Studio 09
Today starts tracking for the new record. I’ll try to keep some updates, either here or via twitter.Â
High Fives ‘08
While growing up, I was always told that bloggers aren’t allowed to have blogs without year end lists. I guess this has always been part of the folklore of blogland. I’m always a fan of reading these lists, but have never participated in this time honored tradition. Here are my top five, top five lists.
1. MOVIE FILMS:
(some of these weren’t released in 2008, but that’s when I saw them, so I’m going with it.)
The Dark Knight
Best comic book movie ever, including one of the most fascinating characters in my little movie history to watch.
The Orphanage
Great ghost story. Really helped spark a new level of interest in our Wednesday Night Movie Fright get-togethers.
City of God
A few years old, but finally got around to seeing it with my wife. I couldn’t stop thinking about this movie for a week.
Charade
A simple, charming, fun movie. I had never even heard of it til last year, but it was great.
Alien vs. Preditor: Requiem
While I haven’t actually watched this movie, or any previous AvP movies, I’ve been unironically guaranteed to love it by this dude’s fiancee. Their relationship is an interesting one.
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2. MUSIC ALBUMS:
KANYE WEST/ 808’s & Heartbreak
I love this record. On first listen it’s easy to dismiss it as gimmicky and jumping on the auto-tune bandwagon, but dang, it’s the complete opposite. I kind of love the fact that Kanye still went with it, knowing he would be viewed as following T-Pain’s lead. Melodies, hooks, lyrics, everything about this record… good stuff.
COLOUR REVOLT / Plunder, Beg, & Curse
Good, creative, nasty, southern rock out of Oxford, Mississippi. Favorite tracks are Naked & Red, Swamp, and See It.Â
JOHN MARK McMILLAN / The Medicine
I can’t claim to have loved or even known of John Mark’s music before How He Loves blew up across the world, but his follow up record is amazing. His voice, similar to his lyrics, is both tough and soft at the same time. Great songs of worship, made better by a great sounding record.
KINGS OF LEON / Only By The Night
I mostly have this on my list so I have a reason to include their previous record, Because Of The Times. Only By The Night is solid, with a lot of good tracks (Sex on Fire, Manhattan, Notion), but if you really want to dive into some Kings of Leon, pick up Because of the Times. I listened to that record non-stop last year.
M83 / Saturdays = Youth
Really interesting record. I’ve been a fan for a while, but feel like record has some of M83’s most complete songs. I’m not a big fan of the same 2 chords played over and over for 7 minutes, and, unlike other albums I’ve heard, I feel like that’s a minimal part of this one. It’s mostly full of great songs with interesting synth sounds and 80’s drum machines. Kim & Jessie and Graveyard Girl are two stand outs.
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3. MOMENTS IN LIFE:
In August at Elevation, we saw over 1,000 freaking people get baptized and publicly declare the freedom that they found in Christ. My words won’t convey how ridiculous it was to be a part of something like this… so I’ll just leave it at that.
Recording my first album with Elevation was a great experience. Tracking We Are Alive was the most fun I’d had making a record ever. Jason Hoard is a bada** .Â
At the start of this years NFL season, I made a conscious decision to dig in deep in Charlotte and become a Carolina Panthers fan. I’d never kept up with the NFL ever, and probably had never even watched a full game outside of the Super Bowl in my life. That all changed this year…. and I think that my golden touch has placed the Panthers in prime position to make another Super Bowl run.Â
Another sports related moment was getting the chance to see my beloved Denver Nuggets courtside when they were here in Charlotte. Read more below.
I’ve gotten the chance to take many mini-vacations with my girl this past year and they’ve always been a blast. We try to get out of town when we can, even if it’s for a day or two, and go to the beach, visit family, friends, or whatever. It’s just fun traveling with someone you love.Â
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4. FUNNIEST WORK-RELATED MOMENTS:
Chris Brown meeting someone for the first time and telling them they’ve got a haircut that looks like A.C. Slater, compounded by the fact that Chris thought this was a compliment.
Wade’s safety goggles.
Chris Brown’s other first impressions. Some people would say this isn’t funny…. but when you’re in the room, and you’re not at fault, it is.Â
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5. BLOGS:
WWW.FAILBLOG.ORG
Always puts a smile on my face. Usually involves laughing out loud.
WWW.STEVENFURTICK.COM
This isn’t just a “He’s my Pastor/Boss so I should put him on the list” type plug. His blog is really good. Constantly thoughtful, intriguing, and inspiring. Daily.
WWW.NUGGDOCTOR.COM
Just some good ole Denver Nuggets news.Â
WWW.AZIZISBORED.TUMBLR.COM
He’s quickly becoming one of my favorite comedians. He has perfect delivery, and his blog ain’t bad either.
WWW.DWELLDEEP.NET
Not an often blogger, but Matt Chandler is a wise man. Good stuff here.
Oh Please Make It So…
Good gracious, I hope this happens! (via Aziz)
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Paying Bills
I laughed out loud at this for a long time. By myself. You will too.
Nuggets/Bobcats
Tonight was amazing. I got to go see the Nuggets play in Charlotte with some great folks, and for some insane reason I got to sit courtside. WHAT?! Ridiculous! One of the coolest things I’ve ever done. This is how close we were.
I chickened out and didn’t wear my Melo jersey… Thought it might be disrespectful to the fine sir who got us the tickets, but he told me I should have. I’m just a wuss.
Anyway, it was an great night. Thanks Chunks/Larry/Bill!
Oh, and if you’re wondering where I’ve been spending my time lately (I know you all do, especially you Beau)… it’s here.
Election News Coverage
In this final week of campaigning, we indecisive folks need a news reporter we can count on.
This is pretty awesome.
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Creative Blog
October 16th, 2008O’bama
Going to Auburn to visit my sister tonight. It’s her birthday week and we’ve only gotten the chance to visit her in Alabama once before.Â
It’s going to be a fun trip… including Saturday in Atlanta.
Speaking of Atlanta. Next week. Catalyst. Can’t wait. Our Pastor going to freaking tear that stage up. I am honored and proud to serve under him.
Sidetails and Vulnerability
My wife says my blog is pointless. She thinks that I need to be more open about myself and vulnerable on this thing. So, it doesn’t get much more vulnerable than this.
The first week that I met Meredith, I convinced her, being a hairdresser, to give me a haircut in exchange for a meal. (Super-suave, I know - it’s a win-win for me, kind of a lose-lose for her. but she agreed nonetheless) When she cut my hair though, I asked her to keep a little chunk off the side long. It was the beginning of a new phase in life for me. Kean called it the sidetail, Christian called it the sidepony, others called it the cucumber. I wound up keeping that sidetail for the rest of the year. I had it the first time I met Meredith’s friends and family in Alaska. I had it when I went to her brothers wedding in Idaho. The sidetail was important for me on a number of levels, but the two most important being this:Â
1. It was super awesome.
2. I realized if Meredith would still go out with me and put up with me during my sidetail phase, we could go through anything together. She put up with a lot during that first year…. and she’s put up with even more since then.
Here are pictures I just found from those last few days with my sidefriend.
 
Here’s another one from my student id when I was at Carolina. Yeah, my middle name’s Donald… what, you didn’t know that already? That’s old news.
CB vs VR
On a related note, I answered all of the questions as if I were Chris Brown, and I only lasted 6 seconds. Pretty sad, but that’s just the way he is.