Finally Back

I just got back from choir tour and I havent had a chance to update my blog in a week. I started writing about day 2 of Minden before I left, but Luis Lenzi came to the house last Sunday about 2:00 and I never got a chance to get back to this. Incredible talent and a great friend. You can visit his website by clicking here. So instead of writing about day 2, I just posted more pics.All in all it was a good weekend and we had a great time. I will post pics of WAY Choir tour later when I am able to get the pics downloaded.

Pics

Minden, NV Day 1

I am in Minden NV today and tomorrow and it is beautiful up here. Cool weather, no traffic, gas is $4.00 per gallon, and you can still see snow on the mountains. George Whorley is the pastor here and he is putting on a concert right in the middle of their town in the park. This park is beyond words. So beautiful.

I arrived in town today about 3 ish' and went and crashed at the hotel for a couple hours. I had IN n Out before making the trip and somehow it didn't set right with me. All the winding roads I guess, so I wasn't feeling to hot. After relaxing for a little bit, I went over to the park where they were setting up for the concert that night. After a sound check, I sat back and waited for it to start.

Also up here are a group called Niemann Avenue. It's their first big gig and they were pretty excited about it. Now a lot of you know I am in a group called freeWAY, and am pretty used to saying the name a lot. So anyway I was MC ing' tonight and got up to introduce them and I say

"Put your hands together and welcome Freeman Avenue"!!!!

nice.....

Their first big gig and I introduce them wrong. Here are a few pics of tonight.

Larry Carter will be here tomorow so we will have some fun then.

Will post more tomorrow.

On the way

The park stage

The Beautiful Park

Yours Truly

Niemann Ave.

At "Fransisco's"

Ben Vandiver looking a little blury

Bad Day at the Office

Ever have one of these days? I thought this was hilarious when I watched it. I think we all have wanted to do something or other like this at one time.

Congrats Sam!

Congratulations to Sam Hong who just graduated High School!!! Sam is an awesome guy and one of the nicest people you will ever meet. Always willing to help and always there for people and one of the most spiritual people I know. He's 18 years old and graduated as Salutatorian of his High School class with a GPA of 3.95. Salutatorian is right below Valedictorian and out of 500 students, that's not bad!

In his speech at Rosemont High, he spoke for about 15 minutes thanking God for everything he has brought him through. During our summer school program here at the church, Sam volunteered to help out because he had to earn credits for a project in order to graduate. There was only one problem......He didn't have a car. He would get up every morning and ride his bike back and forth to the church 26 miles EVERY day, 5 days a week. Talk about sacrifice. When he was talking about this, I was thinking...we complain sometimes when we have to go outside and get the paper.

In his speech it was awesome because every time he would talk about God, you would hear people starting to clap and cheer. Usually people are to scared to do anything when it comes to God at a graduation. Usually they wont let you talk about him at all!

It was truly inspiring and I count him as a true friend. Thanks Sam for being an inspiration.

Alarm Clock

Time to wake up...

CD Recommendation

Here is a new artist that is up and coming in the Southern Gospel music field and his name is Daron Farmer. When I listened to his album, it was really refreshing to hear some new stuff with a powerful voice to deliver it. I was just getting so tired of hearing album after album of repeat songs that sound the same and don't have a meaning to them. These songs actually have a message in them. Not only does he have a good voice, but he is a super nice and humble guy. You probably have to be a Southern Gospel buff to enjoy these, but there are actually some songs on here that appeal to all. You can visit his website here to listen.

San Francisco

The weather was perfect, the breeze just right, and the crab legs were behemoth size at Joe's Crab Shack! San Francisco really is an incredible city. Everyday is a production there. It's like going to a drama or Phantom of the Opera, but it happens EVERY DAY. When I saw how much money was in some of those guitar cases, I thought about taking up permanent residence by Pier 39. There was a guy who played the guitar about as well as I play the tuba, who strummed the thing once and then said something funny. No song, no singing, but a suitcase full of money. So I figure if I get my tuba and go out and sit by the pier and say funny stuff all day long, I wont have to work ever again.

I hate going to city's like this really, because I always over-eat. We got off the ferry and made a bee-line for Joe's Crab Shack. If you've never been to Joe's, it's unbelievable. After the Shack, we decided to stop off at Ben & Jerry's. Then came the cotton candy, followed by the famous clam chowder bowl and topped off by a nice dinner at Chevy's. I think they really know how to do it in San Fran. Everything is so convenient. Right after you walk out of a restaurant there is dessert waiting for you right across the street.

Fun Day

On the ferry

Eating at the Shack

Me, Jay, and Valerie at the aquarium

Me and Jay with Arnaz Battle, the 49ers #2 leading wide receiver for the NFL.

A bird really like Valerie

Darren being himself