Scenery

Here are some shots I liked for one reason or the other....

Keanu Spotting

Here's a shot I got of Keanu Reeves getting in to his car at The Ivy. I happened to be walking by at the time, as the girls were having a shop at Kitson.

This area of Hollywood has always been too trendy for me, but what the hell. It's odd to see the paparazzi scramble. What a life. Check 'em out at the left of the picture.

Nice car, dude. I'll trade you my Ford Escort Wagon any day!

Betsy, Katie and Brittany

L.A.

Well, we've been in LA a couple days now, and it's been a good time. This trip is basically a Christmas gift for Katie, and a welcome getaway for us as a family. The girls are having a great time. The only downside personally is that I probably won't be able to see everyone I wanted to re-connect with due to time constraints. This is a family trip, not a personal trip, so I am taking into consideration that it really isn't about me this time around! Mind you, I'm certainly not complaining. We are having fun. It's been beautiful so far.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas to all!
May the Spirit of Christ energize you and fill you with joy and hope today and always!

Off To Hollyweird

We're off to Hollywood early tomorrow morning. We're looking forward to hanging out with my buddy Jim Alden, and re-connecting with my old friends and stomping ground! Betsy, Katie and her bud Brittany are in on this fun time. Blog ya from there!

A Little Folly

Me and Me!

MBHS ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT

Katie and her Grandfather, my Father-in-Law Jim Cass.

Katie and her pal Ivana.

My neice Taylor (R), and her friend Tais.

MBHS ORCHESTRA HOLIDAY CONCERT

Katie and Brittany. It was Brittany's 17th birthday last night.


Brittany and Katie jamming!

Katie, my wonderful daughter

Darkening Glasses

Darkening Glasses

Check out this insightful guy.
I like his post entitled

Unfamiliar Lessons from a Familiar Story

From Dictionary.com

lib·er·tine /ˈlɪbərˌtin, -tɪn/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[lib-er-teen, -tin] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

–noun

1.	a person who is morally or sexually unrestrained, esp. a dissolute man; a profligate; rake.

2.	a freethinker in religious matters.

3.	a person freed from slavery in ancient Rome.

–adjective

4.	free of moral, esp. sexual, restraint; dissolute; licentious.

5.	freethinking in religious matters.

6.	Archaic. unrestrained; uncontrolled.

---

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME libertyn <>lībertīnus of a freedman (adj.), freedman (n.), equiv. to lībert(us) freedman (appar. by reanalysis of liber-tās liberty as libert-ās) + -īnus -ine¹]

—Synonyms 1. roué, debauchee, lecher, sensualist. 4. amoral, sensual, lascivious, lewd.

—Antonyms 1. prude.

/ˈlɪbərˌtin, -tɪn/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled

1.	a person who is morally or sexually unrestrained, esp. a dissolute man; a profligate; rake.

2.	a freethinker in religious matters.

3.	a person freed from slavery in ancient Rome.

–adjective

4.	free of moral, esp. sexual, restraint; dissolute; licentious.

5.	freethinking in religious matters.

6.	Archaic. unrestrained; uncontrolled.

---

[Origin: 1350–1400; ME libertyn <>lībertīnus of a freedman (adj.), freedman (n.), equiv. to lībert(us) freedman (appar. by reanalysis of liber-tās liberty as libert-ās) + -īnus -ine¹]

—Synonyms 1. roué, debauchee, lecher, sensualist. 4. amoral, sensual, lascivious, lewd.

—Antonyms 1. prude.

Mystery

Life is shrouded in mystery. That is what it always was. Yes, we have faith and yes, we have reason, but to deny this basic fact of mystery is to deny the universe itself. All too often I want to figure it all out, out of fear or out of stubborn self-reliance. But it is what it is. What I strive to do is embrace the unknown, not cringe from it. I want to step out into the wild frontier. My soul is out there. My calling is out there. Out of Ur. Into the newness of the wild frontiers of the heart. I seek not the charted path. I seek to find myself in that place that is yet to be discovered. Not so much externally, but deep inside. In the places I am afraid of within myself.

AWE

I am in awe of the wonders of creation. And we have been bestowed with the wonderful ability to create ourselves. It is a tremendous power. It is an incredible gift. It is a sobering responsibility. It's also a whole lot of fun!

Interesting Book

Check this most interesting book out. It's long (over 800 pages. I had to renew it like two times), but it's a fun read. It captures the times and the life of Andy Warhol from 1977 to his death in 1987. I never knew all that much about Warhol, and this book made him human to me. Just another beating heart in time. Like yours. Like mine.

Currently reading : The Andy Warhol Diaries By Andy Warhol Release date: By 01 January, 1991

Advent

Advent is a time of hope. A time of hopeful anticipation. A time of expectation. A time of enthusiastic breathlessness at the dawn of the Christ-Child. The Lion Of The Tribe Of Judah, wrapped in swaddling clothes. The one whose DNA is the imprint of eternity. The image of the invisible God on the sleeping infant's beautiful face. We as believers should bear a striking family resemblance. More often than not, I do not.

Remove this veil from my heart, Lord, that I might truly see you this season, and always.

I await your arrival, Lord Jesus.

Twisted Vista

There’s a guy across the way on the roof of his doublewide trailer. He is putting some kind of tar on the roof. He is standing right beside the old fashioned TV antenna that is leaning just a bit to the side. That old man is up on that roof quite a bit. It’s an old, broken down affair, his trailer. Apparently he is always one step ahead of disaster. I suppose doing maintenance on one of those old things is not unlike the upkeep of an old submarine. He is both the Swabbie and the Captain of his landlocked vessel. He is the king of his tin can. Tin can man.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope everyone has a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday!

Currently reading : What Should I Do with My Life?: The True Story of People Who Answered the Ultimate Question By Po Bronson Release date: By 30 December, 2003

Some Nice Quotes

Grateful Words for Today

When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.

- Maya Angelou

Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.

-Philo of Alexandria

As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world -- that is the myth of the "atomic age" -- as in being able to remake ourselves.

-Mahatma Gandhi

From www.gratefulness.org
WORD FOR THE DAY

Goodnight, Ed

I just found out Ed Bradley died. I have to say I'm shocked. I always liked Ed. God bless you Mr. Ed Bradley.

Tell 'Em Teddy!

New Toy

I got myself a much needed new toy for recording purposes. It's a Cavin B4 bass. I have been in the market for a bass for a while now, as the bass I was borrowing from a friend was returned to him. This thing was in stock at Carvin (you usually have to have them custom built), and it turned out to be exactly what I had in mind. It sounds very nice, and it's easy to play. I looked around town for something comparable, but found only either cheap crap or overpriced insruments.

I like playing the bass. As a songwriter, it puts me in a different headspace than guitar, and sort of frees my mind from the same old patterns. I start thinking of different arrangements and different licks. I don't feel as locked in to the usual. It's sort of hypnotic, writing on bass, and a lot of fun. Of course I have plenty of stuff already written that needs to be recorded. I'll post up some tunes as soon as I lay a few ideas down....

WAY TO GO, KATIE!

My daughter Katie was inducted into the National Honor Society last night. I just want to give her a shoutout! I love you, Kate, and I'm so very proud of you! You go, girl!

Soaker

It's been a soaker of a day all day long. The rain has settled in for the duration of the evening. Betsy and I are hanging out this evening. Probably going up to the China Buffet up the street. It's been a long while since we went up there and stuffed ourselves. Tonight will most likely be the night. See ya!

SOCIAL DISTORTION AT HOB

Betsy and I checked out the fantastic Social Distortion at the House of Blues last night with my buddy Jeff Schleuning and his sister April, who we just met prior to the show. Social D rocked!
I saw them a couple years back here with Jeff as well. The joint was jumpin. The openers were Blackpool Lights and The Supersuckers
Here's a crummy cell-phone pic...

Checking in
amidst the din
another wasted day
skirting grace
you run the race
and leave the past at bay

Loris Bog - Off

Like Chicken Bog? I do. Of course, when it comes to food, there's not much I don't like. Anyhow, The little town of Loris hosts an annual Bog-Off, in which those who fancy themselves bog experts compete against one another to make the best chicken bog in the land. It's an all day affair with entertainment and crafts and such. Loris is a nice little town. This is actually the first time we have had a chance to make it down there. It's a beautiful day, so, what the heck!

I had never heard of this dish until I became a resident of the Grand Strand. You don't find much chicken bog in Hollywood.

Here's a recipe from the Loris chamber of commerce website...

What is Chicken Bog: a southern delicacy with chicken, sausage, and rice. See the recipe below.

Ingredients:

• 6 cups water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 (3 pound) whole chicken
• 3 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup long-grain white rice
• 1/2 pound smoked sausage of your choice, sliced
• 2 tablespoons Italian-style seasoning
• 2 cubes chicken bouillon

Directions:

• Place water, salt and onion in a large pot. Add chicken and bring all to a boil; cook until chicken is tender, about 1 hour.
• Remove chicken from pot and let cool. Remove skin and bones and chop remaining meat into bite size pieces.
• Skim off fat from cooking liquid and measure 3 1/2 cups of this chicken broth into a 6-quart saucepan. Add rice, chicken pieces, sausage, herb seasoning and bouillon to this saucepan. Cook all together for 30 minutes; let come to a boil, then reduce heat to low, keeping pan covered the whole time. If mixture is too watery or juicy, cook over medium low heat, uncovered, until it reaches the desired consistency. Stir often while cooking.
  

There Is

There is
an air of understanding
in the space that
divides us
There is
an economy of words
in the silence that
protects us
There is
a yearning
in the hearts that
would unite us.
There is
a part of me
that can't bother
with this fuss.

you let yourself go
that might be true
now everyone's trying
to get back to you
they want a piece of what you've got
electrifying
and so damn hot

Easy

Nobody said it would be easy.
But nobody really said much at all
everybody's so miguided
everybody's bracing for a fall

I feel a coming into my own
after all these years
after so many missteps
which turned out to be
no misstep at all

there are no wrong turns
just sonic and/or visual vistas of the heart
the crazy footsteps
of a sure footed beast
coming to terms
with being

Podcast # 4

Here's a link to podcast #4

I hope you enjoy this quick episode.

In The Now

This is our time. This present moment is all that is real. Past and future are in our minds only. One need not postpone joy. Go ahead. Live a little. There's no shame in it. Eat a peach!

Abound

The Lord is able to make all grace abound toward those who fear Him.

"When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul"
Ps.94:19

I'm gonna build my house on the Rock. God's in charge, and that has freed me up to live and work under His provision. Oh, to get a glimpse of the things God has in mind for us.

Abba, I bask in your love. You are enough. I long to see your face; the face of eternal love. It amazes me that you seek us out, that you are proactive in your love for mankind.

Press into grace. You're gonna need it. Your tired soul needs refuge, ragamuffin man!

Alive

Sometimes I suffer from agonizing doubts. I need to hold on to what I believe. I know that on the other side of honest communication with God is peace beyond measure. I want each day to be an adventure in loving Him, and getting to know Him a bit better.

Four Year Old Drummer

You've gotta check this kid out!

Life is Amazing

Life is amazing in its weirdness and diversity. Every day is a stunning display of the fireworks of the human heart. Bang bang, and then your work here is done.

Tidying Up

I have decided to get back to work on some recording. I want to finish up my CD, which I put on ice a while ago for various reasons. I have been going through the files on my Yamaha AW2816, my digital multitrack, and basically cleaning up the drive and optimizing it for further work. There was a lot of junk on it. I basically took everything off of it except the files for the potential CD, and one or two new song ideas I have been working on. I backed up everything and defragged the drive. It feels good to tidy up. I'm also looking to buy a bass. I do most tracking myself. My buddy Brandon Graham let me use his bass for over a year, but he needed it back. I love playing bass. As I am the dummer also, I feel I can really lock in to what I'm plaing on drums, since, well, it's me also. I am in my head (except when I'm not). It's just another expression. But hey, whatever the song calls for, I'm after.

I want to get this done so I can start a project with my brother Roger. It's time for us to put our heads around some collaboration on originals.

Glorious

It's a glorious new morning. The air is crisp. The hot weather has broken, and the sky is big. This time of year does something to my soul. I bet there's a place that feels like this all the time, but if I was there, I'd probably tire of it. But I'd like to give it a shot!

I See September

Five years since the falling. The unspeakable tragedy. And yet the pain still lingers. The question remains. Why?

New Expressions

I have new things to express on a sunny new day. This time of year brings out my creative urges. Don't forget that the ideal of perfection is an immobilizing force and an unrealistic pursuit. There is something to be said about just doing the thing, and not worrying about the outcome.

I am stunned by the persistence and the passage of time.

Quiet Saturday

It's a quiet and overcast Saturday morning here in MB. Betsy and I work until three today. It's a short workday. The season is winding down, and that will open up some time for some writing and recording. Dare I say I will be able to finish up my cd? It's about time. The Yale Brothers gig has ended at Ron Jon's for the time being. Rog and I will be putting up another podcast real soon.

I like days like this. It's a whole lot cooler today than it has been. I'm ready for a change in the weather.

HAPPY NEW MONTH!

Happy New Month!

Live your dreams, unless you wake up and find something better. In whichever case, rock your world!

Leonard Cohen

The night is quiet. I am listening to Leonard Cohen. It's an album called I'm Your Man. Circa 1988. Very electronic. Vocal very present. I like the sound. I have, and will continue to occaisionally work like this. I have a couple of numbers I recorded in the eighties that remind me of this style. I'll see if I can't dig a couple of these up and post 'em.

Tropical Storm Warning

I am up a little early today, and I like it very much. I went to bed around ten last night. It works for me. I like the quiet. It gives me time to leisurely get ready for my day. I am listening to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. I am learning how to live today. Learning to live in day-tight compartments, as Sir William Osler said.I have a dentist appointment this morning. Just a cleaning. There is a tropical storm warning out all day today all along the coasts of North and South Carolina. I like the way the sky looks. We shouldn't see any heavy rains until later this afternoon.

Bob Dylan Jokerman Video

Seth Godin

How's this for a cool quote by Seth Godin...

"The reason we need to be in search of awkward is that awkward is the barrier between us and excellence, between where we are and the remarkable. If it were easy, everyone would have done it already, and it wouldn't be worth the effort."

Well said, Seth.

His blog is awesome.

TODAY

Today fairly rings with possibilities. The morning holds out its hands. All things have become new.

Happy Birthday Betsy

Today is my wife Betsy's birthday. Happy birthday honey!

New Morning

This is a brand new morning filled with promise. What magic will unfold today? What opportunities will arise to better oneself? What choices will be made today? Will you live or be lived? Are your emotions in charge of your will, or are you driving? Hmmmm? These are the questions I ask myself today, since I am so easliy swayed by my feelings. I am making a conscious effort today to see the glass half full, and it's working so far. I am leaning on God's grace to get me through.

I need the lenses of my soul polished and focused, and the blinders discarded. Open up and bloom!

Tonight's Gig At Ron Jon's

The gig went Well. Good crowd. Good sound. At least 5 or 6 new old songs covered, plus a few of mine, which makes it all worthwhile.

The original material is all I am interested in, in the scheme of things. That's what I'm about.

Lay Down

lay down

your misconceptions

your pre-conceived notions

your attitudes

your moods

rest here a while

savor

the flavor

of now

Off To Charlotte

Betsy and I are off to Charlotte to see my mom. She turned 81 on the 20th of July. She is currently visiting my niece Cathy, who hit the big 4o yesterday! Wow. The persistence of time.....

Ron Jon's/Birthday People

The gig tonight was a great one. Rex Alan Polk, my old pal and bandmate in a few bands is in town and sat in on djembe tonight. Djembe is a hand drum with many sonic textures. Rex laid it down for us and we rocked as a trio. It was cool being onstage with my dear friend again. Rex brought Chris with him, whom we call Elvis, because he knows everything there is to know about the King. Chris also does a mean Ed Sullivan impersonation and has introduced our bands countless times in the past. It's too bad that not everyone knows who Sullivan was anymore, but I suppose that just shows my age! It was also Wayne's birthday who is a friend of ours and happened to be partying at Ron Jon's. After a while there were three birthday people sitting with Wayne and Andi, his lovely bride. This just happens to be my Mom's 81st birthday as well!


It was a great night.

Yale Brothers Show #1

The first Yale Brothers podcast is up. Click the link above to go to the show page, or go here for a direct link to the show mp3.

I hope you guys enjoy.

Podcast #3

Podcast #3

A rainy and hot evening in Myrtle Beach.

Direct link by the show here.

Tonight's Gig

The gig tonight was cool. The first set had a couple of low points, the second set was good, but the third set really rocked! The crowd was great. We tried out a few new covers tonight. Mr. Jones by Counting Crowes went well. So did Take It On The Run by REO Speedwagon. I like that one. Creep by Radiohead went over well. Of course the original music is what I'm about, but playing some fun covers is, well, fun. Rog says I should enjoy them more. Me, I dig the original shit, with respect to the other shit.

BTW, I've been delving deep into Dylan. As always.

Currently listening: Infidels By Bob Dylan Release date: By 01 June, 2004

Drink Deeply

Drink deeply from the well of life
Be rude
Be gluttonous
Gorge yourself with its sweet nectar
for it will not last
it dribbles down the side of the face
so fast

Tubing Accident

Katie had a tubing accident down in Charleston yesterday afternoon. She and her friend Grace were thrown into an oyster bed and cut themselves up pretty badly. We went down and got Katie out of the hospital ER in Mount Pleasant. Katie has a couple of big lacerations and is not allowed to go into the sun for six months, so her scarring will be diminished. Oyster cuts are bad cuts. They are jagged. Her outdoor summer activities are pretty much shot as far as beach or swimming or tanning are concerned. The girls had to have a resident plastic surgeon come in to fix them up. Katie’s friend Grace has the worst injuries. She has some pretty bad tendon damage in her shoulder and had to stay in the hospital for surgery. It turned out worse than they thought for her as when she went in to surgery, the doctor found shell fragments and tendon damage and had to do a lot of work on her. She is a dancer and as it turns out she will not be able to do any dancing all season so she will be able to heal.

Both of these two wonderful young ladies are beautiful. It could have been a whole lot worse. They could have had their faces severely damaged or shredded. The Lord spared them, if you ask me. Don't get me wrong. It was a horrible thing for them. They had just gotten down there that day and had lots of cool activities planned with Grace's aunt and uncle. It was to ba a five day affair. That was not to be.

43

Roger, my twin brother, and I, turn forty-three today. Wow. Weren't we fifteen a blink of an eye ago? Unbelieveable.

Gig

Great night at Ron Jon's last night. We had fun trying out a few new old songs (covers) , and got through 'em pretty well. I got to play a few more of my tunes as well, which were well received.

See you next week at Ron Jon's.

Podcast #2

I have posted up a new podcast. Check it out here.

Unholy Sadness

Holy sadness could be considered a lament; unholy sadness a self-righteous chasm of dread. Not a great place to be mired. The quicksand of despair always looks like an easy highway until you are too far into it to turn back. See it for what it is and don't go there. That asphalt is soft and it will hold you fast. If you struggle, you will be pulled in deeper; the weight of your remorse will be your undoing. Enervation is not a vacation. Don't pitch your tent there.

Yale Brothers on MySpace

Check out the MySpace page I made for Rog and I.

Maryannaville

Maryannaville

Check this out. Especially the post entitled Narcissism, Corruption, & Politics

Whoa!

GO

Here's a song. It sums up my mood. I wrote this a few years ago. It's called Go.

Desert Wanderings

I feel like it's my time for another lap around the desert. Parched and thirsty for truth. Hungry for sustenance beyond the mundane. Tired of this emptiness that has been plaguing me of late. Bearings lost. Is the compass faulty, or is it just that I have lost the ability to read it? The jackyl of doubt is gnawing at my bones. I am itchy under my skin, and restless-legged and restless-hearted. I am in need of refreshment of mind, body, and spirit. I am in search of that which would restore me, yet I question my motives. I question everything about myself in the state I am in. I am ill-at-ease and burned out. I need a change, but the changes I am seeking money cannot buy. Does God really engineer circumstances? If so, then I'd better make the best of it. If not, I have wasted a whole lot of time. I have not lived lately; I have been lived. I am aware of the passage of time, and it is starting to make me think. Then again, I think too much.

The Mayor Of The Sunset Strip

I just got through watching The Mayor of Sunset Strip. The film is about Rodney Bingenheimer, one of the most importand DJ's on the planet. He has been influential in the careers of many of rock's most famous people. He has hung with everyone, and has seen it all. Yet he is a quiet, private person. Very humble. The epitome of cool. When I was growing up in Hollywood, the man was everywhere. Whenever I was at a concert or any cool happening in town I almost invariably ran into him. There was a local Denny's that has since been demolished in the heart of Hollywood (Sunset and Fuller) which was nicknamed Rock and Roll Denny's because it was the late-night hang of choice for creative types, rockers, wierdos, and various Hollywood miscreants when the clubs and bars shut down. There was nothing like it. It was the scene for me of many wonderful, crazy times. You could run into anyone there.

I must say I am missing my old stomping grounds very much. Despite the weirdness of it all it was home. In my heart it always will be.

Where To?

Where to from here?
Not so sure
Questioning motives
are they pure?
Man in motion
God knows where
A broken soul
in disrepair

Gig

The Ron Jon's gig went well last night. Rog and I will be bringin' in a new batch of tunes next week. We're gonna keep it fresh. Hope to see you there.

Billy Preston

I just found out that Billy Preston has died. He was a wonderful musician and a very nice guy. I had the pleasure of working in the studio with him once. I was doing some drumming on some demo tracks and A guy walks in with a keyboard under his arm. It was Billy. I was watching this from the tracking room through the glass. I saw him set up in the control room as I was finishing up my tracking. I hung around for a while to meet him and to hear him play a bit. The man was absolutely incredible, and so unassuming and cool.

God bless you Billy Preston.

SUMMER

Yesterday was the last day of school for students in Myrtle Beach. My daughter Katie is enjoying a well deserved sleep in this morning.

My brother Roger and I are playing our second gig at Ron Jon's this evening. I am going to re-arrange the set lists and add a few fun songs to the repertoire. It should prove to be an upbeat night.

It's getting busy at the store again as usual in the summer. Now that the kids are out of school, it will be a zoo! I am pretty much in auto-pilot as far as the retail thing goes. I take it one day at a time.

Sometimes I wonder about how busy we all seem to be. All this activity and so little contentment. I see urgency usurp importance every day. I've got to think there must be a better, simpler way to go about our lives, with less stress and less running around like maniacs. All for a vague future that we squander our present moments for. I'm personally feeling like a change would do me good. A reevaluation from the ground up. Perhaps a retreat is on order, because I certainly would like to contemplate a few things and set my priorities straight. I want to get away for a while, but summer rarely affords me that luxury. I am certain I can find at least a couple of days.

"If You Walk Away" Video

"If You Walk Away" Video
This video was compiled from footage of my former band, Rogue Alley from performance footage at Camp Pendleton in 1991, and outtakes from the filming of another video, City Of Pain. Created and directed by my Rogue Alley bandmate, bass player Richard Klotz. Richard was kind enough to give me permission to post this for your enjoyment. Thanks Rich!
Vocals - Chris Yale
Keyboards/Vocals - Roger Yale
Guitars - Mark Cerneka
Bass - Richard Klotz
Drums - Jim Alden

YO YO

Sometimes I am such a yoyo. If my emotions could have their way, I'd be bouncing all over the place. I am looking for a place within myself where I am not ruled by emotion. I am so easily tempted to fall into a funk for no reason whatsoever. For instance; last night I was watching The Bourne Identity with my wife, having a nice, relaxing eveing, when out of nowhere I was beset by nagging little thoughts that blossomed into low-grade anxieties. I find that if I dwell on them they only get worse. I decided to just let them pass through my mind without focusing on them and ride them out. What a ride. It almost ruined my evening. I realize that thoughts are just thoughts; I have no control over what passes into my mind. I do, however have total control over what I focus on. Unfortunately I don't always focus on the positive. I am bent towards dark imaginings. I don't like it. I am trying to change that fact.

Hope Springs Eternal

I am grateful to be alive today. I all too often overlook the blessings in my life. I tend to be a bit of a pessimist, but am I really, or is that a facade I hide behind? I think it's because of my past failures and shortcomings, disappointments and shattered dreams that I have crafted a tough little shell with a bit of an "I couldn't care less attitude". I have been given much insight in the past several months. I am coming back to myself. I am coming into a place in my life where I am getting out of my own way and letting God take control. My destiny is in his hands. It feels like God is restoring the lost years that the locusts have eaten. Hope has most definitely been restored. I am awake. I am alive. I dwell in the present moment, but I embrace eternity. I will go forward unafraid and excited about the future!

Gig Update

The Yale Brothers show at Ron Jon's went over very well, and Rog and I will be playing there weekly, hopefully all summer. We had a blast, and it was nice running in to some old friends, and meeting new ones. See you there next thursday!

It's Showtime!

Come check out The Yale Brothers at Ron Jon's tomorrow evening from 7-10PM if you're in the Myrtle Beach area. This is our first show of the summer!

3218 Waccamaw Blvd
Myrtle Beach, SC 29579
(843) 236-8001

map link

NUTS!

I was rehearsing at my brother's house this evening. We were about to wrap it up when there was a knock on the door. It was one of Roger's neighbors saying that my car was being towed away! I parked right in front of his house on the street like I always do. I was not aware that there was a rule about not parking on the street. It's not like I was out in the street; I was just in front of the house. Luckily (I guess), I was able to catch the towing guy, but my car was already attached to the truck, and I had to pay the dude 95 bucks! It turns out that one of the members of the homeowner's association happened to be driving by, and instead of telling me to move or warning me, he just calls it in to the towing service they have a contract with. What a jerk. He just did it because he could. I don't know, I smell a RACKET! That has to have been the most expensive rehearsal ever. Rog felt bad because he says there's a sign up at the entrance to the community. I never saw it. I've been parking out there for a year and I've never seen this happen.

I get so worked up sometimes about stuff that doesn't matter much in the scheme of things. Even with goofy stuff like this going on I need to realize how incredibly good God is to me, and that he has me safely in the palm of His hand. If this was some sort of test I didn't see it coming. I might have cussed a little less!

Rant over.

God Is Love

Eternity is wrapped around time.

I need you Father, like never before.
I rest secure in your love.
I take confidence in your strength.
Bind up the brokenhearted.
Give victory to your saints.

We are responsible for what we know. Walk in the light you are given. Watch this principle transform your life like never before, rooted and grounded in Christ.

God of Wonders
You amaze me.

Love covers a multitude of sins.
Love is so woefully misunderstood and
so cheaply counterfeited by the flesh.
Perfect love casts out fear.
God is Love.

How can we argue with love?

Perfect love is expressed through obedience.

God is proactive. He is seeking us now.

He wants to be with us more than we want to be with Him.

Live in the light of the perpetual prescence of the Living God. His plans for you are good.

Practice the Presence

To practice the prescence of God, one must be continually aware that God is with us always. He sees all we do. He knows all we are. There are no secrets to Him. Everything is laid bare and completely known. There will be no hiding, but rest easy; He knows our frame. He knows we are dust. The beauty of it all is that He loves us completely and passionately. He will not let us go. Respond to that love.

Rally Pics

Here are what few snaps I took of the Zippo tent and stuff. That would be Betsy at the booth, and yours truly, looking a bit ready to get out of dodge.

Knackered!

Man I'm knackered!
The bike rally ended today and I just got home from loading out the Zippo tent. Wow. It sure feels good to be home. I'm glad to say that it's done!

Like the Oregonians say when you cross the border from California....

You are now leaving California.
Please resume normal behavior!

Light Rain

It's raining this morning. That's always uncool for those riding. I don't know how it's going to impact business today. Probably a slow morning. When it's slow, time crawls, needless to say.

Winding Down

The spring bike rally is winding down. Tomorrow (Sat) should prove to be a very busy day. Sunday we get to load out. It's been a long week, but its had its share of good times. A sea of Harleys by the sea.

Bike Week

I have been quite busy due to bike week down here. I am in a vendor tent (Zippo) at the main Harley dealer in town. Now through the end of the week should be the busiest time. It's loud, but colorful. I like bikes, but after a while they all seem to blend in and bleed in to one. In such numbers they lose their individuality. There are many cool sights to see, and many I wish I could get out of my head! Such is the wonder/horror of the spring rally.

If I didn't have my iTunes on party shuffle, I would go completely bonkers sitting there for ten hours. Not to worry; I've got about six thousand songs on my pc to keep me occupado!

Busy Week

This is going to be a very busy week. The annual Spring Bike Rally begins this weekend, and I'll be working in a vendor tent with the Zippo guys over at the Harley dealer for the entire rally. Our store, Tinder Box, is doing a few other out of store events which should keep everyone hopping. This time of year used to stress me out because of all the extra work and hassle, but I've learned that it's just a thing and it'll be history in a week or so. The thought of how something is going to be is almost always worse than the actual reality of the situation. Besides, I can only be in one place at a time and I am most definitely not going to sweat the small stuff anymore. Things used to drive me bonkers, but not anymore. Usually I end up having an enjoyable time. People are a trip!

I was hoping Rog and I would be gigging by now, but it didn't work out that way. We are ready to go though, which is a real plus. We'll be playing out real soon. Time to go out and get some work. The music's fun; getting the gigs is the work part.

Saturday Morning

I love the morning. Things are always new. The promise of a brand new day is before us. Saturday morning is nice, because Betsy and I only work a half day at the store, and we can actually get out and enjoy the afternoon together. Katie slept over at her friend Brittany's house as they were going to House Of Blues for the O.A.R. concert last night, so Betsy and I just hung out last night. We saw Pulp Fiction. I never saw that film all the way through before. I enjoyed it. I think it was very well done. Is there any movie that Steve Buscemi isn't in? He seems to pop up everywhere. He was the Buddy Holly waiter at Jack Rabbit Slim's. He's been in every movie we've seen lately, like Fargo, and The Big Lebowski. Not to mention The Sopranos. Guy's got a good career.

Have a great Weekend.

AAARGH!

My clutch has just burned out on me! AAARGH! Car trouble is even worse than computer trouble, in my opinion. Both pretty much suck when they occur.

I suppose it's about time. I've had this 92 Escort LX wagon since 1999. It's been a reliable little car for years, and since it's well paid for I intend to drive it into the ground. I only hope I can get several more years of service out of it.

It's just a thing. I try not to let stuff like this ruffle me.

The Yale Brothers

Here's a shot of my brother Roger (left), and I, after rehearsal yesterday. It's been a lot of fun being back together, and we're excited about playing live together again.

Let Go

How far will we go to see victory in our lives? Are we willing to pay the price of obedience? Are we desiring the things of God, or the applause of men? What is occupying the throne of our lives? Let go. Surrender is never easy, but the Christian life is impossible without it. Abide as a branch in the vine, and you will abide in the will of God. God rewards those who diligently seek Him. He also rewards obedience.

Honesty with oneself is essential to discovering God, and who you are in Christ. It's not pretty sometimes when we discover our intents and motives. Is seeking God an end in itself, or are we after something else? Meaning perhaps to enrich ourselves in the physical realm (praying to win while your brother dies in his sins). As Keith Green sang, "bless me Lord, bless me Lord, you know that's all I ever hear". Do we seek God with an eye to personal gain, or do we really just want more of Him? Tough questions demand honest prayer, thought, and study.

Ponder the honest truth. Strive for transparency in prayer and meditation. Love with everything you have. Live like you mean it and on purpose; God's purpose for you is rich with meaning and beyond your wildest dreams. Dream God's dreams and you will always be in wonder. Real life will shine with meaning because He means everything and His name is Wonderful!

Quiet Sunday

It's quiet and early Sunday morning. I enjoy the silence and this cup of coffee. I'm sitting at my laptop and thinking about life. It's good to think, but I have a tendency to overthink. I tend to focus on what is not happening in my life, rather than the good things that are. I need to be conscious of the fact that I am blessed, and to remember to be grateful. I am learning to grow, but I am frequently beset by the things which only impede that progress. This is a process. I need to learn how to enjoy the ride into unfamiliar desert terrain, and to thrive while not clinging too tightly to the tenuous. I am a pilgrim, just passing through.

Travel light along this road, and you will not be weary and bogged down when you reach your destination.

New Morning

It's a new morning, and the possibilities are endless. What will we make of it? What can we do today to bring us closer to where we want to be tomorrow? Hold the vision in your heart, and do what you must to realize that vision. Dream God's dream for your life, and move ahead with purpose and joy.

Lamentations 3
²²Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
²³They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.
²⁴"The LORD is my portion," says my soul,
"Therefore I hope in Him!"

Fallow Ground

I still feel destined for something that I must reach out for and grab. Something just over the horizon. I think the directive is get ready. Be strong and be not afraid. Work what is given you to work and the outcome is certainly sure. Hold up your end of the bargain. Plow up the fallow ground. The same God that brought Israel out of Egypt is able to bring you out of your spiritual Egypt and into your personal Canaan. The Canaan that God has personally designed for you. I have never been good at obeying. I feel I have mostly given God lip service for over twenty-five years. I am a good liar, especially when it comes to lying to myself.

Perhaps there is a deeper meaning to the musical aspirations God put in my heart. Perhaps there is a purpose I am overlooking; I can only hope to do what is put in my hand to do, and leave the rest to Him. I’m determined to live what I believe and to seek His face with all my being. I will judge no man again, but love and value and cherish each human life as Jesus would.

I seek a higher path. The way of love. I know cool things are on the horizon but they don’t just drop out of the sky complete. Work the field that you have been entrusted with. Be a good steward for once and be consistent. I want the rest of my life to have deeper meaning. Simple yet profound meaning. Under the shadow of the Cross. Living under the shadow of the cross my blessed Savior hung from and died on. I seek balance and completion. A new creation pressing forward and not looking back.

HAPPY EASTER!

He is risen! If you as a Christian do not believe that, your faith is in vain, and you of all people are most to be pitied.

LIVE

Our greatest asset is time. Sounds simple but it's true. Time is pregnant with potential; The potential for change. The potential to reach for our goals and live our God-given dreams. Each day we wake up we are given a new beginning and a new chance to go for life with all that is within us. Do it! Live it. Quit talking and begin now to do what you know you were born to do.

Baffling Love

It may be hard sometimes depending on circumstance to actually praise and thank God for everything he allows, but praise definitely has a way to take the focus off of ourselves and on to Him. If we can only raise our eyes to Him. Shift the focus and, hard as it may seem, the scene will change. It will be bathed in a different light. I imagine things are very different from God's perspective, but yet He Himself is fully acquanted with grief. Amazing that God condescended to take on human flesh. The human experiment indeed. To see through human eyes and feel with a human heart. To have that very heart broken. And yet that was not the main motivation. He knew it had to be that way for the sake of His beloved humanity. The cross beckoned, and its shadow reached back to the manger, and forward, to the resurrection and the redemption of creation.

He remains to me as compelling as He is baffling. Help my unbelief.

HEART

Oh, to get to the heart of it all, to the place where artifice is stripped away, and it all falls into place as a whole. Where there is no longer any fragmentation, and we see everything with a clarity of insight only previously hinted at. A place where integration takes hold. A place where we can truly be free to be ourselves. A place where we can be kids at heart, and not take everything so morbidly seriously. That is what I long for. That is where we belong.

Nineteen

Yesterday Betsy and I celebrated our nineteenth anniversary. Wow! The concept of time is a mystery to me. Chronology. This place is crawling with mortals! God help us one and all.

The Struggle

The struggle goes on daily. Flesh and Spirit. One person divided right down the middle. Crawling in the dust. Reaching for the clouds. I am a failure and the chief of sinners. A ragamuffin. One sorely in need of God's grace. Every single day.

It's Your Future

Resist negativity
Leave your past
Step into a whole new reality
Identify your stumbling area and
find a way
to walk around it
Move into your destiny.

Life is shuttling by! Step out into your destiny. Your past certainly is not your future. You are not locked into your old patterns of failure. All things are made new for you in Christ. His promises for you are YES and AMEN!

Appropriate God's power in your life by yielding to His prompts and obeying.

Seek Him hungrily; wholeheartedly and you will not be disappointed.

God's mercies are new every morning!

PARTY!

Boy I'm partying tonight! Two Advils and an iced-coffee. Maybe a good cigar .Woooooo Hoooooo! I'm gonna listen to some podcasts and RELAX!

MAJESTY

God is robed in majesty, yet we take Him so for granted. We think we know all about Him, but I dare say we hardly know Him at all. He is so beyond the scope of our thinking; our attention span spans cannot encompass His complexities. Yet there is also the danger of over-intellectualizing and thinking ourselves out of faith as well. Dichotomy? You bet! God is so above our human reasoning that some write Him off as unknowable. We who believe understand that that is not the case, but we tend to become too familiar, too smug. Even so, we abide. But if God were to manifest even the smallest portion of His glory we would be undone. We have cute little pigeonholes for everything we cannot understand. To admit that we doubt is not sin. We have become so conscious of our own sins and shortcomings that we are blinded to grace and the opportunity to walk in authenticity. God gives us immeasurably more freedom than we allow ourselves. The freedom to be human. That is, after all, what we are..

I've said this somewhere before but it bears repeating; To run God through the filter of our understanding is to look at a large object up close with our noses pressed against it, not realizing that it is a whole lot different if we would just step back and try to take it all in.

Sometimes the answer only comes when we're not trying. But sometimes it does.

GYM

Betsy and I finally went back to the gym today. We woke up early and headed out. All I have to say is that it's been a long time, almost a year, since we've been there. The sad thing is that the place is just around the corner!

Needless to say it was an eye-opening experience to my out of shape self.

They say the journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step? I guess I'm steppin' out.

God's Answers

A new morning's meditation
Stillness breeds contemplation
* * *
Sometime's God's answers are not what you'd expect. Occasionally they are downright baffling. Don't let that shake your trust in Him. Move on ahead. He knows the end from the beginning; you don't have to. Just trust. And obey. And move into realms of glory only hinted at. Jesus will prove to be all you ever really needed. All you could ever hope to desire is in His character, in His person. Mercy at the heart of justice.

Christ inhabits the very edges of the universe. He wraps the folds around Himself and yet cannot be contained. Motivated by endless love, He has as long as mankind has existed been wooing us and calling us to Himself. He bids us, come. I forgot who said it but, He bids us come and die. Get out of God's way and let Him make a symphony of your life.

A symphony
A dance of love
A tapestry
of vivid life-colors
A wondrous miracle
of restoration
and regeneration
Redemption
and grace

ABLE

The Lord is able to make all grace abound toward those who fear Him.

"When anxiety was great within me,
your consolation brought joy to my soul"
Ps.94:19

I'm gonna build my house on the Rock. I don't want to walk in the old ways anymore. God's in charge. I am more content than I have ever been and that has freed me up to live and work under God's provision. Oh, to get a glimpse of the things God has in mind for us.

Abba, I bask in your love. You are enough. I long to see your face; the face of eternal love. It amazes me that you seek us out, that you are proactive in your love for mankind.

Press into grace. You're gonna need it. Your tired soul needs refuge, ragamuffin man!

PODCAST

Hey guys,
Check out my Podcast page. This first one's just a quickie, but I hope you'll enjoy it, and consider subscribing or at least checking it out from time to time.

Rehearsals Improving

Roger and I are coming along well in rehearsal and will be ready to play out in a few weeks. It's cool to be playing with my brother again after such a long time. It seems we have put aside things in the past that have created tension in our relationship and we are way more at ease and comfortable around each other. I suppose it took a little while to get used to being around each other on a daily basis again.

It's going to be a fun season for the Yale Brothers. We're excited about getting back out there and sharing our music.

In The Quiet

In the quiet of the morning things come to light.
Time to reconsider.
Time to abide.
Time for grateful reflection.
Blessings are all around, and God longs to reveal Himself to the searching heart.
Availability of the seeker is key.
All too often I am blinded and befuddled by the dust of this age.
Shake the dust off my feet Lord, and off of the lenses of my soul.

CONSTANT GARDENER

My dad was from South Africa. I was always intrigued by the beauty of the place. I was also totally offended by the inherent racism of the place. I am totally offended by the inherent racism of this place. Watching the movie now freaks me out. It reminds me of horrible racism that plagues us even in the land of the free and the home of the brave. My dad loved this country. Grew up in London but busted his butt to get here. Go figure. SA has its issues, but hopefully it'll get better and better without apartheid. That is not where I wanna be. Take me to the Algarve. Portugal.

DLR

David Lee Roth Radio. Good stuff. The man has got it going on. Literate and well read. Interesting guy, interesting guests, interesting content. You know Dave. Give me a break......One break coming up......

So, umm, I've been a bit lazy about posting lately. I've really been digging listening to a ton of music. I've been in the process of putting my collection on my computer, and I have to say I have been rediscovering some tunes I'd forgotten about. It's just easier for me to fire up my laptop and access my music than to turn on the stereo and load cd's and blow the house away. It looks like I'll probably have enough HD space to load most of my cd's . This will almost certainly enhance my musical enjoyment and productivity. I want to harness the technology for efficiency. It's about freedom and easy access. It's not about getting bogged down. After all, isn't all this stuff supposed to make our lives easier? Frequently it does not, but in this case it's working out ok.

More House Pics

Here's a view of the living room now...



Here's another view...



Here's an old shot. Katie and I are sitting in the corner where the bookcase is now...


More to come...

PODSAFE MUSIC NETWORK

Hey Y'all! I just registered on the Podsafe Music Network, which is a community of podcasters and indie recording artists united for the purpose of promoting podcasting and indie music. Search for me on the homepage. I've got three songs on so far, and will be actively posting more!

Rock on!

Grateful

I try to remember to be grateful, but sometimes I get caught up in the day to day dealings that I lose sight of the beauty and blessing we are inundated with daily. I think it begins with my attitude in the morning. I need to focus upon awakening on the majesty of God. Oftentimes I am not in that space automatically, so it's a matter of getting myself into that zone, so to speak, and allowing the Spirit to calm me and envelop me, and energize me for the coming day.

Sometimes I'm such a putz I just go on blindly into the day in a reactive mode. I'm here to tell you that most certainly doesn't do it for me. I want a new and living way.

Kitchen now and then pics

Here are some views of the kitchen...now and then...Please excuse my laptop, sushi, TP, etc on the table (we haven't had a kitchen table in 12 years. I used to have my pc set up in the corner behind the table. The middle pic is a before shot. We tore out the bar to make more room.
I'll be posting more pics soon.

Summerville

Betsy and I are in summerville, which is just about twenty miles outside of Charleston. We are here meeting up with my buddy Mark Weisman and his daughter Monika. Monika is here for a soccer match. It's really nice to see them. They live in Nashville now, but I've known Mark since 1988 when we were still living in L.A. We are going to take a jaunt to Charleston to show them the town, and to eat some lunch. There's some really good eating in Charleston. It's a nice, sunny afternoon. A great afternoon to do a little sightseeing. I wish I was set up to do a podcast. I'd give you all a soundseeing tour. Maybe nextime, huh?

NEW LAPTOP!

I finally bit the bullet and bought a new computer. I found a good deal on a Compaq at Circuit City in the price range I can afford for now. It's nice and portable and it contains the features I need for the time being, although I'll most likely be upgrading the RAM if I run into any snags. Compared to my old PC, this ones blazing! My old desktop is nearing eight years old and was slow and out of room. It was (is) running Windows 98 and I couldn't run any new apps on it at all. I wanted a Mac Powerbook but in reality it's out of my price range at the moment. Also, as you may know, Mac just came out with an awesome Intel dual core processor laptop which I think is going to probably replace the Powerbooks. I know some Apple stuff is probably going on sale soon, but even so, I have decided to postpone making the switch to Mac. I am still quite interested in that prospect and will consider it in the future.

Roger and I are finally getting back into some serious (but fun) music woodshedding. Right now we're in the process of building our songlist and thinking about sets. It feels good to be moving forward again. I seem to have been in a bit of a slump since well before the holidays with the remodel and all. I was heavily stressed out for months. Thank God things are turning around and I am coming into some sort of clarity again. I think settling back into the house helped a lot (Christine, I'll have some pics up as soon as I can). I have not been online regularly at all and it's good to be back.

I hope all my friends are doing well. I look forward to re-connecting...