I know I'm early with this, but maybe we'll start up a twice-a-month schedule. But that's all you're getting. I pen-and-paper blogged this at my first day of work today (read: I wrote it down to post it later) because, as my boss pointed out, our internet usage will be strictly monitored. Boo.

Like I said, though. I'm early. I'm mostly here because it's my birthday, so I wanted to share with you all my favorite birthday song of the moment: Waving at You by the Mountain Goats. What an excellent song from an excellent guy.

I'm 23 today, which stirs up a few funny thoughts in me: first, I'm the same age Mr. (Boom) Bull was when he started teaching me in the 7th grade. That thought then stirred up the idea that I'm almost twice as old now as I was then. Creepy.

The third thought is that I'm the same age Coolio was when he recorded Gangsta's Paradise, if the line "I'm 23 now, but will I live to see 24?/The way things are going, I don't know." Part of me is sure that that line is a lie, since Coolio couldn't possibly have believed that he would be shot in the next year. It was a rougher time for rappers, sure. But Coolio wasn't going to get popped by anybody. He was the epitome of feel-good rap up until that song. C'mon! Fantastic Voyage? Man.

The conclusions I drew from this train of thought are as follows: when Mr. Bull used to get his guitar out and sing and play guitar while we sang, I always took it as a reward or treat for us. I understand now that I'd give a lot to have my job involve singing praise songs with some kids while I played them. Also, Coolio made Fantastic Voyage when he was like 20 or 21. Holy crap, I'm behind. That song is amazing.

Now, another birthday song, because it's been in my head while I've been writing: Older.