I think I have found, in my opinion, the most creative band that has come out in awhile. It's really hard to pinpoint the sound of Blue October's music. It's kind of like The Cure, Peter Gabriel, and some other forms of alternative rock all wrapped up in one package. They have four albums out already...how did I not find these guys until now?

The writing is brilliant and the lead singer doesn’t appear to have any qualms about expressing his feelings about depression, mental illness, suicide, relationships, breakups and religion. He is even quoted as saying that it is almost embarrasing to bear his heart so bluntly. It is honesty at its best.

It has been awhile since a music video has almost brought me to tears. The last one I can remember would be Johnny Cash doing the song Hurt. Blue October's video for Hate Me is an emotional work of art.

I am impressed and would have to say that this is the best band I have heard in awhile. The music has changed slightly from their first album The Answers but the quality is top notch from the beginning to the brand new album Foiled . Check them out if you haven't already.

I visited a man in the hospital yesterday. He has sickle cell disease and is in ICU. It's kind of sobering to see a 26 year old man, who just weeks before was working, playing, laughing, and apparently healthy.

It makes me realize how frail and short life really is. This has in no means got me depressed or contemplating my surroundings. It did however make me think I want to live my life to the fullest. I want to experience every culture I can. I want to try food from every nook and cranny of the world. I want to have friends that span the globe.

I want to love the unlovable, care deeply, and trust without reserve. I want to serve without motives, step forward without fear, and lead with integrity. I want to see the best in people, look past their faults, and find their inner beauty that only God can bring to the surface.

I want to do more than just "be" a child of God, I want to live it...and I want the world to know that I am different. I want it to be apparent that I have something they don't. Not by the way I dress...or by the way I look. I want them to see purpose, joy, peace, and love in my eyes. I don't want to get to the end of my life and say "I wish I had..."

Well, we are back from our trip to Tulsa. I know, some of you are going...I didn't know you were going to Tulsa. You can blame that on the irregular posting in my blog. Some of the AE staff went to a conference at Oneighty (who built an amazing 14 million dollar facility.)

I was impressed by Doug Fields session titled "important...more important." I feel like I could have been sitting accross a desk talking face to face with some of these guys it hit so close to home.

Another great part of our trip was being able to go over to Arkansas and spend some time with Josh, Sabrina, and Aaron. we were able to go to Keypoint Church and sit through one of their services. It was really cool.

Here are some pictures from our trip:

It's 3am and we leave for Tulsa in 21 hours. Why am I up at 3am you ask? Because I am going to sleep all day tomo...I mean today. We are leaving at midnight so I am trying to get my body used to staying up all night.

I am a night owl to begin with so this is not all that difficult. I was up until 5am yesterday. I have watched 3 episodes of X Files and a bunch of reality TV. I have come to the conclusion that reality TV is just down right hilarious. Watching Dog the Bounty Hunter tell a bounty that he is 100% fortified is just funny stuff.

There is a new series out called Mr. Personality. The concept is that a bunch of guys get together and try to win the affection of one woman. Oh this has been done you say. But while they are trying to win her affection and admiration, they cannot remove the mask that they are wearing. Yep...the mask. The girl cannot know what they look like or what kind of a job they have. Her choices are based solely on their personality. Although it is kind of creepy with the whole mask thing (watch an episode and you'll see what I mean) I am intreaged by the whole concept. I was drawn in and now I want to see more...very interesting.