Displace Me 2007

Exhausted, burnt, and more sleep deprived in the last 72 hours than I've ever been in my life.

But I have fought the fight.


More to come...

Displace Me Promotion at Belmont

T-Shirt Design:





Cardboard Hut in the Quad:



Carboard Hut After Belmont Lawn Patrol:

Posters and Flags Around Campus:

Why You Should Be DISPLACED

1) Above all else, click here and check out the newest media on the front page. The video is shocking and heartbreaking.

"If the U.S. Government desires that this conflict is ended and they desire it at breakfast, by dinner time it wouldn't be there."

2) The solution to the conflict is a REALITY! The ceasefire with the LRA was just reinstated less than two weeks ago. Peace talks began this Wednesday, April 25th. How powerful of a message would it be for the people making decisions in Uganda to wake up on the 29th and read in their newspapers that 100,000 Americans rallied all for the cause of peace in Uganda?

3) A year ago, I witnessed the power of our generation for the first time. People were moved to action upon seeing this video. I saw so many people I never would have thought get so passionate about this movement nearly explode with excitement and energy. I saw the look in people's eyes as they prepared for the Global Night Commute. I stood among the 3,000 in Franklin who marched for 3 miles as one, a single unit in solidarity to bring awareness and peace to this atrocity. I ask you to experience this for yourself. I dare you. It will be life changing. It will give you hope for the future of our world.

4) Because it will be fun. Africa doesn't have to be about triggering emotional responses by showing manipulative pictures and putting somber music behind it. There is an adventure to it.

5) Pete Wence tells you that you should...



6) We need to be reminded that America is not the standard. Not by a long shot. God is with the poor. He hears their cries. Maybe it's time we start as well.

LEAVE YOUR HOME TO BRING THEM HOME
www.invisiblechildren.com/displaceme

Going To A Town

I recently had an opportunity to listen to the soon-to-be new Rufus Wainwright album, Release the Stars, and I was immediately captivated, captured, and terrorized by the second track.

Going To A Town

I’m going to a town that has already been burnt down,
I’m going to a place that has already been disgraced,
I’m gonna see some folks who have already been let down,
I’m so tired of America

I’m gonna make it up for all of the Sunday times,
I’m gonna make it up for all of the nursery rhymes,
They never really seem to want to tell the truth,
I’m so tired of you, America

Making my own way home, ain’t gonna be alone,
I’ve got a life to lead, America
I’ve got a life to lead

Tell me, do you really think you go to hell for having love,
Tell me, enough of thinking everything that you’ve done is good,
I really need to know, after soaking the body of Jesus Christ in blood,
I’m so tired of America

I really need to know,
I may just never see you again, or might as well,
You took advantage of a world that loved you well,
I’m going to a town that has already been burnt down,
I’m so tired of you, America

Making my own way home, ain’t gonna be alone,
I’ve got a life to lead, America
I’ve got a life to lead,
I got a soul to feed,
I got a dream to heed,

And that’s all I need,
Making my own way home, ain’t gonna be alone,
I’m going to a town,
That has already been burnt down

I'm not saying I agree with all of this, but it just moved me. It was very real and very compelling. It drew me in and shocked me all at once. It addressed my passions, my questions, and my frustrations. And thus has stimulated a conversation in my head that has since been conveyed to God on numerous times in the last few days. Though I try not to let this attitude dominate my life, I would be lying if the thoughts never entered my mind. Sometimes it feels really good to have somebody say something that resonates with a part of you in the rawest form. No masks, no walls, no shame. So here's to you, Rufus.

What do you think?

GREETINGS OFFICIAL WAR STOPPERS

First of all, if you have not yet done so yet, sign up for DISPLACE ME at www.invisiblechildren.com/displaceme. Invite your mom. Invite your dog. This event will change your life.

Second, it is up to us to PROMOTE (the mom and dog part):

At Belmont, we are all teaming together to wear our WHITE SHIRTS WITH RED X'S on campus WEDNESDAY. Basically, the entire campus should be blanketed with these shirts, and anyone not wearing them will be too overwhelmed that they will have to ask. And then they will come. You need to make the shirt anyway to take a picture with you wearing it for the event, so why not use it as a sign of solidarity on campus?

Also, you might have noticed a nice new decoration on the quad. As long as weather and BePo permits, a cardboard tent will be present as a constant advertisement for DISPLACE ME. It was constructed earlier tonight, and it has already received a lot of attention and caused a lot of attention. Make sure to stop by it and hang out at it when you can this week. We will be there with flyers. Anything we can do to create an enormous buzz is very beneficial.

Get excited, and get involved! The numbers for Nashville have gone up 1,000 in under a week! Let's add another 1,000 by Saturday!!!!

Check out www.invisiblechildren.com/displaceme for all the updated information on the Nashville location.

Remember, no one else is doing anything at all like this to raise attention to the situation in Uganda. NO ONE ELSE IS RALLYING TO END THIS WAR. IF WE DON'T DO IT, NO ONE ELSE WILL!

Thanks

This is Why I'm Hot -- MUST READ!

Basically, you should read this. That is all.

ELP

Tis a tid bit late, though apropos in my highly trained professional opinion. And if you don't like it, well...it's my blog and I can do what I want :o). So at Belmont I'm a part of a group called ELP, Executive Leadership Council. We just finished our last event, a campus-wide event we put on ourselves. It was a giant easter egg hunt on the quad along with a wonderful concert by Mark Trussell, Josh Johnson, and the great Andy Davis.


Fun, fun! I just wish I had a picture of Ryan in the bunny costume... And for the sake of nostalgia, here's our first group photo:


Definately a fun first year experience. Glad to have done it. Peace. And Love.

CMT's at Belmont

The CMT Music Awards were hosted for the second straight year at Belmont. Despite the ridiculous frustrations of having the media/set-up crews taking over our campus, it was quite fun to be able to be on the floor for the screening of the show. I'm not a big country fan, but seeing such artists as Carrie Underwood, Bon Jovi, Hank Williams Jr., Chris Kristopherson, and yes, even the freakin' STANLEY CUP was pretty exciting.

The Red Carpet
Bon Jovi
Rascal FlattsCarrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood -- Video of the Year
Kenney Chesney
An Excited Tim

DISPLACE ME

You may have heard about Invisible Children and Displace Me, but please don't do yourselvs the disservice of not really considering what it means. Last year, a group of my friends and I helped to organize a rally for Invisible Children in Franklin called the Global Night Commute. Of the 130 cities across the world participating, Franklin was the third largest location by the number of people who participated. It was incredible. And as incredible as that was, Displace Me (April 28-29) is going to be even better. It will allow the participants to put themselves in the shoes of the people in Uganda that have been living in the terrible conditions of the displacement camps for the last ten years. Everything will be experiential. If you thought the GNC was good, wait till you get to Displace Me. In Nashville alone, we are expecting over 10,000 to gather together to support this cause. It will be absolutely unreal. I promise you, you will not regret participating in this event.

The reality is, no one else in the world is lobbying for the people of Northern Uganda like Invisible Children is. No one else is organizing rallies of over 80,000 people in cities across the globe. No one else is lifting up the voices of the oppressed in this country in Africa. WE ARE UGANDA'S ONLY SHOT AT JUSTICE. WE ARE UGANDA'S ONLY SHOT AT FREEDOM. If we don't stand up and bring awareness to this issue, NO ONE ELSE WILL. Please stand with me. Join me in Nashville (or in any other city) and let your voice be heard for the Invisible Children.

Please go to www.invisiblechildren.com/displaceme to SIGN UP and to receive more information!

I'm helping coordinate Belmont's efforts for Invisible Children, so if you have any questions, please let me know. This blog will probably be IC heavy for the next couple of weeks, but it'll definately be worth it!

Me in Belmont's Greek Sing

This is me in our campus' greek sing this year. Yes, I am in a fraternity. Don't think any differently about me :o) ...ask me about it sometime and I'll tell you why I love it. This performance took home the gold for the event, so I hope you enjoy! Go Phi Tau!!

Because I Have the Coolest Nephew...

Blake's First Month Birthday
Grandparent Lovin'
Thug Life
Shake what yo mama gave ya!

Mandy and Aaron, Sittin' in a Tree...

Congrats Guys!!! That's right, these two lovebirds are engaged. Frye, I never thought the day would come. What a difference a year makes, huh? I'm so happy for you two!!! Can't wait for the big day :o). I'm incredibly excited and honored to be able to be a part of it!!