This is normal.

All Purpose

I was thinking about the concept of something being "all purpose". If something can really be applied to everything, than how good can it really be at anything? An all purpose cleaner, for example, can be used on tile floors, the kitchen table, in the bathroom, on the microwave, on your front door, and so on and so forth. How good of a job could it possibly be doing at all of these things? It's like when you walk into a restaurant and the menu is just a little too eclectic? I remember a place in Eudora, KS (town where Spitalfield recorded "Stop Doing Bad Things") that was a Chinese/Mexican food restaurant. Honestly, the food wasn't too bad-- but you had to have your doubts. You make Chinese and Mexican food? Okay, cool, I'll have some general tao chicken and a beef taco.

I think the only thing in my life I'd really like to be "all purpose" would be my best friends. And even then, I'd probably prefer "all porpoise". Think about that.

Is Rusty still in the Navy?

Getting into rhythm. Setting the bar higher. Giving more than usual. Honestly answering honest questions. Taking advantage of opportunities. Understanding, but not accepting. Appreciating those who appreciate. All things I am looking to expand upon, effective as of now.

As a Chicago Bulls fan, this season can best be described as frustrating. I've made it out to a whole bunch of games this year (thanks to a "perhaps shady" contact), and enjoyed most of my time spent at the United Center. For anyone who has attended a Chicago Bulls game before, you know that half of the fun (more than half for some) is what's going on during time-outs and in between quarters, on the court and on the jumbo-tron. At a recent game, I had the pleasure of seeing this during every game break.



But I really shouldn't complain too much... there was that five minutes during the halftime show where the man-wall disappeared, only to return with one beer for each hand.

One more Bulls note. I woke up the other day, and did a double take when I glanced in the mirror. This really happened without any alteration of my hair.



It's a sign.

I also heard that Benny the Bull makes $200,000 a year. That is so awesome. He earns every cent.

Listening to a female pig-dog snore,
Mark

Let's be passionate. It's not like we'll get another chance to do this.

I guess, sometimes, you have to take the highs with the lows, the good with the bad and the fresh with the expired (scratch that last one-- never take the expired). I've got so many things I feel like I am holding back on right now. So many ideas that I want to explore, so many corners I'd like to turn-- even if it's only to see what is there, and then come right back. Well what's holding you back, Mark? I have been burned before by simply following my heart and doing what I think is right. Too many times. I'm learning from my mistakes, at least on some level, and hope to write the next chapter of my life in pencil, rather than ink. I can always type it out once it looks the way I want it to.

I heard a very interesting point of view on the topic of "looking to the future" on the Stephen A. Smith show on ESPN Radio a couple weeks ago which I have been thinking a lot about. The person being interviewed was Steve Harvey, and they were talking about passion and goals. Here is my attempt at summarizing his thoughts on the subject.

A lot of people, when they are younger, are told: Find something you are passionate about and do it. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do something or be somebody-- that you're not good enough, not tall enough, not smart enough, not pretty enough-- and so on and so forth. Why tell them that? That's not how the real world works. Why not rework the whole concept to something like: Find something you're gifted at and develop it. Too many people are living in a world of disappointment because they thought their passion and hard work alone would eventually lead to success. It might! IF you're talented in that field to begin with. IF you have the means to be successful once you get there. Getting there isn't the hardest part. Not that it's easy-- because it's not. But once you're there-- it gets harder. Why lead kids to believe they can do anything they put their mind to? We should be telling them to find something that they are good at, and to put their minds to that. To develop the gifts they have. To be who they are. To try to be the very best they can be at what they're good at. Not to say that dreaming big or trying new things is wrong, because it's not. This isn't about limiting what you do for enjoyment-- as a hobby or in your free-time. By all means, try to be happy and have fun. Try everything. Don't limit yourself. But when it comes to your future, be smart about it.

Okay, I know that was long winded-- and, again, that was just my understanding of what he was saying. Talk about a great "modern issues" style topic. Before I give my thoughts and response, I am really interested in hearing what you guys think. I have been thinking about this a lot and would really be interested to see some opinions.

On the North side,
Mark

Monday, Monday...

If you're into singer/songwriter style folk jams at all, I highly recommend seeing the film Once. I have to give thanks and credit to everyone who suggested it to me (you know who you are). It's so simple, but with so much to give. If you want to hear some samples of the featured music, look up Glen Hansard on iTunes. "Falling Slowly" & "If You Want Me" are great places to start.

So...

I wanted to touch on last Thursday's tragedy at NIU. Any time something of this nature happens, I find myself holding those close to me a little closer. Of course, the question everyone would like answered is, "Why?". I think the hardest thing to try and wrap your head around is the idea that there is nothing you can do. Both of my parents graduated from NIU, as did my older sister, and my younger brother is a junior there this year. He was at the library right next to Cole Hall when everything happened. Scary. Right before the farewell tour started, Spitalfield played at Cole Hall on that very stage the shooting took place from. Surreal is really the only word that can really describe the feeling looking back. I guess the scariest part of events like this is posing the question, "How can you stop someone who is prepared and willing to take their own life?". What kind of security measures could you really take to prevent something like this? I think the emphasis should go on what you can do when something like this starts to happen. On a much different scale, it's the same idea of putting locks on your doors and windows. What are they for? To keep out common thieves, bored teens and random robbery attempts. If somone really wants to break into your house, they'll find a way. An average security system alerts that someone has broken in, it doesn't stop them from entering. Do you see my line of thinking?

Remember to let people you care about, appreciate and admire know how much you do. You never know what this world is going to throw at you.

-Mark

Hope Won't Weigh You Down

Word associations. Part 1.
By: Mark Rose

Snowfall = Tired
Cats = Assholes
Comedy = Entertaining
Grammys = Fixed
Love = Magical
Ice Cream = Fried
Music = Everything
Cologne = Strong
Movies = Worthwhile
Bulls = Frustrating
Contracts = Frustrating
Craigslist = Frustrating
Mariokart = Brilliant

Listening to (lately):

Halloween, Alaska - Too Tall to Hide

Jim O'Rourke - Insignificance

Jonny Lang - Turn Around

Mute Math - Mute Math

Kenna - Make Sure They See My Face

(they might be) GIANTS!

"Best offense of all time"? I could see that. I can even agree with it. "Best team of all time"? Not a chance. I, like many others, loved watching the Patriots get knocked off of their collective high horses by the, underdog, Giants. I don't think you can lose the most important game of the season and still be considered for the "best team of all time".

Here's the thing... I am not a Giants fan. I did, however, root for the Giants five weeks in a row. My logic? I am a Chicago Bears fan. They are the only team I truly care about winning. My enemies are who I care about losing. So, by default, the team playing against my enemies is my next favorite team of the moment. The Patriots in Week 17? Dallas? GREEN BAY? The Patriots part deux? I wanted to see all of them lose.

On the topic of Superbowl Sunday... were the commercials lacking this year, or what? I think the competitive spirit has really died out in recent years. A couple chuckles here and there... but seriously, I've had about all the "it's funny because they are CGI animals... dancing!" for my entire lifetime. The "real dog lapping up water from his bowl" may have been the most attention grabbing commercial of the night.

Oh yeah, welcome to my new blog!

I'm keeping myself busy with new music, eating, sleeping & shoveling snow. I've also taken in a number of movies off of cable... for better or worse. I definitely DVR-d "The Princess Bride" and "Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird", both of which I am stoked to watch (hopefully with an awake or semi-awake E-Lo).

Thanks for all of the cover suggestions to everyone who hit me up last week. I've been doing some listening and experimenting. We'll see what lands right side up.

From a spinning office chair,
Mark