Shut Up And Fly

Flying back from Nashville last nite. Good flight - thanks for asking. But what is really making me crazy when I travel by plane is all the chatter over the PA. From the second you get on, for the next 15 minutes they talk and talk and I just want to relax and throw on my ipod.

You know what I mean?

First they tell you how to put on a seat belt. Like why? Everyone knows how to put on a seat belt. Everyone has flown. We get it. For anyone who hasn't flown before, I'm sure the person next to them can show them how to strap in.

Then they show you the oxygen mask - just incase the cabin pressure bonks out. What are the chances of that? Is it a strong possibility?

Then they tell you about the illuminated light strip on the floor in case we go down and the lights aren't working.

And then the floatation device.

And then - the emergency exit that you're sitting next to. I really don't want to be the one who says "ok, we're pulling open the emergency hatch! Hold on to your hats!"

And then, after all that chatter - they do it ALL OVER AGAIN in another language.

Good grief. If the plane is going to crash, we're all gonna pray. Nobody's thinking about the instructions.

When I give my friend a lift in the car, I don't give them a list - seatbelt, airbags, directions for the radio, the heater, the blue tooth - check check. And thanks goodness I only speak one language!

Airplanes. Great to fly. But please, shut up. Let me enjoy the flight - while they little kid sitting behind me wails.

A Day With A Bike

Yesterday I got a "bonus ride". Ya! After church, the sky was blue, the temp was (almost) warm. So I bundled up and hit the road.

I have a biking jacket that is wind proof, rain proof and I think resistant to bullets and all I need is a t-shirt under it and I'm cooking. A plastic pair of windpants and a toque. That's it.

The ride was short - 25km to Shanty Bay. But I always say, "a day with a bike ride is better than a day without a bike ride".

Mmmmm.

Scott's Jukebox

I'm doing a new feature on the radio called "Scott's Jukebox". Basically, it's me, picking one of my favourite songs and telling a personal story about the song.

Like, today I played "Sanctuary" by Kevin Max, and I happened to mention that he's "the Michael Jackson of Christian music" because he's weird. I think he tries to be weird. He likes the attention. Well whether he does or not, he's got an amazing voice. Since this was a bit on the radio I didn't bother to mention that during his performance he pretended to urinate on the back wall of the stage. What an idiot.

The other day I played "Every Moment" by Degarmo and Key. I saw their farewell tour in 1993 and it was fun. I realize I missed their best days, but at least I got to see them before the break- up. Then, two years ago, I was in Nashville and got a private invitation to see the D&K reunion. I was so excited! And - awwwww - what a yawnfest. Eddie and Dana barely spoke to each other. I don't think Dana broke a sweat. So sad. Two classic musicians, together and again, with a catalogue of hits - and not caring.

Also this week I featured a song by Relient K - "Sadie Hawkins Dance". Not exactly a spiritual song but, so what. Not every song has to be about Jesus does it? I told this story of how my friend in Barrie booked Relient K for a concert in his backyard. The mosquitoes were the size of a Buick, chomping massive bites out of everyone - the audience (of 40 people) and the band on stage! Matt Thiessen was complaining about the mosquitoes, putting a damper on the show. My first time seeing Relient K was a let down. I'm glad I've seen them since coz they really are amazing. I love how Matt Thiessen writes fun songs that are about forgiveness and humility and dependance on God. Good themes. Good songwriting.

I'm liking this feature.

I hope you'll tune in Monday at 10:45. I'm playing Guardian! LIFE 100.3. Ya man.

I Don't Care

I'm confused.
I'm unhappy.
I'm unfocused.
It's raining.
I feel blah.
I don't care.
I feel burdened and I don't know what from.
I think Jesus is taking a day off from listening to me whine.
Hope you're having a better day than me.

Kris Allen CD Release

Kris Allen's first post-American Idol album was released yesterday.

I've been listening to his version of "God Of This City" that he recorded with his church friends before Idol even started. And I downloaded a couple of his Idol performances from iTunes - "Come Together" is the old Beatles song - love playing drums along with Kris singing.


The new CD is just named "Kris Allen". Is it Christian? Honestly, I'm a little tired of that question. What does it mean? If he sings five spiritual songs and five non-spiritual songs, is it a Christian album? Beats me.

All I know is he's a Christian. And I like to think that we support other believers' ministries, especially when they purposefully reach out to unbelievers.

Well, Kris co-wrote eight of the songs. He does a cover of "Heartless" by Kanye West. Kris puts some soul into it, where in the original it's more of a thug song.

The first single is "Live Like We're Dying." It's not original either. It was recorded by The Script - an Irish band - but when Kris sings it, knowing he's a Christian, it has a positive, encouraging message. We're playing it about every five minutes on LIFE! Well, not quite.

The rest of the CD is a pop/rock/soulish CD - a bit of everything but not so much that you feel like it lacks direction. Since I'm still a "buy the CD" kind of guy, I read the liner notes before listening to the song, and see that Kris says "Thank you God for always being the same. I know I can always count on You."

Have you heard it?

The Saddest Thing I've Ever Seen

It's been two weeks since my Mom passed away. Up until yesterday I didn't grieve her passing. Mom lived 93 years - a full life - and as I watched her health decline over the last month in the hospital, the end was not a surprise, but a relief.

I was in Dad's retirement condo yesterday. He showed me how he re-arranged their bedroom so it reminded him of Mom. All Mom's favourite teddy bears were sitting on the pillow of the bed. Older family pictures were re-framed sitting around the room. A picture of me about age 9 with my brother, Mom and Dad. The leopard skin bedspread Mom made was folded neatly on the bed.
The tears began to squirt out.

I took Dad for a car ride and dropped him off at his retirement home and waved goodbye. And as I drove out of the parking lot, I noticed Dad didn't go inside. What's he doing? Instead he walked out to the road to the sidewalk and began a short walk. I watched him in my rear view mirror and I could only see his back as he walked away.

I wonder what he was thinking.

It was the saddest thing I'd ever seen. Everyday Mom and Dad would take walks together. Now my Dad was taking an afternoon walk without his lifelong partner. She's gone. Now it's just him. Alone to think about what was, and how he will get through it.

I think that's enough for now.

A Dark Place - A Hopeful Song

Not feeling great today. My friend says I whine and complain too much. He's right. Nobody wants to hear about depression.

But who can I talk to about the dark days, the endless nights when you feel like you don't want to wake up. Sometimes it feels like there is no hope. I know there is hope in Jesus, but He doesn't seem to be taking this disease away. Why?

Part of depression is the fantasies in your mind and if you could make those fantasies come true, you could end the pain.

Today on the radio I'm playing a song by the Sidewalk Prophets. Had I been gifted as a songwriter this is the song I would have written.

Three in the morning,
And I'm still awake,
So I picked up a pen and a page,
And I started writing,
Just what I'd say,
If we were face to face,
I'd tell you just what you mean to me,
I'd tell you these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

Last time we spoke,
You said you were hurting,
And I felt your pain in my heart,
I want to tell you,
That I keep on praying,
Love will find you where you are,
I know cause I've already been there,
So please hear these simple truths,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
These are the words I would say,

From one simple life to another,
I will say,
Come find peace in the Father,

Be strong in the Lord and,
Never give up hope,
You're going to do great things,
I already know,
God's got His hand on you so,
Don't live life in fear,
Forgive and forget,
But don't forget why you're here,
Take your time and pray,
Thank God for each day,
His love will find a way,
These are the words I would say