Five bands, one strange man

So sometimes I kill time (or waste time, depending on whether there is something I'm actively neglecting at a given moment) by placing myself in ridiculous hypothetical scenarios. The latest: if I was to limited to the music of 5 artists / bands for the rest of my life, which 5 would I choose? This is an interesting one because it's not as simple as "Who are your 5 favorite bands of all time?" since bands with extensive offerings are obviously given preference. That and you need to take into account any potential future output. So many considerations ... well, here we go:

1) Radiohead. No doubter here. Favorite band since freshman year of college. And they keep offering albums that blow my mind.

2) Bob Dylan. Does anyone in the history of popular music have as deep or strong a catalogue? I think not.

3) The Beatles. When Darcy heard this one she rolled her eyes, groaned and said "Come on, that's something everyone would say." My response: "There's a reason for that, baby."

4) Iron and Wine. Best artist I've found in recent years.

5) The final spot is a bit of a problem. There are three dogs in this race: Ben Harper, Bright Eyes, and Josh Ritter. Any one might be my choice on a given day. I liken it to an election ... Bright Eyes is the well-known incumbent candidate (I've listened to them the longest) and Ben Harper is the strong challenger. Josh Ritter is the well-financed independent candidate who might just swoop in and steal it on election day. I'd say today my choice is Bright Eyes. Tomorrow it might be different.

Darcy's: Billy Joel, Over the Rhine, The Swell Season, Bright Eyes, and Rosie Thomas. Not bad, but some of these surprised me. Runners up: Sufjan Stevens, The Weepies, and The White Stripes.

Anyone else?

Birthday Ruminations

Thanks to everyone for all of your well wishes on my Birthday. I had a great time celebrating the 27th consecutive year that I managed to not get myself killed. I took advantage of an opportunity to go on a road trip to Las Vegas with some friends and had a blast. I might even do it again sometime.

You know, we all enter the world confused, naked, and seriously pissed off and for a lot of people that sets the tone for the rest of their lives. There's so much anger and mistrust in the world that sometimes it takes a surprising degree of courage to dare to believe that tomorrow will be better than today and that in the end all will truly be well. It's paradoxical but often it's safer to fear than it is to hope.

At any rate, I try to rise above my baser impulses and, occasionally, I'll even succeed in doing so. When I do I'm convinced that it's because of the amazing friends and family that I've been blessed with over the years.

Oh, and the best wife in the world doesn't hurt either.

Thanks, and God Bless.