The Gen-Xer turns 35

Well, everyone has a birthday that they have not looked forward to. I am not much into it; I didn’t freak out when I turned 25 or 30. You have your birthdays that just don’t mean much, like 17 or 22. This birthday has been making me think the most, I am turning 35 this Sunday and I don’t know what to think about it. I am halfway to 40, but I don’t feel that way.

So far I have marked off some things on the ol’ life check list:

1) I am working at a job that I love to do. Although I feel sometimes it’s not a very important job as a world changing job in general, but I work at a job that gives people an escape from every day life. They get to come and act crazy, yell, be happy or sad at the outcome, but in the end they walk away not thinking about every day life for 3-4 hours, which I am glad to serve as an escape for people.

2) I am married (which at times I am sure my parents and grandma had their doubts if they would ever have a daughter-in-law or a grand child due to early dating habits or lack there of).

3) I have a beautiful, amazing, very loving daughter (which scares me that the modern world would let a person that at the time of conception had no clue what to do raising a child and still doesn’t at times).

I think these are the major three that most people have at some point in time, and I still have a ton more things that I want to do. I am not the big, “I gotta sky dive” type of person. I am more of the person that feels I should experience and see more things in the world. Hurling myself out of a plane is not part of that worldly experience I am talking about. I think going to ACL this summer made me realize that a part of me has been missing for a while. I have made a promise to myself to get out and see more live music, and just get out in general. Due to my job during college sports season it’s hard for me to find time to do things for Sloan and Kristen, and just to do things for myself.

I have a ton more things I want to do, and I feel Kristen and I have the chance to do here in not long. Plus with the news of my Dad retiring, there are things I want to do with him as well. Have a good ol’ Father and Son baseball stadium tour each summer and hit one ballpark a summer until we have seen every one of them. I have a ton of sports things I want to experience on my list. I still want to travel around Europe, I want to hit a few more beaches during the summer, and in general live life the way I want too. Which a large part of that is to see more live music, and take Sloan to her first ever concert.

I guess, in general, 35 is more of a milestone than something where I should be counting the grey hair (or lack there of for me) on my head and just being complacent where I am, I still have goals in life and my career. It makes me want to do more of the stuff I have always wanted to do, and I have two great people to be able to do that with. It makes me want to go out and do more now than I did before. I never though of my list until now, and I am seeing it filled to the brim with a ton of stuff I want to do (a list too large for here). It makes me excited to know what else I have in store, because the first 35 years has been awesome so far.


Music this week:
Seeing it’s the week of my birthday I am going to push back the new music to listen too, and I am going to give you some albums that helped mold me into who I am as a music lover. I could give you more, but these are some of my all time favorites or have a special place in my heart.

1) Beastie Boys-Licensed to Ill. This was the first album I ever had that was mine. I think I got this as a birthday present and it has traveled with me from then all the way to me being 35. I think I went through two copies of this album. Thank you for being with me for all these years Beastie Boys.

2) N.W.A. - Straight out of Compton. This was the first album that I actually purchased with my hard earned allowance. At the time, I didn’t need my parents to buy this for me, and if they did know what I bought at the time, I would still be grounded.

3)Led Zeppelin. I can’t name just one album, but if my sister wouldn’t have had me listen to Led Zeppelin I don’t think I would love music as much as I do.

4) Beach Boys- Pet Sounds. I can always remember one constant with my Dad, he loved the Beach Boys and this album and Endless Summer I can always remember hearing at home.

5) Willie Nelson and Family-Live. I can remember to this day always hearing this at home when my mom was cleaning the house. At the time I didn’t understand Willie and I hate modern country music, but Willie is and always will be a staple for me.

6) Run D.M.C- Raising Hell. This to me is one of the all time greatest hip hop albums. This molded hip hop into what it is now, and the crew from Hollis is the cornerstone. This is the second album I can remember having along with License to Ill. I went through two copies of this as well.

7) R.E.M.- Green. I can remember buying this album when I was 12 or 13 and I knew I was breaking the mold and doing something different from my friends. This is when I knew I would always be a little different from my friends growing up in my small hometown.

8) Dr. Dre- The Chronic. If there is a person that has never listened to this album, or didn’t own it you should be ashamed. It’s hard to go through two copies of a CD, but trust me I did. This album is one of the best all time, I can remember listening to this on a Friday night with my boys back home.

9) Pearl Jam- Ten. I can remember this around my junior year of high school, and I knew this was a band that I would always love from the day I listened to this. This got me through a lot of nights sitting at home in my room.

10)Sublime- 40 oz. to Freedom. For some reason this album always reminds me of my freshman year at college. I met a lot of great people that I have since lost touch with or just got back in touch with recently. I was young, dumb, and innocent then, but it was a great time of growing up real fast.

11.)Rage Against the Machine. The first time I listened to them I was mesmerized by their ferocious sound. I hate to say this, but a kid from Oklahoma realized the world was a much bigger place because of their music and political views.

12.) Radiohead-OK Computer. This album was the first time I realized music could take you to a different place and let you have a release from everyday life. Still a band that is in my must see list.

13.)Pearl Jam- No Code. It is my all time favorite album, hands down. I am surprised the original album packaging is still intact to this day. I will always listen to something from this album once a week.

14.)The Jimi Hendrix Experience- Axis: Bold as Love. This and Electric Ladyland are my two favorite albums by Hendrix. I love Castles Made of Sand, and this is around the phase everyone goes through at one time with Hendrix and the Doors. If I had to pair the two together, I would hands down go with Hendrix over the Doors.

15.) Red Hot Chili Peppers-Blood, Sex, Sugar, Magik. My all time favorite RHCP albums. I got the chance to see them live for the Californication tour, and it made me love them even more. You can’t go wrong with this album, and it was a staple through out college and even now. Not a day goes by without me listening to a Chili Peppers song, and I am passing this along to Sloan.

15 A.) Jack Johnson- Brushfire Fairytales. This album will always be special to me due to the fact that Kristen and I listened to this all the time when we first met.

There are a ton more albums that aren’t on here, but that is a list for another day.

Figuring out I am starting to get old

There are certain times when an adult (yes I am using that to describe myself here), that you understand you are getting old. Once you are out of college and working and girls all of a sudden becomes less interested in you because your are out of college. When you have to debate the good and the bad of going out during the week. You have to talk yourself into going to a concert during the week and also knowing you have to take a day off the next day to recuperate. Also the bright idea of going to a party and staying out way too late, and having to deal with it not only the next day, but for the whole weekend.

The last one actually happened to me this past weekend. Don’t get me wrong, I had a great time meeting some new people that actually have the same interests as I do. Which is rare for me, not everyone wants to talk about music, sports, and other random stuff. I am in no way someone to talk about politics, national and world events with. I don’t keep up with that, it’s too depressing. Plus being a liberal in the state of ultra conservative uptight people does not bold well for me in that situation.(yes I am talking about Texas where good ol’ W can do no wrong.)

Well during the course of the night, I met some really cool people, got to hang out with a friend (and fellow Pearl Jam fan) before he leaves for a new job, and of course having some adult beverages as well. I got in some great discussions about music, new bands to listen to, meeting another music elitist (yes there are a lot of us out there), and while doing this I managed to stay up well past my bedtime. It was more like my bedtime or lack there of, I had when Boyd and I lived together in Edmond. This is my downfall of being in my 30’s (or close to mid 30’s for those counting) it was entirely way too late. I often tell Kristen that I might be in my 30’s, but in my mind I still feel 25-27. Well, mind might feel that age, but the old body doesn’t, and it let me know this whole weekend.

I have a theory that you feel the age where you have the best memories, for me that was from 25-27. I was finishing up college, having the time of my life, and it was right around the time I met Kristen and started working in sports. Well my friend, the 25-27 year old Kevin would have kicked the crap out of the Kevin of now. I am naturally a night owl and have always been one, but note to self, can’t stay out that late.

The best thing of the night is I finally found some people that I like hanging out with and had the same interests as me. I have a lot of friends that think it’s the coolest thing I work in sports (and it is), but I get my fill of sports so much that a lot of the time the last thing I want to talk about is sports, seeing it’s almost like talking about work for me. So when I meet people that want to talk about music especially, I really enjoy it. So all in all, I guess the reward of feeling old the whole weekend was I had a great time Friday. It was a first at a party here in Waco, hopefully it won’t be the last. Thanks, Lars.

New Music for the Week:
Well, I am still holding out hope that I get discovered by Rolling Stone or anyone that will let me review music for that matter. I guess I will never let my rock n’ roll dreams die. Here are some of my picks for this week. I have a ton of music to listen to still on my external hard drive. I am slowly getting through it, but these five albums this week have stuck out to me, so here we go.

The Parlor Mob-And You Were a Crow
I have had them on my radar for a while since listening to a single you got at ACL this year. I have to say I have listened to this album for about three days now, and I haven’t got tired of it yet. TPM is a nice change right now, they have a rock feel to them, and Mark Melicia on vocals is outstanding. They have got the attention of being a “must see” live band, and from listening to their album I can see why. From top to bottom this album is great, I would say you should check them out before they get big. Listen to Everything you’re breathing for and Carnival Of Crows.

Editors-In This Light And On This Evening
This is their newest album they released in October. I really liked their first full length album and of course I was interested in their newest one. On a personal note, the one downfall is one of the singles will be on the new Twilight soundtrack. (I really feel that this movie will ruin bands I like for being on the soundtrack) They did make a turn to a more electric feel for this album, which it feels a few bands from Europe are starting to turn that way. It has taken me a while to like this album, there are a few tracks that are starting to stand out to me. Check out Papillion.

50 Cent-Before I Self Destruct
Ok, as I keep telling everyone, I am a huge hip hop fan. I hope that at age 60 I embarrass my grandkids by playing Dr. Dre too loud when they come to visit. Well it has been a great year so far for hip hop fans with the release of Eminem, Raekwon, and Jay-Z. 50 Cent made sure everyone was going to take notice to his album as well. I have to say right now it’s in the top five this year. It was well worth the wait for Dr. Dre to produce his new album after Eminem’s. Right now my favorite tracks are Then Day Went By and Psycho.

White Denim- Fits
This trio hails from Austin, TX (I do hate the school there, but as music goes, I would live in Austin.) It’s hard to put White Denim in a category, which is good, I would have to say they are more experimental music at this point. This is their third studio album along with three EP’s they have released. I have listened to this album a few times since getting it, with experimental stuff you have to listen to it a lot before you catch on. Right now I am really starting to like White Denim, check out the song I Start To Run.

Weezer-Raditude
I will always have a soft spot for Weezer, I have stayed by their side and I hope I never leave. The seventh album from Weezer is really good. I prepared myself for a pop feel of an album from them ever since I heard the rumors from Rivers Cuomo that he was going to do a pop album. He brought in some help ranging from Lil’Wayne to The All-American Rejects to help with the album. He was wanting a pop record and he got it. There are a few songs on here that will catch on to top 40 radio. Right now I like the first single (If You’re Wondering If I Want You To)I Want You To and The Girl Got Hot.

The Duke Blue Dragons

Well, as most of you that follow this blog, most of it is about my life, my love affair with music, my family, and my uncanny love for sports and my career. Unfortunately for Kristen she also at times (and reluctantly) shares my love for all of the above. Mostly she is reluctant about sharing my love for sports. With this time of year, she really hates it, because college football is in the thick of the season, and basketball is starting up. She really doesn’t like basketball. (Hence the title of the blog, she blurted this out during one of my numerous sports quizzes I give her, mostly to bug her.)

For me, this is when I start getting busier at work due to men’s basketball season starting, with that it means a few more days less at home during the week and weekends. Not to mention, I have started watching NBA basketball again as well. (To Kristen’s delight) It’s also time to get Sloan signed up to play basketball again this year, which she is excited about.

There are two reasons I am starting to watch NBA basketball again, 1) Oklahoma FINALLY got a pro team and I have to support the home town team now, and 2) Blake Griffin now plays for the Clippers and I like to watch him play. The reason for the long hiatus from NBA basketball is the fact I was spoiled growing up. I started out watching Magic, Isaiah, Bird, and the Greatest Player ever Michael Jordan. Honestly the late 80’s and 90’s were the best time to watch the NBA. Once Jordan retired, I followed suit and quit watching, honestly you only get to see someone like Jordan once in a lifetime during sports, who can blame me? It’s like talking to my Dad about baseball and he brings up Mantle, Rose, Schmidt, Aaron and others. I can’t blame him, he got to see baseball when it was great (not that it isn’t now), but the players back then were amazing. Just like me and the NBA as a kid, it was amazing then.

Plus to make this a legit music blog as well, one of the greatest bands ever got its original name from an NBA player. (Yes it’s a Pearl Jam reference and a quiz, name that player and I will send you something cool, bonus if you get the school he went too.)

Not only was I a huge Jordan fan, I still have the original Nike Air Jordan poster waiting to be framed and hung in my man cave (when I get a man cave). I have always loved basketball; I just chose to watch the college game for a while until I got the interest back. I am not a huge NFL follower, so Kristen gets off easy on that, and of course I am a huge baseball fan and always will. So I decided it was time to get back into the NBA full-time instead of watching Sportscenter for highlights. So I am a little excited that basketball is starting, and for me at work it means a change of pace (and TV face time for me during our games on TV, I am the random dude with a headset on when you see guys check in and out), and a change of pace is always nice at work. It is one of my bigger sports I get to do marketing for. So this week I am excited to get it started, which it also means closer to baseball season starting back up.

So, if you see or talk to Kristen she might be on edge due to the fact her most hated sport has started. She tolerates all the other sports, and at times thinks there is no end for some sports, and I agree. How freaking long is hockey season? Well, keep an eye out for me when Baylor plays, I am the dude hating wearing a tie, sitting at the scorers table.

Music for this week:
Well another good month of music this month with the release of Weezer, Dashboard Confessional, John Mayer, and a ton of others. It looks like I am still on my euro music trip with some Aussies thrown in as well, so here we go with some music I am listening too.

Mumford and Sons-Sigh No More
Someone mentioned I should check this band a while back. They are a folk band from England. They formed in 2007 and have put out a lot of EP’s until the release of Sigh No More this year. I have to say that the acclaim following the band is holding true to form, if you like bands like Blind Pilot, The Decembrists, M.Ward, Monsters of Folk, or The Avett Brothers, you will like Mumford and Sons. They have a folksy almost blue grass tinge to their music. Check out the song Little Lion Man.

Wolfmother-Cosmic Egg
I have always kind of kept notice of Wolfmother ever since I heard “woman”, I knew these Aussies could play a little. They formed in 2000, and finally hit it big in 2006 with the release of their self titled album Wolfmother. They had a ton of great singles on that album, so I was ready to hear their second album once it was released. I have to say I am happy with it so far. They once again came out to rock on another album. Right now I like New Moon Rising and 10,000 Feet. If you haven’t listened to their first album you should do so.

The Big Pink-A Brief History of Love
Well, another English band that I have decided to take a listen too. They got their name from the album “The Big Pink” by the Band, but don’t let that fool you. They are actually an electro-rock band. Once again Paul Shirley came through and recommended this band. It is going to take me a few listens to determine if I really like them or not. Right now I like the songs Dominos and Love in Vain.