New Website

Hey followers, I have a new website and it is more Jon.

New Blog, New Website, New Attitude.

http://web.me.com/jon.black03/Site/Home.html

Enjoy, Follow, Listen, and Browse around.


JB

Episode 2

Katie Farmer has joined me on the Curious Case of Jon Black:The Podcast.

My microphone was not working and I didn't know it until I finished, so sorry for my weak vocals.

JB

Guest Wall

So GA, Joe Spady, Dain and I have created a guest wall for the apartment! Whenever you stop by you must sign our little wall of weird so there is proof of you being in our pad!

Love you all thanks for the emails about the misspellings and such. Makes my day to see my errors:-)

Okay though I am tired and off to bed, making podcast #2 tomorrow so the best is yet to come.


GOOD NIGHT MOON


JB

Dr. Pepper Bar

GeoTagged, [N33.62999, E117.95360]

Found a Dr. Pepper Bar and an amazing new glow in the dark necklace.

JB

Momentary Thing

"After so long on the wrong side, everything I had and I wanted is gone!"

Music is a huge part of my life. Some of my favorite moments in life revolve around the song that was playing on the radio or my iPod while I was experiencing a moment that I wouldn't forget.

I am one of those people who needs their music for just about everything. In high school if you were to see me walking in the halls you'd see my white headphones attached to my ears. I was a drifter through those halls because I wouldn't be paying attention to anything except the song that was playing at that moment.

It's been a long time since i've been able to focus on my music and my old desires of making my own album. I remember study hall my freshmen year I would spend that time writing and brainstorming ideas for songs. Things that were personal and meant something and would be good to hear.

One of my favorite things in life is when you hear a song that is describing your mood. You hear that song and get goosebumps, because you are thinking wow this song is describing me perfectly. You then think that the song was written for you or that you were meant to hear that song at that exact moment.

I am a person who believes that all things happen for a reason. I believe that I was supposed to hear 155 at the beach this morning and that God knows why it moved me the way it did.

I am only looking forward to what happens next with my music and Gods plan.

JB

Can't Think of A Posting Title For This One

I was reading the book Fight Club yesterday and if you haven't read it, it's twisted. Well the stories unnamed narrator has a this problem where he goes to support groups for random diseases so he can feel better about himself. He can't sleep at night because he is depressed and the medications he has are not working, so he came up with another way to feel better about his life. His favorite one that he goes to is testicular cancer, because when he goes there he hugs the crying men and goes home and sleeps well.
While I was reading this I began thinking from the narrator perspective. What if I was at my whits end with saddness and nothing made me happy? What if the only way I ever found happiness for only a short period of time was when I left support groups for termanilly ill people?
As twisted as it may be, I empathized with this unnamed narrator. I began feeling sorry for his monotonous lifestyle and battle with depression.
If only there was that one character in the book that said "You know what you need? You need Jesus." Ok that would ruin the plot of Fight Club and make it not as good as it is, but still. I felt obligated to jump into the story and hand him my Bible.
If only...


~JB~

New bedroom

GeoTagged, [N33.65741, E117.90822]

This is my new room for the summer! Comes with a kitchen and private bathroom too!! It's pretty legit!! I am thankful to GOD for giving me a time away from Huntington Hall!! Hope all is well, I'm gathering ideas for Episode 2 of Curious Case of Jon Black: The Podcast so expect that sometime in the next couple days!! Pray I get a job if you love me!! :-)


JB

Dad

So my dad is pretty legit!! He's on YouTube!!! I love my dad, he's a great father to have and I am blessed beyond belief to have Richard Black as my father. He is coming out here in 2 weeks to visit so I am super stoaked for that!!! I know he'll want to go to our relatives house and chill or even go get Pizza at BJ's. My dad has always been there for me and he is the Person of the Day!!! One of my favorite memories of my dad was taking us to ToysRus as young kids around christmas time and we would window shop and he'd get ideas on gifts for us and things like that. I remember one christmas I specifically wanted the Digimon World Game for Playstation and I told my dad I wanted a Playstation just so I could play that game. Well Christmas morning came around, our dad picked us up from our moms and as we are about to enter the house he says "Jon look!" and I peak through the window and on a tv set is the Digimon World Video Game intro playing and I began to freak out!!! Yeah thats my dad:-) well while you are all praying send a prayer up for my dad, the person of the day!

JB

EPISODE 1

JB

PODCAST

JB

Blogging from iPhone.

So I got my new iPhone 3G today and purchased this new application called blogwriter. I was very happy to know I can update my blog now from my iPhone and do it without having to be on a Wi-Fi network. :-) I am loving my new iPhone, it has yet to be named and I am going to have your help!! Watch out for the big news compng up this next week, also I have a suprise for you all but the best is yet to come!!

-JB

Royen Kent

Royen Kent is the Person of The Day!!! He is not a subscriber but he's Royen, he's kind of special! (ninja) Royen and I met in the fall of last year and had 2 classes together. We had Stage Management and Foundations of Theatre Arts. Both classes with David Pecoraro, the big cheese in technical theatre. Well Royen and I have become better friends this semester than last semester. One of my favorite memories of Royen Kent so far has been the final of Stage Management, Me, Royen, Katie Farmer, Aaron Wheeler, Brandon, James Valdez, JDR, and Candice were all in the computer lab being loud and pissed off because we were there at 12am still typing up our prompt script that James Valdez said he'd do on his own but neglected to do so. Well Candice and I were pissed off and were snapping at people and such and I remember Royen was afraid of me and didn't speak to me at all until the next morning because he didn't want me to bite his head off for uttering even one word. (sorry.) My first impression of Royen Kent was Godspell, and having everyone in the cast come out and speak their monologues and then all of a sudden Royen comes down the stairs and begins singing Prepare Ye'. I was blown away by his talent and still to this day I am blown away at All The Good Gifts God's given to him, he's got talent and when he makes it big on Broadway or Chicago or wherever he ends up, i'll be sure to see his show!!! So while you're praying today, shout one up for Royen Kent, the person of the day!

JB

We Used to Be Friends

Along TIme Ago We Used To Be Friends...

I remember this song was one of my favorites before I even begun my Veronica Mars phase of life. This song hasn't really done much for me in life except remind me of Veronica Mars/LARSEN FAMILY/Tara/The OC/Kansas City Trip/The Leaving.

The song itself is poppy and sounds like something that would be on The OC, in fact it actually was. But thats not the point, the song nowadays means so much to me. Lately the close ones have moved on and left me out in the open to find shelter on my own and bouncing back from that is a hard, long and tedious process.

It sucks to think about things relating to this because you are either happy or they strike a nerve and you become saddened. I mean there is only so much a person can do to try and fix things and leaving it at that is what I've had to do. Thinking about the loss though is something even more saddening, cuz in the end what was 3 years as apose to 3 weeks? 3 weeks of happiness and excitement? Whose to say one should out weigh the other, nobody can answer that but me and thats the sad part.

How do you fix them? How do things go on from here with whats happened?

I had someone try to help and it ultimately failed and the other person was decent; but not themselves. I knew that, and I know they knew I could tell. So I was faced with embracing the awkwardness.

Along time ago we used to be friends, what happened to us?

Jon

Spot Experience

I was sitting at my spot and was watching the waves crash down, when all of a sudden my iPhone began playing the song "Across the Universe" from the Across the Universe Soundtrack and as I looking out on the waves crashing down the song began to end and fade out with that huge ending with the Oregon blasting it's final note and I got this feeling of safety, and security. Something that I haven't felt in a long time. It was nice too feel that again, I also had this huge ephiphani today while watching August Rush. August runs off and the people who are looking for him are like well if his father (being god) takes care of him he'll be alright because it is all apart of his plan. I don't know why but I had this huge emotional response to that part in the movie and I was overwhelmed with emotions and then scattered off to my spot and here I am back from a nice 45 minute break of thinking and reflecting and I can honestly say, I feel safe again...


JB

Sorting Hat Results

The sorting hat says that I belong in Hufflepuff!

Said Hufflepuff, "I'll teach the lot, and treat them just the same."

Hufflepuff students are friendly, fair-minded, modest, and hard-working. A well-known member was Cedric Diggory, who represented Hogwarts in the most recent Triwizard Tournament.

 

Take the most scientific Harry Potter
Quiz ever created.

Get Sorted Now!

I WANTED TO BE IN GRIFFINDOR SO MY NEMESIS COULD REALLY BE KATIE FARMER BUT SHE MANAGED TO SCREW WITH THE SORTING HAT AND MAKE ME A HUFFLEPUFF.

JB

MOM

MY MOM IS THE PERSON OF THE DAY ON FREAKING MOTHERS DAY!!!! She is lucky I don't post Mother's Day by blink-182. My mother pushed me out and exposed me to this great thing called life 20 years ago. She has been there for me since the very beginning and held my hand through all of the rough times, she was there for me when I was in need and even though we haven't been as close as we used to be she is my mother and I love her with all my heart. One of my favorite memories of my mother is on mothers day forever ago and we went to outback stake house. Well I can't tell the rest of the story but I'll begin another one. My mom and Ali Cooper were sitting on the Coopers boat and they were looking at the moon. My mom and Ali were both amazed at how big the moon looked and how close it looked too. Well the moon turned off and they began to freak out. Turns out it was the lightbulb on the coopers boat that they were looking at all along. My mom and I have been through a lot together and lately she has been taking care of her own mother. When you are praying today pray for your own mother on her special day. And also send a prayer up for my mom as well, cuz today all mothers are the PERSON OF THE DAY!!

JB

Until We Meet Again

It's the end of my freshmen year here at Vanguard and as I sat down at my computer to write this I looked around my desk and opened up my binder filled with stuff that I had gathered of the course of this year and was reminded of the year and the many memories that came with it.

I found my program for Pride and Predjudice and then was reminded of how I was an Usher for that show. Katie Farmer and I were ushering and that was when we found the golf cart with the key still inside the ignition and well you can imagine the kind of antics we got into with that. Katie Farmer and I drove it around the Maintence area behind the theatre and while we were driving Mike Dye joined us. He asked me to see how fast it drove, well Katie was in the passenger seat and I was driving, I hit the gas and begin to floor it, Mike shouts slam on the breaks, so i hit the break with all my might and Katie Farmer goes flying into the windshield of the Golf Cart and falls on the floor. Mike Dye and I joined her on the floor, dying of laughter.

I found many more sentimental pieces of paper or programs or scripts from scenes I was apart of. Well throughout it I began remembering how scared I was when I got to Vanguard. I was home sick all first semester and I was in a relationship at the time and I had to juggle doing work and shows and school all on the same plate. Eventually it seemed like the semester took forever but it really went by pretty fast.

I remember the 1st theatre major meeting and I saw all the upper classman and I was given a piece of paper telling me who my theatre mentor was. I remember opening it and reading Aaron Campbell's name and going "oh, hey, another Campbell as my mentor? Thats kind of coincidental." I also remember sitting infront of Tristan and Royen and I thought that they were the coolest people in the world. Yeah not gonna lie, now flashforward and I'm friends with those two Macgoobers. I also remember meeting Katie Farmer for the first time. She and I were sitting in the heath building and we began arguing the same stance on whether boys had the XY gene or something like that. We both were actually arguing the same point. It was kind of funny.

I remember the beginning of this semester and thinking that I wasn't going to come back this semester because of my financial situation. I applied for loan after loan and got denied and I remember having my account on hold for like 1 month and having to sneak into the caf. I had them approach me many times asking me to leave and I'd just sneak back in. I had a spit out with my financial aide counselor one day and made the receptionist feel bad too. I hated myself that day. Sorry Shinese. and for misspelling your name.

I remember my good friend Joe Spady and I would sit in the elevator with chairs and a book offering advice to people who wanted it and pressed the buttons for them. I remember the first time I met Joe, a year ago I came to see Millie at the Lyceum and I took a tour and on my tour I was introduced to Joe because he was there working in the costume shop and showed me the dressing rooms and green room and theatre and I was like, "Whoa, this is pretty small." I will never forget that first impression of the Lyceum either. Or my first Impression of Sue Berkompas. I auditioned that same day for the program and while singing my song I broke a chair. She hasn't let me live that down yet.

I remember half way through this semester I was going through trials and tribulations. I was saddended by the loss of my friendship with my best friend, I was having to say goodbye to my family dog of 14 years, I was missing important events back home, and it felt like my world was crashing down on me. I felt alone and felt no one cared. Well I know now that instead of feeling like I needed to turn to a certain person, I needed to turn to god. That's what I did, and so far I'm here aren't I?

Friends are those people you can turn too when in need, or hang out with and laugh over Snout Woman's constant creppyness (Check-Mark), or beard scratch with. This year has been full of relationship changes as well as changes with me. I am not the same Jon Black that I was when I arrived to Vanguard at the end of August.

This year was a turning point in my story, some could say that the last couple chapters have been real page turners because they wouldn't know what would be happening next. This last chapter is coming to a close and well I have never been good at goodbyes. At my high school, the motto there is Until We Meet Again.

I got a blog so I could begin letting go, begin new, but what I didn't really do was those things. I didn't listen to myself when I said "Stop and Think, rather than acting on impulse." I know the right things to do but sometimes my impulses get the best of me.

To Whom It May Concern:

For those of you this year who had to see me at my worst, SORRY :-P

For those of you who helped me in my times of need, the times I needed some to listen to me, THANK YOU

For those of you who trusted me, let me be your confidant, I'M GLAD I COULD BE THERE FOR YOU, YOU HAVE MY NUMBER IF YOU EVER WANT TO TALK

For those of you that have problem with me, or have bitterness or hate towards me, I'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR THE TIME TO COME WHEN WE CAN BE FRIENDS AGAIN

For the friends I've made this past year, and probably will not see for a long time, UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

JB

Masks

"the masks we wear are sometimes necessary; but in the end, they only weaken us."
~Jon Black~

Life is Beautiful

JB

Kingman Mais

Kingman Mais is the person of the day. Kingman went to high school with me and he graduated my year. Kingman was a football player and he was also in my acting class my senior year, I met him when I was doing the football manager thing my senior year. Kingman was always nice to me on the sidelines and off them too, which is why he was my favorite football player to chill with. Kingman moved to Flordia after graduation and became a firefighter in Plantation. One of my favorite memories was when Kingman came to my birthday party and we played musical chairs and broke my mothers wooden chairs she uses at the dinner table because Kingman is so strong and knocked people out of the way to get a seat. While you guys are praying today send one up to Kingman Mais, the person of the day!

JB

Lucas Moore

Lucas Moore is the Person of the day!! Lucas is my room mate next year, and he is one of good friends!! Lucas and I met during It's A Wonderful Life, he played my younger brother Harry Bailey, and I was young George. Lucas is now a Theatre Major and he is a Sophomore going on Junior. So he is considered and "Upper Classmen!" He hasn't subscribed to the blog but I made an exception when I came across this picture on Facebook and laughed. One of my favorite memories of Lucas was going up to the cast list for The Fantasticks and me Zach Simons and Lucas began jumping up and down because we were in the show. Or randomly going to deluxe and buying Zach's new coat! But yes, when you are praying today, send one up for Lucas Moore the person of the day!

Rachelle Johnson

Rachelle Johnson is the person of the day! Rachelle is like me, she is from Colorado. Rachelle is a Sophomore Theatre major here at Vanguard. She and I have been friends for a while now and I am sad to have to see her go. She will not be joining us this next year and we all pray and wish for her return. She is amazingly talented and has gods light shining through her. One of my favorite memories of Rachelle has been playing sardines in the theatre and we couldn't find her for 30 minutes. All that time she was hiding under a box right next to us. Last night was theatre banquette and my goodbye was a dance to her favorite song from Godspell "Day by Day." Farewell my dear friend, and like my high school says Until we meet again. So when you are praying today Shout Up one for Rachelle Johnson, the person of the day.

JB

Erin Larsen

Erin Larsen is the person of the day!! She and I have been friends for 3 years now and she is one of my closest friends. Back in the days of the Fantastic Four it was me, Aaron Luckenbach, Daryl Caudill and Erin Larsen. We were the 4 that always hung out, we would go to the retard swing and chill or go TP Laura Semin or Whitney Semin or even go streaking. My all time favorite memory of Erin Larsen is acutally a tie. Its between the time we went streaking and she ran into the barbed wired fence, or the day of Joseph Smith's Graduation Party and we went and saw Knocked Up and she was on Vicodine. She said some crazy things and I kept laughing at her. Oh i miss my sister, her family adopted me as their son because it is all girls and no boys, until they met me. I miss Erin so much, she and her boyfriend Jared are happy together out there in Nabraska!! Hope the weather is Nice. Now when you are praying today send one up for Erin Larsen the Person of the Day.

JB

May Day

Today is the beginning of a new month. That means a fresh start. Everything that happened in the past stays there! Don't bring it up unless needed. Don't hash out at people, live in the now instead of the then.

Words of Wisdom for the Day.


JB

ALL THE SMALL THINGS

On BCC there is a show being aired entitled "All the Small Things" the show is about a church Choir and the competition of their talents.

The show made an interesting choice on how to make the song "What's My Age Again" fit for a church choir and I liked their interpretation. It is very funny if you know blink-182 like I do.

Sometimes Ignorance Really IS Bliss

(A customer has called to redeem the points earned on her credit card in exchange for return airfare from Montreal, Qc to Chicago, Illinois. I have just given her the flight departure and arrival times.)

Customer: “Why is the flight going there so short? You said it was a 90-minute flight.”

Me: “The times are given in their respective time zones. We are in the Eastern time zone, but Chicago is one hour behind us, and it’s in the Central time zone. The flight really is 90 minutes long, it just looks shorter due to the time difference.”

Customer: “Time…zones?”

Me: “Yes, we have five time zones: Maritimes, Eastern, Central, Mountain and Pacific Time. In your case, there is a one hour difference between each zone. If it is 11:00am here, it is only 10:00am in Chicago. So when your flight arrives in Chicago at 11:30am, that is Chicago time. In Montreal it will actually be 12:30pm, so the flight is an hour and a half.”

Customer: “Then why is the return flight so long? It’s like, an hour longer than the way there!”

Me: “Again, it is the difference between the time zones, only in reverse. It only looks as though the flight is longer but it’s also a 90 minute flight. It adds an hour on the return flight because you are coming back East.”

Customer: “I still don’t get it - the flight should be the same time in both directions. It’s 30 minutes to get there, but more than 2 hours to get back!”

(After 20 minutes of more explaining I give up.)

Me: “For the flight to Chicago, the wind is at your back, so the plane goes really fast. On the way back, it’s against the wind, and so the plane goes slower.”

Customer: “Oh! Well that makes much more sense. Thank you!”

Me: “I do my best. Have a good trip, ma’am.”

Greg/ GA/ Gregory

G.A. is the person of the day. I have known G.A. for a couple months and he has become a good friend of mine. I remember that he was the Goat in my twisted family I have with Katie Farmer and people. He was the reason Daryl got sick though, the Goat was giving disease to those around him. G.A. is a Sophomore and has the skills that allow him to play the Guitar!! So when you are praying today shout one up for G.A.!!!

JB

Learning From The Failure

In my senior year of high school I was in an all junior class. Our final was to create a philosophy statement and make a video based off of it. I made this video with the help of some of my fellow students and Administration. Needless to say I got an 110% because of my sweet editing skills and knowledge on how to work Windows Movie Maker. But its about 18 minutes long and is filled with inspirational stories of coming back from the failure people experienced. Hope you all enjoy it, if not then you wasted 18 minutes of your life and I solemnly swear I will make it up to you.


JB

Getting Back to Business

So I had this moment the other day of me being all sad and sorrowful and everything. I was on the phone with my sister and Shay said "Jon, your pathetic." And like a flash of lightening a had an A-Ha moment. (Cue the lightbulb) I had that image in my mind of that episode of Friends "The One With All The Wedding Dresses" and Rachel answers the door in the wedding dress and its her Boyfriend Josh-Uah and she opens it and says I do and Josh-Ua sees her in the dress and freaks and says "I gotta go." It isn't all in the same setting and I still do not know why that image came playing in my mind but it did and I laughed cuz my reaction was the same as Rachel's. She realizes yup, that was my bad, my bad timing, well that sucks, and she says "Yeah, well, that oughta do it." And I had that exact moment on my bed, I eventually went on to have one of the best nights I've had in a long time. Friends are good for the soul.

Life gave me lemons that I made lemonade with, now the lemonade went bad. Life still goes on...

JB

'Rent' Fans Pan Protestors

I read and article this morning in the Daily Pilot. The Corona Del Mar High School is performing the Musical Rent this weekend and the Westboro Baptist Church has begun protesting. Students and Faculty have begun even protesting against the protesters. They are saying "It's a typical play that makes homosexuality look like a wonderful lifestyle, and it's taking your children straight to hell!" The school has had the cast members protesting with them singing Seasons of Love to their protesters and also showing signs saying "If God can Love a sinner, God can Love anyone!"

What bothers me is how adamant the Westboro Baptist Church is against the high school for performing a musical that tells the story of human beings dealing the trials and tribulations of living their lives in a squat in New York City. Yes it has characters who are HIV positive and have homosexual tendencies. But if you go to most high schools you'll find one kid who is Homosexual or maybe even a Faculty member who is HIV Positive. It's everywhere, not just at Corona Del Mar High School.

In The Bible it teaches us to love thy neighbor, not treat them unkindly or judge them. Who do the Westboro Baptist Church Representatives think they are, to Judge and Ridicule the High School students and Faculty for choosing Rent as their Musical, maybe with the musical being such a known one, they are using it as a way to help their school and buy new textbooks. Instead of organizing ANOTHER bake sale or Pep Squad Car Wash.

It's people like the Westboro Baptist Church Representatives that give Christians a bad name!

JB

Zach Simons

Zach Simons is the person of the day!! Zach is one of my fellow theatre major buddies and has been in two shows this year with me. Zach was recently cast in the fall production of The Fantasticks here at Vanguard as El Gallo the Narrator. One of my favorite memories of Zach Simons was in Acting 1 last semester, he and Daryl Caudill and Tim Glasgow did a scene from a play and basically did the entire 2nd act. Zach's character had to get thrown off a bridge or something and he runs and jumps offstage and all we hear is a loud thud and a moan of pain. We laughed but also worried about our pal. Zach is a good friend of mine, he follows me on twitter!! So when you are praying today, send up a prayer for Zach Simons, the person of the day!

Sometimes They Come Back

I recently wrote an article about People Always Leaving, it was one that hit close to home for me. I remembered the painting I love so very much and posted it and had people respond to it and such. But there was more to the post that I left out due to conflict of interest. There is another painting that gives me hope, and brings me happiness. I thought I'd share it, take with it what you will. :-)

JB

JB Mix on iTunes

Waiting

Green Day wrote the song Waiting and in the song it says

"I've been waiting a long time, for this moment to come I'm destined for anything at all..."

I love those lyrics because they can be applied to your everyday life. I lately know that I have a purpose for my life and have been so invested in other things and just "Waiting" for this moment to come where I realize that I am destined for something. The people I meet along the way are people I will never forget and the people who stay are the ones who you know you can count on. This song was always one of my most favorite Green Day songs and songs in general. I love the music video too because it slows down and shows the band members "Waiting" for things to go back to normal. But nowadays for me, I'm not waiting anymore for a calling or anything, I'm letting it be...

JB

Katie Farmer

Katie Farmer is the Person of the Day. Katie is my nemesis, she and I have been nemesie's since day one. We fought about the genetics that determine the sex of a human and we both argued the same outcome. So really, no body won. *Beard Scratch* We often check mark each other and such other things we do cuz we are such great nemesie's. Katie and I will be staying over the summer for our internship with ACTC and will be required to live in the Vanguard Center apartments. I do not want to say any more nice things or relatibly nice because that would be a huge contradiction on my part. *Beard Scratch* But when you are praying today, pray for the invincible powers of the sun to strike Katie Farmer and make her live FOREVER!

JB

blink-182

blink-182 has gone back into the studio my friends, you know what that means!! They are rehearsing their old material for their new summer concert tour!!!

My man Mark Hoppus!!! ONE OF MY HEROES!!!

Shay Black

My sister Shay Black is the Person of the Day. My sister Shay is one of the smartest most intelligent people I have ever know, I know that someday she's going to be working at like a Law Firm or something like that that pays very well, cuz she is so smart. Shay is the person I go to if I need anything, she has always been there for me no matter what. My senior year I apparently was a little sh** towards the end because I was leaving and didn't show my emotions and my family was hurt. Well she pulled me aside and said "Hey, you have to really think about how you handling this and how it affects us all that you're leaving us and are happy about it." Afterwards I began to realize how true that was and how my family really cares for me and I wasn't keeping their feelings in mind. Shay is pregnant right now with a baby girl, who I knew about before she did. Remember I cursed her with all girls people. Shay is my one of my favorite people in the world and always can cheer me up. One of my favorite memories of my sister Shay is going on the family road trip with my dad and brother Mark and Shay spits out of the passenger window and my dad is going 70 mph and she spits and it lands on the my window and its EVERYWHERE!!! oh also CHICKEN NOODLE SOUP... yeah sorry about that Shay but it was pretty nasty!! SO while you all are praying today, pray for my sister Shay and her health with the baby and all. Pray for Shay, the person of the day :-)

[PLAYER!!!!]

JB

Cassie Mayer

Cassie Mayer is the Person of the Day. Cassie is a new friend of mine, and future VU Lion too!! I met Cassie through her brother Josh Quale on our trip to the Inland Empire. Cassie and I hit it off from the beginning as friends, she is a very nice person, who hates her job! As far as I know Cassie is not engaged at the moment and is in love with the character Jasper from the movie Twilight. Cassie loves the Twilight series, like many of the youth we have in America today. One of my favorite memories of Cassie so far has been how Me, Cassie and Anthony Story got Construction cones and placed them all onto Oswald, Josh Quales car of choice. Oh fun times Cassie, fun times! So today when you are all praying, send up a prayer for my friend Cassie Mayer, future Vanguard Alumni.

JB

Forgiveness and Penace

No matter what anyone does to you, no one can take away from you your capacity to do good. You lose it only by willingly giving it up yourself.

Forgiveness: Forgiveness is the refusal to hurt the one who hurt you.

I realized lately that, I have problems forgiving people. I haven't forgiven the people who have wronged me and that has left bitterness and hate in my heart. I've been hurt and wronged so many times and as I go down the list of people I dislike, I dislike them only because they did something to me and I haven't forgiven them.

I recently lost 2 of my closest friends, people in my life whom I've never been closer too. For the last 2 months I've managed to go from happiness to depression to grieving to forgetting to denial to acceptance and now from penance to forgiveness.

Recently I was able to step outside the box of Jon and look on it and see what needed to be done. (cue the Lightbulb turning on) With that I had an Ah-Ha moment. I realized that I JON BLACK, needed to take charge from both sides of the spectrum of Forgiveness inorder to repair the damage and bitterness in my heart. I realized that it takes more out of you to be bitter and resentful towards people than it is to fully forgive them with all you have in you.

My 2 friends are people who mean a lot too me, and their friendship means more to me than anything. If you ask people from CYT Denver or AHS Theatre or even AHS Administration you'll discover they all say the same thing about me. "Jon Black cares more about his friendships more than anything." I like to pride myself on my friendships because when you have friends who you can make memories with, or enjoy spending time with, or even enjoy watching a horrible movie and mocking it through out, you want to keep those relationships going.

I've done terrible, horrible, no good, very bad things in my life. I mean who hasn't? We're all human! We all do things we wish we could take back and avoid the mess we created. But what we need to do is look at that mess and see how it can be cleaned up.

I realized have been seeking forgiveness from the wrong people and not giving them my own forgiveness. I read an article today that branches on Forgiveness from the Psychological approach.

http://www.guidetopsychology.com/forgive.htm#2

It helped me see how forgiveness is a process that includes emotions and not just words. Today is the day that Jon Black begins to forgive and reconcile with those people he knows have wronged him. While at the same time I will be seeking the forgiveness of those I have wronged. My only hope is that those 2 friends, from both side of the spectrum, will do what it takes to make the friendship continue.

From words of the Heart,

JB

Enders Game

I was recently given a book to read by my friend and he told me it was one of his favorites as a kid and that i needed to read it. I in return gave him one of my favorite books Tuesdays With Morrie and as far as I know he's only gotten to chapter 3. But I have been keepin up on the book my friend gave me, Enders Game. I began reading this book in the car and fell deeply drawn into the story of the Character Ender.

I immediately began to relate to Ender. Certain things he does in the book were things I used to do as a kid and that made me like his character more. Ender is a third, always has been always will be. I was always the third kid in the class and also I was the thrid child in my immediate sibling count. He also fought back against bullies at such a young age, I too did that in elementary school where I punched a kid for making fun of me.

Enders Game is full of deep thought, and mature content for 10 year olds. I have gotten to Chapter 12 entitled Bonzo. The ending of Chapter 11 was my favorite part of the book so far and I can not wait to read the adventures of the Character Ender as well as my new interest Bean.

JB

155

Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker formed the Punk Rock band (+44) after a year of not working with blink-182 anymore. One of the songs on the album is 155. When I first heard this song I loved the catchy beat it had. I never thought about the meaning of it, I didn't realize the symbolism the song had. I recently heard this song and listened to the lyrics rather than the music. When I did so I heard a completely different song than what I had originally.

155

Love
This is getting harder
And I can't seem to pick you out of the crowd
But you my dear
Have been discovered a liar (a liar)
And I'm afraid that this is building up for far too long
(far too long)

And this is not the time or place for us to speak like this
And if I had the thought I'd never dream of it
So dry your hollow eyes and lets go down to the water

In a different time or place the words could make more sense
In a perfect world, the future wouldn't make a dent
So dry your hollow eyes and lets go down to the water

Even though it's the last time

Love
This is getting the best of me
And truth be told, you were the start of it all
Now you my dear, might end up lonely (lonely)
Before you go, there's something you should know (You should know)

And this is not the time or place for us to speak like this
And if I had the thought I'd never dream of it
So dry your hollow eyes and lets go down to the water

In a different time or place the words can make more sense
The perfect world, the future wouldn't make a dent
So dry your hollow eyes and lets go down to the water

Even though it's the last time.

This is not the time or place for us to speak like this
And if I had the thought I'd never dream of it
So dry your hollow eyes and lets go down to the water

In a different time or place the words could make more sense
The perfect world, the future wouldn't make a dent
So dry your hollow eyes and lets go down to the water

Please, let's not speak, don't breathe a word
Even though it's the last time

Please, let's not speak, don't breathe a word
Even though it's the last time

To me when I hear this song, I see a man saying knowing in the back of his mind he's going to break this women's heart, and he is putting it off because he wants to be able to remember this night/ this time he has with her, even though it's the last time...

JB

Joe Spady

Joe Spady is the Person of the Day. Joe Spady was one of the first people I ever met here at Vanguard. It started last spring when Me, Aaron Luckenbach and Daryl Caudill came to Vanguard to see the production Throughly Modern Millie. Joe was in the backstage and he showed us the Green Room and Dressing Rooms. Then fast forward a year and Joe Spady is my fellow elevator buddy. Sometimes when Joe and I have nothing better to do, we get two chairs and put them inside the Huntington Hall Elevator and we press the buttons going up and down for people so that way they don't have to. We usually bring a book so we can offer advice to people while they are in our Presence. Joe Spady is a good friend and one I hope I never loose touch with. When you are praying today, pray for Joe Spady, the Person of the Day.

JB

Curse

My sister told my a while ago that she would not name her first born son after me. So in retalition I cursed her with all girls. She informed me today that the baby she has in the oven is indeed a girl. Never mess with the curses of Jon Black my friends!!

James Lindsay

James Lindsay is the Person of the Day. James is my friend from Vanguard, we met last semester in Acting 1 with Sue Berkompas. We did a scene together in that class and played Biff and Happy Lohman and got good remarks for our performances. James has gotten the note many times that his hair covers his eyes and nobody likes that!!! Well after what is now the count? 6 different hair cuts, he has managed to get away with his long haired beach bummness. I remember my favorite memory of James was when we were both in rehearsal for Skin of Our Teeth and Sue begins to fake cry about loosing her talent, Aaron Campbell and Ryan Miller and he turns to me and says "Dude, we suck!" So when you guys are praying today, shoot up a prayer for James LINDSAY.

JB

People Always Leave

People always leave, thats the watchword.

This is one of my favorite illustrations. It was painted by Payton Sawyer on the television series One Tree Hill. Her character has experienced the loss of her mother by a car accident. Her mother ran a red light and oncoming traffic crashed into her SUV. Payton is so distraught in her teenage years and full of angst that she draws this picture. Symbolizing the loss of her mother, as well as the loss of her relationship with her best friend and boyfriend.

I have never been one to appreciate paintings and other forms of tangible art. But when I saw this painting on the TV the other day, I began to be drawn into the meaning behind it and appreciate it.

To me this painting symbolizes the fallen relationships, and results in someone leaving. Now being the person who feels abandoned it is perfectly clear why the main color is black. Black represents the darkness you feel your at in your life, and how empty your heart must be. Being abandoned is a feeling that you can or will ever forget. Just imagine the closest person you know ...(IMAGINE THEM)... Now imagine that person gone, no reason, no anything.... Now imagine feeling alone, and lost, and scared, and pleading for mercy for them to come back.... But you can't get through to them....still...nothing...

Too me at least, this illustration is representing abandonment, and the person who drew it wants the audience to empathize with them. Feel a sense of abandonment themselves. Now I can personally relate to the drawing. I've felt abandoned before and I did not enjoy the feeling, not gonna lie. I felt empty, I felt weak and felt so sad that I couldn't eat. Now as overdramatic as that is, it was what I was going through. But it took time, and healing on the inside to over come my journey through the darkness, and find the light.

I saw this drawing and got that feeling on the pit of my stomach that felt like someone was squeezing my insides tight. I was determined to find it and share it with you all.

I love my FRIENDS, I love my FAMILY, I love and praise GOD for giving me life, and in the times of darkness, my FRIENDS, my FAMILY, and GOD, they all still LOVE me.

Some of this most likely did not make sense, but to me it did.

Love You All,

JB

Mr. Campbell

Mr. Campbell is the Person of the Day. Mr. Campbell was my high school history teacher until my senior year where he was promoted to Ass. Principal. Many people didn't know this but I had it in with Administration my Senior Year. Well Mr. Campbell has been a friend of mine for a couple years now and I went by his office this past trip to Colorado to visit and enjoyed my time. Mr. Campbell is a good man and is a good listener. He means well and thats what I like about him. He recently got an iPhone 3G and has been asking for my help with many things relating to the technology aspect of his life. Here is a video of him and I in his office on my trip back to Colorado.

So while you guys are saying your prayers; pray for Mr. Campbell, the Person of the Day.

Thank You

I have had the last 4 days to return home to Castle Rock, CO. In my time home I got to see my Mother and her beautiful comforting smile. I got to spend time with my sister Shay and her daughter Kadence. I was allowed the pleasure of seeing my dear friends Karissa Baker and her husband Robert. I hung out with my best friend Aaron Luckenbach. And I had a reunion with my entire family, except my brother who was performing at a concert with his band. I ended my vacation by going to my old High School and visiting with my friend/ mentor Mr. Campbell. While I was visiting everyone this weekend I began to appreciate my family and my home. I have told people that I hate Colorado on more than one occasion and truth of the matter is... I DO!

But I miss the people who live here. I miss all my friends from CYT, and high school. I miss my mother and stepfather and my father. I miss my siblings and nieces and nephews. I miss my peers and everyone else I didn't mention.

I wanted to say thank you for letting this vacation back home have a huge impact on my life. I needed this vacation more than anyone knows. Its 6:16 pm here in CO and I am already packed. I am just waiting for my dad to come pick me up and take me to the airport. I am grateful to have had the pleasure of coming home and seeing all of you.

I pray for the Lord to help me appreciate my life and never take things for granted, I'm not saying I'd like to be perfect cuz that is never going to happen. I'd just like to be a better person.

JB

The Bridge

Today at the Easter Sunday service, Pastor Z-Man talked about forgiveness and the Bridge we cross in order for reconciliation to happen. He then went on in more depth about it. His hope by lunchtime was that those of us who had problems with people and needed forgiveness, we would set aside our pride or differences and call them or text them and take the first step of that journey.

I felt his words speaking to me personally and I took that first step today with somebody who has played a huge part in my life. I've heard it said that everyone has a story, and each story is unique in their own way. I know that I personally can not imagine going on in life holding grudges with people or having them holding one against me. I've taken that first part of my journey over the bridge.

I urge all of you to think about the people in your life. The ones you love, the ones you care about, the ones you see every now and then; and think about how you've affected them. If there is a grudge being held, or differences with both of you, I recommend you to tear down those walls and begin that journey over the bridge. Call that person, text that person, IM whatever. Just make things right between the two, the first step is initiating conversation and dealing with awkwardness. But lately I've learned to embrace the awkwardness. Because at the end of the day, when you really think about it, are you a person who holds grudges or the person who puts the differences aside and goes on with the relationship.

If there was one thing I regret about todays Easter Sunday service was that Z-Man offered us to go walk across the Bridge he had on stage, to symbolize your first steps of your journey. If I wasn't acting EMO and cared what others were thinking then and there, I would've walked across the bridge...

JB

Kid Sister

My little sister Keila has a friend, we'll call her Gabby. Keila is a sweet young and innocent, yet mature girl for her age, only because she had to grow up with me and my siblings as her influences. Gabby on the other hand is an only child and has the control of her parents in the palm of her hand. Keila and Gabby are good friends, and every so often Gabby takes control of Keila and she does whatever Gabby wants. We have told Keila numerous times to stand up for herself if she doesn't want to do something. Keila has since then taken a stand with Gabby and that has caused Gabby to be upset with Keila. Well fast forward to the next day and they are best friends again.

Well one night Gabby and Keila get into a fight at my mothers house, my mother steps in to be the mediator between the two. Keila on her left side of the couch, and Gabby on the right. My mother is letting Keila speak first, Keila then begins to tell Gabby that she does not like how mean and bossy Gabby is. She begins to speak from her heart and cries like all emotional 10 year girls are. My mother lets Keila finish her speaking and turns to Gabby. Gabby for the past 3 minutes my sister was speaking from her heart and crying, was watching T.V. and missed everything my sister said. (Cue the twisted laughs now)

I heard this story and laughed very hard and thought I'd share it with ya'll. :-)

JB

Natasha Fish

Natasha Fish is the person of the day! She and I have known each other for 3 years now and have been in many shows with one another at CYT. She will be joining me next year at college and she will be a Musical Theatre major at Vanguard. One of my all time favorite memories of Natasha Fish was when we were on the Blunt Force Trauma improv team and she was the Izzy related character. She was very admint about her muffins. So when your praying today send one up for Natasha Fish. Future VU Lion!!

JB

Stay Together for the Kids

Stay Together for the Kids- blink-182. One of my all time favorite songs they have ever done. If comparing their Take Off Your Pants and Jacket album to Enema of the State, Stay Together for the Kids is equivalent too Adams Song. This song speaks about divorce. An interesting thing about this video he band originally started shooting the video for the song on Monday, September 10, 2004, and originally featured the band playing in a derelict house which was hit by a wrecking ball and fell apart during the song's progression. The next day when they went to finish the video, the 9/11 Attacks on the World Trade Center occurred, and both the band and director opted to re-shoot the video, as they felt the images of the house coming down were too similar to the images of the attacks in New York.

Here is the Remake of the video, watch the two and see for yourself which one is better, metaphorically speaking!!

JB

Departure

I still need to name this cow!!! Any GOOD suggestions?!

I am almost packed and it is 12:58 am and I need to sleep so tomorrow can come sooner and I'll be coming home to Colorado and seeing my family. I can't wait to see my mom!!! I very happy to be seeing my family. I have been packing things that I do not use or want here in my dorm so its pretty full and I'll be filling it with things i'll want/ need. Like my suit for the theatre banquet!! Well my dear friends I am probably going to bed soon and I will be keeping you updated on the Curious Case of Jon Black!!

JB

Reeni Lindblom

Reeni Lindblom is the Person of the Day. I recently met and became friends with Reeni this past year here at Vanguard. Reeni is one of my favorite people to see, if I am down and I see Reeni she always puts a smile on my face!! Reeni is a fellow theatre major with me. She is Miss Adelaide in our Universitys production of Guys and Dolls and rocks the house with her Bushels and Pecks! My favorite memory of Reeni so far is backstage before Sue Me, she began to lipsync Luck Be A Lady to me and act out the motions and it made my day!! I was having a really bad day and she didn't know I was but just spoke words of encouragement to me and it made my day a lot better!! Reeni is a great friend to be around I love her!!! And if people don't like her as Miss Adelaide then something is wrong with them cuz she brings her A game everytime! So when your praying today think about Reeni and shout up a prayer for her!

JB

Sarah Frank

Sarah Frank is the Person of the Day. Sarah Frank is a friend of mine from back home in Colorado. Sarah and I have known each other for 4 years now and have done many plays together at CYT Denver: Highlands Ranch. My favorite memory of Sarah Frank is her as Lady Merle in Robin Hood. She was the mean villian and played it very well, she was the brains of the 3 bad guys and flaunted it. I miss her!!! When you are saying your prayers today pray for Sarah Frank!!

JB

Brandon Arias

Brandon Arias is the 1st Person of the Day.

I've known Brandon since first semester and we took a stage management class together. I was eventually in a Senior Project with Brandon and we became good friends. "Four years of friendship." That was our motto for our friendship, lately I have been able see Brandon aside from classes. He is cast in Guys and Dolls here at Vanguard and does a terrific job as the town hobo and crapshooter, as well as Havana Dancer. Brandon really is one of those good souls you'll never forget. While you are saying your prayers today just keep in mind of Brandon Arias the Person of the Day!

JB

SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL REVIVAL

HEY EVERYONE SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL IS BEING REVIVED ON BROADWAY AND THEY ARE HAVING OPEN CASTING CALLS!! GO TO MY LINKS AND CHECK IT OUT!!!

Bored

I am in my Government classroom about 17 minutes early, and I am by myself. I am praying that our class was not cancelled because if so, i stayed up very late for no reason doing a paper I thought to be due today. Oh wait, someone else just walked in.... Just kidding.

First Post

Today I have gotten the urge to create a blog.

Here is one thing I'd like to share with you all out there on the world wide web. Sometimes in life we have to deal with things beyond our control. Whatever they be, they can cause disruption in our lives. That disruption can be one of many things.

Lately I've been grieving, over fallen relationships and loss of identity. In my time of grief i learned a couple things that might be of use to you.

1) Always have a support team. Whether it is your mother, or even your long lost friend from childhood, always have people you can turn too.

2) Keep a journal of your inner most thoughts and feelings. When you are going through grief and you write it out, later on when you aren't hurting you can look it over and learn a few things about yourself. Like you really should pay attention in Persuasive Writing instead of getting on AIM and chatting, because you have horrible punctuation and spelling habits.

3) Clear your mind of all distractions.

4) Get organized

5) Pray. I have gotten closer to the Lord now, than I ever thought possible. My dear friend Daryl Caudill got me my 1st Bible. She is a friend I can never let out of my sights!!

6) Create a blog and blog about it all.

7) Let go...

Today I can proudly say I am letting go, and moving on. I am not focusing on the negitive anymore. I have begun the healing process and you know it sure is something!!

I can only say thank you to those certain people who let me share my craziness with you.

Thank you,

JB