"Dog The Bounty Hunter"

So today is a big day for fans of "Dog The Bounty Hunter." Yes, I am
a big fan! Today is the celebration of their 200th episode on A&E TV.
The network is running an all day marathon of episodes so I'm having a
great day while I work on
Sleeping At Last business in my office. I'm blessed to have a great TV
in my office so I get to see them all (or at least listen).
Let me tell you how my love for this show (and soon the family and
their message) began.
About 5 years ago or so I was laying awake in bed the night before we
were leaving for a tour (I tour as the band's tour manager). For some
reason, we often leave for our tours on Thursday mornings so I am
normally wide awake the night before, running through everything that
I need to remember to bring with or do before we leave. So on these
nights (Wednesdays), I would flip through the channels on TV looking
for something to watch and to settle my stress a bit. I absolutely
LOVE HAWAII and have had the blessing of being able to visit there a
number of times. It's probably my favorite place in the world. So as
I'm flipping through the channels what do I see but a show about
Hawaii That should be pretty calming right? The show was "Dog The
Bounty Hunter."
At first I was watching to see the parts of Hawaii that I love but
very shortly after that, I was watching the people on the show as they
would hunt for convicts (after not appearing at court and jumping
bail) until they found them. They would go down in a hail of yelling
and cussing and loads of action. But the best part was
after they would catch the person. They would talk to these people and
find out about their lives and what happened that made them spiral
into where they were now. These lost people who were struggling
through life. Drug addicts, alcoholics, car thieves, burglars, wife
beaters, drug dealers, animal abusers, hookers, and many violent
offenders. They showed compassion and understanding and would
seriously try to help these people to get back to a good life. Many of
these people (while getting their lives straightened out) would go on
to find jobs with this family so that they could make an honest try at
getting off of the criminal path. AND the most amazing part was that
they would often pray for these convicts either before they would
begin to look for them or after they had caught them and they were
delivered to jail (and many times they would pray with the convict).
What a contradiction that was.
I became fascinated with this contradiction and so I started to watch
the show whenever it was on and I started to look forward to it. I
never told any of the guys about it until maybe a few months later.
While we were driving to the first show on the tour a few months
later....I mentioned that I really liked this show. Well it turned out
that I was not the only one that had watched it.
After watching it regularly, I became convinced that these people were
living the christian life more than most people. It was obvious that
they really cared and tried to help these" throwaway" people. Episode
after episode I learned more about them and saw them in action. More
and more I got to know them and could see how they were as a family
and how many people they welcomed into their family when they had none
of their own. They had gentle and loving hearts under all of the tough
exteriors. Well, of course it's TV so I knew that it could all be
fake. But I was sooooooo hoping not.
I was also inspired by Beth (Dog's wife) as she worked with all guys
(as I do) and yet remained feminine in her very masculine and tough
environment.
About 4 years ago, we (the Sleeping At Last family) all got the
pleasure of going to Hawaii for my birthday.
Of course, all of our group knew how much I loved the show so they
suggested that maybe we should go and check out their office while
we're there and maybe we would meet them. (I had already searched the
location on maps but I didn't let anyone know that of course) I told
them no but they thought it would be fun and after all it was my
birthday. So after days of saying no....I finally agreed and we went
to their offices and took pictures outside. That was great because as
I've mentioned in other posts, I don't like to have attention on me so
there was no way that I wanted to meet these people and look stupid.
Just being there was enough for me. I also secretly was worried that
they would not be the real thing and I didn't want to be disappointed.
Each year that we were there, we would head over to the office hoping
to see them but we never did. They opened a store around the corner
from the office and we went there a couple of years ago.
During that time, Dog (Duane Chapman) wrote a book about his life and
it made me respect and admire him more. He became an inspiration to
me. He had a very difficult father and he was able to make it past all
of that which gave me so much hope for myself. So obviously, I didn't
want him to turn out to be a fake.
Well, as you may know, last March (2010) Ryan (for those of you that
don't know, Ryan is my son) and Cayt got married in Hawaii. We had
gone over to get their marriage license and I thought...why don't we
just drive by and see if the store is open since we're pretty close.
When we arrived we found out that Dog and the family were on their way
to the office and were doing some filming with a crew from a french TV
station. We were told that they might be coming to the store as a part
of the filming schedule so we should wait and maybe we could meet them.
I said it was ok to get going and we didn't need to wait but Ryan and
Cayt insisted that we stay. They knew how much it would mean to me and
they were right!!! We waited about an hour and during that time, they
bought me a pink hat just in case we could get something signed.
We also found out that Dog's new book was being released and they were
starting a book tour in Honolulu while we were there so, if they
didn't show up at the store that day, I could go and meet them at the
signing in a week.
Well, they showed up at the office and heard that there were some
people (more than just the 4 of us) waiting for them at the store so
they stopped filming just to come out and meet all of us. Well, that
was sweet I thought. That's a good sign. Remember...I was still
worried that I would be disappointed. So we waited about 5 minutes and
they (Dog, Duane Lee and Leland) showed up to meet us. They were the
sweetest, most humble people and they were even better than I had
hoped. They took the time to talk to us (without being distracted) and
not the typical stuff. Dog really seemed to be interested in each
person there and took as much time as anyone needed while the film
crew waited. Cayt and Ryan even got interviewed for the french TV
station. Come to think of it....we should try and find that online. We
forgot because we had a wedding to get ready for. : )
So... I am happy to report that yes, I do believe that they are the
real thing.
A few days later, word got out at the wedding that we had met Dog and
it turns out that there were more wedding guests that watch the show
than we knew. My nieces were particularly interested in hearing about
Leland and Duane Lee however. Turns out that they are the new hot
guys. So they were really interested in seeing the pictures we had.
About a week later, we were heading around the island with Dan and
Therese and Jeremy and Elsie and they graciously waited for me to go
to the book signing. I got to once again meet Dog and the family and
this time Beth was there. The line was enormous and would probably
have been hours of waiting but the sweet woman that worked in the
"Dog" store saw us and she pulled me out of the line and moved me to
the front. I got my new book signed (and yes, they were sweet all over
again) and off we went to head around the most beautiful place in the
world.
The signed pink hat and the signed books are on my shelf first... as a
reminder that Ryan and Cayt loved me enough to give up part of their
afternoon a few days before their wedding to let me meet these people
that have inspired me to keep going on days that I was wondering if I
could. Second.... as a reminder that even when you have been hurt and
damaged by your family....you can get through it and thrive! In fact,
maybe that's why they are making a difference. Because they've been
there and they do care!
So today on this anniversary of the shows 200th episode.....I just
wanted to wish them CONGRATULATIONS on the show and on the real
success which is their lives!
I have always imagined that when we die, and we are facing
judgement....maybe we will see all of the people that we made a
difference for in our lives. For some, that will be good and for some
it will be bad. Can you imagine the sea of faces that will be there
for these people? How many thousands of people (criminals and fans)
whose lives they impacted with love and hope.
If you want to see some of what I'm talking about....check out the
show tonight on A&E (#45 in Chicago). I think there's a "best of" hour
and then the 200th episode. It also repeats about an hour or two later.
Or read the books (they're a little rough but loaded with lessons and
hope and well worth the read).
You Can Run But You Can't Hide
Where Mercy Is Shown, Mercy Is Given
Both are by Duane "Dog" Chapman

And from me personally to Dog and Beth......Thank you for giving me
hope and renewing my faith. Thank you too for giving me faith in
people when I had lost it and inspiring me to keep going. I'm so very
happy that I came across this show so many years ago. You are truly a
blessing. : )
So....tonight you'll find me in front of my TV watching this 200th
Episode and thanking God that He brought these people and their
message into my life!
Love,
Kim

A Difference for 2011

I wanted to wait a little while before I wrote another blog post
because I knew that we're all swamped with bills from the holidays,
offers for health club specials to take off the holiday pounds and
loads of stories about New Years resolutions. So why would we need one
more. It all tends to blur together I think. I wanted to wait and when
the dust had settled.....start to go over some ideas for ways to start
the year that are actually doable and fun.
So I have waited and in that time, so many other things have come up
to talk about. Unfortunately, many of these things have a sad edge to
them. It's left me disappointed with people and the world. I wonder
what happened to honor and decency? What about caring about other
people and animals and not just yourself? Why is nothing "off limits"?
Why does it seem that things are getting worse in the world? I'm sure
that I'm not the only one thinking this but what can be done?
If it's true that one person can make all the difference in the world
(and I believe it is),
then I want to be one of them! I want to make a difference.
I want to stand for what is right and against what is wrong. I want to
speak up when someone needs to and to take action when that is
necessary. I want to make a difference for good in this world!
I'm sure that you are aware of the shooting that took place in Arizona
with a congresswoman and multiple others being shot and some killed. I
am in no way wanting to speak about the politics that may or may not
be involved in this. Instead, I want to speak to the fact... that it
happened.. (for whatever reason). How very sad for everyone involved
including the shooter and his family and friends. What a
disappointment that all of the political maniacs have come out of the
woodwork to blame each other for this. Why haven't they learned that
we (the voters) have had enough of it?! Both sides need to step back
and see that they are acting just as crazy and poorly informed as the
shooter.
But what I also wonder about... is the family and friends of this
shooter. Where were they when this thinking started? I'm not blaming
them in any way but I wonder if anyone noticed and tried to befriend
him.
I know of someone that I think could fall into this kind of category
and it's obvious when you are around this person that he is reflecting
what he was taught by people around him. He's a sweet guy with some
not sweet ideas. I know that we (the SAL family) are very aware of it
and whenever we have contact with him, we make a point of showing him
love and another side of the negative issues that he has had pored
into him. You can see that he really thinks about it and comes back
for more. There has been a noticeable difference in him over the past
year or so that is for the positive. The things that he talks about
now are filled with compassion and less negativity. I would like to
think that there must be people in his town that are showing him love
and teaching him that compassion as Christians is the most important
responsibility that we have and the rest is up to God to take care
of. I hope that I can be of some help (to the people that I encounter
along the way) in showing that love is all we are called to do (even
if we don't understand or agree).
I do feel that we should hold people accountable too. I know that
it's not always easy but maybe that would make a difference. There are
so many peoples lives ruined or forever changed because of this one
act and maybe someone around him could have helped before this
happened. These people were children once and maybe we could have
helped them to feel loved back then. We all know kids that are lost in
bad families or other situations and why not help? Every child should
feel loved and that they can accomplish anything if they believe it
and work for it. I think that this alone would make a huge difference
in the world. Maybe we can make a difference before they become
adults. We just need to get involved.
GROSS ALERT (this is a disturbing section so read with caution)
Another very disturbing thing that happened this weekend (and I have
not been able to get off of my mind) was a facebook post from someone
that I follow. As I mentioned in an earlier post...we are all big
animal lovers. Consequently, I follow many authors of books about dogs
and also rescue organizations. I was looking at my facebook ap on my
iphone and there it was. A photo that I don't think I will ever
forget. It was from one of the organizations that I follow and it had
to do with China skinning dogs while they are alive. There was a photo
of a dog and next to it, the arms of two of the men that had done this
holding up the fur. I will never forget this for the rest of my life.
This was also not a small dog. The dogs sweet little face, eyes and
big tongue hanging to it's side were what identified it as a dog at
all or it would have been hard to tell. I have to admit (I told you
that I would always be honest) that absolute hatred filled me
immediately. That sweet little face having gone through such horror.
What would possess anyone to do this with no heart at all? What evil
runs through them? And to take a picture of it like they have done
something that they are proud of. I have not been able to get this off
of my mind. This is a time that action is required. I have been
working on getting this evil noticed ever since. I felt helpless with
something like this happening half way around the world. But....there
has to be a way and I will work to find it. If you can help with
suggestions.....please let me know. This is something that can not
continue.
Yes, I am aware that there is a lot of evil out there and this is not
the only thing. Let's all find something that we are passionate about
and do something about it.
We were also notified and saddened that a friend of SAL that we had
all gotten to spend a little time with a year ago had passed away
after a year long fight with cancer.
About a year ago, we were on tour and happened to be in Orlando for a
couple of shows with a couple of days off between them. Of course, we
were delighted to have some time at our favorite place Walt Disney
World. Some friends of ours that live in Orlando arranged to get us
into WDW with one of their dads who worked there. We were elated!!!
We planned to meet Damon at the Hollywood Studios park in the morning
and had never met him before. He decided to come along with us for
some rides and spent a good part of the day with us. We had such a
great time with him. He had worked at WDW since its opening and had
many great stories that of course, I ate up because I love anything
Disney! There we were...the 6 of us little kids giddy on all the
rides. He and the guys went on some of the stuff that I don't do (ex:
Tower of Terror) and we did some of the rides together. I was amazed
that he wanted to go on the rides and seemed to be having as much fun
as we did. He works there everyday and so I figured that he must spend
time there. So I asked if he comes to the parks very often. He told me
so many things that day but the one that stood out was that he loved
to go to the parks with guests (like us) because he loved to see our
reactions to all of the things that he and the other cast members
created on a daily basis for our enjoyment. It was like seeing the
parks with a new set of eyes for him and believe me....you could tell
that he was having a great time.
We went to the Toy Story Ride and we shared a car. This ride is so
cute and involves shooting a laser toy gun (kind of like a nerf gun)
for points while being spun around and moved through various scenes.
Of course, the guys were all competing for the highest points. I was
too but knew that it was unlikely that I would do better than any of
them. Damon was clearly having the time of his life. He was like all
the guys and competing like they were. He was really having a great
time and it showed. We had a great time with him and learned so much
about his job. He was in the building department and they made all
kinds of fun things through the years. He had worked there since it
opened back in the 70"s. He was also excited because he was about to
become a grandfather. I imagined him with all of the fun ahead of them
at the Happiest Place on Earth with a new grandchild. We split off
later in the day and we headed off to the Animal Kingdom Park. We
thanked Damon and he took a picture of us because he liked to do that
and then to keep them. We said good bye and figured that we would see
him again the next time we were in Orlando.
Then last year, I got a text from a good friend that Damon was very
sick and not expected to make it through. This came as quite a shock
as we didn't even know that he had gotten sick. Apparently he had
gotten sick not long after we had seen him and had been battling it
over the year. Thankfully soon after that, we had gotten word that
Damon was better and doing well. We were so relieved. That was
several months ago.
Unfortunately, over the weekend, we got word that Damon had taken a
bad turn and wasn't expected to make it much longer. We were so
saddened. The next morning he passed away. Such a great man and gone
too soon. I am very thankful that we had the pleasure of meeting him
and spending a day with him. We will always remember him and think of
him and how much he clearly loved to have fun at the Disney parks that
he was so much a part of. We had such a short time with him but he
left a lasting impression on us that will go on forever. Thank you
Damon for showing us how to have fun and enjoy every day! We will miss
you.
So, off we go into another year and there is so much to do. Will you
join me in trying to make a difference in this world? And let's try to
make a difference in our own world as well. Let's get involved and
care about other people and particularly kids. Let's be kind to
animals and report or stop others that aren't. Let's give love where
it's needed and for others, if necessary, hold them accountable for
their actions. Let's find something that we are passionate about and
get involved. This year, let's all care and let's believe that we can
make a difference.
Believing is the beginning of everything!
And finally.....let's make a point to have fun in our everyday
lives which can be a contagious thing if we share it with others
around us. You never know who you are affecting. Just like in the
movie "It's a Wonderful Life"........you make a difference in more
ways than you can imagine.
Love,
Kim

December 31st, 2010

Happy Last Day Of 2010!

I hope that you each had a wonderful Christmas. It's hard to believe that it's already been a week. 

So here we are....facing the end of one year and the beginning of another. I don't know about you but I always feel a bit down on New Year's Eve. It's something to do with the ending of one year I think. And maybe a little apprehension about the start of a new one. I was even considering going to bed before the clock tolls midnight which for me is early. I'm normally up until 2-3AM so this would not be easy. But I considered it today. I think it has something to do with change and you know how I feel about that from my previous post. 

I've been reading so many comments on facebook and twitter and it seems that I'm not the only one that feels this way. As a matter of fact, probably 80% of the comments I've seen are like that. Maybe we're all bummed that the holiday celebrating is almost over and it's back to "normal life."

Or maybe it's that feeling of dread about the new year. Or maybe it's the feeling of being alone tonight while it seems like the whole world is celebrating. Or maybe it's something to do with reviewing our lives over the past year and realizing that things are not how we hoped they would be. Any of the above or even all of the above apply to so many of us. 

Well........IT'S TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE!

A NEW YEAR IS STARTING AND IT'S GONNA BE THE BEST ONE YET FOR ALL OF US!

I know that we have all had our struggles over the past year but tonight is an opportunity to turn the calendar page over and open a brand new book for our lives! 

And.... this time, we have a say in writing it.

When you have a minute (or right now) take the time to imagine exactly how YOU would like this new year in your life to look.  DREAM BIG (yes, take the risk)!!!!!!!   Maybe even write it down (this is a good idea and is proven to be valuable in making these dreams happen).

Ask yourself the following questions today (or tonight) and be VERY SPECIFIC. Really think about each of these and imagine.... without holding back anything)

1. what do i want my career to look like over the next year? what would an average day look like for me in my career? what kind of financial success am i looking for or am i looking for that at all? 

2. what do i want my personal thought life to look like this year? how would that impact each day for me?

3. what is the most important goal (a goal is different than a wish) that i would like to accomplish this year? don't be general on this one either. be specific.  

4. are there any relationships that i need to move away from for any reason at all? what steps do i need to take to achieve this?

5. is there anything that i would like to do to change my physical living space? moving, organizing, decorating. how would that change my life day to day?

6.  what would i want my relationships to look like? what is needed to make this happen?

7. if i could have one wish that i knew would be granted this year....what would that wish be? often this question shows you what you REALLY want so you can aim for that. what steps can you take to make this attainable?

Take the time to think about this today before the clock strikes midnight and the new year begins and you'll already be starting 2011 in a better place than you were last year at this time. : )

It's an exciting time to start over! Don't procrastinate......START NOW!

I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION FOR YOU?

WHAT IS THE ONE THING THAT YOU COULD START RIGHT NOW THAT WOULD MAKE YOUR LIFE BETTER IN 2011?

pick only one thing...what's the first thing that pops into your mind?

One important ingredient to having a good life is feeling like you have some amount of control in the way it's going. Often things start to tumble out of happiness at the same speed that things are tumbling out of control in our lives. 

So...if you answered the questions above.....you now have a much clearer picture of what you want for yourself in 2011. What better way than this to start the new year off right?! 

The new year is a time to boldly take the first steps toward your best future and we can start now!

Happy Happy New Life in the New Year to each of US!

Love,

Kim

A Must See Video

Merry Christmas Eve to all of you!

As you know, I've been away from posting due to a very busy schedule between "Yearbook" and holiday shopping etc.  I plan to tell you more about all of that soon. 

But for now.......

I wanted to post a video that I saw on Facebook about a month ago. It is so touching and maybe it will make you think.

If you don't already know...we, the Sleeping At Last family are all very big animal lovers! Every one of us!

We have so many stories of the guys or girls saving various wild animals that we have come across while on our travels or at home. It would not be unlike us to run through a crowded highway to help a lost goose or bunny that has gotten caught in the traffic. This is a passion for all of us. 

For some reason, lately we've been hearing more stories about animal abuse and cruelty. I will NEVER understand how anyone could engage in something like this. And another disturbing part of this is that for every animal that is being abused or hurt....there is at least one person that knows about it and does nothing. To me, those people are an accomplices. There is NO EXCUSE for either. If you know of a situation like this....don't be afraid to get involved. Do something. There are laws in most states against abuse. You might be asking what constitutes abuse. Well, you know in your heart if it is or not. If you're even asking yourself about it....then it most likely is! 

I plan to write more about this at a later date but thought that maybe for this Christmas.....maybe this video will inspire you to help an unwanted animal. Maybe adopt one or maybe donate to a good rescue. There are countless stories of people like us that decided to do the right thing and love an unwanted animal and this has turned out to be a gift for both.  

A few years ago, Chad adopted a yellow lab (Chandler) from a kill shelter. Chandler became the most loved dog to all of us. A few months later, each of us had adopted a puppy (Maile, Wilco and Oskar). Since then we have met so many people in the music business that have adopted from shelters or rescues. Every one of these stories has been the best thing that they felt they had ever done.

If you know of any animals that aren't being treated right....do something about it. Your conscience will be glad that you did and so will the animal. There's a great book called "Oogy"  by Larry Levin that is about just that.

I won't go into the gross details about dog fighting but I will say that it horrified me and I already thought that people (and I use that term grudgingly) that were involved in dog fighting are heartless losers. The story behind this book will enrage you. 

So, take a look at this video and I hope that it will touch you like it did all of us and maybe you'll think about helping in whatever way that you can. Thanks so much for letting me go on and on about this. 

Perfect non Perfection

So, it's December 15th and Christmas is only 10 days away now.  That thought can bring excitement and joy to many of us or in many cases can release a feeling of total terror. Terror at the thought of seeing family members that maybe we don't get along with. Terror of the expenses and how are we going to cover them? 

And terror that we have so much to do and how can we possibly get it all done? 

For me, a few of those thoughts apply. But the one that I wanted to talk about today is the last one. 

Terror that we won't be able to get it all done on time.

When you think about it....it isn't the getting it done part that we get stressed about. The stress is that we will let someone down. It could be ourselves even. We can't bear that thought of letting the people that we love down. 

That's what it is for me every year. 

The funny part is that my family has told me repeatedly that they would like it better if I was having a good Christmas too and not stressing about making it perfect for everyone else.  

Every year I would tell myself that this year would be different and yet, they were all the same. Christmas would come and everyone would have a wonderful time and I would be so thrilled with how it turned out and then like clockwork....within the next few days, I would collapse and get sick. 

Well, that sounds fun doesn't it?

The other day, I was starting to panic at the thought of getting all of the food figured out for Christmas day and all of the places that I'll have to go for picking things up and all in one day etc etc etc...now, I know that in the scope of life, this is no big problem. Certainly there are far more trying things happening in the world.  I always tell myself exactly that too. But the result is the same. STRESSSSSSS

So, I decided to let myself just think....only think mind you.....about how it would feel if we just relaxed and had a fun day without everything being perfect.  The feelings of elation and relief were far more than I had expected.

 It was great!!!!!  I could feel the Christmas joy (that I experience at the beginning of December) returning. 

I felt kind of guilty too.  "I can't do that" I thought. I have to do everything I can to make the perfect Christmas for everyone. So, I'm a little stressed.  It only comes once a year.

 But then the words of my family came back and I dared to really consider it. 

I'm not really making it perfect for everyone after all.  How about me?  Is it the perfect Christmas for even me?  And in the long run, is it the perfect Christmas for my family if I'm stressed out and exhausted?

So, I've decided to take a little care of myself this year and to give myself and my family a wonderful "not perfect" Christmas!  

I'm going to allow myself (this is a hard one since I'm a perfectionist) the gift of not being perfect. I'm going to allow myself to absorb all the fun things that make Christmas so wonderful and try not to be so stressed about the "shoulds" this year. 

Maybe I'll "really" enjoy these days leading up to Christmas day. Maybe I'll breathe and really take it all in and have a great time!!!  So far, I have to say I am! 

 

And when Christmas Day arrives......Maybe we'll watch fun Christmas movies, Maybe we'll munch on all kinds of foods all day instead of having the big dinner. Maybe we'll sleep until noon. Maybe we'll just spend the day doing whatever we feel like. 

Maybe things won't be perfect or maybe, just maybe, this time they really will be!  : )

I don't have to be perfect. All I have to do is show up and enjoy the messy, imperfect and beautiful journey of my life. It's a trip more wonderful than I could have imagined."

—  Kerry Washington

The Comfort Zone

Well, Happy Monday to you!

I know that we're all getting very busy with the holidays approaching so I will keep today's post short (actually it has turned out not to be after all. Apparently I had more to say than I realized. No surprise there). 

 I hope that you're having some fun with all of the shopping and activities in your world. It's a great time for catching up with old friends too. We have a mix of Christmas fun and lots of work going on over here. 

Usually December is the time that the guys take off and by January we're all looking happily to going back to work for the new year and touring etc.

Well, this year is very different as I mentioned in my previous post. Work will continue through December and  into the new year. 

Although it's very hard to write all the new music every month, it's not something that any of us (so far) regret at all. We're having a great time.  

As a matter of fact.... I was telling Ryan the other day, that normally, we have about 6 months to get absorbed into the 11 songs for an album. But  now, with "Yearbook",  we have about 2-3 weeks for every 3 songs. 

I got into my husbands car the other day and he had "October" playing on the stereo. That's what made me think about it.  I was thinking " Hey, I remember you!"    You see, right now we have the "January " songs zipping around in our heads and "October" was a few EPs ago so, for now, it's a distant memory.  

We work on the current 3 songs until they're ready for release and then it's on to the next three. There's very little time for much more. But that's ok. It's totally worth it!!!

I know that it's easier for me to say because I'm not writing the songs, but I have to say honestly....although there are times that Ryan is stressed with the work....I watch him and he's having a great time and excited about each new song and all of the fun he's having with the guests that are working on the songs too! 

When "Yearbook" is completed, I think there will be loads of great memories and satisfaction that it's complete, but mostly........I think the overriding feeling will be HAPPINESS!!!!  Happiness that this idea that started back in May turned out to be one of the best (and most fun) things that we've ever done. It will have been a lot of stress and work but the gifts and blessings that have come from it are already apparent.

There's a lot to be said about how we feel comfortable and excited once we're actually taking the steps towards our dreams. There's something that just feels right.  Even with the moments of doubt or times of stress.  Even with all of the hard work and believe me there's plenty. But really....would we want it any other way? 

Half the fun of a dream is working to make it a reality! 

And through it all, there's a feeling of comfort and an excitement deep in our souls!  AND (who knew) a feeling of security.  

 We feel that we're right where we should be and that's because......we are. 

The only courage you ever need is to live your heart's desire."

—  Oprah

Imagination and Risk

Happy December! 

I'm sorry for not writing sooner. As expected, the new project by "Sleeping At Last" called "Yearbook" is well underway and keeping us very very very busy! For those of you that aren't familiar with "Sleeping At Last" and the "Yearbook" project, let me tell you a little about it. 

"Sleeping At Last" is a band that I am blessed to manage. Back in mid May we had just come back from a tour and Ryan and I were having lunch at a local pizza place when the idea of "Yearbook" was born.

Ryan came up with the idea and I have to admit, for a minute I thought "are you crazy?" But the excitement of the possibilities took over!  : )

The project plans were formatted over the next week and then presented to Dan. The band has only 2 members and Dan was in the midst of his wedding planning and looked a little dazed at the idea of this but then agreed that it could be cool. So Dan got married and went on his honeymoon and Ryan started to write. 

This project is called "Yearbook" because it will take place over a year.

The band is releasing 3 new songs each month that will be written and recorded for that month. Each month they release a 3 song EP digitally and each has new artwork, a booklet with all of the lyrics and is available via the website sleepingatlast.com or at iTunes as well. The Eps are offered as a single month purchase or you can buy a 1 year subscription that will deliver the EP info to your email each month.

 There are lots of guests performing and many new things for the band to play with. 

When you're making a full length album (and that happens about every 2-3 years)...there is so much expense and weight on the song choices so there is no room left for trying new things that are really different for an artist. The great part of this project is that it offers the opportunity to have fun and experiment. 

Now for those of you that aren't musicians....I can tell you that to write 36 songs (that you would want anyone to hear) is no small task! Hence my thoughts back in May about being crazy. But Ryan was convinced that it could be fun and if you remember back in an earlier post I mentioned that Ryan will work on something again and again until he gets it. This started when he was a little guy. So, I knew that this would be tough but we could do it.

The part that involves me, is all of the business things that have to be taken care of.  Whenever an album is released (or an EP) there is a great deal of work (Other than, of course, the music) that goes into it. There's all of the legal agreements for anyone working on the album (mixing engineers, mastering engineers, artists performing any instruments or vocal parts etc),  paying everyone, promotion for the EP, the artwork has to be chosen and for this project there is a theme throughout all 12 months and a reason that the artwork has significance for that month (which is more complicated than just picking something that we like). There's also all of the work involved online to make this available. Subscription or single EPs to be purchased. Codes supplied. Then there's the registering of each song. And the list goes on and on. 

So this project is like releasing 3 full length albums as far as the number of songs involved but for releases and my job, it's like releasing an album a month. Normally I would have 6 months to a year to get all of this work done but in this case it's finishing one and on to the next. 

The first release "October" released on October 1st of this year followed by "November" and "December." 

We have been blessed to have the same great people working on this project that have worked on our full length albums. Every month, these great guys make room in their very busy schedules to mix and then master all 3 songs. That takes some major coordination with schedules.

As you can imagine, it's very difficult to coordinate schedules when Thanksgiving and Christmas come along. So we knew that November and December would be extra challenging and they have been! 

This project has turned out to be so much fun and been such a blessing already!  It's been loads of tough work and you'll find Ryan in the studio writing from 10AM until 2AM everyday. But...it's all worth it! 

 As I had mentioned back in another post about a month ago, one of the songs was featured on ABCTV "Private Practice" and since I wrote last we have been soooooooo blessed to have another song from "Yearbook" featured on another episode of the same show on December 2nd!  This brings more happiness and elation to all of us than I could describe in words! Beaming is an understatement!!!!!  Without the imagination and without taking the risk, we wouldn't have had the blessings! 

So why am I telling you all of this?

This....like so many new ventures started as an idea in someone's dreams that seemed too difficult to achieve but with hard work, determination and passion... the risk was taken and we're having the time of our lives!!!! 

This can apply to more than just our careers too. It can apply to our relational lives as well. And soooooooo much more. If we take the risk to even dare to think about what we really want.....the door starts to open and we get a glimpse of all that can be. And that's the most fun! 

As it turns out....imagination is the first step on some very solid footing. 

We're quick to close the door for fear of being disappointed or hurt if it isn't achievable and we're full of doubt (usually put there by other people) as to whether or not we can make it happen.

I found this quote and thought it was very appropriate and so true! And look who said it!

So this year, let's give ourselves a Christmas gift. Let's take the risk and believe in our dreams. Just think of all the fun that could be in store for us in 2011!!!

Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine, and at last you create what you will."

—  George Bernard Shaw