I had been thinking about creating a Spotify playlist for this blog for little while now. I finally got around to putting one together. If you are interested, please click here. Enjoy! Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Spotify Playlist
We used to collect things as kids. Rocks from the mountains, shells from the beach. We collected baseball, basketball and football cards. I’m sure some of them must be 50 years old by now. Between our baseball games, we used to walk around, kicking dirt and for some reason began collecting bottle caps. Soda caps. Beer caps. Some twist … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Jar of Hearts – Christina Perri
When I think of missions, I think of… Star Trek’s five year mission to boldly go where no man has gone before. William Shatner was one cool dude back then. The original Mission Impossible TV series from the 1970’s. Should you choose to accept this mission… In the 80’s, I found a used paperback of Robert Ludlum’s … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Songbird – Fleetwood Mac
I used to say I wanted to live to the ripe old age of 80 and then I’d be fine to let go. It was a good round number. My grandparent’s lifespan reached past 80 and I always thought they lived a good long life. Funny thing, though. As you get older, that number keeps … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Veronica – Elvis Costello
I was listening to a podcast the other day and discovered an interesting interview. Typically, I listen to this particular podcast for personal finance and investing topics. The title of this episode was different and caught my eye: Your Blueprint For Life’s Toughest Challenges. Hal Eldor faced many challenges in his life and somehow managed … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: One Day – Matisyahu
Long time ago, I was in the Artist District and came across this cool mural. I liked it because it’s carefree and depicts a moment of innocence. Whenever I’m in the area, I always stop by. Murals and graffiti art can emote a number of different feelings. This is one without the jagged edges. If … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: The Sign – Ace of Base
It’s difficult to separate the past and future because they are so intertwined. It reminds me of the quote: What’s past is prologue. Apparently, there are two different interpretations. The sanguine interpretation is that everything that has taken place in the past is a preparation for the opportunities to come. In other words, what’s already happened … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Fire and Rain – James Taylor
If I could ask for the impossible gift, I’d ask for time. Since it’s impossible to deposit time into my lifespan bank account, I’ll gladly settle for warm wishes and good karma. You have to give good karma in order to receive it, though. Isn’t that the rule? So I’ll be spreading plenty of good … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: You Get What You Give – New Radicals
My college education was peppered with lessons in and out of the classroom. While academics provided formal lessons, there was far more to learn than through books: time management, critical thinking, socializing, becoming an adult. I also learned simple everyday things through trial and error. I can whip up a meal with whatever you have … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: In the Ghetto – Natalie Merchant and Tracy Chapman
I once jumped out of a moving vehicle. Granted, it was only going about 5 miles per hour, but I will never forget the sudden jolt when I hit the pavement. It was jarring even at that low speed. When I initially took this sabbatical, it was a similar kind of jolt. There is something … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Bang the Drum All Day – Todd Rundgren
Wishing everyone a Happy New Year! A few fun facts. The confetti in Times Square has thousands of people’s wishes written on them. In 2015 “wishfetti” became a part of the tradition. People write their wishes for the new year and submit them to the Wish Wall in Times Square (or online) and those wishes … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Auld Lang Syne – Fiddler’s Green
When I was in my twenties, my buddies and I rented a three bedroom apartment in Culver City. Everything seemed to be a fifteen minute drive away: the beach, Westwood, downtown, Santa Monica, Pasadena. It wasn’t the best part of town, but it was central to everything and it was cool having our own place. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: These Are Days – 10,000 Maniacs
Living in a foreign country, I experienced many firsts. One first was a feeling of loneliness. Before I left, it wasn’t uncommon for me to do many things on my own. I was pretty independent and felt fine running around by myself. But being in a foreign country where you don’t know a soul, can’t … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Alone Again Or – The Damned
In 2012, University of North Carolina School of the Arts won the prize for the cheesiest mascot – the Fighting Pickle. The Fighting Pickle of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) has been named the “Cheesiest College Mascot” in the nation by Chester Cheetah, the mischievous spokescat for Cheetos. “Impressively, this … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Buffalo Soldiers – Bob Marley
I grew up in the conservative part of the state and attended a conservative university. It goes to show that I leaned conservative when I graduated and ventured out into the real world. That was my starting point. Like all other twenty somethings, I was green and my views had room to grow and solidify. Then, life. There’s … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Where Were You Hiding When the Storm Broke – The Alarm
I was an early adopter to Starbuck’s third place. I needed a place to relax, read and have a cup of coffee. It didn’t have to be at Starbucks, but they were practically on every other corner so it was convenient. Sunday morning reading the paper was a standing ritual for me. I’d recognize the … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Plush – Stone Temple Pilots
When I was in college, I wanted a BMW 2002. It was a cool classic car that I would see on campus. If it was a convertible, even better. I was your typical poor college kid and couldn’t afford one, but I always thought it would be sweet ride. It’s only human to want things we don’t have. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Cars – Gary Numan
I’ve lived most of my adult life feeling the slight hint of a creative tug. Here I was, this straight laced professional. Conservative and analytical. But I’ve always wondered if there was a creative side to me. I’ve always been drawn to gallery showings, poetry readings, trying to view life through a photographer’s lens. I have an appreciation … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Boulevard of Broken Dreams – Green Day
Wishing everybody a Merry Christmas! Here’s a little U2 for the holidays – Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home). Happy holidays! It’s ChristmasBaby, please come homeYeah(Christmas) The snow’s coming down(Christmas) I’m watching it fall(Christmas) Watching the people around(Christmas) Baby, please come home(Christmas) The church bells in town(Christmas) They’re ringing a song(Christmas) What a happy sound(Christmas) Baby, please … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) – U2
This feels like a prompt we’ve done a few times, maybe just repackaged in a slightly different way. I’ll use this as a get out of jail for free card and just play a song. INXS was a great 80’s band. Don’t Change was released in 1982. When this song came on, I always tended … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Don’t Change – INXS
The National Archives described 1968 as a year of turmoil and change. The Vietnam War, riots in Washington DC, the assassinations of MLK and Robert Kennedy. I wanted to find a brighter, lighter spot in this year. It’s trivial and minor, but I think found it. The Big Mac began selling nationally in 1968, for … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: There is a Light that Never Goes Out – The Smiths
I grew up in the suburbs, in a bubble. When I moved to LA to attend college, it was eye opening to say the least. It was also new and exciting. One weekend I ventured downtown. I wanted to wander around the city and soak up this new experience. I came upon a crowd congregating at the … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Sixth Avenue Heartache – The Wallflowers
I love experiencing nature. Right now I’m spending time in Hawaii visiting family during the Christmas holidays. It’s the rainy season with scattered liquid sunshine throughout the day. This morning I awoke to find a beautiful rainbow outside our window. I could see the entire arc, from one end to the other. What a way to begin the day. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: River – Joni Mitchell
To say that COVID was a big disrupter is an understatement. We used to do a Vegas guys trip, but that had been put on hold for the past three or four years. We have been going to Vegas together the last thirty years. The frequency waned a bit as we got older, but we tried to at … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Go Daddy O – Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
I’ve heard it said that you should shop on the perimeter of a grocery store. The processed foods tend to be on the inside. I’m not sure how accurate that is, but I’ve always remembered that. I once had a co-worker that claimed he only ate three vegetables. One of the vegetables on the list … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode
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