A Mind Is A Terrible Thing

Would YOU remember THIS face?

Hey! How are you! Wow…so many years have passed, huh? You look fantastic! Are you married? Kids? What do you do? Where do you live now? Do I remember what? Oh…yeah…THAT incident! How funny that you remember that! Wow…yeah…so many years ago…huh…

Wait a second. Hang on…

Ya know…I have to be the first to admit…I have no idea who you are. Look…please don’t take it personally because I know that I’m not the kind of person who remembers everyone who I have ever crossed paths with. But lately I have had people from my childhood contact me and…uh…I don’t remember them. And I feel like an ass.

I’m gonna be 41 in a month. The last time I can honestly say I remember seeing some of these friends are maybe 30 years ago. And I DO remember moments. Moments like when I would play on the playground at school and me and some other kid in my class had the same “Fonzie” shirt (stupid shirt!). Or the time I got busted in class eating candy because a girl in my class TOLD on me (stupid girl!). Or the time I was at the park and some guy flipped me off from his car and when I flipped him off back he chased me down and threatened to beat the crap out of me…until he figured out I was 7 years younger than he was (stupid guy!). So many fond memories of back in the day…yet the memory of you is not there. Why is that?

At this point, I can’t imagine who else is gonna find me but I have to imagine I won’t remember them either. I don’t know what is going on with me. I can remember a whole slew of worthless crap (need a song from the 80’s? I probably remember it. Wanna know some useless movie knowledge? I can probably get that out of my brainiac archives as well), but when it comes to people who have been in my life and who I spent time with and who I should remember? Nada. I’m drawing a blank.

What is it with the head? How is it possible that I can’t recall some of the people who have “Friended” me on Facebook or who have contacted me through other networking sites. They say the brain can only retain so much information. I imagine it remembers what I want it to remember. It remembers what I enjoy remembering. It is just a muscle…and it has its limitations. Mine definitely has its limits. And mine is limited to about 1980.

So for all those friends who have found me again and who actually remember me…thank you. I certainly appreciate that I made an impression on you and I find it amazing you remember me. But forgive me if my brain has been overloaded through the years and I can’t recall who you are or where I know you from. I’m a partially stunted social idiot and thinks have started to slip. It’s old age, I tell you! Okay…now that I got that out…let’s get back to what we were chatting about…

Uh…

What WERE we chatting about again?

Foreigner Rocks The 80’s in 2009

Remember back in the 80’s when you would go to the record store, buy a cassette, open it, look at the cover art, read the liner notes, slide the tape in the tape deck and crank it up? You do? Well then…you are an 80’s child…just like me. In today’s world, we don’t buy cassettes or CD’s or albums anymore. We download. And all the songs are so serious or sexual or just plain dumb. Whatever happened to love songs? Or songs about heartbreak? Or how down on our luck we can be? Back in the 80’s, that was all they sang about. And bands like Journey or Def Leppard or Whitesnake knew how to rock out and let loose. Who knew they were still doing it?

When Foreigner released “Can’t Slow Down” (available only at Wal-Mart), it had 2 things going against it. First…I hate Wal-Mart. Second…I never really cared all that much for Foreigner. Sure…I like a few of their songs from the 80’s. “Juke Box Hero” was always a good single. And then you have “I Want To Know What Love Is” which, I think, pretty much everybody danced to at their first high school dance back in 1985. So they had a few hits that I listened to, but for the most part, I was more of a Def Leppard/Journey/Sammy Hagar fan. So imagine my surprise when I was presented with a free copy of the new album and…well…I actually LOVE IT!

Here’s the thing about the 80’s…it was simple. Granted…I was a kid back then so I had no stress. But even then, it was a different time. And the music that was coming out then was simple. Huey Lewis & The News, Hall & Oates, Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Nicks, on & on & on. Artists were releasing FUN music. And even when the music was heavy, it had a simple pop sensibility to it (“Billie Jean”, “Papa Don’t Preach”). So much music now is so over-complicated with technology. Beeps & whistles and overdubbing. It can all get in the way of a good, simple rock song. It’s not needed. And Foreigner proves it on this album.

With new singer Kelly Hansen joining the band (Lou Gramm is gone), Mick Jones & crew have never sounded tighter. Every track is a great pop nugget and could have been included in just about any 80’s John Hughes film. When I first listened to this album, the film “VisionQuest” came into my head. With rockers like “Ready”, “Angel Tonight” & the title track, they could have easily fit into the action scenes where the guy takes the girl on a motorcycle ride through the city. And then you have the love songs like “Fool For You Anyway”, “I’ll Be Home Tonight” or “As Long As I Live” where the guy is racing to stop the girl from leaving. And then the end titles could be “In Pieces” or “When It Comes To Love”, with their sweeping guitars & keyboards (and a surprise sax in the latter). Simply awesome…

Everyone is gonna laugh at me about this…but I miss this kind of music. The lyrics are simple (sometimes TOO simple) and the hooks are powerful. They are melodic and carefree and fun. This is an AWESOME album and so far, it’s possibly my favorite album of 2009. Imagine that…an 80’s band releases an album that SHOULD have been released in 1987 and I love it. Go figure. And go buy “Can’t Slow Down” at your local Wal-Mart. It might be the only time I ever say you need to go to Wal-Mart…but you won’t regret it. And I bet once you listen to this album you’ll understand exactly what I’m talking about here. And you’ll wish it was 1987 all over again…

Guilty Pleasures: Bejeweled 2

On my IPhone, there is one game that gets more attention than all the others (and I have a boatload of ‘em) and that is “Bejeweled 2.” I fell in love with this little game on my Palm years ago, but on the IPhone, it has gone to a whole new level.

If you have never played “Bejeweled”, then the basic play is this…you have to get 3 diamonds in a row. 4 in a row gets you more points and the jewel is capable of exploding, giving you even MORE points. And 5 in a row gets you the super-cool exploding jewel that will destroy whatever kind of diamond you swap it with. Anyway…that’s not all you get with this little gem of a game. You also get cool, futuristic locations as the backgrounds and a nifty soundtrack that reminds me of the music that plays in those space rides down in EPCOT Center.

Created by Pop Cap, “Bejeweled” is easily my favorite videogame for my IPhone and has been one of my trusty companions on those long flights or even when I’m just hanging out at home with a few minutes of time to pass. So if you have an IPhone or an ITouch or even if you have a Palm or probably they even have it for the Blackberry…whatever you have, get yourself “Bejeweled 2″ and be ready to have yourself a little mindless fun. Because what’s life withour mindless fun…right?

Tunes From ITunes_11.3.09

The reviews are in…Casablancas gets a thumbs up.

Realizing that really nobody gives a hoot about this series (other than Suzanne), I enjoy highlighting music tracks I like and I’ve even picked a few hits in the past couple of years (Beyonce’s “Sweet Dreams” is super hot right now and I picked it as a hit back in May). Anyway…I can’t say this week is gonna be a barnburner of music but there are a few tracks that are HOT, HOT, HOT in my ears and you really should check ‘em out!

Julian Casablancas – “Out Of The Blue” (rock)
The lead singer of The Strokes hits with a new solo album and a hot opening track. This song is really cool and hip, much like The Strokes used to be. I dig it and predict it will be in my Top 20 favorite songs of the year!

The Temper Trap – “Sweet Disposition” (alternative)
This band is a favorite of a Beatles-hating friend of my brothers. She recommended I check them out so I did. I downloaded the entire album. Funny that I hear Beatles influence in quite a few of their songs. Anyway, THIS track is the diamond on the album. Excellent!

U2 – “The Unforgettable Fire” (alternative rock)
A re-release of the entire 1984 classic album, this is my favorite U2…song so I downloaded it again. And  it is still awesome!

Diamond District – “First Time” (rap)
Very old school and  heavily influenced by east coast 90’s rap, this group of producers hit it with this slow jam.

Echo & The Bunnymen – “”Do You Know Who I Am?” (alternative)
I think this band has pretty much been around forever (well…since 1978) and this is a very pop-like single for them. I dig it anyways…

Carrie Underwood – “Songs Like This” (country)
This album will be huge for her and this little gem will be buried among all the hits. But I kinda like it. Do I smell a Top 10 hit? Possibly…

Them Crooked Vultures – “New Fang” (rock)
Consisting of the drummer from Foo Fighters, the lead singer from Queens Of The Stone Age & legendary bass/keyboard player, John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin, this supergroup has a new album (which I will be buying) coming out in mid-November. But for now, I get this track and it is wonderfully awesome. Rock at its best! Go get it…right…now! Or…you could just download the FREE track called “Mind Erasure, No Chaser” on ITunes also. Whichever suits your fancy.

The Almost – “Lonely Wheel” (pop rock)
Not exactly a groundbreaking band, but this single is not bad at all. Rocks out and is fun to listen too! Reminds me of Motion City Soundtrack. Plus the album cover is cool…

The “Oh Mah Gawd Her Career Is Already Over Before It Started” Track Of The Week: Allison Iraheta – “Friday I’ll Be Over You”
Holy crap. This track SOUNDS terrible. If you watch American Idol, you would know Iraheta as the promising female singer who belted out songs like Hearts “Alone” & Janis Joplin’s “Cry Baby”. She has amazing vocal ability but this track is so generic, I can’t even give it it’s due. Sounds like a bad cross between Pink & Kelly Clarkson. Not good…

The “It Will Get Tons Or Airplay But I Still Think It REALLY Sucks” Track of the Week: Lady GaGa – “Bad Romance”
No relenting on my thoughts that this artist is really not that original (seriously…does anyone else think “Paparazzi” sounds like a Gwen Stefani song?), this song is just plain terrible. Repetitive and…well…just plain awful. ‘Nuff said.

Konversations With Kids: We All Do It

Riding home from Christopher’s basketball practice tonight when Ava & Christopher both got a case of the giggle fits. They couldn’t stop laughing and eventually, after about 15 minutes of hysterics, I asked them to calm down. This, of course, brought even MORE hysterical laughing. And then it happened. I snapped. And the entire thing went down like this…

Christopher: *toot*

Ava: (laughing hysterically) Christopher farted! Mommy! Daddy! Christopher farted!

Mom: “Now Ava…”

Christopher: ” No I didn’t…”

Me: “Okay…ENOUGH! Now I’ve asked several times and that’s enough! And just so you know, Christopher, I heard that, so I know you DID do it. And Ava…just so YOU know…everyone does it! Christopher does it, I do it, you do it. Your Mom…well…she doesn’t do it. Bit she’s the only one. And just so we ALL know…everyone has a butt, all boys have a penis and all girls have a vagina. Everyone has one or the other, we all pass gas and we all have butts. There…I’ve said it, it’s all out there and it’s NOT funny. So enough is enough already!”

(silence)

(snicker…stifled giggle…)

Ava: “But it really stinks back here…”

Laughter from everyone in the car. And I wound down the window…

The End

Rollin’ In The Leaves

First you rake them all up…

Then you run in them…

And jump in them…

And tackle in them…

And roll in them.

And then dad does all the rest…

The End

Blogging 101: Thick Skin & Lady GaGa

Or…How Lady GaGa taught me how to love my blog…

I recently had a friend ask me about starting a blog. She asked me…”What should I know?”  Well…a long, long time ago, I kind of made a list of what you should do when blogging…but that was before Lady Gaga. And what does Lady GaGa have to do with blogging? Well…if anything, she has shown me that you have to be very thick-skinned.

On March 27, 2009, I read an article in now-defunct “Blender” magazine that was an interview with pop singer Lady GaGa. In the article, she was quoted saying several things that I found to be somewhat obnoxious for an artist just getting out of the gate. I called her out on it in my “What The Heck…” series (one of my favorite series’ of posts, I might add). Since then, not only have I gotten a shitload of hits (I went from averaging 450 hits a day to over 1,500) from people “Googling” her image which I posted with the article, but I’ve also gotten a boatload of comments from people who either agree with me or who think I’m a complete woman-hating schmuck.  I have re-read the post and I still don’t disagree with what I said, but it is interesting other people’s interpretation of it and THAT is where I would tell my friend to be careful when blogging.

Initially I was taken aback by what some people thought of my comments. Then when all the hits started, I figured I didn’t care. Then I took it personally. Then I thought about it and decided that this was good for me. It keeps me in the mindset that everyone has a different opinion about things and as it has gone along, I have actually learned a few things about myself through that blog. So…in a way, Lady GaGa has taught me a few things about myself. And I’ve learned a valuable lesson about blogging…you gotta have thick skin or else you will get eaten alive.

There are people out there who have strong opinions, whether you feel they are right or wrong, and they will comment and they will say rude things and they will rain on your parade. It’s in our nature to want to be heard and some people will say anything just to get on your nerves. It’s also in our nature to want to be able to say anything just because we can. I admit, sometimes when I write a blog, I write it without thinking about it. Sometimes I just let it out without much thought to who would care about WHAT I say. But then you find out that sometimes it’s best to save your post, then come back and re-read it later to see if what you wrote actually conveys what you are trying to say. I have been guilty of publishing something too quickly and then wishing I hadn’t. Although I admit…the Lady GaGa post is NOT one of them. Anyway, in order to enjoy the process of blogging and being creative, I guess the most important rule is to understand that not everyone is going to agree and they will argue and call you names and they will leave rude comments and it’s all up to you to decide how you handle that kind of criticism.

I am a blogger. I write down my thoughts and my ideas and I post pictures because I enjoy it. If some people find what I write to be offensive or disparaging they don’t have to return. They can continue on their merry way and I won’t care one way or another. But occasionally there is an interesting debate that comes along and I find it fascinating. And THAT is the reason I blog…to make a connection. Not to be argumentative or to be bitchy. I do it because I can connect with my family, with my friends and with the occasional stranger who passes by and actually reads what my thoughts are. Maybe they agree, maybe they disagree, but either way…they are reading and hopefully enjoying what I put out there. But really…it’s all about me and my thoughts & ideas. And it doesn’t really matter what they think of me…because it’s MY blog and I can do what I want with it.

So there’s my advice…do what you want and say what you want. But be aware that not everyone will agree with you and if you can accept that…you’ll be just fine.

Have fun typing Julie! And let me know if you need any help!

Happy Halloween 2009

Halloween is always a fun night on our street and this year was no exception. We even managed to hit another street other than our own! Both kids practically RAN from house to house, however once Ava’s bag started getting heavy, she slowed down a bit. Here are some photos from the night’s activities. And yes…that IS me in the clown wig. I kinda like it. Maybe that will be my next style! Once my hair grows back, that is…

Gladiator & a Pumpkin Princess

Grab a handful!

Is anybody home?

I knew EVERY piece of candy that Ava got all night long…

Hope you had an awesome Halloween!!!

In My Lifetime…My Mom

Is there anyone more influential in a child’s life than his mother? I think not. And that definitely holds true for me also. A little over 41 years ago, my Mom & Dad adopted me from an adoption agency (no…I wasn’t delivered by raccoon) and I would like to believe that my parents have never regretted that day. If there is one person in my life who has seen me at my best and at my worst, in my best times & in my worst times, it’s my Mom. She has always been my rock, the person I can go to if I ever need a guiding voice. She has seen me through my teenage years when I was gawky and full of teen angst. She has seen me when I’ve been down on myself and when I’m so high I appear cocky. She has seen me get married twice and had one fall to pieces. And she has seen me as a parent, still trying to figure out how to raise two children in a world that is so different from when I was a kid. There are many things to love about my Mom, but the most obvious one is that she loves me…unconditionally. And that is what makes her the most important person in my life.

Today is my Mom’s birthday. 13 years ago she suffered an aneurism. I thought before that incident that she was an amazing woman. And 13 years after, she has shown me how resilient and how spectacular of a person she truly is. Not a day goes by that I don’t think about my Mom…and I love her more today than I ever have because now I see how hard she worked to raise me and it was she that made me the kind of person that I am.

Thanks Mom…for everything. I Love You and Happy Birthday!

Your son,

Alan

The Local Enigma

In the small town where I live, there is a man who I have never been able to talk to. He’s an older gentleman and I see him frequently walking the sidewalks of our town. He sometimes has a cane. Sometimes he carries a backpack. But no matter when I see him, he ALWAYS has a book. And he is usually head down, focused on his book. He never pays me any regard (which I do not believe to be rude. It’s just his way.) but on occasion he has seen me and nodded hello. And that’s it.

So I have to say that my curiosity has been piqued. Who IS this guy? What has he done in his lifetime? Why does he walk & read? Does he have a lot of money (because in MY mind, the guy is a millionaire who got bored with his job and retired and has done nothing but read every book he can get his hands on for the last 20+ years). Why doesn’t he just DRIVE to wherever he’s going and then pull up a bench? What’s up with the cane?

So many questions and so little time. But he is a constant here in my ‘burg and I think it’s kinda cool to have that one enigma walking around, always keeping me curious. I’m sure there are a lot of people who know his story. But I have to say…I kinda like NOT knowing. It’s not that I don’t WANT to know. It just makes him seem so much cooler that I don’t know. Know what I mean?

So keep on walking there, Mr. Book-Reading Walker Guy. Maybe someday we’ll meet and chat and I’ll know your story. But for now…I’ll just give you a slight nod “Hello”, watch you walk on by and remain a stranger. After all…someone who is mysterious and unknown is sometimes much better than someone who has it all out in the open…right?

Konversations With Kids: If He Lost His Head…

My son is trying to drive me crazy…I swear!!!

Actually…this ISN’T about a particular conversation. Actually…this is about my son and his head. Because I do believe that if it wasn’t screwed on tightly…he would have no idea where it was. And he would have no idea where to begin to look for it. Or why it was even lost in the first place. Or if he even HAD a head to lose to begin with.

Prime example #1: Walking home from school

There’s a shortcut from our house to his school that leads us into a neighbors yard, through a wooded area and up into a different yard and POOF! We’re at his school. So the other day we were walking home from school and Christopher has his backpack and a sweatshirt. He has the backpack on his back (appropriately enough) and is swinging his sweathshirt to and fro. We enter the woods and there are leaves and branches all over so I have to be careful where to step because I don’t want to fall and kill myself. So I scope out the easiest path through the woods. Once we get to the other side, I look over at Christopher (who has been talking about football the entire time) and he has his backpack on his back…but no sweatshirt.

Me: “Uh…Christopher? Where’s your sweatshirt?”

Christopher: “Huh?”

Me: “Your sweatshirt. You know…that thing you wear to school in the morning to keep you from getting cold?”

Christopher: (Now looking at me dumbfounded) “I don’t know. I thought I had it.”

Me: “You DID have it when we went into the woods. How did you lose it?”

Christopher: “Uh…(looking around at me, then behind him, then at his feet as if the sweatshirt is gonna magically appear)…I dunno.” (shrugs shoulders)

Me: “Well…you might want to head back and see if you can find it. I don’t think your mom will be happy if you leave it behind.”

Christopher: “Okay…” (And he trudges back into the woods)

So I wait a for maybe 30 seconds and I see him kicking some leaves aside. Now…if he thinks that I am gonna wait for him to kick aside piles of leaves all afternoon looking for something that should be directly in his line of sight he’s crazy. Or he’s totally lost his mind. Either way, I trudge back into the woods, glance about 30 feet in front of him and say…

Me: “It’s right there.” (As I look directly at it)

I swear to you, that boy turns and looks directly in front of his feet and says to me…

Christopher: “Where? I don’t see it.”

Without even LOOKING anywhere! Are you KIDDING me?!?! What is going on in his brain? Is there a switch that has been turned off that needs to be flipped? Because here lately, I do believe there are some bulbs that need replaced. He has gotten almost to the point where I don’t even know what to say half the time. Did I do this when I was his age? Tthis kind of interaction drives me BONKERS!

Where?

Gee…I dunno…maybe…like…RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU!!!???  AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

The End

Top 10 Reasons I Love “Dexter”

If you haven’t seen “Dexter” on Showtime, you’re missing some quality television viewing. I am not one to sit and watch a lot of tv, but this show has successfully pinned me to my couch for weeks now as my wife & I watch seasons 1-3. We are midway through the 3rd season and the show keeps drawing me in…and tehre are several reasons for that….

10. I believe in the death penalty.
I’ll just leave it at that.

9. Jimmy Smits
He was great in “NYPD Blue” and in the 3rd season of “Dexter” he has been awesome as the one friend that Dexter has who truly understands what he stands for. I don’t know where his plotline is going yet (I’m only 7 episodes in), but I am enjoying his role right now.

8. Jennifer Carpenter
She really IS Dexter’s wife, but on the show she plays his sister and she is one of the best things about the show. She comes across as intelligent & strong, but she has many moments where she is working hard to keep herself composed. All that AND she’s good-looking…

7. The whole cast is awesome!
From the now gone Sgt. James  Doakes to the recently implemented  Detective Quinn, every actor or actress on this show has a defined role and they all make good use of it. My personal favorite? Forensic expert Vince Masuka…who is ALWAYS good for a few awesome explicit jabs.

6. My wife & I BOTH love it!
So our nightly “Dexter” fix is something we do together. And as long as she doesn’t get any ideas from it, it’s a nice way to end the day.

5. The Ice Truck Killer
Best plotline EVER. I was completely blown away by season 1 and I doubt I will ever see anything like it again.

4. Julie Benz is SMOKIN’ hot!
Even my wife agrees with me…with every passing episode she gets even better looking. Seriously…the BEST looking woman on television right now.

3. Michael C. Hall
As the title character, Hall plays Dexter close to the hip. He’s aloof but personable. He’s opinionated but not overbearing. He has direction but it wavers from time to time. He plays Dexter as he should play Dexter…as a man with a hidden agenda. And Hall makes this character one you can believe in…even if he IS hacking people up and stuffing them into trash bags.

2. The writing
Even with the “Harry” storyline growing a little thin (Harry is Dexter’s deceased father who taught him how to hunt & kill his victims), the writers of the show have managed intriguing plot twists and have turned up the heat every season on Dexter, making him squirm when he needs it and letting him breath at just the right time. I’ve enjoyed all the complications of his life and it has made for some very intriguing television.

1. He’s like me
I think the main reason I enjoy watching this show is because a lot of times, except for the homicidal tendencies, I “get” Dexter. He’s a man on his own. He doesn’t really identify with a lot of people. He is inward. He doesn’t like to be bothered with the drama of others. He goes about his life doing his thing and not regretting it. He isn’t trying to fit in and he doesn’t make excuses when he doesn’t. I like that about a person. And I like that about Dexter. He’s not the kind of person that is gonna go out of his way to fit in. Dexter doesn’t see life as a contest…and being the most popular doesn’t interest him. He is trying to keep his life, his ego & id in check and make sure that the people who mean the most to him don’t get hurt. It’s the best part of his character…and he (and this show) is awesome!

Waking Ava

Getting up in the morning is hard enough, let alone dealing with my 5-year old. As good as she is, she is a pain in the rump to wake up in the morning. And it is usually my responsibility to drag her (literally) out of bed and get her downstairs. Here is a sequence of how my morning goes…

The Door To Ava’s Room

She’s In There. Do You See Her?

Ava…Time To Get Up. Ava? Hellooooo?

Ava?

So then I have to pick her up and CARRY her downstairs to the couch. I lay her down on the couch just like so…

I then go make her & her brother (who has been waiting patiently) some oatmeal for breakfast while her mother gets her dressed and fixes her hair (which takes 30 seconds for Ava. With Christopher it takes 30 minutes. Don’t ask me why…).

Sleeping while eating. A skill mastered by few…

Christopher, on the other hand, is wide awake.

A pretty fall day in our hood

Off to school we go. I drop Christopher off at his school first and then I drive Ava to her school. We chat about whatever crosses her mind (her teachers, her friends, art, etc) and listen to music. She likes pop music and is very happy if we hear “Fireflies” by Owl City or anything by Gwen Stefani or the Black Eyed Peas on the way to her school. As I drop her off, one of her teachers greets her at the door. “Love you Ava!” I say, as she gets out of the car. “Love you too Daddy…” she says. And without even looking back she heads to school and is gone.

Have a good day, Ava Lou Hoo. I love you!

But waking you up in the morning is the bane of my existence…

Life & How To Live It

You know what I find interesting? Life. Life is interesting. And the reason it’s so interesting is because it can change on a dime. I don’t know about you, but MY life seems to change every single second. My mood swings change, my attitude changes, my outlook changes. Everything hinges on each & every little thing that happens. And it’s complicated and at any given second, it can all come crashing down around me.

I don’t know about you, but one day I find I’m happy & chipper, moody & irritable the next. I’ll be singing songs to my daughter at 8am and then pissed off by 10. It’s a round robin of emotions and my family is caught in the crossfire. It’s made my life somewhat unpredictable and, by all accounts, I don’t think I’m the only one with this kind of problem.

Au contraire…just about everyone I know is. Of all of my friends, we are all going through life changes. Whether its a job that was lost, or a relationship that is faltering, or how our lives have changed with the addition & responsibility of children. I am dealing with with all of these things AND a damaged economy AND lousy healthcare AND trying to pay the bills AND trying to maintain some dignity within myself as I let all of my wants & needs sit in the balance as I try to be all things to everyone. Whether it’s being a father or a husband or a friend. There are pressures swirling all around me and it can be very cumbersome. Not that all of these responsibilities are burdens. On the contrary, these things are what define me. I AM all these things. But sometimes there just doesn’t seem to be an hour in the day where I get any peace. And that is where some of the biggest issues lie.

Life is frail. Relationships are frail. Friendships are frail. Children are frail. And sometimes I’m the bull in the chinastore, plowing my way from one side to the next without any regard to what or who gets hurt. It’s aggravating to have to worry so much about what everyone else needs or thinks. At some point, I think I just don’t care. When life requires THIS much thought, then what’s the point. Then I am simply reacting to things. Reacting to what others’ opinions of me are. Reacting to what others expect of me. Reacting to what society tells me I should expect of my life.

It’s a tightrope. And I walk it everyday. I see everyone reacting to what is happening around us. Every day brings a new complication or a new burden. It’s hard, this life we live, and I’m trying to make it all good. Sometimes it comes in a song on the radio. Sometimes it comes from a good book. Sometimes it comes from my daughter’s laugh. And then there are times when the burden is lifted by a good memory or the possibility of one. All I am looking for is inner peace. And aren’t we all?

I want to be everything to everybody, but that is just not possible. I want to be the best father. Sometimes I’m not. I want to be the best husband, but often times I’m not. I would love to be your best friend, but I realize that I won’t be. But I get up every morning, ready to tackle the day and I get to it. And I live it. And usually it’s all good. But there are times when I feel like there should be more. More than just getting up and rolling through the motions. More than walking on that stupid rope and hoping it all works out in the end.

Life is frail, my friends. Fragile and ready to be broken. But it is one we all share together. And if we live it together, knowing we are all not perfect, it makes life a lot easier to deal with. Being there for one another makes all the difference, as family or friends or neighbors. None of us are perfect…even when we want to be. But we ALL are doing the best we can. And sometimes that is good enough.

Top 10 Songs To Crank To 11

If it’s gonna be THIS big, it’s gotta be THIS loud!

When it comes to rock, I like it loud. And there ain’t nothing better than a rock song that DESERVES to be cranked to 11! If you don’t get the “cranked to 11″ reference, you need to rent “This Is Spinal Tap”. If you do get it…then you’ll get this list. Once again, this is MY personal list…but feel free to list your favorites in the comment section! And if you do decide to take my advice and crank this list up, don’t blame me when the neighbors come knockin’…

10. Sammy Hagar – “There’s Only One Way To Rock”
And Sammy knows how to do it.

9. Rage Against The Machine – “Killing In The Name”
Possibly the angriest song on my list here. This track is a slow heat and it burns right up to the very end, where it finally unleashes de la Rocha’s wrath.

8. Kid Rock – “Rock & Roll Jesus”
Completely underrated, this track is HOT. The Kid rocks in concert and this song is a jewel in his arsenal.

7. Oasis – “My Big Mouth”
It starts loud, then it gets melodic in a way that only the Gallagher brothers can do it. But it never stops rockin’ and it never backs down.

6. Metallica – “Enter Sandman”
Who doesn’t know this song? Metallica fans can say what they want, but when it comes down to it, “Sandman” is Metallica’s signature song. And it’s awesome. Even if you’re not a Metallica fan…

5. LL Cool J – “Mama Said Knock You Out”
A rap song? In the middle of all these great ROCK tracks? Hell yeah! LL flexes and sends a warning. And this song NEVER sits low in my stereo.

4. Led Zeppelin – “Rock And Roll”
Robert Plant’s distinct vocal makes it soar but it’s the drumming of  John Bonham that makes this an instant “Crank To 11″ classic!

3. Van Halen – “Everybody Wants Some”
David Lee howls and makes this one jam worthy. Plus…it’s all about what everyone wants and that’s what R&R is all about!

2. Guns N’ Roses – “Welcome To The Jungle”
What got me thinking about this list was this track. Seriously…if it wasn’t for Angus & the boys, GNR would OWN this list. And this track is one of the most recognizable riffs in the history of rock.

1. AC/DC – “Thunderstruck
Angus opens with a undeniable guitar and then the drums kick in a beat and then Brian Johnson’s raspy voice hits you like a ton of bricks. Not AC/DC’s most famous song, but it reminds me of my college days in Athens, Ohio and everytime I hear it, I crank it. And just so you know…I crank it to 12.