And now a musical interlude

 On this lazy Sunday I decided instead of my usual political thoughts and feelings I would share a little about another side of me, Music!  For me music has always been a safe space for processing and expressing feelings.  I cannot tell you how often as I am driving a song comes on the radio and my mind immediately relays an important life event or situation from my past.  On days when I am battling depression, anger, stress, etc. I find solace and comfort in music.  Music is the one thing in my life which has never let me down or made me feel like I wasn't worth it.  It has always been there.  In my darkest times and my brightest days, it is there.  My head has a constant running soundtrack in it.  

Have any of you ever been having a terrible day and then that 1 song comes on and everything aligns in your world?  Every single time my Spotify playlist knows what my mind needs to realign.  The energy that music emits has a very unique way of working with our brain waves and leveling us out.

Another thing I do with music is host concerts and shows.  I had the opportunity to go out for a 2-week tour and ended up being the emcee each night.  I had a blast.  The shows I have hosted have felt like home.  If I had one wish it would be to be in a financial position to own a music venue and host shows every single day!  Music is my happy place.  Yes planning, organizing, paying for it and all the rest is super stressful but the night of the show when all the work pays off there is nothing like it!  No feeling in the world compares to live music.  The energy, lights and vibe all put my energy in line.  

I am going to try and take a post once a month or so and go off script from politics.  Hopefully you guys enjoy these and those as I enjoy it all.  Please share and like the blog so I can increase views and participation in this effort.

Non-Political post #1- Entertainement

 

As promised this is my first post of 2021 that breaks up the monotony of politics with something fun to discuss.  For those who enjoy my pithy commentary have no fear I will be posting as usual very soon!  So what can we discuss today that people might be interested in?  I have thought long and hard about what would be interesting for most of you and then it hit me, entertainment!  So here is what I was thinking, what do you do for entertainment and why?

For me I enjoy a lot of different forms of entertainment.  But the most enjoyable thing I like to do is attend concerts and hockey games!  2020 prevented both of those things but hockey season recently started and my wife agreed to let me order the Center Ice package on Direct TV which allows me to watch every single Colorado Avalanche game this season!!!  So while that does not have the same energy as being there live I have really enjoyed being able to watch my team.  Hockey has an energy live that I have never felt at any other sporting event.  It is a very enjoyable way to spend a few hours and it gives me a great feeling no matter if the team I am rooting for wins or loses.  Here in Tucson we have 2 hockey teams, the University of Arizona and the AHL club team for the Coyotes the Tucson Roadrunners.  Both of these teams are awesome to watch live and I really miss being there with my family and friends.

The other thing I truly miss is live concert events.  Since 2012 I have worked with a website called Faygoluvers which covers the genre of Underground rap and hip hop mostly.  I do music reviews, show reviews, and some interviews for them and it has allowed me to get deeply involved in something that brings me relaxation and enjoyment.  I have gotten to interview some amazing artists and review a ton of amazing albums.  But the thing I enjoy most is being at live shows.  Nothing gives me the ability to escape the realities of life for a short time like being there.  For that few hours I can give myself entirely to the vibe and energy in the building and let the outside world disappear.  Toward the end of 2020 I began writing music reviews again and found while immersing myself in the music I found some of that same feeling.  It will never be the same as live event but until that can begin again I am going to work hard to provide new reviews and start to make the review section of the site very active!

So in the end here I would like to know what kinds of things do you enjoy for entertainment and how do those things make you feel?  I know for some movies or tv shows give that ability to relax.  For others it is reading.  What is it that feeds your soul?

Escape from 2020

    

    Driving into work this morning I found myself listening to music which made my brain and body feel normal, which I haven't felt for a long time.  Then I realized how much I missed music.  Sure I listen to the radio while driving or writing this blog but I haven't allowed myself to get lost in music for some time. Of course with everything being locked down this year live music has been shut down and I go to a lot of live music every year.  I used to write reviews for a website and had a folder packed with tons of new music every year, I haven't had time for that with life getting in the way.  I lost the one thing that has helped me cope with feelings and the world my entire life.

    Music gives people the chance to leave everything behind, even if it is for a short time.  No matter what form you listen it gives you something to focus on besides the constant bullshit life throws at you.  When I am at a concert I can walk through the venue doors and just leave everything behind.  My natural element is surrounded by great music that reverberates into my soul.  Recently I have had so much going on that I could not figure out why my energy seemed so off.  I recently was married, bought a house, moved to a new department in my company, had my last son left home, I went back to school and I stopped listening to new music, going to concerts and writing reviews.  So this morning when I felt the music touch my soul and it felt super good I wondered what I needed to do to fix this problem.  So I am going to dive back into music reviews, hopefully on the website I had been writing for, if they will have me.  I am also going to take time to allow my brain to hear the music rather than have it be background noise.

  Some people find that release in books, movies, video games, or any other form but for me it is the music.  The energy released by it evens out my energy and puts me at ease.  Although 2020 has been a very difficult time for live music I can find that release with a pair of headphones and time.  I need to find a way to get back into a studio with an artist and be a part of that process.  I need to write reviews.  I need live concerts.  Most importantly I need the energy music provides.  Time to flick the switch and let the world turn itself off even if that is only for small periods of time.

What do you guys find is a good way to flick the switch?