[ k-Blog ]

K-Blog II on WordPress

2009-03-18T09:31:00.000-07:00

Wow, it's been a long time since I've been here! I realize that I may be writing to dead air here - I'm sure ANY of you that were following me or keeping up with this blog are long gone by now.

I didn't mean to imply that you're all dead...just that you've stopped checking in due to inactivity on this blog site.

But I'm here to announce that I have started another blog: K-Blog II. I'm excited about this new opportunity and I am CERTAIN that it will be something that might be worth you RSS'ing as I will more than likely be updating it DAILY.

No promises yet...but I have a feeling it will have some staying power this time! So, I am retiring the original K-Blog and moving on to WordPress (which is a better format anyway) and starting over there.

See you there!

RSS K-Blog II now!

Adventures in camping

2008-11-11T08:53:00.000-08:00

The title of the video is more exciting than the video itself...enjoy :-)

Because Blogger has been stupid about loading videos, click HERE to watch. Sorry for the inconvenience!

A little help...?

2008-11-10T13:33:00.000-08:00

Is anyone else on Blogger having trouble loading videos? If not, please hit me back with some help... This is the main reason why I have not added any updates lately - all of my content has been video and I have not been able to upload any videos. Thanks for your help.

Huntley Brown: Why I Will NOT Vote for Barack Obama

2008-10-21T11:33:00.001-07:00

Hey peeps - a good friend of mine forwarded an email to me yesterday that featured a link to a letter written by a musician I had never heard of before: Huntley Brown. I normally do not open those emails, especially if I've seen that it's been forwarded to several hundred people I don't know. I'm glad that I opened this one! Thanks Anthony.

To play it safe, I will not reproduce the entire article here on [ k-Blog ], but I will provide the link from its origin on snopes.com. If you're going to open this link, take the time to read the WHOLE thing and really think about what Huntley is saying. I like his perspective and his demeanor. Pass this along to anyone you might know who needs to read it, or if it affected you in any way. It affected me so it now appears on [ k-Blog ].

Enjoy: click HERE to read Huntley Brown's letter on snopes.com

Since we're talking politics here, check out the video I did for Jay Speight's parody "Sarah Freakin Palin." I think you'll like it. Well, half of you might. Right?!

Watch "Sarah Freakin Palin:" click HERE

Extremely weird weird

2008-10-20T11:59:00.000-07:00

Wow - it has been TOO long since I've logged into [ k-Blog ]. I'm definitely overdue to add an entry. Strangely enough, this is my second post coming to you from Panera of Cool Springs. Monday's are my day "off" and find it hard to get other stuff done at home for some reason. (Maybe it's just a lame excuse to get Panera food?!)

Speaking of strange... As I'm settling into my seat w/ a latte and going through email - I turn on my iTunes and play it on "shuffle." After a few songs "Break It Down Again" by Tears For Fears starts playing. I almost skipped it. (For those of you born after 1980, you may not even know the song of which I speak!) However, at 4:10 into the song there is a sound effect of a jet flying by - which I had no ida was even in there! At precisely that same time, I sent an email. For you Mac Mail users, you know when an email is sent the same kind of sound effect is made. WEIRD!

I thought I was hearing things but referenced back to the song and there it was...at 4:10...the sound of a jet whizzing by in the back ground! It would have been even more strange if it actually happened at 4:10 pm - but alas, it did not. It happened at 2:00 pm. However...if you were to subtract 2:00 from 4:10 it's about a TWO hours difference...and this is [ k-Blog ] post number TWO coming to you from Panera. WEIIRRRDDD! :-)

Not really. Although, as I look out the window I do see a jet airliner flying by in the distance...

Watch the video for "Break It Down Again:" click HERE

[ k-Blog ] just keeps on spreading, ya'll

2008-09-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

And once again another mention! Thanks for the shout out TC! It's a privilege to be able to train with you guys - and I'm actually learning a lot of stuff and feeling GREAT!

Check out the latest blog post on the Compete Life blog. Post a comment and subscribe to their blog, would ya now?!

Not a bad day overall: early morning swim, great meeting at work this morning with Jordan and Anthony, and got to reminisce on my Belmont days by playing for new friend Amanda Mackintosh for Commercial Showcase auditions. I think Melinda Doolittle was there. Ya'll check out Amanda's MySpace page! Also ran into one of my former professors Keith Mason - definitely the coolest cat on the BU staff for sure! It was great to see him...and actually wanted to tell him that I felt bad for the Miami Hurricanes last week on a TERRIBLE reversed call that turned the tide against UF. Hang in there...the 'Canes look much better this year (and I'm picking them to beat FSU...again).

To all the complainers...

2008-09-16T08:50:00.000-07:00

I'm sick of people twitting and writing about how much they "hate the new facebook..." Get over it! Just deal with it. I guarantee you after 10 minutes of acclimating yourself to the new version, you won't even remember how the old version was... But even more than that - it's freaking facebook. If you get your panties in a wad about something as insignificant as facebook then you should seriously reconsider your priorities. Speaking of...I can't believe I've been on facebook long enough to write this note. I'm out.

From Kevin's FaceBook profile.

Phenomenon finds kSparq appearing on National Blog site!

2008-09-13T20:41:00.000-07:00

Yours truly is now famous! Nope, the seven or eight of you who enthusiastically follow [ k-Blog ] have not launched me to web stardom (I would need at least...like...10 more subscribers for that to happen!). I have now appeared on The Gospel Soundcheck, a blog by one of the coolest people ever - Joanne Brokaw.

In the age of YouTube I believe a funny new phenomenon has started in finding obscure and old live Christian music footage from the glory years of the '70's and '80's. I think I'm now hooked because it really does bring back some memories of Youth Choir from my good 'ol Southern Baptist years. I knew we had some doozies and I hope no one ever posts any video of it! (Because I think I would probably watch them every day!) I seem to find myself in a trance when I watch these videos because they are just so...so...bad!

Joanne wrote a great blog about this phenomenon and I want ALL of you to go read it! (Yes, that means all seven of you!) I would especially follow the link to The Way Int'l videos and watch "He's Our Promised Seed." I thought I was stiff and white!! And when you read Joanne's blog, please make a comment! Go HERE.

A quick sports note

2008-09-07T19:02:00.000-07:00

Lots going on in sports right now. First, despite crazy weather delays Florida State put together a nice game against WCU to the tune of 69-0. Yes, I was surprised (even though it's a 1-AA school) that the defense pitched a shutout. And yes, I was surprised that the offense scored that many points (my prediction earlier was 41-19 FSU). It made me nervous that WCU kept it 7-0 midway through the 2nd quarter, but I would think it's hard to keep your head in the game when they keep delaying the game due to lightning. Speaking of Lightning, does anyone know that Barry Melrose is now the head coach of the Tampa Bay Lightning?!

Second, the Rays have now squandered their 4.5 game lead for the pennant in the AL East to 1.5 games after being swept in Toronto over the weekend. To make things worse, they will be in Boston starting tomorrow night for a three-game set that could very well determine the pennant and the post-season. Frankly, I'm scared. You know that Boston smells blood and that Fenway will be ROCKING the next few nights! Oh well, it's been such a great season to this point, we'll see what happens!

Lastly, the Bucs lost to open their season at 0-1. On the bright side, they started 0-1 with a loss to New Orleans the year they won the Super Bowl, so maybe this is a good thing?!

Tidbits: Vanderbilt beat Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks last Thursday night - yay! The Cubs have a series with the St. Louis Cardinals this week. And FSU will host the Choo-Choo's of UT Chattanooga this Saturday!

Life Is A Highway - a drummer's POV

2008-09-05T01:06:00.000-07:00

Jay blogs kSparq and [ k-Blog ] tells you!

2008-09-04T21:08:00.000-07:00

With momentum building for Jay Speight's new single "Ala-Freakin-Bama," the buzz continues with one of my latest YouTube videos (seen on a previous blog post on [ k-Blog ]). Jay mentions my "behind the scenes" video on his MySpace Blog:

This video was shot during the "Ala-Freakin-Bama" video shoot in Huntsville a few weeks ago. The official music video is now live and playing on Jay's MySpace and YouTube pages. [ k-Blog ] wants you to visit his pages to see the video - so go now!

In the mean time, please log on to alafreakinbama.com and support Jay by first purchasing the song "Ala-Freakin-Bama" for your very own and while you're there, pick up some freakin' t-shirts! C'mon, ya'll - you know you want one!

~ todaySTraining ~

2008-09-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

Straining is a better word than training. I really don't feel like I'm "training" yet. I'm green, I'm out of shape, and I'm extremely rusty - my mechanics are off. Not to make things any better, I'm battling a bit of a cold. But as mentioned before, I need to push through it... I felt pretty bad when I got up this morning at around 6:15. I have been battling a cold since Sunday really, but felt like it was on the way out. This morning was the worst I have felt - but I took the dog out and tried to walk it off. Wasn't happening! I postponed the morning swim and deferred to med'ing up and trying for it later in the day. Here's the first half of today's STraining:

Atlanta road trip - pics

2008-09-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

In support of Jay Speight's new song "Ala-Freakin-Bama," we took a road trip to Atlanta where Tide fans witnessed a Clemson Tiger beatdown...and two amazing concerts by Jay Speight and Band at the Hard Rock Cafe! Here's a few pics - videos to come very soon!

Triathlon training & first swim

2008-09-02T19:51:00.000-07:00

This week I've started training for a triathlon. After tracking the progress of my friends Todd & Troy Collins on their blog Compete Life, I have been super motivated to get back into some sort of routine (check out my blog from August 13, 2008). Getting into a triathlon might be a little over zealous, especially according to my blogging about taking baby steps. But the program, however very intense, I think is within my league. Discipline is the key, and based on Todd & Troy's recent history I hope they can help me stay accountable.

Today was the first time I have actually swam real laps in a real pool in my estimations about 23 years. Yes, I'm old - and yes that has been a LONG time! I have a long, long way to go on the swimming aspect of the triathlon but I feel like with a little practice that I can quickly get back into it. My biggest problems were coordinating my breathing and finding the right rhythm to kick my legs. Being asthmatic doesn't help and I'm bound and determined to not allow this to be an excuse to hold me back - I really want to push through it within reason. It's also going to kill me on the running...but I can't let it get into my mind.

Todd was gracious to give me a shoutout on their blog today: Check it out. I hope I can be a positive addition to their team and not a drag...

Well, I was correct on my predictions that Alabama would beat Clemson! As of right now the Cubs have fought back to tie the struggling Astros 7-7 in the 8th inning. The Rays lost a game in the AL East standings by losing at home to the Yanks. Vandy has a big game at home Thursday night on ESPN against South Carolina, and Florida State opens its season this Saturday...

FSU Football '08 predictions

2008-08-28T21:34:00.000-07:00

So here's my predictions for this year's Florida State University Seminoles football team. Despite how bad these results may look and how sarcastic I can be, ya'll know that I am a TRUE fan and will route for my team until the end. However, having a buffer that is the state of Georgia (or Alabama) and SEC media for the past 9 years, I've been a bit more realistic about my views on my favorite team and no longer see the world through garnet and gold colored glasses. Enjoy!

Game 1: W. Carolina [ 19 ] at FSU [ 41 ]

First game jitters means a sloppy first 2 quarters, but the 'Noles will be up by a few TD's by halftime. The defense gives up 2 touchdowns in the opener. Finally a less-than stressful first game in recent memory, finally some offense (albeit points on the scoreboard resulting from turnovers), but hey it's the Catamounts! No AppState threat in this one (watch out LSU!). FSU 1-0.

Game 2: UTC [ 14 ] at FSU [ 29 ]

Why only 29 points against the Moccasins of Chattanooga (no, they're not called the "Choo-Choo's!")? Three reasons: 1) the offense will try too hard to put together a perfect game after last week's sloppy performance, 2) a less-than capacity crowd of about 70,000-ish sleep through this one as the players keep wondering why they can't have a game day atmosphere like UF no matter who the opponent (and by that, I mean those rednecks in Gainesville make a lot of noise when they are annually visited by likes of McNeese State, Bossier City Louisiana Community College, Watkins College of Design, and Full Sail Technical Institute of Orlando), and 3) the offense will be pressured to put up more than 41 points - we all know how the 'Noles have dealt with pressure the past 8 years. Yawn, FSU 2-0.

Game 3: Wake Forest [ 24 ] at FSU [ 28 ]

Even though the Deac's looked good against Baylor tonight, I just can't pick them to beat Florida State in Tallahassee and go 3-0 against them since 2006. The defense plays inspired and out of their heads - maybe gets a score or two. Offense still has a lot of work to do. Wake will have a great season, may even win the ACC. The 'Noles steal one and sneaks a peak into the Top 25. FSU 3-0 (1-0).

Game 4: Colorado [ 13 ] vs. FSU [ 21 ] (in Jacksonville, FL)

Despite the big game hype, the 'Noles seem to do well in these type of games. For the second week in a row the defense plays out of its mind and scores a crucial touchdown to bail out the offense. For the second year in a row another sloppy and BORING game in Jacksonville and FSU scores 21 points to win. Another season of mediocrity starts to set in for Seminole fans as they are staring down the rest of a tough 2008 schedule. Pollsters keep the team around the 23-25 ranking or drop them from the Top-25 all together. FSU 4-0 (1-0).

Game 5: FSU [ 14 ] at Miami, FL [ 20 ]

Yep. A fourth quarter drive to an eventual go ahead score ends with a turnover in the red zone...we know this story all too well and it just keeps playing over and over...and it won't stop in 2008! Seminoles can't avenge last season's shocker (is it really a shocker when it's Miami?!) and once again can't get it done against the Hurricanes. The 'Canes are 2-0 against the 'Noles at Joe Robbie Stadium...um...Pro Player Stadium...um...Pro Player Park...um...Dolphins Stadium...whatever. By the way, just saw some highlights of Miami's win against Charleston Southern and, yes, the field and stadium actually looks worse than the Orange Bowl. FSU 4-1 (1-1).

Game 6: FSU [ 17 ] at NC State [ 28 ]

Last time FSU went to Raleigh on Thursday night they lost on a 4th quarter comeback by the Wolfpack. It happens again. No matter how bad NC State looked tonight against South Carolina (even though "The Jerk" was throwing downfield late in the 4th while pitching a shutout - some things never change) this will prove to be the low point of Florida State's season. I will, of course, be laughing every time ESPN shows Chuck-the-Chest on TV so that will help to lessen the blow. FSU 4-2 (1-2).

Game 7: Virginia Tech [ 36 ] at FSU [ 21 ]

Offense only gets 2 touchdowns - one of them late. ESPN and newspapers are really starting to buzz now about this being Bowden's last year. Talks of salvaging the season to keep the bowl streak intact are resurfacing as priority. Oh, and this may be the Hokies' first win in Tallahassee in forever...at least a very long time...I really don't want to research that! FSU 4-3 (1-3).

Game 8: FSU [ 31 ] at Georgia Tech [ 14 ]

Tech STILL cannot beat Florida State. It's a game until mid-late in the 3rd quarter but FSU opens it up at the end like they usually do in Atlanta. Right about now it's looking like the Emerald Bowl, Music City Bowl, or some other crappy bowl the ACC is tied to. Scalp 'em! FSU 5-3 (2-3).

Game 9: Clemson [ 34 ] at FSU [28 ]

Clemson's good this year and they get their second straight win in Tallahassee and an unbelievable fourth in a row over Florida State as they push to stay atop the ACC standings. I'm picking them to lose to Alabama this Saturday, by the way. "Ala-Freakin-Bama!" It's a good game as the Bowden Bowl buzz is dominated by dear 'ol dad on his way out as head ball coach of the Seminoles. Question: Will Tommy Bowden still have job security now that he can't use the "I've at least won Bowden Bowl" excuse? FSU 5-4 (2-4).

Game 10: Boston College [ 18 ] at FSU [ 24 ]

The 'Noles scrape out a gritty and, yes, sloppy win against Boston College. At this point the team is averaging about 25 points per game, one of the worst in the country (again). The defense keeps the club in ball games and will ultimately keep Florida State bowl eligible. I also think this should be the game where they break out the all-blacks to avenge their debut loss in the them two years ago at home to the Eagles. You have to admit they are pretty freakin' sweet! Definitely the best thing to come from FSU football in the past 3 years. Notice: we're talking about uniforms here...not national championships. FSU 6-4 (3-4).

Game 11: FSU [ 19 ] at Maryland [ 16 ] OT

Slopfest continues as the 'Noles eek out a victory in overtime at Maryland to pull to .500 in conference play. Actually, this will be one of the teams bright spots of the season: win a conference game in overtime on the road, and some young new kicker will start to gain some confidence, and talks of this being Bowden's last year slow down for a week. Oh wait UF is next, so scratch that. Media coverage of "Bowden's last chance to beat Florida" will make everyone puke by Thursday of the next week. FSU 7-4 (4-4).

Game 12: Florida [ 38 ] at FSU [ 16 ]

Good news: Florida State gets their first TD's against the Gators since 2006. Bad news: Tim Tebow throws for 2, catches 1 from Percy Harvin, and runs for two more himself. Good news: It's not on CBS so we don't have to listen to Verne Lundquist and that other guy have an orgasm on air over Tim Tebow. Bad news: In addition to a 5-TD day, Tim Tebow dons an indian head dress and directs the Marching Chiefs in the traditional post game performance of "Hymn To The Garnet and the Gold." Why not conduct the UF band? Because they don't have one! Happy Thanksgiving. FSU 7-5 (4-4).

Bowl Game: FSU [ 33 ] vs. Vanderbilt [ 21 ] Music City Bowl, Nashville, TN

Interesting story lines: Vandy makes their first bowl trip (after a 6-6 season) since the wheel was invented and they have the luxury of playing it in their home town. FSU makes their second straight Music City Bowl appearance and finally win one after losing to Kentucky AND the officiating crew last year. This is Coach Bobby Bowden's last game of his career and he goes out a winner against a perennial loser who will again end up with a losing record at 6-7. Florida State will once again finish the season out of the Top-25 and will look forward to a new era under Jimbo Fisher. In 2009 FSU will host Maine (I don't even know their mascot!) and go to BYU. Yes indeed, it will be a new era... FSU 8-5 (4-4).

Ala-Freakin-Bama!

2008-08-23T20:35:00.000-07:00

Before I really get into this [ k-Blog ] post I have to get a few things off of my chest: 1) mentally, when I started [ k-Blog ] I didn't want it to become something that I would start strong and then let fizzle (much like my working out!). I feel that I have already done this, so, here's a new [ k-Blog ] post! 2) speaking of working out - after writing a book-of-a-blog-post last week about exercising I have to admit that I haven't been faithful. I have played a little basketball and went jogging once - but it has yet to become a daily routine (sigh) 3) I'm NO LONGER selling my car, nor am I moving back to Nashville... Welcome back to [ k-Blog ]!

"Ala-Freakin-Bama"

Jay Speight and I have been friends for quite some time now. I've been able to see him grow both as a musician and a songwriter. Jay has always been super talented and he just keeps getting better and better. Every once in a while however a great artist will tend to sell out, write something for intentional mass appeal, a no holds barred sacrifice of meticulous attention to originality and Jay has created such a thing...and I FREAKIN LOVE IT!!! Check out a short video I took from my Palm Treo of some behind the scenes footage from the "Ala-Freakin-Bama" video shoot in Hunstville (my Treo has been dropped several times now...audio quality is not the best):

Please check out Jay's current website and buy some official Ala-Freakin-Bama T-Shirts! It's a great song that is about to take the Southeast (and soon the nation!) by storm. We'll be shooting more footage this Friday night at the Hard Rock Cafe in Atlanta, GA as we'll be rockin' "Ala-Freakin-Bama" with several hundred crazed Roll Tide fans who are coming off a less-than stellar basketball season, no College World Series appearance, and should we even mention the 7-6 football season under Coach Nick Saban last year? These people are going to be foaming at the mouth as they are getting geared up (and liquored up...a day early, mind you) for a chance to knock off a Clemson team who is favored to win their division in the ACC. It's gonna get rowdy! :-)

I'm selling my car?

2008-08-14T20:14:00.000-07:00

Well, at least I think I am? I've posted it online to see how it goes - I'm in the market for something smaller overall... Check the Craigslist posting -

click HERE.

If you know of anyone in the market - please forward this along...thanks! The car is in tip-top shape, there's absolutely nothing wrong with it. I'm seriously just looking to save a little gas mileage and think I might have found the car from a private seller to do just that!

Camp Kirkland approves!

2008-08-13T13:14:00.000-07:00

Check the email below - note he is ".........very excited........" and you should be too!

Personal fitness - it's at least worth $40.23

2008-08-13T11:38:00.001-07:00

I have, ashamedly, been in a season of life where personal fitness has not been a priority. I think about it every day - whether I'm motivated by close friends who maintain a healthy lifestyle...or worse when I feel sluggish, tired, or like a lump of mashed potatoes (you remember the bland, chunky kind you used to get in grade school cafeteria?!).

I've tried "dieting." Doesn't really work. I've done "starting that daily workout routine next Monday" bit - doesn't really work. True - I do need to watch what I eat and make more disciplined choices in terms of food. However, I do think diets are not the answer - at least in the short term. If your eating habits have been like mine since November 2003 (yeah, that's when I started full-time touring), I've found that it's almost impossible to immediately couple a stringent diet with a newly found enthusiasm for working out. The shelf life of that routine for me lasts about 10 days on average.

There are some people who can do it. My good friend Troy pretty much flipped the switch, immediately got into a routine, and participated in and finished a Triathlon recently. I am SUPER impressed by what he and his brother are doing. Check out their blog by clicking HERE. I'm not speculating it was easy for Troy. I know for a fact that he too has gone in and out of various diets and methods in the past. He is, however, very athletic - which obviously helps. I have not been so gifted! I like sports and have played them almost all of my life. My biggest problem is that I have not ever tuned my body or my lifestyle to be "athletic." Being a drummer, I completely buy into the importance of muscle memory. While I can play an occasional game of tennis or football and have fun - it's just that...very occasional.

Furthermore the biggest hurdle is MENTAL. Like Troy, I've just got to flip that switch. Today I decided to at least start that process. My neighborhood commons turned one of our two tennis courts into a half-court basketball area with a sweet new goal (pic - left). Since I technically helped pay for it - I figured "why not use it?!" So I went to Target and purchased a Spalding NBA Street basketball and 2 inflating needles for $15.23.

Oh, the other $25.00 was for a new access key to our pool and court areas - I

accidentally left the old one in my previously owned, totaled, and probably now sold off into a million pieces '99 Subaru Forester L (pic of the day it died).

Unlike my friends the Brothers Collins - I am NOT a baller. In fact, if I'm on the court and see a group of 15-16 y/o punks who CAN ball heading my way, I will quickly start walking (or dribbling) the other way! But rather than trying to keep a schedule of rigorous workouts and downing powders or cardboard-ish Healthy Choices - moderation will be my lifestyle. I think if I can eat in moderation and at least do one physical activity per day (like shooting hoops, jogging, doing crunches or push-ups, swimming laps, etc.) for at least 4-6 weeks straight I will start to begin kicking up the dust on that path to health. Then, once my body has at least started to get in tune, I can consider looking at FINE tuning with dieting and workout schedules. This is at least what I think - am I crazy?

So here's some personal goals for this initial period: 1) Discipline: food choices and daily activities (eat in moderation & cut out excessive breads & sweets), 2) Flexibility: I'm a stiff white boy - I want to learn how to stretch effectively and begin to loosen those tight muscles, 3) Weight: I'd like to lose 5-10 pounds in this initial period - why not?!

The 4-6 week period could last longer - thinking that I don't want to put parameters, limits, or a box around this. I wan to push myself, of course, but this time I want to try the gradual process. I don't know what the next level for me "looks" or "feels" like, but I'll know when I'm there and will be ready for the next step. Stay tuned to [ k-Blog ] - I'll keep you posted!

A Panera Bread haiku

2008-08-13T06:01:00.000-07:00

Car getting serviced

Walked to Panera next door

Breakfast sandwich - good.

First post

2008-08-12T22:20:00.000-07:00

Greetings,

So this is my first blog site - appropriately called [ k-Blog ]. "Why the unusual brackets?" I can't answer that now - but stay tuned to my blog...and my life...and you just might learn some things!

I have no idea what is in store for [ k-Blog ], but I do know that I will no doubt end up using this site when I'm supposed to be doing something really, really important. And out of that, I hope that I will publish some golden nuggets about nothing in particular so that you too can spend your valuable time on [ k-Blog ] when you've absolutely got something much better to do.