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Puttin' the 80 in R80o
I've recently joined a music service.
I know it's ridiculous to pay $10 a month when I've got a radio, a butt-load of cds, and the Internet, but the local stations are all pretty poor, and I've burnt holes into my cds from playing them so much. As far as downloading and ripping MP3s, well the demonic incarnation named RIAA has scared the crap out of me. I've got a wife, a house, and a kid and frankly it doesn't make sense for me to financially jeopardize any of that just so I can get the latest from Crystal Method (although, if you like Crystal Method their latest... the Legion of Boom kicks sacred-mortal ass! It might just be worth the wife, and the house!).
Anyway, back to the music service, so far it's been money pretty well spent. I logged onto the service Sunday and decided to build a "best of the 80's" playlist. As I was building the list I started remembering who I was back then. What my expectations were, what I was doing, (who I was doing), and who I thought then I would be now. Humor me. I just got my long-term memory back three-quarters of a year go and it's rampant (I'll tell you about that in a later post).
Back then (as well as now) I had a wacked/eclectic taste in music. It was a noxious mix of New wave (Flock of Seagulls, Talking Heads, Joe Jackson, Oingo Boingo), Heavy Metal (AC-DC, Billy Squier, Boston, Van Halen), Pop (The Outfield, QuarterFlash, The Police, Supertramp), and Big Band/Jazz (Glen Miller, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie "Bird" Parker, Manhattan Transfer). The reason for the Big Band genre was that I was the weekend disc-jockey for one of the local AM/FM radio stations and I wound up falling in love with the stuff. The AM side of the station played big band and jazz, while the FM side was hardcore southern rock (Molly Hatchet, .38 Special, Lynyrd Skynyrd and the likes). Frankly I never really cared much for Southern Rock. As you can well imagine in Georgia it was too pervasive, still is. I'll be happy man if I go the rest of my life without hearing Freebird ever again. Put down your BIC lighter!
Then: I drove a really old beat up, 1973 Toyota Celica. I called it "skate". It was death on wheels. I paid for it though and occasionally I even liked it. Now: I still drive. Not too far off the base there. It's an Xterra instead of a Celica, but it's still an import.
Then: I ALWAYS had a camera around my shoulder. I shot for the annual staff and the school paper. Now: I still shoot although not as much as I want, and now when I shoot it's more for work rather than love of taking pictures.
Then: I wasn't a good student. I passed everything with no problem, but I didn't study... I didn't give a crap. School bored me beyond physical comprehension. Now: I still would make a shitty student, but I do ok when I teach... Odd.
Then: I was extremely creative, but without much of an outlet other than photography. I was led to believe you couldn't make a living out creativity. I didn't find out until I was in my twentys that that was bullshat. Now: Making a living doing what I love.
Then: I usually wore thin ties with jeans and a sport coat. Or jeans and a T. Or just jeans. Now: Still do, sans the thin tie of course.
Then: I always thought I was going to be Carl Corporate. HAH! Let me underscore that HAH, with yet a more sinister and bawdy HHHHAAAAAAAAAAAH!!! I tried the corporate thing and I found myself (Now:) much better suited for small business.
Then: I knew nothing about advertising, nor did I crack a book to prepare for, but won 1st place in state in the DECA (it was a club) Career Competition and went to nationals. Now: Still can't say I know all that much about advertising, but I got the trophies.
Then: I was always "chasing skirt". Actually I would say as a teenager, sex was my primary only motivation. I was a just a gland in jeans and high tops! Now: Married, go figure... Damn, I've got a teenager now! *Note to self: Develop an imposing Death-Dad persona in order to discourage anyone from asking my daughter out on a date. Also, convince daughter that eunichs and gay guys are great alternatives to "real" boyfriends.
Then: I weighed in at a buck 50 (150 lbs.). I did everything I could to try and gain weight, even drinking a daily milkslurry/stew/shake made of Bryers vanilla ice cream, peanut butter, bananas, raw eggs, chocolate syrup, and cookies. Now: I tip the scales around 205 (down from a high this past November of 220 lbs). Another change is I cook. I rule the kitchen! I'll prove it, next time you're in town let me know, I'll fix you dinner.
Then: I knew I would leave my hometown as soon as I graduated. Now: Still here. By choice... My wife's choice.
Then: I had curly locks of hair! Now: I have a curly locks of face.
Then: I knew I would be a dad, just a plain old dad. Now: I consider myself a phenom in the dadness that I bring to this house. Although I'm sure the kid would tell you different. My highest achievement in life was teaching my daughter how to pick out and match her clothes and how to do her hair. On second thought, my highest achievement in life is making my daughter laugh so hard she throws up.
Then: I wasn't part of any particular crowd. I wasn't a jock. I wasn't a stoner. I wasn't geek. I wasn't nerd. I wasn't a "joiner". I just did my own thing. I had friends across all of the cliche's. Now: I still yang when everyone else yins. I don't "keep up with the Joneses.", but I like to think that I'm still open to all types of people and relationships.
Then: I considered myself a "young republican". Now: I laugh giggle at that thought.
I could go on, as a matter of fact each of these then v. now topics could be a post unto themselves. All in all I'm pretty happy with the way things turned out. Besides how much more "Id" can I spew before I really start working your nerves?
I'll finish up with this final then: and now:
Then and Now
1/13/2004 10:58:05 PM
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