Indiana Weekend (finally!)

Ah, now to settle down and write a good report of the weekend in Indiana. I’m trying to take more time to write these reports, to increase the quality of the writing and interest of the content. We’ll see how it goes :-)

Indiana is closer to our house than Akron, but further from work, since Nova is an hour west of West Mifflin and Indiana is east. So, it was a long drive out. And in classic PA style, when you look at a map there is NO clear way to get from Monaca to Indiana, even though it’s a straight shot east. I ended up following Ben, the safety intern at Nova, who was going back to IUP for the weekend. He knew the region well, and I trailed him through a bewildering string of podunky towns and stretching semi-rural countryside. We left at 3:45pm, and I got to the Altrogge’s house at about 6. It was dark, I was tired from a long day of work and a long complicated drive, and as I pulled up to the house I frowned at the dark interior and nearly empty driveway. Sure enough, only four-legged residents greeted my knocks and bell-rings at the door. I waved to Bella and Joanna as they wagged their tails and barked, called all Altrogge cell numbers I had, kicked around outside, and finally tried the door. It was providentially unlocked, and I greeted the excited dogs, who thankfully remembered me.

So, I started off the weekend by wandering around the Altrogge’s house for awhile! :-) I finally dug into a drawer, found a church directory, and called the Kims. As I was on the phone with Phil a car pulled into the driveway and David came running frantically to the door. I welcomed him and Johnny to the house, and the weekend began!

I met David 3 or 4 years ago at Youth Camp. We talked for a bit in the line for lunch, and on the last day he invited me over for a visit anytime. For some odd reason I, a lifelong home-centered homeschooler, took him up on his offer and traveled to a strange family’s house for a weekend with my relatively new driver’s license. I still don’t really know why, but David and I connected at a deep level, and I had an awesome weekend, unlike any before, with him and his graceful and welcoming family. I have visited periodically since then, talking with David, hanging out with peers from the Indiana church, recording in Mr. Altrogge’s sweet semi-pro basement studio, and having all kinds of crazy, highly un-Pittsburghian experiences.

We hit the weekend running, even though it had been between one and two years since I had been up for a visit. The parents were out for an overnight, so David, Johnny, Beth and I hit Subs ‘n’ Suds for sweet free pizzas. While waiting for the back-ordered pizzas we took a random stroll around the residential streets of the area. In a classic Indiana moment a member of our party needed a pit stop, so we walked up a few more blocks and popped in to the McKelvey’s house (A family from Lord of Life Church). Said hi to the mildly surprised family members, talked for a bit, and went on our way. :-)

After dinner David and I went down to the studio and I played some of the songs I’ve written. We didn’t have the recording bug, though, so instead we went upstairs and played music for eachother for about 2 hours. David had his Dad’s laptop, I had my iPod, and we swapped the 1/8^th inch jack leading to the sweet JVC stereo. I’m gonna buy The Blue Album by Weezer, and check out Sufjan Stevens. The Penguin Café Orchestra was pretty cool, too. It was great to share some of my favorite songs with someone who listened and cared, and to hear new and different music from an eclectic and discerning source.

Finally we finished the music and took a long walk around the neighborhood. It was one of those freaky days this winter when it’s 50 degrees and feels like Florida. So we strolled around in the almost-balmy-feeling night air, under the bright non-city stars, and caught up on nearly two years of thinking, writing, school, and God’s work in our lives. It was probably the highlight of the weekend. We both came away encouraged in God, more clear on our current situation, and equipped to pray for eachother and see how we’re doing. David is definitely on the short short list of people who talk back at an equal level and volume with me. It was a joy to walk and talk without time being a consideration, and to share and be shared with with depth and honesty.

The rest of the night we spent going to the Kearneys to deliver some stuff for Beth, who was staying the night there. We hung around and watched the deplorable end of “Red Eye,” and Sarah’s brothers’ snowboarding DVD’s. Pretty silly movie, and pretty funny little snowboarders :-P The sack was hit at about 1:30am, and wasn’t risen from until 11am. Three cheers for sleep!

Saturday was recording day. I arose wonderfully rested, showered, and then David, Johnny and I drove to The Coney, a restaurant in downtown Indiana (aka Philly Street) with legendary wings. They indeed lived up to their status, and beyond that it was great to hang out with Josh, Ben and Jim, getting to know them better. After lunch David and I went downstairs and started recording. We settled on my song “Day After Day,” which David liked a lot. I like it a lot too, and was excited to have a much-higher-quality studio to do it justice. Our only real breaks from recording were picking Beth up from the Kearneys, welcoming Mark and Kristi home, and eating some dinner.

*squints eyes in thought*. I am no longer blindly worshipping Mr. Altrogge’s studio as I have on past visits. Neither am I blindly using it and liking how it sounds. I can see and deeply appreciate the many nice things about at, and I can also hear and feel the limitations of it compared to a professional studio. Mostly, I came away realizing that a high-quality, clean input chain lets you pump the gain and compress it down without getting a bunch of hiss and weird artifacts. This means that whether you’re recording guitar or vocals, and whether you’re 1 inch or 20 inches from the mic, it sounds full and well-balanced. I bleed and fret and suffer and strain to get sounds that we got by just jacking the mic up and singing! It was wonderfully convenient, quick, and qualitious (word??). Joy. And much less envy and discontent than past visits. I do hurt for a good reverb, though :-(

Finally David started fading, so we closed down the mixing and mastering and went to bed. I feel almost like there was no Saturday this weekend, ‘cause I slept through half of it, and the recording time slipped away uncannily fast. 5 hours pass like 30 minutes down there. ‘Twas a great day though, and the ease and beauty of the recording challenges the previous night’s walk ‘n’ talk as the highlight of the weekend.

Sunday: sleep, church, Pizza Hut, mastering, Steelers Game, and lazing about. Mr. Altrogge’s message was excellent, as always, and really encourage me to pray with fervor and faith, in accord with my convictions of late. After church David, Josh, Jon, Bethany, Ruthie, Sarah and I hit Pizza Hut, splitting a Bigfoot pizza for a surprisingly cheap lunch. That was a fun time because there was mostly real conversation going on, and I got to catch up with peoples’ semesters and lives.

I found my way home solo since Dave was dropping off a couple people. I am finally getting a picture of Indiana geography, mostly because of the maps I looked at on yahoo.com, so I was able to get home fine, and even pop over to Sheetz to fill up my tank. In the hours between lunch and the Steelers game David and I mastered the song down in the studio. Mastering basically fills out a recording, and it made a BIG difference. Makes me realize what I’m missing in my recordings.

A little after 3 David drove me out to the Snyders’ house where folks were congregate for game-watching and food-snacking and out-hanging. I participated in all three, and it was a sweet time. The Steelers won soundly, and the snacks were of the finest quality and selection. Ian and his gf gave me a ride home through the early dark of the winter night, rolling up and down the Indiana hills and laughing at the lack of power of his trusty ol’ beater :-)

I sorta had dinner at the Snyders, so after David ate we both headed to “The Common Place,” a totally sweet little coffeehouse on the IUP campus. It’s….everything a coffeehouse is. Student paintings on the wall, a roaster set up in one corner, eclectic music playing quietly, a hand-written menu overflowing with specialty coffee concoctions, and walking, talking, coffee-quaffing college student stereotypes. David and I lolled on the couches, discoursed more about music and art, and talked on-and-off with Patrick, an interesting guy David knew, who was reading at a nearby table. It’s such a friendly, personalizing experience to walk into a place like that and see people you know. Makes me realize how big Pittsburgh is, and how disconnected I am from almost every normal social sphere. [Disconnected knowingly and by choice. Not complaining, just contemplating.]

They roast their own coffee at the Common Place, and I tell ya, it puts Starbucks to shame. I asked what was unique, and guided by the answer I took a bold step and ordered a “Trainwreck.” Three shots of espresso. Three pumps of vanilla syrup. Over ice. Don’t worry, I got decaf :-) It was powerful, as expected, and slightly different tasting. Without the cream to mitigate it, the natural sourness of the coffee came through in a strangely fruity character. Overall enjoyable, though. Different, and I would get it again, this time with non-decaf and a pump of a different flavor syrup. David also got me seconds—this time a normal decaf coffee. Delicious and delightful to sip and stare at as we talked on in the room full of quiet conversations and smooth jazz. Finally we heaved ourselves out of the couches cushions and drove home. I wish I knew a place like that in Pittsburgh that was close enough to chill at!

Nothing else much happened that evening, other than making a run for road snacks and a sugar-free Jones for Beth. I just didn’t feel like leaving for some reason, so I lolled around, played guitar, talked with David and Mr. Altrogge, and wished I didn’t have to work the next day. Finally I sighed, got up, and commenced the departure procedure. It had been a quick weekend, but all my goals had been accomplished: Catch up with David, record a song, hang out with Indiana peeps, and watch the Steelers game. The only thing we didn’t get done was watching “Stop Making Sense” by Talking Heads. Just another reason to come back, though :-)

The drive home was pretty neutral. I don’t remember if I listened to music, but I know I prayed on and off, recounting the things I’d said to and heard from David. I was not sad as I drove home, and I considered why. I’m certainly much more accustomed to fun weekend trips than the last time I went to Indiana, and this trip had the feeling of another one to come not too far in the future. Fundamentally, though, I think I really am sinking my roots into Jesus a bit. I’m just not “leaving it all behind” when I drive away from Akron or Indiana anymore. And especially with this weekend, the fun and joyful afterglow centered almost exclusively on God and the enjoyment of His gifts with his people. I left lifted up to God in joy, not crashing back down to normal life. David, you rock!

And I actually genuinely feel like saying this: Jesus You are so beyond rocking.

It’s just amazing the faith and guts He had to say what He said to the Pharisees and the people. The gospel of John has been amazing me this week as the weight of the lunacy of Christ’s claims becomes more apparent. Lunacy, that is, to anyone whose heart wasn’t being opened by the Father. And He didn’t spazz out about making everybody understand what He was saying, He just said what the Father told Him to, when He told Him to. Amazing. Marquis Laughlin, you too rock. You have brought the gospels to life for me, and for that I am, truly, forever grateful.

So. Wonderful weekend. As I think back on it, the “feel” of the weekend consists mostly of the richness of conversations. The recording is there, the Steelers game, the sweet foods, and the sweet sleeping in, but mostly I enjoyed sharing my life’s happenings and enjoyments with someone who listened, enjoyed, and shared back. Good times under a good God!

--Clear Ambassador