Saturday, December 1, 2007

The Browns, Giving Thanks, The Sounds, & Funny Pranks

The reason for the drought is pretty simple.

I didn't really blog.

The Browns [Part I]
Some friends, April and Kelly, bought me a Browns jersey. They gave it to me a while back, and I've been wearing it every Sunday afternoon since. They put Clay Matthews' retired number 57 on it. They weren't aware of the legendary linebacker's accolades as a part of the Cleveland Browns franchise. They were just making a Five Sore... reference. They also put my last name on the back. Clay Matthews Thiessen. Very close. If I had a clone or a brother named Matthew, it'd be perfect. Love it. Thanks ladies.


The Browns played the at the Baltimore Ravens on November 18th. The Bands played at the Baltimore City on November 18th. For a while I had known I was going to be spending this brisk November Sunday merely blocks down the street from where Derek, Braylon, The Amazing Joe Thomas, Jamal, Mr. Jurevicius, and K. Winslow were clocking in. I had planned on watching them work in person, but I had fallen ill about five days prior. I wasn't quite up to sitting in cold weather and wearing some fan's spilled Bud Light. If you follow the NFL, you may remember that the Browns won the game with a crazy, last-second, tying field goal in regulation, and a victorious three point boot in overtime. Despite being on sleepytime meds and my 23rd cup of tea, there was much "jouissance" in reaction to this freakish act of ricochet.
I felt better.

I felt like I had enough voice to have a good show.

The Browns cured me. Football is awesome.

With this new found exuberance for life, I thought it fitting that I'd celebrate. I'll admit that I was a bit nervous waiting to walk up the steps to the stage where I would play my final song of the night, cloaked in my new Browns jersey. I boarded and struck my pre-meditated Heisman pose. The boos rained down like a bittersweet symphony. I walked to the microphone, confessed that I was celebrating a victory that was really big for the Browns, and then removed my jersey (under which I was wearing the traditional snap down collared shirt). While I did this, I said something to the extent of how I had had my fun, and I wasn't going to distract from the music with football tomfoolery any more. Then I spotted someone in the front row with a Todd Heap Raven's jersey. It appeared that as an act of good nature, I should wear the Raven's jersey while I sing the song. The thought was something shy of blasphemy. I kind of regret going through with the idea, but I did have thousands of people looking at me with laser eyes. I got chicken.

The next day began my Thanksgiving Week.

Giving Thanks
I was thankful to be off the road for a few days. I love touring (this tour especially), but its always nice to not live in close quarters with eleven other dudes for a few days.

The first thing on the menu was a little trim. I walked in the door, looked in the mirror, walked upstairs, and shaved my lip.

I got to say the prayer before we ate on Thanksgiving. I've never done that before. It made me smile... and kinda nervous.

I had a really busy time around the holiday. I spent most of it with my girlfriend, Shannon, and we visited three towns (full of friends and family) in three days. We spent more hours awake then we wanted to, and we did a fair bit of driving. It was all worth it, however, cause we got to see some wonderful people and have a blast hanging out with each other.

The Browns [Part II]
I came home to Ohio, and within two and a half hours there was a knock on my door. My buddy Joe was the first of some friends to arrive. We picked up some Crossroads Pizza (by far the most amazing thing to come out of Bolivar, OH), and he casually asked me if I'd like to go to the Browns game on Sunday. Thoughts of sitting in cold weather wearing some fan's spilled Bud Light were followed by an enthusiastic "yes". We made plans to head up to Cleveland Sunday morning. I was elated because I had not yet seen the Browns play (cause I missed out the week before), and I had never been to the Brown's stadium. All of this was unbeknownst to Joe, but I'm glad he asked me to go.

On Sunday morning I threw on six or seven layers of clothing (the topmost layer was browns and orange). Despite some congestion at the gate and a decent line for the bratwursts, we got to our seats with about eight minutes left in the first quarter. The game was awesome. The Brownies won, and I got to chat with the guy next to me about the offensive coordinator. I'm a nerd.

Casey
The worst part of the week was definitely finding out about Casey Calvert's passing. Casey was the guitarist for Hawthorne Heights, and we shared a ton of great times together on the Nintendo Fusion Tour. He was a great guy and a great hang. He was always laughing and making me feel good about myself. My condolences to his friends, family, band. I assume that losing a band mate is something akin to losing a brother. I can't imagine how torn up they have to be.

The Sounds
We had some really fun shows in IL, OH, PA, and NY, but because of my cough, they weren't quite what they could've been. I worked hard at recuperating. Lots of sleep, meds, and tea.

Because I hadn't played a show healthy in a while, I was really excited to fly out to the west coast to start this last week of tour.
The shows have been some of the best of the tour, and we're all having a really great time spending these last few days together. Dave is only going to be playing with us for a couple more shows, so its great that we're loving every minute of them.

A big thank you goes out to all the friends that have come out to these shows and showered Dave and the band with support. We got a rad scrap book and a cool youtube video from some fans. We looked at both things together as a band, and we had some good times reminiscing about some golden olden days.

We're going to try work some tour olympics into these last few dates. Events may consist of Bocce Ball, Darts, Sharp Shooting, Scrabble, karaoke, etc.

Funny Pranks
Its getting to the part of a tour where bands and crew traditionally start pranking each other. We've pranked some people quite nicely in the past, but Relient K policy has morphed into opting for the treat rather than the trick. I'd rather do something funny to a band than something malicious.
I suppose karma was paying us back last night, when Switchfoot's lighting engineer, Taylor, decided to "prank" us. During our rendition of Sleigh Ride, Taylor repelled from the 40ft tall catwalk to the stage while dressed in the customary Santa Claus outfit. He threw out candy canes (you can see em in the photo) as he descended, and he brought joy to the faces of the children. It was honestly the coolest thing that's ever happened to us on stage.


Till next time.
Matty

45 comments:

Ann said...

That Santa definitely made me laugh (as did that crazy kid during Sadie Hawkin's dance...) but I have videos of both, so I can enjoy it over and over again. Thank you for everything this week!

Brittany said...
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Brittany said...

ahahahhahahahha

I love the end, with the santa clause, that's amazing. hahaha.

Again, I'm really sorry about Casey, he seemed like a really awesome guy.. :/

I hope to see you in two days, if I make it.

Nina said...

That last part Must have been amazing, lol, I wish I could have seen that :]

I'm really upset to hear about Casey... I went to the Nintendo Fusion Tour and saw them play, it was the only time I saw them, but I remember seeing him on stage... it's sad how early in life he left all of us.. :/

That's extremely amazing about going to a Brown's game, I went to one last year around this time, unfortunately, they lost the one I went to, but it was a lot of fun :] I wish I could talk to you about the offensive coordinator... :D

That video cracked me up... and completely made my night, I love it... :D

That's so awesome that you got to spend time with Shannon and see a bunch of family and friends :D That makes me happy

You're amazing Matty, I hope you know that...

You guys have to come back to Ohio for one of Dave's last shows... You HAVE to, cause I need to go and give you guys the gift I couldn't finish making from oct. 17... :D

Sorry that was all out of order, lol

Raven said...

mr.thiessen,
this is QUITE POSSIBLY
the BEST/LONGEST blog known to man :)

haha deffinitly enjoyable

<3raven

Jenna Lea said...

That was one of the most amazing posts i've ever read.
so amazing all i can remember is santa, srapbook, pizza, Casey, and the Browns. i think that pretty much covers it, wait... thanksging fun. I was in the scrapbook from Melanie! :D whoo!
and pizza... when i go to Ohio we always get pizza brothers in Norwalk. The foldover kind. yummy :D
i'll be praying for casey and his family. that would be so sadly horrible to try to think of something you're thankful for whenever a friend just passed away.
ahh and the browns. My dad's from ohio so he's pretty excited about it too.
also have to add i liked the trim video.
that was really random and jumpy. The end :)

Mary Monstrosity said...

I have to make this a short comment. I have to go unpack.

I'm happy you had a good time. I'm sorry about the guitarist. Your Thanksgiving sounds more fun that mine. I can't believe you shaved so soon. YAY! FOOTBALL! Yes football=awesome. That santa thing is hilarious. I wish i could see your shows. (and a tad bit of boasting) I went to disney world!

I think that sums it up.

~ Lizzy borden :)

diannanicole said...

you. are. amazing.
no other words describe.
glad you shaved :)

jookie said...
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Christi said...

Whoa. A super long blog! That's awesome! Because it's a super long blog...I have a feeling this is going to be a super long comment :)

I think that all of us secretly (or maybe not even secretly) wish that we were either April K or Kelly. Haha. Honestly, that jersey is amazing. I'm sorry that you were sick :( but I agree, football is very awesome.

Bittersweet Symphony! I love that song! Haha I would have loved to see you up on stage wearing the Browns jersey.

That video was the coolest 12 seconds I have ever watched. Haha you're awesome. I'm glad you had a good Thanksgiving. You and Shannon are definately the cutest couple ever.

HOORAY for the Browns winning and for you being there!!

I was really shocked when I heard about Casey as I'm sure everyone else was too. I'm glad I'm not a big Hawthorne Heights fan and that I've never seen them live because I don't know how I'd be able to deal with such a horrible thing like that happening. That was definately the worst part of my week too.

Aw I'm really going to miss Dave. He's such a crazy rad dude. SCRAPBOOK! I made a page in that :) I also made a (really lame) sorta-scrapbook for you guys and (another really lame) one for Dave! :) It would have been cool to give it to you guys myself but we had to leave a little after 11 and someone said you guys probably weren't coming out. Oh well. Whoa, I can't believe that was almost a month ago!

hahaha...Tyler dressed as santa throwing candy canes...HILARIOUS!

Matt, your blogs always make me smile. And it was especialy awesome that this one was pretty lengthly. Sorry this was such a long comment...but I had alot to say :)

Till next time.
Christi

Jenna Lea said...

scratch that.. pizza brothers is in Sandusky. Norwalk, Sandsky... same thing. haha. :D

lexidoodleellis said...

oh my goodness!

that is so awesome about the repelling!

i wish i could have been there!


im glad to get filled in, since its been a while since last bloggity blogg bloggg

and i must say i also went to a NFL game that day...

but i went to a jaguar game.

surprisingly we won.

which never happens.

and i made kickoff

which never happens..

did i mention i went to a pro game?

that never happens

good to hear from you matt.

alexis

aww im gonna miss dave :[

Nina said...

i forgot...
bittersweet symphony = a great song :D

Brittany said...
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Elizabeth said...

Yeah that video was so nice.

POOF!

Victoria said...

holy goodness! i was in both the video AND the scrapbook! haaha. although, i looked so stupid in the video with all my relient k merchandise posted all over me.

i'm glad you had a great thanksgiving weekend. :)
mine was decent.

you're lucky you're not in illinois right NOW, because i'm sure there'd be something in the news about how the tour bus flipped over in the ice or something...ickyy.

have a great day, mr t-sun. :D

Victoria

Anonymous said...

you're welcome matt

--that was probably one of our best ideas ever

Hannah said...

Mr. Thiessen.
This was an amazing blog.
AND
I was at your show tonight
Which was also amazing
You're just an all-around amazing kinda guy.
:D

Melanie said...

I was totally taken off guard by Santa and was laughing so hard. I didn't have time to change camera settings, so unfortunately my pics were very overexposed and pretty much useless. So glad someone caught it on film!

I was really very sorry to hear about Casey. I cried when I read it. I saw them in Vegas with you guys and at Warped Tour. I even had a few pics.

Bocce Ball is fun even if I pretty much stink at it. LOL I'm thinking of getting a game and practicing, though.

I'm so glad you finally got to see the scrapbook. Thanks for everything.

Melanie said...

Oh, forgot to add... someday I'd love to play scrabble with you. Maybe an online version. LOL

Anonymous said...

Football Is Awesome.

And you spelled Karaoke wrong.




See ya!

Et tu, tutu? said...

Last week of tour.

-sniff-

Tomorrow you will be in Everett Washington.

Tomorrow I will not be in Everett Washington.

:(

You're blogeroonie post cheered me up though. Yepperdoodles.

You're great Matt. :)

Et tu, tutu? said...

Mel, Facebook has a great Scrabble game.

-nerdnerdnerd-

Michelle said...

i am very glad you had a good thanksgiving!!
love that video of you shaving your moustache ha

glad your concerts have been fun =]
i was pretty pupmed that you had a long blog yayness=]
i am listening to your Christmas CD as we speak cause we are putting up our christmas tree

i think you guys should have a meet and greet thing one time geesh that would be amazing
alrighty well i hope you have a wonderful day!

canadohioan - ha i dont how to mix those-

michelle

Tamara said...

I love the Santa thing! That is absolutely amazing!
And your video of the trimming of your stash was so incredibly hilarious! You just made me very happy! haha
You know what makes me more happy?
I'm seeing you tomorrow night in Everett!!!!
EEEEEEEEE! I'm super excited!

Mary Monstrosity said...

I just found out that Ohio state is number one in the rankings. I'm happy about that. Going against LSU... I'm guessing that's good. I like football a lot, but I'm a girl so I don't know much about it. hah

Unknown said...

wow, you just wated 12 seconds of my life with that video, though the first 5 seconds were funny :)

ahh, yes. the farewell video :) ya, i was in that, i think i might have something in the scrapbook too, i don't really know...

and yes, you are a nerd :)

Amanda said...

Haha you really wrote alot! I am glad I enjoyed reading ever bit of it! I am glad you had a great time! sorry about Casey, I know how it is losing a friend, or even just someone you know, but you never see them! it's really hard! But I am glad you are better now! And you guys rocked at the UCI Brens event center in Irvine! I was soo happy to see you guys for the 2nd time! Hopefully I will get to see you guys many more times! I am glad you are enjoying your tour! because I know all your fans enjoy them as well! Oh... so you saw the youtube video? Thats awesome I am glad you guys enjoyed it. (I hope you are talking about the video I think your talking about.. lol)

God bless you!

Karissa said...

I'm always the designated prayer (pray-er?) at big family meals. It makes me nervous every time, the way everyone is listening in silence!

I went to my first pro football game this weekend... Panthers vs. 49ers. It was chilly, but fun! Carolina won their first home game in over a year, against the worst-ranked team in the NFL. Yay? haha.

My thoughts and prayers go out to Casey's family and friends...

Crazyjedidiah said...

i believe that a score is actually 20 so 5 score and 7 years is actually 107 years.

KelseyBee said...

This blog totally made up for all the days you didn't write anything=D I am glad you shaved off the stache...thats so sweet that you have little Christmas decorations on stage

P.S. I wasn't at the NY show but I found this video on You tube of you singing the Office Theme. I love that show and it would be so cool if you wrote a whole song on the show.

Mercedes said...

I was expecting to see a tree when I clicked on "trim" for some reason. haha.
Oh, and in case you missed the Heroes finale, you can always go to NBC.com and rewatch. it was good :}

simple_girl said...

matt, you crack me up. you're so eloquent and talented that i seriously look to you for inspiration as a musician. i aspire to meet you someday. until then, god bless & merry christmas. =)

Cara said...

like you need one more girl posting on your blog. just FYI i have one of these thingers too so if you can snoop on me like i've just snooped on you if you want. miss you, old friend.
-c-

Immortally17 said...

Long update!
Thanks, Matt!

Yay the stache is gone... couldn't you have done it before I saw you live?
Eh, I love you anyway.

OMG you mentioned the concert I went to! Ha yay

omg wish I could have seen the whole santa clause thing

sorry about Casey...
I've never heard Hawthorne Heights... should i?


Glad you had a good Thanksgiving

I did too!

lol


<3 you

Jess :]] said...

flippin' sweet. except about casey. :[

itszackwithak said...

Hey - really sorry to hear about Dave - I am keeping him in my prayers, hope he will continue to be successful. Anyway, cool blog...ADD ME ON myspace! Hahaha I think I've had a friend request for your myspace for like 6 months...I dont use it that often, but its still nice to have. Anyway, good to talk to you. If you need a drummer, I know all your songs perfectly hahahaha and LOVE them. I'min the worship band at my church and we always play relient k songs

OH Interstate 77 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
♥Paige♥ said...

Hay matt! great blog!! luv it! lol ive enjoyed reading =] not really diggin the whole browns thing but yeah haha its still a great blog. your probably going to hate me when i say this but "go steelers!" lol i like the cowboys too but yeah enough football talk....


visit me on myyeabook.com please!

oh yeah and youtube.com too lol =] byesssssssssssssssssssssssss!!!!

♥Paige

OH Interstate 77 said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ff5HNrk said...

hmmm... I don't know if crossroads is the best pizza in bolivar, but it's pretty good. I'd rather go to Canal Street Diner. The weather here in Ohio isn't looking to grand. snow, Snow, Snow! we almost had to call of school! oOo. I saw your picture on the wall the other day, who would ever know that I would go to the same school as someone famous? well, you have tons of fans at your alma mater. hehe. YAY!
Hope everythings goin great!

OH Interstate 77 said...

Dear Matthew Thiessen,

Nice to find another BROWNS fan. Though... I don’t really pay much attention to team records. I know what teams I like to root for, but I mainly watch for the love of the sport... so I probably don't know as much about the team as you do. However, I love love love my Ozzie Newsome jersey! "If ever oh ever a wiz there was..." (I can remember watching the games with my Dad when I was little) I don't think you can be from Ohio and NOT be a Browns fan... unless your some sort of spy from a different state. *shrug* On a side note, do you remember when they changed the words to the song My Boyfriend's Back to "Bernie's Back"? I actually thought that was how the song went for the longest time.

I actually found your blog by accident. I thought maybe it was a fan of yours or something. I didn't know that you were so into the football scene. (I've been lacking on my sport buddies. Theater people aren't the most interested in athletics. Athletes think I'm strange for drama, and Thespians think I'm strange for sports)

Well... I feel like this comment is on the verge of lameness, cause (to be frank) You're you and I'm me and, like your subtitle, it's "probably not worth reading". If I post again, I'll try to be a little more prolific. However, it seems that you already have quite a following and I'm the kind that gets lost in the jumble.

Much appreciation & love

P.S. "A true Browns fan sticks with the team even if the record is in the gutter" -- My Father

Anonymous said...

I was at the concert, it was either Davis or San jose. Right?

Kelly said...

That's an awesome Jersey :D

John said...

hey Matt, I have a great pic of you looking up from your keys at Santa from stage left in the backstage area, I am going to send it to schneck, bug him for it :-) Im a big fan of the Nashville EP, sounds Rockin!