Wifi vs. the Elk sequel...

Yesterday's drive was incredible. I must correct myself. We did not take the one way dirt road, we took Trail Ridge Road:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/romo/visit/weather/scenicdrives.html

Before we entered Rocky Mountain National Park, I noticed that there was a horse stable nearby, and I suggested that we take on crossing the Continental Divide by horseback. Luckily, my brother, who has all of the logic, facts, and common sense that I will never have said...

"Do you realize how cold it will be at the summit?" he questioned.

"Yeah, but we can bundle up," I said.

"This could possibly take two days"

"Yeah, but... I want to be a cowboy today."

"Excuse me?"

"A cowboy, I mean look around, it's meant to be, at least today"

"I just hiked the Grand Canyon, and I still question my survival skills. What do you plan on eating?"

"I will fish!"

"With what pole?"

"With the dagger that is provided in the 'cowboy kit'".

"Cowboy kit?"

"Yes, doesn't every horse come with a saddle and a cowboy kit?"

"Ummmm... and do you plan on drinking bacteria-infested water?"

"No, I will heat the water up."

"With what?"

"The pan provided in the cowboy kit."

I lost this one. Lost this one bad. Oh well. Thank goodness, my brother saved me from even trying to get on a horse.

My mother also challenged me to a ping-pong match. My brother won the Romans family minature golf game in the LAST HOLE (I was tied up until the end), we had a fierce game of Cranium (I love this game, ask Nate Campany), and today SHUFFLEBOARD.

Before I continue to list off my family vacation itinerary, I must first share with you why shuffleboard fascinated me over any other competitave game.

You have the option to score 10, two options to score 8, two options to score 7, and one option to score NEGATIVE 10!! This blew my mind. In what other sport do you actually have the opportunity to go in the hole? Not only that, but you have the option of knocking the other player's disc out of one of the zones and completely off of the triangle, OR with good aim, INTO the negative ten zone!!! Then I thought, THIS is the music industry... YIKES! You make a record, sometimes guess, over-guess, strategize, over-strategize, then SHOOT it into the public. Sometimes it does well, sometimes it completely misses the mark, and if you over-invest and are comletely wrong... STRAIGHT INTO THE NEGATIVE! Yikes, yikes, yikes. It all sounds too familiar right now. This is why I will always be favorably art over business, even if the other side can eat me alive.

Back to where I was earlier on the topic of blog-fear.

I had an amazing conversation with Luke White, our fellow blogger, this afternoon. I was talking about perception of what we are as artists. My own band I think often gets a pre-concieved notion for many reasons, some of which I understand, some of which I don't, but it still exists. I was talking about this awesome site, but also the uneasiness that comes with honesty and really sharing. I was talking about what people see on the outside, and worrying about what's really on the inside. Then he said:

"We as artists are the other way around. We are constantly wearing the inside on the out. That's where art comes from. From withiin."

He also said that more people need to be honest with themselves and more radical as human beings.

Then I stopped and said, man, you're right.

Luke is one insightful dude, and I'm proud to call him my friend.

So again, if blogging is an art, which I'm realizing that it is, then it's like anything. Ideas come out, some work, some don't, but it's like any music, science, politics... or pitching (in baseball- I've been cheering on the Red Sox as they just swept the Angels). You don't always throw strikes, but you strive to be the best pitcher you can be.

Here's the deal: I really wanted to do something more than just be in a band, and I really think a lot of my friends feel the same way. For a long time, I thought that my band needed to become bigger, so I could start helping folks and branch out. Then I realized, I'd never start, unless I just STARTED NOW.

* Gotta start somewhere.

Not only that, but I realized that I need a good kick in the arse, too. I am consistantly reminded, that I as a human being am incapable of completing anything on my own (in a spiritual sense). That, and I need help from friends. I need YOU to motivate me. Once you start anything, and there is structure, and a team, you better believe it's going to help push yourself along. There's a reason the Beatles wrote a song about it... "I get by with a little help of my friends..."

* Multiple hearts are better than one. I need you.

This site is more than just the artists that participate, it's about ideas, communication, and community. I LOVE what I'm reading from our bloggers already, and I learn from it. I can't thank Cassie and Jade enough, and I can't thank our awesome bloggers enough for making this possible.

* This is our community. Use it.

It basically comes down to this:

We can throw this pitch. Might be a strike. Might be a ball. But... nothing will happen unless we throw the ball.

Thank you for helping me, friends.

Ok... I was inspired by Jade's comments on the blogs, so I may do a little myself:

Michael- psyched that you're working with Mr. Bourne. He was telling me about that song, as we both talked about the oh-so-quick rise and fall of the pop world. i look forward to the finished product!

Luke- thank you again for the words of wisdom. I also agree that Radiohead is really ahead of the game with their strategy. I applaud them, especially for a band at their level, for taking that risk. Even if this doesn't turn the industry around, it WILL open eyes. Thank you Radiohead for throwing a pitch.... and please be alive and happy, Luke. We have work to do when I return from Asia!

Cassie- WHERE CAN WE FIND HIP-HOP SANTA???? It is OH-SO-RADICAL that we're getting feedback, and you have been blowing me away with your new media genuis. Oh, and I envy that headband.

Franky C- I've said it before, and I'll say it again... regardless of where the industry places us, you're always inspiring me, and I'm proud to be friends with someone with such talent. EVERYONE GET READY FOR FRANK'S ALBUM. I'VE LISTENED TO IT MANY TIMES AND IT IS BANANAS!!!

(Uhoh, I'm getting kicked out of the wifi cabin... better make this quick).

Professor Wainwright- So glad you're on board!!!!! I'm still recovering from your Birthday.

Josiah- I will remember this. in fact, I might even try this for my own entertainment in my upcoming flight to Asia.

Chap Stique- Dude, I'm logging into what you're saying about doing what you do to the fullest. Bono spoke of this once in his book... and as artists it is such a responsibility! I am terribly sorry that I missed your show in Denver last night. I just couldn't let the Romans family mini-golf down... I hope to catch a show soon.

Nate- Your facial hair statements having been a favorite of mine for years now. In fact, they have inspired me to experiement with my own whiskers. Okay, one love bloggers... I have pictures in a vault of Nate's facial hair throughout the years in a vault... who wants to see them?????? Just kidding Nate... or am I??

Jade- I think that your blogs are inspiring us to take it up a notch! Brain Damage is the official drink of The One Love. Help us all. Thank you over and over again for everything. Much more brainstorming to come.

Tyler- Duder! It's been awhile! SO GLAD you're a part of this site, not to mention that everyone was amped about your blog on launch day. I will absolutely sign up for your Nate Campany stache petition. In fact, I will become a lobbyist for this situation.

Gia- Do it. Blog. You know you want to. C'mon... :)

Last but not least... after a request, here is my elk friend:

 

 

And here is the beautiful nature that I'm surrounded by:

Rock on!!