Sweet!

This movie looks incredible!

Check, Ch-Ch-Ch-Check It Out

I am finally pretty much done for this week as far as classes go. I mean, I actually have three tomorrow, but there's nothing due, and looking at the syllabi, it should be an overall easy day. Then BCM, then I'm heading home, for the first time this semester. Last weekend was a rough one with papers and studying for tests earlier this week, so I'm ready to go home and relax.

I also found a great resource for when I'm feeling a little down (this weekend it was from writing so much). Craigslist Rants and Raves. They're incredibly hilarious. And a pretty effective self-confidence boost. A lot of those people can't form complete thoughts, much less clear, understandable sentences. It really makes me feel better about myself, especially since I usually think I'm a bad writer.

And here's just a pretty sweet video I found on YouTube. Check it out and be glad it isn't you.

Where to?

It is hard when things start to change. I'm open to advice on this one, if any of the 1 or 2 people who read this have an opinion.

God asked me to commit to a ministry, so I did, and I did so whole-heartedly (sp?). But I no longer feel like it is what I'm supposed to be doing in the future. I'm having trouble discerning whether it is my own personal preferences or if God is telling me that I've played my part in this particular place. I also have to keep in mind that I committed for the duration of the school year. It has really been bothering me over the past few days, and I don't seem to be moving any closer to a resolution. So any advice or feedback would be awesome. Or prayer. That's pretty important too.

So, the new semester is in full swing, and it seems like it will be better than last semester (which is good). Classes are not too bad (so far) and it is nice to be back with my friends. In other news, my band, Sleep Set (www.myspace.com/sleepset), is going into the studio over the next week, week and a half, to record a five song demo/EP type deal. It should be fun, and I can't wait for people to start hearing what we've been playing. So that's pretty cool.

Ok, now that the recap's over, on to my recent thoughts.

Last night at the RUF Super Bowl party, I was sitting near some people that went to high school and/or church with me. We started talking about high school in general, and then we moved on to youth groups at our churches and how the churches were doing now. Looking back on my years in youth group now, I realized that youth group had a lot to do with the person I am right now. Our youth group was basically a revolving door for youth pastors and interim pastors and no leaders, which made us really self-reliant. We pretty much ran everything and had nobody pouring back into us. (Now, that's not to say that we didn't have Sunday School teachers and people supervising us on Wednesdays or speakers or anything. And there were a couple people that did everything they could and probably more than they should for us, but they had "real" jobs and couldn't devote time or energy overall. And I am more than grateful to those who were there for us.) After having this conversation and hearing about what had happened at my friend's church, I realized how much negative influence those years have had on my life.

I was so burnt out after high school, that I have never since been able to fully give myself to anything.

Our numbers in youth group fell so much that I am terrified of being the person in a leadership position.

Not having an adult to lean on has made me untrusting of the people in charge of the different things that I'm involved with.

All these things kinda became clear after talking with my friends last night. And I'm not trying to make excuses or explain away my actions or saying that those are the sole causes of my behavior - I just want to be held accountable for trying to change those things about me. I don't want to live the rest of my life with all of that hanging over my head. So, please, tell me step out and trust God. Call me out if I try to do something halfway. Help me be the man God wants me to be.

One other thing I learned from youth group is that friends will always be there for you. So I thank God for my friends. For the real, deep, lasting relationships that I have been given. For the people who know who I am and hang out with me anyway. Thank you.

Its Been a While

So, I haven't updated in quite a while. I got kinda busy with exams and the end of school and whatnot, and since then I've kinda been relaxing. I've enjoyed spending time with the family, and eating good food. I've seen some old friends, and that's been pretty sweet. Really its just been a nice break from classes.

In other news, I just got back this afternoon from Charleston. Sleep Set (minus Dave) met in Goose Creek for an intense three-day (not weekend) writing/brainstorming session. It was a lot of fun and pretty productive. I have a pretty good feeling about what we're doing as a group. We seem to be making music that we can be proud of and actually enjoy ourselves. Definitely worth the time and energy being put in.

So, that's the break so far. I've still got a week. But right now, I'm going to go enjoy my New's Years Eve. So, here's to a happy and blessed new year to everyone out there. I hope we all make the most of it.

Spilled Milk and Finals

So, for an advertising project, I got to spill a bunch of milk all over my parent's kitchen table and do a photo shoot. I'll be honest, it was pretty fun. I mixed in a bunch of flour to thicken the milk and make it photograph a little better. Hopefully the ads will come out alright. Its part of my final project grade in Ad Principles.

Speaking of finals, this is the week. A week from tomorrow, the semester will be over, and I can't wait. It has been pretty tough at times, but I think I learned a lot, at least about myself. I'm still not where I should be in a lot of ways, but I think I might be on my way.

This Sunday is a show that I've been looking forward to since I found out about it back in like August. Kevin Devine, All Get Out, and....wait for it....Manchester Orchestra. Manchester's show back in May was the best I've ever been to, and the lineup is even better this time around. I am incredibly pumped. Tickets are sold out, but if you're in the Columbia I recommend showing up and hoping for the best. I'll try to put up some pictures.

And I just found out the Chuck and Heroes got preempted in favor of a Panthers game. That is a little disappointing.

So, two papers down this weekend, one more to write by Tuesday. Then it's time for Thanksgiving break. I'm pretty pumped.

I'm also watching A Colbert Christmas: The Greatest Gift of All! I highly recommend it. I don't think I've stopped laughing yet.

Alright, this was probably too much of a break, so I'm going to go keep writing.