global - (adjective)
1. of or relating to the whole world; worldwide
2. of or relating to the entire earth as a planet
3. relating to or embracing the whole of something, or a group of things

humanity - (noun)
1. the human race; human beings collectively
2. the fact or condition of being human

hope - (noun)
1. a feeling of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen
2. a person or thing that may help or save someone
3. grounds for believing that something good may happen

Hi Guys.

Our story began in a city called Orlando. Orlando is in a state called Florida, and Florida is in a country called America.

We tried to help one person. We tried to tell her story and to invite people into it... We printed some shirts. We made a MySpace. The story we told - we didn't expect it to go beyond Orlando. Friends started wearing the shirts on stages. Friends started telling friends.

Then the most important thing happened... We began to hear from people in other places. And they wanted to share their stories. They needed help. They wanted to help. They wanted to learn. They had lost loved ones to suicide. They had considered suicide. They were stuck in moments. They were concerned for friends and family. They were talking about things for the first time. They were asking questions. They were you. They were me.

And so we learned pretty fast that Renee's story represented a lot of people, and that the conversation we had stumbled upon was something important. And we realized that it was an amazing thing and a privilege and a responsibility. We saw something begin to grow and build and move. Over the last 22 months, we've heard from people in every state in the USA. And we've heard from people in 40 countries.

This blog began with three words and their definitions. We think those words are pretty important. We talk a lot about "hope" and that will never stop because we believe that hope is a powerful wonderful thing. And we believe that we live in a world in need of hope. "Global" is a word you're going to hear more from us in 2008 and beyond.

The issues we speak to - depression, addiction, self-injury, suicide - we believe that these issues are important because they affect people. T-shirts are not very important. Organizations are not very important. But people are very important.

Also, these are not american issues. These are not issues of white or emo or high school. These are issues of humanity. These are global issues. Again, they matter because people matter. Because you matter. And if we truly believe that hope is part of the solution, which we do, then i think we also have to recognize that hope is not an american word. It is a global word. And community is not an american word. Also global.

TWLOHA was part of two amazing nationwide U.S. tours in 2007 and we will be all over this country again in 2008. But it's time to take some new steps as well...

We're excited to announce that, at the end of this month, TWLOHA is headed to the UK with The Rocket Summer, Between the Trees, and The Secret Handshake. For 10 shows in England, one in Scotland, and one in Wales. i will be speaking briefly every night, before The Rocket Summer goes on. It will be a chance to introduce TWLOHA, but more importantly, it will be a moment to talk about hope and help in a surprising place. And we will have TWLOHA info and merch available at every show.

We think it's important to say that we're looking beyond the dozen shows. We see this as a moment to introduce TWLOHA to the UK. We're going to be supporting a UK-based organization in 2008. Because we think it's important to invest in the people and places where needs are being met. We're a few days away from launching street team, and that will apply to folks across the pond. And finally, we're also going to be launching a UK Online Store, so that the shirts will be more affordable for people there, and so they won't have to wait so long to get them.

In short, we're excited. We've heard from a lot of folks there and we're pretty thrilled about the whole thing. We're excited to learn what life is like there. To learn what helps exists there. And to learn what we can do to help.

Anyway, here's where we'll be:

Jan 27 2008 6:00P
Wolverhampton Civic Bar WOLVERHAMPTON

Jan 28 2008 6:00P
Birmingham Bar Academy (SOLD OUT) BIRMINGHAM

Jan 29 2008 6:00P
Liverpool Barfly LIVERPOOL

Jan 31 2008 6:00P
King Tut's Wah Wah Hut GLASGOW

Feb 1 2008 6:00P
Academy 2 NEWCASTLE

Feb 2 2008 6:00P
Academy 2 MANCHESTER

Feb 3 2008 6:00P
Stoke Sugarmill STOKE

Feb 4 2008 6:00P
CIwb IFor Bach CARDIFF

Feb 6 2008 6:00P
Oxford Zodiac OXFORD

Feb 7 2008 6:00P
Southhampton Joiners (SOLD OUT) SOUTHAMPTON

Feb 8 2008 6:00P
London Barflly (SOLD OUT) LONDON

Feb 9 2008 6:00P
London Kings College KCLSU LONDON

We hope to see you there. The shows are going to be great. The Rocket Summer is amazing. (My opinion is not that important, but i would call "Do You Feel" one of the best albums of 2007. The album is named after the song, and we keep coming back to that song because we feel like it fits TWLOHA perfectly. It's the conversation we believe in.) Between the Trees are dear friends of ours - they are Florida boys as well, and were part of this story before it was "a story".

All for now. Thanks for reading and thanks for caring. We hope your 2008 is off to a great start.

Peace to you.
jamie

PS: Aaron's blog totally made my night tonight.

PS2: In case you haven't heard...
The Rocket Summer
Between the Trees

PS3: Have you seen the video?

PS4: Australia... let's talk soon.