Oh, Texas.

Thank you for showing me the great love you have for yourself. I felt it so strongly. I will forever remember what your state flag looks like, the star, gosh that star. And the roads, the on-ramps and off-ramps so well thought out and not in any way confusing, I just loved that asphalt of yours! There's your food... wonderful. Fast food everywhere, grease and staleness made my taste buds tingle and my belly jiggle. Oh, and thank you for purging my body of impurities through my sweat glands. The beautifully hot and humid weather was amazing! My shirts were stained with salt creating the most wonderful designs. 

Thank you Texas for making me love Colorado so much more than I did last week. Tip of the hat.  

Encounter July / Summit Four Square Church

The First Encounter Service

It went really well. It was fun to serve, to be a part of building something for God and for other people. There was an awesome time of worship, the band we had put together was great. I ended up performing an acoustic solo, a song I wrote that was inspired by the events of my brother becoming deathly ill for a weekend. (He is recovering btw) Boy was I nervous though, didn't think I would be but as soon as I was walking up there I got really nervous...forgot some lyrics but played it out pretty well. It's been like 3 years since I sang and played in front of people. Anyways...I'll keep some updated info about the upcoming Encounter service that will be held on July 1st. 

Vegas

Finally back from my trip to Vegas for the NAB convention. I am so glad to be back to the fresh air of Colorado.

I lived in Vegas for 14 years of my life. My family moved there from Charlton Massachusetts when I was 10 years old. I would consider Vegas my home town. I finished elementary school, worked my way through the confusing times of Jr. High and High School. I attended a community college for 3 years and transferred to the Art Institute of Las Vegas. I met life long friends and lifelong heartaches. I discovered what I loved and what I loathe. I owned and sold a Datsun 280zx that carried so many memories of freedom. Last but not least on this list of vagueness, I met my wife in Vegas.

All of these memories came rushing back as I stepped out of the airport and felt the warm city air. At that point and throughout the whole night, I missed my home town. I had wished that Tess was there with me, I wish that we were in my blue 280zx driving up the strip. I had wished that my brother was there with me planning another weekend trip to La Jolla.

By the end of the week these feelings faded fairly quickly. I realized that I just missed all these memories, not Vegas. It doesn't really matter where you live but how you live. It seems that I have forgotten how to make memories like these.

Quick list for Bryce.

1. There was a small battle that took place. I saw the whole thing, the confidence in the question I wanted to ask, the hesitation because I wanted my first words to be something different than everyone elses, the outcome being exactly what I didn't want but exactly what I knew it would be.

2. "I bet people always ask you how tall you are."

3. I laughed at myself. Mainly because I knew what really just happend. It wasn't just a question.

4. "Six foot nine inches" was his answer.

5. I was sitting outside of Starbucks and was reading "Blue Like Jazz" when I found out that me and Bryce had something in common.

6. I figured that if he liked this book then we would probably get along, probably have some good conversations about life, love, and God.

7. My figures were correct.

8. Quickly we became good friends.

9. I taught him the ropes of Starbucks. (Or maybe he figured them out?)

10. He's a bright kid.

11. We would flail around Starbucks yelling out Arnold Swartz lines and loud lingering "MAAAAAMAAAAAAAAs."

12. I'd throw things at him and he would throw a fit and cuss at me. I would appoligize and hope that he was alright.

12. I'd make it up by making him a "J-ROD."

13. He would tell me how much it sucks that Kate was in another state.

14. I understood.

15. He was soon to wed and move far far away.

16. I was one of the people who tried to talk him out of moving.

17. I told him that Wisconsin would be crappy.

18. He cussed at me.

19. I felt horrible and realized that I needed to support him.

20. I love his honesty and frankness.

21. I missed his wedding because my daughter Olive was born the week of.

22. I felt bad about that. I still feel bad.

23. He moved.

24. He inspired me to start blogging.

25. I check his blog at least three times a day...just waiting for more words.

26. I miss him.

Another summer ends.

I can't see it but it feels good right now. There is a cool fall breeze touching my face and challenging the sunlight that warms my neck. Even if I didn't know that it is October I would still know that this breeze tells of Autumn. There is a coolness that voids the warmth of the sun.

Each spring I feel an urgency, I feel close to the sun, like we're friends. I tell people that I am scared fall will sneak up on me. I know that I will miss the warmth of summer, taking it for granted.

But sitting here right now waiting for the line in Starbucks to dissipate. I am grateful for this breeze. It creates a new page to write on which I am thankful for.

The old woman who scowls at me.

1. The usual. This morning, at 7:53am I open my garage, enjoy the warm sun touching my face and push my 500 pound bike out and onto my driveway.

2. The unusual. A policeman in his Longmont issue Dodge Charger, parked across the street from my house.

3. The air. Calm and quiet.

4. The air after I start my bike. Calm but loud for 7:55am.

5. The usual. I make my way down Jewel Dr. towards 19th St.

6. The unusual. A policeman in his Longmont issue Dodge Charger, following me.

7. The air. Annoying and filled with red and blue lights flashing all over the freakin place.

8. The air after I turn off my bike. Filled with the phrase/question "What the crap?"

9. The usual. I am confused and about to get angry.

10. The unusual. I didn't get a ticket. The cop was nice to me, he even laughed at the old woman who called the police department every morning for the past two weeks because of my obnoxious hell raising motorcycle.