Disappointment

I don't think I've mentioned this on here before (and since I read through this entire blog from beginning to end a few days ago, I'm confident in this postulation), but I've been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while now. I've got some ideas of how I want it to look, but nothing is set in stone yet. One of the big things I've wanted is for it to be part blacklight tattoo. (I could go more into the thought process behind the design later if y'all want, but I'll just skip that for now--it's a bit nerdy)

A few minutes ago, I decided to see where I could go to get a blacklight tattoo--thinking there would be a place in Iowa City. I was wrong. I'd have to travel 30 miles (if Google Maps is up-to-date on which tattoo parlors do blacklight tattoos). So sadly, I may have to either wait a while or get a ride from someone else....or get better information on the subject. Luckily, I don't have it completely designed yet anyway.

Wait, what?

Last night, I was hanging out with some guys, and this blog came up in conversation. It was slightly jarring to me, as it always is when I learn about someone else that reads this. I don't know why, but it makes me uncomfortable to learn that people actually read this. When I already know that somebody reads my blog, I'm okay talking about it with them, but when somebody tells me for the first time that they read this, I'm suddenly nervous--especially when they tell me they heard about it from someone else that I wasn't aware of that actually reads this. So here's a little proposal. Let's get all of my discomfort out quickly. If you haven't told me that you read this--in person or by commenting--please let me know soon. I'll be really uncomfortable for a bit, but I'll survive.

Maybe it makes me uncomfortable because this blog started with an intended audience of one--a friend that wanted to know what I was up to over the summer while he was overseas--and eventually turned into more of a journal and source of emotional release for myself. Maybe it's partially from the fact that one of the guys last night threatened to use this PUBLIC blog as a way to blackmail me.....gotta love the people I hang out with.

On an unrelated note, I've lately gotten mildly addicted to this game called Minecraft. If you haven't heard of it, you probably shouldn't watch these videos. (Just a warning--these videos have caused many people to become addicted. Also, episode 17 has a fair bit of swearing) The graphics aren't very good, but the game is really fun. The guys and I last night were talking about some of the things we've done in-game, and I mentioned that I've posted some screenshots online. Some people have done some crazy things.

Women's Retreat

Today was the women's retreat. Up early, setting up, in order to sit around for 7 hours doing very little. There were two other guys there--my roommate and James--so it wasn't as awkward as it could have been. Really, it didn't seem awkward at all. I spent most of the time listening to my iPod--and playing games. My roommate was editing audio from Anthem--and later started watching a movie--and James was working on a new Anthem song. So none of us heard much of what went on. This did make for some interesting moments. Like when the speaker walked in front of the speakers and there was some bad feedback--and my roommate didn't notice because of his headphones. Or when the women all went into the back to make a circle, and all three of us stopped what we were doing, utterly confused--until we figured out what was going on, and went back to normal. Related to the last one, my roommate was watching X-men Origins: Wolverine on his computer--which happened to be between the three of us and the circle. So, even though two of us couldn't hear the movie, we were all staring in that direction. I don't think the ladies noticed, though. The last strange moment came near the end, when none of us were paying great attention, and we weren't sure when it was time for us to get back to doing stuff.

In a side note, I got to do lyrics for the first time today. We only had two tech people--myself and my roommate--and the other had to run sound, so I was on lyrics and lights--but dealing with minor problems forced me to forgo lights entirely, and just leave houselights on (I think the only one that noticed was "mom").

All in all, it was fun--even though seeing half of X-men Origins with no sound meant that I had to see it in full after I got back home.

Iowa City Anthem

This was a triumph.
I'm making a note here.
HUGE SUCCESS.
It's hard to overstate
my satisfaction.

Sorry, I felt that the opening lyrics to "Still Alive" applied here (and I've had them stuck in my head for the past few days).

Anyway, Anthem started at 5 on Monday for me. That's when I arrived to help with setup. After the first 4 hours, I was starting to crash. I got a second wind and was able to help out until midnight, which was time for people to head home. My roommate had to finish getting recording capability, so I got a ride home from "mom". We were both exhausted, so I don't remember much of the conversation, but it was hilarious at the time. At one point, I told her that she sounded drunk. I also said it felt like the car was leaning to the left. She was wondering about that, and I almost said "Maybe I just want to be close to you." Luckily, I was awake enough to figure that that was a bad time to ask her out. You really want to be fully awake for important decisions.

The next day, it was a day off--from setup, at least. I was still really tired, and I either fell asleep (and woke up) without noticing it, or I started hallucinating. I was positive that my roommate turned on his Playstation, but it wasn't on later, and he was only home for a very brief period--and he doesn't remember turning the Playstation on.

Yesterday (Anthem Day), I had a test at noon. I rushed through it so I could get to final setup--which also started at noon. The test took 12 minutes, and I walked over to Third Base in 30 minutes (Google Maps said it was a 37 minute walk--I was in a hurry). There wasn't a whole lot left to do, so there was a lot of hanging out with the other tech people. Mark Arant had brought his skateboard, so there was a lot of people riding it around in the bar and jumping off stuff and falling down. (I only watched this)

Later, one of the guys was at the pool table, trying to hit as many cushions as he could in a single shot. He kept getting 5, and another guy wanted to try. He really laid into it, and the cue ball hit one cushion, then bounced into the air--and off my forehead. It hurt. After a little bit, I was feeling okay, so I went over to worry "mom". Her reaction was to try and hi-five the guy that had hit the cue ball, but he left her hanging. Side note: I've got a lump from that shot, and every time I feel it, I laugh.

Anthem was awesome. Seeing the bar packed wall-to-wall with people, hands raised, worshipping God. Watching about half a dozen people with cameras running around, getting good shots of the band and the crowd--as well as dozens of camera phones and iPods. Seeing two guys called up from the crowd to sing. Losing my voice. Who could ask for more?

After Anthem, Mark took us out for dinner--tech/worship team's second dinner that night.

We tore down this morning so that we wouldn't be up until 3 last night. So in the past 72 hours, I've spent over 20 in a bar. Now I can rest until 6 tomorrow morning--then it's time to setup for the women's retreat.

Busy-ness

A warning before I get into this post: I'm going to hit a lot of topics here. There's a lot going on.

First of all, apparently, busyness is actually a word. Whatever. I'm still leaving the hyphen in the title.

Anyway, Anthem is in 3 days. It's going to be awesome, so you should make an effort to attend. Packing out a bar with people singing praises to God for 2+ hours. What could be cooler/more important than that?

On a related note, nearly everything seems to remind me of worship songs these days. I figure this is a good "problem" to have. I wonder a little if the neighbors can hear me while I'm singing in the shower...... Well, if they can, they can.

Following up on the last post, when I found out about the rumor going around, I hadn't seriously thought about "mom" as anything but a friend. But after a few days' thought, I realize that I feel very comfortable around her, which is rare for me--women just make me uncomfortable, unless they're already taken. Maybe I should go for it. One concern of mine is that I fall for women quickly--at least, prior experience tells me that. This may be a good opportunity for growth--as well as a chance to get to know a very Godly woman.

This weekend was fun. A visit from a cool couple from Ames--so now the two people I had most wanted to see at the Ames Anthem (neither of which were able to make it--sorry people I saw there, I DO have favorites) have visited Veritas. This weekend was a good weekend to visit--the first ever baptisms at Veritas Church were today. Can you hold back tears seeing 9 people--including two international students--baptized in a community center pool? I know I can't. That was a great way to end a service.

Next weekend could be interesting. The women's retreat is on Saturday, and my roommate and I have been asked to do tech for it. So, it'll be the two of us (and maybe the drummer/creative arts director) in a room full of women. It could be awkward, enlightening, or both. If I remember to write, I'll let y'all know.

Why can't life be simple?

Yesterday, I was meeting with one of the guys from my connection group (we meet one-on-one with someone else from the group every week). One thing we talked about was a rumor going around the tech/worship team. They've been talking about a "relationship" that has been developing between myself and the tech team's "mom". I just see it as a friendship, but the guys see potential for more--to the point where the phrase "When are you going to ask her out?" came up. Okay, I've thought about it before, but I've also thought about putting on rollerblades and hockey pads and being towed behind a car and into a telephone pole.

Anyway, my first impulse upon hearing this was to avoid her and end the friendship. How messed up is that? I almost didn't talk to her at all last night. Then I decided I was being stupid for acting like that because of what other people were saying. I shouldn't act differently just because some people think there's more going on than I do.

In a mildly related note, I've managed to hurt myself during Salt tear-down again. In case you've forgotten or never read about the last time, here's the post. We were putting everything away in the storage unit when my grip on the sub case slipped, and I dropped it on my toes. I somehow managed to keep from screaming, and was able to help finish putting things away. Unfortunately, I nearly blacked out while the other guys were putting the last few things away in the office--so they were somewhat far away. I think if I had eaten more recently, I would have thrown up.

Of course, I still walked to and from class today. Pain's not going to stop me that easily.

My right big toe took the worst of it. Anyone with a weak stomach may not want to look lower, because I took a picture of the damage. Don't worry, it looks worse than it is. Blood will do that.

First Iowa City Salt Company Retreat

The retreat was this weekend. My head is hurting pretty badly right now, so this won't be a long post. I'm not sure if it's from caffeine withdrawal (I kinda doubt it, drinking Mountain Dew hasn't helped), dehydration (I doubt this for reasons that I won't mention here) or as a result of the football game (maybe--I might have sustained a mild concussion). Maybe it's something else, I don't know.

Some cool things that happened:

• Learning the truth about Sleep Number beds (their commercials make them seem much cooler than they are--you can't tell what number it's on without changing it, and even then you can't tell until you stop changing) They're just air mattresses
• Singing Happy Birthday to one of the pastors on Friday night
• Repeating my reason for sleeping in a chair instead of a bed to about a dozen people (I won't share a bed unless there's a ring)
• Having a quiet time with the Father while riding in the trunk on the way back from IHOP at 1:30 in the morning (I may be weird, but I liked riding in the trunk)
• Playing football with 23 other guys--including one international student who was learning the rules as he played (I heard later that he said "If everyone was like the people at Salt, the world would be much better" and almost cried)
• Getting hit in the mouth by a pastor (during the aforementioned football game, and not the pastor that celebrated his birthday on the retreat)
• Running lights from two boards simultaneously (I would have liked to have at least three hands for this, but I'm excited about getting ready for Anthem--which is just 10 days away now)
• Hearing about multiple people coming to know the Son (at least two this weekend, making at least 3 in the past week!)
• Paul Sabino speaking

Matthew 20:16

Last night at Salt, Mark was talking about Mark 10:35-45. For those that don't know these verses off the top of your head and are too lazy to look them up online, this is where James and John, the sons of Zebedee, ask to sit at the right and left hand of the Son. I'm not sure if he referenced the passage directly, or if my mind just slipped in that direction, but I was reminded of Matthew 20:16.


“So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”


I think this is a slightly dangerous verse for me. I'm concerned that I take this to heart and try to be last just so that I can be first. This went along well with what my connection group talked about on Monday--Mark 7:20-22, which is about what makes a man clean or unclean. We talked about our less obvious sins, and one I realized was my pride. I work hard at hiding my bad side by helping out as much as I can.


After the service, I sat down to pray about it. I was going to get up and leave before tear-down, but when I stopped praying, there was a crowd of people around me, effectively blocking my exit. A little later, I was walking around, and ran into one of my connection group's leaders. We talked for a bit, and he prayed for me, so I was there until tear-down began.


As I thought about it during tear-down, I realized that's only part of why I help out so much. I also help out because I love it. I love helping out, plus I get to hang out with some cool people. Yes, it feeds my pride issues, but that's just something I need to work on. I can't just run away when God gives me an opportunity to grow in Him.