Quick Note

I forgot to mention earlier that we will be leaving in the morning to go on another studio tour until Wednesday. Joe, Benny and I will be leaving at 8am. Just so you can keep it in mind.

Umleitung (Detour)

I spent the weekend at the Paskas house, because Joe was out of town, which means I had a weekend of great Hungarian/German cuisine (courtesy of Mrs. Paska) and just plain fun. Friday night the Antz performed at the music store that I told you about. And, as usual, they did a great job! They received good scores on the song that they submitted to the judges. I have attached some pictures of the concert below. On Saturday, I watched Johnny, Benny, and Robin record some things for the Antz CD. And later on, I got my butt kicked in soccer by Mr. Paska. Last night, Marph, Korny, Benny, and I went to a German Kino /Keeno/ (cinema). I actually understood more than I thought...which still wasn't all that much, but still enough to know what was going on. Besides, I had my own personal translators (a.k.a. Benny and Korny) so they helped to fill in the blanks. I was like one of those people that always pesters you about what is going on or what just happened, or who is that guy and what is he doing....you know what I mean.

Today, I was driving Joe's truck up to the supermarket to turn in some bottles (you have to turn in glass and plastic bottles after you are done so they can be recycled), but as soon as I pulled out of the driveway, I had to stop because the Polizei (police) were blocking the road for a bicycle marathon. After waiting for about ten minutes for them to pass, I was finally able to complete my errand. After the supermarket I drove to the recycling station to drop off some cardboard and some plastic...only to get stuck behind the aforementioned bike marathon. I was finally able to make the turn that I needed to go to the recycling station....only to find the road blocked yet again for the finish line of the marathon...which also included a gigantic party/cook-out/concert that just so happened to be exactly where I needed to go. So, after driving around about 4 times to find an alternate route in, I gave up and came back to the Center. The moral of the story...I hate bikes....

Berlin Pictures

I decided it would probably be good to post some more pictures so you can see a very small part of what we did these last few days:

The main recording room of one of the biggest studios in Germany. They were a domestic rep. for Universal Studios until Universal sold the studio to private buyers.


......Benny drooling over the mixer at that studio......


....a really cool, really expensive board at another studio,this thing will pretty much do your laundry....


mesmorized


one of the studios had a dog...we want one


Berlin has 6 dunkin' donuts...these guys know the exact location of each one...



after donut #137....




Me, Benny, and Joe in front of a part of the Berlin wall...those bricks that run along the bottom follow the path of the original wall through the entire city, even inside buildings.

Back From Berlin

Tonight we returned from Berlin. We visited something like 10 or 11 studios over three days. Several things were accomplished over the last few days. 1) The studio here is right on track. 2) It really helped me to visualize what the complete studio will look like. 3) It was incredibly encouraging. 4) We were able to get a few ideas to apply here. Overall it was a great opportunity for me to learn more about the studio and recording industry. Once the studio is up and running, the profit will be used to support the youth work here. There are many plans for the future here. The possibilities are endless. I know that's a bit of a cliché, but seriously it's amazing what can be done here. God has provided GO Ministries with an incredible location, facilities, and network. It's exciting to be a part of it.

In other news. The Antz will be one of three bands that were chosen to perform at Augsburg's biggest music stores 10th anniversary on Friday. It is great exposure for them. Keep them and the work here in your prayers.

Berlin or Bust

Tomorrow morning at 8:00am or 2:00am est or whatever time we're on now, Joe, Benny, and I leave for Berlin. We will be meeting with several studios on the way to, and in Berlin. This should be a good experience for me to learn more about the whole music industry, something I know pretty much nothing about...Benny actually just got here. He is staying the night because we are leaving so stinkin early tomorrow. So we are sitting here trying different translation websites...it's pretty interesting...anyway...I don't think I'll be able to post much of anything while I'm in Berlin...I know you will all miss me, but I'll be back on Wednesday...peace out.

DVD Night

I just got done with a DVD night with some of the guys. It was a Mr. Bean marathon. We also took turns trying to guess what flavor the different colored jelly beans were. This was enough to keep us occupied for about twenty minutes. Not joking. Those things are addictive. Tomorrow there is a cookout fellowship thing at the Arche, a church in Augsburg. It's 2am and I can hear the mouse scurrying around...one of these days...wann ich da drauf komm...

Feuerwehr

Even though my German is horrible most people are nice as I struggle through asking for whatever it is I need at the moment. Yesterday, the woman at the Fiat dealer actually had a conversation with me (I sound like a pathetic person with no friends...that may or may not be true...). Today I went to buy paint and I was actually pretty successful with my German there. There was only one instance of cherades (I have no idea how to spell that). It was cool. Of course after that I had to hit up the McDonalds (which is actually really good here...it's almost like real food). After picking up lunch for Joe and I, I began driving back to the Center. I came around the corner and there was a truck completely engulfed in flames. There were probably 20 fire fighters that arrived and I had a front row seat. Unfortunately this little escapade was blocking the only way I knew how to get back to the Center. So, while everyone else is turning around...I'm staying put...mostly because I don't want to mess with turning the truck around. After a little while I realize that the parking lot to my right might loop around to the other street. It did. And so I continued back without incident. I love driving in Germany.

Plans for Berlin are coming together. We'll be leaving on Monday and coming back Tuesday night...or Wednesday morning. Tomorrow...I'm painting the stairs. Picasso, prepare to meet your match...if...you were...still...alive....man I'm in a wierd mood.