Guitar Pickup Tattoos

I got three new tattoos today—or one in three parts depending on how you look at it. The tattoos are of three electric guitar pickups. One for each of my children. Each child has a distinct personality, set of characteristics, and unique approach to life and love and music and art. Guitar pickups are a good metaphor for my beautiful children and the tats also reflect my love for music.

Karysa, my firstborn, is a classic beauty—much like the “lipstick” pickup on my Fender Telecaster. The Tele is one of my favorite guitars because nothing says “Americana” like a Tele. Classic rockers like Tom Petty, Keith Richards and Bruce Springsteen play Telecasters with lipstick pickups. My man George Harrison played a Tele during The Beatles famous 'Get Back Sessions' as well as on the Beatles' 1970 album Let It Be and 1969's Abbey Road. He also played his Tele for the Beatles' last public performance in 1969 known as the “rooftop concert.”

Lipstick pickups used to be made with actual surplus lipstick tubes when they were put in Danelectro guitars and Sears Silvertone guitars. My first guitar amp and the first guitar I ever played were made by Silvertone and had one of these pickups. I still have a Silvertone amp and play through it regularly.

The lipstick pickup is vintage. Classic. It is great for music that mixes rock with a folk overtone like the jangle rock bands of the 60’s like The Byrds or more recent bands like R.E.M. Karysa is vintage and classic. She is Breakfast at Tiffany’s and a hot cup of organic fair-trade coffee.

Lipstick pickups, like Karysa, are traditional—but not in that boring kind of a way. Far from it. They are artistic, sought after, and very unique. Look for them at pawn shops and antique stores of the coolest variety.

Karysa doesn’t need a lot of gimmicks to make her cool. She doesn’t need to be “effected.” Her tone is clear, precise, and fashionable.

Joe Strummer of The Clash played a famously beat up and stickered Tele with one of these pickups until his death. The Clash are punk rock. Karysa is a bit punk rock as well. Her tats tell the story. No one can put her in a box. She reinvents herself and stands against the system and "the man." I love this about her.

Connor is my single coil pickup—Strat style. I have three pickups just like these on my American Standard Stratocaster.

The Strat is my utility guitar. The pickups, depending on which one I select, can give the guitar a loud, but mellow and warm tone or a brighter and sharper tone. This is the guitar and pickups I choose when I need to cover a bunch of different styles of songs. It is well rounded. It says Blues, Surf, Country, and Rock with equal conviction.

Connor plays by the rules. He is kind and gentle and respected (not that my other kids aren’t but he has a large dose of these traits). The single coils on my Strat are much the same way. Everyone wants a Strat.

Then there is Kasidy . . . my humbucker.

The open coil humbucker got it’s name because of the way it “bucks the hum” of a single coil pickup. They cancel out the hum generated by alternating current. In layman’s terms, a single coil pickup usually hears all the noise created by the electronics surrounding the instrument that use AC. Amps, mixers, motors, power lines, effects processors, studio gadgets and other electronics generate sound that is picked up by a single coil. BUT, the humbucker changes that.

Kasidy is my humbucker for other reasons. First, humbuckers are loud.

Second, they are playful and give guitars a rounder tone when arranged with other pickups.

Third, they create a great natural “distortion” when cranked to the volume of 10.

Kasidy is my live wire. All my kids are creative but she must be creative every second of every day. She leaves messes wherever she goes—her distortion. She doesn’t have a slow button—until she wears herself out from moving. Then she crashes. She bucks the system and makes her presence known.

She “rounds out” the other pickups in the family. She is unique but she also has many of the qualities and characteristics of her other pickups ah-hem, sibings.

As she grows, I pray she learns more and more to submit to Jesus as He harnesses her raw energy to rock the kingdom in whatever way she carves out.

Love all my babies.

My Daughter's L O S T Trinity Theory

My 9-year-old (almost 10) daughter, Kasidy has a theory on L O S T. And, quite frankly, she blows my mind. Her theory is a Trinitarian island theology. If you are a fan, please read on. If not, this will make no sense and you may be bored.

Now, after she came up with her theory, I checked around on line to see if anyone else had blogged about similar things. I found a couple but, her insights are even better than what I found.

THE FATHER
The Island is the Father. The island is also known as “Jacob.” The island has a will. A plan. The island is living. The island is eternal.

THE SON
The Son is the physical representation of the island. Richard Alpert is the Son. Richard doesn’t age, he understands the island, and he is part of the island. Richard could also be a “John the Baptist” figure talking about and searching for the one who is to come. This could also mean that John Locke is a possible Jesus figure. John rose from the dead or, in fact, the island (Father) raised him from the dead. He also seems to exhibit some healing powers. It is possible others have been healed simply by being around John Locke.

THE HOLY SPIRIT
The smoke monster. Mysterious. Truth teller. Judge/One who convicts.

This theory plays out in so many ways. No one has “seen” Jacob (at least not yet). Jacob may only be known through those who do his will.

The Others (disciples of John?) have been looking for “the one” to come and had hopes that John Locke was “the one.” Their test for John Locke was to see if he would kill his father. He refused. So, they abandoned their hope of him being their “messiah.” The “one” the Others have been looking for seems to be someone who will finally settle their battle with those who don’t belong on the island. Isn’t this much like the biblical account? The Jews believed their Messiah would come to be a conqueror who wielded a sword and set things right with their enemies. The real Messiah came to “conquer” through peace.

The smoke monster convicts Ben of his sin and makes him face his demons. It is also a protector—though it is a bit scary.

Ben is a bit of an anti-Christ figure. He is likeable to an extent yet highly manipulative, a poseur, and thinks too highly of himself. He wants to be “the One” but knows he isn’t. Still, he presses forward consumed by his addiction to power.

And, John Locke . . . who is his father? We know who his mom is. We thought we knew his dad but, it wasn’t “really” his dad. There’s really no father in the picture. Unless . . . there was some sort of immaculate conception for him who always seems to know his job is to do the will of the island, even when it doesn’t make sense to everyone. Father knows best.

As we teased this out a bit more, the possibilities are endless for this theory. In what other ways can you see a Trinitarian model in L O S T?

Noisy Babies in Church

Tonight, Kasidy and I recorded a PSA about noisy babies in church. I love my little girl. She's got it.

(Oh, and brother Connor makes a cameo)

May I Have This Dance?

(photo: Kasidy at our special Daddy/Daughter breakfast at The Wooden Spoon last week)

It was about 7:30 at night and we (Tahni and I) were just sitting down for dinner. Tahni made her classic jerked chicken nachos (which, by the way, are very low in fat, full of good veggies, and over baked chips. Anyway . . .). I poured myself a Diet Rite cola with a shot of Jim Beam—it just felt right. We sat on the floor around the ottoman and got ready to peruse some mindless television. Busy day. Kasidy had already eaten and was playing upstairs. Connor was at training.

Just about the time my shoulders dropped and I begin to regulate my breathing from the pace of the day, Kasidy came around the corner with a note. It was an invitation. Handwritten. Fully illustrated.

To: Daddy
From: Kasidy
May I have this dance? Please meet me at 8:00-8:10.

She must have seen I had just sat down to eat so she crossed out her original time which was 7:30-7:40. I looked up at her and she was wearing a pretty little dress. She turned sideways and asked “Daddy, can you zip this up for me?”

I finished my dinner and followed her into Mommy and Daddy’s room where she had chosen to have our special dance. She went over to the iPod in the alarm clock and dialed up her choice of accompaniment. Tonight, we would dance to Alicia Keys.

For ten minutes my world was light. Sweet. Precious. We waltzed (as best we know how) and made up our own moves (she’s quite good I must say). We had a few laughs when she asked me to show her how I used to dance as a teenager. Then, she noticed Alicia Keys say a word we don’t say in our home and she called it to my attention while we both giggled.

As I held that princess close I told her stories about dancing—my memories of High School dances, my first dance with mommy, etc. “I like dancing with you, Daddy” she said. I told her, “Kasidy, when you start going to dances as a teenager I want you to remember these dances. Dances are fun but they are also places where boys like to try to take advantage of girls and act dumb." “Don’t worry, Daddy. Show me again how the boy is supposed to dance with me.”

Oh, Jesus. I love these moments. I can’t even listen to those songs where Daddies watch their little girls grow up real fast. They kill me. Lord, protect this precious, special, creative, emotional, sensitive, artistic, romantic child. Do not let the world rob her and deplete her. And give her the courage and strength to stand tall and make a difference in your kingdom. And keep her dancing. Amen.

Kasidy Gets Baptized

We are currently in Arizona visiting my wife’s parents. My brother-in-law and his wife—along with their three children—decided to join us on this vacation, which has been a real treat.

The greatest treat of all for me on Father’s Day is to have all my children here. We flew oldest daughter Karysa in from Connecticut to be with us. Her hubby Charlie had to stay behind unfortunately.

My daughter Kasidy has been asking to get baptized for quite some time. She has also been asking if her big sister could be there when she got baptized.

So, this weekend she got her wish. The timing was right. Much like the Ethiopian who asked Peter if there was any reason why he should not be baptized when they were by the water (Acts 8), Kasidy seized her opportunity.

All 12 of us headed to the clubhouse this afternoon to celebrate Kasidy’s baptism.

Daddy loves you and he is very proud of you, baby.

You can take the girl out of the rock and roll church but . .

Tonight, we took Kasidy to a pre-recital practice held at the Jackson United Methodist Church. She did wonderful. Her daddy was so proud. Great timing. Great feel.

The little girls are supposed to take bows after their performance. Kasidy had no problem. Her bow was accompanied by hand gestures and whispered “thank-you, thank-you’s.”

Then, in a bold move, Kasidy asked if she could play the pipe organ.

Granted.

I think I was more excited than Kasidy as she sat down behind the organ. I was about to shout out some requests like “Touch Me” by The Doors or “Motion Picture Soundtrack” by Radiohead. But her rendition of “Indian Dance” out of the Primer Level instruction book was fabulous.

I especially loved when she started pulling out all the stops and how she knew intuitively that the pedals on the far left made the church rumble.

That’s my girl.

Creative Clues

I had a prof tell me in college he thought the biblical idea of “training up a child in the way he should go” is actually a reference to finding your child’s particular “bent.” In other words, according to my prof, parents are instructed by God to study and know their children in order to provide them with the necessary tools they need for life navigation according to their passions and gifting. Hmmm.

I disagree with my prof. I don’t think that is what Proverbs 22:6 is saying at all (another post, another time). But, his observation has haunted my thinking forever.

Even if that is not what the passage is saying . . . how would the world be different if parents took the time to study their children, know them, create ways for them to express themselves, speak their language, etc.? I want to be that kind of parent. Tahni and I both do.

In that tradition, Tahni suggested I write some “clues” for Kasidy to read throughout the day on her birthday (this past Sunday) leading up to her gift. Kasidy loves mystery, intrigue, surprise, treasure, games, trivia, etc. Plus, she loves giving and receiving gifts. So, in her world . . . gifts are a BIG deal. Gifts aren’t to be taken lightly. They are designed. Purposeful. Thoughtful.

Plus, Kasidy has a blog of her own where she shares her poetry.

The clues were a big hit. Just for fun, here are the clues Kasidy received throughout the day leading up to the big reveal

#1 Wake up! Wake up! Sleepy head.
We know you’re tired and like your bed
But it’s time for you to get in gear
It’s a special day, your birthday’s here!
We have some clues about your prize
So listen close and open your eyes!

#2 Here is clue number two
Something special just for you
Your brother doesn’t have one of these
When he sees yours he’ll be begging, “please”
You’ll be excited, it will be neat
You won’t be able to sit in your seat

#3 You’ll never guess, even if you try
But you’ll be pumped! You may even cry.
This is the third in the chain of clues
You’ll be shocked right out of your shoes

#4 We thought you’d like to pick it out
There are many colors and styles no doubt
Imagine trails through the woods
Do you want to go there? Wish you could?
This will make it easy for you
It will help you push on through
You won’t want to stay inside
Life is too fun—like a ride
You’ll have to learn, you’ll have to train
You cannot leave it in the rain
Dad made a special place inside
To store it—there it can abide
Let’s take a trip to the big giraffe
We like to go there—it makes us laugh
The middle of the place—near the back
Your prize is sitting on a rack
Can you guess what it might be?
(No, it’s not Nintendo Wii)
It’s something that will make you grin
Let’s go to town, let the games begin!

I highly recommend trying this with your kids. Your boss. Your pastor. Your teacher. Your parents (hey . . . Mother’s Day is coming up). Your friends.

This post is part of Watercooler Wednesday over at Ethos. Check it out!

Wax On Wax Off

I love wax museums. Ever since I was a kid. I vividly remember the first time I went to Madame Tussaud’s as a 9 year old where the Chamber of Horrors enthralled me. Creepy. Fun. When we were in New York recently, I wanted to go with the guys but I was outvoted in favor of Ripley’s Believe it or Not museum.

Anyway . . .

Today we went to my daughter’s “living wax museum” at her school. The entire third grade picked famous people, studied them, wrote reports on them, and then dressed like them for the museum. Throughout the cafeteria and up and down the halls, the kids stood still in their pose of choice while parents observed.



The kids stood still for 30 minutes.

The rules for parents were : : :

• No talking to the statues
• No scaring the statues
• No touching the statues
• Pictures were okay but we were not to coax the kids to smile

Following the museum tour, the parents watched PowerPoint presentations the students put together on their characters. Then, when the characters were called by name, they “came alive” and told the parents about themselves.

My daughter was Judy Garland a.k.a. Frances Gumm a.k.a. Dorothy.

My favorite moment in Kasidy’s presentation was the ending of her oral report portion when she “came alive.” She ended by saying, “I think I was a great loss to the world. I need a moment.” Followed by her head in her hands and fake Dorothy Gale tears.

Let me just say, I was so impressed. Yes, with my daughter but also with my daughter’s teacher, Mrs. Fortress.

Mrs. Fortress is one the most creative teachers I have ever met. This was her brainstorm. I wish we had more like her working/serving/dreaming in the church.

Other highlights included : : :

• 2 “white” Rosa Parks’
• Hulk Hogan whispering out the side of his mouth to me “hey, dude, hey, guitar man”
• Hulk Hogan, The Rock (see photo), Dale Earnhardt—true heroes
• Amelia Earhart’s pose? Holding her nose in a drowning position.

This post is part of Watercooler Wednesday over at Ethos and Creative Chaos over at Ragamuffin Soul. Check them both out!

How Does that Make You Feel?

My wife Tahni is a genius.

The other night, our youngest daughter was having one of those “not so good” evenings. They come around every once in a while. Not your average run-of-the-mill meltdowns but the kind that make any parent want to go for a run and keep running Forest Gump style.

Dad is usually pretty patient. However, all the right buttons had been pushed all in the right order and I was about to lose it.

Tahni said she would sit with Kasidy for a bit and talk.

They were in the bedroom for a bit and Kasidy emerged after about 30 minutes with a smile. Tahni spoke up, “hey, Daddy why don’t you bring your computer in here with us.”

Tahni suggested—instead of talking about all the “issues” to let someone else raise the concerns. She suggested Kasidy take some online “personality tests” as a fun experiment—kinda like a game. “You’d be amazed how much these things know about you, Kasidy!”

We took a few different tests—colors, shapes, Q & A, “feeling” experiments, etc.

This is why my wife Tahni rules : : :

• Kasidy loves the computer
• Kasidy loves games
• Kasidy loves to talk about herself
• Personality tests cover the good and the bad which allowed us to celebrate and laugh at all the things that were spot-on about her strengths and discuss all the “sensitive” things without actually bringing them up
• Kasidy did most of the leading through the test results—agreeing, giving examples, etc.
• Kasidy learned a lot about herself in the process and WE weren’t the ones who pointed the finger.

I highly suggest you save this little exercise for one of “those” times.

I would print the results here but my daughter would be embarrassed and it wouldn’t be fair to her. Let’s just say, she is my child. And her mother’s. Truth be told, we got a little spanking in the process as we went through her results and said, “dang. I do the same thing. We have cursed our poor daughter.”

You can find a few great free tests here.

Kooking with Kasidy Episode 3

I don't know what to say. I love this little girl. So proud of her. P.S. These cream puffs rocked.