"Music is What Feelings Sound Like"

Anyone who knows me or Eli know that we both have a HUGE passion for music. I heard someone say that "music is what feelings sound like." I could not have thought of a better way to put it. Music can truly do anything. It can make you relive every second of a past memory. It can make you feel happy and excited. It can make you feel sad and lonely. It can make you feel warmth and love. It can motivate you or relax you. I believe that music is something that can speak to anyone, anywhere.

The reason I say all this is because I was listening to one of my favorite musicians, Andy Mckee. He is phenomenal. He is one of those people that makes you feel all of those emotions I described above. Not only does Andy's (because we're on a first name basis now) music sound amazing, but watching him is an incredible experience. I'm going to post a couple of his videos here, but you can find him all over youtube, myspace, and get his music here. Just watch.

Drifiting


Africa - Toto (This should sound familiar)


Rylynn (This is my favorite)


Another thing that I have always loved is the drums. There is something about the drums that is fascinating. I've always loved drumlines. I've done searches and watched drumlines perform on the internet. One group I came across is called KAOTIC. They're pretty good and they have a good story. You know me, I'm always up for a good story that involves helping kids. Here is a show they did at a Bulls-Kings game a couple of years ago.



Some of you may have heard of the djembe drum. It is an african drum that is made by a skin streched over a gauntlet-shaped drum. It's played with your bare hands. It kind of reminds me of the conga drum, but not. Eli has used the djembe in some of his music. I love the sound of it. There is a movie called "The Vistor" that features the djembe. The sound kind of brings back a tribal, primal feel. Anyway, watch again. This is the Duke University Dejembe Ensemble. So much fun!

Superman

I just wanted to give a little update on my dad. He is amazing! I swear he is superman. For having had brain surgery he is doing really well. I love him so much! He has had his stitches taken out. He's out and about, taking it easy. I just wanted to post some pictures and share our adventure with the rest of you. Thank you again so much for your prayers and thoughts. We love you guys!

Dad with no hair. I think the look suites him. He has a very spherical noggin'.

Pre-operation. I believe he was modeling Josh's look.

Me and Pop pre-operation

We tried my hair on Pop. We thought the darker hair helped him fit in with the rest of the fam.

Grandpa waiting during Pop's surgery.

Post-operation. Hardcore!

Bandages off. Enter here. Take a look around.

Relaxing.

The Rain Came Down...and Our Ceiling Fell In

Similar to St. George, Albuquerque is a desert. Albuquerque is also in a drought. When the rains come it is a blessed affair. I am also a big fan of the rain (when I'm not caught in it). I love the smell after it rains. It is so fresh and so clean!

Saturday was one of those blessed days! It poured and it was wonderful. When I got home from work late Saturday night I was looking forward to a good night's rest. I did not expect to find the following:

The bubble was dripping. I couldn't call the landlord being that it was way super late. I stuck a pot under the drip and attempted to go to bed. After about 2.5 seconds I decided to sleep in the guest room. I was just closing my eyes when I heard the "drip drip" in the pot. I went into the room and stuck a towel in the pot. I also noticed that something changed in the bubble. It became this:
That is a huge bubble! It also spread to another bubble which spread to another bubble. In a rectangle shape. Obviously the ceiling had had a leak before and had been patched. I let Eli know and he called the landlord Sunday morning. We didn't hear from him. Our carpet was soaked and it smelled. It smelled like when you forget to change the laundry from the washer to the dryer but ten times worse.

Sunday night I had to go to work. Eli came in and saw me for lunch. He informed that I should be careful when I got home and I should probably sleep in the guest room again. The ceiling was half hanging off and it might fall off. I decided to check on it when I got home. I found this:

And I found this on the floor (ignore the unfolded laundry, if you can see it):

Lame! We got through to the landlord. They came in and patched it up for now. We're getting it fixed on Friday. The good thing about it is that we're gonna get a little discount off our rent. The smell is also starting to fade and after 3 days our carpet is finally drying!