Music Today Isn't the way it's Supposed to be

This past weekend I experienced a one of the best punk rock shows I have ever seen. It was a night filled with the bands: Go Daddy Go, Ruffio, MxPx, and Relient K. It was a night full of rock the way it was meant to be… Loud and in your face!

Maybe I am getting ahead of myself a bit. A few weeks back my brother called me to let me know that Relient K was coming to town. I have not found a bigger fan of this band yet. Since we are a family that loves a good rock show, all 3 of my brothers, one of their girl friends, my MOM, and I all purchased tickets to attend this rockin event. Only days before the show did I find out that MxPx was playing too. I know that I am not the biggest fan of MxPx around, but I do enjoy their music a great deal.

Now that I look back at the night one of my favorite memories was the fact that my brothers didn’t think they knew any MxPx songs at the beginning of the night. By the end though they recognized many and enjoyed themselves very much. This response totally rocks… no matter how crappy music may seem from time to time… the great music will be loved many years after it was recorded.

(Heading lyrics - The Next Big Thing, by MxPx)

Two American Kids Doin' Best They Can

Last night I was taking a break from a project and I flipped on the television and was able to unwind to an episode of The Simpsons. Later I saw a commercial about their upcoming episode of the annual “Tree House of Horrors.” It was at this point that my mind began to wander.

I can still remember the very first episode of The Simpsons I ever watched. My friend recorded it in 5th grade and gave me the tape at school. I had to wait for my parents to be gone to watch it cause they didn’t like it at all. They felt that is was inappropriate for kids. (the episode in question was the one in which the head of the town founder was cut off the statue in the town square.) But as I tought about this I wondered how far have we come. Simpsons is no a moral vacuum that parents fear. In fact characters like Ned Flanders are praised for their devotion and good deeds. How far has our idea of entertainment sunk that The Simpsons are now considered good quality family entertainment?

Don’t get me wrong I love that crazy household, but as one of the longest running series of all time you can really see all the things that have changed since they began.

(Heading lyrics – Jack & Diane, by John Mellencamp)

I'm a Cowboy, on a Steel Horse I Ride

Just to be clear this entry is not about riding a steel horse, but a real one. As I have mentioned in the past I am an auctioneer and one of the icons associated with the profession and more specifically my father is a cowboy hat. On my business card I am wearing a white cowboy hat and that is how our family is recognized. (There are worse things to be known for.)

So, one might think that with the hat comes boots, spurs, horses, and both kinds of music (country and western). However for me… it stops at the boots. This past Friday night I hung out with a friend from college and on Saturday we went horseback riding in Spring Valley with her dad and his wife. I have ridden before, in fact we used to have a horse on our farm for a summer when I grew up, so I am not totally clueless as riding goes. I guess I have never just gone for fun however… I can honestly say that I had a good time. There is something peaceful about riding through the hills of western Wisconsin (even though the leaves have already fallen from the trees.) We saw deer, a hawk, an eagle, and a couple of bow hunters. Even if I can’t disregaurd the pain I was in for hours I had a great time.

So I guess I am just saying… everyone should go horseback riding… or at least go out and have some fun this fall before its too late.

(Heading lyrics – Wanted Dead or Alive, by Bon Jovi)