the new jukebox

Music has always been an important part of my life and I can not remember a time in my life where it was not so. However as I have stumbled through my life there have been times where it took a back seat to other things. In recent years I have tried, unsuccessfully so far, to learn the guitar - both electric and acoustic. In each case my desire to accomplish enough competence to play a song or two has lost to my lack of patience and the guitar has been set aside for extended periods of time. Several years ago I purchased my first iPod and I currently own a 60GB video version. This little, portable juke box has stoked a fire with me and renewed my love for music. This wonderful little device has enabled me to listen to what I want and for me, more importantly, it provides an escape during my hour long commute to work each day. In the last year I have explored pod-casts and let me recommend that you give them a try. Typically free to download from iTunes and other places - they range from fly fishing instruction, NPR broadcasts, audio books, comedy, independent artists and almost any subject you can think of. One podcast that I has become a weekly download for me is: http://www.acousticlongisland.com/
This website has almost single handedly resulted in my latest attempt to make music with my acoustic guitar. Podcasts like Acoustic Long Island allow me to hear unknown artists that I may not otherwise in a open mike relaxed atmosphere. To have websites like the above and an endless supply of music at my fingertips keeps my soul focused on music. I often find myself thinking of things I would like to put to song and rarely can any of the days problems not be extinguished by a simple push of ‘play’ on my trusty little iPod.

taking PC too far?

The daily drone of the backlash resulting in what has now become Imus’ last show has filled our lives enough to last a lifetime. While the matter was correctly examined and we will debate whether appropriate action was taken for a little while longer, I think many of us are ready to move on. Well unfortunately, perhaps as a knee jerk reaction to recent events, someone else was unable to zipper up before it was too late. According to the St Petersburg Times (4-13-07)

TALLAHASSEE — State Rep. Don Brown thought he was being “cute.” His fellow Republicans in the Florida House had another word for it: racist.
“Don’t forget to pay your taxes — 12-million illegal aliens are depending on you!” Brown wrote in a message to his colleagues on a state-issued email account.
The Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus issued a statement saying it “took serious offense.”

Yes, he has already made an apology. My grandparents came to this country thru Ellis Island, however, they legally registered and became US Citizens. This is NOT the same thing as the group mentioned in the news article. So lets see if we got this right now? Citizens need to be understanding, compassionate, and not ignore the feelings of this illegal US population segment.

Rep. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, said the Brown e-mail showed “an ignorance as to the founding of both this state and our country. It deeply saddens me that this mentality still exists in what we consider to be a forward-looking government.”

Excuse me Rep. Rene Garcia but no one is suggesting that these people be denied citizenship - BUT would it be too much to ask you to do something about the numbers flowing into this country? They should all just get a free pass, no citizenship required? We don’t want to offend anyone by imposing some guidelines upon them. We seem more concerned about the feelings of a group of illegals instead of the feelings of family dealing with a child’s death or rape victim - as result of a repeat offender staying out of jail.

The sweat and backs of people from all backgrounds built this country. But the majority of these people were also people who became US Citizens. As a US Citizen were are afforded many rights, liberties, and benefits. But these “perks” should only be available to legal citizens or shareholders of the US.

Hopefully the timing of this article and Imus are purely coincidental because they should not be placed in the same category.

what is a swannanoa gathering?

Up until about 2 1/2 months ago I would not have been able to explain. However, that has changed. It is a week of guitar classes provided at Warren Wilson College, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Swannanoa Gathering is a yearly event that from what I learned is something that attendees schedule every year as part of their yearly rejuvenation. I am looking forward to this experience and am currently practicing my recently purchased guitar, so that I can contribute to the jam sessions that occupy downtime between classes. Thus far, this upcoming week at the end of July has provided the catalyst to hopefully keep me at practicing to finally learn the guitar - something that I have wanted to do since childhood.

scenes from the carribean