The Flesh Wounds Premiere

I had the opportunity to be a part of one of my best friend's weddings.  Quite awesome.  A beautiful ceremony, one truly breathtaking part was the amount of work that Kris and his compatriots took to surprise Kelley with a scene stealing show.

While an interesting back story on Once, Kris decided to surprise his lovely bride with this rendition of Glen Hansard's and Markéta Irglová's "Falling Slowly".  I'd say she was pretty surprised.

Here's they are folks; The Flesh Wounds.

EDIT: I've now uploaded both the video and the song.  Get it now here!

EDIT #2: Okay, apparently there's an issue with this Box.net link, so I've put it on zShare and you can get it here now.

To My Friend...

As it appears that my counter flipped over 1500 (500 since my last major update), I take this occaision to write about something quite significant:  my friend's wedding.

This Saturday, my friend Kris and his fiancee Kelley are to wed in a small town south of Austin.  I have the honor of being part of this awesome ceremony, and as the day approaches I simply reflect back on my wedding and that promise I made to my wife many years ago.

I've never been so lucky to find my soul mate, that one singular entity that makes you complete.  And truly, my wife flatters me.  She brings out all that is best in me, even when I'm angry.  Through her, I've learned the virtues of patience and understanding, the value of family, and most importantly, the irreplaceable feeling of being love.

So to my friend, I offer you these but humble pieces of advice...

1. Thanks - Always give thanks for that greater power that be for bringing Kelley into your life.  As it is, life works in the strangest of ways.  For whatever reason, she entered your life and there shall remain, a constant compliment to you.  For all that she brings (and you mess up), give thanks.  For all the arguments that get started, give thanks for having a fire in your lives.  For all the sad moments, give thanks for that shoulder to cry upon.  For all the stolen moments, give thanks.  If she ever asks "How many more times are you going to say thanks?", you reply should always be, "At least once more..."
2. Little Things - Robert Brault once said, "Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things."  The little things all form together to make that big thing called life.  Obviously, you'll remember big things like your wedding and milestones of such; but what about those burned meals that first year?  How about incessant talking about the most mudane things, or always forgetting to throw away your soda can when you're done with it?  I'd miss my wife's nagging if it weren't there; just don't tell her that, okay?
3. Carpe Diem - Not just some cheesey Robin Williams line, but a way of life.  You are given but this moment just this once.  Take it; seize it; rip it from the wretched hands of time and ride it out for all that it's worth.  To offer another quote, “One day at a time--this is enough. Do not look back and grieve over the past for it is gone; and do not be troubled about the future, for it has not yet come. Live in the present, and make it so beautiful it will be worth remembering."  Each day offers its own rewards; seek it out with the company that you keep at that moment.

Marriage is a treasure that has oft eluded many.  Kris and Kelley, you are fortunate to make this journey together.  I wish you both nothing but shared moments of happiness and joy.  Robert Fulgham once quipped, "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul."  Lucky you, Kris; you gained the world and enriched your soul.

Playing Guitar: The Start

I finally started taking guitar lessons.

This is actually something that's been in the works for about two years now, but seriously so for about the last six months.  The one thing holding me back?  Actually having a guitar.  And that's been the fruit of the argument for the last six months.

I have a friend named Tom.  Tom is quite a talented man.  He knows horses, breed Papillons, and is quite the music afficianado.  Tom has experience playing in bands for many years and knows ins and outs of playing.

Tom and I have been debating the whole acoustic-versus-electric guitar and I finally decided on the electric.  Why?  Well, it would be that most of the songs that really inspired me to learn to play are from electric.  Tom's contention is that acoustic is more forgiving and versatile; as such, it makes for a great starter.  My thoughts (and I fully agree with Tom's assessment) is that the motivation lies with a different style, and that the electric is harder to play, therefore honing my skills.  Either way, the decision was made and I was off and searching for guitars.

Tom, in the mean time, would meet with me about once a week outside of work and we would go over fingerings and chords, basic guitar-ology stuff.  He was kind enough to lend me a guitar in the meantime.  We also searched and slowly decided on an Ibanez package.  We looked at some Fender packages and some Epiphones, but in the end, we wanted a guitar that was going to be as much bang for the buck.  As I took home the borrowed guitar and showed my family.  My wife asked me about buying that one, but I replied that it wasn't my place to ask something like that.  Fate worked her wonders and low and behold, Tom ended up offering to sell the guitar to me for what I believe to be a really awesome price.

In any case, I know have a guitar that I think looks awesome, and slowly building up some serious fretting skills.

Maybe not quite serious, but you get the picture.

Friday Nights Lights

I was fortunate enough to read the book when I was in high school, but the message of the book didn't hit home until I fully reached adulthood.

I played a role (albiet a severely minor one) in my high school's football team's success.  In my four years in high school, we lost only seven games, reaching the state semi-finals our senior year.  I witnessed first hand the sacrifices kids (yes, I said kids; more on this in a bit) made to play, to be part of that success.  I saw coaches quietly confer about a player's health.  I saw favorites fall by the wayside as soon as the season concluded.

For all this, high school football is still a great thing to watch.  I've lived in my new home town for the last eleven years, and in the past five or six years I've started going to games regularly. This past Friday, I got to attend my first Friday Night game this season.  Our new stadium is quite nice, with the brand spankin' new turf and larger facilities.  Sweetness.

For the most part, no surprises.  The game was a pleasure to watch.  My son truly enjoyed the overlal atmosphere.  The cheers, the lows, and bands playing; it was all simply a joy to watch.  I don't think those kids should be put on a pedastal any more than they are:  they summons thousands to watch them play a game as it is.  The players are kids.  Many times, overzealous parents and spectators expect professional players to throw a frozen rope within a two-yard spot, expect a defense to clobber the opponent.  These players are kids.  We can have high expectations, but remember that they are kids playing a game.  The fun is in the competition.  In the end, I hope that people remember that Friday Night Lights is an event for fun and games, not a means to reliving youth lost.  

Edit:  I just remembered.  My buddy wrote about fall.  That's just so football season.

Rant over; I still had fun at the game.

Sins of the Father: I Hate Studying

I always hated studying. I'd lie to Mom and Dad, conveniently forget my homework, and just flat outdeny ever having any to Mom, Dad, teacher, and everyone else. I simply learned early on that homework sucks the hind teat.

Yeah, I was one of those kids that just simply wasn't going to do homework. In fact, I think one of the comments my teacher told my father was "He is an excellent student in school, but he doesn't do his homework blah blah blah."

At this point, my son is in school and has school work on a regular basis. The Dyl-Man is pretty smart and quite creative. Of course, he's just like his dad: he hates homework. We spent two hours last night going over twenty words.

I guess this is my cross to bear. Thanks be to God.