Josh Kelley Rocks!

I just went to the Josh Kelley concert at Smith's Old Bar this weekend. Right now he is touring with Pat McGee and the show was awesome. Josh is quite the entertainer. He not only easily connects with the audience, his songs and voice rocks. He had the whole room grooving to his music and jamming with his band. He is a very likable character and easy on the eyes for us ladies! He mingled with the crowd after his set and while Pat McGee was playing. If you haven't heard his music, then I would definitely check out his website and his myspace page. I usually compare him to Jack Johnson and John Mayer but after going to his concert I think he blows both of them out of the water. I have his CD "Just say the Word" but his Fall Sampler is even better and has some great new and creative songs and is not quite as mello as "Just Say the Word". His music usually falls under the Folk genre but I wouldn't necessarily classify it as Folk, more new rock with a mellow twist. I can't wait for his new CD which comes out in Feb!

Pat McGee put on a good show but not near as entertaining as Josh. About halfway through the show they mentioned that it was the anniversary of the death of their drummer so after that I understood the low key atmosphere a little more. The opening act Sons of William also deserve a shout out. They were not as entertaining as Josh (which makes since because they are newer artist) but their music was pretty good. Definitely check out all these artists! Oh and I will throw out some love for one of my new favorite bands Lady Antebellum. This is a country group made up of Charles Kelley (Josh's bro), Dave Haywood, and Hillary Scott. The two guys and Josh all are from Augusta my hometown so I have to give them a shout out and show some love. Their music is great too so if any of these folks come to your town, it is definitely worth checking them out.

Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships by Chip Ingram

Seems that my blog has kind of turned into a review blog. Yes, this is another book review. Maybe I missed my calling in life to write...that can be another blog entry. So onto Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships by Chip Ingram. I just finished reading this book. I actually listened to Chip's talk on this topic about 3 years ago so some of it sounded familar. This book has come at a good time in my life. When I first started the introduction, I immediately but the book down because I didn't want to read something that made me feel bad about being single or read yet again more tips on how to find a mate. I begrudingly picked it up again a few weeks ago and am glad that I did because it has revolutionized how I think about dating, love, and marriage. This book isn't just for singles either it is for married folk, divorcees, young people, old people, etc. I would recommend this book for all ages. I won't attempt to do the book justice by trying to capture the main themes but in general I now of a new and better outlook on how I am going to approach finding love. Instead of waiting for the right person, fall in love, and put all my hopes in a person, I am going to instead become the right person, walk in love, and put my faith in God (ok, so I stole one theme). I am also not going to pressure myself to find the one or fall in love, instead I am looking for male friends. Not dates, friends and if it develops later then great. I think I missed out on some of my greatest loves in college that were my friends because we could never be on the same page about dating. Either I liked them and they didn't like me and vice versa. Good thing is that while I may have missed out on being their great love, they are still my friends to this day. So I encourage everyone (single, married, divorced, dating, etc) to read this book. It will challenge your way of thinking and make you look at relationships in a whole new (and better) way.

Two Urban Licks

I just went to Two Urban Licks last night for dinner. I have one word - Trendy. Well, two words - Trendy and Yummy. We had a 730pm reservation and the place was packed. When we left there were probably 50 people waiting so key to going to this place is going early and having a reservation. The outside porch and far dining area have an awesome view of the skyline of Atlanta. The food is a little on the expensive side - expect to pay $100 for 2 people. This would be a great 4th or 5th date place or a good place for an anniversary. It is a little loud on the inside so it isn't ideal for date number one but a good special occasion place. The restaurant isn't in a rush to turn over tables so you are able to enjoy your meal at a leaisurely pace - if you are looking for a quick meal, you should try somewhere else. The restaurant is in a a warehouse just off Ralph McGuill and not many other restaurants are around. It is definitely a hidden spot - much like Eclipse de Luna. This is a definite must if you haven't visited her before. Next time I go, I plan to request outside seating or a booth and definitely go with a date!

God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg

I just finished reading God is Closer Than You Think by John Ortberg. It is a quick read at about 170 pages. The chapters usually start with good visual images like the picture of Adam and God at the top of the Sistine Chapel (The Creation of Adam), the Where's Waldo book, A Beautiful Mind movie or the Princess Bride movie and then Ortberg explains how these concepts can relate to your relationship with God.

One part of the book talks about how you shouldn't feel guilty for reading the newspaper over The Bible or watching TV. Instead you should invite God to do these activities with you. God wants to be part of your life not just be part of the moments where you need him. Also, it talks about which pathway you most connect with God. Some people are more intellectual, others relational, some are activists while some are worshippers or servers and some are contemplative and others are creationist. I think I fit in a couple of these areas - intellectual, relational and creationist. We all our own ways of experiencing a relationship with God.

I think this book is a great (and quick) read and it can help jump start your relationship with God or just offer some good ways to connect with God.

Fighting Cancer

My sister is currently undergoing proton therapy radiation treatment in FL for a brain tumor. We didn't know anything about this kind of treatment yet it is on the cutting edge of fighting cancer. Proton radiation is different from photo radiation in that it doesn't have an exit ray so healthy tissues on the exit side of the tumor are not hit. Proton therapy can also be more precise than photon.

One thing we have learned about doctors throughout this process is that they don't know everything, a 2nd opinion can save your life, and doing research on your own on the internet is a good idea. To help pass this information along, I wanted to do a blog posting. There are currently 5 proton centers in the US and they are building more here and abroad. They can treat brain tumors, prostate cancer, bone cancer and probably other cancers that I don't know about. They are working on treating advanced forms of breast cancer and tumors in movable areas like your lungs. There is new technology that is able to track your breathing patterns and how your body moves so that the radiation will move as you breathe and hit the tumor spot. This helps reduce the error field and therefore reduces the good cells that it hits. Please share this with anyone you know that has cancer because it coult work for them. We have found that a lot of doctors don't know about this kind of therapy because they just haven't heard about it.

The FL proton center is a very positive place. The atmosphere is more like a doctor's office than a hospital - the staff doesn't wear scrubs and the walls are warm colors not white. The staff and patients are very friendly and it really feels like you are surrounded by family. They have an excellent patient support system in place - lunches, dinners, and donuts! I have seen how sharing your story and hearing about others can really aid in the healing process. I have also seen that having a positive attitude makes all the difference in the world in the healing process.