Pass Fail

Last night was the test—to see if elevenfold was headed anywhere other than the dumpster. The three of us met in Keith’s basement and enjoyed refreshments, got comfy and started up, reminiscent of the rebirth of Spinal Tap.

But this time Josh wasn’t playing bass. He sang.

Almost immediately something felt different, better. Something began to click. Foremost, Keith and I were on. He’s been jamming with another group, and has pared down The Mighty Set to core drums and cymbals.

Tasty.

Working though instrumental rhythms, Josh just began belting out stuff. We jumped to trickier progressions. He kept with it.

He never once stood silent or just “grooving”. Something was always coming out. It was amazing. That’s when we all knew—we had something.

Through seven, eight, even nine potential songs, we kept at it. As long as I kept riffing them out, we kept going. Four hours straight. So much so that it inspired Josh to break out a G.K.Chesterson poem he’d been trying to put to music.

It fit with a tune. That was one of those moments where, afterward, we all just laughed—a part disbelief, part amazed, part crazed kind of laugh. This could actually work. Why hadn’t we tried it before?

Last night was the test. And I think we have a shot at something. Maybe nothing pro, but rocking is rocking, and we can do that.

The tentative plan is to acquire some recording software (by way of local musician friends, Matt, Mr. Bass) and get a demo started soon then book a couple gigs where we invite a Mr. Markland to attend.

I’m excited here. Incredibly excited. Haven’t stopped thinking about it.

Here's What I Think

I think President Bush needed to have a mixed congress from the onset. In his press conference this afternoon, he sounded visionary, driven, and confident—much more like a President. He’s communicating more clearly. He’s expressing true opinions, which I wish didn’t need a party-change in congress to happen.

For years there’s been a consistent message from him, one he’s still stating. Before however, he wouldn’t detail what he meant by particular phrases like “Stay the course.” He wasn’t communicating. Now, he’s enlightening clarity on his ideas, communicating in a way that makes me hopeful about the new era of government we're headed into.

For me, this is encouraging. Sure, I worry about Justice Kennedy’s upcoming vote on partial-birth abortion... yes, I have grave concern for stem-cell research funded for the purpose of cloning... but over the next few years, I’m encouraged there will be arguments, filibusters, and vetoes to check these issues.

Wow, that was amazing. I’m listening to the press conference as I’m writing, and a reporter just asked President Bush if he had to do something over. The President nearly interrupted him, “There are no do-overs.”

How true. Hindsight is one thing, but dwelling on do-overs is not forward progress.

Back to my original point... while congress was united under one party, things weren’t happening. Nothing advanced. Now, with hard work facing him, he’s pushing. I think we’re going to see something happen.

Rock It, Baby, Whichever Way You Swing

Get out the vote!

Here’s something to consider...

Whatever your political allegiance, let’s suppose you’re a voting Christian AND Republican. (Although, many argue that goes hand-in-hand these days.) Based on an assumption the Democrat Party highly favors evacuating Iraq, would you prefer a Democrat-majority-government?

Say the US does withdraw. Is this a scenario where Muslim extremists battle themselves to their demise? Or will they unite and continue their present crusade against other religions?

Just wondering whose reading.