Music Odyssey, Part One

Are we having fun yet? NOW you have two reasons to come visit my blog. I am updating my playlist to reflect everything I'm writing about. You'll see that today I added "Thank God I'm a Country Boy". Fiddles rule! Eventually I'd like to have a separate playlist for each new blog. trust me, unless you idolize the Barney Song, there is something for everyone. And, if you don't like my writing, you can just hang with me a bit and listen to music. Hmmm....... I might try another embedding service if I can't get this one to fit on the screen!

There is no better way to find my friendship than to spend an evening drinking wine or Southern Comfort with me and playing me your entire collection of music. Hopefully, you'll be so excited, that by the end of the night, all of your records and cd's will be strewn about the room and you'll have to spend the entire next day reorganizing your collection. This is one major drawback to digital music: no mess!

I have two music buddies currently. This is not the only way I define my friends, but it is an honored little label that should be worn with pride. Its sort of like saying Ken Griffey Jr. is a baseball player, but he's ALSO an all-star. They are my advisers and co-conspirators on all things music.

Brandon is not really Brandon. I'll not use real names, not because I am about to disclose any sordid details, but simply because one's name belongs to oneself. One day, if I'm still blogging, I'm sure i will be providing a link to his website, where you can learn about his magic and hear his great passion for music and songwriting. I met him only recently, but it would be best to say that he would be a fine character to add to ANY chapter of my book of life. He is a student trying to become a teacher of music, but I consider him to be a teacher who is honing his art. He confirmed my undying love for the Killers. His most amazing ability, however, is this uncanny way of quoting U2 songs or telling a U2 story no matter the conversation. Love? Here comes a U2 thought. Talking about regret? There's a U2 story. The difference in coffee between Starbuck's and the Coffee Beanery? High gas prices? Foreclosures? Concerts? Spaghetti? Synthesizers? Yup, here comes Bono again. Seriously, you should try it sometime. I often throw things randomly into the air and ask for U2 commentary. I've never been let down.

Brandon shares my values and passions and my inquisitiveness for life. I love people who challenge my brain. They help keep me pointed in the right direction. Musically, we have reached a point where we can truly appreciate the other's passion. In every musical relationship, there is an awkward, competitive beginning. Joe plays a song, and you're thinking, well that's alright, but lets see if you can top this! The primal urge is to pull out your most obscure, odd tracks to prove your musical superiority. I am sorry, but this is the way of men (smile). After awhile, you necessarily reach a musical peace. You start listening, alone in your car or headphones, and you gain an appreciation and trust otherwise impossible. Now Brandon is simply the brilliant music guy. Haha, and thanks for Flight of the Concords!

Angie is the finest music girl I've ever met. She's a chick with a guitar (always a good thing), but she doesn't own a guitar, if you get my drift. While she is extremely outspoken about what she loves musically, she keeps it still in a very private place in her heart. She is mostly responsible for putting together the playlist on my blog. I share with her my longing for what is to be. She is one of the most determined people I've ever met. And trust me, if she cares for you, you will truly know what that means. She has a unique way of thinking, self-taught through the ability to maintain mental fortitude in the face of adversity. What an honor to know her. I admit to being jealous, however, of her fine music collection. It's probably just chauvinism haha. but i know I really have no argument. I just have to grin and accept graciously the access she gives me to her music knowledge and library!

Random Thoughts, Part 2

Uh oh. Here comes the over-sentimentality. I lived for too long thinking that the people in my life had better things to do than deal with me. I was an observer, a boy in a bubble, floating above civilization, looking at all the strange and wonderful things happening below. But I somehow felt that I did not deserve to be among them.

How asinine. I actually layed down in my bed a couple of months ago and tried to feel sorry for myself, as I would have done those years ago. After a few minutes, I felt ridiculous. Before, I would have stayed in bed the whole of the day, get up, shower (sometimes) and go to work. I would repeat this routine for months at a time. Whatever small flickering flames of life that arose within me I quickly doused. How fucking stupid. Now I cannot imagine how I ever could have done such a thing.

I have made at least some small semblance of an effort to reach out to all of the people I have cared about in my life. Through emails and Facebook and phonebooks I have gotten in touch with almost everyone I would ever want to be in touch with. And while I am still adjusting to this new lifestyle of, well, talking to people, it is encouraging that not one person has told me to fuck off. No one has said, "Where have you been all this time?" Mostly, my replies have been more along the lines of, "It's good to hear from you, buddy." There have even been some "I love you"s thrown in here and there. Wow! I know now, at the very least, that I have fine judgement in choosing my friends. It is an undeserved honor to be able to call them so.

And so it goes with much of my life now. My career is finally starting to blossom, however small the increments. My coworkers are like family. I was looking up and down the payroll list, and I discovered I have at least some kind of relationship with nearly every employee in the building! Some closer than others, of course, but it is amazing that I can speak familiarly with each and every one. I am absolutely blessed. This is not an easy situation to find in one's work environment. And I am so proud of them, as well! Our staff is full of thoughtful, positive people from all walks of life. Some are winding down their careers, some are housewives, and mothers, some are just beginning their journeys. They all have unique hopes and dreams. It really is a dream to work with these people.

All of these people in my life support me in every endeavor I undertake. Every time I think I have overstepped, or reached too far, they are encouraging me and patting me on the back. I may have trouble finding someone to go out for coffee with, but I have learned that is not what makes a friend. My friends are honest and sincere, and when they advise me they keep my interests in mind. Fucking amazing.

So for those of you reading this who know me, thank you, thank you, thank you. My gratitude is ongoing and never-ending.