I got tattooed tonight. Chris colored in part of my sleeve, and it looks amazing. I'm stoked for him to work on more of it. We colored in some of the sky where the angels are coming down from, and I can't believe how good it looks! Kid's got skills...

I think my other sleeve is gonna be based around some wood carvings from the late 15th century by artist Albrecth Durer based around the book of Revelations in the Bible. I've always been fascinated on that book of the bible, and the idea behind the reality of the apocalypse and St. John's visions of it, so I'm really excited.

I love tattoos, I love my band, I love my friends, and I love this tour. God has truly blessed us.

Well, it's been a while since I've posted on here... I don't know what it is, whether I've been too busy, too stressed, too whatever... I guess I started thinking about how silly it was for me to write all my thoughts out for people to read, and how cliche it probably seems. But then I stopped and realized that if someone thinks that, they can go read elsewhere.. This is my blog, with my thoughts, and my rules.

I've been a bit high strung lately, for whatever reason, even in the middle of this amazing tour. I'm sure it has a lot to do with the fact that we haven't really, REALLY been home since January. Tour, as much as I love it, can definitely take its toll on you. I've been adding a lot more movies and TV shows to the collection, which is always good. Anyone that knows me could tell you how much I love movies. Heck, all you'd have to do is look in my bunk at the ever-increasing number of cardboard and plastic cases taking over my sleeping space.

I've been thinking a lot lately about things. Probably more than I should, but that's how it usually goes, eh? It gets hard looking at yourself through the same microscope the rest of the world does.. There's so much pressure to be such a good person all the time, and it's pretty difficult at times, especially when you know that because of the position that you're in, no one's going to cut you a break. I feel sorry for celebrities in big bands and movie stars, I really do. I used to say, "If you don't want that kind of pressure, or don't want all these people criticizing everything you do, don't be in that industry." But the longer I do this the more I realize, those people are just that.... People. They make mistakes, they say stupid things, the lose their tempers, they have breakdowns, but the world puts them on a perfect pedestal, ready to toss them off the minute they slip up.

I can especially relate with other Christian bands, and what a struggle it is to be in one. There's so many people with so many ideas of what makes you a Christian, and what makes you NOT one, and they're all convinced that their way of thinking is the only right one. I get messages all the time from people saying, "I thought you were Christians, why did you do this, why did you say this?" It seems kind of silly when you consider that we all make mistakes, we all do things our own way, and we all have our own perspectives on things. I'm sure I'm rambling, so my apologies for that....

I guess the big thing I'm trying to get at is that instead of focusing on what screw ups people have, what mistakes they make, their slip ups, and let downs, the main focus should be on who this person is as a whole, what their faith is, their relationship with Christ, not whether they said "Dammit!" Some of my best friends are guys in Christian hardcore bands, and they screw up every single day. But they have a heart for the Lord, and that should speak louder than the mistakes they make.

I'd never claim to be perfect, I'm far far from it. Anyone that knows me could tell you that. But I love my God, and I try to live my life how He'd want me to live it. Yes, I screw up, every single day, but that's life. That's the struggle of being human, of being a sinner. We need to put our focus where it should be, not sitting there waiting for someone to slip up.

Blah blah blah, just felt like I needed to get that off my chest...

In other news, this tour is by far the best one we've ever done. I've made so many new friends, and gotten to hang out with lots of old ones. The bands are great people, the crews and production are all amazing. This is definitely the place to be this summer. The kids every day remind me of why I do this. It's so cliche to say "It's all about the music...", but I can't bring myself to say that. Because in this band it's more than just music, it's about the connection we have with our fans, the relationship we have with Jesus Christ. Yes, it is about the music, but it's also about someone coming up to me after our set and saying, "Hey man, remember when we talked for hours about Jesus and salvation? Well that helped me a lot in my life, thanks." I wish people could see just how much that warms my heart. God is showing me every day how He can use us even when we may not see it.

Can't wait to get home and start working on the new record. I don't think I've been this excited to write music in a long time. I feel like I have so many cool ideas bottled up and we just need to jam them out. I think this new record is definitely going to be our best stuff by far. Hopefully people will like it. (Pressure!!!!!!

I'll try to keep up with this thing more, and not be so lazy..

I'm neurotic. Yes, neurotic. I'm obsessive compulsive, more than most people know. It only gets worse the older I get and the more we're away from home, but I realize this. I develop patterns for my day to day routines, and am only truly happy (and not out of my mind stressed) when things go the same way, whether that means daily, every time, or whatever. I like things to go the same every day before we go onstage, before we go TO the stage, when I wake up, when I go to sleep. I like consistency in my life, but that's not to say that I'm not sometimes fairly spontaneous. But then I want whatever I did spontaneously to be consistent. When things don't happen like this, I freak out, I get stressed, I get anxiety. Yes, it's pretty crazy, but isn't that life?

Needless to say, I'm a much weirder person than most people know, but only say this all to show that even the people we look up to, admire, or even just care about are, at their core, still human. Still suffering. Still struggling with whatever mental obstacles God has put in their path.

Today was the best show of the tour for us. The crowd was so insane. It got me pumped up for Cincinnati. Dad and Jenna are coming out, and I'm really excited for that.

We're crossing into Canada as I type this so it might be a few days before it's posted.

We are so blessed, all of us, whether we can see it or not.

As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
- James 2:26

Posted with LifeCast

Both canadian shows were amazing. The first day it started pouring down right before we went on, but there was still a decently sized crowd and they were very stoked. They were having a blast in the middle of this pouring rain, and it was really encouraging. The border crossing was pretty painless, which is always good. I hate having to go between countries, it's always a bit stressful.

Were leaving here at 11 to go back to the states, specifically Syracuse, New York. Offdate show tomorrow, so that should be fun, and then a much needed day off. Praise the Lord! It's been almost two weeks of straight shows, so all of us, band and crew, need a break. We might go see batman again, this time in a theatre with air conditioning! Sal is riding with us so that will be fun. Should be pretty soon now that were in cincy, I'm very stoked. Tour tour tour tour tour.

Did a signing at the skull candy tent again so we got more free headphones. I've been watching the xfiles and playing halflife 2 on xbox, with a little bit of mario galaxy on wii. Good times!

Posted with LifeCast

The new Batman movie was one of the best movies I've seen in a long time. The joker was phenomenal, I can't wait for it to come out on dvd!

I miss acting. Maybe someday? Who knows? Not me, that's for sure.

It felt good to be back in Ohio. I said "OH" onstage and got a massive "IO" back. I love this state. You can see the whole country, world even, but home is home.

We are so blessed to be doing what we're doing.

Canada after tomorrow. Not stoked at all.

Geolocate this post

Posted with LifeCast

I got a new iPhone today. I'm beyond excited. It's so much faster than my old one, and I'm typing this from it in my bunk.

Today was really rainy and miserable, but God has a way of showing how beautiful His world is even on the dreariest of days. I stood by the ocean just thinking about how powerful God must be to make all of the oceans, all the creatures in them, and the storms around me.

Our show today was amazing despite the rain, so many people watching and having a blast. It just pumps me up and makes me smile to look out and see everyone having a good time in the crowd. We are so blessed to be doing what we are, and I'm reminded of that every day.

I just found out that my family and some of my really good old friends are coming out to shows soon so I'm stoked on that. Our crew is doing an amazing job, it just feels like one big family on our bus.

James left his wallet in a cab, I feel terrible for him.

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
- James 1:19

Geolocate this post

Posted with LifeCast

So I guess this is that first awkward post, and I don't plan on dwelling on that. Things have been amazing both on this tour and in my life. We've been doing way better than I could have imagined on Warped, and it's a daily reminder of just how blessed we are. There have been so many kids going crazy every day, and we've been selling a lot of merch, which is always nice. We got confirmed on a dream tour this fall, so of course I'm beyond excited for that..

Some people started a Bible study at Warped, and it's been just a blessing on my heart. It started out with a couple of us on ABR's bus and has grown fairly big, which is both surprising and awesome at the same time. Guys from As I Lay Dying, Norma Jean, Family Force Five, our band, Maylene, and a bunch of others were there last night, for about the third meeting we've had, and it went really well I think. Just seeing so many people showing up at Warped of all places, looking to learn and praise God, that's just a great feeling. Tim from AILD is an extremely smart guy, and is studying theology I think in college, so he started leading it last week. We've started with the first chapter of James, and it's weighing a lot of things heavy on my heart regarding faith and behavior and how I look at the world, which is definitely a good thing. So many good people and good friends on this tour.

Our video came out yesterday, and I think it turned out really well. I'm excited for it to hit the TV stations and see what kids think. I know we're all stoked on it so hopefully they are too. I got the new Underoath DVD and have been watching the crap out of that, it's shot amazingly well and sounds great. It's reminded me of how much I loved their last album. Definitely a big inspiration musically, in the same vein as Brand New's new CD, and other bands that seem to push the envelope in whatever genre they're in.

We started writing some new stuff in the back lounge, and if that's any hint of what our new record is gonna sound like I'm very excited to get into the studio.. Should be very metal, but catchy, beautiful, and hopefully a little experimental too. I want to go places we haven't, or even farther into places we have.

I guess it's safe to say these posts will probably be pretty long, but this is my blog, so I don't care. :]

P.S. Got the new Iphone update, and it's amazing.. So many cool new apps, including a Bible one that should prove very useful and fulfilling, as well as AIM, FINALLY!!!

But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

- James 1:6