Welcome to the pond

I saw this one someone's blog and thought I should fill it out myself. It's from 3X Thursday:

1. Are you really into music? Does it get you excited, or can you take it or leave it?

Music is a huge part of my life. It's what keeps me going every day. It gives me something to be passionate about and listening to it is a very good way to relax.

2. Do you look forward to new albums coming out? Are you one of those people that waits with bated breath, or do you just buy albums when you are walking by a kiosk or something like that?

I really only look forward to new albums if they're by artists that I really love. Once in a while I'll buy something completely new, but lately I've been trying to build my collection with stuff that's already been released. I only started buying a lot of music in college, so I missed out on a lot of good albums.

3. What kind of music did you listen to as a kid (0-18)?. What do you listen to now?

When I was old enough to decide for myself what kind of music I liked, I listened to a lot of hip hop, rap, new jack swing, stuff like that. Whatever was popular on MTV. I listened to a little rock, but not much because that was my parents' music. Kids don't like to listen to what their parents like, you know. I did, however, absorb a lot of the grunge and alternative music that was on MTV and radio in my teen years. Just because I wasn't an active fan of it doesn't mean it didn't affect me.

Now, I listen to a little of everything. Folk, pop, acoustic, some indie. I also listen to music from all over the world. I even listen to country once in a while. I've been getting into classic rock because my dad used to listen to it on the radio all the time when I was growing up, and that brings back memories. I also realize that the music is just damn good and that it was made by creative and passionate people.

Bonus Question for Comments: Does music hold the same meaning as an adult as it did when you were a kid? Why/why not?

I've always liked music, but I've never loved it as much as I do now. I think kids listen to music differently than adults. They aren't really passionate about it or serious about it, but they do listen for fun. That's what I used to do, listen for fun. I still do that, of course, but I'm consumed by learning more about different styles and artists and discovering new stuff. I don't discover nearly as much as I should, and hype doesn't work well for me, but I still try to indulge myself in the stuff I like most.

Music has almost become an addiction for me. If I'm not listening to it, I'm thinking about it. I can go some time without listening to music, but never too long. My life seems quiet when I don't have any music on.