Memories

It's odd how the brain works. I knew a guy named Chester Bennington in high school. Even dated him (don't get in a tizzy, it was that high-school kind of dating that really means nothing), we were friends and in theater together. Now let me get this clear - I am not name dropping, this is an example. Knowing someone that became famous that I haven't seen in 17 years doesn't make me any better than any of you. Knowing how to spell makes me better than you :) My street cred will remain at zero.

The only reason I am even writing this article, is that as of late the radio plays their new song frequently. So it ends up on my mind.

Anyhow, if you don't know, it turns out that he became the lead singer of a band called Linkin Park. I don't listen to them other than the radio, I am not a fan of their music. In fact, I didn't know that Chester was their singer until about 8 months ago. But I digress. The point of this whole meandering tale is that now that I know I can recognize his voice on the radio. (I still don't listen to their music other than by chance.) Now, I haven't seen him in 17 years. But my brain can definitively pick out his voice. The part that I find ultimately amusing, is that I picture him as he looked 17 years ago. Curly hair, slightly shorter than me, adorable. Not exactly the same image he has now. I will always picture him dressed up with a straw hat singing in our production of Oklahoma.

A lot of back story for a simple thing that I find boggling. The mind works in very odd ways. I couldn't find my house keys for two days (they were in my pants pocket that I had worn two days previously). Yet I can pick a voice out that I haven't heard in nearly two decades. I know smells are often stuck in the long term memories. Fascinates me. That's all.

OK. A really long story for a short sum-up at the end. Sorry. Regardless, there it is.

In case this minuscule story somehow gets back to Chester (it won't). Congratulations on your success and the new song (as Sean told me it would be) is much better than your older stuff in my worthless opinion. :)