I get really nervous when I'm on stage. Last Saturday I did pretty well tho. Any mistakes that I made I blame it on the fact that I forgot my music and had to write it all out by memory. Anyway,
So to eliminate stage fright I borrowed a mic stand and a music stand from the church and set them up on my back porch. Along with my amp, plugged in guitar, and mic, I was rockin! Actually, believe it or not whenever I imagined there to be a real audience my hands fumbled on the strings. Ha... yeah, I'll get it.
I was totally in my own moment out there when I looked up to find a white man standing off in the grass watching me. UM! Yeah! I was on my back porch, and wondering who this guy was. He looked so happy tho! Come to find out he was my neighbor from up the hill (seeing as how we are in the middle of nowhere I just thought that all our neighbors were considered foreigners.) He said he could hear me from his garden, where he had been working. Haha.. cool right? He heard me playing and had to come down.
So his name is Bill. He used to be a wicked awesome guitar player and would play for bands and travel all over. Then he gave up the life to be an electrician and work 10 hours a day. About a year ago he gave his life to Christ. Since then he's been playing for his church praise team and teaching youngins how to play guitar. How cool is that? my NEIGHBOR! Haha. Bill said he's still getting to know Christian music, but loves what he hears. The dude plays by ear. He ran up and got his guitar and the two of us ended up jammin on the porch till well after dark. The plan is to keep jammin as often as we can and hopefully in the near near future I can join him at his church.
How awesome is God. I swear, I'm meeting the coolest people this summer. And it's all by His grace. If this is the way He plans on playing my life, then I say Jesus Rock On! (haha yeah, a little corny there.. heee)
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Lost In The Grip Of Grace
-Art work by Melanie Rich
Check out her one-a-day paintings. All original. All good stuff at. www.redheadart.blogspot.com
Doesn't the picture make you happy? Jesus holds everyone like this... Sigh. When is heaven? He's mesmerizing, isn't He? Brilliant.
The Bridge Builder
An old man walking a lonesome road
Came at the evening cold and grey
To a chasm vast wide and deep
With waters running cold and deep.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim
The rolling stream had no fears for him,
But he turned when safe on the other side
And he built a bridge to span that tide.
Old man said a fellow traveler near
You're wasting your strength with building here
Your journey will end with the passing day
You'll never again going to pass this way
You've crossed the chasm deep and wide
Why build you this bridge at even tide
The builder lifted his old grey beard and said
Good friend, in the path that I have come he said
There follows after me today
Youth whose feet must pass this way
The chasm that was not for me
To that fair head youth be a pitfall be
He too must cross in the twilight dim good friend
I'm building this bridge for him
-Author Unknown
Came at the evening cold and grey
To a chasm vast wide and deep
With waters running cold and deep.
The old man crossed in the twilight dim
The rolling stream had no fears for him,
But he turned when safe on the other side
And he built a bridge to span that tide.
Old man said a fellow traveler near
You're wasting your strength with building here
Your journey will end with the passing day
You'll never again going to pass this way
You've crossed the chasm deep and wide
Why build you this bridge at even tide
The builder lifted his old grey beard and said
Good friend, in the path that I have come he said
There follows after me today
Youth whose feet must pass this way
The chasm that was not for me
To that fair head youth be a pitfall be
He too must cross in the twilight dim good friend
I'm building this bridge for him
-Author Unknown
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Lyre Praise
This world is filled with beautiful people with beautiful souls. You never know who you will share company with. From one minute to the next life is a crazy whirlwind of change, ha ha. And if you take the time to make plans, like I did, you could very well end up in the presence of the kind of subtle greatness that will sweep you up into the whole tornado of a mess.
My unplanned and random travels lead me to the living room and then the concert of Dave and Kris. Dave, being an amazing guitarist/produce/singer, and his wife Kris a lyrical genius/guitarist/singer. It was William who introduced me to these two diamonds. And William who took me to their Coffee House concert where we praised the night away. I guess you could say that music is their hobby, but it's so much more than that. I wouldn't call it a career either. It's more of a calling; something ingrained in the life they made together, in their insides.
And these two wonders of people are going to help me make a demo. Remember that one that I wrote about in my last blog? The demo I need to sing for Leeland? alsdkjllgasdflashdgoasjdljndns! Of all original Crystal Cheatham music?!
Sing Hallelujah! Like King David said, Praise Him with they Lyre, with singing and dancing. Praise Him
My unplanned and random travels lead me to the living room and then the concert of Dave and Kris. Dave, being an amazing guitarist/produce/singer, and his wife Kris a lyrical genius/guitarist/singer. It was William who introduced me to these two diamonds. And William who took me to their Coffee House concert where we praised the night away. I guess you could say that music is their hobby, but it's so much more than that. I wouldn't call it a career either. It's more of a calling; something ingrained in the life they made together, in their insides.
And these two wonders of people are going to help me make a demo. Remember that one that I wrote about in my last blog? The demo I need to sing for Leeland? alsdkjllgasdflashdgoasjdljndns! Of all original Crystal Cheatham music?!
Sing Hallelujah! Like King David said, Praise Him with they Lyre, with singing and dancing. Praise Him
Friday, May 25, 2007
Open it and Mic it
Yesterday I found out about an open mic that is held about 45 minutes from my house. On a last minute whim I got redressed for the day and headed to see this place. It's actually a pretty chill coffee house. I'm sure that on a weekend that place is packed. I arrived to late to actually participate, but you could tell that those guys were really having fun. But as my 45 minute stay wore into an hour, I started to wonder where a Christian artist would fit in. Doing open mic is a great idea, but I wonder how all of that would go over, seeing as how most of the people there were homosexuals. Ha, not that I have an issue with them. I think it's they who might have found issues with Christians. So sad...
So do I cross open mic off the list of venues? Is that it?!
I'm finding so many questions and so many obstacles. God point me to an open door...
So do I cross open mic off the list of venues? Is that it?!
I'm finding so many questions and so many obstacles. God point me to an open door...
Thursday, May 24, 2007
LEELAND!
Today I'm sending in a demo so that I can open for Leeland in the fall. HOW SWEET IS THAT! I'm also trying to be one of the summer performers at Hershey Park. *sigh... As long as there's a crowd right?
Singing at TrueWind was a big thing for me. But after doing that I feel like I can do anything. They say that performing in front of a crowd that you know is often harder than performing in front of hundreds of strangers. Which I believe to be true. In all my singing experience I have never been more frightened than when I was singing in front of my peers at AU or in this case TrueWind. BUT God was there! Dave Ferguson took the time, before my performance to pray over my shaking hands and I was able to pluck away on my guitar without any bother. It was so much fun. I'm craving crowds.
And I just wrote another song. It's called Fall. Probably my favorite thus far. I want feedback so I'm going to figure out a way to get the song onto my blog. Anyway, good day yall.
Singing at TrueWind was a big thing for me. But after doing that I feel like I can do anything. They say that performing in front of a crowd that you know is often harder than performing in front of hundreds of strangers. Which I believe to be true. In all my singing experience I have never been more frightened than when I was singing in front of my peers at AU or in this case TrueWind. BUT God was there! Dave Ferguson took the time, before my performance to pray over my shaking hands and I was able to pluck away on my guitar without any bother. It was so much fun. I'm craving crowds.
And I just wrote another song. It's called Fall. Probably my favorite thus far. I want feedback so I'm going to figure out a way to get the song onto my blog. Anyway, good day yall.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Guys, Guys Look At This!
This image has been in my head for the longest time. And I told Melanie about it and she drew it...
Words are few, more on this later.
JUST LOOK!
This is for my next CD. The one featuring ALL Crystal Cheatham hand written music. JUST WAIT TILL IT IS IN COLOR!
(insert virtual hug for Melanie)
Knowledge For Life
I don't know how many of you noticed but on the left side of my page I have a tiny column titled "Fruther Musings." And there I have placed a link to a book blog I started ages ago. Although I have yet to keep up on it I have placed something there for your ultimate enjoyment. You see, gentle audience, I am not the only writer in my family (I would say house but Anthony is his own echo system now). Although our styles are completely different, I know great things will come of my brothers words. I posted something that I believe is wonderful. It is a speech he made for his class. His teacher loved it so much he is presenting it to the board of PennState. How 'bout them apples? So click on the link yall! "I Turned These Pages"
And if and when you see my brother, tell him he needs a blog.
And if and when you see my brother, tell him he needs a blog.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Puppy Tales
I've learned a few things from my dog Alexus
1.For the longest time she wouldn't come down the stairs to my room. No matter how lonely she was upstairs she would just stand at the landing and look all puppy sad while I descended into the abyss of the basement. When everyone would leave in the morning she would have a time barking up a storm. I of course, asleep snugly in my bed could hear her down stares. And then one day the barking was gone. I woke up late because of that! Then stepping out of the shower I found her at my feet, waiting for the wet dripping Crystal to come out of the shower! It was wicked cool. And I thought wow, how often do I let my fears take a hold of me? How long have I been staring down the corridor at what I wanted only to be to frightened of the darkness and the steepness to descend into personal satisfaction. Fear. What a myth.
2.Thursday morning I took Alexus in to the vet to be spayed. When I went to go pick her up the doctor gave strict orders about keeping her from licking her stitches. Last night Ham wasn't home so Alexus slept with me. She woke up about 3 times to attack her stitches. Silly puppy. I had to guard her belly while she fidgeted and sought after the wound. All the while I'm thinking "quite licking your stitches! The damage is done, now it has to heal." At some point during the long night I even told her that, hoping that she would find some ease or compassion in my voice. AH! But what have I been doing since I missed my performance in Pittsburgh! I haven't stopped beating myself up. I haven't stopped wishing and going back over what happened and how I ended up at BMA instead of the youth rally. I punked out. I panicked and took my eyes off Christ. And since then I haven't stopped licking my wounds. Goodness... How big is my God? How small are my thoughts...
1.For the longest time she wouldn't come down the stairs to my room. No matter how lonely she was upstairs she would just stand at the landing and look all puppy sad while I descended into the abyss of the basement. When everyone would leave in the morning she would have a time barking up a storm. I of course, asleep snugly in my bed could hear her down stares. And then one day the barking was gone. I woke up late because of that! Then stepping out of the shower I found her at my feet, waiting for the wet dripping Crystal to come out of the shower! It was wicked cool. And I thought wow, how often do I let my fears take a hold of me? How long have I been staring down the corridor at what I wanted only to be to frightened of the darkness and the steepness to descend into personal satisfaction. Fear. What a myth.
2.Thursday morning I took Alexus in to the vet to be spayed. When I went to go pick her up the doctor gave strict orders about keeping her from licking her stitches. Last night Ham wasn't home so Alexus slept with me. She woke up about 3 times to attack her stitches. Silly puppy. I had to guard her belly while she fidgeted and sought after the wound. All the while I'm thinking "quite licking your stitches! The damage is done, now it has to heal." At some point during the long night I even told her that, hoping that she would find some ease or compassion in my voice. AH! But what have I been doing since I missed my performance in Pittsburgh! I haven't stopped beating myself up. I haven't stopped wishing and going back over what happened and how I ended up at BMA instead of the youth rally. I punked out. I panicked and took my eyes off Christ. And since then I haven't stopped licking my wounds. Goodness... How big is my God? How small are my thoughts...
UGH!
is what you say when you are annoyed driving down the highway with a $167 ticket in your glove compartment. My Saturday afternoon plans of Pittsburgh were FOILED! And now I'm even more confused about what I'm doing with myself! alsdkfjasldfjasdlkfjalskdfjalekgjaldkjalsdfjalskdfjasldkfjalsdfgaihgweoiblskljsdsdfj! OH summertime. GRRRRR!
So frustrated So annoyed.
It was a nice day for a random drive though. A great day to drive absolutley nowhere. I know it was all my decision. My driving fast, my turning around, my failure, but I can't help but asking where God was in all this. What else do I have to do? What exactly am I doing?
We'll just count this as a moment of weakness. Good can come of anything, right? Let's hope so...
God is bigger
So frustrated So annoyed.
It was a nice day for a random drive though. A great day to drive absolutley nowhere. I know it was all my decision. My driving fast, my turning around, my failure, but I can't help but asking where God was in all this. What else do I have to do? What exactly am I doing?
We'll just count this as a moment of weakness. Good can come of anything, right? Let's hope so...
God is bigger
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
LoveActually
Within one week I stood at the two different airports reenacting the first and final scenes from Love Actually. You know the one. Everyone is tumbling out of the terminal gate. All the friends and family are waiting behind a metallic fence for their loved ones to come strolling out, dropping luggage and throwing out their arms for hugs and kisses.
The first time I was in Baltimore waiting for Becky to finally arrive. And when she finally did, over an hour and a half later than she was supposed to, I couldn't restrain myself from squealing and jumping/running into her arms. At least these actions were mutual, therefore there was no embarrassment. Gosh, it felt SO GOOD!
And just now I've come from JFK in NYC where we waited behind a pack of people searching for Molly. She was stepping on US soil for the first time in 8 months. Austria made her tan and thin. Once again, it felt sooo gooood... I miss those guys. Distance is a horrible torture. But once the gaps are filled in by travel, the meeting and greeting is all the better.
The first time I was in Baltimore waiting for Becky to finally arrive. And when she finally did, over an hour and a half later than she was supposed to, I couldn't restrain myself from squealing and jumping/running into her arms. At least these actions were mutual, therefore there was no embarrassment. Gosh, it felt SO GOOD!
And just now I've come from JFK in NYC where we waited behind a pack of people searching for Molly. She was stepping on US soil for the first time in 8 months. Austria made her tan and thin. Once again, it felt sooo gooood... I miss those guys. Distance is a horrible torture. But once the gaps are filled in by travel, the meeting and greeting is all the better.
Monday, May 7, 2007
Tag is for Kids
I was tagged by Melanie!
Ok list 7 random/interesting/odd things about yourself. Then list 7 people whom you tag that will have to repost their own lists.
1. I live with my mother. Haha!
2. I rarely clean my room. I think that since I came home in December I've cleaned it almost 3 times. I say almost because I think I started cleaning it and doing my laundry, but all my washed and unwashed clothes just ended up in seperate piles all over the floor. HA
3. Because I have the basement allll to myself I usually use the facilities without closing the door. To much info? Maybe...
4. I am shy.
5. I am a horrible student and hate studying. I can't stand school. blah! but I LOVE learning about new things... so I read. An unconventional scholar is what I would call myself.
6. My most favoritest movie in the whole wide world is Love Actually. I guess this isn't an odd or random thing for a girl to admit... oh well
7. I can't stand it when people cut their toe nails with fingernail clippers. It drives me MAD. I'd rather you used scissors or maybe a real toenail clipper. but not the toenail clippers that look like giant fingernail clippers. i have to use the ones that have the clippers on the side. Ah they are so nice. and using the ugly toenail clippers on your fingernails is ALSO disgusting. ugh, gives me shivers...
I tag
David Lawerence
Rebekah Ann Bickerstat
Phillis Gray
Jayb McMillion
Alison Schwartzenager
Molly Shoostah
and...
Adam Freaking Laisi
Ok list 7 random/interesting/odd things about yourself. Then list 7 people whom you tag that will have to repost their own lists.
1. I live with my mother. Haha!
2. I rarely clean my room. I think that since I came home in December I've cleaned it almost 3 times. I say almost because I think I started cleaning it and doing my laundry, but all my washed and unwashed clothes just ended up in seperate piles all over the floor. HA
3. Because I have the basement allll to myself I usually use the facilities without closing the door. To much info? Maybe...
4. I am shy.
5. I am a horrible student and hate studying. I can't stand school. blah! but I LOVE learning about new things... so I read. An unconventional scholar is what I would call myself.
6. My most favoritest movie in the whole wide world is Love Actually. I guess this isn't an odd or random thing for a girl to admit... oh well
7. I can't stand it when people cut their toe nails with fingernail clippers. It drives me MAD. I'd rather you used scissors or maybe a real toenail clipper. but not the toenail clippers that look like giant fingernail clippers. i have to use the ones that have the clippers on the side. Ah they are so nice. and using the ugly toenail clippers on your fingernails is ALSO disgusting. ugh, gives me shivers...
I tag
David Lawerence
Rebekah Ann Bickerstat
Phillis Gray
Jayb McMillion
Alison Schwartzenager
Molly Shoostah
and...
Adam Freaking Laisi
Sunday, May 6, 2007
LoOk whAt I FouNd!
http://illustrationFriday.com
GO THERE! it is the coolest and best place i've found on the internet since myspace. and myspace is mixed evil anyway. this place is soooo great for encouraging creativity! AND I intend to participate!
GO THERE! it is the coolest and best place i've found on the internet since myspace. and myspace is mixed evil anyway. this place is soooo great for encouraging creativity! AND I intend to participate!
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
poor pedrito
Pray for Pedro. He's at the doctor with oh so many ailements. Oh so MANY! I need to get him fixed before next week. Cuz that's when WIFEY COMES! HORAH! best day ever...
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
woot Woot!
Happiness is realizing you need a full time job and then getting one the very next day. So I know this guy, he's really good to me. If you ever need anything you should look him up. The name's Jesus. Enjoy!
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