My Life in Music

Before I get into the music aspect of today's post, let me tell you a little something about me and exercise: I have become obsessed. I realized it a while ago and it was confirmed earlier today. You see, a few weeks ago I started having this horrible pain in my left shin. I have no idea what happened. It didn't hurt all the time, but when it did I could barely put any weight on that leg. So, I took some naproxen (leftovers from that time a couple months ago when I fell down the stairs), rotated between applying ice and heat, and kept it elevated whenever possible.
And I took a day off from going to the gym.

That's right. One whole day.

For the last few months I have been at the gym every day of the week anywhere from one hour to three hours each day. If I couldn't make it on Sundays because of work, I would go for a run instead. And today was a Sunday that I had to work, so couldn't go to the gym. And I tried to go running. Except my shin started hurting about three minutes into it.
And I thought that maybe I shouldn't ignore that I was in severe pain.
So I slowed to a walk and begrudgingly turned around and headed home.
I hated doing that.

A few hours later while talking to a friend about my shin pain and the benefits of giving my body time to recuperate between workouts, I realized the reason for my obsession with exercise: fear.

I am terrified that if I go for just one day without working myself into an exhausted sweat, that everything I have worked so hard to change about myself will be undone. I am afraid that I will wake up the next morning, look in the mirror, and see the face and body of the obese 12-year-old girl that I remember being. And yes, I realize that I haven't been that girl for nearly two decades and a day without strenuous exercise is probably actually good for my body, but my mind remains terrified. And so I will continue my (nearly) daily excursions to the Fitness Firm. 
But I will do my best to remember that a day off is a good thing.

 This is my brother Joe and I in the Spring of 2009...

This is us on Thanksgiving. He also decided that being fat isn't as much fun as it's cracked up to be and so has been working out and trying not to eat crap. As of  Thanksgiving 2011 (and prior to eating a whole lot of food), he was down 36 lbs. and I was down 34. (We've both lost another pound or two since then.) Of course, I still weigh more than him.
But it's okay because I'm taller.



And now for something completely different:

I always thought my life would be better if set to music.
And I was thinking earlier today about how it has been in a way.

I think it began with my mom...

And her love of the Beach Boys.

 

Or my love of muppets and cartoons...

A little ditty from the Little Mermaid...

 

Later on, the music I listened to was heavily influenced by my brother, Stewart.

Really, Stew? This song has always freaked me out.

Meanwhile, I was listening to somewhat less angry songs in my bedroom.

 

The funny thing is, I still enjoy all of those songs.
And now there are wonderful (and often less angry/sad/ridiculous) additions.

Flogging Molly "Black Friday Rule"

 

Don't let the name (or the tombstones) fool you. It is a spectacular song.

Oh these guys. So talented. So fun.
And who doesn't love a man who can play the accordian?

I've also noticed that my current musical leanings are based heavily in the British Isles/Ireland...curious. Perhaps it's a sign that I should move that way...


And then there is the stuff that fills my hours at the gym.
Songs at which I would once have scoffed, but which are growing on me now.
Like a tumor.

So, that's my life in music. Aren't we all happy that I finally figured out how to put the videos right there in my post instead of including irritating links? Yeah. I thought so.

And now for some Christmas things.

This commercial makes me cry. Always has. Still does.
Of course, in my head I was combining it with a Folgers commercial involving another brother coming home for Christmas.

But that one didn't have O Holy Night.
And it is just about my favorite Christmas song ever.

These tears are brought to you by Hallmark.

Of course, my favorite horribly inappropriate quasi-Christmas song is this one:

Those crazy Irish.

And I suspect that you're all just about fed up with me now.

So, if I don't make it back here before the end of the year, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!
Have a magnificent Solstice, Kwanzaa, Boxing Day, Bank Holiday, etc.!

Here's one for the road:

A multi-cultural sort of holiday tune...

I'm impressed if you actually made it to the end of this evening's ravings.

Congratulations!