It's Only Life After All

Every now and then when I'm feeling stressed out like I was this morning, something amusing happens to me. A song pops into my head. Not just any song, mind you. This one belongs to a band that went to my high school called Dork, which was led by a guy named Spike. I am not making this up. Even the teachers called him that. The lyrics say, "Today was a good day. Yesterday sucked. Tomorrow will be better if we make it that way. Ya, ya, ya, ya." Very profound, I know. It was the height of ska (kind of a reggae/punk mix for those that blinked and missed that era).

The thing that makes it noteworthy for me is not the depth of the lyrics or the quality of the melody, but the fact that I cannot think of this song without smiling. It's silly, but it works every time. All of the sudden I am transported back to high school. I think of the silly, happy song and the goofy band, and it is impossible to take myself and my life so seriously. (I'm not sure this would work for everyone. One of my friends from the time lived within earshot of their practice space, so I think the thought of their songs makes her grind her teeth.)

I lost track of these guys, and I'm pretty sure the band broke up when we graduated. Last I heard Spike was headed to the University of Hawaii to major in surfing. Wherever they are, I'd like to say thanks to Dork. Your music still makes me smile, whether it’s today, yesterday or tomorrow.