let [ N O T H I N G ] - come BEFOREYOU; && forever seek what is true to you .

Song :: Halcyon - "Justly Effervescent" 

First thing's first:

Hi.

How are you today?

Be honest.

How was your day?

What'd you do today? Had school? How were classes? Something interesting happen?

Or, on the other hand, no classes today? Fortunate. Did you get the rest you deserve?

Well, if anything didn't go the way you wanted it today, chipper up; there's another after this one. Make that one better, yeah?

Good. Now that we've got that done and out of the way, what's next on the agenda?

Hmm.

I missed writing. =] I really did. I've been so busy, as you could tell. And I'm sure you all are just as busy as I.

I was in my first college production. I meant to get around to the entry for that, but, y'know. Spring Break happened. It's underway, though. It wasn't a large cast, so the intricacies of each and every individual helped me learn what I'm pursuing for the first time on a college stage. Principles and supporting roles and ensemble members were all amazing and it was an honor to work with each and every one of you.

Left to right: Danielle Grosso; Igor Correa; Michael Sebesto; Darin Earl; Roberto Forerro; Kelsey Carroll
"E-Crew" [ missing Mark & Diana ]

What else happened? ICCAs [ which the amazing acapella group I'm in - 'Til Further Notes placed 2nd in Quarter-Finals and advanced to Semi-Finals] were a while back. After the show I got sick, so I muddled about to classes and tried to stay on top of my stuff and scamper atop the stuff I wasn't already on top of.

So, I'm home on Spring Break... After everyone else has already had their break or prior to the few remaining. I'm just happy to be home, for the most part. As anyone else, I've got my reasons here and there, but every time I come home, it's a reminder of why I have to keep on keeping on.

"You see? I have no more time in my day to do anything. But it's okay: I'm doing what I want, and that gives me all the freedom in the world."

- Anetta B. [ Mom ]

I have a feeling that the important things I'm missing haven't all whizzed right by me. In this rush to understand my first year out of the house and adjust, even as it's coming near an end surprisingly fast, I've been equipped with a lot more than I'm aware of. And, for this, I am grateful, much like my mother is whenever she steps foot into the house.

I was reminded of this when I came back home after picking her up from work earlier tonight.

"`Thank you, Father.`

My mother is a dedicated and practicing believer, so she's been rooted in her spiritual faith and upbringing. It was like a siren through the calm night how right she was to be grateful for a home to sleep in. I cannot say that I do anything less in my mind - I am grateful for the people I've met, for the people I interact with every day, and for the things I can smile about. Even the things that aren't intended with the objective of making me smile demand a smile from me."

- January 31, 2012 [ "Adore" by Paramore ]

It's crazy to believe that I've had this thing for over a year. And I'm still writing, as sparsely as it is in these days. But it's okay. Because, so long as I'm alive and able, I have no reason not to.

I've discovered a few things about myself in the absence of writing. My outlets are strictly what they are because they're functional; not because I'm any degree of closed-minded, but it's what I know how to do, and I feel most comfortable in "my element," so to speak. Music has become a very ordinary thing while I'm at school, because I'm surrounded with people who make it second-nature to them, something that has been similar with me. And the complex of competition has never stuck well in my conscience, so as they flaunt and rehearse, I merely make my ends meet and do what I need to.

Something I should have learned long before: "Make the things that are ordinary to everyone else extraordinary to you." I thought about that when I was searching for something to make my hair look decent after waking up before leaving the house. Funny how some idle thoughts are the most important of your day.

So, I've been writing longer than I can remember; stories, poems, letters, lyrics - the works. Recently, I resolved to have an intervention with myself and put what's important to me first. And I've had so many friends who are capable of so many things help me out in so many ways, but there's only one person who'd to exactly what I need the way I needed it, no matter how lazy they got - and that was myself.

I sat down and cranked out songs to compensate for my long leave of absence from the musical world. I've gotten critiques, comments, compliments, take-aways and suggestions. If you feel you should find some surfacing as well, feel free to share them.

Three covers [ one video which hasn't been uploaded yet, but should be in the side bar at the top of this entry when it is there ] and an original song.

The original song was not entirely my work. A friend of mine who I've learned a lot from and still am gave me a prayer to say. I'll recite it for you guys.

I'm praying that your house would be free of the heavyness,
that our heart would rest in all that is good
and that, the breath of your brother, the snore of your mother,
and the gravity that is being
wouldn't overtake you -
but would inspire you.
That the heavyness that is the gift of your heart
wouldn't leave you empty,
but would leave you at rest
in the already not yet of it all.
And that hum,
the spirit,
the good / bad, happy / sad,
would hold you like a mother
and kiss you like a father
and make you know that you are good.
After all, those were the first words
spoken over your creation:
'Darin, it is good.'
And, finally, I pray that hope,
Hope... will carry you to the heights of beauty, love, and life,
Even in your sleepy dreams.
Now you, thing that is beautiful,
Say 'Amen.'

And then I made the song for this entry - Halcyon - "Justly Effervescent".

It's like my first official original song, and although my mixing skills are reallyy... mediocre, I think I did a pretty good job. Hopefully you enjoy it.

And the lyrics to that try to mirror the message of the prayer but also including a few personal interpretations. I showed my friend the song, and absolute favor rained down on it. And then I shared it with friends and family, and they were supportive. So I need more insight - maybe from people without bias, people with a background in recording to tell me what I should and shouldn't do for the next song I write. Granted, I may or not take it into account, and I always have Erik to be a concrete and reliable buddy who'll steer me right from wrong.

"Justly Effervescent"

I pray that you might see
All that you can be [ and all that is good ]
Let nothing come before you,
And forever seek what is true to you.

For great heights stand
On the shoulders of man who can
Find what they search for,
While all else they adore.

Conquer the odds,
This I pray, the gift of your heart
Sets free your gods to find your
Soul.

Within you lies good,
This I pray, the spirit of your heart
Sets you free as it should and give you
Peace.

We've lost without losing,
Feeling guided when it's confusing [ and the answer isn't clear. ]
Goodness to hold like a mother
And kiss like a father.

To win without winning
Shows the world's still spinning
Even after death,
"I will give you rest."

What lay on the path ahead?
Is it for me to know?
Or do I just stay,
Choose a way to go?
"Let what may come or go."

Conquer the world,
This I pray, true to your life
Embodies a new "me" to tell of
Love.

It has been said,
This I wish, the world as one
To come together, free all binds that
Hold us back

And live.

- Darin F. Earl, II :: 1 / 13 / 13

Yeah. That was a journey.

But hopefully you'll check out some of the other recordings on that there website; covers and the works. If you have any suggestions or requests, feel free to contact me. And I hope things go swimmingly for you all.

Here's to a swift and convenient rest of the semester and a pleasant lifetime. I should probably get around to reading for my core classes.

Thanks for reading, as always. Blessings and good vibes.

<3 ~ Monty.
=]