The Lyrics in this song are about us becoming who we are and facing things that might get in the way.

We should do it before it’s too late..a life that ain’t lived is still lost.

Every time I hear the song ‘Strawberry Wine’ by Deana Carter, I am instantly reminded of fourth grade. Back when I would stay up listening to the radio request show, hoping that they would play that song**. I would fall asleep every night with a pair of headphones strapped on, listening from an old portable radio. Of course I would wake up three hours later, my ears aching, the cord strangling me, and a giant portable radio poking me in the back; but the possibility of hearing that song made it all worthwhile.

Even my blog name references a song. A couple of years ago I was taking some time off, and ultimately discovering some things about myself. I was spending a lot of time discovering new music, and I found the song “Scratch” by Kendall Payne*** on a CD of Grey’s Anatomy songs my best friend had given me. It is a beautiful song, and still one of my absolute favorites to this day. In one line she asks if he would still say he loved her under this ordinary moonlight; and that line has always stuck with me. I suppose on most days I wonder if I will ever find somebody who could love me underneath the ordinary moonlight. The entire song is full of wonderful lines; and I will always associate it with the year I found myself.

Keane’s “Somewhere Only We Know” will always make me think of the Italian countryside. The very first time I ever heard that song I was visiting Europe for my first, and to date, only time. We were on this large tour bus making our way to Sienna; and my friend offered to share her iPod with me.**** We each took an ear bud, and as I watched the Italian countryside fly by, I was captivated by the view, and Keane.

Perhaps one of my most memorable song/memory combinations will always be my very first reaction to hearing the Goo Goo Doll’s song “Name”. I was traveling home from a visit with my sister in California, and this particular trip had my layover in Seattle. I am usually a Salt Lake City kind of girl, so I was welcoming the change of scenery. While I was visiting I had taken the time to go and see my friend; and naturally downloaded some of her music while I was there. To this day I am not quite sure why I had never heard “Name” before that moment, it was a fairly older song at that time – but my reaction was instant, and powerful.

I was still listening to my iPod as they had us make our way outside, down some stairs, and onto to the tarmac. Just as I took my first step onto to rain soaked tarmac, the airport lights glittering in the forming puddles, the song began to play. It had been a pretty rough mental year at that point, and as I listened, every lyric seemed to be written specifically for me. It all proved to be too much, and by the time I finally made it to the plane, tears were streaming down my face. It’s not really all that surprising that when I hear that song now, I feel it down to my soul.

Honestly, this post could continue forever. I could spout on about how I think of Paris when I hear “I Believe In A Thing Called Love” because the first time I ever saw ‘Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason’ was on my flight to Europe; or how “More Than A Feeling” makes me want to go for a jog because it was my motivation workout song. “Boston” by Augustana is the reason why I occasionally want to pack up all of my belongings and disappear to a new city.

I can’t be the only person who has such strong memories attached to songs – share with me the songs that made such a difference in your life that you’ll never forget them.

**I was also hoping that someday, somebody would call up a radio station and dedicate a song to me.

***If you want this song let me know; I will gladly share.

****Yes Kristin, I remember that I shunned your iPod, saying I would never want one. I was wrong. So very wrong. I apologize, you were right, I was wrong.

And I’d give up forever to touch you, ‘cause I know that you feel me somehow.

–Iris by Goo Goo Dolls

‘09 ist so gut wie vorbei, doch wie der Volksmund zu sagen pflegt, morgen ist ja auch noch ein Tag. In diesem Fall bedeutet das, 2010 stehen einige hochklassige Releases auf dem Programm, die bereits jetzt ihre Schatten vorauswerfen. So haben etwa die Red Hot Chili Peppers angekündigt, vier Jahre nach “Stadium Arcadium” im Herbst 2010 ein neues Studioalbum herauszubringen; die Aufnahmen haben im Oktober begonnen. Einen genauen Zeitpunkt für die Veröffentlichung existiert noch nicht, im Gegensatz zum neuen Album der Eels: “End Times” erscheint bereits am 19. Januar. Das würde mich nicht so wahnsinnig beschäftigen, wenn der erste Track daraus, “Little Bird”, nicht allein schon besser wäre als das gesamte letzte Album:

Bloc Party werden trotz neuer Single, die irgendwie an mir vorüber gegangen ist, 2010 nichts neues raushauen, dafür plant Sänger Kele Okereke allerdings ein elektronisch angehauchtes Soloalbum. Man darf gespannt sein, ebenso wie auf die neue Platte der Goo Goo Dolls, deren neue Platte den Titel “Something for the Rest of Us” tragen und im Februar in den Läden stehen wird. Ich freue mich schon eine ganze Weile darauf; die erste Single “Real” macht jedenfalls ordentlich Lust auf mehr.

Nicht weniger gespannt bin ich auf den nächsten Longplayer von Sigur Rós, für den bisher weder Titel noch Veröffentlichungsdatum feststehen; bekannt ist lediglich, dass das Album wieder melodischer und entrückter als die vergangenen Alben werden soll. Man darf also vermuten, dass Sänger Jónsi Birgisson einiges aus seinem gelungenen Zweitprojekt Jónsi & Alex mitgenommen hat, was ich für absolut begrüßenswert halte. Nicht annährend so sphärisch und entrückt wird es bei Hot Chip zur Sache gehen, deren Single “Take It In” bereits einen hörenswerten Vorgeschmack auf das im Februar erscheinende Album “One Life Stand” bietet:

Ein Newcomer, der mir bereits jetzt wahnsinnig gefällt, ist die Band Surfer Blood, deren erstes Studioalbum im Januar erscheinen wird. Die Jungs klingen nach Vampire Weekend, nur besser. Womit wir beim Thema wären: Ebenfalls im Januar erscheint auch die nächste Platte von Vampire Weekend. Dass sich der erste Track des Albums, “Horchata”, auf der Homepage der Band kostenlos runterladen lässt, darauf hatte ich schon hingewiesen. And again, wir haben ein Stichwort: Mit Avi Buffalo steht ein weiterer großartiger Newcomer bei Sup Pop unter Vertrag und damit in einer Linie mit großartigen Indie-Bands wie Blitzen Trapper oder Band of Horses, die es ja so was von verdienen, ganz groß rauszukommen. Verbraucherfreundlich wie immer, bietet Sup Pop Avi Buffalos grandioses “What’s In It For” für lau zum Download an. Ach, und da man von tollen Newcomern bekanntlich gar nicht genug haben kann: Delphic machen fabelhaften Elektropop, der bereits das ganze Jahr über durch’s Netz geistert; das Album “Acolyte” erscheint nun Anfang Januar. Wer mehr von den vier Jungs aus Manchester hören will: Ein feines Download-Paket gibt’s hier abzustauben.

Weiter im Text. LCD Soundsystem haben ebenfalls ein neues Album am Start – besäßen die Jungs eine vernünftige Homepage, ließe sich darüber vielleicht mehr herausfinden. Einstweilen kann man sich vielleicht mit dem Download einer Coverversion von “Bye Bye Bayou” trösten. Die Platte soll ebenso im Frühjahr erscheinen wie (angeblich) das vierte Studioalbum von Wir sind Helden. Den Posten des von mir (und wahrscheinlich nur von mir) am Sehnlichsten erwarteten Albums 2010 ist allerdings ganz klar an Angels & Airwaves vergeben, deren neuer Longplayer “Love” am 14. Februar erscheinen wird. Auf Youtube lassen sich bislang nur krude Demoversionen in wirklich mieser Soundqualität finden; ich kann mir allerdings nicht helfen, ich find’s trotzdem großartig.

Wo wir schon bei AVA waren, auch Tom DeLonges “Nebenprojekt” blink-182 hat angekündigt, im nächsten Jahr ein neues Album aufnehmen zu wollen. Da die Band zuvor allerdings noch auf Reunion-Tour geht, könnte die Platte auch erst 2011 erscheinen. Ebenso wenig ist über das Erscheinungsdatum des nächsten Release der Bloodhound Gang bekannt, an dem die Jungs um Jimmy Pop momentan angeblich arbeiten. Etwas konkreter geht es da schon bei MGMT zur Sache: “Congratulations”, der Nachfolger des großartigen “Oracular Spectacular”, soll bereits im Januar veröffentlicht werden. Die ersten Songs des neuen Albums haben MGMT bereits live präsentiert, so auch den Titeltrack des Albums:

Wenn man jetzt noch bedenkt, dass ich mit Sicherheit jede Menge tolle Veröffentlichungen vergessen oder schlichtweg nicht mitbekommen habe, lässt sich wohl davon ausgehen, dass 2010 ein VERDAMMT vielversprechendes Musikjahr wird. Ab dafür!

#180 – Goo Goo Dolls – “Black Balloon” – (1998)

Dizzy Up The Girl is one of the definitive pop-rock albums of the 90s. This is just the first single from the album to make this list. Johnny Rzeznik says the song is about heroin addiction. I associate it with Meet Joe Black for some reason.

Scars are souvenirs you never lose
The past is never far
- Goo Goo Dolls Name

Eine wunderbare Ballade, die einem alten Mann an einem kalten Novem-berabend das Herz erwärmt: Die Goo Goo Dolls mit “Iris”

Enjoy!

Acum ceva vreme, l-a troznit pe colegu’ o idee, şi a postat un playlist de 10 piese calmante. Am zis că de ce să nu vă incânt şi eu cu 10 piese din lista mea de preferinţe, şi astfel să continui tradiţia “Chillout Sessions”.

Sper să vă placă piesele alese, majoritatea sunt piese pe care le-am mai ascultat în ultimele zile, destul de stresante, aş putea zice. Audiţie plăcută!

1. Jason Mraz – You and I Both

2. Goo Goo Dolls – Iris

3. Bob Marley – Top Rankin’ (da… ascult Bob Marley)

4. Coldplay – Yellow

5. Billy Talent – Surrender

6. Deep Blue Something – Breakfast at Tiffany’s

7. Eric Clapton – Layla (unplugged)

8. Reamonn – Supergirl

9. Incubus – Love Hurts

10. Jonathan Rhys Meyers – This Time (August Rush)

Yawn…sigh. I’m feeling down today, I dunno why. Anyway, I updated my blogroll so only a few deserving sites are there. Sadly, a few of my friends quit. Pengweeno1(Chobots) and GHmidoriGH(Club Penguin) both quit. I miss them(*dramatic music*)…I’m upset and I still can’t lose my sense of humor.  Hahaha. BTW, the editorials feature of this site won’t go live for a few more weeks because I’m still begging people to ask me stuff. Bye. BTW again, the dramatic music was “I’m Still Here(Jim’s Theme)” by John Rzeznik of the Goo Goo Dolls, from the Disney movie Treasure Planet. Seeya.

Por Murillo Moret

A globalização ajuda na divulgação de uma certa banda nos meios de comunicação, principalmente na internet. Porém, nem sempre essa certa popularização pode ajudar determinados músicos, como por exemplo a banda brasileira Nove Mil Anjos, a britânica Snow Patrol e os americanos do Goo Goo Dolls.

Após o término da dupla Sandy e Junior, a imprensa ficou ensandecida com a notícia de que o filho do famoso cantor sertanejo Xororó formaria uma nova banda. Junior, Peu (ex-guitarrista da Pitty) e Champignon (ex-Charlie Brown Junior) levaram seis meses para encontrar um vocalista que tinha um perfil que se encaixasse com o Nove Mil Anjos: Péricles Carpigiani, o Peri.

A gravação do cd homônimo aconteceu em Los Angeles, nos Estados Unidos e, logo após o lançamento do single “Chuva Agora”, em 26 de setembro daquele ano, fizeram um show no Video Music Brasil, na MTV.

Se passaram um ano após a apresentação e a banda acabou por conflitos internos. Deixou saudade? Para quem curtia as antigas carreiras dos integrantes, sim, porém, foi um sucesso de uma noite. E mais nada.

“Tell me that you open your eyes”. Quem nunca ouviu Open your Eyes, do Snow Patrol, que atire a primeira pedra. A banda britânica foi formada em 1994, mas emplacou seu primeiro (e único) sucesso apenas em 2007.

Os americanos do Goo Goo Dolls tem um tempo de estrada ainda maior. A banda, formada em Bufallo no ano de 1986, colheu seus maiores frutos mais de dez anos depois. Em 1997, os produtores do filme “Cidade dos Anjos” convidaram o GGD para fazer uma música para a película. Eles mandaram nada mais, nada menos, que “Iris”. No embalo, lançaram o cd “Dizzy Up the Girl”. A banda sempre será mundialmente conhecida pela música-tema de Nicolas Cage e Meg Ryan.

Para os fãs, seus ídolos nunca perdem os seus reinados, porém, na mídia, a história é um bem diferente.

“And I’d give up forever to touch you
‘Cause I know that you feel me somehow
You’re the closest to heaven that I’ll ever be
And I don’t want to go home right now”–

I’d waste all my time so I could be close to him simply because I think something might happen. I think he’s the closest to true love I’ll ever find, which is a mistake. And when I have to leave him, I feel sad. When I watch him walk away from band practice, a part of me walks away, too.

“And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
‘Cause sooner or later it’s over
I just don’t want to miss you tonight”-

When I’m around him, I’m very self-conscious and I pick up every little detail about everything he does. But, sooner or later, I have to leave him, and I’ll be stuck thinking about him all night. And I feel bad because I could never date him without Katie murdering me. And she could never date him without me feeling especially desolate.

“And I don’t want the world to see me
‘Cause I don’t think that they’d understand
When everything’s made to be broken
I just want you to know who I am”-

I don’t want everyone to see me when I’m thinking of him, or when I see him and blush or giggle. They wouldn’t understand. They wouldn’t see why I like him. To them, he is just another guy in the background. At the same time, when hearts are made to be broken, I don’t want him to get too close to me. I just want him to know my name and not hurt me.

“And you can’t fight the tears that ain’t coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
And you bleed just to know you’re alive”-

He doesn’t know me, so he can’t cry over me. And he doesn’t know that I see truth in what he says even though it doesn’t mean anything. However, when everything is so dramatic around me, I keep hurting to know I’m still living in the present.

I love this song! It’s so amazing. One of my favorite songs. It’s extremely meaningful. Check it out!

Two musical memories have been shaping my night quite nicely, each provided by a friend this past weekend. The first, while sitting in a record-strewn living room, littered with the occasional empty pack of Pall Mal’s and can of the cheapest beer the local gas station sells, was friend numero uno trying, as he has been for a few weeks over the phone, to convince me how — seriously — the first two albums by the vomit inducing Goo Goo Dolls were worth not only listening to, but owning a copy. I, of course, disagreed without needing to hear a single note. After a beer, we compromised with the promise of both albums on a single CDR, requiring me not to empty my already short pockets.

On my drive to meet friend numero dos, and without any of my usual musical companionship, I begrudgingly inserted the fresh CDR which laid bare on my passenger seat. I was told to skip to a particular track, a cover of Prince’s “I’ll Never Take The Place Of Your Man,” one of the many masterpieces off of Sign ‘O’ The Times, transformed here into a late-period Replacements jam, and a particularly great one at that. I soon discovered, driving east on the Long Island Expressway, that the entire collection was, basically, the same thing. This is not a criticism, rather an expression of praise. At any time, on most days of the week, I’m down for Replacements jams, whether sung by Paul Westerburg or some dirty kids from Buffalo, New York, who would later in the decade astronomically wuss out on the promise laid out so beautifully here.

So my night was going well. In the rain, at a strangers house, in a town whose name I made no effort of remembering, I heard somebody utter the name Harbour Sounds. When I was a wee teenager, on trips with my grandmother, I would always make a visit to the local record store — which was now being spoken about fondly in the past tense, as it closed a few years ago. This was a period when I was convinced cassettes were better than compact discs (for monetary issues, obviously, but was still ahead of the indie curve by about 13-15 years) and remember, quite passionately, buying Fugazi albums and listening to them late into the night on my Sony Walkman, for days, sometimes week. I remember listening to it on the bus, watching the kids I wished I was hanging out with sneak into woods to kiss girls and smoke cigarettes they stole from their parents. I played ice hockey at the time, and used In On The Kill Taker to “pump me up,” as they used to say, before a big game. I was never very good at ice hockey. Maybe because I had those fucking basslines stuck in my head the whole game.

As I returned home in the wee hours of our sabbath, with the quiet of my bedroom surrounding me and the sleep I so desperately needed drifting away, I frantically decided I needed to dig up my Fugazi albums, which I now own on compact disc. Immediately, I inserted them one by one into my computer and loaded them onto my iPod. I was never convinced on those damn coasters.

(Image: Richard Tuttle, Walking On Air, 12, 2008)

…I just want you to know who I am”

Baby’s black balloon makes her fly
I almost fell into that hole in your life
You weren’t thinking about tomorrow
‘Cause you were the same as me
But on your knees

A thousand other boys could never reach you
How could I have been the one
I saw the world spin beneath you
And scatter like ice from the spoon
That was your womb

Comin’ down the world turned over
And angels fall without you there
And I go on as you get colder
Or are you someone’s prayer

You know the lies they always told you
And the love you never knew
What’s the things they never showed you
That swallowed the light from the sun
Inside your room, yeah

Comin’ down the world turned over
And angels fall without you there
And I go on as you get colder
Always someone there

And there’s no time left for losin’
When you stand they fall, yeah

Comin’ down the world turned over
And angels fall without you there
And I go on as you get colder

All because I’m
Comin’ down the years turn over
And angels fall without you there
And I’ll go on and i’ll lead you home and
All because I’m
All because I’m
And I’ll become
What you became to me

air.

Mike Malinin, American drummer for Goo Goo Dolls

picture by Navy Blue Stripes

1. Major Label Debut (Fast) by Broken Social Scene

Fave Lines: “Forced to live like it’s a curfew translation: means I love you / And I’m all hooked up, I am all hooked up…”

Listen

2. Back Out On The… by Kevin Drew

Fave Lines: “Everyone can write this song / but they can’t write you and me…”

Listen

3. Postcards by An Horse

Fave Lines: “And it’s not what I want to hear, what I want to see but your skin’s covered in postcards from you to me”, “When you see me sit by myself, you’ll think that I’m waiting for someone else.

But I’m wishing for somewhere else.”

Listen

4. The Secrets In The Telling by Dashboard Confessional

Fave Lines: “We are compelled to do what we have to / we are compelled to do what we have been forbidden”, “’Cause you will be somebody’s girl / and you will keep each other warm / but tonight I am feeling cold.”

Listen

5. Shimmer by Fuel

Fave Lines: “She says that love is for fools who fall behind / I’m somewhere between / never really know my killer from my saviour”, “It’s too far away for me to hold too far away!…”

Listen

6. Naked by The Goo Goo Dolls

Fave Lines: “You’re naked inside your fear / You can’t take back all those years / The shots in the dark from empty guns are never heard by anyone…”

Listen

7. Sweetness by Jimmy Eat World

Fave Lines: “I was spinning free whoa… / with a little sweet and simple numbing me… / stumble ‘til you crawl woah… / sinking into sweet uncertainty.”

Listen

8. Fighting For Nothing by Meg & Dia

Fave Lines: “These things take time love / These things take backbone / And they’ll tell you what you want to hear ’cause they think it’s better / But you better know how to point out the liars / You’ve got to weigh your wars make sure you’re not fighting for nothing / Are you fighting for nothing?”, “I’ve got my words. I hope they hurt you / I hope they scar you / I hope they heal you…”

Listen

9. Clouds by The Morning Light

Fave Lines: “I’ve got this pain in my head that I can’t shake / When I remind myself I can’t get to you…”, “I wrote you letters but I forgot to mention that / I’m a wreck / I’m a mess / You’re a stranger / Watch your face fade away now I’m stuck here…”

Listen

10. Hello Hello by Paramore

Fave Lines: “You’ll be sorry to hear / I’m doing fine now / Sorry to hear / You’re without me now!…”

Listen

11. Dakota by Stereophonics

Fave Lines: “You made me feel like the one / made me feel like the one!…”, “I don’t know where we are going now / So take a look at me now!…”

Listen

12. Alright by The Subways

Fave Lines: “So what you say / And what you do is who you are…”, “Make a change and find the reasons why / Another day, another chance and it will be Alright…”, “And I wonder / When we fall / Who do we need? / Who do we call?…”

Listen

13. In A Cave by Tokyo Police Club

Fave Lines: “All my hair grows in / Wrinkles leave my skin / But still don’t fade I’ll be back again when the tide is in someday…”

Listen

14. If You Could Only See by Tonic

Fave Lines: “Sayin you love but you don’t / You give your love but you won’t…”, “Seems the road less travelled / Shows happiness unravelled / And you got to take a little dirt to keep what you love / Thats what you gotta do…”

Listen

15. Be Quiet And Drive (Far Away) by Deftones

Fave Lines: “It feels good to know you’re all mine / Now drive me far away…”

Listen

16. Where Do We Go From Here by Filter

Fave Lines: “I’m not so glad I met you / It makes me want to go away…”, “Where do we go from here / You know I’m not the only one…”

Listen

17. Is It Any Wonder by Keane

Fave Lines: “Is it any wonder I’m tired? / Is it any wonder that I feel uptight? / Is it any wonder I don’t know what’s right?…”, “Oh, these days, after all the misery made / Is it any wonder that I feel afraid? / Is it any wonder that I feel betrayed?…”

Listen

18. Sway by The Kooks

Fave Lines: “Say whatever you have to say, I’ll stand by you…”, “Be whoever you have to be, I won’t judge you…” , “Cause I need your sway, because you always pay for it / And I, and I need your soul because your always soulful / And I and I need your heart, because your’re always in the right places…”

Listen

19. The Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin

Fave Lines: “Something’s getting in the way / Something’s just about to break / I will try to find my place / In the diary of Jane so tell me how it should BE!…”

Listen

20. Who You Are Without Me by Kate Voegele

Fave Lines: “I’m not a mirror / Look inside yourself / I’m not a hero / You know too well / I’m not your saviour SAVE YOUR energy / to find out who you are / yeah who you are without me!”

Listen

"Bye bye, Miss American Pie..."

Ever want to bring a fun night of karaoke to a stand-still?  Here are some suggestions to do exactly that (in no particular order):

Name – Goo Goo Dolls

Rumored to be about singer/songwriter Johnny Rzeznik’s childhood.  Both of his parents died when he was young, and he’s singing the song to his sisters that raised him.
BONUS DOWNER: His father was an alcoholic.  And just remember where you’re at when singing this.

The Freshmen - The Verve Pipe

Singer/songwriter Brian Vander Ark wrote this song that covers these incidents: a cancelled wedding, an abortion, and a suicide.  Only one really happened (see the next song for a hint).
BONUS RUMOR: My brother went to Western Michigan University, where this band also hailed.  Story goes they were kicked out of WMU because one of the band members raped a girl.  Party time.

Brick - Ben Folds Five

Band front man (duh) Ben Folds’ girlfriend has an abortion, and this melodic mood killer (bad choice of words?) tries to express how he felt… and succeeds.
BONUS SALT IN THE WOUND: The procedure takes place the day after Christmas.
BONUS HOT PEPPER SAUCE IN THE WOUND: They were still in high school.

Lightning Crashes - Live

Lead singer Ed Kowalczyk dedicated this song to a friend that was killed by a drunk driver.  The drunk driver was fleeing from police after committing a robbery.  The friend – she was only 19.
BONUS SILVER LINING: She donated her organs and saved the lives of others, including a 10-month-old baby.  That’s what the song is really about.  But still… bummer.

Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton

Anyone that doesn’t know the story behind this song is lucky.  Well consider yourself lucky no more.  It’s about how Eric Clapton felt after his 4-year-old son, Conor, fell out of a window — on the 53rd floor of an NYC apartment building.
BONUS “REALLY?!” He hasn’t performed this song since 2004.  His reason:

I didn’t feel the loss anymore, which is so much a part of performing those songs. I really have to connect with he feelings that were there when I wrote them. They’re kind of gone and I really don’t want them to come back, particularly. My life is different now. They probably just need a rest and maybe I’ll introduce them for a much more detached point of view.

____________________________________________________________________________

This final bit contains the Unholy Trilogy which have actually caused me to leave a bar.  If you have to click any because either A) you don’t know it or B) you actually like it… I hate you.

• Hotel California – The Eagles
• Desperado – The Eagles
• American Pie – Don McLean

____________________________________________________________________________

SIDENOTE: If you feel the need to reignite any karaoke night obliterated by any of the above performances, feel free to press the button below to save the night, despite what this list might claim:

Click Image Only In Case Of Emergencies

on the eve of my 29th birthday, i find myself mulling over questions instead of answers. i am more unsure than reassured, and i have an emotional nook that houses regrets of missed opportunities as opposed to the stupid mistakes i’ve made. the 20s are an interesting time in one’s life–exciting, yet foggy. if i had a chance to visit myself at 15, i believe that i would tell myself to relax, enjoy the moment, learn as much as possible and seize every opportunity that befalls me. i would also tell myself that life doesn’t turn out like you think, so sometimes it’s best not to have lofty expectations based on sub-cultural norms and family history. it would have done me a world of good to realize that at 15….but…we know what is said about hindsight.

if i was to be visited tonight by my future self, what advice would future me give to present me?

birthdays have bothered me since i was about 24ish. i’m not entirely sure why, because i’m not one of those people that is really into preserving youth–i’m not afraid of wrinkles or wisdom (i am, however, afraid of grey hair). i think the realization that life doesn’t turn out like you always planned is part of my problem with birthdays. my life is really good–but it is wildly different from the picture i had in my had at 15–or even 20, for that matter.  i must admit that i am thrilled that i have been able to experience life and some things in my 20s that other people didn’t get to, and i’m not even slightly regretful that i haven’t given my life over to the rearing of a young human yet.

i believe that the 20s are a time for discovery, development, and decision. i have discovered a great deal about myself in my 20s, have significantly developed in many ways, and have made several decisions (for the good or bad) about my life and the direction that it’s going. but i have come to one particular, troubling discovery: i don’t quite know who i am or what i want out of life. don’t get me wrong–i know much more about who i am and what i want than i did when i was 19, 23, or even 27. but i’ve realized that for much of my life my identity and desires have not been me. i am not certain how to explain that, but i think that is something that everyone experiences.

as i’ve grown a bit wiser, i’ve begun to understand pieces of who i am. yet, i’m still filled with questions about who i am and what i want out of life. i’m still highly unsure of my capabilities and place in the world. i’m trying to reconcile the regret i possess and instead of thinking about all of the opportunities that i have refused for one reason or another, begin to seize each day–i want to stop living my life as if the purpose of life is to look pristine and perfect at all times until i safely arrive at death (shout out to mark batterson).

i have decided to make a list of things that i want to do before i turn 30. some  are big things. others are small. i have decided to chronicle and process my next year on wordpress–at least the parts that are suitable to be read by anyone. i’m pretty sure that no one will read this blog consistently, so i think i’m safe

life is too precious to be lived apathetically (which is, coincidentally, the name of my game). i’m going to live the last year of my 20s with as little regret as possible…that way, when i turn 30 next year, i can say “i learned a hell of a lot in my 20s…some good, some bad, but all…life. now i get to reap the benefits of that in my 30s by being the person that my 20s taught me to be and do the things that my 20s taught me to do”.

maybe it’s pie in the sky-ish. but it’s the only thing that’s gonna get me through turning 29, so i’m sticking to it.

“And you ask me what I want this year
And I try to make this kind and clear
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days
Cuz I don’t need boxes wrapped in strings
And desire and love and empty things
Just a chance that maybe we’ll find better days

So take these words
And sing out loud
Cuz everyone is forgiven now
Cuz tonight’s the night the world begins again” – the goo goo dolls (genius)

here we go, 29.

Happy Birthday this week to:
Oct 04
1929 ● Leroy Van Dyke → “Walk On By” (1962)
1947 ● Jim Fielder → Blood, Sweat & Tears, sessions
1957 ● Barbara K. MacDonald → Timbuk 3
1962 ● Jon Secada

Oct 05
1936 ● George Jones Jr. → The Edsels
1938 ● Carlo Mastrangelo → The Belmonts
1942 ● Richard Street → The Temptations
1943 ● Steve Miller
1947 ● Brian Johnson → AC/DC
1949 ● Brian Connolly → Sweet
1954 ● Bob Geldof → Boomtown Rats
1957 ● Lee Thompson → Madness

Oct 06
1917 ● Bob Neal → Early Elvis Presley manager
1946 ● Millie Small → “My Boy Lollipop” (1964)
1950 ● Thomas McClary → The Commodores
1951 ● Kevin Cronin → REO Speedwagon
1954 ● David Hidalgo → Los Lobos

Oct 07
1941 ● Tony Sylvester → The Main Ingredient
1945 ● Kevin Godley → 10CC
1949 ● David Hope → Kansas
1951 ● John “Cougar” Mellencamp
1953 ● Tico Torres → Bon Jovi
1968 ● Thom Yorke → Radiohead
1968 ● Toni Braxton

Oct 08
1934 ● Doc Green → The Drifters
1942 ● Reese Francis “Buzz” Clifford → “Babysittin’ Boogie” (1961)
1948 ● Johnny Ramone (John Cummings) → The Ramones
1949 ● Hamish Stuart → Average White Band
1950 ● Robert “Kool” Bell → Kool & The Gang
1965 ● C.J. Ramone (Christopher John Ward) → The Ramones

Oct 09
1937 ● Pat Burke → The Foundations
1939 ● Overton Vertis “O.V.” Wright → “That’s How Strong My Love Is” (1964)
1940 ● John Lennon
1944 ● John Entwistle → The Who
1948 ● Jackson Browne
1969 ● Polly Jean “P.J.” Harvey
1975 ● Sean Ono Lennon
1984 ● Nona Hendryx → Labelle

Oct 10
1946 ● John Prine
1946 ● Keith Reid → Procol Harum
1953 ● Midge Ure → Ultravox
1954 ● David Lee Roth → Van Halen
1961 ● Martin Kemp → Spandau Ballet
1967 ● Mike Malinin → Goo Goo Dolls

http://blogsurfer.us                                 http://alphainventions.com

Hi guys. That’s sis Darlene, now on the AARP mailing list, and Rick and Leona (Lee)…Unc/Auntie. I don’t know if it’s moving along in years, or being stagnant with your own life, or the combination…but really appreciatin’ the family these days! When Darlene was little, you could NOT get her out of the swimming pool! All summer long she’d have the nose plug marks on her nose–she hated getting water up her nose.
And Rick and Lee–did countless polkas with Lee’s mom, Marcia at weddings as a kid. Seemed like we were always going to weddings and dancing endlessly as kids.
Also have memories of watching the moon walk with Rick and Lee, along with the Beatles’ world premiere “All You Need is Love” on Ed Sullivan.
And don’t even get me started on all the basement dance parties…Rick and Lee included in on those as well!
~~~~~
I remember back when I moved my blog over to WordPress that I looked up the word “musings”, and think it was something about rambling without any particular direction. Since then, I think I’ve kind of narrowed down the focus much more, but seeing it’s the end of the month, and seeing I have bits and pieces that I want to clean out of my folder–would it be okay if I just threw everything in here today so I can start the new season and month off with fresh stuff? Thanks…was hopin’ you’d say that.
(Actually wasn’t expecting you to say “who gives a rat’s rear end what you do?!”, but I’ll take that
~~~~~
Big Birthday!!
~1964, Born on this day, Robert Carl Takac, Jr; along with Johnny Rzeznik, Robby Takac is one of the founding members of the Goo Goo Dolls. Takac was born in Buffalo, New York and grew up in the Buffalo suburb of West Seneca with his parents and younger sister. He graduated from West Seneca East Senior High School in 1982. He graduated from Medaille College with a degree in Communications, with an emphasis on Radio Broadcasting. In his college years, he played in several bands and interned and worked at a local Buffalo radio station.
In 2003, Takac joined with Brian Schulmeister to form the dance music collective Amungus.
Takac founded the non-profit charity Music is Art in 2004.
In 2008, Takac was named to the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Medaille College
In 2009 Takac opened Goo Goo Dolls Inner Machine Studios to the public as GCR Audio
RobbyTakac has a MySpace (robbyslobby) and Facebook (RobbyTakac).
Also, you can keep up with him at
     www.googoodolls.com
     www.amungus.com
     www.goodcharamel.com (his record label)
     www.musicisart.org (his charity organization)
~~~~~
Big Firsts
~1452 1st book published, Johann Guttenberg’s Bible
~1898 City of NY established
~1960 Flintstones premiers (1st prime time animation show)
~~~~~
Big Music Notes
~1977, Mary Ford died from cancer after being in a diabetic coma for 54 days. One-half of the husband-and-wife musical team, Les Paul and Mary Ford. Between 1950 and 1954, the couple had 16 top-ten hits; in 1951 alone, they sold six million records.
~1978, Exile started a four week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Kiss You All Over’
~1995, Mariah Carey made chart history when she started an eight week run at No.1 on the US singles chart with ‘Fantasy’, making her the first female act to enter the chart in pole position.
~2007, Country music singer Keith Urban crashed his motorcycle on the way to an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. The 39-year-old, who was not injured, said he was being followed by a photographer when the accident happened near his home in Sydney, Australia.
~~~~~
Late Night Humor
(Dave)
~Scientists say there is evidence of water on the moon. That’s great, but call me when you find vodka.
~At first, everyone was excited about all the world leaders in town for the big U.N. grand opening of the U.N. session . . . but now we’re all sick of them, and we want them to go home. Traffic is insane; you can’t get anywhere . . . and Gadhafi with that stretch camel — who’s he kidding?
~~~~~
Name Dropping
~Michelle Cook Anderson
www.ibreak4glass.etsy.com
Mosaic Art and Supplies
“A Totally GREEN shop. I use chipped and broken china
to make my birdhouses along with left over scraps of
stained glass from other artists to create my mosaics.
Proud Member of THE Piece Makers Mosaic Artists Team here on Etsy. http://team.etsy.com/viewteam.php?id=521“
~~~~~
Births/Events
~1935 Johnny Mathis singer (Chances are, 12th of Never)
~1943 Marilyn McCoo Jersey City NJ, host/singer (Solid Gold, 5th Dimension)
~1917 Drummer Buddy Rich born in New York, NY; billed as “the world’s greatest drummer”, “known for his virtuosic technique, power, groove, and speed.” On April 2, 1987, Rich died of heart failure following surgery for a malignant brain tumor. He is interred in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California. He was 69.
~1955 James Dean killed in an auto collision at 24 near Cholame Calif
~1960 On Howdy Doody’s last show Clarabelle finally talks “Goodbye Kids”
~~~~~
Hodge-Podge of Deeep Thinking
~Dieting: Wishful shrinking.
~weirdralph: I wonder if I’ll ever see my cousin again. She told me to meet her on the corner of Walk and Don’t Walk.
~Beer: The reason I wake up every afternoon
~”It’s not easy having a good time even smiling makes my face ache.” -Frank N. Furter: The Rocky Horror Picture Show
~”Auntie Em, hate you, hate Kansas, taking the dog.”-Dorothy.
~Cry me a river, build a bridge, and get over it!
~~Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
~Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
~Why do they call it an asteroid when it’s outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it’s in your ASS?
~Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog’s face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?
~Why is it that people say they “slept like a baby” when babies wake up like every two hours?
~If a deaf person has to go to court, is it still called a hearing?
~Why are you IN a movie, but you’re ON TV?
~Why do people pay to go up tall buildings and then put money in binoculars to look at things on the ground?
~Why do doctors leave the room while you change?
They’re going to see you naked anyway.
~Why is “bra” singular and “panties” plural?
~Why do toasters always have a setting that burns the toast to a horrible crisp, which no decent human being would eat?
~If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
~Can a hearse carrying  a corpse drive in  the  carpool lane  ?
~If the professor on Gilligan’s Island can make a radio out of a coconut, why can’t he fix a hole in a boat?
~Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They’re both dogs!
~In 1980, anthropologist Magoroh Maruyama told the editors of The Book of Predictions that between 1985 and 1995 underwater cities would be built in tropical and arctic regions. In desert regions, subterranean cities would be built.
~”Everybody hates me because I’m so universally liked.”-Peter de Vries
~~~~~
Okee dokee…hope I didn’t waste too much of your time…and thanks for reading this far down   Have whatever kind of a day that you’d like–after all, who the HECK am I to TELL you what kind of a day to have?!

Jean is Dave's Mom, then that's bro Bob