I've been listening to the soundtrack to "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" for a while but I finally read the liner notes. There is a phrase in there that really struck me. This is it: "Music used to be part of every-day life, not something only done by celebrities." Sing, dance, and/or just go out and listen to some live music in a small, intimate environment. It really is like oxygen or water. We all need it. Our culture is deteriorating partially because we don't laugh enough, don't sing, don't hear live music, and don't have enough real, intimate contact with other people. Working hard is good. I work a part time job three full days a week, plus 40-50 hours per week on my own music, plus whatever work I do in the studio recording other people, which varies. In spite of this I know I need to "play" sometimes. So do you. Act silly sometime! Go out and run around in the rain. I know this all sounds corny but it is true. You have more time every week than you think! And you have less time on this planet than you reallize. We work like crazy in our society and then in our down time we are entertained in ways that do not give us any spiritual "food." Seek out entertainment which makes you feel full, in stead of entertainment which just kills time. You will feel energized!!! Go out and see live theatre, live music. Take a hike and enjoy nature. Take the time you would spend watching TV and get out there. You deserve it!

Monday, March 11th 2002