Music has an unbelievable power to invoke memories. Hearing “My Girl” by the temptations brings back memories of my Pop’s hideously-tan Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. The musky smell of is cologne, the view from the back seat (since my older brothers always got the front), and the way he would fake shift the car like we were driving 100 miles per hour. The oldies tunes would permeate my ear drums. I was constantly amazed not only at my father’s retention of the song lyrics, but also is uncanny ability to name the artist, title, year, and sometimes even down to the month the record was popular.

On another level “Surfin’ Bird” By the Trashmen takes me back to high school football. Back then the MD state was held at University of Maryland’s Byrd Stadium and I was lucky enough to be part of teams that made the trip, and won, Sophomore though Senior years.  I don’t know who started it, back whenever, but that song was always played during the championship week.  I watched win #1 from the sideline 33-14 over Suitland, was a two-way starter in the nail-biting 7-6 win when we had a rematch as a Junior, and was a team captain in the 42-0 romp over Thomas Stone my senior year.

I feel I’d have to take a long time and really think if I were ever to build an actual soundtrack to my life.  I’m sure it would include a wide variety of music across half a dozen genres.  I know the first two tracks would be “Puff the Magic Dragon” by Peter Paul and Mary and “The Unicorn Song” by Barnbrak those are two I really remember singing with my Mom when I was little.

Some people will write off putting so much emphasis on music, but if you really think about it it’s a big part of human culture.

For those that care the song I answered with was Foxy Shazam’s “Bye Bye Symphony.”  While it doesn’t nearly cover the breadth or depths of 29 (really let’s call it 16) years of life matched with music, I think it’s  a pretty good summary.

This next week is going to be a whirlwind of baby activities:

1. Rearrange the guest rooms to become the nursery, a guest room, and a bed wrapped in plastic in the garage.
2. Paint the nursery:  There is still a color debate going on but we are closing in on some shade of light green
3. Put together the crib: some assembly is required
4. Put together the dresser: more assembly required
5. Register for the baby shower: hoping I don’t get carried away here
6. Get my custom baby bjorn cover ordered from B.B. Sprouts
7. Continue my quest for a set of clothing that resembles a Michigan football uniform:  The “winged helmet” hat is proving most difficult

I think I’ll probably try and post some follow ups as I go, to be sure I’ll post on Twitter.  So request to follow me if you’re really interested!

Finally here’s a pic of our guy!

“Why on earth would you go the entire month of August without drinking?”

I just felt the need to do it.  To add injury, some might say blasphemy, to insult, I also abstained from the intake of any caffeine.

“Are you insane?  How could you possibly go an entire month without caffeine?  I would inject it intraveinously if I could!”

No, no I’m completely sane.  In fact I feel better about my physical status and appearance than I have since college.  Despite the high level of stress from the month, I was never:  overly tired, hungover, or dehydrated.

August was a great month to pick for this since I started grad school, did the 100-ton week, and have been working on some updates for some clients.

“I still say your crazy.”

Perhaps, but I feel great about me.  In fact I will only be reverting to caffeine in an emergency situation.  But I’m glad to be back to having a couple cold ones because FOOTBALL SEASONS IS HERE!

GO BLUE!!!

Later Saturday I just kinda chilled around the house until my mother in-law invited me over for dinner since Jamie wasn’t around to cook, yes I’ve got it made!

Today was a lot of yard work, some oranization around the house, clearing out the old storage, hanging out with the wife, a little lacrosse on TV, and we watched “Yes Man!” with Jim Carrey( I think I might make a page for Jim Carrey movies…).  Oh and I did some work for the NASPAA website as well.  Very productive day overall.

Now it’s a little past 11 and I’ve been spending some time modifying the blog.  Changed themes, this won’t be the last time I assure you, and updated to the tweets are only posted once a week, instead of every day.  It was depressing me that 99% of my posts were of my tweets.  I’m hoping this makes me keep more active on the posting.  I plan to write one about gearing up for playoffs, since hopefully we will be.