For those new to this blog, well, first and foremost, welcome to my blog! I've been writing about trying to live my life as though I'd already won the lottery. After that initial wave of consumerism, and probably travel, a lot of it really would be attitude.
And one thing I'm trying to do is focus more on actual "experiences" rather than just the tangibles. Now, if I really had untold millions, those experiences might be a little grander than what I can do right now, but I really don't think that would become the pattern. There might be the occasional one, but most would be things I could do right now.
I'd go to the beach more, that's for sure. I'm lucky enough to live close to the Pacific, close enough that, on a clear day, I can look out my kitchen window and see a thin line of ocean on the horizon.
Or I can hop in the car and in about half an hour, depending on traffic, have a view like this.
And one thing I'm trying to do is focus more on actual "experiences" rather than just the tangibles. Now, if I really had untold millions, those experiences might be a little grander than what I can do right now, but I really don't think that would become the pattern. There might be the occasional one, but most would be things I could do right now.
I'd go to the beach more, that's for sure. I'm lucky enough to live close to the Pacific, close enough that, on a clear day, I can look out my kitchen window and see a thin line of ocean on the horizon.
Or I can hop in the car and in about half an hour, depending on traffic, have a view like this.
There's something about the ocean that just soothes my soul. And I'm pretty sure, even if I had an insane amount of money, my soul would still, upon occasion, need soothing.
Of course, with that kind of money, I would probably find somewhere to live so I always had that view, but for now, I can achieve a very similar effect by just taking the time to go there. Oh, and gas.
I can also achieve that by going to visit my son at college. Don't hate me, or him, for this, but here's the view from his dorm.
Of course, with that kind of money, I would probably find somewhere to live so I always had that view, but for now, I can achieve a very similar effect by just taking the time to go there. Oh, and gas.
I can also achieve that by going to visit my son at college. Don't hate me, or him, for this, but here's the view from his dorm.
Awful, isn't it? Here's the view from MY dorm a million years ago.
Yeah, my view was of another dorm. Looks like they cleaned up the splotches from paint balloons. I understand sometimes, people in one dorm would throw those at the other dorm, creating art. University officials frowned on that, and I certainly don't endorse that kind of behavior.
So, my son has a better view and I'd go to the beach more. I think that was the point.
I'd also go to more concerts. I love music, and there's something truly amazing about going to see a favorite singer or band perform live. This wouldn't be free, but it would be a better use of money, rather than spending it on one more thing I'd need to find space for. Do I really need another chunk of brick-a-brac? I know the answer that is "no" right now. I can only imagine that it would be an even more resounding "no" after a huge windfall.
I used to go to concerts often. And the memories of those are so much more precious than anything I'd put on a shelf or stand in a corner (waiting to be covered in clothes).
My first real concert was the Kinks back in the early '80's. And I can still vividly remember how cool it was to sing "La-la-la-la-Lola" with Ray Davies and thousands of my closest friends. I remember how I was nearly brought to tears when I finally got to see Paul McCartney, and was blown away by all the lighters that came out, as we all sang "Let It Be".
By the way, if you listen closely, that version of "Let It Be" was recorded and showed up on his live album "Tripping The Live Fantastic". So I got to be on one of Sir Paul's albums! Uncredited, of course, but still pretty cool!
I never got to see Elvis or Frank Sinatra, but I did get to see Ray Charles once. And I've seen B. B. King. And the Who. And the Stones. And Bruce Springsteen. I've been to lots of shows, from ABC to ZZ Top.
So, my son has a better view and I'd go to the beach more. I think that was the point.
I'd also go to more concerts. I love music, and there's something truly amazing about going to see a favorite singer or band perform live. This wouldn't be free, but it would be a better use of money, rather than spending it on one more thing I'd need to find space for. Do I really need another chunk of brick-a-brac? I know the answer that is "no" right now. I can only imagine that it would be an even more resounding "no" after a huge windfall.
I used to go to concerts often. And the memories of those are so much more precious than anything I'd put on a shelf or stand in a corner (waiting to be covered in clothes).
My first real concert was the Kinks back in the early '80's. And I can still vividly remember how cool it was to sing "La-la-la-la-Lola" with Ray Davies and thousands of my closest friends. I remember how I was nearly brought to tears when I finally got to see Paul McCartney, and was blown away by all the lighters that came out, as we all sang "Let It Be".
By the way, if you listen closely, that version of "Let It Be" was recorded and showed up on his live album "Tripping The Live Fantastic". So I got to be on one of Sir Paul's albums! Uncredited, of course, but still pretty cool!
I never got to see Elvis or Frank Sinatra, but I did get to see Ray Charles once. And I've seen B. B. King. And the Who. And the Stones. And Bruce Springsteen. I've been to lots of shows, from ABC to ZZ Top.
These aren't really my ticket stubs, but I thought the image was pretty neat.
Along with the great memories of the show, I love the anticipation leading up to the concert. I hope they play this. I hope they play that. I love the excitement of getting to see them live and in person, even if I'm in nosebleed seats. I love leaping to my feet when they play that one song that I've been waiting for.
Then we all sit down when they play that slow, new song that no one knows, yet.
Along with the great memories of the show, I love the anticipation leading up to the concert. I hope they play this. I hope they play that. I love the excitement of getting to see them live and in person, even if I'm in nosebleed seats. I love leaping to my feet when they play that one song that I've been waiting for.
Then we all sit down when they play that slow, new song that no one knows, yet.
At least, that's how it used to be. Now it's more like this.
But I look forward to going to more shows, and taking along my smartphone with the concert lighter app.
And with all that in mind, today's playlist is a Live set I made, consisting of all concert performances. I believe this is my biggest total playlist to date, which makes sense since it covers all artists and genres. This is what got me through my last workout (and it's long not just because the songs are all live, but also because I kept listening all the way home)...
Yes "Roundabout"
Billy Squier "Everybody Wants You"
Traffic "Dear Mr. Fantasy"
The Black Crowes "Remedy"
Billy Joel "Baby Grand"
Jimmy Buffett "Fins"
The Hollies "On A Carousel"
Chuck Berry "Johnny B. Goode"
The Rolling Stones "Sympathy For The Devil"
Asia "Heat Of The Moment"
And with all that in mind, today's playlist is a Live set I made, consisting of all concert performances. I believe this is my biggest total playlist to date, which makes sense since it covers all artists and genres. This is what got me through my last workout (and it's long not just because the songs are all live, but also because I kept listening all the way home)...
Yes "Roundabout"
Billy Squier "Everybody Wants You"
Traffic "Dear Mr. Fantasy"
The Black Crowes "Remedy"
Billy Joel "Baby Grand"
Jimmy Buffett "Fins"
The Hollies "On A Carousel"
Chuck Berry "Johnny B. Goode"
The Rolling Stones "Sympathy For The Devil"
Asia "Heat Of The Moment"
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