RE:think

Cheesecake Poppers

Arby's now has deep fat fried cheesecack. I mean cheesecake. Anyone  brave enough to join me in trying these lovely little morsels and writing about the horror that ensued?

Cheesecake Poppers

Massive Shortage of Rock

I found a new website that will be a regular stop for me now.

MelodicRock.com

I just read a great quote from Nuno Bettencourt, guitarist  for Extreme, who are forming up for a comeback album...

"Rock and Roll Famine…I know it might sound crazy, but there is a massive shortage of rock and roll on this planet," says Bettencourt. "It's almost extinct. I mean the true spirit of quality rock and roll, ­you know, Musicianship, when you would give up every moment of your day to master your instrument and create your own identity and sound so as to respectfully outdo all your past heroes whilst proudly wearing the badge of their influences."
"Passion," says Bettencourt, is what drives Extreme. "To do whatever it takes, with integrity, to bring music to the people, not because of fame…but just cause you simply couldn't wait to share it with them."
"We realized," adds Bettencourt, "not only are the people starved for rock and roll...So are we. Let's eat."

Right on man! There are so few musicians anymore. And Nuno has the chops to make this statement.

While on this site I also found the following...

Scrap Metal

Wow.

Christian Blog Burnout

I think I read way too many blogs published by Christians. I read blogs posted by Evangelicals, Calvinists, Main-Liners,  "Fundies", liberals, conservatives, Emergents, and even a Catholic or two. And while these blogs are only a sample of the Church, some of the more vocal folks out there, what I read is beginning to bum me out.

There is very little love in most of what I read. Most of it is cold, mind driven, and self-centered. Even those who try to be careful in how they say something are just putting up a facade. The Gospel is no longer or never has been their central focus. And when I read that junk, it's not my focus either.

We Christians have the greatest message in the history of the world and can't even follow it with each other.

So I have decided to cut out those blogs that are divisive and mean spirited. No more will I read something just to get my "angry fix". I am part of the problem when I do that. And it's a great adrenaline rush to get up in arms over something and spout off. I won't do it anymore. If you catch me doing it, please smack the back of my head and tell me I'm an idiot (either in real life or virtual).

Those of you who read this blog and have one of your own are awesome. To me you are the best of the best when it comes to blogging, Christian or otherwise. So if you are reading this and blog yourself, I am not talking about you. You guys and gals rock.

I'd encourage anyone out there reading to join me in this exercise. It doesn't have to be about blogs that make you stumble. If there is anything out there that causes you anger when it comes to your brothers and sisters in Christ and you can drop it, then drop it. It's ok to get "righteously angry", but it's thin line between that and the kind of angry that we enjoy...

Alter'd State - Woodstone Deli - November 30th

28 days later...

We'll be back at the Woodstone this Friday night playing all your favorites from the 70's and 80's. Only place in Kingsport this weekend where you'll hear ZZ Top, Def Leppard, John Mellencamp, Deep Purple, Skynyrd, AC/DC, Billy Idol, Prince, Seger, Judas Priest, Hank Jr, The Eagles, GFR, Robert Palmer, Bad Company, the Stray Cats and many more...

4$ cover .

Bring friends and let's hang out and have a good time.

Unintended Break

I hadn't planned to break from blogging, but with the flu hitting me and all, it just happened. So I just wanted to let you know I am back and will be putting a few things up over the next few days.

I am pretty much over the flu but am not quite 100% percent yet. I have to tell ya,  I am so thankful for my health after I have been sick. This time has been no different. When I feel well it is so easy to forget where my health and strength come from and to be thankful.

So come back soon and I'll have some stuff up to read...

TV Observations With a Fever of 103

I've been suffering with the flu as you all know from my last post. Today I am feeling a bit better and the temp dropped below 100 for the first time since late Tuesday night. Since then, I have been laying in the bed watching (sort of) a lot of TV. I purposely tried watching stuff I wouldn't normally watch so that my weird feverish flu-ridden dreams might be a little more interesting. (that didn't really work) So I thought while I am still a tad loopy, it would be fun to make some observations.

Reality Show I Want to See

"I Love Hilary"

Based on shows like "Rock of Love" and "I Love New York". This show star Hilary Clinton and instead of finding her a romantic interest, it would pit 16 news media personalities against one another to find out who the biggest groupie is. My money is on Alan Combs, or that scary scratchy voiced lawyer lady who is on FOX News all the time being a far left freakazoid. Ann Coulter should be the host.

Commercials

That Hardees commercial with the dude entranced by the hula girl bobble doll while eating the Hawaiian chicken sandwich makes me sick. I think it's mostly because the Hawaiian words they use just register in my head weird. Or it could be that the thought of any food while I have been sick makes my stomach turn. So, it stands to reason a chicken sandwich with pineapple on it from a fast food chain is not very appetizing at 103.

Wastes of Time on 24 Hour News Channels

This Peterson case of the missing wife and the exhuming of a prior wife dominates these channels? With all that is going on in the world we have to hear night after night about this? Sensationalizing these stories is not good for anyone, especially the victims and the victim's loved ones. I can't figure out for the life of me how, when kids disappear everyday, this story dominates 24 hour news. Can anyone explain? Are we the viewer that messed up?

Tags: Hardees, Flu, Hilary Clinton, 24 Hour News, TV

Pray for Me

I have the flu.

You Know What I Love?

I love having a long hard week at work, a busy weekend with little rest and then as a cherry on top, ending said weekend badly on a Sunday night right before it's time to head back to work in the morning.

It's so crazy how we sabotage ourselves and/or leave ourselves open to have thing blown up by others. I probably could have ending this weekend fine had I just kept my mouth shut.

Lesson learned I guess.

Well, I plan to have a good week in spite of it all. What do you do on a Sunday evening to help start the work week well?

Buzzcutz Podcast Interview

My Dad and I had the pleasure of being on a podcast that covers our local music scene here in the greater Tri-cities area. It's called Buzzcutz and is part of The Buzz on the GoTricities Network. We got get on and talk about our band, Alter'd State and what's going on with us.

I've listened to this podcast since it began a few weeks ago and it is top notch. You need to check us out  talkin' it up with Tom Bettini, David Cate, and Jared Bentley, all local musicians and hosts of this show. A big thanks to them for having us.

It goes for about an hour, and covers lots of ground. Be warned, there are, as Spock once said, "color metaphors" on this podcast. For you non-Star Trek fans, that means some language that may offend.

If you have Itunes, you can click this link to subscribe to the weekly podcast.

I suggest that you subscribe and keep up with it. I know I will be.

The Wisdom of Children

I learn lessons from my kids all the time. And sometimes I learn what innocence is all about. I get to see the world through the eyes of my kids, the way I ought to.

My youngest, Riley, is my little buddy. I am not sure why sometimes, but he absolutely adores his Daddy. If I am home he never more than a few feet away. I think, probably for that reason, I talk with him more than just about anyone. And for a four year old, the boy can do some talking.

I ask him all the time "are you Daddy's little man"?" He always answers with a resounding, "Yes!" A few nights ago when I asked and he gave his usual reply, he added that Ricky, his big brother, is my big man. I found this interesting. He said it very, peacefully, and has no malice or jealousy attached to it. So I asked...

"You're really ok being the little man aren't you?"

To which he answered, "Yeah, I like being the little man. Nobody else is your little man."

After I got past the lump in my throat and the watery eyes, I realized that Riles is completely happy with his spot in life right now. He is so much more content than anyone else I know. I know it won't always be that way, but it's nice seeing how things ought to be, especially through my own little ones.

So be like Riles! Wherever you and whatever you are doing, try be happy being in that place. It's much easier to get through life when we aren't coveting the things we don't have and envying others for having them.