THE NEGATIVE REACTION

THESE STREETS

So my parents are back from Florida. They had a good time and everything went off without a hitch. Work has slowed again to a grind (surprise, surprise).

So I dusted off one of my old CD's - Savatage's "Streets: A Rock Opera". This CD was GLUED in cd player back in the old Fargo days. Dark days, long DEPRESSING days, I lisetened to it everyday for about 6 months. The album has every theme. The rise of a young upshot, the fall, the misteps, and in the end, redemption. I was listening to it on my way to our meeting with the pastor at our church. As soon as the few chords blared out of my speakers I knew why I love this cd so much. It will prolly be another 6 months now. The one HUGE song on this album is the last song "Believe". When my father almost drank himself to death, I gave it to him for inspiration. Everytime I hear it, it's like shooting an arrow through my heart. It means that much to me.

The music covers all the emotions. On the way to pick up my parents I just about broke down - it affected me that much. The universal story of broken dreams and redemption is still very powerful. I guess when I first got this album there was a lot of shit in my life and now I can look back and see the dusted road where I have emerged and to see the sun again - I feel blessed. This was also the last album of guitarist virtuoso Criss Oliva. It just makes the music that much more important and somber.

This is why music means so much to me. It just touches a chord, and makes me think, makes me feel. Music has gotten me thorugh so many rough spots in my life, it has become my crutch. It's always there for me. Neer to judge, it speaks to me the words I need to hear, it keeps me putting one foot in front of the other - pushing forward. It makes me BELIEVE in something greater than myself.

*the song - Can You Hear Me Now comes on*

So I've been working on getting my shit together for my consulting comapny. I'm going to take a real stab at getting it going. As much as I would like to start a magazine, or write a book, this is something I can throw myself and all my skills into - and make $$$$$ in the process. To boot, it's something I can do in my off time and weekends. Don't know how the gif is going to take that - but we'll see.

So life goal #235, get your consultating business off it's feet and moving.

ok - the music is getting too strong for me. I can't listen and type at the same time. So here's some flavor for you to think about:


New York City Don't Mean Nothing Lyrics
I've been here since '81
That's a long time
I've seen all there is to see

Had a space on Astor Place
Had it all once
Now these streets
Are my reality

Because
New York City
Don't mean nothing
It's just a good place when you're running
Lights they cut so bright they make you bleed

Neon children live their lives there
Mad magicians tinsel nightmares
Still you know I'm never gonna leave

Never sleep alone on the subway
Never walk alone on the tracks
Never take a ride to the edge of your mind
Unless you've got a ticket back
Don't believe in T.V. preachers
Don't believe in talk show stars
Never follow trends if they turn on your friends
Just be sure you know who your friends are

'Cause if you're running blind
On a refueled mind
Better watch the time
Careful you don't go too far

Never burn the bridges before you
Never burn the bridges behind
Don't burn the one that you're walking on
Gonna hit the water in time

Don't believe in expectations
Don't believe in shooting stars
If you make a stand on a dead empty hand
Never let 'em see your cards

'Cause if you're running blind
On a refueled mind
Better watch the time
Careful you don't go too far
Too far

Can't you hear...

New York City
Don't mean nothing
It's just a good place when you're running
Still you know I'm never gonna leave


What a great line for a rock song - "Never take a ride to the edge of your mind, Unless you got a ticket back."

I'll take about my Red Devils tomorrow. . .too far in the emotion of this album.

Now I just sit back in this chair,
Lean back,
and listen to Criss tangle his web of guitar licks
and let the emotion roll over me like a waterfall,
and loose myself again,

LATERS