Is it Wednesday already?

I ate lunch at meal plan today. Its really good as long as you stay away from the cheeseburgers. I happened to run into Mr. Dan Franklin while I was there. We've known each other probably since like 5th grade or so. We even went to the same school in 8th. I asked him to quaterback for us for our football season this year at UCF. He did very well and I was very pleased with his enthusiasm and love for the game. We had lots of fun.

My baseball team lost last night. That was too bad. We were all hoping to go undefeated. We lost to a team we should have easily beaten too. Ehh I don't really care though, it was still fun hanging out with the guys.

I'm supposed to be studying right now... but I'm not. Oh I saw the Jackass movie the other night. It was so funny. I've never laughed so hard in my life. I was crying even. There are a lot of parts that are pretty disgusting, which I'm not really into; but in general it was really funny.

I don't really have anything else to talk about right now... so I'm not going to waste anymore of my time or yours.

Ross from permalink @ 2:07 PM

Yeah so I'm going tailgating today. Its our homecoming game against Akron, Ohio. We should destroy them.

Yesterday was spirit splash, and I took lots of pictures so I will put those up soon. It was so much fun. I got a t-shirt. Seven Mary Three played. They were really good. It was so cool. Their lead singer had some kind of nasty illness, and they said they had never cancelled a show, and that they weren't going to start now. So they passed out lyric sheets, and anyone who was a fan or just wanted to sing could go up on stage with them and sing. It was so cool and so much fun. Practically the whole football team was up their singing. Miss UCF was up there rocking out with them. It was just really really cool.

I just had an omelette, and I think I'm gonna go. Lots of stuff to do.

Ross from permalink @ 9:20 AM

So Its Homecoming Week up here in Orlando at UCF. Its been really fun and crazy so far. I can't wait until Friday for Spirit Splash. Its when a few thousand of students all cram into and around the reflection pool in the center of the campus, for a huge pool party. Its crazy. Seven Mary Three is playing this year immediately following spirit splash, they are pretty good, so why not. I can't wait. Oh... Skit Nite was tonight. It was actually pretty gay, and not as fun as I remember it being last year. Basically its for all the fraternity boys and sorority girls to make them feel like they are in high school again. Thats how they all act anyways. I am so glad I'm not in a fraternity. I have better friends right now where I'm at then I ever would have gotten by paying for them.

I saw The Ring last night. So lets see that gives me six more days right. It was a really really good scary creepy movie. Lots of disturbing images. It really gives you the chills and makes you sick in your stomach for having had seen it. The people who made it, wrote it, filmed it must be really sick. It was cool. Makes you think about a lot of stuff.

Alright, so now I'm gonna go. I got self defense class in the morning.

Ross from permalink @ 9:09 PM

I got a hair cut today. It looks really good. At least I think so.

The Kings won today. Our flag football team triumphed over the Air Force ROTC kids, 30 to their 7. I personally made two diving tackles; jeez I really love defense. Nick Carns made a couple of needed sacks. He's got tons of spirit. Very aggressive for a guy of his stature. I only have one word to say to him: "wasted!" Nathan had an interception that stopped their drive and ended with us getting a td. Mark Heckman had a td or two. Along with Troy Hair, who also played an intense game. Shawn Rose made some much needed receptions. Danny threw very well, and ran when he needed to. I absolutely love it... when a qb knows when he needs to run the ball. Dan Franklin played well at safety and wide reciever. I know for sure he had a td, I think he might have had more than just one and I think he picked up an interception also. Either way he played a good game. We all did. Lots of fun. Jacob O'Brien showed up despite his broken apart ankle. I believe he tore some ligaments at the last game due to his aggressive nature and the bad field conditions. He came out to support the team and give some instruction from the side line. That kid's got a lotta heart.

I also posted two links over there on the left. One of which is my friend and summer co-worker Katie's blog that she is starting... so check it out from time to time. The other is a link to a page that my friend told me about. It is just very very funny. He has a section where he grade's little children's artwork on a scale of A-F. Ridiculously funny.
Alright, thats all I got for now.

Ross from permalink @ 5:30 PM

I went tailgating all day saturday. The UCF golden knights lost. Good times good times. My friend Shawn Rose and I bought this 90 dollar grill that holds a whopping 75 pounds of meat. The thing is a beast. The problem is, we really don't have anyplace to store it. So, as of now its just laying sideways in the back of his explorer.

On Friday night, I went to another punk show. I realized something though. I guess I'll get to that later. It was Yellow Card and No Use for a Name. Slick Shoes also played and the all-girl band, The Eyeliners, tried their best. It was fun. Yellow Card is great. No Use - ehh. Eyeliners, completely suck. Slick Shoes - ehh. I did realize, though, that I no longer have that youthful thirst for punk rock. I didn't even know what to think. I still don't. I remember the times when I could put on an MxPx cd, like Teenage Politics and just listen to it all day. I'm not saying that it was a good thing, It was just something I remember doing. I used to love this one band: The Offspring. You know what though, If I never heard them again, I think I would be a much better person and much more at ease with myself. I believe I have come to the point where I just don't wanna hear it anymore. Its draining. I remember hours of ghoti hook and value pac. What was I thinking. Less than Jake and reel big fish... sheesh. Where am I? Who have I become? Am I getting older... finally. Do I want to feel this way? I think I do. Its just easier. Relaxing... comforting even. I put on a coldplay mix that I had made of their two cd's parachutes and a rush of blood to the head. Such a good band. Stavesacre, while obviously harder than coldplay, has also changed over the years. I remember buying their first cd, Friction, when I was in the 8th grade. Their newer cd is much more different. The lyrics are less forced and more simplistic. While the themes have changed also.

I made a promise with myself the other day. I never would have thought I would be where I am today. But I am. The promise, in essence, has to do with simplicity. I am so sick of complication. Everything is complicated. Why should I be? I am tired of lying. I am sick of lyers. When you think someone is two-faced, you're absolutely wrong. They are more likely to have so many different faces and sides and personalities for every kind of situation and for every different person in their life, it would make you weary to think about. And you know what... this is true for most people. Not just people... MTV, MacDonalds, Tommy Hilfiger (I guess that is a person though), and the good ol' USoA. Think about that new policy where the US can pretty much do whatever it wants whenever it wants just because its afraid. Fear. Fear is a huge problem... not just in America either. Think about the Israeli's who have to hope that everytime they leave their house a suicide bomber isn't on his way out either. People are fear crazed. Fearful mostly of what other people will think of them. Thats why Americans spend so much money on cosmetic surgery... isn't it? Thats why high school kids kill themselves and each other. People turn to drugs... to hide. To shut themselves out from their lives, because their lives have become too complicated for them to take part in anymore. I don't want to ramble about this anymore. I believe in honesty, simplicity, and my friends. I'm promising myself not to be concerned with what other people think about me anymore. It's just easier that way. I want to be myself, and not be afraid of that. I want to make simplicitly my new "life philosophy."

Think about it - "simplicity"

Ross from permalink @ 8:16 PM

Today I changed my major. Yeah. I realized a while ago, that I'm not cut out to be a doctor; I'm pretty sure none of you would want to be my patient. Anyways yeah I was a Micro / Molecular Biology major, and as of today I am a Criminal Justice major. Its cool though, because in biology I was way behind, what with that D in all in Chem 1. In criminal justice I am actually ahead. I'm planning on taking the first two core requirements for the degree: Criminal Justice Systems and Crime in America. They both sound fun. My roommate is actually enrolled in both the classes now, and he says they are really easy (if i take it with his teacher). So thats what I'm going to do. Anyways it sounds fun. I'm excited to begin and interested in learning now. I think that may change my whole outlook on school itself. You know something to give me motivation to want to study. That all I really need. Things are looking so up.
I thank God continuously for his blessing. I thank you all for prayers.

Ross from permalink @ 6:55 PM

I changed things up a little more. Hopefully you will all like it.

Ross from permalink @ 12:46 PM

I went surfing yesterday. Yeah... all by my lonesome. It was cool though.... except for the parking ticket. That really kinda sux. I met these two guys over there at Cocoa who were from Texas. They had just graduated High School the year before, and were just cruising around and ended up down here. How cool would that be anyways? Just living. Forget school; I wanna live.
I played in my very first actual baseball game since my sophomore year of high school. And guess what. It was awesome. I almost forgot why I loved baseball when I was watching the playoffs. They are so boring. Anyways I got a nice hit up the third baseline and I guess the guy must have bobbled it cuz the throw was late and it seemed hurried. The first baseman was trying to block the base, but that didn't stop me. I just kinda let him know I was coming; by dipping my shoulder and letting him have a piece. He spun around and hit the ground so hard I almost told him I was sorry, but I was too busy running to second. In the long run, we won the ballgame by one run - 9:8.
I saw training day last night also. Wow what a piece of work.

Ross from permalink @ 11:02 AM

So guess what came in the mail today. Simplicity by Mark Salomon of Stavesacre. I have already read the first three chapters, and I am planning on sitting down with it as soon as I'm done on the computer. Its really good so far. Very neat to see how he and the band have come to where they are and what they believe. It gives you an understanding of the christian music industry, and why they had to get out of it. I remember one time my pastor (Eulie) at Boca Community told me that he had booked MxPx for a show at his old church. He said he was so mad, because he paid them a lot of money to come out and play, and he asked them to deliver a message. Of course, they didn't and it really frustrated him, and ever since them he has had a very negative outlook on so called "christian bands." What I don't think he realized is that they are a band. They are entertainers, not preachers. That is exactly the same reason why Stavesacre won't play at churches anymore. It makes sense too.
Anyways I've really been learning alot, and I plan on writing something about it as soon as I can make up my mind to sit down and do it.

It was Emily's birthday today, so Happy Birthday!
Were gonna go see Red Dragon tonight. Hopefully its good. I'm sure it will be.

Ross from permalink @ 7:54 PM

So I picked up my friend Shawn from the airport today. He flew up to Michigan to hang out with his family over the weekend. He was also fortunate enough to watch UCF take Western Michigan in a game up there.

I went to Tampa over the weekend with some friends. We stayed at Nick's (my ghetto roommate) house. He is really awesome, and I'm glad to have him as a friend and roommate. His mom and dad were really nice. His dad made us some smoothee's and rum runners and daiquiris, and his mom made us breakfast in the morning. We then left for Homosassa Springs, Florida for a pumpkin carving party. It was fun, but I didn't bring a pumpkin and all the stores were closed, so I didn't get to carve one up.

The girl who I went to the beach with on thursday, Emily, went with us. Lets just say that I like her alot. She's so cool. So nice. So sweet. So cute. I was really glad to get to know her better and.... Anyways she seems so right for me right now. I'm not gonna let her slip aways. She's special.

Ohh, also I talked to a girl from Wisconsin that I met down in Fort Myers Beach, Florida over the summer. Her name is Tara and she is also really cute and very nice. I was very happy to be able to catch up with her, and I hope we can continue to talk and be friends.

Did I mention how good I feel lately? It seems like everything has so completely turned around in my life. I feel so much more free and much less overwhelmed. Are things starting to go my way? Thank you father for your sacrafice and your coninuous blessing in my life.

Ross from permalink @ 10:08 PM

I was just browsing around Stavesacre's website and I came across this link to an Article from USA Today. Some of it is a little on the shallow side as far as thought input is concerned, but it displays the ideal of christianity in music. The fact that music is even separated based on religion is beyond me. Its all about the music, not the band. The music industry just for some reason cannot grasp that. Its like, they think the consumers who believe in God are different from the consumers who believe in Ja Rule. Music is music. It reflects the passions and struggles of the performers regardless of their religious intuition. It doesn't matter what type of music you're into, whichever band or artist you listen to is going to throw their values and morals at you, unless you listen to pop where its all just empty rhyming words. That last one goes for most pop, I'm sure there is some meaningful pop out there. Somewhere.
You have to understand that these artists, christian or not, have made a career out of playing and selling their music. Its their job. And when record companies start stereotyping genres of music, it doesn't just hurt one particular band, it hurts the entire business. Look at how many people have never heard of, and probably never will, hear of really good bands, because their music is located in the contemporary christian section of the local record store. Labels like that "contemporary christian" hurt every single band / group / artist under that label. Music is music. If its hardcore death metal, it goes under hardcore death metal; and if its soft and sweet it should go under soft and sweet.
Well thats the way I see it.

Ross from permalink @ 12:51 PM

So I went to the beach today. I surfed hard, long, and good. And I really needed it too. My friend Emily (really cool) and I decided to cut self-defense class and kick back over at cocoa. We listened to Juliana Theory on the way there, and I thought to myself "What a good freaking band." I haven't really listened to their music in a long time, and then about a week ago maybe I saw them at an Unwritten Law concert. Good band.

So I'm still waiting for that book to arrive. I'm really excited to get to read it. I really love stavesacre.

Hmm. I thought about what I wanna do with my life today. I was talking to this pretty cute girl, Temma, and it came up. I think I really do wanna own my own business. Maybe not at first, but eventually. I guess I need to build some connections first. Anyways, I've been thinking about wanting to get involved in the music business maybe. Like, seriously, my whole life revolves around music, and basically self-expression. I love it. I'm thinking, how cool would it be to own a production company or record label, and get new local bands on their feet, you know really help them out instead of just screw them around. I wanna see a change in the music industry. I want the big companies to fall. I want them to fall so hard. I want MTV to be so ridiculously screwed, that anyone who ever even flipped by it would be embarrassed. I thought about that last sentence, and I think I'm gonna do something I haven't done in a while. I'll write you guys an essay. Not now, but soon.
Oh yeah, I think it would be the coolest thing to open a ski / snowboard shop up in the mountains, like out in the Coloradian boonies or something. Something local; something trusted. I wanna open a Sports bar and Grill. A good one. I wanna open a night club / concert club, and have all my favorite bands play there. I wanna own a small fleet of charter and commercial fishing boats. I wanna own a pizza kitchen. I think thats about it for right now. I'm sure i'm forgetting about ten.

Anyways... other than that I've had a lot to think about. Thank you God for giving me such a beautiful perfect peaceful relaxing day. I needed it so much. Love.

Ross from permalink @ 7:36 PM

The last two days have been pretty ridiculous. I have been studying so much and eating so little that I almost passed out today. I had my second calculus test yesterday. I know I did pretty bad, but to be honest, I really did give it my best shot. In the end I think I am going to have to cut my losses, along with some money, and withdraw from the course. The deadline is friday so I got a day to think it through. Maybe God will give me a shove in the right direction. I also had two tests today that I was pretty ill-prepared for. Whatever, I just hope to make it through. Its been getting rough. I thank God everyday for my friends. My friends are carrying me through.
I'm sure it will get better from here on out.
Football practice tomorrow; game on Friday. Halloween pumpkin carving party at Julie's on Saturday. Baseball practice on Sunday; game on Tuesday.
Did I mention that I would give anything for my refrigerator to have food in it? Cuz I really think I would.
I seriously urge anyone out there that is reading this to buy the new Stavesacre cd. I am inspired everytime I put it on. They have such a full and developed to sound. The vocals are amazing.
I'm sorry I really have nothing good (deep) to write about. I've just had a lot to think about in the last week. I'm burned out on thinking. Enough.
Let me leave you with a quote.
"i found an island in a sea of failing coals
a fire that never dies before it’s grown
and i’m just another soul that’s come in from the cold
seeking shelter from the coming storms"
-Stavesacre - Island

Ross from permalink @ 8:15 PM

So its Monday... already huh. I got the new Stavesacre cd. Yeah. Let me tell you, the best cd I own. The music is indescribable... and the lyrics go beyond the words. I can't stop listening to it. I play it when I fall asleep, when I study, it plays when I'm out at a class. I can't get enough. Its playing right now. They are playing three shows in Florida in mid November... including one in Orlando at the Social. So if any of you are interested and wanna go email me or something cuz I'm definitely going. The Orlando show is on November 18th.
"I couldn't tell you why good people suffer. I couldn't tell you why the bad ones run free. God showers blessings on the righteous and the wicked. I only know that that covers me."
-Stavesacre - "Why good people suffer"

Right... well also I bought a copy of Mark Salomon's book called Simplicity. Mark is the lead singer of Stavesacre. The book is basically about Mark's outlook on the Underground music scene and his view of life.

Ross from permalink @ 12:38 PM

So I guess it's early huh? Yeah it is. I'm sitting here in a room, half drunk, well a little more than half. Shawna is my princess. We used to date, and then we had a big disagreement and hated each other about a lot of stuff, but we're both mature college students (funny huh) and we are great friends and I love her to death. That may have been a run-on. But I don't care. So I have this other roommate from New York, the ghetto to be exact. He's cool though. He listens to all this music I have never heard, talks all funny, and is just the best thing thats ever happened to me. The coolest, funniest, and down to earth guy. He's wrapped up in is own super-ego though, but its okay. I think I saw him on cops once. He was shot eight times in the head and still managed to get away. Right, so then there is Shawn. Without Shawn I would not have made it through Biology my freshman year. I got an A. Shawn is awesome, however he always overestimates the amount of beer he's had that night. Its funny, but he's still cool. He's my tailgate buddy, and the guy I can most depend on. So what if he's from Michigan, they don't drive that bad. Did I mention that Shawna is my princess, Yeah I totally love her. And Julie.... Yeah I really like Julie. The nicest, coolest girl in the world. We have everything in common and nothing against each other. She's competitive, she's a total punk, and she's trying to learn guitar. How freaking awesome is that? Right, so I think I came in stating that I was half (or more) drunk. Yeah well so what. I have the best friends in the world... and what do you have? And Matt, I love you like a brother. You are capable of so much. You are going to make a huge change someday, and I can't wait to see it happen. You are a friend beyond which words can describe and I thank you over and over. And Scott, if you even read this stupid journal, I have never forgotten you. You always help me out when I need you. You hook me up, even when I don't need it. You are an influence and a guide. You have shown me an unconditional love, which I will try my best to reflect and magnify to all that I meet. And so I leave you in thanks, in complements, and in love.
~Ross Ethan Evans

Ross from permalink @ 2:06 AM

I think I'm going to change things up even more. I'm gonna ditch my website which is temporarily located here, and make this weblog my actual home page. Anyways none of you that actually read this probably care whatever I do. I keep reading that last sentence and it doesn't make sense. Oh well.

Ross from permalink @ 11:11 AM

Stavesacre's fourth cd was released today. Funny, I can't seem to find it anywhere. I had a guy order it for me today though. We'll see if he actually does it.
Visit Nitro Records to download Stavesacre's new mp3's and see a live performance video of the band. I guess you could also order their new cd there also.
Right, well I mentioned this girl Julie in the last post. Yeah, what an awesome, truly nice girl. I asked her out last night, and I was totally shot down. It's okay though, I understand. These things happen. Its cool though, at least she knows now for sure that I like her.
School is school. Which kinda sucks doesn't it. But its not that bad. I should be studying calculus right now... but that wouldn't be any fun.
I bought the new Good Charlotte CD today. Its good, if you like Good Charlotte.

I forgot to mention, my webpage was recently booted off Anglefire. Yeah it sux. I figured it was either for the music that I made available to download, or for an html tag that I was using to block the Angelfire ad insertion scripts. So for now my webpage is being hosted complements of UCF.

Ross from permalink @ 2:28 PM