I like snarky/witty/random tshirts and I’d like to get a new one for my birthday. However, there are just too many great options out there and I can’t decide. So, I’m looking for some help to spend a bit of my money by crowdscourcing the decision.
This is a debate/discussion I’ve had with people from time to time – what are five albums, regardless of genre or original release date, that everyone should own. Or at the very least listen to once. Sometimes we’ll agree, but more often there are disagreements, but always an interesting conversation. You can really learn a lot about people during a discussion like this and also find out some unexpected musical likes or dislikes that people you know have.
What I’m looking for in a CD to make the list is one that just hits some sort of musical zen for me – a collection songs that are timeless or an album that flows from beginning to end perfectly. My list changes from time to time, but here is the current version:
Yesterday, I had to walk from my office to a friend’s house for a ride home due to what I will refer to as CARFAIL 2011. I ended up walking along the normal route that I drive to and from work each day. One thing that struck me about half-way into the mile long walk is how your perspective changes when you’re not in a car zooming by at 35 MPH.
I noticed small things like kids playing in the front yard of an apartment building – their laughter and joy rising above the din of the cars driving by. I noticed the details on some of the great old houses along the street, where people have worked to preserve the historic beauty and charm. I noticed the number of small buisnesses along the route, many bustling with customers and covering a wide variety of needs – including a Thai restaurant, a motorcycle shop, a music school, a youth hostel and a co-op.
I nodded hi to people as I walked by, each of us on our own journey, our own path, but recognizing we were both a part of this community. While I may have been in my own world with my thoughts and music, I was still taking in what was around me. This often happens while I am walking around my own neighborhood during walks with Scout.
I want to see what is going on around me – notice those small things that bring a smile to my face or remind me of something. I think I’m going to try to make it a point to go on more walks or ride my bike more places while the weather cooperates. It not only helps me connect with things around me, but also has the pesky side benefit of being good for me.
It’s amazing the things you notice when you slow down a bit and really look at what is going on around you. Something I need to do more of, and I’m looking forward to it.
Yesterday, I had a conversation with someone about how laughter truly is the best medicine when you’re feeling a bit meh. It’s funny that the day ended up being somewhat epically meh, so did embark on trying to find stuff to make me laugh. While I didn’t listen to this song yesterday, it never fails to make me laugh, so fired it up this morning when I needed a bit of a pick me up.
Note: There is some swearing in this song, so if you don’t like that sort of thing, don’t listen.
Recently, I saw a number of people RSVPing to an event on Facebook called “Just say NO to the Basilica Block Party”. Normally things like this don’t make me think twice – I usually know where I stand on an issue. However, this year I was planning on attending ths BBP for the first time as a part of a weekend of stuff to celebrate my 30th birthday and wondered if I needed to rethink these plans.
As I mentioned above, I really do not want the Constitution of the State of Minnesota (my adopted home) to include this amendment. It solves a “problem” that doesn’t exist – it is merely a ploy to gain some chits with a certain group of people who think banning gay marriage will solve all of the woes in society. SPOILER: Um, pretty sure that investing in our state and making some tweaks to our tax codes will do a lot more to create jobs, help solve the deficit, among other things.
Also, I have said before that I don’t understand why we need this amendment. My theory is that if you are threatened by someone else’s relationship, chances are the other relationship isn’t the problem. I think everyone should be able to be happy and loved, and have a formal union with someone they love and care about if they so choose. We are all different and unique and this fact makes us the same, so we should all have the same basic rights.
I’m going to let the lyrics speak for themsevles on this one.
Say what you say, Do what you do Feel what you feel, As long as it’s real. I said take what you take And give what you give Just be what you want, Just as long as it’s real.
