Intern Diaries: Laurel Erickson
September 29th
Today is my last day working with Doug and tomorrow is my official last day here :( We just finished up making an awesome music video..i'm sure you will all see it on a top 10 somewhere before too long. and we just had a Bible study and Tornado was able to join us. She is taking Levi and I out tonight, i'm excited!
This past friday i went to Austin City Limits Music Festival. it was so much fun. i wont relay everything that happened on here cuz i'm writing a really long review and i think part of it will be put online..? but it was a blast. there were 8 stages with bands playing all weekend and somewhere around 100,000 people each day. i didnt know many of the bands there but it was fun to check them out. they also had a lot to keep me busy. there was an Art area with vendors selling all kinds of intriguing things. it was just a lot of fun being there, i remember my dad always watching austin city limits on PBS at night so it was cool to be there. my favorite show was the first one i watched with Doug, Dan Dyer. He had such a beautiful voice. Doug was invited to this press gifting and he took me along cuz he's cool like that. I got a bag full of free stuff which is always a plus. included in the bag were a pair of headphones from Skull Candy and they are really nice. i was blessed by that because i only have junk headphones..but now i'm stylin. the rest of the weekend was super chill. i slept a ton and rented the movie 21. i enjoyed it, it made me want to go and gamble. not sure if thats a good thing. on sunday i listen to a sermon from my church back home and it was awesome. it was about the power of the Holy Spirit. Then in the afternoon i met up with a friend from Teen Mania that i randomly discovered lives only 1/2 hour from me. that was cool to catch up with a familiar face. and last thursday i went to see Get Smart at the dollar theater. so funny.
so before i go i am just trying to finish a few random things up to save Doug and Levi some time in the future and get as much done for this next issue as i can to help out. mainly just Pick of the Litter stuff to sort out and one cd to review.
today i made a list of all the music i would like to purchase off the top of my head and i thought up like 20 plus albums that i really would like. haha i'm dreaming. one day though i will have a sweet collection.
i think thats it for now though..man its just hitting me that i'm leaving. crazy.
Doug is peacing out to California for a week tomorrow so that leaves Levi pretty much running HM while he's gone.
September 25th.
hey. i cant believe its already thursday! Tomorrow (my mom's birthday!!!) i am going to Austin City Limits music festival for the day. i'm looking forward to it. whats better than a bunch of live music all day? i didnt even recogzined most of the bands that are playing this weekend...which goes to show how much i know.
Yesterday was spent in mainly frustration as i was trying to upload new album reviews and pics with very slow internet, only to find out i uploaed the wrong size pics...and then found out that i posted stuff way to early. oh well. lesson learned. Today i went over the reader's polls and counted some up. i enjoyed doing that and seeing what people were into this year. i was constantly surprised at how many people are into Demon Hunter. dont get me wrong, they are good. but still, they NEVER seem to die down.
Last night i hung round here and Tornado and Alyssa came to visit (and brought food earlier in the day :) )Alyssa reminds me of my little sister so i enjoy their company.
i decided that when i get a job after moving back to minneapolis i am going to invest in an abundance of art supplies..including a fancy camera and a pottery wheel. right now i'm dreaming so i guess i may as well dream big.
September 23
yikes! poor Doug. it just seems like one thing after another that is keeping this issue from being finished up! but today is the day!!
today was spent email and trying to get a hold of publicists to see what bands are releasing albums within the next few months. we are beginning to plan out the Jan/Feb issue. It was fun to try and think up bands that we feature and see if they are putting any new stuff out. i'm glad i get to be part of the planning process in this before i leave next week. it still hasnt hit me that i'm leaving..
then i spent great amounts of time (slow internet) deleteing comments from robots on the HM page. ROBOTS. i know. weird right? it just looks like a bunch of jumble with some sketch link included.
other than that, life here is good. i will be ending work at 5 today..so i dont know what i'm going to do with the rest of my time.
props to The Skies Revolt. i havent listen to the cd yet...but they made a comic that goes along with each song. its really creative and interesting.
until tomorrow.
peace.
September 22nd
how many fake autographs by no-name bands do you have? i have 3.
Today is the beginning of a new week. i believe this week will be spent planning out the next issue, which i'm super pumped to be a part of. looking back on last week is nuts. so much happened in little time. After reading all the stories that are going into this issue, be really excited for it. (we had to proof all the aritcles and make sure there were no errors in punctuation-which is really tricky for me because i overlook that alot) there are some awesome articles and some really good music that is coming out. the new Copeland cd is beautiful and Cool Hand Luke is coming out with new stuff and they are such a solid band that stays true to what they say. Doug worked on this issue into the weekend...which is a bummer but it will be worth it. Its being sent out to be printed today. i am excited for it to be finished and sent off, there was some stress with articles coming in late and ads not adding up. looking over some of the layout for it, most of the bands have really cool photos..i really enjoy photography so its cool to see bands be creative w/their pics rather than having them look like %99 of every other band photo.I got to help Doug design an add for merch. -he did most of it, but i think its turning out pretty cool. Levi and I got to be 'models' for the t-shirts, so that was fun. it just takes me forever to do anything on photoshop, but i'm learning. Doug is so patient with me, i ask so many questions every other minute. this is my last full week here. i am leaving on the 1st. that is so soon...i will probably cry. haha. part of me could easily see myself coming back here to help out more and learn more. i love it so much.
this past weekend flew by. my boyfriend came and surprised me and we hung out saturday in austin. it was perfect timing to see him after that crazy week,
it really blessed me. so sweet. sunday i spent relaxing and sleeping. i felt so lazy but i loved it.
Today i'm hitting up Pick of the Litters and getting a head start on those.
Right now i'm listening to Hazel and Vine. i really like them :)
Peace.
September 17
today is wednesday..which means its pretty much the weekend. thats how fast time goes by here. yesterday was a short day. I layed out the Christians & Art section, added the Haste the Day review to the album reviews, proofed some things and finished up some other random stuff, like resizing DVD pics and learning that i missed like 100 editing errors on a layout...im learning.
we peaced out early and went to San Antonio to a ABR show. the venue "White Rabbit" was really cool. it was one of those sketchy ugly graffiti everywhere that makes no sense places. but i really enjoyed it. there were 5 bands on the ticket and ABR was headlining it..so it seemed to take forever for them to play. the other bands were, Skylit Drive, Sky Eats Airplane, Greenly estates (spl?) and This or the Apocolyspe. they all put on a really good show. although i didnt enjoy Skylit Drive at all! Before the show started Levi got to interview ABR. its was cool because we did the interview in their van. they were super chill (drummer and guitarist) i was just stoked because they have been on my list of favorite bands for the past 3 years (..doesnt everybody have a mental list like that?) so on the inside i was all girly and wanting to freak out..but i played it cool lol. i enjoyed getting in free from being on the ABR guest list. man! i was just really blessed by that, they are one of my favorite live shows to see. oh! and it was so cool because they had such a different stage presence than any of the other bands. ksdfja;sdj;jgh;ajklgha;gak; gh;h;k dghk;agcm; (thats how i feel on the inside about them.. :) soooo good! they are constantly just really hard and solid but it doesnt sound like the same thing over and over. could it be the beautiful china symbols they use..? ha! then we went back out to levi's car to find that it was COVERD in bird poo. hahaha.
we roled in about 2 am and got up this morning to head to Doug's to work there for the day. -a few things came up so i haven't left yet- but it will be cool to work there. BUT i will write more later tonight after this soon to be crazy day is complete. shout out to kels..sorry girl i wasn't able to bring a cut out of you to the show ahah, but i thought bout it a lot while i was there.
peace.
September 15th!!!!
This week is dead line week. exciting right?!?!?!! yup! its cool to see everything go down. This past weekend went by speedy. i did the most random thing in my life on saturday. that homeless outreach thing that i went to..it was a pastor appreciation for the church that does homeless ministry, so everyone was giving gifts to the pastor and saying all these memories and crying and i was sitting there not knowing what was going on. looking back on it, it is really funny. But levi was there to preform some of his poetry and everyone was really blessed by him and i think it helped everything flow a lot smoother. so that was awesome to see.
Sunday i hung around here all day. in the afternoon i worked on finishing up 'pick of the litter' and laying out the album reviews and resizing the rest of the photos. it took me FOREVER, there are like a 100 little things you have to make sure are edited perfect...and i missed half of them until going over it today. Tornado stopped by for a visit and she did today too..this time she brought brownies!!! so cool.
so the past few nights i have dedicated some time to MY AMERICAN DREAM. thats right..we all know that i'm talking about the one and only JACK BAUER.
i'm on a 24 kick. i get really into it, in fact this side of me only comes out when i'm watching it. at one point or another i end up yelling at the tv..or levi. i dont know if this is a good thing..or something i should work on. either way this show kicks. its cutting into when i could be sleeping, but i dont regret it one bit. nope.
Tomorrow August Burns Red is playing in San Antonio (i think?) so excited!!!!! they put on such a good show. the last time i saw them (in july) i was standing by the speaker and i seriously have to focus on breathing. its so loud that your whole body is vibrating from the bass and the tight double kick and the insane china symbols and the beautiful vocals and all the energy and the passionate lyrics and...man oh man i could keep going. i love ABR. straight up. cant wait :)
Today was good. i finished up a bunch of random stuff that i thought i had finished but had to catch a bunch of mistakes i made. more reviews came in over the weekend so that is excting. this magazine is completly in the Lord's hands and its really cool to see that reflected off of doug because he stays calm when he should be grabbing his shot gun.
im learning a lot right now about complete trust in God. its always so easy to say that until your put in a situation where you have too..you know? but God is soverign. right now i'm reading The Shack (which is controversial to some) but i think its really good. it lays out how God the Father, Jesus the Son, and The Holy Spirit work together and are one, in a way that you can understand.
thats it for now...i was homesick last weekend for friends, but its weird because when i go home they all live in different states than me anyway..well, for a big part :( so shout out to my best girl Kelsey and my boyfriend Zack!! and Lindy because you inspire me and i miss you yelling 'Lell!!!' really loudly!!
well this was more about my personal life then the magazine..but you will get plenty of that this week because everything is being put together.
peace.
September 12th.
crazy. it has been really long since i have been able to post on here. the internet hasnt been working so hott...which in result is a real bummer trying to get work done. i am amazed at how calm doug remains all the time.
this week was very busy so it went by even faster. there is a week until the final dead line. i have gotten to learn how to lay the album reviews out and fit where its going to go. my next project is to do that with all the 'pick of the litters' and also to resize all the images for the album reviews. it seems like a lot of repetative busy work..but somehow i really enjoy it. it is really exciting to see all the music that is going to be in this issue. there is A LOT of good music.
earlier this week i reviewed the movie, 'You Dont Mess With the Zohan' w/adam sandler. it was the most random movie i have ever seen. it was about this counter terrorist who was really well known for being the best at his work, who left his homeland Israel to come to America to be a hairstylist. it was super dirty humor..which to me gets old really fast. but the the overall idea was really funny. i dont recommend it for the family though..
on wednesday Levi and i went to Doug's house for his church's Lifehouse Group. it was a really encouraging time and discussion from John 17 (if i member the chapter right) so that was real cool. doug's family is the bomb.
right now there is a hurrican that is hitting the coast (which is sooo weird to me cuz obviously that doesnt happen in minnesota) so there might be storms here this weekend. i really like storms so i wouldnt mind at all until it got destructive..than that just gets annoying.
this weekend i am going to a outreach for homeless people and its like a preforming art thing and levi is preforming some of his poetry. i am really impressed at how talented he is. spoken word poetry can be a touchy thing because if you stink at it...its just a super akward thing to put people through. but its really fun to watch levi, he reminds me a lot of bradley hathaway, although with more of a unique sound.
today i decided that i am heading home at the very beginning of october. i am looking forward to it...not quite sure what i will be doing with all of my time besides working, but the Lord will open up doors for me :)
thats it for tonight! i will post more tomorrow after i work on a few more things!
peace.
September 4th
Have you ever heard of the band Sofia? I hadn't either until Doug was blasting it at me through the intercome. good stuff.
Today was narrowed down the pick of the liters. it took awhile because there were soo many to go through. but i think we found some pretty good ones and a wide variety of music. The band Nihilio sent in a cd and i thought that was aweseom because they are from minneapolis so i always see there name around at home. I watched some of the 'eli stone' series for review. it is pretty good. They talk alot about God so that is really cool..although the opinions on God throughout the show go both ways. Other than that i uploaded an interview online and spent a huge part of my day listening to piles of indie cds that were sent in...i got a little behind on those.
Time goes by really fast here, which is actually surpising because we are in the middle of nowhere.
Tornado brought us this amazing chocolate cake with strawberries on wednesday, she is a blessing. I also went to chuch that night, it was mainly just worship which is awesome by me.
peace.
September 2nd
I cant believe its already september. Fall is approaching in Minnesota. I have no clue when fall happens here. I think it stays hot forever. I'm not complaining though, really, it is making me tough. A spider was crawling up my pillow as I was reading the other day..and that made me even tougher.
This past weekend was a lot of fun here in Texas. I was able to go to Teen Mania's campus in east Texas and visit with some friends that I have been so homesick for. They are the type of friends that you could go years without seeing and then when you do see them, pick right back up where you left off. It was such a good time, I can't even remeber the last time I laughed so hard.
On the way home I was pulled over for speeding...LAME. This was my first ticket I have gotten. It is super expensive too..so its a real bummer. Lesson learned.
The rest of the weekend was relaxing. Labor Day was spent bummin round until Cecily called inviting me to her pastors house. We hung out there for a while and then I chilled with Cody for a bit before heading back to the HM house. I love everyone that I have meet here. Everyone is super friendly and just wants to hang out and love on you. I enjoy it.
Today was very productive. I filled out info on a spreadsheet and had flashbacks of my last internship where 99% of it was staring at spreadsheets. A majority of my day was spent re-sizes images for an online exclusive "Warped Tour Review." I get to review a season of Eli Stone (i guess its a tv show..i havent seen it before..) but i'm pumped!
anyway, this is boring and i'm not feeling creative..i will try to make up for it tomorrow.
btw, Underoath's new cd comes out today! Dont pretend you hate them because they are huge now..you know they are skilled musicians.
dont be that guy.
peace.
August 28th
Last night we went to see Jonzetta and two other bands that were decent. They put on a fun show. I enjoyed watching the guy on keys. When his part came up to shake his tamborine, he was so into it and he looked really happy..and that made me happy. It was a really fun time though. I really enjoy downtown Austin, angry rap music, and having a friend who can get you a discount at Starbucks (thanks levi)
After work yesterday I attempted to run while I was feeling motivated (or convicted because I've been super lazy..) but i didnt get to far. Try being an out of shape Minnesota girl running in Texas air at 95 degrees. Let me know how that goes for you.
Today was good. It was kind of an off day for me. I was just really tired. I wrote a Bible study for an old issue and an album review that still needs a little work, along with the story on Call to Preserve. The internet was down for most of the day so everything seemed to be moving slow. A lot of the stories for the next issue are coming in so I got to help proof read them.
I am reading Phillipians now and I strongly encourage you to read it. Paul was so focused on honoring and glorifying God in everything he did, even while he sat in prison. He was so in love with the Lord and wanted to look like Him so everyone else could see God and know that he is so real. It makes me look at my own life and its really challenging me. its sooo good. check it out :)
peace.
August 26 & 27
I wouldnt be surprised to hear that a plague was on the way to Texas. I have never seen bugs so big in my life!!
Yesterday was eventful. I listened to some indie bands online and ones that have been sent in here...none that really stood out though.
I am thankful that my year with Teen Mania was all about teachability. I have a feeling that i am going to be recieving a lot of constructive critisicm over the next 2 months and i'm all about it. I want to learn..and i guess thats the quickest way.
At the end of the day I interviewed Call to Preserve. I learned how to not write one word response questions. It was fun to interview them and it was actually really chill..i was a little nervous at first but it turned out well. Then I transcribed everything which took quite a while, but I felt perfessional while doing it, so its all okay.
Tornado brought us dinner! She is such a blessing and we have left over brownies stashed away that will last us probably only a few more hours.
I cried close to 3 different times today while listening to Doug and Levi say rediculous things that end up being really funny.
Today I typed up the 'freaturette' article for Call to Preserve and proof read a few reviews that are going in the next issue.
There is a Jonzetta show in Austin tonight that we are hoping to hit up...otherwise I am resorting to renting a movie with this 'free code' that Doug swears by. Just for the record it didnt work last time.
if you have been a lame-o and havent listened to Tooth and Nails band Ruth yet. check them out. good stuff. i promise. :)
My first weekend in Texas has come and gone. It was filled with adventures as Levi and I explored Taylor. I love antique stores that you avoid at first glance because of the over dramatic window displays of porcelain dolls staring you down. I went to two different churches this weekend and enjoyed them both, everyone is so welcoming (which is how is should be at churches, but it seems like that is a lot more rare these days) I'm really looking forward to being able to be involved in a church while I am here.
Monday has been crazy. I learned how to upload new articles and reviews online..it took me FOREVER but I did get to learn a little bit about photoshop and that is really important. The deadline is racing up VERY quick so its awesome to see things fall in place. I feel somewhat lost because I jumped in at the end, but I'm learning and Doug is patient with me..
I did a few other random things including disasembling cd cases to be used again and adding new subscriptions to the magazine and then filing all of them.
I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be crazy and I am looking forward to it!
Tonight I am grocery shopping. I feel all grown up :)
I realized this was going to be an interesting 2 months when I looked up from my computer out my window only to see Levi and Doug outside..kicking a cow..
I'm going to leave it at that. The funny part is, it didnt even surprise me. I just went back to work.
Today was chill. I did a few random things, finished up a cd review and started another one. I spent a lot of time reading through an old HM magazine just to get some more insite. I got to work on a Bible study for an old issue and that was cool to take time and go through my Bible. This morning I learned a lot fast about critiquing bands without being TOO judgmental. I also learned how to spell critique, thank you very much dictionary.com. And next I am dismanteling hundreds of cd cases so we can use the cases for different ones. Rad. :)
Have a good weekend.
peace
Today was fun and went by fast. Doug and Levi are really funny together..but I try not to let them know that or they will probably just feed off of each other even more.
I listen to a million indie cds and came upon some good ones. Doug gave me more direction on everything that I am going to be doing here and I am excited to keep learning more.
Last night we went to Austin for a show, it was my first time ever going there. It was crazy to see how huge the music scene is there. So many cool things to look at. I'm really starting to like Texas. Everything here is so big..i guess that saying 'everything in texas is bigger' isnt complete nonsense.
check out; The Fight Between Frames they have a OUT OF CONTROL transition between the 2nd and 3rd song and i had to listen to it a few times to make sure i heard what i really heard..
also Allatus Adeo, probably the best experimental hardcore i've heard in a while. sooo good.
peace in Jesus
My first 2 days at HM have been very enjoyable. Yesterday morning I got the lay out of the place and what goes down..still a lot to learn...
Doug explained how the magazine was organized and printed, its impressive at just how much goes into putting a magazine out. He gave me 2 cds to review and I am setting up an interview with a band going to be featured in the next issue so lets hope that all goes down well. The rest of my time has been spent listening and reviewing indie cds that have been sent in. Today alone I have heard everything from metal to fantasy opera...which i'm not even sure that was a genre of music untill I heard it today.
Yesterday I met the neighbor, Tornado and her daughter. She is involved in the ministry that I just graduated from so that was awesome to talk with her about it. She has blessed me so much already, she brought us food and took us out to a movie last night. People who live in Texas are so polite, it is a totally different feel from the home front of Minnesota.
I love that the HM office is in the middle of nowhere. It makes it more adventurous right? Besides...who gets to say that they have cows and horses chillin right outside their office window?
Overall everything is great. Doug is a really awesome guy and I respect his work so much and the other intern who is here, Levi, is super chill and really funny, so it makes for a good time. Tonight we are heading into a show in Austin. I've heard good things bout Austin so i'm hoping for the best.
I've been reading Colossians a lot lately. It pretty much lays out the whole Gospel and everything Jesus has done for us and how in return we can bring him glory..and all in 4 chapters!! check it out.
Peace.
Laurel
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Comments
By tornado
You are awesome!!! and You will have a great time . Be blessed
By Levi Macallister
bawitdabadabangdabangdiggydiggydiggysettheboogiesetupdroptheboogie
~ justin timberlake
By your bro haw
is it as hot as you were thinkin out there? you know that feeling where youre so blessed with whats going on in your life that you dont even have time to take it all in? yeah. you do. peace outz.
By zachary montgomery
ur so cool with this thing!
By Kelsey Jewell
LODELLL! BFFL :)
im so happy you are starting up your intern diaries so i can keep track of you in texas, buwahha. i will check out that band and the transition.... because i bet its brutality on a butter knife.
keep it real.
i read colossians last night... its IIINSANE!!! Every year Franciscan focuses on a verse and the verse this year, is Colossians 2:6, so beautiful.
lovings!
By tornado
Hey have fun tonite at tha concert.. I'll see ya thursday!!
By Levi's mom
Hi Laurel, Nice to have you join HM! Just a warning: Levi's big aspiration in about the 4th grade was to be funny when he grew up! You may be part litmus to him! :o) - Laugh a lot! Have a blast! Blessings!
By tornado
Glad you had a great time at the concert.starbucks always good!!!
By Lindy B.
Laurel!!! i loved reading this. it's so good to hear what you are doing. i hope you know that you're basically living out my dream :) Col. 3:1-15 is one of my most favorite passages of scripture. it's basically the blue-print for Christian living. Sweeeeet. Grace and Peace my dear.
By Doug
You rock! You are SO totally my favorite intern!
By Heather Erickson
Laurel - I read these from most recent to older entries, which is backwards, but wow! Thank you for sharing everything. You were right to go to Texas.
By tornado
I am so glad you liked the cake.. hmm what should I make you next???
By tornado
Hey It was great talking to you yesterday.. Are ya catching the wind today and our cold front?? It is awesome!!! I will see ya later today..
By Kelsey Jewell
ahhhh girl. im so proud of you for you love of Jesus and your love of ABR. i miss you a lot too!!
better bring your butter knife because brutality is gonna be spilling out like niagara dang falls at that show...
<3
By brandii
hey lady... don't know why i never commented before. so hey hey hey. how was the show?
By laurel
brandii! ha! i feel like i know you :)
it was insane!! i wrote more bout it above! take care!
By Heather
So, ABR...August Burns Red...ahhh! I took me a minute but I get it and now I get why you would be freaking out! Ivy would be too. I'm sure you played it
super chill ;)
By Maribel
LAURELLIE NELLIE!!! Heather told me about your EXCITING evening w/ABR! I HAD NO IDEA!!! I had to read your entry myself and I can't wait to SEE YOU!!! Oh LOVE I MISS YOU SO MUCH!!! Keep glorifying the Lord through all you do & keep on pressing in to Him!
Love you TONS! Blessings!
By Bro Justin
sup! ahhh this is so wierd reading this weve played with nihilio a couple times! i just finished making our songs sound like i want them to. the new versions will be on the space soon and i reeeaaally like em.....but YOURE COMING BACK! thatll be so cool. its basically me and tim holding down brainerd from the old posse. im glad youre out there doing everything youre doing. some kids dream of doing that. (me..maybe..?) i think thatd be so cool. keep it real. youre doing pretty good.
By tornado
So, are we gonna be able to get together before you leave.. I will miss you!!!Gotta bake you some traveling food..haha..
By tornado
We LOVE you Laurel and are so gonna MISS YOU.... =(.. I hope you enjoyed dinner and all.. I know I did..
By Levi's mom
Bless you, Laurel, as you head home tomorrow. So glad you and Levi met up this side of heaven and were able to work (and play some)together. May HE lead you exactly where HE wants you - and exactly where you want to go, per HIS desires established in your heart! Traveling mercies over you!
