My cat Tobi is wandering around our apartment meowing. This might not seem strange, but its 3 in the afternoon. He hasn’t been awake at 3pm……well, ever. I know how Tobi feels. I feel like like I’m wandering around this way too quiet apartment wondering the same thing Tobi is. “Where is Abner!?”
K and I put our little boy to sleep on Sunday. He was sick and suffering, and it was just going to get worse. I sat next to my sweet wife while she held Abner as the vet gave him the injection, and watched our beautiful, brave, boy slip off to make someone else in eternity as happy as he made us.
I was surprised that Karen wanted to be there at all, let alone hold him while it was happening. When I asked her about it, she recalled countless stories over the years of her in tears on the couch. Abner always came darting through the house to be close to her and cuddle with her if it was one of the rare times that he wasn’t within 2 centimeters of her already. He loved her like I’ve never seen a pet love someone in my life. It was her turn now to hold Abner. Karen’s strong hands were the last thing that Abner felt, and that’s how it should have been.
There have been lots of tears this weekend, and I’m sure more to come. Abner, you were very loved and you not being here with us is truly heartbreaking. We will always love you sweet boy.
Its been a rough week. One of my good friends and drummer for The Myriad Randy Miller was recently diagnosed with cancer after a large tumor was removed in a surgery about a week ago. I feel wrecked and confused as to why this stuff happens. To quote my friend Randy, “This is BULLSHIT!”
I know and believe that God is good, but to say that I don’t understand is an absurd understatement.
Below is a letter from The Myriad with some opportunities we all have to help out with what will inevitably be a financial burden that is more than I can imagine. Thanks for reading.
As some of you may have heard, our band mate Randy Miller had a tumor removed from his upper torso near his shoulder on Friday. Initial analysis has come back that the tumor is cancerous. The specific type is still being determined and we will keep you all informed as we know more. We ask for your support and prayers for Randy, his wife Kristyn, and children Connor and Gillian during this time.
There are immediate and ongoing financial needs for the Miller family. For this reason, a fund has been set up through The Stirring, a non-profit organization in Redding, CA. There are a few different ways you can send tax deductible donations to the family. One is online at www.thestirring.org . Located to the bottom right of the main page you will see “ONLINE GIVING”. If you click on this link you will be directed to a secure page where you can set up an online giving account. Once the account is set up you will see the “RANDY MILLER FUND” and be able to send secure, tax deductible donations to the family through this organization. Tax deductible donations can also be sent in the form of a check to:
The Stirring
RE: Randy Miller
3468 Bechelli Lane Suite E
Redding, CA 96002
Please specify “Randy Miller Fund” in the check memo. Any financial support you can give in order to help the Miller’s through this difficult time is appreciated.
This is an amazing performance that I couldn’t stop watching until the end. Here is my top 10 list as to why this video is the best thing currently on the internet. Thanks to Jonathan Berlin for enlightening me.
10) The name of the band is “sonseed”.
9) The bass guitar looks like its from outer space! (Thank you Germany)
8)The guitarist has amazing pelvic movement.
7) They call this song “rock and roll” in the song!
6) It makes me want to skank and wear checkered vans
5) The glasses on the larger female backup singer are superior to all glasses.
4) They sing the chorus 78 times
3) The singer has the loudest voice in the world since I can hear him w/o a microphone
2) Matching vests (except the singer’s whose is unbuttoned to set him apart)
1) Two words………BASS SOLO!!!!!!!
So I’m in Redding working on a couple of projects. I’m both thankful that I can make a living (hardy har har) making music while wondering what it would be like to have more structure………or if the two can be done at once. (doubtful)
Today I spend my time writing string arrangements and being afraid that the rattlesnake that found its way to the studio last week might find its way back and be super pissed that it got the boot last time it came for a listening session. This makes for an interesting work environment. It reminds me of the scrubs episode where Carla was talking about being “scared of toilet snakes” and Elliot responding “….and now so am I!” I don’t think a rattlesnake could live in a toilet, but you never know. I held it all day just to play it safe.
I’m missing Karen a lot and wondering what the next 15 or so months hold for me. Do I get to make another album for The Myriad? I hope so. Will I have to/get to tour this fall? I doubt it. Is music set in stone or is there another life that just gets postponed every time I walk in the studio. I honestly don’t know what else I’d do with myself. There is nothing better for me than the feeling of making a song something special. Giving a set of chords some unique identity. Songs often show up in grey cover-alls, and my job is to get it into some slick couture fashion. Nice pants, a shirt to kill for and shoes that look expensive. Other times songs show up in the perfect outfit, and I just get to groom it, make sure there are no make up smears and that the already stylish hairs are in place. Both are fun…..just different. The only time it sucks in when a song shows up in a pair of elastic waist jeans and a hypercolor t-shirt 4 sizes to big. At that point you just send it out the door and tell it you’re embarrassed for it and that it probably shouldn’t have left the house this morning.
Anyway….all that to say is that my life feels weird…..so I grew a beard……it didn’t look as bad as I feared…..and I like my tuna seared, but I prefer sushi
I have a million memories of my dad just like the one in this picture. My mental photo-journal is certainly not short of pictures of us hiking, sliding, throwing nerf balls, riding bikes, shooting hoops, golfing, taking road-trips (one of our personal favorites), changing the pads on the swamp cooler, making up fake spanish words like “guacalote” and “guacalotito”. Britton (my nephew in the pic) will see this picture some day and remember quickly what growing up with my dad was like. I’m sure he’ll have a lot of the same memories as I do.
The amazing thing, is that my dad just turned 60. You’d never guess it by looking. He’s in better shape than probably most dudes walking around….all dudes…….18-80. Its kinda amazing actually. He’s certainly redefining what being 60 has to look like. It kicks open a whole other set of doors for me and what I’m hoping my 60’s look like.
Happy birthday dad……thanks for always wanting to spend time together. Andy and I were lucky to have that, and I hope that I’ll be that to my kid someday. I love you and happy birthday!!!!!
So I ‘m in Chicago on a couple days off from tour. Every chance I get to have a few days off here I like to stay w/ Shelley and Randall. Guitar hero, new foods, wine, conversation, guitar hero, rock band (video game), cats. Its always wonderful.
They’re sleeping right now, and I’m on my wacky road schedule that rarely lets me fall asleep before 3am. According to this photo, I’m only 2 and a 1/2 hours away. Yipee.
