Mom Came To Church

I did not mention in my last post that my Mom came to Church and took some pictures. Thanks for attending Mom!!!!

Last 2 Sunday's @ Covenant Life

I have had the privilege of playing with the Covenant Life Worship Team the past two Sundays. Last week I played drum set. I asked Dave W. to take a picture, here is my set-up from last week:

This week I played percussion while Jordan played drum set. It was a lot of fun. There is a distinct joy I have while playing drums (hitting stuff, especially with my hands like congas), while singing truth about Jesus. I prefer playing percussion over drum set, because it is easier and I enjoy trying to get different textures with my hands. Here is my set-up from this week:

Here we have myself, Dave C. (the electric guitar player), Bob K. (The worship leader), and my favorite piano player Roger Hooper (the synth player).

It was a joy playing with the entire band!

New York Update

Well, this week Mari and I went up to New York for Round 2 of the America's Got Talent Auditions. I had to sign a non-disclosure statement, so I won't be blogging about any of the details regarding the audition. But I will talk about the trip up, what we did on Tuesday, and a couple of other pics too. Captions will be below the pics.

Here Mari and I pose outside of Hyattsville Elementary school before we drive up to New York. We rented a Toyota 4 Runner.  It was smooth + tall.

Here is one of the first cars we saw in New York ... Mari took this picture ...  What is the make?

On Tuesday night we hit times square. Mari looks pretty w/ all the lights around.

Mari wanted to take a picture of the Wicked sign. Our friend Charlotte saw Wicked on Broadway. We saw it in Baltimore. It is my favorite musical.

Mari and I posing w/ Times Square in the background.

Mari's artsy shot.

We asked a police officer on where to get some New York Pizza.  He said with a thick accent, "Go to Rays ... 2 blocks down on da left."  It was incredible.

My brother's Elvis influence in my life.  Its hard to believe they have a whole store devoted to M + M's.

I'm not a big Letterman fan, but I thought the outside of the theater looked cool.

One of New York's most famous venues.

We had to walk a long way, but it was worth it ... the mother-ship.

Only in New York would there be a place that you can buy an iPod 24/7.

We saw this church as we walked around ... cool inscription.

Next to Jesus, Mari, the Church, and my family there is ... STOMP.  We didn't get to watch it, but seeing the poster board was pretty cool.

We stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania right across from Madison Square Garden.

Here is Mari and I posing w/ my trash cans minutes before the shuttle picks us up for the audition.

The timing was perfect, because right before I went in, my Mom (who took the Amtrak Acela up) met us at the front door.  Thanks for making the trip Mom.

This was our attempt at the skyline after we got out of the Lincoln Tunnel.  

Well, that was our trip to New York minus the details about the audition.  Per usual, thanks for taking the time to read the blog.

Final Two Practice AGT Audition Videos

Here are the last two practice sessions. No more elementary schools students ... next up ... David Hasselhoff, Sharon Osborne, the British Guy, and a live audience.

Weekly Update : March 15th, 2009

Well, I have been so focused on AGT, I have not been updating the blog on the rest of my life. Here is a brief recap of the last week, per usual ... captions will be below ... actually, let's put the captions on top this week.

Last Saturday we went to go see our friend Paige perform in a play at Imagination Stage. It was about the origins of Hip-Hop. Paige did a great job!

Last Sunday was the last Spitzberg Care Group. I will miss these guys. It's been a great 2+ years of leading, but it seems like now is the time to step down. Howard and Annabel have taken over the group. Isaac came and talked to us about the transition.

My good friend Kip ... even though we're not in the same CG, we will be peeps!

Same goes w/ Scott!

So on Monday I come home and see this ... I was laughing a ton. My wife knows me well and since it was Monday she threw some 24 humor @ me.

One of Mari's incredible dinners this week!

On Friday night we had a last minute invitation to see our friend Danny V. perform with the NSO Pops. We typically see Danny perform 1 - 3 times a year. It was great!

Today Mari and I went to El Patio, an Argentine restruarant w/ two new friends from Church. Matias + Heath. Matias grew up in the same town as Mari back in Argentina. The food and company were great.

Well, on Tuesday Mari and travel to New York city for the second round of auditions. We will be staying here and the performance will be here on Wednesday at either 1 or 6 pm. By this time next week we will know what happens. I just pray that God helps me to perform well, have a good time, glorify Him in my heart, and if I do get booed off the stage, I remember that my standing before Him does not change. Have a great week, and thanks for reading!

AGT Practice Audition Videos #2

Well, this Wednesday is my AGT audition. I have one more shot to practice on Monday. If you have any thoughts on my pracitce runs I did this week, please let me know.

Snow/ Mari Food/ Wilcox's Are Rumikub Champions

Well, we had snow here in Maryland. Schools were canceled on Monday and we had a 2 hour delay. I celebrated the Snow day by relaxing w/ Mari and buying an iPod Touch.

Below are some pictures of some of Mari's consistent cooking. She's been using this meal plan thing. The food has been amazing.

On Wednesday night, Mari and I went over to play Rumikub w/ Dave + Cara. I told Dave that I would bring the tissues because Mari and I would crush them so bad they would cry. Well, they won, so Dave graciously gave me a tissue. It was a blast!

AGT Practice Videos

Well, I am getting ready for my 2nd AGT audition.  If I haven't told you, I will be going to NY for the 2nd round of auditions.  I'll be performing in front of a crowd and three celebrity judges on March 17, 18, or 19.

Today I practiced the solo for a few elementary school students.  Also, I will  be posting additional videos of when I practice this week.  If you have any thoughts of how I can make it better please email me.  I did ask the producer if I could have some friends write me a specific piece of music, but he said that they want me to play the same sort of performance that I displayed at my first audition.  If you do take the time to watch these clips, THANK YOU!

AGT Audition (A little taste)

Some people asked me what I did for my AGT audition. Here is a clip I did in my house. I had other 'instruments' for the audition, but this gives you a basic idea of what I performed.

Palpazione : Last Night @ the Gaylord - 2/28/2009

Well, we just completed our last show at the Gaylord National tonight. It was a lot of fun. Mari drove over with me which was a huge blessing. Also, Howard + Kip had dinner @ Pienza, along with one of the teachers and her husband from Hyattsville Elementary School. Later on in the evening, my good friend (and excellent classical guitarist) Erik Sharar made an appearance.

The night was bitter sweet. It has been an incredible nine months of doing what I love to do ... hit stuff. But today we say goodbye. There is the possibility we may start up again in the summer and maybe in December, but we do not know for sure. Overall the night was a lot of fun. Wes subbed for Jeff, because Jeff went to the emergency room on Friday night for a bronchial infection. Here are some pics to show how the night unfolded.

The Zendrum is now in its case ...

One last picture with the guys. Alrighty ... I have learned a lot from these guys. Thanks for the memories Palpazione!