The man cannot truly live unless he shares in the actions and the passions of his times.
—Oliver Wendell Holmes

I love music. All kinds, perhaps except for Country — and even that, there’s a small portion I can tolerate. I love, and have a soft spot in my heart for film — it’s an experience like no other as far as I’m concerned. It just is. I consider myself a student of the media, something of a pop-culture junkie. But that’s only true to a certain extent.

Trends in pop culture pass me by more often than they don’t, especially over the past few years. Last year, when everyone around me was quoting something annoying from Borat, I didn’t know what they were talking about. Still don’t. Many of my friends have told me how much I have to see “Heroes.” I’ve been told to watch “The Wire” as well. While here a few days ago, Jiggy recommended a new album to me. I’ve heard the phrase “voted off the island” a million times, but I can’t say I’ve ever seen an episode of “Survivor.” Or “American Idol.” Or any number of those pointless “reality” series.

My lack of exposure is not for a lack of trying, mind you. I’m always watching or listening to or reading something. Most of the time, it’s something new. The problem is that there’s always something new. I suppose it’s a good problem to have, but it can still feel overwhelming. Several months back, I canceled my Netflix subscription for this very reason. The backlog just got too large to manage, and I needed a break.

And yet I still consume. I still listen and watch and download and visit, and I love it. There’s something uniquely gratifying about experiencing art, especially when it’s not your own — because at the end of the day, you figure that the artist who created what you’re experiencing put their work out there for it to be seen, heard, whatever. It’s a nice way to pay tribute.

And that’s why no matter how behind I am, I’m always looking for something new. The backlog is persistent, but I think I rather like it that way.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I have art to experience.