Signs it's the off-season: Music

Yes - Music. For me, music is an integral part of getting ready for a football game. I have certain tunes that I enjoy listening to when I'm getting ready for the tailgate - songs for packing the car - songs for the road trip - and so on.

There are also, of course, the songs for the parking lot - playlists specially crafted for the the theme and crowd. The iPod has been instrumental (if you will) - Prior to 2004 I would burn CDs for every tailgate - I would travel with a case full of PSU specialty CDs - first I got an iPod transmitter and then finally an iPod "boom box" - although it's pretty much a piece o' crap. For our large tailgates (usually 3 - 4 times a year), we have a fella who sets up a whole audio/media system - footed all weather speakers, lap top, ipod docks, satellite, tvs - it's fabulous. The only problem (for me) is that I don't have complete control over the song selection - but I'm learning to cope.

During the "off-season" I don't listen to PSU songs as regularly - it's sort of like holiday songs - if you listened to them all year long, they wouldn't be as special during the season. But that doesn't stop me from listening every now and then - I'm just a little less strict about listening to the songs as I am during the season. I have this rule - if a PSU song comes on the iPod - I can't skip it or fast forward - I have to listen to the whole song and, when appropriate, sing along.

Back in the olden days I made a "commuting mix tape" for my dad - and, it, of course, included songs from the Blue Band - One day he said to me - "That tape you made for me is dangerous." Naturally I was horrified and asked "why?" He answered "When the Alma Mater came on, I tried to stand up. I nearly wrecked the car." Funny guy.

My taste in music is hideously un-hip and eclectic - frequently guided by tv ad campaigns, movie and video game soundtracks and my 3 year old goddaughter - She's totally has her finger on the pulse of popular music - I suspect that she is singularly responsible for the Spice Girls' (albeit failed) reunion.

Here's my current play-list for off season 2008!

If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley
Dream On - Aerosmith
Opportunities - Pet Shop Boys
No Surrender - Bruce Springsteen
Jam on It - Newcleus
The Name of the Game - DJ Ostkurve
A.M. Radio - Everclear
MmmBop - Hanson
Danny Boy - John McDermott
Someday, Someway - Marshall Crenshaw
Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows - Leslie Gore
Bossman - Lucky Boys Confusion
This is the Day - The The (Thanks MnMs for that earworm)