Journey- Don't Stop Believin'

I've always liked Journey.
Even back in my "rap music is the only cool music" stage, I remember having a cassette tape with different rap songs on it, and right smack in the middle of the tape, there was Journey's "Don't Stop Believing".
No matter where you are, it seems that when "DSB" comes on, everybody starts singing.
The last time I remember hearing it was when me and some of my buds were out on a "Fellas Night Out".
We had gone to the Atlanta Roller Derby to watch a bout. One of my boys had done some refereeing for them in the past. If you know anything about Roller Derby, they all have nicknames, even the refs. His was "Uncle Buck Nekkid". I just thought you should know that.
Then we went to Manuel's Tavern for dinner and socializing.
We then walked down N. Highland Ave. to the Dark Horse Tavern.
Underneath the Dark Horse, there is a place called 10 High.
A few nights a week, 10 High hosts "Metalsome", live band karaoke.
This is unlike anything I had seen before.
There's this rocking band that plays along while whoever wants to, grabs the mike and wails.
I'm not talking B-52's or John Denver here.
There were songs by Metallica, Faith No More, Pearl Jam, and Buck Cherry, among others.
As soft as it got was "Summer of '69" by Bryan Adams and this one by Journey.
It was two girls that chose these two.
Of course, everybody in the place sang along.
None of my group "performed" that night, but we decided to pick a song and be ready for next time.
Now, should I go with Green Day or Billy Idol?
Decisions, decisions.

J.S. Bach-Mass in B Minor, BWV 232/ Agnes Dei

My friend, Alan Knox, asked a stirring question earlier this week.
He asked, "Do we prefer our Jesus to stay in a manger instead of outside an empty tomb?"
His discussion can be found in his blog at
http://www.alanknox.net/2011/04/do-we-prefer-our-jesus-to-stay-in-a-manger-instead-of-outside-an-empty-tomb/
This question has haunted me all week.
Of course, you can't have one without the other, but, maybe Easter would be the more appropriate time to exchange gifts in honor of the One that gave the ultimate gift.
I know that my celebration of Holy Week hasn't been much of a celebration thus far.
However, I have started gathering some information from different websites on great ways to celebrate and reflect on the Passion, for next year.
You'll have to tune in next year to see how I'm doing.
I pray all have a great Good Friday and a safe Happy Easter.
It's Friday...but Sunday's coming.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.

Alan Jackson- The Old Rugged Cross

Next week is Holy Week.
I guess the older that I get, the more the word "sacrifice" means to me.
I think of some of the sacrifices my folks had to make so that my life would be easier.
I think of the sacrifices that American troops across the globe, as well as their families back home, make to insure my freedom.
Some have paid the highest price.
And finally, I think of the Ultimate Sacrifice that was made over 2000 years ago, on a hill, in the Middle East.
A sacrifice, not only to make my life easier, or to give me freedom, (which by the way it has done), but to also secure my eternity.
The cross.
The brutal symbol of punishment and execution has become the sign pointing to true liberty and mercy for all.

They Might Be Giants-Meet The Elements

When I was in chiropractic school, I was able to live at home with my parents.
That's kind of a "good news/ bad news" scenario.
On one hand, I saved about $50,000 in student loans for housing. Good.
On the other hand, I lived with my parents.
Just kidding my folks are pretty awesome.
But because I chose to live at home, I commuted from College Park to Marietta about 5 days a week, for about 3 and a half years.
During this time, I was listening to alot of Album 88, the college-run radio station out of Georgia State University.
There was one particular DJ that I enjoyed listening to that played some of my favorites.
Everyday at the end of his show, he would play "Birdhouse in your Soul" by They Might Be Giants.
I remember when he was graduating and on his last radio show for the university, hearing him play his "swan song" for the last time.
Pardon while I reminisce.
Alright, I know.
It's true. The Giants are quirky.
But now that they are making kid's music, and good quality kid's music, I think their quirkiness is...well oddly awesome.
Check it out and let me know what you think.