Best of 2013

Every year I do a music count down. I like doing it, but I also like to shake things up. So, this time round I'm going to do an everything count down.

That's right. Everything.

Favourite CD - The Almost - Fear Inside Our Bones

I love The Almost. It's rock music the way rock should be done! Fear Inside Our Bones wasn't as big a home run for me that Monster was, but it was still awesome. From the southern sound of I'm Down to the creativity that was displayed on Ghost, solid listen.

Favourite CD (That didn't come out this year) - FM Static - Dear Diary

This album is awesome! I feel like I would like it more if I first heard it while in highschool, but it's still a great listen/concept album. Really, if you want an example of how to do a concept album (telling a story throughout the disk) this should be your first stop. Paper Route's entire collection, vintage dc Talk, Newsboys and House of Heroes also got lots of play.

Favourite Movie (In Theater) - Gravity

I almost said Iron Man 3. I thought it was a great action/superhero film. But then Gravity came out. It's the first movie I've seen in 3D, and didn't regret seeing it in 3D. I normally hate 3D. Gravity changed my mind. It's a ride! An hour and a half film that feels more like 45 minutes. My only concern is it wont be as good on the small screen. You know, without the mammoth screen and 200 speaker surround sound...

Favourite Movie (Not in theatres) - Princess Bride

I loved it as a kid, but hadn't seen it in years. That changed over the summer. Then I remembered why I loved it so much. I actually like it more now. I get it now. Before it was funny looking people saying big words. Now I see the clever writing, great plot and genera bending. Adds a lot to the experience. Breach and Pride and Prejudice (don't judge me) also make the list.

Favourite Thing I Did - Earthquake/ Walk Away

I shot two music videos in 2013! To top that would take a lot! It's not too often you can check something off your bucket list twice. I kinda like the video for Walk Away a little more... but still love Earthquake. Close runners up were going to the Dove Awards, The Covenant Awards, Nashville and Kingdom Bound. Plus starting at a new church and beginning a new position at LIFE 100.3. Whooo! Busy year!

Kingdom Bound 2013 - Day 4

And what a day 4 she was! Today seemed to be "get a picture with an artist day" for me. I'm not complaining either! Just warning you that you're going to see a lot of mug shots in this post. Most of them are my mug too.

After going for a round or two... or three... on the bumper cars I happened upon Jekob Washington (from the Washington Projects and his solo project). I had the chance to interview him a few months ago so meeting him was a lot of fun!



After going for another walk... past the bumper cars... I happened upon Jenny Simmons performing. She used to be the lead singer for Addison Road. She's solo now, taking her sweet voice to the road with two acoustic guitars and nothing else. It was a great set. Doing some old Addison Road stuff, new solo stuff and a cover of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" as well as "How He Loves".

Plus - PHOTO OP!


After that, it was time to rock out... or dance out(?) with Capital Kings.

They're an electronic group, which always makes live shows hard. They basically just sang to the tracks. Yet it was a lot of fun... more fun than it should have been at least. There's just something about a driving kick with good synth backing it up!

After that Jason Dunn took the stage. He used to be the front man for Hawk Nelson. Now, he's a solo artist! The show was a mix of new stuff (three songs) and his Hawk Nelson back catalog. Jason did songs like "California," "Everything You Ever Wanted," and "Friend Like That." He also pulled a couple of random kids onto the stage to pretend to play the guitar. Many awes were heard! I did get a picture with Jason, but I'll spare you seeing me in another goofy pose... just kidding.

While Jason was on stage, Colton Dixion showed up at stage left... since I had the camera out anyway...

If only I had gel in my hair... that would have made this so much better... oh well....

Speaking of Colton, he put on an amazing show. I didn't expect it to be nearly as intense as it was. Lots of crunchy guitars and crazy drum solos.

Then came the grand finale to Kingdom Bound -- MercyMe. To be honest, I had really low expectations. Their songs are usually slow, long and about death. Not that that's a bad thing... It's just that it sounds like an awesome concert (sarcasm).

Man, was I wrong! They had a lot of rock to their sound. They weren't the most active (them getting up at 3a.m may have had something to do with it), but can they ever play. Plus, getting to hear "I Can Only Imagine" live was awesome. Bart Millard (lead singer) even gave a 10 minute sermon. It was really good. I may even have to do a blog post about that on it's own. Plus, there were a lot of people there. Like, a lot of people.

And that was my day. The best part was getting back to the hotel, walking past the lobby... and meeting MercyMe. I even got to ride in the elevator with them. I know I sound like a giddy little kid. I probably am too. But, man! What a day.

God's Love

I've really been enjoying Shine Bright Baby's (yes, there's a band called Shine Bright Baby) song Beautiful Love. It really captures God's relationship with us well. The fact that he made EVERYTHING, sent Jesus to die for us and then, on top of all that, wants to have a relationship with us! It's crazy to think about and something I hope I never get dulled too.

I also really like the third verse -

"Everybody wishes they could change their past

He's forgiving everything, so don't look back"

I for one wish I could do some things (past and present) different. Not even the obvious stuff either. There are soooo many sentences that could be reworded! But, it's in the past. God's not holding us to it. We just need to press on and continue to live a life for him.

All in all, I recommend you look up the track... oh, look at that... it's right there! 

How Animals Eat

I kept seeing a video pop up on the interwebs last week. I just ignored it. Then my sister sent it to me.
Did I laugh? Admittedly, yes...

I'm not sure what it is about this video. The stupidity of? Maybe. The concept? Perhaps. The fact that it's got a pink morph suit? Likely. Whatever the case, I got a few good chuckles out of it. Hopefully you will too.

The most surprising part for me is the view count. 40,000,000. That's a lot of people! Especially when you figure this was likely shot in a guys bedroom.

**Disclaimer - Shut your brain off now, it will save you the bother later**

Boxing Day

I've always wanted to go Boxing Day shopping. This year was not the year to start.

I did, however, hit up a few stores… in a small town neighboring my home town. With a small town comes a small crowd.

Skip forward a day, the day after boxing day, should be safe to do some returns/shopping right? Wrong.

It wasn't as bad as Boxing Day likely is… but it might have been close.

While buying something in a video game store (don’t judge me) the sales guy was trying to sell me a few additional things… only to find out, he couldn't sell them, he was sold out. In fact, it looked like a tornado had gone through most stores.

Shelves were barren, whole isles torn apart at the seams by shoppers getting next year’s Christmas gifts (hmmm… maybe I should have done that)

Moral of the story. Boxing Week shopping is fun… but it’s also not something to do in a rush… especially if it involves Customer Service. 15 minute lines are a little crazy.

                                                                                            

Useless Box

I really don't have a caption for this or a cleaver catch phrase.
It's just a legit idea.
Useless.
Pointless.
Just sits there.... but when someone comes over and starts pushing the button...



I'm thinking this may be a good Christmas present...

Group Therapy Thursday April 19th

Tonight on Group Therapy Thursday we were helping out Angela. She wants to get a nose piercing, but her friends have they'll disown her if she get's it. What should she do?