I guess that makes me Esther

I heard two opinions about blogging yesterday, which both kinda suprised me with their narrow view.

1. The blogosphere is the saddest place on earth.
- Entertainment Weekly.
Since when does Livejournal count as the blogosphere?

2. Blogs, etc. are for Lester the Molester, Chester the Molester, and Esther the Molester.
- an acquaintance.
Only if you're stupid.

Many qualms about blogging are about a much more specific aspect of our culture and blanket statements about blogs just can't really be accurate given the range of their topics and the purposes they serve. Man people who don't love the internet really get me going.

So, I've been tagged. I managed to avoid the blogging chain letter when this blog was less personal, but now thanks Mr. President for the forced self-indulgence. The thing is, I'm changing the rules:

• I will be sharing music related facts since half of the time that's what this blog is about.
• When you are tagged, you get to make up your own rules about what kind and how many items about yourself to write.
  
• If you're reading this, consider yourself tagged--but only if you want to be--and link to yourself in the comments. I'd be interested to read about anyone who reads this blog but I'd rather not force you. This is based on the KST Theory of Tagging:
  

"Getting tagged should be like in elementary school. If the kid who's IT is ugly, you run faster. Or maybe you have a crush on them so you slow down and let them tag you. Whether or not you get tagged should be up to you."

Here we go.

1. The first song I can remember ever being obsessed with was "Daydream Believer" by The Monkees. I was maybe 5 and I listened to it over and over especially at bedtime. My exposure to this is credited to my Aunt Stacie who is just a few years older than I am. Part of my intense love for Paul Simon can also be attributed to her and her twin sister Stephanie because on one visit to Grandma's I overheard Graceland being played every morning in the bathroom while they got ready for school. Oh and speaking of Paul, the longest book I ever read, Conversations With the Capeman about Salvador Agron, I read because of his musical The Capeman.

mp3: Shonen Knife - Daydream Believer (Monkees cover)
mp3: Manfred Mann - Last Train to Clarksville (Monkees cover)
mp3: Jens Lekman - You Can Call Me Al (Paul Simon cover)
mp3: Grizzly Bear - Graceland (Paul Simon cover)

2. I have always been fairly shy but for some reason I'm bolder at shows (though sober--remember I'm a good Mormon girl). I once got into an argument with a large Black bouncer at Roseland Ballroom in NYC after seeing The White Stripes that ended in Amy and me getting in for a second night of Jack and Meg for free. I've yelled at and shoved Dance Bully, this guy who frequents the SLC shows with violent and self-obsessed dancing, for dancing on top of me. And I don't think twice about glaring at the annoying kids (do NOT sing in my ear). But in the rest of life I think I'm quite kind.

mp3: The White Stripes - Death Letter/Motherless Children (live)

3. The first concert I attended was Garth Brooks with my parents. This was not my musical choice and I'm not too proud of it. But I was young and all I remember is watching the beer bongs.

4. I've played the euphonium since age 10 and the piano since age 3. And the guitar since college just a little bit. I'd like a really old piano or any piano, and a shiny new silver marching euphonium so I don't have to look at the dents anymore and can stand with it more easily. I will learn the accordion next, since my dad is a virtuoso.

5. I've never sent fan mail, but once wrote, kept, then tossed a letter to David Gray.

mp3: David Gray - This Years Love

6. One of my roommates is one of The Moz Twins, sisters who maybe are the biggest Morrissey fans ever and maybe are famous among the fan community. Their devotion to "The Man" is fascinating. I'd like to make a documentary about them but haven't asked. If you guys read this, consider the offer.

mp3: Morrissey - Everyday Is Like Sunday

7. I always think I'll write music but I don't. The only thing I've ever written was a Tarantella that my piano teacher made me play in a competition. It wasn't good or anything.

8. In college a friend taught me to do something called Music Appreciation. Music can be very moving, especially when you lay down touching your feet or whole body to a large speaker and let the vibrations move your innards.

Oh and also I've now been to Abbey Road. Oh John Lennon's birthday. But that's not number 9 cause we gotta keep things even around here.