Through A Squinted Eye

X… it is almost seems like whatever you see starting with X is an abbreviation or preservative ingredient on food packaging.  Seriously what is the X sound?  I know if it follows another letter it is a “cks” sound.  There again it seems like an abbreviation of letters.  However in the rare case where X starts the word, it is pronounced with a Z sound. Sure we need a letter that can be sounded by using other letters. Why are we so confusing in the english language?

X – Ray

I am not as accident prone as some, but I have had a few x-rays in my time.  In the span of 18 months I had 3 x-rays on the same thumb, same location.  Out of the three I had broken my thumb twice.  Within 6 months of the last break I had broken my pinky finger playing football.  My parents somewhat afraid Child Services would be called, told me “well if you can move it, then it isn’t broken.”  My mother feels bad every time she sees my crooked finger these days.

X-mas

First of all it’s Christmas for Pete’s sake!  My feeling is that retailers devised this abbreviation in efforts to consume multiple religions in this 4 month holiday. I was at Lowes October 3 and saw a mass display of outside Christmas decorations and trees.  The fact is that I have lost my Christmas spirit along the way.  A lot of it unfortunately is due to the insanity of my father, which I do not wish to go into here.  Alas, a renewed spirit comes forth.  Though this will be my daughter’s second official Christmas, this will have more of an impact as she is walking and generally becoming more aware.  I am happy to say that I am looking forward to it.

X-103

Music has a huge impact on me and X-103 was one of the biggest rock/alternative stations in our area. I am sure that with every radio station one will disagree and be disappointed with the over exposure of songs.  However, growing up it was by far the easy way to hear new music, especially when MTV stopped playing music videos. You could take a chance on concerts, pay a good a mount of money if it was an all ages venue, and hope for the best.  I suppose one can surf the internet and be overwhelmed by the music available, but where do you start? Though I am often disappointed in hearing the same songs over and over, it is a vital venue to get a glimpse of something I may like. 

XX

The set of female chromosomes. No I am not female! I am married to one and together we made a beautiful little girl.  As strange as it may be, I secretly wanted a daughter (not to say I would have been unhappy with a son).  I know a lot of guys want a son to play sports and follow in their steps, and become something great. And I know the drawbacks of a  girl are that they will eventually be dating, an expensive wedding, etc.  However, women are behind it all.  It is futile to believe that men are ever in charge these days.  Frankly women are generally more interesting and inspiring.

Y, why Y… why? I survived Z and started to feel confident until I got ahead of myself.  I realized after Y is X!?! What the hell am I going to do with X? I have some words that end with X. Oh well, I will quit procrastinating. Onto Y…

Youthful Looks

Curse?!?! How dare I say curse.  Well it is inevitable that I will enter a bar, order a drink, or peruse the fine brew in a local liquor store and get carded.  Alright I am not 32 so why should I be bitchin’ since the law states that ID must be checked unless the person appears to be 32 or older.  Well it is not only that I get carded, but I get the stare down, occasionally the interrogation of info on my driver’s license or even proof of a second photo ID (Which I do not think I have). One instance I provided all of the aforementioned and still the door man said “how about I have a police officer come by to verify this ID.” Are you effin kidding me. I told him to feel free and he let me enter.  What takes the proverbial cake these days is the fact that I am typically 5 years older than the person asking for ID.  They say it is good to look so young, but I sometimes feel that my youthful looks hinders opportunities in many social and business settings.

YouTube

Who does not like YouTube. Yes it is somewhat scary to see the various defects of our society displayed for all to see, but it can be very entertaining and useful.  It often allows me to check up on a new album before spending the cash to have 1 awesome song surrounded by crap in my possession.   

Yellow Ledbetter

In the vein of YouTube I came across something that forever makes me laugh.  I am a huge fan of Pearl Jam and the song Yellow Ledbetter was always a song that would make me stop and listen to its passionate delivery.  Eddie Vedder is an amazing vocalist, but what the hell is he singing.  I know it is not uncommon to confuse words or hear the wrong thing, but I could not make sense of it.  Then I found Misheard Lyrics of Yellow Ledbetter by Pearl Jam.  I will never be able to hear the song the same.  Potato Wave.

Yin – Yang

I know Yin-Yang or Ying Yang instantly produces the mental image of a symbol that may or may not send you into a hippie state of mind.  Regardless the meaning and philosophy of it is very dear to me because it prevails in everything.  There is a constant push/pull relationship that is much bigger than us or our mental capacity.  Do I know or understand it all, not even close.  Do I feel that Karma interplays with this, absolutely.  This  is a reminder to me of my existence and actions in the space we exist. 

Yellow Submarine

The Beatles are indeed amazing to me (See also Beatles).  Just ask Danielle, for months she was sick of me talking about the history, the songs, the influence, etc.  There is one song I have yet to place in there extensive catalog…Yellow Submarine.  Can there be something that is more invasive.  Listen to it once and you will be singing the damn thing all day long.  Hell if you have heard it, you are probably currently singing it in your head.  You can thank me and hate me later. For now take a listen.

Now do it in reverse…

So my lovely lady, aka wife to you, started an abridged encyclopedia of her and her life. You can find it here.  Basically I am struggling to think up interested thoughts and ramblings to share so I stole her idea without consent, which she borrowed from scrapbooking.  Well I do not scrapbook and have no intention to start.  In a pathetic effort to be a little different I will be working in reverse order alphabetically.  Maybe I will meet her in the middle…. DOH!!! That’s the hardest letter. What was I thinking? 

Zildjian 

I am not a drummer and therefore it would seem odd that I would list a symbol first.  However, I am a guitarist and my drummers always played Zildjians.  These prized possessions are treated like precious gems to drummers (gems you pound with a stick) and memory I will always have is when Danielle tripped loading in while carrying the drummer’s Zildjian symbols sending them crashing down first upon her chin and the to the concrete floor.  Only one cracked and Wife eventually recovered.

Zoo

A tradition Danielle and her mother started probably 5 years ago was to go to the zoo the Friday before or after Danielle’s birthday.  I have a feeling it was just a reason to take off work, but now it is tradition and they have to do it.  I have gone 3 times now and it something that I enjoy.  Perhaps because it is a reason to take a day off, but it is nice to be outside and observe nature in captivity.  Yes that is twisted.

Zach de la Rocha

The front man for RATM is not what you call a singer, but a passionate vocalist.  Rage is one of my favorite bands and a big influence in the days of my band (see also CleverTruth).  Oddly enough when I first heard Rage I turned off the radio.  That’s right radio, no iTunes then kiddies. I could not get past the voice.  However, like coffee the first time you acquire a taste and soon after an affinity.  Zach’s vocals are empowering and force me to examine a little about our government.

Zucchini

You may think I am just trying to think of any Z words to fill up this page, but I seriously like zuchini.  It was something as a kid I thought I hated and then I tried it sauted one summer.  Now I think of cold beer,  grillin’ and summer every time I have zucchini. (See also Beer, Grillin’, and Summer)

Ah the start of football is upon us. This year marks the first year of co-managing a fantasy football team. It makes it real hard to watch a game when you are constantly looking at stat updates.  Our fantasy FB team is getting crushed this week, but we have three positions playing tonight.  Hopefully we can attain a modest loss.  Team name, Holy Hell,is a referrence to one of the best Canadian Sitcoms ever.  I know that there are so many, but if you ever see Corner Gas on the tube watch it. 

 The biggest issue though is that we are heading into the Playoffs for MLB. Yes, as you may have guessed the Red Sox are in the hunt. Currently leading the wildcard race for the AL and behind the steroid ridden Yankees. Alright so we may have been marked on a couple, but the excitement is near. It has been a strange, but fruitful year for the Sox.  Unfortunately, NYY is winning at an outstanding rate.

 How the hell am I going to be able to keep up with all of this? I forgot to mention the first game of Softball starts Friday (double header). On top of all of that, I am trying to get motivated to get in shape. Then you know I have a kid, so that there takes 80% of my awake non-working time. Well here is to an exciting and busy season of everything.

*A baby’s laugh can always pinpoint happiness.

*Sprinkled failure across one’s path is a necessity.  Yet, it is disheartening and often leads to branches and turns.  A separation of the self and turn for change simultaneously occur with the more troubling situations.  Until the self and new path meet up again, there seems to be a disconnect. 

*The only thing I have experienced and found certain is that there is nothing for certain.  This statement included.

*Karma can be a kind and cruel mistress.  She often is absent, perhaps vacation.  If she were to be ever present and automatic her role would become obsolete.  Never assume she has left for good or does not keep tabs in her absence.

*Music is consuming.  Be consumed.  Your soul requires it.

*With forgiveness and mercy one can be more equipped and apt to succeed. 

*Never drop an open face peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Murphy will always get it.

I have rrecently come to questioning the one ability that is a part of my soul.  Can I get up on a stage again playing music and singing?  It is odd how something I have been trying to regain for the past eight years is always dangled in front of me like the all too famous carrot on a string.  Yet if it is to come to fruition (thank you Sting), can it come back and blossom enough to feel the pleasant satisfaction it offers.  I realize it would not be as I remember it from the first go around, but I feel with that experience in mind it could be ever more gratifying  to my senses.

I guess this stems from my “drummer” (if he gets his shit together) contacting me to make a push in getting a bassist and openign for some friends.  The bassist is somewhat hard to swallow since the one we grew together with was an amazingly talented musician and good natured person, but when trouble comes he vanishes completely.  Thus, relying on that kind of person is impossible.  So all of it sounds good in theory.  We head out with the bulk being covers to reduce practice and play a show once a month.  At this point, even giving the drummer the benefit of the doubt by saying he comes though and sticks to it.  Can I produce anymore after sitting on a shelf for so long?

Well I guess I must try.

…It is as true then as it is today. Let us Pray.

As “youngish” adult I hear constantly hear the sentiments or even the phrases “they don’t make ‘em like they use to” and “it used to be…” At this point I cringe. Perhaps it is because my job is directly related to the construction industry. Moreover, the employees are generally in their mid 40’s and up. The fact is that the workforce is still flooded with the baby-boomers and the backlash on the younger generations is worrisome to me.

A trying matter is that the economy is in the shitter, and the President’s message is to invest in fields other than the financial structure. Construction being a major one with technology, eduction, and energy-efficiency. What I derive from my small pocket of the world is that the construction industry as well as much of manufacturing is fraught with old-age thinking that scoffs at youth. My positions in the workforce is elevated to some degree, but my true path is to stay in line and ride the wave. Unfortunately every wave will crest and tumble back to a valley. The baby-boomers eventually will need to step aside. The “youth” will have to attain the ranks and lead the way. Obviously right? But how? first of all, I have been demeaned by my age and forced to sit rear-facing in the vehicle of the workforce. Let me state that some markets are not the same, such as the financial market, education, and science. However, these industries are still primarily led by old white man. It is in these markets in which the younger generations have been able to gain footholds.

Overall, the reality of my world is that I am wedged in poor thought and a yearn to business in stagnant out-dated ways. What little headway I have made can be eradicated at any moment, but there again I may just need to explore another mountain. The time for change will occur when a large workforce will finally retire. Be it disaster or prosperity, the time is nearing. The old way will no longer be adequate. I hope that we will not rely on these measures.

Some days it seems we need a distraction. A diversion of Lilliputians or naked bowling while tripping on acid. Well maybe not so bold. The fact of the matter is the rants and raves of people become so repetitive and rendered meaningless.

We all know someone who constantly finds something to bitch about and is ceaseless through all accommodations. Such insistent complaining loses passion regardless of validation unto the point in which he/she becomes a buzz in the ear that is in desperate need to be swatted away before a sting is to follow. That is the instance in which I realized that the drone bee is nearly driving me mad. I struggle to not complain myself. Are we not all frustrated on this wonderful globe. Yet, the mind steers into this rut of negativity and bounces helplessly within it completely ruining one’s suspension. As we course through life unable to hold ourselves up completely, I think to myself… I have finally been crushed by the real world.

Then I see my baby daughter, my unbelievably good dogs, and smile. My wife will be frazzled from a joyous 7 month old that will not stop exploring this world (sick or not) and I know by the end of the night I will make her laugh. And does she ever need it. What the hell was my point again?