Circleslide

Good news everyone, the writer’s strike that was affecting this blog has been called off as both parties have resolved whatever petty differences they once had. Now, it our pleasure to bring you, without further ado…gabe’s rantings, and meaningless drivel…brought to you by the maker’s of ‘axe body spray’… ‘axe’, it smells like crap, but guys still buy it because of our marketing campaign. ‘axe body spray’…ha, ha, we got you, suckers!

(just spray this stuff on guys…same thing)

Hello, dear readers. The world is a much different place when we last had a conversation. Allow me to recap: Your fearless and deeply flawed heroes had wrapped up a tour of the northeast…highlights included performing for amazing people in New Hampshire, Maine, Delaware, New York, New Jersey and Indiana, eating pizza in times square, and writing new circleslide tunes.

Starbucks, Dunkin’ Donuts and other varieties of coffee were consumed by the gallons.

An old van died with 386,000 miles causing our faith to be tested…a new one was miraculously purchased, causing our faith to be bolstered… and, already less than a month old… it already has 5,000 miles.

Circleslide returned to Nashville and began recording with Salvador’s Keyboard player/producer Chris Bevins. A fine, fun time was had by all. The result was three new songs: “Ever going to win”, “Gone”, and “Looking UP”. The songs were recorded at Chris Bevin’s studio and at my house, which I’ve decided to call, “reveal” studios…it’s actually just a room above my garage…but I’m going to insist on telling my wife, “hey, I’m heading up to ‘reveal’…be back in a second”…and wait for her to blow her bangs up and roll her eyes at me. Yay!

Recently, Nic Gonzales, (Salvador) invited me to join his band and his lovely wife, Jaci Valasquez on a couple of shows in Austin and Corpus Christi, Texas. The only thing is that there wouldn’t be room on the bus for the rest of the guys…would I mind opening the show by myself? Hmm. I thought about saying no… It’s a bit terrifying to be up on a stage, alone, when you are so used to having a full-fledged rock band that’s got your back, night after night. Circleslide is a band, after all…and it just felt a bit weird.

However, it might be good for me to be forced to open the show, just me and an acoustic guitar…get back to my roots…the coffee house days…trying to stop the conversations in the back of the room…try to let the baristas hear a lyric …try to get all of us to share a moment together. So I’m doing it. The bus leaves on Thursday…I’m excited, nervous, scared and I might fall off the stage…so, I’ll keep you posted.

In the meantime, thanks for sticking with me as I took a break from blogging. There was no ‘real’ writer’s strike…and yet, there kinda was. Once we got back from the road, my mac died on me. The hard drive just quit. Thankfully, I had backed everything up…and I had Apple Care. But I went without the computer for about a week…and it felt kinda good. But, I’m back…and the hiatus has allowed me to think of some cool ideas for this place…and once, again…I’ll be at the computer…over sharing…and trying to have some kind of dialogue with you…some of the coolest people around.

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God my Father;

There is no shadow of turning with thee;

Words cannot express the gratitude I feel. We drove to our concert in Maine in a brand new van.

It’s been a rough three weeks. I’ve been reminded of past lessons, found in places like 2 Corinthians chapter four verses 16-18:

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”

After a grueling trek back to West Virginia to return the rental truck…we said goodbye our old van. I know it was only a machine…but after spending most of the last 7 years of my life inside of it…it felt like saying goodbye to a family member. Sentimentality is one of my weaknesses…and in the tradition of fight club…we gave it a name in death…presley.

‘presley grey–goodnight, sweet prince’*

We gathered up belongings left behind…and we drove the rental car back to New Hampshire. I was feverish…strep throat…my common advesary when i don’t get enough sleep…was fighting me again.

But we made it, with a few naps here and there, back to Concord, NH. And over the weekend, some amazing people had decided to help us towards getting the van. That’s really all I can say. Gifts have been coming in the mail, some from friends, some from strangers…even up here at the Camp. We’ve been driven to tears by the generosity.

And on Tuesday afternoon…we drove off the lot in a silver 2009 Chevy Express 3500. Debbie says it’s got ‘Spurs’ Colors’. A happy coincidence.

We were both too exhausted and sick to really enjoy the moment. Typical. But when we pulled over on our way to Maine for the first gas fill up…right by Kennebunkport–of all places—I was overcome with gladness, awe, amazement, disbelief, and praise for this moment. We were in a new van. Our God provided. We thought we might have to cancel these shows…go back to nashville…and re-think it all…but we’re still here. We’re still fighting. We’re still kicking and screaming our way to the finish line. We haven’t yet finished our race. We may be on our knees…but that’s how battles are won…that’s the way to get the attention of God…he gives grace to the humble.

We don’t deserve this new van, not by a long shot. I know my temper has been shorter these past few weeks…my desire to wallow in self pity has been insatiable. But in all this, I’ve seen this band, including Debbie…refuse to give up on worshipping the Lord…a no-surrender attitude in Trusting in Him…Eric fasted for about a week…we prayed together…we believed God would provide…and He did. Great is his faithfulness…indeed.

Some of you have expressed an interest in giving towards this new van. You can email us at circleslide@bellsouth.net for more info…thank you, so much.

*(goodnight sweet prince is a sarcastic internet meme…just in case you thought i was getting carried away)

400 kids singing at the top of their lungs…makes for a great weekend if you’re in this band.

But the weekend is over and we have a concert in Maine on Thursday.

The good news is that there might be a break-through with the van situation. We are so grateful for all the prayers! Seriously. Thank you so much.

The truck we’ve been renting is from the dealership in Morgantown, West Virginia. It’s their truck. Not like ‘enterprise’ where you can drop it off almost anywhere. So we got to drive tonight, and return it tomorrow morning. Deb rented another car, here in Concord, New Hampshire…and she’ll follow me there.

We’ll settle up on the truck in the A.M…and gather belongings left behind in the the old grey van…and I’m pretty sure I will be sad to see it in such a state again.

We’ll get a little sleep…and drive the rented car back here to New Hampshire…and we’ll continue to believe for that new vehicle.

I hope that when I blog again on Wednesday…I’ll have some good news.

till then…get some sleep for us.