j monson

Monday, January 28, 2019

This Was Way Outside My Comfort Zone!

In my truck when I’m busting out a song at the top of my lungs I believe that I sound like Elton John or Gavin Rossdale, but in reality I probably sound more like an old, injured donkey. The only way to find out for sure was to record myself (where no one could see me of course) and play it back. Well...I did it. With the actual song playing in the background, I added my voice to a few tunes.

The first song ‘Mother’ has always been a favorite tune of mine by Pink Floyd. In fact a part of a lyric in this song will be my next tattoo. The song itself has some meaning to me in that I felt my Mom always protected me from all the bad shit in the world. There is some dark stuff in this tune as well, so don’t read any further into it than simply my Mom protected me. My Mother was and still is the most amazing person in the world to me and I miss her every single day. The second song I attempted to sing is ‘Your Song’ by Elton John. I’ve always enjoyed his music, and this song...Your Song...well, the lyrics are just spot on. This is just one of a 100 songs that make me think of a very special person. The third song ‘Glycerine’ by Bush is also one of those songs and it’s a no brainer that I attempted this. This is my go-to song when I’m feeling good or when I’m feeling down. The song has everything, and it will stay with me always to remind me of this person.

I should state that I attempted singing these songs at approximately 4:30am when I couldn’t sleep, and because it was so early in the morning I had to sing them quietly. In fact a person should probably wear ear buds when listening. I think if I could have been louder they may have sounded just a little better and more like singing and less like softy talking, but it probably wouldn’t have helped much LOL. Regardless of how it sounds, they were 100% heartfelt.

So there ya go. I said I’d record myself singing sometime and I did it! I certainly didn’t sound like Elton John or Gavin Rossdale, but hopefully I didn’t sound like an old, injured donkey either. Ok, I feel awkward just writing all this so I’m going to stop typing now :)

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Ouch!

07.03.13 - Tough crash on Tinton trail tonight. Had a nice pace going amongst some twisty single track downhill, and without warning...my front wheel washed out! $@&#%!! In a split second I went flying over the handlebars and landed HARD on my ass. Instant pain like I've never felt. I immediately thought bones had broke, and also had a warm and wet feeling wash over my tailbone area. This really freaked me out, and at first I wasn't sure that I didn't burst something internally, or that maybe my bowels let loose. Luckily, it was neither. In reading up on this sensation on the world wide web, it seems to have been some weird nerve thing. Oh, I also must have hit my head, because I was, and still am a little dazed. Slight concussion most likely. I'll know more tomorrow how the tailbone is, but I'm now thinking it's just a bad bruise. Good news though...Penelope (my bike) is fine.

I should note that this was also my third hard crash of the summer (this by far the hardest). Never have I had more than one hard crash a year. Hmmm? Oh, I also went endo on a kids Razor scooter last week while doing hot laps at work :-/ wtf

This may sound strange, but these mishaps make me feel young and old at the same time. Weird. 7012261565

Sunday, April 28, 2013

Sunday Morning Goodness

I was up at 5am and had breakfast by 5:30am. Why you ask? A simple explanation, really. It was so I could allow myself to take in sites that are only viewable in the early morning hours. (Photos taken with the GoPro Hero 3 - Black Edition).

Watching Over Me

Follow The Light...so to speak

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Chuck Taylor

My new kicks.

The last time a pair of these ever covered my feet was thirty-seven years ago. It was 1975, and my brother Mike talked my Mom into driving me to Dickinson where I could pick out a red pair of completely awesome Chuck Taylors at GP Sporting Goods. After getting back from Dickinson, a bunch of us played a game of Ditch on the block where the Feists once lived. I remember being overly concerned about getting my new shoes dirty. I sucked it up though, and I'm sure I played a kick-ass game of Ditch. I also know the year was 1975 because on that night that we played Ditch, the Reds and Red Sox were playing in the World Series. I can even tell you who was on the mound for the Reds that night. Don Gullet. I couldn't tell you which game, but I know Gullet got the win. So, I wiki'd the '75 World Series and learned that it was game 5.

Anyway, let's put an end to this little story. The last time I wore a new pair of Chuck Taylors was October 16, 1975. The shit I remember!

Thursday, June 21, 2012

The Road Less Traveled

Remote. Quiet. Perfect.

Fire road near Tinton Trail

Crow Peak

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Highway 85

Scenery like this is all around us, but sometime we just need to adjust the way we look at it.

Prairie House

The Road

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Arizona

All things considered, my 'Arizona Experiment' was a sucess. A success in the sense that I learned something from the trip. I learned that this is not the place for me, and I also learned and realized how much I miss everything back home. My family, friends, the weather (yes, even the weather), and basically the overall familiarity I have with the area that I have lived my entire life. Coming to that realization was an epiphany of sorts.

For the friends here in AZ that opened their home up to me - I can't thank them enough. Shane & Jen are two of the kindest individuals I have ever known, and I'm forever grateful to them for allowing me to take this chance.

Although I was only there a short time, I did manage to capture a few photos of the surrounding area, and also a couple pics of Lexi and Emma. I sure will miss those puppies!