the first in a while, eh?

I'm tired of having this mindset that every one of my posts needs to be "perfect", as in perfectly shaped and perfectly coherent and perfectly written. It's probably why I've stayed away for nearly a month, which is sad, since I was sooo stoked about becoming a blogger (haha). I am prepared to let go of this mindset and am going to try my best at just being real and in the moment...let's have at it!

I went to a concert on Sunday night in Atlanta with some friends, and what a blessing it was. Thank you, Rachel! We saw the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. They were AMAZING. It definitely exceeded my expectations. The music was beautiful - the most musical talent I may have ever seen live. Confession: right when we sat down, they were mid-song (we were late), and I don't even know what they were playing, but I actually started tearing up. I really got choked up. Yes, I daresay I have become more of an emotional person in the last few years. It's not a bad thing, I don't think. It's just that when something is really beautiful to me, I get teary-eyed. Anyway, it was basically a Christmas concert. That's what they play - mostly Christmas music. Sure did pump me up for the holidays : ) I think we were all pleasantly surprised at how much emphasis was placed on the birth of our Savior in the show. One of the members of the band narrated the first half of the show, sort of introduced each song, with a little more info about that holy night in Bethlehem. The whole concert was just kind of like a picture of Heaven to me, a glimpse of what it will be like. God's glory was there, on that stage and in those instruments and in those voices. If you ever have the opportunity, see them. They will not disappoint.

By the way, I think it is a requirement for every male member of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra to wear his hair at least 3 inches below his ears (extra points for below the shoulder). Fine by me.

the first of many

After a few months of reading and enjoying a few of my friends' and acquaintances' blogs, I have finally given into the desire to start my own, and I am too excited about this new adventure! This is actually my second blog attempt. I don't know exactly what I hope to gain by doing this, or what I hope to give. All I know is that I want to write. My dad sent me a forward-type email about a year ago, I think, called "Lessons in Life".  There are 50 of them. I go back to it from time to time, just for a little refreshment when I feel I am taking things too seriously. One jumps out at me in particular, always: 

"A writer writes. If you want to be a writer, write."

Very convicting for me, you see. I will hint to my family and friends and insist all day long that I am serious about becoming a writer someday. A real writer. Whether it be screenplays (hopefully so!), novels, or even magazines. Someday, that is. But in the meantime, right now, there is no active evidence in my life of my seriousness about becoming a writer. Now this is not entirely true, for I am taking a writing class this semester, which I am enjoying so very much. But still, it is not a daily, or even weekly, legitimate effort at practicing my writing skills. 

So this thing is a place to practice writing, enjoy writing, hopefully share some insight/thoughts on a number of various subjects (there will be a lot of movie talk, that I can promise), and just share life. I don't really know what a blog is supposed to be. I know I don't want it to be something that I use for self-fulfillment, or to impress people. I made that mistake with my last one. I can see pride being a problem. "Look at me and my blog" and "I've got to go write about that on my blog!" and "Don't I look like an interesting person, readers?" are the real dangers for me. So I'll try to limit the talking about myself, though I'll probably fail. I sense the hypocrisy already. I mean, we have to talk about ourselves and our experiences, or no one would ever learn from anyone else, right? I will be talking about myself, obviously, but I just don't want to subconsciously be trying to glorify myself. 

It's a little too late at night for me to end this cleverly or with a quote, verse, or lyric, so i will simply...end.