Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Music Snob...

Hell, I won't deny it. This post was inspired by the post left by Jon on his blog today. He wrote about how his music tastes have changed over time. I'll talk about how my tastes have changed in a future post, but his post reminded me of how some people have accused me of being a snob when it comes to music. I'll happily admit that I am passionate about music. Guess it's just something that most people in my family don't really understand. They walk in my music room where I keep my cd collection and just make the comment...'Wow, you sure do have alot of music..how do you have time to listen to it all.' I understand their question, but I guess I just have a passion that's followed me since I was in high school. Alot of the music reminds me of events in my past. I can tell you the exact album that was playing when I had my first car accident (Counting Crows-Recovering the Satellites), the album that was on when my grandfather died (Blur-Park Life), the album my wife pretended to like when we were dating (Radiohead-The Bends), and the album that took me through late high school (Oasis-What the Story Morning Glory). Guess alot of the albums have some form of sentimental value in my mind.

Some people have things they enjoy purchasing from week to week. For example, I know alot of people who enjoy buying several cases of beer, bottles of wine , cartons of cigarettes, or things for their cars. I like music..so sue me (that's not an open invitation to the obsessive compulsive RIAA...I buy freaking music..come look in my room and see what my family complains about). I understand that this is a hobby that I will likely have to severely limit when I have children..but why should I have to deny myself something I actually enjoy. I work my ass off at work during the week...can I not actually enjoy one or two new albums here and there?

So I guess I didn't really hit on the title of my blog. Guess I should rename it to read 'Leave me the freak alone..' or 'Yes, I have a hobby like everyone else..except I have something to show for it...Take that you freaking alcoholics or smokers.' And also, my hobby won't lead me on the path of a slow death.

Guess I let my feelings be told after years of dealing with people bugging me about my obsession for music. Get on with your lives and focus on your problems..let me have my fun while I still can.

I'll try to stay on track next time. For now..have a good night all you addicts.

Tuesday, September 13, 2005

Oh the places they will send you...

Well, it's been a week since my last update. My 'wonderful' job (hint sarcasm) has been throwing changes at me at the most inopportune times. I was informed while on PTO a week back that I would likely be in town this week, but then I was assigned to a random insurance client in Florida. The manager on this client first told me that I would be in Tampa for a week, but then changed his mind on Thurs. of last week and said that I was going to Orlando. I tell ya, trying to book a flight from Memphis to Orlando at the last minute is near impossible. I booked a flight but got to the airport to check-in and the kiosk said that I was on the waiting list for seats because the flight had been over-booked (aka, the airline has got your money, but can't guarantee you that it can get you to where you're going when you need to be there..buncha of idiots..no wonder Northwest and Delta are going bankrupt...(hint of sarcasm)). Well, luckily I was assigned a seat after everyone had already boarded and I sat in a tiny space for 2 hours. Not my happiest experience.

Oh well, enough of my complaining. I am in Orlando for a week. I haven't been to Orlando since probably 1989 (wow, 16 yrs). Needless to say, this place has changed so much. The client is right across the road from Universal Studios. The city is not what I remember when I was brought down here to disney as a middle schooler. There is so much money that has been thrown around. Disney and Universal is one big theme park along I-4 with a lot of malls and hotels to fill in the spaces (and to take your money). It's one big money pit. Guess the idea of spending an entire week at Disney just isn't up there on my Big list of things to do. All I see is a big mouse jumping into a vault of dollars while I'm staring at an empty wallet.

Well, I think I've said my peace tonight. Maybe I need to get some sleep.

Also, here is an update of the current albums that are worth listening to:
1. Sigur Ros-Takk
2. Bloc Party-Silent Alarm (Remixed)
3. Richard Hawley-Cole's Corner

Time to sleep in this empty hotel room.

Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Just what I expected....

First off, I don't know what the heck is in the air, but my allergies are killing me today. They started acting up this weekend, and haven't given up. I barely slept last night while my nose twitched and dripped. I wish this Allegra D would kick in and help out.

To my topic of conversation. Guess it shouldn't surprise me that alot of the networks and print media are jumping on this Hurricane Katrina bandwagon trying to blame one political party for the less than quick response in New Orleans and Mississippi. From what I've seen, the blame can be spread around. Instead of whining and complaining..shouldn't all these pompous asses just get to work instead trying to find fault. I read a good article today about all this political complaining. Check out http://www.washtimes.com/national/pruden.htm I find it funny that the New Orleans mayor ordered a "mandatory" evacuation a day late, but kept the city's 2,000 school buses parked and locked in neat rows when there was still time to take the refugees to higher ground. The bright-yellow buses sit ruined now in four feet of dirty water. I also want to vomit when I hear Jesse Jackson and Kanye West say that all this is a racial issue. If this is such a racial issue, then why are a majority of the volunteers in New Orleans white people??? Give me a break..go on about your business of having illegitimate children with a variety of women and shut your freaking pie-holes. It's also funny how everyone wants to point fingers at one another and act like they could have done better. It's funny when someone asks one of these complainers what they would have done differently..and the person just sits there with a blank look while stammering....so quick to judge...so little education to come up with a better solution...so typical.

Well, I'm getting off my soapbox. I gotta go get to feeling better..like now!

Thursday, September 01, 2005

Oh My Aching Tooth...

Well today was not very fun considering that I had to go to the dentist on my day off from work. I only went with the expectation that I'd have my teeth cleaned, but of course nothing goes as planned. They checked my teeth and found a cavity. I had a choice to either wait awhile or get it filled today. With my travel schedule, I went ahead and did it. It's been several years since I've had dental work done and forgot how I hated it. They had to numb my gums and give me shots. To be honest, I didn't do so well considering they hit a blood vessel (which hurt like hell). I went into a cold sweat and would have passed out if I was standing up. Thankfully, they got it done. The only painful thing left is to see the bill...man, I hope my insurance steps up to the plate.

Guess I should be sarcastic and thank Hurricane Katrina for causing Memphis to run out of gasoline. I went into town and noticed that about 3 or 4 of the gas stations I drove by were completely out of gas. It also didn't help that they continued to bring the price up. I saw gas for $3.25/gallon at alot of places...up another 35 cents in another day.

Guess I can't complain too much...I'll just have to stick around the house and veg out this weekend with the wife. Went to rent a few movies tonight...picked up Sin City, which I've heard alot about. Hope it's as good as the critics say.

I'll stop complaining. Life isn't that bad considering the hell that is taking place in New Orleans. I feel really sorry for the people who are in need of food and water..but do they really need to act like savages? And please, stop all the looting of things like TV's and non-food items. I'm not one to speak because I can't imagine what people are going through, but let's try to be somewhat civil.

Well, I'm exhausted...gonna go finish this Titans preseason game. Did I mention..thank goodness football is back...Go Vols this weekends. Oh, and maybe Ole Miss won't embarass themselves on Monday.

This is ground control to major tom...