Those Crazy Foreigners

Because everyone needs a good laugh in there day....here's a couple videos I was introduced to by a friend last week at camp. Hands down HI-larious. ENJOY!!

Dustin's Manic Monday

To spice things up a bit I let my musically inclined yet off the wall younger brother of mine @Dustinthebrave do my Music Monday post for today. Let's see what he can do...

The Black Dahlia Murder is my favorite metal band of all time, they are so technical and just absolutely incredible, plus they are the biggest horror movie fans and are complete goofballs...hence the bowling alley.

Bowling + The Black Dahlia Murder = Amazing

One of the best songs to listen to after a break up or just pissed off at an ex-girlfriend. I listened to this song non-stop after my most recent break up, best medicine ever.

Evergreen Terrace was one of the first bands I have ever gotten to see live, and they have yet to cease to amaze me.  Each album just gets progressively better and better. Never a dull moment with this band.

Not the best quality video, but this scene made me love this song by Queen.  If you haven't seen Shaun of the Dead then you haven't lived your life to the fullest...no offense, just saying.  The greatest thing about this scene is the fact that them killing/beating up zombies goes along to the beat of the song.  Watch the movie, and love it.

Nature Brings Them Together

A day filled with zip lines into the lake, community service projects on the camp grounds, and the ever popular and awkward class dance. Never have I felt so rewarded in one day just being in nature and soaking every bit of the world around me in. There are truly no words to describe how this last and final full day went so I'm just gonna say it with photos. So take it in and enjoy...






















Giving yourself fully to the education of a child might just be the single most greatest experience anyone can ever have.

Power From Within

A day filled with triumph, challenges, new beginnings and old bonds growing stronger. Day 2 here at Camp Harrison brought us to our group challenges and activities. All 43 of our students are spilt into 4 groups and sent to various activities throughout the day (water zip line, power pole, water quality and high ropes course zip line). My group of 11 students (of which affectionately called themselves Team Jarrett), set out on the power pole and high ropes zip line this morning.






Standing about 50 feet off the ground, the zip line is a true test of overcoming ones fears and just letting go. Team Jarrett strapped themselves into their harnesses (hands down the most uncomfortable things on the planet) and away they went.

Just the sheer height of this tower turns many kids away but to see a child that was scared thinking about it earlier and then walking up to that platform and swinging down...that's why I teach.












In the end, they learn something about them-self they weren't aware of before and come out 10x stronger and confident then they were even that morning. They also come out of the morning hot, tired, yet overall still smiling...






The last stage of my groups activities for the day (again Team Jarrett just to remind you) consisted of what we call a "Power Pole" and doing a little nature hiking.

It's literally how it sounds, a pole that's all about overcoming your fears, reaching your potential, and giving you strength to take on anything life hands you. Truly a daunting object to stare at but once you're at the top...so rewarding and just a leap away from pure bliss.






Our journey today ended with a very long but insightful hike followed by the ever amazing adventure of getting all 17 boys in my cabin to take a shower and settle down. I'll leave you for the night with some pictures to explain the day. Meanwhile, it's off to dreamland for me because tomorrow will be epic as they say...






























"Everything you would ever need to keep you happy is right in front of your eyes."

Time To Grow

A whole new year begins for these 7th and 8th graders. It's a period of time in their life where they begin to shape who they are and figure out important life lessons about themselves that they will carry with them for a long time to come.

We begin every year here in my classroom with a trip to Camp Harrison here in Boomer, NC ( yes it's an odd name but I swear it's real). It's your typical YMCA camp filled with a high ropes course, zip lines, hiking trails and many more team building activities.







Today was spent getting both oriented with the camp itself and also doing many team building activities just to get oriented with each other. To watch these kids grow and challenge themselves is hands down the most amazing thing I've ever encountered. They are more outspoken and honest than anyone I've ever met. They take great pleasure in even the smallest of things (like me playing games with them).






It takes someone just talking to them, showing an interest in who they are...and with that you've gained a new friend. You've gained their trust in relying on you to help them along with their journey through life. It's a humbling experience, one I've never quite found the words for.

For now, I must rest on this ridiculous bunk bed (I'm bigger than the bed) and tuck myself into my sleeping bag. Tomorrows adventures are a zip line and the ever daunting "power pole."







"Wherever you go, there you are."

- Posted by Jarrett

Acoustic Alchemy

Kearney's most recent album, City of Black & White, was released through Columbia Records on May 19, 2009. Mat collaborated with Nashville artists such as Trent Dabbs, Matthew Perryman Jones, Kate York, Paul Moak, Daniel James, Will Sayles, and Josiah Bell. Robert Marvin, the producer of Mat's previous albums and EPs, joined Mat yet again. The lead single was "Closer To Love" and it received much airplay, on secular and Christian outlets. His second single is "All I Have", the last song he wrote before releasing the album. It is also the first song on City of Black & White.

Lee's third studio album, Last Days at the Lodge, was released on June 24, 2008. The first single off the album is "Listen". The track "What's Been Going On" has also gained moderate success among radio stations.

Lee has stated that he will be going into the studio in May 2010 to begin work on his fourth studio album which is due out in the fall.

Christofer Drew Ingle began his ventures with NeverShoutNever! in September of 2007. Using the internet, and specifically myspace, he has built his career and established a solid fanbase. Chris has no record label and is in complete control of all aspects of his music. He released is first EP, "Demo-schmemo" on February 29, 2008 and his second, more popular EP, "The Yippee EP" on September 25, 2008. 

Jordan Witzigreuter is the only official member of the Ready Set. For live shows, he performs with a three-member band. Early, Witzigreuter wrote and recorded all his songs in the basement of his parents' home, but has since recorded in Atlanta, Georgia with Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount (Cartel, All Time Low, Hit The Lights), and in Los Angeles, California with Matt Squire (All Time Low, The Cab, 3OH!3, Taking Back Sunday, The Maine).

In November 2009, Witzigreuter signed with Decaydance Records and Sire Records, two sub–labels of Warner Bros. Records, and released his first full–length studio album, I'm Alive, I'm Dreaming, on June 15, 2010. The lead single "Love Like Woe" has reached #95 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Devil's In The Jukebox

Since 2004, Ray LaMontagne, who might get unfairly pinned down as just another bearded folkie, has put out a string of resonant and emotional records, each with songs that range from the best of the folk/pop genre, to songs that skim influence from the finest 60s soul and R&B. God Willin’ and the Creek Don’t Rise is a departure from that influence, and is a turn to a more traditional folk-rock record.

And then there's Maroon 5. I'd be willing to wager that without Frank Sinatra we wouldn't have an Adam Levine, so it's appropriate that Levine's band opens His Way, Our Way with a typically smooth cover of "The Way You Look Tonight."

Oliver Sykes stated that the idea came about after asking a friend to remix one of their songs, and after being very pleased with the end result the band decided to take it a step further and get the whole of Suicide Season remixed. Musicians and producers featured on the album includes Ben Weinman from The Dillinger Escape Plan, Sonny Moore, L’Amour La Morgue (Ian Watkins from Lostprophets), Utah Saints and Shawn Crahan from Slipknot. Sykes also stated that “There’s not a song on there that really sounds like the original. What’s great though is the diversity of each song. There’s dubstep to hip-hop, electro to drum and bass.

Rumor has it that the only way to kill a zombie is to remove its head, and The Devil Wears Prada’s listeners should be warned that decapitation may very well be a side-effect of listening to their new release, Zombie EP.

For the occasional heavy music listener, this release may have disappointingly little prettiness dispersed throughout the mayhem. But for the metal fan, this album will gain TDWP more appreciation than any previous release. Vocalist Mike Hranica says that the album is “sinister and bad-ass,” and even if he didn’t have neck tats and a Chuck Norris-caliber mustache, I wouldn’t disagree with the guy.