26

-When you turn 26 you have to work on your birthday because that's what "adults" do, work on their birthdays because they have to.

-When you turn 26 your coworker is really nice and brings cookies to work to share.

-When you turn 26 your new coworkers have no idea how old you really are and look a tidge disgusted when they find out how old you really are, but try to pass it off as, "you look really young!" But your employer gives you a gift card to Barnes & Noble so it's all good.

-When  you turn 26 you will get lots of birthday texts and fb blasts from cool friends.

-When you turn 26 you will be ok with not having a rager party because you are so tired from having to work on said birthday.

-When you turn 26 your mom will make you homemade pizza and birthday cake and buy you flowers.

-When you turn 26 your mom will not light the candles in a strategic manner, then she will have to go to the bathroom causing dad to take over from the lighting, but because she did it so wonky, the candles on the inside of the cake will still need to be lit causing dad to burn his fingers, and since you are so old the number of flames will make it really hot. (video to come if I can figure it out)

-When you turn 26 your dad will sing you "Happy Birthday" and then notice the placemat is on fire, take it over to the sink and pour water on it to put it out. And because the candles burned so long they will burn down a lot and a lot of wax will be all over the cake.

-When you turn 26 all your siblings will call because they love you.

-When you turn 26 your friends will take you to Isla Bonita because they think you're special and even get you birthday presents. 

-When you turn 26 your awesome brother-in-law will send you an autograph of the Olympian Apollo Anton Ohno because he met him once and he knows how much you love the Olympics.

-When you turn 26 your buddy in the branch will find a large Giant Panda at Goodwill and give it to you for your birthday because he knows how much you like pandas.

-When you turn 26 you will keep said panda in the kitchen because he is as large as a small child and you have no idea where else to put him. He will then be dubbed "Joe the Panda" and be invited to family dinner each night. 

-When you turn 26 you will realize that it's not as bad as turning 25 and that birthdays large or small are still special.

the world needs more rock organ

So I was listening to my new Neil Diamond cd in my car (Hot August Night-Live, and I love it, thanks Stephen!), and this song came on that I wasn't familiar with. Neil was just spouting a bunch of names and got rocking, and I was really confused. But then it got to the rock organ part and I was hooked, it got really crazy after that. And I realized, the organ is something you don't hear too often in music. So I thought about other songs I knew that had organ, (besides motab or classical) and I didn't have too many. It's a shame though. Here they are:

Ok that version doesn't have organ, but just imagine it with organ on those trumpet/trombone parts. I just love Neil.

STYX Blue Collar Man-Monicky, I always think of you when I listen to STYX. Oh, and this is also a really good song to run to or drive fast in a car to.
STYX probs had organ on lots of other songs 'cause they were classy. I'm probably missing a Led Zepplin song or something.

And then! We were listening to the stream of Josh Groban's new album and he has organ on one of his songs! It's more in a classical music way, but it totally works. The song is Sincera and it's in Italian. Way to use the organ, Joshy!

Also, I missed celebrating Neil Diamond's birthday on January 24th, but let's just say every day around here is Neil Diamond day.

And tomorrow Mom and I are going to the movie theater for the cd release show of Josh's new cd, All That Echoes. I am going to pee my pants, I'm so excited. The album is awesome and probably going to be my second favorite after Awake.

Also, one time, I touched Josh Groban twice.