Music As Memories

The power of music is amazing. Most cannot comprehend how strongly this force can influence one's persona. What amazes me is how at certain points in my life I will listen to certain songs over and over. Their riffs, lyrics, and melodies at that certain point in my life seem to mean everything at that moment. It never lasts forever, but in a way it does because I know that for the rest of my life I can listen to that one certain song and all the memories from that point and time in my life will come rushing back to me.

This thought was made vivid in my mind today when discussing Smashing Pumpkins. "Disarm" was the first song I ever learned on guitar. I remember the day I saw the music video for "Today" for the first time ever on MTV. It had Billy Corgan and an ice cream truck. Probably one of the most popular music videos of my era.

Now I'm at a point in my life where bands today are old enough to be able to site the Pumpkins as their influencers. The first real concert I ever saw were the Smashing Pumpkins. It was on their Melon Collie and The Infinite Sadness tour. What an amazing album. Every song was good. It was like the gift that never stopped giving. I still remember all my friends who went with me to that show. I even still have my ticket stub.

Now I'm feeling like busting out some "Cherub Rock." I will now leave you with a quote. Goodnight.

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"Nothing in the past or future will ever feel like today." - I feel like this everyday. It's good to feel. It's good to be real.

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Don't Stand So Close To Me

I'm a very social and outgoing person and I generally enjoy engaging in conversation with people who I don't know. However, when it comes to sitting on an airplane, I don't want anything to do with anyone. ESPECIALLY if the person is sitting next to me.

Planes are awkward. They're loud, uncomfortable, and the seats tend to invade my personal bubble. I also don't like talking to people because if you decide to start talking to someone, you feel obliged to continue awkward conversation for the duration of the flight. F that. I just want to put on my hoodie, lean my head against the window, and fall asleep.

Anyway- I was flying from Boston back to Los Angeles yesterday when the gentleman next to me kept trying to talk to me. I'm sure he found me interesting. I was reading and watching a movie (Shaun of the Dead- brilliant flick) at the same time. He kept wanting to ask me why. I didn't know why. I was just trying to divert my brain from the fact that I was on a plane. You see, if I'm not comatose on a plane I don't enjoy my flight all that much. I get antsy and bored. Then I get hungry. Then my tummy hurts from the icky plane food. Then I have to get up and go to the bathroom and I'm surely to bump someone's leg in the aisle along the way. The whole tight space thing, not my style. Being social on airplanes is not either.

I am going to speak in front of 120 people in two weeks. This will be my first public speaking event ever. As long as I'm not speaking on an airplane, I'll have nothing to worry about...