Metallica Monday: Fuel

The saga of my healing from a torn Achilles tendon continues...

My doc and the PT cleared me just this month to begin doing workouts again, and it's been awesome.

Not working out was driving me absolutely crazy, so I've loved getting back to the gym.

Mainly I've been swimming and biking, and this week I've done a little on the elliptical.

And those sweet, sweet endorphins just keep fueling my fire to want to get back in shape for races and triathlons this summer, and to drop all the unwanted pounds I've put on both before and after the injury.

Which is why today's Metallica Monday song is none other than:

Fuel

If that video and song doesn't get you pumped up, I don't know what will.

So what fuels you?

Metallica Monday: Tuesday's Gone

It's been a little while since I've done a Metallica Monday.

To be honest, I've been busy living life, and blogging hasn't been a high priority. Sorry.
Also, I've realized that eventually I'm going to run out of Metallica songs to use.

Which is why I'm going to use this Metallica Monday to introduce a new set of music blogposts here on Guy Smiley's Guts:

The Tunes-day Trio

It'll be a set of three songs that have a theme or something in common.
And it'll be on Tuesdays.
Hence the Tunes-day Trio

Like Metallica Monday, it may not be every week, but I'll try to make it a regular post.

Anyway, Metallica did a great, topic-appropriate cover of a Lynyrd Skynyrd's tune:

Tuesday's Gone

That maybe isn't their cleanest version (on the Garage Inc. album, FYI), but it's more interesting to watch than a lame slide-show of Metallica pics, which is mostly what YouTube has to offer.

Here's to the remaining Metallica Mondays and its successor set, Tunes-day Trio!

Metallica Monday: Fade to Black

I like to pick a Metallica Monday song that fits what's going on in my life, either in the title, the lyrics, or the subject matter of the video.

Which is why this week I chose:

Fade to Black

More extensive post to come, but I had surgery last Thursday to reconstruct a torn Achilles tendon.

Going into the hospital, I thought I'd just get a local anesthetic and a nerve blocker during the procedure, but the surgical nurse and anesthesiologist informed me that I'd be knocked out.

It kinda makes sense, and I'm glad they did, because laying still on my stomach for an hour and a half would be tough, and it'd be one more concern for the surgical team to worry about.

Anyway, after a minor anesthetic, they injected the nerve blocker in the back of my knee, and then they completed the trio with a stronger anesthetic which quickly made everything "fade to black".

Next thing I knew, I woke up in the post-op room.

Yes, there really is a Metallica song for every occasion.

Metallica Monday: Turn the Page

My vacation out West continues, and this week I'm at the family reunion and Grandma's 90th birthday.

For such a big occasion while traveling, I feel one of my favorite Metallica covers is in order.
Note: The video is very well-done, though it's very sad.

Turn the Page

Next week at this time, I'll be back in the DC area. Kinda sad to think this trip has to end, because I'm having so much fun with my family and friends here.

In my opinion, this version is even better than the original by Bob Seger. What do you think?

Metallica Monday: Wherever I May Roam

You think Metallica Mondays are put on hold just because I go on vacation? Nope.

I spent last weekend on a guys golf trip to St George and Las Vegas, so I think this song is perfect.

Wherever I May Roam

Oh, and it feels good to be back in Utah, where my Metallica roots started.

Metallica Monday: Unforgiven

Just a short one, because I'm not really in the mood to blog.

It's been a rough couple days, as a relationship came to a sad end and will not be revived as I'd hoped it might be. Guess that's just how it goes sometimes. And nothing against her, because I was the one who blew it by not being prepared when we had our chance.

So here's today's Metallica Monday choice, from the classic black album:

Unforgiven

Later.

Metallica Monday: Jump in the Fire

A couple great songs came from Metallica's debut album, Kill 'Em All. They established themselves as solid thrashers with songs like 'Seek & Destroy' and 'Blitzkrieg'.

Previously, I wasn't familiar with the third single from that album, titled 'Jump in the Fire'. [source].

While the song was written with a much darker connotation, I'm applying it as an anthem of not settling for a safe situation, and instead going all in for what I want to achieve.

Jump in the Fire

Not sure what I'm going to do yet, as there are several options.
Plus, I am not in any hurry to change unless the risks are somewhat calculated.
I'll let you know as I figure things out and take my leap of faith into the great unknown.

Time to go all in.

Metallica Monday: St Anger

According to the Kübler-Ross model, there are 5 stages of grief following a loss:

1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

They don't have to be chronological, and some stages may be quicker or less pronounced than others.

Last week I went through a couple of these, including the second phase of anger. Not at any individual, because that wasn't warranted in this case, but just at the general situations of life and how sometimes I'd rather not have to go through them, even when/if they're necessary.

In honor of the anger stage, today I've picked the following song from Metallica's catalog:

St Anger

Warning: contains strong language

For those times when you just want to rage and be angry for a bit, Metallica has your medicine.

Metallica Monday: One

Sometimes you just feel broken and alone.

You may not be, and I know I'm not really, but it can feel that way.

One

Makes me want to thrash a bit, but I'll try to remain calm and remember all the people rooting for and supporting me, from family to friends to anonymous blog stalkers.

Keep calm and carry on, Aaron.

Metallica Monday: Iron Man (Black Sabbath cover)

I'm a sucker for superhero movies, which is why I'm stoked for this movie to come out May 4th.

Click [here] to watch the trailer  

Ironman, Thor, Black Widow, Hawkeye, Captain America, and the Hulk face off against Loki (Thor's adoptive brother and archenemy). This is gonna be good.

In honor of The Avengers, a Black Sabbath cover by Metallica gets this week's nod:

Iron Man

John Carter and The Hunger Games are also on my must-see list in the next little while.

What other movies are you excited for?

Metallica Monday (PvZ Edition): Creeping Death

Special theme for this week's Metallica Monday: Plants vs Zombies.

My brother Adam and my nephew Gunner introduced me to this game, and I'm hooked.

It's incredibly fun using plants of varying skills, defenses, and attacks to repel hundreds of zombies coming by land, air, and sea. Well, it's more swimming pool than sea, but that doesn't sound as cool.

Beyond the action of the game, the scenes between levels also have some great humor. For example:

So make sure you've got plenty of sunflowers so you can plant corn cob missile launchers and lots of spikeweeds, because if you don't, the zombies will eat your brains!

All these zombies reminded me of the song I chose for this edition of Metallica Monday:

Creeping Death
I found this YouTube video where they dubbed the song over Ten Commandments clips, which is an extra bonus since this song was inspired by the Biblical account of Moses and the first Passover.

Great video with a great song, isn't it?

So watch out for the creeping death of the plagues and zombies this week!

Metallica Monday: The Memory Remains & Hero of the Day

I'll keep this short, because there has been a lot of talk about the tenth anniversary of 9/11 already.

Two songs, both related to yesterday's memorial.

While we continue to heal a decade later, we will never forget that day.
The Memory Remains

Brave people stepped up, many sacrificing their lives to save others. They are true heroes.
Hero of the Day

Metallica Monday: Until It Sleeps & All Nightmare Long

My sleeping schedule is all jacked up these days. Changing time zones doesn't help, but I've been struggling for a while now. Last night, I didn't get to sleep until about 4:30 am and had to be up at 7:30 so I could get to work. With this in mind, I've picked a two-pack of sleep-related Metallica titles for ya.

"Until It Sleeps"

Insomnia is terrible. My hope is that few of you know what I'm experiencing. Those of you who can commiserate with me know all too well that insomnia robs you of both physical energy and clear thinking. So far, I've shunned medicinal treatment, but my resolve is weakening with each additional sleep-deprived night.

"All Nightmare Long"

For now, I say carry on, fellow zombies. And let's all get some shuteye sooner rather than later.

Metallica Monday: Welcome Home (Sanitarium)

Today's Metallica Monday is dedicated to the very talented, troubled, and late Amy Winehouse.

To my knowledge, Metallica never did an official cover of a Winehouse song, nor vice versa, so I've chosen a song to wish her well going to her post-mortal home, where her earthly demons will no longer torment her.

Most likely you've all heard by now that Ms. Winehouse passed away over the weekend. While it hasn't been confirmed, based on her past issues, the general presumed cause is a drug overdose. I imagine her addiction was much like being trapped in the place described by Metallica.

"Welcome Home (Sanitarium)".

Metallica Monday: I Disappear

During college, I used to do Metallica Mondays, because a Utah radio station (X96) had one hour every Monday night when they only played Metallica songs. Since we could all use more metal in our Mondays, I'm bringing it back, in blog form.*

Today I've chosen a newer song.

"I Disappear" was featured in the movie "Mission Impossible II", and I love that the video has the band doing stunt scenes. Planes and car chases and explosions fit perfectly.

I chose this song because I feel like I've dropped off the face of the earth with some friends lately. Summer goals have kept me busy, but I'm gonna try to not be so absent going forward.

Til next time, rock on!

*This probably won't be a weekly thing, but Metallica Mondays will pop up every so often when I'm in the mood.