2012 Election Day Soundtrack

The post below was originally written in on Election Day 2008. The sentiments I felt that day, I still feel today. In fact, if anything, I'm more optimistic about our future now than I was then.

I have no idea what will happen today. I don't know how people will vote. I hope Nate Silver of 538 is right and that President Obama is re-elected. No matter what happens, I hope we can come together as a country and remember that we're all one and we're in this together.

Make sure you vote and listen to some good music.

We Take Care Of Our Own by Bruce Springsteen

I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas


Good Life by One Republic

Simply the Best by Tina Turner


I Feel Good by James Brown


I Can See Clearly Now by Jimmy Cliff


Election Day Soundtrack! 
(originally published 11/4/08)

Yesterday as I was running some errands and stuck in my car for about 45 minutes, I kept switching radio stations (I'm bad with the TV remote too). Every station I landed on had motivating, uplifting, and hopeful music. As I drove around on this beautiful 70+ degree sunny early November day (that NEVER happens in Chicago), I couldn't help but sense the hope in the air. The whole world just feels different.

So as we end our Long National Nightmare, I think we need a soundtrack.

Enjoy!

Yes We Can by Will.I.Am


Beautiful Days by U2


One (Live in Chicago, 2005) by U2


Better Days by Goo Goo Dolls


Big Country


Only In America by Brooks & Dunn


Signed, Sealed, Delivered, I'm Yours by Stevie Wonder


Don't Stop (Thinking About Tomorrow) by Fleetwood Mac

If You Need Me Next Week . . .

I'll be....

Savoring the last little bits of Summertime


while I'm (Sittin' on) the Dock of the Bay,

With my Toes in the water, ass in the sand,


Having my own Barefoot Blue Jean Nights,


and keeping watch for the Southern Cross.


I'll also be wishing this slice of heaven lasted All Summer Long.


So leave me a note and I'll get back to you when I return from Watervale.

I Ain't Settlin'

Yesterday morning I was driving to work and having a very serious come to Jesus talk with myself. Yes, it was just me in the car and yes, I was talking out loud to myself. Why do you ask? Anyway, there I was in the car having this serious talk with myself about the state of state of my life (I turn 40 exactly 3 months from today) with the radio on low in the background when out of nowhere I hear the familiar sounds of Jennifer Nettles and Sugarland singing one of my favorite songs. I took it as a sign from the Universe (and we all know how I believe in signs from the Universe).

I listened to the words, possibly closer than I've ever listened before and realized I was listening to the theme song for the last three months of my 30s (it hurts just typing those words).

That's right Settlin' by Sugarland is defining the next three months for me. I'm raising the bar higher than ever before. I'm joining a gym this week and will lose the 25 pounds I've committed to losing before my birthday. For those of you keeping score, that will put the total weight loss between my 39th and 40th birthday at almost 60 pounds (Okay, it's not the 100 pounds I put on my Bucket List, but it's 60 pounds closer than I was). No if's, and's or but's about it. I've got some other big goal and dreams, but at the moment, that's all I'm willing to discus publicly.

If you're not familiar with Settlin', click on the video below.