1996

One of my favourite programs on my computer is Itunes.  I've always been enamored with technology, and Itunes is no different.  I love the program, love the hardware (RIP Steve), and love the fact that you can buy one song for 99 cents.  The whole cd? No thank you, I'll just take the one song.  Definitely appeals to my money saving side (that's a small side btw).

I feel that my diverse music collection is a perfect reflection of me.  Sad part is for some reason I've thrown out as much music as I have.  My collection (14gb) is modest and i love that i have music which ranges all over.  Some days I'm in the mood for PM Dawn, other days Bach.  A little Oakenfold, and yes even Skillet (where's my frying pan?) - I love it all.

Today I was listening to a disc called WOW 1996.  It's a cd of the greatest Christian songs of that time.  It's a nice throwback for me, having grown up on Michael W Smith, Amy Grant, Sandy Patty, Degarmo & Key, Carman and Petra just to name a few.  You wanna talk about memories?  LOL.  And then it hit me - 1996 was 15 years ago.  My first year out of college - sigh - what an experience that was. 

College had been awesome - hanging with the boys, running courts until they closed the gym down.  Having fun at the beach, playing GULF BREEZE, baby.  I remember one discussion around the table where we talked about who we'd thought we'd be in 10 years, then went around and talked about what our kids would look like. Working in Food Service, the friends in made - unreal.

And then I graduated, got out into the world and never felt more lost in my life.  I was supposed to know which way I was going.  After all I had a college degree to prove that, didn't I?  Having finished some of the greatest years of my life, wasn't I on the path to happiness?

That first year out was a harsh reality for me.  Wasn't anyone's fault, just something I went through.  Here I was, going from a place I loved with alot of friends to the middle of Nowhere, OH.  Only people I knew was a couple I was acquainted with at college.  What a wakeup call that was.  Never in my life did the world seem so big.  But as He always has, God came through big for me.  Not just that year, but every year since then.

Those are some great memories.  And now here I am.  Doing something completely different than what i studied for.  Married, 3 kids, and a job I love and a family I wouldn't trade for the world.

Funny thing about life - never works out the way you planned.  And for that I am thankful.  Turns out I didn't know as much as I thought I did :)

Stars

So my job - well, I love my job.  At some point when I run out of things to talk about (haha), I will tell you how I got the job.  But not yet. Anyway, my wife and I both work, so we're used to getting up early.  Like 4-5 am early.  Trust me it's not always easy.

But this time of the year, I love it.  Stepping out into the morning at 5:00 am, it's still dark out, and this morning was just awesome.  I put the key into our minivan to warm the egine, and on my way back into the house, I stopped and looked up.  Wow.  I'd forgotten how beautiful and clear the sky can be this time of the year.  It was breathtaking.  And then I saw the stars, found myself quickly looking for the "dippers".

Reminded me of the song "Stars."   It's one of my favorite songs from Les Miserables. I love this soundtrack.  I think had things been different growing up, I would have been in the drama department as a kid. I would have sung and been in the school play.  Remembering that song, and the crisp air for the fall morning - wow.  What a great start to the weekend.

But i digress :) If you're not familiar with the play/movie/musical, you really should check it out.  I would encourage you to stay away from the movie, though.  The movie is okay, but there's so much more I get out of the musical. It's completely engaging. You'll find yourself singing along, your chest swelled with pride - you'll feel you're actually part of the revolution.  I have the original cast recording, and love it.  Saw the 25th anniversary special on PBS and LOVED it.  Which reminds me I need to buy the DVD :)  Thanks for reminding me.

Stars is such a powerful song.  Javert has just missed Valjean, a "criminal" and as I listen to the song, I can't help but feel sorry for Javert.  IMO, He has always known the "law" side of life that it made him miss the "beauty of life"  But I love the song, and sooo many others.  Now, back to work.

Blogs vs. Diaries

So I haven't been on here in a while.  Trust me, it's not that I don't have anything to write about, because I do.  Lots.  It's just I wasn't sure what direction i want to go.  So I've decided to be mildly unbridled (points for a big word) in this blog.

If you think that means shocking, then no that's not what I mean.  I'm just going to blog and hopefully one day it will come to me.  There's so much that hits me in one day, it's all I can do to keep it inside.  But working full time and being daddy in the best family EVER - well that keeps me busy.  That and Warcraft :)

And the worst part about it, is that an idea will pop up, and I'll find I have a lot to say about it.  But the times that the idea appears is like the WORST.  I never have any time at that very moment to write about it.  Yes, i tried the "write it down" but when I come back to it later, inspiration has passed me by.  If anyone (assuming someone actually reads this blog) has any ideas, I'd definitely be open to them.

Then on top of that, trying to figure out the style of the blog.  Is it a whipping post for the latest hot topics?  Is it more like a diary, when only the bravest of souls bare their souls to the world?  Actually that just made me laugh.  Why is it i think (or would even want) the world reading my blog?  I'm sure they have something better to do.

Well, time will figure this out.  I'm having way too much fun to stress out about it now.