The earliest book that I remember reading was Where the Wild Things Are. I remember the illustrations more than anything. What comes to mind is Max being crowned king and dancing with the wild things. It’s hard to believe the book is over 60 years old. I was curious about the themes of the book. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Wild Thing – The Troggs
Sometimes you wonder what came first. The chicken or the egg. Which one preceded the other? I ask something like that about myself at times, too. I work in risk management. It’s my job to understand, prepare and advise on a spectrum of outcomes, from best to worst case scenarios. It’s the scenarios that lean … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Shake It Out – Florence and the Machine
Blackjack is all about feel. I like a table full of nice people. Chatty people are good, but also people who have the EQ to know when not to be. And nobody wants angry guy at the table. It’s even worse when he’s angry drunk guy. It’s just bad juju and even worse karma. When … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Heaven or Las Vegas – Cocteau Twins
One of the football coaches taught my high school social studies class. On Friday mornings, he would describe a funny scene from Cheers that aired the night before. He’d laugh his ass off after the punch line. I still remember his loud hearty laugh. Because of him, I started watching the show and was hooked. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Love Will Tear Us Apart – Joy Division
After class, I nervously stood in line to speak to my professor. I somewhat rehearsed what I was going to say. It still sounded clumsy, but I myself was a clumsy underclassman. How would he react? Would he be upset or offended? It turns out, he didn’t care one bit. It was a big lecture … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Bohemian Rhapsody – The Crowd Waiting for the Green Day Concert
I transitioned into a new role when I was in my early thirties. Although I felt I earned the new role, there also was a cross sense of imposter syndrome. People who struggle with imposter syndrome believe that they are undeserving of their achievements and the high esteem in which they are, in fact, generally … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Don’t Get Me Wrong – The Pretenders
I’m pretty much a realist. During my career I was often referred to as the voice of reason. I’m not sure I’ve ever questioned reality. Maybe that’s both the pros and cons about being pragmatic. Not very exciting, I know. There are times when I’m exhausted and wake up in a daze, searching for reality. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Absolute Reality – The Alarm
I was surprised I liked Moneyball so much. At the time, I wasn’t a baseball fan. I used to think the sport was too slow to watch. Later I would learn I just didn’t understand or appreciate it. I’m surprised I watch as much baseball as I do now. Was I a Brad Pitt fan? … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: The Show – Lenka
When I was in my twenties, this never crossed my mind. Ever. This seemed to be a topic for mature adults, not twenty somethings trying to have fun. In my thirties, I was too busy working and building a career. Surely there would be time for such things after I was older and wiser. I … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Stuck in a Moment (Letterman Version) – U2
I’m not a big fan of the phrase and whatnot. I don’t even understand it. I mean I do, but not how I’ve heard it being used. People seem to throw it on the end of any sentence randomly. Whenever I’d hear it dropped three times within a short conversation, I’d shake my head inside … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Apathy – The Whatnots
When we were little, my brothers and I played this road trip game. The first person to see and call out an out of state license plate got to punch the others in the arm. Juvenile, I know. In our defense, we were kids. We also sang the hundred bottles of beer on the wall … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Blue Highway – Billy Idol
Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the continental US and stands 14,505 feet above sea level. It’s a two day hike and we were excited at the prospect of reaching the summit. We faced a few challenges, though. First, we were rookies and had no idea what was in store for us. Sometimes ignorance … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: The Mountain Wins Again – Blues Traveler
We had dinner with friends last weekend and learned both are now retired. Wow! What a surprise. I caught up with a former co-worker yesterday and learned he retired two years ago. I’ve never heard him sound so relaxed. Next month we are celebrating a good friend’s retirement in Vegas. It’s been awhile since we’ve … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Joy – The Sundays
I’ve mention The Way a few times on this blog. Starring Martin Sheen and Emilio Esteves, a father walks the Camino de Santiago with his son. The Way (2010), starring Martin Sheen and directed by his son Emilio Estevez, follows Tom, an American ophthalmologist who travels to France to collect the body of his estranged … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Country Road – James Taylor
I downloaded the Duolingo app on my phone. Fifteen minutes a day to learn a language? Cakewalk. The first few weeks were a breeze. Then life got busy. A skipped a day. Then a few more. That’s when Duolingo unleashed their muscle. First it was just a friendly nudge. A nag. Haha. Cute. Then it … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Rock Me Amadeus – Falco
I know this would fall under the chick flick category, but I really enjoyed Under the Tuscan Sun. I think the idea of impulsively ditching your life to start another in the Italian countryside sounds like an appealing option that I’d never have the stones to try. When I visited Tuscany, I understood what all … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Romeo and Juliet – The Killers
Here were a few things I think I was good at as a kid. Keep in mind, sometimes reminiscing unintentionally allows you to take creative license on the past. We used to play a game with our baseball, football and basketball card collections. We’d each lean ten cards against the wall that were up for … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: One – U2 & Mary J Blige
The other day I was scrolling through Instagram and I finally understood what doomscrolling was. Until then, I’d heard the term but didn’t really get it. I thought it was this over exaggerated term the youngsters say. But for some reason, that day I felt the anchor around my neck dragging me down. There’s so … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band
I used to love reading. I got the bug early. As a kid, we used to go to the library on a regular basis. My mom would put a limit on the number we could check out each week. It was too difficult keeping track for all four kids. She always had to figure out … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Modigliani (Lost in Your Eyes) – Book of Love
When I was on sabbatical, I discovered a coffee roaster by chance. I was running errands and was looking for a place to chill between appointments. I stumbled upon this place and fell in love with the vibe. I’ve mentioned on this blog that I’ve always wanted to open my own coffee house. If I … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Circle – Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
When I have trouble sleeping, I put a podcast on to distract my thoughts. Usually that does the trick and puts me right to sleep. I was listening to This American Life the other night. This time I tried staying awake to listen all the way through. This episode was about a boy who went … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: The Lucky One – Alison Krauss and Union Station
In three years I’ll be right around 60. That will be my first checkpoint on possible retirement. It’s not guaranteed I can jump in, but there is a sliver of hope. Realistically, it’s more likely retirement will be five years instead of three. Until then, I’ll feel fortunate to be working. I know there are … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: I Know It’s Over – The Smiths
I’m not exactly sure when the shift occurred. When I first started this blog, it triggered rays of nostalgia and reminiscence. It’s easy to get wrapped up in its comfort and wanting to stay in its warmth. When I read the prompt, I figured I’d fall back on my obvious choice. My twenties. Technically an … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Why – Annie Lennox
When I lived in Japan, a friend made a comment that it was a strange revelation living as a minority. I remember him saying that everyday was difficult. It wasn’t only because he didn’t speak the language, but he also felt the impact of being different. Admittedly, he didn’t experience any negative actions or words … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Big in Japan – Alphaville
I had a conversation with a young woman who works at one of the top consulting firms. Although she is doing extraordinarily well in her career, she confessed she experiences bouts of imposter syndrome. You wouldn’t know it if you met her. She is smart, confident, accomplished. She’s also able to mask moments of self … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Knife’s Edge – The Alarm
MyGenXerLife 