Do something old.

Just posted something like this, only short and sweet, to my tumblr (which is what tumblr is best for, IMO, short and sweet posts).

I said that next time you make a resolution to do something, don't get hung up on the "doing something new". I think this year, or maybe for the next 6 months, we should all try to do something old. Something from your youth that we gave up on for some reason. It could be as simple as buying a new box of crayons and a coloring book and just spending an hour filling the pages with color. Or treating yourself to an action figure from the Target toy aisle and RIPPING it out of the box as soon as you get home. Or a single-issue of a comic book. Even buying a loaf of white bread, some peanut butter and jelly and making a PBJ for lunch, along with a tall glass of milk.

Or, you know, whatever you did with your childhood hours that you dont' do anymore.

Honestly, this doesn't seem to be a huge problem for us geeky types - we tend to embrace our fandoms with the love and enthusiasm of giddy children. But I think we all have hobbies and little things that we stopped doing for no real reason. I used to draw all the time as a kid, I feel like I should do that again. Heck, only 10 years ago, I was pretty damn good at Photoshop and I haven't really done much with that in awhile, apart from making iPhone backgrounds.

But, yeah, I think society as a whole likes to look down on people who can still find that spark and enjoy it. So even if you already do crazy things, like follow your favorite band all over the country, then try to spread that feeling to others. Show them that it's okay to have a few things in life that you just go crazy over, no matter what.

I think a lot of people feel they need permission to have fun again.

So make it your mission to give it to them.

"We go to ones that the people are so snobby they pretend they don't know us..."

The Beatles' Defiining Moment (Hint: It's not 'Sgt. Pepper')

I have to say, this article really made me think a lot about the BBC Sessions collection. It has always been one of my favorite un-albums from the boys. For those who are not familiar with it, the Beatles' did a regular special on the BBC in 1963, before they hit it HUGE in the States. They are so fun to listen to because they are all still so young and a bit naive, a bit of that arrogance that you have when you're in your early 20s and think you know it all. Then again, they already had a few years of performing live under their belts so they had a reason to feel that way. And, being the Fab Four, they just come off as totally charming.

As the article points out, they did some really ballsy stuff during that session - like covering Elvis and other American rock and roll and R&B songs that we would probably think of as sacred cows, not meant to be touched. But they didn't care, they were giddy and wanted to try it all. And they pull it off most of the time, showing that they were more than just studio musicians but live performers that knew how to mix their new songs in with some sure-fire hits. While obviously toned down from their German stage days,

Oh look, someone appears to have put the entire thing up on Youtube (shocking, I know). It's worth a listen, though it's almost eerie how clear it all sounds, like they were recorded yesterday instead of 50 years ago...

That reminds me, I was pondering doing a Beatles Anniversary program at the library next year as it will be the 50th Anniversary of their Ed Sullivan appearance. Anyone have suggestions for activities for all ages (besides Beatles Rock Band, which I have).