Archive for July, 2008

Half-way beards

By Collin, 30 July, 2008, No Comment

This past week we passed a great benchmark in the beard timeline - the half-way mark. It’s hard to believe (I say this to you who don’t think about it every day like I do) that it’s already been almost 4 weeks (tomorrow). But it has. I do have one small confession to make: I shaved a little off the mustache. Some unruly facial hair was driving me absolutely crazy and since the lip hair (really corners-of-the-mouth hair) isn’t essential to a glorious beard I buzzed it for my own sanity.

In non-beard news, we will be laying down the vocals for the album in the coming week. We’ve finally finished about 99% of the editing (for the instruments at least) and started on the mixing. It’s shaping up to be one great sounding album. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it. We’re also coming close to having a release date and album title. I will keep you informed on both of those bits of information as well.

Here are your long awaited beard pics. Since my beard photo creativity has plummeted (some might say “never existed”) feel free to send me some ideas. Keep in mind that I have to take the pictures with the camera on my MacBook so exotic location shots are fairly out of the question : )

Day 19


Knoxville smile

Day 20


Forgot to take the picture while I was actually awake smile

Day 21


Forgot again smile

Day 22


Getting too lazy to take a different picture smile

Day 24


Pretty in lavender smile

Day 25


My headphones are way bigger than yours smile

Beard, a.k.a. Facial Hair, Days 16-18

By Collin, 20 July, 2008, No Comment

Not much to say.  Steph’s internet connection is less than ideal and the awesomeness that is Skype can’t even save it.  Sad days.  The album is coming along.  We’re pretty close to being done with editing and recording, minus vocals and “special parts”.  Can’t wait for everyone to hear it.

Day 16


Why is he touching me? smile

Day 17


Got disconnected from Skype fake smile

Day 18


Upgrade from yesterday’s earbuds smile

Beard goes on the road

By Collin, 17 July, 2008, No Comment

As mentioned in my last post about the unreliable awesome hard drive in my MacBook, I am currently touring about the southeast.  Not something that’s out of the ordinary for me but I feel like sharing this time.  It’s been a fun week and fun day in particular.  After dropping off my first child MacBook in Asheville I got to spend the night with my grandparents, who are great, in SC.  Then it was on to the party in Winston-Salem with my close, close, close friends: the Russes.  Lots of video games, VH1 Classic, and album recording/mixing … but mostly the latter.  Yesterday we brought the portable rave to Columbia (SC) and today we had, not one, but two fun band appointments.  In the morning we got to play for a local cable on-demand music program called Live at the Jam Room.  The guys working there obviously knew what they were doing and were friendly to boot.  We had a great three-song rock concert which, we hear, should be up for your viewing pleasure soon.  Next we got to take our second batch of pictures with the coolest photographer in the known world (no exaggeration) Melinda Register.  She already has a small selection from the shoot up on her myspace (see link above, but you’ll need a myspace account) and they look awesome.  She took two hours out of her day to hang out with us bunch of bums and we had a great time.

We have a show tomorrow night in Raleigh which, hopefully, will be just as good if not better of a time that today.  If you’re in the area come enjoy the rock!

What would any post be without the pictures?  I must say, I think it’s starting to look nice and manly.

Day 13


Winston-Salem smile

Day 14


Recording cohorts smile (feat. Stephen Russ and Jamie Heiting)

Day 15


Columbia smile

A dead hard drive and Beard(s)

By Collin, 14 July, 2008, No Comment

So Thursday night, not too long after the posting of the awesomeness that is facial hair, the hard drive in my laptop decided to die.  There wasn’t any reason - any unusual programs being run, it wasn’t in a strange location, it wasn’t being taxed - nothing.  All I get is an error message, in response to which I restart my computer, and it just never comes back to me.  The failure happened minutes after Apple Support stopped taking phone calls and, of course, the night before the launch of the new iPhone.  So the next day, the numerous locations that would normally be thrilled to take a look at my MacBook were completely ignoring my calls in order to handle the hordes of giddy new iPhone consumers.  The only place that would answer my calls is a repair shop in Asheville (NC) which, thankfully, happened to be on my way to SC (They were really friendly, helpful, and quick - I highly recommend Charlotte St Computer Repair if you’re in/near Asheville!).  That was Friday.  Today is Monday.  There was no luck in recovering the data from my harddrive - it was apparently VERY serious about quitting.  There wasn’t any real essential data on there but I did lose about a years worth of pictures and some great video of The Fire Tonight doing their thang.  *sigh* Se la vie, right?

Well, now that the computer is back I have a new beard pic for you and one (from yesterday) that will be posted later (time travel!).

Day 12


Happy to have my baby (laptop) finally home smile

Beard, Days 6-8

By Collin, 10 July, 2008, 1 Comment

Stephanie and I are keeping in touch via Skype while she is away. I am a convert. It only costs $10/month for free and unlimited calling to anywhere in the world (rather everywhere that Skype is available). That’s any time of day too. If you just want to call people nearby (the US and Canada), you can opt for the $3/month option. $3/MONTH PEOPLE. That’s insanity. A mobile company in Europe has a cell phone that will work via Skype as well. Can you image your cell phone bill only costing $10/month AND you could make international calls … during the middle of the day … for no extra charge?

And without further ado, here are the beard pics. Now with captions!

Day 6


Early morning tired smile

Day 7


Audio nerd smile

Day 8


I want to be just like Switchfoot when I grow up smile

Beard, day 5

By Collin, 7 July, 2008, 1 Comment

Well, I missed a few days. Some might say crucial days. But is there anything “crucial” when your goal is to passively grow facial hair? For those of you who are interested, I have an alarm on the phone to remind me to take pictures now. So no worries.

Had a great time over the holiday weekend with the family. Played some games, watched some movies - an all-around party atmosphere. I think the early stages of miss-your-spouse syndrome are starting to set in though. Never a good sign …

Here are days 4 and 5.

Day 4

Day 5

The Beard of Mourning

By Collin, 4 July, 2008, 4 Comments

My wife left for Europe today and will be gone for 45 days. As a method of keeping track of how long she is gone I have decided to shave and take a picture of myself each day until she comes home. Some of you will be quick to say that this is a stupid idea. Don’t worry - you’re right. But cut me some slack, married people without their spouse are infinitely more pathetic than single people ever are.

Here is your first picture. I shaved this morning so this represents approximately 16 hours of growth.