Well we're Movin' on Up! To the east side! To a dee-luxe apartment in the sky!

Yes, it is true I have finally found a new apartment, its no dee-lux apartment in the sky, but it is nice. I am excited to move into it and I think that I might even try to have an apartment warming party once I am settled in. For some of you still in Wisconsin it is actually easier to get to than Dan & Kristen’s old place and I hope you feel free to stop by on your way through.

To be completely honest finding an apartment was about as stressful as looking for a job. Here’s a BASIC breakdown of how the process worked: Set price limit. Search online and go check out first apartment. Oh you want that much… I will get back to you. Search some more. Oh you want THAT much… I will get back to you. Search by price limit. Take a look at the rooms available. Is this neighborhood safe? Raise price limit. Call first place back. Oh you already got someone to rent it… okay. (at this point the stress was much more than I care to recount, so I will spare you.) However, the Lord did provide and I know I should have left it to him in the first place… I guess I will keep working on that.

(Heading lyrics – Theme song from The Jeffersons)

With Guitars in our Hands We're Crossing the Lands

Since it’s Monday, I thought a recap of the weekend would be appropriate. This past weekend I went home and had a great weekend with the family. No auction to do (of course we looked at a couple upcoming prospects and shot some pictures,) but aside from that it was pretty relaxing. One of the main purposes for my visit was to practice with the band my brothers have built up. I have mentioned them before, and because our cousin is playing lead guitar we can’t be called “The Imholte Brothers.” We have thrown around names like “Don’t Block Bob” (which is too much of an inside joke to be funny.) So I am now turning to every one of you who read my blog to help me come up with a name for our band. I am sure both of you have some great ideas.

We are really excited since in less than a month we are playing at our church festival, (I like to call it a Bazaar cause that is what we called it as kids and has much more pizzazz.) This is no Yeshuapalooza, but we still get to play music outdoors in September for benefit of a church. (So it is pretty close, lol)

(Heading lyrics - We're a Band by Audio Adrenalie)

You Should See that the Wizard Needs Food

Note: The title of this entry were the only lyrics referring to a wizard that I could think of.

Well since a friend of mine mentioned that he was starting to read the most recent Harry Potter book, I thought I would throw my 2 cents in. (And because HE complained that I have not linked him. Which is not entirely true based on the fact that he has a full time link over in my “links” section.)

Anyway… back to the topic at hand, Harry Potter. I have had the opportunity to read the first 5 books in the series a couple of times. I was excited for the release of the sixth and happily purchased it the first weekend it hit the shelves. I have had some growing concern at the direction this series has been heading with each volume becoming darker. I must confess that I am slightly concerned about the fact that J.K. Rowling is not only a non-Christian, but that she has fueled a rising interest in the Occult for many young people. I was very concerned in the 4th book when one of the kids in the book was killed by a magic spell, and later in the fifth book when Harry seemed to be continually raging and hateful. I understand the underlying darkness that is present in this series, but rarely have so many children and parents alike embraced a book with such dark themes.

The main reason I have not written these books off are the fact that they inspired my 2 youngest brothers to get into reading. One of my brothers was a year behind in English for a number of years and after reading the Harry Potter series he began to read loads of books and eventually caught up to his piers. He is even authoring his own stories as well. So I have seen some amazing benefits from this series.

With all that said, I did enjoy this chapter in the life of Harry Potter. Harry is able to find some type of happiness that keeps him from being as angry as he was in the fifth volume. On a whole, I was happy with the read. (I don’t want to say anymore since there are those who have not yet finished reading Rowling’s latest offering.)

(Heading lyrics - Wizard Needs Food, Badly by Five Iron Frenzy)

Rock 'n' Roll Ain't Gonna Die

Last night I went out to see a rock show. To be completely honest I was disappointed that while the band rocked the house no one was really into the show. Sure they would get up from time to time and stumble their way to the dance floor, however I believe they were more interested in the $1 tappers enjoying a great show.

One of the highlights of the night for me was seeing a friend from a local band and talking in length about guitars with him. In the not to distant future I am looking to purchase a quality electric guitar. I have looked at Les Pauls, and I am very familiar with Strats and Telecaters. After a discussion with this rocker I am now leaning toward a Gibson SG. Made famous by AC/DC’s lead guitarist Angus Young. (Also used by Jack Black in one of my favorite movies) It looks a little meaner than I what I would naturally lean toward, but my friend thinks he can get a real good deal from a distributor for me. This all works out great cause I am on a bit of a budget. Needless to say I am somewhat excited about the prospect of a new toy.

(Heading lyrics – Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution by AC/DC)

Put me in Coach, I'm Ready to Play

Oh yes the great American past time… Softball. After noticing a mention of this subject in a friend's blog, I thought I would sound off as well.

This past weekend part of my family went down to Winona, MN for an afternoon of softball with our extended family. Loading the Suburban, my parents, 2 of my brothers and I made the trek on a beautiful summer day. To say that our family enjoys a good game of softball is an understatement. Back on the home farm during summer months you can expect a softball games more Friday nights than not. These events, coupled with a bonfire and night-games, have become a staple of our summers for years now. In the heat of last Saturday my brothers and I each walked away with an out of the park homerun (my brother Mike even hit a second one out just to be on the safe side.) It was a great time and one of the most enjoyable summer days I have had in recent memory.

(Heading Lyrics – Centerfield by John Fogerty)