Friends

Over this past year we have matured from a local band into a full-time touring band. We have learned from big and small mistakes along the way. Through all of this I have made new friends, lost some friends, and grown even closer to old ones.

You never really know who matters most until you hardly see them for a year. I have found that the number of people that are in the circle I call my friends are very few. Some are supportive at first, and then assume you are too busy. Others, you just grow distant from because life runs its course and we drift apart.

I'd like to think that this is how it is suppose to happen. If we all just stayed in the same place all the time, how would we grow? It is almost as if we are all separate ships with different voyages on this earth and for a small window of time we share the same waves. I must not grow bitter as one drifts farther away than what I have grown accustom to. I just have to remember that we are headed in different directions and must be thankful for the time we had.

We are a product of those we surround ourselves with. I am thankful that athough some have come and gone, some have said things that have hurt deeply, I have said things that hurt them, yet the ones who are supposed to be close for this season are here. A close friend once told me that "cooler heads always prevail". There is no sense in holding onto bitterness towards someone who wronged you. Let it go. Like the tragic, yet beautiful ending of American History X, this statement rings true.


-Mikey

Zooventures

Hey gang, this is David. Since I will be missing some shows due to visiting the Lone Star State, I figured I would update you on what I've been up to. Today I went to the Houston Zoo with my family. Below are some photos from the trip. Sorry that my photography skills aren't up to par with the awesome pictures Shannon posts here. But I hope that you will feel like you visited the zoo with me today!

My Top 3...Television Series

     We recently asked our Facebook "fans" what content and questions they would like to see answered in our blog. One of those questions was to list some of our favorite television shows, music, movies, etc... That particular subject sounded lighthearted and enjoyable to write about, so I took the initiative to begin my "my top..." blogs with one about something I do not particularly put a lot of emphasis on in my life, but something that helps pass time and keeps me occupied when I am sick in bed on a deary day: television shows. 

      I cannot say I watch a lot of television- I get far too distracted with other things to "get into" a new series someone tells me to check out. I say all this to say that I may not be the most experience or seasoned television watcher, but I will say I feel that I have good enough taste to know when I happen to watch or catch on to something that is good. However, my experience has been that I do not catch on to an interesting or worthwhile program until after the fact that it has been canceled for a few years. Better late that never, here are a few shows I would recommend watching on a rainy day when you have nothing better to do with your time:

'This American Life'- Taken from the Chicago-based radio show (which comes highly recommended by yours truly), this series "pick[s] a theme each week, then brings you a story on that theme". Hosted by the handsome-as-can-be Ira Glass, I have been exposed to some of the most honest, soul-searching and interesting stories from real people living real lives. Each episode is completely different and explores a different topic or theme, which keeps it fresh and interesting. I recommend getting your feet wet with such episodes as "God's Close-Up", "Pandora's Box", and "Escape". Although the television version of the show only lasted two seasons, you can still here the show in radio format each week.

'Parks and Recreation'- This is probably the only show I watch that has not been canceled yet- although I hope in writing this post I do not change these circumstances. From the creators of 'The Office', this show has a very similar style- a film crew is documenting the lives of the Parks and Recreation department in Pawnee, Indiana. The cast of the show vibe so well together and include and awesome cast of cats such as Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, and Rashida Jones. I think the best part about the show is how it progressively gets better as the episodes move along. I have not been able to begin season 3 yet, so do not even think about ruining anything for me! :)

'Arrested Development'- I saved the best for last- put simply, "Arrested Development is the story of a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together". If you are not watching this show, you are missing out on an important life experience. However, I recommend starting from the beginning- understanding the characters of this series is crucial (and you will probably understand even the tiniest jokes). Of all the shows I have recommended, even if you only invest your time in one of them, let it be this one. And remember, "there's always money in the banana stand".

-Shannon

My Thoughts on Girls and Dating

I’m pretty fed up with the opposite sex. I am in love with a girl who doesn’t want to be with me. And I can deal with that, in and of itself. What I can’t deal with is how arbitrary it is.

I have determined that girls don’t want to consider any serious dating (as in, dating with the hope of being together long term) until they are 23. Then they decide they are ready to settle down and find a husband, who must, inevitably, possess the very traits that would have made him an impossible candidate for dating prior to this turning point. This assessment is based not only on my personal experience with this subject, but on the first hand accounts of male friends, many of them past the age of 23, who all tell startlingly similar tales. So why is this, ladies?

Whatever the psychology behind it may be, I think it’s stupid, unproductive, and ultimately quite damaging. There comes a time to put away childish things. Our country prolongs adolescence to a point that challenges the natural order, with our present-as-ever hormones leading us to pursue the fulfillment of our desires through people who are not our spouses, and in all likelihood will never be.

I’m not down with this, world. I think I’m gonna go live in a cave for the next few years. I haven’t decided yet if it’s a metaphorical or literal cave. Either way, there’s a sign on the entrance that reads, “No Gurlz Aloud.”

-David

This Is Why I Play Music

Ashley Jane Stottlemire from Jared Williamson on Vimeo.

Blessings,
-Mike