I miss real popcorn

As I prepare to hit my 45th birthday tomorrow, I have been thinking about things I miss from my younger days. Last night we watched Julie & Julia, which is a great movie, and part of the reason I started blogging in the first place. And seeing how much simpler life was in Julia Child's day made me start to think about my simpler times.
One thing I miss is sleep. I had a lot more time for that when I was younger, and didn't need it as much. But what I realized I missed most about my childhood was real popcorn. At home this meant breaking out the jar of Orville Redenbacher popping corn, and Orville's popping oil and breaking out mom's biggest sauce pan, and shaking the pan over the burner on the stove until the popping of the kernels slowed to a few pops every 20 seconds. And like the add said, Most Every Kernel Pops. And you had a huge bowl filled with popcorn, so everyone had at least two small bowls to munch as we watched TV. Now a days its all jiffypop or microwave in pre-measured bags that really never give you enough, and usually leave dozens of un-popped, wasted kernels.
And don't get me started on movie theatre popcorn. You used to be able to walk into the theatre and watch the popcorn being made in the huge machine. It was so hot and fresh tasting, and the butter oil would just soak in over top and be oh so good. Now you pay a fortune for stuff they have dumped out of a bag into the big dispenser that has been warmed under a high powered light, Where is all the real popcorn?
And you want to know what else I miss? I miss good comic strips. When I was young I would read the comic page top to bottom. Now I don't give it a second glance. Part of this is due to the fact that a lot of the best strips are gone. Calvin and Hobbes, Bloom County, The Far Side, is Doonesbury even still there? But I blame a lot of it on the papers for continually shrinking the comics. They are now so small in the LA Times that the art of making a comic strip can't been seen, and the words can barely be read by these old eye. And forget the good old colored funnies on Sunday, these are now ads, with a comic strip here or there.
Oh to be young again...oh well, I guess that will never happen. Just gotta hold the memories.

Steve's iPod Playlist (Vol. 3 --Break Up Songs)

My latest installment of my playlist series is my breakup song playlist. This is kind of funny because I've never really had a major break up. I just find these songs interesting, and I love the emotion some of them convey. Some of these songs are sad, some funny, and some down right nasty. Hope you enjoy the list. Watch for adult content warning on a few songs, avoid playing these songs for the kids.

1.) Should have Said No-- Taylor Swift: One of Taylor's less well know songs. I swear if you listen you can picture scenes from the Ross & Rachel break up episode of Friends (Season 3, episode 15 &16).

2.)H-A-T-R-E-D-- Tonio K.: ADULT CONTENT WARNING: It starts off like a folk lament and transitions to a punk rock rant at an ex calling her every name on the planet. How every guy would LIKE to handle their break-up. As the music fades though you hear him say, "but then again maybe with a little couples therapy we could work this out"

3.) One More Minute-- Weird Al Yankovic: Hilarious country sound song. "I'd rather spend eternity eating shards of broken glass than to spend one more minute with you." Breaking up has never been so harshly fun.

4.) Better Than I Thought It'd Be-- Trace Adkins: After his girl leaves, he finds that eating cold pizza and watching what you want on TV isn't as bad as he'd imagined. pretty funny.

5.) Ur So Gay (live acoustic version) --Katy Perry: ADULT CONTENT WARNING Katy disses on an ex boyfriend who was part of the metro-sexual crowd. Petty harsh. The version from her MTV unplugged album is classic, with audience participation. On the video she explained that she knew it was time to break up with him when he started wearing her jeans.

6.) In Pictures-- Alabama: Ok, I'm not sure if this is a song about a broken marriage, or just the hardship of a musician always on the road. But the sadness of watching a child grow only in pictures just makes me cry.

7.) What She's Doing Now-- Garth Brooks: A classic song about the girl who leaves your life, but never leaves your thoughts.

8.) Dontcha Want me now?-- Debbie Gibson: A scorned girlfriends asks her ex if he's missing her. If she isn't just what he'd wanted now that he's tried a few other choices.

9.) Knowing Me, Knowing You-- ABBA: Once comprised of two married couples, the supergroup was two divorced couples at the height of their fame. Amazing two me that the two girls so passionately sing these words, penned by their ex's.

10.) Ain't No Sunshine-- Adam Again: the classic Bill Withers tune, cover here in an amazing version by Gene Eugene and his band Adam Again. You know the song, check out this version.

11.) Tell Me on a Sunday-- Bernadette Peters: From the amazing one woman musically by Andrew LLoyd Webber (Song & Dance) A young British woman starting on her own in America tells her boyfriend exactly how she wants to break up, knowing it will happen sooner or later.

12.) Can't Be Really Gone-- Tim McGraw: Looking around the house he sees all the signs that she will come back. Half read books, favorite clothes, all the things she wouldn't leave behind.

13.) Hurting Each Other-- The Carpenters: We know we're in love, but we keep doing stupid things that hurt the other person. And Karen's voice can just make you melt.

14.) According To You-- Orianthi: Besides Orianthi's amazing guitar work, smart lyrics about a girl who is leaving a guy who doesn't appreciate her in favor of a guy who thinks she's amazing. changes keys and tone when going from one guy to the other in the lyrics.

15.) Gonna Get Along Without You Now-- She & Him: Actress Zooey Deschanel is so brilliant in her musical outing She & Him. This upbeat break up song from Volume 2 is catchy fun and smart. Yes, we were good, but I'll be moving on now.

16.) All Out of Love-- Air Supply: Pure 70's sap. You know the song, and as much as you hate to admit it, you love it too!

17.) Walls Of Silence-- Leslie Phillips: An amazingly smart and sharp look at divorce, and the communication break downs that usually lead there.

18.) Loving This Way-- CollinRaye: A painfully accurate picture of a relationship where both people know they are wrong for each other, and finally say "I'm tired of loving this way."

19.) What About The Love We Made-- Shelby Lynne: A divorced couple dividing their possessions, realizing how hard it is on their daughter, and how they can't divide her love in two.

20.) Jar of Hearts-- Christina Perri: Amazing emotional powerful song, about a guy who goes from girl to girl emotionally tearing them apart. And one girl who says, no, you can't come back and do that to me again. LOVE THIS SONG!!!

Steve's iPod Playlist (Vol.2.2 --Destress Music continued)

Today I will continue my look at my Destress Playlist. This list is a list of songs that help me when I get stressed out (which NEVER happens) I will try to explain what tunes I use for different situations, and how they help me, although the power of music is sometimes hard to explain.

11.) Hold Me, Jesus-- Rich Mullins: The late Rich Mullins is the only artist with multiple entries on this list, because he had a way of touching your heart and making the spiritual real in your everyday life. This song is a cry for Jesus to hold you through the hard times. My favorite line, "I'd rather fight You for something I don't really want than take what You give that I need". Ain't that the truth.

12.) Let the Waters Rise-- Mikeschair: A new song by a relatively new group. This song passed the goose bump test the first time I heard it. It basically says that there will be troubles in life, life isn't easy, but with God on your side, bring it on, "Let the Waters Rise".

13.) I Still Believe (The Great Design)-- The Call: This song was huge when I was in college. A version was featured in Lost Boys. It was covered by Russ Taff, Tony Vincent, and several others. But it is the original by The Call with the powerful voice of the late Michael Been that still gives me goose bumps and makes me sing along "I'll march this road, I'll climb this hill, upon my knees if I have to. I'll take my place upon this stage, I'll wait till the end of time for You, like everybody elses."

14.) No Place Closer to Heaven-- Charlie Peacock: My all time favorite singer/songwriter gives us a beautiful love song. Is it man to woman, friend to friend or creation to creator. I think this song covers all three. It is truly a haunting song I can hear again and again with out it ever growing old.

15.) Sanctuary-- Daniel Amos: Terry Taylor, front man of the enigmatic Daniel Amos (and several other groups) is annoying at his worst, but an utter genius at his best. Here you see the later as he describes Jesus as his Sanctuary...that place of strength and security you can run to when you don't have the strength to go on.

16.) Hold On-- Kansas: from the first of three albums from Kansas' Christian period (The time after Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope found Christianity, but before they left the band to form AD). This is the only album from this period to feature the trademark Steve Walsh vocals. And the vocals lift the listener to new heights. "Outside your door He is waiting, waiting for you. Sooner or later you know He's got to come through. No hesitation and no holding back. Just let it all go, and you'll know you're on the right track."

17.) Answers Don't Come Easy-- Leslie Phillips: From her final project for the Christian market Leslie (Sam) Phillips here does something that mainstream Christin music of the mid 80's rarely did. She deals with struggles of faith, and admits that answers don't come easy. This song really rips at my heart because a friend of mine from college, who really was not into Christian music told me how much this album touched him because of her openness and honesty. Shortly after this, he ended his own life. Obviously answers didn't come easy in this situation.

18.) Dare You to Move-- Switchfoot: Late one evening when I was feeling very depressed, I flipped on VH1 and the video for this song was on. I cried my eyes out, and fell instantly in love with this band. Jon foreman is SO amazing at expressing the frailty of life, and the importance of living every moment for God. A real life saving song.

19.) Somewhere-- Rich Mullins: Rich's fervent cry to be taken away "Somewhere beyond these reasons and feelings. Somewhere beyond the passion and fatigue" This song will lift me up when I feel the most spiritually and emotionally drained.

20.) Magnificent-- U2: From their latest album, No Line on the Horizon, Bono and the boys deliver the praise anthem with the most killer bass line. You can't help but get chills as you listen...full volume is best so you can feel the power pulsing in the bass.

21.) Hallelujah-- K.D. Lang: I have at least 10 versions of this song on my iPod. I think K.D.'s is probably the one that soothes me most. Her voice is so pure, and the arrangment just lifts me up.

THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ THIS. Hope you can find a song or two here to relieve your stress as well.

Steve's iPod Playlist (Vol.2 --Destress Music)

Today I will be looking at another playlist from my iPod. This list is a list of songs that help me when I get stressed out (which happens from time to time) I will try to explain what tunes I use for different situations, and how they help me, although the power of music is sometimes hard to explain.

1.) Love, Reign O'er Me-- The Who: This song is filled with so much raw emotion. The piano part is just amazing. It is a cry out to be covered in love. This song must be played loud and just allowed to pound into your head, it will help wipe out whatever is stressing you out. It helps if you are alone and can sing along at the top of your lungs.

2.) Comfortably Numb-- Pink Floyd: Although Dark Side of the Moon is my favorite Pink Floyd album, this cut from The Wall is my favorite Floyd track. From the calm start to the "...there'll be no more...AARRRR" cry, it brings every emotion to the table. I use this song when something, or someone (usually at work) has gotten me frustrated beyond belief, I play it loud and just let the emotion and music numb me. Amazing guitar work here.

3.) Ready for the Storm-- Rich Mullins: I use this song when I am struggling with issues that are trying to tear away my faith in Jesus, Usually financial things especially, or when life feels like it is spinning out of control. It uses the metaphor of being out at see, and a storm is approaching, but if you have faith in Jesus then you will be ready for the storm.

4)Asleep in the Light-- Keith Green: When I first got the No Compromise album by Keith Green I went months with out hearing side 2. This song was the reason. It was at the end of side 1 and the message was so powerful I kept playing it over and over. "The world is sleeping in the dark, but the church just can"t fight 'cause it's asleep in the light." This call to spiritual action and awareness helps me to focus on God when everything around tries to distract me.

5.) Cry Out To Jesus-- Third Day: Third Day is one of my favorite bands, every album has at least one or two classic amazing songs, but this song tops them all. Just an amazing reminder that no matter what you're going through, just cry out to Jesus, and He is there for you.

6.) Captain Jack --Billy Joel: This song is about heroin addiction...not exactly an uplifting topic. The reason it is on my list is just the power and emotion it has can help me to release pent up emotions running around in my head. I put the live version from Songs in the Attic on my iPod playlist because you can just feel Joel's emotion so intensely. Not a bright cheerful song, but somehow it lifts me up when I'm depressed... or more likely now that I think about it, it helps me bottom out, so I can call out and be lifted up.

7.) Jar of Hearts-- Christina Perri: The newest song on my playlist. This is a break up song, which is not really something I relate to a lot, not ever having a major break up. But Christina's voice just has such power and emotion, it helps me release emotions as I sing along. This is the most played song on my iPod. Classic line, "You're gonna catch a cold from the ice inside your soul".

8.) Oh My God-- Jars of Clay: Another of my favorite bands that constantly put out amazing music. This track is about the universal need of man to cry out to God, no matter where they are, or who they are. Believers and non believers cry out to him in their time of need. When I first heard this song, and for the first several months every time I'd play it, I would get goose bumps and break out in tears. A very powerful song.

9.) The Finish Line-- Steve Taylor: Steve Taylor is a master of humorous, often sarcastic looks at issues that hinder us in our walks with Christ. This is not one of those songs. This is a serious and emotionally powerful look at the Christian walk as a race (an illustration Paul used in his writings). The song tells of a runner setting his sights on the finish line, but then facing all sorts of distractions along the way, but finally struggling past the obstacles to "fall in His arms at the finish line"

10.) What if Jesus Comes Back Like That-- Collin Raye: Country star Collin Raye presents the case for loving the least of these, by asking basically if we see Jesus in the face of those in need around us. This song is on my destress list because it helps me to focus and keep things in perspective. When I am having a bad day, or things aren't going right, the stories in this song help me take the focus off me and on people who have it so much worse than me. Then it reminds methat Jesus wants me to reach out to them.

This is the halfway point in this palylist, and I have gone quite long in this blog already, so I'll break off here for now and finish the Destress Music Playlist in a future blog...watch for it.