My Ending Music

Why? Why make a post about the music I want played when my time is up? Some take it as morbid. I don't look at it that way at all.

Heck, my parents have told my sister and I to "sticky" note the stuff we want when they go. That's how our inheritance will be divided; by "sticky" notes. As a stocking stuffer for Christmas one year they gave us a few packages each of "sticky" notes.

Ever since I read "Be Here Now" by Ram Dass about ten years ago; I'm good. I really have a phenomenal existence. I appreciate my life and try to just be a better "me."

I told the story of my grandfather's passing recently. I'd made him a mix cd sometime ago; probably around the same time I read "Be Here Now." It consisted of the music he loved and was passionate about; what moved him. He requested in his will that the cd be played at the memorial service we had for him.

That is why I'm writing this and creating my playlist for "My Ending Music." It's my list of tunes, I want played. I promise there will be a ton of music played when I'm gone and hopefully it will be a celebration, not a mourning. But these are my personal choices. They're for me to leave for my friends, family and everyone who's touched my life.

(I'm fine, there's nothing wrong, don't worry)

~bbryon

A phenomenal weekend & the NHL's regular season ends

This is really more of a "Life" post for me.

No, I'm not talking about just hockey or that the Masters was played, or NASCAR at Texas this past Saturday night.

Personally for me it was the best weekend of 2011 thus far, for many reasons.

Yes, yours truly is quite happy with a lovely lady who's passions include music and hockey. I've struck gold you say; more like I was mining and found a diamond.

Friday April 8 began as we traveled to the Dali museum in St. Pete, FL. Some culture is always in order. There's nothing like walking with someone special through a gallery of your favorite artist's works and sharing insights about them. Those moments are priceless. Of course lunch was in order so we headed to the Colombia for a meal over-looking the bay. Apparently, a man is not to drink a mojito there, so I told our waiter not to look. Ft. De Soto was next for a stroll down one of the most gorgeous beaches I've set foot on (technically I was in sneakers but we'll let that slide).

When two people share a good majority of passions it's quite a good time. Insert hockey game! Lightning vs. Panthers for Tampa's last home game of the season! 14 rows back from the visitor bench! Guys, there is nothing like your gal watching the game as intensely as you. Also, having my "hockey voice" (which for me is a mix of mid-western and Canadian, of which I'm neither) pointed out when I'm yelling "let's go boys;" gave us both a great laugh! Tampa played a great game where its stars shined (St. Louis, Stamkos, Lecavalier). As I've adopted the Lightning as my 2nd team, so has she.

Saturday April 9 we ventured to downtown Orlando for the Florida Music Festival where her favorite band, Better Than Ezra, was playing. We got 2nd row for the awesomeness that ensued! She shared her musical love with me as she knew every lyric to every song they played! The encore was our cue to get to the front row as some silly people left their spots. The energy was simply incredible! Here's her 4 choicest tunes:

Sunday April 10 we returned to the Tampa area for a boat outing with her friends. Relaxing on the water with good food, music, and people cannot be beat. All culminating with watching the sun set on the beach.

Though I've tried, words don't give our weekend justice. The moments were incredible in this paradise in which we live. So here's some pictures that captured those moments for us:

See the full gallery on Posterous

Citizen Cope (Solo Acoustic) St. Pete

This was my first show in quite a while that I went to by myself. Of course knowing me I'm no introvert and quickly made a few friends. You must do this if you are a "single" at a concert especially when you've snagged a primo front row spot.

One of the gals that I met was on her own as well. We chatted about how it's quite enjoyable to go to a show by yourself sometimes. No worries, no going with someone to the restroom, only have to buy drinks for one etc...

Yes, it also makes being up front very easy! This was my 3rd time seeing Clarence. The first two times was with the full band behind him.

Up close and personal for solo acoustic was absolutely phenomenal. His presence and playing brought up a well of feelings from the gut of everyone in the crowd. You could see the emotion as he poured from his soul to all of us who were present.

See the full gallery on Posterous

This was what my new found friend had to say when she heard "Holdin' On." - "I wanna treat you like you wanna be treated". I'm such a girl :) & that song...I know just what he's saying. The lines surrounding those lovely lines let me get it.

I have a friend who explains it well when you feel the emotion like this at a show. You feel it in the bottom of your lungs, it pushes up, and then you catch your breath.

 It was a special night. Those of us in the front who were a little more vocal than others (eehhhmm) did ask for our song. I asked for "D'Artagnan's Theme" and he obliged. He looked right at me and started the first few cords and nodded.

Here's some of my choices from Citizen Cope, though in the music widget they are with the whole band; Enjoy!

My Saving Grace on a Sunday Night

There's nothing like going to a great concert. Even when that concert is on a Sunday evening and you dread your alarm before you even leave for the show.

The sister and I headed to Grace Potter & the Nocturnals with gleaming eyes and ready ears. This was to be my sister's first time seeing her live, and oh did she bring it! A very descriptive blog about this can be found here from Radio Potato!

It was a night where two friends also had their experience with Grace for the first time. It makes me feel so good when folks actually take my music opinions seriously and on top of it have their minds blown!

See the full gallery on Posterous

The Nocturnals came out first to start the rocking, really envoking the musical muse for the evening! Then with a sparkley little black dress came my generation's most phenomenal female rocker! Yes, she is truly a Diva! I've described her as the perfect mix between Grace Slick and Jannis Joplin. I say this because I grew up in a house where those were my father's two favorite female rockers.

 

 

Now if any one knows please let me know if she's ever covered "Crazy On You" before? That was the encore and it was insane!

Part of what made the night so special was that I got the set-list from off of her organ (kudos to the stagehand for that one)! And though I didn't get to meet her, the manager did get her to sign it for me = Boo Freakin' Ya!!

Thoughts, opinions, who's going to the next concert with me?

~bbryon

Speedweeks...they're here!

Since November there's been something missing. The sound of V8 engines alive on Sunday (or Saturday night). Many changes have occurred over the NASCAR offseason. For three months all I've had has been "The Morning Drive" on Sirius radio, of which Pete Pistone is a co-host.

Some of the changes include the drivers' having to pick which division they will drive for championship points in. This means they must declare whether they will be racing for points at the Sprint Cup level, Nationwide level, or Camping World Truck level. The point system at the Sprint Cup level has gone from a confusing system to a less confusing one. In which 1st place gets 43pts, 2nd 42 pts, etc... I will not try and tell you about bonus points here.

Another change specifically for the Daytona 500 this year is the fact that the track has been re-paved. I work in Daytona Beach and I've seen since mid July the track go through the overhaul of re-paving. Sometimes during lunch I would drive by the backstretch to see the equipment that is used for such a massive project. It's also been pretty impressive to walk outside my office and the the cars testing on the new asphalt since the completion of the re-pave.

Last year's 500 was simply breathtaking; at least the big finish helped everyone get past the pothole issue.

This year the Daytona 500 will be momentous, not only because the track has just been re-paved (which should make for great racing), but also because it marks the 10 year anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death at this race in 2001.

Rebecca Gladden has written "Three Drivers Could Deliver Momentous Daytona 500 win." Though I'm sure the other 40 will have something to say about it. The Preseason top 30 from SceneDaily.com is here. One of the writers Kenny Bruce is a must follow.

All of this being said; it was said best by a caller that was on The Morning Drive this past Monday. "I don't give a care about the rule changes, the speculation, the point system, or the changes to the cars. At this point I only care about going racing!" < My sentiment exactly!

Because no matter that I am personally a part of Jr. Nation, I love racing. I love the thrill of being at the tracks when I can be. I love that it is a community, not so much different than "Deadheads" or motorcyclists (of which I'm also a part of). I love the smell and the sound. I love listening to the drivers' channels at home on satellite radio during each race.

What do you love about NASCAR? What do you hate or despise? Maybe you don't like that I support a sport that you consider (insert negative vibe here)? Got a prediction of whether Jimmie Johnson will continue as champion or your pick as to who will dethrone him?

~bbryon

 

 

Adventures on Dec. 30 & 31

I set out for CT & NY for my holiday vacation. My parents along with my sister & I all meet to be with our family that resides in those two states. This year my sister, and two other friends would also be venturing on a phishing trip.

We got tickets for Phish at Madison Square Garden for two of the three night run; December 30 & 31. Now we did end up with extras because of the Phish lottery system. My sister & I are inherently lucky so we had 4 extras to each night. The benefactors of our luck were: @dopeburger, @TylerCurtis & @ohkeepahblog.

Unfortunately, I never got to meet up with Justin (@ohkeepahblog), but he assured me he had a phenomenal show. We did meet up with Pete & Tyler before the first show on the 30th; so it was cool to have a Phish tweet-up!

My sis & I had never been to MSG so it was amazing to see how intimate the show can be for 20k people.

See the full gallery on posterous

Let me just say the energy on the 30th made it the best Phish show I've seen (single event, because let's be honest Big Cypress was unforgettable)! MSG was just pulsing; the start of the New Years run, NYC, phans, it all = AWESOMENESS! So after the first set on the first night, we were all just trying to catch our breath. That's when my friend Caleb says, "Your mind has just been blown. While you recover please enjoy set two."

Here's 40 seconds of Golgi Apparatus to show you what I'm talking about:

Click here to download:

MOV00065.3gp (396 KB)

I had a great 2010! I ended it & started 2011 with all the pomp & circumstance anyone could ask for! I've grown, found new meaning in things/life/friends, & have generally just had a blast. Without a doubt Tweezer Reprise will always be my favorite encore!

We just completely enjoyed ourselves into 2011!

Click here to download:

MOV00081.3gp (241 KB)

How about you? Were you there? If not how was your NYE celebration?

A Decade of Fun & Adventure

As I started this decade; I will end it in similar fashion; seeing Phish for New Year's Eve. Though this time instead of being sorrounded by patchouli and BO in a field on an Indian reservation it will be in Madison Square Garden.

When this decade started I was a young whipper snapper with wide eyes heading off on adventures pursuing a life of youthful exuberance. Now much the same just three decades into life and enjoying the ride.

A friend of mine asked me the other day what would I tell my former younger self.  I really had to think about this. My whole life has been quite fun and interesting, and I think I've learned a lot. Though maybe this is self-sexest talk, but I don't feel my basic make-up changed since about 16. Music, hockey, the ladies, food, drink, basically good times with good people (not necessarily in that order). Just more responsibility and "big boy" pants. But let's focus on just this past decade.

I've spent more money on concerts (the list is long but distinguished) and sporting events (mainly hockey and college football) than I would care to admit.  But the experience and the good times far out-weigh the cost of going to a festival like Rothbury or seeing the John Butler Trio in a small venue.

I ride a motorcycle and have traveled out of state on it. Next year my father and I are planning a trip; just the two of us guys.

I've loved and lost; and have opened myself up again.  Truly I've gone through this and I am hopefully better person for it.

I really try and be the best me possible; sometimes the best me is a cocky SOB < ::leads to friends throwing dumbells down in your living room and storming out::  Yet, I can control only my actions and so my reputation is quite a positive one when I do check in on it. 

As far as shit my dad actually says "that'll build character" and "be excellent" (yes he liked Bill and Ted like the rest of us).Though at one time I did have in my posession 3 copies of "Bio Dome" (that's for another time).

I'm a pretty lucky and blessed guy (with a hint of boyish charm). So what would I tell me you ask? After much talk with my friend and mulling over the bad, good, and great that I've experienced (because let's face it life can be pretty tough and yet still so fulfilling), this is what I would say:

"Keep doing what you love, keep finding passion in whatever you do. You're going to be just fine. Maybe bumped, bruised, and scraped, but you're going to enjoy yourself."

So now I ask any and all who happen upon this post: "What would you tell your former self of a decade ago?"