O.K., enough political commentary for a day or two.  I am listening to a duo named “Boy meets Girl”.  The song that some of you will recognize (most of you won’t) is “Waiting for a star to fall”, a great 80’s tune.  My music runs the gamut from Metallica to Barry Manilow, from the Black Eyed Peas to the Dixie Chicks.  I finally have a job where I can listen to music while I work.  I listen all day except when I have to set my headphones down for an occasional phone call.  I never learned to play any instrument as a kid.  I really wish that I had, I wish that I had that outlet now.  I tried to get my son to play piano, but he did not have the dedication to practice.  He is now in jr. high and has taken up the trumpet, hopefully this will stick.  

            I love music as a means of bringing out emotion from deep within ourselves.  I have felt strongly influenced by music, both in church and from entertainment.  I almost broke down once while singing “Come, Come ye Saints.”  A version of “Show Me the Way” by Styx came out during the first gulf war that intercut messages from soldiers to their families into the music.  Every time I hear that song, it stirs up memories of the military and friends at war.  “Butterfly Kisses” and “Father of Mine” cause me to reflect on my relationship with my children and renew my commitment to never leave them.  “How Do I Live Without You” speaks to me and my marriage.  I have now been married longer than I was single (and I am only 35).  I do not know what life would have been like if I had not married early, but I shudder to think about it.  I cannot imagine life without my wife by my side, and I certainly do not understand how she puts up with me.

            Some music just makes my heart pound.  Bands like Metallica, Guns n Roses and Poison are just pure entertainment (good work-out music too).  Of course, these songs can have special meaning as well.  Our song (my wife’s and mine) is “Patience” from Guns n Roses.  This song had special meaning while I was in boot camp and waiting to get married.

            I try not to get stuck in any one genre.  I listen to metal, country, easy listening and just whatever I like to hear.  Some people say that they hate a certain type of music, i.e. country, but I think that there are songs out there in every category to fit everyone’s taste.  Kind of like people; despite the labels we put on them, I think that everyone deserves a chance.