Tales of Transition

Can I just say how glad I am to no longer have an obligation to the “highly criticized” and “over-hyped” world of Southern Gospel Music!  While there are some great people in that industry and although I hate to burst anyone’s bubble……there are so many bigger things to be a part of.  You never quite realize how much “unintetional” stock you have placed in such a thing until you step back for a few months.  Quite thought provoking for me anyway. 

This blog is not intended to be offesive, just transparent!

I am still learning how to keep up with the fast-paced blogosphere!  It seems like a lot of blogs I read are updated once a day, if not several times a day.  This  is puzzling yet it opens a whole new school of thought for me.  What does it take to be a serious blogger?  Well I have determined it takes several attributes, of which I posses none of them. First it takes a thought.  So many messages and thoughts pass through our 3 pound brains that we often take them for granted.  To take a ordinary, everyday activity and make it a paragraph worth reading takes an immense amount of creativity and manipulating.   Secondly it takes focus.  The ability to sit down and hash through those thoughts takes concentration that surpasses that needed for……………………………………………………….Sorry, I got distracted! Where were we? Oh yeah, thirdly it takes……well……not really sure what else it takes but when you got it, you got it! I hope that I have provided a lens, a telescope, a window into the life of a blogger.  This, of course, comes from someone who is not even close to being a serious contributor to the economy of blogging.  In all seriousness though, check out these bloggers who are definitely a giant leap ahead of me in the blog “chain of command”.   http://spencesmith.typepad.com/ - Spence Smith/ Good Friend and Artist Relations Rep for Compassion International.  http://blissfullykrissy.blogspot.com/ - Krissy Thomas/ Good Friend and Staff at Compassion International.  http://www.blogmaverick.com/- Mark Cuban/ Owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.   

Talked to tax lady today.  She used the word “refund” several times in her ramblings about my 2007 tax situation.  I vaguely remember hearing this term used 6 or 7 years ago, so it seems somewhat familiar.  As fate would have it, Uncle Sam is writing checks to a chosen number of people.  Must be a reward for being an outstanding citizen.   

It’s hard to put into words how much I despise tax season.  I feel like a complete idiot when it comes to all the jargon and lingo associated with paying my yearly government dues.  The ads make it look and sound so easy…..”buy this little cardboard box and all your tax woes will vanish”……….yeah…right!  I am still looking for that box!  However I did recieve news today that there is a tax benefit of $1,200 for a married couple who files on time.  It’s something to do with boosting the economy.  Well I can guaruntee $1,200 will boost my economy……thank you Uncle Sam!   

We have just launched a website for vocal training called www.vocalive.com.  This is a great resource for anyone wanting to become a better vocalist.  Video Vocal Lessons will be posted twice a month.  There are also tons of vocal exercises being added all the time, vocal health tips and much much more.  You can give it a try for 7 days if you want to but more than anything we want you to help us spread the word.  Tell everyone you know!

I am amazed at the number of clueless guys you will find in the floral department of Kroger at 5:00 pm on Valentines Day!  With some dudes, if it aint got NASCAR written on the side of it, their not sure what to do.  C’mon guys, get it together!

Ok so you heard about the episode at the dentist with my face melting pain.  The story doesn’t stop there.  Yesterday the pain became unbearably intense and around 3pm I had to go see if the doctor could help me.  She came in, did the usual temp and blood pressure thing,  all the while I am thinking: “Just get the scalpel and proceed with the amputation of my face!”  Anyhow, I don’t think she was convinced of the pain I was in but she said the magic words…… Steroids and antibiotics.  One shot to the buttocks (Forest Gump style) and one dose of infection killing horse pill and suddenly……I am a new man!  For a while I forgot what it felt like to have no pain.  I mean I have had my wisdom teeth pulled and it didn’t hurt like this did.  So, it turned out to be a sinus infection from the dark place!  Call me a baby….. but you would have fainted from the agony.  Later!

Ok so yesterday I wake up with a killer of a toothache.  I took some motrin around 10:00 am and it seemed to be ok for a little while but as the day went on it just got worse and worse.  So finally I make an emergency call into the dentist and he fits me in.  After looking, prodding, poking, x-raying and a host of other things he says:  ”Man I wish I could help you but…….”  What do you mean but…….?  I am dying here.  As we speak I am second guessing my entire existence.  I mean I’ve read the stories……. Some are burned at the stake, some boiled in oil but seriously a toothache?  Now thats getting creative.  Obviously, I am not comparing myself to a martyr but this throbbing pain has made its way to my head and I am starting to think very dillusionally.  Pray for me, seriously, I may have to take the Tom Hanks/Castaway route and go get some ice skates. Have a pain free day!    

Hey all, This one is particularly for my music compadres but the rest of you may find it interesting too.  Here is a link to my buddy Spence’s blog where he has a post about one of musics heavy hitters making changes that leaves one to question:  Are all bands, across the board, scurrying to find a way to save the record industry?  You be the judge! http://spencesmith.typepad.com/spence/2008/02/u2-may-be-next.html 

Hey everyone!  Today I spent the day at the VBS preview downtown at the Lifeway building.  This years theme is “Outrigger Island: Living God’s Unshakable Truth”.  But most importantly friends…… make sure you get your monthly order of hula skirts and coconut bras into oriental trading because if you wait till after this event…….. you’ll be sorry!