oh boy - is anybody else tired?

So I'm up late watching Anberlin on Jimmy Kimmel dressed all in black and reading about how I just lost a chunk of change today in the crazy slip and slide that is our nation's economy. Today started out bright and great though. Dominique and I took another road trip - as though this past weekend's jaunt through 'northern accent country' wasn't enough. We headed just a few hours north to a magical place called Frankenmuth, Michigan. And yes - some would say we have northern accents too, though I would like to think mine has withered a bit. We filled up at the Bavarian Inn and ate like mad. It was Dominique's birthday last week so we had a coupon and ate fried chicken and schnitzel without the knowledge of the stock market turning upside down today. But even now I'm not too worried. I mean just throw it in the pile with the rest of the noise we're bottled up in... HD, BluRay, Bluetooth, Nintendo wii's being in stock for Christmas, WiFi that's not free, 2G or 3G, Tall or Grande, rampant illegal MP3 downloads, Home Depot or Lowe's, extended warranties, and no interest no payments til 2012. Oh not to mention that almost everything we buy is made in a foreign country... and that probably includes this sofa and keyboard.  All that aside I guess I'm more concerned with the fact that Bill Maher is on Conan and whole-heartedly thinks there is no God. 

So where does this leave me tonight? Grateful for a God that has orchestrated the creation of the universe, a God that knows no political or economic boundaries. Grateful for a God that loves his creation enough to give us all free will, but saddened that the reality of that also means there are those that will never grasp God's eternal love.

The truth is that everything here on this planet can get crazy. The fact that we're all here is crazy. But I believe there is a God that is crazy about us - we just need to cut out some of the noise to realize it. 

btw - I'm Chris Rohman, and I approve this blog

random notes

We are taking a few days off from the road at the moment, but we're excited to get up to the great states of Wisconsin and Minnesota this weekend. I promise we'll get some pics up after these next few shows. The past week was incredible though - Maine is so good to us. Not to mention the 1400 people who showed up in Pennsylvania on Sunday!! I finished my book in my bunk somewhere between Bangor and Souderton. Good times. Somehow in Oklahoma last week I lost my sunglasses. My favorite sunglasses. Bad times. I've never owned a nice pair of sunglasses in my life and I took such good care of them - only to loose them in the end. (Here's a pic of Pete sporting my long lost compadre) I really don't know what happened but I'm on a quest to replace them and so far haven't been able to find the exact same pair. Sad Day. I did find out though that the sunglass hut has an incredible return policy. So I'm 'trying' out a pair for the weekend. We'll see how it goes. Silly huh? I never realized how much sunglasses really do help reduce glare and stress on the eyes though ;) I'm Not sold on the grey lenses as opposed to the brown which I loved. hmmm

Anyways! So I'm getting really excited for our little boy to arrive. It's going to be pretty awesome. I can't wait to get him his first guitar!! Which btw I just scanned a picture of mine recently... Yeah it's about to get crazy at our house ;)

waiting for my ride

So we just finished a good six shows in a row this week, something I don't think we've ever done before. Actually I think it was 10 shows in 12 days to be exact. What a whirlwind, but what an awesome way to spend the last two weeks! I still can't believe how well the tour is going. Every night we've been shocked at how many people are actually showing up and singing along. We have an ongoing joke I'll let you in on as to why things have bode so well, then I'll try explain what I really think it is...

A few weeks ago we played a show in Kansas City and I decided to bring a rug to put on stage. I have to admit it's rather funny showing up with  A rug.  Not enough rugs to cover the stage mind you, but just one lonely rug to place on my 5 x 8 space on the stage. You see, all the big guys have been doing this for years and I don't think it's just because of the 'vibe' effect. It feels good on the feet and I believe it has great acoustical purposes in the way it counteracts the harshness from a blaring guitar amp.  Most drummers will use a rug to prevent their hardware and drums from slipping all over the place. It also helps to move a kit a few inches with one gentle pull on the rug.  Mark has actually been setting up his kit the past 12 years on a rug we stole from my mom. No joke - it's out on tour with us right now. So I decided it was high time I got a rug of my own. Kansas City was the first city to catch a glimpse and I honestly think the show went amazing! It just felt like everything on the rug was under control. When we started the tour we felt like it was time to kick it all up a notch and so we decided to grab an additional rug. I know - it's kind of a big deal, but we thought it was the right time. So here we are out on tour with 2 rugs and things are just smokin'. Every night after a great set we joke that it's 'gotta be the rugs.' I mean every night we're walking off stage and for the first time in sanctus real history we feel like we're just part of something bigger that is happening and none of us are really in control of it.  Well the jokes are funny for many reasons. Pete and Dan are funny guys, so of course the rug comments are new and more hilarious every night. But when all the joking subsides and we're still scratching our heads as to why this tour is going better than expected it becomes more and more obvious that it's God's blessing on it and nothing at all to do with cheap oriental rugs. We really believe that what this tour is doing is far greater than playing some songs and selling t-shirts. Of course we've always been concerned with writing songs to encourage people and relate what God has done in our lives, but everything has such deeper meaning this time around because we're helping to build wells for refugees in Darfur. It really is life changing. Thousands of people will get to drink clean water now because of people joining together at the shows and committing to send just 7 bucks a month to the mocha club. I can't even begin to describe how crazy it is that over $100,000 has been raised already!! We're not even a quarter of the way through the tour! To sit here and think that this dream we had earlier this year of taking the 'we need each other' theme on the road is now a God-breathed reality is absolutely mind blowing. So yeah - rugs are cool, but people coming together for the broken and thirsty is where I really want to be.

SO - thanks for reading. I'm waiting for my ride to Virginia. I'm excited to see what lies ahead. I'm also about 3 chapters from the end of a great book.  Check it out... The Shack

What a week!!

WOW! I can't believe everything that has happened this week. First of all thanks to everyone that has come out to the TOUR so far - you definitely helped kick start it into action. Perrysburg on Thursday was a huge success thanks to everyone who signed up for mocha club. You helped raise over $30,000 in one night! Enough money to build 2 wells in Africa this year. That is truly amazing! Not to mention the way the other two shows in Cinci and Spring Arbor went. After this weekend I believe people have joined together to raise over $60,000 already!!! I'm too excited to sleep because of it! AS if those 3 shows weren't enough, we were able to play a sold out benefit show for a local family in Toledo being featured on Extreme Makeover - Home Edition! Check out the Toledo Blade, and our local ABC station for details. Last night over FIVE THOUSAND people showed up for the rally. They were forced to turn people away - I don't think anyone was planning on it being so big! We even got to play a quick song with designer Paul DiMeo. HUGE! What a night. We're going to head to the demolition tomorrow and I'll try to get some pics. Thanks to my dad for these photos already ;)

Also must quickly mention - Check out TOMS shoes NOW! And check these pics too...

today we start this thing

well actually a few days ago the chaos started, but we're embarking on the big tour today. kicking the whole thing off right here in our hometown. we're pretty anxious to hit the road and see how things play out.  i'm trying not to get too nervous, but there's a lot of work to be done and a lot of diesel to be burned.  i don't think i could feel any better about the guys we'll be out with and the music we're all bringing to the table though - it should be an incredible time ;)

i'll do my best to get back into blog mode, been taking some time away from the ol laptop lately when i've been home. 

oh, i thought i would mention too you should go out and buy the new record from 'above the golden state.' you will not be dissapointed ;)

'til next time...