It was raining on my way back home from work tonight. Earlier, I updated my iPod with a “Slow Song” playlist that included the Sade song “Ordinary Love”. As the introductory bass groove kicked in, I found myself on a mental rewind, taking me back to Denver Colorado in 2000. I had just picked up my girlfriend from the airport & had to stop by work for an important meeting. It was at this meeting where I found out the company I was working for was going under. I was crushed. I was making great money, loved my job, & had my mind set on building a life for my girlfriend and I. Ahhh…to be 21!
After the meeting, my co-workers and I decided to go to the sports bar across the street. It was 10:30 am, but it was open for business. The interior was as gloomy as our job prospects, but it had plenty of pool tables. It was probably the last place on earth my girlfriend thought we would be, but she empathized with my situation. Suddenly, I hear a slow dark bass groove coming over the sound system. I listened with intrigue. Especially when a sultry-sounding woman’s voice kicked in over the bass groove. I fell in love with the song by the time the chorus. I ran to the jukebox to check out what was playing. It was Sade’s “Ordinary Love”. At that moment, there couldn�t have been a more appropriate song to describe the way I felt.
The next song that came up on the iPod was “Closer to Mercury” by Wheat. It made me think about Lisa. Then “Stroker Ace” played. I thought of Jessica. It’s kind of weird that certain songs, when all of the mental and environmental elements come together, trigger thoughts from the past.
I even thought about a woman named Elise who I met in San Francisco. I wonder what happened to her. One of my favorite songs used to be “Letter to Elise” by the Cure. I remember how crazy it was to actually meet a woman named Elise. She was super hot & had a twin sister. I tried to look her up on Myspace, but no luck. It’s funny how I remember so much random stuff.
Lots of other cool stuff has happened lately, like becoming an ordained minister, which I will be performing the marriage of my bartender and her fiance this fall, Not to mention the restaurant is going very well. In fact, we recently celebrated our one year anniversary. My hair is as long as it has been in 10 years. I was recently invited to my 10 year high school reunion, although I dropped out of school and went to college early.
Yes, lots of things to catch you people up on…but for now, its just music. Slow songs let me reflect on the past, and that is soothing. Check out the new Modest Mouse & Kings of Leon CDs. Best discs of 2007 so far. New Maroon 5 and Wilco discs disappointments.