Tuesday, December 06, 2011

What happened the year you were born?

I found a site that told me what happened the year I was born. whathappenedinmybirthyear.com Give it a try. I was born in 1974. Here's what happened (according to that site).


--
In 1974, the world was a different place.
There was no Google yet. Or Yahoo. Or Stumbleupon, for that matter.
In 1974, the year of your birth, the top selling movie was The Godfather Part II. People buying the popcorn in the cinema lobby had glazing eyes when looking at the poster.
Remember, that was before there were DVDs. People were indeed watching movies in the cinema, and not downloading them online. Imagine the packed seats, the laughter, the excitement, the novelty. And mostly all of that without 3D computer effects.
Do you know who won the Oscars that year? The academy award for the best movie went to The Godfather Part II. The Oscar for best foreign movie that year went to Amarcord. The top actor was Art Carney for his role as Harry Coombes in Harry and Tonto. The top actress was Ellen Burstyn for her role as Alice Hyatt in Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. The best director? Francis Ford Coppola for The Godfather Part II.
In the year 1974, the time when you arrived on this planet, books were still popularly read on paper, not on digital devices. Trees were felled to get the word out. The number one US bestseller of the time wasCentennial by James A. Michener. Oh, that's many years ago. Have you read that book? Have you heard of it? Look at the cover!
In 1974... Charles de Gaulle Airport opens in Paris, France. West Germany beats the Netherlands 2-1 to win the 1974 FIFA World Cup. Stephen King publishes his first novel, Carrie, under his own name. A Japanese World War II soldier, Second Lieutenant Hiroo Onoda, surrenders in the Philippines. A coup in Portugal restores democracy. Most OPEC nations end a 5-month oil embargo against the United States, Europe and Japan. Ceefax, one of the first public service information systems, is started by the BBC. WIPO becomes a specialized agency of the United Nations. Japanese Red Army members seize the French Embassy in The Hague, Netherlands. The United Nations General Assembly grants the Palestine Liberation Organization observer status. The Arecibo radio telescope sends an interstellar radio message towards the M13 Great Globular Cluster. The message will reach its destination around the year 27,000.
That was the world you were born into. Since then, you and others have changed it.
The Nobel prize for Literature that year went to Eyvind Johnson. The Nobel Peace prize went to Seán MacBride and Eisaku Sato. The Nobel prize for physics went to Martin Ryle and Antony Hewish from the United Kingdom for their pioneering research in radio astrophysics: Ryle for his observations and inventions, in particular of the aperture synthesis technique, and Hewish for his decisive role in the discovery of pulsars. The sensation this created was big. But it didn't stop the planets from spinning, on and on, year by year. Years in which you would grow bigger, older, smarter, and, if you were lucky, sometimes wiser. Years in which you also lost some things. Possessions got misplaced. Memories faded. Friends parted ways. The best friends, you tried to hold on. This is what counts in life, isn't it?
The 1970s were indeed a special decade. Women's liberation continued. The hippie culture faded. There was an opposition to the Vietnam war, and nuclear weapons. The environmentalist movement began. Tom Wolfe coined the decade the "Me decade" due to a new self-awareness. Mao Zedong died and the market began to liberate in China. There was an oil crisis. After the first oil shock, gasoline was rationed in many countries. In Eastern Europe, Soviet-style command economies begin showing signs of stagnation. The Summer Olympics in Munich, Germany, witness the kidnapping and murder of Israeli athletes by Palestinian Arab terrorists. The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The Who, Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Bee Gees, Abba and others play their music. Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison all die at the age of 27. The space mission Apollo 13 nearly ends in disaster. Egypt signed the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty. There was a revolution in Iran. The world sees its first general microprocessor. The C programming language makes its debut. Consumer video games show up on the scene. Microwave ovens become commercially available. Margaret Thatcher was victorious in the UK elections.
Do you remember the movie that was all the rage when you were 15?Dead Poets Society. Do you still remember the songs playing on the radio when you were 15? Maybe it was Two Hearts by Phil Collins. Were you in love? Who were you in love with, do you remember?
In 1974, 15 years earlier, a long time ago, the year when you were born, the song Rock Me Gently by Andy Kim topped the US charts. Do you know the lyrics? Do you know the tune? Sing along.
Ain't it good
Ain't it right
That you are with me
Here tonight
The music playin'
Our bodies swayin' in time
...
There's a kid outside, shouting, playing. It doesn't care about time. It doesn't know about time. It shouts and it plays and thinks time is forever. You were once that kid.
When you were 9, the movie The Man Who Wasn't There was playing. When you were 8, there was The Dark Crystal. When you were 7, there was a Disney movie out called The Fox and the Hound. Does this ring a bell?
6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... it's 1974. There's TV noise coming from the second floor. Someone turned up the volume way too high. The sun is burning from above. These were different times. The show playing on TV isLand of the Lost. The sun goes down. Someone switches channels. There's Rhoda on now. That's the world you were born in.
Progress, year after year. Do you wonder where the world is heading towards? The technology available today would have blown your mind in 1974. Do you know what was invented in the year you were born? Microfinance. The Rubik's Cube. The Hybrid Vehicle.

Cigarettes and sweets
Feel it coming on
Bloody as the day I was born
It's 1974
Just like the day I was born
It's 1974
...
That's from the song 1974 by Ryan Adams.
In 1974, a new character entered the world of comic books: Deathlok. Bang! Boom! But that's just fiction, right? In the real world, in 1974,Alanis Morissette was born. And Kate MossLeonardo Dicaprio, too. And you, of course. Everyone an individual. Everyone special. Everyone taking a different path through life.
It's 2011.
The world is a different place.
What path have you taken?
--




I remember some of those things. I remember going to The Fox & The Hound with my Brother and Mom. Never read those books, I don't remember those songs. But a lot has happened since 1974. 

Saturday, December 03, 2011

Homecoming 1991 Mix Tape (Tracks 25-29) The END Finally!

Here it is the end of the marathon that has been the tracks from Homecoming 1991 Mix Tape. If you've been reading and following along you have got a glimpse of what music I was into my senior year in high school. At least the start of my senior year.

Track 25: Is It Me: Huey Lewis & The News. From the album Picture This. This is another tape I WORE out playing in my walkman. Looking at some of these songs; this one, a couple Chicago songs- I was wavering with my self esteem. I guess all teens go through that. Mine had to do with trying to be more than friends with girls. Thank goodness I conquered that fear. It would have been hard to meet Tammy and have the wonderful life we have, if I was too shy.

Track 26: Every Breath You Take: The Police. I have always liked this song. When I added it to this play list I don't think I was paying attention to the lyrics. Not quite the song you want to hear on a date.

Track 27: Waltz Of The Flowers: Fantasia Soundtrack. Being in concert band and jazz band I developed an eclectic taste in music. Here is where shines through. There is awesome music in Fantasia.








Thanks for tagging along on this musical journey from 1991. That was a long time ago, but a part of my life that I never want to forget. I was lucky to have a lot of good friends. We had a lot of fun. When else would just hanging out in a deserted hallway before class been fun. (Right guys!). Thanks to all the people who made that fall fun! Dain Johnson, Robert Weaver, Darin Turpin, John Shumate, Joe Lammers, Athena Stallcop, Janel Kirkman, Laurie Hawkins, Megan Curtis, Bill Hankins, and many others...

And I can't forget BOLT! Ray Sagarik, Rob Kennedy, Rob Pearson, &  Shane Blacker. The lunch in the 500 BLDG hallway that started it all.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Homecoming 1991 Mix Tape (Tracks 21-24)

More tracks from the 1991 Homecoming mix tape. It's funny to see what I listened to then and that many of those same songs are still on my iPod.

Track 21: Slipping Away: Information Society. This debut album from Information Society is great. Good tracks that keep you moving. This one, however is more of a ballad.

Track 22: Song For George: Eric Johnson. I don't really know who George was, but I like this song. This album did win the Grammy in 1992 for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

Track 23: If She Would Have Been Faithful: Chicago. Another Chicago tune. I always liked this song. Not that I ever really had someone be unfaithful. I did have a friend date a girl that I really liked, and he knew it. I was too chicken to make a move, so he took her out- they hit it off and dated. What could I have done. It's water under the bridge now. I'm a different person than I was in high school... aren't we all!

Track 24: Repetition: Information Society. More Information Society. Kevin Kahle would love this tape. He loves Information Society.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Homecoming 1991 Mix Tape (Tracks 17-20)

Now we're well into side two of this mix tape that I made for Homecoming 1991. This dance I went with Athena Stallcop, a cheerleader that I had know for a while. We had a good time.

Track 17: A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes: Micheal Bolton. Another Mad About The Mouse track. I've mentioned it before. I just liked this tape. Probably the same reason that I find myself watching Disney Channel with my kids more frequently than I'd like to admit.

Track 18: Clancy's Theme: Man From Snowy River. This soundtrack is so relaxing. Maybe I thought it would promote conversation? I'm not sure.

Track 19: (Everything I Do,) I Do It For You: Bryan Adams. This song was everywhere. Bryan Adams gravely  voice on this ballad made all the girls melt. If you couldn't get a girl to dance with you on this song... you have problems!

Track 20: World To Me: Huey Lewis & The News. From the Small World album. I wore this tape out. I listened to it all the time- mowing lawns, driving to school, anywhere. It was a departure from their other songs, a strong ballad. I knew that it was a lesser known song.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Homecoming 1991 Mix Tape (Tracks 13-16)

To continue on the trek of Homecoming songs...

Track 13: Chasing The Wind: Chicago: Uncle Danny was a huge Chicago fan & so am I. So when this album came out I bought the tape. This is the only song that I can remember from it.

Track 14: Kiss The Girl: Soul II Soul: Another song from Simply Mad About the Mouse. A great rendition of The Little Mermaid song. I just liked it.

Track 15: Beat 70: Pat Metheny Group: Uncle Danny was also a huge Pat Metheny Group fan. I bought this tape at his recommendation. I don't know where it went, but it was good to listen to when I mowed lawns.
 
Track 16: Trademark: Eric Johnson: Another track from A Via Musicom. My introduction to Eric Johnson. I think Uncle Danny would have liked him too.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Family Pictures...

We recently had some family pictures taken. It has been a long time since we had done that. I mean we have been in pictures together as a family, but not with a REAL photographer (Sorry, Jyl). We went out to an abandoned farmhouse with some out-buildings to take the pictures. Here are some pictures that I took with my phone as Stacey took the REAL pictures.

Ali is so cute!
She loved to play in the weeds.

Gabe posing it up! If his friends could see him now.
Stacey getting the boys to smile for a picture.
                                 


Here's a preview of what the pictures will look like. See, doesn't Stacey do great work? We think so!





Thursday, November 10, 2011

Homecoming 1991 Mix Tape (Tracks 12-14)

Homecoming mix tape cont'd- Continuing on our walk down memory lane. At least my memories.


 Track 12: Song For My Father: NHS Jazz Band
In 1990 the Nampa High School Jazz band competed at the University of Idaho Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival. This song was recorded from one of those performances. Mr. Kennedy & Mr. Stone were the band directors at that time.
                                                                     



Track 13: Bear Necessities: Harry Connick Jr. This is another track from "Simply Mad About the Mouse" the Disney tribute album. It's a good track. I listened to that tape a lot.

Track 14: Bizarre Love Triangle: New Order. This is the original version from "Brotherhood". It's a classic.

Friday, November 04, 2011

Homecoming 1991 Mixtape (Tracks 9-11)

So on this homecoming date. I started driving a restored "Model T". My grandfather had restored it and it was the first time that I was going to drive it myself (no Dad tagging along). Well, after dinner it died. There was a problem with the battery. So I finished the date driving the family station wagon; a caprice classic. It was still fun though...

Back to the songs...

Track 9: Who Do You Give Your Love To?: Michael Morales. This was a track that I just really liked. I can't find it anywhere. I did just find a youtube version.

Track 10: MotownPhilly: Boyz II Men. This is an awesome song. It's hard to imagine a world without Boyz II Men. This was their first hit! I love the A Capella break in the middle.

Track 11: Think: Information Society. This was the first single from "Hack".
I couldn't get enough of it. I'm pretty sure that I wore my tape out listening to it.

Wednesday, November 02, 2011

Homecoming 1991 Mixtape (Tracks 6-8)

This is the third installment of the mixtape from Homecoming 1991. Did I mention that the girl I took to the dance was a cheerleader? That's right, a band geek (1st Trombone) took a cheerleader to homecoming!

Track 6: How Long: Information Society. This was from the newest album at the time: Hack. I think I wore that tape out listening to it so much.

Track 7: Hit Me Like A Hammer: Huey Lewis & The News. Hard At Play was the album this song was from. I listened to it all summer mowing lawns. It only made sense to include it on this mix tape.

Track 8: Walking Away: Information Society. From the Information Society album Information Society. This track was played at the stake dances all the time. Kevin Kahle loved spinning this record. Yep, we had the 8 in single that we'd play at the dances.

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Homecoming 1991 Mix Tape (tracks 3-5)

On the way home I listened to the next few songs from the mix tape that I made for Nampa High Homecoming 1991.

Track 3: When You Wish Upon A Star: Billy Joel. This was from a tape I bought "Simply Mad About the Mouse". It was a compilation of artists covering Disney songs. A lot of differing styles. I remember listening to then... not sure where that tape ended up.

Track 4: Can't Stand Losing You: The Police. I had recently purchased a copy of "Every Breath You Take: The Singles" and this was from that tape. Not sure what this has to do with Homecoming or dancing.

Track 5: Man From Snowy River: Main Title. I really like this soundtrack. It relaxes me. It lasted me through two years on a mission in Southern California and I still listen to it today. Like I said before I have very eclectic musical tastes.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Homecoming... 1991

I found a tape this week. Yes, a cassette tape. This is not just any tape that could be purchased at Sam Goody. No, this is a mix tape. I made this mix tape in October 1991. I made it to use as background music for my Homecoming date. So I popped it into the cassette player in my car on the way to work this morning (yes, I still have a cassette player in my car). I listened to a couple songs on my commute to work this morning and thought I'd share them. As I listen to the rest of the tape I might share those songs too. And, you might get some details about my homecoming date as well.

Track 1: Cliffs of Dover: Eric Johnson

I had recently been introduced to Eric Johnson by a friend in Jazz Band (Dain Johnson) so it was something I was listening to a lot. Not sure why I thought it would be good for homecoming, but I have always had eccentric tastes in music.
Track 2: What's On Your Ming (Pure Energy): Information Society

This was my groove. (depending on the day) I have always liked (and still do like) synth-pop. In fact I just picked up the most recent Erasure album  "Tomorrow's World" ; another time perhaps I'll share that. Anyway, Information Society was one of those groups that if a song of theirs came on I had to move-dance! The version I included on the mix tape is actually a remix from a cassette single I owned.

We'll see what the drive home and tomorrow mornings commute will bring...

By the way, I took Athena Stallcop to the dance... In case you wondered.

Friday, September 30, 2011

McCall in Summer...

At the end of summer I was able to go to McCall, ID for work. We opened a location there and I went to provide training to our members. As I was leaving I turned around and snapped this photo from the sidewalk.

Thursday, September 01, 2011

fall

fall. No I didn't fall. That was a couple years ago off a ladder at a church orchard. But that is another story for another time. Now is the time to think about fall. I was in school for many years. Elementary school, Junior high, High school, enough college for three degrees. Plus fourteen years of marriage. Every year when fall rolls around I get nostalgic.

I remember what it was like to lay my clothes out on the floor the night before the first day of school. The excitement I felt waiting for the bus to take me back to Centennial Elementary and the friends that I had not seen all summer.

I remember what it was like preparing for that first football game of the season. I was in the marching band, so we had a lot to learn: formations, timing and of course music before that first home game. I remember looking forward to hanging out with my friends after the games. Picking up a pizza and congregating at someones house until we thought of a video to watch or "something else" to do.

I remember the first time on my own in an apartment in Rexburg. With five other freshmen, loving our new-found family-less freedom. Freedom to not have chores on the weekend (like stacking wood, mowing lawns, or cleaning up the garden spot). Freedom to turn on football all day Saturday and again on Sunday.

I remember coming home before Tammy to the little green house and raking the leaves. (It seemed to be a multi-week process) Opening the window and letting that crisp, autumn breeze cool the house. I remember friends coming over and playing games until all hours of the night.

I remember taking an eight year-old boy to a college football game where we were soaked due to all the rain. And having to explain to his younger sister that she did not want to get wet like we had just done.

I can close my eyes and I'm there. I can't wait for my kids to have those memories too.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Pocatello...Again

It's been a month. I'm still here. Looking forward to college football starting up!

We went to Pocatello for a family reunion earlier in the month. It was a good time. The kids had fun. We bowled, watched a meteor shower, and went swimming.
 


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Walker Cousin Picnic

Walker Picnic. Every month or so we get together with the Walker Cousins (my wife's family). It's always a fun time. There are many around the valley and it's a chance for the little kids (2nd cousins) to play together. This past Tuesday we had a gathering and many people were there. Uncle Robin runs Jukebox Party Express and brought some of his toys too. There was a Jump House, a Merry-go-round, and a rock wall. All the kids had a good time.



Jump House, Merry-go-round, & Rock Wall

Ali loved the Merry-go-round


Reece climbing the rock wall.














A close-up of Reece.

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Birthdays (No such thing as a free lunch? I beg to differ)

I had a birthday this month. The first of the month to be exact. I turned an age in my 30's. As I have gone through adulthood one thing I have really learned to appreciate is good value. For my birthday 'good value' is a good birthday benefit. There are three that I received this year that I specifically want to mention. Red Robin,  Wheeler's Handout and Souper Salad! . Sometimes I scan social media and blogs and I came across birthday specials that both these restaurants made available.

Red Robin- The birthday club from Red Robin is a free burger for your birthday. I was emailed a coupon that I could use the week of my birthday. So I had a $10 burger for free (with bottomless fries)! I can't complain about that. It was a nice lunch treat for my birthday. (@RedRobinBurgers)

Wheeler's Handout- Wheeler's is a Treasure Valley institution! They have been in the same location in Nampa since the 1950's. They even survived a car crashing into their small building. The birthday benefit at Wheeler's is a "Wheeler's Special" the week of your birthday. Like red Robin this is a burger and fries. To join this birthday club all I had to do was "like" them on facebook. Then on your birthday they post it on their wall and give you a week to use it.

Souper Salad!- This was the best one. They have everything at Souper Salad! and the birthday meal is good for lunch or dinner. Souper Salad! has a lot of choices which makes this such a good birthday treat. But the best part is that I had twenty-five days to use the birthday special. I didn't have to worry about trying to get it in the week of my birthday, I had plenty of time. So I used it today. (@SouperSalad)

Birthdays are great, but they can be even better with free stuff! Who says "there's no such thing as a free lunch"? I found some... I hope you can too!

Friday, May 06, 2011

Instant re-visit: Twitter connecting us all!

Looking through some posts in the past and I thought I'd revisit a post from last fall. There power of social media is amazing! Enjoy~


From October 03, 2010....

When I was in high school one of my favorite bands was Huey Lewis & The News (still have them on my iPod). There are many groups that I listen to and have ripped onto my Mac and then to my iPod. One artist is Michelle Branch. A little background. Michelle Branch released The Spirit Room in 2001. I had no idea who she was or anything. Spring of 2002 my brother-in-law, Tim moved in with us for a few months after moving to Idaho from Arkansas. One of the many CDs he brought with him was Michelle Branch The Spirit Room. I really liked it and wanted a copy myself.

Fast forward to 2010. My daughter Selah is 8. Earlier in the week we went to Grandpa & Grandma's and they had purchased a new karaoke machine. Guess who was on the demo cd- Michelle Branch "All I Wanted" from The Spirit Room. Selah listened to it, sang it and loved it. So later that evening we went on YouTube and searched for Michelle Branch songs. A few days ago she asked that I put some Michelle Branch on her iPod, so I did. Later that night she was at the kitchen table listening to her iPod and copying down the lyrics to "All I Wanted". Then she sang it to me. Then she sang it to Tammy & I.

The next day I went on to twitter and sent the following message to @michellebranch (I already know I put the wrong age for Selah)


This is the response I received.



In Junior High I wrote a letter to Huey Lewis & The News. A month or so later I got a post card back with their signatures on it and a form letter thanking me for being interested. That's how it was THEN. Now I send a message to the artist and within a few hours she wrote back. Thanks Tim for introducing me to Michelle Branch & thanks @michellebranch for the music that connected me & my daughter!

Twitter. Connecting us all. Who knew.