Ghost In The Machine

I think my car stereo is possessed. I grabbed "Deuteronomy" from my Bible on Tape for a listen while driving today. I popped in the cassette (remember, those small plastic thingies with the tape spooled inside?) and the player refused to obey. Not only would it not play, it wouldn't eject, either. I can see my tape, but I can't get it to come out. I would stick my finger in there, but I'm afraid there might be an evil spirit waiting to suck me in. Paranoid or spiritually discerning? Only time will tell.

Relatives

"Amram married his father’s sister Jochebed, who bore him Aaron and Moses. Amram lived 137 years." - Exodus 6:20

That would make Moses's mom also his great aunt.

His brother Aaron is his second cousin.

And Moses's mother's brother is her father-in-law.

You thought your family was messed up.

Deep Thought Thursday

Here are some new lyrics I wrote to an old 70's song.

(Most effective if sung with a bad British accent)

If a picture's worth a thousand words, then why can't I paint you?
If blood is red, when I hit me head, why does it turn blue????

The Trust Factor

I had a great co-write today with Leslie Asher. We started and basically finished a new tune that is very cool. She had shared the idea last week, but nothing really took off. Then today - ka zing! What a wonderful feeling.

Leslie was honest enough to share something with me after we finished working. Last week she was worried that I would take her idea in a musical direction different from what she had envisioned. I understood exactly how she felt. Songs are like our babies. Even at the idea stage, they can be very personal. It is scary to share them with another writer who could take them 180° from where you think they should go. There is a level of trust involved in co-writing. The writer with the original idea has to trust that even though it is different, the other person could help take the song to a better place than ever imagined. For the second writer, you have to trust that even if you can't hear it in your head, the original idea could be exactly where this song needs to go. Your job is to catch the vision and help bring it to life.

I see now why the same names keep appearing side by side on so many songs. Co-writing is a relationship. It takes honesty, kindness, forgiveness (what do you mean my idea is stupid?), and of course, trust. The end result is well worth the risk!

Say Again?

Pam and I like to listen to Garrison Keillor's daily podcast, "The Writer's Almanac." Each edition features interesting info on famous people born on this day plus a short poem at the end.

My favorite part is not in the show, it's in the introductory credits. Each day Garrison says "... brought to you by Poetry Magazine, for over ninety years, a premier publisher of contemporary verse." Garrison sounds very proper, and pronounces premier as "prim-ear." Each day when we hear that word, Pam and I both repeat back "prim-ear" and give a little chuckle.

Isn't it amazing how little it takes to amuse us?

Deja View

This week I took my oldest daughter to buy a new watch. She took her old one off in a restroom to wash her hands and when she checked back a few minutes later, it was gone. (We don't spend a lot on jewelry, so it was really no big deal.) We headed to that great fashion accessory store, Walmart, to pick out a new one. She was overjoyed, for there in the $7 rack was the exact same watch. Pick, pay and we were on our way!

The funny part is, this was not the first time I had purchased the same watch twice. Years ago she had a butterfly watch that broke, and Walmart had another of that model as well. I teased her about being stuck in a rut. Today, I can't tease her anymore.

My favorite pair of sunglasses broke while I was in Nashville last month. Imagine my joy, when I found another pair exactly like them in our local dollar store!! I'm so happy, I'm wearing them right now. Of course, that makes it a little hard to see the computer screen, but this is the best thing that happened to me all day! Wait a minute, I'm excited over a $1 pair of sunglasses. Does that make me pathetic?

Deep Thought Thursday - You Are Needed!

This is kind of a break from our regular Thursday routine, but I found something too good to pass up.

If you've been on the internet for anytime at all, you've seen plenty of advertisements. Many of these are generated by a computer to relate to a subject on the page you are viewing. The following ad appeared next to an article about a former TV star who was arrested with marijuana (pot).


Now, before you rush out to load up on discount drugs, read on. When you click on the link, you are taken to an e-bay listing for "seed pots." Close, but not close enough!

So, if you know the difference between "seed pots" and "pot seeds", you are smarter that the smartest computers in the world. See, you are still needed after all!

My Personal Poet

My oldest daughter had to write a free form poem for school. When she read it to me, I loved it and want to share it with you. Here goes...


PIANO ROOM

Guests walk in amazed,
with their mouths open wide,
speechless at the beautiful sight.
Large, tall windows,
shining light on the smooth black top.
All kinds of instruments,
red cushiony chairs around
for people to sit and listen.
Everyone gathers, waiting to hear a beautiful noise,
while my dad is seated at his baby grand,
hands resting gently on the keys.
This is one of my family's favorite rooms,
so beautiful and open,
useful for so many things.
We call it our sanctuary - the Piano Room.

Good News

I feeling a bit down earlier this week and told Pam I need to be around someone doing good. It seems all the folks I talked to were struggling thru one life challenge or another. Not complaining, just struggling. No one with a smooth and carefree life bothered to call, so I guess I'll be the one with good news.

Yesterday I watched my oldest daughter sing a song I co-wrote in the school talent show. There were only sixteen acts out of several hundred (possibly a thousand) students, so it was quite an honor. She did excellent!

Yesterday afternoon I noticed one of our CDs has been added to iTunes!! Pretty cool stuff.

Last night I shared good pizza with several of my closest friends.

The week might have started out sort of rough, but it ended just fine!

Deep Thought Thursday

This one may date us a bit...

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME junk, why didn't he just buy dinner?

Bargain Bin?

I always told Pam we would know we made it big when our CDs made the bargain bin. In a way, that day is here - at least electronically. There are at least a few copies of most of our projects floating around on eBay and Amazon.com. Periodically I google us just to see what is out there.

The other day I came across a first. There is a copy of my new piano CD, "This Gift I Bring", on Amazon.com selling for a whopping $29.50 plus shipping. This is a current product available from our website for $15. What gives??

I'm not upset with the seller. If he can get $30+, more power to him. However, if you're in the buying mood, swing by my website and I'll give you that CD plus 2 more for only $35. Ain't I a nice guy???

Do The Math

While in Nashville I kept driving by the "Fifth Third Bank". This has me really confused. Is it the fifth branch of the Third Bank, or the third branch of the Fifth Bank?

Why not split the difference and call it the "Fourth Bank". Problem solved, shorter name - less confusing. Did I miss my calling as a bank name consultant? Who knows...