Chameleon of Music

For those of you who don't know me well, let it be said that I am a music fanatic. I always have been from a very early age. I spent many a Saturday afternoon stacking my 45's on my record player and jamming out in my room for hours. Once I progressed and got my first "boom box", the age of "mixed tape making" began, and it was all she wrote. To this day one of my absolute favorite activities is to sit in front of my disc burner, spread out all of my CDs, pop open a cold beer, and see what kind of mix my mood at the moment will make. I'm going to estimate that I've made around 500 mixes (tape and CD) in 25+ years. Love it. ....Now, I've always prided myself in my diverse taste. I mean, I'm talking DIVERSE. My collection includes AC/DC, Herb Alpert, Rolling Stones, DEVO, Ella Fitzgerald, XTC, Grateful Dead, The Go Go's, Glenn Miller, Kelly Clarkson,Harry Chapin, The Dead Milkmen,Dolly Parton, Donna Summer, The Eagles, Phish, etc etc etc ...You get my point. Anyway, I have tried to define my taste on several occasions, and finally now conclude that there is no easy way to do so. I've settled, for, "DEVO and everything else."
So my thoughts going into this post, were, that I am baffled by people using the words "hate" when describing music. Music is subjective,....duh! But, it's all about chords, tunes, practice paying off, artistic outlet, poetry, fun, entertainment, and.....enjoyment. I'll give you an example: Since moving from Chicago to Indiana 6 years ago, I have met alot of "haters" when it comes to music that doesn't fit a preconceived definition of "good", or "cool." Two acts in particular that I oft here referenced this way (here, in Lafayette at least), are The Eagles and John Mellencamp. Growing up, I loved both of these acts...still do. Are "Hotel California" and "Jack and Diane" over played on FM stations. Sure. Are they my favorite songs by these guys?? Absolutely not. But, I still find myself able to enjoy and find the good in songs even when they are saturated on one's memory. The Eagles, for me, are part of my youth's soundtrack. I don't recall a time where they weren't around, whether on the radio, or whether it was me playing "Tequilla Sunrise" at 4 in the morning behind the DJ booth at Streeter's Tavern in Chicago in 93. I played anything and everything at Streeter's. When I first sorked there, the DJ on Friday afternoons used to do a 3 hour set consisting of songs by only Led Zeppelin or Frank Sinatra. It was great!!!!
I pose this question, and really answer it specifically if possible. Why "hate" a band or artist?? Please try to elaborate verbally more than "Cause they're p*ssies" or "cuz his music blows!!" or "cuz I met them once and they were assh*les!".....OK....more than generalities accompanied by spitting and middle fingers. Talk to me. Were you teased on the playground by bullies singing "Life in the Fast Lane" as a kid?? Did you never get the chance to suck a chili dog with a girl outside the Tastee Freeze??? Is that it, jealousy??.......Really, tell me.
I love all music. I intend to jam out to Earth,Wind and Fire and Nirvana til I can't hear. I'm gonna let the dogs out, while consistently buying a stairway to heaven til I really have to.... Yeah, you heard me. I referenced them both in the same sentence and admitted liking them both. So there!!! Knock me down if you like, but I get up again. I will survive.
So that's my beef and query for the day. I hope for some enlightenment. If I don't hear back from any of you.....oh well. Life goes on. Long after the thrill, of blogging is gone.Well, I'll stop now. I gotta make some meatballs for dinner. I'm gonna play some music while I do....not sure what yet. I'm feelin' a little Grateful Deadish, though I've been humming Men at Work all day.

Uncommon Sense

OK...so, you've seen the title of my blog. That being noted, I ponder the following: Is it just me, or does the use of making bad personal decisions these days seem to outweigh using common sense for most?? I'm by no means the smartest guy in the word, but, I've always prided myself on my use of decent decision making...(barring a couple of beer induced isolated incidents.) As a bartender of two decades plus, I don't exaggerate when I say that I've "heard it all"...from crimes commited, infidelities, lies, regrettable acts, etc etc etc. Though there is a degree of enjoyment from hearing these things, I usually recollect later in my head with phrases like, "What an idiot", and, "Idiot", and,"What a big idiot" to name a few. My observations lead me to believe that perhaps people are so bored or disappointed in their existence, that they decide (consciously or not) to go the route of drama and self destruction. The unspoken bartender "law" is kind of like Vegas....I'm a confidant of sorts, who is there to listen and comment, but, not expected to disagree too much. I'm really tired of that method. I've decided I'm going to start using more directness in relaying my concerns over one's absense of COMMON sense. I won't be mean, but, real. I would expect the same to be returned to me as well. As I said, I'm no rocket scientist, but, just an overly observational thinker, who feels perhaps he could enlighten a few repeat offenders of missing sense. I digress.
I hope Plaxico Burress, Rush Limbaugh, and Jon n Kate read this. Peace.

I Love the NBA.....(so sue me)

Well, a brand new NBA season starts today, and, that makes me happy. I am a die hard Pacers (1st) and Bulls (2nd) fan. Now, I realize that there are a lot of NBA haters, but, that's never made my enjoyment wane at all. I lived in Chicago during the Jordan era, and bartended every single playoff game Michael played. The excitement in that city during his reign was amazing. I recall quietly rooting to myself while bartending whenever MJ and Reggie Miller went head to head. THAT...was basketball. MJ truly gave the city, and alot of the nation, a special bond. I won't even go into favorite Michael moments cause there were too many. I guarantee you though, that in most of those memories, his tongue was hanging out. ESPN reported this morning that yesterday marked the 25th anniversary of MJ's first appearance in a professional game. 17 points and 8 rebounds.....we had no idea what was ahead.
Don't get me wrong, I love football and baseball just as much,but, the NBA fan is a rarity these days it seems. I've listened to all the reasonings NBA-haters have spouted over the years...."It's not the same ever since Jordan left", "The season is too long", "There are no "superstars", etc etc etc etc........Whatever. These people are the ones sitting in bars b*llshitting statistics and facts non stop during games, without ever looking at the screen. I know alot of "sporty" Cliff Clavin's if you will. These are the people who claim Shaq is done, LeBron is overrated, Pacers have no talent, Kobe sucks, etc etc etc....If you don't like the game, I will accept that. But, if you haven't truly paid attention since hearing calls like "Paxson hits the three!!", then you really should try watching a little more and talking a little less. There are tremendously talented players out there (Kobe, LeBron, Dwight, Duncan) that might not have six rings, but, with the right crew around them perform as well as Jordan ever did. (Not taking anything from MJ). I agree the season is long, but, I enjoy the fact that even if you're cold at the All Star break, doesn't mean your season is over. In the NFL, if you stink at the half way mark, there's a better chance than not that your season is done. (See Oakland)
OK...that's my soapbox. I'll end by saying "I love this game!", "Go Pacers!!", "Go Bulls!!", and, if you want to talk NBA this year with someone who'll provide more lengthy comments than "Kobe good.".......call me.

Six, Drugs, and Rock and Roll

Well, the kid's birthday party went well. I think kids and parents alike had a blast. The smashing of the guitar pinata was a highlight. Even after all the candy was taken, a few of the kids continued screaming "Rock and Roll!!" while continuing to cremate that poor, poor pinata. I attempted to lead Simon Sez with about 10 kids....mostly 5-7 years old. I'm not sure if there was too much sugar in they're blood to follow my direction, or, if they just really wanted to do anything I told them,but, pretty much every kid lost every round (6) simultaneously. Oh well. Limbo went much smoother. ... The new count is 4. That being the number of boyfriends/future husbands Rowan has chosen. She knows what she likes, that's for sure. One knows when they're her boyfriend. Being introduced as such while being dragged by the hand from room to room is a good first clue. Good luck to Aaron, Leo, Luke, and David.
Rowan got as many gifts as one has ever gotten without others creating a story about three wise guys, a stable, and a bright star to follow. I mean....wholly crap!!! Clothes, crafts, a two foot Cinderella castle with every princess figure, Nintendo DS with lots of games, myrh, frankencense, etc. We got most of it put in proper places, but............WHOLLY CRAP!!
We allowed Rowan to pick all the party music for a special mixed CD that everyone got a copy to take home. There's extras, if there's takers. (Parents with kids firts choice, of course) We made a CD cover with Ro's image. They turned out really cool. Songs range from The Beatles, Queen, and DEVO to Camp Rock, Spongebob, and iCarly. The kid loves her music, that's for sure. At one point during the party, while between songs on the "cranked up" mix, Rowan said disappointedly,"Ooohh...Daddy....we forgot to put Rolling Stones on the CD!". I am so proud.
Sunday we recooperated. Put stuff away, played games, watched movies,watched the Bears game (game used loosely), cleaned house, and basically had a classic "at home" family Sunday. Nice. These kind of weekends give me a perma grin good for a couple of days at least.

Not Rocket Science with Joe

OK...so I'm gonna see if i enjoy this whole blog thing. Friends have told me I should often, and not merely due to my over posting on Facebook, but, genuinely with an air of , "Blogging is perfect for the kinda crap you come up with..." I digress.
I'm not going to say more at this time, because my goal is to be insightful, fun, and organic when possible. More to come...
Joe