September 10

MOVED
Well, we’ve done it once again. We have moved home and recording studio and are still in the process of rummaging through brown boxes to find simple things like finger nail clippers when you really need them. I’ll write more on the house and studio when I am settled and have some pics.

THE MESSAGES WE HEAR

I went on a walk this morning. As I passed an elementary school, I saw the crossing guard holding a STOP sign to stop traffic for kids crossing the street. I smiled when I remembered the stout and gentle man with gray hair who used to be the crossing guard when I was a kid. Wearing his orange reflector vest and matching hat, he was there EVERY day on my long walk back. It was probably a mile, but felt like ten in my little Velcro shoes. I wish I remembered the guys name still (I’ll bet my mom still remembers). He became so familiar after 6 years of me walking to school that I was sad someone else took his place.

My wife and I were talking about Sesame Street last night. We were reminiscing about the different characters and whom we liked or disliked the most: Kermet the frog, Oscar the grouch, Big Bird, Slimy (the worm), and who the heck knows the name of those purple alien looking furry guys who honked when they hit their noses and ears.

Looking back, we were thinking about the kind of messages we were used to hearing from shows like Sesame Street. Messages like “be yourself, no matter how big or small you are.” Or messages that say “it’s the small and simple things in life that matter.” The messages moving into a new generation changed. Everything became an expectation of the big and grand…rock star status. “Change the world by doing something incredible, becoming something mega-big, super-star, super-power.”

Maybe I’m just getting old, but I miss the messages that left me able to be who I really was…a kid. I still feel like a kid, but I constantly feel like I’m short of the “big and grand.” It is a tiring world-view to be a part of.

I miss being a kid. I miss being enough only with my small and simple ways. I miss the crossing guard and his orange reflector vest. I think life must be about learning how to come full circle. The older and more mature I get, the more I realize my mission is to live out adult-hood with the spirit of my child-hood.

September 4

Recording goes on with some fun Drummer Boy drum sessions for the Christmas album. Some people are asking about the progress on Future of Forestry’s second album though. Yes, it is still in the working…but unfortunately giving way to the “tyranny of the urgent” with a few things. Firstly, I’m working hard on the Christmas albums since its always nice to listen to Christmas music by December rather than February. Secondly, right after our Drummer Boy sessions, I started packing up the studio to move. Although I’m excited about moving to the new place, I’m getting very tired of moving. Renting a place for living and studio recording is not the most ideal thing. Anyone want to buy me a property with a house and a separate guesthouse?

PROTECTING WHAT WE LOVE
This is a season of great change. It has come with its challenges, but in the end it continues to help me face what is important. I was talking to my wife this morning and telling her how its hard to adjust to my shifting career. Instead of just doing Future of Forestry, I am trying to balance the music producing/mixing I’m doing for other artists. In talking about it, she reminded me how important this time is not to forget or underestimate what is happening with my music and song-writing right now. Something I have to protect.

We have to protect the things we love. We have to protect art. Not because all the gangs are trying to break into my house to “tag” all the paintings with spray-paint. But its always “the tyranny of urgent” in tough times isn’t it? Art doesn’t SEEM essential when bills need to get paid and tax forms need to be sent. We have to protect what we love. And if we love art, we need to protect it from being the last thing to get fed. That doesn’t just go for those who are MAKING the art, but for those who are APPRECIATING it as well. I’m so thankful for a gentle reminder to value what is inside of me. To make sure it has a priority and that I am living my life with a readiness to keep that as a huge part of who I am.

I am grateful and very lucky to be allowed to make music in this life. And it’s a dream come true that I get the opportunity to produce other artists as well as work on my own music. I am grateful for those who love me like my wife who will be eager to remind me not to forget what I love. As life is always shifting us around to do different things in each season, I simply want to be true to whatever God gives me each day and each moment . Today, in all of its glory, my task is to put all the contents of my house into brown boxes. For that I am grateful.

See you at the next house...

September 21

Recently, after a worship gig at South Hills Church in Corona, we were eating some hamburgers at Islands, and basically having a good old time talking about whistling, Santa Barbara, and Mona Lisa. When it came time for the bill, our waitress brought it up and said that someone who was at the church saw us come in and paid for our meal. That person didn't leave their name, myspace address, or even a demo for Eric to listen to! How cool is that?

Generosity and humble anonymity are an amazing combination, and we were blessed by it. So, whoever you are... thank you so much for paying for our meal and teaching me about the power of selfless acts of love with no expectation of anything in return.

-T.J.

September 16

A young spider's uncle once said, "with great power comes great responsibility." To a recording engineer, we could turn that around and say "with great electricity comes great guitar tones." I'm sure Eric will touch on this later, but it's been power issue Tuesday today. First, it was an annoying buzz. A power conditioner/regulator fixed this, but now fuses are being blown and music is not being converted into 1's and 0's thus hindering the progress of the album. I miss the good old days, when you didn't even need electricity to make a CD (he said sarcastically!).

-T.J.