The Art of Cringe

However much I dislike cool kid slang, I have to admit, sometimes it really is the best describer.

Reading some of my entries in this blog definitely are... cringy... to say the least.

It's been a few years. And while on a time line  that doesn't seem like much, in reality it feels like I've evolved into a different species. From the moment of that last post until now, my world has completely changed.

I've always enjoyed writing, but never had the discipline to write with the intent to really hone it as a craft. I've had peers who I admire deeply for their rigor and tenacity and always improving their writing. Sometimes I have the itch to write, but mostly not. I think that's ok.

I can't tell exactly if a blog... this blog is meant for me to have a platform to speak about my ideas or to have a space where I can share myself. Probably a little of both. The things I enjoy writing about the most probably aren't what will get the most views and comments, but I care about them and that's the point. Introspection is important. Writing has always been the easiest way for me to process and organize my thoughts and feelings.

So... alright. That's what I'll do. Write when I feel like it. Not feel bad about not writing. Be more authentic. Be less... cringy. 

My kids would be so proud, using cool kid slang appropriately n' junk...

Physical Health

My newest venture in life involves becoming a healthier version of myself. This is the first of three posts detailing this journey.

I've been working hard in each domain - physically, mentally and emotionally - to take small steps each week with the goal of heath and well being. To me, being healthy means taking steps to ensure the body, mind and those around you are experiencing life honestly.

To experience the body honestly, the first step is hardest of all. To accept and be okay with my body has always been a struggle. I've never looked in the mirror and been okay with what I've seen. Sometimes I avoid the mirror all together. It's okay to want to reach goals as far as weight loss and fitness go, but more importantly, to accept my body for what it is first and foremost. I've taken a different approach to how I eat. As a child, we had the rule that in order to leave the table, you must clear the plate. This mentality has been deeply ingrained in the way I approach eating. I also tend to eat without experiencing the food, whether it's because I'm in a hurry, preoccupied with another task, or just being social. Instead, my new focus has been on tasting the food and making eating a full sensory experience - not only how does the food taste, but what does it smell like? What's the texture? Temperature? Is it sweet? Sour? Savory? Sweet? On top of this philosophy, I've been paying more attention to quantity and ingredients. Keeping a journal of the food I eat each day is not as hard as it may sound and it's a great way to stay honest. Ingredient-wise, I've made steps to replace small calorie adders with healthier alternatives - olive oil instead of butter, greek yogurt instead of sour cream, whole grain brown rice instead of white. The second aspect of having a healthy body is fitness. I've always gone back and forth with exercise regimens. I'll be super on top of it for as long as a few months, but something always "comes up" and derails my routine. Excuses are always the downfall. I've transformed the way I deal with exercise by building it in to my daily routine and made sure the people around me know about it to keep me accountable, instead of being something I try to fit in at the end of the day (assuming I'm still awake!).

So far, my journey to a healthy body has been challenging, but I've never attacked this goal with so much rigor and integrity. I am committed to staying honest and being okay with the way I look. I feel good about what nutrients I give my body and listen when my brain tells me I'm full. It's okay not to eat it all - what's important is to feel satisfied in a way that will keep me satisfied for longer. Education is key and I've been reading articles everyday dealing with healthy eating recipes, tips and tricks. It also doesn't hurt to have others on my side, supporting me in my journey!

The Excitement's Gone... For Now

Growing up sucks.

Remember when you were a little kid and your whole world was the 20 block radius around your house? When your greatest source of stress was wondering if mom cooked canned peas for dinner? The most serious relationship you had was with Luke, the boy who lived around the corner and up the street, and you secretly held hands when nobody was watching? The big report you had due on Friday was about Macaw parrots?

Those were the days...

Time goes by faster now. A week, a month, a year - by the way, where the hell did 2012 go? It's almost Thanksgiving and I don't even remember Saint Patrick's Day (but that might be for different reasons). I've caught myself operating in auto-pilot over and over again. Get up, eat, go to work, come home, eat, go to bed. No part of that is fulfilling. It's boring as hell. And it makes me so effing pissed off.

I always vowed to lead an exciting life. Whether that meant skydiving or making new friends on a weekday, I didn't really care, I just wanted to fill my life with new and different experience as much as possible. Now it seems, all I can afford is to dream. And man, I have some dreams.

I daydream about a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by zombies and how I would escape, who I would take with me, and where I'd set up camp to repopulate the world.

I daydream about the house I want to live in someday, who I want to live with, in a heavily wooded mountainside, living off the land.

I daydream about traveling the world, jumping out of airplanes, eating bizarre foods, sleeping between expensive sheets, meeting important people, climbing huge mountains, and listening to live music.

But all those dreams are just that, dreams.

It's hard to keep my head held high when the things I want seem so far away and unattainable. I know the 80+ hour work week I live doesn't help, and the minimal paycheck helps less, but I know it's all for my dreams. Working hard is hard, but when it pays off, I'll be the happiest person you'll know, because I will be traveling the world, jumping out of planes and eating bizarre foods. I'll sponsor a kids soccer team. I'll buy my mom a vacation to Italy. I'll build my business bigger and better. I'll build that house in the woods.

And life will be exciting again.

Save Our Souls

I read an article in the NY Times today: Cost of Wars a Rising Issue as Obama Weighs Troop Levels

Right off the bat, the article hits upon the topic of most concern to me and I'm guess a whole lot of other American citizens right about now.

How can we justify cutting spending, increasing taxes or raising the debt ceiling when $120 billion is being spent in Afghanistan this year alone?


This is precisely the point I attempted to make via a sloppy, reactionary Twitter feed during the CNN GOP debate in New Hampshire a couple of weeks ago. There's a ton of talk about the struggling economy, the ever fluctuating stock market, the stagnant housing market, the job market, etc. These are the things that are affecting Americans the hardest and most noticeably. Job security is important, but it's not a luxury a lot of Americans enjoy. The cost of living is only going up. Federal cuts to higher education are causing enormous tuition increases across the nation. At the University of Washington, and expected 20% tuition increase is expected to take effect next year. 


We're told money can't buy us happiness. Well, lack of money sure can cause a whole lot of strife.

The American military is doing too much. A country that's suffering economically can't try to revive an entire country that has no economy, infrastructure, or even stable government. We've got to get our troops moving out, get our money back into the U.S. and  figure out how to save our citizens at home before we try to save the world.

The Grand 'Ole Party

Here is the first 30 min. of last nights NH GOP debate:

If you're at all interested in politics and how the 2012 Presidential election could play out, this first GOP debate of many to come was an interesting first look at the field of candidates. Being ideologically liberal, I have very few (if any) opinions that align with the Republican party, but I want to give my reaction to how the candidates dealt with the questions posed. I'll reserve my political opinions for a future post. Information is my fuel, politics a hobby. Here's my reaction to the debate:

I was amused, horrified, confused and annoyed through a majority of the debate. I expected to watch Romney field criticisms from his competitors, Gingrich to spiral into an unimpressive, disappointing mess, and a lot of sucking up to those red blooded, God fearing Americans.

Well, there certainly was sucking up.

However, nobody laid a finger on Romney. Pawlenty even had the opportunity served to him on a silver platter, and he sheepishly refused to explain his "Obamney-care" statements from the weekend prior. Here's what I think happened. Romney is a front-runner. Maybe THE front-runner. He spent his time debating Obama rather than his fellow candidates. He's got that superhero-esque jaw, presidential hairline. He's charismatic.

And apparently perfected the ability to stare his competition into silence.

I'm guessing the other candidates looked at '08, saw that Biden was the only one to not piss off Obama and followed suit for a shot at the ticket. Let's play nice.

Blah, boring.

I was rather appalled at Gingrich drawing a loose comparison of Nazis, Communists and Muslims. I think I get what he was trying to get at, but it really just made him sound like a bigot. Same for you, Mr. Cain and your remark about the "Muslims who are trying to kill us."

Bachmann worked the crowd, garnering annoying applause at every turn. She's like a scarier, more competent version of Sarah Palin. And she successfully announced (twice I believe) her ability to raise more than two dozen children. An extremely important quality I want in my President.

(Does sarcasm translate to text?)

I was basically bored to death every time Pawlenty spoke. I couldn't take Santorum seriously, because there's something about his face that makes me want to punch it.

Ron Paul unleashed his Libertarian, socially liberal views to an unforgiving, stuffy crowd, interested in God, America and God.

Basically, I was entertained until I was outraged.

I've always had a hard time trying on the point of view of a Republican because my views are so different. My Twitter feed from the evening reflects my snarky, bitchy point of view peppered with my political ideals. I'll follow this bunch of GOPers until the election, just so I can know how badly Obama really needs to get re-elected.

Step into the year 2011, Republican candidates. Taxes are good. Gay marriage isn't a government issue. Neither is abortion. Energy security is important. Can't we just all be friends?

Anonymity is Toxic

I've been spending too much time on Twitter, the "dumpster of the internet" I once heard a certain @mr_pancakes put it. And it really does live up to that name, at times.

I use Twitter as an opportunity to share my take on the world through the lens of someone who finds humor in almost anything. I try to be upbeat, light and funny. I'm sure my constant barrage of Tweets gets annoying for some of my followers, but it keeps me entertained. And that's really what it's about, right? Entertainment... right?

I'm going to preface my point by stating that I'm a generally optimistic person. I choose to see the best in people. I tend to always assume everyone's intentions are basically good.

BUT...

Twitter, that impersonal, anonymous beast of social networking, has started to really bother me. People are crazy mean there. They're rude, hateful, ignorant, and looking to pick fights. A part of me is thankful nobody really gives me the time of day on Twitter. I don't really have to worry about "backlash" for anything I post. I tend to keep my opinions about politics and sensitive issues here. And probably for the better.

The anonymity of Twitter is toxic.

The capacity people have to be cruel is amplified when they don't have to be personally responsible for the consequences of their cruelty. Basically, you can be a horrible bastard on Twitter and it really doesn't matter.

Seeing too much of that evil only makes me cynical.

I choose to follow people who are entertaining. I like crude, obnoxious humor. I don't like crude, obnoxious people. There's a difference, people.

Blah, I've been drinking too much Jameson.

Also, I've just discovered Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie is on Netflix Instant. Do yourself a favor and watch that shit now.

#ff @pattonoswalt @Tony_Cala @mr_pancakes @zyoungs108 @DamonLindelof @AlecBaldwin

America's Broken

I was driving home today to look to my left and discover a beloved restaurant in our neighborhood was gone. Rest in peace, La Piazza. I was so sad in the moment. It was a kind of funky little place, with a strange, almost off-putting cast of employees, but the food was amazing. Authentic, rustic Italian.

And now its gone.

This particular story rings especially true for myself. About two years ago, my brother and I received an inheritance. I chose to pay for college, my brother invested his money to open up a business with our step-dad. It was his dream to own and operate a LAN center (a place to play video games), so he started collaborating. A long, drawn out two years later, the guys opened their doors.

It was his dream.

Shortly thereafter, my brother discovered the time and effort that goes into a new business was beyond what he could deal with. He was away from his girlfriend. He was broke and he wasn't making money. So he left. He left our-step dad to deal with the whole thing on his own. At this point, the business was already struggling, and his departure made things worse. Long story short, we're looking for a buyer.

Financially, the business was a bust for all involved. My mom's roped into the mess just as much as the boys. Personally, I find it difficult to remove the emotions I have regarding the business. I should feel lucky though, I have no money tied up in a failing business. I sympathize, but at the same time, feel that familiar, ugly "I-told-you-so" voice in the back of my mind.

Without going too much into the situation (so not worth it anyway), I guess the point I'm trying to make is the economy is tough. This isn't new, you say. True, but for me, the realization about how tough it really is just hit me.

It actually baffles me.

I see so many knowledgable, intelligent, well-grounded people with policy ideas and improvements. But how can radical policy change take place in such a static, unalterable system? No matter the promises politicians make, how can the follow through in a political landscape filled with extreme partisanship?

Cynicism at its finest, front and center.

The first step on the road to change has got to be structural from within. If the system doesn't change, policy won't change. Before structural change is even possible, we must be willing to accept the reality that the way the government has been operating doesn't work. Accept this, and be willing to step into the idea that altering our system may leave us with something fundamentally un-American.

I really appreciated the way Alec Baldwin put it via Twitter:

AlecBaldwin Alec Baldwin 

Raise taxes and certain fees. Trouble is, when we're done, that country may not look like America any more.

23 hours ago Favorite Retweet Reply

AlecBaldwin Alec Baldwin 

We face one great fact, in my opinion. And that is that once we address that debt, cut the necessary spending

23 hours ago 

AlecBaldwin Alec Baldwin 

US debt is $63 trillion, according to today's USA Today. Over half a mill per citizen.

"Trouble is, when we're done, that country may not look like America anymore"

The real fear for Americans lies in a truth that's been ignored by many. We're slipping behind. If you're reading this and you're an American, you've enjoyed living in a country that is globally influential and relevant, a world power. But the world is changing. And it seems to me our remedy is ignorance.

The Fall of the State Park

While browsing the New York Times online, I stumbled across a familiar picture, Deception Pass, a State Park in my fair state of Washington. I was excited to see our beautiful park featured on the Times, but then I began reading the article:

In State Parks, the Sharpest Ax Is the Budget’s

Tillamook State Park, OR

In Washington state, the government has been able to keep our state parks free and open to the public for visit. However in a majority of states across the country, it costs a fee to be able to enter parks. It looks like Washington's state parks have held out as long as they could. Starting July 1st, it'll cost $10 for a daily visit, or $30 for an annual pass. 

Another victim of budget cuts. Blah.

First of all, I despise the phrase budget cuts. Being a student at the University of Washington has made me all the more aware of how reckless government spending, overly beefed-up defense spending, and tax cuts cause suffering to the most important sectors of our country, like higher education.

I suppose in the grand scheme of things, state parks don't have the same clout as higher education. However, state parks are important nonetheless.

In today's world, I really have no idea how many people really make a point to visit state parks. To me, being in nature, removed from the city, cut off from technology, cooking dinner on a fire, sleeping outside, is simplest form of happiness. I know camping isn't what a lot of people consider fun, but I think everyone could benefit from reconnecting with nature once in a while.

Mt. Rainer Nat'l Park, WA

At the risk of sounding like a raging hippie (trust me, I'm not, I just live in Seattle), a no technology allowed camping trip could make the country a happier place. Learn to enjoy nature for what it is, void of the constant stimulation of our computer screens and cell phones. State parks are the perfect catalyst.

Now that Washington state parks are going to charge for entrance, I foresee a greater decline in their usage. That makes me sad.

All I'm saying is, go camping. Support your state parks. I promise, if you give it a chance, you'll leave a happier person.

Here's the article

Should Rep. Weiner Resign?

My turn to weigh in:

I suppose I could use my blog as a way to share my opinions about things that effect other people and not just me. I suppose that'd make sense. Seeing as the biggest headline in the papers probably being printed as I type this will be about Rep. Weiner's admission of guilt surrounding inappropriate online exchanges with women, here's my opinion on the matter.

Admittedly, I knew little about Rep. Weiner before the story broke in late May about a "suggestive" photo sent via Twitter to a college student in Seattle from his account. He's a New York politician. I'm a student in Seattle. The disconnect is clear. However, my opinion is based on the question whether or not he should resign.

In my ideal political machine, the constituency that is represented by a particular politician should have the right to elect said representative and also have the right to "un-elect" him. When I vote, I chose someone who I think will best represent my voice on the political, legislative level. My representatives represent me and what I have to say. Therefore, if a representative's ability to represent are compromised, by say a tabloid scandal or questionable ethics, then I feel I should have the right to voice my opinion on the matter. If enough of my fellow constituents are unhappy, with sufficient evidence, I think a resignation might be in order.

So that would never really happen.

There are far too many flaws with pulling this off and basically every politician would be in question just because of the ugly nature of partisanship.

So in the real world, should Rep. Weiner resign?

No.

It's an unfortunate fact that public figures' private lives are often put on trial rather than their ability to do their actual job. What Rep. Weiner did was a completely private (perhaps inappropriate) matter. His having had online relationships with other women clearly did not effect his ability to carry out the responsibilities of representing his constituency, he was an up and comer, a favorite for a future New York mayoral bid. He's a completely capable, if not brilliant politician.

But, ugly tabloid attention, rampant internet rumors and countless jokes made at his expense could (and probably have) profoundly marred his confidence, fearlessness, and drive to do what he was elected to do.

I don't agree with his private actions, but who am I to judge someone I don't privately know?

I sympathize with his situation. You see these things over an over again, with the media the way it is, the instant movement of information from one side of the globe to the other. It makes it practically impossible to have a private life, no matter who you are.

Privacy is a commodity of the past, we all live in public.

In the end, I don't see a necessarily bright future for Rep. Weiner. The flak he's bound to receive from Republicans and Democrats alike will undoubtedly be his downfall. He's good at what he does and it's a shame that a "sex scandal" has undoubtedly destroyed his once promising career.

A Remote Viewer

Another night where sleep eludes me.

I've been thinking about the future a lot these days. And by a lot I mean about every waking moment I'm not stuck inside some TV show or making small talk at work. Maybe because most of my friends are graduating in a few short days. Maybe it's because of the spectacular fizzle of my family's new business. Maybe it's because of the miserable state I can't help but to view the world in.

Maybe it's a lack of sleep.

Whatever it is, I've found myself more than preoccupied with thinking about what to do rather than doing the things that are most important right now. I'm not just talking about term papers and homework, but things like keeping alive my social relationships, having meaningful conversation, making human connection. Human to human contact is what makes me tick, and I've been glued to this computer screen for far too long. It doesn't help that my Blackberry allows for a constant wired connection, plugged into social networking, the New York Times, and email every moment of my day.

It seems self-centered.

Preoccupied with my stuff, all day, every day. I might be missing out on the world.

Account Disabled?

Finally, after a tense 72 hours, my blog was lifted of its suspension.

On Friday, I decided to delete an old Blogger account that contained a few blogs I write, including this one. I wanted to transfer them to my Google account associated with my gmail account, thereby making it easier for me to access on a day to day basis (hopefully making me more inclined to actually write). After exporting my blogs to my computer for future upload, I deleted my old account. From there, I uploaded my blogs to my new Blogger account, and boom! I received the timely and friendly message that my account had been "disabled, suspended or deleted."

SUCK IT!

I spent way too much time trying to figure out what the issue was. Funny, I go through these long, drawn out spells of not posting, but as soon as I'm actually unable to post, I have a hundred and a half things to write about. I wrote Google in excess in order to rectify the issue. Days went by. No response from Google, though I suppose I wasn't really expecting a response since they tell you they won't. But finally, just a few short moments ago, I attempt once again to access my dashboard, tears of frustration collecting in the corners of my eyes, and presto!

Access granted.

Welp, I did some digging and it looks like the actual reason my account was disabled is due to the spam algorithms Google runs in order to find spam blogs (is that what they're called?). I've been using Blogger as a host for my recent experiment in podcasting. This involves me linking my posts to another site that hosts the audio file. Apparently, Google's algorithms detect for blogs that link to one address as a hallmark of spamming.

Lesson learned, Google.

Looks like now I can finally get this sudden urge to write out of my system and these words out of my head. Apologies for any readers who are lost at my sudden movement to a different URL. Hopefully you'll find me once again.

Five Months?

Howdy.

As usual a cool, what, five months have passes? Well, whatever it is, it's been a while. I've imported my previous blog to a new email address for my sake. I had this blog under a different email address other than my gmail account. Now everything is where it belongs. I'm hoping the move will help keep me more on the ball about writing. Lostophile's blogs put mine to shame.

Anywho, long story short, I'm gonna start writing again. We're in the final days of Spring quarter at the U, so I'm guessing the Summer will bring ample writing time.

Oh, and I just had the realization that I lost my entire list of Dave songs on my last computer. Most people who are gonna read this probably didn't know my last Mac (may she rest in peace) died of drowning. But now that I've got my shiny new Mac up and running, the words are flowing freely. I'll probably just stop my Dave posts and start writing about whatever comes from my tiny little brain.

Thanks, and don't forget to follow me.

Apologies

I took a brief, unexpected hiatus from posting my favorite Dave Matthews solos due to an increase in work load from school and upcoming midterms. And it was my birthday on Friday. I'm still here, still alive, (feeling old), and intending to resume daily posts on Monday, starting with number five from my top 10.

A side note: I have enjoyed creating lists for the music of my favorite band so much and it has given me a direction to take my blog, that intend to carry on creating favorites lists. My next project will probably entail favorite 30 Rock moments or episodes. This will be my project for the spring.

6. Baby Blue

This is one of the newest songs to make it onto my list of favorites. "Baby Blue" is almost always played as part of an encore featuring Dave solo on a beautifully crafted Veillette Gryhon painted red. This song is as emotional live as it is on the album Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King. The sweet, sad lyrics are beautifully sung, the guitar simply strummed, and when played live, the crowd goes silent to hear the gorgeous song.

Title: Baby Blue
Album: Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King
Show Stats: Fully played 44 times, 1 tease
Why I Love It: When Dave is featured solo at a DMB concert, nothing really makes me happier. He sings this song with so much emotion, you can practically hear the hurt and sadness in his voice. I can't help but shed a tear each time I hear it. The way he plays this song reminds me a bit of the simplicity of other solo songs he's written like "Some Devil" and even "Little Thing."
Memories: Two big moments stick out in my mind about this song. The first time I heard this song was after buying the album Big Whiskey and the Groogrux King in the summer of 2009. I had the CD in my car for at least 3 months and that was a song that played at least twice every time I'd get into the car. The first time I heard it, I literally started weeping and the beauty and emotion of the song. At the Gorge in 2010 Dave played "Baby Blue" as part of the encore. I wasn't expecting to hear it and was more than overjoyed when I heard it. I remember thinking, "I wish Joey was here to hear this!" Joey is a former roommate of mine and we both have a particular love for this song. After Dave finished his particularly emotional rendition, he said "That was for my love, Ashley." I loved it more than words can describe.
Favorite Lyric: Confess your kiss/ Still knocks me off my legs/ First time I saw you/ Was like a punch right through my chest/ I will forever/ Because you'll forever be/ My one true broken heart/ Pieces inside of me/ And you forever my baby

7. Dodo

This song is a rarity to hear live. Almost exclusively played in the winter (almost), Dave has only played "Dodo" a handful of times, a majority after the release of his solo album, Some Devil. In fact, Dave hadn't played "Dodo" live for two years until the December 6, 2010 performance at McCaw Hall in Seattle. This song is almost always played mid set, with the two exceptions where the song was played as a set opener. This song is the lead track on Some Devil and has been a favorite of mine for many, many years.

Title: Dodo
Album: Some Devil
Show Stats: Fully played 25 times
Why I Love It: I have always viewed this song as an important piece of music with a real message. The lyrics speak of man's ignorance in the face of reality and science and how stubborn we are as a humanity. At the same time, the song could be about perception and how sometimes how we perceive things is does not always reflect reality. Beside the lyrics that I fell in love with immediately, the studio track has so many musical elements I love and are seldom heard in songs with Dave on vocals. I have a weak spot in my heart for tambourine which is used in excess, much to my delight. The vocals take on a sort of lazy, delicateness that seems perfectly fitting for the content of the song.
Memories: By far, the most exciting time I heard this song was after it's two year hiatus from touring when it was played at McCaw Hall in Seattle this past December. After the show, the four of us who had gone to the show were dumbfounded and shocked that we got to hear Dave and Tim (not Time, thanks Zach) play "Dodo" live! It was a song that I only dreamed of hearing, but had always written off as an improbability. I was excited to get to check this song off my list of stuff I've heard live.
Favorite Lyric: So I wonder this as life billows smoke inside my head/ This little game where nothing is sure, oh/ Why would you play by the rules?

8. Christmas Song

Lately, Dave has been preempting this song as having no religious connotation, just that it's a story. This song has been around since the beginning and was a solo feature early on after the release of Remember Two Things. This song usually makes appearances at shows just before the holiday season. Some years after the turn of the millennium have been without a single performance of the song, though it's seen a bit of a resurgence of play in the latter half of 2010. Liver performances usually have the accompaniment of Carter on the drums. The track recorded in the Everyday sessions for the Platinum Christmas album features Carter on vocals as well. The first known performance of this song was debuted as "Blood Of Our Children." Dave likes to play this song as either a set closer or more commonly as a part of the encore.

Title: Christmas Song
Album: Remember Two Things
Show Stats: Fully played 171 times, 1 partial, 1 tease
Why I Love It: Even though I'm not a Christian, there's plenty to love about this song. The song itself is about Jesus Christ. They lyrics probably don't resonate with me as much as others, but it's the intoxicating way Dave sings the lyrics that make me love it so much. The lick on the guitar is quite simple and gives the quiet song a syncopated, bouncy feel without a rushed feel. I also really love how Dave has been introducing this song as of late as not a religious song, but as just a story. Growing up (and sometimes still), I was turned off by anything with religious connotation. This song challenges how I can listen to material clearly about religion and still enjoy and respect it for what it is. And even if I don't personally resonate with the lyrics, there is still a beauty to the lyrics I can't deny.
Memories: Even though this song has been around forever, I never paid attention to it until my roommate started obsessing over it. She likes to play songs she loves over and over and over again (usually until I can't stand it anymore), but this song started to stick in my head. Then when we traveled to Charlottesville in 2010, Dave played the song and I got to hear it live. It gave me goosebumps hearing everyone in the crowd singing along with such passion and gusto. I heard the song again at a Dave and Tim show in Seattle December 2010.
Favorite Lyric: So the story goes, so I'm told/ The people he knew were less than golden hearted/ Gamblers and robbers/ Drinkers and jokers, all soul searchers/ Like you and me

9. Little Red Bird

At the Gorge in 2010, Dave introduced it as a "song about a one legged bird." "Little Red Bird" was released on the bonus disc for Big Whiskey and the Googrux King, but made it's live debut in December of 2009 at a Dave and Tim show in Las Vegas. They played it again on the third night, and was released on the Dave and Tim album Live in Las Vegas. The first time Dave played the song solo at a full band performance was on June 25, 2010 at Cuyahoga Falls and he introduces the song:

"I was visiting, a few years ago with a friend of mine, I was visiting these little tiny islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean and there was this little, little bird and it had just one leg. But it would come and bounce around underneath the chair, and so you knew it was that bird 'cause I'm sure there's just not a bunch of tiny little red birds with one leg. So then I wrote this song over there a couple years ago or something like that."

Title: Little Red Bird
Album: Misc. Release (see notes above)
Show Stats: Fully played 9 times
Why I Love It: This song is short and sweet. The guitar is simple and beautifully picked and strummed. Dave sings the song in falsetto, which he pulls off with a delicate finesse that gives the song such a sweet tone. His inspiration for the song, so he says, is adorable, yet the message of the song is deep and thoughtful. Being a new song (debuting in late 2009), I'm excited to see this song flourish and hopefully emerge as a crowd favorite.
Memories: I first heard this song after purchasing the Dave and Tim album Live in Las Vegas, but the song didn't catch my attention until I heard it at the Gorge in 2010. It was a change in pace, slow, unknown to a majority of the crowd, but so, so beautiful, almost nobody was speaking, just listening. From that moment on, I knew I'd love this song for it's simplistic, beautiful melody.
Favorite Lyric: A comfort to count the battles won after the war is lost

10. Little Thing

This song is quite an interesting piece. There is a lovely story Dave likes to tell as the introduction into his solo. It's all about his encounter with a women in New York he found particularly attractive. The song that follows are his thoughts about that woman and what he wished he said to her. Interestingly, this song evolved into the Some Devil release named "An' Another Thing," though I prefer the live releases titled "Little Thing."

Title: Little Thing
Album: None (live release)
Show Stats: Fully played 65 times, 2 partials, 1 reprise, 27 teases
Why I Love It: The song is so honest. Few people in the world would bear their soul to millions of people a fantasy about someone they had but a passing encounter. The spoken story as an introduction lets us know that Dave is telling us something about himself that is important to him. The guitar is simple, with complicated strum patterns, letting Dave add beautiful flourishes and falsetto to his vocal performance.
Memories: I've never heard this song live, seeing as it wasn't played at all in 2010 and only 16 times since 1997. However, I did stumble across this song after listening to Live Trax Volume 4 and I recall immediately being drawn into the story Dave tells in this song. I couldn't quite put my finger on why it sounded so familiar until my roommate pointed out it eventually evolved into "An' Another Thing." To date, my favorite version is on LT Vol. 4, a performance recorded on April 30, 1996, near the first time the song was ever played.
Favorite Lyric: Her voice oh it echoes, echoes/ Echoes through my head/ And I hope she returns while I wait hour after hour/ For her to come along and see me again

Note: the version of this song in the video is not the version I selected my favorite lyrics from

Dave Matthews Solos

The next list to be revealed is my Top 10 Favorite Dave Solos. When I was making a list of my favorite DMB songs, I realized I couldn't come to bring myself to separate songs Dave plays (or tends to play) solo from songs the whole band plays. The result, a separate top 10 list. Some of the songs on this list are played solo by Dave, some Dave and Tim and some of them are played by the whole band, but were included on this list if I prefer them played solo. Each post will include:

Title
Song Category (What album it's from or if it's a live release)
Show Stats (How often has it been played)
Why I Love It
Memories
Favorite Lyric(s)

As with the covers, I will do my best to find a video of the song to share at the bottom of each post. Monday will kick off the beginning of the Dave Matthews Solos Top 10.

My Favorite DMB Covers - The List

Here's the list in its entirety for easy viewing:

1. All Along The Watchtower (Bob Dylan)
2. Down By The River (Neil Young)
3. Rye Whiskey (Tex Ritter)
4. Still Water (Daniel Lanois)
5. The Maker (Daniel Lanois)

Honorable Mention: Long Black Veil (Lefty Frizzell)