Dancing to the Beat of My Own Drum Machine

In putting my top ten list for 2011, which would normally would consist of my favorite underground house tracks, I realized that would probably be interesting to only me and other dj/house geeks. And really, the only people that read my blog are my friends and maybe the occasional Twitter follower. So instead, I’m going to reveal the songs that I love to hate, or, rather *sigh* I hate that I love.

In my weak, albeit unnecessary defense, these are the songs that for whatever reason have the right combination of beats, bass and lyrical genius (see LMFAO) that, when consuming Ketel One and Red Bull, make me dance and sing off key (see Ke$ha) like an underage twink at The Cafe. They are also the songs that swoon with a bitter tinged flavor of teen angst that sound best when, hypothetically, you’re gridlocked in traffic on the Bay Bridge trying to get home from work and the only thing you can do is to sing along. Just saying. Hypothetically.

You have to understand something about me, I’m a bit of a music snob. I eschew most pop music mainly because it is less of an art form and more like a well designed bottle of bleach. Unfortunately like all of you, I too am drawn to the dirty beats and on occasion, like you, ugh, like to shake it like a salt shaker. 

I think I’ve indicted myself here and will just stop now and let the list speak for itself since it is a list of guilty pleasures. This list has no order because  they’re all cheesy. As you’ll see below I am.  Just like. You. And baby I like it. Cue the music. 

1. I just Wanna F. - David Guetta, Afrojack and Timbaland

2. I’m Sexy and I Know It - LMFAO

3. Super Bass - Nicki Minaj

4. Love You Like a Love Song - Selena Gomez & the Scene

5. I Like It Like That - Hot Chelle Rae

6. If I Die Young - The Band Perry

7. Without You (feat. Usher) - David Guetta & Usher

8. It Will Rain - Bruno Mars

9. I Like It (feat. Pitbull) - Enrique Iglesias

10. The Edge of Glory - Lady GaGa 

Stumbling across my last entry, I realized I should look at my list of summer activities that I had wanted to accomplish to determine if I actually meet those goals. Typically, I don’t set goals or write lists simply because they cause me stress when I don’t get them done, which can be fairly often because I’m am distracted by bright shiny things. In other words, I’m always finding something better, more exciting to do. In fact, the alternate name for my blog SHOULD be Bright Shiny Things because my attention span is as long as edit in a music video. (I’ve already gotten up to eat twice and scrolled through iTunes searching for the perfect mood music while I write.)

Nevertheless, let’s review this leg of my quest for self-improvement. 

1. Critical Mass - nothing says “grassroots movement” more than this monthly event, except for #OWS. Thanks @derekbroo

2. Burning Man - I can’t express how much of an impact this is having on me still today. Made some new friends that have enriched my life immeasurably and strengthened old ones. If you haven’t been, don’t go. You’re fucking up my chance in the lottery to get tickets for next year. 

3. Big Gay 10K - time: 47:09. I finally beat Eden. I don’t care how out of shape he was.

4. Put mix cd together - I call this completed because I recorded a great set at Burning Man and put it on Soundcloud.  

Listen here —>   http://soundcloud.com/bigbaadbri/burning-man-2011-friday-night

5. Dj Burning Man Fundraiser - 5 hour set on my iPad using Djay. It was my re-entry back into djing. #passion

6. Go camping somewhere for a weekend - Burning Man does not count. Although I would like it to, but come on. We should have gone to Humboldt.

7. Make a peach cobbler - I can’t remember if I did it. I think I did and I didn’t like it. Clearly the recipe was far from outstanding.

8. Volunteer for a music event - did Outside Lands in August. Saw Deadmau5 for the second time. He’s not *that* commercial. 

9. Go to social media event - made it to a Social Media Club discussion on social media’s role in the music industry. 

10. Go to the river/beach on a warm day - canoeing with friends at the Russian River. 

So to sum it up, a 90% ain’t bad, especially for someone who abhors lists and goals. In retrospect, this list provided me with a much needed diversion from the grind that has come to wear on me. In the end, maybe the lists and the goals are just the bright shiny things I need to distract me from the austerity of the work week. 

I was inspired by Derek and Katie to put together a list of fun things I want to do over the summer season. I have always kept this as a mental list but in true form of myself, forget of what I achieve or the good ideas I have. This year is different. This is my list so far.

1. Critical mass
2. Burning man
3. Big Gay 10k
4. Put mix cd together
5. Dj burning man fundraiser
6. Go camping somewhere for a weekend.
7. Make a peach cobbler
8. Volunteer for a music event (Fillmore, noisepop etc) and/or burning man
9. Go to social media events: sf newtech, social media club etc
10. Go to river/beach on a warm day.