Status Stupidity

So, I'm on facebook quite often. Much more than needed, but I'm usually have Finale up working on something or other and just have it up if someone wants to chat. However, some statuses have really started to annoy me lately. So much in fact, that I've hidden certain people from my news feed and even more have removed some as friends. With that said, here's a list.

Things No One Wants to See on Your Status Update

• Homework Assignments: Chances are someone else has more than you and will comment about it so you know.
• Things That Don't Make Any Sense: Seriously, if you're going to put something with your name on it, at least make it somewhat sensible to someone out there.
• What Day of the Week It Is: Everyone knows.
• Inspirational Quotes That Suck/Were Written by You: As much as I appreciate you flaunting yourself around like Socrates and showing everyone how "deep" you really are, stop it.
• Feelings Towards Your Significant Other: I don't mind the occasional "my gf/bf is awesome," but once you start posting "LOVES HIM/HER SOOOO MUCH," or "wouldn't know where he'd/she'd be without you babe," it gets really old, really fast. We get that you like each other. Please stop screaming it at us.
• Status Hijackings Concerning Victim's Sexuality: Ok, changing your friend's status to "...is so gay (among various other homosexual things)," makes it absolutely completely obvious that someone messed with it. What is actually comical is when you can change it to something that makes friends laugh at the victim, but still makes them think they posted it.

I hope this was at least somewhat informational concerning my feelings on these topics. Just know that if you do post something within these criterion, you will be subject to being hidden and/or possibly even removal all together. Have a good week.

Transfer Tension

I'm in the middle of week 4 at UNL. I wish I could say the transfer went amazingly, but it didn't. The past couple weeks I've been feeling stressed. Everything is a lot more intense, which is great, but has so far been a bit overwhelming. I feel like I'm forgetting something every other day. For instance, yesterday I missed our first composition departmental meeting. Not something you want to miss as I was informed of today at my lesson. I think I'm finally kicking things into high gear though and getting used to the pace.

I've also noticed how much I compare myself to others. Other guys on the drumline, in the percussion studio, in my classes, and music majors. I am terrified of not measuring up, not being legit, and turning into a fold. Terrified. This is a new experience for me, and thankfully I seem to be adjusting. And really, I shouldn't be concerned about that at all. As long as I'm doing what is asked of me by God, which I believe I am 100 percent.

I can't help but notice now, that over the past few weeks, I haven't been where I should have been with God. Devotions are quite rare and church is iffy. Finally today, I made the time to sit down, read my Bible and listen to some Casting Crowns. I said a short prayer before that God would show me what He wants of me. I clicked on my iTunes and opened up my Bible. I opened up to where my bookmark was. The first thing I read was:

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
-Proverbs 16:3

It's nice to know that the only One I'm seeking approval of isn't concerned of how good of a snare drummer I am, or how fast I can play my scales on a marimba. As long as I am doing everything for Him; I will be fine. God is so amazing.

If you'd pray for me, that I'd stay on the track I've gotten back on with everything, that'd be great. That I'd stay on top of my classes, lessons, assignments, practicing, and most importantly with God.

Drummin' for the Huskers

It has been far too long since I posted anything on here, so hopefully this somewhat satisfies you.

Well, as of August 15th, I made the snare line at UNL, and it has been awesome. It's hardcore and I love it. Our center snare marched Phantom over the summer, so naturally he wants things very clean and intense. This is easier said than done, but I feel we keep getting better as the season goes on.

Yesterday, we had our first game, and it was incredible. I've been a die hard Husker football fan since I can remember, and actually being there on the field doing what I love to do was such an amazing feeling. Being surrounded by The Sea of Red was so sweet, and I get to do it at least 7 more times!

If you're ever bored in Lincoln on game day, you should come check out the line. We usually warm up and hour and a half before kickoff outside of Arch Hall. It's a good time.

Trusting Him to Provide

We've all heard the phrase that goes something like, "Trust in God and He will provide for you." I've taken this for granted, yet today, I realized how much He really does take care of me.

Friday, a few friends and I went and got fireworks, the 4th of July on Saturday, and we decided to hang out and light some fireworks, have some fun. When we got the stand we had a tough time deciding what we wanted. So we had the idea that everyone had to get one (within reason) that began with the same letter of their name. For example, I got "Killer Bees."

I looked at my friend Troy and asked if he was paying and he said yeah, but I wanted to pitch in. I had a 20 dollar bill so I told him I would pay then he could give me a few bucks, whatever. The total turned out to be 9 dollars, or something like that. Troy gave me a 5 and the lady working the register only handed me a dollar. I didn't notice until later that night. We were gonna go out to eat and instead of having the 16 dollars I thought I had, I had 10 less.

Now, really, it wasn't that big of a deal. The lady shorted me 10 bucks, not a lot to some, but for me, thats a meal and a half. I brushed it off, moved on and wasn't gonna let it ruin the time I had with my friends, but it was one of those things where you go "Ugh, if I only still had those 10 dollars." But I got my mind off of it and didn't worry about it.

Sunday was an amazing day of worship for me. From singing, to having great conversation, to serving food, it was great. I really did truly believe that God was there for me and was going to provide for me.

And then last night, when I got home I was talking to my parents and sister about the Esprit concert among other things. Finally, my parents asked us what we had planned for the week. We mow a lawn of some friends of ours. I usually don't, I let my younger siblings do it because they want to, it's a paying gig, but then my mom turned to me and said, "Keygan, will you do it?" I said yes, not because I knew God was doing what He promised, but just because I didn't have anything else to do.

This morning, mowing, it hit me. He provided for me something that wasn't even that big of a deal. A measely 10 dollars, He changed into 15 and gave to me. Thanks God.

Manhunt: Strength

13Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. 14Do everything in love.
-1 Corinthians 16:13, 14

I had remembered reading around this area with one of Pastor Jack's sermons and decided to look into it more and I found this verse. This is the first of two letters that Paul writes to the church of Corinth, and this verse is found towards the end.

Now, about half of what Paul says here goes with the world's view of a "man," and the last two words of the first verse are fairly universal when talking about men. It's simply put, "be strong."

The typical worldview of a man is physically strong. Ask virtually anyone what their definition of a man is, and most would answer with strong, but there's mental, emotional, and of course physical forms of strength. Physical seems to be the most apparent in men, and the world presses this one the most. Along with that, emotions are seen as a weakness, and even being mentally strong is viewed as a weakness. With God, this is not the case, thankfully.

Physically, I'm not as strong as a good amount of people. However, Solomon says in the book of Proverbs that "A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength." This is a good reassurance that men don't necessarily HAVE to be able to bench tons of weight, but it also shows that God looks at more than the physical side.

And I don't know about you, but I've seen plenty of very physically strong guys, but haven't seen many that are also mentally and especially emotionally strong. I'm tired of seeing guys break up with a girlfriend and their whole world falls apart. I can understand why they're upset, but when something like that happens it's obvious to see who they were really living for, and it wasn't who it should have been.

The last part of the verse from 1 Corinthians is convicting for me: "Do everything in love." I'm sure I'm not the only one who struggles with this. Think about it, doing EVERYTHING in love. Not just when you remember to do so. Absolutely 100% of what you do should be done in love. I'm not the best at making sure what I do is out of love. I like to think I'm good at it, but I'm really not.

1) A man of God is strong and does everything in love.

Manhunt: Intro

My next few series of posts are going to be a way of keeping myself accountable in reading and studying my Bible, but also to educate myself in something that I believe has been distorted. I'm going to be studying what God's definition of a "man" is.

The world's view seems so messed up to me and at times, I'm not sure what a righteous man of God actually is. This will help me stay level headed and be the man that God wants me to be.

Farewell to UNK

Lately, since I've been back people have asked me why I didn't like it UNK very much, and why I'm transferring. I'll try to be somewhat nice but this is basically why it wasn't that great of an experience for me.

The students. Plain and simple. And I'm not saying every single one, they were a handful that I miss from there, of guys that I did actually enjoy spending time with, and I'm fairly sure they know who they are.

First of all, I'm sure you've heard the old quote "You can't spell drunk without UNK." Sadly, I found this to be true, and if you know me, you know that I definitely am not into that stuff. And yes, most college campuses have quite a bit of alcohol, but nevertheless, this was bad.

Secondly, I really did like the faculty, they knew what they were doing and I held them in very high regard. However, most of the students didn't respect them very much. Kids who don't even have Bachelor's or even Associate's degrees would openly make fun of professors, with doctorates. Which is absolutely ridiculous...

Thirdly, a lot of students assume that since they're music majors in a good Division II school, they're very good at what they do. You can always practice something, you are NEVER going to reach a day when you have nothing to practice because you're just that good. There's always something new to work on. Given, a few kids are extremely good at what they do, I could give you a few examples.
*On a small side note, I'd like to tell everyone how annoying I find when someone is irritated by a scale being played up to the 7th degree. "It has to resolve!" No, it doesn't. Get over it.

Lastly (this one may be a bit nasty), the student leadership was terrible. Coming in knowing that the drumline wasn't particularly good, I knew I'd be on snare. I'm not trying to be arrogant here, but only a couple other guys on the line could hang with me, and they were freshmen too. Instead of the "instructor" encouraging us, he dumbed us down, and praised the kids that weren't very good. I have no idea what his problem was. He tried to bring down the best players on the line and make the worst feel like they were carrying the group. This was incredibly frustrating to me as I, and these other 2 freshmen, practice the most out of anyone else on the line past, present, and future. I didn't want to be praised, but definitely didn't want to be made fun of because of the skills I've learned by practicing and working hard because I want to be very good at what I do, and to see the leader tell someone, who wasn't putting nearly enough time in as I was, that they were really good made me extremely angry.

In a drumline, especially as the instructor, you cannot afford to cause conflict, much less enjoy to do it. Sure, the guy that was doing this won't be there next semester, but I can sadly see signs of the upcoming section leader acting and doing the same things.

Wow, pretty sure I'm done with that, like completely. I have UNL drumline minicamp at the end of the month and I've been practicing at least a few hours a day. I'm ecstatic to play with some guys way better than me. Wish me luck.