Reality
It's funny. No, I'm not referring to the fact that this is my second post of the new year, and it's not even a week in. I didn't even make a resolution... What I am referring to is how things change when one stops and takes inventory. A moment ago, I came upstairs from hanging out with my brother, watching Scrubs, which, by the way, I find quite amusing. Anyway, my e-mail inbox said I had a new wall post on Facebook from a friend of mine whom I knew was going to be gone for the next semester. It turns out he's already gone. Plus, a couple of my other friends will be doing the same thing quite soon. They're all following different musical pursuits now that they've graduated. You'd think that it would be no big deal right? Well, not exactly. You see, these guys have kinda been my musical compadres for the past while, and honestly, (pull out your tissues) I'm going to miss them. Of course, they'll probably be back, and there's a good chance we'll be playing together again as early as this summer, but I guess I'm sad they won't be a part of my last semester of college. In many ways, I've never felt as respected with anyone else as I have with them (which is strange because in many other ways, we are so different and would have never been friends had it not been for music, which speaks to the efficacy of the art), at least in the same way. On some level, we understand each other unlike I feel I've ever been understood.
But to get really honest, that isn't the root issue here. It's the combination of a number of things. Have I accomplished anything? Have I grown and changed? Have I risked and invested? Do I have any friends who will actually care at least a bit when I'm gone? Will my life turn out like it should, or will I screw it up? Was it worth four years of my life and thousands of dollars of my parents' money (and eventually mine once I start paying off loans)? Does my family know I love them and owe them the world but don't really know how to show it? Am I ready to move on into real life? Maybe it's the fact that it's 2:30 in the morning, and I should be sleeping, but I guess you could say I'm in a pensive mood. I just want to make a difference and live without regrets. And more than anything, I'm scared of being alone, which is something I'd much rather share with a friend or a special someone who is more than a friend, but at this point, I don't have the latter, and I question the former. My phone sits silent most of the time, unless someone needs something, and not very often does my computer make that fun whooshing sound, announcing an incoming instant message. Man, it's a good thing no one reads this, or you'd probably consider this an invitation to my pity party and then slap me for being such an idiot. I am being serious, but realize that I don't intend to over-dramatize it. I just think about these things sometimes, and the closer I become to a college graduate, the more they shift to the foreground. It is good to know, or at least to assume, that there are other people who process these same things. And of course, if I could figure out how to surrender control, there is One who can take care of it and me. I guess I'm not alone.
Matt
Pathetic
Yes, I know I am. I have been quite unfaithful to you, my readers; and it feels like every time I write, I am only coming up with a different and more creative way to express that sentiment. Once again, I humbly come before you with an apologetic heart and a meek spirit to ask your kindest forgiveness for my absence. Anyway, I find myself pretty bored as this Christmas break continues on. I'm hanging out with the fam at our new pad in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Yes friends, I no longer call Holland, Michigan home, although I will still claim it as my hometown since it's where I learned about Jesus, it's where I learned about love, it's where I learned about working hard, and having a little was just enough. For those of you without country roots, that was a reference to "Boondocks" by Little Big Town.
Anywho, next semester is almost here, and not only is it the only thing standing between me and summer break (aka warm weather), it is the only thing standing between me and real life. Yes, folks, that's right. It's my LAST semester of college, and very likely my last semester of school ever. I'm not closed to the thought of going farther in my education if necessary someday, but for now, I think I'll be done.
As I mentioned in my last post, a number of my friends will be marrying soon, and since the writing of said post, I've thought of a number of more friends who find themselves victims of the same fate. Forgive my terminology; maybe I'm just bitter at my state of singleness. Anyway, I'll be playing for a few of these weddings and receptions, and probably attending most or all of them, so that will be one feature of my summer. Also, I hope to be touring and playing music so I don't have to get a real job.
If you get a chance, you should check out my website www.mattulrich.com. If you've ever visited it before, you will probably notice that nothing major has changed. Oh, but that's just what you notice at first glance. If you'll recall, clicking a link would simply take you to the desired website. Well, now you get the pleasure of a new experience. Click a link. It's sweet. You'll like it. I promise. 
I'm a nerd...
Lately, I've had a strong desire to start a podcast. You laugh and think that if I don't update my blog, why would I ever update my podcast. You're probably right. Plus, I don't have a ton of hard drive space left, nor do I have very good equipment with which to make a podcast with any semblance of professionalism. Plus, who would care anyway? So on to other pursuits...
I've also had a realization that I might really like to get into scoring films or television shows. I just finished watching the 5th season of 24 on DVD (my Christmas present to myself), and one of the bonus features was a featurette about the guy who does the music and how he does it. I was very intrigued, but also quite sad that apparently you need to be rich to do something like this, because I could never afford the hardware and software with which scores for shows of that magnitude are produced. I suppose I could work my way up. It's another option for "real life" I guess...
Well, I've officially covered topics that allow me to file this post under every category, so I guess that means there's not much left to say. It's getting late, and I need to get out of the habit of sleeping in past noon. My Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes once again start at 9am next semester, and sleeping through them isn't really an option. Friends, thank you for your listening ear (or in the case of this blog, your reading eye). Happy new year, and God bless America!
Matt
Allow Me
to reintroduce myself. I am Matt, the narrator of this blog, located here at blog.mattulrich.com. Many apologies for leaving you hanging for so long. I wonder...how long has it been? Allow me to check when I posted last. (5 seconds pass) Alright, the verdict is that it has been a week shy of two months since my last post. I won't even bother trying to bring you up to speed because it would take too much mental energy for me to think of everything, and I know you wouldn't read that much anyway. This is assuming there are any of you left at all. Maybe I can pull a Mariah Carey and make a big comeback even after not releasing anything for a considerable amount of time.
Ok, I thought of a fun topic for this post. I will now attempt to list everyone I can think of that is engaged. Here goes:
Jon Mobley
Evan Gilmore
Nate Heironimus
Phil Larson
Tim Hollowell
Peter Smith
Dave Elwert
Ben Eades
Nate Brown
Curt Anderson
Mark DeLaVergne
Ryan Fancher
Jeremy Zerkle
Well, that's about all I can think of at this time, and that only accounts for guy friends from college. I have plenty of female and high school friends who are also engaged. Hopefully you enjoyed that list, and if you know of anyone I forgot, please feel free to leave your input. Oh yeah, I thought you'd like to know I'm currently listening to Foreigner, and what song should come on but "Waiting for a Girl Like You." Ironic really.
Much love,
Matt
Summer Is Over
I think it's about time for a new blog entry. Apparently Facebook now has a feature with which it can import whatever posts I have in my blog, so if you're reading this on Facebook, welcome to my life. You can always stop by blog.mattulrich.com to get the full experience. Anyway, the summer has been busy. I'm officially done at my internship/job, and I'm pretty much done with Paige shows for the summer. There's one on Thursday, but I'm not able to make it, so there's only two shows left--a two-day stint in Ohio on September 2 & 3, and another gig on October 7. I can't make it to this week's show because I'm doing the family group leader thing for new student orientation here at AU (check out AU's new website by the way). I might not make the October 7 gig now because I am tenatively the Encore music director, and that day is the first Encore of the year, which also happens to fall on Homecoming weekend, so it's pretty important that I'm there. We'll see...
Anywho, I'm gearing up to lead worship for Worship in the Valley on Friday night. It's a pretty cool part of orientation weekend, so I'm excited and nervous to be helping out in that capacity. Classes start on Monday, and I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle the load. My class schedule is pretty lop-sided, with four classes on MWF (9,11,12,1) and only one on TR (8:30). Well, technically there's Jazz Ensemble on MW at 5 as well, and Orangehaus usually falls on some evening. On top of that stuff, I'll hopefully be playing a lot of music with Paige, Jennifer Stanley, Melissa Sandullo, Chad Meadow's and my new band, or anyone else who wants to hire me. I'd love to make some more dough playing for weddings. Everyone seems to be engaged or almost engaged, so you'd think I'd have more wedding gigs. Oh well...
I should get back to planning Worship in the Valley. I think you're up-to-date on me now. Oh yeah...one more thing...I turned 21 this past August 6. Thought you'd want to know.
Bye.
Matty
Photos, Images, and Pictures…Oh My!
Hello friends. I know I haven't been really good about keeping you posted on here, so I have another plan. Go to gallery.mattulrich.com and check out my pictures. I've been taking some pictures lately, mainly at Paige shows, so those should provide the opportunity for you to stay up-to-date with my life. In case you've been out of touch for a while, I've got older pictures on there as well. Enjoy, my friends.
Matt!
New Song
I wrote a new song. It's called "Back To You." My favorite line goes like this: "Like a dog returns to its vomit, baby, I'll be back to you." Great, huh? OK, I lied. I just came up with that in the shower. I think I stole at least the first part from the Good Book. Anyway, you can hear an authentic new song on my MySpace page. It's called "Find You."
Happy listening!
Matt
So It Turns Out…
So it turns out that one of the guys who runs sound at East Side (you know, my church here in Anderson) was the production manager for the Doves. That probably would have been great to know beforehand. Abundant connections here at AU...