for a couple reasons.
1. i met ben gibbard (lead singer of death cab for cutie) at work today.
after a double take when he walked by my desk at work, i was sent to go get coffee for my boss. who was waiting at the elevator when i arrived? yep, ben. we talked during the elevator ride, through the building, and for about a block after exiting.
it was one of those times where afterwards you can't help but think a combination of, "that was friggen awesome!" as well as, "did that really just happen?"
it did happen, and it was friggen awesome. so now, i have met both my two favorite artists on the label. SHA WEET!!
2. i made a big, exciting life decision.
i've been a musician for a while now. i've always loved writing music, and it has always been what i consider myself to be the best at. but it wasn't ever what i was interested in pursuing as a career. until now.
it hit me today. for some reason it REALLY hit me. that being a musician, writing music, is what i am meant to do. i think that i have just always been scared. scared of the fact that i may not have constant stream of income, be able to provide for my future family effectively, get burnt out on putting everything i've got into "making" it.
but today it hit me..its what i am supposed to do. riding home on the train after some prayer i asked myself a set of questions..what are you best at? where do your talents lie? what do you enjoying doing the most? when something inspires you what do you do with that inspiration? and the answer was music to all of them. it became so clear to me that it is what i need to do. there is nothing that will make me happier and there is nothing that i will be more successful doing.
so today was a turning point for me. i'm excited. this next school year i am going to perform as much as possible, i am going to write and record, and i am going to pursue getting a manager. i'll finish college with a marketing degree because i know this will still be incredibly valuable.
i am so lucky to have so many people in my life who are so supportive of me and believe in me so much. they all will be a driving force helping me pursue this. thank you to all of you. :)
now...july has been a great month. i am going to do my best to recap (and quickly, since i have been told on more than one occasion that i have been known to drag out my stories). so i will post a load of pics and add brief descriptions.
4th of July was great. we went up to steph's grandmas house, spent time with family, enjoyed the sun, went swimming and saw a great firework show at night. here is a couple pics from the night.
steph and i took a trip to jones beach for the day
went to see a dance performance in the city by steph's favorite dance company Koresh with her parents (a couple pics from dinner beforehand)
steph's mom had a few days of vacation of which we took a trip to Newport, RI..this was an awesome small town with a great beach, a ton of huge mansions along a cliff, and a great downtown with a 1940s-ish feel and cobblestone streets.
a couple disney pics..we had to do it (see aladdin on top and pocahontas below?)
us on the roof of our SWEET hotel, enjoying the fireplace and wrap around couches
some fantastic city date/adventures
had a great picnic with steph's best friend at the Vanderbilt mansion
and lastly (even though i have had to leave a great many things out, since i have already included more than most of you probably care to see) i have officially been a cast member of Mel Brooks' "The Producers."
how and why you ask? well, i would go to rehearsals with steph, and all the other castmembers would joke saying, "just wait, you'll be in the show." sure enough, the director came to me a couple weeks before opening night, telling me how they really needed an extra body and wondered if i was up to it.
i accepted. so now i am a....
fly theater-goer on the opening night of Max Bialystocks latest production
a gay sailor (note stephanie as an old woman on the right)
a nazi stormtrooper
as well as a member of the jury, and a dancing prisoner. pretty sweet right?
so now one more bit of news....i am going to be opening for Jason Reeves! an old friend contacted me asking me if i was up to it, while planning the event at Oregon State University. This could be BIG for me and i really can't wait.
not familiar with jason? check out his myspace...myspace.com/jasonreeves
well wrapping it up, i have continued to have a fantastic summer. i am having the time of my life and continued to be amazed by everything i have been blessed with.
miss you all!
bedtime now.
much love always,
Andrew
