Hi. It’s me again. That’s right, another post less than 24 hours after the previous one. The way a blog should be, at least if it wants to attract and retain readers…if you ask me. But seriously, don’t ask me, because I obviously don’t practice what I preach. Anyway, I’m bored. I probably should just go to bed, but as you learned in the last post, that probably won’t happen (although I am laying on my stomach on the bed while typing this, and I occasionally find myself laying my head down and closing my eyes while still typing). Let’s run over everything I did today. First I woke up around 9:15. Then I showered and got ready for work. Then I went to work at 10. From noon to 2, Micah, Cliff, Eric, and I practiced in the sanctuary for a wedding reception we’re playing at on Sunday afternoon. Then I worked some more until almost 5. Following that, I returned home to Pastor Mick’s house and killed some time doing whatever kills time. A little before 7, I headed over to East Side Middle School to watch the Highland High School beat whoever it was that they played. There were a number of East Side people there. At halftime, I went to get some dinner at Taco Bell (don’t tell). After the game, I came back home and hung out with Micah for a while before finding myself right here on the computer, contemplating whether I should currently be in bed asleep. (Here’s a gap of time for when I put my head down after typing “asleep.”) I kind of want to watch an episode of Arrested Development, but I’m not sure it wouldn’t be smarter to just go to bed. Tomorrow I’m having lunch with Eryn Bowser, and in the evening, I’m going over to the Stuckey house for my belated birthday dinner with them. I think we’re eating Italian, but I’m not sure what sort of dessert we’re having because when Gina asked me what I wanted, I was pretty indecisive. I’m sure it will be great.

Ok, I think I must call it quits on this one and hit the sack. My head is currently down, and that is giving me great troubles while trying to type correctly.

Peace to you, my brethren and sistren.

Matt Ulrich (not #69 for the Colts)

It’s funny really. Every time I’m up way too late, I usually end up getting the song “Breathe (2AM)” by Anna Nalick stuck in my head. Then what usually happens is that I look at the clock and find that it is, indeed, just about 2 in the A.M. Weird, I know. You know what else usually happens when I’m up way too late? I start thinking about what little sleep I will be getting even if I were to go to bed immediately, and it makes me feel worse because I know I’ll feel exhausted tomorrow. Then when I wake up in the morning, I find that I was right about how I’d feel. It’s a pretty vicious cycle, and to be honest, I’m not much of a fan. There’s something to be said about staying up late if there’s a reason such as work that needs to be done, friends that need to be talked to or hung out with, or an indefinite (but definitely late) wake-up time. Anyway, here I find myself once again in the same situation. If there wasn’t Wi-Fi where I’m currently living, I’d have been dead to the world for a few hours by now, but alas, I find myself distracted. I actually wish that was the case. I usually can’t seem to pull myself away in a timely manner, and tonight is no different.

Anyway, since I hadn’t blogged in a while, I thought I’d stop in and say hi. I am currently living with Pastor Mick (my worship pastor and boss) while I make some life decisions, including one regarding where to live. I’ve been enjoying a summer of playing country music with Cook and Belle and working at the church. I was recently reminded by a commenter on this blog that I had made a list of everyone I could think of who was engaged (found in my October 15, ‘06 post). That list had, I believe, 13 people on it, and I do believe most, if not all, of them are now married. Also married are some other people who I did not include in the list either because I didn’t know they were engaged at the time or I simply couldn’t remember them while writing the list. I could get all emo and cry about how I’m still single and really not content with it, but I won’t. You probably are thanking me for not going there, which means we are becoming closer and friendlier. (If that’s the case, and you’re a single, attractive female, call me.)

That is all. Must…go…to…bed. Night.

First of all, I am appalled by this, but I wanted to share it in case you were unaware people like this exist:

CLICK HERE

These people are from Westboro Baptist Church. I am sad that I even had to type that URL, but I wanted to share it with you. Click around on the site, and you’ll find more and more outrageous claims. Man, that saddens me.

On a lighter note, I want to work at Google:

CLICK HERE

That is all.

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

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

I’m currently at home getting ready to head out to the pool for an hour or two, but I thought I’d update real quick.  I officially don’t have to work this week.  Well, I guess technically I will be working, but not in the same capacity that I have been in the bygone summer weeks.  This week, I’m heading up to a camp in Manton, Michigan.  It’s a family camp, and I earn my keep and paycheck by simply playing for a worship time every day.  The rest of the hours are mine to spend as I please.  So I’ve brought along a few books to read, some episodes of 24 on my computer to watch, and my golf clubs in case there is a large outdoor area in which I can hit around a small dimpled ball.  Good news is I’ll be making more money doing this than I do at my “real” job.  Oh, I have a show with Paige each of the first two days I’m back, so I’ll stay busy.  Anyway, the sun and splash is calling my name, so I must answer its call.  Hopefully my cell phone will get service at the camp, so that would be the best way to reach me.  I don’t plan on having internet access.  Oh well…

Matt

…is a new adventure. Today Jordan came by with his Mom to check out the house. Through a series of events in which you probably wouldn’t be interested, a toilet in my house began to overflow and proceeded to leak through a light fixture to the floor below. Everything’s back to normal now, but it was an interesting experience. That’s about all I have the mental energy to reiterate. Tomorrow is a trip down to southern Indiana to meet my boss and to figure out what the rest of my summer responsibilities are. That’s about three hours each way, so I need to get some sleep. Fun, fun…

Well, I don’t really have anything in mind to write, but I felt like it was time to check back in with my readers on a personal basis.  This week is going to be stressful, with two midterms and all, not to mention the projects and other stuff I should be working on…oh, and my job at church.  Summer, summer, here I come…  At least spring break is coming up soon.  I plan on going home and doing ABSOLUTELY NOTHING (well, other than being helpful to my Mom…kinda hafta do that).  Yes, that’s right.  While many of my AU friends will be enjoying the balmy, tropical weather of Florida or one of those other states down in Dixie, I will be in Dutch Vegas, Michigan.  Maybe I’ll record an EP with Ken.  I should probably have a few songs I like before I try to do that, though.  I should probably also make sure Ken has time to do that.  Chances are I’ll call him and leave a message, and I won’t hear back from him.  His phone is almost always dead or not with him.  We’ll see, I guess.  Ok, the cd I was listening to is done now (and by cd, I mean iTunes album), so I will start up another one and hit the sack.  Yes, I know it’s only like 10:30 at night, but little did you know that I have to wake up around 6:15ish.  With exception of one person I know, that’s earlier than any of you, so don’t you dare complain about how early it is tomorrow morning when you wake up.

G’nite!

Matt