Is it a bit strange that the last time I listened to new music for the purpose of listening to music was 1999 with the release of Champagne Supernova? Being that I'm 18.

The 2nd to last time I actually laughed instead of slightly smiled was..... most likely late '97 or early '98.. I tried to laugh a few weeks ago when I thought something was funny but I just sounded like a completely insane psychopath.

Sounds like a bit of a disconnect from....well....several things, but maybe the word that clicks in that gray sludge that keeps my ears just far enough apart is, human-ness?

I go through phases or periods of time when I feel very disconnected from those other bags of water (and trace minerals) shaped somewhat like me that also inhabit this big ball of iron (and other crap) we call Earth. To some degree I tend to have more of a ground state of disconnectedness, at least for as long as I can remember. I'm more used to feeling some connectedness in smalliish slices, but I've grown used to this. Being that I'm 46.

I listen to music for a variety of reasons....often to vent, sometimes for pleasure, sometimes to study the rhythm or lyrics or to follow an interesting riff. Sometimes I will re-discover a song or disc (album, for those of who who still think like me), such as when I found But Seriously Folks in a cheap bin and realized I hadn't listened to it in 25 years. That was new music with a touch of familiar....the music wasn't really new, but I'm certainly not the same person I was way back when I used to listen to it on my "record player" (look it up, kids)....new set of ears, is what comes to mind. I'm anticipating picking up White City at B&N today (they finally called to tell me it's in)....again, new ears, new perspective. I'm going to enjoy that!

Man's Laughter....just a fraction removed, through the magic of punctuation and spacing from manslaughter. My perspective - actors try to laugh...the rest of us just do or not. I think I'm in one of the better phases of my life where I can laugh at myself, at others, and stuff I think is funny (which doesn't always mesh with what the other hairless apes find funny - like Anchorman, and most of the other Will Farrell stuff...not so funny). I find I can laugh when I'm relaxed and, more importantly, don't give a rat's ass what other people think. If I sound like an insane psychopath (or even a sane one), so be it.

I've felt distant from my family since I was a little kid. I have a couple sort-of close friends, but none that I would consider a BFF or the stereotypical best friend who I can share all my secrets with kind of friend. I learn, slowly, to be my own best friend, and take at face value (accept) those who are my better friends for what they are.

I rarely feel that I'm in the right place, right planet, right species. Sometimes I feel like I am that creature that Deteriorata is referring to. I'm figuring out that's ok. It's my big ball of iron, too. After all, I am stardust, I am golden. I am billion-year-old carbon. This is my garden. I call it getting comfortable in my own skin.

Nope, not lame. Not alone, either.

Happy Monday

These sound like things that might take more than a message board to hash out, but we can try. Tell us about your childhood.

"record player" (look it up, kids)

ugh... Joe, I thought I liked you. Just because your generation stopped buying new music doesn't mean an entire medium disappeared. Alas the record player never went away and new music is still released on vinyl. Point of fact, records are the only physical medium for music that's sales are actually increasing. I don't mean to take away your sense of being old and wise, but you might have to start making references to the cotton gin instead. Sorry for taking out the frustration from the last 8 people who said that on you... but I mean they sell them at Best Buy, for cracks sake.

"record player" (look it up, kids)

ugh... Joe, I thought I liked you. Just because your generation stopped buying new music doesn't mean an entire medium disappeared. Alas the record player never went away and new music is still released on vinyl.

Yo Nick, My comment was tongue-in-cheek. Actually, *my* record player went away...Lost it, and all of my CD's in the divorce. Funny, I got most of the vinyl but no player...I still have 78's from my grandfather...and lost the CD's yet had several players.

We did have the discussion about records at the last Third Thursday meetup. As a former radio DJ, I am pleased to see vinyl is still in use. As someone who has several college credits in TV repair back in the tail end of the vacuum tube days (as well as a fan of music) I'm glad tube amps are still around! I also do buy music of all time brackets as I fine stuff I like.

I'm not old and wise....just a young middle-aged clueless dude. Sorry (fellow) kids, if I gave offense! God bless us, everyone.
RAmen.

Interesting, none of that seems to directly link to an abnormal(normal being me) appreciation for music... or is it more a lack of interest in new music? or a disinterest in the seeking of new music? or is there a disinterest in seeking other new experiences?

So lets elaborate more on what your interests are and what made you concerned about your potential strangeness.

(when you want me to stop pretending like I know something about psychoanalysis the safe word is "Conquistador")

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Joe, I know you meant it in jest; like I said most of that was directed at the previous curators of that joke whom I didn't have the chance to chastise.

I don't mean to take away your sense of being old and wise

I'm totally old and wise!

I'm told I like pies.

I'm told I like pies.

I'm told I don't like vegetables and don't know what a record player is.

I don't mean to take away your sense of being old and wise

I'm totally old and wise!

Well...yer half right.