Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Just a thought...

Isn't it amazing how quickly a mood can swing? And it can take the smallest little thing...too bad so many of us fail to notice those small things on a regular basis - I know I'm guilty of letting them pass far too often.

Today for example...a typical Wednesday of late...the boys are bouncing off the walls, arguing with one another over which Geo-Track train they want a turn with, what cushion of the sofa they want to sit on, what channel they are going to watch on TV, what crayon they are going to use...the basic stuff that keeps parents on the verge of spontaneously combusting regularly...anyhow, the mayhem in the Stone house is at a fever pitch, I'm trying to shave quickly after my 5 minute shower so I can get them out of the house...and my nerves are - as they have been a lot of late - SHOT.

My voice is raised and tense, the boys know I'm not too happy - threats of taking away the Wii, Thomas the Train, the TV, etc., are being heaved from my pie-hole at a break-neck speed, to the point of me speaking in tongues.

I shuffle them out of the house only to notice that Gabriel, who is wearing black swoosh pants, is covered in hair from Maggie, our 7-year-old Golden Retriever.

The little things that you aren't supposed to sweat have me perspiring like a fat kid chasing cake...the kids are corralled into the Jetta, and then it happens...

I hit play on my iPod, and it's tuned up to a live version of Dave Matthews Band performing "Funny The Way It Is". Whether you like Dave or not, it's an incredible song, lyrically and musically. The opening strands lifted the weight, and by the time the lyrics "The evening comes and we’re hanging out, On the front step and a car rolls by with the windows rolled down, And that War song is playing, 'why can’t we be friends?'" blast through the speakers, the Stone boys are bopping our heads, singing and/or humming along, without a care in the world...except for the groove. Mikey is jamming on air guitar, Gabriel is pretending to drum, I'm "singing"...it was a good moment.

Life throws stresses at us every minute of every day. Life's all about finding the things that can balance it. I know, some who read this will tell me I need to practice what I write about - and you are correct. It is much easier said than done, and I am envious of the people who are able to hold it together all the time.

I think the first step is finding out what can help balance things. What's the passion that can melt away the stresses? That's the question you have to ask yourself.

For me, its good music, gatherings with good friends, and having an ice cold beer. It's quite simple, actually. And when the three are mixed and combined into a blissful euphoric moment, all is right in the world.

That's all I got at the moment.

I do have to say, any DMB fans should check out their live album that came out yesterday - Dave Matthews Band - Europe (2009). 23 songs, including the aforementioned live version of "Funny The Way It Is", and EPIC 21 minute version of "#41" (which will ALWAYS remind me of someone special), and other classics...peppered with stuff from 2009's Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.

And if you get a chance, check out this live version of "Time Bomb"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RudMFITXTD4

It's absolutely amazing.

See y'all on the flip side. Until then, stay classy, Beatdowners.

1 comment:

  1. We are big fans of the car-band in my household too. Big fun.

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