My Turn

im done

2006-01-24T10:18:00.000-08:00

I hate blogging. I am not a writer. If i want to journal i will do it in a private notebook and not let the world know what i am thinking or feeling. sometimes its a little smarter to not let the person next to you know how you are or more importantly what you are thinking. hold some cards in your hand, know what i mean? its too your advantage.
i'm done blogging for a while. if you all want to know how i am doing, call me, its more personal that way.

its been a while

2005-12-14T11:20:00.000-08:00

So, its been a while since I have blogged........sorry, I have been too busy with a tour and bracing myself for what's next.....which may be the most interesting 2 months ever! Everyone needs to watch Jay Leno on the 21st because MercyMe will be on there playing a Christmas song! I get to meet him and hang for the day.....I think that is pretty cool.
And last night we found out that in Jan. we will be heading to the White House to meet the President and play at his prayer breakfast! Apparentley he personally requested that MercyMe be the band that does the service! I cant wait to meet him.......thats pretty amazing........ Now when I watch Forrest Gump again I will have a better understanding of what it was like for him to meet the President.

And, YES, I am bragging! Oh well, it's MY blog site.

Not bad for a band that a lot of people think are winding down their career (which has only been 5 years long) and are losing that "Imagine" edge (popularity) about them. Oh no, it seems to be the complete opposite! And not to mention this Spring they release their 4th record, which I have heard....and is the best so far! God continues to blow open new doors for this ministry and seems to be turning a knob and cracking another one that has the Mainstream world waiting on the other side with no clue what is about to hit them. Or is it US, who have no clue what we are about to face? Life could get real crazy soon......but in a good way! The wife is awesome and supportive and all is good on the Amick front. Bring it on!!!

See ya soon Leno & W.....I mean, Mr. President!

God contiunes to wow us with what he is doing in our lives!

Iron Bowl!

2005-11-18T21:52:00.000-08:00

So, my job has brought me to the "land of college football!" We started rehearsals yesterday in Birmingham, AL, the hometown of my friend Brent Mckinney. He always talks about how big football is down here and today i unfortunatley got a taste of it.
Today at the local arena i made the mistake of asking a local guy who was working for us, something that turned out to be a "dumb" question. I asked, "so, is tommorrow the big game between Auburn and Alabama?" Wearing a Crimson Tide sweatshirt, he looked at me as if I had just asked him to solve world hunger, or if he was male or female! It could have been a simple yes or no question, but he took the oppurtunity to tell me the ENTIRE freakin' history of the two schools involved in the game, and ALL about the game itself. It was like he was an entire ESPN pre-game show all to his-self. He must have gone on for 30 minutes or so talking about the game.
I guess I had to experience the craziness first hand to sort of understand what my friend Brent (an Auburn grad) always talks about. They are football crazy down here for sure.
Maybe they just need a pro-sports team down here or something!

myspace

2005-11-03T22:22:00.000-08:00

My wife talked me into getting one of those My Space sites where you keep in touch with your friends and what they are up to. So, If you are interested, or have a site, come see me!

softball!!

2005-10-06T22:43:00.000-07:00

We lost again tongiht, but we sure had a blast together! Folr only the second game we have ever played, our CBC church team sure looked differetn than last week! we almost pulled one out in the last at bat tonight but lost 20-17. Looks like a football score, but so goes softball....lots of offense and no defense.

We had a great cheering section full of our sisters in Christ from the Bible study group. They were a lot of fun to listen too!

Dave came through and pitched strikes to keep us in it. Jude, Mark and Keith stepped up and had some big RBI's at the end of our line-up. My brother Brett played in the outfield where he doesnt feel very confortable (he's and infielder) and made some GREAT catches out there!

All in all, everyone had a blast and played great! we had som much fun......clean fun! That is what brotherhood is all about !

Hockey????

2005-10-05T12:58:00.000-07:00

That sound you just heard was the dropping of that little black puck thing onto an icy surface and crickets chirpping loudly in the background. Is anyone really excited about the NHL season starting? Somebody wake me up when the playoffs start......that is if the Stars are in it. Apologies to my friend Brent.

Coldplay!!

2005-10-04T10:41:00.000-07:00

Since I dont blog very much anymore, I forgot to write about a wonderful experience last weekend. Coldplay was in town at the Smirnoff in Fair Park and my amazing wife of nearly a year now thought it would be a great idea to get us tickets. She called it a "early" anniversary gift.

This was the most unbelievable show I have ever seen......no, it was beautiful! That really was the only word I could say when I was asked if I liked it.....Beautiful. That's not a word that men normally use, but......

I put on concerts for a living, using very expensive tools to make it look and sound great, and this show still floored me. Mainstream bands are apart of a different world, both musically and financially. And Coldplay definitley used that extra money! They had some of the best production I have ever seen in a concert. It made me appreciate what i do even more after actually watching a concert I wasn't working.

I love my wife for getting me the tickets and i love Coldplay for being the next U2!

date night

2005-10-01T12:44:00.000-07:00

Lizzie and I saw an excellent movie last night. The new Jodie Foster was not dissapointing at all. "Flightplan" is a must see.

Our Tsunami.....

2005-08-31T06:03:00.000-07:00

I could sit here and say that I am devastated by what has happend in the South, with the Hurricane hitting there. The truth is, much like 9/11, it just doesnt seem like this is really happening. It feels like it is a million miles away or that I'm just watching a movie or something.

I love listening to The Ticket, the local sports talk radio show here that doesn't always talk sports. They cover several crude topics that most "guys" like to talk about. The afternoon group, called "The Hardliners," had some rather brash comments about what is going on: Here a few.....paraphrased:

"You know how all those groups from our country go all over the world on "mission" trips and other "humanitarian" trips helping out....lets see who will go just a few hundred miles to lift a hand here. It's our own country god sakes."

"and all those Hollywood actor peoples who pick out the hole-in-the-wall country on the other side of the world to go and "help," all along probably using it as a publicity stunt to get the people talking about them........what are THEY going to do here? You think they will get off their rich asses and roll up their sleeves and help their own countrymen? You think they'll give a rip?"

"What about the rest of the world.......when they experience disasters, famines, wars, etc., we are there in a heartbeat! Who is going to come to OUR aid? If anyone hasn't noticed, we aint the economic super-power we use to be. There are countries out there that could but won't. Maybe England and that's it. We are on our own here! It makes you want to say screw the rest of the world when stuff like this happens to us."

This is our country's worst natural disaster in our short history......and I agree with everything the "Hardliners" said.

2005-08-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

And so it begins! Life is moving forward at an incredible rate and I love it! My wife and I have started looking at houses in the Metroplexand are very pumped about the process. Playing "the game" has been fun so far: should we build or buy pre-existing, how much do we put down, etc. Then, we get home from meetings with people and start designing the interior: countertops, cabinets, carpet color, wood floors or tile.

It is going to be the most exciting and most important decision we will probably ever make together. We are ready to throw our creative sides into the mix and start another project together!

Still have a few years before the kid thing comes into play though.

Homesick

2005-08-03T15:44:00.000-07:00

I dont know if there a person my age who has ever felt as homesick as I fell sometimes. I'm sure there are college/young adult kids who are off at school or at a camp working at times, and are away from home quite regularly. The difference with me is that I am never in the same place for more than 2-3 days at the most, and sometimes never there for more than a day.
What I miss/need:

-My wife
-My friends who are fun to hang with: Jude, Jay, Daniel, Ryan, Brian, Jeremy and the rest of the young men at CBC. Not to leave anyone out
-The Young Adult class at CBC: volleyball, Farney's place, board games. And missing the pool party this weekend doesnt help.
-Being creative with my wife: video, music, design, sound engineering. Not being able to do every video I am asked to do drives me nuts. i wish I could do sound at the church every week.
-Tim Stevenson teaching. I get nothing on the road
-Softball games. I have missed two thursdays in a row. The average is still setting a 1.000 though, with 3 RBI's. (1 game)
-Sitting at Starbucks doing nothing or conversing with people.
-Playing with Hazel the dog
-seeing my family and not feeling like I am just "making the rounds." to please them
-Spending time with more mature couples like the McKinney's.

Yes, "Road-Weary" Wes gets road weary at times and misses the crap out of the Flower Plex. I know God has a plan and things are in motion and that I am doing exactly what He wants me to be at this moment. Can't wait to be off for the Fall!

Summer Festivals

2005-07-04T00:06:00.000-07:00

2:00am. Just got home from work. We did our first festival of the summer. The day schedule is great: work early for about 2 hours, take off ALL day, show late. That mean I actually get to enjoy the place I'm at. However, festivals are stupid!!

Talk about your Christian "Pep-Rally!!" Not taking anything away for what they might do for some people, but for the most part they are a joke. A "camp-high" is secondary to the effect these things have on people. I mean for cryin' out loud, just go to be "entertained," and see some cool bands play some great music. Don't go expecting some earth-shattering spiritual refreshment or anything of the sort. Don't kid yourself! They are fun, but when the "speakers" get involved........it's time to check out and go get a coke or something.

I'll add more when I am awake and out of my zombie-like state! I'm so tired......none of this probably made any sense.

2005-06-20T21:32:00.000-07:00

I echo my friend Katherine's comment on her blog in which she said, "I miss it here!" When you are involved in something that takes you away from the Flowerplex for an extended period of time, you realize how great it is. You realize how wonderful things are, such as: community, fellowship, rest, CHURCH WORSHIP GATHERING (really miss it when I'm gone), friends and family.

I wish I could be home ALL the time. Sometimes I hate my job. Sometimes I hate traveling. I miss my wife ALWAYS. It's a shame that can't happen right now. It's a shame I can't use my gift's and talent's for the work of ministry on a regular basis. Really, for that matter, I can't use them as a means to pay the bills either. I am definitely not doing what I love.

I miss and love teenagers, miss doing technical stuff at a church, and really hope that Jeremy Moore and I go through with our hopes of starting a Multi-Media company soon. After that gets off the ground I want to go work at a church doing media and youth work. Cant wait!

I love seeing teenagers come over and hang at the Amick household all the time. I would love to see it continue! Lizzie and I know what we are called to do, and it's such a cool feeling. I just can't wait to get there.

2005-06-12T21:11:00.000-07:00

Why do I feel like something tragic is headed my way?!?! Is it because things are so great right now that they just feel too good to be true? Why do I feel that since my family has not had to deal with anything horrible that is close to us lately, something will happen soon?

Is it weird to think that I will go before any one else in my family? I don't know, I guess those Vince Gill songs I'm listening to on itunes tonight has me in a weird mood.

Life Updates!

2005-06-06T21:22:00.000-07:00

It has been a while since I have visited this online journal thing, so I thought I would "update" it on all that has been going on as of late. Since my last entry:

-My brother Brett is now a proud U.S. Air Force BMT graduate and can now be referred to as "Airman" Amick! We went to see and support him in San Antonio at his graduation ceremony, which was WAY more powerful and emotional than ANY school graduation I've been to (not to take anything away from this years high school graduating class)! I have never been prouder of my brother, distributed by the 214 pictures I took of him and the family supporting him. I also have never felt more insignificant in the "grand scheme of things" than when i watched him graduate. I mean, I know what I do has some sort of meaning and contribution to the Kingdom, and maybe the country, but....WOW......my brother and all those that serve in the military are flippin' amazing! I respect them sooooo much.

-I have been extremely busy with my hobbies (wish they were my job). I have been asked to do several videos for different church ministries and also had the chance to do sound for our college worship service last Sunday. I hope one day I can get a full time job doing those exact things for a church. I have had a blast with this creative outlet, and it has done wonders for my "edge/stress level" that people say I have latley.

-I went to bible study on Wednesday night and had a blast! Our Young Adult/College class is awesome and I forgot how much I love being around those people. It was great to pray, study and talk with guys that I had not seen in a while. I definitley soaked in every second I was there. I also attended the "Summer Kick-off" party at the Farney House (the home we meet in) and spent all day swimming and playing some mad volleyball!

-Went and saw Star Wars for a second time.....it is soooo much better the second time!

More to update later...I'm tired now.....
GO RANGERS!!!

how suite it is...

2005-05-21T22:00:00.000-07:00

Again, sometimes it pays to have a rich friend/boss who likes to take care of his employees. Today I went to the Ranger game and saw them kick the livin' crap out of the Astros 18-3! We watched the game from one of those air-condirioned luxury suite that is on the lower level at the ballpark. Of the course the air was nice seeing as how it was over 100 degrees today, but I still had to get out there in the heat and watch the boys belt 8 homers!! It was funny, the ballpark actually ran out of the fireworks that they shoot when a Ranger hits a homerun. I can see why those suites cost what they do......all the free nachos, hot dogs, peanuts and drinks you could handle. ALL FREE! Well, free for me anyway. I'm sure it cost someone somthing. Anywho, loved the little "luxury" part of my day. It was....."cool!" Sorry to those that had to endure the heat to watch the game!

Happy Ending!!.....or beginning , I guess

2005-05-19T23:03:00.000-07:00

HOLY FREAKIN CRAP!!!!! I just got home from seeing the final piece of the puzzle.......Revenge of the Sith. A-freakin-mazing! If you can get by the first 10 minutes of pointless droid killing and pitiful dialogue between Anakin and Obi-Wan....then you will love it!
Finally, they all tie-in together!

Nathan....we gotta get together and talk about it. I need your review!

tied 2-2!

2005-05-15T23:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it pays to have a generous friend/boss with money! As kind of an extra "tour bonus/crew appreciation" pitch, I got a ticket to game 4 of the Mavs vs. Suns playoff game at the AAC. There really isn't a bad seat in the house; we were center court, but in the nose bleeds. No no no, he didn't go cheap on us. They still costed (is that a word?) a pretty penny.

The game was amazing! The mavs looked great and won to tie the series at 2 games a piece. I told my wife tonight that if they win game 5 in Pheonix and have the shot to win the series at home in game 6, then we are going into the savings account to get tickets! Tonight was a blast with the guys, but I can't tell you how awesome it is to be married to a woman who absolutley LOVES any sporting event, and loves even more the fact that I get so into these games. She REALLY wants to go to game 6!

So hats off to the Mavs! Go get em' fellas!! Thanks for winning when I was there, it created some memories. And thanks to that unselfish friend/boss who cared enough to treat some crazy sports fans to an INSANE playoff game 4 at the GREATNESS of the AAC in Dallas.

Ah Saturday's....

2005-05-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

Ah, Saturday's! Beautiful Spring day, and I got nuthin'! Plans today: So far I have sat on the patio absorbing the morning in our new patio furniture, surrounded by the new plants and "serenity" fountain we purchased with part of a bonus. VERY COOL! Edited part of the Senior video for my church, stopping to pet the dog at times. She gets jealous when we pay attention to something other than her.
I may run to Starbucks later, but I am still sipping on my cup of Espresso Roast I made at 11:30 when I woke up. I drink Starbucks coffee black now, dont know why.
I don't know, this weather is just freakin amazing. Feeling creative though. May just stay in and edit a lot. Going out to a late lunch may be nice.

It feels soooo good to be home and to do the things I am doing!

Sweet Home Flower Mound!

2005-05-02T20:38:00.000-07:00

HECK YES!!!!

As Forrest Gump would say...."I'm home momma!."

Thats right folks, the tour is over! I'm home for a whoppin' 2 months and cant wait to get back "in it." CBC, Starbucks on 407, my bed, my jeep, Imovie and playstation. Just a lot of chillin'. I love the Flowerplex and all that comes with it. HOME HOME HOME!

2005-04-10T08:22:00.000-07:00

Bloging/Community Stuff

One of the reasons I like blogs with commenting is the ability to create community...which is why I take some time to read the blogs of friends. Anyway, one of my friends had this posted on his blog:

"If you read this,
you must make a comment of a memory you have of me.
it can be anything you want,
it can be good or bad,
just so long as it happened.
then post this to your journal.
see what people remember about you."

Well, I read his.

Since it said that I "must" make a comment of a memory, I did.

Then it says I'm supposed to post it on my journal.

So I did.

So...play the game already.

Best Day of the Year!

2005-04-07T08:09:00.000-07:00

Well folks, the great game is upon us once again! The 2005 baseball season started (officially...in my book) with the first game of the year for the Rangers on the 5th. Unfortunately they lost the opener to the Angels, but all was good, seeing as how I spent my "greatest day of the year" in the best place to celebrate the opener, in YANKEE STADIUM! That's right, the 'House That Ruth Built.' Every kids dream is to one day play in Yankee stadium and every "old kid-former player-former dreamer-now retired from baseball adults dream is to SEE a game in Yankee stadium. Check it off my list!

Red Sox vs. Yankees in Yankee stadium on opening day.......need I say more? Okay, I shall. The rivalry. The history. The game. To sit there and look at that dugout thinking of all the great players that had walked out of there to play in front of the greatest fans in sports....WOW! Babe Ruth, Lou Gerigh, Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, Yogi Berra, Roger Maris.....and countless other Yankee greats that I can remember hearing stories of growing up. Heros to every young player.

New York City is a wild place. Hanging in Times Square was an adventure! The lights and LED video screens in that place are enough to make any Production guy go crazy with ideas of spending sick amounts of money to design a show. Central Park is a sight in itself......to think a park that big can fit right in the middle of a city that crazy. I think that if I lived there I would have to escape there EVERY day to relax and get away from the NOISE of the city. It was a blast, but I wouldnt want to live there!!

Adrenaline junkie!!

2005-03-05T10:30:00.000-08:00

Days off on the road can be some of the most amazing times! They always come right when you need them, just when you want to fall over drained of all energy. The best are those when you find a coffee shop somewhere and hang with friends ALL FREAKIN DAY, and maybe read or just surf the internet. They are scheduled to give everyone a chance to sleep in or nap throughout the day, or just relax by the hotel pool. Just the thought of that right now is making me smile (smile quickly diminished when I realize I'm stuck at a venue right now).

With that said, I did absolutley NONE of that this week. I am now convinced, after 26 years, that we Texans live in the most unattractive part of the country. The East coast is beautiful and historic, but the West coast has to be one of the most entertaining places in the world.
My week:

Sunday show in San Antonio and then headed out West with two days off. We stopped in Ruidoso, NM on Monday to snowboard. The snow was unbelievable! Ski Apache got 7" the night before we got there making for awesome boarding conditions. I had a blast......I will NEVER put on a pair of ski's again.
Tuesday we headed to Nevada to that little Sin City in the desert. The place is unreal! All "sin" talk aside, there has to be more lights and LED video screens on the strip than in NYC and any other city in the world combined. We had lunch at ESPN zone and then headed to the casinos. I lost a bit!! Had Japanese and hot sake that night and then headed to the MGM to see Cirque Du Soliel's KA'. Words cannot explain how beautiful that show was. I felt a bit on the "funny" side when I was nearly moved to tears......or it could have been the sake buzz......not really sure.
After a show in Sacramento on Wednesday, we headed to Lake Tahoe where I was able to experience one of the most thrilling rides of my life! We went on a three hour snowmobiling tour through the mountain passes of Tahoe. Reaching top speeds of 50 mph flying by trees and making jumps that nearly threw me off the machine was a bit crazy, but fun. There was snow there like I had never seen. Feet and feet of untouched, unspoiled snow drifts that you would have gotten lost in had we gone way off the path. I wish I knew how to post pictures on this dang blog thing!! It was beautiful beyond words.
That night I lost more money in the "Biggest Little City In The World," Reno. I didnt mind too much seeing as how I didnt have to pay a dime for all the rest of the advenutre.

To recap: Snowboarding, gambling, Cirque Du Soliel, sake, sleeping in, staying up late, snowmobiling, playing in the snow, and losing more in Reno......amazing! Not to mention that the tour is going wonderfully (more about that in my next entry). The break was much needed to get me through this next run of shows before 3 weeks of NOTHING at home with my wife and kid (hazel the dog).

Real Teen's Conference?

2005-03-02T10:42:00.000-08:00

Does anybody know how the Real Teen's Conference at CBC went last weekend? I looked at some blog sights but nobody commented on them. Haven't heard anything about it. Just curious!

check em out!

2005-02-20T08:41:00.000-08:00

The Afters.......!

A new band on Simple Records that Sony/Epic (mainstream label) has picked up to hopefully be their next Switchfoot. They have amazing hearts that are consumed with Christ and could be making a HUGE inpact for the Kingdom. Check em' out at www.theafters.com

tired

2005-02-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

Im on tour and too tired to blog!

Job security

2005-02-02T20:57:00.000-08:00

MercyMe just learned that their debut album, Almost There, has been certified by the RIAA as Double Platinum! Thats right folks, 2,000,000 records sold. I believe only like 3 or 4 other Christian albums have ever gotten there. Actually very few 'Mainstream' records ever make it to that level.

But wait....theres more! Their second album, Spoken For, has been certified as Platinum (1,000,000 records sold)! So much for "Sophomore Slump!"

But wait, could there be even MORE great news?? Oh yes, they also have been informed that their latest album, Undone, has gone Gold (500,000 sold) in a record 7 months!!!!!! The fastest Christian record to reach that status, EVER!!! Crazy that people think they are headed "on the downward slope," when their third record goes Gold faster than the record which contains that little 'Imagine' song.

Oh no peeps, it looks like the boys in "MercyUs," as some friends of mine so mockingly (is that a word?) refer to them as, are not on their way down, but are just getting started. With a new 3 record deal recently signed, and Sony/Epic now heavily looking at them to begin distribution to the mainstream world, I think i am going to hold on as tight as I can to this bandwagon.....no pun intended......and ride it til it "bucks me off!"
I guess really it's more like a rocket ready to shoot off the pad than of a bandwagon. Whatever!! Should be an adventure, regardless.

(smirking and nodding to the population as I enjoy JOB SECURITY!)

great moment...

2005-02-01T22:44:00.000-08:00

Tonight I wept....
I had one of those moments where I just realized where i am spiritually. I love music. I love songs about Christ. Fernando Ortega and Vince Gill do one of the greatest songs ever written, and it came on the radio tonight as I drove home. The chorus.... " Give me Jesus, give me Jesus. You can have all this world, just give me Jesus." "And when I come to die, give me Jesus."
I wish I could live every second with this mind-set.

If it's too loud, your too old!

2005-01-31T14:03:00.000-08:00

Apparantley the worship music was too loud during church Sunday, according to just a couple of 'older' people in the congregation. Sorry.......I guess. I learned that you just have to pick out the demographic that you are going to "offend" in that line of work. And, I guess since the 30 and unders had been "offended" for some years now, I chose to "let it rip," as Pastor Semmelbeck suggested. Funny, as soon as the 1st service started there was a complaint. People complained all day long though, and not only about the sound. And, by the way, when I say "people," I mean like 1% of the CBC congregation that was there Sunday for College/Young Adult day.

They complained about where the greeters were standing. They complained about the people who handed out the Grapevine (our churches announcement and info. bulletin); that they were not standing in the right place, and that 1 person was not "peppy enough." They complained about Amie leading the music portion of our worship gathering ( I guess because she is young, because surley talent and ability had nothing to with it. If so, thats a joke), and even saw a few people walk out until Tim came up, and then left again when he went off to let the team finish the day. People snickerd at the fact that guys like Jude were serving during the offering wearing jeans and a t-shirt with the shrit-tail untucked.

The attitude of, "oh, isn't that cute, the younger people are doing the service today, and giving the older folks a 'day off,' was dripping down the walls of CBC Sunday. Several of us heard people making those comments and were in disbelief! The thing is, we all were just thrilled that we were able to serve our church family in a new way yesterday. After all, we are all in this together. We all make up the Body of Christ. We know this. Our pastors know this. And, the other 99% of CBC's congregation know's it too. I guess it will just take some time for that 1% to figure it out. I wish I was here to worship at Simply Worship on Feb. 11th with those that enjoyed the music Sunday.

My friend Bob Russell, who by the way loved the volume of the music and the music itself, summed it up: "People don't like change." We have all heard it before, but he is exactly right, they don't. Maybe the 1% should look around and see how much of a minority they really are. I'm not saying there isn't a place for them here, because that would go against everything I have said, but just realize that there are a ton of others who actually enjoyed Sunday, and that there may be a few more services like that more often. You never know.
By the way, Bob Russell is a bit over 30 and still loved the music.

So thanks to the Pastoral staff at CBC for giving us a chance to show everyone that we are apart of this church family and that we can handle serving in some major roles on a Sunday worship gathering at our church. Thanks Pastor Dave for giving me the confidence and 'OK' to "let it rip." Thanks Pastor Bob for the organizing of the band and thanks for encouraging all of us throughout the day. And to Pastors Mike and Bill, I know I am not involved very much with your ministry, but thanks for letting me get behind the board. I know all the college agers had a blast Sunday. I hope that this was a pre-cursor of things to come!!

Oh, by the way, I just figured since our church spent $3,000 (Approx.) on a brand new drum kit, that someone ought to let them hear it for a change. It sounded sweet! Why else did we buy it?

Blah!

2005-01-27T01:01:00.000-08:00

I'm so frustrated with life right now. Except for being married to the most unbelievable woman in the world, and all that is included in the marriage, i'm so.............blah right now. Sharing our lives, loving our dog, having the coolest apartment, cruising in a sweet new car, and helping each other in our walks with Christ, are just a few of the things about me and Lizzie I love so much.
Nothing satisfies me right now. I haven't played the guitar in who knows how long. I still haven't finished editing our honeymoon video because i don't have the drive and desire to do either one. Other hobbies like running sound at the church, or really even going to church don't appeal right now either. Speaking of that, you would think i would be excited about running sound in all four services at big church on Sunday, but I'm not. I have never done it before upstairs, and I have always wanted to, but.....whats the point? Work is starting up again too. I normally would be excited about being at a concert every night listening to good music and hanging with friends, but the thought of being away from my wife for the first time does not sound fun. I already miss her.
I hate reading. I'm not a writer. The thought of going back to school makes me want to vomit. Listening to music depresses me because I want to be able to play it all on my guitar, but have no time to learn anything new, let alone practice it on a regular basis. I feel so out of shape that the very thought of starting to work out makes my joints ache. I'm so bored.
Anyway..........

today...

2005-01-26T23:45:00.000-08:00

Got lost in nashville today with two co-workers! Missed a free steak with friends because of that. They felt sorry for us so they ended up buying us one anyway. The problem was, we didn't get to eat at the 5 star restaraunt and instead settled for "The Best Steak In The South!" They lied! I marinated and cooked a steak twice as good last week for me and Lizzie. Pissed us off because we knew we would have had a much better one at the other place.
Lost $25 in a game of Texas Hold 'Em after dinner. I went 'all in' ($7.50) holding three 3's. I thought I had 'em until the guy next to me turned over a full house. The flop was two 3's and a 7. I had a 3 in the hole (gave me my three 3's), and the only way he could beat me was with the last 3 of the deck and any of the other cards. And would'nt you know it........he had the 3 and a 7. There went the night! I knew I should not have played. A night being bored in my hotel room would probably have been perfect, but time with my friends who I had not seen in a while seemed more appealing.

typed horribly

2005-01-20T19:55:00.001-08:00

well, re-reading what i just wrote earlier on the 'Pan' issue, i could really see how distracted i was. That last 'old woman' quote...."time is chasing after us all....."

26 and counting....

2005-01-20T09:45:00.000-08:00

Monday the 17th I turned 26. Thats right, closer to 30 than 20, and everyone found it point to remind me of that all day. Man, do i ever feel every day of 26. Actually I feel more like 56 with how soar I am from our weekend at Pine Cove. I'm so out of shape. My legs, knees, ankles, and back are killing me. I hate getting out of bed in the morning. I have to gingerly walk about until the joints work out the sleep.

Anyway, the birthday was great! Lizzie took me to eat at Outback, and then to see at movie. The steak was amazing and the movie was about as good. We saw the movie 'Finding Neverland,' staring Johnny Depp. It was a brilliant rendition of how the original story of Peter Pan cam eto be. How J.M Barrie discovered his characters, and how amazing his imagination must have been.

Ironic: realizing that I am getting older, feeling older than ever before, physically hurting more than ever, missing the fun and ease of my childhood, watching a movie about the boy that never wanted to grow up! Oh, to be young again! No bills, no jobs, being spoiled by grandparents, and not a care in the world.

A quote from a 90 old woman in the movie, "time is chasing afte? Indeed, time is chasing after us all! I would love to write a lot more about his thought, but that dang Presidential Inauguration thing on t.v. is grabbing my attention!

"left out?"

2005-01-13T19:08:00.001-08:00

i saw a poster at my church today. It was an advertisement for a new small group ministry that is being started for people ages 20-30. It read, "feeling left out? then come to something new." There was more content of course, attempting to attract people to come and check this group out, and i'm sure it may work.

But it made me stop and think; what exactly are those 20-30 year olds being left out of?

I have ears. i have heard folks say things about how the main church service really doesn't appeal to them, and that they "may go somewhere else to worship." Seeing this advertisement makes me think that our church staff has also noticed that these people are non-existent in the main service. If that is the case, is this their solution? If they notice something is wrong with the service, and are admitting it through this poster, then why not just fix the service?

I dont know......it makes sense to me to just fix the issue, and not act like it will EVENTUALLY 'fix' itself.

mac

2005-01-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

For those that have not heard, my ibook was STOLEN from me over the Christmas holiday! And, believe it or not, it was stolen from my church! Every year Lizzie and I head up the design team that renovates the youth room for their new theme, so i left it there in my backpack in a design/work station area. Very frustrating!! I never had second thoughts about it being taken, especially during that time of the year when the room is closed, only open to us.
Even more sad.....evidence points to student who more than likely knew me, and knew right where to look. My bag was trashed, but they left the power supply, mouse, and even left my checkbook full of blank checks. Not to mention all of the sound and media equipment in that room that could easily have been taken, but it wasn't.
5 years serving these students, and numerous 'theme renovation weeks' worked, up til all hours of the night busting my tail so their room can look great, and all I can think is, "this is what I get?".... "what's the point?" It makes me not want to have any part in that ministry any more.

It may sound like a small issue to most, and it may be, comparitively. I guess it's just hard to swallow.

Movie Review!

2004-12-27T21:29:00.000-08:00

Lizzie and I saw two movies over the Christmas weekend. The first was The Aviator and the other was the Life Aquatic. I usually do not do these reviews, but seeing these movies brought on the sudden urge to rant once again. After all, that's the main reason for most of my blogs anyway.......the RANT!

Now, cursing is pretty much the norm in most movies today, i can accept that i guess. I mean, it aint like I'm a saint or anything, blurting out my ignorance at times. But, how many times can one movie script use the words 'god damn' in it? I mean seriously, if any one has not yet seen The Aviator yet, I doubt you will be able to really watch the flick without being overly distracted by the language. I know I may have sounded like my 85 year old Gideon grandfather just now, who would never let us watch anything other than sports when we were younger, due to the 'language.' (We used to hate going over there!) Honestly, i think the count was up to near 40 before i got tired of counting! GD this and GD that! Dang it......every other freakin' phrase was GD! Did the writer of the movie just run out of things for Leo D to say? Or, was it more on the intentional side? Guess you need to see it to get the magnitude of this.
You know those movies where randomness just ruins the plot sometimes? This was the movie......only with the GD deal. I mean, it was so weird and random. Strangely enough, the F word was used ONLY 1 TIME through the whole movie, and oddly enough, when it was used i remember thinking, "FINALLY! some OTHER cuss word! And it actually fits in the scene!!" Seriously, the use of that word was on cue, seeming like it was in the 'correct' place, if there is such a thing.

Come on......40+ times! It had to be done intentionaly. I mean, there people through-out the whole audience looking at each other and all around to see if others were noticing the same thing.

Other than that, the movie was actually VERY good. Action-packed, great story, and the actors in it were awesome. Kate Blanchett plays an excellent Katherine Hepburn, and Leo actually does an amazing job telling the nutso story of the great Howard Hughes.

The Aviator B
The Life Aquatic.......A-

Very funny, but a bit disapointing. I was expecting fall-over-out-of-the-seat-hilarious, but it wasn't. Owen Wilson wasn't as funny, but Bill Murry more than makes up for it. It's your typical make-fun-of-Jaqcue Cousteau spoof! Worth the dollar to see, but it wasn't your Tennenbaums, Dodge Ball, or Zoolander, which all rated A+'s in our book. By the way, we now own all of those on DVD along with our latest purchase of Napoleon Dynomite!!!

All of your movie reviews are also welcome in the 'comment' section of this blog site. BYE

2004-12-22T21:04:00.000-08:00

SNOW IN DALLAS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas?

2004-12-20T09:42:00.000-08:00

Does it feel like Christmas to anyone else? I swear they could make a movie about me and why I never have that Christmasy feeling until the day of. Then, it flys by so fast that I get no time to enjoy it. I finally started shopping Saturday, a week out. It wasn't fun running around the malls, having little snot-nosed brats bump into me while yelling at their parents about any and everything. I really cant wait until this Christmas is over. Between work, re-designing the youth room, and trying to find time to shop, i think I am going mad!

I need to spend time with my wife...........and more importantly, GOD!

Bring on the Mavs!

2004-12-12T14:51:00.000-08:00

New Orleans 27-Dallas 13........ Vinny sucks. Let the Drew Henson era officially begin!! Lucky 7, please bring us back to the 'glory days'!
I guess all we have now is basketball......thanks a lot NHL! That bites, because basketball doesn't get exciting until the playoffs. Looks like we have 2-3 months of crap for sports.

Chillin

2004-12-11T16:56:00.000-08:00

Wait, no i'm really not chillin. It FREAKIN 75 DEGREES IN DECEMBER! When its this warm around Christmas, it makes it harder to enjoy the 'winter' season. Pipes and cigars are not as enjoyable. Sweatshirts are a little too warm, but without them its a bit too chilly. Whats the deal!! Get cold already!

Long long week. Started working on our Spring tour. A ton of phone calls and e-mails and database type work, all attempted while trying to keep the little pooch entertained. Very Annoying! I love her love.....just hard to really concentrate and get a lot done. i think i need a doggy baby-sitter while i work. The only other option is too put her in the other toom in the kennel, and then try to get through the agonizing sounds of her whining. I am a softy when it comes to little dogs yealping for dear life, as if they are going to be locked away in this 'cell' forever. I mean, she has it good. We spoil that dang dog, giving it more chew toys and bones that it will ever need.

Glad the weekend is here. Lizzie and i going to see Oceans Twelve tongiht. We were huge fans of the first one. Tomorrow.....Cowboys and church, not necessarily in that order. Cant wait to watch the boys play in a game that still matters, even though one more loss and then Sunday games will be as meaningless as .........well, you know.

Go Cowboys!

a quick update.....

2004-12-05T09:42:00.000-08:00

got a new dog........miniature beagle. Shes the cutest thing ever, a little sick right now though. ......got a new car.........jeep liberty.....it's black. And the best part is, rain doesn't get in like the wrangler.

Love being married! It really feels like Christmas this year, something that has not happend for me in a long time. Basically Christmas just pops up on the 24th and then is gone. Kinda sucks that way! But this year it already feels like it!

Well, i dont feel like writing very much right now. bye!

Upon A Winter's Day....

2004-11-24T08:28:00.000-08:00

I don't know, it's more of a hopeful title than a realistic one. Truth is, I wish it were twice as cold! I opened the patio door to investigate into the reasoning behind the 'whistling' noise coming from my windows, and found it be an enjoyable, brisk, north wind. Winter is my favorite.

I'm sure i will always learn more and more about my new wife as we grow together, some good things and some bad. For the most part, so far, I have been pleasently surprised at the newly discovered 'ways' of lizzie. However, keeping with the 'winter' discussion: I learned this morning that although she says she is a winter person, she does not like to be cold. Just as I was on my knees praising God that He has finally graced us with beautiful weather (joke), she was turning the HEAT ON! I couldn't believe my eyes. Of course i couldnt say anything so i just went into the closet, put my sweatshirt back on the shelve and displayed a fake smile. Hey, she is comfortable and i know that is definitley all that matters. If she is happy, then i can go play with my friends while she gets on the internet, and not feel guilty about it.

Today? Lizzie has to go to work for the last time this week (she has vacation for Thanksgiving), so I am going to take advantage of it. I'm going to my newly married friend Nathan's (P-Rock's) house to play Halo 2. I have not been able to enjoy this game of epic proportions, so i am definitley looking forward to it. Other than that? I got nothing! Bring on the turkey!!

no clue....

2004-11-23T11:19:00.000-08:00

i have nothing to do. I have no more internet sites to surf on. I have come to this site to make an effort to blog 2 days in a row, probably for the first time ever. The problem is, i really dont have anything to write about. Im not reading anything right now. I think that today marks the day that i have caught up on rest, which means i can get out there and go to..........well, Starbucks I guess. I am so glad i am home until february!! Talk about chill time! Video projects, decorating our apartment, room decoration at the church with a new theme, man its going to be a great winter! Just need it to snow, and need the UNT Mean Green to win another bowl game!!

Cowboys suck and the Mavs are all hurt! Come on Eagles, give me something great to be excited about in sports!!

My Chill Day....

2004-11-22T11:54:00.000-08:00

Nice day....chilly and rainy, love this weather. The only thing that would make it better would be freezing temps. and snow. I am a little sick though. It may be a lack of sleep. I slept in today though, til 10:30.....hopefully i will feel better.

lizzie is at work so i played medal of honor online this morning.....killed lots of nazi's. It was fun. I wish i had an XBOX. I heard it is awesome! Come on friends, ask me over to play it if you have it.....hint hint nathan.

Had a burger for lunch. Even though today is officially the first day of my diet, it tasted great!! Hey, i cooked it on the Foreman Grill, doesnt tha help? I ate it on a whole wheat bread....i'm trying. I love Diet Dr.Pepper! Had one of those too.

Today???? I got nothin....just more of the above mentioned! Chillin'!! My job??? Off til Feb.,......no shows til Feb. 10, the start of our Spring tour. I cant wait to be home for three months chillin with my new wife, and all my friends at Starbucks! The planning of the tour has begun, but it is just a lot e-mailing and conference calls, all done from the luxury of my home, at my desk, and on my new iMac G5. I love that computer. I love that I dont have to work in some cubicle in downtown. I like my home, and i like working from my home as well.

Listening to By The Tree, the only album that is worth anything from them, their first one. How does a band go from 'Rock Album Of The Year' one year, to total crap on the nest three albums? Unreal. Thats what you get when you try a new sound i guess. People bought your first album because they liked that sound, not the new sound. They never figured it out, sadly.

Got to get a new phone, and go look at dogs...for my wife. I was told last night that if i really wanted to wait a few years to have kids that i needed to get her dog, badly. Something about those maternal instincts kicking in early. 'So thats why she has been on the internet for hours looking at pounds and adopt-a-pet sites!'

No problem...ill get her 7 dogs if that is what it takes to hold her off a few years.

HOME AT LAST!!!!!

2004-11-16T13:51:00.000-08:00

We were up for 24 straight hours, save for the very few moments when i closed my eyes on the plane. I cant sleep on planes. Too uncomfortable......i'm 6'1''. Lizzie sleeps fine. Too much turbulence (sp?). Flying across the pond made it even worse. We had first class on the way over, but coach on the way back. The honeymoon was over the moment we stepped on the plane for the trip back. Sucked!! Layed over in Atlanta for 7 hours. No sleep there either because we were on standby, having to walk to just aout every terminal in the airport because we kept getting bumped off of flights. Oh I forgot.......9 hours from Madrid to Atlanta, and another 2 hrs 15 min. to Dallas.

Got to bed at 12:00am our time....I say that because it was 7:00 AM on our bodies (Spain time). We had been up since 4:30 AM Spain time the morning before starting our three flight trek home. I LOVE AMERICA!!!

Seriously, its the greatest country in the world. Its home. I'm comfortable here! I dont mind suburbia. This is where God wants me. I love my the attitude of my friend Brent. He always says, "it would be great to live in some cool urban setting, or in another country like Holland, away from the suburbs, but i feel like God has me here to do something about this community." I para-phrased a bit there, sorry Brent. He's right. I want to be here to help change the mind-sets. Help these people realize there is more out there than this 'Flowerplex.' I grew up in this town and i wont run away because i dont like the arrogance or the superficial attitude of the person in the lexus next to me.

This town can know revival, and I want to make myself available for Him to use me to be apart of it, if He so chooses. I love it here!! Thank you Europe for helping me to realize how much I love it!! It was an amazing 12 days, but i'm glad i'm back...ready to hit the ground running!!

homeward bound

2004-11-13T14:33:00.000-08:00

Hello all!!

Well, Lizzie and I will be home Monday, and strangely enough....we are ready to be there. We have had the most amazing time and probably could stay longer and see more, but we miss the Flowerplex! We arer ready to live together in our home. We are ready to get back to work. We are ready to see our families. Basically we have found that our normal everyday lives are pretty cool after all!

We are back in Barcelona tonight, and will be here until we fly home on Monday. Thinking about the schedule is funny. We will start to fly home at 6:30 am Monday Barcelona time, which is 11:00pm on Sunday Dallas time. We wont land at DFW until 6:30pm Monday Dallas time. Talk about a long long day! Tonihgt we visited a local mall-supermarket type place. We went cheap and bought local meat, bread and chesse, added some `Cola Light`as they call it, and plan on having a nice little feast for breakfast and lunch tomorrow. It is a bit on the expensive side over here, especially with the U.S. dollar doing so poor around the world.

The language barrier has been tough to breakthrough at times. We had scary moment tonight as we were trying to get back to our hotel from downtown Barcelona, and if it hadnt been for some great hand sign like motions with some local old ladies, we would have been lost.........in the dark. I thought i knew where i was going, trying to play the cool, tough, and very new ´husband role.´ But Lizzie came through and hooked up with those before mentioned older folks, and tryies to communicate. I guess we somehow mentioned a key word about the vecinity of where our hotel was, as they got a map and pointed us in the right direction......in Spanish! It all worked out though, and now we are safe in the confines of our hotel.....watching CNN over and over because thats the only channel in Ingles (English).

We had to learn how to use public transportation (the Subway), because its the cheapest and easiest way to get around. After all the horror stories of subways like those in NY, we were a little apprehensive about getting on one. But needless to say, after we got ripped off by a cabbie this morning, the subway is GREAT! He took us to our hotel from the cruise ship, which i estimated was no more than 2 miles away. When we got there the meter read 10.20 Euros. After he got our bags out, with my help by the way, he went back and started to mess with the meter. After much messing with many buttons, and rambeling off some Espanola, the meter jumped to 21 Euros!! I thought I caught something in there about the luggage we had being an extra charge, but i wasnt sure. Whatever the case, i paid the man what translated to about 28 US Dollars!! Thats right, to go 2 freakin miles!!!!

Oh well, thats another reason we cant wait to get home......english speakers and english TV. Not to mention that i havent seen a lick of Sportscenter in a week and a half! Talk about torture. I want to be like Ashton Kutcher in Just Married and go and find and ´American´ sports bar, and wtch some ´American´sports!! This European Football (Soccer) crapola is killin us!!! That dang sport totaly dominates over here!

Anywho, we are tired. Time to go watch CNN News Tongiht!!!!!!

wes and lizzie

Your dang right!!!

2004-11-02T08:38:00.000-08:00

Today.........

-my wife left our apartment for work as i kissed her goodbye, for the first time! Do I really get to wake up next to her for the rest of my life?!?!?!? Awesome!

-I have to do laundry and pack for our trip over the pond to lands never before traveled by this portion of the Amick family. Can't wait though! Hope I dont get sea sick. Hope the French are polite. Any advice Rose?!!?

-Fall is definitley in the air, and I love it! Even though it is about month over do, the football boys in the community will finally have some 'correct' weather to play in. At last the new wind chimes on the patio have something to be excited about.
We face North!

-I have already sat back on the couch and looked around the apartment and noticed the massive amount of bounty we collected from generous freinds and family from the wedding. Our place feels so much like home already. Its wonderful! Thanks to all who got us gifts!

Perfect!!

2004-10-31T17:23:00.000-08:00

So right now I'm thinking.....

-that the ring on my left hand looks amazing.

-how awesome it is that i now get to call my best friend my wife!

-that the wedding and reception last night was perfect and worth every penny after all.

-how great it was watching the Cowboys at the sporst bar, in the hotel, with Lizzie. It was even better that they won. And yet even better that it was her idea to go down there to eat and watch. Got to love a woman who loves and understands sports.

-that Keyshawn Johnson is not as much of a jerk that people make him out to be. Watching him catch two touchdown passes today was great, but what he did with the balls afterwards was even better. He didnt spike them or do a stupid dance with them, or even throw it far into the stands before ripping a sign off the wall (Terrell Owens, last week). He ran right over to the first row of stands and then handed the footballs each time to a different person who was either handicapped or mentally challenged. The first time it looked as if he spent a few moments talking to the guy, totally making his day im sure! It made mine and it made me a huge Keyshawn fan. I'd like to think that that is the real Keyshawn, and that when he gets into trouble with his attitude, its because he is just a competitor with a desire to win.

-that it was so amazing having the people in our wedding that were in it. They were wonderful.

-that i cant wait to get back home and open all of our gifts!

-how smart we are by not immediatley going on our honeymoon. I dont see how people do it. Late night at a reception, then a 5 am flight to some destination. We slept in......it was much needed!

-that it sucks before a long flight this week my computer cd drive is broken.

Thanks to all who were apart of the wedding and to all who came as well.

Yeah Anyway.......

2004-10-27T16:31:00.000-07:00

Somebody PLEASE tell me.........

-Whats really wrong with getting an SUV? Don't give me the 'granola' answer of "it hurts the planet using too much gas," CRAP! Last time i looked, every car uses gas, and a lot of it, especially now. Besides, everyone I know who thinks that way drives. Funny how i might drive just down the street and back (2-3 Minutes at most) in an SUV all day, and its the person who drives a little hoopty compact to dallas and back everyday that complains about SUV people. Yeah, like that old junker is "saving the planet." Are you kidding me! Sometimes maybe the whole 'cool, hip, trendy little urban' way of thinking about our culture and community isn't right.

-why is it so easy for people to settle for mediocrity in their jobs, especially when it directly affects others around them? Or worse, when it occurs with someone in ministry. Or when they constantly say things like, "Well, we've ALWAYS done it that way" or, "Man, i really think that this way will be GOOD ENOUGH."

-Why people dog ME for not blogging on a daily or even sometimes weekly basis.? Funny how even days away from my wedding people say this stuff to me, but then i get on their links to other poeples sites and the rarity of entries is just as common. Sorry if i have a little bit going on right now.

-Why we are spending so much money on our wedding? Would it be smarter to keep all that money and save for a house? Just have our parents come come to a small ceremony! Oh yeah, we want all of our friends and church family to attend, because we love all of them. The money spent will be worth every single penny, honestly.

down to the wire...

2004-10-23T23:26:00.001-07:00

This time next week lizzie and i will be married!!! Holy crap!
We have a ton to do and probably not enough time to do it in, but we will certainly try to get it done. Programs to make and print. Change of address cards to get. Decorations to finish. Move Lizzie into the apartment. Get gifts for people in the wedding....EXPENSIVE!!!!
The list certainly goes on and on, but on the back end of it all will be the mot exciting adventure that she and i will probably EVER partake on together! Can't wait to begin my life together with her!!

Let the countdown begin!!

down to the wire...

2004-10-23T23:26:00.000-07:00

WHAT HAVE I BECOME....

2004-10-19T22:32:00.000-07:00

Today I was informed by a friend I love and respect, that I am in danger of becoming what I vowed never to become.......THAT GUY!! I promised to all who cared that i would NOT be 'that guy' who starts one of these little blog things and never uses it. It seems as though I have gotten into a trend here where blogging is the farthest thing from my mind. Sitting at my computer late into the night after a LONG LONG day is not attractive. Nor is the idea of getting up 'a little earlier' to blog ater a late night thinking of busyness a good thought either.

Sorry it's been so long.

So, whats been keeping me from you all?

Work........the new added responsibilities with the band has me making a ton of phone calls and e-mail messages! This really is a tough job at times. The whole show depends on me. If things suck....What did I do wrong. If it goes well....well, it's SUPPOSED to, so no extra attention. Oh well. I see it kind of like an umpire in a ball game. If he calls it well, no one knows his name. However, if he does a horrible job, EVERYONE know his name, and he gets death threats from 'Joe Average Fan' for the rest of his life. OK, so i dont get death threats, but you catch my drift, yes!?

Wedding........A week and a half from what probably will be the greatest day of our lives ('probably'-- i'm sure children and such rank up there). Stress levels have fluxuated worse than my weight, but i think over all we have handled things pretty well. We just have a ton of last minute little things that people warned us about months ago. Well, that final week is just about here. Excited yes, scared no, nervous......... not yet. Ask me next friday.

Apartment.......AWESOME BUSYNESS! ( is that how you spell busyness? oh well.) We have had a blast spending money getting the place ready. Expensive, but fun. New T.V., new shag rug, new furniture. It already feels like home. And the best part of it.....it's close to everything!! Thats a great deal because gas prices in this area are crazy! God forbid i buy a bike and ride it everywhere! Stay tuned on that one. The jeep is in bad shape.

Sports.......The Cowboys are on (bouting moments of anger). The Rangers are done (bouting moments of depression and heart break). The baseball playoffs continue are getting good (spending many moments on the edge of the couch watching intensely, hoping the Evil Empire gets tossed off the throne of greatness.) Only true baseball fans will understand that one. And then, A monday night softball win at the hands of a forfeit! Forfeits absolutley suck. You get out there and loosen up, go through the trouble of getting dressed and driving 15 minutes to the mall, and then deal with mosquitos that look like they are straight out of the teeneage mutant ninja turtle puddle of 'secret mutating ooze'! Yuck. Not kiddin, the size of some small cars, sucking life's blood right out of me.

All that to say, things will probably staty this busy for a couple of weeks here until the Amick family is created and established in the FlowerPlex.
And who knows, by the next time i blog i may have figured out how to paste pics on here, and then you can see the sights of Europe with me and Lizzie and our honeymoon. FUN!

WHAT HAVE I BECOME...

2004-10-19T13:20:00.000-07:00

beat down....

2004-10-06T21:52:00.000-07:00

I could count on one hand the amount of blogs I have read where people have actually been encouraging, or encouraged, or joyful, or confident. People write like the weight of the world is on their shoulders. IT'S DEPRESSING!

People act like they aren't blessed beyond their wildest imagination. They act like they aren't loved more than they can possibly fathom. They act like we will be here dealing with this crap forever!

Makes me wonder if anything out there is going on in people's lives that make them smile. Are they not seeing enough of God's glory revealed around them? Are there no success stories out there of people experiencing His grace shown in the lives of others? Is His mercy, grace and love not sufficient or fulfilling enough to allow us to put all other thoughts or problems aside as secondary issues? Not apparent enough to be overwhelmed with joy at the thought of His love?

We ALL suck at this......a lot! Sometimes i just get beat the frick down by this 'woe is me attitude.' I know i can be the worst of all at times, but when it's ALL I READ ABOUT in other people's lives.........???? WOW

fall is in the air.....

2004-10-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

October is here! You can definitely feel it in the air. 75 degrees outside, with a cool breeze. Cool enough to put a light wind breaker type jacket on. Football is on t.v.! The Major League Baseball playoffs are a week away, with the 'Fall Classic' (world series for those who don't get into baseball) on the tail end. It's weather like this that makes you love having a Jeep Wrangler!

Today, not a care in the world. This weekend has started off amazing! Last night Lizzie and I got the keys to our new apartment in Flower Mound and started mving stuff in. I actually move in on Monday, but we could not wait to go over and just be in there. Just to look around and talk about what is going where, couches, lamps, things like that. Lizzie will move in after we are married.......we feel this is the 'proper' thing to do. After that we made a last second decision to not go to the Marcus football game, because of bad weather, and went to Grapevine Mills instead. What a wonderful alternative! Had dinner at one of our favorite place, then bought movie tickets to see Mr. 3000. Decent movie, Bernie Mac is hysterical. We had time to spare so we went to Gameworks. Lizzie and I are competitive! After two games of air hockey, there was no clear 'champion' of the night. It took 5 more games to decide who was the best, tying several games in a row. I have to admit, Lizzie kicked my tail!! The kid can talk some trash when she wins too!
What was great, we didn't talk about wedding plans, money, family differences of what a wedding should be, or stresses of work. We were Wes and Lizzie, and it was GREAT! It was much needed.

Slept in this morning, had a shower, went to Starbucks to start things off right. Listened to chill music and read a book outside, in the cool breeze. Many times closing my eyes to feel the comfort and joy of the moment. LOVE THE FALL!

And tonight? BACHELOR PARTY! Hanging with friends....new and old! Guys I haven't seen in a while, guys in the wedding, and family, all spending the evening together just hanging. Can't wait.

I promise I'll be good.

2004-09-30T22:01:00.000-07:00

If you guys like books by John Eldridge (Wild At Heart), then I suggest you check out a new one from him, Epic. I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Food for thought......well, made me look at things a bit differently anyway.

For those teenagers we work with.....the ones who frustrate you to no end, but at the same time you cant stop loving them, or caring for them. I believe this describes them.
"The dilema is this, we dont know if we want to be rescued. We have become enamored with our small stories and our false gods, we are so bound up in our addictions and our self-centeredness and take-it-for-granted unbelief that we dont even know how to cry out for help. And the evil one has no intention of letting his captives walk away scot-free. He seduces us, deceives us, assaults us-whatever it takes to keep us in darkness."

We are captives of the heart. It's funny to think about the things in our lives that are used against us!

" You must understand, the evil one hates God, hates everything that reminds him of the glory of God....wherever it exists. Satan turned his sights on those who bore God's image. He sought his revenge. He sowed the seed of mistrust in our hearts; he has tempted us to seize control. He lurks in the shadows waiting to prey on our mistrust."

Why do we live like there is no real villian in this story we are in? We live without respect for the enemy. We think we are safe, out of his reach. HE LURKS! In the darkness, he waits patiently for us to distrust God. He waits to prey on the wounded.

Are our eyes open?

a wonderful season.....

2004-09-30T21:42:00.000-07:00

Dissapointing, yet, unbelievable at the same time. I have been to quite a few ranger games as of late, and whats great, they were ALL meaningful, right up to the game as i was at last night. In all the years I have been a ranger fan i dont think i have ever gone to as many games at the ballpark as I did this year. Like Brent, I also expected the young inexperienced rangers to lose 100 games. Not only did they not lose that many, they made a run at the AL West up to the last minute. Really, up to the top of the 10th inning in last nights game, when Fransico Cordero gave up a 2-run homer to lose it. I was proud to give the team a standing O as they walked into the dugout knowing that mathmatically it was over.

I cant explain to you how much i enjoyed watching my team surpirise everyone, including me, by winning so many games. Man, only if they could have pulled it off!!

Cant wait til next April!!

sports sports sports.....

2004-09-27T21:57:00.000-07:00

Good day.....

Started by being woken up around 11:30 am by Nathans cat. Not crazy about hearing that first thing in th morning, but the fact that I got to sleep til then, made up for it. Many thanks to Nathan and Brent for letting me crash at their places for the last few weeks until i move into my apt. on saturday. WOW........October 1 move in date has me extremely excited!
Married in 32 days!!!!!!!!!

Went to the mac store with Steve-O to look at things neither of us can afford. Had Chick-Fil-A for lunch.......love the chargrilled club. October 1 also starts the much debated 'low-carb' diet. I mention that because you have to know that i absolutley LOVE their waffle fries. Spent too much money on a power supply for my ibook, and then walked around Willow Bend mall. Plano is overflowing with RITZ. Makes me vomit.

Had a softball game tonight in which our team won again to go 3-0 on the early season. I went 2-3 at the plate to get my total in the first three games to 6-9 with 4 RBI's. I'll take it. .667 average!!

After the game we went to the Z Bar and Grill with a bunch of frineds to cheer on the Cowboys and the Rangers. Cowboys won a nail biter in an axciting one, but the Rangers, however, may have just seen their season come to a close, officially. I know i wrote them off a couple of weeks ago, but improbable wins in the last week had given them hope. Key word....HAD!! IT IS OVER NOW FOLKS!

What great day!

A Great Feeling!

2004-09-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I really dont like my job. Gone for 2 months at a time, only seeing my fiance for about 12 hours out of those 2 months can take it's toll. Living with 8-25 guys at time, all day, depending on the trip, may sound great to a sorority chick, but for me.......not so much. Flying with a bunch of gear that needs to be opened by some security guy at the airport because the cases they are in makes it look like we are in an assasin squad, sucks! Arriving 2-3 hours early at the airport, which in most cases is 4 or 5 am, is brutal. Then doing it all over again the next two mornings to get to another show, then home. Sometimes it's a beating. Makes me wonder why I do what I do sometimes!

But then, I get a chance to help a friend out because i may have a connection with a band he wants to see. Last night for example, i was able to hook my friends Daniel and Mark up with tickets and backstage passes to a concert. They thanked me afterwards saying they had a great time, and that makes me feel great! A fulfilling, satisfied..............feeling, I guess. Sorry, not sure how else to describe it. Fulfilling and feeling sounded funny together.

Paying 20-40 bucks a piece for concert tickets sucks! Especially if your a college kid!

The job has it's perks...

Weird day!!

2004-09-19T22:03:00.000-07:00

Unlike the saturday my friend Brent had, my Sunday was not a day full of victories. It was a weird day. Ups and downs, dissapointments and surprises, with a few 'victories', yet mared by a few defeats.

I woke up at 7:00 am thinking it was time to get ready to go to church. Then I looked at my watch and realized it was way to early to get up. Why then was a awake? Wait a second.........I fell sicker than a dog! I go to the bathroom deciding that if i just take a shower and start my day off early, that i would feel better. Not exactly what I needed. As soon as i got out of the shower, it hit! I hit the floor at last nights dinner hit the toilet! Gross, i know. Im staying at the Mckinney's for the time until that wondeful day in october when i get married. Tracy said that Kelsey, their daughter, had gotten sick at around 5:00 am, and that when she heard someone in the bathroom 2 hours later she thought that it was Kelsey again. After a second listen, she thought, "Thats a little 'deeper and 'lower' heave than that of my 13 year old daughter!"
Funny quote, I thought.

Went back to sleep until 12:25 pm, missing church completly. Woke up feeling a little better. Well enough to get a burger from Wendy's i guess. Lord knows my stomach was empty! Sat on the Mckinney's couch, ate, and then tried to get my act together. Lizzie called and needed help with wedding thank you cards, and wanted me to come out to her house. I'm starting to learn a lot about this relationship thing, and how it's not always about me. See, my thing is, i wanted to chill on the couch all day and watch the Cowboy game, since i missed the entire first game due to work. So driving to her house to please her caused me to miss the kickoff and first half of the first quarter. But, she was thrilled to see me, and her smile and hugs MORE than made up for the dissappointment of missing a few plays in the game.

Thank you cards are not fun to write! But i loved the gifts and more importantly, love the people who sent them to us, so i was pleased to write them out. Plus, it was great to help my future bride out, who had been busy writing them all day sunday, her day off! It would have been really easy to be totally selfish, but chose not to be.

THE COWBOYS WON! A definite + for the day!

Got to go to the late church service, but then missed a vert important metting about an upcoming worship event we have at the church next week. A planning meeting in which i was hoping to give some input and ideas to the people in charge. I hope i didn't upset anyone who was expecting me to be there. Lizzie and I had something pop up right after church, and it had to be handled. She is definitley more important than anything or anyone else in the world! Sorry folks.

Went to my favorite restaraunt, Chili's, and had a great meal with my sweetie. Went to the Mckinney's and watched punked. Great show! We laughed a lot. But then, the fajita pita i inhaled kicked in! I had to revert to the pepto pills to take care of second bout of stomach crud.

Kissed Lizzie goodnight and now i'm ready for bed. I hope tommorow is a little less eventful. But i loved the kiss!

good lunch

2004-09-14T13:54:00.000-07:00

mmmmmmmmm, i forgot how great China Star is! It was a wonderfully fulfilling afternoon.

it's over folks......

2004-09-13T23:04:00.000-07:00

well everyone, i have officially called it quits. The 2004 baseball season for the Texas Rangers is over! Yes there are still 19 games left and they are only 6 back, but it's over. I didn't want to give up on my boys, but the wind has been sucked out of my sails.

Tonight i was sitting with lizzie having a snack at a new local restaraunt (Z bar and grill for all you flowerplexers), and we were enjoying the new HD ready sports bar. Then the emotional roller coaster set in. They fell behind, then regained the lead. I told lizzie that this was their year and it was meant to be!! It was so exciting! But then, things turned for the worse and they lost it in extra innings 7-6. It's an extremely dissapointing time for Mr. Amick here.

It's cool.....football has officially arrived. Oh yeah, the Cowboys lost their opener too! What is the deal with my pro sports teams?!

control freak........

2004-09-11T20:47:00.000-07:00

so last night i am sitting in my hotel room and realize that it’s the 10th of september. normally that would not be a date of significance, but i thought to myself, ‘ironic that tomorrow i fly to ohio for work.’

today’s date.......september 11th.

i have to admit that it is a bit odd being on an airplane at the exact time of the terrorist attacks two years ago today. more than likely everyone watched their news channels today broadcast several different shows about ‘9/11......remembered’, and other specials with similar titles. thinking about how special this day is to all of us, remembering where we were on that morning, and how it changed our country and our lives forever.

I can admit that it made me somewhat nervous to think about, even though it is said to be the ‘safest’ day of the year to fly. sort of comforting would it not be for the fact that every time i get in an airplane i start to think. No matter how skewed and and unfaithful the thoughts are, they still mess with me spiritually. My faith sucks when i fly. my prayer life all of sudden becomes the best it’s ever been, asking God to bless our flight and watch over the plane. Asking him to comfort my family and friends if something happens. telling him how much i love Him and how i place my life in His hands to do with as He wishes. As if thats news to Him, me telling Him to do with me as He wishes. It’s not like its this submission of me to Him, to do His will, but more of an attempt to let Him know how ‘comfortable’ I am with Him calling me home whenever. IT’S ALL A LOAD OF CRAP!!

truth is, it’s revealed to me how fake my trust can be and how i can be so immature in my faith when it comes to things like this. why is it that as soon as we land i forget that ‘closeness’ or ‘focus’ that i had with God. no matter how insincere or ‘fake’ it seemed to be, it was still closer to and more focused on Him than i am at any other time. I mean, at any given time it could be ‘it’. riding around in my false security on the ground in flower mound, or traveling in the bus for work instead of flying. it could be while i’m eating or whenever else. point is, it’s a control thing. i like to think that i’m in control of my car, how i drive and where and when to stop or go. i dont like to have to trust a pilot or flight crew to get me on the ground safe. i like being able to see where i’m going.

the thing is, when in any of those situations are we ever in control? praise God for His sovereignty! praise Him that no matter what, He is there, and He is extremely patient with my lack of faith and passionate love for Him. HE REMAINS THE SAME! He remains on His throne and is crazy in love with me, and its all right. whatever the situation, its all right. the song we sang the other night ‘It Is Well’ comes to mind. it has to be looked at this way, or you could go crazy with worry.

I am there quite often, but then i have a revelation like this. One that exposes my weaknesses and shows me how much i still have to grow and learn, and how much more i could love and trust Him. how things are all right in the area of Him in control, and how life could be so much more joyful in knowing and believing He is there and is in love with us.

what a comforting thought........praise HIm!

In Orlando

2004-09-10T15:13:00.000-07:00

First of all i just want everyone to know that I am not, nor was I ever, an English major. I hated english class. I hated english teachers. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I hated everyone in my english class. Yes, I was full of hate during high school, but then, isn't every high school student? I say that because there are many people I love (nathan, brent), that pay very much attention to grammer, writing, poetry, run-on sentences, and other things of that nature that I really don't care too much about. Obviously......you can tell by what you have read to this point.
I say all that as a disclaimer to everyone, that when you read my entries I hope you will look past all that junk. The fact that I am doing this whole blogger thing is crazy enough to me. More than likely they will simply be my rantings, which I know people hate, or quick props to my peeps, but occasionally you may find something in here that I hope makes sense. Something that I hope makes someone think. Sounds crazy but you never know.

Anywho, keep checking this thing as i will try to avoid being that guy who never blogs once he has one of these.

I'm in Orlando, FL tonight avoiding Ivan. We are doing a show at Universal Studios. We play at 11:00. (I believe those are sentence fragments aren't they nathan?). Anywho, I am headed out to eat dinner with spider man and all the other Marvel Comic peeps. This place is really cool..................IF YOUR FIVE!!!!

im here

2004-09-06T23:48:00.000-07:00

well, here we go, does this thing work?