Snowy Days

Welcome back friends.

Well, Christmas is fast approaching and the snow is falling hard. Supposed to get up to 6 inches of it today. Here's a look outside my office window:

You can't tell so much here but its snowing hard. Its going even worse as I type this. I like snow during Christmas time. The roads suck, but it helps when you don't have to go out as much. The wife's work is less than 2 miles away, so thats great. We both did some early Xmas shopping yesterday for each other's wants. She got rings, natch, and I got vinyl (equally, natch). I picked up some colored vinyl exclusive Nirvana, Ghost BC discs and a dollar bin soundtrack to Xanadu. I got about 50 pices of vinyl now and am now ready to pull the trigger on getting a turntable. I'm looking at a couple that THE RECORD LOUNGE in East Lansing has. I'll likely get it after the 20th for Xmas. We got the kids some presents as well. Just have to wait for them to sleep so we can wrap them.

I've been watching a lot of punk documentaries and flicks online and have made a list of some very basic bands (punk and not) that I have never really given the full examination to. Bands like Jesus & Mary Chain, Echo and the Bunnymen, Capt. Beefhart, Black Flag, Fugazi, The Cramps, The Smiths, The Specials, Misfits, Rollins Band, Public Image Ltd and more. Some I've only heard a few songs from so I am trying to give all their albums a nice listen. Its nice to get my head back into music so deep. Its like coming home. Ah, Vinyl!

I've mostly been away from FB except once a day, except this last week, some dude was trying to fight with me about how I chose to sell my AP cards. Many of my fellow artist buddies came to my "defense" but it basically fell on deaf ears. After a while, I let it go and its back to normal. I think the internet has taught all of us to sort of disconnect and not treat the other people on it like humans. We keep ourselves amused to death and sedated with indifference. For example, this new school shooting in Denver. I was outraged as many were. Being a parent, I'm scared to send my kids to school. You NEVER know whats going on there. I recently found out someone I personally know brought a gun to school and shot a kid. It was a long time ago and they've changed obviously, but still its very sobering to realize how real it is and how close it can be, as well as random. But the jokes on FB and Twitter yesterday about it just sickened me to the point I had to just stay offline all day. I buried my nose in a book. Neil Peart's "Ghost Rider," which I finished last night BTW. It just felt good to get away from everything and everyone. I think all of us should try that once in a while. Take a vacation from your routine and do something just for yourself.

The holidays are a happy and tough time for everyone, myself included. I have lots of bad memories and celebrations related to this time. I cover them over with new memories but sometimes no matter how much you run from your past, it catches up to you. Its not done messing with your head. I distract myself with work, podcasts, music and other things. Nothing warms the heart more than a good Christmas classic movie. Its all about creating a happy environment around you with people you love.

I guess I'm saying that all of us could use a bit of a vacation from the beautiful distractions and the fighting with strangers. Spend time reconnecting in person with family and friends. Find and make love. Make memories. Eat hearty and find joy. Do it now before you fully train youself and the next generation to disconnect fully and a thing such as basic human interaction is a lost art. Forget the stupid fights of if an imaginary Santa should be black or white, or if you get mad if someone says "Happy Holidays" instead of "Christmas." Its all bullshit to distract you from your path. Keep your focus. Cultivate happiness. Wake up from your sedation and enjoy the days you have and the friends/family that you have. Cause one day it will end and all you will have is the memories. Live it now. Turn off the phone and the computer and live.

But please, come back and check my blog and my podcasts! ;)

Anyway, deep thoughts over. Just want to say thanks for continuing to read my stuff here and all of you stay safe out there!

Cheers, T