I've got lots of stuff, that if I DID write more often, I could really turn out some gems. But, since I don't, you're forced to read a hodge-podge collection of thoughts.
As in my writing 9 months ago, this one is going to be all over the place. And so, I"m going to set it to music. In my iPod I have 150 artists, 156 albums and 627 songs to guide my mind. Let's put it on "shuffle," crank it up and see where the music takes us. Grab a seat and hang on. (note: you can find MOST of these songs on iTunes... if only they'd pay me for this pub)
"Dirty Deeds" - Hayseed Dixie (did I mention this truly is Random?)
OK, I'll admit, not a great start. I guess I'll explain this one. Hayseed Dixie is a Bluegrass band that originally put out an album titled, "A Hillbilly Tribute to AC/DC." I love AC/DC, and I also happen to really enjoy Bluegrass. Really, you haven't lived until you've heard "You Shook Me" played with a full Appalachian flavor. But anyways, next...
"Frantic" - Metallica (Live in Little Rock, 05/15/2004)
Wow, the iPod is really digging deep tonight. I was there, and got the coolest souvenir from a concert in the history of guitar picks and broken drum sticks. The day after the show, anybody who was there (or wanted to say they were there for that matter) could go to a website and download their specific show for $10. Once you bought your show, you could download show specific cover art and case art. The show was split into tracks and was a professionally produced, 2-disc album. VERY COOL. The album only cost like $2 more than my beverage. That show in some ways served as a bridge between my younger, less controlled days, and my adult years. But all the philosophy aside, it was a GREAT time and one of the highlights of my days.
"Volare" - Dean Martin
Yes, I'm serious. Still random. For some reason, I feel like finding a Sopranos episode after I get home from The Olive Garden.
Sometimes when I want to get really cheesy, I'll play some Dean Martin or Sinatra for Katherine, trying to be all romantic and stuff. Except he's not country, so she doesn't really hear it, and just gives me that "turn the radio back" smile... I love my wife.
"Ain't Misbehavin'" -Fats Waller
I'm seriously going to skip the next song if it's pre-1960.
I know this song is about 20 years too new, but it makes me think of HBO's new "Boardwalk Empire." If you haven't seen it, you really should check it out. It is Sopranos cool, but set in 1920 Atlantic City, NJ. It is by the creators of The Sopranos, and some guy name Martin Scorsese as Executive Producer. It's quality TV.
"What I Got" - Sublime
There we go!
What I got? More than I deserve or need. Do we struggle? Of course. Who doesn't? But for the first time in my life, I feel like we're headed somewhere. Not sure where, but it took me almost 32 years to stop worrying how we were going to find food or put gas in the car. True, my job has taken care of all those worries, and if it ended tomorrow I could be in worse shape than I was before, but I've had time and experiences to teach me that everything will be OK, and now I have proof.
"Uncloudy Day" - Willie Nelson
What a lineup on the iPod tonight. This one couldn't piggy-back more perfectly. Along with finally feeling a little less worry, I can say that I feel more blessed than ever. This song takes me back to my roots. I've spent nearly a decade trying to escape my roots, and am just now learning that without roots you have nothing to help you stand. I'm confident with the choices I've made, and am ready to incorporate my roots and past with my own stylings. I'm ready to take that straighter path and work towards that land of unclouded day.
Did that last paragraph make sense? I'm not sure. I'm kind of struggling on this one. Let's rock.
"The Devil Went Down To Georgia" - Zac Brown Band (live)
One of my all-time favorite songs, and actually one of the few covers that might actually be better than the original. AMAZING song and musicianship. Look it up, get it, you WILL play a little air-fiddle.
Speaking of Georgia... nah, I'm not taking shots at them. Arkansas has been down, and may be again someday. But thanks for Petrino, we appreciate it.
"Enter Sandman" - Metallica
WOOO... Excuse me for about five minutes and 31 seconds.
Actually, I've got something for this one. I'm a HUGE baseball fan. Raised a Cardinals fan, but in my short time in the DFW Metroplex I grew to love the Rangers (last year, when they weren't real good) and I am so pumped that they have a shot at the ALCS. The game is tomorrow night, and they very well may not win, but they've done better than ANYBODY would expect considering the dozens of layers of crap they had to fight through this year. Nolan Ryan was a childhood hero, so I can't think of any single person I 'd want in charge of my baseball team more.
So why'd this song bring me to the Rangers? Mariano Rivera hijacked this song to enter ballgames in for the Yankees. The Yankees are bad for Baseball like the Texas Longhorns are bad for college football. I want them to lose, even if someone other than the Rangers beats them.
"In the End" - Linkin Park
Is that a sign? I think so. Let's wrap this up in style. i haven't touched on the Razorbacks, and partly on purpose. But I will say this... I'm glad we hopefully got the ugly game out of the way against A&M because if we play like that against Auburn, we might as well turn in our membership to the "big boys club." Texas A&M is not good, and while we almost beat Alabama, it could be said that we've stopped playing in the second half of back-to-back nationally televised games. We've got to figure out how to finish what we've started, or we're just another middle of the road team in the end.
Wow, that worked out kind of well... Coincidence?
Now I know this one might not be my best, but thanks for reading, Aunt Toni. think I thanked my mom in a previous one, but that may have been wishful thinking.
So I leave you with these words...
"Get Rhythm" - Johnny Cash
Get a rock and roll feeling in your bones. Put taps on your toes and... get gone.
