Finding Inspiration Wherever I Can

So lately I've been drawn to music that doesn't really reflect my usual taste.  I'm a Green Day, Pearl Jam, Nirvana kind of guy. I know…..it's not hard to tell that I was a teenager in the 90's. I can remember listening to Smells Like Teen Spirit for a month on repeat. 

Lately it's been a little different though. Green Day doesn't really sing about issues that I can relate to anymore and Nirvana can be a little much.  Pearl Jam….yeah they're still good :)  I think my new favourite band might be have to be Coldplay. I think the Coldplay thing started when I watched a Youtube video that our Facebook buddy Lou Melgarejo made.  It's a great, simple video that's been seen by a quarter of a million people. Check it out.

So, why am I drawn to Coldplay? I find myself downloading a lot of their music, searching for videos of their concerts and googling the meaning of their lyrics. That's not normal 'me' behaviour. Maybe it's because they seem like actual musicians. Maybe it's because I'm tired of bubblegum pop music, where you're never sure if you're watching an artist or a product constructed and controlled by a corporation.  Mostly, I think it's because I need some daily inspiration. It's not easy having a child with ASD. Its turned me into a big feeling guy. So I need a little inspiration almost every day to keep it together. I guess bands like Coldplay keep me going. There's a rare sincerity that you don't find from artists these days. I think Chris Martin is a big feeling guy too.  I'm also into The Sheepdogs. I heard those guys on the radio talking about their song "I Don't Know" once and I immediately liked their attitude. The song is about watching the world and being totally lost in the bullshit of it all.

Shanell made up a list of music for Katie's dance party. It's great. She really nailed it. Here's my music list. Consider it a mixed-tape I've made for everyone who reads our blog. I call this playlist 'Charging" because I fully intend to listen to it while I'm charging down the slopes this winter. 

Fitzpleasure by Alt-J
Radioactive - Imagine Dragons
Sail - Awolnation
Hard Sun - Eddie Vedder
Just Breathe - Pearl Jam
Little Black Submarines - The Black Keys
Too Close - Alex Clare
Paradise - Coldplay
The Scientist - Coldplay
Fix You - Coldplay
Paper Planes - M.I.A.
I Don't Know - The Sheepdogs
I Don't Get By - The Sheepdogs
The Way It Is - The Sheepdogs

---

While I'm making a list I might as well include my new favorite movie. Superheros of Stoke by Matchstick Productions. Movie's like that remind me that anything is possible and that we should all reach for the top.  The sky is the limit for Kate, and it really is the same for all of us. Watching those kids ski lines in Alaska and push the limits has given me the courage to pursue my next move for Team Kate. An open letter to Jon Stewart. Watch for that letter in my next post.

---

I hope my list brings you inspiration, a distraction from the grind, happiness or whatever else you might need to get through your day.