I spent my Saturday assisting photographer and friend Jen O’Sullivan on a wedding in our area. The bride and groom were both a joy to be with and we had a great time with them. It was bit stormy out on Saturday, but that didn’t stop us from taking the bride and groom out for a little “walk in the park” so to speak.
Getting married or know someone who is? Send em’ my way! [shaymless self promotion]
There are always things in life that bring me joy, even when I don’t always want to admit it. Here’s a few guilty pleasures I realized I have had of late:
1. Hannah Montana (The TV Show)
Seriously though, if you’re not watching this show…you’re missing out. It’s witty, funny, and if you’re looking to understand youth culture I’d say this is the show for you. Plus, it’s got one-hit-wonder Billy Ray Cyrus as himself — that should be reason enough to start getting up before 10am on Saturday. I can’t help it, I watch Hannah Montana and I think it’s funny. Hannah lives the dual life of normal Miley Cyrus and famous performer Hannah Montana. Her brother is always getting in to trouble, but somehow manages to smooth things over with his charm. Billy Ray is your average dad, trying to keep his house under control. And finally, the co-stars (all the kids’ friends) are awesome — they couldn’t have done a better job casting for that show (Rico (the beach store owner) is one of my favorite characters). Hannah Montana is a clean, fun show for the whole family and it’s definitely one of my guilty pleasures.
2. The Song “Defying Gravity” From The Wicked Soundtrack
Bethany and went and saw “Wicked” in Los Angeles about a month ago and it was absolutely incredible. It’s easily one of the best plays I’ve ever seen. But the song “Defying Gravity” is one of the best songs of the play. It’s got a touch of early 90’s but a build up on the chorus that I just can’t get enough of. I actually find myself singing “I’m defying gravity!” as drive my 98 Jetta while simultaneously believing that it will magically take off from the Earth in beautiful song. I know it’s not as cool as witch and her broom stick, but hey…can’t a guy dream?
3. Tabatha’s Salon Takeover
Tabatha is the drill-sergeant of hair stylists. By her own admittance, she’s the best…and her show is just flat out entertaining. She walks in the salons, tells everyone they stink at their jobs (in an Australian accent), shows people how to do hair and run a salon, makes the salon owners actually show some leadership, remodels the salons and in a weeks time the bad stylists are out, the good stylists are in, and everyone is happy. Well, then of course she comes back six weeks later to make sure they haven’t messed it all up again. It’s a great show. Postmodernists probably hate this show because she tells people when they’re wrong and that’s why I love it. Sure, I know it’s about hair styling and everything, but I’m totally into it. The truth is, I work for Paul Mitchell. No, I don’t cut and style hair, but I have an ever growing appreciation for what stylists do and Tabatha is there to make sure they keep doing it… and as my mom would say “You go girl.”
Quite literally another sign of the times. Just thought I’d share with you all that as Starbucks promised, the 600+ stores are quietly starting to close. Funny thing: even as Starbucks closes stores, it looks like Dunkin’ Donuts is trying to steal some customers with websites like this called “Dunkin’ Beat Starbucks“… classy.
Every so often I find myself overwhelmed by God’s grace in my life. Sometimes they are small things, but when I start thinking about my whole life and I look back and see how God has used so many people and so many situations to make me the man He wants me to be — I get overwhelmed emotionally. Today I came across some photos of my home church of which I’m not in or anything, yet as I looked at them I began to weep. There are photos of young people painting houses for “Neighborhood Impact Paint Day!” and other images of church BBQ’s and game days. And I was reminded of the place where God first showed me the Truth of the Gospel I couldn’t help — and still can’t — but be amazed and simply overwhelmed by His good grace.
I need to look back a lot. It’s not that I don’t see God doing amazing things in my life today, because He is and has, but I need to look back and remember how far God has brought me and cared for me so I don’t get prideful. It’s so simple for me to get caught in the trap of thinking that I did anything to deserve the life God has provided or that I should get any glory for His work. The truth is, apart from His grace — I’m just another lost sinner in need of a Savior. Apart from His plan, His sovereign will, His work, His love — I am nothing. Even coming to Salvation wasn’t something I did, it was a gift given to me by Him and I am eternally grateful. That’s all for today.
I couldn’t help it — I had to blog this. We spent all of Saturday in downtown L.A. shooting with our friends and I loved this shot of Bethany and her butterfly wings. Sometimes street art can be beautiful and this my friends is one of those times.
