Busy Busy Busy

A lot has been happening in my life. My son is in the angst of high school, my daughter is almost one year old and walking like a madwoman, my wife is awesome but not liking being a stay at home all the time, and I have more things I want to do than time to do them.

That said, I have started an online ‘radio’ station with some friends that is taking up a lot of my time. The cool part about it though is that my wife and my son (not yet, but soon) are involved with me. So that makes it a cool family event.

I have always loved music, so to be able to share that love with my family and friends is a very good feeling. I sometimes forget how much my life was consumed with music. I have done all the following jobs which involve, in some way, music.

• I worked for TVT Records, the original label for Sevendust and Lil’ Jon. I think I worked on Sevendust’s original street team as well as those for Buck-o-Nine and Juno Reactor.
• In college, I was the rap music director for my station, WOSP Osprey Radio. This is where my life and music really made a bond, which I still hold today. I spent a lot of time listening and acquiring new music and reporting on the most popular tracks. There I met and befriended Cle Cooks, who I have just reconnected with on Facebook. While at WOSP, I was in charge of all rap music that played on the station as well as broadcasting my own show. My on air name was the ‘The Blue Eyed Soul Brotha’ and the name of my show was “Freks uv the Industree”. I started out doing a show with a guy I knew named Mark. We were originally going to call the show “Mark Mecca and the Blue Eyed Soul Brotha” but we decided against it. When Mark moved to Kansas, his girlfriend, Sarah, stepped up and took over for him. She was awesome and I wonder what she is doing now? I haven’t talked to her in years. Anyways, I used a modified version of DJ Shadow’s song “Best Foot Forward” from his album Endtroducing as well as very often playing the Digital Underground song Freaks of the Industry (which is obviously where the title of our show came from). While I was there, I interviewed artists such as Mystikal (on his experiences in the Gulf War), Black Thought from The Roots (don’t remember what we talked about, I was star struck) and the group Do or Die (who ended up giving me awesome vegetarian recipes before the night was over, as well as discussing Foxy Brown and if she was in fact Foxy in real life). All in all, my time at WOSP opened up a lot of doors to music for me. The biggest one was MTV.
• One day at the WOSP station, I was looking on the internet (which was a big deal back then) and I saw an article about kids in college working for MTV as writers. Well, because back then I thought I could do anything, I applied. Wouldn’t you know, I ended up being the online stringer for Jacksonville, FL. Which meant I went to shows and wrote about them for MTV’s web site and I got paid for it. Seriously?! Awesome. I also became really popular with clubs because they wanted to kiss my ass, well not really mine but MTV’s, so I got in free and all that crap. I only did it for a semester, but it was fun and opened up the door (in the long run) for one of my next adventures in music.
• While I was in the Navy (?!WTF I know) I must have got bored so I decided to try and start booking shows for clubs in Jacksonville. I started a business called Punk Ass Crab Productions. What a stupid name right? Well, despite that stupid name, I got to book shows around town and it was pretty fun and it got my name known a little more and led me to my next adventure in music. Managing.
• While I was booking shows, I met a band called Negative 121 at a show that was one of our most successful shows to date. I think it was the show I booked with them and Evergreen Terrace. You might have heard of them. Anyways, after the show, I get asked by the band if I was interested in managing them. I thought about it and decided to do it. I was getting tired of booking and with all the people I had met, it shouldn’t be too hard to get this band some shows around town.
• So I started managing. The band changed their name to Soapbox Seven and started playing shows around town. Because of my days with MTV and the bookings I already had done and the people I met, getting shows wasn’t very hard. The kids were happy playing shows and we met a lot of kids from all over the place. Ben, James and Kyle were happy and so was I. Eventually, as a lot of bands with young kids in them do, the band split up. About a month after they split, I got a call from a label that wanted to sign them. I don’t think I ever told them because by this point they were happy and I didn’t want them getting back together just to get signed. It wouldn’t have lasted. So all in all, I ended up working for them for about two years and never got a single dime. I loved doing it and I will always love those guys. Last I heard, James is a tattoo artist, I have no idea about Kyle (but I saw him a few years later at a party where I met my wife for the first time) and Ben is a drum technician who has worked with Matchbook Romance and was on the Jonas Brothers tour. Good for him. He was amazingly talented. Like he took lessons from Travis Barker for real talented.
• During this time, I also worked at a record store and was the man when it came time for a customer to ask about a song or album. All you had to know was a few lines and I could tell you what any song was. My manager, who looked like Babyface, always pointed every customer to me, even the disbelieving rap guys. They were pleasantly surprised when the “white guy” knew every song they were looking for as well as where it was and when it came out.
• I’m sure I left out a lot in my life that is music related. Like my man crush on Gerard Way from My Chemical Romance or the fact that I could have done a lot more with it as a career if I stuck it out. If I think of anything else, I will update this post.

So do I love music? Yes. Will I always? I hope so. It is one of the few things that you can talk to anyone about. Everyone has heard some form of music in their life right?

Jesus Christ and College Football

To my wife’s chagrin, I play a lot of NCAA College Football on my 360. Most of the time she just ignores me while I’m playing, even when I tell her all the cool things (to me) I have done in the game and all the ways I try to make the game more interesting. Like the time I pretended that Bill Gates and Steve Jobs ran the NCAA and all the lower level teams got promoted to the big conferences and the national champion ended up being Middle Tennessee State out of the S.E.C. and the team I created for our old coffee shop had a bunch of the kids that came in on the team and I was the quarterback (that was my Touchdown Satan website – where I might post these writings as well, haven’t decided).

So I’ve had the game for a while and have played a few dynasties and campus legends but I was getting bored with it. Maybe because I have been reading the Bible lately, or maybe because I thought it was a cool idea, I decided to create Jesus Christ as a player for the BYU Cougars. Not only that, I made him the quarterback…and also the kicker, punter, punt returner, kick returner and starting cornerback. You know, because he is Jesus. I would have made him play more positions but the game wouldn’t let me.

So how do you make Jesus look in a football game and what number would he be? Well I made him 5′11″ and 180 lbs. just because and made him number 7 because of the whole creating the universe thing. And 7 is a lucky number I guess. I contemplated him wearing protective shielding over his eyes but I figure he has perfect vision. All his stats are maxed out at 99 and he is the best player on the team by far.

I kept BYU’s schedule the way it was and set my playing level at Heisman because I wanted the hardest challenge I could give myself. My goals for the first season are to win the Heisman and the National Championship as a freshman. Hopefully, I can break a few records too. BYU runs a spread offense so it should be fun having a QB with perfect accuracy and throwing power as well as being the fastest player on the field (And being able to turn water into wine and all those other awesome things).

I plan on posting a write up of each game as well as anecdotes involving how Jesus adapts to college life in Utah and his week to week musings. I hope it’s funny. I know it will be to me but my wife will probably think I am being an ass. Maybe I can combine this with my Bible readings?

The first post should be coming soon…

NCAA Football: The Boy vs. Dad – Game 4

MICH 26 – OSU 45

This game was a rout from the first kickoff. The Boy didn’t realize how potent this offense was (at least in a video game) until his WR #4 returned the opening kickoff all the way back for a touchdown. From that point until the end of the game, he referred to him as ‘Grease Lightning’. I was already annoyed. Coupled with the fact we were in the horseshoe, it was 30 degrees and snowing heavy and none of my receivers could hold on to the ball. Oh wait, this was Michigan. I forgot how sorry they were last year. However, it was a rivalry game, and anything could happen. Right? Then I found myself down 17-0, but I didn’t give up hope. To my son’s chagrin, I just stopped kicking to #4 and took my chances on defense while playing safe on offense. Didn’t matter, WR #4 touched the ball like seven times and scored eight, a mathematical impossibility, but it happened. To insure there would be no comeback, he injured my starting quarterback…and running back. Game over. I was blown out. Thanks Rich Rodriguez. Coach Dad gets demolished.

This game puts the score overall at Boy 2 – Dad 2.

Team Ratings:
Michigan – Overall 84, Offense 81, Defense 89
Ohio State – Overall 99, Offense 99, Defense 99

NCAA Football: The Boy vs. Dad – Game 3

CIN 13 – KENT 25

The Boy tried to use some reverse psychology on me, picking the team I used to just beat him with the other day. Problem was, his corners didn’t show up like mine did. At least not until the second half. The switch from Varsity to All-American level took some getting used to for the boy, but he finally made the adjustment.The Golden Flashes surprised me. I had never used them before and was afraid I was going to get blown away, but the combination of the new skill level and the boy refusing to not throw a 30 yard pass almost every play did him in. If he would have settled in much sooner, I would have lost.

This game puts the score overall at Boy 1 – Dad 2.

Team Ratings:
Cincinnati – Overall 84, Offense 81, Defense 89
Kent State – Overall 72, Offense 77, Defense 71

What’s God Doing In Your Life=I’m Getting Ready To Judge You.

Found the following from a link on TheBeAttitude. I am interested in reading what anyone who responded to my previous post ‘Dad, Are You An Atheist‘ have to think about these. Here are some examples of what you will find:

“I believe this because the Bible says so.”

Translation: “I have no clue about the history of that big book I’m in love with, and I don’t care either, because it’s God’s Word, and if God said it, it must be true.”
Acceptable Response: “Amen.”
Unacceptable Response: “It also says to kill homosexuals.” They might heartily agree to that one, which in case the unacceptable response becomes, “It also says to kill your children when they talk back. Have your children ever talked back?” Or, “Explain to me the authorship and transmission of the Bible, and why you think it’s God’s Word.” Or especially, “Jesus said to give anything to those who ask of you – and not only to give what they ask, but more. So please give me your wallet and your car.”

“What’s God doing in your life?”

Translation: “I’m getting ready to judge you.”
Acceptable Response: “I’m conquering pride and lust!” Or, “Oh, Jesus, Jesus, I love Jesus my beautiful King and Savior!”
Unacceptable Response: “God’s been teaching me about how much evidence there is for evolution.”

“Hate the sin, love the sinner.”

Translation: “I’m a flaming fundamentalist.”
Acceptable Response: “Amen.”
Unacceptable Response: “That’s a relief, because I’m a homosexual transvestite in an interracial relationship.”

“Have you found Jesus?”

Translation: “Are you also a Jesus-lover, or must I convert you?”
Acceptable Response: “I’ve been walking with the Lord since I was two years old, Praise Gawd!”
Unacceptable Response: “I didn’t know he was missing.” (source)

“I’ll pray for you”

Translation: “This conversation is over. My mind exploded.” Or, “I refuse to believe you won this argument.”
Acceptable Response: “Thanks, you’re so kind.”
Unacceptable Response: ”Instead of praying, why don’t you read a non-Christian book?” Or, “I’ll think for you.” Or especially, “Liar.”
[Inspired by Richard, Gdad, and Wazza.]

“Lord willing…”

Translation: “The Bible says somewhere to say this, and I feel uber-spiritual whenever I do.”
Acceptable Response: “…”
Unacceptable Response: “How would you know if it’s the Lord stopping you, or just your laziness?”
[Inspired by Polly.]

“Here’s my testimony…”

Translation: “I was a guilt-ridden sinner until I hit rock-bottom and then believed in Jesus and my sins were forgiven!”
Acceptable Response: “That’s a great story, how can I have my sins forgiven and go to heaven?”
Unacceptable Response: “The reason you’re telling your story is because it’s impossible for me to say you didn’t have that experience. Unfortunately, people have religious experiences all the time, and many of them have nothing to do with Jesus. Your story is nice, but it’s easier to fool yourself than you might think. You don’t know the truth about God and Jesus and the Bible through an emotional experience, but through evidence, and you’ll find that lacking.”

“Atheism is a religion.”

Translation: “Atheism is a religion because everyone believes there is a god, right?”
Acceptable Response: “They know there is a God and they reject him and hate him! They will burn in hell forever!”
Unacceptable Response: ”Calling ‘atheism’ a religion is like calling ‘bald’ a hair color.” (Don Hirschberg) Or, “If atheism is a religion, then not collecting stamps is a hobby.” (Mystyk)

“Have you made your peace with God?”

Translation: “Are you a Jesus-lover like me?”
Acceptable Response: ”Of course, Jesus is my best friend! He’s filled my soul with gladness and joy, brother.”
Unacceptable Response: ”I wasn’t aware we were quarreling.” (Paul Bogan) Or, “It’s hard to make peace with someone who never calls you back.”

Read the whole article in it’s entirety here.

NCAA Football: The Boy vs. Dad – Game 2

CIN 98 – UGA 63

The second game in this family rivalry almost ended in fisticuffs. Verbal fisticuffs that is. The boy was rattled early on and threw 8 interceptions before dad stopped counting. Threats of quitting and going to bed early were bantered about but the game finished as planned. Dad felt better about his skills, after losing so badly the first game, and the next match up in this ever growing rivalry should be good. Team selection will play an important role from here on out. The Boy can’t be UGA every game, can he? One thing we did learn, no more playing on Varsity level, it’s ridiculous. This game puts the score overall at Boy 1 – Dad 1.

Team Ratings:
Cincinnati – Overall 84, Offense 81, Defense 89
Georgia – Overall 99, Offense 99, Defense 99

Trailer: True Blood Season 2

Unfortunately, I will have to wait and watch this after the premiere on Sunday. Unless I can get my stupid Dish Network to work like it is supposed to. Don’t hold your breath. I do not want to hear any thing about how awesome or how sucky it was until I can watch it for myself. Thanks.

NCAA Football: The Boy vs. Dad – Game 1

UNC 41 – UGA 51

The inaugural match up pitting father versus son was not as close as the score shows. UNC was a terrible choice for dad as the Georgia Bulldogs dominated the much slower and shorter Tarheel cornerbacks. Not until Coach Dad could finally figure out a way to stop Boy’s aerial dominance (blitz, blitz, blitz) did the game become close. By that time, it was just too late. This game puts the score overall at Boy 1 – Dad 0. Game on!

Team ratings:
UNC – Overall 79, Offense 79, Defense 80
Georgia – Overall 99, Offense 99, Defense 99

Shrink – Part 3

Peter began dating a girl named Gwen from college after they both pretty much avoided it at all costs for way too long. They always were attracted to each other, but Peter was consumed with worry for his aunt and really didn’t think Gwen would take a second look at him and Gwen took the worry for his aunt as Peter’s lack of interest for her. How wrong they both were. After they finally realized their attraction, they quickly fell in love. They were both at the top of the world, even Gwen’s father and Peter’s ever cautious aunt couldn’t be happier for either of them. Unfortunately, their happiness would soon be destroyed.

News was all over town that a strange scientist who had invented metallic arms and the city’s favorite menace/hero were atop a building downtown battling it out and Gwen’s father, along with all the cops in the area, were there trying to keep the citizens from harm. As the battle raged on, without warning, a piece of the building came tumbling down, headed straight for the crowd. Everyone in the crowd was mesmerized by the fight, unaware of the impending doom that faced them. Luckily, an elderly woman from across the street noticed what was happening and called out to the crowd, saving everyone from the path of the debris. At least that’s the way it seemed. There was a small boy just standing there crying, as if he was aware of what was going to happen to him, but he couldn’t make his body move to save himself. That’s when Mr. George, that’s what we all called Gwen’s dad, came flying out of seemingly thin air and pushed the boy out of harm’s way. The only problem with his decision was that he put himself right at death’s front door.

The doctor told us we should have been proud, and that Mr. George died a painless death. However, he didn’t see what I saw as I ran to the scene to catch a glimpse of the red menace fighting the octopus man. I saw the supposed menace, at least that’s what the papers still called him, leaning over Mr. George, and I swear I could make out his face, crying over the death of a man I assumed he didn’t know. They spoke to each other like old friends and then Mr. George was gone. I could feel the pain emanating from the costumed man, a man I assumed had no feelings, had no capability of feeling pain. Yet there he was, cradling a man who had just done what he had spent his whole life doing, saving someone else’s life. You could tell he took this man dying personally. Then before I could look away, I saw him look back at me, ashamed of the fact I was watching him at a time of need and seeing his true emotions. At that moment I felt more helpless than I had ever felt before in my life. Then he raised his arm, and in an instant, he was gone into the city skyline. That’s when I began to have an idea of what I wanted to do with my life. I still wanted to help people, just not ordinary people. Little did I know that the red menace and I would cross paths again sooner than either of us would want or expect.

I’m such a horrible friend. I wasn’t able to get in touch with Gwen or Peter for about a month after Mr. George died. I felt terrible because I knew Peter could use someone to talk to, but I had just graduated and and was pursuing my dream of having my own practice. I set up a small shop on the outskirts of the city and was struggling to say the least. I tried my hardest to keep in touch with Peter, but the few times I did see him or talk to him, he was like death personified. Me. George’s death hit him really hard, I think because he saw Gwen’s dad as a sort of father figure and he had already lost his uncle earlier in his life, the only other true father figure he ever had. He had been through a lifetime of turmoil but I couldn’t get him to open up to me. I think he may have been afraid I would overanalyze him; he always looked at me like I should just know what he was thinking. He gave me that same look the red menace gave me that day, like he was ashamed of the feelings he was showing. At least Peter had Gwen to lean on. I think losing her father pushed the two of them closer together; they both needed each other so much. They were absolutely in love and it was good for both of them.

Living in New York, you kind of get used to seeing the costumes all over town, they become part of the scenery for us. This day was different though, for it was personal to me. After what happened with Mr. George, I began to make it a habit of listening to a police band radio in my office. It kept me informed with what was really going on in the city, and also kept me entertained because my practice was virtually non existent. I got by helping out at the college, filling in as a substitute from time to time and doing odd jobs on campus. This blistery summer afternoon, I heard across the radio a report about a crazy guy dressed up like a goblin on top of the George Washington Bridge, and apparently he had an unidentified female hostage. The thing that worried me was that I thought I heard the dispatch officer saying the hostage was the daughter of one of the cops at the station. This revelation made me rush to try and get to the bridge. I had become somewhat of a voyeur after the incident with Mr. George and found myself following the costumes all over town in my spare time. It was becoming a hobby of mine. My heart stopped cold as I took the cab to the bridge and listened to the news broadcast the radio, the announcer identified the hostage as a cop’s daughter, the problem was that it wasn’t just any cop; the goblin character had Gwen, Mr. George’s daughter. I yelled at the cabbie to get there as quick as he could, no law left unbroken, and stuck my head out the window to get a better glimpse of that was going on. I felt like a dog taking a leisurely ride on a Sunday afternoon, if only this was as serene a memory. And then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a red blur swinging among the rooftops, the red menace was on his way to the bridge to try and save another civilian. All I could hope for was a success this time.

You ever get that feeling that you made the wrong decision, but don’t realize it until it’s too late? That’s how I felt as I snuck my way up as close as I could get to the bridge, trying to avoid the police and the caution tape. Maybe if I wasn’t doing something I shouldn’t have been, then maybe I could have missed what I still regret seeing to this day. I saw the goblin dangling Gwen by her foot, taunting and playing for the audience that gathered, and then he dropped her. He fucking dropped her like an insignificant piece of trash, without concern for her safety at all. Then I saw him again, a streak of red hurdling towards her, desperate to save her life, as if he knew she was Mr. George’s daughter and he owed someone for not saving him. He was swinging towards her with no fear and complete lack of concern for his own safety, only concerned with the task at hand, saving Gwen’s life. And it seemed he was going to do just that. I watched in awe as he anchored himself to the side of the bridge and that webbing shot from his wrists, as if he really were a spider, and he snagged Gwen on her heel. He had done it! He saved Gwen from falling to her death. Then he swung over to her, and I felt so relieved, this man was so extraordinary, but my hear sank as I saw that face again. The one I hadn’t seen, except perhaps from Peter, the one he made the day Mr. George died.

The red menace was looking at me again, yet this time I didn’t just look and stare. I walked over to him and could see he needed the comfort, even from a stranger. He had saved Gwen from falling to her doom, and yet there she lay dead, right in front of us. He did all he could to save her, but to no avail. Gwen was gone, as her father so tragically before her. This man I was comforting as best as I could was there for both deaths, attempting to save both lives. What pain he must feel in his heart. I was thinking about what I could say and then I was startled as he spoke to me, his voice seeming so familiar. “John, please help me.” How did he know my name? I stepped back in shock, unsure what to think. This costume that I always assumed was some unknown creature, maybe even an alien, who very rarely displayed human emotion, knew my name. And that’s when destiny was complete, as he uttered the words, “John, please help me, I need to talk to you, I can’t take this anymore.” At that point I knew this man, this so called menace, this costume that I had always heard the worst stories about, was in fact, my friend Peter…

Part 1

Part 2

Dad, Are You An Atheist?

Reading this article, reminded me of a conversation I had with my son.

My son, who just moved down to live with me, asked me this the other day while taking a break with cutting the grass. I told him no, because I guess there could be a god, I just don’t believe in any of them. And I am still kind of confused with the whole Atheist/Agnostic thing. Religion, or lack of, is something that I butt heads with many people about, including my wife at times, because it always causes an argument. No one is really satisfied with you saying you don’t believe in anything. Some people take it as a slap in the face. I just don’t understand how my personal beliefs can make someone else so upset and confused. Because I wore black underwear this morning and you didn’t and don’t agree with it doesn’t make you question my morals or think there is something wrong with me does it? So how can MY lack of belief in YOUR faith warrant so many discussions and attempts to convince me I am wrong? I find many errors in Christian religion, and I say Christian only because much like the argument with racism, (which somehow seems to only involve blacks and whites because you know, they are the only races) religious discussions generally center around Christianity and its opposition. I don’t need a rulebook or a referee to govern my morality. I have good morals because I was raised with them and I learned from other people what right and wrong were. I hate when someone says they don’t agree with something because the Bible says it’s wrong. Grow an opinion of your own. It’s not that hard to have free will. I could go on and on and on about this subject but it will never have a solution. I am just worried I may compromise too much and set my son on the wrong path. I don’t want to influence his religious decisions, but I also don’t want him to decide to be something because he thinks he has to. I also don’t really want to piss off my wife because this is a really important thing to her and our daughter will be asking these same questions soon.

This is a topic I need to approach again with my wife and really sit down and discuss my feelings with her. Much like I have to respect that she is a Christian (and I do), she and everyone else around me needs to respect that I am not. That and hoping they can really be ok with that fact. That’s all I can hope for.

Besides, I told my wife that if Jesus comes down and shakes my hand, I will believe. So come on, bring it!