I woke up on Saturday, thank God, I actually woke up on Saturday, after 4 Advil and a greasy lunch at a Diner/Train Caboose, I finally woke up. what a night... and... what a day to be had....
I walked down the street to River Front park with my guitar in hand, I wanted to sit on the street corner and make some much needed gas money, I set up shop, played for about an hour, then got "escorted" off the property by four security guards... nice...
BUT i made 38 bucks... not a bad haul...
with some good advice from a fellow artist that there was an Arts festival "down the street" the way he explained it, it was close... not so much...
21 blocks later, I made it, I set up on a little grassy knoll and played my tunes, danced my dance... did my thing... until I was "escorted" off the property by guards security guards... but i made another 23 bucks... total haul $61 dollars and 21 blocks of progress.
That evening I was scheduled to play on the air on 103.9 KCDA for about two hours, then I had to hustle over to Cour D'elain for a house party/show... so i found the station and set up in the studio, I met Matt the DJ and he sure was a swell guy, I really enjoyed the whole experience, I cant wait to post the Pod cast of the show... i should have it soon.
I hustled my way across state lines and made it to Kelins house in Idaho, what a nice town, i really liked it there, the party was awesome, the food was to die for and the people where even better, I got to sit on a swing in the back yard and play my songs for about 20 people, telling stories, listening to stories, hearing about love and loss, and pain and progress, it was such a magical night. We ended the night at a Bar called the "shore" which was pretty dang swanky, good music, great drinks, great dance floor... and a girl named Autumn who wouldn't keep her hands off of me... ha... I hit the dance floor for about two hours, I have not boogied like that in ages, young Autumn had too much to drink and was getting "low, low, low" all up in my business. Luckily my friend Nicole saved me from her evil clutches (thanks Nicole) that walk home was awesome, we found a fountain (I believe i can flyyyyy....) and it started to rain... which was the perfect end to a perfect week, I fell in love with Kelin, Renee, Nicole, Chris, Mike, Jamie, Leon, brooks and everyone else I met at that house, I cant wait to go back... I really cant wait to go back.
The next morning I woke up and Kelin, Chris and Allyah went to Java on Sherman and had a great morning cup of coffee, great conversation and just a good all around time, those three kids make me smile, so much love for such a young family.. gives me hope is what it does!
when I pulled out of the house, on my way home, I smiled, I knew that I had done something great, it was a wonderful drive home, quiet, serene, but full of energy...
I fell in love with the road, I will see you again soon.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Inhale, for luck (tour blog 2.0)
I woke up with a slight crick in my neck, Cass had just gotten out of the shower "good morning J.J." she chirped "how did you sleep?" but she had walked into her room before I could answer, she had to get to a class that Morning, she ran out the door with a promise of lunch when she was done for the day.
I got up and took a much needed shower, washed the booze off me from the night before, the sleep from my eyes, the smell of cigarettes, but you couldn't wash the smile from my face, I got dressed and went down to the little coffee shop down the street and ordered a latte and a pastry, I brought it back to Cassie's house and planted myself firmly on her porch.
Its interesting to me when inspiration comes, A red cobble stone road the leads past the house that I had never been to before, blue Sky's, the neighbor lady standing on the corner listening to me sing with a winsome smile on her face, she bowed her head as if to pray, then shook it off just as quickly, walked intently to her car, opened the door and looked at me right in the eye, she smiled...
BAM
"The bars are always empty, when the side walks are full
and holding hads is never quite enough
making love was easier, before I met you
now I'm to scared to touch
now I'm to scared to touch"
I have been in love before, everyone has, i fall in love at the drop of a hat, you flash me a smile and I am already planning our grandchildrens wedding... we went to a sweet little sushi place called "Raw" I had awesome Spicy tuna rolls and California rolls, Cass had the Vegan rolls which were so good...
That night I was at the Caterina Winery with T.J. Sherril, I love that guy, I love that I walk into the room across the state and sit in the front row, and he just laughs, like it totally makes sense that I am there... I saw Karlie Fairbanks live for the first time... she moved me... again... I was planning out grandchildrens wedding.
The nice promoter/bar tender of the show Patrick was very helpful with getting me beyond the comforts of sobriety, Cass wanted me to meet her back at the pool hall after the show, so I "stumbled" across the city... rather lost... I stopped in the park.. near the Spokane falls... I really wanted to go for a swim...
I met Cass and a couple of her Friends at Far West and they immediately handed me a small glass of clear liquid, followed by a lime... you can only imagine
we got home at around 2 am, I watched "Into the Wild" and nearly cried my self to sleep... I love that movie...
I slept well that night.
I got up and took a much needed shower, washed the booze off me from the night before, the sleep from my eyes, the smell of cigarettes, but you couldn't wash the smile from my face, I got dressed and went down to the little coffee shop down the street and ordered a latte and a pastry, I brought it back to Cassie's house and planted myself firmly on her porch.
Its interesting to me when inspiration comes, A red cobble stone road the leads past the house that I had never been to before, blue Sky's, the neighbor lady standing on the corner listening to me sing with a winsome smile on her face, she bowed her head as if to pray, then shook it off just as quickly, walked intently to her car, opened the door and looked at me right in the eye, she smiled...
BAM
"The bars are always empty, when the side walks are full
and holding hads is never quite enough
making love was easier, before I met you
now I'm to scared to touch
now I'm to scared to touch"
I have been in love before, everyone has, i fall in love at the drop of a hat, you flash me a smile and I am already planning our grandchildrens wedding... we went to a sweet little sushi place called "Raw" I had awesome Spicy tuna rolls and California rolls, Cass had the Vegan rolls which were so good...
That night I was at the Caterina Winery with T.J. Sherril, I love that guy, I love that I walk into the room across the state and sit in the front row, and he just laughs, like it totally makes sense that I am there... I saw Karlie Fairbanks live for the first time... she moved me... again... I was planning out grandchildrens wedding.
The nice promoter/bar tender of the show Patrick was very helpful with getting me beyond the comforts of sobriety, Cass wanted me to meet her back at the pool hall after the show, so I "stumbled" across the city... rather lost... I stopped in the park.. near the Spokane falls... I really wanted to go for a swim...
I met Cass and a couple of her Friends at Far West and they immediately handed me a small glass of clear liquid, followed by a lime... you can only imagine
we got home at around 2 am, I watched "Into the Wild" and nearly cried my self to sleep... I love that movie...
I slept well that night.
Sigur Ros and the long drive home (tour blog 1.0)
I found the cheapest Gas in Cour D'elain Idaho, $3.46 at the Zipp market, I also enjoyed a small but tasty Bacon Cheese burger, I cant tell you the sense of accomplishment that I felt when I left that last town, on that last day... I had finally done it, left my home, walked into the unknown, and while it was only for a little less then a week, it meant the world to me.
I started in Seattle, 1987 Mazda GLC, Red, No radio, No air conditioning, just four windows rolled down and an iPod that didn't work any more, almost 4 hours of straight driving before I stopped for gas, 100 miles out side of Spokane, Barbara Anne's, it was a nice little cafe on the side of the road, I bought 2 corn dogs, a Dr. Pepper and a tank of gas... perfect.
I pulled into Spokane at about 6 that evening, the show was at 8, I had an hour to kill, I found the Brooklyn Deli, recently voted the best Deli in Spokane, and for good reason I have a great Pastrami on Rye sandwich, which Brandon (the owner) toasted for me. I wondered the streets of Spokane handing out flyer's for the show that night, I didn't really run into many people that were interested in what i was doing.
David Hannon showed up a little early and it was nice to finally meet the guy, there were a couple girls hanging out in the coffee shop early that i chatted with, one of them was Brittany, it turns out that we have been friends for a while now... via myspace of course...
The surprise of the night was Marshal Mclean, the boy can write a song, in tow was his lovely wife and ten month old son, Charlie, they were the perfect little musician family, charlie was talking all night, except when his father played, almost like he was waiting to hear his dad, hear those songs that I am sure he has sung to him while he sleeps... reminds me of another little sleeping guy...
I ran into a friend from High School Cassie that night, turns out she is going to grad school in the town that I played in, we were friends back then, its been 10 years, you couldn't tell by looking at us though. Cass took me to a billiards hall called Far West in the heart of Spokane, there she proceeded to beat me three times in cut throat with her house mate Sarah, David Hannon just happened to be at the pool hall as well so it was good to connect with him for a little bit.
I fell asleep on Cassie's couch that night after a long long talk about life, and where we were in our own lives, and how things have changed in the ten years since we saw each other last, Cassie patted my head and said "I love you J.J." it was nice to hear someone say that... and know that they mean it...
I started in Seattle, 1987 Mazda GLC, Red, No radio, No air conditioning, just four windows rolled down and an iPod that didn't work any more, almost 4 hours of straight driving before I stopped for gas, 100 miles out side of Spokane, Barbara Anne's, it was a nice little cafe on the side of the road, I bought 2 corn dogs, a Dr. Pepper and a tank of gas... perfect.
I pulled into Spokane at about 6 that evening, the show was at 8, I had an hour to kill, I found the Brooklyn Deli, recently voted the best Deli in Spokane, and for good reason I have a great Pastrami on Rye sandwich, which Brandon (the owner) toasted for me. I wondered the streets of Spokane handing out flyer's for the show that night, I didn't really run into many people that were interested in what i was doing.
David Hannon showed up a little early and it was nice to finally meet the guy, there were a couple girls hanging out in the coffee shop early that i chatted with, one of them was Brittany, it turns out that we have been friends for a while now... via myspace of course...
The surprise of the night was Marshal Mclean, the boy can write a song, in tow was his lovely wife and ten month old son, Charlie, they were the perfect little musician family, charlie was talking all night, except when his father played, almost like he was waiting to hear his dad, hear those songs that I am sure he has sung to him while he sleeps... reminds me of another little sleeping guy...
I ran into a friend from High School Cassie that night, turns out she is going to grad school in the town that I played in, we were friends back then, its been 10 years, you couldn't tell by looking at us though. Cass took me to a billiards hall called Far West in the heart of Spokane, there she proceeded to beat me three times in cut throat with her house mate Sarah, David Hannon just happened to be at the pool hall as well so it was good to connect with him for a little bit.
I fell asleep on Cassie's couch that night after a long long talk about life, and where we were in our own lives, and how things have changed in the ten years since we saw each other last, Cassie patted my head and said "I love you J.J." it was nice to hear someone say that... and know that they mean it...
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
A God of Creativity?
When there are tasks to be done and problems to be solved, Creators; like writers, designers, musicians, and artists are dreamers and visionaries conceptualize unseen solutions to problems. They see things before they exist. They begin with a purpose, and then approach everything single-mindedly. Whatever they do should relate to that purpose.
They work instinctively, don't particularly like structure, and are often frustrated by directions.
Creators are “pregnant” with an idea until their concept becomes a reality. During this process, they impart a bit of themselves in the product. Our mighty God is The Creator; and he answers prayer creatively.
For example, we hired a company to extend the patio on our home. It was little more than a small slab of concrete at the time. When the designer came in he sat down at our dining table and pulled out his portfolio (collection of past projects he’d designed) and his pen and paper. After opening pleasantries I said, “Let me explain what we’d like to do with our patio.”
He grabbed his pen and paper and said, “I think I know what you want. You’d like to extend it in this direction and shape.”
We said, “Yes, that’s a good idea, and…”
He interrupted, “Then you want to…”
In five minutes he had designed the complete project—without our help, I might add. He didn’t need our instructions or ideas. He’s paid to create.
When we pray, as many do, with "problem-solving" in mind, we most often overlook God's plan. Rather than make our plea and submit to Creator God and his plans for the solution, we want to instruct him in our praying. Such requests frustrate a creator!
Job tried instructing God. And in Job 38, God said, "Job, why are you instructing me? Where were you when I created the world? I didn't need your help then. And I don't need your instructions now."
Think about this. When you pray, “God, please let me get that job,” you are praying, “God, please do for me the thing I have already decided is best for me. I’ve done all the thinking, all you have to do, God, is copy me, I have it lined out: give me the job.” In so doing, you are appealing to God's productive side, rather than his creative side. You’re elevating “problem solving” above God’s higher purposes. You’re instructing him as to what you want and how you want it, rather than trusting the Creator to demonstrate his power by accomplishing his purpose in your matter.
Can you see how this prayer in itself transgresses the creative nature of God? You aren’t asking him to activate his unique plan for you. You are asking him to produce for you what you have already decided is best. So you are not praying to God as Creator. You are overlooking the fact that he wants to do things in you and for you that are “…exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Eph. 3:20, KJV), or as Jeremiah wrote, “… marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own” (Jer. 33:3b, MSG ).
Now think about this: why are you giving God instructions? Why are you trying to engage God in your plans and purposes, instead of recognizing that he has plans and purposes and a will for you—plans that are far bigger than you realize!
Since God’s response will be above what you can ask or think, something that you could never figure out on your own, then what good are your instructions? Resist the urge to explain things to your omniscient God when you pray. Fight the urge to give him directions as to how you want Him to solve your problems. Ask Him to show you the big picture! Learn what God does, and why and how he does it. Most of His intervention in history has been as a creator.
They work instinctively, don't particularly like structure, and are often frustrated by directions.
Creators are “pregnant” with an idea until their concept becomes a reality. During this process, they impart a bit of themselves in the product. Our mighty God is The Creator; and he answers prayer creatively.
For example, we hired a company to extend the patio on our home. It was little more than a small slab of concrete at the time. When the designer came in he sat down at our dining table and pulled out his portfolio (collection of past projects he’d designed) and his pen and paper. After opening pleasantries I said, “Let me explain what we’d like to do with our patio.”
He grabbed his pen and paper and said, “I think I know what you want. You’d like to extend it in this direction and shape.”
We said, “Yes, that’s a good idea, and…”
He interrupted, “Then you want to…”
In five minutes he had designed the complete project—without our help, I might add. He didn’t need our instructions or ideas. He’s paid to create.
When we pray, as many do, with "problem-solving" in mind, we most often overlook God's plan. Rather than make our plea and submit to Creator God and his plans for the solution, we want to instruct him in our praying. Such requests frustrate a creator!
Job tried instructing God. And in Job 38, God said, "Job, why are you instructing me? Where were you when I created the world? I didn't need your help then. And I don't need your instructions now."
Think about this. When you pray, “God, please let me get that job,” you are praying, “God, please do for me the thing I have already decided is best for me. I’ve done all the thinking, all you have to do, God, is copy me, I have it lined out: give me the job.” In so doing, you are appealing to God's productive side, rather than his creative side. You’re elevating “problem solving” above God’s higher purposes. You’re instructing him as to what you want and how you want it, rather than trusting the Creator to demonstrate his power by accomplishing his purpose in your matter.
Can you see how this prayer in itself transgresses the creative nature of God? You aren’t asking him to activate his unique plan for you. You are asking him to produce for you what you have already decided is best. So you are not praying to God as Creator. You are overlooking the fact that he wants to do things in you and for you that are “…exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think…” (Eph. 3:20, KJV), or as Jeremiah wrote, “… marvelous and wondrous things that you could never figure out on your own” (Jer. 33:3b, MSG ).
Now think about this: why are you giving God instructions? Why are you trying to engage God in your plans and purposes, instead of recognizing that he has plans and purposes and a will for you—plans that are far bigger than you realize!
Since God’s response will be above what you can ask or think, something that you could never figure out on your own, then what good are your instructions? Resist the urge to explain things to your omniscient God when you pray. Fight the urge to give him directions as to how you want Him to solve your problems. Ask Him to show you the big picture! Learn what God does, and why and how he does it. Most of His intervention in history has been as a creator.
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Monarch
Save your time for someone else
I'm better on the floor
Savior, I defy myself
Will I become something more
Brilliant... simple brilliant
www.myspace.com/brennanstrawn
I'm better on the floor
Savior, I defy myself
Will I become something more
Brilliant... simple brilliant
www.myspace.com/brennanstrawn
Monday, May 12, 2008
If you knew I was dying, would it change you
Cause when I fly solo, I fly so high
Cause when I fly solo, I fly so high
Cause when I fly solo, I fly so high
Cause when I fly solo, I fly so high
DONT TOUCH ME NOW! DONT TOUCH ME NOW! YOU CANT TOUCH ME NOW!
Some nights I lie, alone on my back at night, adding up the hours till my demise, I count myself to sleep...
My sister finds, a body closed up like the blinds, I tell her, I promise its fine, she cries herself to sleep...
A man in black ties, arrive at the house in surprise, to find a little girl by your side, the wood box where your sleepin...
I still see you inside this God awful house, you move awfully quiet now
I still feel you everywhere, you told me this has always been worth living
whats really worth livin anymore
Please take care of yourself.
Cause when I fly solo, I fly so high
Cause when I fly solo, I fly so high
Cause when I fly solo, I fly so high
DONT TOUCH ME NOW! DONT TOUCH ME NOW! YOU CANT TOUCH ME NOW!
Some nights I lie, alone on my back at night, adding up the hours till my demise, I count myself to sleep...
My sister finds, a body closed up like the blinds, I tell her, I promise its fine, she cries herself to sleep...
A man in black ties, arrive at the house in surprise, to find a little girl by your side, the wood box where your sleepin...
I still see you inside this God awful house, you move awfully quiet now
I still feel you everywhere, you told me this has always been worth living
whats really worth livin anymore
Please take care of yourself.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
A life packed full of mindless joy
sing again, sing again, with quiet eyes
tell me a secret...
Its at times like these that we really open, you are asked to be honest, as if you have not been honest up to this point. you can look me in the eyes, and when i tell you that very secret, that one that I hold so close, that one thing that less then a handfull of people know, you can look me in the eyes, and honestly smile and say
"Im glad you didnt"
what do I need? I need to be everything to someone else
I need to be everything to my friends
I need to seek there hapiness first
I need to push away every selfish desire, every wicked thought
I need to give in
fall
keep falling
Commit to you Lord, the one thing I have been waiting for
All my songs, all my stories, have come from you, and they are about you, about your love, about your grace.
I am an example of the goodness that you can bring out of filth.
I took this from a the coment section of worship.blogspot.com
"Being a worship leader isn't meant to be a hobby or a way of fulfilling my musical aspirations. It's an opportunity to proclaim that I'm a great sinner who's been redeemed by a great Savior and to invite others to celebrate that reality."
for so long I have said "Ill just play at church, and I will be happy, playing once a week, I dont need a band" I could never have been more wrong, I desire to play music so much, to feel that emotional highs and lows... but when it comes to worship... could I have been any more selfish? who do I think I am? do I really hold my self at such a high esteem that I tell God that I will serve one day a week, in an area that I choose, and be fullfilled by that?
are you serious Jon?
who am I?
I am nothing without my creator.
Bob Kauflin said "If you don't feel adequate for the task, you're in the perfect place for God to use you."
right now, I am perfect for whatever GOD wants me to do, not what I want to do
show me the way.
tell me a secret...
Its at times like these that we really open, you are asked to be honest, as if you have not been honest up to this point. you can look me in the eyes, and when i tell you that very secret, that one that I hold so close, that one thing that less then a handfull of people know, you can look me in the eyes, and honestly smile and say
"Im glad you didnt"
what do I need? I need to be everything to someone else
I need to be everything to my friends
I need to seek there hapiness first
I need to push away every selfish desire, every wicked thought
I need to give in
fall
keep falling
Commit to you Lord, the one thing I have been waiting for
All my songs, all my stories, have come from you, and they are about you, about your love, about your grace.
I am an example of the goodness that you can bring out of filth.
I took this from a the coment section of worship.blogspot.com
"Being a worship leader isn't meant to be a hobby or a way of fulfilling my musical aspirations. It's an opportunity to proclaim that I'm a great sinner who's been redeemed by a great Savior and to invite others to celebrate that reality."
for so long I have said "Ill just play at church, and I will be happy, playing once a week, I dont need a band" I could never have been more wrong, I desire to play music so much, to feel that emotional highs and lows... but when it comes to worship... could I have been any more selfish? who do I think I am? do I really hold my self at such a high esteem that I tell God that I will serve one day a week, in an area that I choose, and be fullfilled by that?
are you serious Jon?
who am I?
I am nothing without my creator.
Bob Kauflin said "If you don't feel adequate for the task, you're in the perfect place for God to use you."
right now, I am perfect for whatever GOD wants me to do, not what I want to do
show me the way.
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