Apply Directly to Your Brain

Funny The Way it Is

2009-06-06T17:46:00.002-05:00

"Come my Lord, no longer tarry

Take my ransom soul away

Send Thy angels now to carry

Me to realms of endless day"

-Come Thou Fount

"To the love that has reached out across all the ages

To poor, precious sinners; You died and You saved us

Majesty meeting depravity, You came to me oh Lamb of God

Just as I am"

-Just As I Am (chorus written and added on by Josh Williams)

Those are excerpts from two hymns that have been stuck in my head all day. I listened to Josh William's hymns cd like 3 times through today. Those two songs were on it. They are beautiful both lyrically and melodically.

I have spent the last ten days in training for Camp of the Rising Son. I both glad and sad it is over. I'm glad that I can get some rest, finally. But I'm sad because the staff at CRS won't get to spend all their time together for the rest of summer because we'll be too busy with the kids. Oh well. It's still going to be great and rewarding at the end. The best part is that almost everyone on staff goes to Belhaven, which means I'll get to spend the fall with them as we'll all be in the Jackson area. There are some great people working at this place and I'm thankful that God has given me the opportunity and was cool enough to make it enjoyable for the most part. Thanks, Daddy.

Be in prayer for us and the kids so that they can know the awesome and the powerful truth of Christ.

Stay classy,

Ethan

2009-06-06T17:46:00.000-05:00

"It's Rambling Paul!"

2009-04-27T23:12:00.003-05:00

Here are some videos I've done for our Discipleship Now weekend, plus two more Dave the Knight videos. Enjoy!

Stay classy,

Ethan (Sorry I'm awesome)

"I'm just a painter and I'm drawing a blank."

2009-04-27T15:45:00.004-05:00

Hello all. Been a while, I suppose. I'm on my last week of high school. [Insert sentimental/reminiscent statement here.] I'm really not going to miss this school. I will miss some of the people, but not actually going to this school. Well... it's not so much that I won't miss the school, it's that it pales in comparison to my eagerness to start college life.

By the way, did you know that Spinal Tap uses Ernie Ball guitar strings? Ernie Ball likes credit everybody that uses their strings, even if it isn't a substantial band like Spinal Tap.

I plan to have some videos up soon. Turns out that many people liked the Dave the Knight video, so I have two more headed your way. Don't touch dat dial, fool.

Stay classy,

Ethan (Sorry I'm awesome)

"I'm alright in bed, but I'm better with a pen."

2009-04-15T16:24:00.001-05:00

New video alert! My friends and I got bored one day in class, so I whipped out the camera. The following is the result of our boredness. It started off as a little fun and it snowballed into an actual story kinda. Enjoy!

"You better hold on to your bed sheet. I'm gonna take you for a ride."

2009-04-14T13:38:00.003-05:00

This is a video I made of my friends and I hanging out at the SMASH building. I intend to post more videos as I make them. Let me know what you think!

Stay classy,

Ethan

"I don't blame you for being for you, but you can't blame me for hating it"

2009-04-11T11:19:00.003-05:00

This Easter weekend was very welcomed in open arms by yours truly. I spent the last two days at my girlfriend's. Thursday was prom night for her school. I enjoyed it much more than my school's prom.

Time for a rant.

Ready, men?

Ready, Robin!

Here's a hint to our juniors: in order for a prom to be any good, you have to work harder than those "people" who get by with food stamps and unemployment checks. I think someone said that our juniors were somewhat insulted by the seniors leaving prom after 45 minutes. If they were, I laugh in their faces. Why do you think we left early? You don't go cheap and get a DJ for prom! You just don't! If you're insulted that we left, then I'm insulted that you're insulted.

End rant.

The past two days were fun. Prom was fun, and the next day was fun. The ol' ball and chain and I went to the movies and saw I Love You, Man. GREAT movie. I love Paul Rudd. He did great in Role Models and he did even better in this movie. Chicks and guys can watch it. It's a guy movie, but there's some definite chick flick quality to it.

How's my Pilot doing, you ask? Awesome, of course. Taylor and I tried coming up with a name for it. He has a red jeep he calls Red Lightning. I'm thinking about deeming my Pilot the Gray Baron. Why? Because it's gray and it's a Pilot. Duh. What are you, a HCHS student? Anyways, that might be my car's name. I might go unoriginal and steal the Murph Mobile from Wayne's World, but the Pilot doesn't quite look the part.

Would you like to hear one last little anecdote, Merry Men of Sherwood?

Sure would!

My girlfriend and I realized Thursday night that we are very much like an old couple. Taylor and his girl, who are somewhat of a new couple, were with us at Bumper's waiting to go to prom. They starting play fighting and tickling each other in the backseat. I remember thinking, literally, "I remember those days." Then I almost wanted to slap myself for thinking that. I immediately lurch over my console to where my girlfriend was sitting and attacked her with tickles and kisses. I felt a little better after that.

End anecdote.

Stay classy,

Ethan

"The truth is worse than anything I could bring myself to do to you."

2009-04-08T22:45:00.003-05:00

I had an interesting day. My father and I went to buy a graduation car for myself, which I have been waiting for since junior year. I had my heart set on the FJ Cruiser. We go to the dealership, and we find out that the car we were trading in was a salvage car, which we did not know. So since it was a salvage title, its value was cut in half. Then the douches at the Toyota dealership wouldn't give us any kind of deal on it. It was heartbreaking, until I found out that the FJ Cruiser only runs on premium gas. I didn't feel so bad about not getting it after this information was unveiled to me.

So, no FJ Cruiser, no happiness, right? Wrong, I say, wrong!

We decide to go to the Honda dealership to see if we could get any deals. After talking to nicest, most hard working, honest, and a not-trying-to screw-you-over salesman, we get a Honda Pilot. And the best part is that it's better than the FJ Cruiser. I'm glad we didn't get it. Screw you, Toyota, and hello Honda!

Stay classy,

Ethan

"We said some awesome funny things."

2009-04-05T21:41:00.002-05:00

Okay. Catfish Festival was this past Saturday. Compared to the last couple years, it was a lot better as far as population, weather, and number of booths. However, I did not see one booth that was for a teenage guy. It was all for tiny tots and teenage to middle age whores.

That night I went to a benefit for March of Dimes, which is a Christian organization helping premature babies. I don't know what marching or dimes have to do with it, though. Two bands played at the benefit and maybe 10 people showed up which was disheartening.

The first band up was Flight from Below from Hattiesburg. I heard that they were good before I went. When I got there, I was told that they were somewhat of a hardcore band and screamed a bit. Great. I went through a phase where I listened to bands that screamed. Looking back, I realize how much of a horrible taste I had. The screaming thing just seems so pretentious. I get there and I see these guys wearing Volcom shirts and skinny jeans and skate shoes. Honestly? Is that still cool? The bassist even had a light blue bass with a black and white checker board pattern on the pickguard. They start up, and I already hated it. The lead singer acted like he was performing in front of 1,856 excited people when there are five people standing there with their arms crossed. After about three songs I went into another room and ate chips from the snack machine and talked to Jared and lady taking up money. After I got bored from that, I went back into the auditorium and sat with my boy Aaron, who was manning the soundboard. I decide to take over the controls for the lights. I was very tempted to turning all the lights off with the chance that the band would stop. Finally, the ugliness stopped. I will tip my hat to Flight from Below's enthusiasm, but seriously, write better songs and take it down a notch. That kind of music will be forgotten about by 2010.

After hearing Flight from Below, a breath of fresh air took the stage: Unbroken. These are my boys (and girl). They are not an incredible band, but they really have a heart for worship. I think the latter is more important in the world of worship music, don't you? I've known this band for more than a year and I have seen them perform at least 10 times. My band has even performed with them twice. Let me tell you, they have gotten much better throughout this year. I may be biased in my opinion but oh well. I ran the lights for that set and it was a lot of fun. They played a good set as well. Well done, Unbroken.

Sorry I'm awesome,

Ethan

Jon Forman of Switchfoot = Genius

2009-03-31T14:06:00.004-05:00

This question and answer is from a recent article I read where fans of the band Switchfoot asked questions to lead singer and song writer, Jon Forman.

XoguitarisLIFE asks: So this summer will be the fourth time I've SF, and I really love you guys and all; but, a friend of mine met you not too long ago and asked if you were a Christian, and you replied with "What's a Christian?" I'm not sure what you meant by that, but I also want to know why your music isn't listed in the Christian genre. Thanks for being an inspiration to my music.

Jon Forman: I'm honored to be affiliated with the man who served and died for the broken, the poor, the burn-outs, and the drop-outs. His angriest words were reserved for the religious right of his time-the folks who had religion all figured out; the folks running the temples; the folks with God tied around their fingers.

Today, the term "Christian" is stamped on all sorts of commercial products. I am loath to use the term on anything other than the human soul-and even then, I question whether the verdict "Christian" can be self-applied. I am attempting to live my life by following in the footsteps of my master. As to whether my life is Christ-like, it matters very little what I say. God's opinion matters to me more than any man's.

So I question these terms not to create controversy but out of reverence. The mysteries of life, love, and a transcendent, omnipotent Creator are not to be handled lightly. I like to ask folks to define the words they're using so that we can speak well and truthfully with each other.

That really and truly spoke to me. I think that is the kind of mentality we should have about our faith. I definitely don't have much figured out about this, but I do know that I'm trying to "live my life by following in the footsteps of my master."

-Ethan

Those Cows Will Never Know What Hit Them

2009-03-30T12:08:00.002-05:00

First off, let me say that James has the dance that will make you want to let him into your pants. I can only hope that I can learn from him so I can create my own beautiful moves to sling out at Sharkey's prom. I'm just gonna listen to techno and Girl Talk until my own dance spills out of my soul. As Taylor said, "You just gotta find yourself in the music, man."

David is contemplating showing up at the Sharkey prom, unannounced. I will continue to milk this idea as much as possible. Maybe he'll do it. I doubt it, though.

Yeah, I'm in Accounting again. And of course, David is telling me to do my work. Thanks, mom.

The other day, I ate lunch with Brett and Faith at Long's drug store. We were sitting beside some purses displayed in the window. Brett looks over, and the following conversation ensues:

Brett: "I would not pay $80 for that purse"
Me: "Why would you pay any amount of money for any purse?"
Brett: "........."

We had a laugh about that afterwards.

Sorry I'm awesome.
Ethan

"I Read Somewhere There Are These People from France."

2009-03-29T00:18:00.003-05:00

I just wrote a lengthy entry but my Internet says to me, "Hey, you're doing something that looks like work. I'll be sure to ruin it for you."

Damn Internet.

Sorry I'm awesome,

Ethan

Coach Bridges

2009-03-27T12:36:00.004-05:00

Coach Bridges is like a ninja. He shows up out of nowhere and tells you your shirttail is out.
Coach Bridges is the White Wizard.
Coach Bridges is the Warlord.
General Coach Bridges
Coach Bridges' mustache is more famous than Colonel Sanders' mouth brow.
Coach Bridges has uneven lips.
Coach Bridges will put you away in the closet and take away a week's worth of rations.
Coach Bridges will let you know when you have diarrhea of the mouth.

Oh, joy! Oh, elation! Oh, goodie!

2009-03-27T12:05:00.004-05:00

I know that my title implies that I am in a merry mood, but I'm really just indifferent. Graduation needs to hurry the hell up and get here. My boy David is sitting beside me and he's working on his accounting class work, which makes sense because we are in accounting class. Obviously, I am not working on it.

You know you're too old when you don't know how to make an announcement on the intercom (Mrs. Sally).

David just noticed I'm not doing my work and gave me his classic line, "We've got something to do, Ethan," like I'm completely oblivious to world around me. I am NOT Katherine, David, as much as you want me to be.

Ok, I'm gonna semi-work. Bye.

That is ON the lake.

2009-03-26T23:36:00.002-05:00

"Ya know, if I get beheaded, I want a raise."
- Will Scarlet; The Somewhat True Tale of Robin Hood
Role Models is awesome. I think the humor is not original, but funny nonetheless. I've been a Paul Rudd fan since I saw him in 40 Year-Old Virgin.

I hate the templates on this website so I decided to go find my own elsewhere. The result is what you see before you. No I will not tell you where I got it, how to do that kinda stuff, or what my middle name is. Get a life.

Can't Stop the Rebel Train

2008-10-10T23:53:00.002-05:00

I just played in the best game I've ever had anything to do with, out of any sport. We just beat the undefeated, #5 team in the state 31-0. Can you say "shut out!"? The line did an excellent job blocking. Their blocking allowed me to get 4 touchdowns and around 185 yards. I'm still in shock. We were ready for them. We've been preparing ourselves mentally and physically for the whole week. We wanted it more than they did, and we got it. Thank You, God, for allowing us this win tonight. It was a great gift You gave us, and I give the glory to You.

You Reach Me Now...

2008-10-02T23:09:00.003-05:00

"You should see the stars tonight
How they shimmer, shine so bright
Against the black, they look so white
Coming down from such a height
To reach me now... You reach me now...

You should see the moon in flight
Cutting across the misty night
Softly dancing in sunshine
Reflections of its light
Reach me now... You reach me now...

And how could such a thing
Shine its light on me
And make everything beautiful again"
- "Stars" by David Crowder Band

The selection above perfectly describes how I was feeling tonight. Today was my 18th birthday and I couldn't have spent it any better. After school, I went to see Ash. She gave me a hand made card, some cheap sunglasses (because she hates the ones I was using), and Iron Man. I know, I have the coolest girlfriend ever. We went to her school's jr. high football game, and we ate at Chuck's with a bunch of her friends. I was sure to let them know that this would serve as my birthday party. The food was good (to me) and we had fun sharing what our names would be if we were strippers. (Take the name of the first street you ever lived on, and the name of the first pet you can remember having, and you have your stripper name. In my case, it is Leflore Snuggles.)

After that, Ash and I went to her house. I didn't have to leave for another hour. The night sky was clear and filled with stars and it was beautiful, like a scene right of a major chick flick. I did what any male lead of a chick flick would do by suggesting that we get some blankets and lay out in the yard and stargaze. I gotta tell ya, as cheesy as it sounds, it was wonderful. Easily one of the best times we've ever had together.

The song above was playing through my head the whole time and it perfectly describes the feeling of tonight. It is so amazing that God was so cool and creative enough to create something as beautiful as the starry sky for us to enjoy. For the first time I was really thankful for the sky, which is something we always take for granted. What a God we serve!

It's Been Awhile

2008-09-30T20:19:00.004-05:00

So... we won last Friday night 26-6. I had my worst offensive game but my best defensive game I've ever had. The refs were pitiful. Pathetic. Never had such bad refs. I've never been in a game with so many missed calls and so many flags thrown for nothing. Oh well. We won so who cares, right? It was a big win, and we needed it, no doubt. But we really could have gone without our biggest and best lineman breaking his leg. He's out for the rest of the regular season. He might be able to play in the post season if we make it to the play offs. This week we has Bayou Academy, who have only won one game. We beat them 14 to 0 at the Jamboree so we should win. But we can't afford to overlook them. If we do then our season is over.

My back has been hurting for two weeks in the same place and every day it has gotten worse. I went to the doctor Monday, but they couldn't figure out what it is exactly. It's probably just a muscle strain. It sucks, though. They gave me Skelaxen (sp?), a muscle relaxant, and some 800 mg Ibuprofen. I'm already on acne medication. I've never had to take so many pills in my life. And the worse thing is that it doesn't seem like the pills are doing anything. If this is the case, then I have to go to physical therapy and have an ultrasound. It'll be a big day for me.

Bein' Awake Never Felt Like This Before

2008-09-24T20:19:00.002-05:00

First off let me apologize to HistoryTeacher for not posting in a while. She said she was disappointed in me for not blogging. Now, down to business.

My birthday is next week. I'll be 18. I don't feel that excited about it and I don't know why. It's kinda like Christmas. You love it every time it's here, but not as much as you did last year. Anyways, my phone is messed up so I'll probably get a new one for my birthday. Actually, my mom and I are going to get it tomorrow. Woo!

Football practice was a bit iffy this week. Not nearly good as last week. I just hope we're ready by Friday. We can't afford to lose!

I'm ready to see Ash this weekend even though I saw her Monday. This week is her school's homecoming week, and she's a senior maid and is up for the coveted crown. I hope she gets it. I may be her boyfriend, but in my unbiased opinion I think it works. One of the traditions of her school's homecoming week is that all the high school classes roll each other's yards all week. I went with her class Monday night and had a ball. We got 4 yards, and we got 'em good!

Later.

FINALLY

2008-09-20T14:52:00.002-05:00

We finally got our big win last night. 36-0. A blowout. It was awesome. I'm happy that coach gave me the ball as much as he did and that the line and other backs blocked as well as they did. Because of them, I was able to score 4 touchdowns and get around 195 yards rushing. Winning feels good. I think we'll hold on to that feeling by winning some more games. Next week is Greenville Christian who has only lost to one team in conference, I believe. If we beat them it'll severely improve our progress. I think we have enough momentum and hype to actually do something.

Later.

The Old Clock is a Thief... He's Got Dirty Second Hands

2008-09-17T23:00:00.003-05:00

I have done a lot of traveling this week. Monday, I went bowling in Greenville. Tuesday, I went to Inverness to watch Ash's little brother play a pee wee football game. Today I went to a college fair in Yazoo City, and tonight I went to Indianola with "McWatson" and "Gabby". McWatson wanted to get Rock Band 2 so it was kind of a spur of the moment thing. Those are the best times.

Football has been pretty good so far this week. Coach said we've had our best practices all year. I hope they pay off because we need a win BADLY. We were picked to win our conference (of NINE teams, I might add. Yeah, unfair, right?) and we haven't even won a game. We would be great if our guys had the right attitudes and some "wantin' to," as coach would say. A team is not good because of talent but because it has worked hard.

Overall, this week has been one of my favorite weeks of school ever, basically because we pretty much haven't had school all week. Kinda ironic, huh?

Unleash the Beast

2008-09-15T23:32:00.004-05:00

Color war day was fun. We Seniors kicked everyone else's butts, naturally. We wore that red clothing like there was no tomorrow. We start working on our billboards (not floats) tomorrow. Our theme this year is Disney. We chose to do the beast from Beauty and the Beast dressed up as a football player, with our slogan, "Unleash the Beast on the Feds." We're playing a team whose mascot is the confederate.

Football wasn't too bad. Watching the film wasn't that great, but actual practiced was alright because the weather from the hurricanes was nice and coooool. I hope we stay focused to get a win this week, because we need one terribly.

Today was the Hawkins twins' birthday!!! My friends and I were going to take them bowling tonight, but they couldn't go so we just went with ourselves. It's the thought that counts, right? I'd like to wish them a happy birthday, and many more (on channel four... with a big fat lady on channel eighty...)

Tomorrow is camo day, but I won't dress up because I, being the loser non-hunter I am, don't have any to dress up in. Oh well. Wednesday is PJ day and is also the day we Seniors go to the college fair! I wonder if we can wear our PJs to the college fair?

Peace.

In These Abundant Skies

2008-09-14T21:16:00.004-05:00

The weekend went by much too fast, but it was a good one.

Saturday I went to see my girlfriend, "Ash," play softball and then went to her house. There was nothing to do there so we came here and she spent the night (we were in separate rooms of course). We went to church this morning and it was good. We have a new Sunday school teacher and we've merged the junior high and high school classes because we don't have much youth. It went well. The service was good as well. Ash had to leave early to go to her own church tonight. We had a great time together, as always.

My church has finally gotten a much needed full time youth minister, Nub. He has one arm. And he is awesome and a half. We had SMASH (Seeking Hearts and Searching Minds) tonight. I lead music by myself for the first time and it turned out to be fun instead of scary and embarrassing. We sang "Here I Am to Worship" and "The Heart of Worship" which are oldies but goodies. Nub did a great job speaking, with his great sense of humor and wittiness. I think SMASH will be awesome for the rest of the year.

This week is homecoming week. Every day is a dress up day. Tomorrow is color war day and the senior class's color is red. We just so happen to be playing Ash's school this friday night for homecoming. Maybe I'll get to impress her with my sweet moves (not).

I think this week will be fun. I'm happy with my life at the moment.

Mustard packets.

2008-09-13T00:56:00.002-05:00

We lost our football game 27-0, but it was to a good team from a school bigger than us. Overall, we played pretty well. The other team got three of their touchdowns because of missed calls of the refs, and I truly believe that. Whatever, though.

I'd like to thank my locker buddies for giving me a huge bucket o' candy today. It'll last my all year.

After the game, I was hanging with a friend of mine (we'll call him "Joe"). Joe gives everything he has in a football game. I've never seen a harder worker. Anyways, we were at McDonald's/gas station in the parking lot and the dude starts to randomly cramp up in his thighs. It's so bad that I had to rub his thighs in the middle of the parking lot. I don't know if anyone noticed. I had to go into the restaurant and ask for some mustard packets. Thank God they didn't charge me, as I had no money on me. His pain receded eventually, and he went on with life.

In English, we had journal topics to write about. I liked what I wrote so I figured I'd post one of them up from memory.

Tin Cans: Good or Bad?

Aluminum can: What's the difference between you and me?

Tin can: I'm awesome and you suck.

Aluminum can: That's not very nice.

Tin can: Your face isn't very nice.

Obviously, tin cans are bad. This can was nothing but rude to the other can. Bad tin can!

Best Day at School EVER.

2008-09-11T19:50:00.002-05:00

So, I am a senior at my small, less than 200 people (K-12) school. Today we took senior portraits and a bunch of class pictures at various locations in our small Delta town. What a day.

First of all, it took us about two and a half hours to take our individuals, which is odd because we have 14 kids in our class. This was great. Since we were taking pictures for so long, our teachers didn't bother to make us have class, so we just roamed the halls and wreaked subliminal havoc (James and Patrick will know what I mean) until it was one's turn to take his pictures. It was fun for some reason.

After individuals, we went out through town to take class pictures, one of which will serve as end sheets to the yearbook. We took some fun pictures that I think will be some of the best senior pics ever.

Hanging out with my class and typing this made me realize how much I'll miss everyone once we graduate. I intend to make this year my best year of all high school. It's still weird to think I'm a senior. Even at the beginning of school, it seems like it's almost gone.

So, to all my classmates, I love you. I'm proud to have shared almost all my life with y'all.

Peace.

Everyone's Doing It

2008-09-11T18:52:00.000-05:00

Okay, so I decided to start a blog. Two of my teachers and maybe a friend or two are blogging so I figured it'd be fun to be able to pry into my teachers' private lives. It's really quite interesting. Maybe they'll check my blog out as well. I'm very inconsistent, so I don't know how this will do. We'll see.

Another thing that got me interested in blogging or keeping a public type diary was reading Go Ask Alice. Good, powerful book. It's the diary of a girl that got into drugs and losing control. Great book.

So... yeah that's pretty much it.