Rich Williams

Birthday cake is yummy. It has layers of cake and frosting and tastes delicious with punch. We cut it into pieces, pass each plate carefully, and wait until everyone has a slice. And when Mommy says go, we go.

Dancing is fun. The music is loud, and you can feel the bass in your tummy. Dancing with mommy is even more fun. But when Mommy says stop, we stop.

Hide and seek is challenging. Mommy counts for two whole minutes to one hundred while you hide. Is everyone ready? When Mommy says go, we go.

Hugs are the best. Hugs from Mommy are even better. It is nice to hug mommy. Mommy loves to hug you, probably more than you love to hug her. But when Mommy says stop, we stop.

Bicycles are fast. You can sail down your block on your very own two wheels. Freedom on your bike is a blast. Waiting, waiting, waiting. But when Mommy says go, we go.

Tickles are silly. You and mommy can be very silly. Mommy is a tickle monster. You are a tickle tiger. Tickling mommy is a great way to be funny. But when Mommy says stop, we stop.

The dog loves to go on walks with you and mommy. While you put the collar on the dog, mommy finds the leash in the coat closet. The dog is ready. You and Mommy are ready. And when Mommy says go, we go.

A race car bed is a warm and cozy place to lie down. Mommy is the best at snuggles. Mommy likes snuggling, and so do you. But it’s one hour past your bedtime, so when Mommy says stop, we stop.

TV time is when we get to watch cartoons and play video games. We can’t wait to try our new space adventure. We wait for Mommy to check our homework. And when Mommy says go, we go.

Wrestling until you are out of breath is a blast. I can jump off the couch and land on my feet. Mommy can jump off the floor and land on the couch. You and Mommy take turns as the champion. But when Mommy says stop, we stop.

When mommy and I drive a car, there are two essential skills to master. Each skill has it’s own pedal in the car. Each skill has it’s own color on the traffic light. In cars, green means go, but a stop sign is always red. One skill for driving is knowing when to go. An even more important rule of the road is to know when to stop.

So when Mommy says go, we go if we would like to. But when Mommy says stop, we stop because she has asked us to stop.

When Mommy says go, we go.
And when Mommy says stop, we stop.

When our friends say go, we go.
And when our friend says stop, we stop.

When a boy or girl we like says go, we go.
And when that boy or girl says stop, we stop.

And if you would like to do something, ask if you can go. But if you do not like something, it is always okay to tell anyone to stop.

Now, sometimes you are a red, cake-hungry, hiding and seeking, bicycle-riding, dog-walking, green gamer.

And sometimes you are a dancing, hugging, tickling, racecar-driving, red wrestler.

Green means lots of things. Red can also be a confusing color. Go means you can decide if you would like to go. But eventually, you’ll always need to stop. Because stop always means stop.

Don’t run out of whiskey on Sunday. Don’t drink it all on Saturday night. Don’t finish your beer till Monday, friend everything will be all right

Cowboys they love their cervezas. But liquor is quicker by far. So if you start early round noontime. They don’t drive a horse or a car.

Ladies like fruit in their cocktails. Fellas like ladies just fine. Careful though if she says no sir. That’s where we all draw the line.

I’ll have a Lone star with lime wedge. She’ll have a whiskey that’s neat. I found out that neat just means whiskey. Oh, Lady, I’m pleased we could meet.

So sober up Cowboy on Sunday.

Til Texas allows Sunday sale.

But if your thirsty after service.

You can buy a beer or an ale.

drink up young cowboy on Sunday

But wait til the choir is done

Singing just as I am yessir

You’ll be at the Saloon by one.

(But Cowboy, if you *do* drink all your whiskey…)

Maybe try coffe and orange juice for breakfast.

Perhaps drink a tonic at noon.

Have soda pop with supper.

Monday’s gonna be here soon.

Mom

I’ve always had this obsession with wearing shoes that match my activities. It started with river rafting and Tevas and continued with football cleats for artificial and real grass, Jordans for basketball on wood and concrete, and of course, Asics for cross-training and jogging.

In college, I took a tennis PE class and loved Tennis. I still play with my dad sometimes and have since I can remember in my childhood. At the time, I was jobless, eating ramen and donating plasma so I could afford new guitars and amplifiers to feed my rock and roll habit. I waited tables at a local crab shack and probably met my wife around this same time.

I went to my folks’ house one day complaining about wanting to play tennis, but just having running shoes and turning my ankles in my PE class. I told mom I needed shoes for tennis, even though my mom and dad were always perfectly happy to wear any kind of shoes to do most activities. She seemed to understand.

They’ve always budgeted using cash envelopes and actually had a shoe budget. I didn’t know the details of their cash system, just that haircuts, clothes, and whatnot came out of this cashbox budget. Mom went and got her shoe envelope, which had more than one pay period’s worth of cash in it. She wanted me to have it to buy new shoes.

She gave me the whole envelope. All the cash in it. I didn’t really count it, but I knew it was a lot to her. And probably would do the trick. Turns out, a lot of money on shoes for my mom was $35. I was kind of disappointed that I still couldn’t afford shoes, but equally awed by the gesture, that Mom gave me dad’s and her entire shoe budget for the last couple of months.

Regardless, my tennis class was that afternoon, so I headed to the shop where I’d picked up my racquet at a pretty hefty savings, so I had high hopes. Maybe I could pick up something vintage, anything flat really, something good for a court that wouldn’t roll my ankles. I remember parking in the lot and looking at the money, wondering if I should even go in.

I walked in with a purpose: See if name brand shoes for $35 was even a thing, and proceed. I went straight for the Wilson Pro Staff, the Nikes, the Reeboks, and the Adidas. The Stan Smiths were even twice what I had for a pretty simple vintage shoe. I knew my dad always wore those, but they were leather and felt hot to me. I walked over to the tennis section, defeated, and realized that I’d be putting my ankles at risk, yet again today, wearing jogging shoes on the tennis court.

I don’t remember how I came across the Prince shoes. I think that was the brand. These were definitely tennis shoes because as far as I know, Prince just makes tennis stuff, they prefer to be known as the Tennis Brand formerly known as Prince, though. If I remember right, I shared my predicament with a salesperson and next thing I know, they were showing me these $125 Prince shoes, in all white on white. Not my favorite color combo, but dang, sweetness, and expensive sweetness at that.

They’d been sitting for a while, though, not selling as well as the Nikes and Reeboks, and eventually marked down to half price, which was about $62. That news was neither here nor there for me, as I literally just had the $35 my mom had given me. Not a penny more. But somehow that weekday morning (which was coincidentally a good time to shop at retail places) I had walked into a clearance sticker extravaganza.

75% off. $32. Right at $35 with taxes. Literally shocked. How had my mom managed to turn $35 into $125? I don’t know. I never asked. I put my runners in the box and walked out of the store with them on after I checked out. Those shoes were comfortable and supportive as you would expect from hundred plus name brand shoes and I wore them out.

So mom gave me her shoe budget. She and my dad went without new shoes for a few months, and looking back, I should have dealt with it, I probably shouldn’t have taken their money. I could have just worn the shoes I had. But then and there, it was important to me. And my mom gave me 100% and more of what she had, because she loved me. Believe it or not I’m pretty good at tennis. Assuming I have the right shoes.

Dad

So as an adult and parent, I’ve developed this rule. If you’re known for having a bad temper, that joke where you act mad about something isn’t really funny, if I can’t tell and you occasionally do actually get mad like that. My dad, however, was the master of this gag, and it never got old, because he rarely got mad, at least in front of me.

Third Eye Blind is a nineties band that is not important to my dad and only vaguely important to me. OLGA was the online guitar archive that would tell you how to play any song on the guitar. Distortion is a type of electric guitar pedal that makes the guitar louder and basically, fuzzy. Kurt Cobain famously used distortion to indicate a change in the song and an emotional increase, but he’s not in Third Eye Blind.

I liked this song called “how’s it gonna be” by Third Eye Blind. I still love that song, actually. And here’s why.

I was playing my guitar one night, on a Saturday, probably at about three in the morning. I’m pretty sure my dad was probably preaching the next morning, you know, about six hours from me playing my guitar at full volume in my room that shared an air duct with my parents’ master.

Dad bursts in the door. It’s three AM mind you and he says to me, “How many times have I told you? Make sure and practice your guitar!” Then he smiled and walked back to his room presumably to try to go back to sleep. The gag doesn’t get old if you’re typically slow to anger.

So one day, I’m learning “how’s it going to be” on OLGA, which typically had pretty formal charts and really laughing, because right before the bridge to “how’s it going to be” in parenthesis, there was a playing suggestion: “Hit the distortion, man!” Oh, that cracked me up, and I immediately hunted down my guitar playing pops to share the novel silliness with. It’s mostly an acoustic guitar song, which makes that “Hit the distortion, man!” line so funny.

So fast forward, I’m hanging out with my dad in our living room. Maybe a few weeks or months after that little joke. And “How’s It Going To Be” starts playing on the radio. I loved that song at the time, and said something like, “I know how to play this song on guitar” to my dad, who kind of smiled and began to listen.

First verse. Chorus. Second verse. Chorus. Then this feedback happens and…

“Hit the distortion, man!” my Dad yells. I fell out of my chair laughing. I had totally forgotten that bit, but I never would again because that one line spelled it out for me. My dad was remembering and processing the words I was saying. He was interested in things I was interested in that he normally didn’t care about, but he cared about me.

So now that song makes me think of him. And as we get older, sometimes, “I wonder how’s it going to be when it goes down? How’s it going to be when you’re not around? How’s it going to be when you don’t know me anymore? How’s it going to be, How’s it going to be?”

Hit the distortion, man.

We’re staycationing at Renaissance Hotel in Richardson this weekend, but how we got there is quite a story.

Johanna and I celebrate the anniversary of our blind date to see Star Wars Episode One every year, that was May 21, 1999. Coincidently, in late May, Richardson hosts the Wildflower Festival with awesome throwback nineties and cover bands. It’s always on the Renaissance Hotel campus, and we’ve always dreamed of getting a room overlooking the alt-rock stage.

So that year for our “Johanna-versary”, I booked two nights at the Renaissance, bought Jo’s favorite craft beer, and hit up our favorite takeout, Snappy Salads. We arrived at the hotel after valet parking with a weekend’s worth of bags, craft beer, and fancy big salads. Walking in was welcoming and surreal to have pulled off the start of this wicked weekend.

I approached the check-in desk with Johanna. Excited to check in.

“What’s your name, sir?”

“Williams, Richard.”

“Yes sir, I show that your reservation starts Monday night. Unfortunately, there is a big concert this weekend, and we’re all booked up,”

“Oh, no, I just got off the phone with reservations. They confirmed everything. The room is paid for. We’re here for the concert.”

“Yes, sir, the room is paid for, starting Monday night. Let me speak with our desk manager…Okay sir, our regular rooms are sold out, but we believe we can set you up in a suite until your reservation begins Monday.”

“Oh, that’s very kind, we can get this sorted out in the meantime.”

“Yes, sir, I’ve just been made aware you have a package awaiting your arrival. Would you like me to bring it to your suite?”

“How exciting, yes please, I wonder what it could be!”

It was a laptop computer and projector for a series of presentations Rick Williams from Dell Computers would be making the next week. It was NOT a Johanna-versary care package from our parents. They spent a while in the back room looking at the package and calling in various management and team members to discuss this unprecedented event: TWO N’ER DO WELLS WERE SOMEHOW IMPERSONATING A GUEST.

We didn’t stop at stealing a weeks worth of hotel suites and room service, though. We had tried to claim ownership of thousands of dollars worth of media and computer equipment delivered that day by Dell Computers. We, of course, knew NONE of this. We were just being patient, but growing a little concerned about the sinking faces on the growing team in the reservations office at the Renaissance Hotel. Suddenly, a wall of solemn employees returned to the desk.

“Sir, is your name Rick Williams?”

“Yes, I go by Rich, but my name is Richard Williams.”

“And do you work for Dell Computers?”

“No…I work for a startup downtown.”

Noticing security appearing from nowhere.

“Sir, I’m going to have to ask you to please leave the property now.”

There was no rock and roll that night. The salads wilted, the beer got warm, and the mood got dark, fast.

At some point that night, a third shift worker reconciling the reservations made a note that Richard Williams was a no-show that night.

Saturday morning, a manager reconciling the security reports with the no-show charges made the connection: We had a reservation, but Rick Williams from Dell Computers did too.

There had been a terrible mistake.

There was a hailstorm of direct communication. I wrote up what I understood at the time that had happened and sent emails to everyone from Renaissance Richardson management to the CEO of Marriott. Monday morning, the CEO Called the president for Renaissance who reached out to the general manager in Richardson, who called me.

His apology was warm, sincere, eloquent, and true. He had interviewed the team members, learned the mistakes made, and apologized for, and explained each step. He promised retraining, corporate-level policy change, and assured us this would never happen again. Then, he gave me his email and direct line and offered that they’d love to have us back some time, for a weekend stay.

”Renaissance Dallas Richardson Welcomes Rich & Johanna Back”

From: General Manager

To: Rich Williams

Hello Rich,

Again, so many thanks to you for the graciousness of how professional you were to tell us of the very poor reception experience you encountered last Saturday

at R Hotel. My apology to you and Johanna for the embarrassment and humiliation for what should have been a wonderful evening in celebrating your 15th anniversary.

I always enjoy speaking with our guests as it can be a real learning experience

and I must thank you for taking my call and the humor you maintained while we chatted. Since I have your e-mail now I wanted to let you know a reservation has been placed for you and Johanna to return next Friday, May 30th for two nights. Your accommodation, breakfast, and garage parking is with our compliments along with the warm hospitality one would expect from a Marriott Family Hotel. Should I miss you upon Friday, do not hesitate to ask for me on Saturday as I will be walking around the hotel while I engage and hopefully inspire some of our guest to explore the North Texas area. There is a great restaurant and antique shopping just one stop north of us on the DART rail, I hope the foot is better and perhaps your able to make that discovery.

Rich, there is a very special suite with your name on it but it’s a secret for now, the confirmation # for your reservation is: ########. We are excited to have you back with us so to unlock the mystery and I guarantee you, you’ll be a real hero with Johanna for the celebration of your 15th anniversary!

CHEERS!

PS: Dark beer, Italian & Mexican, got it.

General Manager

RENAISSANCE DALLAS RICHARDSON

We felt better. Shell-shocked, but the explanation made sense. Without looking through the rest of that night’s reservations, they unfortunately concluded we were guest impersonators.

We picked another weekend, if I remember a few weeks later to return.

We were greeted at valet with complimentary service and an employee escorted us to the desk.

Every employee from that awful night introduced themselves by name and kindly apologized for the mixup.

The team informed us we would be staying in the presidential suite, and there would be no charge for our stay.

Bath

The bathtub was big enough for four people. Am I a bath guy? No. Did I take a bath? Heck yes, I did.

Beer

A table in the room was lined with tasty craft beer.

Chef

The hotel chef sent us a note requesting our thoughts on a menu they’d prepared for our surprise in-room meal on Saturday night.

Meat and cheese plate

Beside the beer, on the table, a huge meat and cheese platter. We ate all we could, and refrigerated the rest.

Room service

The hotel comped all our room service, including the tips we signed for after the quick deliveries.

Board room

Our room had a board room inside it with a giant table where the chef served our surprise in-room gourmet meal. I was the chairman of the board.

One of the beers acted as a paperweight for a handwritten apology and thank you note from the first-class manager.

We bought a Royal Blood EP to play in the Bose Sound Wave CD Player.

Subject: Thanks from Rich and Johanna

Hi GM, 

Johanna and I wanted to send you a handwritten “thank you” note, but time has slipped by and we now find ourselves a week out from one of the most unforgettable weekends of our lives! 

We want to thank you for the time and care your staff took to make sure every part of our stay was perfect. We were truly surprised by a number of special gestures and very much felt like a king and queen. 

The specially-prepared dinner in our room was also a stellar cherry on top of our flawless stay. The development and review of our special menu was unparalleled in any dining experience we’ve ever enjoyed. The relaxation we experienced after we set down our forks from the creme brûlée and fruit-adorned peanut brittle can only be described as bliss. 

Renaissance Hotels are now the official hotels of Rich and Johanna Williams and any subsequent endeavors we may experience professionally. We can’t wait to bring Charlie, Grann, Papa and the whole family to our next Renaissance destination! 

So Many Thanks! 

Rich and Johanna Williams

Rich & Johanna,

I am so glad that we were able to help to re-kindle what should have been right the first

time in celebrating our anniversary.  Taking care of people and making them feel special is what we do

and it is so much fun to hear back to know so I may share with our ambassadors.  They are just as excited

as you and Johanna. If you think you may have some interest for Wildflower next year, let me know and

I will set you up with a Friday night stay at a rate you can only say yes to. Thanks for sharing with me and

I wish you both, along with Grann, Papa & Charlie a wonderful Summer! 

Your Friend, GM

WHEN I STILL HAVE TO CLOSE MY EYES JUST TO SEE YOU? AND WHY HAVE THESE 29 YEARS BROUGHT ME HERE? WHEN I’ VE'”‘ AL J;;ADY [-,OST THE ME ING OF SINCERE? [ E A] l J Pr C \ I’VE BEE ALIVE FOR ALMOST EIGHT DAYS AND I CANT SLEEP AT NIGHT DUE TO YOUR MYSTERY WAYS I ASKED AROUND AND FOUND I AINT GOT REASON TO SAY WILL YOU BE MY QUEEN FOR A DAY? WILL YOU BE MY QUEEN FOR A DAY? WILL YOU BE MY QUEEN?OR A DAY? ( BUT WHAT HAVE THESE 29 YEARS BROUGHT ME TO? WHEN I STILL HAVE TO CLOSE MY EYES JUST TO SEE YOU? AND WHY HAVE THESE 29 YEARS BROUGHT ME HERE TO THIS PLACE? WHEN I’VE ALREADY FOUND THE MEANING OF SINCERE IN YOUR FACE? SO I’LL KEEP ON LAUGHING AND MAYBE YOU’LL RESPOND TO MY SOS PHONE CALL FROM ACROSS YOUR LAWN AND I’LL KEEP ON SINGING THAT SONG THAT YOU HEARD MY EARS WILL KEEP RINGING THIS IS SO ABSURD AND I’LL KEEP ON DRAWING THE CURVES OF YOUR SHIRT THE BLOOD THAT THEY’RE DRAWING NEVER REALLY HURT AND I’LL KEEP ON TELLING THIS HOPE THAT I KNOW I CAME TO PAR WITH TEN YEARS AGO BUT WHAT HAVE THESE 29 YEARS BROUGHT ME TO? MY EYES ARE ALWAYS CLOSE ALL I SEE IS YOU? AND WHY HAVE THESE 29 YEARS BROUGHT ME HERE TO THIS PLACE? . WHEN I’VE ALREADY LO!HT HE MEANIN0 OF SINCERE IN YOUR FACEI -:- [F# A F# A F# A F# E] -.\{J \ AND YOU’ RE STILI,JiN I MIND/ WHAT A WASTE OFOTIME. ” ) AND YOU’ RE STILL ON MY MIND(/) WHAT A WASTED OF TIME.c…._w 00 LONG jl. – [Em D C] ( -L) 0’fl\ When she’s drinking, she says things I don’t think I believe. And I’m not one to practice to decieve, but I’d be lying if told you that I’m not crying when I hold you. And the more I get to know you, the more of me I’ll show you. When I say I love you, She reaffirms that I’m a nice guy. When I say I love you, She reaffirms how much she likes me. me and doug and travis we thought and thought and thought there’s somoething terribly wrong with this house that we bought i said, “there must be something that we are allowed to do besides smile charming and just act cute we asked the lord to do us all a favor and do away with our annoying next door neighbors doug said, “hey i know a way to get them back!” we made brownies and filled them with ex-lax 20 years ago the hatfields and mccoys now the folks next door vs. the three car boys what can we do to make them understand how do we talk to the race track fans me and doug and travis found a new place to play we’re tired of being shot at and frowned to every day. It makes me smile to remember the times before. And the fire that ravaged the house next door. Look by Rich Williams DIE DIB G When I look into your eyes. DIE DIB G When I look into your eyes. DIE DIB G When I look into your eyes. DIE DIB G I can dream. DIE DIB G When I look in through your eyes. DIE DIB G When I look in through your eyes. DIE DIB G When I look in through your eyes. DIE DIB G I can see. Everything. G A I’d forgotten what it’s like to feel this way. G A I’d forgotten what it’s like, and I don’t know what to G A I’d forgotten what it’s like. A D GIB G I’m leaving you today. D GIB G say. ‘L ·nJ,A ) 6 1 well i’m wondering is it for real – [A]but this how you felt -and the hand you were dealt [B]will never[A] be understanded so bloom where you’re planted[B C#m A C#m B C#m A] I Internet Song rich williams I don’t believe the internet has really changed my life yet, and I just can’t afford a new car. And I really don’t believe something that can be thieved can really make or break who you are. And I won’t write a song about what’s right or wrong cause who am I but filth and honest dirt? Don’t believe what I say. In an hour I’ll go away. And You’ll still have posession of your hurt. Forget what’s best for me. I just want you see the eighteen year old boy who wrote this verse. If you only knew what I was trying to tell you, you’d no longer be capable of thirst. You’d no longer wander. You’d no longer hurt. You’d no longer cry. You’d no longer search. You’d no longer fear. You’d no longer search. And I don’t believe the internet has really changed my life yet. And I just can’t afford a new car. 29 YEARS [ E A] I LIVED FOR 29 YEARS THINKING I WASN’T PRETTY ENOUGH I LIVED FOR 29 YEARS UNWORTHY OF YOUR LOVE I WAITED 29 YEARS JUST TO SEE YOU SMILE I WAITED 29 YEARS AND FORGOT FOR A WHILE [ C#m B A] 1< c_ (;! fl .::tl::) , flt? BUT WHAT HAVE TH!:SE 2 9 YEARS BROUGHT ME TO? b f L Ci (J.fa’.Jv and i stayed there til the end but i realized i was lonely [Em]when i [A]made my [C]one-hundredth friend [C] [G] [Em] [C] what i was was someone else well that don’t matter now’ who he is is in this book and he can show you chorus i used to go down to the churchhouse but i never understood but he always understood me and he says that i am good band out i used to go down to the popscicle stand Weather or Not by Derek Webb and Rich Williams Chorus: G A E GE Cause the weather don’t stop wheter or not I’m alone. G A EGE And Everyday, today seems further away from home. EGE C D I can look into the mirror and see my choice. c . h O Tbr 9> But in this traffic Jam t e F. M. drowns out your stil 1 voice. E GA E G A A-(cule:_J I tore my room apart thinking I could find you there. Because I swear I hear your voice every time I hear draft. My guitar left me in March for an empty pawn shop. So I guess cause the craft left me I left my craft. So I bought a purple hat to keep my dry. And realized the rain was fears from the tears I,cried. And the wind along with my b rk sweetheart died. And I knew Noah knows the Yin ow lied. Chorus -· When I look into this crystal ball. D G/B When I look inside this hollow hall. D G/B When I’m looking waiting for your call. I see your face. D D G/B G G/B When I look outside this big backyard. D G/B When I look inside this old guitar. D G/B When I look I can’t see very far, D G/B G But I see your face. G G G G G C G If I could see forever in your eyes, C G F G F I promise you I’d never say goodbye, F G But tomorrow’s all I see. (That’s all she said.) F So please remember me. i miss you [ G C AF F# G] G Id like to sound pathetic for a while but id jump off a building just to see you smile let me be pathetic for a sec but id play in the street just to hug your neck [G C A] i miss you i miss you i miss you i miss you id like to sound pathetic not for long but i was balling when i wrote this song Let me be pathetic for a spill cause it just might change your concrete will chorus id like to sound pathetic just for you there is nothing i would not do let me be pathetic on my knees im beggin you, im beggin you please G [G C] i wann hold y th di wanna kiss your lips i wan a be your man ti,ht at Dur finger tips i v1qnha: }ja_,ear ‘:) i w roy only chorus .. Mr. Teapot By Rich Williams [ E G A] ofce i mna make it right ho’ce t you tonight Mr. Teapot took Miss Cookie jar to his house by the sea. He said, “I’m A little teapot short and stout. Why don’t you marrry me? We can go to the city, I’ll be a waiter and you can teach!” They unfolded their checkered napkin and ate cookies on the beach. [Chorus] [AG# AG# AG# E G# A] Everybody say. I know it’s easy for kitchen utensils to fall in love. And I’m sure they often do, But Mr. Teapot ain’t go no idea about How much I love you. Let me be your Mr. Teapot baby, Even though I’m short and stout, ’cause Baby Love’s forever and, Yeah, I know We’ll Work it out. Mr Dinner Fork eyed Little Miss Spoon Accross the beef stew. He said, “Little Miss Spoon, I’d like to get a spoonful of you!” They got the knife to do the wedding for Mr. Beef, Chicken, and Pork. They jumped into the dishwasher and out came nine baby forks. [Chorus] [Bridge] [ E A D A] We go togeter like carrots and peas, cinnamon and sugar, ham and cheese. Like Peanut Butter and Jelly just to name a few. But they don’t go together like me and you. [Chorus] you can see it in her eyes she’s seen one two, one too many good-byes i met a woman whose abstract fears told an abstract story of twenty-six years she’d sell her body just to get a ride home but she’d sell her soul not to be alone and i don’t blame her for the love she’s looking for you you know you can’t bet your life on what’s behind door number two you can see it in her eyes shes seen one two, one too many good-byes (chorus:) [F] [/E] [CJ [G] there is a savior a place where someone knows your name the light’s on the hill you can see him he’s real cause there are angels they don’t just live in your dreams the truth is in his eyes make this your last good-bye (band out), (harmonica solo) [CJ there’s a [G]man I know who[Am] [F] no one would listen to (band in) he walked the earth unfollowed and forgot love is all love is all that he sought (break) and now he wants to love you because he don’t blame you for the love he’s looking for you he knows you cant’ bet your life on what’s behind door number two you can see it in his eyes this is your last good-bye (chorus) (band out) (harmonica outro) SOMEBOD [E A] I LIKE TO DRIVE WHEN IM NOT ALIVE LATE AT NIGHT IN THE EARLY MORNING I KNOW YOU SAID THAT THEY’D ALL BE DEAD BUT I JUST IGNORED YOUR EARLY WARNING I FLEW MY PLANE AND YOU WERE ASHAMED BUT YOUR FRIENDS SAID COOL SO YOU KEPT BRAGGING I WAS INSANE AND YOU WANTED CHANGE BUT THE TELEPHONE WOULD NOT QUIT NAGGING MY MACHINES FILLED WITH PILING UP BILLS AND YOUR DRIVING IN YOUR BRAND NEW SPORTS CAR I’M GETTING TICKED THIS STAMP HAS BEEN LICKED AND I JUST DON’T KNOW ANYMORE [E A B C#M A] IT’S NOT BAD IT’S NOT GOOD IT’S JUST TRUE IT’S NOT HIM OR HER OR YOU IT’S NOT ME[A], BUT IT’S GOTTA [B]E. SOMEBODY[E] SOMEBODY VOTED TIRED AND BLOATED YOUR HOLDING ON YOUR SILVER GRAIL I STARTED TO FEAR AND WISHED YOU WERE NEAR BUT YOU HAVEN’T EVEN CHECKED YOUR MAIL I’M NOT SLEEPING AND YOU’RE NOT KEEPING THE PROMISES YOU MADE BY CALLING I’VE BEEN WAKING TO PEOPLE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF EVERYTHINGS FALLING MY GUITARS BROKEN FROM WORDS THAT WERE SPOKEN BEFORE I REALLY UNDERSTOOD IT I SHAVED OF MY HAIR AND UNPIERCED MY EAR BUT THAT SHOULDN’T MATTER OR SHOULD IT CHORUS [C#m Dm C#m Em] I WAS WALKING UP A HILL LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO KILL BUT AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION MY VICTIM WAS MY REFLECTION Mr BB gun me and doug and travis were playing in our room we’d just finished our last song when we heard a boom the noise was loud and game from all around next thing we knew our window smashed to the ground travis complained that something had stung his cheek doug repeated something he said last week, “our neighbors hate us but this time is not the first, we’re gonna blow them right off the face of the earth!” mr bb gun, come on this ain’t much fun why are you so undone to put a bb through our window mrs dirty stare i get your message lo,ud and clear what is it that you fear to put a bb through our window —1–J..– – q 9 . w ,—l–V-<,,..v –“”J o l?.i:l:4 s . d · , She can’t say I love you. She can’t say I love you. It just might take too long. When I’m angry, I say things I don’t think I believe, and one day I’ll say what I can’t retrieve. But it’s been too long since I have held you. And days since I’ve felt your smile. But I’ll just get over it for a while. When I say I love you, She reaffirms that I’m a nice guy. When I say I love you, She reaffirms how much she likes me. I can’t say I love you. I can’t say I love you. &just might take too long. 1/ And this curse of membe ing. This conc t of di ering. What I wi I was. , Who I’m not d why? “‘B’ecause. I said no because I eouldn’ t, !) but you know it’s cause I ouldn’t. I can’t say I love you. I can’t say I love you. I can’t say I love you. It just might take too long. When I say I love you. She reaffirms that I’m When I say I love you. She reaffirms how much And she just can’t say W–It just might take too one two many (intro: harmonica) a nice guy. she (\ likes me. it.–\._, long. [CJ there’s this [G]lady in my [Arn] place of [F]business fell in love on a whim and asked herself who is this left her eying in her mouth a bad taste call to the lawyers in dept to her waste (band in) and i don’t blame her for smoking three packs a day you can’t kill yourself fast if you just slip away ns \(tdr\ WtlttOMv:s \ \ _ I’ve got a bookmark from my fifth grade Sunday school teacher. It’s yellow and the raindrops spell out words. But if only precipitation was communication. The storm cloud psalms and the hail proverbs. [TACET] (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, and Frosty the Snowman.) Chorus So I bought a purple hat to keep my dry. And realized the rain was fears from the tears I cried. And the wind along with my bookmark sweetheart died. And I knew Noah knows the rainbow never lied. Chorus But in this traffic jam the F. M. drowns out your still, small voice . . bloom by rich williams ¥6*) [E B A] there’s an old man 1:’iying to turn left and a little boy chasing a brown dog and theres mad man going a little too fast and a black and white car and a man who plays god theres a schoot,_gl.__£1 crossing broadway at three and close vacarrt lot football game and there’s an old woman wondering what is it i’m doing and i’m wonderin is it for real po_w [E]Is it al [B lS lt ane [A] hat’s in a name[E] where will you be[C#m] in five minutes [BJ is it real is it sane a. tell me who….’..1s to b e \ji.nd i’ll go back ho when i’m finished is it for real there’s a family wondering what they’ve got left and a fireman missing his black and white dog and there’s a boy and a girl moving a little too fast and not a soul searching for god and there’s an actress belonging to broadway wondering how it must feel and there’s a poor poet wondering what is it i’m doing wind i am waiting for this chapel to tell me when to leave to open up it’s doors and know what i believe i am waiting for this hassle to turn and walk away i opened up the bible afraid of “what it’d say “‘D/.cause i don’t really know what i’m gonna do \when will the wind blow the direction i need ,,,.,, \., e \…..,i can’t even taste i can’t even change the direction o black blood i bleed / tl°? 4” JJ1i am waiting for a whitehorse to pick m up f:r ork vi simply teeter-totter i am simply irt i altl waiting my for y i a waiting foe:-my friends all. i’m w this w-aiting to end the java intro: [ Em] [A] [ C ] [ D ] x 2 break i used to go down to the popscicle stand until i found out it’s been blown by a people from a foreign land i said this is not my home break i used to go ntil i wat it takes an [Em] it takes down to the coffee shop d the jave burn r to read the morning paper a [A]minute just to learn [C] who y [ C] who who who [G] are [Em not a [A]matter of finding yourself re is in who live within not a camera or a mirror forever friend [Em] [A] [C] [D] x 2 long break i used to go to toms. lubbock high [ C] I (; ) ‘, ) the 

Some quotes from my morning article: “There is no way to improve upon the work of Christ—it is infinite and perfect.” (Except it relies on born-sinful humans (Calvinist persp.) to inform others.) “To be clear, when Calvinists speak of limited atonement, we are not speaking in terms of its value but rather the extent of it.” (Which is limited to sinful man’s (again, Calvinist persp.) ability to translate a modern accepted format of scripture and explain it in evangelical terms to everyone.)

This is a good article, but lots of holes.

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/erik-raymond/jesus-die-everyone/

Here’s another quote from the article: “B. B. Warfield says, “The things we have to choose between are an atonement of high value or an atonement of wide extension. The two cannot go together.” Atonement for everyone would be considered of higher value than limited atonement. That’s at least up for discussion. It’s simple economics: If I gave a dollar to everyone, it would have a much higher value in all than if I gave a dollar to the at most 25% of evangelical humans on earth. Approximately 4x more value. Jesus is not a LeBron James rookie card.

Kosmos – the universe, creation (gr) John 3:16 — If we were to literalize every selective salvation verse, we would know that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Camels cannot go through needles so biblically speaking, no one who accumulates wealth goes to heaven, say 10% of born again Christians, the alternative which is eternal damnation and separation from God, including infinite torment.) Infinite torment seems like a solid choice from a “just God” in return for being unaware of a few facts.

Jesus did die for everyone. There’s more biblical proof for than against.

I’m a big fan of original language, original translation, source-direct, historical documents. So here’s the million dollar question:

Did the Civil War and the Confederacy, including it’s flag, have anything to do with Africa or “Negro” slavery?

From the individual state articles of confederacy and confederate constitution, I present the direct response.

South Carolina

“They have denounced as sinful the institution of slavery; they have permitted open establishment among them of societies, whose avowed object is to disturb the peace and to eloign the property of the citizens of other States. They have encouraged and assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes; and those who remain, have been incited by emissaries, books and pictures to servile insurrection.”

Mississippi

“Our position is thoroughly identified with the institution of slavery– the greatest material interest of the world. Its labor supplies the product which constitutes by far the largest and most important portions of commerce of the earth. These products are peculiar to the climate verging on the tropical regions, and by an imperious law of nature, none but the black race can bear exposure to the tropical sun.”

Florida

“It is in so many words saying to you we will not burn you at the stake but we will torture you to death by a slow fire we will not confiscate your property and consign you to a residence and equality with the african but that destiny certainly awaits your children – and you must quietly submit or we will force you to submission – men who can hesitate to resist such aggressions are slaves already and deserve their destiny.”

Alabama

“They are hereby, instructed to insist on the enactment by said Convention of such restrictions as will effectually prevent the re-opening of the African Slave Trade.”

Georgia

“For the last ten years we have had numerous and serious causes of complaint against our non-slave-holding confederate States with reference to the subject of African slavery. They have endeavored to weaken our security, to disturb our domestic peace and tranquility, and persistently refused to comply with their express constitutional obligations to us in reference to that property, and by the use of their power in the Federal Government have striven to deprive us of an equal enjoyment of the common Territories of the Republic.”

“It was the announcement of her purpose to appropriate to herself all the public domain then owned and thereafter to be acquired by the United States. The claim itself was less arrogant and insulting than the reason with which she supported it. That reason was her fixed purpose to limit, restrain, and finally abolish slavery in the States where it exists. The South with great unanimity declared her purpose to resist the principle of prohibition to the last extremity.”

Texas

“That in this free government *all white men are and of right ought to be entitled to equal civil and political rights* [emphasis in the original]; that the servitude of the African race, as existing in these States, is mutually beneficial to both bond and free, and is abundantly authorized and justified by the experience of mankind, and the revealed will of the Almighty Creator, as recognized by all Christian nations; while the destruction of the existing relations between the two races, as advocated by our sectional enemies, would bring inevitable calamities upon both and desolation upon the fifteen slave-holding states.”

Louisiana

“At the same time, white Louisianans shared other southerners’ commitment both to slavery and to opposition to federal interference with the institution either in the states or territories. Consequently, the rise of a sectional Republican Party dedicated to stopping slavery’s expansion caused Louisianans to reevaluate their allegiance to the United States. In particular, two events pushed them toward secession. First, John Brown’s failed abolitionist raid on Harpers Ferry, Virginia, in October 1859 heightened sensitivity toward both immediate threats to slavery and to the strengthening Republican Party.”

Confederate Constitution

“The importation of negroes of the African race from any foreign country other than the slaveholding States or Territories of the United States of America, is hereby forbidden; and Congress is required to pass such laws as shall effectually prevent the same.” (Forbidden to send an African negro to potential free union states)

“No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law denying or impairing the right of property in negro slaves shall be passed.”

(Forbids slavery criminalization)

“In all such territory the institution of negro slavery, as it now exists in the Confederate States, shall be recognized and protected be Congress and by the Territorial government.”