True or False: Music reveals who you are?

I wish I could blog from a plane. I'm in the air, somewhere over Buffalo, NY on my way to Boston, reading the latest issue of Esquire. Chuck Klosterman's America piece is always fascinating, and this issue's topic is: "True or false: The music a person listens to reveals many truths about that person." I think it does, but the question is always HOW? If I like heavy metal and chillout tunes, does that make me balanced or does that mean I like extremes, and then deeper, why do I like these types of music. Is it the melodies, the instruments themselves, the different vocal styles, how popular they are with others? Who knows except for you? I've always been fascinated by this question, and I wonder how attuned people are to their musical preferences. So lets all think deeper about why we truly love the tunes we do - and as Chuck might suggest, now you'll be able to truly answer that tough question: "What's your favorite music?"
(Photo from www.esquire.com)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving y'all. Its times like these where I give thanks for my health, happiness and many other things, in no particular order ;)

1. Seeing my family since last December
2. Visiting my grandma and grandpa for the first time since last December
3. Having the means to buy new snowboard stuff
4. Great friends who force me to see them even when i'm exhausted (visiting home isn't always restful!)
5. Having the opportunity to write for Properly Chilled
6. This blog - for the determination to take my passion to a whole 'nother level
7. For the desire to be close to family, even when so far away
8. For my youth - so many opportunities await
9. For the anticipation of the new Bran Van 3000 album
10. Coworkers who give me ultimatum's because they care and force me to be better
11. A bad-ass Holiday party coming up at Top of the Hub at the Pru (in Boston)

And i'm thankful for so much more, and for the ability to see what means most to me and my loved ones.

Cheers,

Erik

Enormous Room

My favorite place to go in all of Boston areas is the Enormous Room in Cambridge on Mass Ave. Unassumingly painted on a glass door, an elephant outlined in a red circle tells you where to go, but you have to be looking for it. Up the stairs, past the elephant, opens a relaxed room with reggae downbeats pressing you onto cushions thrown against the walls and on wooden platforms. Yellow light is cast around the room, from iron lamps hanging in the corners and nailed to walls. The cushions and chairs look like the ones we grew up with, earthly patterns of greens and browns with Indian inspiration - it feels like we're in someone's apartment (thanks for the description, Karyn ;). A sole emo-dude shuffles across the floor alone, dancing. My date and I just smile - what a nice evening. On the other end of the room, opposite the stairs is a brick wall, with a section hammered out showing a single DJ controlling the room. He spins Reggae, downbeat dance hall, chillout, trip-hop. And everyone is lovin' it.