The Soundtrack of Our Lives

I do not profess to be some sort of music expert, but I know what I do and don’t like. My ten thousand song music library is filled with a variety of bands encompassing a variety of genres. Some of the music is glorious. Others, I simply lack the heart to delete. I tell people I will give anything one listen and anything good multiple listens. My ears generally find pop punk music most favorable, but I also have a fondness towards peaceful indie/folk rock (think I’m Wide Awake, It’s Morning by Bright Eyes) as well as select music from the 1980s. In general, I do not like to listen to rap or country, but I am not completely closed off to either genre.

Since 2000, I have had the hobby of making “Mix CDs” of various songs for play in my stereo (when I had one) or in my car (after I got my license). I burn the CDs, give them a name, and label the date on them. My first few CDs were part of “The Favorites of Jakob Duehr” series. After that, I became less creative and labeled them by season (i.e. Spring 2k4) until I started the two current series: “Stand Up and Rock” and “The Pursuit of Peace”. I am up to the sixth edition of the “Stand Up and Rock” series and to the third addition of “The Pursuit of Peace”.

Recently I decided to look at these old CDs and create playlist equivalents on my computer. It amazes me how closely these songs and these albums are tied to memories. As I was creating these playlists, I felt like I was going through a journey through my adolescent and early adult years, rejoicing in my triumphs and experiencing pain once more. Just hearing those sounds brought me to places I wish I could visit again as well as places that I hope never to return.

Without going into details, this month has been a challenge and one that in time I will look back upon with great joy that it has passed. However, this month I have had the pleasure of hearing one of the greatest albums of the year and certainly one that has served as the soundtrack for my present situation. It’s by a band you probably haven’t heard of yet (unless I’ve hounded you to listen to them). Only Every Time by The Graduate is a tale of failure, perseverance and resiliency wrapped up on some of the most pleasurable notes and poignant lyrics that you will ever find. Please check it out.

I know this isn’t like a lot of my other blogs, but I am not a one dimensional person. I know your musical tastes may vary from mine, and that is fine and dandy. I’m just giving you, my loyal reader, a deeper glimpse into who I am and what I like. To end this blog, I am giving you my ten favorite albums ever (in no particular order).

1. The Graduate, Only Every Time
2. Rise Against, Appeal to Reason
3. Relient K, Mmhmm
4. FM Static, What Are You Waiting For
5. Anberlin, New Surrender
6. Day at the Fair, The Rocking Chair Years
7. Yellowcard, Paper Walls
8. New Found Glory, Coming Home
9. Better Luck Next Time, Third Time’s a Charm
10. Just Surrender, If These Streets Could Talk

On Sports Fandom

My apologies for another “un-Jakob” blog entry, but I’ve got some neat stuff planned for the rest of the year that should make up for it. I won’t ruin any surprises now, though, so just bear with me for now.

By now you probably already know that I am a pretty big sports fan. I have my teams that I love and I have my teams that I hate (looking at you, Pittsburgh Steelers). September is an interesting time of the year. Baseball season (the regular season, at least) ends mercifully for some teams and heartbreakingly for others. Simultaneously, the NFL begins its new season, and with it comes new hope for success.

The way I see it, my sports fandom mirrors my life: heartbreaks, near-misses, and a continued hope for success. Other than the Chicago Bulls’ run in the 1990s, my sports teams have not fared particularly well. The Cubs continue to tease every few seasons, only to choke in the postseason. The Senators made it to the Stanley Cup Finals only to squander their opportunity, and my most beloved team of all, the Seattle Seahawks, had an impressive run in the middle of the last decade, only to fall just short in Super Bowl XL, a loss that haunts me to this day.

With all those failures, some would suggest I join a fan base like the Yankees or the Lakers, one with a greater chance of happiness. That’s not how I live my life. I believe in fighting fair, in not taking the easy way out, and in doing your best with hope that it will all turn out well in the end. A lot of times, I’ve fallen short, but I keep going. I still believe that one day I’ll stand atop the mountain. I also believe that the Cubs and Seahawks will have their day atop their respective mountains as well. Call me crazy, but hope springs eternal.