Music and Obsession

Pretty much all my life I have loved music.
I know that a lot of people love music but for me it is such an integral part of "me" that I can't separate music from thought. I cannot think of many times in my life that aren't, in some way, tied to music.

Sometimes I don't sleep.
On a good night I sleep, of course, for a few hours at a time but some nights I sleep only one or two. I try not to get up and wander the house and most nights I am successful. Others, not so much.

What do these things have in common?
A couple of things. First, since my soul is tied to music, I have the benefit of always having songs in my head. Laying in bed, listening to the music in my head is comforting. Second, when i get up in the middle of the night or early in the morning I come downstairs, throw on my headphones, and crank up music or music videos.

It is now 7:22 AM on a Saturday. Most people would be sleeping. Me? I've been out of bed for a little more than 2 hours listening to music videos on YouTube, MTV.com, and VEVO. (I try to never get out of bed before 5. Lately I've been pretty successful at falling back asleep around 4-4:30 and sleeping until 6:30 when I need to get up for work.)

This morning's playlist has been Kelly Clarkson, Shakira, and Beyonce. Who runs the world? (Girls, Girls!)

I don't really know if there is a point in all this but I think there is. It is a little insight into what makes me, well, me.

The title of this post is Music and Obsession. I am not obsessed with music. I love it. I am obsessed with Maxine.
The dictionary defines obsession as the domination of one's thoughts or feelings by a persistent idea, image, desire, etc.
Society attaches a negative connotation to the word but it is, in itself, not a bad thing.
The thing about this is that they are both (Music and Maxine) inseparable in my head. Whenever I hear music, it is in my Maxine frame of reference. Either because the lyrics make me think about her, or because it is a type of music I would not have listened to before her influence, or because its something she likes to listen to, or because its something she doesn't like.

A couple of examples...

- Last night after I picked up Regin from Classic Skating, the Eagles, Best of My Love was playing on the radio. I, of course, was singing and getting misty thinking about my Maxine.

- Every time I listen to Metallica I think about how James Hetfield adds a little grunt to the end of every line he sings because she pointed it out to me.

- One of my favorite bands right now, a local group called The Suicycles, has a very 80's new wave sound that I never, in a million years, would have liked in my pre-Maxine days.

- Sometimes I listen to Jack Johnson. I don't care for his music but Maxine digs him and every time I hear his music it makes me smile because it makes her happy. Sometimes I listen to his music just to think about her. I don't think I've ever admitted that before.


Ok, well not it is 7:43 and Shakira is telling me she's a Gypsy. The banjo in this song makes me think of the Dixie Chicks so I think I am going to switch to them and then some Ricky Martin.

More later!

Sticking in my craw.

I've never really understood that phrase.
I figure that its time for an update on life, liberty, and the pursuit of a super fluffy poncho to keep the aliens at bay.

So then, the kids popped some tents in the backyard last night. A night in the heat, sleeping on lumpy, hard ground... The joys of being kids, I guess. They were pretty excited.

Maxine is as awesome as always. I feel bad that we didn't make Echo's blessing last week but with all of the expenses involved with having three tweenagers and the prospect of school fees and clothes coming up it just wasn't in the budget. I hate that word, "budget". It kinda pisses me off.

For me, things are pretty much the same as they always are. (Which is how I like it) At work we have a few exciting software projects underway that are reshaping our organization. At home I get to hang out with Maxine and the kids. Life is pretty amazingly fantastic.

And now, Weird Al is singing in my ear so any chance of a serious post is out of the question.
I will try to post some meaningful crap a little more often. It's not that I don't have anything to say, its simply that I don't spend nearly as much time in front of the computer as I used to.

Side note, Netflix now has all episodes of Star Trek, Star Trek Next Generation, and Star Trek Voyager streaming...
That is something to look forward to.

New Zip code

Hi all. This is for all those who have our address. There has been some changes. We have a new zip code it is 84129 also if you have us listed as West Jordan you will need change that to Taylorsville. We live right on the border of two cities and the the post office is making these changes to hopefully make things more efficient. Thanks

:(

Which awesome is more awesome?

So the dilemma that has been plaguing me in recent weeks is which Foo Fighters song on their most recent album, Wasting Light, is my favorite.
I had it narrowed down to my top 11 but that is really a stretch.
I have the list at three right now. (Coincidentally, I have listed to three songs this morning.)
Which one do YOU think is better?

Dear Rosemary


Back and Forth


Bridge Burning

What would you say...ya do here?

I'm pretty much over the "social media" thing. Facebook just doesn't hold my attention anymore.
I'm not going to delete my account or anything, its really the only good way for me to keep in touch with some of the people in my life that are too far away to visit. That being said, I don't really pay much attention to it. Twitter is about the same. I have a twitter account but I think I've sent maybe a dozen tweets ever. I just don't get it. I enjoyed blogging while I did it. Who knows, maybe it will make a comeback in "Markworld." I kinda hope so.
Life has been a little jumbled lately. I feel the need to streamline things a little. I try to live a simple life, I am always happier when I do, and whenever things get complicated I need to scale back.

Lately I have been watching a lot of youtube videos. This morning I have been watching a lot of Weird Al "interviews." I won't post alot of them because I realize that most people don't find him as humorous as I do. (At least, most people over the age of 12 don't find him as funny as I do. Andrew still laughs with me.)

Here is his interview with Cher:


You are welcome!

The man, the myth, the legend

Almost 19 years ago I started dating a wonderful guy. 17 years ago today I made the best decision of my life and married him. I just want to thank my Mark for being such a great person, and for loving me so well. Thanks for being my balance without you I would be a grumpy, uptight hermit. You make my life fun and relaxed. Thank you also for my beautiful children. Each one spectacular in their own way, in large part because they have a present and attentive father. Thank you for always saving me the other reeces peanut butter cup. And the million other things you do for me all the time. You are my best friend and my happiness and the wind beneath my wings.
Love you babe, Happy anniversary.