So… it’s time to force myself to post other stuff by going with a new theme for a while. About this time of year, when I’m really over winter, I spend a lot of time thinking about summer. When I think of summer, I start thinking about Cornerstone Festival. Even in years when I’m not going, I follow along with my friends via e-mail, twitter, and photos and experience the buildup and the festival with them. I’m hopeful about attending again this year and it’s still more than three months away, but the excitement is starting ignite, like a tiny spark at the bottom of a pyre.

In the buildup and anticipation, I’ve decided to post every couple of days some of my favorite videos from Cornerstones past on youtube here and talk about them a little bit. One of the great things about Cornerstone is the laissez-faire attitude the festival takes towards audio and video recording. (Um, festival organizer friends, let’s pretend you didn’t see that last sentence. Okay? Okay.) Record labels may not like it, but what it means is that Cornerstone is one of the best documented Christian festivals out there, with plenty of material out on the Internet. I did some extensive searching and I’ve narrowed it down to 35 (yes 35!) videos. I’ll be posting them in chronological order from the first festival in 1984 up to last year’s festival every couple of days from next week up to the week before the festival. Please note, these aren’t all the *best* performances at Cornerstone. Some of those are sadly, not documented, or not online. These also are not the best quality videos. Some are barely listenable, barely visible recordings done with amateur equipment, but I hope they catch the energy of the performance. Some of the shows I was at, many I was not at. I’ll discuss a little bit of context around the video and I’d love to have some discussion about the bands and performances in the comments.

I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did selecting the videos and hopefully they will all embed with no problems and such.

The new songs are so new they haven’t even really been formally recorded yet. One was still pre-lyrics as Karin just wordlessly rang out the notes. Their parents were on their minds as Linford mused about the death of his father and how a man’s perspective changes when he buries his father. His thoughts coalesced into a song with lyrics about how their love should be like Johnny and June Carter Cash and “Who Will Bury Who.” Karin also had a song about her mother who currently resides in assisted living after a stroke and about how the whole place is a “collision of comedy and tragedy” in her song “Only God Can Save Us Now.”

The night wasn’t all maudlin, though. Linford was amused by a woman who requested a song “about a satellite.” He couldn’t immediately figure out what song she was talking about, but quickly realized she meant “I Radio Heaven.” He proceeded to entertain us with a spoken word version of the song. Karin introduced us to two new songs both tangentially related to her dogs. There was some fun pickin’ and grinnin’ as Jake Bradley led the band in a rousing version of “You Don’t Know My Mind.”

The band also put a couple changes are what are now old standards. Karin’s song “Ohio” was given some musical depth with Linford on bass and Jake on guitar. I always associate “Who Am I Kidding?” with Mickey Grimm and his frantic drum solo, but with his absence Kenny explored the song a little more on guitar. “Professional Daydreamer” was also given a nice full-band treatment.

There aren’t many bands out there brave enough to try out new material on their audiences before it’s been polished to a sheen and put out on CD, but part of the fun of following Over the Rhine is following the development of their music and how some songs start out as one idea, but in a couple of years end up sounding totally different. At this stage, it appears that Karin and Linford are at only the beginning of another song writing cycle and we are in for another chapter in the story of Over the Rhine.

Set list (* – new songs are guesses on my part.)
I Want You To Be My Love
Etc. Whatever
Trouble
I’m On A Roll
C’mon Boy *
Who Will Bury Who *
Only God Can Save Us Now *
Who Am I Kidding
Ohio
Professional Daydreamer
What a Waste *
Trumpet Child
-Q & A- (I Radio Heaven by Linford)
Soon (no words) *
All I Need Is Everything
—
No Kill Shelter *
You Don’t Know My Mind (Jimmy Martin cover)

In the morning in the winter shade
On the first of March, on the holiday
I thought I saw you breathing

Dear cardinal,

We’re sorry you’ve already migrated back here. We thought it would be spring here by now, too. Please be patient. Maybe in a couple weeks it won’t be so dreary around here.

Signed,

Eagerly awaiting spring in Atlanta.

I think she liked them.

That doesn’t mean the month has been all bad. I wish I had the discipline of some of my friends that blog a list of good things that happened every day in a month. I look back on a month and I can’t remember that much. There were bits and pieces here and there though. We’ve been taking the girls out a lot, just to fight off cabin fever in the house, and they’ve been very good for us. Thus far, we’ve avoided having to leave a shopping center or resturaunt early because one of them is throwing a temper tantrum, but I’m sure it’s bound to happen eventually. (Maybe it helps that they LOVE shopping, just like their mom.) I’m starting to finally get back to exercising and running and someday I’ll be brave enough to brave the weather and run outside again. We’ve been in the slow process of getting the house back into decent shape after all of the clutter from Christmas and we’re slowly regaining ground. As for work, well, we’ll just talk about good things here.

It’s been a month of hibernation, a rest for the upcoming year. I’m hoping for more to happen, more memories, more fun with the girls. The year is still young yet.

When it comes to these bowl games, much like the Chick-Fil-A Bowl last year, it’s hard to get to worked up and angry about the game, even if Georgia Tech laid an egg on the national stage. I mean, there’s only so many days that we get free of toddlers, staying in a nice hotel, and having a schedule of do-whatever-we-want. I mean, I was way more incensed about the basketball team losing to Georgia than the Orange Bowl. So, we’ll talk about the game a little and then move on.

After watching the game, it was evident that had Ricky Stanzi stayed healthy, Iowa would’ve been in the mix for the National Championship. They were that good. A lot of people want to say that Kirk Ferentz’s squad “figured out” the triple option scheme by Paul Johnson, but it’s not so much that as the fact that Iowa dominated Tech on the line, both offensively and defensively. On offense, Iowa gave plenty of time to Stanzi to find an open receiver. They picked on Jerrard Terrant and only after he gave up two touchdowns did he respond with a Pick Six that at least eased the pressure on him. Terrant’s interception was huge because it appeared the game was quickly heading to a blowout. After that, things settled down, but on the other side of the line, Iowa’s defensive line gave Tech no time to operate their offense. You can’t do a B-Back dive when the tackle is wrapping up Dwyer as he gets the ball and you can’t do the pitch when someone is already in between the quarterback and the A-Back seconds after the snap. There just wasn’t much for Tech to do. To Johnson’s credit, he made some nice halftime adjustments and Tech had two nice drives in the 3rd quarter, one that should have ended in points had the wind not pushed the ball back in Scott Blair’s face and one that ended in a touchdown. It looked like Tech still had a chance in the game, despite being statistically dominated, until Nesbitt threw an interception and on the next drive Dwyer made a desperate decision to change direction and lose 11 yards and put Tech in the hole at 2nd and 21 on their own 1. The much-maligned defense managed to hold it together until they sold out on the run and inexplicably Brandon Wegher still managed to evade everyone and make it to endzone. Game Over. It’s Cold. Let’s Go Home.

Despite frigid temperatures, the coldest Orange Bowl ever, we still had a good time. The tailgating in the afternoon was enjoyable and most of the Iowa fans were pretty cordial. Adriene and I really enjoyed the Riverside Hotel, which was accommodating even when the heat stopped working in our room (something that you would think would never be a problem in Miami) We loved that we arrived on Saturday to an art fair and we loved that we had plenty of choices of restaurants within walking distance. During the art fair, we were so hungry from missing lunch while traveling we bought a hot dog being cooked by the staff of Mango’s. Maybe it was just because we were so hungry that it was the best hot dog ever. It was enough though to convince us to try them again later in the week for dinner. I’m happy to say the bleu cheese crusted steak was even better than the hot dog, probably one of the better meals of the week (the breakfast at Le Bonne Crepe was really good, too)

After a couple days of vacation, it was a roundabout trip for Miami to Jacksonville by plane and then on the road to Savannah where we were reunited with our girls and had dinner at a Savannah institution, Carey Hillards (I already want to go back.) The next day it was a drive home to, surprise, snow in Atlanta and back into work emergencies, stress, and everything that we left behind. Life is already back at its torrid pace, but even if it was too cold to sit on the beach, it was nice to at least drive by and wistfully look out the window for a couple days.

Photos of our time in Florida are on Flickr

Adriene and I have a enjoyed a nice relaxing couple of days here in Fort Lauderdale. While the rest of the country is buried under snow, the weatherman here complains about the fact that the high is “only” 64 and the low is 40. I have a feeling no one is crying for us. It’s been too cold to go to the beach, but we’ve driven past it a couple times. We’ve gone out to eat. We were surprised to find a street art fair (and got a nice print of one of the historic houses here) in front of our hotel. We ate doughnuts in our hotel room. It’s been a good couple of days.

Today, however, is all business. Georgia Tech wraps up their season against Iowa in the biggest bowl that Tech has been to in 40 years. We’re heading out to tailgate during the day and cheer at night. It’s going to be cold, but not nearly as cold as some other games from this season. Here’s hoping Tech finishes off the year with a win, but even if they don’t, it’s been a great couple of days off.

Paper Route – Absence
If this year in music was a boxing match, this would’ve been called a TKO in the 4th round. In April I already knew what may favorite album would be in 2009. Paper Route hits a home run with an album of longing, pondering, and hope all wrapped in plaintive singing and groovy beats, loops, and effects laden noises. It’s 80’s music ala New Order and I am loving it. Paper Route is touring with Owl City next year and I’m hoping that takes them to the next level because they are moving up in a hurry among my list of favorite bands.

Derek Webb – Stockholm Syndrome
A total 180 degree turn from the normal acoustic guitar playing, Webb took his oft controversial lyrics and soaked them in percussion and techno beat loops (hmm, I’m sensing a trend in 2009) supplied by Caedmon’s Call teammate Josh Moore. What Derek Webb does so well is make you think. I don’t know that I agree with every song, but I’m glad that he is willing to stand up and challenge our blind religious and political ideas that seem to be held as sacred in America. It doesn’t hurt if the beat is catchy, too.

U2 – No Line On the Horizon
This album started out strong, then I lost interest in it, and now I’ve rediscovered it. It doesn’t have any totally amazing songs and it’s a little dense sounding, but give U2 credit for continuing to push themselves and explore their music. They could’ve very easily released another How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb and sold a bazillion records, but they weren’t satisfied to do that, instead exploring Middle Eastern inspiration and even recalling some of their punk rock roots.

Nitengale – Theatres
Depending on who you ask, this album was released last year or has not been released yet at all. It hasn’t made it out on a major label, but it may soon. It’s the simpler parts of Muse mixed with the melodic parts of Keane and it’s beautiful. Since the band is from Alaska, they are a bit of an outsider to the music scene when they arrived in Nashville. They are bold in their faith but don’t succumb to CCM cliches.

All The Day Holiday – The Things We’ve Grown To Love
Maybe no song on their full length CD is as soaring as “Fingerprints” off of their debut EP, but “La Voyage” is a pretty good start. Intricate drums match up with joyful songs. It’s impossible not to listen to this CD and feel inspired.

Jars of Clay – The Long Fall Back To Earth
Is it possible for a band to go from overrated to underrated? Maybe so in this case. After their debut album it seemed like Jars of Clay could do no wrong to the point where there was some backlash, but after that they’ve quietly settled into knocking out solid album after solid album and this one is no different. The album draws heavy influences from bands like The Killers and such, but it’s nonetheless a new direction for the band as they push themselves with new sounds, memorable hooks and the lyrics are as ponderous and questioning as always.

Paramore – Brand New Eyes
It’s not really anything new for Paramore, but it’s a pretty solid follow up to Riot! The band rocks as always and it’s energetic and catchy. Maybe I should call it my Guilty Pleasure of 2009.

Silversun Pickups – Swoon
Shoegaze is back! Long live Shoegaze! “Panic Switch” has a fantastic groove and the whole album makes you feel like it’s 1995 again.

Mute Math – Armistice
After reading the reviews and hearing my friends take on the follow up to Mute Math’s debut CD, I was prepared to be disappointed, but surprisingly this album held up very well for me. No, it’s not as good as their first album and it’s a little more somber and angry, but nonetheless it still grooves and intrigues with complex drum patterns and otherworldly sounds.

New Moon Soundtrack
Say what you will about the movie, but separate the soundtrack from the movie and you are left with a pretty good collection of songs. Lots of great bands like Muse, Bon Iver, Death Cab for Cutie, and The Killers are mixed in with some up and comers like Sea Wolf, Grizzly Bear and other such bands named after animals. It’s a little more subdued that the Twilight soundtrack, but Adriene tells me that’s appropriate to the tone of the movie and I’ll take her word on that.

Sufjan Stevens – The BQE
I’m pretty sure the definition of pretension is writing a 40 minute orchestral suite about a freeway, but you know what? Sufjan Stevens makes it work. It’s a beautiful piece that draws from modern composers like Copeland, Cage, and Reich and then Stevens drops in a little electronica into the middle of the set. It’s a gorgeous piece of work in a music genre that is sorely needing an injection of youth.

So there you have it, my favorite albums of 2009. What did you listen to this year that you loved?

This past Sunday was a long day. The girls both were both sick so everyone was packed in the house all weekend. Since we couldn’t take them to church, we missed the service. The girls became listless and grouchy as the weekend went along and because of that, mom and dad became listless and grouchy. By the end of Sunday, everyone was in a pretty dark mood, but the girls had finally recovered enough that we could renew an age old tradition of driving around looking at Christmas lights.

We packed up the girls in their pajamas and blankets, picked up some coffee, put on some Christmas songs, and drive around some of the nearby neighborhoods, knowing which ones have the best Christmas lights. When we entered Walker’s Ridge, the girls exclaimed “pretty lights!” and “woah!” and after a tumultous day, there was peace and joy in the car in the evening.

Sunday was a pretty apt metaphor for this whole year. If Sunday was a long day, then this year has been a long year. I find it funny that I boldly declared in last year’s Darkest Night of the Year essay that I would not subject myself to fear and anxiety when it seems like fear and anxiety smothered me this year. I fought worry, anxiety, depression, frustration and disapointment at work and contended with the caring of two two-year olds at home. I ate poorly and stopped exercising. It was not a good combination. By the time my winter vacation started from work, I was limping across the finish line and just glad for the year to be effectively over. I know there are still a couple weeks left in 2009, but all that’s left to do is be a father and that’s a lot easier when you aren’t logging hours and hours of time at the office.

Twelve years ago, when I first took the Winter Solstice (The Darkest Night of the Year) to stop and reflect on my life, I decided there were things in my life that needed to change, both circumstances around me and also my attiude in coping with things. Here I am again, twelve years later, needing to make changes again, both in cirmcumstances around me and in my attitude. Some things will surely change, the girls won’t always be terrible twos, but I’m not sure in what else is going to change. Nonetheless, change things must. I’ll be taking a good hard look at how I’m handling life and what I can change over the next couple of weeks.

I’m thankful for the Darkest Night of the Year and that Christmas immediately follows it. I’m thankful that Christmas and New Year’s represents newness and a fresh start. January 1 may not really be any different of a day than December 31, but at least it’s a chance to think about making changes. I’m thankful God gives us a chance to make changes in our life and throw away the the parts that damage ourselves and damage others. I’m thankful that the baby, the Christ, takes those things and bears them on his shoulders for us, for without the cross, there can be no Christmas.

I’m not making any bold declarations this year on The Darkest Night of the Year. I don’t know what 2010 is going to bring. What I do know (and hope) is that the end of 2010 will be different from the end of 2009.

When Georgia Tech lost to Georgia last weekend, I had a sinking feeling this year was going to go down like 2006 where a promising start dissolved into a disappointing season. Once again, I underestimated the mental tenacity of a Paul Johnson coached team. Despite playing with a porous defense and against a phenomenal star in C.J. Spiller who was absolutely unstoppable, Georgia Tech pulled out a 39-34 victory in Tampa. I don’t know if there are enough superlatives to heap on Spiller for his 301 yards of total offense (233 yds rushing), but the resolve of players like Josh Nesbitt, Jonathan Dwyer, and Demaryius Thomas could not be stopped. Fortuitous interceptions by Jarrard Tarrant and Dominque Reese and four great field goal kicks by Scott Blair (including three over 40 yards, wow) were the difference in the game.

So now, it’s off to Miami, Georgia Tech’s first trip since 1967. We’ve booked our flights and ordered our tickets. I’m hoping to meet up with some old friends from my days of living in South Florida. I can’t wait to start the new year off with a big-time football game and some fun in the sun in the middle of winter.