I've discovered that I can't listen to music and do anything useful at the same time.

Example A: I spent yesterday morning baking sweet rolls (an unusual activity for me, I assure you).  However, the music that I had blaring during my baking seemed to invoke more dancing and singing from me than mixing of ingredients. 

Example B: I've spent the past hour attempting to write this first post, all the while listening to some Audio Adrenaline.  In that hour I wrote a grand total of 0 words.  Now, five minutes after I turned off the music, I am this far.  Direct correlation?  I think so.

Example C: Katrina would probably tell you that I often drift in and out of conversation anytime music is present.

I had every intention of not starting this blog with any sort of introduction, but rather diving straight into the gory details of my heart's brains.  However, it does seem a very fitting introduction; the relationship between Music and myself.  Where to begin....

We've been dating for about 20 years now...and yes, we've had our ups and downs. For example, there was a time when I just had no desire to practice the piano anymore.  Lack of preparation made lessons painful, and I only wanted to play what I wanted to play.  More recently, I've been having a hard time finding creative ways to communicate with Music...my fingers seem to play the same riffs every time I pick up the guitar, and when I open my mouth the same meaningless phrases come out.  But working through times like these provides immense opportunity for growth.  I know I learned a lot about our relationship during that time, though I can't speak for the piano....or the guitar.  Music and I have actually talked about marriage, but honestly, she demands a rather unusual and rigorous lifestyle so I've put that idea to rest (no pun intended, ok maybe it was) for the time being.  However, we've been on an upswing the past few weeks, so who knows where we'll end up.  

All this to say that music has been and will always be (provided that God is OK with that) a central part of my life.  I can't remember a time of my life that didn't revolve around music in some way, whether it was playing at church, accompanying choruses, writing silly songs for classes, or recording albums with a band.  I find it to be the easiest way to express myself, whether by listening to it or by making it.  And speaking of making it, keep an eye out on the music player on the right side of the blog.  That will have any new recordings I find the time to make.

For not having wanted to write an introduction, I've managed to ramble quite a bit.  Do not expect my next post to be anything like this.  In fact, expect the next post to be a short list of verses from Matthew and possibly II Corinthians each with accompanying questions/comments.  That is, in fact, my true intention for this blog.  It's a way for me to focus my thoughts as I read the through the Bible and to glean insight from the wisdom and experience of others.  Having said that, open discussion via comments is greatly encouraged.  Think of it like an interactive web based Bible study. 

Be warned, however, that despite the intention of the blog, I will likely be unable to resist occasional commentaries regarding chemistry, audio, or things even more bizarre like giant squid or zombies (the real ones, not those lighting fast, moderately intelligent infected creatures from 21 Days Later...although they're cool too).

Guten Nacht