I know it's been around for awhile and for the life of me, I can't figure out why it wasn't more of a pop hit. It's very catchy! And, the melody just makes you feel really good.
This is Guy Sebastian and "Elevator Love".
Oh...and I finally added the video of Sylvester from Kanakuk LIVE! in the post below.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
A Father's Eyes
Tonight, as a family, we went to Kanakuk LIVE! This is the winter tour staff members of Kanakuk make to touch base with kampers from the past summer and to give those kampers an opportunity to bring their family and friends to watch video and experience, just for an hour or so, what they experience for an entire week! I admit, I'm always excited about Kanakuk films coming to town. Even when I didn't have children, I would go, just to reconnect with old friends and to get that "feeling" again. Tonight was no different.
I was happy to get to speak with my friend, Todd Rapp, again and to finally meet Pete Newman. Seeing those guys in action tonight brought back everything I love about Kanakuk...which is everything! I even got to "work" with them. Well, they asked me to run the DVD player which had all of their video on it so, yeah...I was kind of a big deal tonight. I mean, people come to see the video highlights from Kamp so, without my right thumb and mad multi-media skills, the audio-visual element of the program would have been severly lacking. Don't get me wrong though, even if there were no video, Todd and Pete were MORE than entertaining on their own. They had help from a wonderful lady who was also on the Kanakuk staff but her name escapes me. I hate it when that happens.
Anyway, the highlight of the night for me was not the great skits Pete and Todd performed (although I'm very pleased that Sylvester made an appearance), it wasn't the cool video (sorry thumb!), and it wasn't the testimonies, the worship songs, or the great message Pete shared with all of us. It was sneaking a glance at Andrew and Amber and watching their reaction to all that was going on. Seeing them laugh at the skits, seeing them really listen during Pete's talk, seeing them clap after the songs were sung...seeing those things makes me know that what is happening at Kanakuk is really something good. It's something I need to continue to invest in. It's something I need to work hard towards so my kids can have the Kanakuk experience and grow up knowing where they stand as individuals with their faith, to know how to treat and react to others, to learn how to compete and be good sports, to learn how to win graciously and to lose respectfully, and to know that Mom & Dad must have really loved them to allow them to leave the house for one week each year (hard as that is) for something that will change their lives forever.
With that being said, check back soon for a video from Kanakuk LIVE! starring one of my favorite characters, Sylvester.
I was happy to get to speak with my friend, Todd Rapp, again and to finally meet Pete Newman. Seeing those guys in action tonight brought back everything I love about Kanakuk...which is everything! I even got to "work" with them. Well, they asked me to run the DVD player which had all of their video on it so, yeah...I was kind of a big deal tonight. I mean, people come to see the video highlights from Kamp so, without my right thumb and mad multi-media skills, the audio-visual element of the program would have been severly lacking. Don't get me wrong though, even if there were no video, Todd and Pete were MORE than entertaining on their own. They had help from a wonderful lady who was also on the Kanakuk staff but her name escapes me. I hate it when that happens.
Anyway, the highlight of the night for me was not the great skits Pete and Todd performed (although I'm very pleased that Sylvester made an appearance), it wasn't the cool video (sorry thumb!), and it wasn't the testimonies, the worship songs, or the great message Pete shared with all of us. It was sneaking a glance at Andrew and Amber and watching their reaction to all that was going on. Seeing them laugh at the skits, seeing them really listen during Pete's talk, seeing them clap after the songs were sung...seeing those things makes me know that what is happening at Kanakuk is really something good. It's something I need to continue to invest in. It's something I need to work hard towards so my kids can have the Kanakuk experience and grow up knowing where they stand as individuals with their faith, to know how to treat and react to others, to learn how to compete and be good sports, to learn how to win graciously and to lose respectfully, and to know that Mom & Dad must have really loved them to allow them to leave the house for one week each year (hard as that is) for something that will change their lives forever.
With that being said, check back soon for a video from Kanakuk LIVE! starring one of my favorite characters, Sylvester.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Forecast of the persimmon
According to folklore (which means it hasn't been scientific proven, or disproved), the severity of approaching winter can be forecast by cutting open a persimmon seed and looking at the shape of the kernel inside. Hold the seed carefully with a pair of needled-nose pliers and use a paring knife to slice it open.
If the kernel is spoon-shaped, lots of heavy, wet snow is forecasted.
If the kernel is fork-shaped, powdery light snow and a mild winter is predicted. If the kernel is knife-shaped, bitter icy cutting winds for next few months will occur.
It is recommended to cut at least ten seeds to determine the outcome of the kernel shape.
If the kernel is spoon-shaped, lots of heavy, wet snow is forecasted.
If the kernel is fork-shaped, powdery light snow and a mild winter is predicted. If the kernel is knife-shaped, bitter icy cutting winds for next few months will occur.
It is recommended to cut at least ten seeds to determine the outcome of the kernel shape.
First of all, what is a persimmon? I thought they were called tomatoes, but apparently, I'm wrong.
If you don't know, I'm a winter person through and through. There are no bugs biting and no sweating just from stepping outside. Those are just two of the many reasons I love the season.
Well, in today's paper, I see this article which made me very happy. I may have to start planting persimmons in our garden.
Friday, October 17, 2008
A Moment In Time
Twenty years ago. I was 19, pushing 20. I've not changed much and at the same time, I'm an entirely different person. I enjoy music now as much as I did then, although my taste has refined...not much, but still, I'm particular about what I'll listen to, although I'm open to giving anything a chance. It doesn't take me long to form an opinion about it, though.
I appreciate things from the past. That's my dad's influence on me. I remember days sitting in his music room that he built himself. It was full of 45's, albums, 8-track tapes, cassettes, pictures of his favorite artists, models of cars from the 1950's, and so much more that I can't remember. My brothers and I would sit there and listen to his stories about growing up while he played songs from the soundtrack of his life. From Dad, I learned that new isn't always better and that if you have a chance to experience a good memory from the past, you should try and do it.
Twenty years ago, Amy Grant released "Lead Me On", a landmark album for her. At the time, I didn't really get into the album. It was quite a jump from the pop-filled "Unguarded". "Lead Me On" was darker...more mature. More mature than I was at the time. I bought the cassette but it didn't get much deck time from me. I didn't get to go to concerts much back then and I'm not sure the tour even came near me. That tour spawned one of the best radio specials of all time, "A Moment In Time". I wouldn't have known about that except that I found a CD copy of the radio special in the trash at the radio station I was working at (Thank you, Brian!). Being a fan of Amy Grant, I picked it up and, to this day, it's one of my most treasured possessions. The stories that were shared, the music that was made, the friendships that were forged and solidified on that tour were amazing. Ask my friend, Andy. He witnessed the magic of that tour through the same CD. It's like someone put a magical spell on that round piece of plastic so that anyone coming in contact with it would be blessed by its audio content. After listening to the CD of that radio program, I immediately knew I had missed out on something pretty special...until now.
Amy Grant is bringing that tour to Wichita and I'm getting a second chance to experience that tour. She's bringing most of the original band with her to celebrate 20 years since the release of that album. It's like I'm getting to go back in time to experience "A Moment In Time". I'm very excited! Amy will be there with many of my favorites...Chris Rodriguez, Chris Eaton, Chris Harris (what's with all the Chris's?). It's sure to be a fantastic evening.
And to make the night even more special, I'm taking Amber as a surprise birthday present. Lately, she's really been into Amy Grant's music. She has always enjoyed music and she wanted to listen to something on her headphones. I wanted to give her something positive to listen to so what better artist to introduce a little girl to than Amy Grant. She has really connected to her music and I can't wait to watch her watching Amy. It'll be Amber's first concert (if you don't count The Average White Band playing in the park at Salina's Smoky Hill River Festival. Since it wasn't a ticketed event, I'm not counting it).
I'll be sure to share as much as I can remember about the concert. I know, I know...you're still waiting on details about the Kenny Loggins concert I went to a while back. I still have pictures to share from that. But, this concert is special. This concert will connect me to my past in a way nothing has before, and it'll be nice to be 19 again, even if for just "a moment in time".
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Conversations with the Neighbor Kid
(Standing in my driveway waiting for the school bus)
Neighbor Kid: Mike...do you want to feel my ears?
Me: Not really. Why do you want me to feel your ears?
Neighbor Kid: (smiling) Because they're warm.
That boy is an interesting child.
Neighbor Kid: Mike...do you want to feel my ears?
Me: Not really. Why do you want me to feel your ears?
Neighbor Kid: (smiling) Because they're warm.
That boy is an interesting child.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Goldilocks and the Walrus
So, last night while we were waiting for the school bus, I see the neighbors across the street pull into their driveway. They start unloading their car with bags. Apparently, they had been to the airport to pick someone up. Well, not too far behind them comes this guy driving a small dark blue pickup. The family across the street has 6 kids, 4 of them are driving age so there was really no place for him to park. He pulled over to our side of the street (going the wrong way) and parked his truck. A boy about Andrew's age got out and walked our way asking if the tree next to our driveway was a cotton tree. I said, "No, it's a maple, but there are plenty of Cottonwood trees around here." By that time, the guy driving the truck was walking toward me and I really couldn't believe who it was. It was Paul McCartney. No security, no stupid paparazzi, no nothing. Just the walrus himself.
When I was a student at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, there were always celebrities and well-known people walking around campus so we learned in a hurry not to ever be a "fan". The environment was one of learning and these people were here to help us with our education so there was no room to be star-struck. After working in the music business for a few years, fame doesn't affect me much anymore. They're just people after all.
As Paul walked toward me, I played it cool and welcomed him like I would a neighbor from down the street. While I may have been freaking out on the inside, I was cool as a fall breeze on the outside. I shook his hand and asked how he was doing and if I could do anything for him. Apparently, he was looking for locations to shoot his album cover and someone told him about our tree and the amazing colors it turns during the fall. (Link to see pictures of the tree during the fall here: http://clicketyclickclick.blogspot.com/2007/11/fall-in-front.html) The name of the album is "Goldilocks" so I can see the connection.
So, there I am standing in my driveway unaffected by the fact I'm talking to one of the Beatles...Paul Mc"fricking"Cartney, about the neighborhood and about music in general (one of my favorite topics!) and I notice people driving by starting to look curiously our way, so I invite him in to the house. He waves to the neighbors who have some connection to him to say I'll be over shortly. The boy who rode with him stays outside to play with Andrew & Amber.
Our house is very unassuming to it's a nice front for someone of his caliber of celebrity. We go in and sit in the front room. We offer him something to drink (water, soda...nothing hard) and he declines so we sit in the front room to continue our conversation. As he's talking, I think of three people I know within driving distance who would love to have the opportunity I'm having. So I ask him, "You're not an idiot, Paul. You're aware that people all over the world love your music and think you're pretty cool. I know three people who would enjoy meeting you and am wondering if you'd care if I called them so they could meet you." He says, "Sure! I'd love to meet your friends." So I call my dad and tell him I need him to come to Wichita but didn't tell him why. He's reluctant but decides to head our way. I also call Christine and I call Jon. They both come over and are floored at who is sitting in my living room. But they were cool and very polite and not fanatical at all. I was relieved and impressed and I know it meant a lot to them. I was eager to see how Dad would react.
We continued talking, sharing stories, not dropping one delicate word pitched toward our ears. The discussion turned back toward the tree where the boys were playing when all of a sudden...
I woke up. Yep, it was a dream I had. You probably clued into that fact in the first sentence when I said "last night I was waiting for the school bus" knowing full well that school buses don't run at night, especially on Sunday nights. I have no idea what this dream means. Andrew had a goldfish that died recently whose name was "Goldilocks" but I can't find any meaning behind this. All I know is it was as vivid as 3D movie and I was aware of the noises around me (Sara was getting ready and the kids were stirring) but I was still able to keep my eyes closed to see what might happen or learn if Paul was going to give me concert tickets or something cool.
I'll end with a message for Paul. If by some weird cosmic chance you had a dream similar to this about putting my tree on your album cover, you have my permission, and you're welcome to visit anytime. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
When I was a student at Belmont University in Nashville, TN, there were always celebrities and well-known people walking around campus so we learned in a hurry not to ever be a "fan". The environment was one of learning and these people were here to help us with our education so there was no room to be star-struck. After working in the music business for a few years, fame doesn't affect me much anymore. They're just people after all.
As Paul walked toward me, I played it cool and welcomed him like I would a neighbor from down the street. While I may have been freaking out on the inside, I was cool as a fall breeze on the outside. I shook his hand and asked how he was doing and if I could do anything for him. Apparently, he was looking for locations to shoot his album cover and someone told him about our tree and the amazing colors it turns during the fall. (Link to see pictures of the tree during the fall here: http://clicketyclickclick.blogspot.com/2007/11/fall-in-front.html) The name of the album is "Goldilocks" so I can see the connection.
So, there I am standing in my driveway unaffected by the fact I'm talking to one of the Beatles...Paul Mc"fricking"Cartney, about the neighborhood and about music in general (one of my favorite topics!) and I notice people driving by starting to look curiously our way, so I invite him in to the house. He waves to the neighbors who have some connection to him to say I'll be over shortly. The boy who rode with him stays outside to play with Andrew & Amber.
Our house is very unassuming to it's a nice front for someone of his caliber of celebrity. We go in and sit in the front room. We offer him something to drink (water, soda...nothing hard) and he declines so we sit in the front room to continue our conversation. As he's talking, I think of three people I know within driving distance who would love to have the opportunity I'm having. So I ask him, "You're not an idiot, Paul. You're aware that people all over the world love your music and think you're pretty cool. I know three people who would enjoy meeting you and am wondering if you'd care if I called them so they could meet you." He says, "Sure! I'd love to meet your friends." So I call my dad and tell him I need him to come to Wichita but didn't tell him why. He's reluctant but decides to head our way. I also call Christine and I call Jon. They both come over and are floored at who is sitting in my living room. But they were cool and very polite and not fanatical at all. I was relieved and impressed and I know it meant a lot to them. I was eager to see how Dad would react.
We continued talking, sharing stories, not dropping one delicate word pitched toward our ears. The discussion turned back toward the tree where the boys were playing when all of a sudden...
I woke up. Yep, it was a dream I had. You probably clued into that fact in the first sentence when I said "last night I was waiting for the school bus" knowing full well that school buses don't run at night, especially on Sunday nights. I have no idea what this dream means. Andrew had a goldfish that died recently whose name was "Goldilocks" but I can't find any meaning behind this. All I know is it was as vivid as 3D movie and I was aware of the noises around me (Sara was getting ready and the kids were stirring) but I was still able to keep my eyes closed to see what might happen or learn if Paul was going to give me concert tickets or something cool.
I'll end with a message for Paul. If by some weird cosmic chance you had a dream similar to this about putting my tree on your album cover, you have my permission, and you're welcome to visit anytime. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
How About Now? (Kenny Loggins setlist)
I think I've waited long enough.
What a concert! One of the best I've been to. Kenny Loggins did a fantastic job. Just a perfect night in almost every way.
I have plenty of pictures to share and I'll get that link to you soon. For now, here's the setlist:
What a concert! One of the best I've been to. Kenny Loggins did a fantastic job. Just a perfect night in almost every way.
I have plenty of pictures to share and I'll get that link to you soon. For now, here's the setlist:
- Danny's Song
- Return To Pooh Corner
- Conviction of the Heart
- How About Now (new song, new CD)
- Celebrate Me Home
- This Is It (Kirk Franklin version...I've included the Kirk Fanklin version. I preferKenny's version and am glad he took this back for his own)
- I'm A Free Man Now (new song, new CD)
- Angry Eyes
- (some song he said was from Caddyshack that I'd never heard before. I think he mentioned "Baby Ruth" and "do what you gotta do" but am not sure. Great song, though!)
- Your Mama Don't Dance
- I'm Alright
- Don't Fight It
- Danger Zone
- Footloose
- Forever (encore)
It was a solid set from top to bottom. Check back on this post for the link to photographs and an extra treat or two from the show. It's late now and I have a busy week in front of me. I've been so busy at work with the launch of the new TV season and with life by getting the kids where they need to be and going to ball games and painting the house (although Sara has done most of that) and dodging flood waters...blogging kinda had to be set on the back-burner. Sorry about that. Hopefully you understand and you haven't given up on me. I can tell you stories about talking to 7,000 people at the Kansas State Fair, learning that my very cool Saturn also serves as a makeshift boat, gathering "wisdom" in an empty Gatorade bottle, and share my curiosity about the whole "Twitter" bonanza. But, my pillow beckons me and I am looking forward to viewing the backside of my eyelids for about six-hours.
Good-night!
12/26/08 - I just put together the setlist from the show for your listening pleasure, in case you want to "experience" it again with us. Enjoy.
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