What doesn't kill me only makes me stronger

On Wednesday, I had the pleasure of going to see Donald Miller at Hope Church. He is promoting his latest book, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. Ever since reading, Blue Like Jazz, Don (we shook hands and shared an awkward joke, I can call him Don) has been one of my favorite "Christian" authors. He presents the Christian life in a raw, earthy way- nothing is sugar coated. I also highly recommend another of his works, Searching for God Knows What.

Anyway, Don's latest book is about making his life into a movie based on Blue Like Jazz. What a humbling thought... packing a life into twoish hours. A movie on my life would be incredibly boring. This has always been true, but I have never wanted to admit it. During his talk, Don made clear why my life is lame. Conflict. I have always fought my very hardest to avoid conflict of any type. Growing up, my brother, Scott, and I never fought. Ever. In fact, on more than one occasion, his best friend DS would look at both of us and say, "fight or something." I always thought (and still think) that this was a great thing, we just got along really well and had pretty chill dispositions. I also didn't have much of the typical teenage girl drama. I can only recall doing a few really mean things in Middle School (sorry, Britani). Most of my time was spent avoiding or appeasing the drama.

Don, however, noted that without conflict, life is not beautiful or inspirational. Conflict makes us feel things we don't want to feel. Conflict makes us grow and change as human beings. So my frantic running from fights, uncomfortable situations, letting others down, and not sticking up for myself has prevented some degree of growth. Sad.

So... I am working on slowing my roll when it comes to conflict. This will not be overnight. But I am going to tell you what I really think, give my opinion, and even say "no" when it is necessary. Challenges, I welcome you with (half) open arms, because I know that you are what makes life beautiful.

Sorry...

So the first blog back after a long hiatus is really a difficult one. It is like calling an old friend when we haven't chatted in a while. I want it to be just right. I want plenty of time, no distractions, and deep topics from both sides. Needless to say... this is just a little much to ask these days. Hearing that voice, even for 2 minutes, is better than nothing at all.

This all goes to say, I am letting myself give up this expectation in the blog world. Go ahead, be disappointed. But hopefully you will hear more from me soon now that the awkward silence is broken.

Hi everyone, I'm back :)

Coldplay Part 1

So I know Mary Margaret mentioned that we went to Coldplay last month, but we don't think we have done blog justice to the experience. Last November, we went to see them perform in Dallas on the first round of touring for Viva la Vida, prior to the release of their EP Prospekt's March. The show was in the American Airlines Center, and it was quite a show. The excitement built as we entered the arena, with massive jumbo screens outside reminiscent of the lights of Times Square or Tokyo. Opening with Life in Technicolor, the band stood behind a mystical black vale with lights beaming form behind casting their silhouettes and igniting the excitement in the crowd. The vale dropped as the song built and the show began.

Opening....Life in Technicolor

We danced and sang as the band dipped into their older stuff with a performance of In My Place. The show continued with references to Andy Warhol pop style projections of the show appearing on three screens dangling from the ceiling and these cool paper lantern style screens spinning above our heads with performances of Lost, Viva la Vida, and Strawberry Swing.


Viva la Vida......

Speed of Sound....

Cemeteries of London....

Perhaps the most dynamic portion of the show came as the band performed Talk and The Hardest Part in an unplugged style with the piano and a synthesizer. The band then made an attempt to draw the crowd in more, something unusual for a band of their magnitude by slipping into the back of the audience and playing an all guitar set with Death Will Never Conquer sung by Will, and Sweet Child of Mine, after Chris made a reference to the Dr.Pepper sign and kindly reminded everyone to pick up their free Dr. Pepper (http://www.nme.com/news/guns-n-roses/41267) with the long awaited, or perhaps not, new Guns N Roses album.


42 Part I....


42 Part II....

Talk...

The Hardest Part....

The Scientist.....


Death Will Never Conquer....

The show finished up with a definite must, a live performance of Politik, complete with synced up flashing lights and a riveting performance of Lovers in Japan, with a twenties' style film playing in the background and confetti raining down throughout each chorus. The encore consisted of a very yellow performance of Yellow and Death and All of His Friends. All and all, it was a great show and I don't think my words can do it justice.

Lovers in Japan....

Yellow...