Kansas City Adventures

I know I said that this blog would be dedicated to talk about music. But I'm thousands of miles from home and want to update you, and it's probably just you honey, on my trip. First of all I miss my family the most. They are everything to me (that means you especially hun!). I am working a lot but trying to keep good spirits about it. The court is going live with our software on Monday, where they have 1500 cases scheduled. It is going to e a very long day, both monday and tuesday. I am a little nervous for all the chaos, but I am anxious to get it over with.

The last two days we have eaten lunch at this hole-in-the-wall BBQ joint in the ghetto of downtown Kansas City, Kansas. Everyone that works there is black, and Mary, the hostess/waitress and she is also probably part-owner in the place, is so nice and funny. If you could just picture a funny old lady that treats everyone like family, that is this lady to the T. Of course, the place smells like campfire because they smoke all of their meat in a big smoker all day (that's the way they do it here) and you come out smelling like campfire for the rest of the day. I actually want to make a cologne that smells like this BBQ joint. I guess on Thursday and Fridays they have a jazz pianist/singer/trombone player who plays jazz in the background. It is a fun little environment. He plays all the jazz classics, and Kyle thinks it's funny that I know all the lyrics and recognize all the songs (that uncultured swine!, jk).

I can't wait to be home. Just think, one day at a time. I will soon be back home! I love you tons Linds! ( and anyone else who reads this).

Music of my past -- PART I

Well, I thought it would be fun to create a blog that demonstrates my love for music. If you don't know by now, I like a wide variety of GOOD music and want this blog to be full of fun music facts and trivia, as well as a band or musician of the week.

For this first posting, I would like to jump deep into my past, and share with you my first exposures to music. This will include music found in my home and of course my first and favorite albums.

Both my parents were raised in the sixties, but they some how never passed on to me at an early age some of the greatest rock and roll ever written. I didn't know that Led Zeppelin was not a thrash metal band until my Junior High or High School days. My father, to this day, thinks that led Zeppelin would be in the same category as Slayer or GWAR. My parents' "song" is actually a Barry Manilow song, "I Write the Songs", I'm sure few have heard it, it's absolutely horrid and cheesy.

Because I grew up in the 80's and early 90's, my first exposure to mainstream music was first brought to me by way of popular radio stations and random records and cassettes that mysteriously made their way into our home. But mind you, although mainstream, I wouldn't call it all tasty. The first cassette I claimed as my own (even though I found it lying around somewhere in my house) was "Whenever You Need Somebody" by Rick Astley. If you have not heard of this guy, I really recommend that anyone who reads this, go look this guy up. I saw a documentary on one hit wonders in the 80's once, where he was described as "little white guy -- big black man voice", or something to that effect. I'll give it to him hands down, he sure faked me out. My personal favorite is "Never Gonna Give You Up" (click here for more info of how good the song was). What a classic! In fact, for some odd reason, the same album was in my tape player before I got it out to look up the album title.

My next confession comes by way of New Kids on the Block. Yes, I owned a cassette and a poster. My brothers constantly and consistently teased me and called me gay. But I'm the one laughing now as the album is still one of the best selling of all times. We all know it's "The Right Stuff". Once I finally became sick of my brothers' teasing, I destroyed the tape, pretending to not like them anymore to be cool. I am shedding a tear as we speak because I regret ever ridding myself of such classic tunes.

Oh, and we can't forget the ever-cruel torture I was put through to do lip-syncs to the Chipmunks with my 2 other brothers and my dad as Dave. We performed these ensembles for every ward and school talent shows for 3 or 4 consecutive years. I think my favorite was the Christmas album. I was Alvin, my older brother Perry was Theodore, and my oldest brother Jeff was the glasses-wearing geek, Simon. Although torturous at the time, I look back at these experiences as character defining and have increased my love for good music. So the new Chipmunk movie doesn't look at all entertaining to me, cause I've lived it, and will live with it for eternity!

That wraps up part one of my introduction and background in music.