Daymares, Nightdreams, and other musings.

In light of my current situation:

Sitting in Environmental Geology, listening to a lecture on the Ogallala Aquifer thickness and overdraft, most of which is going way over my head (or at least the small amount of my head I'm dedicating to listening to this lecture)

The rest of my head is going through lists of all the places I'd rather be, things I'd rather be doing, and wondering how on earth I'm going to pass this class.

Pretty much in that order.

In other words most of my brain is here:

Tenerife, Canary Islands, December (Christmas Day) 2010

I would give a lot - my grade in this class for instance- in exchange to be back on that beach, reading my book and chilling with my sea-monster (Wally-he was super chill). 

But unfortunately I'm not on a beach in the Canaries, I'm not in Spain, or even Europe, I'm 4000-ish miles away, in the US, sitting in a lecture hall in Fayetteville, Arkansas, listening to a lecture on water conservation, aquifers, sustainability. 

So yes, professor, I understand. My freedom has a negative effect on the environment. My travel causes pollution, my water usage drains aquifers, my trash fills landfills, my right to reproduce is a drain on both society and the environment. 

I am a walking Tragedy of the Commons. 

But I must say, I much prefer that to sitting in your class. 

Daymares, Nightdreams, and other musings.

Country Music.

I like it.

"Really?" You may be thinking, "Country music?"

And I'd like you to know that up until about two years ago I was right there with you.

"So what changed?" You may ask.

And I'll tell you.

Country music is one of the few genres out there that grows on you the more you listen to it.

"Are we talking about the same country music?" You may be asking, "I lost my wife, job, dog died, pickup trucks are up there in worship value with God music?"

And the answer is yes, that music.

Two years ago I started working at a steak house with a country-western theme. And they played country music. They played country music ALL THE TIME. My first two weeks I was pretty skeptical. I try to keep an open mind when it comes to music, I'll listen to everything from pop to dance hall and from classical to rap. With the exception of heavy metal (I can't handle the screaming, it makes me really uncomfortable) and (until 2 years ago) country. And I never thought that would change. And I'm telling you, if I was forced to listen to almost any music for hours on end on a station that plays the same 40 or so songs on repeat I wouldn't be able to handle it. I can barely listen to the radio.

The first few weeks were an adjustment. I was the new person, at a new job, in a totally new environment. And have I mentioned the music? Country.

And you know what. After a few weeks I added the country channel to the presets in my car. And after a few more I actually started listening to it. And what's more? I liked it.

I liked the messages it sent, the culture it represented, and more than that: I felt like I could relate to it.

And there you go. The story of my conversion.

The genre that convinced me that overplaying music can sometimes be a good thing.

My imaginary album of things I haven't seen yet

#1: My friend Luke topless on the back of another guy's motorcycle... 

here's my version:

...I never said photo editing was my strong point.