Hotel War: Finishing up mixing

Hotel War: Finishing up mixing: " We are currently in the finishing stages of our new album 'The Cue'. We have been working with a great new friend..."

Pain

It's 4:28am.

One week has passed since my wisdom teeth were pulled and I am still in pain! My percocet prescription was used and I am writhing in agony as I try to get my mind off the pain.

I've played mental games to focus on anything but this pulsing heat grinding against my temples. I have welcomed the feeling of suffering for another few hours telling myself people have it much worse in the world. Building my threshold for pain as if it is a tough man competition. Can I enjoy the agony?

I realize there are people that actually enjoy pain. They look for it whether physical or mental, some people have a lust for it. I can't admit that I am one of these people but I am intrigued by the concept. If this concept is true, then the world can make more sense to me.

Take a substance abuser for example. They become addicted to something that perpetuates a bad habit. The vicious cycle ensues. 10 years goes by and they have accrued debt, severed family ties, poor personal health, and lack a career, just to name a few adverse effects of addiction.

Do they continue to hurt their cause because they are not mentally disciplined to remain in control or do they like to endure the pain?

Some people live their entire life through very rough conditions. Born into poverty, struggle to eat a normal meal, and lack of education make for a difficult path to find success. That is why the rags to riches story is so powerful. To truly understand what one person has to endure to make it to their position in life to prosper is reason to celebrate. But what about those that don't make it? Does their mental capacity wear over time after being repeatedly beat down by society? Does the pain threshold increase therefor they crave more adverse conditions?

Just a few hours ago I was desperately wishing I was back to normal health with zero mouth pain so I can resume my sleep and normal lifestyle. I try to imagine being in someone's shoes that has to deal with this pain on a daily basis and my pain for those out there struggling is pale in comparison to the real pain they are feeling or have felt.

I realize what I have and I don't want to waste my life in pain. Be kind to your body so that you can be kind to everybody! Take advantage of a healthy lifestyle.

Mac Attack!

Apple is my new favorite fruit. I finally made a dream purchase today and it was the most ivory white of a mac book that is now the apple of my eye!

Maybe my blogging will improve as well. I couldn't even say when my last post was. So here's to new beginnings.

Uncle Jim & U2

September 12, 2009

U2 @ Soldier Field

My Birthday

My friends and I visited Chicago for a very special reason - to see a band that brings 'a certain charm' to the still frame pictures frozen in our memory.

Maybe I shouldn't speak on behalf of them. For me, U2 reminds me of much more than just music. It takes me back in time when I was 7. More specifically, 1987.

The year JOSHUA TREE was released.

That album represents a myriad of memories from my childhood. It's ironic that the North American tour kicked off in Chicago, because my Dad was born here. He grew up on the southside of the city. Sox fan. Wrong side of the tracks, so he puts it.

After he made his way through childhood and adolescence without too many snags, he joined the Air Force and was eventually placed in Dayton, OH. My birthplace. Without getting into all the messy details, 1987 was a memorable year for one simple reason. U2.

The Joshua Tree is an album that my dad seemed to incessantly listen to while driving his hoopty sky blue rust bucket - a vehicle with a rusted out hole in the back seat floor board. I can remember projectile ralphing on the dashboard and floor board, in the passenger seat, on the way to the babysitter one morning.

The album reminds me of trips to Chicago to see the family during holidays. Summer days with Mtv reverberating Bono's voice through the large wood frame television we had. It's an album that takes me away where I can close my eyes and just smile!

Jimmy Jimmy Cocoa Pop......Cereal?
Another person of influence in my life has to be the infamous Uncle Jim. As you can see, he joined me for the U2 show. He is a music lover and thought it would be cool to see a show with me as well as to see U2 at their pinnacle.

My friends and I woke up at 6am to hop in line to wait all day for the sickest standing room general admission spots. Jim doesn't arrive until 4pm. He hops in line and ends up getting into the stadium before we do. Go figure.

I have a very cool relationship with my Uncle, who I actually worked with for a summer during the college years, waterproofing basements. I learned a few life lessons from him while living and working with him. He really knows how to work hard and enjoy himself equally!

During that summer in Chicago, I really got back into the Joshua Tree album and reveled in the song 'Red Hill Mining Town.' It struck a chord within me. The feeling of a beautiful day on the horizon, no puns intended. Any word I use can relate back to the vast collection of U2 discography. ha!

Lately, 'In God's Country' is a great song to play while driving on a warm sunny day through the back country of Ohio or Indiana.

'Where the Streets Have No Name' is a song that, for me, can always be played to encourage the following of a dream or ambitious goal that you want to reach.

Every song means something different to the listener. This is a personal and sentimental band that millions of people feel similar about. These guys must be musically gifted or the luckiest dudes in the world.

They didn't get anywhere without working hard to get better each day to realize their dream. A lesson many people can learn from.

Matty B was nice enough to get the tix for me so thanks bruva.

Not much flow to the blog - guess that's why it's a blog!!!

Spirituality of Imperfection

I was reading an article in my local Eastern Hills Press newspaper with the same title of this post.

I've never read this paper although it is delivered to my house each month. It has small little snipets of community council meetings, zoning ordinances, random essays, and local old people stuff such as debating dogs defacating on sidewalks and the zany rampant rabbits that are eating the gardens of hard working, tax paying, law abiding citizens.

Now, I don't know why I bothered to pick up the paper and resist tossing in the rubbish bin but it was Sunday evening and I feel myself slipping into that relaxing realm of casual reading about the community I live in and enjoy very much. Call me old people.

I hear people talk about being 'Spiritual' all the time and recently had a discussion with a friend who was 'saved'. I simply asked when my friend felt he was being guided by Him. The perspective all became very vague after that question was asked. I wanted to know how he felt and what he went through. Maybe it was personal but I think that is an honest question.

I've never attacked anyone for their views and morals but I am curious so I ask pointed questions. They felt somewhat defensive and I sensed this so I eased off the pedal and just took it for what it was.

It's my feeling that everyone takes a different path to get to where they want to go in their own lives. Not really brain surgery to realize this. Religion and spirituality will always baffle me as I want to learn and dip my toe in the holy water but I can't ever get any concrete answers. This is the very notion that steers me clear of organized religion.

I think the community feel makes sense. The stories seem far fetched but I can understand the morals and values for teaching purposes. I think it does wonders for some people but is useless for others who have a solid core of living an honest and hopefully wonderful life.

Anyway, I became enamored with a quote in the article.

"Hopefully along the way (through life) we become more humble, loving and compassionate. The steps along the way are not acending some recognizable glorious staircase called ego, but learning to live the ordinariness of our everyday lives. Don't fuss too much about yourself, or fight the truth, just accept yourself and grow." ~ anonymous old spiritual director

Well put I thought, so I decided to share it.

On a similar front, Michael Vick was interviewed about his literal trials and tribulations concerning his past and present lifestyle. The interviewer asked in a matter of fact way that it was no surprise Michael Vick found God during his fall from grace. Vick admittedly accepted The Lord into his life and hasn't looked back since.

When people have no where to go, they turn to the glue that can hopefully mend the cracks and I say more power to them. It's an interesting observation and a feeling of hopelessness that stirs the pot of finding a better way to live, so I assume. So, I don't criticize the man for 'believing' in a higher being.

Whatever gets ya through the day is what I always say.

That's why I wear my power balance bracelet! My Lord and Savior. LOL.
http://www.powerbalance.net

Do Teachers Need Education Degrees? - Room for Debate Blog - NYTimes.com
http://roomfordebate.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/16/education-degrees-and-teachers-pay/?t

Quote of interest

"To find ourselves, we must first lose ourselves."

Fortune cookie proverb