100 Things I'm Thankful For: #10. Music

OK, so this is my big coming out post. I don't tell many people this for fear of judgement and outright endless mockery so don't you judge me! Remember, to each his own. Ready for it? I love Hanson. Yeah that's right, I said it! The once long haired MmmBop'n band of brothers are still making music and touring and I still listen. I got to see them perform at National Me to We Day in 2007... ahhhh, that was a great day. Anyways my point is this: Everyone has different tastes and connects to music in different ways for different reasons and I love that; it brings out part of your uniqueness.
The other great thing about music is how it can make me remember a certain time in my life or specific event so vividly like a weird flashback sequence in a sitcom (ie. Monica in the fat suit at Ross' college party.) "Shoop" by Salt-N-Pepa takes me back to the awkward afternoon dances in middle school and "Counting Blue Cars" by Dishwalla was playing while driving to my sister's wedding reception - I was in the back seat, the sky was blue, the window was down. "Everything Will Be Alright" by Joshua Radin puts a newborn Paxton sleeping on my lap in his glider and "The Banana Boat Song" always makes me think of Chris mainly because he purposely sings the lyrics wrong every time just to drive me nutty! LOL The list goes on and on and on.
Music can make me happy, sad, energetic, or mellow. I have so much fun with it! What's your flashback trigger?

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100 Things I'm Thankful For: #9. The Internet

I always hear a lot of talk about the evils of the Internet and how it's ruining the world. Yikers! I'm not going to argue the bad points because truthfully there are a lot of awful things on and about the Internet but allow me to focus on the good points here - I think there are a lot of them!
I love how email can keep me in touch with everyone at any point during the day with a quick note or a long drawn out over-detailed account of my week (an email perhaps only my Mom would appreciate). LOL It gives me a lot more free time with the ability to do all my banking in a few clicks or find recipes, directions, compare prices, online shop, etc. in a flash. I can also post pictures of Pax so our far away family can stay in the loop with how he's growing and what he's up to and in turn everyone else posts pictures and I can keep up with them too! That goes hand in hand with Social Networking - sites like Facebook let me see what so many friends, past and present, are doing and where life has taken them. It's just fun!
In addition to those things, the wealth of information is incredible. I know you can't believe everything you read on the Internet but there are so many reputable site out there that I use for advice, explore things that interest me, or just get general information like what time a movie is playing. I also rely on the Internet for all those pesky moments when I'm trying to remember the name of that guy from that movie with the girl from that other movie about the people stealing the stuff from that place. Know what I mean!?! We've all had those moments.
The Internet had it's cons but the pros are fantastic! I heart the Internet, I'm thankful for the Internet, and I don't know what I'd do without it :o)