a normal guy living in a crazy world

Update.

Things have been crazy the past few weeks.  I started a new schedule at work, so I am getting used to it.  I now go in at 7:00 in the morning, and then leave at 4:00 in the afternoon.  For those of you that really know me, you know that I have never been a morning person, so it has been fun; I do like getting off fairly early though.  Last weekend on Friday we have the Comatose tour show.  I posted about that previously.  Saturday morning we left to drive to Columbus for a family reunion.  It was fun.  Sunday night we came back home.  Tonight we had the preschool graduation at our church.  Every year I help put together a slide show and run the sound board.  Tomorrow morning we go to get the new car serviced.  Catch up with you soon.

Faceless

Last night Jennifer and I went to see Skillet at the Tivoli Theater in Chattanooga, TN.  It was a completely amazing show.  It started at 7:30 and was not over until 11:30.  The opening acts included:  Nevertheless, Decyfer Down and Thousand Foot Krutch.  To make it even more awesome, Jennifer and I were able to get front row seats.  To make it even more more awesome, we found out that Skillet filmed their whole performance for a Live DVD.  Nevertheless (from Chattanooga) kicked off the night and did four songs.  Two songs were from their CD and two were from an upcoming release.  They did a good job.  This was my first time seeing them.  Decyfer Down was up next and they also did a good job.  It's hard to describe them.  They are for sure hard rock.  During the opening song the fake smoke and strobe lights created an almost spooky atmosphere.  The lead singer plays the bass as well.  TFK was up next and they did a good job.  This was my first time seeing them, although I have one of their cd's.  They did a long set which was cool.  I recognized a good portion of their songs.  Skillet took the stage at a little past 10.  It was completely awesome and they rawked my face completely off.  They did nothing old with the exception of two songs.  Their set list was songs from their latest album Comatose and the previous album Collide.  After playing "Savior" they did a one song encore that was an older song.  They did "Best Kept Secret."  Earlier they had played a worship song from their worship album.  Skillet puts so much into the performance and the playing.  Sure its hard rock and loud but it is totally awesome.  I took a lot of pictures that I will post in the near future.  I do have some I will include here:

Nevertheless
(I met them and got an autograph)

Lead singer for Decyfer Down

TFK # 1

TFK # 2
(I got a guitar pick from him)

TFK # 3

Korey (Skillet # 1)

John (Ben in the background and also lead singer of Decyfer Down playing bass)

Korey (Skillet # 3)

John (Skillet # 4)

John and Jenn (Jenn is the drummer, but sang lead on a verse during this song)

The above pictures were taken with my iPhone.  I also took some film pictures that I will scan and post soon.  All in all a fantastic show.  It will be neat to see it again once the DVD is released.

Don't mess with me.

posted from iPhoneSlide.com

Chickamauga Battlefield Pic 1

posted from iPhoneSlide.com

my take on the Dove Awards

Okay.  So the Dove Awards were this past Wednesday.  It was really cool that they were on television this year, but unfortunately  DishNetwork does not carry the Gospel Music Television channel.  On Thursday, I looked up the website to see the winners.  I just thought I might post my thoughts on the winners and who I thought should have won.  By no means am I an expert or anything.

//Song of the Year//

Winner - "East To West" performed by Casting Crowns. 

My thoughts... I really like the song that won.  There were quite a few other songs that were nominated that I really liked as well though.  This is a toss up, I really liked the song that won. 

//Male Vocalist of the Year//

Winner - Chris Tomlin

My thoughts... I am a huge fan of Chris Tomlin.  I think that he is a great artist.  I got to see him this past year (at Passion Atlanta) and he is an all around great musician.  Once again, there were others that would have been just deserving.  Again, a toss up.

//Female Vocalist of the Year//

Winner - Natalie Grant

My thoughts... I like Natalie.  I like her music.  However, I was pulling for Christy Nockels.  Perhaps she does not have as many radio hits or something, but have you heard "Hosanna"?  Great song off the latest Passion CD. 

//Group of the Year//

Winner - Casting Crowns

My thoughts... Okay?  Why was Third Day not nominated??  Just kidding.  It had been awhile since they released some new music.  Just wait until next year though.  I do like Casting Crowns.  They had a very good year with their new music.  I was pulling for the David Crowder*Band.  Remedy was a fine release. 

//New Artist of the Year//

Winner - Brandon Heath

My thoughts... Brandon Heath was a good choice.  His CD is a great album.  Rush of Fools would have been another good choice.  Not a lot of thoughts on this one.

//Artist of the Year//

Winner - tobyMac

My thoughts... I am a huge fan of tobyMac.  I think it is awesome that he won.  I was pulling for Skillet though.  They have had a lot of success with Comatose, and sometimes I think they get overlooked.   Sure they are really hard rocking.  Sure if you go see them you may wind up faceless.  I am glad to see them with a win for  Rock Song.

//Special Event Album//

Winner - Glory Revealed

My thoughts... I really liked this album.  Glad that it won. Just said that I missed the tour.

Okay.  I think that covers all the big ones.  I have not gotten to all the songs categories, etc.  I might hit those at some point.  The above is just my two cents.  Take it for its worth. 

To see the entire winners list, check this page out.

Us at the Lookouts game

posted from iPhoneSlide.com

I love this picture.

posted from iPhoneSlide.com

Tennessee Aquarium in the distance

posted from iPhoneSlide.com

Chattanooga Lookouts

posted from iPhoneSlide.com

A no picture update

Sorry for the recent lack of "real" updates.  Work was semi-busy last week and then we were gone over the weekend.  I tried to use the excuse of posting a picture in lieu of an update.  As you might have gathered from some of my sparse twitter posts or pictures, Jennifer and I went to a family reunion this past weekend.  The reunion took place in Esto, Florida.  How can a town with a population of 359 (up from 356 in 2000) have its own wikipedia page?  It was for her side of the family and it went well.  We didn't get home last night until after 12:30.   Today it was back to work.  May is looking to be a busy month, but this upcoming weekend is not  booked as of yet. 

On another positive note, my stepfather, Jim Fletcher is home from the hospital.  Thank you for your prayers.  He is feeling a little better, but still is pretty weak.  He now has a "take home" iv that he will be on for four to six weeks.  After the infection is completely gone, he will go back to Atlanta and have a new defibrillator put in.  Please do keep praying for him.

On the technology front, I started a tumblr account.  From what I have gathered, it is a little bit meatier then a twitter post, but less meaty compared to a full fledged blog update.  I'm not sure how often I will update it, but will see what I can do. 

Pictures are worth a thousand words, right?