Being Open-Minded

People drive by Spicer Brother's Produce with their music blaring, and we dance.  If it's hip-hop, we groove and throw out "uhs" and "yeahs".  If it's techno, we roxbury that ish.  If it's metal, we throw up our rock fists.  And mostly, we laugh.

However, I am sure that the drivers of said cars would be offended to know we poke fun at their loud music.  And thinking this, I turn to a co-worker and say, "People take their music too seriously."

But who am I?

The next day, same co-worker claims that Matchbox 20 might be the best example of a rock and roll band in the industry today.  Same co-worker claims that Jack Johnson might be the best musician overall in the industry today.  And I scoff.

I claim that I don't want to talk about music and movies with friends because we always boil blood.  We can't keep calm and we can't appreciate any opinions except our own.  But I always get caught up in it.

I sit on my high throne, king of all music.  I only listen to good music.  I don't listen to jack johnson anymore because he's cliche.  I won't argue with you.  Not because I respect your opinion, but because you're inferior opinion isn't worth my time.

How could I hate a person, a good friend, who listens to bad (opinion) music?  Would I really let music get in the way of a relationship?  I can't believe I ever let myself become this person.  I apologize.

From now on, you can listen to what you like, and I'm gonna love you for it.  If it makes you happy, then listen, listen!  And I will join you.

Some Movie Information

Kylee made me do it.

1. One movie that made you laugh

O Brother Where Art Thou

2. One movie that made you cry

The Pianist

3. One movie you loved when you were a child

Star Wars

4. One movie you’ve seen more than once

The Wedding Singer

5. One movie you loved, but were embarrassed to admit it

My Best Friend's Wedding

6. One movie you hated

Crash

7. One movie that scared you

Donnie Darko

8. One movie that bored you

Marie Antoinette

9. One movie that made you happy

Stranger Than Fiction

10. One movie that made you miserable

Requiem For A Dream

11. One movie you weren’t brave enough to see

Saw 4

12. One movie character you’ve fallen in love with

Minnie Driver in Goodwill Hunting

13. The last movie you saw

The Happening

14. The next movie you hope to see

Wall*E

15. Your favorite movie

Almost Famous

One More Top Ten

Top 10 Favorite Film Directors

10. Steven Spielberg

9. Spike Jonze

8. Michel Gondry

7. Akira Kurosawa

6. Martin Scorsese

5. Darren Aronofsky

4. Ethan and Joel Coen

3. Paul Thomas Anderson

2. Wes Anderson

1. M. Night Shyamalan

Following My Dreams

It should be no secret that I really like hockey.  Many of my friends know this due to the time I spend watching and talking about hockey.  Over the past year, hockey has become a passion for me.  I love the whole idea of the sport; the skill, the honor, the teamwork, the dedication, and the prestige of it all.  I have dreams about playing on the ice with my favorite players.  And I have never played a game in my life.

It may sound weird to many people that one of my passions is hockey when I have never played.  Well, I want to change that.  At the end of this year of school, we were asked to write a short paragraph describing what we would do after college.  I wrote that I would either become a writer or a professional hockey player.  Most people laughed.  I'm serious.

Today at work, I couldn't stop thinking about hockey, and how badly I want to play.  I know that I did not grow up with a hockey stick always in my hand like many professional players.  I didn't play in school.  I didn't play in college.  I don't have the experience.  But I believe there are three things required before a person can become a professional hockey player.  Skill, knowledge of the game, and passion.  I have two out of the three, and I am determined to reach the third.

I'm not exactly sure what this means.  At work, thoughts of moving to Canada crossed my mind.  Thoughts of finding a job at a small ice rink and skating every day went through my head.  I've thought about this a lot.  I don't have any times or dates set.  The only thing I know for certain right now is if I never follow this dream, if I never at least try, I will be a disappointment to myself.  I don't like to have regrets, and I am sure this will become one if I ignore it.

I can see myself playing hockey for the rest of my life and being happy.  But when, and where do I start?  How far should I follow this dream?

Three Top Tens

Top 10 Christian Recording Artist Rock Albums

10. Blindside - Silence

9. MxPx - Slowly Going the Way of the Buffalo

8. Further Seems Forever - The Moon Is Down

7. Switchfoot - New Way To Be Human

6. Audio Adrenaline - Some Kind of Zombie

5. Plankeye - Commonwealth

4. Mae - Destination: Beautiful

3. The Juliana Theory - Emotion Is Dead

2. Jars of Clay - Much Afraid

1. DC Talk - Jesus Freak

Top 10 Local Portland Metropolitan Area Dining Spots

10. Hong Kong 97 (Gladstone)

9. La Provence (Lake Oswego)

8. DaVinci's Ristorante Italiano (Milwaukie)

7. Buster's BBQ (Gladstone)

6. Lil' Cooperstown (West Linn)

5. Hotcakes (Portland)

4. Pizza Schmizza (Portland)

3. Super Torta (Oregon City)

2. Laurelwood (Portland)

1. Montage (Portland)

Top 10 Books I've Read In The Last Year

10. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - J.K. Rowling

9. High Fidelity - Nick Hornby

8. What Is The What - Dave Eggers

7. Slaughterhouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut

6. A Man Without A Country - Kurt Vonnegut

5. Rant - Chuck Palahniuk

4. You Shall Know Our Velocity - Dave Eggers

3. Sometimes A Great Notion - Ken Kesey

2. Catch 22 - Joseph Heller

1. The Road - Cormac McCarthy

In The Morning

Right now I am sitting in my dad's chair using his laptop computer. My mom is making breakfast behind me in the kitchen. My shift at work starts at 10:30, which is the latest shift possible without being a closer. Shifts that go into the late afternoon are always slow and boring; everything usually gets done by about 4:00. I won't get off until 7:00, which means I will most likely be standing behind the cash register for hours, or walking back and forth around the store looking for something to do. I wouldn't necessarily mind having this later shift on any other day, but I would have really liked to watch the hockey game on at 5:00.

I was looking out the living room windows at my backyard earlier this morning. It is nearly 90% green. the other 10% accounts for the back patio and the brown trucks of the green-leaved trees. I have said this to many people recently, but one of my favorite things about the Portland area is not only the green, but the different shades of green. Anywhere you look there are multiple types of trees and bushes and grass, all with their unique blend of blue and yellow. It has to rain a lot for this to happen, but I think it's worth it.

My mom just put a plate of eggs and toast on the table, and it's starting to get cold.