Okay..  I've never thought of this before, but, how convenient do you think it was for Samuel to climb up on a wall, built around a city most likely to keep people out?  Yeah, I don't think it could have been that easy.  How often do we find any reason at all to get out of doing what God wants us to do?  Well, God told Samuel he...

So two days ago, I found myself on the same stage with the same band I've been with for the past 5 (or so) years, playing pretty much the same songs. Except, this time, something was different.  As I walked around looking at all of the awesome vehicles on the grounds, there was just something wonderful.  I have no idea how to describe i...

Anyone who knows what Helaman 12 is all about is probably wondering how in the world I could label this chapter as "Happiness".  hehe... Yesterday, I was having a very interesting conversation about happiness with a dear friend of mine, and oddly enough, today's chapter was Helaman 12, which of course, talks all about the frailties...

Amazing...  It's almost unbelievable that in the space of less than 13 years, a whole nation can go from being wicked, to almost dying of hunger, to becoming incredibly righteous and prosperous, and then coming back to being so wicked that the combined armies of the Nephites and Lamanites can't defeat the wicked part of the people. I've bee...

So, a few weeks ago, the studio acquired a Jackson electric guitar and didn't really have any experience with it.  So a good friend and client of the studio came in and messed around a bit with it, and using a great dual-mic technique to get the most out of the amp, we managed to get a very, very nice guitar tone out of it. Soon, it will be ...

So, due to the success we've been having with the studio, we were able to upgrade our two in-studio guitars.  We bought a new black Crafter acoustic guitar, which sounds just awesome.  One of the new Herod The Fink tunes will feature the Crafter, and we're excited to get a final mix to see how it sits within the music. We also bought a ...

Amazing.  A couple of chapters ago, I was commenting on the sad state which Nephi found himself in, and the amazing faith he must have had to remain in a state of faithfulness to God, when everyone around him was wicked. I guess that's the way it goes.  God tries us to our breaking point, careful not to give us trials beyond our capabil...

Seems that the testimony of Nephi against the people of Zarahemlah was centered around their disbelief in Christ.  Interesting that, as soon a Satan has control over a people, Christ is the first doctrine which is attacked. Also the story of the finding of the murderer of Seezoram is interesting through the eyes of the foreknowledge of God.&...

Hey Guys, Okay so its been a really really long time since I last wrote anything.  I just recently remembered my password and that is a really big part of my reason for not writing.  I know this is suppose to be like a diary (right or wrong?), but I would perfer to think that its more of a letter to a best friend (hope that don't sound ...

So...  I remember Nephi coming back to his own people and seeing them in a state of wickedness, but I didn't remember that he had just been on a mission where everyone in the land northward rejected his word, too.  That would be an incredible test of faith in an of itself.  Only the most stalwart followers of God, in my view, could t...

My mom Is the best mom in the world. My mom is a super woman to me. We used to live in the hood .I really loved it but now we are out of the hood im not mad but my mom tried.And Im so proud of her . Now we are moving on to bigger and better things. My mom is a beautician. I love you mom forever and ever. ...

So, the Christmas season is officially here, and I'm feeling more Christmas Spirt than I ever have in my life - by a long shot. I attribute this to two things...  First and foremost, attitude, and making good choices.  To me, Christmas is a spiritual season because it's filled with love, good will, charity, friends, and family.  If...

I wish I could describe to you how much gratefulness is in my heart for whoever is in the skies who loves me. The prophets say He is Jesus Christ - and I believe them. This being up there loves me more than I can possibly comprehend. There is no way that words can describe to you, whoever you are, how much I want to learn to love Him. One thi...

Scramjet, a valued client of Advanced Budget Studios (and an amazing band, as well), has recently arrived in the top-ten list of a contest put on by X-96.  Please support them by clicking here and voting for them and their awesome song, "Tread Softly". Thanks, and thank you, Scramjet!  You guys are awesome!  ...

 So, this chapter seems to be about the rise and fall of the people, and the rulers who ruled both in righteousness and wickedness. It seems to mow through a genration with each verse that goes by - very quickly.  I guess this chapter would be a good one to illustrate the Lord's prophets making promises, and then keeping them through la...

Growing up, I used to have a mis-conception that those who erred against God in their ways were best suited for rebuke the way God gives it in the scriptures.  I was ignorantly judgemental, and for a long time, couldn't understand why people tended to shy away from my tactics. Reading the beginning of this chapter brings back a lot of those ...

After having killed one thousand and five of their own people, and having realized they didn't really want to be killing their own people, I imagine the anger of the Lamanites went to pretty extreme levels. I can't imagine the scene which must have taken place at the city of Ammonihah.  That has got to be one of my favorite "God's justi...

mesa u said in ur last blog that u didnt feel like writing that best b a fase i wont let u quit cause u could become a really famouse poet so if u quit then i quit this site and wont tlak to u deal or no deal like the show christine p.s.i aint joking ill quit talking to u..........eventually.........hopefully..........maybe..........not.........

This was the last talk given in the April General Conference of 2008, and President Monson did a wonderful job. I love how he wants to be personal with us, to tell us of his family and his experiences.  I feel the love coming from him and know he loves the Savior. Not having watched many talks given by President Monson as president of th...

Within the first 5 verses of this chapter, I'm reminded again of how a person works who is truly interested in God's commandments. Lehi was commanded of the Lord to have his sons return to Jerusalem to get the plates of brass from Laban. Telling Laman and Lemuel would most certainly have some consequences in that they would automatically assu...

I think I'm beginning to understand why I hate Sony so bad.  Their stance on digital rights' management is absolutely astounding. According to this article, Sony's cheif anti-piracy lawyer stated that "...making a copy of a purchased song is just a nice way of saying 'steals just one copy'" So, in a nutshell, Jennifer Pariser i...

I'm not entirely sure what to write.  Half because I'm still reeling, and half because I'm still asleep. I'm now in the International Airport in Las Vegas, heading back home after a trip which put my 5-year anniversary trip to absolute shame.  I'm just shaking my head in disbelief. During the trip, we went and saw the show Ka by Ci...

As a S197 Mustang GT owner, I never thought I'd write about this particular subject, but then again... ...I had never actually seen one on the road, either. All I have to say is - Wow. Dodge definitely did their research on this one.  Although it was all due to the success of the S197 mustang body style, of course, but man... That car ...

 Well, I'd say last week was a success for the progress of the studio!  I'd also say it was a pretty big failure for the state of my body.  Man, I'm getting old.  Even my 70-year-old dad out-did me, and that's just sad.  Even though my fingers are swollen, and my feet hurt, I've gotta say it was 100% worth it. We started ...

Well..  Today wasn't as bad as I thought.  The only thing that really got to me was this lack of sleep.  I woked up at 6:30 this morning, and by 2:00pm, this afternoon, I was dead. I won't bore you with details, but today was filled with food, and loads of technical information.  I've really got to get to sleep now, so I'm go...

I've never noticed that by the way Christ speaks to his father, he is displaying total and complete humility. If Christ submits himself to the will of the Father so willingly and completely, who are we to suppose we are above doing so ourselves? "It is very enlightening and touching to me to consider how Jesus talks to His Father. In His g...

My marriage, or rather, the marriage I have entered into with my sweetheart for the last 7 years, hasn't really been that bad.  In fact, I'd say we're definitely on the upper-hand of "marital happiness" as far as the national statistics go. There are quite a few reasons for this, I'd say.  One is definitely that I feel I'm giv...

I've been reading the scriptures a bit lately, and I came upon a verse which intrigued me. That verse quickly made me think of this one, and this one. Let's not forget this one - that's a good one, too - verse 33 being the focus. Here's another really good one warning of the dangers of the previous entries, and further proving the point that at l...

 I'm not quite sure why I chose the title, "Sunday Miracles", but it seems to suit what happens when one chooses to follow the Spirit.  In any capacity. Nothing too earth-shattering for today, but I felt inspired to come down and write.  I personally believe the Holy Ghost is far more active in our lives (even if we choos...

So, I've had the opportunity for the past few months to work full time with clients from all over Utah Valley.  From the sweet harmonies of By Request's soft country swing, to the relentless brutal drive of The Suffering's hardcore sound, the longer I'm in company with musicians of this area, the more I'm convinced that Utah Valley seems to be...