One of my favorite things to do lately is to sit Tate on my lap and play guitar with him. He loves holding on to the strings while I strum. When he is crying one of the only sure ways to make him calm down is by playing for him. He is a big fan of Rocky Votolato and Switchfoot. If he's in the mood for some harder stuff he prefers Underoath and for his dancy moods, he likes the new Family Force 5 song, "Fever." I can't wait until he is old enough to learn to play. Mel and I simply adore the little lad.
7. The Almost - "Southern Weather"
6. Phil Wickham - "Cannons"
5. Dustin Kensrue - "Please Come Home"
4. Jimmy Eat World - "Chase This Light"
3. Manchester Orchestra - "I'm Like a Virgin Losing a Child"
2. Emery - "I'm Only a Man"
1. Anberlin - "Cities"
In the past week or so I have put together a Virb page to post some of the ridiculous songs that I (and many friends) have recorded over the past several years. In the first installment of songs you will find:
I would like to congratulate Shawn LeBlanc as I am now aware that he has decided to join in this ridiculous facial hair quest. I was not privy to his support for the cause until he sent me this lovely picture. Other newly discovered supporters include Kevin Ludt, Matt Ginn, and Nate Howden. That brings the grand total to 7 noble gentlemen. It is weird to think that the baby is due in less than 2 months. Even as I type that it has yet to sink in.
Mel and I have had some good talks as this has been an interesting time of processing and adjustment for us both. A good and needed time. In other news, after an insane Monday night softball game, a group of us went to see 3:10 to Yuma. I am a big Western fan and this movie is right up there with my favorites. The game was a different story. We were up 13-0 in the 4th and went on to lose 17-13. It was insane. On a personal/arrogant note...the fans from the other team (including Bert) were encouraging the pitcher to strike me out. I stepped out of the batters box and proclaimed that my hit would be dedicated to all of the fans, especially Roberta, and my unborn son. I then hit a triple off the right field fence. It was me vs. Bert and I won. This may be reflected in my rent.
at First Covenant Church in Oakland. The choir is comprised primarily of kids who have lost one or more of their parents to disease or violence in their native country. All of the children in this choir were from Uganda. Prior to the kids coming out on stage, their director explained a brief history of the program and told a little bit about the kids. Melissa and I held up pretty well until the kids ran out from the door beside the stage, dancing, clapping, and singing, while smiling the biggest smiles you've ever seen. Melissa (not normally a crier) had tears streaming down her face as she laughed at the simple beauty of these kids and the joy that poured from them. My eyes welled up as well. We are suckers for stuff like this. It reminded me of the kids that I met at the second orphanage we visited in Ukraine. They were full of life and a love for the Lord. I am really glad that we got to go see the kids sing and dance.
I will end up buying them when they come out for real. I talked to Mel about it and she asked me how I would feel if someone stole or copied one of the DVD's that I made or something like that. It is the same thing and I can't really justify it anymore. So here's to no more leaked CD's and free music. I am in the process of going through the songs on my computer and deleting songs that I have previously pilfered. Kind of a bummer but it is the right thing to do.
