In my top favorite songs, I mentioned that you'd see much more variety if I listed my top 20 songs, or top albums. So here is the latter, in no particular order. A bit different from the impression my top 10 songs gave, yeah? Some are just immaculate albums, others are personal favorites.
Top 10 Albums
III - Led Zeppelin
London Calling - The Clash
Battle of Los Angeles - Rage Against the Machine
Vs. - Pearl Jam
Early Morning Hymns - Old Canes
Stadium Arcadium - Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Animal - Richard Walters
Yankee Hotel Foxtrot - Wilco
I'm Wide Awake, Its Morning - Bright Eyes
Pinkerton - Weezer
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
All At Once
I'm going to try to write this without seeming too nauseatingly philosophical. I've just been thinking a lot the past.. well, 5+ years. Mainly typical stuff about "am I living up to where I wanted to be, WHO I wanted to be, who everyone EXPECTS me to be," and I've got to say, its a bit tiring. I know I'm not alone in this strange upper-20's/30-something crisis. People in my generation have learned to take a stand and not settle for something that will ultimately cause them suffering - dead-end jobs, relationships, etc. Unfortunately, there's a good number of us who have made it to the age of 30 without any resolution in sight. Maybe we were too restless during our college years, maybe too focused on our career or a relationship, and now feel like we're missing something. Whatever the case, the idea of where we'd be at age 30 as imagined by our 5 or even 10 year old selves, is not even close to where we find ourselves today. Meanwhile, those peers who were calm and accepting during their early 20's are married to their perfect equal, and may have one or two adorable children. They make good money doing what they love, and probably own a house. In one sense, they've passed us by in success. Maybe you can understand how all these scenarios can plague someone like me, who is beginning to wonder if "the American dream" is going to find its way into my life. You know what, though? Forget the American Dream. Before that dream there were settlers, traders, vagabonds, etc. Its not like America has always been one big happy suburban family.
A couple days ago I was mulling over a few ideas, and it really got me to look at things a bit differently. So here it goes: We all die. Life doesn't go on forever. I've always understood and accepted this, but it still makes me a little uneasy. Some people are terrified of death and don't even like to acknowledge their own mortality. Its a difficult question - why doesn't everyone get to live a full life? Why are some taken early on when the future was so promising? Well, the future is never a guarantee. Most of us don't like to think about it, but we're only temporary. So with that in mind, why am I sweating over who I'm going to be, and if I'm going to make all the "right memories" before my time comes so I'll feel fulfilled? I'm not going to remember them when I'm dead! So what's the point, right?
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying nothing matters and there is no point to anything. You've got to look at the whole picture. You're a member of the human race. You're one person in billions on this earth, and just one tiny mark in history. So why are you so focused on what YOU personally are going to accomplish in YOUR lifetime for YOUR benefit? Here's the thing: the best anyone can do in their lifetime is to recognize their natural gifts, and then use those to their full extent to help the living world & the human race, either remotely or on a greater scale. If you accomplish this, you're going to leave a legacy - whether the memory of you is passed down through your family, or you're recognized throughout history. Either way, you've made a difference! You've given something to the greater good and kept things churning.
Think about the people you really admire. Think about a person you see everyday that makes you feel better about the world. Think about those artists, geniuses, and humanitarians who have a sense of wise reserve about them. They're not in your face with what they can personally do, they're not pointing out other people's flaws to make themselves look better. They're just doing what they love, what they believe in, and ultimately you've seen what an impression they make. So do what you do, and help who you can. I feel like its better than living in daydreams and giving into fear of failure or oppression.
As for love and feeling fulfilled, I have to believe it will come naturally if we're reaching our individual potentials. Then there is only love and understanding, not a need to be rescued.
A couple days ago I was mulling over a few ideas, and it really got me to look at things a bit differently. So here it goes: We all die. Life doesn't go on forever. I've always understood and accepted this, but it still makes me a little uneasy. Some people are terrified of death and don't even like to acknowledge their own mortality. Its a difficult question - why doesn't everyone get to live a full life? Why are some taken early on when the future was so promising? Well, the future is never a guarantee. Most of us don't like to think about it, but we're only temporary. So with that in mind, why am I sweating over who I'm going to be, and if I'm going to make all the "right memories" before my time comes so I'll feel fulfilled? I'm not going to remember them when I'm dead! So what's the point, right?
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying nothing matters and there is no point to anything. You've got to look at the whole picture. You're a member of the human race. You're one person in billions on this earth, and just one tiny mark in history. So why are you so focused on what YOU personally are going to accomplish in YOUR lifetime for YOUR benefit? Here's the thing: the best anyone can do in their lifetime is to recognize their natural gifts, and then use those to their full extent to help the living world & the human race, either remotely or on a greater scale. If you accomplish this, you're going to leave a legacy - whether the memory of you is passed down through your family, or you're recognized throughout history. Either way, you've made a difference! You've given something to the greater good and kept things churning.
Think about the people you really admire. Think about a person you see everyday that makes you feel better about the world. Think about those artists, geniuses, and humanitarians who have a sense of wise reserve about them. They're not in your face with what they can personally do, they're not pointing out other people's flaws to make themselves look better. They're just doing what they love, what they believe in, and ultimately you've seen what an impression they make. So do what you do, and help who you can. I feel like its better than living in daydreams and giving into fear of failure or oppression.
As for love and feeling fulfilled, I have to believe it will come naturally if we're reaching our individual potentials. Then there is only love and understanding, not a need to be rescued.
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