My Perfect Storm

Heavenly Father
Here, in the midst of my Perfect Storm, I will breathe and look up to the hills and remember to be still and know that You are God:


Ecclesiastes 9:11 (KJV)
11 I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.

1 John 5:14-15 (Amplififed)
14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.
15 And if (since) we [positively] know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know [with settled and absolute knowledge] that we have [granted us as our present possessions] the requests made of Him.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)
11 I say this because I know what I am planning for you," says the Lord. "I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.

2 Timothy 2:3-7 (NAS)
3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.


John 15:1-17 (ESV)
1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.


Amen.

Making Lemonade

There is much to be learned from conflict and trial. After all, it’s very high pressure that produces diamonds, right? It might not please you to look ahead and see a few dreams, but after THIS DAY is all over you will be a better person for them. Not every day can be a breeze, and going through a rough patch will make you all the more appreciative when you encounter smooth waters once again. Ride out the problems, and it will be smooth sailing sooner than you think.

“Victimism gives your future away.”

ETHOS – model trustworthiness (establish credibility)

PATHOS – seek first to understand (empathize, listen)

LOGOS – then to be understood (presentation and persuasion)

You can’t control life.

But you can control how you deal with it.

“The first step to getting the things you want out of life is this:

Decide what you want.”

-Ben Stein

There’s only us; there’s only this.

Forget regret or life is yours to miss.

No other road, no other way,

NO DAY BUT TODAY!

-RENT

Slaughter Family Gator Football Pre-Game

This was taken from a facebook message I wrote to Meckley yesterday. He's a hardcore Gator, too! IN ALL KINDS OF WEATHER WE ALL STICK TOGETHER FOR F-L-O-R-I-D-A!!! (deffffinitely the BEST tradition in alllll of college football!)


Em and I have actually been sitting in seats 19-22 since we were two years old (or "old enough to sit up" by ourselves). Seat 19 was always where Papa sat. He had a routine for EVERYTHING. We'd leave Oxford around 5 hours prior to kick-off, head up to the Best Ville on 301/441, park around the Union (there were only 2 or 3 lots he was comfortable with), then we'd go eat at Wendy's, where he'd ALWAYS get a chicken sandwich, fries and sweet tea, then go get a chocolate chip cookie at Subway (maaaajor chocoholic). Then we'd sit (with Aunt Ann and Uncle Doug cause they were usually there by then) in the corner on the 1st floor where those comfy couches used to be under that neat sculpture (that's still there, just moved over to the left behind the info desk). Then around 1.5-2 hours prior to kick off we'd go over to the Bookstore (Hub) and sit out in front and wait for the band to go by, which was ADORABLE! and BAD ASS! they do the coolest lil' breakdown man. So then we'd usually follow them into the stadium and sit in the hot fucking sun and watch the team warm up and stretch and evvvverrry pre-game activity. Of course Mr. 2-Bits was the best!!! and, inevitably, every single time, Emmy and I would both BURST into tears when the Gators broke the plane and ran out onto the field...hhheeeeEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRREEEEE COME THE GATORS!!!! and then we'd hug and laugh at ourselves for being so sweet and sentimental.

And that's been our pre-game since we were old enough to sit up by ourselves. (not that we necessarily follow it to the letter anymore, haha, there's generally a stop by a certain Norman tailgate as of late...)

Willard

Willard isn't a good story, he didn't end well. He was already screwed up by the war before he was given the mission to assassinate Kurtz. Even though he didn't succumb to the same influences that Kurtz did, he certainly felt them and understood the path Kurtz took on his way to insanity/enlightenmnet. Ultimately, he slaughtered Kurtz like a stockyard animal. You are left not knowing if he did it to take Kurtz' place or complete the assigned mission. Reject the system (kill Kurtz and replace him) or abide by the system (kill Kurtz and leave); his only two choices. Either way, he had no where to go, no place he felt he belonged, so perhaps it really didn't matter. Maybe it was this helplessness that tormented him, that he couldn't choose his own path. You aren't given that information in the movie, and there isn't a character similar to Willard in /Heart of Darkness/, at least not in enough detail to make a ready comparison.

Don't be Willard.

Exerpt from email from Lee Brewster

Gotta Recognize...

So I've been ungrateful to my Creator lately. The one who made me, who stitched me together, who holds me in His hand and guides me through this life so that one day I can be home with Him on high. Gotta recognize allllllll the blessings:

-how easily yahoo and MelbourneIT let me unlock my domain and transfer control to my webmaster Mark Stringfellow (this guy and his partner Ouida were angels sent by God to make my life better)
-he guided us to a championship at Todd Miller last weekend
-he gave us rain Tuesday and led me through the funnest rugby practice of my life
-gave me an amazing job I love
-gave me music!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-allows me to be physically active and good at athletics with properly working hands, legs, arms, feet (even though I have to tape each individual toe and ankle now...), eyes, ears, and INSTINCTS
-the best friends in the whole world who make real life better than TV
-an amazing family who has always supported me and let me do my thing
-Gator football!!
-Gator basketball!!!
-GATOR RUGBY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-the ability to telescope ideas and pen cool lines that sum it all up and match with a catchy melody
-all that sweet wisdom in the Good Book
-an incredibly loving church family at University City Church of Christ in Gainesville
-the 12 Steps
-those years I lived away from home up in North Carolina...pure gold
-Bob Dylan
-magazines by the toilet!! :)
-my Aunt Ann, the sweetest lady in the wide world. I was created to be her baby.
-my stellar seasons playing in the back row for the Raleigh Venom
-playing all 80 minutes of the national championship match down in Naples when we defeated defending-champions Detroit 8-6 (8-6!!!!!!!!!)
-that summer I worked watermelons
-my turntable and vinyl collection
-fishing with Daddy on Salt Creek
-the years I had with my weimaraner angel Kay Kay
-how he waited until precisely the exact moment when I truly gave up, broken and defeated, to give me everything I asked for and more

.........I'll be adding to this list for the rest of my life but this is good for now... :)



PSALM 46
1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
2Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
3Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
7The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
8Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
9He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
10Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
11The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Punk Song for Dmitriy

So last night after my show, Dmitriy and his girl and buds stuck around and helped me take my equipment to my car. We went over to Nate's place where I continued to play guitar (In Dreams from the UGH (self-titled) album came out, sigh!). We ordered pizza (Dmitriy thought he was getting Hungry Howie's but accidentally called Five Star instead, HAHA) I tried to throw money in but he said I could help myself if I'd write a song for him.

So here it is! I wrote it this morning during Sunday School! Hey, God knows I was paying attention to the lesson too! Let me tell you, this song ROCKS - I'm soooooooo playing it at Satchel's. :)



Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!

He's the coolest kid around
I'm so glad he stayed in town
He's gotta be my favorite clown.
He was there when it allllll went down.

Dmitiry!
Dmitiry!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!

He helped carry stuff to my car
He cheered for me like I'm a star
Three car bombs and then Five-Star!
Dmitriy is a Russian tsar!

Now he's got a foxy girl
Coolest chick in the frickin' world
They see fun and give it a whirl
Dmitriy and his foxy girl

Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!

He goes to jail
In underwear
He jumps off the roof
He doesn't care

He's about hooliganism
But he don't do no communism
This kid rocks neoclassicism
And now for the apocalypticism:

I LOVE THE SMELL OF NAPALM IN THE MORNING!!!!!!!!!

Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!
Dmitriy!!!


Lyrics and Music by Haylee Brooke Slaughter
c2008 Haylee Slaughter Music
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

JULY 5 2008 BROPHY'S SET LIST

Set One:
COME ON BABY
SPLIT MY TIME
FAITH (George Michael)
BLACKBIRD (Beatles)
SHADOWBOXER (Fiona Apple)
NATURAL WOMAN (Carol King/Aretha)
THE FIRST TIME
TRUE LOVE WILL FIND YOU IN THE END (Daniel Johnston)
GO (Daniel Johnston)
SCARLETT
STRONG ENOUGH (Sheryl Crow)
JUST LEAVE ME BE
was gonna play a new mandolin song, CHANGE MY NAME, but left the paper towel I wrote the lyrics on at home
HAIRSHIRT (REM)
IF YOU DON'T MIND
CAN'T EVER GET ENOUGH
HEY JUDE (Beatles)

Set Two:
OPTIMISM
OVER
HEMINGWAY
WHERE ARE YOU GOING (Dave Matthews Band)
L-O-V-E (Nat King Cole)
SLOW DANCING IN A BURNING ROOM (John Mayer - impromptu - sung to my rugby ball to express undying devotion)
COMFORTABLE (John Mayer)
SAVANNAH
HOW LONG
I HAVEN'T HAD SEX
COLORBLIND (Counting Crows)
THE LOWS

Here's where I think I diverted from the set set list: (I was being filmed!)

IF I AIN'T GOT YOU (Alicia Keys)
YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN' (Righteous Brothers)
THE FIRST TIME
MEN OF MY LIFE
OPTIMISM
something something something
I WALK THE LINE (Johnny Cash)

Thanks to everyone who came, you made it a great show. I've decided three-hour sets aren't long enough.

Set List!

So I'm crafting the set list for the first gig I've had since May of 2007. I'd forgotten how hard it is! Gotta balance enough covers (ugh) with originals, which originals to play, the proper order, playing certain songs of a certain tuning together, etc. Then it's about what you're going to say. It can be a diary that you're opening up for everyone there to hear you read word for word. If they're reading between the lines, anyway. I don't mind playing covers, but I don't really play ones everyone wants to hear because I like deep album cuts (Hairshirt from Green by REM, Breakaway by John Mayer, Planet Telex by Radiohead, Pale September by Fiona Apple - not that any of these are necessarily on the set list!) It's one thing when you're singing in a romantic restaurant filled with old people you're hoping will tip you so you sing what you think they want to hear (what I refer to as "whoring"). Industry rule number 4,081 (4,080 is record company people are shadyyyy!) - if you want to make it, you have to compromise your heart, soul, mind, strength, and (of course) body. Ugh. But I say screw it, I'm going to play what I feel like playing for my own reasons and if that's good enough for you bring $2 and prepare to have your mind covered in Napalm.

One thing that is FO SHO FACT - if you plan on singing to someone in particular, they aren't going to com. Like Nuke Laloosh said, "Sometimes you win; sometimes you lose; sometimes it rains." I mean I guess you could say "hey dude, I'm gonna serenade you Saturday night so I suggest you show up" but jeez boys scare easier than bunnies with a heart condition! So planning to sing songs thinking Mr. Inspiration will be in the audience and planning to use the force of that chemical reaction between you to propel the set is kind of pointless. I reckon it's like most everything else - better left to fate to decide. Good ol' fate.

That's another thing - the element of surprise. There's nothing greater than dedicating a song to someone who loves it and never saw it coming. I did that to Jess Elf a few years ago when I played 32 Flavors (but then of course Drunk Jodi went over and was all blablabla during the song she could barely enjoy it, but whatev. Drunk obnoxious show go-ers is another blog entirely). I can't tell anyone what I'm going to play! That would totally take away my powerful position up there! And boy is it powerful! Heh heh heh.

So once I finish the set list I'm gonna try to find some body guards, a la Kevin Costner. I was actually telling a couple guys (Gabe and Serge) after church this morning that I need a few big guys I can trust to keep my stalkers away from me that night. Gabe was all, "you have stalkers? that's awesome!" and I said "man I can't even tell you how NOT awesome it is". And they laughed. They've obviously never had a stalker! UGH! :(

But! Be there Saturday night! It's a surprise! With shiny wrapping paper and bows and it smells like home and true love and Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on game day, all in one perfect little package.