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It’s that time of year again! One of the many joys of living in Austin is the renowned Austin City Limits Festival. Some don’t like the festival feel and while you obviously don’t get the best performances it’s just such a great way to hear so much great music. So here we go, my quick recap of Day 1.

• Weather - Temperature hovered around 90 degrees. Overall not too hot as long as you could find the occasional bit of shade.
• Arrival Time - 2:30pm, Departure Time - 8:00pm
• Jakob Dylan and the Gold Mountain Rebels - Our first band of the festival was a treat. We weren’t up for fighting crowds right away so grabbed a seat pretty far from the stage but still in great view of the big screens. I’ve heard several songs from Dylan’s new album but hadn’t actually picked up a copy…until now. I enjoyed the Wallflowers in the 90s not realizing that I was literally listening to the second coming of Bob Dylan. The younger Dylan carries a similar stage presence but to the joy of many fans, he can actually (still) sing. Last year at ACL, Bob was terrible…this year, Jakob really shone.
• Jamie Lidell - Ahh…British Soul. Fantastic. We only stuck around for a few songs due to the overwhelming scent of “herbs” around us. Wish I could have heard more as Lidell definitely lived up to my expectations.
• The Delta Spirit - Strobe gets thanks for getting us to stop and check out this foursome. I actually had not heard of them despite some attention they’ve received over the past year touring with Cold War Kids among others. Definitely check them out…I’ll be buying their album very soon.
• Patty Griffin - Is there a better singer/songwriter around today? I would love to see her again in a non-festival setting, but to hear Chief in person was just beautiful. Simply beautiful.
• The Swell Season - So despite Glen and Marketa being my most highly anticipated show of the year, I actually only stuck around for a few songs. I’d been outside for 5+ hours by the time they took the stage. It was crowded and I was tired. The couple of songs I heard were good but since I had tickets to see them at the Paramount on Saturday (more to come on this later), I decided it was a good time to just checkout and make the hike back to my car.

Overall a great first day. No real busts and I found a few albums I need to go pick up (namely Dylan’s solo release and The Delta Spirit).

Why the heck is Cris Collinsworth even in Beijing?!?! What the heck…

Sometimes…not always. But sometimes.

Disclaimer 1: I hate politics.
Disclaimer 2: I did not vote for George W. Bush.
Disclaimer 3: The Olympics are over-rated.
Disclaimer 4: I have not watched a political interview of any kind (longer than ~15 second sound bytes) since the 2000 Presidential election.

Those things aside, I just watched Bob Costas interview George W. Bush and I think I was proud. I was proud that Costas asked tough questions and not just “Sooo…how ’bout that Michael Phelps?”. He asked about sports, about Bush’s conversations with the Chinese president, about Darfur, about the Russia/Georgia conflict, about doping. I was impressed. But what made me proud was that while being firm with the U.S. political agenda, Bush also made two telling comments:
1) When asked about having conversations with the Chinese president on freedoms (or lack thereof), Bush’s first comment: “As a religious man, first I’m able to tell these people that once religion takes hold in a society, it can’t be stopped.”
2) When asked about attending a state-sanctioned church, Bush’s comment: “By attending church today I’m able to walk out and tell the President that this is important and ‘hey, how about formally [recognizing] the underground church?’”

I’m not saying he’s always right, by any stretch of the means…but hey, I’m not even close to always doing (or even saying) the right things. The Christ-like things. But I am proud that right now the U.S. has a president who is willing to talk with world leaders behind (and sometimes in front) of closed doors about more important things than politics.

Reposted from Steven’s Blog: Two and Two Makes Five

Amy and Steven have been writing and posting about Zimbabwe for a long time, and this year they’ve formalized a relationship between ServLife and Family Praise Fellowship, the church that is running Musha Wevana children’s home. Steven wanted to repost here the story from ServLife’s website about the sponsorships. They have 63 children that need to be sponsored for $30 a month - you can sponsor online here: select “sponsor a child” from the fund menu and write “Zimbabwe” in the comments.

In Zimbabwe, where millions are hungry and suffering from the country’s current political crisis and economic collapse, ServLife is intervening to help care for and bring hope to 64 orphaned and abandoned children through aid to the Musha Wevana Children’s Home. Over the past two years, ServLife has been building a relationship with a church in the Marondera area as they care for these 64 children. Up until this point, they have been caring for the children almost single-handedly despite a devastating lack of resources and failed economy.

There are now sponsorship opportunities available to support these children in the Musha Wevana children’s home. For $30/month, your sponsorship will help supply food, clothes, schooling, and ensure that they are well cared for in a loving environment. This is a direct way you can get involved in bringing hope and empowering a new generation in Zimbabwe.

SPONSOR A CHILD TODAY

(In the “Comments” text box be sure to indicate you would like to sponsor a child from Zimbabwe.)

Read a glimpse of the stories of Tinotenda and Molline, two of these children who have been rescued and are now being cared for in Musha Wevana children’s home in Zimbabwe:

• As a baby, Tinotenda was found abandoned in a toilet. Social Services searched for his family, but could not find them. He was brought to live at Musha Wevana, where he is now being cared for.
• Molline has had a difficult life and is thankful to be living at Musha Wevana. Her father died and her new stepfather did not want her, so Molline’s mother tried to drown her. Out of guilt, her mother committed suicide, and Molline was brought to the safety of the home.

In the past 11 days I’ve driven from Austin to Midland twice. That’s a lot of time alone in the car to think. In case you’re ever in a similar situation, here are a few of the things I pondered:

• How long does a particular cloud last before it vaporizes or blows away or whatever clouds do?>
• Did Jesus snore?
• If the President gets the hiccups, is it okay for a secret service agent to scare him to try to cure his hiccups?
• Why are we willing to buy toasters and other non-essentials (which they probably already have anyways) for our friends just for getting married but we won’t give a few bucks to feed to hungry?
• Will there ever be a band bigger than the Beatles?
• What would happen in Zimbabwe if Mugabe became a believer?
• In today’s information age, why is history still written by the winners? Where is the voice of the oppressed?
• Should I buy the Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 or the Canon 17-40mm L f/4?
• At what speed does my car get optimum gas mileage?

It’s always hard to know what is truth in much of the world news that reaches here to the States, but it does seem official that Robert Mugabe will remain the “President” of Zimbabwe. What a sad day for the wonderful people of Zim who used to live in such a flourishing country. I can attest from my short time there that it is a beautiful country with beautiful but desperate people. My prayers are with you.

CNN Story

Retailers giving vinyl records another spin

Upcoming Releases:
Coldplay - Viva la Vida (6.17)
Nada Surf - Lucky (6.17)
John Mayer - Where the Light Is (6.24)
U2 - War *Remastered* (7.22)

1. David A. is the better “American Idol”. David C. should have a more successful musical career.
2. American Idol is one big advertisement. Ford, AT&T, Coke, Seal’s new album, Donna Summer’s new album, Mike Myer’s new movie…this is ridiculous.
3. I love Edward Norton - Can’t wait for The Incredible Hulk even though previous attempts have been really bad. I mean, it’s Ed Norton!
4. I’m going to be an aunt in probably the next week.
5. American Idol momentary redemption…rockin’ with ZZTop! I bet 99% of the screaming girls in the audience haven’t even heard of ZZTop.
6. I could read any of Nick Hornby’s books again and again and again
7. Anybody remember when the Jonas Brothers launched their music career in 1997 with that catchy tune, MMMBop?