My Top 5 Moments of 2013

Hey guys! I'm just saying that cause idk if people even read this lol. Well sorry I slacked last week. Was busy with Christmas and all haha. Well tomorrow is the final day of 2013. How is that even possible? This was the best year of my life and I just wish I could relive it over and over. I graduated High School and started college. Stuff like that so in this post I'm gonna list my top 5 moments from 2013 so be ready...

5. Meeting Mac Powell (Lead Singer of Third Day)

Yes, I did not get to talk to him much, but he is one of the nicest and most collected people I have ever met. On stage or listening to his music you would never guess, but in the 30 seconds I got to talk to him, he seemed quiet and shy haha. I've actually met a lot of artists that are like this. They are crazy and fun while performing live, but when you talk to them in person, they are quiet. In my opinion, its better that way because they aren't all braggy about how popular they are. I like that.

4. Getting My First Tattoo

Well, let me tell you, I wanted to get one this year, but honestly never thought I would get one. The ONLY reason I have one is because I won a $100 gift card from Devoted Ink in Temecula, California and I think I will go there whenever I have money for a second tat. They did an amazing job and their rates are pretty good. If you live in the Lake Elsinore area, I HIGHLY suggest going their. Rob and Matt are the two tattooists there and I linked to the site so you can see some of their work. They even just hired a new piercer if you want any new piercings.

3. Working At the Fair

Let me say, it was so fun to work at a fair and is truly a unique experience and I think everyone should try it out because, not only is it fun, it is also a really good place to gain work experience. One of my favorite parts about working there was (of course knowing me) was meeting new friends. Most of the people I worked around were really cool people and I loved having conversations with them. The other awesome part about working there was all the bands/artists I got to see live. Which leads right into the next favorite part of 2013.

2. Seeing Train Live

 Now this was always one of my dreams and when I found out that I could do it for only $19, I couldn't refuse. I'm glad I paid that money because these days, you really can't see a mainstream artist for that much, and I was pretty close for that cheap. AND it was the best band I have ever seen live, so it was just perfect, considering they also played a 2-hour set, including some old favorites like "Meet Virginia" and my personal favorite "Drops of Jupiter." I highly suggest seeing them live if you ever get a chance.

1. GradNite at Disneyland

Ever since I found out Disneyland did this (which was about 7th grade) I have looked forward to it. Back then, I would have never guessed that I would be going to it with a bunch of people I never met until that actual night. And never did I think that I would have the best night of my life with them either. There were dance parties (which I loved), exclusive merch, exclusive World of Color, etc. It was all amazing. One of my favorite parts was getting to know all of them and going on all the rides with them. Another awesome part was ending the night at Ihop and getting Tiramisu pancakes.

2013 was the best year of my life and those 5 favorite parts doesn't even shed a light on how awesome a year it was. God put made it such an awesome year because He felt it was a good time for me to have a good year, and I'm glad. I made more friends than I thought possible too, which was really humbling. I hope you all had a good 2013, too and may God bless your 2014.

Until Next Time, Alex

I Love Songs About Sex

Well good Tuesday morning guys! I literally have been on Christmas break for about 20 minutes as I am writing this. Well I have finally kept to my promise and am doing a weekly post. I just came up with this idea a couple days ago when I was listening to Switchfoot and Lecrae. You are probably wondering how does sex have ANYTHING to do with Christian music? Well it does! Read on and I will tell you.

Premarital sex just keeps rising rates. I was in the class of 2013 and out of all of the 2013 graduates from High School in America, there were only 23% that were virgins. I'm glad to say I was part of 23%. I think it is just sad that God created sex for marriage and less than a quarter of my fellow graduates in June have never had sex. (I got the 23% from mtvU if you're wondering.) I don't even wanna know how much of the 77% are pregnant. It makes me sick to even think about this. Well, let me tell you how all of this relates to Christian music.

I have noticed that more and more "Christian" artists are singing about sex. But, they are singing AGAINST it. Well, they aren't against it. They are just against it before you get married. One of my favorite Switchfoot songs is called "Easier Than Love." In the song, they sing about how sex has become so public. Sex is the world's next "drug" is what they are relating to. They call it a monster. In the song, they are also talking about having a girlfriend and she is "easier than love" because people really only "fall in love" to have sex these days. It is such a monster anymore. Its getting almost frightening.

Lemme take a little break to tell you all that I'm not trying to degrade anyone that has had sex, God will forgive you. That doesn't mean go on and keep doing with with your boyfriend/girlfriend, cuz that just ticks God off. He gives you mercy and then you throw it away by doing exactly what He forgave you for two days ago. Sex is the new drug, it is addicting because it feels so good (from what I have heard). It's just like smoking a cigarette. It's not illegal, unless you are under 18. Except smoking isn't really a sin. But you get diseases from both, so that is where I'm getting at. If you have sex (no matter if it is with a condom or not) you are at high risk to get really bad diseases that will stick with you for the rest of your life and their is no cure. Okay, time to get back on track

Jon Foreman (of Switchfoot and Fiction Family) has written a few songs about how sex has become a monster and so publicized. I mean, you can see girls posting on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram with a picture of her and her pregnancy test with a caption that might look something like: "OMG YES! I'M GONNA BE A MOMMY. #BabyInMyTummy #ImGonnaAMommy." It is scary. Because of MTV, girls are trying to become pregnant to be on TV (16 and Pregnant). That where Jon gets at with his songwriting. He is just as scared as any Christian should be for this country. Along with Lecrae. His song "Hallelujah" talks about his old life and how he used to sleep with a different woman every night. But now, he uses his talent of rapping to sing how God has saved his life. Which is amazing because it is hard to comeback from a life of hell.

In conclusion, sex is not bad. Sex is a very beautiful thing created by God for marriage. Not saying you can't be forgiven if you have. God is the most forgiving being I know. He is the Holy Spirit. He has seen worse hell than you and your partner naked on a bed. Trust me. As long as you don't keep going back, He will forgive you. They say it only takes 3 weeks to stop an addiction. If that doesn't help, then it is time to call your relationship over. God loves everyone who reads this :) And so do I :)

Until Next Time,
Alex

Why Am I So Obsessed With Switchfoot?

Why am I so obsessed with Switchfoot? Why are they even my favorite band when I used to hate them (not even kidding)? I sometimes ask myself the same questions. In fact, it is probably every day that I ask myself that. They are the only band that I listen to on a daily basis. Is it that Surfer Indie Rock that I like? Well that is part of it. I did get my heart broken at the first concert I saw with them. That is maybe a huge reason why they are my favorite. Even though I was never in the relationship, it broke my heart what the girl said to me (which I will not say what). Yes, I was heartbroken but I'm just thinking I CANNOT enjoy a concert if I'm just going to be depressed the whole time. So I just put the depression off and after the concert, I never really felt sad or depressed. Was it their music that helped me? Probably so. Not saying I never went into it (because I was depressed from about a few days later until about September). But that is not the point here. I liked them since "Stars" was released but never in a million years did I think they would be my favorite, considering I was into harder rock at the time. They are one of the bands that God put in my life to help me get out of the slump I was in. I will say it did suck, though. But you know what I did? I listened to Switchfoot every day of my depression. My youth pastor (who, at the time, I haven't talked to in at least 2 years) Saw my posts on Facebook and, being a former youth pastor, sensed something was wrong. So, amazingly enough, he still had my number and asked if he could call me up. Of course, I agreed. He was the one person, besides my family, that I can still talk too and get Godly advice from, which is just awesome knowing that. We were on the phone for about an hour and we talked about just about anything we could. Even though he called me at the beginning stages of my depression, and I never felt better until a couple month later, he texted me and checked up to make sure I was getting better. That helped. But once again, I am off subject lol. 

Switchfoot came into my life when I was just 10 years old (I turn 20 next year). Most of the time, I didn't like their music. But something changed the night I first saw them live. They got my mind off of things for a couple hours. My two favorite songs by them are "The War Inside" and "Souvenirs." Why? Because I relate to those songs. More recently, I love their new single "Love Alone Is Worth the Fight." It is from their upcoming January 14th, 2014 release "Fading West." That song has such a powerful message and has such amazing lyrics, which is probably a reason Jon Foreman is the reason I started writing lyrics. I have written lyrics about God, girls and life. Which is what all of SF's songs are about. I one day dream to write a song with Jon Foreman, because not only is he the front-man of my favorite band, he is also my hero and favorite songwriter. So thanks boys, for being with me in spirit and in song over the past year with my battle with depression. Can't wait till June to see you live again at the annual show at the SD Fair! See you then guys :)

Until Next Time,
Alex Vanderspek