Pieces of Youth

Standing at the counter, watching three 20 year olds critique my taste in NES games really got me thinking about where I am in my life right now. I took a tote full of my old video games and systems to the local Vintage Stock tonight and got $126.50 for fully a 1/3 of what was in the box. The other stuff they either had too much of or they just didn't think they could sell (Who DOESN'T want the soundtrack from the Spice Girls movie?!) and for my troubles I was issued a check to with as I choose. My goal is to buy a new saxophone, so now I'm motivated to sell practically everything I own to get it.

Listening to Coltrane as I write this. I'm changing, moving from the idea that I am some kind of burgeoning writer and back to what I am, namely a saxophone player. It's what I've done since I was 10 and should have stayed with through now. God, in His infinite glory and power, has brought me back to it and not a moment too soon. Tonight I'm trying to write some parts that will figure somewhere into the praise and worship music at church. I'm back to music after a 12 year absence. It's a great feeling. Playing music and trying to write stories are two very different things. I can't say that if I went back in time I would've made a different decision because you just can't do that. What I will say is that God has put that something I was looking to focus on back into my life and I love Him for it. Knowing that this is what I'm supposed to do is great. Finally! Being a husband and father, a lover of music, working on my fitness and content in knowing that I can relax and do what needs to be done. It's a glorious blessing that I wish those non-believers in my life could see and take something from. If only...

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Brain Clutter

Last night, Stacey and I had a very good conversation about the state of my mind. During the conversation I was able to take stock of my current thought process and how cluttered it is with stuff. The 479 individuals I follow on Twitter. My ability to consistently toss quips into a conversation without thinking twice. My lack of retention for simple tasks and information. My encyclopaedic knowledge of World War II, Star Trek, and basically every movie made after 1946. All these things are veying for my attention almost constantly. If you could plug an A/V cable into my brain and watch it for just a few seconds I'm sure your own cranium would explode just from the pure shock of the overload.

This morning when I came into the living room, I logged into Twitter and started deleting most of the accounts I've been following over the last couple years. My first instinct was to just delete the account totally, but that would be stupid. I use Twitter for more than just a neverending stream of meaningless "news" and updates. I keep my workout journal on it, I update my @RTM account, and I communicate. Shutting myself off from the social network would do nothing. I would be preoccupied with garbage that I think I'm missing out on. It's a silly compulsion but it's a compulsion nonetheless. It needs to be dealt with.

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Why does the World Series seem fixed?

Is it me, or did the Yankees seem like they should've pulled it off last night? Chase Utley had his two homers sure, but the NYY could've come back. I'm not trying to be a conspiracy theorist (or maybe I am) but if the Yankees win at home, you know the Series is fixed. Think about it. The new Yankees Stadium opened at the beginning of the season. What better way to christen in the new House that Jeter & A-Rod built than with a Series victory at home? Okay, it's a bit far fetched, but just think about it.

Think, my friends. You will find the truth.

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Flu is short for "influenced by the crowd"

I'm totally over this Swine flu thing. I've grown tired of hearing about the severity, the deaths, and the lines to get the vaccine. If that makes me an ostrich, sticking my head in the sand then so be it. Yes, let's focus on the melee and advertise the Hell out of this thing. Let's put pressure on everyone to get it in the arm or up the nose. Let's fill our TV screens with images of little kids getting the aerosol syringes shoved practically into the back of their throats in the name of public health. Have none of you seen "I Am Legend?" What would happen if we found out this vaccine was actually a ploy by the government to create a race of superhumans? What then?! This vaccine could actually be a mutagene engineered to change the very structure of our DNA.

Of course I don't condone the silliness of "Swine Flu Parties," but to make it seem as if not getting the shot will somehow hasten the end of humanity is really not fair. This stems from a brief comment I heard on the radio this morning on the way to work. It was echoed by a colleague when I came into the office. If I'm remembering correctly, she said "people who don't get the vaccine deserve to die." Hmmm... interesting thought. When I asked her if she'd gotten one yet, she said she hadn't and was on a waiting list. Waiting lists? Really? They have those? I've never heard of a waiting list for these things. Of course, this girl is not terribly brilliant when it comes to real issues, so I'll just let it go for now.

Stacey and I are firmly in the "no flu shot camp." Hundreds of thousands of people have gotten the shot and so far, none of them have turned into zombies or changed color or anything. It's not a money issue and we're not afraid of needles, we just don't feel it necessary to have the shot. For those out there who do, thanks for taking the bullet for the rest of us. We'll keep watching just to make sure your flesh doesn't start deteriorating.

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A father's dream: Taking my little girl to the next "Mad Max" movie!

By the time George Miller's "Mad Max: Fury Road" comes out, Maddie will be four years old. I think it's safe to say that she would enjoy the fourth Mad Max film. In an interview with Australian TV, Miller states that they're getting it all together and will begin filming next year. I'm excited, despite my age and perceived maturity level. As a means of explanation, Maddie's name (Madeline Maxine) is a play off of Mel Gibson's titular character.

Ha ha, I said "titular!"

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