Rock Chick

After reading Rock Chicks and Just Kids I realize that I am - at the very heart of me - a Rock Chick. Although I can't sing a tune or play an instrument, I feel very similar to the women who have been and are still in Rock and Roll.

I am not a part of the mainstream. My behavior could be construed as backwards. I make no pretenses about how deeply my music love affair is tied squarely with Rock and Roll. Hard rock. The louder the better. I am not one for the masses. I am different. I cherish, relish and honor that difference.

I know the awkwardness that Janice Joplin and Joan Jett felt. Each trying hard to be herself and fit in - eventually something was going to give. The wanting to do more and be more than society was allowing or telling them to be. As I said, I can't play an instrument or sing a tune in a bucket. And yet, I feel an affinity with these women. A bond. A sense of sisterhood. I cannot imagine the work and obstacles they had to endure to be who they were/are. While my life is no where near that stressful and intense there are aspects that resemble their struggles.

Some days I wonder if I'm in the right field of work. Am I where I'm supposed to be? How can I break into the one world I know and love so much? I don't want to be a DJ. I can't sing or play in a band. And an agent is out of the question. How can I be a part of Rock and Roll without those options? What is left? I don't know. I'm searching. Historian. Perhaps. Author. Oh what I wouldn't give... And maybe that is it. That is how I become part of Rock and Roll. Just write about it. Be a part of it through words, thoughts, ideas. Why not?  Little by little I can work toward that goal. Little by little I can do the research, the listening, the reading - whatever it takes to gain knowledge and ideas.

This epiphany of sorts is refreshing and more accurately- right. I am on the path to understand who I am. Yes, it took some time. My growth and understanding are due in no small part to the fact that I live in a city where my soul thrives.  Seattle is truly my home. Where I belong. In Seattle, I have become the woman I am meant to be. Nowadays the reflection in the mirror is unrecognizable. And it is incredible! She is not who I expect to look back. She is stronger and more enduring that I ever thought her to be.

2012 feels like the year. My resolution of Run. Write. Dream. BE. Is right. I'm ready to pursue, achieve and grow even further than I already have. I have the tools, the friends, the desire to push further, harder, more. Support and self-belief are the two most critical facets to succeed. Those and a great dictionary. Ha!

Obviously, you are reading this. You are reading my words and my thoughts. It is you that I ask to help keep me accountable for this resolution. It is from you that I request feedback.  For without an audience all I have is a diary. I want my writing to be more than a daily diary or journal. I want you to experience what I experience, know what I know and agree or disagree with my perspective. I think it appropriate  here and now to thank you for coming along on this road with me. It's gonna be a helluva ride!

The Soundtrack of My Life.

One of the first few posts I did was based on the idea that if your life were a movie what would the soundtrack be.  The ironic thing is that I consider music to be a part of me, part of who I am, part of what I want to be. This installation is called The Soundtrack of My Life.  It is a chronological snapshot of the songs, artists and genres that have been a part of my life.

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The Soundtrack of My Life.

Music.  The single word that defines me.  All my life, I have looked to music for inspiration, healing, comfort, joy, reflection.  I’m sure you are curious- what songs define me?  Heather Cleary.

Considering that I was born at the end of the Vietnam War, you can imagine there are three extremely different routes that I could choose.  First was Rock and Roll like Led Zeppelin, Rolling Stones, The Doors.  Then there was Folk music - Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, Joni Mitchell.  Finally there was Disco – Gloria Gayner, Donna Summer.  If I had to pick one genre in my formative years I would choose Folk Music.  Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin.  

Growing up in Pennsylvania and starting Catholic school in the late 70s introduced me to a slew of genres, artists, albums.  Dancing is the one hobby that never seems to tire with me.  Anything I could listen to that would have me dancing in my living room- I was there.  Shake It Up by The Cars- Always got me out in the living room, cutting a rug and having a blast.

In my pre-teen years, Dance/Pop music became more influential over my life.  My friend and I would listen incessantly to New Edition.  We would talk on our neon pink phones and gossip about this person or that.  But when it came down to brass tax, Ronny, Bobby, Ricky and Mike – well they were who would get me moving and having fun.

As I left Catholic school, I headed into the unfamiliar world of public High School.  Though I felt lost in my new surroundings, I discovered the one music genre that I am still most passionate about – Rock and Roll.  I hit high school at the peak of hair bands and Glam Rock.  Poison, KISS, Winger, Def Leppard, Aerosmith, Van Halen. 

There is one song from high school that even now continues to be one of my all time favorite songs.  It’s the one song that pushes me forward. Dreams by Van Halen. “Straight up we’ll climb, we’ll get higher and higher, oh that’s what dreams are made of.” 

I confess right here the next 8 or so years of my life, I became a rather boring music aficionado.  Van Halen ruled my life.  Every album. Every concert tour. Every singer.  Yes Dave and Sam.  But I preferred Sammy.  All things Van Halen were who I was. It got so bad in college that the guy living down the hall from me became a Van Halen fan because that was all he ever heard.   

In college, I left behind my small coal mining hometown.  I was 2 hours from home and allowed the freedom I strongly desired.  With it came another very influential Van Halen song- Right Now.  “What are ya waiting for?  Right Now.  Come on it’s everything.  Right Now.”  The video was even more so.  At each possible moment, a different occurrence that is happening right now would flash on the video.  Phrases like: Right now it is nicer outside.  Right now some soup would be nice.  Right now someone is work hard for a low wage.  Right now She’s Going on With Her Life.

In my final year of college, I met him.  I met the guy who rocked my world.  It was the summer of 1994.  Introduced by friends, the instant I met him, I knew.  There was a song we’d always listen to.  Heaven (Let Your Light Shine Down) by Collective Soul.  But instead of Heaven, Mark would sing Heather.    

I left college and headed into the work world.  Sarah McLachlan was now on the scene.  And though my rock roots ran deep, it was the female artists who influenced me in the mid 90s.  Sarah, Paula Cole and Alanis Morrisette.  They all had a different, yet strong message.  Paula Cole would maybe emerge as the front runner for who was the most influential to me.  Her Into the Fire album spoke to me about pushing ahead, depending on yourself.

  

In 1996, I married Mark on a cold, wet, rainy May day.  The song we were introduced to at our reception – Dreams by Van Halen.  Our first dance was In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel.  Me being me- well I couldn’t just slow dance.  He twirled me around, spun me through his fingers, dipped me, all the stuff that makes dancing with another person fun. 

Three weeks after we got married in Pennsylvania we moved to Dallas, Texas.  Not much of a country fan, some how we came across this song that went something like “Heads Carolina, Tails California – I don’t care where we are going.  Up in the mountains, down to the ocean I don’t care as long as we get there.”  That became our mini-anthem.  He wanted a new job, and I was more than willing to leave my home town.  The move to Texas marked a new adventure in my life.

It was probably 2 months into our marriage when Mark came home from work.  “Heather,” he said “you need to sit down, we need to talk.” OH MY GOD!  What is it?  What is wrong?  I was thinking the worst. “Heather, Van Halen broke up.  They kicked Sammy out of the band.”  Oh my world crumbled.  Devastated.  I felt like I was a kid in a divorce.  Who do I pick?  Sammy Hagar or Eddie Van Halen?  Could I still like them both?  What to do? 

After about 3 years in Texas, it became apparent that Mark’s job was going nowhere.  Matchbox 20 had a song about “I want to wake up where you are.”  He was traveling 3-4 days a week.  He was frustrated and ready for a change.  That song spoke to both of us.  We picked up our stuff and moved to Dayton, Ohio. 

In the fall of 2000, I found out I was pregnant with our first child.  The mystery and the wonder of being pregnant can drive deep emotions and strong reactions.  The baby and I would listen to different kinds of music during my commute to work.  I would talk to the baby and feel it move.  No, I didn’t listen to the trendy classical music.  This kid and I, we listened to Rock and Roll. 

On a rainy early morning in May 2001, our first child, Nolan Joseph was born.  Later that morning, Mark played Dreams – it seemed fitting.  When Nolan turned 1, I found out I was pregnant again.  Bridget Lee was born on a snowy morning in January 2003.  I wanted to use music differently for her birth.  I found some new age music that helped me stay relaxed and focus on what I needed to do.  An artist named Hennie Baker, while not famous, to this day that album keeps me centered.

In early 2006, it became terribly apparent that Mark’s job had yet again hit a wall.  I encouraged him to find something new.  What song made me do it? Foo Fighters - Everlong. In late March, he was offered a position with Boeing in Seattle, WA.  We wanted our children to grow up with diversity and understanding and options.  Much to the chagrin of both sets of grandparents, we pulled up our stakes and headed west. The song that helped lead that move? U2’s Walk On.

I have now lived in Seattle for nearly 6 years. Bands have come and gone from my musical rotations. Deep down, I am definitely a Rock and Roll girl.  Who are the bands I listen to on my i-Pod?  Foo Fighters, Godsmack, Korn, Seether and a little know group out New Orleans called Cowboy Mouth. If it is loud, I’m there.  Music is such an integral part of my life.  It seems only appropriate that the Soundtrack of My Life landed me in Seattle – such an influential music city.  

Reason. Season. Lifetime.

There is a quote that says: “People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  When you know what it is, you will know what to do for that person.”  I often think about this quote.   Each and every one of us impacts and are impacted by another human soul for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

I lived in a number of different places.  From different small towns to different cities, I have moved about 9 times in my life.  Not as many as some, but considering most of those moves occurred after I turned 21, well then it’s a lot.  Each time I moved I tried to look at the new environment and wonder about the people I am going to meet, the friends I’ll make, and the memories yet to be made. 

With each move I worked in different jobs for different companies.  One of my most memorable work moments occurred when I worked for Half Price Books in Dallas, Texas.  My main job was to buy books from the public.  People came in; I reviewed the stacks and made an offer.

One day a woman brought in about a hundred Science-Fiction paperback books.  I went about my normal routine of reviewing the books and I made my offer.  She accepted and as she turned to leave she started to cry.  I hopped around the counter and asked her if she was okay.  She said those books were from her brother’s collection.  He had recently passed away from cancer and she was cleaning out his belongings. 

Yes, of course my heart sunk.  However, I had one of those God-moments and I found the right words.  I told her that what she did might seem like she was giving her brother away or burying him once again.  What I needed for her to know was that someone else would pick up those books and enjoy them as much as her brother did.  That she wasn’t giving him away.  She was sharing a part of him with another person.  And that person would sustain her brother’s memory without them even knowing.  His ending was another person’s beginning.

My words seemed to help.  It was in that moment too, that I realized something as well.  I was there to be the conduit to continue the love of a book, a genre, or an author to the next person who walked in that door.  There were days when I thought I would gag if I saw another John Grisham book pass my buying counter.  After my encounter with that woman I realized that what I did was important and significant.  

I still well up with tears when I think about it.  Ten years later, it remains my favorite paid job I ever had.  We are put in places and moments to make a difference in someone’s life.  People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  But think about the people into whose life you came.  Who did you know for a reason, who did you know for a season, and who will you know for a lifetime?  We don’t walk this earth and not make an impact somewhere at sometime.   

About 10 years later I came across a quote that completely validated my actions with that grieving woman on that fateful day. 

          "Every book, every volume you see has a soul. The soul of the person who wrote it and the soul of those who read it and lived and dreamed with it. Every time a book changes hands, every time someone runs his eyes down its pages, its spirit grows and strengthens."

           ~ Carlos Ruiz Zafron

I found this quote and never knew the author until now. Do you know how much I love his work? Carlos Ruiz Zafron is an eloquent author. His use of words and imagery are far superior than many. 

This discovery today leads me to another quote that has stuck with me. (Of course it is about books.)

          “Sometimes we don't pick the books we read- they pick us.”  It is a quote I picked up from the movie, The Hurricane.  

What are you reading today? What books have made an impact on your life? What author? What genre? Where do you go with books? Where do you hope to go? Where might you never expect to go, but once you are there - you are so very glad you went? Who has touched your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime? Is it me? Am I a reason, a season or a lifetime? I'm not expecting to be any one particular thing, just happy that I am in your life and you are in mine.

Writing Desk

My Little Corner of the World... and the 'Wall of Inspiration'

Grandpa

I can't believe it, but it has been almost a year since my Grandpa died. I wrote this eulogy in his honor. He was quite a character. When I wrote this eulogy - a number of times I tried to write it as 'he did this' or 'he was that'. It wasn't working for me. Instead I wrote it to him.

Enjoy.

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Grandpa, I am on my way back to my family home.  My return trip is to bury you my Grandpa, but more importantly to celebrate your life.  You passed away on Sunday, February 6^th, 2011 at the age of 98.

You were a feisty Hungarian who had a way with words, both to invoke hilarity as well as to provide wisdom.  I got to be a part of your life for nearly 38 of those 98 years. Memories came flooding back when I heard your health was failing. When you were beginning that long yet brief journey from this life existence to the next my memories of you began to flourish.

As a young girl I enjoyed the times spent walking with you. I was forever trying to keep up with you and your dog Frisky.  “Slow down, Grandpa,” I would plead. You’d make some snide comment and keep going. Basically it was get left behind in the woods or continue on. 

The bacon roasts are by far and away the most vivid, most emotional memories of my entire childhood.  Each of us trying and vying to be that grandchild who would have the distinct privilege to ‘spin the bacon.’  Ah to be the chosen one – it was the highest honor in my young life.   Bacon spinner status was only rivaled by sharing that crispy piece you would cut from the slab.  Carefully you’d cut the section which would no longer produce grease and share it with not only the bacon spinner, but also a select group of others.

There were moments where your mischievous nature would come through.  For instance when you would be sitting behind all of us when we watched TV.  Randomly you smacked one of us upside the head – for no reason at all other than to get us charged up and whine “Grandpaaaaa…”  You looked around and laughed, “hee hee” you’d say.  I swear you ended nearly every sentence with hee hee. That impish behavior would come through when you were laughing, giggling, eyes always twinkling. I now know where I get it from and where Bridget gets it from. That twinkle in our eyes… it’s a genetic trait.

Perhaps the most curious of hobbies you had was the organ you owned and played.  While the record like discs would play a background music, you sat hunched over the organ trying to bring forth a song or melody.  The sheer number of kids and grandkids always provided a vast audience when you played. Yet, when you played you always seemed to be transported to a different world. It was as if you were playing Carnegie Hall instead of looking out at the neighbor’s house with a bunch of squirming children behind you.

Laboriously you wrote in your daily journal. Your mind amazed me and your sense of recall was second to none. Perhaps it was your journal that helped you keep your mind keen and sharp. I now keep a daily journal and understand why you did too.  At the end of the day, sometimes that journal is your only friend.  Someone safe to listen to you and to share with.  The journal was someone who didn’t judge, who was a constant and consistent friend. 

My memories of you as a coal miner are very brief and vague. But your loyalty to the trade was never-ending. You paced the floors in your house when the mines flooded or a small cave-in occurred.  Worrying, fretting, praying for the miners and their families. 

Every week you attended church. Never very flamboyant with your faith, yours was a quiet one. Your faith was in stark contrast to the rest of your loud and boisterous life.  Maybe that’s the only way your faith survived as long as it did. 

You could talk us all into exhaustion. Our fatigue was never from boredom. No! Never. It was the weariness of trying to process the subjects you were discussing. (Okay so mostly a monologue, but still.)  You had a slew of witty sayings.  Too many to mention.  Then there is the ever famous Martin Szekeresh word –‘Eebizer!’ No one, none of us really knows how to spell it, but we sure know how to say it. More importantly we understand what that single word invokes and means. Joy! Joy in its purest and simplest form. Grandpa, you were always full of it – of joy that is.  Even when your heart was breaking you still found joy. 

You remembered birthdays, deaths, anniversaries. And I mean everyone’s.  Growing up I watched brides (in-laws) getting pulled aside by you to hear the litany of the family birthdays. You could discuss them all. You kept that information on the kitchen calendar including the person’s age.

The wedding festivities were the highlight of all of us girls.  We watched and knew. One day you would be the conduit to officially kick off the Bridal Dance.  The girls in the family who were either direct or new in-laws, we all knew the tradition.  This rite of passage was honored and revered. Each girl felt eternally and infinitely loved when you started that dance.  In your younger days, you began the traditional polka dance by spinning that bride until she was dizzy and then leave, laughing of course. 

Your pride in the mother country was always a delight to watch and participate in, especially the Harvest Dances.  I went a few times with you and Grandma.  The pride you took in your family was evident when you introduced us to the different people at the dance. You went on to explain how they were either related to us or knew the family. 

I’ve heard stories that you were a tough, strict father. And while I can’t rightly comment on that, I can’t imagine that you weren’t.  One doesn’t go into the coal mines every day and not become a little more like the product he handles.  Tough, strong, difficult, unyielding but nurturing, supplying the basic needs for the family.  The years in the mines made you into an eventual diamond in the rough.  I suppose that is what it is.  The pressure from coal produces a diamond. Your pressure from hauling coal did the same.  I am one of the fortunate ones who knew the man who was the diamond.

You were a proud son, brother, husband, father, uncle.  As a child I watched you walking along the rows of cinder blocks in my parents’ house. Carefully you touched the blocks – as if to invoke the spirit of your brothers.  It was a time when you all worked together to lay a foundation.  It was a moment that the Szekeresh brothers were one on this earth.

You had in Grandma a true life partner.  75 years of marriage.  Many don’t live to be as old. And yet you were married for 75 years “and to the same woman” in your infinite wisdom.  From that marriage you produced 13 children.  Which in turn yielded so many of us - kids, grandkids, great grandkids, great-great grandkids.  The family resemblance is the one thing I can never tire of nor grasp.  I’ve liken the family get-togethers as a mirrored fun house.  Everywhere we look, we all resemble each other.  It’s a remarkable nod to the strength of family genes.  When total strangers recognize you as “a Szekeresh aren’t you?” one can’t help but pause. It didn’t always mean that they knew I belonged to you. They just knew my clan.  Our clan. Our pride. Who we are.  What we represent.  We are a hearty, strong, hard-working, mischievous bunch.  I am and have always been proud to be your granddaughter. I am and have always been proud to belong to the Szekeresh clan.  We all are.

“No matter how tall you grow, you will always look up to me.” Now Grandpa, I am. I’m looking up to heaven knowing that you’ve been reunited with Grandma and the rest of our clan.  Teresa, Bert, Joe, Michael, Bryce. All who died well before they ever should.  But you. You held on to life and lived it for every single moment of your 98 years.

I am so very fortunate to have had you in my life for almost 38 years.  Some people don’t even get to know their grandparents and with me being the first born of your youngest child, the odds were even further stacked against me.  But I knew you and you knew me.  My children even knew you.  My cousin’s children knew you.  Their kids knew you.  Longevity is a true gift.  My plane is near to landing in the snowy Mecca that you always called your home.  I am near to reuniting with my family, with the funhouse. I love you Grandpa. You will forever be in my heart, influencing, guiding and making me laugh when my daughter sleeps with her blanket over her head. Rest in peace.  Grandpa, See you in the funny papers.

Random Thoughts. January 2012 Edition.

1. Happy
2. Happy New
3. Happy New Year
4. Wanted to make sure you were paying attention.
5. Now that I have your attention.
6. It's 2012.
7. What are you going to do to grow this year?
8. Personal Growth.
9. Something that stretches you.
10. Makes you feel squirmy.
11. Pushes you to take risks.
12. Discover parts of you that you never knew existed.
13. My Resolution.
14. Run.
15. Write.
16. Dream.
17. BE.
18. Sounds simple.
19. It's not.
20. It's going to make me grow.
21. It's going to make me change, perhaps.
22. It's going to open my eyes.
23. It's going to make me realize that I am stronger.
24. Stronger than I give myself credit for.
25. My growth might challenge me.
26. My growth might challenge you.
27. My growth might challenge us.
28. My growth.
29. It will not involve me stopping my Pandora app.
30. Can't part with that. 
31. Addicted.
32. Speaking of.
33. Addiction.
34. Addicted to Dark Chocolate Acai berries.
35. Yum.
36. Massages.
37. Yes. I said massages.
38. Going to get more this year.
39. It calls out how good or bad I'm treating my body.
40. It's quiet.
41. Right here.
42. Right now.
43. Oh yeah.
44. Speaking of Right here Right now.
45. So very very very glad.
46. That I never got a Van Halen tattoo.
47. I would be so humiliated.
48. To look at that thing and listen to them.
49. Ugh.
50. What a bunch of old, washed up dudes.
51. Why?
52. Why oh why?
53. Why oh why must they try to enter the Rock n Roll category?
54. This might be a short one this time. 
55. But that is okay.
56. It's getting a lil late.
57. Well not really.
58. But my brain is starting to drift off.
59. And well.
60. You don't want to read any of that even more random than my random thoughts.
61. Night.                                                                                                                                                       

Random Thoughts. October 2011 Edition.

Random Thoughts. October 2011 Edition.

1. Hi.
2. It’s been a while.
3. Almost 10 months.
4. Really?
5. Really? Really?
6. Yes.
7. Sadly. Yes.
8. What has happened in those 10 months?
9. What has happened in those 10 months!
10. Winter.
11. Spring.
12. Summer.
13. Fall.
14. How?
15. How did it get to be October?
16. How did I let this year slip away?
17. But did it?
18. Did it really?
19. Or was I busy living it?
20. Living this year?
21. Struggling this year.
22. Thriving this year.
23. BEing this year.
24. It’s been a tough one for my Resolution.
25. Gasp!
26. I have 3 months left to devise a new Resolution for next year.
27. Though this one has been so tough.
28. Do you remember what it is?
29. I do.
30. I look at it every day.
31. Purposeful Growth v3.0: Learning to BE in the Moment.
32. So tough.
33. So difficult for me at times.
34. I’m a worrier.
35. I can be easily distracted.
36. There are times when I feel like I’m developing ADD.
37. Is that even possible?
38. Maybe it is something else.
39. Maybe it is the fear of facing what I really know.
40. That I need to change.
41. I need to make a change.
42. Why is the fear consuming me?
43. Why do I let it?
44. Why can’t I just BE?
45. Why do I have to make BEing a resolution?
46. Why should I care or worry?
47. In some ways, it is who I am.
48. Some ways?
49. Really?
50. Really, Heather.
51. Think.
52. Think about it.
53. Just BE.
54. BE in the Moment.
55. Feel the music.
56. BE the air.
57. Become the moment.
58. Only live in that moment.
59. This moment.
60. Now.
61. Here.
62. Today.
63. Perhaps.
64. Perhaps I should not be so hard on myself.
65. Perhaps I should embrace life instead of pushing it away.
66. Instead of pushing against it.
67. Instead of pushing.
68. Come on now.
69. Everything is fine.
70. Life is good.
71. Meeting new friends.
72. Celebrating old friends.
73. BEing as much in the Moment.
74. The Music.
75. The Quiet.
76. The Warmth of my sweatshirt.
77. The sound of a car passing by on wet pavement.
78. Just BE.
79. Just BE.
80. “Live in Your Strength.”
81. From a tea sachet.
82. Funny how those things find you.
83. Funny how you find those things.
84. I am strong.
85. I have strength.
86. I have everything inside of me.
87. I find it at the weirdest moments.
88. I find it at the best moments.
89. I find it when I was pretty sure I didn’t have it.
90. Does anyone even read my stuff?
91. Would anyone read my stuff?
92. Is that my future?
93. Is that my life?
94. Is it a hobby?
95. Is it a passion?
96. Is it a talent?
97. Almost done.
98. Almost time for bed.
99. Almost Monday morning.
100. Ugh.
101. Happy thoughts.
102. Friendship.
103. Dinner.
104. Wine.
105. Just BE.

If Your Life Was a Movie Soundtrack.

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE 

I first did this in March 2009 and then again in November 2009.

Wonder how much my musical tastes have changed in 2 years.

Do you Remember how it works... 

1. Open your music library (iTunes, Winamp, Media Player, iPod, etc) 

2. Put it on shuffle 

3. Press play 

4. For the first question, type the song that's playing 

5. When you go to a new question, press the next button TWICE 

6. Don't lie and try to pretend you're cool...just type it in man! 

7. Tag 15 people, and they have to do it too :) 

IF YOUR LIFE WAS A MOVIE WHAT WOULD THE SOUNDTRACK BE 

Opening Credits: 

MARCH 2009: Just Like Starting Over (John Lennon) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Come Undone (Duran Duran) 

DECEMBER 2011: Smithereens (Annie Lennox)

Waking Up: 

MARCH 2009: Don't Give Up (Peter Gabriel) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Dream (Brad Mehldau - Midnight In the Garden of Good and Evil Soundtrack) 

DECEMBER 2011: Let's Stay Together (Al Green)

First Day at School: 

MARCH 2009: The Ladder (Paula Cole) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Skin Trade (Duran Duran) 

DECEMBER 2011: Laid So Low (Tears Roll Down) (Tears for Fears)

Falling in Love: 

MARCH 2009: Jesus Online (Bush) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Still Crazy After All These Years (Paul Simon) 

DECEMBER 2011: Dreams (Van Halen) - Holy Crap! This is freaky. This was the song we played when we entered our wedding reception. Weird.

Losing Virginity: 

MARCH 2009: English Fire (Bush) 

NOVEMBER 2009: The Diary of Jane (Breaking Benjamin) 

DECEMBER 2011: Get In Line (The Barenaked Ladies) - okay that's just funny!

Fight Song: 

MARCH 2009: A Change Would Do You Good (Sheryl Crow) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Is This Love (Bob Marley) 

DECEMBER 2011: You Got Lucky (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)

Breaking Up: 

MARCH 2009: The Disease of the Dancing Cats (Bush) - I swear I put this thing on shuffle 

NOVEMBER 2009: Life Your Life (T.I. w/ Rihanna) 

DECEMBER 2011: Red (Sammy Hagar)

Prom: 

MARCH 2009: If It Makes You Happy (Sheryl Crow) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Walk On (U2) 

DECEMBER 2011: Buffalo Soldier (Bob Marley & The Wailers)

Life: 

MARCH 2009: Video Killed The Radio Star (The Presidents of The United States) 

NOVEMBER 2009: China (Cowboy Mouth) 

DECEMBER 2011: Narcissistic Cannibal (Korn feat. Skrillex & Kill the Noise)

Mental Breakdown: 

MARCH 2009: Black Boots (Paula Cole) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Lovers in a Dangerous Time (Barenaked Ladies) 

DECEMBER 2011: Altered States (Bush)

Driving: 

MARCH 2009: Stir It Up (Bob Marley & the Wailers) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Early Winter (Gwen Stefani) 

DECEMBER 2011: Meant To Live (Switchfoot)

Flashback: 

MARCH 2009: Doll (Foo Fighters) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Statues (Foo Fighters) 

DECEMBER 2011: The Waiting (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers)

Getting Back Together: 

MARCH 2009: Blurry (Puddle of Mud) 

NOVEMBER 2009: You Know My Name (Chris Cornell) 

DECEMBER 2011: Anytime (Brian McKnight)

Wedding: 

MARCH 2009: One Tree Hill (U2) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Lost (Annie Lennox) 

DECEMBER 2011: Droplets (Colbie Calliat feat. Jason Reeves)

Birth of Child: 

MARCH 2009: Silver Inches (Enya) - Yes I actually do have something other than Rock on my I-pod 

NOVEMBER 2009: Only Time (Enya) 

DECEMBER 2011: Empire State of Mind (Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys)

Final Battle: 

MARCH 2009: Overdrive (Foo Fighters) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Things Can Only Get Better (Howard Jones) 

DECEMBER 2011: There's Only One Way To Rock (Sammy Hagar) Uh Yeahh... Hellyeah!

End Credits: 

MARCH 2009: Hot! Hot! Hot! (The Cure) 

NOVEMBER 2009: California Bound (Carolina Liar) 

DECEMBER 2011: Sing (Annie Lennox)

Death: 

MARCH 2009: Things Have Changed (Sammy Hagar & the Waboritas) 

NOVEMBER 2009: Steam Engenius (Foo Fighters) 

DECEMBER 2011: Mercy Street (Peter Gabriel)

Funeral: 

MARCH 2009: A Better Man (Keb' Mo') 

NOVEMBER 2009: Money Can't Buy It (Annie Lennox)

DECEMBER 2011: Let Your Loss Be Your Lesson (Robert Plant & Allison Krauss)

Look out world. Another blogger has been born.

Well technically I was born a few decades ago, but I digress. I think what I'd like to do first is to post a bunch of my writing offerings. But hey. Who knows where this may lead.
Wish me luck!

Welcome.

I s'pose it might be wise to make sure I know how to run this gosh darn contraption.