Guidelines for the new year

My mom gave me a framed copy of this piece called "Desiderata", found in Old St. Paul's Church, Baltimore (1692). I like it's honesty and attainability.

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. ~Avoid loud and aggressive person, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. ~Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. ~Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. ~Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. but do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. ~You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. ~Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. ~With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

29 Years of Not Getting It, then Getting It

I'm watching a documentary on The Beatles and it hit me: The Beatles are friggin amazing. You're probably thinking, "Dave, 'friggin amazing' are strong words that you don't just throw around. Do you really mean it?" Indeed, I do.

A few years ago I was listening to Bob Dylan and had a similar epiphany. Before that point, I forced it. I knew that I SHOULD appreciate the man's music as revolutionary, but I had never truly understood for myself. Then at a very unexpected moment I was listening to Girl From the North Country and my whole perspective changed - I got Dylan. It's almost impossible to describe, but it felt like I was being nourished by Dylan's songs... every one was a revelation, and I was so happy because I now had hundreds of Dylan songs to explore.

Before I go to bed - one last comment. Don't overlook Dylan's most recent four albums, especially Time Out of Mind (and songs like this. These albums are revelatory in their own way because Dylan has evolved perfectly into an even more jaded, gruff version of himself that you still recognize as 100% Dylan. (I just realized that writing about music is a difficult task, so I'll stop here and let the music do the talking).

Here's a couple of my favorite rocking Beatles songs from their rooftop performance at Apple Records:





And for good measure, Girl from the North Country:

Cold weather music

I associate albums with seasons. For example, Pearl Jam's No Code album has been played on the first day I feel the fall weather - every year without exception since 1996. This song from Bon Iver is a good candidate for a desolate snow, determined drive in the snow, pushing through the cold... take your pick. Phenomenal song and artist.

Birmingham Good, Mid-Atlantic Bad

For the few days I was in DC, I dismissed the coming storm as the weathermen's empty threat, but on Friday evening I decided this thing was the real deal. Since all the flights to Birmingham from DC were >$1300, I booked it to the last Chinatown bus of the night to Philly. Apparently I wasn't the only one thinking this, so the scheduled 2-hour ride took 4, but I made it in time to get a couple hours of sleep and then to the Philly airport in the morning.

My 11:45 AM flight to Charlotte hadn't been cancelled yet, but I didn't want to risk it so I got on the standby list for an earlier flight. I was the 4th person on the standby list, and 5 made it on the flight. Right after I boarded, Orbitz sent me a message that my other flight was cancelled. Whew, but we still had to get off the ground to be in the clear. After waiting for 2.5 hours for the plane to be de-iced, the plane finally skipped out of Philly and into the warmer climes of Charlotte.

Here's some pics I took while we were waiting for the de-icers. The de-icers are worthy of a Discovery Channel special on cool machinery... they're kind of like a combo Star Wars/super car wash looking contraption. Really cool. There were seven de-icers working simultaneously... quite an operation.

In dc

I'm in dc for some internship hunting, and I've already bumped into
two old coworkers on the street. I forgot how small dc is.

Sent from my iPhone

Mannheim Steamroller = Revenge of the Nerds?

You know what that Mannheim Steamroller video reminds me of (see two post below for the video)? THIS.

Think Different

The original "Think Different" ad.

Things I will Never Understand

Mannheim Steamroller. How could we let this happen?