American Idol.

Well after being asked numerous times about trying out for this show, and after my cousin founded a facebook group petitioning for me to do just that, I did. Tyler Tokie and Chad Brown - this was for you.
No, I did not even make the first cut, no I am not heart broken (my wife, maybe a little). But I knew this was a game show going in and thats how I treated it. It was fun, but sadly not as many crazy people as I had hoped for. I took some videos which you can see below, but they are all a little shaky because you are threatened to the nines not to take any film.

This is the morning of the registration line. It was crowded. Oh and pay attention to the black guy with the cubano hat on when I pan around, his name was Jimmy and by far the best person I heard sing, and he got through to the next 'stage'... could I be the first to have posted the new 'idol'?


This is on Broadway street in the middle of downtown Nashville. Pretty cool, packed with people and 6 in the morning. It was interesting because it all depended on when you registered, so since we registered early we didnt have to stand around and waste all day Friday or Saturday. So to those still auditioning or planning to, register asap and then show up at 7 on the day of. Promise its worth it.


One of the crew guys was having us yell stuff like 'welcome to music city' and then cheer and stuff, here is a video of that going down...


Finally inside the stadium again more yelling stuff...


more of the same...


they turned out the lights and did this, thought it was pretty cool...


Okay so here is a quick clip of the audition process, they set up 12 tables in the middle of the stadium, call you down in groups of 4 and have you sing to 2 producers. awkward. sometimes they have you sing for 20 seconds sometimes you sing like half a song. everyone in my group sang for like 30 seconds, i sang 3 different songs (signed sealed delivered, yearn, i'll be) so i thought I had a good chance, but notta. oh well...




So I didnt make it, but it was very interesting, and I have to say I would have loved to be the 'judges' behind the table who got to pick and choose and listen to everyone. Although I bet it would have been hard to keep a straight face at times.

Chipotle Vs Moes

So since our little town of Blacksburg is finally getting a Chipotle, I wanted to dissect why this burrito chain is so much better than Moes Southwestern Grill, which if you are not from the area, is directly across the street from the new Chipolte.

First. I am an aesthetically driven person. What I mean is that I put value in the looks of something that is pleasing to the eye, probably over value to be honest. But when something is well designed it is an immediate trap hook for me. In my mind, until proven wrong, when someone places the energy to make something appealing, it's most likely quality. So as we compare these two restaurants, immediately there is a huge gap, that Moe won't close. You can start with the tables, they are steel top in Chipotle, they look like my highschools at Moes. Then just small details that round out the restaurant, the chips served in little brown bags, the black and white pictures and even the font used on the menu. Chipotle has it's own original style, where as Moe just stole all the cliches that come to mind when you think of 'texmex.'

Second. The menu. I already mentioned the way the menu looks but Chipotle has a very limited menu. At first when you hear that it could come across negative, but it is far from it. They have a limited menu because they are pros at a couple of things. Burritos and Tacos. If you make something so well you shouldn't have to add things to your menu to attract people, your food should be the advertising. Moe and Chipotle have two different business models. One is trying to sell food to you, one is trying to make great food you want. Doesn't sound that different, but they are completely different.

Third. Moe's food goes thru me faster then water from a firetruck.

Chipotle wins.

Casual Christian Nation.

Okay, so before you read this, know that I am not a socialist/communist/idiot, I own a house and have a car, like the average American. Please read the entire entry and know I am not trying to be preachy, I just think this is something we should all give a second to think about...
The other night I was watching 'Last Comic Standing' and one of the comedians said something along the lines of 'you know you are a cool country when you have water parks, there are countries that don't even have water, and here we are playing in it.' It's funny, I love how comedians look at things different. But anyways, I thought it was funny, but then it settled in my thoughts and I got a little sad or maybe just disappointed(?) not sure what word to use here.
My thought is this, and again, I love my country but...I wonder if Jesus cringes when he hears us say we are a 'Christian nation.' I know our heritage is based in Christian morality, but if we were truly a christian nation wouldn't things be a little different? At any given moment there are 100,000 orphans in America, if we were a Christian nation, would that be true? (James 1:27). When was last time you spoke to your neighbor let alone 'loved him as yourself'? Sadly I think the 'American Dream' has blinded us as Christians. We all think we have the right to have a bunch of stuff. I know it is a hard pill to swallow, because we have been taught since we can remember that we have the right for the 'pursuit of happiness,' and sadly that doesn't line up with anything Jesus taught. In fact, He taught the direct opposite. He wanted us to give up everything to follow him. (Luke 18:18-25).
If you live in America and you are reading this article, you are rich compared to the rest of the world, that is factual. This is where I panned out, when compared to the rest of the world...
Top 2.88% in the world? Am I being responsible with my cash flow, probably not as much as I should be. Especially after this website pointed out how I could be spending money...

I know that there will be some people that read this and will begin to rationalize their conviction away, but all I am doing is pointing out what Jesus said about wealth and orphans.
I love that my country allows me to search after God how I want, when I want and as loud as I want. I also have nothing but respect for those who have risked/gave their lives to protect our freedom. But to call ourselves a Christian Nation is a bit far fetched. I am thinking 'Casual Christian Nation' would be more appropriate.


Check this out to see how rich you are... Global Rich List