Getting back into music

Jul 2, 2006 | blog

I’m easing my way back…  For quite awhile I’ve really shied away from listening to tunes while I work, don’t really know why.  One thing I do know is that I’ve been really turned off by the quality and variety of music available in the last decade.  I’m not a fan of the current trend of pop music for sure, and I’ve not really spent enough time to dig into other genres of available music, so I’ve really not found anything new for a long time.

The last week or so as I’ve worked on some of my personal projects, I’ve been listening to the archive of music I do have.  After all, being a true geek I’ve got everything I’ve ever owned ripped into lossless WMA (a Microsoft geek no less) 🙂 and set up to stream through the Internet via Orb.  Its been a nice walk down nostalgia lane – all my favorites!

What I need is to find some new sources, and my initial question is – is that possible?  I mean, I’ve not heard anything really good on the radio, I haven’t talked with friends about music much – or coworkers either.  Mainly, I just feel out of touch on the subject – growing up in the late 70’s and 80’s that is where my music tastes were formed.

Artists like Van Halen, The Rolling Stones, Journey, Springsteen, Boston, U2, Rush, Aerosmith, Duran Duran, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bon Jovi, AC/DC, Allman Brothers, Cinderella, Dire Straits, The Eagles, Tom Petty, Foreigner, Guns ‘N Roses, Motley Crue, ZZ Top, Poison, The Police, Men At Work, The Wallflowers, The Beatles, Tesla, Damn Yankees have really formed my preferences.

At any rate, I’ve been cueing up the tunes while I write posts and design sites.  Not sure if its distracting or if its helping me focus.  I’m enjoying it though.  So what am I listening to at the moment?  Journey’s “Any Way You Want It” just started… Ah…  Many memories from this one – too cool.  Suggestions?

Some people will never understand blogs

Jun 30, 2006 | blog

I was convinced of that today during a meeting at work. I’ve been planting the blogging seeds at work for several months, with some success at the IT management level, but was reminded quite aggressively by a coworker that some people have a real hard time with something new.

To some people, change brings disruption, uncertainty, fear, and anger. Obviously they don’t understand what a blog is for or what it can be utilized for. The reaction I experienced today has made me certain that there are some people that you simply can’t reach. Their ability to grasp new concepts and really understand the significance of the difference from existing ideas is a wall blocking their ability to learn new skills.

The amazing thing to me is that intelligent people actually fear things. Rather than take a minute or two and actually listen to a quick explanation or demonstration, they simply make knee-jerk assumption and move on, not knowing what they missed.

Oh well, more opportunity for me!

UPDATE: If anyone is interested in a tactic to address some of the things I’ve talked about here – check out Ann Michael’s post The Change Resistors: Snipers on her Manage To Change blog.  There are some great tips on dealing with individuals who enjoy shooting down ideas simply because of lack of understanding.

Through the wringer

Jun 30, 2006 | blog

This week was the week from hell.  It just seemed like everyone was overworked, overtired, overstressed, and trying not to let it get to them too much.  Maybe its the run-up to one of the biggest holiday weekends of the year, but work just seemed not to let up all week.

Ugh, glad to be out of the office and away from everyone for awhile – I think everyone needs it.

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