This theme came upon my mind. It just simply did as my wife was helping out with moving some things while baby was having some great grandparenting time. No reason in particular -- the theme just popped in my head.
The first thing that comes to mind is John the Baptist. He said, "He must increase but I must decrease" (John 3.30 ESV) Paul said, "For me to live is Christ and to die is gain" (Philippians 1.21 ESV) and Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10.39 ESV).
Soaking all of this in gives me the conclusion that in the Christian life, it is the art of dying that brings life. This involves, many times, forsaking a self-serving and self-preserving mentality and dear God is it a pain! Yes, I am very open about my feelings on it because it is nuts.
What I find funny is that most Christian friends I have known don't like the notion of death -- crosses (Christ and others died on it), stakes (some claim Christ died on that instead), death metal, images of death abroad seem frowned upon yet the irony that in order to truly show loyalty to Christ and His Father's majesty all encircles the personal death of self. Mankind, most often than not, is always pinpointing its desires, agendas and goals upon itself, no so much on the other.
Let's be real -- we are in a self-centered way of living and the thought of not living for self isn't all that great for some. Yet it is in this loving of one another, the intent of showing God's kingdom by loving your neighbor that we begin to live -- and this world is already tilting on its head due to its unwillingness to surrender this one track, self-centered, self-destructive state of mind.
Blogs by Ron Gunz
12.26.2013
11.12.2013
Letting Bitterness Die! How I dropped the habit of grudges.
I have been trying to wrap my head around the whole notion of fatherhood and marriage changing your life, mainly because I felt that despite all changes, I still felt very much the same. I guess you can say that after these past three months, I have to admit I have realized the difference.
There have been people, of which I'll never name, that I felt have either ditched me, backstabbed me or just downright left me hanging with a false sense of support. For years, I had it buried in my heart and dancing in the back of my head. When you look at the smiles of your wife and daughter when you come home from a long day at work or when you wake up in the morning, you realize that there are far more important things in your life now than the energy-consuming, soul-sucking things known as hatred, bitterness and grudges.
There's a Bible verse that I read today that reminded me of this. It's in Ephesians 4.31-32, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you".
With a wife as an anchor, of which you can depend on as support, floatation of love God has placed by your side and a daughter that reflects the wonderful elements of you and your spouse, all that crap in your head begins to mean nothing anymore. Lorimer is a intense reminder of that as well.
It isn't an easy process either. It's like changing a diet in a spiritual sense -- you're used to all the junk you love to eat but deep down you know it is downright bad for you, thus needing to replace with healthier alternatives and by God is it difficult. Cheesecake and I are like Winnie the Pooh and Hunny! Overtime, though, through solid discipline and healthy means of activity, you unlearn those things no matter how long it takes. I say this because overnight sudden changes are slim -- slimmer than a Slim Jim.
There have been people, of which I'll never name, that I felt have either ditched me, backstabbed me or just downright left me hanging with a false sense of support. For years, I had it buried in my heart and dancing in the back of my head. When you look at the smiles of your wife and daughter when you come home from a long day at work or when you wake up in the morning, you realize that there are far more important things in your life now than the energy-consuming, soul-sucking things known as hatred, bitterness and grudges.
There's a Bible verse that I read today that reminded me of this. It's in Ephesians 4.31-32, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you".
With a wife as an anchor, of which you can depend on as support, floatation of love God has placed by your side and a daughter that reflects the wonderful elements of you and your spouse, all that crap in your head begins to mean nothing anymore. Lorimer is a intense reminder of that as well.
It isn't an easy process either. It's like changing a diet in a spiritual sense -- you're used to all the junk you love to eat but deep down you know it is downright bad for you, thus needing to replace with healthier alternatives and by God is it difficult. Cheesecake and I are like Winnie the Pooh and Hunny! Overtime, though, through solid discipline and healthy means of activity, you unlearn those things no matter how long it takes. I say this because overnight sudden changes are slim -- slimmer than a Slim Jim.
10.11.2013
More than 2 months later! Fatherhood, Marriage and Life!
Hey everyone,
It indeed has been quite a while since I've written a blog expressing what's been inside my head. I have to say there has been a lot going on. Indeed it is that within over two months a lot can change.
On August 31, 2013 Lorimer Elise Isabella Bernice Gonzalez was born to my wife and I at 9:21AM. It was a bold moment. Up to the point of actual birth, it was difficult. Induction proved to fail and thus a C Section was made to happen and it was, quite frankly, painful to witness. The joy of Lorimer's birth was there but also the momentary fear of something going wrong with your wife was also pending. With a hemorrhage that occurred during the C, I feared the worst for her as the blood splattered about the area of operation to the point that even I was not exempt to the view.
Lorimer is, through and through, my daughter in all the funniest ways. Less than an hour old, she starts sucking on her knuckles and smiling. I tell her that she'll have her Snuggles next week and suddenly she smiles and gives me the middle finger! That is just awesome. As time went on, she can loud like me, likes to be active physically like me and a lover of music like both Genesis and I. What surprised me is her positive reaction to Judas Priest's "All Guns Blazing" as I was casually listening to music on my own when suddenly I see her air guitar (another newborn development I saw aside from the finger). She can also really get laid back on Sarah Brightman, Michael Jackson, Alter Bridge, Creed, Ronnie James Dio and giggles a little to Dethklok (to no surprise like daddy). She likes seeing me get on my guitar.
Thankfully, Genesis, my beloved wife, she is recovering well although that C section scar still stings her a bit. As far as being a mother, she is new to all of it but is a fast learner to the point of paranoia -- but it has served her skill set as a mother. Granted, all of these changes can affect a woman, as wife and new mother, in a lot of ways but I find that she is handling it far better than most.
Some of you are probably wondering how am I doing now as a Floridian, husband and father? Some say they go through this world crackling experience in their head or emotions but personally I feel like it hasn't affected me at all on a grand scale of things. Granted, there is a change of culture between Florida and New York however I have never let the world I'm in affect me personally. I've never been about accommodations unless it involved the kind I created for myself as well as those in my circle. For me, it's just another day another dollar.
As a husband, I do have more responsibilities because I have to not only look after my well-being but also my wife's (and vice versa for you people who think it's a one way street). On the flip side of it, all I ever wanted was to settle down, as though wanting a girlfriend since the age of 4 wasn't enough of an indication, let alone my history of being ditched in some past relationships. I have always wanted to proudly say that I'm married and that there is someone I can go home to for the rest of my existence so for me, being married is as natural as a knee-jerk reaction.
As a father, all it did was further remind me of how much I like to take care of someone who isn't me. This is the fruit of my loins and given that I take good care of my loins, I naturally follow suit with Lorimer. Like my mom and dad, I too am a drill sergeant when it comes to baby scheduling because one tiny slip in the baby routine and Lorimer will react. For a near 6 week old, she catches on fast to that. Nothing, however, is funnier than experiencing your daughter headbutting you as though you were her wrestling opponent (we watch WWE together every week) let alone mumbling "arvudibu" (RVD?) while watching RVD vs. Randy Orton.
In Matthew 22.39, Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" and quite honestly, when you're able to love yourself genuinely and absolutely, how you treat your daughter and wife reflects that behavior and if sometimes there is worry about yourself, how you treat them finds its way into reflecting that.
I know, some of you reading this must think that either I'm delusional or that I make it sound so easy but for me the fact of the matter is this -- you are, as it stands, your personal investment. You are your own business to take care of and guess what -- your spouse and child, in turn, are a part of that personal investment and for me, I'm all about doing, as Triple H says, "what's best for business". This also means that I don't take some things personally and just deal with it. If your baby is crying every 4 hours, that's code red for diaper plus food time. Afterward, if she's quiet around you, she loves your company. If she's antsy, play with her, put music on, read to her. If still antsy, either it's time to change diapers or she wants mommy time -- and she loves mommy quite a lot! I also don't stand there and be like, "oh my glob, what do I do?" because when I remember what my parents did with me and my siblings, lights turn on and I take care of business and if the business doesn't want to do business, I do business for the baby for her benefit.
As far as work goes, there are elements where I sincerely miss the way business is handled in NY but on the other hand there are things in FL where business on a long-term scale is more beneficial. As a father and husband, this is actually where those two factors actually change your attitude. Remember when you felt like voicing yourself on something you were adamantly agreed with to the point that you could risk losing your job or you wanted to defy all the bull because it was "the right thing"? Guess what, you better check that attitude out the door when you go to work unless it is truly affecting your personal life because when you're head of household, the household takes priority over all else. You bite your lip, shut your mouth and do your job because you have your family, your lifelong investment, to take care of. This isn't about you anymore and if you care for yourself, your family and all else that's on the line, deal with it because at the end of the day, that is what's best for your personal business -- until you branch into something bigger of course.
My father, in all his adamant attitude and absurd level of opinionated mentality, out of respect for himself as a man, husband, father and respect for my mother, myself and my siblings, he never whined, cried and complained about anything at work unless it was life-threatening. He simply checked his ego out the door, did his job and proudly took care of all of us because if he were to mouth off, he would've found himself in the unemployment line quicker than a knock knock joke.
It indeed has been quite a while since I've written a blog expressing what's been inside my head. I have to say there has been a lot going on. Indeed it is that within over two months a lot can change.
On August 31, 2013 Lorimer Elise Isabella Bernice Gonzalez was born to my wife and I at 9:21AM. It was a bold moment. Up to the point of actual birth, it was difficult. Induction proved to fail and thus a C Section was made to happen and it was, quite frankly, painful to witness. The joy of Lorimer's birth was there but also the momentary fear of something going wrong with your wife was also pending. With a hemorrhage that occurred during the C, I feared the worst for her as the blood splattered about the area of operation to the point that even I was not exempt to the view.
Lorimer is, through and through, my daughter in all the funniest ways. Less than an hour old, she starts sucking on her knuckles and smiling. I tell her that she'll have her Snuggles next week and suddenly she smiles and gives me the middle finger! That is just awesome. As time went on, she can loud like me, likes to be active physically like me and a lover of music like both Genesis and I. What surprised me is her positive reaction to Judas Priest's "All Guns Blazing" as I was casually listening to music on my own when suddenly I see her air guitar (another newborn development I saw aside from the finger). She can also really get laid back on Sarah Brightman, Michael Jackson, Alter Bridge, Creed, Ronnie James Dio and giggles a little to Dethklok (to no surprise like daddy). She likes seeing me get on my guitar.
Thankfully, Genesis, my beloved wife, she is recovering well although that C section scar still stings her a bit. As far as being a mother, she is new to all of it but is a fast learner to the point of paranoia -- but it has served her skill set as a mother. Granted, all of these changes can affect a woman, as wife and new mother, in a lot of ways but I find that she is handling it far better than most.
Some of you are probably wondering how am I doing now as a Floridian, husband and father? Some say they go through this world crackling experience in their head or emotions but personally I feel like it hasn't affected me at all on a grand scale of things. Granted, there is a change of culture between Florida and New York however I have never let the world I'm in affect me personally. I've never been about accommodations unless it involved the kind I created for myself as well as those in my circle. For me, it's just another day another dollar.
As a husband, I do have more responsibilities because I have to not only look after my well-being but also my wife's (and vice versa for you people who think it's a one way street). On the flip side of it, all I ever wanted was to settle down, as though wanting a girlfriend since the age of 4 wasn't enough of an indication, let alone my history of being ditched in some past relationships. I have always wanted to proudly say that I'm married and that there is someone I can go home to for the rest of my existence so for me, being married is as natural as a knee-jerk reaction.
As a father, all it did was further remind me of how much I like to take care of someone who isn't me. This is the fruit of my loins and given that I take good care of my loins, I naturally follow suit with Lorimer. Like my mom and dad, I too am a drill sergeant when it comes to baby scheduling because one tiny slip in the baby routine and Lorimer will react. For a near 6 week old, she catches on fast to that. Nothing, however, is funnier than experiencing your daughter headbutting you as though you were her wrestling opponent (we watch WWE together every week) let alone mumbling "arvudibu" (RVD?) while watching RVD vs. Randy Orton.
In Matthew 22.39, Jesus said, "Love your neighbor as yourself" and quite honestly, when you're able to love yourself genuinely and absolutely, how you treat your daughter and wife reflects that behavior and if sometimes there is worry about yourself, how you treat them finds its way into reflecting that.
I know, some of you reading this must think that either I'm delusional or that I make it sound so easy but for me the fact of the matter is this -- you are, as it stands, your personal investment. You are your own business to take care of and guess what -- your spouse and child, in turn, are a part of that personal investment and for me, I'm all about doing, as Triple H says, "what's best for business". This also means that I don't take some things personally and just deal with it. If your baby is crying every 4 hours, that's code red for diaper plus food time. Afterward, if she's quiet around you, she loves your company. If she's antsy, play with her, put music on, read to her. If still antsy, either it's time to change diapers or she wants mommy time -- and she loves mommy quite a lot! I also don't stand there and be like, "oh my glob, what do I do?" because when I remember what my parents did with me and my siblings, lights turn on and I take care of business and if the business doesn't want to do business, I do business for the baby for her benefit.
As far as work goes, there are elements where I sincerely miss the way business is handled in NY but on the other hand there are things in FL where business on a long-term scale is more beneficial. As a father and husband, this is actually where those two factors actually change your attitude. Remember when you felt like voicing yourself on something you were adamantly agreed with to the point that you could risk losing your job or you wanted to defy all the bull because it was "the right thing"? Guess what, you better check that attitude out the door when you go to work unless it is truly affecting your personal life because when you're head of household, the household takes priority over all else. You bite your lip, shut your mouth and do your job because you have your family, your lifelong investment, to take care of. This isn't about you anymore and if you care for yourself, your family and all else that's on the line, deal with it because at the end of the day, that is what's best for your personal business -- until you branch into something bigger of course.
My father, in all his adamant attitude and absurd level of opinionated mentality, out of respect for himself as a man, husband, father and respect for my mother, myself and my siblings, he never whined, cried and complained about anything at work unless it was life-threatening. He simply checked his ego out the door, did his job and proudly took care of all of us because if he were to mouth off, he would've found himself in the unemployment line quicker than a knock knock joke.
8.11.2013
Get my Vol. 1 book for free THIS WEEK!
To everyone that reads this blog,
Congratulations, for this week only, my compilation is absolutely free! Just click on the link I have below and then download. Some of you are wondering why I have made my book this easy to get -- it comes down to just getting it out there. I want it to be out there and spark the curiosity and after all -- if you end up liking it and want it in paperback, you'd just have to order it.
This is my way of saying, "read before you buy". It is also because there will be a magazine version of it coming soon that has a vastly artistic rendition absolutely different from this one! This will also be the last version that will be under my real name before I officially change it under my pen name (and stage name) Ron Gunz.
So click on down and enjoy!
http://www.lulu.com/shop/ronnie-abimael-gonzalez/vol-1/ebook/product-20600698.html
Congratulations, for this week only, my compilation is absolutely free! Just click on the link I have below and then download. Some of you are wondering why I have made my book this easy to get -- it comes down to just getting it out there. I want it to be out there and spark the curiosity and after all -- if you end up liking it and want it in paperback, you'd just have to order it.
This is my way of saying, "read before you buy". It is also because there will be a magazine version of it coming soon that has a vastly artistic rendition absolutely different from this one! This will also be the last version that will be under my real name before I officially change it under my pen name (and stage name) Ron Gunz.
So click on down and enjoy!
http://www.lulu.com/shop/ronnie-abimael-gonzalez/vol-1/ebook/product-20600698.html
Life after Brooklyn! Life starting in Tampa!
So it has been just a bit over a week since the big move from Brooklyn, NY to Tampa, FL and I have to say, much has happened in my move. For one thing, the weather is certainly different. From experiencing four seasons to just one, there is certainly a grand departure in that dynamic. NY gives you a bit of every kind of weather except for an actual hurricane.
In a two hour walk from one side of Hillsborough to another in Tampa, I experienced practically every form of weather I could be offered. I started with some hot and sunny weather to downright humidity, heavy dark rain to scattered showers to a conclusion by way of sunny and partly cloudy. I should be sick after that experience but I'm not. What should've been me walking into what is now my new work location all soaked and wet turned into me having my clothes instantly dried up by the sun, looking as though I didn't get drenched. Hurricane season is approaching as we speak so I'll fill you in first hand as to how I experience it.
Another thing I experienced was the change in commute life. 90% of the people here drive and God forbid they even move a damn muscle to exercise, even if it's a fifteen minute walk! On the upside, there's the HART bus transit, of which to my surprise kicks the MTA's rear end when it comes to bus service. Seeing me on a bus in Brooklyn was like a death wish because what should be a 10 or 20 minute wait for a bus turns into a 45 minute wait. HART buses estimate to 30 minutes per bus but I find it to be 25 minutes at best.
How about things available? Well, my friends, there's quite some variety. First of all, there is nature everywhere so you can throw out the concrete jungle environment. I also find that there's a food market with fresh fruits, veggies and meat 15 minutes away by foot, the DMV and the bus stop. Keep walking a little more, there's dollar stores, Burger Kings, Walgreens. On the very block where my job is located, there's a Babys R Us, a grocery store, a gym, Pizza Hut, Applebees, chinese, machu pichu restaurant and even a check cashing place. My reaction was, "Well, looks like I don't have much traveling to do!".
As far as the people, I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that people are genuinely nice. I'm used to kindness equating to fakeness or the setup for some scam or quid pro quo scenario but it isn't the case at all. When it comes to funny acting people, it's as simple as, "you leave me be, I'll leave you be", which I find to be very respectful and an unspoken ethic here.
I've seen palm trees, ponds, families of ducks going out on a family outing together, dragonflies, fire ants and lizards (no snakes yet). The sunrise and sunset is a beautiful sight. There are areas that remind you that you're in the south by the gritty look but many other parts, especially in the townhouse manor area I live in, remind me of Puerto Rico back in the 90s in layout and feel.
I am also still taken aback by pricing. I feel as though I died and woke up in paradise.
As for my people back in NY, I haven't forgotten about you. Some have this perception that because I moved and that I am enjoying my brand new life that I'm gonna just go amscray and leave people with this impression that NYers mean nothing to me but the truth remains that I still carry a ton of NY in my blood as well as in attitude. I do miss my friends and family, I just don't miss the over-saturation of police and the whole concrete jungle life, totally void of God's creation and natural life.
7.30.2013
Farewell New York City, hello Tampa!
The time for me to leave New York draws increasingly near much more than it did any other day -- and it's crazy! With my transfer to my job effective August 10th, it gives me time to explore and check out my new home -- in Tampa, Florida.
I think what's going to be interesting are a few things -- a new environment and the absolute removal from everyone and everything I've ever known. Think on that for a second -- Everyone you've bonded with, everyone you knew, loved, hated and embraced for 28 years were from New York and now it all ends. Gone will be all the skyscrapers, the dreadful MTA, the big presence of NYPD, the growing mass of bar/restaurants, the borough of churches (well, I may not miss that unless I need business in sales) but at least I won't be missing hipsters!
I am more than grateful for every last thing I did accomplish. I finished elementary, junior high, high school and community college. When things take their form, I'll wrap up my Bachelors but it will wait for now. I was in three bands and in each of them, I gained experiences of the learning kind, met different people of different walks of life and played in places I thought I'd never play at the time. I've played in churches, bars, lounges, parks and even prison. I wrote the three poetry books here in NY.
My dating life started and ended in NY. Every sexual experience I ever had, I did it all in NY and not ashamed one damn bit. I met my wife here. I conceived my kid here. I married my wife in NY.
My birth, growth, death and rebirth in spirituality all happened in New York. In the concrete jungle, I developed my faith in Christ, a love for his Bride and absolute disdain for corruption, hollow religion and falsehood. I learned in time, in a harsh way, that to truly fellowship with our Lord, you'd have to tear the walls down and get rid of the business model we've been attached to for centuries -- and that process, at most, will create alienation and even, for a season, create isolation but if you've learned anything from the Bible, quality men and women in God are formed in isolation but be aware of the hurting process. You get betrayed for going against the norm, criticized for criticizing and antagonized for questioning that which is worthy of discrepancy.
The bigger question now is, as Pillar's album says, Where Do We Go From Here? Honestly, my answer is being a husband and father. It's all about the adult life and responsibility. I have a woman and a kid all to me now to look out for, love and care for.
Also, in the meantime, I will finish my album, as it's about halfway done but knowing how I am, I may extend it to more than just 8-10 tracks and even extend it to two or three albums. I am also plotting to get into airbrushing soon as well as making some freehand art canvases.
To everyone that has been around since my lifetime in New York, I thank you all just for being there -- through thick as well as through thin. This chapter of my life closes and another letter opens -- just stay tuned as it begins to unfold.
Love,
Ronnie "Ron Gunz" Gonzalez
I think what's going to be interesting are a few things -- a new environment and the absolute removal from everyone and everything I've ever known. Think on that for a second -- Everyone you've bonded with, everyone you knew, loved, hated and embraced for 28 years were from New York and now it all ends. Gone will be all the skyscrapers, the dreadful MTA, the big presence of NYPD, the growing mass of bar/restaurants, the borough of churches (well, I may not miss that unless I need business in sales) but at least I won't be missing hipsters!
I am more than grateful for every last thing I did accomplish. I finished elementary, junior high, high school and community college. When things take their form, I'll wrap up my Bachelors but it will wait for now. I was in three bands and in each of them, I gained experiences of the learning kind, met different people of different walks of life and played in places I thought I'd never play at the time. I've played in churches, bars, lounges, parks and even prison. I wrote the three poetry books here in NY.
My dating life started and ended in NY. Every sexual experience I ever had, I did it all in NY and not ashamed one damn bit. I met my wife here. I conceived my kid here. I married my wife in NY.
My birth, growth, death and rebirth in spirituality all happened in New York. In the concrete jungle, I developed my faith in Christ, a love for his Bride and absolute disdain for corruption, hollow religion and falsehood. I learned in time, in a harsh way, that to truly fellowship with our Lord, you'd have to tear the walls down and get rid of the business model we've been attached to for centuries -- and that process, at most, will create alienation and even, for a season, create isolation but if you've learned anything from the Bible, quality men and women in God are formed in isolation but be aware of the hurting process. You get betrayed for going against the norm, criticized for criticizing and antagonized for questioning that which is worthy of discrepancy.
The bigger question now is, as Pillar's album says, Where Do We Go From Here? Honestly, my answer is being a husband and father. It's all about the adult life and responsibility. I have a woman and a kid all to me now to look out for, love and care for.
Also, in the meantime, I will finish my album, as it's about halfway done but knowing how I am, I may extend it to more than just 8-10 tracks and even extend it to two or three albums. I am also plotting to get into airbrushing soon as well as making some freehand art canvases.
To everyone that has been around since my lifetime in New York, I thank you all just for being there -- through thick as well as through thin. This chapter of my life closes and another letter opens -- just stay tuned as it begins to unfold.
Love,
Ronnie "Ron Gunz" Gonzalez
6.28.2013
History of my rig
I figured it would be fun to write about my history when it comes to my performing rigs -- whether it be for effects or even amplifiers or the combo of both and let me tell you, there's been a run of changes.
In 2002-2004, I had a Boss DS-1, a Crybaby and a Danelectro French Toast Octave Fuzz. It actually wasn't my favorite rig but it did the job I needed it to. I was just on a Squier Strat, mostly playing on 90's Peavey keyboard amps wherever I went unless a Roland Jazz Chorus was around. I always had the distortion effect on the French Toast rolled back because of the excessive distortion for what I was doing back then. My DS-1 was often with the Distortion rolled to about 45% and my Tone setting to the same. I always used the Crybaby strictly for some funky rhythms.
In 2006, my rig went through a big change. I had an Epiphone Les Paul Special II at the time and my Sinbiote. I switched the old Crybaby for the Dimebag Crybaby From Hell and the Morley Bad Horsie 2. The DS-1 left and I replaced it with the Digitech Bad Monkey and the Grunge pedal. I also included the BOSS CE-5 and the KORG AX3G. I would use these as a means to experiment and try different tones for punk, pop/rock, alternative, metal and prog stuff too. I was also using all this through an old Guitar Research acoustic amp that had built in phase and chorus (both on) while hooked to a Peavey 5150 4x12 cabinet. I eventually replaced that amp with the Crate Power Block in conjunction to the 5150 and that definitely opened more clarity and more messing around.
In 2008, my rig got through another big change -- no more half stack, hello to the Raven RG100 and my Audio Technica guitar wireless unit. I also eliminated all the pedal mess, replacing them with the Morley Mark Tremonti Power Wah and the Line 6 Floor POD Plus. By then, I also had my PRS SE Custom 22 and eventually the '85 Ibanez Axstar. It was only yet another big change.
Now we're at 2013, ended up losing the Tremonti Power Wah somewhere. I ended up getting the Crybaby 95Q which does the same I used to get out of the Bad Horsie 2 except being significantly slimmer in size. The Floor POD Plus is still in place and will always stick with it but now I may be adding the MXR Prime Distortion as a kicking boost for solos. The RG100 is gone, as is the Sinbiote and the SE Custom 22 but in addition, I have the Crunch Lab and Liquifire humbuckers on my Axstar and now I possess the PRS Mark Tremonti SE. I can honestly say that I enjoy the combinations I have now.
6.17.2013
Forfeiting titles -- Another thing I let go.
Another day drags on as I think about everything I left behind that I once had years ago -- titles. I look around and I see all my fellow Christians acting like they're on top of the world by calling themselves Evangelists, Pastors, Prophets, Apostles, Bishops, Reverends and so on. Don't get me wrong, I think it is wonderful when you find your calling in life and you live it out but I think it is quite a stretch to use that calling as a title as though you're trying to be extra special. There is a sense of pretention, arrogance and pride -- qualities of which Christ teaches against.
If I wanted to, I can go on about how in the early 2000's, I attended a Billy Graham seminary, certified and all, as it was about Preaching the Gospel during times of Crisis. As I have said in past entries -- I too was an evangelist under the Pentecostal's definition. You could also say I was also a teacher and more but none of these things mattered. Even being an active musician for churches, as well as ministry to outreach to people with God's love, I've played at churches, street church events, Riker's Island, bars, clubs, lounges and even McCarren Park. As Paul said, "but whatever gain I had I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3.7-8 ESV).
I have never been a fan of carrying titles as a Christian. It almost absolutely comes off as though people are trying to add an extra pump to their egos with that and yet again I say, it runs against the grain of humility that Christ teaches us as the standard. Jesus didn't run around going, "stand back, there's a Messiah coming through"! Sure, he did at times make the claims such as, "Bread of life" claimed whose "Yoke is easy and Burden is Light" and "The Way, Truth and the Life" but they were rare, usually among the closest thing he had to family -- his disciples. To everyone else, He simply was. That says a lot as to how we, his believers and followers ought to be -- don't talk about your credentials because there's plenty of people in the world talking about theirs. Live what you were taught and lead by example.
One last thing to bear in mind as well -- those titles and degrees won't mean squat when YaHWeH calls you unto account for what He called you to do. Jesus won't be your advocate then because He's gonna let His Dad get his judgin' on. Remember my fellow believers, walk in humility, demonstrate the example Christ has set before us, which is nothing short of love, light, holiness and humility.
Your friend,
Ronnie
If I wanted to, I can go on about how in the early 2000's, I attended a Billy Graham seminary, certified and all, as it was about Preaching the Gospel during times of Crisis. As I have said in past entries -- I too was an evangelist under the Pentecostal's definition. You could also say I was also a teacher and more but none of these things mattered. Even being an active musician for churches, as well as ministry to outreach to people with God's love, I've played at churches, street church events, Riker's Island, bars, clubs, lounges and even McCarren Park. As Paul said, "but whatever gain I had I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ" (Philippians 3.7-8 ESV).
I have never been a fan of carrying titles as a Christian. It almost absolutely comes off as though people are trying to add an extra pump to their egos with that and yet again I say, it runs against the grain of humility that Christ teaches us as the standard. Jesus didn't run around going, "stand back, there's a Messiah coming through"! Sure, he did at times make the claims such as, "Bread of life" claimed whose "Yoke is easy and Burden is Light" and "The Way, Truth and the Life" but they were rare, usually among the closest thing he had to family -- his disciples. To everyone else, He simply was. That says a lot as to how we, his believers and followers ought to be -- don't talk about your credentials because there's plenty of people in the world talking about theirs. Live what you were taught and lead by example.
One last thing to bear in mind as well -- those titles and degrees won't mean squat when YaHWeH calls you unto account for what He called you to do. Jesus won't be your advocate then because He's gonna let His Dad get his judgin' on. Remember my fellow believers, walk in humility, demonstrate the example Christ has set before us, which is nothing short of love, light, holiness and humility.
Your friend,
Ronnie
6.13.2013
My top favorite Overdrive, Distortion and Wah pedals
When it comes to overdrive pedals
1. Fulltone OCD
2. Ibanez Tubescreamer 808HW (the one that looks like a jolly green tank)
3. MXR Classic Overdrive
When it comes to Distortion
1.Bogner Ecstasy Red
2.Wampler Sovereign(ONLY because it has no boost button)
2.5. MXR Prime Distortion. Yes 2.5 because Wampler's absence of a boost button is the ONLY thing stopping it from first place.
When it comes to Metal Distortion?
1.Wampler Sovereign. Alright people calm yourselves. This guy can go from a subtle overdrive tone (that's okay) to a raucus and brutal metal sound.
2. MXR's Super Badass. It's the Wampler's little brother minus the bright/even and boost/standard switches.
3. Metal Muff. Even though it has a Top Boost, it's just that -- a Top aka Treble Boost. Not everyone that is solo hungry wants a top boost, they may just want to boost overall.
4. MXR's Fullbore Metal. It's good for metal but that's as far as it goes. Even with the Gate button activated, it's still a tad noisy in tone and even with the scoop button activated, the Trebles still sound scratchy.
For Wah pedals?
1. Crybaby 95Q. Clean or dirty, all the way or just a subtle touch, it sounds clean through and through and you can adjust the gain boost and the range.
2. Bad Horsie 2. Clean, it sounds good until it's fully pressed down, where you hear a slight bit of a scratch. Dirty? This thing kicks serious butt. The range from the Contour is ridiculous!
3. Dimebag Crybaby From Hell. Has all the range of the 535Q and like the 95Q sounds clean as can be when playing clean.
4. Mark Tremonti Power Wah. Has the cleanliness and the Gain Boost of the 95Q and its default range is only a tad short of the Bad Horsie 2.
5. Crybaby 535Q has the range the 95Q and Bad Horsie 2 possesses and has tone to made the wah deep or bright. It's problem is the same as the BH2 -- doesn't sound too clean when playing full cocked in clean.
6.06.2013
That Inner Sorrow
It stems from years of the favoritism, injustices, corruption and false Christianity that I find these days. I've become weary with grief at how the only thing that matters to some are just filling up four walls, singing all day and preaching to the choir -- meanwhile there are people needing help with poverty, abuse, injustice and disease. Too many leaders caring about how much money they can stuff themselves with and preoccupied with hi tech in presentation but so low tech in heart with all the things going on that their congregations are going through.
It stems from the disillusion of thinking I could ever see Christianity the way Jesus and his disciples taught it. I guess everyone likes the way it's business as usual and don't want to tear the system down. It you can't beat them, leave them and be among those who agree that the only solution is demonstrating Christ-like attitude at its core.
I miss my baby sister Bernice. It's been about 5 years. I'm still finding it weird that when I turn the curtain, she's not there reading a book with a funny face or being the only audience that'll laugh at my weirdness. Not much you can do I guess.
At least I'll meet some new believers in Tampa and I'll have my wife and my little daughter to keep me up and at least I'm not a golfer!
It stems from the disillusion of thinking I could ever see Christianity the way Jesus and his disciples taught it. I guess everyone likes the way it's business as usual and don't want to tear the system down. It you can't beat them, leave them and be among those who agree that the only solution is demonstrating Christ-like attitude at its core.
I miss my baby sister Bernice. It's been about 5 years. I'm still finding it weird that when I turn the curtain, she's not there reading a book with a funny face or being the only audience that'll laugh at my weirdness. Not much you can do I guess.
At least I'll meet some new believers in Tampa and I'll have my wife and my little daughter to keep me up and at least I'm not a golfer!
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