The start of the “Best Year Ever”

A lot of people tend to say that if the year starts out bad, it has a better chance of ending really well. Let me clarify, it has NOT started out horribly. In fact, it’s started out pretty damn good so far. There were just a few bumps in the road that made a lot of the days just stretch much farther than they should have…

New Years party was pretty fun. Lots of drunk people, beer pong, paddling for birthdays (complete with sorority paddle), and one hell of a New Years kiss. I can’t complain. Then I woke up the next morning to find Looney Tunes playing on Cartoon Network ALL DAY LONG. Jeez, why can’t they do this kind of stuff throughout the year? I even busted out one of my old Looney Tunes DVDs the other day. (Which, by the way, my favorite cartoon involves Daffy Duck and Porky Pig playing a radio show called “Truth or AAAAHHHH!!” where Porky Pig has to keep paying the penalty for getting the questions wrong.)

Work since Christmas has been insane. I have had one full weekend so far and (no matter how much my girlfriend says that my work is fired) I’m still working as a temp. I at least know I will be there through next week simply because of a comment made about scheduling. With the doom and gloom I have heard about on the news, I’m just glad to be earning a paycheck…no matter how small it is.

And then….there’s my girlfriend. I couldn’t help but smile at her post about our first kiss. She has been nothing but supportive and caring, and I couldn’t ask for anything better. I don’t feel any kind of pressure to put up a huge front as far as going out and doing things. We can sit and watch Spongebob in our PJs with a bowl of cereal and feel completely at ease with the world. (And trust me, anybody that can handle me in my PJs while watching cartoons is definitely a keeper).

So for the song, no meaning, nothing sappy or laced with innuendos. Let’s just rock our faces off…check it out!!

Peace…

Peace. It does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart. (Unknown)

That’s a refrigerator magnet one of my friends gave me a couple years ago. That supposedly sums me up pretty well. To me, though, it serves as a very friendly reminder of where things have come in the last 26 years of my life.

Tomorrow will be New Years Eve. It will also be one year since my grandmother’s funeral. Despite personal differences, that is one woman that I truly adored. She was very distinct in her ways and opinions, but listened to what you had to say regardless.

Anyway, she is one woman I learned a lot of my peace from. However, the events that followed the funeral for the following year have been truly groundbreaking and life changing.

It still boggles my mind exactly what sort of impact we have in each others everyday lives. There are many things in this world that you just can’t change. You simply have to accept what happens and continue on with your life accordingly. But sometimes the ripple effect can be felt a long time after the initial event happens.

If you ever want to see what I’m talking about, check out Run Lola Run. It’s like a long MTV music video, but it shows the lasting effect from something as simple as bumping shoulders with somebody, tripping them intentionally, or giving money to a bum on the streets. It really gets you thinking…

I guess what I’m trying to get at is that the hardest life lesson I ever learned is to be at peace with my actions and decisions on a day to day basis. Be sure of yourself in every move you make, because the results will change the world.

And starting at 12:01 AM on Thursday morning, it’ll be a start to something….

The best year EVER!!!

Less than one week…

So I started thinking a couple weeks ago about New Years. Everybody wants to make these massive changes to lose weight, to quit smoking, etc. I made up my mind that this upcoming year will be, by far, the best year EVER!! (Sorry VH1, I think I beat you to it…)

The only real resolution that I have to make is to be the best son, grandson, nephew, brother, boyfriend, and friend that I can possibly be…but I should already be doing that anyway. It’s not worth it to set goals for that stuff because it’s just a part of everyday life. To be the best at who I am…

The biggest deal with me is that I have all these ideas and mini projects in my head, and no outlet for them. I mentioned before about wanting to be a DJ, and may have even mentioned about a website idea (and believe it or not, I’ve got a couple really cool book ideas too). All I want is to be successful this year, not just financially but also creatively. It’s the best way I can find balance with whatever stress is in my life.

And just for curiosity’s sake, I might even decide to add at the bottom exactly how many cigarettes I’ve smoked. That might be the scariest part, though…

All I Want for Christmas

I guess I’ll join in on the 20SB blog.

Here we go.  All I want for Christmas, using the 5 senses.

1.  Sight : I want to watch Charlie Brown Christmas.  I have missed it I don’t know how many years now, but nothing warms my heart more than seeing Charlie Brown with his little tree, and then Linus explaining the true meaning of Christmas on stage.  (And don’t you forget it, either…)

2.  Smell:  Apple cidar.  I’m not a huge fan of the taste, but my Grandmother used to always have some for our Christmas get togethers.  That combined with the very regal Christmas tree in the den always made it feel like Christmas to me…

3.  Touch: Hugs.  LOTS of hugs.  And I don’t mean the little wimpy squeezes with a small pat on the back like you’re going through the motions.  I want TONS of hugs that make me feel like I was truly missed, even if we just saw each other a few days ago (you know who you are….)

4.  Hearing: <br> It’s NEVER Christmas until I have heard this song…and now I’ve heard it…and now it’s Christmas. 

5. Taste: Cherry Delight.  It has always been made at EVERY family get together, on both my Mom and Dad’s side of the family.

Christmas, and turkey, and screaming teenagers…(Oh my….)

So, I was one of the unfortunate souls who had to work on Black Friday.  I debate on using the term fortunate OR unfortunate for two reasons:

1.  Fortunate because I got to avoid the barbaric crowds, the insane lines, and I got more hours on my paycheck.

2.  Unfortunate because I want a vacation…dammit.

Having one random day off in the middle of the week sucks ass.  I was at work for about 45 minutes, when al of a sudden my mood/energy just crash landed into the concrete floor.  I wanted to go home, but I also really wanted that gift card for the showroom.  As it turns out, every employee (temporary or not) receives a gift card for the holidays equal to the amount worked on Friday and Saturday.  It’s great because I get to buy these really fancy little knick-knacks and whatnot for my friends and family…and I don’t have to pay for it. 

I agreed to work on Sunday, so I’m dreading the LONG haul until next Sunday…the 6th….my next day off….but yay for money!!

Overall, Thanksgiving wasn’t too shabby.  I helped my grandmother put together lasagna (no, we’re not Italian…we’re just non-traditionalists…sometimes).  Mom didn’t come, which sparked a few private conversations about her depression.  I’m at a loss over what to do.  Do I yell at her, grab her hand and drag her out of the house?  No…because she’s my Mom.  I love her to death, and I’m acting the same way she did when I was out of work for 6 months.  I can only do so much…

And yes…I saw Twilight.  I was pretty satisfied with the movie, despite the droves of 12 and 13 year old girls in the theatre that gasped when Edward came onto the screen (I can’t remember the actors name and am too lazy to look it up right now).  I now am in posession of an “IOU” card with Kim’s name on it for putting up with the crowd (yes doll, I’m rubbing it in your face only slightly.)  I love any kind of vampire movie, and am always intrigued by the new spin on a classic creature.  Check out Dracula 2000 if you don’t know what I mean.  The take on Dracula was ingenious, even if the movie was pure B-rated glory.

Anyway, everybody take it easy.  Maybe I’ll find a free thought or two and toss them up here before my next day off…8 days and counting…..

The Weekend Starts Here

Ugh.

Just ugh.  It’s been a while since I posted, and I still have a draft floating in my “Inbox”.  I was going to put up another video mix entry (thanks Kim), but I just haven’t been able to sit still long enough to really think about what songs to add.  Too much to choose from…

If you haven’t heard yet…Chinese Democracy hits in 2 days.  Not the idea, but the CD.  The album that Guns and Roses has dangled over everybody’s head for the last 15 years will finally hit.  I listened to the preview on MySpace (okay, only half of it) and I’ve got a few comments to make.

This is a fantastic album…if it wasn’t done by Guns and Roses.  See, labels for bands give you a preconceived notion of what a song, album, show, etc. will be like.  This is NOTHING like what you would expect.  Very industrial, very rhythmic, and even a few ballsy and bold song choices by Axl Rose.  Granted, a few of the songs would be great…without Axl Rose wailing at the top of his lungs.

However, I will buy the CD.  This is a part of music history, even if it’s not worth all the hype put into it.  Either I will have one of the top 10 CD’s in my collection…or I will have a $20 coaster for my free Dr. Pepper

(Quick side note:  Dr. Pepper’s VP made a comment in March that if Guns and Roses comes out with Chinese Democracy by the end of 2008, then everybody in the world will get a free can of Dr. Pepper.  If you go to drpepper.com on Sunday beginning at 12:01 am, there will be a free coupon to print for your can.  Maybe some good will come of this…..)

Continuing on music, whatever happened to Big Beat?  I have been on a massive electronic kick lately, and I want more.  But bands like Prodigy and Crystal Method haven’t come out with anything that really defines Big Beat in a long time.  Fatboy Slim has a new CD possibly coming out early next year.  However, I’m sick of trance.  I went to a club in Chapel Hill last weekend and about went crazy from the first DJ who played nothing but trance.  It had no substance, no flair.  I want Big Beat, I want pumping house and jungle music that makes me feel like bouncing and thumping my head for hours while I’m at work.

And trust me, my head was bouncing pretty hard today to the song stuck in my head.

Wanna know what it was??

(And by the way, don’t crank this at work or anywhere that cringes at the F-bomb….)

Imagine, if you will…

If you want to know exactly how my mind works on my bad days (or even mediocre days), picture this occuring.  And by the way, feel free to fill in the blanks on exactly which character is which aspect because it’s constantly changing…

Million dollar idea?? Hmm…maybe…

I had many things that I wanted to post on, among them is the followup to my DJ efforts (and the mountain of music I found in the last week.  Joy!!).

However, I had an idea that I have been plugging away at for the last hour or so.  It’s FAR from being finished, and no, I can’t tell you about it at the moment…

But I do have a few questions for you, the viewing audience.  Feel free to e-mail, comment, or just tell me next time you see me.

1.  How often do you go to the grocery store?  Is it just for food, or do you go to Wal-Mart for “a few things”?

2.  Do you go with a shopping list?  Or do you have any other money saving tips?

3.  If you could change anything about your shopping experience, what would it be?

Weapon of Choice

So, I have been debating on something in my head for several months now.  I want a new hobby, and I want it to be something unique and creative.  I could paint, or write…but my visual sensory only goes so far.  And as far as writing, well…*glares at the screen*

If you can’t tell so far by my blogs, I am very much influenced by music.  A lot of it came from my mother and father (God rest his soul).  I grew up on everything from Kenny Rogers to Lionel Richie, Four Tops, and even a little Van Halen every now and again.  My father’s wall of music was absolutely unreal.

For me, though, music is more a way of communication.  If I don’t really know what to say, I can usually find a song that does the speaking in volumes (pun intended).  That’s part of the philosophy behind mix tapes.  They aren’t always accustomed to a letter, but sometimes that can be the intention.

So, I want to learn to be a DJ.  I have grabbed every book I could get my hands on about promotion, beatmatching, organizing my library, etc.  I have tried to find videos and websites that give advice for those of us that don’t want to drop a fortune on vinyl (unless it’s for a couch or a snazzy new wardrobe).  As it turns out, there are many DJs that don’t even use records anymore.

(Editorial note: For those of you that don’t know what a record is, picture a donut.  Squashed flat as humanly possible.  Spray paint it black…and don’t lick the glaze off).

I had the day off today, and actually spent it trying to hunt down rarities.  I have done so fairly successfully.  I started burning some of them to CD and stashed them in a special case, almost like my weapons of choice.  But the more I thought about it, I had a debate in my head about the direction of music for a DJ.

Like I said, my communication tends to work better with a beat involved.  However, the point behind being a DJ is bringing people out to dance.  I could bust out the rarest Fatboy Slim B-side, and it might get a few more people grooving, but I cannot do this repeatedly.  After a while, somebody in the back of the room will say “What the hell is this shit?!?!”  However, if I can take something like “Rehab” and add a rock beat to it, that might be a drastic improvement.  I’m still sick of hearing that song…

So, for those of you that might be interested, I have 4,115 songs on my computer.  That’s 17.07 GBs, or 12.2 days worth of music.  And I still have a ways to go.

Oh, and here’s the internal mantra for today.  Have fun!

Look at all those idiots!!

So, I decided to do a little experiment.  I wondered exactly what random songs pop into my head throughout the day, and even more important….what does it all mean??

Check out the links, feel free to drop a line and give me your input.  But more importantly….enjoy the fucking music!!