Musical musings...

Ok, I'm a dork, but I think that title is pretty amusing. See? I did it again!!

Yeah, I know I need help.

Ok, Joan passed me the baton, so here is my attempt to describe my random and varied musical taste. Thus follows my musical notes (I am on FIRE!)

Total volume of music on my computer: I know how much space I have left, but can’t figure out how much I actually have. I have 224 songs…but I need to pull in all my other CDs.

The last CD I bought: Tom Waits “Closing Time” in LA this past weekend. Much to the chagrin of the Sony boys who want me to just download from their service. Although they do get points for providing me with the player….

Song playing right now:At the moment, nothing which is generally not the case when I am home and online. Then I just have everything on shuffle - -this way I don’t have to listen to one artist all the time and it keeps things interesting.

CD in your car right now: A mix that I made due to the aforementioned short attention span.

Last song played on your iPod: Well, now that I have a shiny new Sony Network Walkman (shameless plug) I tested it out and heard Collective Soul’s “Better Now”

Five songs I listen to a lot, or that mean a lot to me: Oh geez…this might be hard…too many to choose from and it changes by the minute.

I generally listen to a bunch of songs a lot in short bursts. My taste in music is varied and short lived, changing from one moment to the next. So there are only a handful of songs that have stood the test of time. And even though I have favorite songs, there will be plenty of times where I change the station before it has ended.

1. Southern Cross (Crosby, Stills and Nash). Not even sure how to describe why this is my absolute all time favorite song. The only song I have consistently liked. It is about sailing, love, is pretty depressing and hopeful at the same time if you listen to the lyrics, and if I could make it my wedding song, I would. But lyrics like “she is all that I have left, and music is her name” isn’t the kind of message you want to send at a wedding.

2. Feeling Good (Nina Simone). A fairly new song to me, introduced to me by my sister who was always (and still is) more hip than I could ever be. Also a pretty depressing and uplifting song at the same time, a song about starting over, looking to the future, and well, feeling good. And boy, that woman can sing. “Freedom is mine, and I know how I feel. It’s a new dawn, a new day, a new life, and I’m feeling good.”

3. Pachelbel’s Canon in D (Pachelbel). Heard it every Monday morning during the 5 years at Williams. Was far too cool to admit that I actually liked the music and really wished not every bride to be walked down the aisle to it (not that there is any type of wedding for me in my near future) but it is just a beautiful piece of music.

4. Conquer Me (Blues Traveler). Wow, I really pick lots of depressing songs as my favorites. I think if there were ever a song that described “my inner turmoil” (if I can say that without being too pretentious) this would be it. Lyrics like “Conquer me. Figure me out and set me free. I got a hundred million things to show you, as many more to see, but only if you conquer me.” And “Hail to all you mountain climbers, all you dreamers on the run. I’m your self appointed solicitor, yet I speak to only one. Whoever she is now, whoever she’ll become, I’d like to ask her to hurry please, if she’s walking could she run. It’s not my impatience though perhaps just there I lied, it’s just I’m feeling invincible and it has me terrified.” Ok, first, replace the “she” with “he”, but that pretty much sums me up. It is a bit hard to admit to this – on the one hand, I’m really not all that deep and liking this song makes me feel like I am one of those guys who think they are the guy in “Desperado” – just a loner that needs to “let somebody love you, before it is too late”. On the other hand, it strikes a chord in me that I can’t ignore.

5. Laid (James). Fun, happy song about a dysfunctional relationship with really great sex. Was also ironic that I was dating a James at the time. I so wanted to steal the poster “Get James Laid”. Lyrics include the torrid “This bed is on fire, with passion and love. The neighbors complain about the noises above.” And the dysfunctional “Moved out of the house, so you moved next door. I locked you out, you cut a hole in the wall. I find you sleeping next to me, I thought I was alone. You’re driving me crazy, when are you coming home?”

Honorable mentions: Stairway to Heaven for all those last dances at High School dances, Pour Some Sugar on Me for my metal-head years, The Reflex because Duran Duran ruled, Why Don't We Get Drunk and all things Buffett, and countless others.

Five people to whom I'm passing the baton:Yeah, I don’t know anyone else with a blog. This dies with me.

So cute...

After the Wolves game last night (which mercifully they won) the Moron was interviewing Kari. Kari was so pumped and so adorable -- he just kept telling the Moron how much fun he was having during the game. It truly was the first game where he had to make many difficult saves and was truly tested.

The best part came when the Moron asked Kari "What is it like to play against such a resiliant Moose team?" and Kari, bless his little Finnish heart said "I don't know what you mean." The Moron had to scramble to try and think of a synonym for 'resiliant'. Hee. It was adorable.

In other news, driving into work today I saw a car with the bumper sticker "Where the HELL is Wall Drug?"

Ummm....OK....wha????

So I am home, watching the Wolves game 3 of the Western Conference Finals. I went out after work, so have been watching on Tivo delay. Normally when I watch a taped game, during the play, if they go to a TV timeout, all I have to do is two 30 second skips in order to get through the commercials. So, Judd says "3:30 left in the first period, Wolves up 2-0, you are watching Chicago Wolves Hockey" like he normally does, and throws to commercials.

I do the 2 bleep bleeps to get through the commercials, but alas, there are more than just 2 spots. So I bleep bleep a few more times, pass a few more commercials, and all of a sudden, Judd is like "At the end of the first period, Wolves 2, Manitoba 1, and we'll be back with Billy Jaffe's (aka the Moron) interview with Steve Maltais".

Huh? Where did the last 3:30 of the 1st period go? How did the Moose score? What happened???

I was so very confused. I went back and watched just to make sure that I didn't just miss it myself. But nope, time was lost, and I wasn't even hammered. I'm a little annoyed with Comcast. And now the game is f&^$ tied.

However, Kip Brennan just leveled a Moose guy with one hell of a punch, which somewhat makes me smile....

Horoscopes

Sometimes it is better not to read your horoscope. Take mine for today:

You could teach magnets a thing or two about the power of attraction -- especially today.
If this isn't love, then you've fallen under the spell of a master magician. If it is, the same may be true. Either way, someone has enchanted you. Figure out now whether they're good or bad.

Eeek! And I have my date in 2 hours....

It is always number 3...

Joan and I went to game 2 of the Western Conference Finals between the Chicago Wolves and Manitoba Moose last night. Thought I'd run down the game by the numbers....

156: Number of times I giggled thinking about standing on "God" during O Canada

0.5: Number of times Joan giggled over my standing on God comments. Probably time to retire that bit.

28: Bouwmeester. Still a stud.

6.5: Approximate number of facial hairs in the playoff beards of Tommi Santala, Jay Bouwmeester, Stephen Weiss and Kari Lehtonen combined.

3: The nut under which the puck was hidden during the Fisher Nuts Puck Shuffle. Shocker.

2: Period in which all hell broke loose.

16: Number of players in the penalty boxes at one time -- 9 for the Wolves, 7 for the Moose.

8,457,822: Approximate number of penalty minutes given to said 16 players during the 2nd period. Give or take 2 minutes....I may have missed a high stick in there somewhere.

0: Number of annoying children in our general vicinity. Such a lovely game it was.

0: Number of times Joan and I were hit in the head with the Thundersticks. See above. Twas lovely.

4: The number of "gay" Coronas consumed during the game

3-0: Final score...Wolves Win!!

2-0: Wolves lead the series 2-0.

July 27, 2005: Approximate date that these playoffs might end.

Misheard Lyrics

I know -- lots of people misunderstand lyrics. We've all heard how people think Jimi Hendrix says "Excuse me while I kiss this guy". I, however, seem to mishear lyrics of, how shall I put it, more esoteric and random songs.

Take "Oh Canada" for instance. As a HUGE hockey fan, I have seen my fair share of games against Canadian opponents. Especially at Cornell, where we always played East Saskatchewan Community College Sacrificial Lambs as our first game of the season. Plus countless NHL and AHL games against Canadian teams. Hell my best guy friend, The Canuck, is obviously Canadian. So how come I thought the song went “Oh Canada, we stand on God for thee”? I couldn’t figure out why people would or how they even could stand on God. Took me till the middle of this AHL season to figure out “God” was actually “guard”. Which makes so much more sense.

Even the title of the song – “Oh Canada”. Or is it “O’ Canada”? The first spelling makes me think that some Brit was tasked to write a national anthem and was like “Eh. Canada. How dull.” And “you want me to write a song for who? Oh, Canada? Hey, that is a pretty good title.”

The second version, of “O’ Canada” seems like it is missing a subject. As if something is chock full of Canada. But we don’t know what that something is. England is chock full o’ Canada? Eskimos are chock full o’ Canada? Canadians are chock full o’ Canada?

Yes, these are the questions that keep me up at night.

Another topic keeping me up at night is my most recent decision to join match.com. Encouraged by Joan and her lacrosse boy, The Canuck and his Britney, and my suburban friends who are about to be parents, I finally bit the bullet and joined this past weekend. I think my profile is pretty right on, the photos aren’t too horrendous, and I should be good to go. So why am I so nervous?

I am torn between things happening too quickly and not quickly enough. For example, Monday morning, after having been on match for less than 24 hours or so, I got an email from a guy asking to meet for drinks that night! Which of course I was not at all prepared for. We are going out on Friday. Eek.

But then, I bit the bullet and emailed a guy I thought was funny. And yet, I haven’t heard a peep from him (or anyone else) yet. How can this service be so great and frustrating at the same time? Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on the progress, or lack thereof, as the situation changes. I figure at the very least I’ll get some good material for the blog. Especially about the only ‘wink’ I have received thus far is from a 44 year old 5’ 5” man in Vanceburg KY with no picture….

Levels of Frustration

Well, I haven't been posting as much as I originally wanted. Yes, I know it has only been 2 days since I've updated the site, but it feels much longer. I got annoyed and frustrated with Blogger in the attempts to upload pictures to the Crush of the Moment site. The concept doesn't really work without photos, and I am mad that I can't seem to figure out how to do it, despite downloading every tool under the sun necessary to perform such a task, following the directions to a tee, and displaying infinite patience while Blogger Bot says to wait as my photos are uploading. Several hours later, no photos, no update, and no helpful help section to troubleshoot. Needless to say, I'm annoyed.

Adding to the frustration -- Young Sailor's impending graduation. I am thrilled that Young Sailor is graduating from one of the finest MBA programs in the country and that I get to attend the ceremony. What I am not exited about is the prospect of a family photo -- Ma and Pa Sailor, Young Sailor, and yours truly. This of course means finding a dress that a) I like, b) is flattering and c) will meet with Ma Sailor's approval. (I really should call them Ma and Pa Golfer, as it is much more accurate). Anyhoo...the prospect of hearing how my dress doesn't fit right, or my hair needs to be cut or any other thing that may offend my mother is already starting to stress me out.

And a bit of nervousness. I finally bit the bullet and joined match.com. If Joan can meet Lacrosse Boy and do well, I should be able to meet someone. Of course, the only person who has winked at me thus far is a 44 year old from Vanesburg KY with no photo. Yeah, not gonna happen. I have my first date on Friday with a guy named Sam. Not sure I am ready for it, but have a brand new bunch of clothes to choose from. Now the dilemna...to shave the legs or not to shave....

About me....

Again with the bandwagon hopping. (I swear I do have original thoughts!!) I took these questions from Joan which she stole from Dhavid, who stole them from Donovan, who got them from someone else.

Name: HV
Piercings: Ears. 1 hole right, 2 holes left (although I haven’t worn a 2nd earring in a long time) Former belly button.
Tattoos: Nope.
Height: 5'7" (and a half)
Shoe size: 9
Hair color: Brown
Sibling(s): Yes. 1 sister.
Do You have a crush on someone: Always. Although it changes frequently.
Do You wish you could live somewhere else: Yes. Want nice house on water with close proximity to sailing.
You think about suicide: Really no. Never even in passing.
You want more piercings: If I ever got a really great set of abs, maybe. But probably to old.
You like cleaning: Sometimes and somethings. However, I probably should do more of it.
You like roller coasters: Very much so. Even better in the front seat.
Write in cursive or print: Combo. I used to have really great handwriting – has atrophied over the years.

FOR OR AGAINST
Long distance relationships: Why would you?
Killing people: Totally against. However, for the death penalty for those who do.
Suicide: Assisted, when your whole body has rebelled against you and there is no chance of recovery? Absolutely. In general when you are just in a pissy mood? Nope. Also for the pulling of the plug when brain dead.
Teenage smoking: Against. Against it for all people. Especially in bars and restaurants. Smoke in your own house if you must, but not around me.
Driving drunk: Who would be for drunk driving?
Gay/Lesbians: For. None of my business who one falls in love with. Just don’t tell me that my choices are wrong.
Soap Opreas: God awful, yet I go through cycles of watching one.

HAVE YOU
Ever cried over a girl: Over a girl? No. Because of a mean girl? Probably yes.
Ever cried over a boy: Nope. Unless I was little and he was mean, and then probably.
Ever been in a fight: Nope.
Ever been arrested: Does “dorm arrest” at Bucknell count?

WHAT
Shampoo do you use: Herbal instincts. But no moaning in the shower.
Shoes do you wear: Generally Franco Sarto stuff.
Are you scared of death: Not mine, but my parents and sister’s deaths.

NUMBER
Of times you have been in love: Sadly, 0.
Of time you have had your heart broken: 0 again.
Of hearts I have broken: Dunno – probably 0.
Of girls you've kissed: In a romantic way – 0.
Of girls you've slept with: Again, in a romantic way, 0.
Of guys you've kissed: Geez. Um, lots. Bigger than a breadbox, smaller than a ballpark.
Of guys you've slept with: See above.
Of people you would classify as true, could trust your life with type of friend: 4 or 5
Of scars on your soul: Um, none that I am currently aware of.
Of scars on your body: A bunch. Eye surgery will do that to you.
Of things in your past that you regret: A few…nothing too huge though.

FAVORITE
4 letter word: wine
Actor/Actress: Don’t have a favorite, but if I had to choose, probably Matthew Perry.
Cartoon: Yeah, no.
Cereal: Crispex or Corn Chex. Generally the more like tree bark, the better I like it.
Chewing gum: Very occasionally.
Color(s): Periwinkle, black, soft pink, navy blue.
Nail polish: Clear or French on my hands, lilac in the summer on toes.
Day of week: Saturday!
Flower: Tulips
Jello flavor: Orange
Jewelry: I really need to rotate more. Diamond earrings and Cartier Tank watch from my dad. Tanzanite earrings that I bought in Aruba.
Fall/Spring: Fall. Sad that summer is ending, but love crisp fall days when you just need to break out a sweater.
Trampolines or swimming pools: Swimming pool.

WHO LAST
Slept in your bed: My parents when they came to visit. I was on the futon.
Saw you cry: Unfortunately my boss at work.
Made you cry: Bad review at work.
Yelled at you: Not yelled, but admonished at work.

HAVE YOU EVER
Said "I love you" and meant it: To my parents and sister. Never said it to anyone else.
Gone out in public in your pajamas: Yep. God bless drive throughs.
Kept a secret from everyone: Yep. But it was tough.
At anytime owned new kids on the block stuff: No thank goodness. Duran Duran? Now that was another story.
Planned your week based on the TV Guide: Once or twice. But now – thank god for Tivo.
Been on stage: Yep.
Been to New York: Yep.
California: Yep.
Hawaii: Yep.
China: Yep.
Canada: Yes
Europe: Yes
Asia: Yep.
Australia: Yep.
South America: Yep.
Puerto Rico: Yep.
Wished your were the opposite sex: Yep – especially while sailing.
What time is it now: 3:38 PM CDT.
Apples or bananas: Apples. Just say no to bananas.
Walmart or Target: No contest – Target.
What are you gonna do after you finish this: Post it to my blog, then go back to work.
Are you bored: Yep.
Last noise you heard: The din of my officemates.

Hopping on the bandwagon

So.

About 7 months ago, I signed up for one of these blogs just so I could insert my witty comments on Joan's blog. However, she hasn't updated as much as of late, and I've not been able to skewer her new wonderful relationship with Kenyon as much as I would have liked, so I am forced to start my own blog where I can submit random musings about the world and my day to all of the 3 people (if that) who might be reading this.

Sounds like a plan right? Well, now that I am actually sitting down to write something, I am experiencing the same phenomenon that happens as soon as I walk into a video store. All the movies I have ever wanted to see go flying out of my head, and I end up renting “The Italian Job.” Again.

Anyhoo.

Here is hoping that I might be able to carve out a portion of my day to share the weirdness that is my life, and that I actually remember the funny things I think of while sitting in traffic on the way to work. Yeah, good luck with that.