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04/07/2006: "Why do I admit this stuff?"
This morning Trouble in the Fields by Nanci Griffith came on the radio while I was driving to work. It's one of those songs that no matter where or when I hear it, it makes me cry. I mean really really cry....a lot.
Ever react to a song like that? One that overwhelmed you with emotion? The first time I went to the symphony I cried through the entire thing; the guy I was with kept watching me, I got so pissed. Same with movies. I hate it when I cry at a sad part and the person I'm with watches me like a side-show...watch the performance or f$#!ing leave. It’s not my fault if you’re an emotionless automaton!!!
But I digress, after work I got to see Nanci Griffith in concert (for free!) at the Alaska Folk Festival and she was amazing. For me, music is *essential*...I mean, my mom was a singer and she fantasized about our family becoming the next "Von Trapp Family Singers". Well, that never happened but I've continued to play a lot of instruments and recently I feel like I've had a breakthrough with my guitar lessons. I've learned these new picking patterns so I can go back and play all these songs I already know by heart but now I sound cool when I play them.
The whole festival this week has me inspired. I came home tonight and didn't exactly play my old six-string until my fingers bled... but they're pretty damn sore. My voice too. I invited my friend (that went to the Folk Fest with me), to come over for a night of drunken X-box Karaoke. This is my life and I’m not afraid to admit it! Which reminds me, I told an embarrassing climbing story to a co-worker the other day and someone who overheard me said "I don't know anyone less afraid of looking bad than you"....uh, thanks?