Happy New Year (and a belated Merry Christmas)

I got a flying monkey for Christmas. Serious. My year is now complete.

JRod

In a daze

I realize that the last post probably took more than 60 seconds to read. Sue me.

I have spent the entire month of December in a haze. I am on this stupid strong antibiotic that is making me a walking zombie. I can't sleep well. When I do sleep it is in a funky drugged stupor. I can't think straight (well, that may not be an actual side effect...it may be reality revealed through the meds).

I think the worst part is that it has worn down the censor that M is alway decrying. Not good, friends. Bring the censor back to life. PLEASE. As if my big mouth doesn't already get me in enough trouble, my internal editor has been drugged, bound, and gagged. Foot in mouth syndrome extraordinarily displayed. I'll spare you examples of JRod stupidity in motion.

It's not pretty.



----------------
Now playing: Natalie Grant - Medley: Silver Bells/Savior Came for Me/O Holy Night
via FoxyTunes

60 second recap

I know...the pic on my last post was BAD. Took it really quick w/ my phone and posted here. Maybe I'll get a better one up of the snow that is almost no more. Or not.

***

Posted my big opportunity over on the message board. In short, I'm now the (interim) Music Director @ my church. Been a long time. Sometimes we don't know why God has us where he does, but His way becomes clear after time. Of course, that is scary because usually about the time we think things make sense He throws us a curve ball. Exciting times, none the less. Hectic, but exciting.

***

Speaking of it being a long time, I am really rusty, folks. Pray for me. Scheduling and arranging and performing/ministering and whatever else there is to do...I'm out of shape. WAY out of shape. Not that I haven't sung/played in church, it is just that I demand a very high level of consistency and professionalism from myself that I have not seen lately. Inevitably the maxim that, "Practice does not make perfect, PERFECT practice makes perfect." needs to once again sink in. I'll get there with time. Or not.

***

I always get a little sad about this time because Christmas is almost here, meaning that Christmas will soon be over. I have often toyed with doing the 12 Days of Christmas to make the let down a little easier. It sounds fun, and would stretch the festivities out longer. I have a feeling that it would also help focus on Christ instead of a single day of present opening. Or not.

***

Although I love songwriting, lately I have been feeling that I need another creative outlet to focus on. Not sure why. It's not that songwriting is not fulfilling or exciting or enthralling or a challenge, because it is all of those and more. I just feel that there are also other things I would like to do. Can't draw, paint, or anything like that (though I would love to learn.) Maybe I'll just start doing a short podcast. A little bit of comedy, a little bit of drama, a bit of improv and commentary. Not too short, but not too long. Maybe even interviews with songwriters and other fascinating folk. Hmm. Sounds intriguing. Or not.

----------------
Now playing: Michelle Tumes - Christmas Is Here/Carol Of The Bells
via FoxyTunes

White

Partly cloudy is the same as partly sunny. No lie.

Rule to live by...

Never choose an ex-weatherman as your stockbroker. Ever.



----------------
Now playing: Judy Garland With George Stoll & His Orchestra - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
via FoxyTunes

Ice

Things have been pretty icy around here lately. No sign of it letting up until Wednesday, either.



(Now you know why I'm not a professional photographer.)

It's pretty cold, really gloomy, and very cool. I love gloomy weather. Of course, this is not the kind of White Christmas Bing was singing about. Hope it turns to snow soon, but not too much snow.

OK...gotta get back to work.


----------------
Now playing: Natalie Grant - O Little Town of Bethlehem
via FoxyTunes

Another kid quote

Today my 11 year old son told me about an older kid at school who was being mean. My son told him, "You'd better be nice to me. Some day my tax dollars are going to pay for your jail cell."

My kids crack me up.

Friday night roundup

Had our StLSG Christmas party Thursday night. It was a great time. I'm really stoked about the direction of the group and the overall talent level in general. Makes me hope I can at least keep up with the pack. Yes, they are that good.

New year's resolution (probably my only one) - Don't miss one event this year.

Had a last minute offer to attend the Gaither Christmas Homecoming concert downtown. Fewer artists on stage this time, but it has been about 4-5 years since my last one, so that may now be the norm. I'll not dare to say that the Homecoming "juggernaut" has jumped the shark, but not much has changed in that time. One thing remains certain, it remains the place to experience consistently top-shelf SoGo.

It was a pleasant surprise to see Mark Lowry there, and I must say that the place surged with electricity when Signature Sound took the stage. There is no doubt why an EHSS cut is currently the SoGo songwriter's Holy Grail (at least in my feeble mind.)

So much to do. Almost done with Christmas shopping. My free time has been fully consumed of late. More info on that whole situation soon. I will say that it is an exciting time.

Stay tuned!

Random thoughts

From my oldest daughter -

"Does God really know how many hairs we have on our head? Because I tried to count them and didn't get anywhere."

Wisdom from a professional picture framer -

"Frame the picture, not the room."

From my wife -

"If you just listen to me you won't have to come and apologize later for messing (insert relevant subject) up."

She really knows me. Really.



----------------
Now playing: Take 6 - Silver Bells
via FoxyTunes

Bottom of the ninth, bases loaded, full count...

Life has a way of throwing you a curve ball just when you got used to a series of deceptively easy lobs. Unfortunately a few untimely events have diverted my attention from songwriting lately. I use "untimely" due to the fact that the circumstances have been thrust upon me. Events whose magnitude selfishly compel me to focus all available energies toward them. (I apologize to any of my co writers right now. I really am not a slacker. Really.)

I have neither sought nor desired the immediate change that is before me. Let's just say someone stripped out the clutch in the middle of a paradigm shift. But that may not be a bad thing.

Sorry if I am a little cryptic at present. Once everything is cleared I will explain. Thankfully my focus is only temporarily averted from writing (Although time appears to soon be even more scarce for me.) With slight fear and a little excitement a new door appears to have been opened. Only the next few weeks will tell.




----------------
Now playing: Joy Williams - Here With Us
via FoxyTunes