"See what the world looks Like through those."

So I have been practicing with a group of guys from church working out some songs for a show. We we're going to do a assortment of covers and origanls but I was just happy to be able to play drums again. The first practice was hard because I had never played any of the songs before and I hadn't even played drums in months. Thankfully I'm awesome and was able to pull it together in about five practices. ;)

However, I got really nerves on the last practice because the drum set we where using was now being used by another group at church and they where not about to give it up. So my friend pulls out an electic kit for me to play. If you don't know I had to play one of these for months at my home church in Fl and I was begaining to think I was a cursed drumer at this point. "You will have to play the show on this if we can't use the first bands kit or a house kit.".....Bummer.

We'll I didn't complain and had a great time jamming out the songs for our last practice before the show. God must have heard my cries because I pulled up to the show and was looking at "Larger-then-Life Baptist Church" I could not believe how big this place was.

Here is a picture of it about five miles out.


THE YOUTH CENTER is where we were playing that night and the lobby was so big I had to ask for dirctions from the guy at the desk.
It had its own Cafe

And two story basketball court.

At this point I was very impressed but I was blown away by the GIANT STAGE!
Here it is up close.

And here is the room from far away, about 3/4 back by the sound booth. Yeah, its that big.

Note the Flat screen TV propter in front of the stage, the millons of lights and speakers above the stage, the huge window pain behind the stage, and most of all the drum set I got to play, on the stage.


I was over joyed when I was informed that I "had to" play the house kit.
We had an awesome show and I didn't even mess up that bad. It was filled with solos, crowd chants and Rock N Roll! I could not have been happier!
There was one other band that played first and I took a picture so you could see the stage in action.

This was one of those days where my mind exploded with how much my heavenly Father really cares for me. Enough that even though I'm out here by myself trying to go to school, he still gave me the opportunity to be back where I LOVE to be, behind that drum set.

"I hear its invaders from mars"

I don't know if its the end of the world, a really long snow day, or a nuclear shelter but my roommate Josh is ready for it.

"Rule number one. Cardio."

Today half the school almost died in what may be the worst of the snow storms to hit us yet. Never fear mothers and those who care about things like safety, I am the best driver ever and I know everything about cars. (If thats not reasuring I don't know what is)

It was raining until about 11:00 Sunday night and it was a rain that I am not really used to. The whole earth seemed to be in a cloud and it wasn't falling rain, it was just get-you-wet-somehow rain. At the stroke of 11:00 the ice fairy turned everything into ice. Then it snowed on top of that until the morning. I was unaware of the ice fairy and proceeded like every Monday by first turning off my five alarms one at a time, sitting on the side of my bed for about ten minutes, brushing my teeth, putting on my boots, ect. I was making my lunch for the day when I heard my roommate's alarm go off. (He doesn't have a car so I drive him) I use his alarm as a signal to go start up the truck and let it get nice and toasty. I went outside and the whole place was white. "Dang!" I said to myself, "We've got to get moving!"

Just a note: If you don't know, attendance is the number one thing at my school. You can be the dumbest box of rocks but if you show up everyday, you can pass. It's a big deal to get there on time.

Back to my truck. It had been turned into an ice box. A solid layer of icy snow. It was about 5:45 and the sun wasn't out yet so I had to actually pry my door open and then break all the ice and snow off just to be able to see. I don't have any kind of scraper so I had to use a gift card and a Thrive Youth Frisbee of all things to get the ice off. This is a lot for a Florida boy. My roommate just kind of stared and looked cold while I was on my mission to not be late.

The next hardest thing was actually trying to drive in this stuff. I think it hit the city by surprise because the roads where not salted and nothing was plowed. That meant that everyone was doing about 25 on the freeway. Left and right cars where in ditches. No lines on the road, just me, my 4x4, and my sleeping roommate. We where making good time but I felt like the scene in the Truman show when he is trying to leave the island and all the crazy stuff is there waring him to go no further. I even saw a abandon Blazer upside down in a ditch of all things. Even still we kept on truckin', or, snoring in my roommate's case.

I made it to the end of the last highway and was feeling pretty good about everything. We still had 15 minutes to get there and there was only one more short road to go. But I had underestimated the short road. This road has several steep hills and I found out the hills and ice are a bad combo. Not like Ritz and Peanut butter, which is a good combo.

All the poor people in frount wheel drive cars could only get about half way up this one hill and then there tires would spin to much and they would slide back down. Down into the other cars trying to get up the hill behind them. It was turning into a real mess and we where still stuck on the off ramp. Lots of traffic was starting to pile up because about 250 collage kids all come through this one road at the same time in the morning. As one particular little cavalier was taking a try at the hill, myself, a full size Ford, and a Jeep all seemed to realize that we where going to be late if we didn't move. The Jeep was the first to go and we all followed, around the little cavalier, around the wrecks on the other side of the hill, and over a few curbs. I felt bad leaving everyone stuck there and rudely butting in line but hey, we where going to be late.

We then pulled into the school and my roommate awoke somehow at just the right time, like he does everyday, and got out next to his building. I parked the truck and was feeling good about getting there and still having five minutes to walk to class but I forgot to factor in one last thing. It is also hard to walk on ice. I normally have about a five minute walk to the class but with the sidewalks so slick, I was falling everywhere! I then resolved to using my Lil' 500 hundred skills to run and slide all the way into the building. I showed up on the third floor, right on time, out of breath, when I noticed...

No one else had made it.

Slowly about half the class came to school but the teacher never did, we ended up being told to come back at nine when they could get a substitute. I was very disappointed but I knew that, I, Tyler, The Floridan, had made it to school on time.

Would You Be Mine?

This is the first year that I don't have an awesome hand welded, hand painted, custom candle holder to give to my ever deserving valentine.



Although she says she doesn't need anything, I know better then to let her get off that easy. So let me take this time of year and this blogging page to tell you a little bit about my valentine.

First you should know that she is the most beautiful girl, with her bright brown eyes, cute curly hair, and warm perfect smile. A wonderful style of fashion that could be a 1920's hat and gloves one day, or a sweater and jeans the next, always impressive no madder what the occasion. And if there is anyone that can where a dress, it would be my valentine. From blues, to blacks, to flashy reds, it is guaranteed to turn some heads. (Haha I didn't even mean to make that rhyme.)

But its not just her looks that make her beautiful. Its her Godly character that really makes her face shine. She will be the first to tell you that it is by grace that she has a hope and a future in this life. She has shown me with her actions how this grace is such a part of her. Weather it be by her compassion towards those who are in need, or in the way she shows hospitality to everyone around, I know that her heart is truly dedicated to the grace that we all need. The way she goes to school day in and day out is honestly amazing. Not that she simply puts in the time, but goes the extra mile to get up at the crack of dawn, to get all of her practice in. I have never seen such dedication and perseverance. All of these things attest to her undeniable beauty but it doesn't stop there, no my valentine is much more then all of this to me.

I told her one day that I was going to me a diesel mechanic and move seven hundred miles away for a whole thirteen months and go to school. Most girls would have cried and pleaded pulling your hair out while you attempt to make a decision, almost to the point of blackmail with sayings like "If you really cared for me.." Or "I don't think that's best for us.."

I wouldn't lie to you guys about this, my valentine has been behind me since day one. Never once have I heard her say that she wished I hadn't gone. Never once has she second guessed my decision. I know it has been hard for her these past six months but I have the best valentine EVER! It means more to me to have her support then even going to school in the first place. I can not believe that I am blessed with such a Godly young women.
My valentine is more then hugs and smiles, she is a testimony of grace and support that reflects our God and savior in such a way, I can do anything with her behind me. I have what most guys dream about this time of year, I have a true valentine.

Jessica Leigh, happy valentines day.


PS You make me feel like I'm strong lol

Who wants more snow cones?! (Don't worry they're lemon)

There was ten commandments, but NADC has got them down to seven.



It has been snowing. I have experienced my first ever snow day off from school but its not really as great as it sounds. I don't have any homework left to do, I no longer have a job, I don't have any money to go spend, and I spent all my time driving around looking at the snow. Not really what you are suposed to do on a snow day but luckly for you guys I have more pictures then words this time around.
Note: I'm not really bragging about how much snow we got, because there is always someone else who has gotten more, but seeing as it is my third experiance I have to freak out a little bit.(6 or 7 inch's!)

It started on Friday.



And then I awoke to LOTS of snow on Saturday.


Josh's Broke car no looks mor' brok'


Then I went out to see the sites around town.
Also note: Ben, you send that I would never use/need my four wheel drive and I have been using it so much its not even funny \m/





I thought of Jessie quite a bit. She would think everything was so pretty, and how she is probably cold just looking at this.