I’m Not Perfect

Lately I’ve felt like I need to be better at doing certain task in my life. Perhaps it’s because I feel like it’s something I NEED to do. I can’t be a great model as a Christian unless I take time out of my day EVERY day to read my Bible. I can’t become a better guitar player unless I work on my technique more than a couple hours a week. Jesus knew the Bible inside and out during His time on Earth, and John Mayer played guitar for 8 hours a day every day through high school (not comparing the two, just a reference). In order to be better I have to do more, and if I don’t accomplish this then I not only fail myself, but I also fail the others around me. So due to this recent acknowledgment I have set two rather specific goals for myself…

1. To read my Bible every day for at least an hour (starting with Romans) or more.
2. To practice my guitar technique and knowledge of music theory for at least 10 hours ever week. this does not include the music I have to learn for church on the weekends.

If I can keep up with this routine then I’m positive I will see some results in the way I feel about my life.

Its been a while!

Well I have come to the conclusion that I dont NEARLY blog as much as I used to and it is something I need to work on. But as of now I guess I’ll give you a brief summary of whats been going on in my life lately.

1) girlfriend: The lovely Ms. Whitley and I are doing amazingly great in our relationship! Things just keep getting better and better. She started coming to Oak LEaf and now her best friend is coming too. She is the best person to ever come into my life and I couldnt ask for anyone else to call my love.

2) church: Well Oak Leaf has officially moved back to the theater as of 2 weeks ago and things seem to be going smoothly. I’m still volunteering and I still get to play guitar with the band a decent bit. I’ve grown so much as a person in life and in Christ since I started attending Oak LEaf Church and have made so many great friends in the process of doing so. This fall we are re-launching the youth ministry!!!!!! Instead of Limelight its going to be called Fueled and I’m super stoked about getting to play in the band for the kids on Wednesday nights. Matt told me I might even get to lead the kids in worship for a few songs. Music ministry is something I’ve always been passionate about but soon its hopefully going to become what I hoped it would : )

3) music: Music wise things are going rather well. Will and I discussed some stuff and he is actually going to get me guitar lessons when school starts! I’ve basically come as far as I can on my own with my guitar knowledge, skill and technique so this will be the most beneficial thing to happen to me musically. I’m really excited though : )   Although I AM in need of some new equiptment. The time has come I thing for me to upgrade guitars. I’ve been playing on an epiphone Les Paul for almost two years now but I’ve started having a few technical issues with it. I’m also looking at some different pedals so I can get a sound that I’m decently happy with.

4) school: School starts back this Thursday…….ugh

5) general: In general ly life has been going rather smoothly. I’m a senior now and I’m on track for graduating, My girlfriend makes me feel like the luckiest guy in the world, and Jesus keeps me pushin’ forward! YAY JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Byron Lee Sides

Recently myself and many others lost a great friend. He was the kinda guy that you just couldn’t help but love and want an awesome hug from. He had a great heart, and even though he didn’t always do things that would considered “morally right” in todays society, he would be there for you if you ever needed him. Byron Lee Sides drowned Monday afternoon at Red Top Mountain. This is the complete story witnessed by his best friend Chris Boyle……………

“We’ve all decided that it would be best if I tell everyone what actually happened at the lake, so that no rumors or false stories can get spread.

Yesterday Eli, Kim, Byron, Justyne, Jessica, Sally,and myself decided that we should go to the lake. Byron drove one car, and Jessica drove the other. On the way there we were just having a regular fun time. I kept complaining about how slimy the lake would be and Eli was screaming at me about how many people have been in the Planter’s pool. Like the way stuff always is: really, really fun.

We went to Red Top Mountain Beach by the Big Rock. We were just scoping out what we were going to do, and no one really wanted to jump off the Rock, so Byron spotted an island in the middle of the lake and thought we should swim there. Sally said she tried it once and she got halfway and then just floated because she was so tired, and that her dad had to come by with his boat to pick her up. So we decided it would be best not to make a straight shot to the island.

A few of us pointed out that we could swim a lot less further if we walked around the bank and swam across a 1st channel to the other side, then from the that side to the island. So we dropped our towels and keys off at the Big Rock and started walking through the woods to the shortest distance of water. On our way there we were still just joking and having a good time. Oddly enough we were saying things like “Whose the first to drown?” “NOT IT!” Sally actually lost…

When we got there we dropped our shoes and got in. As soon as we got in everyone started complaining about how slimy the water was. I couldn’t help but saying “told you so” So we all just started heading to the other side, there was a small current in my opinion, but some of the others said it was a little stronger than that. Eli was in the lead, and I was last. Sally was right in front of me, and Byron was in front of Sally. Everyone else was between Eli and Byron.

I decided I was going to take it slow and easy because I was very tired, because I haven’t slept for the past few days. Sally agreed with me and both of us slowly made our way to the other side. Around half way across the lake, Sally and I passed Byron, but I didn’t think much of it, because Byron was just doing his own thing and he hadn’t said anything. When Sally and I got about 3/4 the way done, Eli was getting on land, and everyone else was shortly behind him. That’s when I remembered Byron and I turned back around to see how far he had gotten. He hadn’t really moved and was just trying to float on his back and keep his head up.

We all started shouting “come on Byron!” but he replied “I can’t make it”

That’s when Sally and I turned back to help him, and when we got to him he kept going under and then coming back up. Everyone had pretty much stopped where the were to make sure Byron was okay. But Byron looked like he was getting tired. He was trying to remain as calm as he could, but I figured something bad might happen. I started swimming back to where we had started in hopes that Byron would follow. I tried to coach him on his back and to kick his feet but he wasn’t listening.

I turn back to the others and asked if I should call for help and they all said yes. I swam to shore as fast as I could, and when i got there I turned around to see Sally trying to pull him in my direction. I sprinted as fast as I could to the other side of the woods where I screamed for someone to call 911. I got their attention and I screamed for people to come help. A few guys started running in my direction so I turned back to see how Sally and Byron were. Sally was holding his hand and several times she went under with him, then she said she couldn’t hold on anymore, and that’s when Byron let go of her hand.

And then I looked and saw Byron go under and he didn’t come back up. Sally screamed “I can’t find him! He’s not here!!” and everyone still in the water started swimming to where we last saw Byron.

Everyone started diving under the water to search for him but it was pretty dark and murky, and it was impossible to see. I sprinted back to the other side and got the guys to come get in the water. I was actually counting the minutes in my head after he went under and it was around 4 or 5 minutes when the guys got in and started diving. A lot of people didn’t have much strength left, and I got on some guys phone with a 911 operator.

It had been around 10 minutes when Sally screamed she saw his hands in the water, but the guy closest to the spot said it was just a pinecone, but Sally and another kid saw both his arms.

Jessica was on shore in hysterics, and almost everyone couldn’t believe what just happened. He was just gone.

I sprinted as fast as I could back to where our keys to the car was, and by then EMS has arrived and were making their way down. I grabbed his phone, and some other things and called Byron’s mom to let her know. My parents called right after and they hurried to get there to.

Apparently they had to wait 30 or 40 minutes so that the dive team could get there from the next county over, because Bartow doesn’t have one.

Everyone was a mess and Eli made a lot of the calls to close friends.

It took approximately 3 or so hours to recover his body, but they did find it and I am thankful for that.

We all did our best, but there wasn’t anything we could do. Byron was trained to handle situations like this, so he knew what he had to do. He was perfectly fine before so I am not sure what had happened. There might have been and undercurrent or possibly he cramped.

I know everyone is in shock and in disbelief but Byron was an amazing person and friend. He always made me laugh and would do anything I needed him to (even drive me around for ages). I just hope you all will keep Byron’s mom and family in your prayers. I know he has to be smiling down on us now, and I feel as though he is still with me as I’m writing this.

I still can’t believe I’m saying this, but rest in peace Byron Sides. I’ll miss you more than you could ever imagine.”

Well there you have it. I hasd never thought about this situation happening to the lives of my friends and mine. Byron was the kind of guy that had held his friends dearly to his heart. I remember leaving school almost every day and getting a hug from him while I walked out the door, and immediately afterwards he would ask me if he could have a dollar. Byron, we will all miss you more than anyone could even imagine. You were a great friend to anyone and everyone you came in contact with and THATS what characterized you as a great and loving person. I love you dude…….

IF anyone would like to go to his viewing it will be at Parnick-Jennings funeral home from 3-6pm friday afternoon. Also, please keep all of Byrons friends and family in your prayers. He was his mother and fathers only baby, and God knows they’re going through a tough time.

—-Marcus

Sweet!

I gotta tell you, after being single for over a year it actually feels pretty amazing to be with someone who actually cares……and the fact that she isn’t psycho is pretty cool too.

Some days I get in a mood where I think about random things. Today was one of those days. I started thinking about all the lame relationships I’ve been in over the years and how they feel apart after just a short period of times.  Some of the problems of these girls are as followed…….

1) They were PSYCHO!

2) They were completely fake when we were friends, and once we started dating I found out about their true self, and wasn’t really impressed.

3) This is the worst one………… the girl turned out to be a lesbian! AAAAHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Even though I’ve had some bad luck in the past, I’ve come to realize that sometimes you just have to wait for a year and a half for the right person to come along. Even if that meansbeing set up by your long time friend on a blind date at Red Lobster on Saturday, and then following it up with a second date at the Waffle House the upcoming Monday.

You just never know what life will throw at you…….

Lately

Wow! Life is pretty awesome!

Me and Lauren have been dating and Thursday was possibly one of the best times I had ever had. We went and saw “The Bucket List” and afterwards we rode through the drive-thru at Starbucks. And who doesn’t love a good night kiss? She leaves me flaberghasted

Church is also going well. Jason and I are officially finished with our sign job. You can check out my previous blogs to learn more about that. Tomorrow I’m playing in the city ,(Our Sunday Schoolesk environment for elementary school children), and on the 24th I get to play in the main service. Whnenever I’m not doing music on stage I’ve been hittin’ up a security position and/or stage manager job. Let me tell you I really know how to move a table!

Apart from these things the home life’s not too shabby either. My moms starting to feel better from her surgery, my bro and his girl friend are usually fun to hang out with, and my dads just real easy going.

So yeah, my life in a nutshell

Stole this from Nathan….

I read in Nathans blog of his favorite memories of 2007 and I decided to copy his idea. I may miss a couple of things but this should cover most of it.

1) Going to Oak Leaf Church and becoming an active volunteer after things at my previous church got a little messy

2) Being kicked out of my former band(this may not seem like a good thing, but later down the road my music took a good turn)

3) Summer 2007! Crazy fun!

4) Playing in the September Limelight of our church youth. This was huge for me considering I had been trying to get involved with the music at oak leaf for 6 months.

5) Making friends within the church like Nathan, Jake Dudley, and Matt Moody.

6) Meeting a simply AMAZING person in September. You can read one of my previous blogs about her if you like.

7) Helping out at AMPED which was a Superwow like concert that the Cass High School FCA put on. Matt and the guys came and played, Coach Bruton gave the message and I think it was pretty successful. We got there at 10 in the morning and didn’t leave until 9 that night, but the fun meter was about to break!

MY birthday, which just so happened to be pretty shibby. I had a cake made of cup-cakes, and bought half of my pedal set-up with some of my birthday money.

9) Played at the November Limelight with Chris Coleman playing guitar with me. Personally I think it was the best Limelight we’ve had so far.

10) Thanksgiving. Family events are always the best.

11) I began playing at the main service at Oak Leaf. Became friends with Will , Dean, Joel, Carey and Jason.

12) Played guitar at Oak Leafs “Rockin’ Christmas Eve Eve” concert. It was definately the most fun I had ever had playing with a group before in my life! Although……I was somewhat nervous. Having it been the first time I had played in front of a thousand plus people at once.

13) Christmas. Although one of my family gatherings was a little dis-functional things turned out to be just fine.

14) Becoming involved in my schools acting department. We put on “You’re a God Man Charlie Brown” and I got the part of Charlie Brown! I met some awesome people doing that play and I’ll never forget it.

Last but not least I want to recognize everyone whom I came to know and love. Al the new friends, all the old friends, and a couple people that I still not really know…….but either way, it was a pretty good year.

A Full Plate

Lately Ive been trying to do as many extra-curricular activities as I can, and sometimes it can be extremely over-whelming. What with our 1st quarter of school having to do marching band, charlie Brown production, Varsity chorus, preparing to tryout for the school barbershop quartet(which I made by the way), and trying may hardest to be active in the church. So once the new quarter of school started I began to play in the church worship band, started practicing for quartet, andpreparing for another musical audition that was held today. I reminded my parents this morning that I had my musical audition for Godspell this morning from 11-1 and they somewhat flipped out. I was told that I have way too much on my plate at the moment and that if I did this musical then I would not have enough time for school and my grades to slip. Seems like I have psychic parents. But I can somewhat see where they’re coming from, even though it seems wierd that they dont have as much faith in me.  Throughout the course of the day I thought about what they said and decided that my plate was ineed full……I even went back for seconds. So kids remember, your parents do indeed know whats best for you……..even if u dont always agree with them.