The 11th Hour

today is March 31st. It's the last day of the month, which means that at my work everyone is half-panicked and trying to make quota. Traditionally it's the busiest day of the month which pretty much means that nobody takes a lunch break and everyone knows exactly what they'd like to do to get the check they'd like to have.

In spite of this, I have been listening to the Raveonettes and Silver Jews all morning. It is the last day before I will be unable to choose the music I listen to unless it is in my very small infantile collection of Metallica music. I feel like it is my last meal.

It is so comforting to hear the guttural voice of John Fogerty, and the phat beats of Britney's "Gimme More." I am going to miss the sweet harmony of Simon and Garfunkel so much for the next 30 days. This morning I heard Smokey Robinson when I woke up. It was pure bliss.

Last night I played the jukebox and spent at least $10 on artists such as The Secret Machines, The Four Tops, Muse, The Monkees, et al. My spirits were lifted and I became a better person for a fleeting moment. That'll be gone tomorrow morning. If I'm lucky, I'll be in a bar someday and my favorite song in the world, Bernadette, will be playing. If anyone needs to borrow a dollar to play that song, let me know.

Special thanks to Jason Boehme, who came into work today with two Metallica CD's for me. They were packaged beautifully, I wish I had a scanner to show you the cases they were in. Master of Puppets has a CD cover that is Jason's son in a very intimidating Karate mu-mu. Reload features his two children building a snowman. Appropriately, the discs also include the disclaimer: "Metal that will kick your ass!!" Thanks, JB.

So if I appear disheartened, blame my lack of Fiona Apple. If I seem depressed, it's because Elton John was usually there to comfort me. I'll have no George Jones to remind me that everyone hits rock bottom now and then, and no George Michael to inform me that it's okay to let loose and have fun! Imagine life without Kenny Loggins' "The Danger Zone." Soon that will be my lonely reality.

Officially, these are the records I will be listening to (all artists are Metallica):

1. Master of Puppets
2. Reload
3. Self-Titled (The Black Album)
4. Garage, Inc (only disc 1)
5. Metallica Live July 13, 2003 in Orlando, FL
6. Metallica Live Feb 3, 1989 in Austin, TX
7. Metallica Live July 8, 1998 in Cuyahoga, OH
8. Metallica Live May 24, 1986 in Cape Girardeau, MO

Miraculously, Metallica made several live recordings available for free download via their website. It's my wish that readers of this blog also download these tunes for a point of reference for future blog posts.

So goodbye, B52's. So long, Spin Doctors. Ludacris, we had such a great run. I've always loved you, Julian Casablancas (you too, dave grohl. I hope you don't hate me now). Don't worry, Queens of the Stone Age, I promise to listen to "I Wanna Make it Wit Chu" 10 more times today. But I need some space during April.