"I Think I Love You" or Why I don't hate Justin Bieber

I seemed to have missed the 60's pop acts, for the most part. We had these yearly encyclopedia volumes that covered the previous year, and I distinctly remember reading about Jim Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. Thing is, it had to have been several years after the fact. That music wasn't in my house, nor were the Beatles, who I pretty much missed as well.

So, where does that leave me?

With Shirley, Keith, Laurie, Danny, Chris and Tracy Partridge. Yes, The Partridge Family. I still have all their records. I think I have the Archies, too, along with a bunch of Carpenters. In fairness some of the Carpenters were my parents. I do not have my chronology straight here, but add into the mix the fine musical stylings of The Captain and Tennille. Think about that for a minute. Better yet, go to YouTube and find one of the zillion performances of "Muskrat Love". Now, pick your poison; Bieber or Cyrus. I'll take the latter, thank you very much.

Its pop music. Its goal is to get to Number One with a bullet. Its catchy, typically has a decent hook, and you can sing to it. And most often the performer didn't write it. It is what it is and there isn't anything wrong with it. Be a hater if you must.

I think the first concert I saw was David Cassidy at the Richmond Coliseum. The Bee Gees opened, but that was long before Saturday Night Fever. All I remember about that show was that David was wearing a white jump suit. Naturally he did some Partridge Family songs, but I'm sure most of it was centered around "Cherish" and lots of girls screaming.

Also around this time my 45 collection would include The Sweet's single "Little Willy". I think I was in third grade around this time and frankly I don't remember a ton more of the music I listened to then. Really I think it all picked up when I got to sixth grade, so I'll pick up the story then.

I feel like I should write something about Whitney Houston's passing, but I'm not sure what. She had great talent but like so many others was unable to deal with the things fame brought. RIP.

"Setting the Stage"

So what exactly am I trying to do here? Well, I had a desire to do some writing, tell some stories, share some experiences. I've always figured I could write something decent about music and what it has meant to me throughout my life. Kind of a "desert island discs" thing, but bigger. Then I figured there were more than a handful of releases that had a significant impact on me. Records that acted as a turning point in my tastes. Along side that, there are just records I still reach for and think are fantastic, even if they didn't steer me in a new direction.

So I will acknowledge that anyone who reads this is going to hate some of the music, and that's OK. My hope is that maybe you'll find something new to like. Also, if you know me, it might help you figure me out. Who knows. I remember some good high school friends talking to me after I got back from a semester at college wondering what had happened to me. This might help with that!

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There was music when I was little. My Mom mostly, although it could just be that she was the one at home with me. She played the piano some, and I know we sang. There was a stereo, but she mostly liked Broadway music, at least that's what I recall. Oh, and the Herb Alpert "Whipped Cream" album. I also remember The Fifth Dimension record "Age of Aquarius", a bit later on.

I had this little record player with a projection screen built in. There were slides that dropped down a slot with tone cues on the record. I used this for quite some time as my record player. In fact, I don't really remember when I got my first stereo, but probably late elementary school. It was one of those compact things that would fold up so you could take it with you. I think I used it a lot.

Hopefully this sets things up a little bit. Next post I'll reach back into the cobwebs of my brain and retrieve the first pop music I remember.

The Days of Swine and Roses

Are over.
So, yeah, wasn't I not going to write anything sad? Ok, maybe this is it, really. I've just got a little time on my hands and thought I'd jot down some thoughts on the end of 21 years.
Forced change is quite often good. For me it will be good regardless. Its so odd to stay one place this long. In fact its probably looked down upon. But the fact is the company has been good to me. I've had lots of opportunities and I've been exposed to a lot of different stuff. Whoever knew me in one of my many former lives would never suspect this is where I'd end up.

I mean really. A photographer and video dude in IT. And, I'm actually proud of the fact that worked in data networking. Routers, firewalls, load balancers oh my! Meh, I wasn't the best, but I did it.

So today is my last day here. My last day to be spoiled. No longer will I be able to come and go as I please, spout wisdom from on high, speak as the old man. That's kinda gone. Its good, other things will take its place, but this place will remain special. (and so yeah, I'm the dumbass writing this in my cube with tears in my eyes).

Closing this chapter. The new one is bound to be wonderful. I just wish this one hadn't ended so sadly.

Nerves

Sometimes people say you have to have nerves of steal. Sometimes people say it took someone a lot of nerve to do something. I guess from Nerves you get Nervous? Makes sense anyway. My nerves are a mess right now. I'm nervous, yet I know the answer.

I don't have the nerves to read my email. I'm making myself ill. I'm insane.

Trying for less sadness

Really. So I don't write anything for....however long and then its slit your wrists stuff.

The weekend was pretty rough, today a little better. Sunday morning was kind of tough, but I went riding with some Tri-Girls and REB, the honorary Tri-Girl. It was cold. It was very good to get out though and be with some very nice friends. I do however, wish for the day I can once again keep a good pace. Considering the cold and my lack of exercise, I guess I shouldn't complain.

Work today is very odd. Most people are cleaning up and leaving, not to return. Folks are finding out how long their services will be needed. I get the feeling that there is still a lot of guessing going on so I'm not willing to count on anything. Pretty sad watching people haul their stuff out. I'm pretty glad I have nothing here now so I can just walk out when the time comes. And, I'm told my time isn't for awhile, so that's nice, too.

Still however, you look at everything a little differently. Its tougher to tell your kid she can't do everything she's use to doing because we just don't know what will happen. While I think it is good for us, it does cause stress.

anyway....

So, maybe I should make a poll: how many weeks in a row do I have to ride to be able to say I'm riding again? I think it needs to be more than two. Gotta say it is really nice to be back out on the bike. We shant discuss the stats. I now need to fit back in my gym time so I can lose some weight. That would be great.

Maybe I'll post more, too.

And so it goes

Turns out, it is over. Its been a good run. Peace.

This is the End

You probably don't want to read this.

I feel a certain way and it is very hard to explain, but I'm going to try it as a monologue. See, my company is about gone. Well, it is gone for me. This is what is hard to explain.

We are not closed yet. We may not even close, just be bought. Compared to what millions upon millions of people have been going through, this is really a non-event (at this point, there is no final decision). So many people have it so much worse. Sure I'm worried, but these last couple of years you're kind of nieve if losing your job doesn't sit somewhere in the back of your head. But I'm not looking for sympathy, and I will be grateful if I still have a job next week.

Here's the thing, this place has been a big part of my life. Twenty-one years here. That's a long time. I have been fairly unhappy for awhile now, ask my friends. And, of course, my personality means I have complained all along the way. Somewhat normal. But, the past couple of years have been really rough and it takes its toll on you. Well, on me anyway.

Ages ago, people were "Company Men". Who you worked for kind of defined you. Seemed like it was almost like who you support in professional sports. Those days are long gone, but until the last ten years or so, people did still have careers that were aligned with a company. That has been the case for me. Didn't intend it to be that way, it just kind of worked out that way.

I came on when the company first started to really expand. There were some economic downturns, but we had been fiscally responsible enough to get through it and come out in a better position. It was fun. Naturally that couldn't last forever, but the company gave me many opportunities.

Today we will be sold. Maybe the company will still be around, maybe not. Regardless, it feels over to me. It really feels like the end of something special, something that I helped grow, in whatever small way. And I feel incredibly sad.