answering that question

I really dislike the small talk question, "So, what kind of music do you like?" Besides that it is always exactly how the question is framed, this question makes me nervous.

I don't understand the motive behind this question, besides the obvious to-get-to-know-you motive. As less than average music enthusiast, I don't really know where to take you in answering this question. It's a dead-end for me.

Do I just list off a few people? I'm not into music, so I already know I can't take you there. If I quickly answer and turn the question around, then again it won't be helpful because I can't parry when you answer with something that would spark a conversation with a music enthusiast.

I used to say I really liked Sarah Brightman but then I either got "who's that?", or was mocked. I don't care. Sarah Brightman is awesome.

I also don't know the rules for describing "the music you like". Do you list genre, band, album? Singer? (I also have issues with calling singers, "artists", but I'll hold back). And are you allowed to list people everyone likes, like the Beatles?

Personally, I think this is a boring question. But I know this is just because I'm not a music person. So if we're conversing to get to know each other, there's that.

I've been trying to work out a decent answer for next time this comes around. Since I don't live in the music world (I'm more of a talk radio, podcast kind of girl), I need to think. Usually, I just say whoever comes to my head that doesn't sound ridiculous, you know, like saying you used to love Steve Green.

I probably should memorize to aid in my interpersonal exchanges.

Sarah Brightman
Mumford and Sons
Sondre Lerch
Abba (Mamma Mia)
Jacob Simmons
Andrew Peterson
Fernando Ortega
Journey
Regina Spektor
Soundtracks
The Beatles
Sara Evans
Death Cab for Cutie, that one song

But just because I say I like any of these people does know mean I know the band member's names, all of their songs, or any of the lyrics.

a unifying theme

I am reading this book.

In one of those pre-chapter vignettes by way of introduction there is a short story. Someone tells the author that he is having difficulty figuring out what the unifying theme of his work is. After a bit of discussion, and after a few people have contributed what they think the unifying theme may be, someone else pipes up.
“How old are you, young man? Late twenties?" He turns to the others. "Fellows, he’s young. Why does he need a unifying theme?”

That is how I feel. I don’t have a unifying theme. Not for this present blog. Not for my life’s direction. Sorry.

Neither a vegan, a baker, nor mom-photographer I be.

I thought a lot of self-discovery was meant to be hammered out in adolescence, and we’d all know what we “want to be” by the time we are fifteen, but I am still working through it. Okay, I only know a few people who are convincedly doing what they think they are meant to be doing. But hey, the school system has to present us with some sort of model and motivation.

Besides the over-arching purpose for my life, I don’t have a clue about things. Sometimes I don’t know what my talents and gifts are. I am not even sure what tell people over small talk when they ask about my hobbies and interests. What am I interested in???

“Is it [the blog] informational? Is it girly? Is it deep? Is it funny?” I don’t know. “What does it all mean?” I don’t know. For heavens sake, I hope it's not cliche. Whatever. I am sure it’s not all for naught.

My best thoughts and revelations seem to come out of several related conversations and situations and information that at some point converges at an intersection of some new understanding. So this is a good thing. To keep at it anyhow.

To draw the analogy together, I am hoping that as I forge ahead with this blog and with my life that at some point some unifying theme will similarly emerge. Until then, I am having fun anyway.

The book, by the way, is Freakonomics.

at the present...

thinking seriously: contemplating what I've committed to for a year

waiting with anticipation: waiting to go get my dad at the airport when he calls to say he's landed

quietly excited: can't wait to finally get to England

reminiscing: this might be my last stay down at the house in the country. Thanks again for everything, MB.

life is funny.

just me.

It's just me.

Things are different, though.

Assuming I get my diploma mailed to me, I am a B.A. now. I don't like thinking about it as "the past four years have culminated, bringing you to this point... graduation!"

It's not like that for me. It wasn't all for an end. Barely a means to an end. Just part of a larger thing- my life.

But things are different. Change is here. In two short weeks, I will have to have my belongings packed and will move out of the cozy flat where I've hung my keys for the past three years. Let's not even talk about the four girls I will have to cease living with.

I don't feel any different. But I'm forced onto "the next stage of life". I'm pretty excited about it, don't get me wrong. But this time is over, and it was a good time.