Weird Blast from the Past, Lately

Hmm, so this year has been a crazy mixture of new things combined with pieces of my past that keep popping up. New things involve my job and where I live, but the old things are what interest me for this post.

When I got my new car, it came with Sirius radio. Okay, so first things first, that brings me back to the mid 2000s when I used to hang out at Annette's house all the time. I used to bum around on the couch listening to the Sirius channels on their TV. Then, we'd often have a meal (or go out) and come back to either watch a movie or play cards. It was really awesome, and I miss those days.

Secondly, one of my new friends introduced me to Sirius 32--the Grateful Dead channel. Okay, well this takes me back to my college days. I've heard of the Grateful Dead as long as I can remember, but the only song I'd heard by them for quite some time was "Touch of Grey." But at the time, I didn't know what the song was called or who sang it. A few years back (it seems like it hasn't been that long, but I know it's been a few years now), I randomly heard "Alabama Getaway" on the radio. Now, most 'heads will know that to hear the Dead on the radio is a rarity. This is the first time I was aware that I was hearing a Grateful Dead song. I fell in love with "Alabama Getaway" and knew I had to hear more. At some point I managed to hear "Truckin'" and "Sugar Magnolia" on the radio as well, and that was it. I had to own a Grateful Dead CD. So, my obsession began in college, but the only music I was aware of were the songs on the CD + "Alabama Getaway." I had no idea what I was missing out on.

With the Sirius radio, I have been exposed to far more Dead tunes than I ever dreamed existed. I haven't heard them all yet, but I'm getting there.

Okay, I've also managed to reconnect with some old friends. Jean and Beth (sisters) and even sometimes the other Beth (their cousin). I talk to Jean around once a week. We always have a good time. When I came home for Thanksgiving, I got together with her and her sister Beth. I didn't want to leave--we were having that much fun.

Then, the really weird thing happened last night. Other Beth's brother, David, the one I had a crush on for about three years, randomly called me up. I don't have feelings for him anymore, but had he called me sometime between 2001-2004, I would have been ecstatic. I'm not sure what prompted him to call me last night. We did used to be friends, so maybe he wants to regain that friendship. What I don't understand is that when I liked him, he never wanted to have anything to do with me. Then he got married. Then he got divorced. Now he's dating someone else and for whatever reason, he called me last night. I don't understand it.

A couple other things from my past that have come back are video games and music. The music came first. When I started listening to the Grateful Dead (and even figured out how to incorporate a YouTube of the band playing "One More Saturday Night" for my classes), I decided I wanted to play guitar again. Also, one of my students plays, so that did it. I had to go buy a cheap guitar so I'd have something to play. I've been playing much more now than I did 13 years ago when I first started taking lessons. I guess now that I don't take lessons, I'm more dedicated.

It was probably in 2002 that I got my Xbox. I really don't remember. I'm not even sure what made me want one. I made a huge leap in gaming systems--I went straight from Atari 7800 to original Xbox. Granted, I played original Nintendo and N64 with friends between times, but as far as systems I owned, that was it. Well, after hearing my students talk about games, games, games, sure enough, I had to buy a console. I was a little irritated with Microsoft for discontinuing Xbox stuff so quickly, when PS2 has really held on; and after reading multiple essays on how PS3 was better, I opted for the Sony. Actually, it was the Blu-Ray player that sold me. That being said, I only own one PS3 game, and I've already conquered it. It just feels weird to be sort of living my past again in the present. Trippy enough for ya?