9

Deep breath.

Books

It's a new year. (Whoopee!)

So I'm going to keep track of the books I've read this year.

First book of 2012?

Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

I'll try to update this as often as I can :-)

The Rainbow Connection

I wish I were more of an optimist. I wish I could get excited for things in the near distant future. Like my last post for instance - how exciting to be able to see Five Iron Frenzy during the first show of their reunion. Life doesn't really throw you any better experiences than that.

Or does it.

I don't get to go see Five Iron play. Due to unforeseen circumstances and scheduling conflicts of the members of the band they were not able to have their first show in June. They moved it earlier in the year to April. Which works great. For them. For others. But not for me.

I was so hopeful. So optimistic. So...expectant.

I won't give up though. It's not a resolution, but it's a change of view. Because this year. This year is going to be different from all the rest. To begin with, in 101 days I'm getting married to a girl who is more than I could ever deserve. If there ever was a doubt that God existed, any hesitance would immediately vanish due to her presence. How could one be blessed so much, loved so immensely - to be given a gift such as her.

We told each other that no matter what, no matter the circumstances, the barriers, the conflicts; we would get married to each other on April 14th. So far I've been offered (essentially) a job in which training conflicted with the date, and Five Iron decided to have a show less than a week from our honeymoon. I'm kinda excited to see what else tries to make us re-think our decision. Because nothing can or will. "Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate." (Mk. 10:9). Even before we're joined together darn-it!

Hope does still fly. Still. May it forever fly. May it soar above forests and mountains and plains (planes even!). May hope spring eternal. May the bravest thing, for anyone of us, be to hope.


Currently Listening To: Rainbow Connection by: The Muppets Original Soundtrack

Hope Still Flies

In all honesty, I was on the fence about going to see Five Iron Frenzy in their first show in eight years. Not because of whether or not they'd be amazing, that fact is null. But whether or not the finances would fall into line. Then I started texting Evan.

Now Evan and I went to Five Iron's last show together 8 years ago. It was amazing. I cried. Simple as that. Well Evan said he was thinking about going. I told him, if he goes, I go. Then he sent me a text, with a picture of his pledge on it; and said - "how can we not be there for the first show in 8 yeras??"

Best thing about this? Eight years ago neither of us were seeing anyone. This time around? We'll both be married.

 Hope still flies.

I've Been Waiting in Halfhearted Sleep

I don't know if I ever truly thought this day would come.

Five Iron Frenzy is finally back together. They're releasing an album in 2013.

I'm all smiles.

Everything Starts Where It Ends

I cleaned my bathroom today. Vacuumed my room. And am in the midst of doing my laundry. What a tweet that would make huh?

How about - James Pierce just finished fall cleaning, and now wants to eat steak. That one is more Facebook-esque.

Or - check out this sweet pic of my clean bathroom! Google+ anyone?

I could have live feeds streaming 24/7 (not of my bathroom): James is here! James is doing this! James just worked 8 hours and wants ice cream!

But I don't. The thing about moving away from home is everything is different. You get to know people for ten plus years, most likely more - and then when you move everyone is new. Everything, is different. I've been in Texas less than two years. I can't expect to have great/wonderful/fulfilling relationships that make me smile like I used to. Oddly enough though, is that I do have relationships like that, and I am ever so blessed to have them. But something's missing.


I met Michael Mulligan in the third grade. He had his arm in a sling and/or cast because he had broken it falling off the monkey bars, or a tree, or something unsafe. Some things never change. Michael introduced me to Star Wars, bad cars (Ford), theatre, Disneyland (sure I went when I was a kid, but when you hang out with a guy who gets you kicked out of the theme park...), and so much more. He spent the first three years of his college days crashing on my floor/futon/couch and the last in an actual bed because I was sick of having him being an unofficial roommate: my dorm phone would ring more due to people calling looking for him than for me. Michael and I traveled to Europe for three weeks together, and although we almost killed each other in the process, it was the best three weeks of my life. I had the privilege of being Michael's best man in his wedding two years ago. Michael lives in New York; 1,815 miles away.

I met James Moore my freshman year of college. He moved into my room our second semester because his roommate had OCD and kicked him out, and mine up and left the school. We took the same classes, got completely different grades, and still managed to remain friends. We were James and James, James Squared, The James'. We lived together our sophomore year, were RA's together our junior year, and lived next door to each other senior year. We played Mario Kart and Mario Party and yes we spent time outside too; playing tennis, basketball, and throwing a frisbee on the beach. James continued his education and earned two Master's degrees, and is in the process of getting his Ph.D. (Overachiever). I had the privilege of being James' best man in his wedding four years ago. James lives in Boston; 2,036 miles away.

I met Andrew Teaters February 14th, 2003. Through random circumstances Andrew and I were roommates my senior year of college, 1 and a half years after I met him. HOW IN THE WORLD DID WE BECOME FRIENDS? Andrew introduced me to Chuck Palahniuk, Honda sport touring motorcycles, and Kiltlifter beer, to name a few. I've been able to play on his competitive church softball team a few times, watch MMA fights with the guys, and become a solid part of his extended family. He teaches sixth grade at a charter school as well as coaches the Jr. High girls volleyball team. He has three of the most amazing children I have ever had the joy to meet, and I am proud to be a distant (sad but true) uncle to them. I had the pirvilege of being Andrew's co-best man in his wedding five years ago. Andrew lives in Phoenix; 996 miles away.


If I had it my way, the four of us would live within 100 miles of one another. I'd even settle for 250. Not only are these three guys fantastically amazing, their wives are without a doubt their better halves. Kristin, Briana, and Rhiannon are some of my best friends as well, and it pains me every time a month or two or six or twenty go by without getting to see them. I miss these six people.

But wait, there's excitement brewing. I'm getting married. I'm getting married to a wonderful girl who is sunshine in my life. And our wedding is going to bring all my closest friends together, and we are going to celebrate and party and enjoy each other's company so very very much. So even if I don't have the opportunity to see AJ, James or Mikey in the next six months; I can guarantee I'll see them in April. Because if for some odd reason they can't make it to my wedding, I'll have their eyes gouged out and glued to mannequins made in their likeness.

space robot five...