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 It's making me feel old (or maybe 'out of date') as he was 9 years old when I moved out the house after high school and 12 when Danielle & I got married.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.