...and suddenly 7 months flew by since my last blog post! I'll be honest I don't even know if anyone reads this thing anymore but just in case I want to give an update on the low-down on Myx..or as I like to call it, the Myx-Up Low-Down. Okay I don't actually call it that but whatever.
Much has changed since last November (2007), yet strangely much remains the same. I continue to be busy at work and in my spare time I am still researching plunging headlong into starting my own business. My family is doing well. My kids are growing fast and realize what an embarrassing dork of a father they have with each passing day. We actually managed to scrimp and save enough to spend a week in Orlando last month visiting Disneyworld and Universal Studios! It twas much blasto! I'm pretty sure I went on all the big rides at least twice! I'll tell more sometime in chats if anyone wants to hear more. :)
As for the podcast, well.....obviously there hasn't been one in quite some time. I'll be honest in that I let myself be pretty burned out and disillusioned about it too. We caught plenty of flack from people who felt that the podcast should be some sort of cyber-pulpit (I promise that will be the one and only time I use the word "cyber" since I hate that word but it seemed to fit there) to exegete Thessalonians or Galatians, or even just to pound the Word of God into the unwashed masses that may hear the podcast. Let me just say that I believe in my heart that God wants us to be living witnesses to the world. I also confess to not being a very good one myself :( but I believe that God wants us to laugh and sometimes just be our wacky selves. In Xianity was never meant to be a sunday sermon...it was meant to be two guys loving God, loving our brothers and sisters, and being really weird for a while. :)
That said I miss my brothers and sisters here so much it hurts sometimes. I miss the shout parties, learning new shout-fu, testimonials, and doing the podcasts for everyone too. I think I speak for Tum too when I say we love you and miss you, and hope to be around more often to keep in touch.
Who me? You want to know about *me*? I'm flattered! Well I am 39-going-on-16 and have been happily married for the past 17 years. Me and my wife have the 3 most awesomest (did I say I was going-on-16?) kids ever! I accepted Christ as my Savior at the ripe age of 16, stumbled too many times to count, fell flat on my face almost as many times, and still don't have it all figured out. I have been a computer geek ever since I got my first Atari 400 when I was 17. My favorite TV shows are X-Files, Seinfeld, and The Simpsons. My favorite color is blue. I love coffee more than I probably should. One of my biggest regrets is not sticking with the guitar and getting really good. I also regret not coming up with that whole Windows thing, but oh well. I love so many different kinds of music that it's crazy. I like everything from Mozart and Wagner to Hawk Nelson and Project 86. I can't stand crowds. I don't hate the individual people that comprise the crowd, I just can't stand the teeming mass of people as a whole. The older I get the more wild I find myself becoming. I realize at some point this will have an adverse effect on my physical health, but I haven't hit that point yet. I would rather be running through the woods with a paintball gun or racing in a go-kart than sitting at home watching television. When I'm in a group I try to find the people that feel ignored by others. In my heart I love God more than anything on this earth, but I don't act like it nearly enough.
Oh....my........gosh. I'm not even going to bother making excuses for my latest online absence. I'm just going to power through filling you all in on what's up with Myx and pretend like I was never gone k?
But I do feel bad for being gone and have missed you all REALLY bad for what it's worth. :)
Lesseee...where to begin. Work has been crazy busy for me for the last few months. Between building new computers for new hires, migrating our existing mail server, and getting a new laptop (w000t!), I haven't had much time for Myxish activities (gaming, podcasting, Messengering, Xianzing). What time I do have left over has been spent with mah chillenz (that's code for "children" btw).
Did I mention I got a new laptop?!?! It is a work laptop but it regularly finds its way into my backpack for the ride home, and by regularly I mean every night. I shall pimp some new photos (a la Chucks) of it here shortly.
Perhaps the biggest news on the Myx front is that I'm dangerously close to making the leap to start my own business. It will be along the lines of web/graphics/audio design since thats where my true jonesing lies. If the leap is made there will be much more info here! :)
I cannot begin to say how much I've missed all my friends here! There is seriously an ache in my heart when I think of how long its been since I've talked to yaz! You are all sooooooo special and beautiful and wonderful to me! God has so richly blessed me just by knowing you all.
So that's just a teeny little nutshell of what is up with me. I'm still here and keep trying to get back on here and MSN more and more each day so thanks for sticking with me and not giving up on me! :)
Welcome to Myx's Top Ten Recent Albums You May Have Not Heard But Probably Should, or MTTRAYMHNBPS for short. This blog is devoted to alerting you to some seriously awesome CD's that you may have not heard of, but owe it to yourselves to at least give a listen to. Lets get started no?
Anberlin - Cities
Leading off is one of my favorite CD's of 2007. I picked up this gem on my trip to visit Tumnus and so should you. Er...not that you all should visit Tumnus but rather you all should....you know what i mean. Anyhoo, this is the 3rd release by Anberlin and is in my opinion their best so far. Standout tracks: Godspeed, Whisper and a Clamor, Dismantle. Repair.
Chasing Victory - Fiends
This band showed up on my radar out of nowhere. This CD is really hard to describe other than to say that in the last 2 months (it released in May of this year) I've probably listened to it more than any other CD I own. Yes. It is *that* good. Go to Best Buy to get the one with 2 bonus tracks too. Standout tracks: Chemicals, Wolves, Queens, Ghouls.
Everyday Sunday - Wake Up! Wake Up!
Yes, yes I know the Christian emo music scene has been saturated in recent years but you owe it to yourself to make room for one more. These boys from Ohio have cranked out one of the most infectiously (the good kind) listenable CD's of the year. If you are a fan of Hawk Nelson, Stellar Kart, Relient K, or Run Kid Run, I'm willing to bet that you either already own this CD or will fall in love with it when you hear it. Standout tracks: Let's Go Back, Wake Up! Wake Up!, Apathy for Apologies, From Me to You.
Family Force 5 - Business Up Front, Party in The Back This one really needs no words. If you don't already own this masterpiece you are officially sentenced to get it by whatever means necessary. er...whatever *legal* means necessary. If that doesn't work, add me to your fellowship here and I'll put it on your Christmas list from me to you. Standout tracks: The Whole Flipping CD!
Flatfoot 56 - Jungle of the Midwest Sea Every once in a while a band comes along that doesn't just break the mold, it almost creates its own genre. Flatfoot 56 is one of those bands. Their recipe? Start with a heart for God, and plenty of gut-level punk rock, and top it all off with bagpipes! Yes I said bagpipes! This CD *begs* to be moshed to and I simply can't help but feel happy everytime I listen to it. Standout tracks: Warriors, Loaded Gun, Carry 'Em Out, City on a Hill.
Haste the Day - Pressure the Hinges
Okay I have to admit I'm sort of late to the whole screamo/hardcore/metalcore scene, but Haste the Day made a true fan with their 3rd release. Armed with new lead vocals, this CD has plenty of growly screamo, but also adds melodic rock and moments of brilliance lyrically. Get the Bonus DVD version to get a behind-the-scenes look at the band and other goodies. Standout tracks: Stitches, Pressure the Hinges, Needles, Chorus of Angels.
Jonezetta - Popularity Jonezetta is another band that sort of came out of nowhere for me. Once I heard them though there were immediately on my "must-have" dance mix CD's. I'm not sure how to classify them other than "pop-rock-dance" maybe. It's just a fun CD that you should definitely check out. :) Standout tracks: Get Ready (Hot Machete), Popularity, Backstabber.
Leeland - Sound of Melodies Okay we're gonna mellow things out a bit with what quite honestly could be one of the best debut releases that I've ever heard. Lyrics that are both thought provoking and inspirational, music that is amazingly tight and polished, Leeland should appeal to just about everyone. Standout tracks: Reaching, Tears of the Saints, Can't Stop, Hey.
Mae - The Everglow Mae is one of my favorite bands. They just have this amazing happy sound that is almost impossible to feel sad whilst listening to. The Everglow represents probably their finest work to date. I would say they lean towards the Pop side but still with plenty of Rock. If you want a CD to have around next time you need a lift, look no further! Standout tracks: Someone Else's Arms, Suspension, The Everglow, Breakdown.
Mutemath - Mutemath Mutemath is one band that should be on everyones radar. Part rock, part techno, they have such an amazing, distinctive sound that they're bound to go even more places than they already have (if you've heard the modern version of the Transformers theme from the movie soundtrack, you've heard Mutemath). Having a keytar in the band doesn't hurt either. :) Standout tracks: Typical, Chaos, Break the Same, You Are Mine.
Paramore - Riot!
Yet another CD that I think I've come close to melting due to playing so much in my car. I challenge you to sit still listening to this disc. Fronted by teeny weeny Haley Williams with a HUGE voice, this is easily one of my Must Have CD's and one of the best of 2007 so far! Standout tracks: For a Pessimist I'm Pretty Optimistic, Misery Business, CrushCrushCrush, Fences.
Relient K - 5 Score and Seven Years Ago
I was one of the millions who had been waiting years for new RK, and they didn't disappoint one bit. Their sound has matured and Matt's biting lyrics and humor remain. Obviously a must-have for any RK fan, even non die-hard fans should give this one a listen. Standout tracks: Come Right Out and Say It, Faking My Own Suicide, The Best Thing, Bite My Tongue, Devastation and Reform.
Showbread - Age of Reptiles
Rounding out the list is one of my new favorite bands. They remind me sort of like the 77's only with more of an edge. This is great music for cleaning the house or driving down the freeway with the windows down. Check them out or just blindly trust me and go buy the CD. :) Standout tracks: Naked Lunch, George Romero Will Be at Our Wedding, Dinosaur Bones, Age of Reptiles.
Well that does it! Another blog in the books for me and what I hope is some shaweet new music for you to check out! God bless!
Well for those of you who haven't given up on me yet :) I'm still here! I've been so flipping busy that I barely remember who I am or how I got here, but I'm still here. I'm taking a break from my Midwest Adventure story but I promise to finish it up one way or another for those who are interested. It was a great memory of mine despite all the travel woes. :)
I must confess something to you all though. I've grown pretty discouraged over the past few months over the lack of time I've had to spend here with you all on Xianz. Been crazy busy and sick to boot :(. I've tried to make time for the podcast too but it just hasn't worked out. I'll keep trying though so keep me in your thoughts k?
Anyhoo, just know that I miss you all...Tum, Trina, Morgan, KitCat, SpacyTracy, Kevin, Robbie, Rinny, PFG Elizabeth, Jezzyka, Cody, C-Jak, Natalie, Kon, Sis-Lou, Angela, Justine, Pastah Deeeee, Teej, Snayr, Debzerz, Pwauly, Stepherz, Zombro, Leakay, Amandapoozerz, Jennerz, Dani, Tina!, Danny, MisterMatt, Alvinbro, Bwetty, Ceecee, Becca, Shirlz, Rosa...the list goes on and on and on..... but know that I miss you all and think about you every day and how much is sucks that I can't be on more often :(.
You all make Xianz the awesome place that it is and I'm truly blessed to know you all! Stay your rockish selves and I'll catch up with you soon I promise. :)
In the meantime practice that tongue-twister and know you are loved by God and me!
Last we knew, Myx was lounging in an airport in Cincinnati, Ohio drinking an overpriced Mountain Dew and waiting for his friend Tumnus to arrive and take him back to Columbus. Our action resumes...
As I gulped the last of my Mountain Dew I decided to give Tum a call and keep him awake on his road trip to Cincinnati. We talked for quite a while about things that friends talk about when it's after midnight and they're both tired. Things like "if Barney and the Teletubbies fought, who would win" (that is only an example, not something me and Tum actually talked about. The Teletubbies would win btw since they are the embodiment of Pure Evil).
Time passed as did the mindless conversation, as well as the minutes on our cell phones. I was still pacing around baggage claim when Tum told me he had made it to the airport. Looking out the windows of baggage claim I noticed there was nothing but shuttles and taxi's outside. Then I saw a dark SUV slooooowly drive into view. Not knowing what kind of car Tum was driving I said to him, "Hey! stop your car!"
The dark SUV stopped.
"Okay now move forward a bit."
The dark SUV creeped forward.
"Okay I think I see you!".
Bear in mind that all this may not have been as easy as just asking what type of car he was driving, but it was at least a bit more entertaining. I grabbed my bag and dashed out to greet him. I threw my bag in the back seat and assumed the shotgun position up front.
I looked at Tumnus.
Tumnus looked at me.
I can honestly say that after only talking with Tum on the phone (albeit for almost a year) and exchanging pics and countless emails....meeting him for the first time never felt so natural. Almost like it wasn't the first time we'd ever met. As we hit the freeway I filled Tum in on my adventure so far and he assumed the role of tour guide and told me about the landmarks as they zippped by.
Eventually we rolled up to my hotel (I took notice of a Tim Horton's within walking distance of the hotel) and parked. As I checked in and got my room key I laid claim to 4 lone chocolate chip cookies on the check-in desk. Tum walked me to room 205 so he'd know where I was for retrieval the next morning (which was actually *this* morning but I digress) and we did what all brothers gotta do. We exchanged the standard issue 3-pat hetero-hug and said goodnight. :)
I flicked on the TV and ate 2 of my 4 choco-chip cookies. Some time later I turned off the TV and climbed under the covers. I glanced at the cheap hotel alarm clock:
2:33am
It was now February 22nd and time to dream....of hockey.
Here's I am =D on your page.. Stalking your Comments.. Sending you a smile and a hug. wOOt!!!
November 01, 2007
Graphics for Hugs Comments
October 31, 2007
Just droppin in after a long long hiatus from sending out testimonials =D... letting you know that I haven't forgotten you and still pray Gods blessings on you always =D. ~Trina
October 10, 2007
September 23, 2007
September 19, 2007
September 17, 2007
Big hugs!! :D May God fill your heart with love.. Love that is all consuming and that will spill out of your life and onto all of us others. :)
September 10, 2007
September 10, 2007
Just droppin in to say hi and leave a big hug! :).. I hope your Monday is blessed and startes your week rolling off right! :)
