My XML Valentine

There are few things I do well in this world. I'm reasonably good at my job, but nothing to shout about. I can ride my bike, but not well enough to race. I play several instruments, but none of them with any proficiency. I can read, but since laziness is my greatest motivation these days I rarely even do that.

I can recall stupid bits of information about music, and can remember stunning detail about songs as well. However, no one really needs to know when the bicycle bell is featured in Pet Sounds.

I cannot dance, though that may be a blessing. I can't run very far without getting winded. I'm no good at painting, photography, origami, sculpture, sketching or any visual medium. I cannot sing, nor can I write songs. I've never been good at navigation. I frequently get lost in malls and they are, generally, circular in arrangement.

I can not do carpentry, or anything with tools for that matter including: tuck pointing; welding; soldering; electrical work; sawing; hammering and general leather work.

I am good at pissing people off and alienating them. However, I accept this because generally the people I piss off and alienate are people who suck my time dry without offering me much in return. I have a family and they come before me setting up some schlub's home theater for them. So I cut them loose citing a drain on resources. Harsh, perhaps, but there are so many hours in a day and only so many days in a life.

I used to consider myself a decent writer. However, I haven't lately. Most of what I write is poorly thought out, incomplete and nonsensical. Or, worse, it's just bad.

That being said, there is one thing I am exceedingly good at. Loving my wife and kids. Their presence in my life, even during frustrating times, is the light by which I can guide my life. There is nothing more that I love in this world than those three people. And donuts. But donuts come in a close second to the family.

So, for Valentine's Day we always exchange handmade gifts. Since I'm not good at much of the visual aspects, I always eschew cards and rely on my two strengths. 1. Love of my family. 2. Remembering music.

The girls each got "Radio Daddy Jamz" which is a compilation of all their favorite songs from the radio. Oh yes, I purchased pop music. Gert hugged me for two minutes straight because of one of the songs is her "most favorite song ever." So take your indie cred and suck it music snob (you know who you are).

My wife's mix is different. I actually spent two months working on it and it spans two CDs. I don't think I've made a mix like this since we were dating. It actually says what's in my head on a daily basis.

We've been together for 9 years and, sometimes, even with a dictionary and a thesaurus I run out of words to describe my feelings for her.

I can't share all of it with you, but you can listen to the highlights on the new Radio SFT playlist. Enjoy.
ETA: The radio thing isn't currently working. Will try to fix ASAP. Okay, it's fixed. And looks new and fresh.