A few people we know recently were diagnosed with cancer. The news hit us hard. It’s difficult to hear the news as friends or family. I can’t imagine how it would feel to be the one receiving the news for myself. Shock, disbelief, denial, fear. I’m sure I’d have a difficult time coping after the … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: I’ll Be Your Shelter – The Housemartins
I was relaxing at the pool when two little kids came by and decided to chat with me. One was 5 and the other was 3. He sheepishly said a few words at first and I replied, OMG, that’s so cool, dude. And that opened the floodgates. He started babbling away non-stop. His sister, not … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: How You Remind Me – Nickelback
I was grocery shopping at Trader Joe’s on Sunday morning. As I was checking out, I saw masked men with cameras outside the entrance and in the parking lot. The masks immediately made me think of ICE. I asked the checkout girl who these guys were. Apparently, they call themselves First Amendment Auditors. First Amendment … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: What a Wonderful World – The Ramones
If you are Gen X, you probably watched ER back in the day. It was one of my favorite shows for awhile. You couldn’t go wrong with an emergency room drama. From there, I started watching Grey’s Anatomy. Another good hospital show. Not as exciting as ER, but the characters and story lines were pretty … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Dream – Priscilla Ahn
I was reading Singing Gecko’s blog and she posted beautiful photos of cherry blossoms in her area. It reminded me of my time living abroad. When I lived in Japan, the locals suggested I enjoy ohanami in springtime. Ohanami, or cherry blossom viewing, is the centuries-old Japanese tradition of welcoming spring by gathering under blooming … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Follow You Down – Gin Blossoms
Lately, I’ve found myself grasping for a word or two. I wish I could at least say it’s on the tip of my tongue, but it’s nowhere near the vicinity. All my friends occasionally find themselves in a similar gray zone, so I understand this may be normal. This fact only makes me feel slightly … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Veronica – Elvis Costello and Paul McCartney Acoustic Demo Version
I still drive to downtown Los Angeles to the same barber I’ve been going to for twenty years. I’ve tried others closer by, but too many mishaps sends me back to the tried and true. Afterwards, I typically have coffee at a local coffee roaster in the Artist District. I enjoy the vibe and feeling … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Suburbia – Pet Shop Boys
Last week I saw a news clip where the President proclaimed prices were coming down. It’s shocking to throw out such a boldface lie when the dollar doesn’t go as far for groceries and gas prices are easily topping $5 per gallon. It’s only a matter of time that this recent conflict takes notice of … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Higher – Creed
As I poured batter into the cake pan, I had to chuckle. When did I become someone who baked shit? It wasn’t planned. I was dog tired from a long week at work. I fell asleep on the couch and woke up dazed and confused. The clock said a quarter to eight and my Friday … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Never There – Cake
I can’t wait for baseball season to begin. It really is a weird feeling because baseball wasn’t a big part of my life growing up. I never enjoyed watching it until recently. My childhood primarily revolved around basketball since I was a kid. My siblings and I started playing at an early age and continued … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Down by the Water – PJ Harvey
My wife had to stay in Hawaii due to a family emergency and I flew back solo. I sat watching people pass me wondering who was going to squeeze into the open seat next to me. A few huge muscle bound guys approached and I sighed with relief as they kept walking. I just looked … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: King of New Orleans – Better than Ezra
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Or in our case, find a good local coffee roaster. It’s Friday and we were on our way to LAX. Our flight was at 5:00 and we left early to miss rush hour traffic. The first delay notice popped up while we were rolling out of the house. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Inside Out – The Mighty Lemon Drops
I had a moment the other day. You know the type. One of those that gets you all up in your head. My imagination was running amok, weaving what ifs with what might bes. I was mentally constructing elaborate scenarios, complete with complex chains of events, only possible if that first random domino happened to … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: I Go Crazy – Flesh for Lulu
It’s an odd thing. I’m hoping to retire within five years and I can’t wait for that day to come. At the same time, I’m trying to slow down father time because it’s flying by too damn fast. It’s a jumble of conflicting feelings. Broaching the 60 year mark is definitely a psychological hurdle. And … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Stairway to Heaven – Led Zeppelin
I just polished off the last of our Halloween candy. Two Costco bags worth and no trick or treaters last October. I’m not complaining. Secretly it’s my plan. I just had my physical and I was a little nervous about my blood tests. Who would have thought my A1C would go down after all that … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Candy – Iggy Pop and Kate Pierson
My sister in law was over for dinner and the conversation shifted to our wedding. For some reason, the subject of our marriage certificate came up and we wondered out loud where ours was. They should have mailed it to you after you applied for it with the state of Hawaii, she said. There was … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: I Will Always Love You – Chris Cornell
My wife colored her hair at home for the first time. We’ve had numerous conversations (well, maybe her talking about it and more me just listening) about her being nervous about experiencing a potential catastrophe her first time around. It took months, but she finally mustered up the nerve and did it. It looks great. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Every Breath You Take – The Police
My brother loved Calvin and Hobbs growing up. He was such a big fan, he started creating his own Calvin and Hobbs Christmas cards. He’s been sending them out to family and friends for over 25 years, each with a new message for the holidays. His comic strip illustrations have become pretty good and we … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Einstein on the Beach – The Counting Crows
Episode 8 is the final episode of Ripple. A final quote and a song. It’s a curious thing, this idea of timing. We move in and out of each other’s lives. Sometimes by choice, and sometimes you don’t get to choose. We may never know or understand why. This quote made me think of a … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Perfect – The Smashing Pumpkins
Episode 7 of Ripple. Another quote and a song. Tell me. What’s the meaning of life? It’s not what you’ve done. It’s who you are. It’s your heart. That’s the whole point of living, isn’t it? My heart scare sparked the first time I thought about my mortality. I’d never dwelled on it before, but … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Rainbows – Kacey Musgrave
I’m on Episode 6 of my second time around with Ripple. Here is another quote and song. Faith is bigger than salvation and damnation. It’s about the love and joy that we find in each other. Faith is community. Lifting each other up, that’s what it’s all about. It doesn’t matter what you do or … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: The Returner – Allison Russell
Episode 5 of Ripple, the second time around. Here is a quote that spoke to me. Nobody wants to hear they can’t handle life alone. Maybe we shouldn’t try to. It’s kind of what it means to be human. After putting in sixty hour work weeks, I used to go out for drinks to let … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Human – The Human League
I finished Episode 4 of Ripple. Another quote and a song. A rainbow’s good luck you know… This reminded me of a double rainbow I saw on my way home from work one day. I took a photo of them while driving. I thought my dirty windshield would have made the photo a bit hazy. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Broken White Line – Kris Delmhorst
I’m on Episode 3 of rewatching Ripple. Here’s a quote and a song from the episode. No matter what you’re struggling with, the world keeps going on around you like everything is normal. When things get bleak, you just have to focus on the things that bring you joy. Look Up is from Episode 3, … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Look Up – Joy Oladokun
I’m on my second go around watching Ripple. I just rewatched Episode 2. I found a few lines that caught my ear. Why do people feel like they always have to fill in the blanks? It’s OK to say nothing sometimes. And do nothing. How I would love to say and do nothing with someone. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Cry – The Sundays
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