Seriously?

I feel like someone is playing a huge joke on me. FOX released the news that they're having open, online auditions for 3 new parts in the show "GLEE." I'm worried to even entertain the thought that the possibility of me being on that show could become a reality, so I'm just trying to not think about it. But can you imagine? I would freakin' love that. Granted, some of the subject matter is a little questionable considering my stance on certain issues, which could complicate things, but dang... it would be so much fun. If they need someone to play Mr. Shu's brother it's over. I'm their guy.

Alright. Thats all the thought I'm gonna give it.

In other news... life is pretty much the same here in Nashville. No big breakthroughs or major connections, but I had figured that'd be a slow process. I'm trying to be patient, cautious, and intentional about every pursuit. Good things take time, and I'm really praying that this will be a good thing. God can do anything, so I'm looking forward to what He has planned.

By the way, my roommates realized last night that they now have cravings for cookies at night. They said this didn't happen before I moved in. I somehow have that effect on people. Not sure thats a good thing (and neither are my roommates).

Robby

Today...

I walked on a little frozen pond. It was exciting... and cold. I was only slightly terrified that the unknown thickness of ice would break through and leave me at the mercy of Katlin's willingness to help me out. That and the fact that I'd be wet... in a frozen pond... in 20 degree weather. Not ideal.




Here's the hill Katlin, Jason and I sled down Thursday night. It was hilarious. Sure, we may have just had a tarp and some cardboard, but it worked. Thats all that matters. Doesn't matter that we got the cardboard out of our apartment's trash compactor either... or that there was hardly any snow on the ground... or that I walked away with scratches and bruises all up my legs and arm. Sledding rocks.



Cause snow instantly turns me into a 10 year old again,
Robby

*You've just read the 200th post of "Right. Then Left." How do you feel? I hope inspired and somewhat gleeful.

New Year. New Place. New Opportunities.

So, I'm writing this from my new apartment in Nashville, TN while looking out at a snow filled sky. How awesome is that?! I moved all my big stuff up here last Wednesday, but I didn't actually move into the apartment until this past Saturday. I'm so excited to finally be in this city even though I have no idea what I'm planning to do now that I'm here. I'm just trusting the Lord's leading and trying to have faith that He'll take care of things... which He will. I've had the desire to move here for quite a few months, but my logical side has constantly talked myself out of it. Now that I've made the move, though, it really doesn't seem like too big a deal. I'm still working at Bonefish Grill just in a new location (which I really like so far!), I'm living with two incredible friends in a great apartment in Brentwood, and I'm attending an amazing church called Fellowship Bible Church. Not bad. Not bad at all.

My main reasons for moving here involved the music industry. I love being in a city surrounded by opportunities, which is one reason I enjoyed my time in LA so much. Even if the opportunities are very difficult to get involved with at least they're here. Thats my take on it at least. I look forward to meeting various people who have worked in or experienced the music industry, learning more about the opportunities available, getting involved with Fellowship Bible Church's worship ministry, and just enjoying a city that I've heard so much about throughout the years. People ask me all the time what my plans are, but I really don't have any specific steps to take. I want to learn, grow closer to Christ and follow His lead, and discover how He wants to use me (whether that be in the music industry or not).

I really don't know how long I'll be here or where the Lord is gonna take me, but I'm alright with that. I know I'm supposed to be here today, and thats gonna have to be enough for me. It's taken me a long time to be ok with following God's lead instead of planning my own (and I've still got a lot of learning to do and faith to build), but after seeing His faithfulness in my life over and over again I can't help but trust Him more. He is good, and He loves me... and I'm so thankful for that.

Robby

It's the most wonderful time of the year...

I had the pleasure of trying a "Harry & David Royal Riviera Pear" over the Christmas break, and they could almost be described as life-changing. Seriously. If you're a pear fan, you need to immediately order some of these for yourself. They're ridiculous. I ordered a box for my parents and grandparents for Christmas because anything else I could have gotten them would pale in comparison.

Christmas was incredible. Great family time. Way too much good food. Fun games. Friends. It's just all around awesome. I thought I was going to have to work for some of the break, but I actually got all the days I asked off, so that was incredible! Though Jonesboro, GA is not too thrilling, my parents are wonderful, and I loved spending time with them. Watching my niece and nephew open gifts and experience Christmas was probably the best part. Everything was so new and exciting to them, which I love. Plus... they're just about the coolest kids you'll ever meet, so that helps (my parents are incredible, too).



I may or may not have spent 50% of my time at home curled up on the floor like a cat in front of the fire.



Also, there was also a fairly glorious sunset one day which I so perfectly present in the picture below.



I got some Sour Patch Watermelon chewy candy, too, so thats always nice. And my brothers-in-law and sisters are incredible (yes... I'm the last single child left. No pressure. And how do I always end up looking like I'm superimposed onto pictures? This is not the first time a picture has looked like this. I promise I really was there! So weird).



Alright. Thats about it.

Happy New Year!
Robby

Mr. Stone

During my time in Huntsville, I've had the opportunity to substitute teach at a couple of high schools around the city. I began doing this because I wanted to see if teaching would be a good career path for me. If the education system wasn't so screwed up and teachers didn't have their hands constantly tied with paperwork, regulations, red tape, and inadequate discipline measures I might actually consider doing it. Sadly, the public education system is a disaster, and teachers can hardly do their jobs much less make it enjoyable. Alright. I'm done with my speech.

I really do love working with students and attempting to make school and learning fun for them. Unfortunately, so many kids don't want to learn and think it's unimportant, but I'm not gonna get on the subject of the current generation either because it's also depressing. Some kids are great. Some kids you want to kill. Thats it for now.

Here's the fun stuff... I filled in at Lee High School earlier this semester for boys P.E., and it was by far the most frustrating but hilarious experience with subbing that I've had. Imagine 12-25 high school guys who range from thug to awkward white kid (mostly semi-thugs) and a substitute teacher who has, over the course of 6 or so days, become lovingly referred to as simply "Coach." What did I coach? Nothing. How awesome is it that they called me "Coach?" Extremely. My main job ended up being to keep the guys who were actually in P.E. to stay in the gym and those who were just skipping class to stay out of the gym. It was pretty much like herding cats all day.

We were supposed to play basketball which usually turned into dodgeball using basketballs. Really safe. I probably should have stopped it, but honestly it was too hilarious to stop. I just prayed for the bell to hurry up and ring when those games began. The main story I'm trying to get to involves the 7th period class I covered with two other teachers (one being an asian) called "Lock Out" where students who are late to class are sent. It's supposed to be a sort of detention where students are forbid to talk and must silently work on school work. Yeah right. Cause thats gonna happen with high schoolers. And why are we sending the troubled kids who need to be in class the most to some room where no learning takes place? I don't get it.

One day a large group of people were sent to Lock Out, and I watched as they all poured into the room. I can't describe everything that went on, but there was this one guy who was continually talking and was called out by the asian teacher I mentioned. They fought back and forth about something and at one point he says "what? What are you saying? I can't understand you! I can't understand you, Sesame Chicken!" Yes. Thats right. He called her "Sesame Chicken." Now, I'm a substitute and am therefore not exactly allowed to burst out laughing with all the other students at this horribly offensive comment. What makes matters worse is that I was sitting in the front of the room facing all the students, and I had to fight back even a smile. It was torture. I'm not nearly far enough removed from the high school days to not think the situation is hilarious.

I have no doubt that there are plenty of stories like this out there from various teachers, but I'm just so glad I got to experience it first-hand. It really is always exciting in the public school system. I just wish it weren't made such a disaster by the government and central office.

Cause I love real sesame chicken, not "Sesame Chicken,"
Robby

BONES

Remember that time I told you I played the part of a heroine addict in a movie called "Bones?" No... alright. Check this out, and then watch the trailer ( http://rightthenleft.blogspot.com/2009/05/heroine-yes-please.html ). It's actually going to be a movie!



Now, I don't know if they'll leave my scene in there or not, cause I'm honestly not sure that it wasn't total crap. However, I watched them film the part in this trailer where the girl falls back onto the bed the same day I filmed my scene, so there's a chance they left it in! I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Hilarious still. Oh, my random life.

Robby

It's SNOWING!!!

Yep. Thats right. It is currently snowing in Huntsville, AL right now, and I am so pumped. I've had a slight obsession with snow my entire life, and this surprise little snowfall is pretty incredible. I realize it's not a big snow, but it's still frozen precipitation falling from the sky, so I'll take it. I just wish I wasn't so tired, and I'd stay up and just watch it. Maybe it'll still be here tomorrow! I hope so... minus the fact that I'm supposed to drive to B'ham for a wedding. Hmmm. Mom will not be excited about that if it does stick. We'll just have to wait and see, I guess!

Alright. I'm gonna go watch it a little more, then it's time for bed.

Robby

Wow

I really did disappear for 3 entire months. Thats bad. I'm sorry.

Things you missed (I literally just pulled up my calender to see if anything worth mentioning happened):
*September:
- Laura Vandal and Caleb Chancey got married, and I had the honor to sing in the wedding. It was honestly the most epic wedding ever if judged on music. I'm serious. Unreal. And not because of me AT ALL. I felt like an amateur.
- My obsession with the show "Glee" began. I really think they had a meeting to decide a show that I would love more than anything and then created "Glee." It's amazing (currently listening to the 22 songs I've downloaded from the show thus far).
- Yeah. Thats about it for September.
*October:
- I went to Nashville one day to audition for some song writers to see if they wanted to use me to do some demo work for them. They were very complimentary and encouraging. I have yet to hear back from them. Thanks.
- I substitute taught boys P.E. at a fairly ghetto high school here in Huntsville (Lee High School) for a week. That experience is probably worthy of its own post. Yeah. It is. I'll do that soon.
- I started singing some at the church I go to up here in Huntsville (Life's Journey), and I love it! It's been such a huge blessing to have an outlet to lead worship with other believers. I still miss Brook Hills, but Life's Journey really is incredible... and I get to sing with my sister which is awesome.
- I got to spend Halloween with my sister, her husband, and my nephew Luke! It was so much fun. Luke was Batman, Rebecca was a pretty witch, Lance was a homeless clown, and I was a makeshift tiger. A picture is necessary...





*November:
- I turned 25! Yep. On November 1st, 2009, I became a quarter of a century old. Weird. My grandmom made me buttermilk pie (pretty much the same thing as chess pie... trust me... it's amazing), so I was happy. Honestly, turning 25 wasn't that big a deal for me. Some people hate it. Actually... as I'm writing this I'm beginning to hate it. I'm stopping now.
- I filmed a little short film about cats (kind of) with some of my roommates. Oh yeah! I haven't mentioned my roommates. That is worthy of a post, too. Wow. Maybe I have had a life these past few months! I've yet to see the previously mentioned movie, but it's apparently hilarious. I'll post a link to it whenever it makes it's online debut.
- I missed the meteor shower due to cloud coverage. Still mad about that one. Lord... why does that always happen? I even prayed that it wouldn't, but I guess You allowed it for some reason.
- I made pineapple cheese casserole for a church function. People thought it was weird. I still love it and ate what they wouldn't. Uncultured taste, I say.
- THANKSGIVING!!! This has sneakily become my favorite holiday. I don't know when it happened, but it did. I love it. I think it's because it's all about realizing how blessed we are and forgetting crap that doesn't really matter. And because it's during fall, which I've realized is my favorite season. And we all met at our lake house for it and had fires and my mom's amazing cooking. It's really not fair for all the other holidays to be compared to it.

Alright. That should give you the highlights. Looking forward to posting about my substitute teaching experience and my roommates. It feels good to be back.

Robby

Apologies

Dear Blog-

I offer my sincerest apologies for my absence. I realize that because of my disappearance you have become boring and not worth checking. I imagine that the lack of hits you've experienced has had devastating effects on your self-confidence, so I hope to be more frequent in my posting in order to draw your followers back to you and raise you up out of your pit of shame and embarrassment. Take comfort in the fact that there was absolutely nothing that you could do to fix the aforementioned problem, and I claim all responsibility (although, Jeremiah should claim some too considering he is co-owner of you). Please accept this apology, and know that the recent lapse of time in posting is not due to you but due to my fairly uninteresting life. Hopefully that will change soon.

Your co-creator (small "c" because we know who the big "C" belongs to... Jesus),
Robby



Dear Followers-

It is with the greatest remorse that I offer my apologies for my lack of posting in the past couple months. I have been informed that some of you have missed my wise words as ridiculous as they often are, so I am making an effort to bring this blog to the prestige and punctuality that it once maintained. I had no idea that anyone read this blog or would actually miss it if it slowly drifted away into the dark corner of the internet never to return again (just kidding... you know I wouldn't let that happen... for too long, at least). With that said, I pray you will accept this apology and support me as I attempt to bring a little life back to the "Right. Then Left." blog. I look forward to bringing you along on the journey ahead. More to come soon.

You're all pretty amazing (especially my Moe's crew... who I will never forget, Amy),
Robby

Reality And The Weird

Life is not as it seems. And life definitely does not always go as planned. Coming face to face with the reality of the world we live in is not easy, and there are times I've felt like I'm drowning in the depravity here.

If you had told me not long ago that I would be living in Huntsville for an indefinite amount of time working at a restaurant, I would have been pissed you had even thought that. Oh, how funny and humbling life can be sometimes. To say that the past couple months have been all that I've dreamed they would be is a hilariously ridiculous statement. However... is it exactly what I need for the Lord to continue to grow me? I'm still deciding, but I have a feeling the Lord knows thats a huge "YES." The situations I've been put in, and the challenges to my faith and ways of living and thinking about this life have forced me to really dig into myself and learn some difficult lessons (many lessons I'm still working through right now).

Lesson One: I'm Weird (Thank the Lord)

If you are a Christian, and you've never worked in the restaurant business, I encourage you to try it. Not because it's fun and an easy way to make money, but because it's extremely difficult physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This job has been one of the most trying, humbling and frustrating experiences of my life, but I'm so thankful that Christ has allowed me to go through it. My initial challenges were the usual fears of inadequacy and inexperience with the job of serving itself, but those were quickly replaced by the struggle of dealing with the reality and pain of this life through stories of the lives of my coworkers and by looking introspectively at my own life.

Most days I feel like some alien from another planet that has no idea how to communicate or form relationships with those around me. Gathering bits and pieces of the life experiences of those I work with, I began to realize how vastly different my story is from nearly everyone there. There is so much pain, deception, betrayal, and sin wrapped up in the lives of these individuals, and they don't even see the bonds that are choking the life out of them. At first I felt as though something was wrong with me that makes my experiences thus far in life so different from there's. However, I've realized that I am EXACTLY like every single one of them, and the only explanation I have for the difference is Christ. It is the saving grace of Jesus that makes my life weird to the world.

I'm sickened by the sin that has so fooled this world, but I think I'm disgusted most by how much of that sin is in me. It has been incredibly difficult to see how sin has taken so much from people, but the hardest thing is seeing that same sin in my own life everyday. I know that if I were to reject Christ and give into my human nature there is no doubt that I would fall into the snares laid out for all of us, and that fact terrifies me. However, I must remind myself that as Christians we cannot allow sin to reign over us. I think the key to conquering this fear of sin is realizing how great our God is and growing in our understanding of Him. It is a daily walk that will keep our heads above the waters of deceit and sin that can so quickly rise and sweep us away.

And there are definitely times when I feel as if the world we live in is a lost cause and sin is too great, but thats when I must remind myself of how much greater Jesus Christ is than sin, death, and anything this world contains. And when Satan tells me I'm sinful and weak, I will fully agree. It is the LORD in me that makes me who I am.

- Robby