Posted 2:58 PM by Luke
In honor of Pat Garvin

Yes indeed folks, I guess this one is blog-worthy. Though I don't know if the honoree will actually read it, since he has taken me off his list (DUN DUN DUN!). But in any case, to honor Mr. Garvin's leaving of Mizzou to spend his final collegiate semester in London, I have decided to post something he would most certainly enjoy. That is, my latest compilation. Yes folks, Daugherty has gone nostaglic a la Garvin, and created a two-disc 90s retrospective. Can you handle it? Without further ado....

(Note: I did restrict these discs only to stuff I actually knew in the 90s, which explains some noticeable ommissions, i.e. more Wilco, more U2 - haha, it would have to be 3 discs! If you're gonna be nostaligic, then you can't cheat by adding stuff you didn't know then! You should appreciate this, Garvin ;))

Disc 1 (The Mega Hits)
1. REM - Losing My Religion
2. Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit
3. Collective Soul - The World I Know
4. Tom Petty - Free Fallin (ok slightly cheating since it came out in mid-89, but huge 90s hit nonetheless)
5. Green Day - When I Come Around
6. Dave Matthews Band - Ants Marching
7. Live - Lightning Crashes
8. Counting Crows - Mr. Jones
9. Weezer - Buddy Holly
10. Beck - Where It's At (Two Turntables and a Microphone)
11. Smashing Pumpkins - Disarm
12. Soul Asylum - Runaway Train
13. Everclear - Santa Monica
14. Oasis - Live Forever
15. Beastie Boys - Sabotage
16. Pearl Jam - Better Man
17. Radiohead - Creep
18. U2 - One
19. Counting Crows - Long December

Disc 2 - Lesser hits, B-sides, pure nostalgia, etc.
(These are not necessarily lesser songs, by the way)
1. REM - What's the Frequency, Kenneth?
2. Dave Matthews Band - Satellite
3. Smashing Pumpkins - 1979
4. Matthew Sweet - Sick of Myself
5. The Flaming Lips - She Don't Use Jelly
6. Ben Folds Five - Brick
7. Spin Doctors - Little Miss Can't Be Wrong
8. They Might Be Giants - Istanbul (not Constantinople)
9. Radiohead - Paranoid Android
10. Wilco - Box Full of Letters
11. Pearl Jam - Elderly Woman Behind a Counter in a Small Town
12. U2 - Staring at the Sun
13. The Apples in Stereo - Tin Pan Alley
14. Weezer - Say it Ain't So
15. Eagle-Eye Cherry - Save Tonight (this actually should be on disc one, it was pretty huge, but i couldn't fit it)
16. The Wallflowers - One Headlight (ditto)
17. Tom Petty - You Don't Know How it Feels
18. Pavement - Range Life
19. Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees

There are many other deserving candidates, but maybe I'll make a disc 3 some time. Some stuff was huge to me then but not anymore (i.e. Matchbox 20). There are surely some that have slipped my mind too. Alas, a compilation is never perfect. But I say it's pretty darn good. Drop me a line in the guest book if you have comments or glaring omissions! And tell Garvin to read this :)

Peace out.

Posted 12:34 AM by Luke
Yes, it has been more than two months since anything was last posted on my blog. And like 4 months before that. And, sorry to dissapoint folks, but this isn't gonna cool what cravings you might have for Luke-blogging (which I am sure have all died out by now - if you even find out that I actually posted this one - since it seems many of you have removed me from your lists as some sort of 21st-century punishment or something. Friend not behaving? Take him off you blog list, that'll show him. Riiiiiiiight.

Anywho, that leads into my sole purpose for posting this blog....to make fun of blogs. It seems the fresh, seemingly innocent trend of online journaling that started a few years ago and that I joyfully partook in earlier this year has become a phenomenon of epic proportions. My friends now have conversations about what they read in each other's blogs. Or they gossip about what they read in someone else's blog. There are veritable blog soap operas going around, for crying out loud! On one hand, I find it quite funny and can't help but laugh at the absurdity level that the whole online thing is reaching. On the other, I can't help but be a bit scared. Communication is now taking on all-time high levels of impersonality. We can substitute genuine time with a friend with simply reading their blog. It has all the flavors and idiosyncracies that they do, but it's in an easily packaged, non-threatening form. I can find out all about what's going on with Lapa without having to risk a real-time conversation and all the ups and downs that tend to come with.....face......to......face........friendship. GULP! I guess it scares me most because I know that it can suck me in just like anyone else, perhaps even more so. I sure do find it much easier to avoid conflict (and as a result, much joy and growth) by addressing people impersonally in the cyber world. I have to fight that all the time. Can I stand up for real relationships in this ever-strange, ever-alientating computer world? Can we? Sometimes Radiohead's paranoid view of an alienating, mechanized world where our souls become as numb as computers doesn't seem so far off. My Microsoft Outlook structures my day and tells me what to do..... But hey, this isn't some kind of Matrix theory where machines take over. It's a reality that Thom Yorke and the boys from Radiohead aren't really too far off on, I don't think, paranoid as they may be. Technology (among other things) is isolating when used without care. Just listen to OK Computer and you'll hear what they are so paranoid about!

But my point is not that blogs or any online communication are becoming horrible influences on our society in every way. They ARE fun and they DO provide a great relief (especially for us writer types) to just let thoughts out at the end of the day. And it IS funny that we all seem to think our lives are so interesting (myself very much included here) that EVERYONE MUST BE checking our blogs daily!.......right? Anyway, blogs are cool and all, but when they suddenly begin to replace quality time with someone, then count me out, WADAWAG! I'll be mappin on my d-lo instead.

Posted 1:53 AM by Luke
Join me in the adventures (or misadventures) of the famed Luke Daugherty.

Luke has been spotted in various places in Columbia, MO. over the past 7 weeks or so. It is apparent that he did in fact arrive hom from Vail safe in eraly August with much to tell about it. Many sources have confirmed that he did in fact have a wonderful summer, though many others have been left to wonder by his mysterious lack of blogging. He was last seen to have blogged in mid-June, and we can now see that October is well underway. However, many have claimed to have interacted with him and spent time with him since his return. He appears to still be enrolled in classes at the University of Missouri, as usual, and doing fine in them. We at blogger.com cannot officially confirm his whereabouts, however, since everything we know is based on hearsay.

We have indeed talked to many of his friends in Columbia. Jeremy Gibson, his roommate of 3.5 years, was quoted saying, "Yeah Daugherty is back, unfortanately. He's brought a ton of his infamously not funny phrases back with him, too. One more year seems liek too much to handle with a guy who routinely calls himself the cockroach or the lova. I have known him all my life and I think I understand him even less since his trip. I'll show him a papa not preachin!"

Ryan Frank, a friend who accompanied Luke to Vail this summer, says he has seen Luke numberous times, whether witnessing with him on Fridays or chilling with him after Crusade meetings. "I'm all types of excited to keep getting to know Luke after this summer - it's great to finally have a friend at MU who's as wacked out as I am." Frank appears to have more of an affinity for Luke's idiosyncracies than does the aformentioned Gibson.

Megan Crowley, Gibson's girlfriend of many years and also known as Luke's "sister," shares Gibsons woes. "Yeah, I've seen him a lot since he got back. Poor Jeremy - at least I don't have to live with the kid! All these phrases he brought back from Vail are ridiculous, though I do like that new one, 'pseduo-dark.' Oh well, he seems to have had a great summer, I'm not sure why you can't seem to get ahold of him."

Jay Barrow, another Vail compadre, has supposedly spent many hours with Luke. "Dog I see that mug like twice a week at least, and he's usually as clumsy and goofy as ever. Get up off this!"

Ann Hausam, Luke's music snobbian partner in destroying the cheese-pop music industry, actually claims to have a class with the boy. "I see the lova in class 3 times a week and at worship practice and lots of other places. He's around. I even saw Wilco and Radiohead with him these past few months and I know he had a great time at those. They call him the cockroach these days, though, so maybe that's what you need to do when you're looking for him."

Even Pat Garvin, a friend whom Luke cares for greatly but doesn't get to see nearly as often as he'd like, said he has seen the famed Lapa a few times this semester. "I barely recognized him at first - his hair was all in his eyes like some blonde Beatle. Pretty cool, but I could tell he got granola-ized in Colorado."

Many other sightings have been reported - to name a few, Jill Boehmer, Erica Brooks, Sarah Protzman back from London, Ryan O'Leary, Pastor Mike Burt and many others. He seems to genuinely be in Columbia, but avoiding thoseof us at blogger.com and not doing justice to his faithful readers. We hope there will be more, and better, news to come.

Posted 3:11 PM by Luke
Untitled

The air in Colorado at 10,000 feet is thin. From the outset of a hike, anyone not used to the altitude will be gasping for oxygen. The climb suddenly looks a whole lot higher than it did from the valley what isn't too far behind.

You could turn back, I thought. If it's bad now, it's only going to get worse. I hadn't expected to feel as if I were dying within the first ten minutes of our uphill journey, but there I was, 21 and I thought I might need the assistance of an iron lung. But I wasn's stopping, not a chance. The summit of Mount Quandary, which sits at 14,100+ feet, was in view through the trees where we struggled around 10,000 feet. It looked impossible.

"I don't think I can do this," my roommate David said as he turned back toward the parking lot. Others around me cringed as the sucked what oxygen they could from the air. Those in the lead steamrolled on, most of them a bit more used to the altitude. I pushed on, despite my uncooperative lungs.

As we continued through the forest, groups began segmenting. Those in the lead got farther and farther ahead, and those in the back got farther and farther behind. I stayed with those in the middle. I had been under the impression that we were going to climb at the slowest person's pace, but that was certainly not happening. They'll stop and wait eventually, I thought.

I began to think about what it meant to be a man, especially one claiming faith in Christ. The desire for adventure that John Eldredge describes in "Wild At Heart" came alive in me as the trees thinned and I was able to get a glimpse of the sides of some nearby mountains and the trees below. Suddenly, the pain became a joy. "This so resembles our walk with Christ," Jay said. He pointed out the constant uphill climb, the rocks jutting out to throw us off, the false summit and of course, the real summit that would put us face to face with God's glory for eternity. The climb became an adventure, a battle, in my mind. I was even becoming acclimated to the air. The summir, still far off, didn't look so insurmountable now.

Nearly an hour had passed since the start of our hike, and it was quite apparant that those in the lead weren't going to slow down for us. The gap between us and them only grew larger. Still, there was a false summit in view. Perhaps they will stop and wait for us there, I thought doubtfully. We tried to minimize our stops in hopes of catching up with them. We were coming up onto the rocks of the mountain itself, and leaving the forest behind.

That's when I saw it. As we rounded the edge of the mountain, a stunning vista came into view. Snow-peaked mounatins spread out across the horizon. There was nothing in sight except valleys, mountains, blue sky, and clouds, some below us. I had never seen anything like it before, other than on the movie screen. It was unreal, indescribeable. All I could do was fall to my knees as my legs turned to rubber under me. Jay and I tried to express the grandeur to one another, but we both began to weep. It was uncontrollable, unlike anything I had ever felt. God's glory became so much more abundantly clear to me than it ever had been before. In front of me was a terrifying, majestic beauty that I can't attempt to dampen with too many words. I stood to walk to the edge to get a better view, but I eventually fell to my knees in tears again. "What must heaven be like?" I said to myself. "Don't let me forget this Lord. The climb was more than an adventure after that, it became epic. Nothing was more important at that moment than reaching the top, where I would be able to see this view from all sides.

The journey upward continued steadily as we lost sight of those in front and behind. Several stops were made to subdue the pain in our legs and catch our breath, but we trudged onward. "What did Christ do for me?" Jay asked, comparing the minute pain we were feeling to the incredible suffering Jesus took upon himself. There is no comparison, but he made me realize just that much more what Christ went through for me. God's grace was ever before us as the climb got steeper and steeper.

When we finally reached the the final chunk of the mountain, a treacherous angle, we were all utterly exhausted. It again looked impossible. Knee-deep snow covered one side, while unstable rocks covered the other. Niether seemed enticing at that moment, but we chose the snow side for the most part. If we tread carefully, we could walk on the tightly packed surface rather than sinking in repeatedly. But not always. There were many stumbles and awkward falls, face first into the snow as my legs got weaker. Water and catch-your-breath breaks became more frequent, but we kept moving as best we could. We could see others at the top, and some were even on their way back down.

As we climbed the final leg toward the summit, my legs ached and cried out in rebellion. I fell several times, and even crawled at points. There was no pride left as I neared the top of one of God's most magnificent creations. We were all beat, but nothing could stop us now.

And finally, the five of us - Sean, Jay, Max, Ross and I - reached the summit, more than three hours after we began. I ran across the peak with my arms thrust in the air. An epic battle won. I won't even attempt to describe the view, other than by saying that gorgeous, snow-covered mountains were sprawled out in every direction. There was no end to the wonder of what I was soaking in. I have pictures, but they'll never do it justice. Someone mentioned that we could see the southwest corner of Colorado from up there. Breckenridge, which is near the mounatin, is nowhere near southwest Colorado! I'll have to do this again sometime to experience the glory, but it will never compare to this first one. God, in his wonderful grace, had given me the strength to stand 14,100 feet in the air, looking down upon his glorious creation. Don't let me forget, Lord. And with my body refreshed from a mountain-top lunch, I walked down the mountain, las Bebo Norman would say, with my heart held high, more to tell about my creator than ever before.
----------------------------------
Such is my journal entry from after my epic climb on Saturday. As John Mayer would say, maybe I'll try to tell you more when I'm in the mood to lose my way with words. I can't say anything more right now. It was the most incredible thing I have ever done. I thank God for the opportunity.

For those wondering, Vail has been amazing, with the hike being my number one thing, obviously. God has challenged me, encouraged me, pushed me, and given me rest here in just the first two weeks. That hike, along with another to a waterfall, have been my experiences of his amazing creation. We have done a few outreaches and seen the challenge of telling rich people about Christ. We have spent time getting to know the other 40 some odd students and 15 some odd staff here. We have spent time in the word and in conversation, in prayer and in relaxation. Most of us have gotten jobs - I start Friday at Walmart baby - WOOOWWEEEE! The Lord has much to do over the next eight weeks, and I just want to keep soaking it in. My biggest prayer right now is that I will just be open to soaking it in - it's hard even here to have the proper focus on things. That my heart would bleed for the lost, that God's glory would be my ever-present need and only concern - those are my prayers.

In musical news, Radiohead's new album, Hail to the Thief, is downright incredible, of course. They have succeeded once again to change their sound while still being distinctly Radiohead, and making incredible music. It takes listen after listen to truly soak it all in. Amazing. AND, they will be playing in St. Louis in August, after I get back from Vail!!!! AWESOME!!!! Tickets will be procured this Saturday :) Next up, Guster's new album, Keep it Together, June 24. Tata for now.

Posted 12:13 AM by Luke
Bean Town Brewings

I must confess...I have been home since Friday. I know there must be some out there waiting on the edge of their seat to hear about Boston, but I had to build the suspense. Ok, I probably kid myslelf - no one is on the edge of their seat are they? Well, nonetheless, we can wobble through my Boston trip together. I have decided to just post some excerpts from my journal entries that I wrote while I was in Boston, rather than trying to recount it all. You can have it as if it were just happening on your computer screen!

Tuesday, May 27 (we arrived on the 25th)
.....I am greatly impressed with what I have seen of the city. It's definetly a BIG town, yet it is incredibly nice and homey. It has this old feel to it that St. Louis obviously lacks. From the Skyview tonight, I was startled to see so many older-looking but well-kept nieghborhoods with so many lush green trees. I'm not sure I have ever seen a big city in such good shape, AND it still holds on to much of its tradition. The American history here is endlessly deep - it all started here, really. It makes me wish I'd stayed awake more in Mr. Walls' history class in high school.

Today we walked a huge section of the freedom trail, and we the first public park - Boston Commons, the site of the first public school, the state house from which the Declaration of Independence was originally read, Paul Revere's house, old churches, a famous graveyard, the site of the Boston Massacre, and much more. We also walked along Beacon Hill and Charles Street - two incredibly nice streets the likes of which I have never seen back home. Beacon Hill has the bar that originally inspired Cheers, even though the inside looks nothing like the TV set. Charles Street has lots of cool shops, but the greatest thing about it was just the old fashioned feel. There is a city ordinance prohibitting neon signs on the street, so it has a lot of modern stores, but they are all fitted into older-looking buildings. Very cool, and somewhat British. Another thing that caught my eye were the cloping streets from downtown. I loved looking up a quiet, neighborhood street to see the grand buildings of downtown looming just behind. Yeah....I could live here. :)

Later in the afternoon, we went to Harvard to check out just how high the people over in Cambridge hold their noses. Ok, we wanted to see the campus, too. It was awesome, of course. So old school, so traditional, so consistent. None of ridiculous juxtaposing of old red brick next to grey square crap like at MU. The whole town was consistent. I could see myself there, too. Going for runs by the Charles River, enjoying music on Harvard square, perhaps sharing my dreams with a girl on late-night walks through the beautiful campus. You just never know....

Yesterday was met with hideous weather, the one detterent that could keep me from living here if all else fell into place. It rained non-stop all day. But we made the most of it with a trolley tour through town and a visit to the aquarium. When I saw all the unbeleivable colors on the fish in that aquraium, I really wondered how people can doubt the existence of a creator. But I did too, at one point.... Anywho, later that night we chilled in the hotel bar, listened to jazz and had a beer. It was my first beer that I kind of enjoyed and got all the way through. The taste was actually enjoyable for once. Sunday night we went to North End, the Italian area of town, and had some great home-cooked Italian food.

....But I have saved the best for last. Today, after lunch, we stopped some street performers doing tricks and such. Five minutes later, they had pulled me from the crowd to join in their games. Now, I am not typically comfortable in front of crowds, especially when I get singled out to "show my feminine side" as I did today (pink frills around neck, girly walk, blowing kisses to crowd, butt slap). But I was surprised I didn't get overwhelmed. I was odd, and I was self-conscious to be sure, but it was sort of fun! I can't wait to see the pictures :)

Thursday, May 29
The song on my headphones right now fits today quite nicely. "It was a beautiful day...." Our first truly sunny day in Boston was a great one. We had come to think the sun only makes a once-a-week cameo here, but we awoke to a clear blue sky. It provided a nice lift from the wet, dank finish of yesterday. We were finally able to take a Harbor Cruise after trying a few times only to be thwarted by the weather. Seeing Boston's skyline from the harbor was great - it truly is impressive. And it REALLY comes right up to the water! It's amazing to think that most of the area here is man-made land. All in all, the cruise was very relaxing, a good start to our day before we made our way to Salem.

The town of Salem was quaint and historical. Many of the houses were built in the late 1700s or early 1800s, and all show that style. Some of it reminded me of Webster back home - that movie-set quality. The harbor there was also beautiful, and sat where Salem used to be such a major sea port in its maritime days. Once again we were right in the middle of history. We even went past the "House of the Seven Gables" from Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous novel.

But of course, a trip to Salem would be incomplete without learning about the witch trials of 1692. We passed by several witch-related tourist attractions and a memorial site, and we toured the Witch Museum. It basically told the story in a creepified version. Not that the story isn't creepy, but this was certainly dramatized by the spooky narrator. In any case, it was good to get a refresher on the whole witch spaz-out. A whole town went crazy for a few months accusing and killing people. It's hard to know what really went on. I beleiev in witch craft, but it seems little or none actually was going on. Most or all of those hanged were likely innocent, and that's tragic. Satan certainly had an influence, though, whther in witchcraft or just driving a town nuts enough to kill 20 people.

Yesterday, dad and I finished off the Freedom Trail without mom, who stayed back to rest her aching back. We toured the U.S.S. Constitution, one of the first ships of the U.S. Navy.......It's come to represent the Navy as a symbol these days. Next, we ventured over to see the Bunker Hill monument on Breeds Hill, where the battle was actually fought.....Dad and I climbed the monument of 300 steps, and we were exhausted by the time we hit the top.......The whole area was cool around here - Charlestown. Very old, with that historical feel to it......Other highlights of yesterday: Fenway Park, the oldest baseball stadium in the U.S.,; cd shops on Newbury Street, Quincy Market........

Friday, May 30
I sit patiently on the flight home, tired and satisfied from a tiring and satisfying vacation. Boston was a lovely city, one that fulfilled me expectations with both its size and its worn-in homeyness. I enjoyed seeing the city side as much as the quaint, historical towns. It was as I'd always pictured it - a big, romantic city where I could envision raising a family. That's in God's hands, though :)

I enjoyed almost everything we did, from exploring the hisory along the Freedom Trail to simple eating some Ben and Jerry's on Newbury Street last night. We capped of the trip with visits to the Science and Fine Arts Museums this morning. The Monet exhibit at the Fine Arts was tight. The Science one was too overwhelming, seeing as there were elementary kids EVERYWHERE! AGGGGH! But it was a nice, low-key end to it all. My point, anyway, is that I don't think I could pick a favorite. All the history we soaked in was amazing, but so was the modern side of the city. It's just a cool town and that's all there is to it. ............

And so the journal went on with more, in various places where you see ellipses. But I figure you just want to know about Boston, not about all the other stuff. So there you have it. Whew.....I can't type any more. Quick synopsis: I am of to Vail for project on Wednesday to stop in KC and get to Vail Thurs. God has so much planned for it, and I can't wait to write about all he does out there. I am on the brink of something big, I can tell. And by the way, God faithfully pulled all my support together, and I am still expecting a bit more. Praise be to Him! And with that, I bid you ado again for another indefinite time. We shall speak again, in time. In time.

Posted 2:56 PM by Luke
Another year over...

My last day in Columbia for the third year. That means only one more, unless for some reason I just decide to stick around for awhile after a college. What a wierd feeling this is, all this mixture of past and present. On on hand I feel like I have been in college forever, on the other I feel like I just got here and now it's already nearing the end. Time stops for no one, I guess.I finished compiling my junior soundtrack, aptly titled "Lapa," a few days ago, and I'm listening to it now. I must say that I was really able to capture many of the emotions and events of this year. Last year's soundtrack, "Porfa Thanks," did it well, but not as well as this one. It was tough to pick the songs, because it was inevitable that some would be cut for the fact that only 80 minutes are available to represent an entire year of events. I will spare you a description of why I picked every single song, but each one has two, even three meanings to it, including the fact that I saw most of these bands live this past year :) I will say that the first 9 songs really run through the end of summer and all of first semester here. You'll notice a dark, sad section of songs from like 5-9. That first semester was a rough time of some loneliness, etc. So that's that. It changes moods sharply with Bebo Norman's "Walk Down This Mountain," which is what I came away from DCC feeling like. Second semester was a better one, though I faced different issues of dryness and feeling spread thin, which you can see in songs like David Gray's "Dead In the Water," and Shane Barnard's "Received." The latter song is about how all of the sudden serving God and being busy replaces knowing him, which is how I felt much of the end of this semester. The other big song of second semester is Derek Webb's "Take to the World," that represents my renewed conviction to share my faith with those that don't know Christ. All in all, the soundtrack is a major rollercoaster of emotions, which is how my year went, so it fits perfectly. But, there ya have it and there ya are. Wilco is the only band honored with 2 songs, of course, since they were by far my band of the year :) I would love to explain why I chose every single song, because beleive me each has a reason, but I'd probably bore you :) But here's the tracklist, since I know some of you care ;)

(Stars represent number of times I saw said band or artist from this band live this year :) )

1. The Eagles - Desperado*
2. Bruce Springsteen - Waitin' on a Sunny Day
3. Dave Matthews Band - Grey Street*
4. Counting Crows - If I Could Give You My Love*
5. Coldplay - The Scientist
6. Wilco - How to Fight Loneliness***
7. U2 - Running to Stand Still
8. Beck - Lost Cause
9. Ben Folds Five - Evaporated**
10. Bebo Norman - Walk Down This Mountain*
11. John Mayer - Why Georgia**
12. Son Volt - Windfall*
13. Derek Webb - Take to the World
14. David Gray - Dead in the Water
15. Guster - Happier**
16. Ryan Adams - La Cienega Just Smiled
17. Shane Barnard - Received
18. Wilco - Misunderstood***

As for the daily goings-on around here, I have just been workin and enjoying this chill time. I put in my last day (at least until the fall) at Lemstone yesterday, and hung out with those who were still in town - Erica, Pat, Ashley B. and Megan Retka. Twas good to see all of them again before I head away, fo shizzle. I feel like I got to see Erica for about 5 seconds between her London trip and my Vail trip. Alas, we shall hang out again consistently in the fall. And Garvin also, we must make more of a priority next year - yous a lapa.

Wednesday I went to Kansas City to visit my bud Mike Tan, whom I knew in HS until the end of 10th grade when he moved away. He has as a huge impact on my life since becoming a believer, and we now try to see each other at leats once a year by meeting up in KC. It was great to catch up and see how much both of us have grown since a year ago. God is really moving in both of our lives, and it becomes so obvious when you compare a year ago to now. I also got to hang out with some other folks in KC that night. Caleb and Jay were there, along with Sarah Babcock, whom we met in Denver back In January. It was cool to see her since we all wondered if we ever would again after ahs had clicked with all the MU people so well at DCC. Perhaps she'll transfer to MU next year ;) We shall see.

Into the unknown.....I'm leaving Como tonight for a couple days in StL before my parents and I go to Boston for a nice week-long family vacation. We haven't had one since our London trip after I graduated HS, so I am really looking forward to it. Plus, Boston is a city I have ALWAYS wanted to see, so I am majorly excited for that. After that, it's home for another stop in STL before I head out to Vail on June 5 with Caleb and Jay. God has incredible things planned for us there this summer, I just know it. So many things are kind of coming together as he's been preparing my heart for it, and I cannot wait to see what He does there - what lost people He impacts, how he reaches each student on the project. I pray some in Vail will come to know Him. It's been great to see how faithful God has been in raising my support. I have $2,200 of the $2,400 I need, and I know there is more coming in. He led me to go, and I knew He would provide. So, I hope to blog as often as I can in Vail and send out emails and such, but we'll see. Who knows how much I'll be around computers in the next few months. Into the unkown I go, but we shall meet again, sooner or later :)

Posted 11:31 PM by Luke
The return of lapa

You best be careful where you steppin. Cause Lapa is back y'all, and he's whiter than ever!

Ok, where the heck do I start after like a month of no blogging? I guess we'll kind of go backwards. School ended yesterday when I turned in my final story for my writing class!!! I don't know if I have ever felt more relief at the end of a semester. This might really even be more than my horrible Missourian semester. I dunno, it's hard to compare now to 5 months ago you know? But I know thta over the past 6 weeks or so, I sort of crumbled under the pressure of a tough, busy semester. I came into it flying hight from Denver, just following God and not getting caught up in the stress of it all. After spring break, I guess I lost my focus and turned more into survival mode. You know, that feeling that you just have to get things done, just make it to the end and then you can breathe and focus on what matters. I hate that feeling. God showed me a lot about myself in it though. I was so busy, busier than I have ever been, and I tried to handle all of it as it got harder rather than still turning to Him for it. I see how I still have that habit of just turning inward, just taking it to survival mode to make it through. I still have a lot to think through about it. My joy is still far too based on circumstances. I can see it now as I begin to feel happy again simply because school is over. The Lord is good always, not just when I am feeling relaxed out of school pressures. I expect a lot from Him this summer, to really move my focus more outward, from myself to His interests. To see what it really is like to devote 2 months to reaching an area of people with the Gospel. I cannot wait! June 5th, baby!

So anyway, school is finished. But a few weeks back I went to the good old Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis. I have not yet told you about said festival. Now, I shall. The road trip down was great - much musical preparation was done :) And the festival, well, let's just say the 50 bucks I popped for it was totally earned back on the first night alone. Wilco came out after we had suffered through the horrible band Seether, the worst music I have ever heard. But Wilco made it all worth it. They played a great, concise set with a lot of Yankee and Being There, which I expected. Plus two new ones: Handshake Drugs and At Least That's What You Said. Both great. The only downside was that the crowd was definetly not Wilco-worthy. They talked and didn't give Jeff the free vibes to go all out and be goofy and such. Needless to say, Ann and I were extremely annoyed. You have to see them at their own show where the crowd actually deserves to hear their music. But we did convert our friend Elliot to Wilco. He has become quite the fan I must say. He has taste, what can I say. After Wilco was John Mayer. The guy blew me away. I had seen him last year from far away and was impressed, but now I saw him up close, and he is one of the most amazing guitar players I have ever seen. I mean the guy just rips it up like no deal. I was inspired. I now have a goal to strive for in guitar skills. I will never reach it, but that's the best kind of goal, cause then you never stop striving toward it! I like his music, but it was sealed when I saw him up close and live. Amazing. Plus, his guitar faces are hilarious, he just is so connected with it that he can't help but make a face every time he plays something. Or he'll sing a melody then play it on guitar. He's good, Sarah. You have finally won me over (though I can't say it's for ALL the same reasons ;)).

The downside to that amazing Friday evening was that it hailed that night. We arrived at the campsite at about 3 am (I must be lonely.....OR NOT). We were all prepared to hit the sack hard and not awaked again till late the next morning, but alas, the hail began to break holes in our tent. Thus, water began pouring in. I began frantically trying to grab my pillow and sleeping bag from under the leaks, but to no avail. They were already wet. So, I tried to sleep for awhile but went out to breathe for a bit only to meet this guy Aaron had been talking to in the bathroom. He was a biker biking across America. Really cool guy. I was looking for opportunities to share my faith with him, when I noticed he was reading St. Francis of Assisi. Turns out he was on this biking trip as a spiritual retreat of sorts, trying to get back his focus with God. He had been concerned only with himself for so long, and now he was trying to really follow Christ. What a cool experience to get to hear about it and to encourage him! But that was soon forgotten when I lay back down in my wet sleeping back. This time with Aaron's feet covering half of it. I tried to move him but all he said was "I don't know where I am." Classic Aaron. So I tried to sleep around his feet in my moist world for about an hour before giving up. I changed clothes and moved to the car as the sun began to rise. What a night.

Saturday night was Jack Johnson and Ben Harper (whom we met in a hotel downtown earlier after watching ducks walk down a red carpet. sound like a strange surreal, drug-induced dream). Jack was fun and chillin, so chilling. SO chillin. Kinda boring by the end though. Ben was incredible. They rocked the house BIG TIME. I was taken back by how rockin they were. They are so mellow on their albums, but man Ben got up there with his slide guitar and his powerful voice and put on one heck of a show. They only downside was that he was mixing Gospel messages with non-gospel messages (i.e. drugs). So that wasn't cool. We saw Sheryl Crow that night too. Boring. Nothing special there Sunday was Nickel Creek. They were so great! I loved their modern bluegrass style already, and I was just amazed to see how talented they were live, each one just going all out on the instrument. And the covered Radiohead and the Beatles! That was unexpected, and even better, they covered them VERY well. They took it and made it inot their bluegrass version and it worked somehow. Tight.

On the way home, we hit some bad storms, but it was all good. Blasted some great music. Listened to Aaron just be the hilarious guy that he is. All in all, definetly the most amazing musical 3 days I have ever had. I can't believe I paid jack for such an incredible lineup! And the people were great, though 11 is a large group to handle. I wish we's gotten to really hang out a bit more and have some good conversation, but the past is the past. Oh yeah, and Ann and I hung out with this homeless guy named Kevin for awhile on Saturday on our way to the festival. He was a really cool guy who talked so much of his faith in Christ. We got him a sandwhich and a little cash for his board for the night. I hope he was being honest and that he was going to use that cash for that. Lord knows. I pray he is finding his hope and strength in Christ still.

Anyway, this has been a ridiculously long post. If there were any typos, forgive me, I don't feel like checking it. I have much more to say, but I'll spread that out over the next week in COMO while I am chillin. Until next time.....lapa. Oh wait, the music. Currently finishing up Countin Crows' This Desert Life. I was really feelin this one tonight. They really fit certain moods with me. This is their weakest album, which for them is still great :)

Posted 12:02 AM by Luke
I'm still here

For all who are wondering, I am still here. It's been awhile, simply because I am ridiculously busy. School is no all-consuming. I just love it, let me tell ya. But anyway, I will have longer blogging next week after this wonderful semester finally comes to an end. And the Beale Street Music festival was the most amazing 3 days of music I have ever experienced. I'll hold you in suspense on that for now though. :)

Posted 4:16 PM by Luke
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom

This is an Easter I desperately needed. Throughout the day, I have felt weak from the overwhelming prescence of God. I have been able to truly worship Him today in a way I hadn't in weeks. Lately, the daily grind has taken over my consciousness. I have felt so anxious, so busy, so in a hurry to get things done. To do well in school, to put full effort into my writing class, because that is my emphasis. I've felt the need to take care of business for the semester before I can breath again, and it has taken its toll lately. So much of my worship the past few weeks has felt empty, as if I were just singing any other song, not worshipping my Lord. Instead, I have become more consumed than usual with post-thoughts (only a year away!), like what the heck am I going to do with my life? The peace I came into the semester with had all but faded until today.

Caleb and I awoke just before dawn to make our way to Capen Park with our new friend Elizabeth. We ascended the hill to the lookout point as the sun rose, albeit behind the clouds. A few songs of worship later, Pastor Burt reminded us of the real significance of this day (not Easter bunnies and egg hunts). He read from the Scripture about the women finding the empty tomb early the first Easter morning. "He is risen, just as he said," the angel told them. "Why do you seek the living among the dead?" It's the foundation of my faith. Paul says in 1 Corinthians that if Christ is not resurrected, than we should be pitied more than all men. Why? Because death still has its victory. Without Christ conquering death, we have no hope for our own resurrection. He suffered, he died, and on the third day, he rose. It is a historical event. If you want to check it out, I recommend Lee Strobel's book, Case for Christ.

But Pastor Burt's emphasis didn't end there. He pointed out the angel's command - to go tell the eleven remaining disciples, and then everyone else. That command is ours today. We must not be silent with the good news about the answer to sin, which is man's greatest need. Without that, nothing else matters. The world must know.

I feel restored, and I hope not just for today. School is still here - 4 weeks to go. But can I finish strong, realizing that this is a step along the way in God's plan for me? If I am focused on God and and living in His will, it will all come together.

Musical fun-facts of the day: Soaking in the worship music today - first a praise compilation, then Derek Webb's (of Caedmon's Call) new cd. It's a great, folky, bluesy, rootsy album that really showcases his amazing songwriting. The lyrics are wonderful - sometimes biting, sometimes joyful, but always true. Now I am listening to Caedmon's album Long Line of Leavers.
Oh, and on the musical note, I bought my ticket to the Beale Street Music Festival in Memphis Tenn., May 2-4. So unbelievably tight. It will include such bands as Wilco, Nickel Creek, Jack Johnson, Ben Harper and John Mayer. Plus like 60 others. My mouth is watering as I write about it!

Posted 2:58 PM by Luke
Parachute over me

Guster was fabuloso this weekend in St. Louis. This was the second time I'd seen them, but the last time I only knew one of their albums, and they were in a non-rock concert setting. This time I knew all their stuff (except the new songs) and it was a great setting. Awesome show. They stay very true to their sound on the albums, which is good for them. Some bands sound better live when they mess with it, but Guster sounds so strong just reproducing the tight harmonies and unique, warm sound from the albums. They played 2 songs each from their first two albums, a good 8 from their most recent, a nice Ben Folds cover ("Not the Same") and about 5 new songs that were all great. I am definetly excited for the new album, which will be released on June 24. That's way too far off. Anyway, it was a great show and I was belting out most of the songs right along with them. I think the highlights for me were "Airport Song," "Parachute" and "I Spy." I just kind of floated away on the melodies while the lighting added this really cool atmosphere to it. On "Airport Song," they had nice strobelight action going on while the drummer, Brian, beat the crud out of the drums with his hands. AND they were engaging, unlike good old Jay Farrar. They really enjoy putting on a show, it's obvious. And the drummer is just amazing. He plays most everything with his hands, and I was hurting a few times watching him bang away. Oh, and I got a cool t-shirt for only 15 bones, which was incredible at a rock show. I couldn't resist ;) There were only 2 downsides to the show: 1)They didn't play "Eden," "Medicine" or "Rocketship" 2)They picked up a large teeny-bopper fan base after touring with John Mayer last year. The screaming young girls were a bit annoying. NEXT UP: Art Garfunkel, April 28.

The b-day party was fun, too. Had some fam over, and thankfully it wasn't too awkward for Ann. She had planned on hanging out with her cousin elsewhere in St. Louie while my fam and I celebrated my dad's 60th and my bro's 31st. Her cousin finked out on her, though, so she got a nice awkward first intro to my family in the midst of a 60th b-day party. Haha, thankfully I have a cool family and it was really no big deal. I know I would have felt odd meeting like all of my friend's family in that setting for the first time. But as long as the family is nice and cool, it ain't no thang. Such was the case. Nothing much else to say I don't think. Ready to be done with school, fo shizzle. I need to go breath some non-journalism air for awhile.

Musical fun-fact: Currently listening to Paul McCartney's 2002 live album, "Back In the U.S." Ahhhh, the memories from seeing him twice last year :) Erica gets to see him in 2 days in London!!!!!

Posted 4:59 PM by Luke
My love is LOUD!

That's been the theme this week. LOUD LOVE! If you can't stand it, get out of the heat, or something like that. Cause it's loud! Yeah......YEAH!!!

I really don't have much to say actually. I just finished my second monster mag editing test, and I am quite thankful that it's done. Bleh. One page into it, I just started to get annoyed with every error I had to correct. Very silly, but annoying nonetheless. Otherwise, classes are classes. The end is nigh.

Just to let everybody know, I have already raised $1,400 for my summer project trip. I am absolutely blown away by how faithfully and quickly God is bringing the money together. I knew he would, but 2 weeks after sending out my letters?!! I am already more than halfway to the goal of $2,400. Amazing. Caleb is moving even more quickly. We are both floored by it.

This weekend I shall take a sojourn to St. Louis for two things: Saturday, we shall celebrate my dad's 60th b-day (whew!) and my brother Jason's 31st. They be some old fogies! Oops, they'll probably read this. Nah, but it'll be fun of course. Sunday will be my first big event concert of the year (it's April and I haven't had a big concert, unbelievable). Guster. You may not have heard of them, but they are great. Fun, catchy melodies, amazing harmonies, clean, beautiful guitars and strings. I look forward to it intensely. I saw them last summer when they opened for John Mayer, but that is a faded memory because the arena where I saw them was not a good rock show arena, and I only had one of their albums at that point. Now I am a full and avid Guster fan, and the show is in a proper nightclub environment. Soundin good already! Don't worry, I will have company on the ride there, so no falling asleep. My friend Ann, a fellow music snob (or shall I say someone who knows what good music is ;) ), will be with me on the drive to hit me or turn the music up if I begin to fade. Caleb and Josh Berg will join up with us Sunday for the show.

Happy April B-days too:
Ann (belated, April 2, sorry it slipped my mind :( ), keep true to the good music.
Erica, my other London-ite friend (April 15), who gets to go see Paul McCartney in London on April 18!!!!!!!!!!! Nothing beats that. I can't wait to hear about that and everything else next month when you are back in the good old US of A as an adult.
Jill, friend of many years now (April 16). You put up with way more than you deserve with my goofball phrases. But you have always handled it well ;)
Dad and bro - you be old. But still cool. Sorta.
And anyone else I may have forgotten, I am truly sorry. My memory isn't the same now that I am an aging adult.

Music of the afternoon: All That You Can't Leave Behind, U2. They're latest album, from 2000. Great stuff, perfect for this sunny, wonderful day. I had been waiting for the weather to improve just so I could listen to this one. U2 is a perfect example of what a good band does. They get wierd and experimental for awhile, but come back to earth with simple great songs just when you think they are going to go overboard. It's a model set by the Beatles, a band you may have heard of :) Just started the always good Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. I have said plenty about that one ;) We watched the new Wilco DVD this weekend. Oh man, was it good. Just seeing how the album was made and how the songs changed over time, amazing. Just so you know, I am currently compiling my top-50 list of albums, for those who may care. I shall have it posted here when it's done.

Tonight we get to cook dinner for that amazing house of 5 girls down the street from us, plus Jill, of course. I'm sorry that Sarah, Erica and Megan R. can't be in the country for us to cook for them also. We started a little thing with just doing occasional things for all of them last semester, and it's great to just have some chances to show some awesome sisters how much we care. :)

Tata

Posted 2:44 PM by Luke
I'm still here

I almost died this week. To be more precise, I almost died on my 21st birthday.

The drive down I-70 may have become all too familiar. Maybe I didn't get enough sleep. Maybe the music wasn't upbeat enough for the drive. I don't know. About a fourth of the way into the drive home to St. Louis on Wednesday, I began to feel sleepy. I shifted in my seat, cranked the music, gave myself a few slaps on the face, to try to revive myself. But it wasn't working, and I knew it. But I foolishly kept driving. Gotta get home, I thought. So I drove onward, trying to sing along to Third Day and keep focused. The song "You're Everywhere" added to the driftyness I was feeling with its floating melody and drifty background.

Suddenly, I was startled by a loud bang. I opened my eyes, which I didn't even realize were closed, to see that I was rumbling across the grass median. My small car bounced and shook violently as it made its way toward the shoulder of the oncoming traffic. I grabbed the wheel out of reflex, not even realizing what was going on. As my car settled onto the oncoming shoulder and moved into the line of oncoming traffic, a Ford F-250-sized truck barreled toward me. I pulled hard to the right as the truck swerved around me. I veered back into the grass median and felt my world slow down as I lost control of the car. The music still floated in the background as my car began to fishtail. "You're everywhere....." sang Mac Powell of Third Day. I wondered if I was about to truly experience God's omniprescence.

But it wasn't my time. The car skidded to a side stop in the mud, the nose facing up toward the side of the road I had left moments ago. Eyes wide, I finally breathed a huge sigh and tried to grasp what had just happened. "I just almost died!" I cried out in disbelief. But I couldn't grasp it. My mind wouldn't let me at that moment. Perhaps the shock would have been too great. It was as if my body needed a second to catch up with itself. I said a quick, confused prayer of thanks and then tried to pull out of the median. The wheels spun. Stuck. I stepped out into the mud to see that the wheels had been buried deep into the mud. I called my dad to let him know I probably wouldn't make it to dinner.

It was then, after I got off the phone with my dad, that hit me. I began to shake, and before I knew it, tears burst forth uncontrollably. The confusion of emotions was so intense, I can't hope to describe. Thankfulness, fear, questions of why I was still ok when other have died that way, praise, wonder, new appreciation for life. I would have been in heaven, I thought. But I don't want to go out like that, Lord. Thank you. Such confusion, but such freshness. I prayed for awhile, not even knowing what to say. After I regained composure, I called AAA for a tow-truck, and called some friends to tell them what had just happened. Eventually, the truck came to pull me out, and my car drove fine all the way home.

It was a miracle. I thought of all the possibilities. I had crossed a lane of traffic, yet no one was there. What if the truck's driver hadn't been paying attention? What if there had been a guard rail? What if there had been a parked car on the shoulder? What if the median had been steeper, not so flat? What if my car had flipped? So many other possibilities. But I am still here. No visible effects, though I am a bit shaken still. I still have questions of why. Why did God protect me through it, when so many unsaved people have died and kiled others when they fall asleep at the wheel? Why did it happen at all? I don't know. But God certainly reassured me that He still wnats me here for something. That I know. And maybe that's all I need to to know right now. I can't expect to package the scariest thing that has ever happened to me into a neat, explainable event. Perhaps I am too attached to this world. I don't know. I still feel to young to go home. I want to be a part of God's kingdom-building while I still can. I hope I can take to the campus more urgently as school starts up again. What happened to me can happen to any of my classmates in an instant, with not so fortunate results. That's what struck me the hardest. It was instant. I was not even aware that I was dozing, and all of the sudden I was in the median. No warning. No chance to stop it.

But like I said, I can't really put it into words. It was horribly wonderful, if that makes sense at all. One thing I do know is that the faces and voices of friends and family that night were a little sweeter than usual. Praise God for those who love me and felt the same way. I'm sure that sweetness will carry over into this week when I see all my college friends, too.

And, just to let you know I am still all here and rockin', despite my experiece, I am currently listening The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Do I really need to say anything about this album? It's between that and Revolver for greatest, most important album of all time. Does that help?

Posted 7:12 PM by Luke
Increase post frequency.....NOW

Yes, it seems that I might have a bit more time to post while on Spring Break. Who knows who will actually read these, since it seems most of my friends are out of town and whatnot. But for those who still care, life goes on in Columbia MO. I'm just chillin here right now, working at good old Lemstone before I go home for the second half of the week to celebrate my 21st Birthday with the fam. The big 2-1. I can't believe it, really. I hadn't really thought about it until this week, and it seems a bit surreal. It's not that I am looking forward to it in any big way. It's just that I can't believe I'm 21. That use to seem so old! Now I see that it isn't, and it's not that much wiser either ;) Nah, I would say I am a whole lot wiser than I was a few years ago, but that isn't really because of age or anything, and I'll surely be a lot wiser when I'm 30. Now THAT'S old!

Springtime joyblues

I grabbed a popsicle from the freezer and went out to sit on the porch. The colors faded from blue to grey as my eyes scanned the sky. It was only the first week of spring, but this had a distinct feeling of summer to it. As the day dissappeared, the impending storm tread softly across the sky toward my little town. I was overwhelmed with contentment as I ate my popsicle. The pure, blissful comfort of the spring air was almost too much. I felt that same when I ate lunch outside during my break today. I normally look forward to spring, but this year was an especially long-awaited transition from thw frozen tundra to the perfect windows-down driving weatherthat mid-Missouri spring is. I could have stayed outside all night.

But with that wonderful comfort always come the springtime inklings. Those sneaky thoughts that the winter always tames. They hide away and hibernate with the rest of the outdoors. But they always find their way back in around this time of year If only I had a lady to share this with. What is it about spring that makes me want to find the one that God has out there for me and take her to the top of a mountain? I feel that pull that John Eldredge talks about in his book Wild at Heart. The Beauty to rescue, the heart to capture. The maiden to fight for. It can be a battle in itself to not think about it this time of year. God has his timing and His will. For now I put my joy in watching the mystery unfold.

The test of my generation?

We have been officially at war with Iraq for almost a week now. It's certainly been an experience. Protestors have graced the MU campus daily. Some of them ignorant, some of them not. The same is true of those I agree with. There are going to be mindless followers on either side of the coin. I don't claim to have full knowledge of the issue, and I would always like to understand those I disagree with more than I do now. In any case, I see a dictator that has been in power for FAR too long, and needs to be taken care of. The most powerful country in the world (us) is not doing anyone a favor by simply sitting by and pretending that we will attain peace by letting a dictator kill his people and threaten the world with nuclear weapons. Some poeple seem to think that is peace, and I'm sorry if I don't agree. God has given us a sense and desire for justice, just as He himself has. And Saddam Hussein needs to be brought to justice, along with his followers. I pray that he and his followers will come to know Christ and repent before it is too late. It will be interesting to see how all of this unfolds. Sure, it scares me. But I know that God is in control, and it will work for His glory and good. That's the fact of the matter. I hope it's quick and that not many lives are lost. How will my generation fare in this?

Musical fun facts: I just finished Paul McCartney's Wings album Band on the Run. One of the best solo-Beatles albums for sure. The stuff he played from it at his concerts last year were highlights of the show. Currently listening to Third Day's Offerings I. Great praise album. I borrrowed it form Caleb because I had never heard the whole thing. "All the Heavens" is an incredible song.

The REAL musical news of the evening is that Radiohead's next album, Hail to the Thief, is officically slated for a June 9 release. Let the unadulterated anticipation commence now. They will be releasing singles from it in May, but I don't want to hear a single song from it until I have it in my CD player on June 9. What will they do next? I drool as I type this.

Posted 1:24 PM by Luke
Ok, well here I go. I am going to try to recreate the gist of what I said the other day that got deleted :)

Back in the saddle

After what seemed like years, I finally reinserted myself into the world of live music this weekend. I saw Jay Farrar (of Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt fame) at the Blue Note here. It all came rushing back as I walked into the Blue Note and felt that rush of excitement, knowing that I was about to get my ears cleaned out with a few hours of great music. The incomparable anticipation built as we stood in front of the stage, watching them setup. It was a good show, with excellent music. I must admit, though, that Jay Farrar is the LEAST engaging performer I have ever seen. I can't believe that after playing for like 15 years, he doesn't know how to work the crowd a bit better. It almost seemed like he didn't really enjoy it and just wanted to play his songs and get out. This girl right next to us was holding up a sign for him to play "Moonshiner," his best song, and he totally blew her off. That irked me a bit. But nonetheless, it was good music. His lead guitarist was one of the most amazing guitarists I have ever seen, and he whipped out the pedal steel, which was tight because I never get to see those played, and I love them when they are used properly (i.e. non-radio station-super-slick-cheese-country). And they covered an obscure Beatles song "Love You To," and did it quite well, I must say. They added a unique flavor to it.

Happy 21st B-Day shout-outs to Mark "O-Z" Osmack and Sarah the Protz, who is currently in London. You guys are now n the world of adulthood...DON DON DONNNNNN (dramatic music interlude). Don't worry, I am close behind ;) I took the OZ out to lunch and had a good time catching up. Sorry I can't make it London Sarah :(

Two important events that have occured:
1) I got accepted, along with Caleb and Jay, my boys, to Vail summer project. I will be spending two months there sharing my faith and growing in awesome ways. I can't wait to see what God has for me!
2) (With update since Monday). Orginally, on Monday I had intended to menion that I FINALLY wrote a complete song on the guitar. I have been longing to do that for quite some time, and I got a good kick in the butt from my friend Courtney to just do it and not worry about how great it is to start with. So I did, and I am so glad to finally have that first one out. However, I must add to that that since Monday, I have written another! I was bored in class and words just started coming, so I wrote and put them to music when I got home. Funny how this starts flowing once you do it a bit. Keep em comin!

Grumblings of a disgruntled tenant
Let me tell you a little story about an EROT landlord here in Columbia. The aforementioned landlord does not do the job, folks. I wonder often what said lessor does during the day. In fact, said lessor is a company, so there are several emloyees there to do the job. But, when we call in out problems, said landlord does not seem to take immediate action. When we moved in, for instance, we were without AC for 5 weeks, even though we repeatedly called the aforementioned diligent landlord many times during those 5 weeks. And of course, by the time we had AC, the outdoor temperature was a smooth 70 degrees, thus negating our need for AC. Several other similar instances have occured. The greatest indicator of said incompetent's hard-working attitude is illustrated when I go to tell them of a problem and watch as one of the employees writes said problem on the back of a used envelope, which likely gets thrown in the trash immediately upon my exit. I recommend that they check out the wondeful modern tool, the organizer. Said organizers come in many different styles, but they all ineviteably help one do a certain thing: organize. Studies have shown that use of such tools is significantly more efficient than the out-of-date back-of-the-used-envelope method. Said organizers may be purchased at Office Depot, Walmart and many other similar avenues of trade and commerce.

Musical fun fact: When I typed this on Monday, I was listening to Coldplay's A Rush of Blood to the Head. Great album that's really grown on me. If they continue improving like this, they are gonna be one stinkin awesome band. Perhaps I will go see them at Red Rocks this summer :) "The Scientist" just cuts straight to my heart. What a painful but lovely song.
"Questions of science, science and progress, do not speak as loud as my heart."
--Coldplay, "The Scientist"

"My worth to God in public is what I am in private."
--Oswald Chambers

Posted 2:29 PM by Luke
Well, I had a nice, long wonderful post for you all today. But this wonderufl bloggin program erased it. Isn't that special? I don't have time to rewrite that. Maybe I will attempt to later. I hate computers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted 4:00 PM by Luke
Breath in that smooth air

I stepped out of the J-school into a warm blanket. It was that first wonderful feeling of Spring. As if I could just lie back and float away on the smooth air. I slowly drew in a breath, just to feel it go down. No pain. No cold biting. Just smooth. And heaven's even better than this. JIll and I turned to each other and let out simultaneous sighs of relief. Finally.......

Oh my sweet Lord, it's a nice day. The weather I have been longing for is finally here! I have the windows open and I'm enjoying the cool, comfortable breezes for the first time in what seems like ages. Quite the good day, I must say. But I really should be doing work instead of procrastinating. I have never been this bad about procrastinating until this semester. I am able to find anything to keep from doing my school work. Especially since I got my dad's guitar, the wonderful Martin. I haven't been able to put the thing down. At least it's a good, productive distraction. I am starting to feel more serious about seeing if music is something I would want to pursue in some way. I don't know if I mentioned it before, but I just had this revelation that I like music more than the average person. A LOT more. It affects me in an intense way almost all the time. I started to think about the fact that maybe I love it that much for more of a reason than just for my own enjoyment. I dunno.... The artists I connect the most with are the ones that are obviously intensely connected with their music. The only problem is, I have had no success in writing songs. Of course, I haven't really tried hard enough. I get frustrated quickly when the words won't come, and that's my biggest problem. But I know I can write words. I do that every day for cryin out loud, I'm a journalism student! The difficulty comes when I try to come up with music AND words. I need to brush up on my music theory, start getting a feel for what goes well together again besides the basic G C D Eminor praise and worship chord progressions. Right now I have just been playing around a lto, learning various songs, working on getting the old skills back that had been neglected for far too long. All thanks to my dad's Martin :) We'll see how this all unfolds.

Music that has accompanied this wonderful day: Wilco, "Summerteeth" this morning. I had been intentionally holding off on this album for a sunny, warm day, because that's the exact feel it has. Now I am listening to the Beatles self-titled cd (aka the White Album). Awesome. Duh. It's the Beatles. Listening to the songs on this album really inspires me to want to write music. It's just such an ecclectic combination of rock, folk and jazz. You flip from "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" to "Mother Nature's Son" to "Honey Pie." So different yet it all fits together into 90 minutes of beautiful bliss. And "Helter Skelter" predates Led Zeppelin. How's that for hard rock? If you haven;t heard these two albums, go buy them!

Posted 8:24 PM by Luke
How do I archive this stuff! AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Posted 8:04 PM by Luke
D-D-D-D-BOBBY!!!!!!!!

Many moons have passed since my last blog entry, I know. I apologize to all who worried and/or thought I was in some sort of bad state. No, just busy with that wonderful thing we call school. Why must one devote so much time to a thing that can seem so trivial? Alas, we college warriors trudge onward.

I don't think there is anything in the way of marvelous updates....It's all been relatively mundane round these parts. I haven't seen a concert in what seems like ages, and I am feeling the need. Two weeks until Jay Farrar (of Uncle Tupelo and Son Volt fame) comes to Columbia! Then Guster in April and hopefully 1964 The Tribute in there somewhere too because I missed them in STL :( I must continue my streak of seeing them every year! In any case, this is a VERY sparse concert schedule for L.J. Daugherty. It'll pick up in Colorado this summer I'm sure, when I am 2 hours from Denver, where everyone stops on a tour.

Speaking of that, I still haven't heard about my summer project. I'm starting to get a bit impatient because I need to get my support letters out an such. Soon I hope. I am quite excited to see how God works to bring in enough money for me to go on that.

Spiritually, the last few weeks have been pretty dry. Some sins aren't so easy to run away from, and when you let them back in, they eat away your relationship with the Man like no deal. It sucks, and you'd think I would learn. But such is that state of humans. We don't learn from pain, and thus we can never be perfect because we keep making the same mistakes. "Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! " (Romans 7)

Ah yes, the musical fun facts. RIght now I am listening to Bob Dylan's "Love and Theft" Excellent. It was released in 2001 and it just kicks butt. His new stuff stands right up with his classics. Musical discovery of February: Ryan Adams. Thanks to Kristen for that one, I'm sure to be hooked on his stuff rather quickly! And yes, I said RYAN Adams, not BRIAN Adams. Don't you dare confuse those on me. Everything I do, I do NOT do it for those who would assume I would sink to that level ;)

Homework here I come!

Posted 10:50 PM by Luke
Can I see God molding me even in the mundane?

Just one of those days.

One in which I can't help but be bogged down by the realities of day-to-day annoyances. My motivation for school is at an extreme low, and I am thinking way too much about my post-graduation life. Rather than enjoying where I am as much as I should, I can only think of a time where my life is not structured around tests, papers and classes. If things such as school and part-time jobs are so insignificant in eternity, why do they seem to be so consuming here? It's a whole lot easier to see God when I am standing in the mountains rather than sitting in a crummy auditorium listening to a professor drone on and on. I don't mean to be anti-school or anything....it's just that more and more I find myself wondering what of this will stick with me for the rest of this life. The random facts I learn about grammar in mag editing, or the bonds I form with people and the things I learn about God? Hmmm, tough choice. They are both equally inspiring (sarcasm intended). I want to be drawn closer to Christ in everything I do, but it's not always feeling that way in the little day-to-day things. I don't want to be dragged down by them.

I expect great things from God. I know they will come in His time. There is more to life than journalism, day jobs, bills or any other thing that doesn't reach into your heart. Believe it, because it's true. We have desires within that have been choked and sold short on the manmade jokes of this world. The answer isn't to kill the desires. It's to find what they were really intended for in the first place.

"For if we could recover this desire, unearth it from beneath all other distractions, and embrace it as our deepest treasure, we would discover the secret of our existence."--John Eldredge, "The Journey of Desire"

Posted 2:22 PM by Luke
"Work out your salvation with fear and trembling...."

Sorry the posts have become few and far between. What did you expect once school started, though? In any case, I try to write whenever the urge overcomes me. Sometimes with particular purpose, other times just to say what's up. There's nothing much to tell about school right now. School is school, and that's that. It can drag you down sometimes, but you just gotta do it.

The real thing I've been thinking about this past is the fear of the Lord. Or, rather, the proper reverence I should have for Him as a believer. Because, on one hand, I am redeemed and do not have to fear is judgement, but He is still GOD, the great "I AM". We are studying this in Bible study currently, and thus I have been thinking about it a lot lately. I certainly often do not have the proper reverence for the God that made the universe, me and everyone I meet. I long to come before Him in awe of His greatness, but often come as though I am just talking to a buddy on the phone. This the just, holy and merciful God of the universe for crying out loud! There are so many great psalms and passages in the Bible that touch on His majesty, his all-knowing, omnipotent greatness. I am led to one by a song on the new Caedmon's Call CD called "Only Hope," which says:

"There before me the Savior stands
Shows His wounds and spreads His hands
Face to face before the Son
And Like Isaiah I'm undone"

It points to a passage in Isaiah 6 where the prophet Isaiah sees God in a vision, in all His majesty and holiness, and Isaiah's response is this:

"Woe to me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts."

I think about how when I finally come before God, I will likely feel the same way, I won't even be able to stand. But I picture Christ coming and lifting me up to say, "No, you are mine, you have been redeemed. Do not be afraid." I can only imagine.....

The great thing about God is that, while I study things like this, He shows me so much. Today He pointed me to Isaiah 40, one of the most amazing passages of Scripture. It's a sweeping, magnificent chapter on God's amazing power that ends like this:

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is insrutable. He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."

Posted 6:17 PM by Luke
"Midwinter spring is its own season...."

As I bounded across the pavement, I had been thinking about how motionless and smooth the air was for this first day of February. Everything about the atmosphere felt out of place. The air went down easy, without the bite typical of this time of year. My lungs ebbed and flowed without the usual sharp tingle that the winter air of the Midwest brought. It was Spring's first tease of the year, one that would make April a more pressing thought that it was last week, when all anyone wanted was the ability to go outside without the full trappings of an eskimo. Now I was clothed as much in the blanket of my surroundings as in man-made materials from various locations around the world. Despite my love of four distinct seasons, I thought, running would be a much less arduous task if this wonderful calm were and everyday thing. I kept a comfortable rythm as I made my way down College Avenue.

It was then that two beautiful red birds -- maybe they were Cardinals or Robins, I'm not sure -- swooped in from my left. It looked as though they might have been fooled by the premature weather, having begun the usual Spring chase a few months early. Or maybe they knew it was just a joke and wanted to take advantage of that subtle hint of life before winter descended with her death grip again. Either way, they were caught in the moment. They flew by me quickly, but I locked them in my sight to watch as they passed. The moment slowed down enough for me to feel the excitement of the chase for that second. Before I had a chance to absorb the rythm of nature that I was witnessing, I lost sight of the birds as they blended with the traffic on College. I looked away for a second, thinking they had just vanished behind the cars. I questioned that thought, however, and looked back to my right to see a thin cloud of red feathers hovering in a whilrwind over the street. Below them laid the lump that seconds before has been full of vigorous energy and excitement. The other bird was nowhere in sight.

I felt a wave of melancholy wash over me as I continued running. My thoughts became jumbled and confused, and for a moment I felt a strange disconnection from what I had just seen. I turned around at the next corner and ran back toward the scene. The bird's body laid there, completely lifeless and unspectacular. Later I would think about the dry, dead trees that gave a backdrop to the horrible scene. They stood there in the same unspectacular, lifeless stillness as the bird, yet months before, their grandeur and vibrancy had been evident also, and so it would be again months later.

I didn't stop running, and a few black and red feathers still hovered over my head as I continued along. The last remnants of the bird's life whirled and descended slowly toward earth, prepared to return to the dust from which they came. The bird had set out to enjoy the unseasonal air, never knowing that would bring the end here. It was a painful thought, made even more so when I thought about the mate. Would it feel the same cutting loss I would if I were in its place? I suppose a bird's thoughts are only for God to know. And with that, a Scripture came to mind:

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."--Matthew 10:29-31

Posted 6:25 PM by Luke
Daugherty, the moron

How does one top off coming to class late on the first day of one's class? Come late on the second day, of course! And I did just that. Why, you ask? Well, I don't know the difference between PM and AM on my alarm clock, aparrantly. Consequently, I set my alarm for 7:30 PM and woke up 15 minutes before class. I did manage to miraculously make it in about 5 minutes late, though, in full un-showered greasiness. My Mag Editing teacher must love me already. That is the third time I have overslept this week. I am calling an end to that trend RIGHT now. Anyway, classes are looking good other than Mag Editing. Had lunch with Josh Friel today and talked about various things, such as using God's Law in evangelism, world missions, and Mormonism. Then a guy came by and mentioned that he wants to do missions to Mormons. Very cool. You never know what others might overhear in conversation, do you? That is why I must reflect Christ at all times, not just when I feel like it. Badadbing, badaboom.

Oh, and it was BUTT COLD today, and my car didn't like it. It tried to protest, but I made him submit and do his job. Punk. It's supposed to be like -8 degrees tonight. Sweet action, I say! That's what it's supposed to be this time of year. Bring it on! Lapa out.

Posted 10:52 PM by Luke
Here we go again.......

Classes started today. I overslept and walked in late to Magazine Editing. Great start, Daugherty. And that class looks like it will suck big time. Two hours of grammar every Friday!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT IS THAT?! Not to mention all the other stuff we'll be doing that doesn't interest me. Yuck. Oh well, I think my other classes are looking good, but we'll see after I hit up my other two tomorrow. All in all, it looks like this semester will have many more bright moments than the last one. Not having to go into the newsroom was especially wonderful. I passed by and laughed/cried as I thought of the new batch of Missourian slaves that were just getting started. Godspeed you J-Nerds(credit Ryan O'Leary for that term)! This semester also looks good just in the fact that so much of the darkness I went through came into focus over break, and I am feeling so refreshed and ready to seek God's face in everything I do. I can't wait to see what He brings over the next four months through schoolwork, and as I prepare for my summer project. Anyway, I'll keep this short because everyone is probably busy with school stuff and doesn't want to ready my novels anymore. Shoot, I have stuff to do too, so quit distracting me. You are ALL in my doghouse for not answering my question from my last entry. Poop on you!

Musical fun fact: I'm listening to Wilco's "Yankee Hotel Foxtrot." Ohhhhh, sweet music in my ear.
"All I can see is black and white and white and pink with blades of blue that lay between the words I think on a page I was meaniing to send to you. I couldn't tell if it would bring my heart the way I wanted when I started writing this letter to you. But if I could you know I would just hold your hand and you'd understand.........I'm the man who loves you." --Wilco, "I'm the Man Who Loves You"

Posted 2:42 AM by Luke
But I worked at an ice cream shop!!!!

Question of the day: Can any flavor other than vanilla truly be called the root flavor of any ice cream? For instance, is chocolate ice cream turly chocolate? Or is it simply vanilla with chocolate flavoring? The same goes for any flavor you can think of, such as strawberry, butterfinger, or, say.....marshmallow. Please post your answers in my guestbook, since I have no idea how to do TalkBacks.

Nothing much fascinating to write about. I figure a bunch of my readers are just returning to the cyber world after the break anyway, so they need time to catch up on my writings! I've just been hangin in CoMo, continuing the training process at Lemstone. Man, I can't wait till I know what I'm doing! Otherwise, people are slowly filtering back into town. Megan, Jeremy and Caleb arrived a few days ago, as did Jay. A few others are around, but I haven't seen many yet. Soon enough this town will be hoppin' again.

Oh, and I bought a New King James translation of the Bible, to go with the NIV one I have. I also ordered a huge New American Standard Translation Study Bible. I have recently become very fascinated with some of the differences in languages, etc. and how that comes through in translation. NIV tends to be the smoothest, but some of the word-for-word translations are sacrificed. NKJ tends to be the most poetic, and more accurate than NIV. NAS is most word-for-word, but often choppy. I chose to get my study Bible in NAS because I thought it best to have the best word-for-word in study form. Anyway, this is probably boring you, but I find it quite interesting. This Lemstone discount could be dangerous! That's all for now, I'm sure I'll have more as classes draw near *gulp*

Musical fun fact of the evening: I'm listening to Shane Barnard's "Rocks Won't Cry," which I borrowed from Caleb. Man, it's reaaaaaaaaallllly good. He's a Christian artist with a totally unique sound and he's just an amazing guitar player. It's very basic and folky, and I love it.

Posted 1:35 AM by Luke
Dang it feels good to be a gangsta......or anything but

By gangsta, I mean the new guy at the job. And by feel good, I mean it feels about as good as one of those painfully silent car-ride with someone you just met. That's right, I was the new guy today at Lemstone. After two months of job searching, I finally got one. And being the new guy is always fun, right? That first day can be best described as a series of smiles, nods, "Ok"'s, "Alright"'s, and "Got it"'s, all the while you are forgetting 50 percent of what you are smiling and nodding at. You are bombarded with tax forms, company policies, product locations, computer information, and shown the pile of bodies that is made up of old, disobedient employees. Ok, so maybe that last part doesn't happen at every new job. In any case, it's always interesting to see how much you actually remember for day two. The best moments, though, are those in which the new guy is attempting to learn something and is interrupted by a customer. If such a situation comes up, I find it is best to do one of two things: 1) Turn the question back on the customer. For example, if a customer asks you where your printer paper is, and you, the new guy, have no clue, simply say something like, "You know, I was really hoping you could help me with that." 2) Distract that customer momentarily by pointing him toward a certain place where you claim the product is located. While they are distracted, yell "Sucka!" and run back into the break room. Those, coincidentally, are my bets tips for getting a raise within the first 30 days.

But seriously, I think I will enjoy my time at Lemstone. I had some reservations about applying there intially. For those of you who don't know, Lemstone is a Christian bookstore in the mall. So, I had some fears that Lemstone would just be an extension of my Christian bubble. However, I know some folks who have worked there, and they say it's a great place to have a ministry to the customers who come in from all sorts of backgrounds. It actually sounds really cool, and I'm looking forward to it. I pretty much had to take it at this point anyway, considering I have like 40 bucks left and the other places I applied to are being so lazy. The one thing that does suck, though, is that I am one of only two guys total that work there. 11 girls, 2 guys. Kinda lopsided. Lots of estrogen. Kinda scary.

In the spirit of new jobs, I thought I'd come up with some amusing moments from old jobs. There were countless moments at the movie theater, which I worked at during my last two years of high school and the summer after my freshman year. Two that come to mind were quite embarrassing. In one case, I slipped on some popcorn oil behind the concession stand and fell flat on my back right in front of a full lobby of laughing customers. In another, I absent-mindedly began to put butter on to a woman's popcorn after she had requested no thick sludge topping, and she proceeded to scream "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" I jumped a few feet and made her a new bag of popcorn and rushed through the transaction so she would leave, all while her husband laughed nervously and said "Calm down, honey." Yeah.....what he said. At OfficeMax, there really weren't any memorable moments. That job was enough to make a stable man go clincally insane. I wandered the aisles for eight hours straight, asking customers if they need help finding pencils, or if they wanted paper with the pencils they already had. The people there were pretty cool, though. Oh, and it was pretty stinkin' funny to be named employee of the month after only being there 2 weeks. I didn't even do anything special! Absurd! The Custard Facory was fun, when the high shcoolers weren't playing their dumb towel-whipping games. I enjoyed the times when I called every single flavor "Chunkey Monkey," much to the frustration of those same high schoolers. And, of course, the good old Call Newspapers. Man, that's hard to choose a most thrilling moment. Was it the school board meeting or the city planning and zoning commision meetings? Or even the sewer district meetings? No, it was definetly the Green Park Board of Aldermen meetings, in which I watched the aldermen and the mayor bicker over technicalities in the previous meeting's minutes for an hour. Ahhhhh, my dream job. Here's to many more moments at Lemstone and all jobs to follow.

Movie/Music fun facts of the evening: I saw "Gangs of New York" tonight with OZ and Aaron McDonald. It was pretty good, but I haven't fully digested it yet. I don't want to ruin it for any of my readers anyway. I will say that DiCaprio and Diaz were very impressive. They both raised my opinion of them a few nothches with their performances. Right now, I am listening to The Wallflowers' "Bringing Down the Horse." A mid-nineties classic. I enjoy it thoroughly.

"When a man fails in personal Christian experience, it is nearly always because he had never received anything. The only sign that a man is saved is that he has received something from Jesus Christ ... forgiveness of sins." --Oswald Chambers