I typically turn quiet as I trudge along. When I’m quiet, my friends know I’m hurting a bit. Each step is more painful and I wonder how long I can keep going. I look down at my feet and sync my breathing to my pace. I still march on. I’m usually at the back of … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles) – The Proclaimers
I don’t have many things that are irreplaceable. I don’t buy a lot of stuff and would call myself pretty low maintenance. I’m not constantly shopping for clothes or chasing the latest fashion. California casual fits me perfectly. Forget about rotating in the most recent technology. Not my style. My nieces tease me because my … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody) – The Talking Heads
I’ve often heard that the quickest route from point A to point B is a straight line. Let’s face it. Rarely do we find any road to be perfectly straight and sometimes we encounter detours along the way. For me, formulating perspectives follows the same vein. It reminds me of a tangled leaky garden hose … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Change – Tears for Fears
I used to worry about attending gatherings and being severely underdressed. If I received an invite and the attire was ambiguous, my mind would begin to race. To be safe, I typically erred to be slightly overdressed. Once you arrive and survey the lay of the land, it’s always an easier transition to dress down … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Should I Stay or Should I Go? – The Clash
I spent a year working in Japan before the tech boom, long before email was ever a thing. At that time, there were really only two modes of communication – mail and phone. Calling international was expensive. In the Tokyo train stations, there were some shady looking characters selling suspect international phone cards. There were … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: A Letter to Elise – The Cure
I wish I was handy around the house. I’m just not. I defer everything to a handyman we occasionally hire and it’s much easier and efficient to rely on him. He is trying to encourage me to jump in and try doing more things myself, though. Once, the water spout for the ice maker inside … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Help – The Beatles
I made the switch to pay more attention to health about five months ago. Eating healthier, walking, keeping hydrated and stress reduction have been the focal points. I’ve miraculously dropped thirty pounds and am now back at my college weight. I’ve always tried to get back in shape over the decades, but usually I was … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Get the Balance Right – Depeche Mode
A few years ago, we received an Instant Pot for Christmas and it’s been sitting in our pantry collecting dust. Over the years, we have added other appliances that have been put to good use. A Vitamix for smoothies. The Air fryer for salmon or to make guilt free French fries. The Nespresso is pulled … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Panic – The Smiths
Growing up, hard work was more of an expectation than a choice. My parents gently laid down unspoken rules early on. I was fortunate to follow in my two older brother’s footsteps, both were great role models to lead the way. Work hard. Do your best. Regardless of outcome, effort counted the most. Other lessons … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Working in a Coal Mine – DEVO
I used to pick up those small astrology booklets when standing in line at the grocery store. I couldn’t help it. It’s like a moth to a flame. I can’t believe how spot on these tiny books can be. I wonder if there is anything to it, or if it’s dumb luck that I match … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Perfect Circle – REM
I’ve lightly thought about a few over the years. Coffee Roaster – I’ve always had a love for coffee. Years ago, I bought a large personal coffee roaster and when I have time, I roast my own coffee beans. The smell of a fresh roast is like no other. I’ve also visited a few coffee … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Fast Car – Tracy Chapman
My great grandparents immigrated to America and settled in California in the early 1900s. They were farmers, tilling the land, working hard to carve out a life. Generations of assimilation followed, gradually diluting our cultural awareness. It’s not good nor bad, it’s just a natural progression of life. I’ve often wondered about my roots before … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Imagine – Alex G and Gustavo Guerrero (Cover)
I was a little surprised when I was first hired at my last company because a suit was required everyday. Fortunately, work attire gradually relaxed over the years. Business casual, casual Fridays, every day casual. I remember HR emails defining acceptable dress in the office. I give HR professionals a lot of credit. They never … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: My Adidas – Run DMC
Everyone in my family plays a musical instrument, except me. My mom and siblings play the piano, guitar and/or the ukulele. It’s not like I never tried. I took piano lessons when I was a kid for a year or two. The problem was I never practiced so you can imagine how torturous each lesson … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Linger – The Cranberries
I’ve been fortunate to receive great advice from many people throughout my life. Some advice great for the moment, others lasting a lifetime. Advice can come from the most unexpected people. When I returned home from Japan, I was interested in shaping my own bonsai trees. My uncle is an actual authentic Japanese gardener and … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Everything Zen – Bush
I’ve lived in the city for thirty years, most of my adult life. But I feel energy when I leave, distanced from traffic and concrete buildings, surrounded by blue skies at nature’s doorstep. I’m in awe of all that Mother Nature has shown me. I’ve descended through a cloud forest, been lost in an endless … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Big Yellow Taxi – Counting Crows
It’s difficult choosing just one album, there is so much good music out there. I can think of a number of albums that I love, all of which are older, from my Gen X era. I recently read a blog from A Sound Day that cited a study that we stop listening to new music … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Back in Black – AC/DC
The first major hiking trip I went on was a four day trek on the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. I remember stopping and taking a number of pictures along the way. One of the members of our group was a seasoned adventurer and gave me some advice. “Pictures are for friends and family back … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Pictures of You – The Cure
This is an interesting prompt because of a recent blog I read. 50 Happens’ wrote about how music plays a big part of her Christmas season. After reading her blog, I thought how difficult it is to imagine the holidays without Christmas music. I love the feeling of goodwill that it brings. Christmas just isn’t … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Annie’s Song – John Denver
Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. My family gets together to catch up and enjoy a big turkey feast. I also get to see how my nieces and nephews have grown. A number of them are beginning college and it’s wonderful to see how they are becoming young adults. I love the feeling of … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Crowded Table – The Highwomen
In college, I lived in kind of a co-op. It was a large eight bedroom old Victorian house a few blocks from campus and housed 12 students. Part of the agreement living there was to keep the house clean through weekly chores and also cook dinner for the house every two weeks. The rent was … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Sweet Jane – Cowboy Junkies
About five years ago, someone told me about a study that found 85% of what we worry about never comes true. Quick math, that means only 15% is really worth worrying about. It may even be less than that. …it turns out that 85 percent of what subjects worried about never happened, and with the … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Basket Case – Green Day
Eating the local food is always a fun part of traveling. You get to experience the culture through your tastebuds. I’m always game to try something new and I would never say no if served something unusual. Once while I was traveling, we went to a local tapas restaurant with for authentic food. Because of … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Bring on the Dancing Horses – Echo and the Bunnymen
I’m not a runner. Sure, when I was younger, I played a lot of basketball, but that is up and down the court and there is plenty of time to catch your breath. So when friends from work wanted to sign up for a half marathon, I thought no way. I was about 25 pounds … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Running to Stand Still – U2
I developed my leadership style from leaders that I’ve worked with in the past. I’ve worked for both the good and the bad and there are lessons to be learned from each. I’ve gleaned a lot from uplifting and inspirational leaders, but have also been thrown under the bus by others and learned some tough … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: A Little Respect – Erasure
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