Before I left for my year living abroad, I saw the Sylvester Stallone movie Cliffhanger in the theater. Survey says: Flop. It wasn’t that great. That was the last movie I saw before I boarded the plane. Fast forward. I’m living in Japan, an hour outside Tokyo. I wouldn’t call it the sticks, but it … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Hanginaround – Counting Crows
I’m not sure what inspired me, but I made oatmeal cookies the other day. For the typical person, this is not a notable thing to mention, but me? I don’t really bake. I was craving something sweet and I convinced myself oatmeal cookies are on the healthier side. Yeah, I know. I was rationalizing to … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: A Town Called Malice – The Jam
My wife is planning a sister’s trip and will be gone for a week in December. Whenever she leaves on a trip, she always asks, Are you going to be alright on your own? I have to remind her that I was single until the age of 40, with the majority of my adult years … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Enjoy the Silence – Depeche Mode
We had a friend over for dinner and were catching up. She is going through a rough patch but is slowly coming out of it. One thing she mentioned was she was trying to get her mojo back. Ah, that resonated with me. I’m in a similar boat – trying to get mine back as … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Kite – U2
My sister’s house has a large tree in their backyard. It’s so tall, they thought about chopping it down because it seemed to pose a threat to their home if it ever fell over. Unfortunately since it’s one of the tallest trees in the city, the city declined their request to remove it. The tree … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Space Age Love Song – A Flock of Seagulls
A few of the job opportunities I’ve seen are hybrid in Los Angeles. That’s an hour by car without traffic. Double that each way due to wonderful Southern California rush hour. I started researching train schedules and learned that this may be a feasible option. I can take the train into Union Station in downtown … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: You and Me – Lifehouse
It’s a little insane that Liz Cheney was campaigning with Kamala Harris. These definitely are historic times. What struck me was her comment about on the fence republicans. Cheney, a former congresswoman from Wyoming, reminded people that “you can vote your conscience and not ever have to say a word to anybody.” “There will be … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Dirty Little Secret – The All American Rejects
It was Sunday afternoon. I was listening to 90’s music and the Stone Temple Pilot’s Interstate Love Song came on. I thought it was aprapos because of the timing of the first line. Waiting on a Sunday afternoonFor what I’ve read between the linesYour lies I’d always assumed it was a song about a failed … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Interstate Love Song – Stone Temple Pilots
I enjoy musicals, but rarely search for them to plan an outing. This year, though, we decided to sign up for a mini package of musicals: Annie, Hamilton and Momma Mia! Of the three, I’ve only seen Momma Mia!. Who doesn’t love ABBA? Annie, I can go either way. I’m sure I’ll be pleasantly surprised. … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Dancing Queen – U2
This morning I watched a house flipping show. I love the thought of real estate investing and house flipping. But there is one glaring issue that holds me back. Me. I’m self aware enough to know that I don’t have any skills to bring to the table except a willingness to roll up my sleeves … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve
I caught up with another good friend. We’ve known each other over 25 years. We’ve been colleagues at three different companies. The industry that I work in is not small, but exists in a small world. People rotate from company to company. Everybody knows everybody, or at least someone who is a few degrees of … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Tomorrow, Wendy – Concrete Blonde
A few days ago I was running errands and I started thinking about ice cream. Not just any ice cream, but that giant ice cream soft serve that they sell at Costco. I turned on the navigation system in my head and diverted from my next errand. How could I not? I had ice cream … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Drive – Aimee Mann
I think I’ve mentioned before, my go to in a pinch is an omelette. Nothing fancy. I think this was a hand me down gene from my father. My dad could grill on the BBQ and also make breakfast. When I think about it, I think those are the bare essentials in a guy’s culinary … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: This Time Tomorrow – Brandi Carlile
I met an old friend for lunch. We worked together about 20 years ago. We catch up by phone every six months but it’s been forever since we met up. We finally met for lunch. It’s funny seeing someone after a few decades. I recognized him, but didn’t at the same time. He gained a … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Kiss Me – Sixpence None the Richer
If you’ve been reading this blog for awhile, you’ll know that I love any and all foods that are not healthy. I’m a junk food junkie. My diet in my twenties was both atrocious and awesome at the same time. Being young, it’s easy to burn calories. These days not so much and I’ve altered … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Girlfriend In a Coma – The Smiths
I spent some time in the mountains this past week. This is an annual trip with the guys. We’ve been going on this trip for almost 20 years. This one came at the perfect time. I needed to hang out with nature to clear the clutter in my head. Our intentions were our usual – … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Sunshine on My Shoulder – John Denver
I’ve been feeling humbled as of late. It’s not triggered by someone or something, it’s just the state I find myself in. The circumstances are not important, but the feeling of falling and becoming grounded again is. Although not a fun feeling to experience, a necessary one to bring me back to earth. It will … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Find the River – REM
I’m giving this another try. Borrowing words from REM’s Nightswimming. _ A photograph reveals the moon Caught reckless, pining for the sun Forever drawn, a quiet breath Swims every light A reminder, a quiet night _ Nightswimming – REM Nightswimming deserves a quiet night The photograph on the dashboard taken years ago,turned around backwards so … Continue reading Borrowed Words: Nightswimming by REM
One of my favorite REM songs is South Central Rain. It was one of the first REM songs I’d ever heard. It tapped into an angst that I had no idea ever existed. I loved the lines: Did you never call? I waited for your callThese rivers of suggestion are driving me away The line … Continue reading Borrowed Words: South Central Rain by REM
I saw this photo and laughed. But in reality, the more I thought about it, the more I realized this is how I was feeling when I woke up this morning. It’s never fun staring down a big gaping hole knowing that I need to somehow propel my out of shape ass over to the … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Black Hole Sun – Soundgarden
We just learned a friend is going to compete in an Ironman Triathlon. For the record, that’s a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a marathon (26.2 mile run). Holy shit. He’s always been an outdoors guy, but this is ratcheting it up a level. The cool thing is, he used to be … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: What’s On Your Mind (Pure Energy) – Information Society
I stopped by my mom’s house the other day to help pick figs from her tree. This year’s crop was a bit sparse. I’m not sure why. Instead of an invasion of fig beetles, we had a bunch of crows feasting on the figs this year. We were able to pick only a basketful this … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Round Here – Counting Crows
So I found the soundtrack to Magnolia as I was sorting through my CD collection. The film is an epic mosaic of interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness and meaning in the San Fernando Valley. The script was inspired by the music of Aimee Mann. Wikipedia I watched the movie around twenty five years ago. I … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Wise Up – Aimee Mann
I was looking through captured videos from our Ring camera and was surprised to see a coyote snooping around. Coyote sightings are becoming more common these days. It still blows me away when I see one. It just seems out of place in the suburbs. But I suppose we have to learn to coexist. When … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Build – The Housemartins
When I saw family that I hadn’t seen in ages, they always said the same thing. Wow! Are you still growing? When I was in junior high school, I grew ten inches in one year. So if they asked me that then, I would understand. But I’d occasionally still get that same comment well into … Continue reading My Gen X Playlist: Tension Makes a Tangle – 10,000 Maniacs
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