit the road again sunday for about a week or so... we'll be in Colorado and Louisiana. Not too close to each other.... will surely make for some long days in the good ol' van.
The holidays are just around the corner as well.... I am already feeling the pressure of family issues coming down on me as they approach. It's going to be interesting juggling thanksgiving and christmas around my mom and my dad especially with the dynamics of andrea and the boys needing to try to juggle their families as well. Nothing will be the same and that's hard to come to grips with. I've always valued my family being together on the holidays... and I'll never get that back...
At least it's October... for another week anyway.... that makes me happy...
that and my previous post. (:

drum roll...

2007-10-11T14:39:00.000-04:00

I know you are all anxiously awaiting the details of this new development in my life... without further adou.. let me introduce to you my girlfriend.. Jennifer...
she's the best. (:

If you're lucky you may get to meet her someday... I'm sure glad I did...

home for a week...

2007-10-07T20:40:00.000-04:00

it's been a good week... I have been home from tour for seven days.
A lot has happened... two of my best friends got married (Nate and Holly)... I was able to re-connect with a lot of people I hadn't seen in a while and had a great time at the rehearsal dinner as well as the wedding and reception....
I have also just been able to spend a lot of time with close friends and family... which is always good.
I didn't realize how much I have missed being at a church, being a part of corporate worship and being fed by some good preaching... I really enjoyed that today... so much in fact that I went to Lakeshore Community Church this morning and Mars Hill this evening...
There is also another new development in the 'relationship' area of my life which most of you who are close to me know already, but more details to come with that in the near future.... (:

my 205th post!!

2007-09-28T21:29:00.001-04:00

I missed my 200th post a few days back so I thought I would take the time to at least celebrate something.... better than my 28th birthday which is one week from today...
I've had this blog for just over two years now... an average of 100 posts per year isn't too bad in the blogger world I suppose... it's been quite a journey... for those of you who follow my life and it's ins and outs know how crazy things have been!
The latest chapter of my life has been an awkward one... one I didn't really see coming... stepping away from my job at the church was not an easy decision... I really thought I would gain some sense of clarity about my future while I'm on the road, but sometimes I sit back and think that I'm just more confused... maybe confused isn't the right word... the biggest question that I wanted answered was whether or not I wanted to immediately jump back into full-time ministry when the tour is over... and I still feel like I don't know... I hope and pray that it will be clear to me at the right time.
On a lighter note, I had Chipotle for dinner tonight in Ohio... it was awesome. and by the way, if you haven't checked out AG Silver's music yet, do yourself a favor and do so immediately... you will never regret it the rest of your life...
Traveling has been great... I wish I could see every inch of the whole world, but if I traveled to a different place every day of my life from here on out I still wouldn't even come close... oh well... at least I have this time to do a little traveling in the U.S!!

middle-of-nowhere, massachusetts

2007-09-27T04:28:00.000-04:00

9/26, MCLA
soooo... we may or may have not drove 60 miles out of our way today... but we did.
what a beautiful ride though... rolling green hills, pastures of sunflowers, cottages on perfect little hills... breathtaking.
a great show tonght too... our last college show til mid-october. there were about 50 people there, but they were loving every second of it...
we're off for the next two days now... saturday night we play a festival in Cinci.... then home sunday...
miss you all...

my first trip to New Hampshire...

2007-09-25T22:20:00.000-04:00

...was a memorable one...
Plymouth State University: 9/25/07
We may or may not have set the smoke alarm off with our hazer mid-way through the show... I am still holding to the theory of a disgruntled campus safety worker tripping the alarm to prove a point... but none-the-less, it went off and the building was evacuated... after a 20 minute delay AG Silver finished the show strongly without losing any listeners...
P.S. New Hampshire is beautiful... many rolling mountains and forests... much like Vermont...
back to Massachusetts tomorrow!

I think I'll go to boston...

2007-09-23T23:22:00.000-04:00

the last two days we've had off and today we decided to hang out in boston... it is a very historic city. we saw Paul Revere's house and gravesite, the building where the boston tea party started, the first church built here, fenway park... etc... I'm feeling pretty sick today too so I did as much as I could until my body told me to stop and get some rest...
tomorrow we have a show in Newton, MA. it's the start of our last week for this leg of the tour... I'll be home one week from today!

Middlebury, Vermont

2007-09-21T23:46:00.000-04:00

My first time ever in Vermont... driving into the town was so awesome... there mountains and lakes... and the sun was going down over the mountains, shimmering off the glassy water... gorgeous! We also drove past a church with a sign out front that said: Pastor Michael Richards... nice.
Tonight's show was a good one... it sounded great, and there were about 65 students there who were very interactive..
I'll be home a week from Sunday!

New Joisey

2007-09-21T23:41:00.000-04:00

New Jersey Institute of Techmology (NJIT)... 9/20/07
This was a fun show... it was definately a 'bar' atmosphere and there were some really fun people there.. they didn't have adequate power there so the light show kept cutting in and out and eventually we just used the stage lights that were already there in the venue....
something funny that happened when we got to our hotel after the show... we checked in and went to our room, opened the door and there was a dude in the bed sleeping... so he was mad.... so we got a new room... only to find a half-eaten quiznos sub and a coffee on our desk and a light on... oh lovely New Jersey!

ghetto-fabulous

2007-09-20T02:00:00.000-04:00

Albertus Magnus College: 9/19/07
I thought Muskegon Heights was the mecca of all ghettos until I visited New Haven, Connecticut.
The campus was really nice, but the town surrounding was a bit sketch...
It was an alright show... it was in a really cool atmosphere and the lights looked sweet tonight... enjoy the pics...

70 screaming girls

2007-09-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

Bay Path College... 9/18/07
An all-girls school... one word for ya... 'yikes'
I wasn't able to get many photos here because all the girls were at the 'stage' which was actually down in this little fire-place area.... it was a cool atmosphere... it was definately our most 'lively' crowd.... these girls were cheering pretty loudly... we sold a TON of merch too... some of the girls even said they were coming to our next show tomorow night which is about 45 minutes away...
it's past midnight now and we haven't even started tearing down yet... and I'm exhausted... good times.

a much needed day off...

2007-09-18T01:44:00.000-04:00

after 5 straight days of shows, today we had a day off... now we have five more in a row... starting tomorrow... well, today... since it's past midnight... this is our 10th day in I believe... It's absolutely flying by...
on our day off we did some laundry, got our van's oil changed, and played some tennis... well, I watched the guys play tennis while I made some phone calls to upcoming venues... then we traveled thru Maryland, Delware, New Jersey and tonight we're in Connecticut. Our show tomorrow night is at Bay Path College.. an all-girls school... I've been talking with the director of the event over the past few days and she said there was a banner hanging up there that says '4 Hot Guys' are coming to campus to put on a rock and roll show... I guess they're all really excited about having boys on their campus... we'll see how it goes... (:
I've really been having a blast out here on the road... it's like a road trip with good buddies that just never ends... hopefully we don't get sick of each other, but so far so good...

by the way, 20 years ago today, my baby brother was born... Happy Birthday Nick... I grow more proud of you by the day... love you man.

peace.

Terrapin Nation

2007-09-17T00:01:00.000-04:00

9/16/07
University of Maryland...
Our best show yet... we were tucked between 3 dorms and the cafeteria where the students in those three dorms eat their dinner... there were about 75 students who were there... but many were filtering through... and we sold 47 CD's... so that's a good percentage.
it was a low-stress show... the student volunteers there were so helpful... one guy bought us all dinner at the cafeteria on his student account, so we gave him a free shirt... it was a beautiful day today too... it was nice and cool...
enjoy the pics!! miss you all.... (:

College of William & Mary

2007-09-15T17:38:00.000-04:00

9/15/07
this was a tailgate party for the football game today.... W & M vs. Liberty.
kind of a weird show... there were like 100 students or so meandering about, but we only saw maybe 10 of them actually paying attention... we sold 6 CD's... nice.
(:
it's been fun... and it is a beautiful day!!
thanks to you all who have been praying for me!

Virginia Wesleyan

2007-09-15T01:48:00.000-04:00

9/14/07
interesting... I saw four different people smoking on campus, and later found out that drinking was permitted there as well... we asked some people if they were 'wesleyan' and they looked at us like we were retarded monkeys. anyway, a fun show all-together... we finally were able to use our fog machine too...

about 35 catholics...

2007-09-13T22:08:00.000-04:00

9/13/07 Catholic University of America... Washington DC
not a huge crowd tonight... about 35 to be exact... but all 35 absolutely loved the show... including the tour manager.
a few things I learned today:
#1) Washington DC is over-rated
#2) don't walk in uncharted grass in the dark... (see video blog on myspace.com/agsilver)
#3) sleep is not over-rated
By the way, there is a huge church on this campus that is unbelievable. I can't even describe how ridiculous this place was... maybe if you did a google search for it you could find pictures... I didn't bring my camera when I went inside this place...

St. Mary's College

2007-09-12T22:42:00.000-04:00

9/12/07
This was a fun show... there were about 100 students here for this one... we had some technical difficulties with the power, but made it through... I was trying to be the sound man, merch guy and photographer at the same time, so I wasn't able to get the best shots of this show, but had to at least get a few...
I'm still having a great time!
I really thought God would be showing me so much during this time and he has... it's been different then my expectations, but I'm used to that when I want to grow in a certain way or learn a certain thing... but that's a good thing...

I dub thee, Lord Fairfax

2007-09-10T19:45:00.000-04:00

show #2.... Lord Fairfax Community College: Warrenton, Virginia
we set up yesterday and took our time... we tweaked what we didn't have time to tweak in Hanover... this afternoon was the show... it sounded really good... not a whole lot of people there, but this was a last-minute throw-together type of show...
I've been having such a great time doing this job! It can be stressful at times with securing contracts and being the 'heavy' when making sure the venue is complying with EVERY detail of the rider agreement and contract... but other than that it is great!
hope you enjoy the pictures!!

day one...

2007-09-09T00:32:00.000-04:00

Our adventure began in Holland, Michigan as the band and myself embarked on a journey for the ages. We were on the road by 11:30 a.m. a trip that was supposed to take just under 5 hours took 8. Somehow we ended up going north on a highway we were supposed to be going south on and once we hit Indy, the traffic was ridiculous.
We finally made it to Hanover College in Indiana an hour and a half before the original show time. Our show was supposed to start at 9, but due to our tardiness, it didn’t start until 9:40… which wasn’t too bad considering how late we were running. The lights and sound had little to no problems, which was a blessing, and the venue was very accommodating to every one of our needs.
The show was originally supposed to be an outdoor show, but they moved it indoors due to the weather. I manned the soundboard once they started playing and found myself in my glory… they put on such an amazing show… even if it was in a gymnasium built in the 1940’s.
We are now on the road again… traveling thru Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania eventually landing in Virginia for a few shows.
So far, so good.

on the road again...

2007-09-06T11:15:00.000-04:00

I leave tomorrow morning... track where I'll be:
www.myspace.com/agsilver

the significance of change...

2007-08-24T04:14:00.000-04:00

as crazy as life has become for me and my family I still feel as though I am in the grip of God's grace. I have never doubted his faithfulness, nor have I abondoned any part of the faith that I come to know so well and depend so heavily on. In the midst of the emotional torment, I have not had much semblance of clarity lately... I have never been at a point in my life where I have felt so disillusioned... I think that because I am an emotionally charged individual I may take things hareder than the 'typical' human being... but as I look back over the past year, I understand why I have arrived where I am at... one traumatic event after another... allow me to list just a few without getting too personal:

-my parents divorce
-my sister's divorce
-being dumped by the girl I thought I was going to marry only to hear of her engagement and marriage shortly thereafter.
-my mother's uncle committing suicide
-my pregnant cousin, 29 years young, tragically dying from a brain aneurysm

there are just as many other incidents that have left me broken that I will choose not to share here...
dealing with all of this on a personal level as well as being in the postition I hold in ministry has brought many relevant questions to the forefront of my mind... questions that I cannot begin to answer amidst the grief that I have neglected to deal with over the last 12 months.

Because of this I have decided to take a leave of absence from my job at Spring Lake Wesleyan Church knowing that I have nothing left in the tank to give emotionally. I will disconnect for the next four months at which point both the church and I will evaluate our circumstances and make the best decision on what lies ahead for our futures. I have felt great confirmation that this is the wisest decision that I could make under these circumstances and firmly believe that God will bless my obedience. I have felt nothing but grace and love from the staff as they have walked beside me so faithfully during this season.

I made this decision not really knowing what I would do or what would come next, but a great opportunity opened up for me at the perfect time that I feel will be a great benefit in discovering what is next for me.

As many of you know, a great passion of mine is music and the music industry. Without knowing any of the circumstances surrounding my decision-making, a good friend of mine from the band AG Silver called me to see if I would be interested in being their tour manager for their upcoming fall tour. He told me he knew it was a long-shot because of my job, but told me I was first on their list of people to ask... I didn't really recognize it then, but now I see how God opens doors just as quickly as he closes them...

Starting September 7, I will be on the road with this band. They are great guys and some of my closest friends. I am excited about this opportunity for several reasons, but let me just share my top 3:

-getting away and traveling will be very thereputic
-getting a feel for the music industry on a professional level is something that I've always been curious about
-cultivating 'real' relationships with the guys in the band... Jon (lead singer) was once in ministry as well and we share similar burdens.

As scary as this next season of my life seems to be, I walk blindly with confidence and faith that God will place a firm foundation beneath my feet... even though I can't see where I may be headed.

awol

2007-08-01T01:57:00.000-04:00

sorry I've been so absent here... sometimes it's hard to know what to say when life throws you so many curveballs... anyway, I just got back from Colorado so here are some pics from that vist...

when NOT to hyphenate your last name

2007-07-11T10:36:00.000-04:00

a window into the pane

2007-06-19T00:20:00.000-04:00

I haven't had a 'real' post in a while... I haven't had much I've wanted to really talk about. Life has been really weird lately. Everything I've ever been used to is different. I feel like I'm having one of those 'out of body' experiences... or living in a dream world that isn't quite reality and never waking up... or like living someone else's life...
I'm 27 years old. for more than a quarter of a century my life seemed to be 'normal'. Now it seems that almost every form of stability that I've known up until this point is crumbling...
sometimes I lie to myself subconsciously and say that this isn't really happenning. I feel numb to most of it... I can even separate myself from it a lot of days. but it comes back... it's there like a scar that will now never go away... always there... always reminding me of pain... always reminding me of brokenness...

then I think of the cross and every emotion that went into that...

I don't really know what pain is... I just live in a broken world.

Jerry, this one's for you...

2007-06-08T18:21:00.001-04:00

enjoy.

my theology

2007-05-19T15:38:00.000-04:00

Emergent/Postmodern

75%

Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan

61%

Classical Liberal

57%

Roman Catholic

46%

Fundamentalist

43%

Modern Liberal

43%

Reformed Evangelical

39%

Neo orthodox

36%

Charismatic/Pentecostal

36%

What's your theological worldview?
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I couldn't resist... two years in a row... it's that good!

2007-05-13T13:42:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day

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my concert in it's entirety, one song at a time

2007-05-08T21:07:00.000-04:00

Closing Time

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Slumber Song

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Revealed

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Fairytail

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