To Tennessee or Not to Tennessee?

Well folks, it looks like I'm getting close to a possible end to my stay in Maui. In my mind- I have two choices: Maui or Tennessee. I've been praying a lot about the possible move- that God will open doors (especially musically) and that he will make it very clear. My chest gets that crazy fun 'I'm-on-a-rollercoaster-ride' feeling when I think about living in a place where music is everywhere- and that's what would also make it super challenging to live there- an over saturated market of music, but I truly believe if God opens a way to that place, then I'm suppose to be there, and that He can make anything possible. That's the peace and comfort he brings. I just know that whatever I do- I don't think I'll ever stop pursuing music. I had this strange philosophy on it a couple years back. I thought it out, and decided that 'well what they hey- i can just give up on music and live a normal life, get married, have a dog, work the 9:00-5:00 job, drive some old car.' But then! Things just changed. Life changed. God opened doors. And I re-thought my previous strategy. And I'm glad I did. I'm praying that someone will one day appear and believe in my music, someone who is in the whole music scene, and will be excited and willing to stand by me. And I know 100% that God will open that door if it's his will, and I'm ok with that. So pretty much wah-pow-zah! That's my heart as of right now. 11:19 PM just sitting on my bead looking at a palm leaf blow in the wind outside my window. So- I can imagine myself in a few months looking back on this blog post, reading this, and laughing to myself. I don't know for what reason, I just laugh at myself sometimes. :)

Oh- also I got to jam with the Ryan Pryor tonight, it was great. Lead some choir tonight too- which was an experience! Also- trying to figure out demo specifics (songs, times, ect)

To end this blog (monster) blog- sometimes I really get worried or anxious about the future, but then I remember that my Savior loves me, and that His plans for life are so rad! I just need to seek Him in all I do.

Thanks for reading,

-Steven Charles Arthur III-

A long long time ago....

A long long time ago...I used to write a blog. I had dream about being this ever-so tenacious blog writer. But that didn't happen. Instead I veered away from this dream, and pursued other ones that didn't involve such responsibility, but now (as in the words of Larry Hamil) "I'M BACK!" But we'll see for how long....Anyway- it's definitely been an interesting time of my life- I have six months to go in the internship here at Hope Chapel- THEN what? That's what I'm trying to figure out. I'm sitting here at my desk, with my poor freshly flushed fish gone now, empty tank, Guild guitar, and some unopened Valentine's Day chocolates wondering what happens next. But I tell you what, I'm not worried about it- I'm going to do my best and pray for God's direction. But life in Maui is great- full of new wonders and adventures that include 'cliff looking' (looking dangerously over cliffs), raft building, frog hunting, and food devouring. They're all good things. I'm also still working on my poetry book, looking into maybe moving to Tennessee...we'll see I suppose. Well, with that, I think it's been a pretty strong comeback since I've been on hiatus for over a year! Hope all is well on your end- where you are! Thanks for reading there buckaroo.

-Steven-

After Eighteen Whole Days....

18. That is (obviously) the number of days since the last time I posted anything significant- really anything at all! So I figured it was time to have a break in the midst of dusting/mopping/sweeping floors and walls! Well friends, it truly is good to write to you once again! ...and...of course there have several adventures since the last time I wrote! Firstly- I kind of had the gurgles yesterday (definition: when a wave tosses you not once- but twice and you breathe in the water, which means you gots' the water in tha' lungs, thus after you re-emerge from the water and crawl to shore, the breathing is all gurgley', making you sound like a raspy old man) That's pretty much what happend- went to Makena with some super high hopes! (and I can hear you, "What what your high HOPES for Steven") Well, this is it: MONGO WAVES!! And my wish was granted. Risa, Jenna, Alyssa, Chris, John, Glenn and I walked out upon that glorious sand, and looked upon some killer waves that had some killer barrels, which made me surrender to it by jumping in! Ah-ha! :) I kind of got crushed by one of the waves that was prob. 12-14 feet or so- it hurt, and my ear wouldn't stop it's popping...ugh...annoying...ha ha! So I decided that I needed to go back in- and as I was making progress, the water pulled me right back into some huge waves, which crushed me again. I was getting 'gurgley' (as you all know now, ha!) and knew I had to make my way back to shore: FAST! So I panicked and got smashed again. (I wasn't doing so hot) So I made a prayer to Jesus that seriuosly went a lot like this, "Lord, I am not doing so good getting back to the shore, and if you could help me out, that would be swell! Please help me out." And by golly, you wouldn't have guessed it- but ANOTHER huge wave smashed me, but this time, it pushed me all the way to shore! (a cool answer to prayer) And from there I pretty much crawled back to shore, and slept for an hour or so on a sandy towel. Huzzah! After that- I played some weak-sauce volleyball, because I was the weak sauce. I could barely run. Did I already say weak-sauce?

This last Sunday was also really cool- because I was able to help Craig Mauck (my boss) in the worship by playing some bass lines. It was uber-sweet-thecool-radness.
Also- been listening a lot to the new Relient K album, which I highly highly recommend. It's all about a break up- and the stuff that follows a break up. The album is so diverse, I love it, a lot alot! x2 It's probably way up there for a Relient K album for me- I mean, I'm really impressed.

And since I'm ADHD (the usurper of ADD) right now, I believe I'll also let all of you know my few tid-bit thoughts of the movie 'WHere the WIld Things Are.' All I can really say, is it was such a different movie from I have seen in a long time- which can also include these things:
The movie was shot in a very beautiful way- I guess they really used big huge fluffy horned dudes/chickens/goblins wild thing costumes, but used CGI for the faces and talking. That part was pretty flawless. The plot was decent- but this movie is definetely not a child's movie- there were a lot of intense moments that would probably freak the poo-doo out of a child, which make you have to take them to the bathroom and help them out, which means that you'd probably miss some key moment in the movie, which would make your brows bend in a downward motion, and we don't want that do we? but yeah, not for kids.

But hey! Here's some good news (and if you've really read everything I've written- then kudos and a resassuring pat on the back to you! ha ha) You know that gorilla story I wrote? Well, I'm going to try to post the video here soon. But currently, I'm thinking about writing some more songs, which I haven't done in a while- I still have such a passion to make cds and tour, so I'm praying a lot about that. The cool thing about all of that is that it's not up to me anymore, so that is pretty much 'i'm in a hammock with a cool breeze and copeland playing quietly next to me' kind of peace. (actually it's a totally different kind...but yah know!...)

Hope you guys are well!

ThEnd

Live and Learn is Living

Well I totally learned something today- that wearing a gorilla suit is nothing like wearing a gorilla suit back home. You know- generally it's kind of warm in a gorilla suit, but in Hawaii, warm doesn't even describe the feeling. Neither does 'hot.' I think the word 'melting' (even if it is a verb...ha!) describes exactly how I felt the other day. I arrived at work at the usual time, and I was met by my friend Chris (who works in the children's department), you see, it turns out that they were filming a video for the children, and needed an actor to play the role of a gorilla. Being the guy who loves to act (and who can turn down acting like a gorilla?) I just right into the role with a big smile on my face, and fur on my feet. I played the role as Paul's (from the Bible Paul) little helper friend who would spread his letters while he was in jail. Two of the other interns, Christy and Jenna, were Ephy (or Ephie? for Ephesians) and 'Sis', two sisters who were always pretty much living their life in the completely wrong manner, and believing in the wrong thing. They were just wrong. :)

We were talking about Ephesians 2:8-9 : 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast.

And they were living their lives thinking doing good things would gain them salvation- so I was the guy to bring Paul's message to them. And this involved popping out from behind a counter and freaking the ever-loving poo out of them and roaring/beating my chest/accidently falling off of the counter onto the floor/still acting and roaring while i'm lying on the ground. It was pretty funny, you see, I meant to stand up on the counter, but I pushed with my hands while I was on my knees, and by golly! a gorilla suit has really hairy knees! Who would've thought? (not me, i guess) and WHAMMO! I hit the floor!

Well after the filming, I had a great evening hanging out with my Grams! French toast and ESPN are a good combo! And she and I got to go see little Abby again, which is always fun stuff. :)

Also- the Colts! off to a great start! hopefully the Seahawks will get stomped this Sunday- but you can never know...hmmmm....so glad Reggie Wayne is doing awesome- and Peyton too!

Hope you are doing awesome! I miss you all, and am excited to see you soon Christmas break!

THEnd

This Week the Trend...

Hey Everybody! It's good to write you again! This week has been great, I've been able to lead worship for Jr. High, and that was 'Lotsa' fun! (had to put in my lame pun, you know, Lotsa, that old generic soda pop)

But the real sha-bang to this whole update is simply: I went and saw a chick flick in a movie theater for the first time in my life last night. Not that it's really important in my life or anything- just saying. :) But I saw the movie 'Love Happens' with Jennifer Aniston and Aaron Eckhart. The whole movie I was just waiting for Two Face to emerge from Eckhart's character, because generally he was just kind of a down in the dumps, super-serious, and often times a little angry. But overall- not a bad film.

Also- just finished watching Heroes season 4 opener! I'm excited, I have no clue where it is going- which is so the best. And The Office was great!

Ok- I gotta fly- gotta go do some major work! Hope you are good. Because I am.

Ricky Ticky Tavi

So when I was a kid I loved that story/movie Ricky Ticky Tavi, it was just so heroic! You know what I mean- a little ferret of a weasel totally taking down an evil family of cobras, beant on killing off a kid and his two parents: that is some Hollywood material if I've ever heard any! Well the other day I was done with work at the church, and my friend Glenn was on the phone, so I thought I would just stroll the sidewalk to find some lizards or maybe a scorpion. Well, as I was standing very very very (x3) still, to my surprise out came a little baby mongoose. He totally didn't see me and lumbered out of the landscape bushes and trees. I stood very still and watched him and he just walked around and sniffed the air with snout- and then he walked out a little farther. Soon he turned his back to me and walked into 'the trench.'

Now my friends- 'the trench' isn't so much a trench to you and me- but definately for the baby mongoose. (it was just maybe a six inch trench to the side of the sidewalk) I followed the baby mongoose for a short bit- and then he noticed me. He made a funny growling noise. He wasn't too happy. I had also heard from my friend Glen (who ran into this very same baby mongoose) that the little fellow did not take to people getting too close, and when he felt threatened he made a little Gollum noise- so I knew it was time to leave him alone to the max. So I kind of stepped back, and he stepped forward.....still staring at me! I stepped back. He stepped forward a little more....still making the Gollum noise....I stepped back one more time, and he ran for it back to the landscape! As I got back in my car I knew I was safe if any cobras/black mambas came my way: and then I quickly remembered...

There are no snakes on Hawaii.

ThEnd

Let's Start at the very Beginning

Hello one and all: It's good to write to you.

Ok- now that I've introduced my very first blog in the most awkward way possible- I can move on. :) And yes- my title to this blog is from the movie Sound of Music. (classic!) But, usually a lot of crazy things happen in my life, and I have always thought to myself: "Why not start a blog?" And so here I am, doing just that!

Lately, I have moved for a year to the beautiful state of Hawaii, where many stories have been made- and I'm sure more are to follow! I am interning at Hope Chapel- as a worship intern, and it has been pretty great! There are other interns here as well, my roomates Glen and Chris are always a lot fun to be around- and there's also Risa, Alyssa, Christy, and Jenna, who are equally as fun to be with! OK! now story time............

Well one thing most of you know about me is I love to play music. A lot. Well, it just so happens that all the interns love music and can sing- but one night I was hanging outside the back porch of the girl's apartment playing some music with Risa. We were singing away to the likes of The Beatles and also our own songs. It was great! When all the sudden a voice from the balacony shouted out: "Play Let it Be!" And it kind of made me suprised, you know, you can't see the guy, and you know he's just sitting up there listening to you playing some songs....Well anyway, Risa started to talk with him, and sure enough he came down- but he went through the apartment and out the back slide door to get to where we were! ha ha- it was pretty funny. He introduced himself and we did as well, and soon he proclaimed who he sounded like when he sang. "Paul McCartney," he said. I didn't doubt him a bit. Until we sang...ha ha! Lets just say he didn't hit all the notes right- but his effort was relentless (and kind of inspiring?) so we played on! We sang Beatles music to Beach Boys, to Metallica to Nirvana, to Boston. He was a nice guy- and even gave us some boogie boards for the beach! In the end, I think Risa and I had a lot of good laughs that night- it was totally fun times! It's too bad, because that was his last night there, but maybe sometime we can accidently 'persuade' somebody to come on down, and sing a song or two.

So my dear readers- the lesson to be learned? If you live in an apartment complex and like to sing on the porch, you might be surprised by who's listening, and then you may be even more surprised when you find yourself singing 'Enter the Sandman' by Metallica with them.

ThEnd