Finally!

After almost 2 weeks since handing in my last assignment, all my grades are in. Not a great semester, but I can't complain.

A few hours of work today and at 2:30 this afternoon I'm off until Jan 3rd. Ohhh, sweet Christmas break!

10 Years Later

So I'm a week behind, but last Tuesday was the 10th anniversary of my first Phish show (12/11/97). I was in the middle of my senior year of high school and had just been turned on to the band a month earlier after being entrenched in the punk/hardcore scene for several years. After two sets and a short encore I was completely a sold on the hippie/jamband world.

Seven years and 15+ shows later, Danielle and I spent 2.5 days in traffic on the highway just trying to get into their last show in VT (major rain had made it nearly impossible for them to get people into the camping area).

There is nothing quite like the interplay & music of those four guys. Hopefully one of the reunion rumors will pan out, hopefully...

Changing blog address!

When I setup the blog (which I'm recommitting to posting on regularly) I used the cute name "yankee boy in texas". However, I'm going to switch over to just using my name, it just seems more straightforward and clear.

The new address will be www.jessejsaunders.blogspot.com

If anyone's actually reading this (Kevin, this means you; anyone else...Beuller?) update your links.

Thanks!

Alaska, Africa, and SE Asia

This past Sunday the Vista had a strong mission focus (as though we don't usually). Hearing from the Bedwell's as they're about to head to Alaska with the dream of planting a church and the Africa team who just returned from 11 days in South Africa and Zimbabwe, and talking to the Cofield's as they prepare for SE Asia, I was hit by people's need for the gospel in a new way.

I grew up in a church that gave a little bit of money to some missionaries, had them come through for for a Sunday afternoon talk every once in a while, but overall didn't seem excited and motivated to work on reaching out to people where they were at. I'm so proud to be involved with a church that, despite it's relatively small size, is so moved to go and tell people and do so in a way that isn't always comfortable and easy, because it's necessary.

You have to be kidding me (TX Legislature)

I was tipped off to this news video on YouTube. It's just amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG6X-xtVask

You tax dollars and elected officials hard at work!

Freshman! (and their parents)

Wow, I hadn't realized how old I've become, but today I went to the bookstore for my fall textbooks and a few supplies. The spring and summer trips weren't that bad, but today the whole place was overrun by brand new freshmen and their parents! I couldn't believe how incredibly far away from them I felt, as I almost felt closer to the parents while walking around.

Thankfully the School of Information/Archives aisle was fairly deserted!

Finally, a decent Grinder in Texas

So after almost 2 years, Danielle & I have finally found a place in Austin that will make a decent Chicken Cutlet Grinder. You wouldn't think it would be so hard to put fried chicken on a roll with cheese, mayo, lettuce, and tomato, but we've had several places fail terribly.


mmm...

Pay attention to your playlist.

Sitting in Starbucks, trying to crank out some homework and listening to the Allman Brothers Band, The Fillmore Concerts. After about 2 hours I unknowingly hit the next artist in my play list and am blindsided by the Barenaked Ladies, Gordon. Great/happy music, but after zoning out to the Allmans quite a shock.

If you're not familiar with the Allmans, the Fillmore Concerts is a great 2-disc intro fo the band in their prime, amazing live blues-rock w/ some serious underlying jazz influences.

Ahh, Family

The trip to NY went well, I got to hang out with them a bunch. Somehow this was the only family picture I got from the whole weekend. After 5 days it was great to be back home.

Frightening, I just referred to Texas at home!

Heading to NY

My little brother, Jacob, is graduating from high school next week. It's making me feel old (or maybe 'out of date') as he was 9 years old when I moved out the house after high school and 12 when Danielle & I got married.

If you've met him, you realize how scary him being an adult (as supposedly responsible!) is.

Congrats, bro!

Rollerderby

Last week was Danielle's birthday, and at her suggestion we went to the Texas Rollergirls Rollerderby match last Sunday. It was an interesting crowd, but we had a great time. During the season, they have matches the first Sunday of every month. Check out their website for more info.

End of first Grad School Semester

Well, I set out at the beginning of the semester to start blogging regularly, now I've hit the end of the first semester and realized that this is only my 4th post!

My first semester went well, I'm still waiting to getting my grades back. Lots has been going on as well, Going to a Red Sox/Rangers game opening weekend, playing a bunch at Church, and replacing my old station wagon with an '04 Element. Nearly every week there I have thought of something worth posting, but haven't been able to make time for it. It's my goal to make that end.

Street Peachers on Campus

There was a street preacher here a couple of weeks ago who seemed relatively normal, sitting among students answering their questions. Seemed to be no big deal, apparently this guy has been coming to UT for 20+ years.

Then last week there were a group of guys who are "shouting" Jesus at people. No personal engagement, just yelling into the crowds of students going by. This did nothing but annoy all the students in the area and even elicited a bunch of angry shouting back.

I just wonder if these guys realize that they are only lessening people's view of Christians and Christianity on campus? "Oh, you're a Christian, just like that nut in front of the Union."

Thanks guys. Now those of us who try to have reasonable rational conversations with people have to work through your baggage before getting people to trust and engage with us.

A JCB crisis of identity

Since last June I've been running sound for the Justin Cofield Band at the Vista Community Church. Last weekend I was able to go with them to a youth camp hear Highland Lake, just south of Austin. Wow! These mild mannered guys from Sunday mornings came out and ROCKED! The whole way home I just kept wondering what the differance was and why it was such a different vibe on Sundays.

Perhaps it's the fact that they're leading worship for a bunch of crazy youth, perhaps it's just way too early on Sunday mornings, or that we're meeting in an elementary school gym, whatever the reason it was almost like having a different band.

I'm looking forward to the day when the Vista is ready for the JCB to truely bring the rock.

My wife ROCKS!!

Growing up I played hockey for several years. It was the closest I ever became to being a jock (although it was still pretty far away).

Anyway, I haven't played or even been to a game in 8-10 years, although Danielle has heard me talk about talk about it from time time. So this weekend she surprised me by getting tickets to an Austin Ice Bats game. It was a great time! I was really surprised how much I missed it.

We've been married five years now and I still can't believe that I'm married to such a great woman.

Inaugural Post

So I've tried the blogging thing once or twice before, but as I start grad school it seems like a good time to document everything going on. Like my life it'll be all over the place and probably touch on a broad range of topics. Read if you want, comment if you feel like it, and ignore me if I'm boring (which very well could be often).

A short intro to where I'm coming from... I'm a full time employee with the McCombs School of Business Texas Executive MBA Program and a first semester student with the School of Information, both at the University of Texas at Austin. I'm highly involved with my church, where I run sound and play in the 'house' band when the JCB is out of town. While my wife and I now live in Texas, I'm definitely a New Englander through and through (hence the title of the blog), and lets not forget that with the traditional definition, all true Yankees root for the Red Sox.