Muzak Man

"Today is the greatest day I ever known..." Smashing Pumpkins, "Today"

OK, Today isn't actually the greatest day ever or anything, but that line went through my head just now, so I thought it would be a good start. It helps to keep music in my head, because the music blaring above my head is pretty damn terrible.

Here in the Customer Contact Center at Highlights, we have oldies "muzak" playing constantly. I am happy to hear that as opposed to nothing, but come on. For every number by the Monkees (yes, I'm a fan, so sue me), Beatles, or Beach Boys, there is complete nonsense from people I cannot identify but who's work I have to hear several times a week. Couple that with various people singing along, and it's all I can do but run far away from this building screaming. Like I mentioned yesterday, I will try anything from the music world once. However, if I don't like something (and am forced to listen), please don't compound the problem by making me listen to you.

What I wouldn't give for just one hour of The Blitz (99.7 on your FM dial here in Columbus, hard rock), CD101 (101.1 FM, lighter alternative rock) , or RadioU (88.7 FM, Christian station that plays mostly hard rock with some other genres thrown in). Then I could sing, preferably to the dulcit tones of Korn's "Word Up" (excellent!) or Green Day's "American Idiot" (preach on, brother Billy Joe!).

For now, however, I must resume work under muzak-al conditions.

Pray for me...

Opening Ceremonies

Hello. I am Sam. I live in Columbus, Ohio. Welcome to my blog.

Man, that opening sucks. I don't much care, because no one will read this, most likely. Well, except for the one or two humans that actually enjoy reading things that most resemble a train wreck on the side of the road. I haven't blogged before, so I will suck at it for a while. Hopefully, for those of you who actually read this drivel, I will be able to dazzle you with my less-than-rapier wit, and stun you with my less-than-fantastic imagery. Otherwise, I will pray for your immortal soul, because this will suck badly if I can't develop talent.

Anyway, I have started a blog. I need a release for all of the completely random shit that travels through my brain each day. I will cover anything and everything that comes to mind. Some days, I will cover nothing. There will probably be no discernable pattern to this, hence the name and URL.

Here's a bit of background about me. I am married (no kids, have dog) and living in Columbus, Ohio, although I grew up in Bridgeport, Alabama. I work in Customer Service for Highlights for Children (yes, the kid's magazine). I am a black belt in Shito-Ryu Karate. I play video games (Xbox) and Magic: The Gathering. I love music, preferably hard rock and punk, but I'll listen to anything once. I am also a sports junkie. I love the University of Alabama in college sports, the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL, the Atlanta Braves in MLB, the Chicago Bulls in the NBA, and the Columbus Crew in MLS. Any or all of these topics are fair game, so I may praise the Falcons, bitch about the last Magic tournament I attended, or tell you my opinion of the new Xbox game I just bought.

That's it for now.

Later...